New Year Resolution

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

Last of the Christmas bits

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

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 !

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

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

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

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

Just smalls !

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

Just a bit of stitching

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

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!

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

Busy, busy.

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

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

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