Some Spanish Sampler Seven

Ok, that's it for the aliteration... Anyway, I've started part seven of the Spanish Sampler. I doubt very much whether I'll get it all done before 2012 but I'm planning to do a lot of stitching over Christmas so, who knows?!

I've also joined the WiPocalypse - http://measi.net/measiblog/2012-wipocalypse/wipocalypse-faq/ - to give myself another boost to try and stitch more in 2012. Between that and the huge number of UFOs, WiPs, stuff that I want to make for Many Tears and all the knitting I'm planning I need something to gee me up!

Quick Update

Part 6 of the Spanish Sampler is finished! Only four more parts to go...

Well, it's about time!

So... only about three months since my last post! Things have been pretty busy, especially with fundraising for Many Tears. Jayne and I raised £210 from a table top sale in Pontyberem - lots of work but well worth it in the end. I've been doing a bit of stitching for the rescue as well:

The heart card sold for £1.20 on eBay

but this one hasn't sold yet and may go to a Christmas fete in a couple of weeks time. I've finished another one and with yet another card and a square for Granny's Quilts part-done I've actually been pretty busy stitch-wise.

Beatrix was framed as well, by the framers in Darkgate, Carmarthen who did an absolutely fantastic job:

Finally, on the stitching side, I've picked up the Spanish Sampler again, thanks to the UFO night at Stitch Clubs:

There are four parts left to stitch after this block is finished and though I'd love to get it done by the New Year I don't see it happening somehow :-)

Right, off to watch a repeat of Marple which I recorded last night and perhaps do some more cross stitching... although my knitting is falling behind too...

I'm about to start a new hobby!

I've just had confirmation that I've been accepted on a quilting and patchwork course for beginners starting mid September :-) I hope that there's enough interest for the course to go ahead. When I was going through the Community Courses booklet I was shocked to see only two foreign language courses offered - French and beginners Spanish - but the crafting section is pretty good - Christmas crafts, flower arranging, knitting etc.

I need to provide my own materials (not surprisingly) and wonder whether I need to get hold of some fat quarters or just various bits of material. Hopefully, there'll be more info once they know whether the course is a definite or not...

I've managed to get hold of a patchwork book on Bookmooch so will have to have a quick read before the course.

Free clipart from http://dlstewart.com/

I really need to get into the habit

of posting more often! I always start the year full of good intentions but they fade within a few months... At least I have something to post - a finish and a restart!

Beatrix is done - I thoroughly enjoyed stitching this design and very proud of the finished piece:

Now to get it framed...

Next on the list is another UFO - the Spanish Sampler. Here's where I left it last year (or was it 2009?!) and I've already finished the part-done block and about half of the next section. I'd love to finish this by Christmas - not a major problem if not, but it's a deadline to aim for:



I've also started three little designs for bookmarks/cards to sell for MT. I'm aiming to get a few things done for a craft fayre in October - let's hope they sell!

Just finished an absolutely brilliant book - The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It's written as a series of letters from a writer to people who had lived under the German Occupation - it's funny, sad and hopeful and one of the best books I've ever read.

Hallelujah!

At long last I've done some stitching on Beatrix. With only two large, one medium and four small motifs left to do there's hope that I'll get it done this year! Next on the list is to finish the Spanish Sampler but I'm definitely finishing this first!

March TUSAL

Late again and not a lot to show...

February TUSAL

Yay! I'm posting on time this month :-) Just blues and pinks so far so looking quite pretty... I forgot to mention last time - a major thanks to Daffycat for organising the TUSAL this year. It's fun and silly but surprisingly addictive. If anyone wants to join then see daffycat's blog (which is always full of lovely stitchy stuff as well) http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/

Crikey!

This is the 5th post in one month - unheard of from me!

Anyway, here's my progress on Beatrix:

I want to get this brushstroke butterfly UFO done as well. I started it last year but I think that doing the pink one has reminded me how much I enjoy stitching this design. I'm definitely going to do more and I did like the one made in all different shades of pink so I'm tempted to do more like that in blues, oranges and purples. That's the plan, anyway...

Both these pictured here are on my Up 4 a Challenge list so hopefully I'll get two done and dusted in the next couple of months.

First finish of 2011!

Mid (ish) January and I've actually finished something! This butterfly will be on its way to Love Quilts UK on Monday. Now, back to Beatrix...

I stayed up until 4:30 this morning to watch Andy Murray in the Australian Open - disappointing match as he won far too easily!! His opponent hardly made him break sweat but the next round should be more exciting. I'd love to see him win this Open...

A quick update

I'm stitching this Brushstrokes Butterfly in a SAL with some of the girls from Stitch Clubs (see the link thingie on the top right) and I'm killing two birds with one stone because I signed up to stitch a pink square for Love Quilts UK. I was going to stitch it in vareigated pinks but didn't have any - what I had was a bit too orangey for my liking so I'm just using different shades of Anchor pinks instead.

I've also joined the 2011 Up 4 a Challenge SAL (http://up4achallenge.blogspot.com/) where I've listed 15 UFOs/WIPs which I want to at least work on, if not finish, in 2011. Top of the list is Beatrix which I haven't picked up for a couple of weeks. I know I won't finish all of them because some are pretty big with very few stitches in, but it's a start!

Here's my list...

1. Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler (large)
2. Spanish Sampler (Periphaeria free 2008 project) (large)
3. Juggy Bug 2008 Year Sampler (medium)
4. Brushstroke butterfly (http://www.cyberstitchers.com/) (smallish) Not the one above, I've got another one started!!
5. Duck in rain (Cyberstitchers, I think, though I can't find it!) (medium)
6. Cameo Silk hardanger by Judy Dixon (medium)
7. A Garden in Blue by The Design Connection (medium)
8. Spots of Fun by Debbie Draper (11 stitches in - a long way to go!) (medium)
9. Spanish Rouge by Sampler Cove (1 line stitched!) (extra large!!)
10. Un-named freebie hardanger piece, cutting to be done (small)
11. A Walk on the Beach by Dimensions (smallish)
12. Cottage by Janlynn (small)
13. Blue Waters by Heritage Stitchcraft (medium, but it's got those stupid side-ways half stitches)
14. Hardanger Diamond by Suzanne Parnell (small)
15. Musical Comfort by Janlynn (medium)

Ummm... help!! :-)

First progress of 2011!

I very rarely make new year's resolutions (and if I do, I never stick to them) but this year I do hope to update this blog more often. So, hoping to start as I go on... here's my latest photo of Beatrix, taken at the end of December and I have stitched a bit more on her.

I also took a photo of the Spanish Sampler which I haven't worked on for a while but hope to finish this year:

My last finish of 2010 was a square for Love Quilts UK, for a little girl called Laura.

I really enjoyed stitching this, even though there are large blocks of one colour. It was a good one to stitch while watching TV.

TUSAL, TUSAL, TUSAL!!

Typical me, I take the photo then forget to post it!! Anyway, here's the first TUSAL of 2011. I decided to empty the 2010 one and start again, just to see how much I stitch in a year. Not much so far, as you can see...

This is where I finished off in 2010, next to a cute Christmas card :-)