Birdhouse tapestry

I am super excited to say I have finished my Birdhouse tapestry!  I started this in the first lock down in 2020 and have worked on it on and off over the last three years.  This year however I was determined to complete it, which I did last night at about 10pm.

and a close up of the birds.

The colours in this make me very happy!  I think I might make this into a cushion, but that might change of course.

Like everyone else I look back on what I've achieved over the past year.

I have completed 40 projects.  Sounds like a lot but really some of them were very small like making some hand stitched birthday cards and making Amber an apron for cooking, but others were much larger.  Ambers Dino Friends quilt, Luna Lapin bunny (including a dress and coat for her) and of course lots of cross stitching.

I've also read 58 books, and listened to 12 audio books.  During that time I discovered the series of books 'Rivers of London' by Ben Aaranovitch - which I love and have converted three other family members to try them out!

We haven't travelled this year as much as we wanted to, mainly because the first time we went away in our van we were burgled.  Not a very nice experience at all, but hopefully that is behind us now and we can get out and about and explore more of the UK.  There is always somewhere new to discover even on this small island! 

I will link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching maybe I can work on another of those long standing UFOs!

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Creative 2024!

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas!

12 days of Christmas 

Christmas Eve Eve!

 I've been enjoying watching lots of Christmas films this week! They were all films I knew and love so I was able to carry on working my bird house tapestry.  I'm on a bit of a mission - to finish at least one long term project this year!

All that's left to do is the background top half and then outlining the birds.

Is it achievable I have no idea but I am enjoying the processing and after all that's what counts.

All that's left is for me to wish you all a very 

Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Creative New Year!

Dino Friends

I am doing a very happy dance, I finally got the binding finished on Amber's Dino Friends quilt!

 and a label!

It has been a busy week.  The highlight was my son Samuel marrying his long time girlfriend Amy.  It was a very quiet affair with a wonderful afternoon tea following the marriage service.  They chose this day to get marriage because it is exactly 15 years since there very first date.  I am so happy for them.

Well not much sewing has happened this week because not only did we have a wedding to attend, my step mum celebrated her 93 birthday and we went to Ambers nursery to watch her first Nativity.  So today for slow Sunday stitching I am really looking forward to watching a Christmas Film and definitely doing some slow Sunday stitching!

Door wreath and bunting!

 I have finished all my Christmas present shopping, but still haven't written my cards.  Im hoping to get going on those today because the last posting day is fast approaching!  That means I probably won't get much time for any slow Sunday stitching but if I do I really want to finish the binding on Ambers Dino quilt.  I have sewn two side, so I'm half way there!  

On Monday it was my craft groups Christmas shared lunch and we made Christmas door wreaths.  It was great fun and I'm so pleased with how mine turned out, considering it was made using a potato to secure the holly and ivy and other green bits!

Despite having the children a lot last week, while Faye worked I did manage to get my Merry Christmas bunting finished and hanging above our advent calendar.

Not very good photo unfortunately it is so dull today, but below are a couple of close up pictures I took outside when it was much brighter!

Thats all for now folk.  I have a dog waiting for her walk!

Dino quilt and Christmas red work

 Can you believe it?  December has arrived and Christmas is round the corner!  I'm very organised this year with all (well almost all) my gift shopping complete!  I really wanted to get Ambers Dino quilt finished this year and although I still have to cut the binding, attach binding, make a label and attach that also and then hand sew the binding down - I know lots of people enjoy that bit, but I do not!!  Despite that I think I will achieve my goal.  Here is the quilt top joined together and all the quilting done.

(note to self must draw all there faces on!)

I love red work and Christmas red work especially.  I've been working on this little Merry Christmas red work banner for some time.  The last time i posted a picture of my progress was December 2022.  It was a free pattern from Mandy Shaw some years ago and truthfully its taken me a couple of years to complete.  The pattern suggests cutting each piece to size and then sewing binding to the top, but I want to finish mine off a bit more, so have some red fabric to back each piece before adding the binding.  Watch this space!  We are looking after the children this weekend while Mum and Dad visit friends in Germany for the weekend, so it's going to be a tiring time but I am looking forward to having them!