Finishing, Start and Enhancing

Here we go posting day again. The Big Finish of 'Break Time', finally and with great relief the mammoth UFO is completed. I did enjoy doing the face and hair as it was so bright and cheerful, he does look quite a friendly chap. Currently it is stretched out along the back of out settee still waiting to be ironed and also to be decided on exactly WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH IT? I have been looking for fabric to turn it into a wall-hanging but up to now have found nothing that appeals in the least, so I guess that for a while it'll be rolled up and stored until a bright idea comes to me.

With the completion of Break Time it was a case of looking for the next UFO for Jen's I've Started so I'll Finish....Eventually. I came to the conclusion that I'd pick one that I'd put away because I thought that I had used all the wrong coloured red beads and was totally demoralised by it. It was cast to 'To Do' cupboard before Christmas LAST YEAR ( now that's an improvement on some of my UFO's). This is how it looked on Thursday last week when we went down to visit my sister for a few days

Once again some pictures of our garden. This lily is taller than I am, must admit that doesn't take a great deal of doing as I am only approximately 5'2", it is absolutely beautiful.
Now this clematis was given to us by my sister when it had decided that it didn't want to flower anymore!! It was a case of perhaps different soil may give it a boost and WOW it really has done.

Just to prove that the grapes are growing and starting to look like grapes here you are. There are several bunches and we are hoping that they will keep on fattening up

Back to some cross stitching updates. The 8 Maids a Milking is now completed and must admit that I am very pleased with it. The 12 days are now back up to date so mini happy dance. The colours on it are beautiful but once again I don't seem able to photograph them to show how pretty they look.

'Castles in the Air' has appeared back at the top again and is now back on the stand to try and catch up a little. The latest download has got some blackwork on which makes a pleasant change, I decided that I'd do the left hand side and then move over and do both the missing downloads on the right hand side( if that makes sense). I've made a start on download 14 but then off to my sister's house so it'll have to wait.

Whilst visiting big sis I decided to get my DH to take me to The Nimble Thimble (a shop of dreams) and did a little enhancing. I was really taken by the design by Waxing Moon Designs.
I purchased the 28ct 'Crystal Magic' Cashel and also the
beautiful frame by 'Poppy Kreations'. I have a feeling that this isn't going to be left hiding for a long time.
I had taken some stitching with me and decided to boost my moral by starting something new (naughty me) instead of working to complete some smaller easier transportable piece. This is the one I have started... guess what back to beads!!!


Once again thank you for popping in and also taking the time to leave a comment. They are so much appreciated.
Until next time Happy Stitching to you all

Feeling relaxed...Makes a change.

The sun's shining again to day, although we have had rain and some of that has been quite heavy at times. Areas near to us have been hit by the flash floods and you've guessed it the hose pipe ban is STILL ON. Some of our plants are now suffering but we have managed to revive them a little, thank goodness. The tomatoes are starting to ripen and I can tell you they taste delicious. My poor carrots seem to have given up and vanished along with the radishes and the spring onions, still onwards and upwards the gooseberry bush is coming along well and the grapes are actually starting to look like grapes. Yippee.

My younger son and his family have returned from their short holiday to Spain and appear to have had a good time. My son rang me today to say that they had landed safely although delayed at the airport and that he had was just on his way back from the hospital after having his shoulder X-rayed. I presumed something must have happened on holiday but thankfully no, it was on the recommendation of his physio, to check out some sort of damage he has inflicted on himself over the years of playing and coaching field hockey and also playing cricket for a team he's played for, ooow let me see must be 22 or 23 years. I hope that it's not going to be anything serious as I think it would quite deflate him. Fingers crossed.

I am back on grandchildren duty tomorrow for a couple of days. I'm quite looking forward to it for some strange reason... at least I'll get some more of Breaktime done, or maybe I'll try and weed their garden a little. Now to how Breaktime is doing. I think I'll have one more turn up to finish him off, (well maybe).

Here's my photo update
. Not much more now. If it hadn't been for Jen's I've started so I'll finish....eventually I think this would still be forgotten at the back of some dark neglected cupboard.
I went looking around some fabric shops the other day trying to find something that I could use as a backing for him to turn him to the wall hanging I've been thinking about. Alas to no avail. I found some Halloween material that I quite liked but that isn't going to help me. I was looking for something that would sort of complement the colours in the clown but also look really good. When I see some of the finished pieces on the varying blogs with some great backing fabrics I can't help but wonder where in the world you find them.
I must admit The Three Kings and also Castles in the Air have not seen light of day yet again. My excuse for this is that I have been trying very hard to catch up my 12 Days of Christmas so that I am back on track for getting it finished in time for Xmas 2010. The beads have arrived so I have been able to finish the missing bits. I had seriously under bought the beads in the first place (my own error though) but I think I now have sufficient. The Seven Swans are completed and swimming away there.

I notice on the photos this time that the beads don't seem to have the knock out colours that they in the flesh (so to speak) and I have no idea how to get the true effect of them, it seems to be very hit and miss.
The 8 Maids are coming along well even though they are rather fiddly .

It seems quite strange cross stitching people, so that means that I'm getting to the last sections of the 12 Days as well.
I've treated myself to Donna Kooler's 555 Christmas Cross Stitch Designs and am waiting for that to arrive as I have some idea of making some Christmas Decorations for my older son, I've ordered material as well so perhaps I'm on a roll.....We'll see.. That son has just gone on holiday, he's gone camping so I hope that the sun shines for him and his family. They'll have a good time regardless though I'm sure.

Here's hoping the Postman arrives soon with my goodies.

Until next time thanks for calling in and taking time out to leave a comment they are so much appreciated.

Enjoy your summer and stitching. Byee for now.

Guess what....The Sun's Shining.

Hi there everyone. Summer holidays are upon us. That means that for the last 10 days we've had grandchildren staying with us. Very busy cooking and doing the old cub badges with my two youngest grandsons. Must admit they did very well and duly deserve their badges when they get them. The flapjacks and oat biscuits were delicious.


I must admit it was very nice having someone to do the washing up and window cleaning as well.

You've guessed it.....rather camera shy grandson!!


The hosepipe ban is still on despite the fact that there have been flash foods and torrential downpours, You know the same old story 'WRONG SORT OF RAIN', after all it's all wet, I do know what they mean, at least the gardens are fine. Thought you might like to see a little of our garden as we are further along in the year. It isn't looking so great really but we have some bright spots.






We had a bout of strong winds which ruined the hanging baskets and 'burnt' several plants. Luckily the tomatoes are doing well whether they will eventually turn to the right colour is another matter. It's a good job that we like green tomato chutney!!




My DH and I have just returned from our 'Garden Centre' roam with another new plant for the garden,it's a climbing Hydrangea which we intend to plant on a North-facing wall that we have always had a problem with. Here's hoping that this will solve it! Along with our plant we have bought some more bird feeders to replace the ones that have finally fallen apart. Already filled with seed,nuts and suet treats .....not a bird in sight!!!.
This picture is something that cheers me up it's a patio apple it just grows in a pot and it fruits every year. The apple type is' Katie' it was bought after the death of our Mum, Kathleen, back in 2001 my sister has a tree as well.

Because of the grandchildren visits and minding, cross stitch has been a little on hold. Unfortunately The 12 Days of Christmas has fallen behind. I should have been onto the 8 Maids a Milking but my Swans are still getting their feathers so they can't swim very well yet. Still never mind as I now have a few weeks while the 'young ones'( this includes my sons and their wives) are all away on their Summer hols. That is Guides camps, Cadbury World, Longleat, Spain all in no particular order. My hubby and I are just putting our feet up at home and probably pottering about a bit. I'll get some stitching done and the odd game of golf will creep in for my DH.
Here's my picture of the 12 Days. I will do better I promise



Must admit that while at my son's with three of the grandchildren I did get quite a lot of my UFO done which is for Jen's blog...I've Started so I'll Finished....Eventually
I have quite surprised myself with this one as finally I find that I am enjoying it. I am now on the last few of the 42"inches width of this piece, the chart is very hard to read as it is a hand drawn one and several splodges are just guessed. His face is much more cheery than I expected and I have put some half stitches in around the eyelashes although they are not actually shown on the chart. ( I just have to fiddle around a bit and make it mine)



I have been trying to catch up on my reading blogs that I follow and wanted to leave a comment onRocky Mountain Stitcher to say how well I thought her mermaid was doing but unfortunately I couldn't get it to take any comment. If anyone knows Berniceplease will you ask if she can check her 'settings' as I notice there are no comments and this seems strange as her stitching is lovely. To Bernice' It could well be me being a little in my dotage doing it wrong'.


I am now away to get some more feathers on my Swans....so thanks for calling in and leaving a comment. Enjoy your holidays whatever you may be doing.
Until next time HAPPY STITCHING