Ginnie's Cross Stitch !!

Good enough to eat

2012-02-14T19:16:00.007Z

I finished my Liquorice Allsorts jar for Becki, don't they look lovely? It makes me feel like eating some when I see it. Becki has a tin in her room that we have to keep topping up with allsorts ! I now need to stitch it onto her blanket.

I also dug out one of my WIPs this week - the Christmas Window one. I have been working on this 2 years now and think I ought to try to get it finished for this Christmas. Once I picked it up again I enjoyed stitching on it and aim to work on it all week. I have done more though as I have had 2 days off work, but now I go back tomorrow and therefore will have less stitching time. This is how it looked last week -

Lastly here is my Valentine's card for Stuart. I normally stitch one but didn't have time this year with all the 18th birthday cards I had to make. So I made a decoupage one instead. I was pleased with the end result.

Laura had her interview at Reading University last week and has been offered a place there too. She thinks though that Nottingham is still her favourite but will pick Reading as her "insurance" place as they require lower grades. We visit Nottingham again in a couple of weeks. Becki too has now heard from one of her Universities and has an audition at Bedford in March. This is her favourite one so let's hope the end result of this audition is more positive than the Dance School ones.

Today we have had a family portrait photo session. We will get one free family print and then will buy one of just the girls. So looking forward to seeing how they turn out.

Happy stitching

Ginnie xxx

This famous blog

2012-02-02T19:45:00.006Z

While flicking through the latest issue of World of Cross Stitching I was surprised to see an article on "websites we love" that mentioned my blog. What an honour, especially as I have only just got back into blogging! I feel famous !!!

Since my last post I have just a couple of small pieces to show you. Firstly this Buzz Lightyear square is for a charity quilt. We are trying to do a Toy Story/Super heroes one for a very sick little boy. I am working on Woody now.

I am also stitching a liquorice allsorts jar for Becki who is just mad about them!! For Christmas I bought both the girls a fleece blanket and they want me to sew small cross stitch pictures on them so they can take it to University. I will show a photo of the whole blankets at some point but they barely part with them!! I should have this finished by next post. The chart is from WOCS magazine.

Lastly here is the card I have now completed that the girls gave to their friend for her 18th birthday. I believe she really liked it.

Becki has now applied for University Dance courses after getting a "no" from the Dance Schools she auditioned at. It has been a very stressful time as she has been very upset about it all but is now coming to terms with it and moving on. Least she can still pursue her love of dancing just not at such a high standard.

Laura has an interview at Reading University next week, although Nottingham is still her favourite.

Happy stitching
Ginnie xxx

An old UFO

2012-01-19T20:41:00.004Z

I have dug out one of my oldest, oldest, oldest UFOs! I think I started it before the girl's were born, so 18 years ago but it could have been just after.... my memory doesn't quite recall.

It is a Dimensions kit of Noah's Ark and just before Christmas I started to take it to Stitch Club to work on as one of the other ladies was doing a Noah's Ark too.

Here is my progress:

Some of the reasons it became a UFO are it just was so big, it is on 18 count aida and it grew very slowly. So my new aim is to take it to club when I go and try to get it done by the end of 2012. As you can see I have just over 50% complete.

My small finish this week is the piece for another 18th birthday card. The girls thought the saying was apt for this friend. I will make it into a card over the weekend.

Becki is waiting to hear back from her audition on Saturday. She liked it there and thought it went well but you can never tell. One place she sent an application and payment to have just sent a letter back saying they can't offer her an audition. That's nice, they take the money still though. This Saturday she has an audition in Leeds, so fingers crossed for that one. I am getting more and more stressed as the realisation hits me that she may not get a place so will be devastated. Especially as Laura will then probably go to University in Sept and Becki may stay home. Her back up plan then will be just to apply for Dance courses at Uni, but that would be for the following year. Don't you just wish you had a magic wand to make everything right for them !

Happy stitching

Ginnie xx

First card finish of the year.

2012-01-08T15:23:00.002Z

I am pleased with how quickly I stitched this Forever Friends ted. I only started him last weekend. He is out of the latest issue of WOCS magazine. The chart had the candles all different colours but I went with just the lilac. He is so cute I wish I was keeping him myself ! But he is for one of the girl's bestest friends who turns 18 in a couple of weeks. I kept the card simple so she could just remove the Happy Birthday sticker and frame the picture. I hope she does.

Because I worked on this all week I have done no more stitching on Pension Day. I want to start another small cute picture for another card soon but have just realised I need to stock up on a particular DMC colour required in the chart.

Otherwise I am still stitching squares for my charity and may start one of those instead until I get to the shop.

Had a tiring weekend, not because I went out but because the girls have had late nights out and I tend to wait up for them (or have to pick them up late !) I suppose that is the joys of having 17 year old daughters. Next Saturday we are going to London again as Becki has an audition at London Contemporary Dance School, I hope she gets a good outcome from this as we all liked this school when we visited in October. So fingers crossed !!

Hope you have all had a good week.

Ginnie xx

Good Start !

2012-01-01T19:35:00.003Z

The first day of 2012 and I am blogging... what a good start !

We had a good Christmas but then after Boxing Day I got a cold and cough and felt pretty rough. Still not 100% now. Stuart not feeling fab today either so hope I haven't passed my germs his way. Spent New Year's Eve with my mum and dad, girls went out (first NYE with out them). Back to work on Tuesday !

Luckily I managed to get some stitching done while I wasn't feeling too well. I started a while back a new picture for mum and dad called Pension Day. It is from an old WOCS magazine. It has lots of colours in it though so I put it away for a while. Over Christmas I sorted several of the colours onto my thread organiser and that really helped.

Here is what it will eventually look like -

And this is my progress so far. I made a slight mistake early on too so I have that to make some parts up as I go along ! Lots of browns.... oh well !

This year I also want to stitch this -

Hopefully if Becki gets into a Dance School she will leave her local dance school where she now teaches too and has been attending since she was 5. So she wants me to stitch a special piece for her teacher Rachel. I intend to stitch the dance school name instead of just her name.

Before I start this I have a couple of 18th birthday cards to do for 2 of the girls friends. I have started a Forever Friends bear already for one of them and will update next time with a photo.

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2012.

Ginnie xx

New Year Resolution

2011-12-23T15:58:00.002Z

I have been away from my blog for far too long and I have started to miss it.

So I am determined to try and blog more again in 2012.

Since my last post in July I have stitching only small things, a few of which are below. I don't seem to have as much time as I did as in October I increased my hours at work. I have also lost some motivation to stitch.. I hope I can get back into the swing of things more agin in 2012.

The girls have kept me busy too, especially Becki. We have been down to London (and Leeds)several times to view Dance schools and in December she has had 2 auditions. Sadly she had a straight rejection from the one school but the other has put her on a reserve list... which is a little more promising. In January she has 2 more auditions, so lets hope one of them is a "yes".

Laura has had offers from both Nottingham and Birmingham University to study Ancient History and Archeology in Sept '12. She wants to go to Nottingham as long as she gets the grades.

So here are a few of my pieces from the last couple of months. Firstly these are the cards I made the girls this year for Christmas. Becki's is London... in the hope she ends up at a Dance School there and Laura's is Rome as she hopes to visit Rome when she is studying Ancient History. They were stitched with metallic thread !

This is a Forever Friends one I just fancied stitching for myself. I haven't actually done anything with it yet.

Lastly this is my Christmas Angel, she is very pretty. I have just made her into an ornament but haven't taken a new photo yet.

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and see you in 2012.

Ginnie xx

Henry is finally finished

2011-07-19T20:28:00.004+01:00

I don't know where time has gone too, I didn't think it was that long since I blogged but it was the end of May.... oh dear. Must admit my stitchy bug has had it's ups and downs, there used to be rarely a day that I didn't stitch but I know recently I can go for days without picking my needle up.

Never the less I have 2 finishes to show, one of which is Henry VIII and his wives. I finally put the last stitch in it this morning making it around a 19 month project. So pleased to see it all finished at last, it looks great, and here it is -

The photo is a little dark but it has been a dull day here ! Now to save up to get it framed.

I also finished the Ballerina for Becki recently. I really enjoyed this even with all the similar colours. She loves it too...... and other one to frame !!

Been a busy few weeks for us as a family too. We have visited a few universities now and have another few to visit in September. But at the moment Laura especially loved Nottingham Uni.... which is set in lovely park like grounds and they are having a brand new Humanities building this year where she would then be based. Becki still wants to get into a Dance School in London, but if that doesn't work out she visited Bedford Uni (still to do Dance) and liked that as a second choice. They have to start applying around the middle of September. I really hope they get what they want but I am going to miss them so much next year when they leave home... all part of growing up I suppose.

Talking of growing up we have also had a "first" boyfriend on the scene. Becki started seeing this lad called George..... but it lasted less than 2 weeks when she realised they had little in common etc etc...... was an emotional time for all of us, I never realised how involved I would get with all this....... and I suppose I have more to come. Now the 2 of them are spending most of their summer over at friends houses !

Good job I have new stitching lined up for the lonely times ahead !! I am about to start one for my mum and dad called Pension Day which was in a magazine a few years ago and also fancy doing another Forever Friends one for me. Will update you on these next time.

Until then Happy Stitching

Ginnie xx

Ballerina grows

2011-05-29T19:34:00.006+01:00

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, or extended weekend if you are in the UK. The weather is a bit dreary here still, I wish it would warm up. I have both Monday and Tuesday off work so nice to think it is not the end of my weekend this evening!

I still haven't been stitching a huge amount, but I am slowly getting my mojo back...... Here is my progress on the ballerina, I thought I may get fed up with the similar colours but I am actually enjoying working on it. I think Becki will love it when I'm done.

I suddenly realised last week that of all the Lizzie Kate month stamps I have stitched I was missing June. So yesterday I started it, I doubt I'll get it finished for Wednesday but hopefully sometime during June it'll be complete! Here is the small progress so far.

Finally I got around to doing another charity square, this one is for a "Toys" theme quilt. Very cute!!

Laura has just 2 AS exams left to go, so far the others have gone ok I think..... although her normal reaction is "it was awful!"

Becki is working on her show dances for the end of June, she is pleased that she is choreographing some as well this time and her dance teacher has said how good they are looking.

Stuart got another job last week, although he only moved schools last September he has found it hard to settle there. This new school seems a bit of a challenge as they have had a lot of problems but he was used to this at his last school so feels happy that he'll get on better here.

Happy stitching.......

Ginnie xxx

Some new things

2011-05-10T15:57:00.007+01:00

I knew I hadn't blogged for a while but I can't believe it has been over a month, whoops. Time flies ..... I have also had lots of problems with my PC at work so haven't had much chance to get on here and download photos.

I have continued on my Henry VIII a little but the border is so repetative... that I am struggling to keep motivated..... but I will get there.

Otherwise I have a few new ones to show you.

I have started a ballerina one for Becki, it is all in sepia type colours so will be lovely eventually just takes a while to take shape. I have run out of DMC0739 though and hope Stuart is popping to the shop later to get me some.

I actually started this Angel one just after Christmas but forgot about it. It is a Joan Elliot one and will have lots of little beads on too. She is progressing well and is very pretty.

Last week I finished this little Flower Fairy one that was free with one of my magazines. When the girls were really "into" Flower Fairies this was one of their favourites. I think Becki had a costume made to be this fairy at school once. So I had to stitch it. I just need a nice square frame now.

Last Wednesday my two lovely girls turned 17..... I have no idea where those 17 years have gone. We had a little family get together with a take away pizza on the Monday then on the actual night of their birthday they went to Wetherspoons for a meal with lots of their friends. This photo was taken then.

Laura starts her AS level exams next week, this first college year has flown by. Becki doesn't do exams on her course but has lots of assessments and dance shows coming up. Next we have to start looking at Universities etc.... that is a scary thought !

Well I will try not to leave it so long to update next time.... happy stitching

Ginnie xxx

A happy Henry

2011-04-05T12:37:00.003+01:00

Henry VIII now has all his wives! All stitched and showing their lovely dresses! I also completed all of the bottom part, the Tudor Rose with the crown on top.

Here is the photo, sorry while it is still on the frame I had to wind up some of the bottom part so you could see all of the people!

And here is a closer photo of the last 2 wives who have been the recent finishes. I was struggling with the brown in the centre of Catherine Howard's dress I ended up having to mark off the chart as I kept losing my place. I know many people do that anyway but I usually don't.

Now just the rest of the border to do. I will get some more done at Stitch Club tomorrow but I also need to finish as Easter Card and start a card for Becki's friend Hannah. So it'll be a few more weeks until my "Happy Dance" finish.... but not long now!

I also made my mum this for Mother's Day. It was a freebie in a recent World of Cross Stitching magazine. I left it right until the last minute and only finished it a few days before. She really liked it though.

Nearly Easter Holidays here, Laura and Stuart break up on Friday but poor Becki has another week to go.... her college had to be awkward!

I will have a few days off over Easter, so that's something to look forward too.

Happy Stitching

Ginnie xx

I can see progress!

2011-03-22T08:33:00.003Z

Here's the next update of Henry and you can certainly see the progress made since my last post! All of Catherine Parr's dress is now complete. I decided to just stitch the purples, reds and black until her dress was done.

Only the middle of Catherine Howard's dress and the border now.... I will get there soon !

I also finished Safehaven the week before, this has stitched up really quickly and I am very pleased with it. It is hard to tell from the photo the 3D effect from the different thread numbers. I have another one of these charts from an old magazine, I think I will add it to my "to do" list.

I am now going to start the Ballerina one for Becki which is all in sepia colours.

Becki has another college dance show this week, in this one she is performing a solo. They had to choreograph a solo for assessment and then perform it in this show. She choose Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights as her music. Today she will get her grade for the piece, she hopes she has done well as on the day of the assessment she was unwell and didn't feel she'd performed it as well as she could.

Laura is doing really well at college too, she took the first part of her Psychology AS exam back in January and heard last week that she got an A. Her teacher had already said her marks were one of the top ones in the 3 classes she taught! This Sixth Form college has proved great for Laura, she has really excelled. She has to work really hard but they have predicted A/Bs for her grades.

Hope you all have a good week

Ginnie x

Another bit of Henry.

2011-03-07T19:18:00.002Z

It seems like I have been plodding on with the same bits of Henry for ages without a huge amount of progress. There are still lots to finish on these 2 wives dresses! Will I ever get there??

I had a great birthday, lots of nice cards and some presents. I went out with my mom and friend for a nice girly shop and then lunch.

On Wednesday evening it is my Stitch Club's birthday! The club has been going 11 years (we've only been going just over 3 yrs) so we are having a little party and the local paper are coming to take our photos! We are all bringing something to show on the photo so I am taking Henry!

Happy stitching
Ginnie x

Golden Wedding Anniversary

2011-02-27T14:17:00.004Z

It was my parent's Golden Wedding Anniversary on Friday and we had a wonderful night out. 19 of us (all family) went out for a lovely meal, Stuart made a cake and it was great to see everyone.

Here is the card I made them, they really liked it.

And here is a photo of me with Mum and Dad, I love this photo and am going to get a copy printed to be framed.

As I have had a few days off work I have been able to spend time stitching. I have worked on Henry quite a bit but when I look back at my last post with the last photo of him I'm sure I can't see a huge amount of difference. I will post another photo next week.

I thought instead I would share with you "Safe Haven" I am doing this as a SAL but feel it is really coming along now. It has lots of blended colours and the central part is in 2 threads whereas the outer edge is in 1 thread!

It is my birthday tomorrow so I booked another day off work. I am having a girly day out at the shops then lunch out! Then back to work Tuesday !

Happy Stitching

Ginnie xx

Henry again

2011-02-15T11:53:00.004Z

So sorry I have taken so long to update my blog. I had a busy few weekends and have been unwell for over a week.... arhhh ! Started with a sore throat, moved onto a rotten cold.... then today the sore throat came back. Laura has it too and is off college tucked up in bed.

Anyway I decided enough was enough and Henry has to be finished! I have been taking him to my Wednesday stitch club and have tried to work on him at home..... but with being ill and still doing several cards he isn't progressing very fast. But I am determined to not put him away again. All other big projects are on hold until he is done !!!!

Still working on the last 2 dresses... and lots of border still to do. I know it will be lovely when it is done, the last bits just seem to be taking forever!

My friend loved her card, I am now working on my parent's Golden Wedding Anniversary card. They are having a big family meal at the end of the month, which we are all really looking forward too. I'll show the card next time, I should have it finished over the weekend.

Until next time.....

Happy Stitching
Ginnie xx

More cards

2011-01-24T18:59:00.004Z

I have the card making bug at the moment. Which is good because I love making cards, but bad because all my larger cross stitch pieces are being ignored! I did get Henry out briefly last week and stitched 2 threads worth! I have also been working on Safe Haven a little... but not much else.

But these are the cards I have completed -

This is Stuart's Valentine card, it was the freebie in the latest World of Cross Stitching magazine. There was a lot of discussion on their Facebbok page about people running out of thread stitching it.... but I just managed.

This is for my Valentine Exchange partner on the Cross Stitching forum. I hope they like it when they receive it!

Lastly I hope my friend isn't reading my blog, I don't think she does so I'll chance it! This is her 40th Birthday Card. I am so pleased with this the card just matched the stitching so well. She is having a party in a couple of weeks which we are all looking forward to.

Have a good week everyone

Ginnie xx

Some you may not have seen for a while !

2011-01-09T20:38:00.004Z

I thought I would post a couple of photos of WIPs that I haven't posted on here for a while. Both of which I worked on over Christmas.

This one is my Christmas Window, slow but sure progress here. New aim to finish for Christmas 2011. There is still a lot of brown to do on this one..... but I am loving how it looks.

Then "My Needle's Work", I had forgotten all about this one until I sorted some bags of stitching out. I would like to get this finished soon also!

Lastly a small finish, a little baby Eeyore, a freebie from a magazine. Eeyore is my favourite Pooh charactor.... so I couldn't resist! Not sure what I am going to do with him now.

I have started making my friend's 40th birthday card which I'll show you next week. I am also taking part in a Valentine Card exchange on a Cross Stitch forum..... I have picked which design I want to do so must start it soon, as well as doing Stuart a card too !

Until next time
Ginnie x

Happy New Year

2011-01-04T22:39:00.004Z

So first I decided to brighten up my blog for 2011 and went pink !

I have also changed the girls photo to one taken over Christmas.

Now to stitching...... lots of cards to show so far for this year. I am really happy with how they have all turned out.

This one is for Becki's friend Amy, she is at college with Becki doing dance. The A on the chart had different shoes while the D had ballet shoes... so I swopped them over!

This one is from the same alphabet charts, this time for a friend of both girls who they have kept in touch with from school. E for Emily !

The latest issue of The World of Cross Stitching popped through my door last week and I choose one of the cute bears to stitch for my friend who is about to start cancer treatment. The charts were aimed at being for Valentine's Day but I thought this one would suit a "thinking of you.." card. I actually stitched it in just 2 evenings !

Then today I made a quick decoupage card as I suddenly remembered another friend's birthday which is next week. I got the paper and design from papercraft inspirations magazine, they were free to download. Pretty cute.

So what's next? Still a few more cards..... but I have also started my Poppy Pixie but not much to show yet. I am also taking part in a 2011 SAL and have chosen SafeHaven by Derwentwater Designs. I will try to post updates on these when they begin to resemble something!

Anyway as I am back at work I better get myself off to bed !

Happy Stitching

Ginnie xx

The year's best achievement

2010-12-24T12:11:00.003Z

Merry Christmas to all my blog reader friends.

I broke up from work yesterday and don't return until 4th January 2011.

Yesterday I picked up my "best achievement" of the year.... my Family Tree piece. Actually Stuart collected it for me and hung it on the wall ready for my return from work. I am so please with it - it looks stunning. It is hard to see the frame on the photo but it is carved in little patterns that suit the stitching! (hard to describe!) I also couldn't get a photo without the flash blurring a small part of it.

So what's in store for 2011..... well I need to make several cards first, which I intend to start over the holidays. I am stitching 2 shoe ABC cards for some of Becki's friends who have birthdays in early January. I am stitching a nice card for my best friend's birthday in February and a Golden Wedding card for my mom and dad at the end of February.

I also intend to finish Henry in 2011 and start the Nora Corbett Poppy Pixie (which is all ready to start !) Then anything else that takes my fancy.

Happy Christmas Stitching to all

Ginnie xx

Last of the Christmas bits

2010-12-15T22:54:00.004Z

I have just finished The Snowman from the latest Card Shop magazine and think that'll be my last Christmas piece for this year. Although I have a few cards to show yet but need to wait until they have arrived to who they've been sent too.

Here he is - very cute but lots of white so I wouldn't want to do one any bigger!

Cross Stitch Card Shop issue 71

Last week I finished and framed another freebie but from an old Cross Stitcher magazine. I actually started this back in August on holiday in Spain - but only picked it up again a few weeks ago. He has a lovely red button for his nose!

Cross Stitcher issue 220

I have also stitched the letter R and L for the girl's Christmas sacks. I was hoping to sew some new sacks too but haven't had chance so I have used some old ones my mother in law made several years ago. Here they are being shown off by one of my Santa ornaments. -

World of Cross Stitching issue 171

I finally took my Family Tree piece in for framing yesterday, it'll be ready next Thursday. I can't wait to get it hung on my wall and admired over Christmas.

Tonight we have been to see Becki's college Dance Show, she was great as usual.... so much energy. The girls have nearly completed their first terms at college now and I am so pleased they have settled in really well and are getting excellent results. There's an Inter-College Christmas Party on Saturday night...... I have agreed they can stay until 12.30am...... late night for mom's taxi !!

Happy stitching

Ginnie x

Christmas Bits

2010-11-30T19:40:00.003Z

I am finally back in Blog land...... I have been meaning to post something for days but just never seem to get around to it.

Firstly thank you for all the lovely comments about my Flatfold. I have to make the other one yet, I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day to sort everything!

Here is my Christmas Tree I showed you in the last post - now as a 3D card for my mom and dad. I hope they like it.

I also finished the Victorian Christmas Lady a few days ago and mounted it in its little frame. There are many designs with this one that I love, they are Joan Elliot ones. My next Christmas pieces I am currently working on are a letter R and L to put on a Christmas gift bag for the girls.

Lastly I made this Pudsey Bear bookmark the other week for Children in Need. Laura wanted it for college as her form were having a sale to raise money, but in the end they just sold cakes and Laura kept the bookmark for herself!

I haven't touched any of my larger stitching pieces, maybe once I have all these little Christmas pieces sorted I'll get back to them.

Happy stitching

Ginnie x

The Flatfold !

2010-11-09T20:41:00.004Z

Here it is, the attempt at a Flatfold with my Forever Friends Christmas piece. It's not perfect but I am pretty pleased with it. There is just an annoying small blob of glue showing on the top left hand corner!!

Frony view -

And the side view -

And the back view -

My mom bought me the material and I have enough left to do the other Forever Friends Christmas Stocking stitching I finished a few months ago. So I will have matching Flatfolds!

I am in the "Christmas" stitching mood! I have also just completed this Christmas Tree on perforated paper. It is in the latest World of Cross Stitching magazine and will make a 3D card. I will post another photo when it is done.

Otherwise I have been working on some charity stitching, sadly the photos are a bit dark of these so I'll leave them off!

Sorry just a brief post to show photos as I have to go and pick up Becki in a moment from dancing!

Happy stitching

Ginnie xx

A selection of finishes

2010-10-26T13:24:00.004+01:00

I wanted to wait until I had finished another piece before posting again, so it seems a while since my last entry. I was delayed by waiting for some thread, I thought it was taking a long while to be delivered then yesterday I discovered a package behind a plant pot at the front door, must have been there a few days and the postman forgot to let me know!!! Luckily the contents were dry and secure.

Firstly my cousin and his wife had their baby last weekend, it arrived a few weeks early but all is well. They had a little girl and called her Elizabeth Rose. So I was able to put the finishing touches to my Forever Friends birth sampler and get it posted to them.

I then work most of the week on the Forever Friends Christmas Ted as I was enjoying this so much. It was finally finished earlier today and I am going to be very brave and make it into a Flat Fold as I have seen some lovely ones on other blogs! So watch this space.

Lastly I started just 7 days ago this lovely Christmas Victorian Lady, I had seen the pattern in the same magazine as the Forever Friends Ted and found an oval frame to suit it. I needed some Kreinik thread though to finish it and that's what I had been waiting for. I did it on 18ct so it is quite delicate looking.

And here it is in its frame. I also have a round frame like this and another similar pattern to go in it.... so that'll be my next project although first I want to get another Charity Square started.

It is half term this week and I have had 2 days off, but it's back to work tomorrow. Becki has a charity Dance Show on Saturday so it is rehearsals all week! Laura has been having a major room tidy ! (hooray) and I have had a good sort out in the living room and moved the furniture around..... most contented now! Back to work for a rest !!!

Until next time........

Ginnie xx

The reappearance of Henry

2010-10-15T09:46:00.004+01:00

Finally I got Henry out of his stitching bag and worked on him last week and I am very pleased with my progress. We now have another wife all stitched up !! I finished Catherine of Aragon's green dress and worked on the border at the bottom a little.

I now have just 2 wives to finish and then the rest of the border..... I am getting there slowly!

Stuart's mom moved house last weekend so I made a decoupage card for her. I haven't made many cards recently but I was pleased with it. I have also just made an 18th birthday card as Becki is off to a friend's party tonight, I will show that next time.

Lastly here is a Christmas new start, I picked it out to do a while back as I have enjoyed the couple of Forever Friends teds I have done. He is very cute but I have had little time this week to work on him as I have been very tired and out and about quite a bit, being a taxi service for the girls !!

At least it is Friday, tonight my friend Steve is treating me to a chinese meal, I am looking forward to that ! I must try not to eat too much though, as it is a buffet style place where you can go up and help yourself to as much as you like!!

Until next time
Ginnie xx

Sisters at the seaside

2010-10-03T16:08:00.005+01:00

I worked hard on my All Our Yesterday's piece last week to get it complete for my mom's birthday. It is called Sisters at the Seaside and it is so lovely I am very pleased with it. The last bits of white and lilac on the wall were a bit of a pain, but I persisted.

Here it is:

And here's a close up of the 3 girls.

I also have a little Christmas finish of a cute dog playing in the snow. I will be making this into a ornament for the tree but mom has the sewing machine at the moment, so I will do it another time.

I have just started another of the Lizzie Kate Fpit-its. I have been a bit slow with these again and have none to hang up for October or November, so I have started December.... that should give me plenty of time to get it ready.

I have stitched my fabric to the big frame ready to start my Poppy Pixie chart that I had last Christmas, but no start on it yet. I also have a Joan Elliot fairy chart out and ready, it is from an old 2005 magazine I have wanted to do for ages. But I really must get Henry out again I seem to have been very slow with him..... I have lost a bit of enthusiam and must get it back!

Happy stitching

Ginnie xx

Becki's Ballet

2010-09-19T12:59:00.007+01:00

No stitching photos today just my darling Becki in her performance of Giselle. I can't believe it was back in February that she auditioned for the English Youth Ballet and now it is all over. They had a photo call and certificate ceremony yesterday afternoon which most of these photos were taken at and then we watched the evening performance. She was fantastic, so confident and we were all so proud of her. She is sad now it is all over but has made some lovely friends and gained some lots of experience.

Here are a selection -

The Hunt Party (Becki in all black on left)

Becki (sorry a little dark!)

Becki with one of the Ladies in Waiting and one of the Hunt boys and her friend Scarlet.

A scene where Becki is getting the Duchess to take part in a game

Back stage with 2 of the principals and Scarlet

At home with her certificate and flowers.

I have had a busy week with all the rehearsals etc also my dad has been quite ill again with his gall bladder problems so very little stitching has been done.

Now it is all over maybe I will get to stitch!!

Until next time.

Ginnie x

Family Tree complete

2010-08-31T22:20:00.005+01:00

Well I actually did it.... I completed my Family Tree piece before the end of August, in fact I finished on the 28th !

Here it is in its full glory -

Sorry I still don't know how to make the photo 'clickable' for a close up, but it is in my Facebook photo album too if you are a friend on there!

Just need to get it framed now, may wait until payday again now later in the month as it is quite big and will therefore be a little costly.... but it has to be framed !

Now I have an empty stitchng frame.... I think I will start the Nora Corbett Poppy Pixie I had for Christmas.

Ginnie x

Some stitching at last

2010-08-26T13:27:00.004+01:00

Finally I have my stitching updates! It has gone so cold here my fingers are freezing and I am trying to type! Typical UK weather....arh!
So firstly here's my Spanish couple for the special quilt at SFCSFP group. After doing the majority of this while on holiday I finally finished it last night. I really enjoyed it too.

I also worked on my AOY while away and here's the progress. It is looking very sweet. Just the other girl on the left to complete then lots of background etc.

These final two I actually finished before my hols, they are another 2 squares for my charity group. The H is from the Fairy Tales alphabet that I have done a couple of letters for already.

And Mr Greedy is one of four Mr Men I am going to do.

I have set myself a deadline for my Family Tree piece as it is almost done. I am going to finish it by the end of August. I am not far off and should have no problems attaining this goal! So my next post should have the finished piece to show.

The girls got their GCSE results on Tuesday and did very well. Becki was very happy as she exceeded her expectations but Laura was a bit disappointed as she was predicted a couple of As that she ended up with Bs for. One of which was her History which is her favourite subject. We are going to check how close she was to the A grade as you can request a re mark which in many cases they find a couple more marks and this will up your grade. Mind you school said to phone today to check this out and surprise surprise no one is answering the phone! Luckily this doesn't effect her college place.

Becki also started her English Youth Ballet auditions yesterday, so far they are going well, although a lot of hard work. We are really looking forward to seeing it now.

Anyway until next time.

Ginnie xx

Holiday snaps

2010-08-20T15:02:00.004+01:00

Hi all, I am back from Spain and thought I'd share a few photos with you. We sailed with P&O from Portsmouth to Bilbao which takes around 30 hrs, this was ok but a little boring after a while. We then stayed at a campsite called Playa Joyel at Noja in Northern Spain. It was lovely, the caravan was right by the sand dunes just a short walk to the beach. The weather there is a bit more varied then further south and we had a little rain and cloud but in between lots of lovely sun!

Girls outside van - and view of Isla a small village across the bay.

The lovely beach one evening (and my long shadow!)

The girls in the sea - which wasn't too cold!

Low tide, lots of small pools along beach

A bit of sunbathing !!

Me cross stitching in the sunshine (oh what a lovely place to stitch!)

The girls over at Isla with the view back to where we were staying.

Me and the girls on the boat at Bilbao.

I did plenty of stitching but haven't taken any photos yet. I have been working on a lovely Spanish couple for my stitching charity group, which is almost complete. I also worked on my AOY a lot and am pleased with the progess on that.

Next posting I promise to have stitching to show.

Have a good weekend

Ginnie x

Holiday

2010-08-08T10:54:00.002+01:00

Just a quick posting to say "adios" as we are off on holiday to Spain today.

I haven't done a huge amount of stitching over the last week so I hope to make up for that while we are away. My stitching bag is fully packed and bursting at the seams !!

Be back soon

Ginnie xxx

A few bits

2010-07-28T15:01:00.003+01:00

I don't seem to have much to show at the moment. My stitching mojo keeps coming and going! It has not helped that I haven't been feeling 100% recently, but I won't bore you with the details at the moment! I have also been out a few times, meeting friends etc, which has been lovely but effected my stitching also.
So firstly here is my Christmas Window, I think it has been a while since I showed this. It still has a long way to go. I have been working on the lady's red coat and the red doll's house. It will be lovely when it is done but I think that'll be sometime next year.... there is so much brown that is boring!

Here's another little start that has been on my "to do" list for a while. You can probably guess from the small part I have done that it is an All our yesterdays. It will have 3 girls and a dog on looking at a pier. This was in one of my magazines last year.

And finally just another charity square, this was a really quick stitch for the "robots" theme.

Everyone in my house are on summer holiday now, which is fun. I leave them a job list as I come to work and they sort of attempt it! We go on holiday in just under 2 weeks which I am looking forward too, I need the break!

Anyway until next time.

Ginnie xx

Blackwork Lady

2010-07-16T21:40:00.003+01:00

Finally found time to blog again. I have had a busy week which included several early mornings. Becki had her Induction Days at college and I took her, then Stuart had to have his car mended and I took him to work. So by the evenings I have been too tired to do much!! Becki loved college and got on well with the other dance students so she'll be fine in September.

Stuart also got a new job last week. His school is about to close and we were beginning to worry he wasn't going to get anything sorted.... but he finally has. The school is in the next Education Authority and is about 12 miles away, but it's not too bad a drive. So all of my family will be starting something new in September...... very exciting.

I completed the Blackwork Lady stitching a few days ago. I didn't think I would finish this so quickly but I just loved it. I need to order the frame to go with it now.

I also finished another charity square, this one is for an "up in the air" theme. So I choose a colourful hot air balloon.

I have also been trying hard to get my Family Tree completed. I am now just working on the top border. The rest of the tree is done but that bit can't be seen now as I have rolled up the stitching just to work on the top. I am so pleased that I am close to finishing, it'll be such a great piece.

Happy stitching to all

Ginnie xx

Good holiday and stitching time

2010-07-06T10:35:00.004+01:00

Finally back to blogging! Thanks for all your lovely comments about the girls at their Prom. It already seems ages ago!

We had a great holiday even though we were only away 5 days. The weather pretty good and we just love it at Charmouth. I managed to get plenty of stitching done, here are just a couple of pieces.

Firstly I finished the July Flip-It (Lizzie Kate) I never managed June so I was glad to get July sorted. Both August and September are done so I may do June next so it is sorted for next year!

On holiday I bought a bag of scraps of material for £1 which will be great for these ornies!

I also took my new start with me - "Blackwork Lady" which is in the latest World of Cross Stitching magazine. I have loved working on this as you can see! The chart does state that original blackwork backstitch goes through very hole on evenweave but I have done it my own way over 2 as I found it easier going. Trouble is now I need to go and get some more black DMC !! I can see this being finished quite quickly!

I also worked on my Christmas window and another charity square but haven't taken a photo of these. This week I wanted to work on my Family Tree again, but so far I haven't touched it. Maybe tonight!!!

Now here's a few holiday snaps -

Me and the girls on Charmouth beach one evening

Becki doing an epic jump in the sea at Charmouth beach - super sunny day!

Laura's not so epic jump the same day!

The gardens at Lyme Regis - looks like a tropical island with those trees. Very hot day!

Now it is back to normal, back to work just not back to school for the girls! Laura had her induction day at college on Friday and although she was very nervous I think she enjoyed it. Becki has hers next week. This Friday is the casting day for Becki's English Youth Ballet so she will see what part she gets to play! Very exciting.

Anyway untl next time....

Ginnie xx

Prom !

2010-06-25T18:20:00.003+01:00

As promised here are a collection of Prom photos from last night. The weather was perfect, the girls looked stunning and a fantastic time was had by all !

Laura

Becki

With me !

Girls and friends going in Limo

Girls by Limo

Sorry no stitching to share this week.

I am taking the girls on holiday tomorrow after all their hard work with their exams. We are going to Charmouth in Dorset where we went last year. Mom and Dad have booked a caravan for the week and we are joining them for 5 days. Poor Stuart has to stay at home. Hopefully I'll get lots of stitching done and will have a "stitchy" post for you next time.

Ginnie x

Pleasing progress on Henry

2010-06-16T12:04:00.004+01:00

I have spent a week and a half working on Henry and I am really pleased with the amount I have done. It seemed the dresses I had left to complete were so huge that it would take me forever, but I stuck with the greens on Catherine of Aragon's dress and finished both side sections. I have also completed some of the side border and stitched her name.

I am going to give it a rest now and get back to my Christmas Window that I have neglected recently also.

Otherwise I haven't done much else. I completed another charity square about a week ago - here it is a pirate! I need to start another square but haven't got around to it yet.

What I have done is made myself another bag. I bought a new magazine with the material and handles as a free gift and here is the end result. It was so easy to do, I love it. I am currently using it to bring my stuff to work. I am going to get some more of these handles and make some more as my mom and the girls like it.

The girls have just a week left before all their exams are over. Still feels very strange! Prom is next Thursday so we have been sorting hair and makeup appointments. Laura is having her hair coloured tomorrow at the hairdressers as she has short hair and won't have much done to hers on the day. Becki is letting me colour hers on Friday then on the day she is having it all put up with lots of curls. She had a trial run recently and it looked really nice. I hope the fine weather we have at the moment stays for the 24th !!

I also have to confess to a new start ! I had my World of Cross Stitch magazine come on Saturday and there was a lovely Blackwork Lady chart, stitched on dusky pink evenweave. As soon as I saw it I just had to do it.... it just caught my eye so much. So I ordered some fabric which arrived the next day and I stitched just a tiny bit last night. I will share a photo when I have a bit more to show.

Happy stitching

Ginnie xx

Back to my bags!

2010-06-07T14:49:00.004+01:00

I had the sewing machine back off my mom yesterday and I was just itching to use it!! So I finally made Becki's Pointe Shoe bag with the ballet dancing hippo on! The material was a great match considering I bought it without taking my stitching with me! I made it just a drawstring bag but used green ribbon to thread through it. I am very pleased with the end result and so is Becki. I have told her not to bring back any orders when she starts rehearsals!!

I also continued with my Family Tree piece. I'm not really sticking to my rota at the moment so I have changed it. I will put my 2 large projects (Family Tree and Henry VIII) in a 2 week each rota and then do any other along with them..... whatever takes my fancy! So Family Tree has had its 2 weeks so now it is Henry's turn.

I worked over the weekend on the block in the middle of the tree and shows our family name. It was a bit boring as it was all cream..... one big block! I also struggled fitted our big double barrelled surname in.... but I did it. Just the green of the tree at the bottom, the bird and all of the top border to go. I am very proud of my determination to finish this now!

My lovely little Forever Friends bear is also complete (as far as possible). Just need to wait now to add either blue or pink around the bib and border and of course the name! I just love him..... and have lined up the next Forever Friends bear to do!! I'm obsessed!

I also made a start on the Summer cushion to match the Spring one I finished earlier in the year. I am working on this at stitch club on a Wednesday night. No picture of that yet!

The girl's have a busy week of exams coming, they have had Maths this afternoon and found it a hard paper! Poor things are stressed and not sleeping well but have only 16 days to go until they are done!

Happy stitching

Ginnie xx

Tree update and another square

2010-06-01T13:00:00.004+01:00

Just enjoying my last day off work before returning tomorrow! We had a nice day in Bath on Saturday but the weather was a bit miserable and the journey down took forever because of holiday traffic! We only took a few photos as my battery ran out! Should have remembered to charge it!

Here are just a couple of shots at the Roman Baths.

I have been trying to work on my Family Tree while I have been off work. It is getting there slowly........ I am still aiming to get this finished by the end of the summer. I am going to carry on with this as soon as I have finished blogging!

I have finished the other mouse charity square to go with the one I completed last week. This time he is in his aeroplane

Then I have started my Forever Friends baby teddy for my cousin's baby. He is looking very cute! I will have to leave some parts blank until I know if it is a boy or a girl.

The girls left school on Thursday, what an emotional day that was. I actually cried after I had dropped them off and drove home! I still remember their first day at both Primary and Secondary School and it seems like only yesterday! They took loads of photos and had some lovely comments written in their leavers book. Now it's just exams and revision sessions!!

I am only back in work for 2 and half days and on Friday afternoon we are off to see "Hairspray"...yeah!! So something else to look forward too.

Until next time.

Ginnie xx

Christmas in the sunshine

2010-05-24T15:25:00.004+01:00

It felt odd finishing off my Forever Friends Christmas Stocking this weekend as it was soooo hot here!! In fact too hot to stitch, the really warm weather drains me and by the evening I have hardly any energy to pick up my needle! Luckily I worked on the last bits of back stitch yesterday afternoon on 2 pieces so have 2 to show!

Firstly the lovely Christmas Stocking. I love the Forever Friends teds but have never stitched one..... now that I have I have 2 others lined up to do. He is so cute! The back stitch was a bit of a pain as there were several shades of brown and grey but the effect was worth it in the end.

I have found another Christmas one to do, but have started first a baby Forever Friends ted birth sampler for my cousin and his wife. I had so much thread left from the Anchor kit of the stocking that I am using that up first for the baby ted.

Secondly I have finished another charity square, this is just for a general "boys" theme. I have now started one of a mouse in an aeroplane to match!

I can't believe that the girls only have 2 and half more days until they finish school for their exams. After all they have been through this year I am glad that they have put that behind them and are looking back on their time at school in a happy way. They have made some lovely friends and are going to miss them a lot. They took my camera in to school today and intend taking it in all week to catch some "end of school" moments! It seems very odd to me too, they will catch the bus to college from September so won't be needing my taxi service in a morning. It doesn't seem 5 minutes since I took them to Primary School for their first day, they were fine but I got home and cried my eyes out!!

Next week is also half term week so I am planning a few days holiday and we are hoping to have a day trip out to Bath. We love it there but haven't been for several years. We hope to visit the Roman Baths and the Jane Austen museum. So expect some photos next time.

Until then happy stitching.

Ginnie xx

Recent stuff !

2010-05-16T20:48:00.003+01:00

Not very original title today....... too tired to think ! I would have posted on Friday at work as I do recently....... but I seem to have managed to break the internet at work and the lads were too busy to look at it!! I hope it gets sorted tomorrow, I do need it quite a bit for actual work not just leisure !

Last week I finished the second Art Deco lady, so now I have 2 done but would like to do at least one more before I look into getting some matching frames etc.

Also a little late but my Lizzie Kate "May" flip it is finally finished. I haven't made it up into an ornament yet as my mom has borrowed the sewing machine, so this may not get hung up during May.... never mind. I will still start June soon..... although I think I will be running late on that one too at this rate!

The last few days I have worked on the Christmas Window stitching again. There is a lot still to do but it is certainly taking shape. The dog now has legs and the man has trousers !! I am glad I am enjoying this piece now as I wondered at first if it would turn into a UFO !!

I will try to work on my Family Tree again next week, my rota has fallen apart over the past few weeks but I am back on track now! I have also been stitching on the Forever Friends Christmas kit my Aunt left but I forgot to take a photo!

The girls GCSE time table starts next week, Laura has 3 exams and Becki has 2. Becki also took 2 dance exams today..... poor things, no wonder they are stressed out ! The reality that they are leaving school has struck home and even though they have had a tough term or two they suddenly don't want to leave !

Anyway, I am off for a soak in the bath..... hope you all have a good week.

Ginnie xx

Just smalls !

2010-05-07T15:27:00.003+01:00

Well it is Friday again already, that week went quickly. Once again I only have small bits and pieces to show you. I stitched on one of my charity squares all weekend, for a "send along" I joined. I choose a Lickle Ted one, which is very cute.

I also finished my ballet dancing hippo for Becki and put the ballet she is appearing in, the date and EYB (English Youth Ballet) on it. Tomorrow we are off to buy her some new Pointe shoes so she can practise in them (and wear them in!) all ready for the 7th July which is casting day.

My Aunt who has just died had recently got into cross stitching and my uncle has sorted some of her stuff out and passed it onto me. There is a birth sampler to finish off for a friend of theirs, which I will do and also there was a Forever Friends Christmas kit. We aren't sure who she bought it for but I intend to stitch it for her grandchildren. I haven't done much yet but this is what it will look like. It is very odd and sad stitching on it, but I know she would have wanted it to be done not just left in a bag!

On Monday we had a family reunion on Stuart's side of the family. He has an Aunt and Uncle who now live in Canada and they came over to visit. It has been 10 years since we last saw them so it was lovely to meet up again.

Then on Tuesday it was the girl's 16th birthday. Here is a photo of them before they went out for their birthday meal. They had a great time with all their real friends! And now they have lots of cash to spend!! Their has been no problems with the "silly" girls this week, thank goodness. They leave school on the 27th May (later than a lot of the other local schools) then their last exam is the 23rd June, it'll fly by !

Anyway hope you all have a good weekend.

Ginnie xx

Henry, a hippo and 2 ladies

2010-04-30T14:06:00.004+01:00

I have an interesting combination to show you today..... hence the title. Sorry I am so late posting this week but I have hardly been on the PC. Wednesday night we met up with my Aunt Jean, Uncle Terry and 3 cousins from Dorset who were visiting for the funeral. Then Thursday was my Auntie Pat's funeral which was really sad, and emotionally draining. By the evening I was fit for nothing. We also collected Marshall's ashes that day, so a sad one through and through. We are all hoping May is a happier month.

I didn't get much done on Henry still but I didn't let him make an appearance last time so I thought I better had today. I worked on Catherine's green dress and some of the border. I see DMC have now re-released this as a kit due to popular demand! It's about time too!

I have worked on my ballet dancing hippo and as you can see she is nearly finished. This is such a fun little project I just couldn't put it down. I need to shop for some nice matching material now to make the Pointe shoe bag for Becki.

Lastly I have my Art Deco ladies, this first one is now complete.... beads and all. The second one is coming along well, hopefully I'll get her finished this weekend.

I have had a couple of comments about making my photos "clickable" to see them better. I would love to do this but don't know how!!! Can anyone help me on this?

This week I am still working on bits and bobs. The Christmas Window was supposed to be coming out of it's bag but hasn't appeared yet!! I have some stitching for my charity over the Bank Holiday weekend to do, so will probably just continue on all my little projects until next week.

Tuesday is a big day..... Becki and Laura turn 16 ! Oh my where did those 16 years go? They are going for a chinese meal with 19 of their friends!! We are not invited! So Stuart and I are off for a meal at a pub by ourselves !! School is stressful at the moment, exams are looming and the silly bully girls have reared their ugly heads again this week. We will all be glad when they break up for study leave now and can move on with their lives!

So until next time, happy stitching

Ginnie x

Enchanted Mermaid.

2010-04-22T14:53:00.004+01:00

We finally made the agonising decision on Monday to take our lovely dog, Marshall to the vets to be put to sleep. He had a really bad weekend and we knew things were never going to get better, he had no real quality of life anymore. So as you can imagine we are all very heart broken at the moment and miss him terribly. So first I want to share this lovely photo of him, taken a few years ago when he was still fit and well and full of life. This was at our old house, Stuart had just dug a little patch to plant some vegetables in and Marshall decided this was his favourite place to sit and eat his chew!

We had him when he was 6 years old from a rescue centre in 2001, his previous family had split up and put him in a home, he would have been 16 in October, so a pretty good age for a dog. I know he had a lovely life with us. The house is so empty and quiet though without him. We are having him cremated and will bury him in the garden and put a pretty bush above him. Rest in peace dear Marshall.

I managed to get some stitching done too, to take my mind off everything! All day Sunday I worked on getting the beads attached to my Enchanted Mermaid piece so that it was finished. There were more beads than I thought and it took ages.... but it looks great now it is done.

You can't really see the beads on this photo, especially as 2 of them were clear/opal colours. Here is a closer shot of the mermaid's head, and the seahorses and castle. Still the beads aren't very clear but you get the idea! I will add this to my "to be framed" list !

I also finished a little fairy for my Stitch for Charity group. She is a birth stone fairy and represents July. I may do another of these at some point but for now I have moved on to a "chick" square.

If any of you have the UK magazine Cross Stitcher I have a letter in there this issue (226) I wrote it well before Christmas last year and forgot all about it. It is about the beach bag I made on holiday last summer. Luckily a friend who subscribes to the magazine spotted it and told me. I sent my mom to buy a copy today so haven't seen it myself yet! So looking forward to reading it later when I get in from work.

This week I am working on Henry and I have a few little ones I want to start. There is a ballet dancing hippo in my World of Cross Stitch magazine that I am going to do for Becki. I will make it into a bag for her ballet shoes for when she performs with the English Youth Ballet. I also want to stitch something to remember Marshall. I have seen Little House Needlecrafts do a chart called "Walk in the park" which looks like the sort of thing I want. Lastly I have started another small Art Deco Lady and now have the beads to finish the first one. Need to keep busy!!

Sorry my last 2 posts have been a bit doom and gloom, it has been a tough week. Hopefully back to my cheery self soon.

Happy stitching

Ginnie xx

Family Tree

2010-04-14T10:58:00.004+01:00

Thanks everyone for your kind words about my Auntie and our dog. Sadly my Auntie Pat passed away yesterday morning. It was very quick in the end, they had diagnosed cancer last week then said it was so aggressive and spreading so quickly that there was nothing they could do. She was only 64, not very old really. She was little George's grandmother (posted about last May when he was born) he will never have any memories of her. So now we have another funeral to attend, my poor uncle is devastated. As to the dog, well he is still with us, but things are the same I have just had other things to worry about over the last few days.

It was quite appropriate then that I have been working on my Family Tree this week, as I have just lost a member of my family. As you can see I have moved the frame again to a smaller size so it is easier to work on, all the parts rolled up at the bottom are complete. I worked on the borders alot and all the green of the tree beside all the boxes. Still that big chunk of tree to tackle.... I keep putting it off!

This is my little Art Deco Lady I mentioned the other week. There are 6 in all in the latest Cross Stitch Card Shop magazine and I want to do at least 3 of them to hang up in our bedroom. I need some black beads to complete this, which I haven't got yet, and then finish the border and the back stitch. It is very pretty.

We did manage to have a day out on Saturday, we went to Worcester and looked around the beautiful Cathedral and then walked around the shops. It was a lovely summer like day. I did take a couple of photos but they weren't very brilliant!

This week I want to finish my Enchanted Mermaid, so I hope I have another "grand showing" for you next time.

Until then, happy stitching

Ginnie xx

My Easter week

2010-04-08T11:18:00.003+01:00

Hope everyone had a good Easter. We had a very quiet Easter, we didn't do much or go anywhere. We have been having problems with the dog, he is getting very old now and struggles to get up etc. I get up nearly every night to get him up and let him out.... which makes me tired and he doesn't have a great quality of life anymore. So we think we need to make a big decision and take him to the vets... but it isn't easy. So that may happen over the Easter holidays while Stuart is off work! My one Auntie is also very ill in hospital, they are still trying to find out what is wrong.... so all in all we have had a rough week! On the positive side my one cousin and his wife, who live on the lovely island of Jersey, are expcting their first baby. They have been trying for ages and have had lots of problems, so this is great news.

As to my stitching I am pleased to say I finished my Art Deco Diva. Here is the end result and also a close up of her face and beads around her head dress.

I think I will get this framed, it is so pretty.

I also worked on my Christmas Window piece. I can finally say I am enjoying doing this one as it has started to take shape. I still don't think it'll be completed for this Christmas but I'll try my best. You can now see the ladies bag and her boots. There is just so much brown yet to do for the door etc..... that'll drive me mad, I'll have to try to do just a bit at a time.

This week I am working on my Family Tree again, I still hope to get this done by the summer. I find working on it makes my back ache though as it is on a large floor frame. So I do just short bursts at a time.

Anyway the weather seems to be improving here, which is nice. We are going to have a day out in Worcester on Saturday, go and look around the Cathedral and shops etc.

Have a good week.

Ginnie x

A fairy framed at last!

2010-03-30T21:13:00.004+01:00

When I first started this blog about 18 months ago one of my first finishes was a pretty summer fairy for Laura's bedroom. But her walls were so full of photos and drawings that I stored it away until I could find a space for it! Finally a few weeks ago she had a big sort out and her walls are now less crowded...... so I finally took the fairy for framing and here is the end result.

Of course Laura now thinks she should have another fairy to go under this one in her room..... I have found another one called Moon fairy that I will add to my "To Do" list.

Last week should have been Christmas Window week on my rota, but I just didn't feel like stitching on it at the time so I continued with my Art Deco Diva as I am enjoying this one so much. In the latest issue of Cross Stitch Card Shop they have a set of six small Art Deco ladies too, so I also started one of those but have no photo of that yet.

I still have some cross stitch to do on her but have completed a lot of the back stitching so her features are more defined. I am working on my Christmas Window this week instead.

I also finally finished April..... but haven't made it up into an ornament yet, I will do that over the Easter weekend, so it will be a little late being hung up! I need to do the "May" one next...... I am determined to do all the months this year that I didn't complete last year.

The girls and Stuart all break up on Thursday for Easter holidays. I have 3 days off from Friday so I'm looking forward to the break. Laura has just had a 2 day GCSE exam for art. 5 hours each day in silence!!! I don't know how she managed that!! It is strange to think that this is the end of their last full term at school. Next exam for them is German "speaking part" just after Easter..... so lots of revision over ths hols!!

Until next time.... happy stitching...
Ginnie x

All good!!

2010-03-23T14:27:00.002Z

Not so much stitching news today but lots of good stuff to tell!

Firstly I am so proud to say that Laura got into King Edward VI Sixth Form College! You cannot imagine what an anxious Saturday morning we had, our postman is never early. She had 3 friends who had also been for interview (some got automatic places due to very high grades) and 2 of them texted her early saying they hadn't got in. This just made us even more worried. Finally at 12.45 the postman arrived and as soon as I picked up the envelope I could see the top line of the letter and I saw the word "Congratulations"...... we all shouted "yeahhh!!" Only 1 other friend got in and about 6 others in her school. I believe it is 4th in the country for A level results so no wonder it is hard to get a place, good one Laura.

Now I can say both girls are sorted and doing exactly what they want to do. Just need to get their GCSEs now, although Laura's place is not dependant on her grades although I am sure they wouldn't be happy if she failed all her exams! Becki only has to get 5 GCSEs C or above and she has 2 already!!

To make the day even better Laura's Prom dress was ready for collection, so we went and bought some shoes and collected the dress. We then invited mom and dad over for a chinese takeaway. The girl's also had a friend over but she was one of the ones who didn't get in, so we didn't celebrate too much.

As for Friday night, Becki and I had a fanastic time seeing Brian and Kristina dance. It was touch and go whether Kristina was going to turn up, they had already cancelled other shows due to health issues and she missed the train and was late arriving on Friday. But it was worth it, they danced beautifully. The whole evening was full of dancing, other couples too. Then at the end we were able to have autographs and photos taken. Here are ours -

Becki with Brian

She was so happy because he told her she had a very beautiful smile.

Me with Brian and Kristina.

There were 2 Chippendales, they served us chocolates and gave all the ladies a shoulder massage. Becki loved it!! Not sure that Stuart was too happy about it though!!!

So I have to confess I did no stitching for 2 whole days!! And after all the excitment and stress I did little on Sunday either as I was so tired! So I'm not showing a Henry photo as I only did a small amount. I did finish my latest charity square, the Bug in a Bottle, which I think is so cute. Laura reckons she wants me to do one of these Bumble Bees for her!!!

Then I have worked on my Art Deco Diva a few Wednesdays at club and also last night and here is my progress on her. I am really enjoying this one and will work on it a bit more this week before getting my Christmas Window out again. Sorry the photo doesn't do it justice, the metallic thread in the dress is lovely.

Well I have babbled on enough for one day, so until next time,

happy stitching

Ginnie x

Nearly finished

2010-03-16T14:29:00.003Z

I was really hoping to get my Enchanted Mermaid finished this week, but there seemed to be more left to do than I first thought. Especially as there is a lot of back stitch and lots of beads yet to add. Anyway I had a good try and here is where I left it on Sunday night. Only a bit of the seaweed and a fish to complete in crosses. So I hope to be "happy dancing" next time.

Last Thursday we went to the girl's school to watch their Dance Show. Becki's solo was fantastic and I think she surprised a few people as she has never really shouted about her dancing skills at school and so when they saw what she could do they couldn't believe it. Even Laura danced in a group dance with Becki and 2 other friends and she was really good too. Laura used to dance with Becki too but gave up about 2 years ago. The school took some photos which they are supposed to be emailing to me...... but I am still waiting!

I had a nice Mother's Day on Sunday, the girls didn't get me a present as they don't have much money and need all they can save for Prom stuff! So they just looked after me for the day, made me drinks and lunch etc, it was lovely. I promised to show the 2 cards I had made for my mom and mom in law so here they are. I was pleased with how they turned out.

This week I should be getting Henry out again, although last night he stayed in his bag! Instead I was working on a charity square as they urgently need another few "bugs in bottles" to finish a quilt. So I am working on a Bumble Bee and need to finish it asap. I also worked on April Flip It last week but haven't taken a photo yet.

I have a very exciting Friday evening ahead of me. If you watch Strictly Come Dancing then you may know Brian Fortuna....... well I am going to see him dance. My friend Julie does Ballroom dancing and her local dance school have booked Brian and his dance partner Kristina to do a show. It will only be for about 300 people and they also let you meet them later and take photos etc. Me and Becki are going...... I also hear there may be 4 topless chippendales there feeding the ladies in the audience strawberries.... yum!! So watch out for photos next time!!

It is also this week that Laura hears if she has a place at the Sixth Form College she wants to go to. It could be Friday or Saturday so please everyone keep your fingers tightly crossed.

So until next week,

Happy stitching

Ginnie xx

Creative card making weekend.

2010-03-08T19:11:00.006Z

As the title says I have had a very productive weekend and made up several cards. 4 of which were cross stitch ones and 2 decoupage ones. I will just show you the 2 thank you cards today, I also made 2 baby cards and the decoupage ones are for Mother's Day. I'll show them next time.

Sorry the light wasn't good tonight but the flash washed out the whole cards so they look a bit gloomy. They are for 2 of the girl's teachers who have been lovely, I know it is early yet but I wanted to get them stitched and finished in plenty of time of them finishing school. The designs are from an issue of Cross Stitch Card Shop and were really quick and easy to do.

I made 2 baby cards, one boy and one girl as I know of 3 people having babies this year and thought I'd do a selection to send when needed. One of which is Helen who had baby Grace last February, she is pregnant again and just found out it is going to be a boy..... so that makes her card easier!

This week has been Family Tree week too. It may not look like a lot has changed from last time but I am pleased that I have all the name boxes stitched up now and all the back stitch on the family at the bottom complete. Lots more of the green in the tree to do and the border!!

Lastly I finished another Charity Square, this time I did Eeyore. The back stitch on this was a bit of a pain but I got there in the end! Next I am doing another little fairy.

This week is Mermaid week again and I have also sorted the threads for "April" Lizzie Kate's Flip It stamp. I will need to get that finished before March is out. This Thursday the girls are performing in a Dance Show at school for Sport's Relief, Becki is performing a solo to Snow Patrols's Chasing Cars, so we are looking forward to seeing that.

Until next time, happy stitching

Ginnie x

Not much stitching progress

2010-03-02T15:19:00.004Z

Well I would have posted last night but I was so tired I did hardly anything! I had a lovely Birthday on Sunday and a greal meal out with my Aunt and Uncle for their Golden Wedding Anniversary.... but it all caught up with me yesterday. I didn't even attempt any stitching so I must have been tired!

Anyway here is a Birthday photo of me and my lovely girls all dressed up and ready to go out. My top was a present of my mom and dad!! I can't believe they are nearly as tall as me!!

And here is the framed All Our Yesterday's piece I made for the Golden Wedding Anniversary. My Aunt and Uncle really liked it.

We had our last ever School Parent's Evening last Thursday and the girls had a fabulous report as normal. Laura is doing exceptionally well in History (this is the subject she wishes to focus on in college). She was top of her year in their recent mock exams and we were really pleased to hear her teacher say she thought Laura had the ability to go to Oxford University to study History. We were very impressed!! It is now only 17 days until she hears about her place at King Eds...... I am getting more nervous as I hear of more pupils also trying to get a place. I know Laura will be broken hearted if she is not accepted.... but she should be, her grades are very good.

As to any stitching last week, well I was out quite a bit so my stitching suffered. Here is what I have to show for the Christmas Window........ not much more than last time. At least you can see the cute dog emerging now! I really think this will be a 2011 Christmas finish as this rate!

Back to the Family Tree this week, if I ever stop feeling tired.... it is being a year older.... I need more sleep now I am 43!!!

Until next time.

Ginnie xx

Henry has 3 complete wives.

2010-02-23T19:03:00.003Z

As you can see from the title I have worked on Henry this week and am pleased to say Anne Boleyn is all stitched now too! So here he is -

I was hoping to get Catherine Howard done too, I did all the blues then realised the middle part is in the same colours as Anne's dress I'd just done and I was bored with those colours! So I did some more of Katherine's green dress. In fact all the blue has been completed..... one more step closer to completion!

I also got hooked on another new piece this last week! I have been wanting to stitch this for the past year and finally succumbed on Wednesday and took it to Stitch Club. I was going to save it for club only and work on it every Wednesday.... but I enjoyed it so much that I carried on working on it over the past couple of days. She is from Cross Stitcher magazine issue 208 and has a lovely jewel effect metallic thread in it. I think she is called Art Deco Diva... well I am calling her that!

Half term is now over so it was all back to work and school yesterday, least Becki had lots to tell! I have emailed school for them to put a notice in the school newsletter about her audition. No problems since with the bullies, they are just ignoring her still which she is happy about.

Laura made us proud on Sunday, I have mentioned before that she is a young leader with the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides. She was asked to carry the Union Flag for Thinking Day.... which is a very important role, she had to lead all the other flag holders from the district. Her leader told me the District Commisioner had requested she did it..... so she must have made an impression on her at some point.

This evening we have booked our summer holiday. We haven't been abroad for 5 years and I promised the girls a nice, warm, beach holiday this year. So we are off to Spain! As I don't like flying we are doing a mini cruise to Northern Spain and stopping at a big campsite with lots of amenities for teenagers!! So excited already... I need to review my holiday wardrobe and see what else I may need!!!!

I am working on my Christmas Shop window scene again this week and I must start another charity square soon. Next weekend is my birthday and we are going out on the same day for my Aunt and Uncle's Golden Wedding anniversary, so a busy weekend ahead.

Until next time.

Ginnie xxx

She did it !

2010-02-16T20:43:00.003Z

We had a great day yesterday, Becki went for her audition with the English Youth Ballet..... and she got in! There were 101 girls aged 13 to 18 and just 50 were to be offered places... and Becki got one of them. We are so pleased and so proud, she looked amazing up on the stage. All the hard work starts in August and the beginning of September when she has several full day rehearsals and then on the 17th and 18th September she will appear in three performances of Giselle at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. After all she has been through it was so well deserved.

I also have several pieces of stitching to show, I have been busy!!

Here is Stuart's Valentine card, it is just a small, cute Winnie the Pooh which was a free kit on the latest Card Shop magazine.

I also managed to finish the All our Yesterdays (AOY) design for my Aunt and Uncle, I am going to take this to be framed later in the week.

My main piece on my rota this week was my Enchanted Mermaid, as you can see I am not far off finishing this one also. We are thinking of decorating our bathroom next so I need to complete this to hang in there!

I didn't get any stitching done last night because of the audition but I was off work in the day so I tried to finish my latest Somebunny square. I didn't quite get there then but have finished it this evening while waiting for the girls to return from the cinema. Again I just love him..... and it'll look great on a Somebunny quilt.

As it is half term I have Thursday and Friday booked off too this week, so hopefully I will get more stitching done. Henry is back on the rota this week, so look out for an update on him next week.

Until next time.......

Ginnie xx

Last week's stitching

2010-02-08T14:44:00.003Z

Not an original title, but I couldn't think of another one! I can now get on Blogger again at work so I thought I'd write a post this afternoon as I have a Parent Support Group meeting tonight and may not get chance to go on the PC.

It has been a stressful week, although Stuart has recovered from the flu he has had a reoccurance of a problem with his legs that he had last year so he is still not 100% I think the flu bought on the leg issues !! Then the bullying with Becki came to a head on Tuesday, they started making her life miserable at school as well as on Facebook etc. So much so she was in floods of tears Tuesday evening and didn't want to go back to school. So we finally went into school to talk it over with her Head of House. He has been great and saw Becki right away the next day, she really didn't want anything said to the girls still, so for now they are seeing how it goes but at least she has someone to talk to at school and they have all the evidence I printed off. Since then it has been quiet.... so I am hoping they have got bored with picking on her. She has under 50 actual school days left (not including exams!)... she is counting down.

So I have some stitching to show although I feel I could have done more on my Family Tree but just didn't seem to have as much time last week. Here is my little bit of progress.

I have worked well on my AOY piece for my Aunt and Uncle, I think I'll get this finished by the end of the week so I can frame it. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed working on AOY's.... may have to start another one I have had in the pipeline a while!!

Somebunny also got finished for my Charity group, I have just sorted out the threads for another similar one. I love the colours in this one.... lovely shades of blue.

Finally I made a little bookmark for Becki..... with a dancer on of course! I need to make Laura one now but I can't decide what theme to pick.

Next Monday Becki has a very exciting audition. She is auditioning for the English Youth Ballet. They take 100 local dancers and they appear in a big production later in the year. This time it is to appear in Giselle in September. It would be great if she got picked but we know it is strong competition so the experience will be great on it's own. So fingers crossed for next Monday night!!

Happy stitching...........

Ginnie x

Christmas Window started

2010-02-01T20:44:00.003Z

Well I started my Christmas Window piece but there isn't a lot to show yet! I think it is going take me more than 12 months for this one.... so maybe 2011 it'll be done!! You may be able to make out the bottom of the man's coat, some brown window frame and a red toy bus! Several people asked where the chart was from, I think I got back to you personally but if not it is from The World of Cross Stitching magazine issue 156.

I have also been working on a Somebunny square for my Charity, he is nearly finished. I have enjoyed working on him, he is so cute.

This week I have my Family Tree on the rota again but I also started an All our Yesterdays piece at Stitch club and want to finish it for the end of the month for my Aunt and Uncle's Golden wedding.

Stuart's job interview went well and although he didn't get the Co-ordinater's job he may still move there as a standard English teacher, so good news in the long run!

Becki finally had her acceptance letter from Halesowen College, and they had another open day on Saturday.... so we went around again and had a good chat to the dance teacher etc. Sadly some of the bullying has flaired up again..... I suppose it was wishful thinking that it should just go away. It is mainly only one girl now and Becki is trying to ignore it but I know she is counting down the days now until she leaves school, especailly as she has her college place sorted.

Stuart has flu at the moment, so I have had to nurse him over the weekend! I just hope I don't get it next!

Until next time, happy stitching.

Ginnie xx

More from Henry

2010-01-25T09:13:00.003Z

Morning all, I am still having problems with my PC, it needs looking at but it'll have to wait. Finally got it going again this morning so I can blog!

Last week was a good week, Laura's interview went really well. Although they can't say she definitely has a place they were pretty confident that she would, in fact her grades were only one off getting her an automatic place. She will hear off them on the 19th March.

On Friday we rang up Halesowen College as Becki had still had nothing in the post and several of her friends had. Stuart spoke to the Head of Dance who remembered Becki and said she didn't know why she hadn't been told on the day, her audition and interview had been really good and she certainly had a place! She is now chasing up the acceptance letter!

Now this week it is Stuart's turn. His school is closing the end of August and he has an interview for a job on Thursday at another local school. This job is for a Co-ordinater of English.... so a promotion.... fingers crossed again!

Now to stitching, I have been really good and put in a lot of work on Henry, although it still looks like there's a long way to go! Anne's dress is nearly done, just some of the brown at the bottom and Catherine now has hands and a book she is reading!

I have also finished the February Flip it, I will make it up into an ornament next weekend. As I already have March done I can have a month off.... although my mom wants an ornament piece of stitching to hang up in her lounge, so I may fit that in during February.

Lastly here is a picture of my new start that on my list for this week. It is a lovely Christmas Window shopping scene. Lots of work in it as you can see.... so I hope I can get it done for this Christmas. I have just sorted the blues out to start on the man's coat first. I will also be working on my next Charity square this week which is a cute Somebunny picture.

I hope to keep up with everyone else's blog.... but for some reason work have now blocked my access to Blogger too.... even though it was doing no harm. They blocked my Hotmail email too but I managed to get them to put that back on..... they reckon they can't see why I can't get on Blogger.... but it worked before and suddenly stopped on Thursday. I'll keep working on them!! So with a slow PC too I will be rarely on here :-( Luckily I bring home my work laptop at a weekend so that's when I'll have to try to catch up.

Until next time.

Ginnie xx

Mermaid progess

2010-01-17T23:05:00.004Z

I finally got on my PC to post my updates..... for some reason it is on a mega "go slow" and I think it is on it's way out! Luckily I borrowed my work laptop for the weekend.... but my photos were on the PC!

Becki's interview went well at college, and she thinks she got a place there, but they hadn't received her grades from school, so we have to wait for confirmation in the post. Which is a bit frustrating as most of her friends going there were told straight away. Laura got a letter on Thursday to invite her to an interview on Monday (short notice) so we are all nervous again now for tomorrow.

I am pleased with my progress on Enchanted Mermaid, I can see her being finished soon. Lots of back stitch still to do though!

I also finished my letter B of the Fairy Tale alphabet for the Stitch for Charity group.

Then over the weekend I have done another square for the group for a special quilt for twins. This is the boy one and next I'll do a girl one! I couldn't say no to helping a set of twins!

This week Henry will be out again, and I must try to get some more of the February Flip it done.

Until next time,

Ginnie x

Fantastic Family Tree

2010-01-10T16:02:00.003Z

Hope you are all ok........ I am fine but cold!! We have had a fair bit of snow here since Tuesday and they forecast more tonight! The girls school has been closed as they had a burst water pipe so they have had an extended Christmas break! The cold also killed my car battery... I had to beg a lift to work on Thursday and then use Stuart's car on Friday. Managed to get a new battery fitted now but could have done with out the expense just after Christmas.

My dad came out of hospital on Wednesday, his scan showed he has gallstones, but because of his age they don't want to operate. He has to follow a low fat diet and go back in 3 months. He is still in some pain but getting better slowly, mom and the dog were very pleased to get him home!!

So from the title you can guess I have been working on my Family Tree! I am so pleased with how much I have done. I managed to alter the frame so you can see the whole thing in all its glory!! Since my last posting on this back in Nov I have completed such a lot. The family on the right are now stitched just some back stitching to do and all of the border at the bottom is complete. I am hoping to get this finished by the summer..... I hope I can do it!!

I have also had my first finish of 2010. I am doing some Fairy Tale alphabet letters for "Stitch for Charity" and I am loving them..... they are so sweet. Here is letter A and I am working on B now. I really want to do more for the charity this year as I had a big lapse last year. I have been going on the forum more and was very pleased to see the first quilt with one of my squares in this week!

Finally today my sewing machine found its way out of the garage.... boy it was cold! And I was able to put together my January piece. The ribbon hanger want a bit off track but it seems to be hanging ok. I have started February and will show my progress on that one next time!

On Tuesday this coming week Becki has her interview/audition for Halesowen College..... so please all keep your fingers crossed for her. A couple of her friends had their interviews last week (other courses) and have got places! Laura is still waiting to hear from her chosen college!

On my rota I am going back to work on my Mermaid piece.

Until next time.

Ginnie xx

New blog template

2010-01-07T16:15:00.001Z

New Year, new blog template.

:-)

I'm liking it!!

Ginnie xx

Happy New Year.

2010-01-01T13:33:00.004Z

I want to wish everyone all the best for 2010 and thank you all for visiting my blog in 2009.

We had a lovely Christmas, lots of nice presents and lots of family get togethers. Sadly 2009 didn't end so well as dad was taken ill on Wednesday night and has spent New Year's Eve in hopsital. He has had very pain stomach pain and they think he has a blockage in his colon! We are off to visit him again later as he is still waiting for a scan but it doesn't look like he'll be out today either. So New Year's Eve was a strange, quiet affair with mom and we were all so tired as we'd had little sleep the night before. We are all hoping he is well and back on his feet soon!

One of my presents was the Poppy chart that has been on my wish list for ages!! So looking forward to doing this one! I also had a new storage box to sort my Anchor threads, an assortment of beads and a bead nabber!!

I have also had 3 small finishes over the Christmas holidays making my total for the year an amazing 70 !! Here they are -

This is for on top of a button box, the chart was in the Cross Stitcher magazine earlier in the year.

Here is my Lizzie Kate January Flip It, finished in time but not made up yet!! I am aiming to get it made into the little ornament over the weekend. Then I am all ready to start the February one.

Then lastly here is Robert Pattinson..... I really enjoyed doing him and must do the David Tennant one next especailly as it is his last Dr Who tonight :-(

My one main aim for 2010 is to finish my Family Tree, I have been working on it the past day or two and can see it getting closer to completion! In 2010 I also want to do the remaining Lizzie Kate months, and at least the Summer cushion to match the Spring one. My new project to start as soon as possible is a big Christmas picture. It is a Christmas Toy shop window that was in the World of Cross Stitching magazine just before Christmas. It states it'll take 80 hours.... so I want to start it in January and add it to my rota. I just need to get me some 16 hpi aida as I have none left!! Otherwise I will contiue with all my WIPs and probably do lots of other bits and bobs in between!

Anyway until next time, happy stitching.

Ginnie xx

Couple of stitchy things

2009-12-20T20:18:00.003Z

Well I am finally having a few minutes to myself and thought I'd update my blog. Thanks so much for the nice messages for Becki on my last mini posting. Sadly it us still continuing as most of the bitching is being done on Facebook (how cowardly) but everything they write I am copy and pasting into a word document and will use it if I have to go into school and report them. Most of it is just nit picking etc but it isn't nice to be on the receiving end of it. One of them said she would have "no friends" funny then that in 2 days she hasn't stopped visiting all her "out of school" friends and is at the moment out with loads of her dancing friends having a chinese meal. I think a lot of it is jealously.... but I do wish I would just stop !!

Anyway I'll stop moaning on and show you a couple of my stitching WIPs.

Here is Robert Pattinson (Twilight actor if you don't know!) I thought I would hate doing another of these "Stitch a Star" but I am really enjoying it! I would still like to do the one of David Tennant for myself.... maybe next year!

I am also working on "January" Flip it, which I must get finished over Christmas! I don't break up from work until Christmas Eve but then am off until January 4th.... so lots of stitching time!

I have also been working on Henry !! Yeah. I'll have to show you that next time as I haven't taken a photo.

My "finished" list is looking good.... hopefully I'll add the above 2 on aswell before Jan 1st. I am planning my 2010 stitching too and will let you know my ideas before the end of the year.

Tomorrow I am working just half a day and then we are going into Birmingham to the German Christmas Market. We had better wrap up warm as we are having a very cold spell here at the moment..... we even have a bit of snow.

Anyway I'll try to post again before Christmas... so until then

Happy stitching.

Ginnie xx

I will be back!

2009-12-17T12:41:00.005Z

Hi all
Just to let you know I am still around and will make a stitching posting soon..... but just haven't got around to it yet. I am at work at the moment and have a Christmas Fayre tonight at the girl's school, so doubt if I'll post properly until the weekend. I am abit annoyed today as they have blocked some of our access to the Internet at work (well Head Office in Kansas have) so I can't get on Facebook anymore. I know why they do it but somedays my work is very quiet and I go on when I have nothing to do.... so now how do I get the day to go quickly..... more stitching and reading at my desk I think!
We have had a tough week with the girls, Becki especially as she has 2/3 so called friends who have been bitching about her and upsetting her. She doesn't really know what she has done..... and this then upsets Laura as she is very protective of her sister. Luckily they have just a term and half to go before they leave. Parenting is hard at times because what can I do? Nothing really!
Will show Robert Pattinson stitching on my next post, it is progressing well. I am looking forward to my time off at Christmas to do lots of stitching.
Ginnie x

Just a bit of stitching

2009-12-08T20:04:00.004Z

Last week I seemed to lose my stitching mojo a bit! Which was a shame because I don't lose it very often! I think it has come back already this week....yeah!

Mind you I had a busy few days which left me tired and so you don't tend to feel like stitching then. Thursday night I went out with my firend Aly, Friday I had the day off and went Christmas shopping with my mom, Saturday I went shopping again but with the girls and Sunday we put the tree and decorations up.

So I had 4 days of no stitching ! So here is what I managed to sort before then! Firstly here is a photo of all of my decorations, complete and ready to post. Just moms that is missing because she has claimed that already. I hope all my family like them!

Christmas is Forever is now fully framed too and hanging in the lounge opposite the Christmas Tree. Sorry the photo isn't the best, the glass is reflecting the light.

So far this week I have worked on my Robert Pattinson Stitch a Star and my Enchanted Mermaid. Although I said no new starts in December I have remembered I want to start an "All our Yesterdays" for my Aunt and Uncle's Golden Wedding in February '10. So I may start that soon as I don't want to rush at the end.

Lastly I'd like to share some dancing photos with you of my darling Becki. These were the ones taken at the Dress Rehearsal of her show back in November, we had the disc come at the weekend with over 2000 photos on (not just Becki obviously) These 3 are my favourite of many great ones. (If you are my friend on Facebook I have put more of them on there)

This is her tap dance to Let it Snow.

This is her on full ballet pointes dancing to Love reign over me... which was beautiful.

And our all time favourite -

Becki doing a fab jump to "Fame" it looks so good in black and white with the dry ice in the back ground. How does she get her leg that high??? Can't wait for the DVD to arrive now to watch the whole show again!

Anyway back to stitching Robert and drinking my cup of tea.

Ginnie x

2009-11-30T19:08:00.004Z

As promised on my last post here are the cushions for the girls. They are now all wrapped up and ready for going under the tree (well when the tree is up!)

This is Becki's Ballerina and also the back of the cushion to show the lovely fabric I had.

Then here is Laura's Tigger cushion. This was hand stitched onto a cushion I had bought from the shop.

This past week I have finished the last 2 ornaments I wanted to stitch. Here is the one that is for one of my Aunt and Uncles. I have just a bit more hand sewing to do on the last one so I'll show that next time.

I am still working on my LK Christmas is Forever, that is nearly finished so again I'll show that soon. Otherwise that is it for my Christmas stitching. Sadly Henry didn't make it out..... but I have decided December is a "Free for all" stitching wise. I did this last year and abandoned the rota and just stitched on whatever took my fancy. I want to get some more charity squares done before the end of the year as I haven't done many recently. On Saturday I finished one and have started another today. My only rules for December are NO new starts until January except with charity squares. Although I had another little start at the weekend....... Robert Pattinson "Stitch a Star"... but that doesn't count as it was still November!

Lastly here is my hand-made Advent Calendar all set up and full of chocolates ready for Dec 1st tomorrow. I am so glad I finally got around to stitching this and the girls are looking forward to munching on their first gifts tomorrow.

Happy December everyone!!!
Ginnie xx

Christmas stuff!

2009-11-23T18:58:00.004Z

I seem to have worked on lots of bits and pieces again this week, although it was still as hectic as the previous few weeks. This coming week should definitely be quieter!

For Stuart's birthday we went to the cinema to see A Christmas Carol, in 3D. It was very good and although I felt stupid in those plastic glasses the effect was brilliant. The girls also went to the cinema that night to see New Moon.... we weren't allowed to go to the same cinema as them! Good job we have 2 big cinemas near by!

Becki has heard back off Halesowen College and has an audition and interview on the 12th Jan... so she is very excited. Laura's application has been submitted..... just got to wait now.

So to stitching, I have made some good progress on my LK Christmas is Forever. I am going to continue working on this until it's done now.

I have also completed 2 more ornaments. The Lickle Ted one is for our tree and the reindeer one is for my MIL.

Lastly I have some decoupage cards to show. I am working on these at the moment, here are the 3 I have finished. The Popcorn Teddy one is for my Aunt.

Then Tigger is for Laura and Winnie the Pooh with Piglet is for Becki. Doesn't matter how old they are I know they love Disney!!

I have also made up the girls cushions, but they are on top of my wardrobe to wrap up for Christmas. I will try to photo them tomorrow when they are at school.

Although Henry is on my rota this week I want to work on Chrismas things still. I have 2 more ornaments I want to make. So Henry may only have a brief outing!

Until next time - happy stitching.

Ginnie x

Small progress

2009-11-16T15:00:00.004Z

Another week has gone by... and I don't feel I have a lot to show you this week.

We went to visit Halesowen College on Tuesday for Becki, they do the Dance BTEC National course that she is interested in. She really liked the college and the course and has applied for a place there next year. She has to have an audition but they tell you on the same day if you have got in! Then on Thursday we visited Stourbridge College which is going to be Laura's second choice if she doesn't get a place at King Edwards' Sixth Form College. So that was 2 days of no stitching!!

On Wednesday this week it is Stuart's birthday so I thought I would make him some cards. As he was at a league meeting on Saturday I spent the day working on those. Firstly I made a decoupage card for him off the girls.

Secondly I cross stitched a letter S for him off me. I am pleased with the way they have turned out considering I did them both in just one day!

I have also been trying to do some of my Family Tree, you can see the people emerging on this side now. Slowly but surely on this one!

Lastly I worked on My Needle's Work, she now has 2 arms and half a head!!

I am thinking it is getting very close to Christmas and I may have to abandon my rota to get all the things I want to get stitched for Christmas. I have made very few stitched cards this year but I do want to make some more ornaments for people in my family and I have 2 cushions to make up for the girls - the Ballerina one and Tigger one. This week I am working on the Lizzie Kate Christmas one so I'll try to get as much done as possible, I think I have less of a busy week than recently.

Until next week.

Ginnie x

2 finishes and an exciting weekend.

2009-11-09T19:24:00.003Z

As usual I have had a busy few days but have managed to clock up 2 finishes aswell.

I'll start with my stitching I didn't get much of my Mermaid done in the end so I won't show any photos of that. I decided instead to get Ballerina and Spring Cushion finished as they were so close to completion.

So here is the Ballerina, I love it now it is done as the colours seem to work well after my initial doubts. This is to be made into a cushion for Becki.

Then here is my Spring cushion, in plenty of time for next Spring!! The colours in this are so pretty. I have all four seasons to do so will start on Summer next but probably not until the New Year.

Now to my busy weekend...... firstly on Friday I went to see The Rocky Horror show with my dear friend Steve. We have seen this many times before in the 1980s and early 90s but this was our first trip for many, many years!! I still wanted to dress up.... I wore my fishnets but they aren't in the photo!!! It was so great, the show was fantastic and the atmosphere was amazing. Here is a photo of Steve and me before we left and then under that is a photo from 1986/7 before one of the first shows we went too! Fun times.

To finish off my great week it was Becki's dance show. I went with her to the dress rehearsal on Saturday then the whole family went to watch on Sunday afternoon. She was in 9 dances in total, 2 with the younger children she teaches and the rest with her own class. She was fantastic, we were all so proud of her. I have no photos yet as a professional photographer was hired to take loads of shots and we'll have copies in a few weeks. She was even more thrilled when for the Finale she was chosen to be on the front row as one of the stars. Needless to say today she is exhausted.

Happy stitching.

Ginnie x

Busy, busy.

2009-11-01T19:12:00.004Z

I have been a busy bee over the last few days. Stuart got to Poland safely on Friday but the silly thing left his mobile phone charging in the kitchen. So I have only heard from him twice. I am just checking "flight stats" web page now see if his flight has landed at Luton yet.... should be any time now. It'll be good to have him back.

So on Wednesday we bought 2 prom dresses, well put the deposits on 2. Thank goodness my MIL has given us some money towards them because they were SO expensive, but the girls looked fantastic in them and I couldn't say no! Mind you that night I felt really ill, Stuart said it was the thought of spending so much money! I have suffered for years with indigestion/heartburn/acid reflux but haven't been too bad over the last 12 months or so but on Wednesday evening it returned! I was doubled up in pain for hours, it was horrid. I've still had it on and off over the last few days and my stomach is hurting again now but I am trying to ignore it!!

In spite of that I have made lots of stitchy progress, both by hand and machine! Firstly here is a Lickle Ted piece that was free with Card Shop magazine last month, isn't he cute?

Then here is Carl and Jane's Christmas ornament all finished. Looks great with the white cording.

On Saturday I wanted to make a bag for Stuart as a little extra Christmas present. He has an allotment now and was complaining that he had nowhere to keep his seed packets...... so now he has. The design is a Lizzie Kate one. It took me ages because I wanted to finish it just right, the design is on a patch pocket. I just want to add a press stud on the top so his seeds don't fall out!!

And finally here is Henry. I am very pleased with my progress on him this week, I finished the tiny bit of Henry that was needed and have also finished all of Anne of Cleves. I am working on Catherine Howard's dress next, may take a bit longer as more is on show. This will be so special when it is done.

Next week it is back to The Enchanted Mermaid, although I have another busy week ahead! On Friday night I am off to see The Rocky Horror Show at the theatre!! Then Becki has her dance show all weekend, I go and watch the dress rehearsal on the Saturday then we have tickets to watch on the Sunday afternoon. Becki is in 9 dances so we have to sort her costume rota out!!! Normally there is one quick change in the wings!! I'll post more on that after the show.... I am so looking forward to seeing her dance.

Until next time.

Ginnie x

Christmas is forever

2009-10-27T18:49:00.002Z

I have finished work today for a 3 day holiday, so with the weekend I have 5 days off.... so I hope I get some good stitching time in that!

Last week Laura had her lower brace fitted and really suffered. She was in pain all night and I ended up keeping her at home on Wednesday just to catch up on her sleep. She is a lot better now and when her teeth are lovely it'll be all worth it.

We also went to look around King Edward's Sixth form college which is about 3 miles away. Laura loved it and really hopes she can get a place there to do A levels in History, Classical Civilisations, Pyschology and English Language. You need to be predicted high grades in your GCSEs which she is.... so fingers crossed. She is filling in the form this week but the closing date isn't until January and then the final decisions aren't made until March!! Mind you we'll need plenty of time to save some money as 2 of the courses involve trips to Madrid and Rome..... nice!

Becki has to wait until 10th Nov for a look around the college she wants to go to.

As for any stitching I only have one to show. This is the Lizzie Kate I mentioned on my last post, it is Christmas is Forever and I think I made good progress on it.

This week is Henry week again, plus small Christmas pieces inbetween. I am aiming to get another wife complete!!

Tomorrow we are going to order the girl's Prom dresses, hopefully. Then on Friday Stuart is off to Poland with the British American Youth Football Team to play a friendly game. He isn't back until Sunday so I have a couple of days just me and the girls. Hopefully we are going to Worcester for a day out on Friday, if it is dry!

Until next time.

Ginnie x

Christmas cards and an Advent calendar

2009-10-19T18:35:00.003+01:00

I know my rota was to stitch on Family Tree and Ballerina and I have a little, well the ballerina more so than the tree! But Christmas is getting ever closer and the need to stitch Christmas stuff gets greater!

Here are 2 cards I have put together today. The first one is with the Santa I stitched a couple of weeks ago.

And the 2nd is a sweet Angel card that I stitched this week. I love the colours in this. You can't tell from the photo but she has gold thread outlining her wings.

But what took up more of my time this week was my sewing machine. Many years ago when the girls were very little I bought an Advent Calendar sewing kit.... but it never got stitched until now! I decided as the sewing machine is still sitting on my dining room table it was time to get it done. Here it is nearly complete. The bottom has to be slip stitched together and some tabs making, then it'll all be hung onto a piece of doweling. Each pocket was stitched on in a strip with a box pleat to help puff it out! I will fill the pockets with sweets for the girls and it'll save me buying those commercially made ones.

On Saturday there was a Prom Fayre at our local shopping centre. The girls were so excited looking at the dresses.... but they are so expensive. Luckily my mother in law has given us some cash to go towards the cost. During half term we are going to a couple of the shops to try on some of the ones they particularly liked and are hoping to put a deposit on two! It seems early but they take 3 months to come and if you're not early someone else may pick the dress you want and they won't sell the same dress to the same school.

Then this coming Thursday we have our first college Open Day. There is a Sixth Form College nearby that has a good reputation for A levels and Laura has decided she wants to go there. I know she has the ability but it is hard to get a place. I know Laura will be upset if she doesn't get in as they are the only local college to offer an A Level in Classical Studies, which is one of her choices. So we are going to look around then apply as soon as possible. The girls are both excited at the thought of moving onto college but very nervous too!

This week on the rota is "Christmas Stitching" urmmm I know that seems to have been last week too! I am having a new start - a Lizzie Kate one.... you'll have to tune in next week to see which one...... and my progress.

Have a good week.

Ginnie x

Sugar Plum Fairy and others

2009-10-12T18:41:00.002+01:00

Thanks for all your well wishes for my cold, I am much better now infact it had gone by Thursday....thank goodness.

I have a few pictures to show today which include 2 Christmas finishes. Last year I bought the Sugar Plum Fairy kit by Mill Hill off Ebay, it was one of 6 based on the Nutcracker and I wish I had bought others because you can't get them in the UK. I spent all week on this because I was just hooked. Even though I broke my favourite long beading needle trying to fit 2 strands of cotton through the eye (instructions told me to) and even though some of the petite beads just didn't want to go through the beading needle provided..... I stuck with it because it is just so sweet. So here she is, the photo doesn't do her justice as you can't see the depth created by the beads.

Then just this evening I have finished my Carol Singer that I want to make into an ornament for mom and dad's tree. Again the photo doesn't really show the white glittery snowflakes and the snowy ground!

Last week was also Enchanted Mermaid week, as I was busy with the Fairy I didn't get so much done on this one. I worked on the top right hand corner..... another cherub now exists!

This week I have had to slot my Family Tree back in it's old place on the rota because I just haven't worked on it. So I will aim to get some done during daylight hours. Otherwise I have dug out the Ballerina I have been working on for Becky for a couple of years. I got very bored with this, especially stitching on the dark blue fabric. I also wasn't sure how much I liked the way it was turning out but I think it is one of those pictures that looks much better at a distance than close up. So I am going to aim to finish it by Christmas for her. Here she is so far and actually there isn't a huge amount left to do.

Hope everyone has a good week with lots of stitching time!!

Ginnie x

Henry's legs

2009-10-05T14:22:00.004+01:00

Just a quick update to show off Henry and his newly acquired legs! I didn't spend much time stitching on Saturday so I was determined to get his legs all done last night. I worked until 11pm but I did it. In fact all of Jane Seymour is now complete as most of her dress hides behind Annes. And Henry just has a small piece on his jacket left to do.... then he'll be complete too!

I thought I'd had a bit of a cold last week, but that was only a sample..... today I have a lovely cold!! My head is splitting and my throat is sore, I am in work but can't wait to get home and go to sleep! Looks like I won't be stitching much tonight then, which is a shame as it's back to The Mermaid this week and I have also found a fabulous Santa picture in the new World of Cross Stitching I would love to do!

Hope everyone else is ok, seems a lot of colds etc about at the moment.

Ginnie x

Various !

2009-10-02T14:45:00.005+01:00

Sorry I couldnt think of a title today!! So "various" will have to do!

I had a nice weekend but it was a little tiring having 2 dogs to look after both with differing needs. So I was glad to have the Monday off to recover and relax properly. Also noticed at the weekend that my fridge didn't seem very cold.... so turned the dial up, cleaned it etc but came to the conclusion on Monday that is was broke! It is a fridge freezer and the freezer part was still working! So we have moved that into the garage (as we were about to order another freezer to keep in there) and today I had a nice shiny new fridge freezer delivered. It is taller and wider than my old one so plenty of space for all the food we seem to buy weekly!!!

We have also all had colds this week, well Laura's was last week but she passed it onto me and Becki this week. I haven't been too bad just feeling a bit run down.

As for stitching here is what I have to show. I made the Rosie Rabbit into a cushion on Saturday. I found some grey checked material that was just right! I haven't made a cushion with a gathered edge for ages so I made a bit of a mess with the corners which had to be unpicked and stitched again. But the end result looks good and Olivia loved it too.

I have also been working on a Christmas piece to make into an ornament for mom and dad. It is a lady carol singer. I was hoping to finish it to show you today but it has taken longer than I thought and I still have a snowy ground and and snowflakes to add. So here's what I've done so far.

On Monday I made this other little Christmas ornament. It only has a simple bit of cross stitch on. I just need a charm or bit of holly etc to fix above the wording and it'll be done. I think I'll send this to my Aunt and Uncle in Dorset.

I have been working on Henry's legs..... which is boring as they are white and grey! I should get them done over the weekend.

Happy stitching

Ginnie x

Jolly snowman couple.

2009-09-25T17:54:00.006+01:00

This week has been Christmas Rota week!!! And here is what I have been working on. I mentioned in the summer that Stuart's brother, Carl, got married in secret! So I was unable to do them any stitching beforehand. This design is in the latest Cross Stitch Card Shop magazine and I thought it was very appropriate. I think I may make it into an ornament instead of a card, seems more special then.

There are some other nice designs in the same magazine so I am doing a lady carol singer next and have treated myself to some sparkly lurex aida to stitch it on.

It has been a stressful few days so I have been glad of some simple stitching to help me relax. Firstly we had a VAT lady in work for 2 days looking at the books. It all went well but I was glad when she left. Then yesterday it was the funeral of a dear friend of the family, Mary, who died last week after quite a long illness. So I am glad that Friday has arrived and I can look forward to the weekend, especially as I have booked Monday off too.

Next week is Henry week again. I am going to go back to stitch on Henry himself and get his legs done..... so he'll be able to stand up at last!

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Ginnie x

Mermaid and Rabbit

2009-09-18T22:02:00.005+01:00

Here is my late update of "Enchanting Mermaid" that I was working on last week. She is progressing well, all of the bottom right hand corner is complete now (except beads.)

Then today I finished Rosie Rabbit. She is such a cutie. I need to make it into a cushion now before next Saturday as Alex is coming for a "sleep over" so she can take it home on Sunday for her sister. I agreed to the girls having a sleep over as Stuart is away for the weekend, so it'll be all girls here!!! I am also looking after mom and dads dog next weekend as they are going back down to Dorset to visit my Auntie and Uncle again.

This week was "Family Tree" week again on the rota. But I was getting so fed up of it on its large frame that I finally sorted the base out again and fixed it all back together. It is much easier to work on now but I have to sit on one of the dining room chairs by the window. Here it is in it's new place. Because of this I am now going to change my rota and take "Family Tree" out. Instead I aim to work on it every week but only in the day light by the window, so that'll be a small amount of time in a morning before work and then at a weekend. I hope I still progress on it......... I aim too. That means week one slot is free....... so a new start is loaming!

I will take a closer photo on Sunday when I have worked a bit more on it!

Until next time.

Ginnie x

Framing success!

2009-09-13T21:11:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone, what a lovely weekend we have had here in the Midlands, warm and sunny. Mom, me and Scamp the dog went a great walk yesterday afternoon along the canal from where we live to a place called Stourton. It took us just over an hour and it was so nice in the sunshine, the countryside and the peace and quiet. We even saw a heron fly out of the bull rushes. My legs ached a little today as I don't exercise much but we will definitely walk there again.

Today I framed my Country Idyll stitching ready for Christmas!!!! I bought a black frame and a cream and black mount and did it all by myself! I am very pleased with the result and I'm looking forward to seeing mom and dad's reaction to it at Christmas.

I have also worked a little more on Rosie the Rabbit, she now has a back and one paw! I want to get this finished by next week. I haven't got a cushion for it yet, I haven't seen one I like, so I think I may end up making one.

Lastly I stitched another small Christmas motif last week from the latest World of Cross Stitching magazine. I used my own colours and some variegated thread. I made it into the card this afternoon, it looks ok but I'm not sure if I really like it or not!!!

Anyway I am off for a soak in the bath now, I have spent hours catching up on ironing this morning and it has made my back ache..... so a nice relax in the warm water should help!!

Hope you all have a good week and I'll try to catch up on my blog reading over the week I seem to have been slacking!!

Ginnie x

Henry and Christmas

2009-09-07T22:23:00.006+01:00

I had a "Christmas" moment on Saturday and decided to do a few small motifs for cards, nothing big. Therefore I managed to complete 2 over the weekend. The first one shows some pretty Christmas pressies and the second is Santa reading his list! I have decided to have a week in my rota for Christmas stitching, starting in a couple of weeks after I've worked on Family Tree again.

Now to Henry and as you can see he finally has the heads and tops of bodies of all 6 wives. Katherine of Aragon maybe his first wife but she is the last one for me to begin. She looks lovely in her green outfit. Now I have to fill in the rest of all their big dresses but I think I'll give Henry his legs next!

This week I have my mermaid to stitch on and I am also doing a little "baby girl" gift for a blogging and facebook friend!!!

Finally it was the first day back at school today for the girls. This will be their final year at secondary school (Year 11) as the schools in our area don't have 6th forms. So it was a bit sad today to think this is their final September in uniform photo! It doesn't seem five minutes since they started secondary school, they didn't get into their first choice school whereas nearly all their primary school friends did. It took a good term before they really settled but now they are happy and have never regreted not going to the other school, thank goodness. Lots of hard work ahead of them but I am sure they'll do well.

Happy stitching.

Ginnie x

Various WIPs

2009-09-02T13:08:00.003+01:00

Not a very original title..... but here are a few photos of pieces I have been working on over the last week.

Here is my Family Tree, I have finally finished the cream colour in the back ground of the "Family" box and the central house is all complete. I have now started the right hand side, you can just see the little house and the first person emerging! Also Laura now has her name on here too! I keep thinking I am getting closer to finishing...... but then I look at the chart and realise there is still lots to do!!

Here is the beginnings of Rosie Rabbit for Olivia. It has such a cute expression but it is stitched in mainly 4 colours, so I only do little bits at a time!

I also started LHN - "My needle's work" I had this for Christmas last year with the proper threads so I thought I would make a start. I am using 32ct instead of 28ct so it will be a tiny bit smaller. I think I would like to mount it on a photo album when it is complete and I can keep photos of my stitching in there! Not much to show yet, this is the piece of stitching the lady in the design is holding!

Then lastly I finished another charity square. This one is for a themed quilt - Bugs in a bottle - so here is my spider!! Some little child will love this quilt when it is done with all those lovely creepie crawlies!!!

This week I am back to Henry and have already stitched Katherine of Aragon's head and headwear this week. She is the last of his wives to work on even though she was his actual first wife! I am looking forward to carrying on with it tonight.

Until next time.....

Ginnie x

Very proud.

2009-08-29T20:37:00.004+01:00

My daughters got their GCSE English result on Thursday as they had taken it a year earlier than normal as they are very good at English. I am very proud to say they both got an A grade. They were so nervous just to get this result, I dread to think what they'll be like next year when they take all their other GCSEs. Now they start AS level English Litrature, I have just had to buy them 3 course books !!

Here is a photo my dad took today of them holding the notification of their passes.

I must thank everyone for their kind comments about my beach bag, I forgot to say on my last post that the idea came from "Ottobre designs" it was the shoulder bag I based my bag on.

I have now finished Lizzie Kate's September.... just in time. Here it is just after completing the stitching.

Then here it is made into an ornament. This time I used my machine to sew it together and then I added some brown cord to finish it. I like the way I have completed this one and will do the rest in the same way.

I will try to start October soon but have first promised my friend's other daughter, Olivia a cross stitched cushion like the Groovy Chick one I made last month for Alex. She wanted a rabbit on hers so I have picked the RSPCA Rosie Rabbit design to stitch. I plan to start that over the next couple of weeks.

I have been working on my Family Tree again today but had to spend some time unpicking !!! Urrr! Next week Henry will be out again. Tomorrow we have another family party, it was my cousin Sally's birthday yesterday so she has invited us over tomorrow for a get together. I haven't seen her or her family for a while so it'll be really nice as we were very close as children. It gets hard to keep seeing everyone so often as their own families grow bigger!

Anyway until next time, happy stitching and hope you all have a good long weekend if you are in the UK!

Ginnie x

My lovely beach bag!

2009-08-25T20:00:00.002+01:00

I have to show you my beach bag, I am very proud of it. The boat stitching was the free gift on the Cross stitcher magazine out this month. I bought it on holiday and thought it would be great to stitch to remember my holiday. I decided to make it into a bag like the one I had made mom a few weeks ago, so when I saw a piece of blue spotty material in one of the gift shops in Charmouth I had to buy it. So last week on my return I stitched the boat piece on the front of the one panel and then made the bag..... in one evening!!! I just need another beach holiday to use it now. Actually I used it at the weekend, it is too nice to wait until my next holiday. It is about A4 paper size and is fully lined inside with just plain white material. I also have enough blue spotty stuff left to make another bag!!!

I haven't quite finished my September stamp, but it is nearly done. I'm sure having a long bank holiday weekend coming up it'll give me chance to finish it and stitch it into an ornament.

Otherwise this week I still have Family Tree on my rota as I only spent 3 evenings on it last week. I have decided to be abit more flexible with my rota and just pick at the beginning of each week what I fancy stitching on.

Hope everyone is having a good week so far, work has been very quiet as several of the lads are on holiday so I have been stitching a little at work also.... if no one is around!!!

Until next time.

Ginnie x

Holiday snaps

2009-08-22T20:22:00.004+01:00

Just a couple of my holiday photos, I have many more but don't want to bore you!!! I also have photos from my Uncle's party that I'll post another time.

We stayed at a little seaside village called Charmouth which is in Dorset but is only a couple of miles from the Devon border. Firsty here I am putting my toes in the sea....... I don't like going in the sea and wouldn't swim in it as I am a poor swimmer but I have to test the water every year if I can. It wasn't too cold actually.

We stayed on a caravan site called Seadown and this was the view from our caravan. When you followed the path it led to a small piece of grass and then to the beach and sea. You can just see the sea above the other caravan roofs. It was very beautiful.

Every evening after dinner we went down to the sea to the part along a promanade where the fisherman gathered. It was very relaxing we loved watching the sea and the fishing! This is me and my mom with their dog, Scamp. He loved it too. (Notice the bag by my mom's side? That's the one I made her!!)

This is the girls one early evening with Charmouth on the right and the bay of Lyme Regis in the back ground.

This was one of the hot days when I went down to the beach with the girls. They bought a new bikini just before we left and were glad they had chance to wear it. They had just been and bought an ice lolly as you can see!

On another hot day we went into Axminster and found a lovely little cafe where I had a lovely Mocha coffee. This is me with my mom..... it was too hot for her!!!

And finally this was taken at Lyme Regis on our last day which was a little bit windy, so all the sail boats were in the bay. I thought it made a colourful picture.

Back with my stitching next time.

Ginnie x

Returned

2009-08-18T16:17:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone, I am back off my holidays.

We had a fantastic time, the weather was really kind to us. The only bit of rain we had was on the Monday afternoon and when we were leaving on Saturday. We had 3 glorious sunny days and the rest were dry and warm. The site and caravan were great and we all want to make a return visit.

I will show photos etc about my hols on my next post as I haven't sorted my photos yet. So this post will be a stitching catch up.

I took plenty with me but these are the main 3 I worked on. Firstly here is my Spring cushion I started a few months ago, I want to do all 4 seasons and the first 3 designs have already been published so I better get a move on. You can see the heart shape formed at the bottom. I love the bright colours in this.

Secondly I worked on my Mermaid/Fantasy one. I just love this..... you can see the beginnings of her face and the lovely castle as well as some of the circle border. There are 3 "light effects" threads in this and I usually hate using these but I am getting on ok with them in this.

Then lastly I started Lizzie Kate's September. I was way ahead of time with August but am falling behind on this one. I will try to work hard on it over the next week to get it sorted in time for the 1st of the month!!

My mom used the little bag I made a lot on holiday so I aim to make mine this week. The new Cross Stitcher magazine was out while we were away with a "nautical" free kit on it. So I have also worked on that and intend to use it on a bag. I also bought some light blue spotty material for it. So hopefully I will have that to show soon, shame I'm not by the seaside still to use it as my "beach bag".

Sorry I have not read any other blogs yet, I will try to catch up over the next few days when I have finished all my washing etc.... Oh the joys of holiday return!!

Ginnie x

A finish, good news and my holidays

2009-08-07T18:14:00.003+01:00

Just one more sleep until my holiday....yeah.

But firstly my finish, I worked all week on it, the last little bits always take the longest! I thought I had finished it last night then I remembered the french knots on the bushes. So I finally got it complete today. I love the way it looks and I have completed it much quicker than I first thought. I will store it away now and decide on how to frame it sometime nearer Christmas.

Secondly our good news, Stuart's mom is currently on holiday in Devon with his eldest brother, Carl and his family. She phoned on Wednesday night to say Carl and his girlfriend Jane had got married that day, just a quiet ceremony with both parents and Jane's 2 children and there 1 daughter. They reckoned they would never get married so we were very surprised but happy. Lets hope they have a party on their return. Of course if I had known I would have done them a piece of wedding stitching. I think I will try to do a small something for Christmas, a Lizzie Kate "saying" type one.

And now I am preparing for our holiday. Laura came back from Brownie camp earlier, very tired but happy. I have packed most of our cases and sorted the food etc. Just a bit more ironing to sort and Stuart has to find the fold up chairs! We are going to a place by the sea called Charmouth in Dorset and are staying in a static caravan with my parents too. We went near there a few years ago and loved the area so I am really looking forward to going back. I hope the weather is kinder to us than last year.

Tomorrow is our Wedding Anniversary too (17 years!!) so we are having a fish and chip supper in the caravan, bliss. Then next Saturday before we return we will be visiting my Aunt and Uncle who live in Poole. It is my Uncle's 70th Birthday and they are having a party. I will see my 3 cousins who I see very little of, and finally meet my one cousin's wife!

So I'll be back on my Blog the 16th...... with lots of photos and a suntan!!! Hopefully!

Ginnie x

Just dancing.....

2009-08-03T21:44:00.007+01:00

No stitching to show today but I have got a few photos of Becki dancing. When we went to watch the mini show at the end of their Summer School week my dad bought his digital camera to take some snaps. He also managed to record 2 small videos of one of her ballet dances but then his battery ran out!! I have been trying to download one of these little videos too..... but it has been "processing" all night and day.... I think something went wrong there!

I have posted it on Facebook though, so if you're a friend on there you should be able to view it.

(2nd left)

She danced really well and we were very proud of her. Sorry the background is just a school hall!! She does her next proper dance show in November at the local town hall, so I am looking forward to seeing that.

As for sewing I have decided to continue with Country Idyll this week as I am close to finishing it. I will try to stitch on Henry aswell but I only have until Friday and then we go on holiday. I will show an updated photo of Country Idyll later in the week. I promise Henry will get some extra time after my hols!!

Laura is away at Brownie camp until Friday, so all is quiet here and Becki is lonely!

Hope you all have a good week.

Ginnie x

Cushions

2009-07-30T21:51:00.003+01:00

You may have noticed I have gone blue.... got fed up of the orange shades on my blog so had a little change.

So I can finally reveal my finished cushions as they are now in their new home. I saw my friend Aly on Tuesday night and the one was for her and the other for her daughter, Alex.

Firstly this was for Alex, I did show the Groovy Chick stitching a few weeks ago. I found a lovely ready made cushion and unpicked the sides and the ribbon so that I could attach the finished piece. The colours matched perfectly and I was so pleased with it. I heard back off Alex on Wednesday that she loved it and and it was one of the nicest presents she had ever received.

Secondly, I made the Lizzie Kate "Friends are Angels" into a cushion for Aly. Again I bought a ready made cushion then just unpicked some of it to attach the stitching. These cushions were such a good price ready made it wasn't worth buying material and cushion pads to make my own. Again Aly loved it. So two happy people.

I am working on Country Idyll and it is coming along well. Tomorrow evening we are going to watch Becky perform the dances she has worked on at Summer School, then on Sunday night she is in a dance show her friend has organised (the one I have made the Good Luck card for) So I will have to try and stitch in the day time over the weekend.... housework will have to wait!!

Ginnie x

Family Tree update

2009-07-27T22:01:00.002+01:00

Thought I'd sneak in a posting before bedtime. Becky's dance exams went well I think, this week she is at Summer School and is doing a small performance on Friday evening. She has just been showing us her dances, they look lovely.

We didn't have a very good Sunday, we woke up to find the trailer had been stolen overnight off the front garden. Ok it wasn't chained up, but it was only small and been in the same spot for 2 years. There is little chance of it being found and it wasn't covered on the house insurance (only found that bit out today!) Also the tent poles were still in it, which I didn't realise until Stuart told me. It's just a good job we aren't going camping this year! What un-nerves me the most is that the "lowlife" would have had to come right up to the kitchen window to wheel it off the garden and that we knew nothing about it!

I cheered myself up on Sunday by doing lots of sewing. This was mainly machine sewing again. I have 2 cushions that I'll have to show you later in the week as they haven't been given to their "new owners" yet. Then I made a canvas bag (fully lined) for my mom. I was really pleased with it but forgot to take a photo. I intend to make another one before my holidays so I'll show you it then.

So here's my Family tree update. I rolled down to the bottom again and made a little progress. I would love to finish this by Christmas but I think it'll probably be next year now, there is still a lot to do.

I also finished my little Christmas ornament...... finally. I think I'll give this to my mom and dad for their Christmas tree this year.

I'm working on Country Idyll again this week and would still like to finish this by September, so back to work now.........

Have a good week.
Ginnie x

Mermaid

2009-07-23T19:55:00.003+01:00

Hope everyone is having a good week. My working week has only been 4 days long as I have booked tomorrow off. Becky took her Grade 4 Modern dance exam on Wednesday and has her Grade 4 Ballet exam tomorrow, so I have just been sewing ballet ribbon onto her shoes........ which is a pain because in a couple of weeks they'll start learning "Show" dances and it'll be "ribbons off" again! She is a little nervous but I am sure she'll be fine, her dance teacher is very pleased with her progress. Then in the afternoon we are going to the cinema to see Harry Potter.

So here is my new start from last week. Firstly the picture from the magazine to see what it should look like eventually. I was drawn to the blue/greens and can imagine having it framed with a similar coloured frame so it'll go with my bathroom colour scheme. Not sure how I will get on with having it framed though, as what do you do about condensation in your bathroom? I don't want it to spoil the stitching.

And this is the progress made during the first week. It is sewn on just plain old 14ct white aida. You can see the 3 little sea horses already complete with back stitch. I have loved working on this and am looking forward to picking it up again.

This week I have picked up my Family Tree again and wound it down to work on the bottom again for a change. I spent Monday on that then spent Tuesday on my Tigger/Piglet piece for my SAL. Last night I went out with my Crafty Hands group for a nice meal (we always have a Summer and Christmas meal out) It was very nice but I was late back and got no stitching done! So I think I'll get back to the Family Tree in a moment although I am tired and have a headache tonight.

Ginnie x

Henry from last week

2009-07-17T22:02:00.004+01:00

I nearly forgot to post my update on Henry and his wives from last week !

I really enjoyed stitching on it again, his sixth wife has many colours in the bodice of her gown which were fun to work on. I also worked on the border again, the red rose is one of about six so I tried to get as much of this first one done as possible.

This week I have started a new piece of stitching, it is a mermaid/fantasy type piece that was in the last issue of World of Cross Stitching. The colours just grabbed me as they are lovely shades of greens and blue, I want to put it in my bathroom. I have enjoyed working on this so much I haven't touched much else. I did start another charity square but gave done very little.

Wednesday night was Presentation Night at school, the one that Laura got an award at but not Becky! Laura was presented with "Achievement in History" one of her favourite subjects and favourite teacher. Becky was ok about it and her head of year did come and chat to her to tell her how consistantly good she was.

Stuart is out tonight as it is end of term, so just me and the girls...... I have done lots of stitching and the girls are watching the TV in peace! Summer holidays are now ahead for the 3 of them, although Stuart is back at school next week for Summer School. Then the week after Becky is doing a Dance Summer School, then the week after Laura is at Brownie camp, then when she returns we all go on holiday..... so lots to keep them busy!!

Anyway hope you all have a good weekend.

Ginnie x

I'm a sewing machine wizard.

2009-07-12T19:30:00.005+01:00

Actually the title is a bit mis leading.... yes I have been using my little sewing machine this afternoon.......... and yes I am very pleased with my final results........ but no, I am no wizard coz if I was it wouldn't have kept breaking my thread and making me swear !!!!

I finally got around to finishing my Lizzie Kate - Housework piece using the bell pull end. It is now proudly hanging in my lounge. The only thing I am not happy with is the way you can see through some of the fabric in the middle of the stitching, also one tab is slightly wonky!! But for a first attempt I am very happy!!!

I then made Becky a draw string bag for her new ballet shoes, using some pretty ballet material on the front and plain blue material on the back. I then used the blue material for a casing too...... I will take a photo of this when I get the cording and it is complete.

I have also finished the August piece, although I hand stitched this yesterday. I think it needs something around the edge.... so I think a trip to the sewing shop is called for as I haven't much in the way of trimmings !!I will start the September one in a few weeks.

Lastly here is the piece of stitching finished for the Good Luck card I am making for Becki's friend when she leaves dancing. The cat and horseshoe were supposed to be 3 stitches lower.... but somewhere my counting went terribly wrong.... oh well it still looks good !!

Henry is coming along well to, I have been working on wife number 6 some more. I will continue on that tonight and update you in the week as normal.

Just to end this post here is baby George (now 7 weeks old) we went to visit him for the first time yesterday...... this is a lovely photo of the back of my head (pleased to see no grey hairs showing!!) He was very cute and it was lovely to hold a baby again....but just as nice to pass him back to his mom !!!!

Happy stitching,

Ginnie x

Weekend break

2009-07-07T19:00:00.002+01:00

We had a lovely weekend in Hereford, and the weather was warm but not too hot! We stayed at a lovely little hotel called Brandon Lodge just south of the city. If you ever fancy a short break do check this hotel out as it was very reasonably priced and extremely friendly.

Hotel

In the afternoon after checking in we went into Hereford to visit the Cathedral which also houses the famous "Mappa Mundi" which is the only complete wall map of the world known to have survived from the Middle Ages. It was very impressive. We stopped and had tea and cake in the Cloisters cafe and then returned to the hotel.

Hereford Cathedral

Before dinner I even sat outside in the hotel gardens and cross stitched....... bliss !!

We then had dinner at a lovely pub a few miles up the road called the "Axe and Cleaver" a good ole black and white English pub!! Then back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

On Sunday we had a large cooked breakfast and then went to Ross-on-Wye for a walk along the river (walk off the calories!!) Finally returning home in the afternoon feeling very refreshed.

Back to normal on Monday........ so here's my stitching updates -

My poppy card is now complete and ready for Becky to write in and present to her teacher next week. I'm sure she'll like it.

Then my progress on Country Idyll - some sky done, some more trees done, the horse is just about complete and then lots of confetti stitches on the wall and the man and girl. I still think I can complete this by the end of the summer!

This week Henry is back out again, I am going to stitch on him now and look forward to watching the 2nd episode of Torchwood at 9pm !!

Ginnie x

Small updates

2009-07-02T11:12:00.002+01:00

On my last post I forgot to mention that this week is a busy week for me also, so I am sneaking in a quick posting now while I'm at work.

Both last night and tonight I am helping sell refreshments at school, and after a busy (ish) day at work and the killing heat we have here at the moment I haven't stitched as much as I would have liked. Luckily I am also having a night away this coming weekend so may get some free time to stitch. Just Stuart and I are going to Hereford for a break away (about hour and half drive from us) the girls and the dog are being looked after by my mom and dad. I am looking forward to a chance to finally get away and de-stress.... it seems ages since I had any kind of break as last year's summer holiday was a disaster.
I will tell you all about it next week.

Back to stitching, here is my Family Tree progress from last week. Not much to show I'm afraid, just another name box done and some of the line borders and tree.

I was hoping to finish my poppy card to show today but I didn't quite make it. I only have a little of the poppy and one white flower left though, so will get it done by the weekend. I love poppies and think this looks lovely.

An update on my giveaway stitching for Maggie, it is stitched I am just making it into the ornament now. With me going away at the weekend it'll probably be in the post next week.

The girl's work experience is going really well, they are both having a good time but didn't realise how tiring it was working !!! I think they are looking forward to the weekend too so they can get more sleep!! We also managed to speak to Becki's head of year last night and told her how upset she had been about not receiving an award. She was very nice and said Becki was always an excellent pupil and always very well behaved and sadly got over looked sometimes. She is going to speak to Becki when they return to school. Still doesn't give her an award but least she feels a little more appreciated.

Hope you all have a good weekend, I believe the weather here in the UK is supposed to be a little cooler.... phew !!! (never happy are we!)

Ginnie x

Still here !

2009-06-28T18:59:00.003+01:00

I bet some of you wondered if I had disappeared off the face of the earth..... as it has been a whole week since I posted. But I am still here and well, just had a busy and at times stressful week.

Firstly I had to take Laura to the dentist on Wednesday morning to have 2 teeth out. (All part of the Brace fitting etc) Laura has a very bad track record with the dentist as she is very nervous about going and once refused to have a filling when she saw the needle!! So I was just as nervous as her not knowing how it would go. Luckily she was really brave in the end, although I had to stay with her and hold her hand, she got through it relativley easily. She just has another 2 to go in a few weeks.

Then on Thursday Stuart was unwell with flu like symptoms...... I had to check up the facts on Swine Flu, just in case as we have lots of cases in the midlands..... but I think it was only a bit of normal flu. Even so I had to wait on him hand and foot !!!!! At the same time we were trying to confirm the DJ for the school Prom on Friday night (some of you may remember we are part of the parent support group and organise it every year) We kept leaving messages on his phone but had no reply, we thought we would have to find someone else at short notice but finally on Thursday evening we tracked down a new number for him..... and sorted it.

Then on Friday - Prom Night - the weather turned, we had heavy rain in the afternoon and we had visions of not being able to get the group photo they always have. Luckily in the end the rain held off and we had a fantastic night once again. Although Stuart was still unwell and didn't attend. On top of that Becki was upset on Friday as she found out for the 2nd year running she hadn't been picked for an award at Presentation Night..... and Laura had. We were sad too because she works very hard, has predicted A/B grades on all her GCSEs but just doesn't get noticed! Yet the child who got excluded for a few days last year for drinking alcohol in school got an award etc etc... it seems very unfair.

As you can imagine my stitching has suffered from all this...... but I did have 2 finishes earlier in the week that made up for it.

Here is my Lilliput Lane that I have been doing as a SAL. Never thought I would finish this, the back stitch was a nightmare...... but here it is -

I also finished Friends are like Angels, which I just love -

And then this is my Poppy card for Becky's teacher..... a bit to go still yet but I'll aim to get it completed by next week.

I have done some of my Family Tree this week, but not much, so I am going back to work on that now.

I have 2 weeks of not having to take the girls to school now as they have works experience. Laura is at the primary school just minutes from our door working in the Foundation years.... so will walk and Becky is going to Stuart's school to teach dance, so Stuart will take her. Bliss !!

Until next time......

Ginnie x

The winner announced.....

2009-06-21T20:11:00.003+01:00

Thank you everyone who entered my giveaway. I had 33 people request to be put in the draw. I wrote everyone's name on a piece of paper.... put them in Laura's lunch box and got her to pick out a name......

And the name she picked out is - Maggie - well done !!!!!

Amazing, of all the names all over the world in my draw, the winner lives just around the corner !! (This wasn't a fix to save postage.... honest)

So Maggie if you want to email me your address (my email's on my profile) I'll get the stitching complete this coming week and post probably the week after that!!

Back to my other stitching - I have had a very productive few days with 3 finishes !!

Firstly I finished my Bang on the Door design, I really shouldn't show it as it's a surprise for someone.... but they don't know yet.... so I may be safe!!

Secondly I finished my Lizzie Kate August stamp, such a lovely summer time feel... if summer ever returns to the Midlands! I'll start September in a few weeks I think.

Then lastly this is one I started last year to make into an ornament for Christmas..... except I never quite finished it. So I dug it out today and all it needed was the last bit of wording at the bottom, which I soon sorted! My first Christmas finish of the year.

For those of you that love following my Henry stitching please check out LesleyAnne's blog, she has a photo of her finished Henry and wives piece, it is fantastic.

Next week it's back to Family Tree and I want to do some more of the Poppy card for Becki's teacher.

Have a good week.

Ginnie x

BLOG-OVERSARY GIVEAWAY !!!

2009-06-18T14:45:00.002+01:00

Well I couldn't wait until later tonight to post or to celebrate....... so come join the party, pull a party popper, raise a glass and help yourself to cake.......today the 18th June is my 1 year Blogoversay...... Hooray........

A year ago in May I started my Family Tree stitching and wanted a way to record my progress. In June I thought about a blog.... then after reading a few I took the plunge and started blogging!

It was a great decision. This time last year I hadn't heard of Bent Creek, HAED, Biscornus etc..... Oh boy have I learnt a lot. It has also encouraged me to stitch more than ever before and produce lots of pieces over the last 12 months.

But mostly I have made some great friends, who have encouraged me, helped me find charts, chatted to me on MSN, got me involved in charity stitching and even played games with me on Facebook!!

So to celebrate I am having a giveaway. I am going to stitch something nice, sadly at the moment it is no where near complete..... so the winner will have to wait a little. As a clue it is a Lizzie Kate - a similar size to the Stamp Flip-its - and I'll make it into some kind of hanging ornament.

To be entered into the giveaway simply leave a comment on this post saying you would like to take part. I will then draw a name at random on Sunday night (21st) at around 8pm (GMT).

Thank you everyone for being interested in my stitching and commenting on my many posts.

Here's to the next 12 months..... who knows Henry may be finished by then !

Happy stitching
Ginnie x

Wife number six !!

2009-06-17T08:26:00.003+01:00

Just a very quick posting to show my progress on Henry. I have worked on wife number 6 - Catherine Parr. She is going to be fun... there is just one symbol in the whole design that is purple and black thread blended together.... and lots of her dress is made of this symbol !!

I also started some of the side border.

Not huge progress... but some !!

Don't forget to tune in tomorrow for my blogoversary post..... it may be later in the evening as I have my friend Aly visiting tomorrow too.

Until then.

Ginnie x

"And all that Jazz......"

2009-06-14T19:02:00.003+01:00

Chicago was brilliant, Jimmy was lovely I cheered loudly when he came on stage (much to my daughter's embarrassment!) and the 2 girls who played Velma and Roxie were fantastic (one of them was from Eastenders!) I was surprised though that the theatre wasn't that full.... suppose that's the recession for you. Had an eventful moment on the car park.... my ticket got stuck in the machine and the barrier got stuck... we held up lots of cars and had to get an attendant !!!

I don't have a lot of stitching to show...... I have worked on Henry but will update you on that later in the week.

Here is my progress on August, just a bit more to do on the 2nd flower and around the word. I am enjoying working on these and will continue in the correct month order with September next.

Here is my small progress on Friends are like Angels..... or "nds like gels" as it reads at the moment !!! Most of this is over 2 squares but some is over 1 ..... so tricky on the eyes.

Becky has asked me to stitch a "Good Luck" card for her dancing friend Chrissie who has gained a place at "The Hammond Dance School" in Chester in September. I also need to do the poppy card for Becky's favourite teacher who leaves at the end of term.....so as ever I'm going to be busy!

Thursday is a special day.... it'll be my first blogoversary..... so tune in then, I will be having a giveaway !!!!

Until then, happy stitching.

Ginnie x

A cute puppy square

2009-06-09T19:25:00.003+01:00

Many thanks for all your kind comments about the Wedding Row picture. The wedding went well despite the awful weather, it rained really heavy all day here and was pretty cold for June. The bad weather caused a lot of traffic on the way to the church and made Helen 20 mins late arriving !! Dave was beginning to panic !! But they had a great time still. Here are a couple of photos, the one of Helen and Dave dancing shows a little of how lovely her dress and hair was.

And here is their baby, Grace with her grandma. She looked really sweet in her pretty dress, although she looks grumpy on this photo.... probably fed up with having her picture taken!!

Now to my stitching progress from last week, I finished my Margaret Sherry puppy square for the Stitch for Charity group. Isn't he so cute?

I also did really well on my Country Idyll stitching and although I didn't quite get all the path etc done at the bottom I did get all the back stitch on the car and house finished. I love how realistic it looks, that car door that is opening looks almost 3D.

This week Henry is back out, yeah I hear you say! I have also made another little, small start...... Lizzie Kates - Friends are Angels. I have been wanting to do this for ages and thought "oh well another WIP won't matter" !!!!

On Thursday night we are off to see Chicago in Birmingham, I bought these tickets as extras for the girl's birthday, so we are all really looking forward to it. Jimmy Osmond is playing the role of Billy Flynn, I loved Jimmy as a child so am excited that he is in it.

Happy stitching.

Ginnie x

Wedding Row framed

2009-06-05T14:21:00.002+01:00

Just a quick post with a photo on ! Yesterday I collected my Wedding Row stitching from the Framers.... it cost a little more than I first antcipated but it does look lovely. It is hard to tell from the photo but the white/cream frame has brown grain lines in that match the brown swirls around the writing.

The wedding is tomorrow and I am hoping to wrap it up and take it over to our friend's house tonight, saves us having to take it to the reception and it'll be safer that way.

I really love it and would like to do one for myself..... one day !!

Have a good weekend.

Ginnie x

Family Tree and August

2009-06-02T15:01:00.004+01:00

Here's my updates from last week.

Firstly my Family Tree, this is moving along well. I have worked some more on the large box in the middle which will hold our surname. Also the green of the tree above the large box and more of the border.

Secondly I have made a lot of progess on August Flip - it. It was quiet at work last week so I managed to do some at my desk. I love the little cute bumble bee!! I may finish this in plenty of time for August !!

Lastly here's a photo of the new member of the family. This is baby George, I haven't seen him yet this was emailed to us. I probably won't see much of him anyway as I don't really see my cousin Steven very often. My mom and dad are visiting today though.

This week I am back working on Country Idyll, I want to complete as much of the bottom half as possible this week....... I'm hoping to do some tonight at home but I have a bad headache at the moment so I hope it clears up later so I can stitch.

The girl's took paper 1 of their GCSE English today, they have been entered a year early as they are very good at English (Helps when your dad teaches the subject) I hope they got on ok as they were very worried this morning. Paper 2 is on Thursday so keep your fingers crossed for them.

That's all for now.... happy stitching.

Ginnie x

My first Flip-it

2009-05-28T11:09:00.003+01:00

I am pleased to say I have finished my March Flip-it and have made it into an ornament. I was going to buy a nice frame and swop the month inside each time.... but decided to make the hanging ornie instead after seeing someone else make one like that. So here it is -

I do have it hung up at the moment even though it is May !! I have now started August in the hope I will finish this in plenty of time!!

I also finished my next Charity square, this is for a "monsters" blanket.... he is a kind of cute monster. I love stitching these charity squares as most of the charts I pick are ones I would have no reason to stitch otherwise. Next I am doing a cute Margaret Sherry puppy.

I am really trying to put lots of work into my Family Tree this week too as I don't seem to have done so much recently. I would love to get this finished by the end of the year! I have done a lot but when you look there is still loads more to do.

The weather is supposed to be really nice again this weekend, so I may even get to stitch in the garden !!

Ginnie x

Baby arrived - so card finished

2009-05-24T18:58:00.004+01:00

What a lovely weekend we have had...... some sunny weather!! I have had a good "go" at the garden, lawns are all cut, trimmed, raked etc. Stitching though has suffered but never mind! Yesterday we went over to my mom and dad's for a chinese take away tea to celebrate my dad's birthday. (His birthday is actually today) We also celebrated the arrival of my cousin's baby, they had another little boy and he was a whooper at nearly 9lb !! They have called him George William, so last night after a few glasses of wine I quickly stitched the bow blue on his card and mounted it today. I adore the way this has turned out and I hope they like it too.

I had also finished dad's father's day card in the week so I mounted that too. I need to get a peel off stitcher for the bottom yet. Again I am pleased with the result. This afternoon between gardening I have been doing some decoupage as I want to make some cards for my charity stitch group for their fund raiser in September. I'll show some of them when they are complete.

Otherwise this week I have made fantastic progress on my Bang on the Door design, it has been lovely to stitch.... lots of bold colours. I will show this once it is done and been presented to the person I am making it for !!

I have just 2 days off for spring bank holiday, so I am hoping to fit in a bit more stitching and card crafting.

Happy stitching.

Ginnie x

Henry day again.

2009-05-19T08:52:00.002+01:00

Good morning everyone........ here is my Henry progress from last week. I don't feel like I have done as much as usual, since my fall I have still not been able to get comfy on the settee...... I end up fidgeting a lot so sitting with a frame hasn't been much fun, I have found it easier to do little bits and bobs.

As you can see I have done a part of the border above Henry (which actually has his name on but it's hard to see) then I have contiuned with Catherine Howard, she now has a face and a bodice!

I also worked on my Lizzie Kate "March" design but have forgotten to take a photo! Here is the progress on my Father's Day card, this is a really simple and enjoyable stitch.

This week I have started a Bang on the Door design but it is a surprise for someone who reads my blog..... so no pictures I'm afraid.

I have got my mom involved in the Stitch for Charity group as she knits. She made a jumper last week that I have just posted off with my first 2 squares. At the weekend she knitted a teddy and I stitched him together last night. Apparently she has made another one now so looks like I'll be stitching up another one soon. They are so cute and very simple, the group like them to add to all their boxes of love they send out with bay clothes etc in.

Hope you all have a good week....

Ginnie x

Country idyll

2009-05-15T09:06:00.003+01:00

Hasn't Friday rolled around fast again? This week seems to have flown by and I don't feel I have done a lot of stitching. I promised an update of Country Idyll from last week and here it is -

I love the way this is turning out and I'm sure I can get it done well before Christmas.

I have also completed my second square for the "stitch for charity" group I have joined. It was for the circus theme blanket. I am posting this and the fairy one off tomorrow. I have signed up for at least another 3 squares.... but there is no rush for them so I'll take my time and try to get my other stitching done too!

This week I am back stitching on Henry. I had a urge to stitch part of the border on Monday night.... so I did. I just did the part above Henry's head and then back stitched his name on it. Otherwise I am working on wife number 5 again..... I also started a Father's Day card for my dad, it is a crossword puzzle design out of the latest Card Shop magazine. I'll post a picture of that next time.

I have to go to work in a bit... nearly the weekend though. The weather here has turned horrid and cold again.... roll on the sunshine. Have a good weekend everyone.

Ginnie x

** Ginnie's Cross Stitch !! **

Good enough to eat

This famous blog

An old UFO

First card finish of the year.

Good Start !

New Year Resolution

Henry is finally finished

Ballerina grows

Some new things

A happy Henry

I can see progress!

Another bit of Henry.

Golden Wedding Anniversary

Henry again

More cards

Some you may not have seen for a while !

Happy New Year

The year's best achievement

Last of the Christmas bits

Christmas Bits

The Flatfold !

A selection of finishes

The reappearance of Henry

Sisters at the seaside

Becki's Ballet

Family Tree complete

Some stitching at last

Holiday snaps

Holiday

A few bits

Blackwork Lady

Good holiday and stitching time

Prom !

Pleasing progress on Henry

Back to my bags!

Tree update and another square

Christmas in the sunshine

Recent stuff !

Just smalls !

Henry, a hippo and 2 ladies

Enchanted Mermaid.

Family Tree

My Easter week

A fairy framed at last!

All good!!

Nearly finished

Creative card making weekend.

Not much stitching progress

Henry has 3 complete wives.

She did it !

Last week's stitching

Christmas Window started

More from Henry

Mermaid progess

Fantastic Family Tree

New blog template

Happy New Year.

Couple of stitchy things

I will be back!

Just a bit of stitching

Christmas stuff!

Small progress

2 finishes and an exciting weekend.

Busy, busy.

Christmas is forever

Christmas cards and an Advent calendar

Sugar Plum Fairy and others

Henry's legs

Various !

Jolly snowman couple.

Mermaid and Rabbit

Framing success!

Henry and Christmas

Various WIPs

Very proud.

My lovely beach bag!

Holiday snaps

Returned

A finish, good news and my holidays

Ginnie's Cross Stitch !!