Couple of stitchy things

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!

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

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

Small progress

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.

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.

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

Sugar Plum Fairy and others

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

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 !

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.

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

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!

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

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