12 Days of Christmas and Twas the night before Christmas

Chirp has been grounded for a while (it was getting a bit tedious) so I could pay some attention to finishing the Christmas ornaments I make each year for myself and the grandchildren.  The patterns are from mmmcrafts - 12 days of Christmas and Twas the night before Christmas.  I had completed all the embroidery on each one but they still needed assembling.  I'm happy to say Ambers one is complete.

Six geese a laying.....

and a close up of the goose

Last year I made a girl elf and a boy one (I actually can't remember which is which, but I think Joshua had the boy elf).  Which means this year he will get a little girl elf!

There are a lot of components involved and they are so small and fiddly that if Im honest I won't be sorry when they are done!!  As you can see from the next photo it's all a bit of a pickle!

That's all for this week.  I will link up with Kathy tomorrow for some more slow Sunday stitching.

Ocean: Wonders of the sea

 I've had a good week sewing wise, with lots of time to complete part 10 of the Climbing Goat SAL.

There is a hydrothermal vent (my husband guessed one of these might feature at the bottom of the ocean).  A yeti crab - this was the first species of yeti crab to be discovered in 2005.  Giant vent mussels (x5), hairy vent snails (x2), alvincaris shrimp (x2), scaly-foot gastropod and some synophobranchid eels (eight of those on the vent)!

And here is the remaining part to complete next month!  Rather a lot but my husband is hoping for a ship wreck to feature?  I guess a lot of creatures and fish live around ship wrecks so we will wait and see!

I was so caught up in my stitching last week I didn't get a chance to look at any ones blog, but this week I shall do lots of catching up.

Oceans and Chirp

 It's been a busy and tiring week so I'm really looking forward to relaxing with my cross stitch for some lovely slow Sunday stitching.  I don't have much to show however!  The 10th part of Wonders of the Oceans from Climbing Goat was published on Thursday, so I did manage to make a start on that.

I also finished some more flowers on Chirp and started on the next section.  This will be on hold while I finish Oceans.  Then there is only one more part to go!

Not much I'm afraid but hopefully by the end of today I will have a bit more of Oceans done.   Pop over to Kathys blog to see what other people are working on at the moment.

Chirp

 I had my sewing group on Monday and I should have managed to get lots done......no.  We spent most of the day chatting (gossiping) and I only managed to compete two hexie flowers!  Not much to show for five hours but it was great fun as usual.  At home I've added a few more stitches to Chirp and now have nine flowers completed.

and a close up of the flower three.

The other three with this pattern are partially completed but all need the bullion knots, cast on bullion knots around the centre and the little felt circles around the edge - probably another 7 hours of stitching.  There is a lot of work in each flower and I haven't completed each flower as suggested. leaving off some stitches.  But the main thing is I'm enjoying the process.

I'm off to the pumpkin farm tomorrow with the grandchildren but will try and link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching.

Oceans and Chirp

 Life has been busy, nothing unusual there of course, but I am very happy that Sunday has arrived because I can't wait to spend the day slow Sunday stitching

I have finished part nine of the Wonders of the Ocean by Climbing Goat.  I don't know how many stitches where in this section but fish include a colossal squid (that is it's actual name, it is colossal and it's a squid), stoplight loosejaw (again its real name, if you look closely you can see two cross stitches of red and one of green), black dragonfish and some lovely hatchfish (again its proper name - isn't it wonderful)

I also managed some more flowers around Chirp and I've completed eight in total now!

I can't actually remember if I posted the little sewing pouch and zipper that I made for a relatives 18 birthday (it was yesterday).  She will be going to University next year so hopefully it will be useful.  The pattern for this is from The Thread House Academy

That's it for now I'm off to watch the F1 racing and sew some more hexies.

Happy stitching!

Chirp!

 I really wanted to get some more stitches added to Chirp, my Sue Spargo project.  So I got my sewing machine out and sewed the nine blocks together and added the border.  I had finished cutting the edge flowers out some time ago, so added them to the border and lightly attached them with matching thread.

Each flower will need to have more anchor stitches but in the meantime they are all in place.  I was really eager to carry on so choose the different perle 8 threads required and over a couple of days stitched the first flower!

I actually have 24 flowers to stitch - four of the same flower around the border.  Soooo this is going to take me a long time!  And I modified the amount of stitches on each flower!  My aim is to try and add a few stitches every day.

Watch this space!

I will link up with Kathy tomorrow for lots of lovely slow stitching.

Bayeux Cockerel and Wonders of the Ocean

 I'm on a bit of a quest to try and finish a few of my UFOs (I know I've been saying that for a long time!)  Well today I can actually confirm I've completed the Bayeux Cockerel that I've been working on since 2018, which is when we visited the actually tapestry in France!

I have no idea how I'm going to actually finish him though.  I don't think I want him framed so maybe turn him into a cushion.  In the mean time I'm very happy to say he is done!!!

On Wednesday Climbing Goat published the 9th instalment of  Wonders of the Ocean.

Good progress made.

I will link up with Kathy tomorrow for some more slow Sunday stitching

Zipper pouch and cross stitch

 Its been so busy that it's quite nice to be getting back to normal and that rhythm of life that is always busy and very fulfilled but not hectic!  This week at class I made a great start on the zipper pouch (pattern by Center Street Quilts - Etsy) and managed over the next few days to get it finished and I am delighted with it!

And the inside.  Most of the fabric is from the Songbird collection by Tilda (my favourite) and some other random Tilda added in.  All I have to do now is fill it.

The instructions are very good, clear and in depth but boy was the zipper pouch inside tricky to sew through when I added the binding and in fact I broke two needles in the process and couldn't even hand crank the machine through it!  It was all down to the stabiliser I used.  The pattern asks for ByAnnie and that is available in the UK but rather expensive.  Anyway it all worked out OK, just don't look at that bit too close.

I had a small area to finish on my Sheep Virtue cross stitch which was also completed.

And the two completed pieces minus a button on each.

I will link up with Kathy tomorrow for some slow Sunday stitching.

Zip case and Oceans x stitch

 It's been wall to wall rain and wind today!  It's been amazing to stand and watch the rain fall and I could almost see the grass starting to turn from crispy brown to definitely some green coming through.  I've spent the day prepping for my class Monday week.  And I've really enjoyed myself.

I will be making the Center Street Quilts Nightingale Zipper Case and have been buying the odd long quarter of Tilda fabric here and there.  I've been wanting to make this for a while so I'm glad I've set some time apart to finally do it.  It's been fun playing with the fabric and deciding which one will go where.  I then decided to quilt it before my class and prep each pocket.  If I didn't have such a busy week next week, with baby sitting, guests staying and then more guests next Saturday I probably would just march on and make it, but at least I know I have a whole day of sewing next Monday!

I've also completed the 8th part of the Climbing Goat SAL Wonders of the Ocean

There's approximately 1500 stitches in this section and includes a Whale shark, cleaner fish, common remora, moon wrasse, vampire squid and lanternfish.  It's hard to believe there are only three parts remaining, the last one being published on November 15th (nearly Christmas!!)  I have enjoyed it a lot!

Tomorrow I'm not sure what I will be stitching?  I only have a small section to finish the Cockerel and that would be a real bonus if I can get that done.  I will link up with Kath for some slow Sunday stitching

Sheep Virtues and Hexies

 We've just returned from spending a lovely week on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon.  It was really hot so only a small amount of stitching took place (more reading this week to be honest!)  But here is what I've been working on over the last two weeks.

I picked up the little Sheep Virtue cross stitch to work on while away and it is nearly finished but I need a couple of colours that I had left at home, so hopefully by next week it will be done.

I stitched seven hexi flowers (one a day)

I did manage to visit two fabric shops in Devon and bought this lovely French linen.  I'm a bit obsessed with this fabric at the moment and hopefully I can turn them into some more moon trees.

Moon trees leads me rather nicely to the partial eclipse of the sun on Wednesday 12th August.  And Devon was to experience 95% coverage.  Now bearing in mind that my husband is a keen astronomer he forgot to bring any eclipse glasses with us.  We really do have quite a few pairs at home but not 120 miles away in Devon!!  You may have read in the news that people in the UK had been trying to get hold of them and he did valiantly go into lots of shops trying to get some - no chance!  So we improvised!

This is using a piece of card and a colander (thank goodness there was one in the holiday let.  Lots and lots of suns! Then we tried card with a pin hole

I think the multiple sun/moon shot through the colander is rather lovely.

We had fun doing it and he has promised to take me any where there is another total eclipse, which will have to be abroad because there won't be another one in the UK until 2090+

I'm off to do some slow Sunday stitching with Kathy and the crew!

A room with a view and Cockerel

 Yesterday my DH and I visited an Arts and Crafts fair.  My sewing group entered a piece of work each, of the view outside our window where we have been meeting once a month for over 15 years.

We picked this angle because we liked the building and the reeds in the foreground.  I turned my piece into a book cover.

And here are all the interpretations of the view, with three of the group getting 'Highly Commended' and the rest a 'Commended'

One of the group wrote a nice piece explaining what we did and how it wasn't just about the sewing, it was more about the friendships and support we have forged over the years!

It was a good day out and we both really enjoyed ourselves.

I haven't had a chance to add much more to my cockerel but after starting to stitch the leaves on the right of the picture I realised it should have been the red/brown thread rather than the light brown.  I can't take it out as it would be really tricky so I am going to stitch his legs next, which should be in the light brown and hope I have enough thread and then go back to the leaves!  A bit annoying but not the end of the world.

Joshua also asked me to make an apron like his sisters.  He chose the fabric only problem is you can't see his name very clearly but hopefully he won't mind!  I did most of the apron on the overlocker so it was a really quick make.

I will link up later with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching

Oceans and Bayeux cockerel

 I've had a very productive week and that is always very satisfying!  I completed the 7th part of the Oceans SAL which includes a Bluespotted ribbontail ray, Lanternfish, Seahorses (Pacific and Crowned Seahorses), Leafy seadragon, American lobster and some Seagrass!  A total of 1542 stitches, the smallest section so far which probably accounts for me finishing it so quickly.

and a close up of those lovely seahorses and the lobster!

The Bayeux tapestry arrived in London in the dead of night, a couple of weeks ago.  It is going on display at the British Museum, one of my favourite museums in London.  It arrived under police escort and to celebrate it's arrival The British Museum projected a picture and the word 'merci!' onto the white cliffs of Dover.  How cool is that!!!  This is the first time the tapestry has been in England since it was created here nearly 1,000 years ago.  When we visited Bayeux several years ago we did see it and it is pretty amazing, especially the detail and the vibrancy of the colours.  Quite close to the museum in France is a shop that sold kits in the style of the tapestry and I bought one of a cockerel.  I really liked the picture but the black outlining and the three layers of stitching got a little boring so it's been waiting to be loved again and now seemed the perfect opportunity to give it some love.

This is where I was when I last picked it up.....

and this is where I am today!  It feels really good to have progressed this far.

Unfortunately when I picked it up again I over tightened the frame and some of the black outline on the cockerels feet broke so I will have to unpick some of it and restitch, but it should be easily remedied.  

On Sunday I will link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching

Happy stitching

Oceans, Chirp and Moon Trees

 The next part of Oceans was posted on Wednesday and it is not such a big section so I have  made a start.

On the left is a blue spotted ray with a few squiggles of water and on the right I've started on some sea weed and a lobster.  I have quite a bit of outlining to do on him which hopefully I can do tomorrow.  There are only four parts remaining which makes me think they will probably be quite large sections when I think how much fabric there is left to fill.

Waiting for this to be published I got out Chirp again.  Haven't done anything on this for quite a while and only had the French knots and detached chain stitch on his body to finish bird nine.

As with the other birds there is quite a selection of stitches involved including couching, bullion knots, chain stitch, crested chain stitch, eyelet wheel, drizzle stitch, woven circle and fly stitch!

And here he is with the rest of the flock.

Next stage is sewing the nine squares together and the border (two shades of green) before starting on stitching 24 flowers to the edge.  But first I had to cut them out!!

I also added some running stitches to the Moon Trees.  I really enjoyed making these and want to do more, but I don't want a large quilt of them so just need to decide what I could make?

Well thats it for this week.  As we are having a quiet weekend I will get plenty of time to link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching

Into the Woods and Moon Trees

 Another week has flown past and another exhausting week of very high temperatures!  Some parts of my county have put in place a hose pipe ban and a warning of potential for forest fires.  It's always a bit of a problem here because its popular with visitors and the New Forest is full of trees.  Those two things unfortunately in the summer are a bit of a risk.  

Anyway this weather has meant I don't go out unless absolutely necessary, which allows for more sewing time!

I quilted the 'Into the Woods' wall hanging with a grey variegated thread and decided a colourful border would be nice.  Because I had used all my tiny scraps of fabric to do this I had to cut into my selection of plains.  So after cutting 2" strips, I sub cut several times and attached it. 

BUT didn't like it once it was attached!

I unpicked it and took a drive to my local quilts shop.  It's really tiny but it's only about a 20minute drive and there is a really good selection of fabrics.  I came back with a choice of three.  Two greys and a green (which I couldn't resist, especially as this line is being discontinued)

Much happier!  The fabrics in the trees/flowers are now the stars not the border.

The next group of classes with the Thread House Academy is with Jo Avery called Moon Trees.  She has curated a selection of fabrics from an online shop called 'A Beautiful Thing' and the use of aurifil  12 wt. for the actual needle turn applique.  I'm not a fan of needle turn but thought I would buy a selection of fabrics to give it a go and see if it made any difference!

They are gorgeous fabrics and feel really nice (OK I probably bought more than I actually need).  The fabrics are 100% cotton yarn dyed wovens by Fableism and Robert Kaufman 55%linen/45% cotton dyed wovens and Essex yarn dyed. The trees are all cut improv so I decided not to cut into this scrumptious bundle of fabrics I would have a go with some from my stash before trying them out.

I learnt a lot from this practice square and will do things slightly differently next time, but I'm pleased with how it turned out and the process was really enjoyable.

I've also been adding to my hexie flowers but more of that next week maybe.  I'm off out to lunch now with my darling husband (anniversary tomorrow) but tomorrow we are off to see our son in London to celebrate his 40th birthday which is today!

I will link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching tomorrow although I don't think I will have time for any stitching - mind you I think I've made up for it this week!!

Happy stitching

Ocean wonders and Into the Woods

 I'm very excited to show the next part of the Wonders of the Ocean SAL mainly because it has not one but two Sperm Whales!!  Whales are the reason I signed up for this SAL.  My three year old grandson is obsessed with them and I was really banking on there being at least one whale in the process!  Thank goodness they made an appearance.

And here they are in amongst the other sea creatures.

 

Now I just have to wait for the 15th July for the next release.

I've also been working on a Thread House Academy project.  It's called Into the Woods and is by Lynne Goldsworthy.  I wasn't really up to making a large quilt so reduced the pattern pieces down to 40% and one 30% and have had great fun going through my bag of tiny pieces of fabric that I couldn't part with.  I just knew they would come in useful one day.

 

That's it for now.  On Sunday I will link up with Kathy for some slow Sunday stitching while enjoying the British Grand prix!

Chicken coin purse

 Wow what a heat wave we've had!  It has been pretty unbearable if I'm honest.  If we have managed to walk the dog it's been at 6am in the morning and even then it was a bit hot.  Some days she just didn't go out!  We stayed in the house with the fan on 24 hours a day, but the good news is today it's been a lot more normal temperatures and far more manageable and the sea breeze has helped.  I have done a bit of sewing and in fact I've nearly completed the next section of my SAL Oceans but don't have a photo so that will have to wait until next week.

What I did get finished mainly first thing in the morning or in the evenings was the little chicken coin purse that was featured in the Thread House Academy taster weekend.  This is one of Jo Avery's creations and is supper cute.  Not sure what I am going to do with him but he is really nice.

I've also added a couple more hexies to the ones I posted last week

I think I have 37 in total.  A long way to go but this is just a filler project so done as and when I have time or in the mood.

And lastly I thought I would post a photo of the sky from my house last night - it was so beautiful.

Hop on over to Kathy's blog tomorrow for some slow Sunday stitching and if you are suffering a heat wave try and stay cool!!!