It's Me. I have been watching

It's me. I know you're all going to collapse. Firstly appologies to all I have been following your blogs when I 've been able to get access to computer but for some reason there have only been a few comments that have been posted. I keep getting and 'ERROR' message and so the comment gets blocked, rather frustrating but know idea what. why or anything else. Anyhow not to worry just sad for me.
I have been stitching away though in between my normal chaotic diary. My physio has definitely had it's ups and downs. I was doing well and then I went after having very little sleep for several days because of pain and felt ghastly. The Physio shook her head at me and announced that she didn't know what else she could do. Now that made me feel really great. But at my last visit there was some good improvement so I'll go with that and just keep up with the exercises. At the moment my head feels as though it's wobbling around on a disconnected neck, been like that since my last physio visit. Is this a good thing I wonder.!!!
Still on to stitchy things. At long last I am able to say many Thanks to Elaine for the amazing parcel that arrived from her when I won her 'Give-Away' it's truly incredible. Just glance at these pics.

There were also some charts but hold my hand up I forgot to take a picture of them. The Lady- bird pillow is lovely and so well finished. It was like opening a treasure trove. of fabrics and threads so once again many thaks Elaine.

Now for my stitchy things.

I have been stitching a Lavender Wings 'Star lite Star Brite', I enjoyed this I took it with me on a sister visit

Here it is now all stitched I have now to get 'Bell Pull' so that I can finish it off. my pet hate. Finishing I just never seem to get round to it.


.

How many of you remember my Twelve Days of Christmas? Well no it still is completely finished but I have finally managed to get some fabric to back it.

It's Jim Shore , the now discontinued, 12 Days of Christmas fabric. I've bought some felt, to act a batting, as I am turning it into a large wall hanging. I am now scratching my head as to the best way to do it. I'm so worried about spoiling it as it took so many months to stitch it.

Now for Agneatha. She is now a cushion cover(courtesy of my Sister) she really looks lovely just waiting for Christmas

And last, but not least ,my secret stitch I have been working like mad on this but there's really no hope of it being done for Christmas. up to press I 've done approximately 12400 stitches I definitely think you'll have a very good idea of what it is now.

Hopefully I will be able to post again before so long and that I soon be able to leave comments. My DH is trying his best to find out the problem but it is still defeating him. But please remember I am watching. Until next time Keep up the good work with those needles. Cheers Flo

LEST WE FORGET

Ups, Downs and Updates

Hi there everyone. Hope you're all OK.
Well I've had a real up and down few weeks. I started my physio on my knee that I hurt in a fall some months ago and also on my neck that I hurt earlier this year. Yes! I am a walking (hobbling) disaster. I was more than a little nerveous for my first visit to the physio expecting a 10ft. tall he man and so many people had told how much I was going to get pummled about. Guess what no such thing ..My physio is a very nice lady who is quite petite. I did come out rather confused......apparently I stand wonky that is I put more weight on my right leg (because my left leg gives way) and therefore I don't stand straight anymore. Oooops no 1. My leg muscles aren't working properly Oooops no 2. My neck doesn't like turning properly so I've got all these exercises to do three times a day. I have done them but end up with gross headaches Ooops no 3. Back for my second appointment. I have now been given extra exercises for my leg and believe it or not I am now standing better. ....Not of course that I was aware of standing wonky in the first place. My neck is not too happy but I'll keep perceveering and hope that there will be a breakthrough soon. At least if there is I'll perhaps be able to get a better night sleep.
Now to my family. I'm back in the routine of hockey and netball taking, plus the occasional football sorting out. My younger son is a field hockey player and a week ago rang to let me know that he'd been hit in the face at the match and was sporting a possible broken nose and a couple of black eyes. On hearing this my mind went back to when, with both my sons , I spent long hours waiting in A&E with one injury or another.Not a pleasant memory. Any how when I finally saw him he didn't look as bad although whether he's had it checked at the local hospital he's not saying. Then on Thursday last my DH and I were at my son's waiting for
a phone call from our grandson for a lift back from the school football match. Off went my DH. I heard the car arrive back and went to make a cup of tea. I went to the door where the grandson was removing his boots and his cheeky face looked at me and said'Like Father Like Son' You've guessed it he'd been hit in the face and had the swollen nose and bruising coming.
When his Dad arrived home my DH and I left for a few days at my sister's. Peace at last..
only thing was I got a phone call on the Saturday from my son again just to let me know he'd been hit in the face again at hockey. This time it's a bottom tooth that's the problem I believe it's got to go. Now that's going to ruin his smile until they decide what they are going to do with it.
Hopefully this week will be a better week or else I'm going to hide.
Now for some stitchy updates. I've been working away on Jim shore's Snowman and I can now see quite a lot of progress on him but as yet I still haven't put aby beads on him

My next update is on the Lavender Wings 'Star Lite, Star bright' I took this with me to my sister's and managed to make a difference, I have the filament overstitching to do yet, it's another of those things I don't like doing because the filament always stretches so much. It doesn't seem to matter how short I make the thread it still stretches. !!!

This is only showing the last part I stitched as I forgot to unrole it before my DH photoed it for me. I love the snowmen they've got great faces. I'll try and remember to show all of it next time..
Now to my secret stitch. I have been putting a lot of time into this but I think I'm on a lost cause for this Christmas, as I said last time there are 49400 stitches in it and so far I've done approximately 6200 of them. It is made up of so many single stitches it's unbelievable. I really hope that it's going to be worth the effort reguardless of when it's finished

Must admit this is not the best picture. The sunshine is making it look a lot lighter than it is. There again mustn't complain about the sunshine as earlier today it was hailing. Now I'm off to make a drink and relax with a book for a while. Oh by the way forgot to mention we're still having computer problems I hope we can get it sorted soon. It takes an age to post as everything keeps 'shutting down'. Fingers crossed all will be well soon.I'm still trying to catch up with blog reading managed some but haven't always commented please forgive me will make up for it as soon as 'comp' is feeling better.
Until next time happy stitching to you all and if you've time to leave a comment so much appreciated.

All sorts of Everthing.

At last I've managed to shut the 'Airport' down so that I can at least blog a little. My DH is still airporting like mad despite the fact that I think he has got to the current top level. He say's he's now helping the 'newbies, up the ladder. Mind you we have had some ups and downs with the computer..... We've had to put new leads on and a new router, which incidentally is worse than the old one... I got annoyed and complained to the internet provider and we are being sent yet another router. Here's hoping that this one works. Our internet speed has become so slow we'd loose a race with a snail. Next thing was the keyboard, it's the connection not the actual board but as it's from the stone age we've been and bought a new one. So how all will go on who knows???

I've been doing my usual grandchildren stints, but as yet there are no evening sports to have to take them to. My grandchildren twins started their High School on the 6th Sept. They are absolutely exhausted at the moment, what with the homework to do and them getting each others books muddled up and several stressed outbreaks from the female side of the twins to the laid back atitude of her brother (What is it about males??). Anyhow I'm sure in a little while it'll all calm down...Hopefully....

I should have started physio on my knee and shoulder at long last. I was all ready for the off when the phone rang to tell me that the Physio was ill and they had no other spaces to fit me in until the end of the month. Still I've struggled with it now for a long time so a little while longer won't make a deal of difference. Wish me luck with it.

Just so you know I have been stitching. I've done quite well really and I must say I'm pleased with all my progress. Now to see what you all think.... First of all my Jim Shore Snowman. I took him with me to my sisters and he moved along OK

There is still the outer ring to go on and lots of beads. It's such a long time since I've stitched anything with beads. It's a wonder I've not been in denial!!!!

Now on to my Gakwonga piece' Ngoma Kem Kem.' This is the third one and Yes I've finished it. yippee...Happy Dances . I've got another one similar to the ones I've already stitched and a couple of ones that have men 'dancing ' and playing drums.

I decided against starting another 'African' type at the moment and have started a Christmas 'Bell Pull'

It's by Lavender Wings and is called 'Star Lite. Star Brite'. Here's my progress on it. It's one I do in the evenings with my feet up!!
I actually took it to my sisters with me but managed to forget all the threads...Oh Age is such a wonderful thing!?!
It's quite a change from one's I've been stitching recently so it makes a pleasant difference.

Next is something I've started as a gift. I had geat illusions of giving it at Christmas but after starting I'm not sure exactly which Christmas it'll be. It is approximately 11" x 13" on 18ct aida. it has 52 colours and 49400 stitches. What do you think my chances are then for this year????
I'm not showing a picture of it nor giving the title so watch this space...here is my progress so far.

This is about 500 stitches..The colours shown are just under half of them and the rest are in similar colour veins. you can probably guess that lots of the shades are consecutive so here's hoping that I don't go wrong too often as I'll have a lot of difficulty deciding what colour is what.

LOUD FANFARE....ANNOUNCEMENT.... AGNEATHA IS FINISHED....
and that includes all the backstitching. I am very pleased with her. The intention is to make her into a cushion for Christmas time and heres hoping that this one will get 100% finished this year. I 've got so many pieces that are stitched but needed framing etc.. Here she is

The next photo is one I asked my DH to take just to prove she really has got 'whiskers'

Just so you know I have been reading blogs when I have been able to displace my DH from his 'Air Traffic control' pastime but due to the computer keyboard problems have left only a few comments. Please rest assured that I enjoy watching your updates and will get back to commenting ASAP. This new keyboard is a nightmare ...it van't spell !!!!

To day is the first time I have used it and I think it is going to take some getting used to. So until next time hope you are all making great stridees forward with your WIPS and that the 'frogs' are all away.
Until next time. Bye for now.

A bit of this and that.

Well it's me. I've actually managed to find a bit of time to blog. I've been busy as per usual with the grandchildren. They've been staying with us for a few days, we went shopping ( the girls and I) on one day and another went to the local swimming pool where they attempted to show me their made up syncranised swimming exhibition. I don't think any of the prospective Olympic Games entrants need worry. It took them about half an hour to figure out how to burst out of the water one after another, Entertaining watching the practise but the 10 seconds it lasted .......well what can I say??We then had to take them back home so that they could all attend their football and hockey training sessions. Then of course there's the picking up and dropping off of 'sleepovers', and friend playing. I also had the 'pleasure' of three other teenagers 'chilling out' in the back garden after going to collect their module results for their GCSE's All happy with the results so I made lunch for them and left them to enjoy the sunshine.

A little earlier in August my younger son and his family went camping in Norfolk and had a good time. The younger of the grand-daughters rang me to let me know the recipe for some 'Ginger Buscuits' that we had been making at their house. (Wow they are fantastically tasty ...problem is they are also fantastically more-ish. ) I've made dozens of them these last few weeks and my DH chomps his way through most of them. At the moment the box is empty so I'll have to make some more that is of course if I'm able to make the time!!!!, Note to self: Remember spreading waist-line!!!

During my time of grand-children minding they have introduced me to a 'web game' called 'Skyrama'. I know there are a lot of people playing 'Farmarama' , but this one is where you are a sort of Air Traffic controller. You have to land and load planes and send them round the world, hadn't got a clue what I was doing but happily muddled my way through so far and then introduced my DH to it. Now, he always says that he doesn't play games but believe me I've I haven't been able to get anywhere near the computer for days. Hence such a long time since I blogged!!!

Time now for my stitching updates.. It's been a while since I 've done any of my Jim Shore Snowman, so |I decided I'd better take it with me on my time away from home to try and make some inroads into it. I managed a little and am hoping to get some more done this next couple of weeks.

My Anchor' Ngomo Kem Kem' is coming along quite well, although this one, for some reason, seems to be harder to do than the previous two. Maybe it's because there are two people on it or because of the way the chart is split into sections, there's always one or two stitches on another section of the chart. The picture has been rolled up so that the bottom part of the stitching isn't showing but they have got feet and the back-stitching is done. Here it is

Last but not least it's 'Agneatha' . Once again this is rolled up and I can assure you that it really is all stitched and I have done some of the back stitching. I am using an ordinary sewing needle to do it as it goes through all parts of the aida and I find tne usual cross stitching needle too thick. There are just one or two small bits of back ground to fill in at the top and then it's back-stitching all they way. I've been trying to do some each day and hopefully the next time I blog will have her finished....including the missing whiskers' hope you like her

I hadn't realised that my DH who is my photographer had somehow 'cut off' part of the stitching. it is all done HONEST. I'll have to have words about it and do a re-training lesson!!!!!
I'm going to make us a 'cuppa' now and then I think my weary head will be 'hitting the pillow'. I think I may be short of a good night rest, Untill next time hope you've all had a good Summer (even though there doesn't seem to have been much Sun in it, at least in our part of the UK)

Keep up the good work with your stitching and I promise I really will try and leave more comments. I have been reading when I could get on the computer but haven't left as many comments as I normally would. Sorry to for being remiss, please forgive me. Take care out there.

Ramblings and an Award, Yes! an Award

Hi there, it's me again. I am so delighted to have been given and AWARD. It's been passed to me by Bekca of 'Stitching Lion'. As with all things there are always some 'rules' or other, so here they are.

1. Thank the person who has awarded you.

2. List seven things about yourself.

3. Pass the award to 15 other stylish bloggers
.
So here we go with the easy one first...... Thanks Bekca I can say I was truly in shock.

Now a little harder

1. I need a cup of tea in the morning to get my engine started.
2. I rely on my Hubby to sort out all electrical things...eg plug fitting.
3. Baking with my grandchildren is one of my loves.
4. I tend to be 'accident' prone!!!
5. I volounteer in a Primary School helping school beginners to read.
6. I am not the best at housework.
7. I invariably take on more than I can manage.

And lastly the really hard one, this is because I know that some people will not want to take part but that is their choice and also because some I would have passed it on to have already got it. Horror of horrors!!!

1 Jen fromI've Started so I'll Finish...Eventually I'll give you a reason for this. It's because it's a blog I've used and one I enjoy watching it helps people who've got' STUCK' on a UFO.
2 Jayne .... Ginnie's Cross Stitich!!
3. Linda.....Blu Stitcher
4. Jennifer......Confessions of a Serial Starter
5.Gabi...... Lady of the Floss
6. Nancy..... Cross Stitches and Kitty Kisses
7. Mel.....Epic Stitching
8. Tammy..... KFor the Love of Cross Stitching
9. Angela..... Hooked on Stitches
10.Blu..... Therapy by Thread
11Shamila..... Stitching My Way
12 Siobhan ..... Notes form Blue Hen Hollow
13.Carol.....Stitch Across The Border
14 Bernice.... Rocky Mountain Stitcher
15 Silverlotus.... Reflections in a Pond


Wow that was hard work!!!! If I have passed this on to anyone who has already been given this award (I've tried to check) or to anyone who is an 'Award Hater' please believe me when I say I'm sorry.

On now to what I've been up to or not as the case may be.
I have not kept up with reading blogs OOOOOps. The computer has had a severe headache. (My Husband) My DH has been 'tinkering' and all sorts of things went wrong. I don't even understand what he was doing in the first place, I just know the whole thing'Crashed' big style. Anyhow today he has managed to restore it to some sort of usage. Yippee . Monday was a Yuk day (more about that at another time MAY BE) I went off to Chirk Castle again this week on Thursday, on this occasion I was not with grandchildren I was one of the volounteers who dress up in 'Tudor Costume' and on what is known as Family Thursday Costume Day where we dress any willing( or otherwise) people of all ages up in Tudor outfits, It's a good day because I see people I don't actually see more than a few times each year.
We have spent some time out in the garden trying to tidy it up a little. We've eaten our first home grown tomatoes. Unfortunately we'd eaten them before I thought of taking a picture!! Any how here's a pic of some poppies that have come out. We have never had poppies this colour before so I can only assume that they have cross pollenated with another variety. ( Now that sounds as if I know what I'm talking about).

This next picture is of a rose that we transplanted from our front garden to the back and it has only just started to recover after some violent pruning by my brother in law several years ago, if you look carefully you can see it's got a little 'visitor'.

I'm not too sure whether the flowers on the grapevine can be seen, I was amazed how many buds there are this year, hopefully we'll have a good crop, that is if we get to them before the blackbirds.

I have to admit that I haven't done vast amount of stitching this last two weeks. I went in to the school along with my eldest grand-daughter (15) on the Thursday morning sticking the labels on books for the years new pupils. Two of my grandchildren finished 'primary school' this year and I went to watch the' Leavers assembly' which was very touching and many people were in tears, children and adults included. There were two large screens that showed photos of these now 11 year olds as they had gone through the school and some of the activities that they had taken part in, it was great. Tears were in abundance as they sang their School Song 'One Day at a Time'. Both my grand-daughter and her twin brother were in tears( must admit ..me included). Now on to their next big chapter!!!!!

Stitching at last I can almost hear you sighing... Agneatha has moved along I have reached the half way mark on one side and almost on the other. Not much back stitching done yet though but I have made a start. I have started to enjoy doing it now. It's only the Aida that is the headache. My DH has taken the photo for me as I seem only manage shakey pics at the moment. He's got good colour on it as well so I am delighted.

My only other stitching has been on Ngoma Kem Kem this one is also coming along quite well. Love the colours in these designs.

I have succombed and bought some more of the African designs by Gakonga, only problem is I forgot to take pics. so that'll have to be a ''remember for next time". I only went to buy some needles...HONEST.

I don't know how much sewing I'll get done this week as I am at my son's for four days looking after the grandchildren. Baking is on the agenda as I've already had the 'phone call' asking, "Please can we bake. Grandma?"

I am taking my sewing with me, I just hope that it's not in vain. Wish me luck, I'll arrive home probably needing a months hols myself.( Ho Ho)

Once again that's it for now, I really must try and catch up on my blog reading, but the needle is calling. If you've time to leave a comment so much appreciated . Until next time Hope your sewing moves along well Bye for now.....

Rhubarb, Rhubarb and Surprise!!!!!!

Hi there everyone, It's time for me to update you on my last couple of weeks.

Well I have been busy. I went to stop at my Younger sons while he and his DW went to Spain for a few days. This coincided with their elder daughter going off to France with school for about 10 days (not really sure). Off went the older holiday makers at about 5.30a.m. so that they would be in good time for their flight from Liverpool airport. I was dutifully awake to wave them off. At about 7.00a.m. the grandchildren were up and about. The next holiday maker having a slight problem, mainly she couldn't close her case. 'Grandma' comes the call from upstairs. Off I go to help solve the problem!!! I have never seen so much 'stuff',(that would probably never be used,) being put into a suitcase. Now maybe it's just me but how many of you out there take a four plug extension lead on hols with you??? Plus ipod holders, a multitude of various continental plug adapters. A box of energy bars, birthday presents ( her 15th birthday occurred in the middle of the hol) and cards, all sorts of odd bits and last but not least a tub of 'Pot Noodle'. I can only assume that the suitcase was going to get very hungry.!!. Anyway after re-packing the suitcase with plugs etc. stuffed into trainers and a general reshuffle Lo and Behold the suitcase fastened. Her brother and sister waited patiently ....well for so long... they had sorted out their own breakfast (Yippee) when her brother reminded me that he had to take his bicycle to school as he was lending it to a friend so that his friend could do his 'cycling proficiency '( I found out later that his friend had had his bicycle stolen). So after wishing his sister a 'fond farewell' he vanished off to school. Her sister waited for her and we set off for the High School. We passed another parent, looking rather harrassed, still trying to get her son's belongings into the back of her car. I don't mind telling you how glad I was that I was not the only one going slightly loopy. We arrived at the High School and drove down to where we had to unload their cases.(They weren't leaving until 16.00hrs.) There were two boys there already. At this point I must tell you that the boys had made the decision that they would be wearing 'TY-Dyed' 'T'shirts' I wish I had a photo to show you but if I tell you they were dyed a mix of delicate shades of 'PINK and Orange'(Please use your imagination!!!) One boy was kitted out to travel in his Ty Dye also sporting a pair of pinky washed out looking crop trousers. (His mother was just shaking her head at him) Another one had a very querky hat on also with Ty Dye shirt The third boy arrived (evidently dressed by his mother) rather more sensibley attired. The two TY Dyes said ' Hey! Where's your holiday gear?' 'In my case ,' was the answer. I can tell you the look of horror on his mother's face was absolutlely picturesque. when he proceeded to unpack his case to find his fantastic TY Dye and get changed in the school car park, I have know idea yet how the holiday went but I'm sure at some point I'll get to hear all about it. I did remember to deliver the younger granddaughter to her school with no problem. I then went back to my 'temporary home' to sort out the chaos that seemed to be everywhere.(not that bad really).
I had a list of things such as Scouts 19.00, NO Guides, Saturday Dancing. etc etc. Now on Saturday I also had my other three grandchildren to look after plus the Dancing runs. Football competitions, delivering granddaughter to other grandmas to go to a 'Strawberry Tea' at the Church Hall. I actually managed to get all to where they needed to be and at the right time .
The next day my DH and I took the two grandchildren down to Chirk Castle, on the border of Wales, for a Plant Detective day..

They thoroughly enjoyed themselves talking to a gentleman

who was dressed in period costume who showed them how the country was mapped using a 'Half Chain measure'(11 Yards) and also how to measure trees to assess their age.!

This one is thought to be about 100 years old. ( according to my granchildren's measuring.) It was quite a long day and we had tea at Mc Donalds and then headed for home. I was handing over to their other grandmother for the last day and a half of minding. I was exhausted!!!
Back to my saga. The next week went as usual volounteer in a local school, go to son's to do the school taking and collecting for a couple of days. Except this time I was going to the Year6's production of a very amusing 'play' called 'School Daze' I must say it was excellent, and generally considered to be the best one yet. The next day I was back at the grandchildren's school volounteering there as well, and then in the afternoon went to several performances by the children (in year groups) ages 8 to 11. Highly entertaining afternoon. and then eventually back to my own home and my DH. At weekend I had my other three grandchildren to stay for Sat. plus Sat. Night. as usual baking was on the list of 'to do'. This is a cheese cake that we made up our own recipe for , must say it tasted pretty good, decoration courtesy of Lily

Now tho the part I know you have been waiting for....my progress on the stitching stakes.... I have tried Honestly to fit in some stitching so here we go.
I have worked a little on Ngoma Kem Kem in the evening at home but found I was getting myself very confused trying to read across two charts but never the less progress has been made.

I have done pretty well with Agneatha. I've reached the right hand side and started to work up. The tail has been a bit of a nightmare with all the black and dark grey but at least that is now finished, mind you I still have the back stitching to do, I know I say that everytime.( I keep wondering if the Backstitch Fairy will call.) I must admit I'm not too keen on stitching on Aida anymore but when it comes with the kit that's what I use. I would say that I have done about a 1/4 of the design (well maybe)

I've got a surprise for you now. Yes I've got another finish. 'Counting Bats' by Just Nan is done. I'm now looking for a suitable backing fabric to make it into a bell pull. I'm really pleased with this and I'm hoping that the picture is showing the colours as they really are, fingers crossed.

I have been looking through my UFO's. One I started in 1998 keeps calling me. It's by Bucilla. The Apache Wedding Vows. I found it out and put away again!!!! The aida it's stitched on must be 11 count and for some reason it put me off it.. I suppose I'll just have to get it out and look again. Perhaps the aida will have shrunk.
Well that's it for now. Hope you joined in my 'Happy Dance' with me. . Thanks for dropping in and if you've had the time to leave a comment , much appreciated,
Until next time here's hoping your needles are flying and the frogs are sleeping.

Another New Start and Happy Dances...Yippee

' WARNING LOTS OF PICTURES'
Hi there , everyone. Hope you have been enjoying the sunny weather we've been having lately. My DH and I arrived back from a quick visit to my sIster's this last weekend and the weather was glorious. I received a phone call from my son wanting to know if I fancied watching his team play in the Final of the local cricket league; I quite enjoy watching cricket so off I went. They were only playing 20/20. For the non follower that means that they play 20 overs(6 balls per over) per team and obviously the one with most runs wins. When I arrived I had no idea where my son was so the grandchildren pointed him out. There he was sitting with his leg up and a bandage round it.

He'd apparently done something to his 'quad' (Haven't really got a clue what a quad is other than something soldiers march round!!) in the semi-final a little earlier in the day. He was in some pain but as they had no subs he intended playing. When it came to the actual final to be played his team were fielding first and it was not a good start, catches were dropped and my son was hobbling around as the normally speedy runner just couldn't run. When it was his teams turn to bat they were out one after another very quickly and they had moved the place my DS would bat to a later place. He came out bat under arm and walked in a laboured fashion out to the crease when all of a sudden another batsman came out..... the opposing team allowed him to have a runner,( that's another man who can run the 22yds between the wickets on his behalf) unfortunatley he was out for only 11 runs (he was run out by the other batsman). It's a strange game cricket. But to cut a long story short they lost.. Doom and Gloom everywhere, but, true to form they cheered the winning team and applauded them as they received the trophy. Although not the winners it was a lovely day out in the sunshine.

Now for the important bits of news.I have made some good progress with my Just Nan's Counting Bats. Although I did get visitation from the 'frogs' more than once usually on the 1/1 words which was a bit of a headache.

I would most likely have got this finished if I hadn't been side-tracked by my grand-daughter into making a couple of '50's' style skirts for their school year production of'Grease'. I hope they come up to expectations as I haven't had the chance to try either skirt on the girls

The skirt colour is a bright red but on the picture it looks a bit pinky,( don't know why all the photo's are looking a bit wishy washy.) I'll be at the school watching the show next week so I'll have to let you know how it goes.!!!!!

I have made another new start., Ngoma Kem Kem (Heart Warming Dance) by Anchor as before by the Kenyan artist Gakonga. I have been enjoying stitching these.

This is where I have got up to at the moment.

You must have guesssed I have finished 'Looking Back'. Happy dances all round. They are quite a good'Chill out' design to stitch.

And now for the BIGGEE. Fanfares all round. 'CASTLES IN THE AIR' IS FINISHED. Created by Papillon Designs, started two years plus a bit ago. It's been a roller coaster of ups and down for me as I have combined the cross stitch and the speciality designs into one plus altering bits to suit myself. I have to get it framed yet but that will have to wait until the next time I'm down near the' Nimble Thimble' in Wales.

I chose to use 32 ct fabric to make it a little smaller (19 1/2") and the colours were taken from the flowers in our garden. Here are a few pics.

Hope you can all hear the music that I'm dancing to..I've got it as loud as I can and the house is shaking with my happy feet .

That's it for now folks I'm off to make our meal. Hope you have time to leave a comment they are so appreciated. Until next time Happy stitching to you all.

No finishes..BUT New start

Oops! Sorry I'm late in blogging this time. Hasn't the weather been awful?? You'd never think that it was June. My DH and I went off for a weekend visit to my sisters and while we were there on their local news it showed pictures of SNOW on Snowdon (Wales). Now I know it's a mountain but come on it's supposed to be Summer. The weather was very changeable while we were there,-- rain coming down in a vertical downpour to occasional sun (very occasional). Despite the weather my DH was off on the golfcourse. On the last day that we were there he was up at 5.00am to get a game of golf, that's because the local weather forecast said' RAIN LATER IN THE DAY' so obviously to avoid this he woke the birds up.

As usual while at my sisters I take a selection of stitching to do. I took Kuihugura (Looking Back) and had convinced myself that I'd get her finished this time. Although I supposed if I had really tried I may well have done that. I let my self begin something new. So first of all here's my pic of Kuihugura

I enjoy doing this one as I like the way the colours are used in the sky. There definitely isn't that much left to do.

I also did a little on my Jim Shore Snowman. This was harder as I had a visitation from the frogs as I discovered that some I had previous stitched I had quite happily miscounted so out it had to come. Then I found I had done another section in the wrong colour as well. Oh horror of horrors... not more frogs. I put it all right and added a little so this is how it's looking now.

I 've treated myself to a new magnifier. I have the type that 's by Daylight company (I think they're called) but often find that the arm length of the magnifier could do with being a little longer but when I go to stop over at my son's the light isn't really good enough to sew by.....so enter the 'Optus' . It's quite neat I can use it by a spring clip that attaches it to a sewing hoop or on the top or side of a hand held frame or as I've got it shown in the photo it has little side arms that can be pulled out so that it becomes a free-standing 'glass', it also has two LED lights in it so it lights the part you are stitching on. If you look carefully at the photo I've put two marbles near it to give you an idea of the size. I took it with me to my son's this week and for once I can now stitch in the evening.

I have finished all the 'Castles in the Air' down loads but haven't taken a photo as I'd rolled it up to the top again to check that I had done all the beading ,back-stitching etc. and as I think that the last download , which is due this month, will feature somewhere at the top I left it ready.!!

Agneatha is coming along quite well now and I am almost to the right hand side. When I get there it'll give me that impetous to move on with it more. I've still not done any more backstitching on it though. (Ugh)

Now to my new start. I was talked into this by my DS!!!!! (Honestly) It's Just Nan's 'Counting Bats'. I have used the Frenzy fabric which I purchased from Silver Needle as I could not find it anywhere in the UK. I'm glad I took the trouble to search for the fabric as I think it adds something to it. I had hoped to get a little more done than I have but owing to a slight accident I've had I daren't stitch anything at the moment. Never-the-less here's the pic. of it as it looks at the moment.

Now to my accident or perhaps mishap is a better word.....How many of you have tried Ty-Dyeing???? I was asked by my elder son if I could help them out by dyeing two T-shirt for them for the District Scout Camp that the family's going on this weekend. I 'm still not sure why I 'fell' for this ploy but I said OK. They'd bought the 'kit' I went off and got the T-shirts and set about doing it with my grandchildren out on the lawn. This was because I thought it would be the safest place to do it. Just one big problem all set up when it started to rain. Dust sheets to hand we transferred our effort to the conservatory I had the shirt soaking in the powder as per instructions while we set about mixing the colours. What a nightmare! a spoon of powdered dye in to the neck of a bottle that it doesn't fit into and it seems to everywhere.Of course when I told my DH about this he said he would have made a funnel out of paper to solve the problem (Where are these ideas when you want them) Must admit you are supplied with 'rubber' gloves as you are told THIS WILL STAIN. Great if all's just OK. The gloves had holes in the fingers.!!!! When we had done the 2 shirts (that seemed like twenty) the grandchildren all had fingers in various degrees of colour and my hands, being the one's considered to be least important were a mix of dark purple and greens with touches of red/orange. I can tell you that when my son saw my hands his comment was ...wait for it...' What in the world have you been doing? It's supposed to be a children's kit with adult help!!!' Need I say more?? Consequently this greenhanded date for the Incredible Hulk isn't stitching at the moment in case any of the dye comes off onto my threads etc. It isn't quite as bad now as I have scrubbed my hands with an inch of their life. I daren't tell you the mix of stuff I've tried to try and get back to normal hand colour. So instead I'm reading a book by Fidelis Morgan 'The Ambitious Stepmother'..... and washing my hands every half hour!!!!.

BREAKING NEWS: We've picked (and eaten) our first strawberry of the season. It was good here's looking forward to many more.

Well there we go until next time. Hope for some Happy Dances soon. Hope you all have a good stitching time. Thanks for your kind comments.

Blog to you all again soon......