Sunday, May 31, 2009

Quaker Row is Finished

Since i got back stitching this one, i can't stop till it's finish. Now, it's done it will go to the piled up finished pieces that will be frame later.

Quaker Row
Midnight Stitching
28ct mocha cashel
WDW-Garnet threads




Anyone interested with one of these three booklets? Just leave a comment here with your email address. (you can click on the pictures to enlarge)












Hope everyone's had a wonderful weekend. So far yesterday has been fine, warm enough to sit outside and we had our first BARBECUE for this year.
After a couple of hours, i did an hour practising the ZUMBA. It went well, although i still have some steps i had difficulty following. This morning, when i got up i felt my left knee isn't fine. It's a bit painfull but i promised Grace yersterday to accompany her to run this morning, so off we went. Because i do feel pain on my knee we didn't go that far and back after half an hour. I think i shouldn't have gone running as it's really painful till now. I have to be careful not to put my weight on this left side knee.
I am glad we don't have the next Zumba lesson this tuesday, as it's postponed a week later. Do hope it heals quickly.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I really appreciates your visits and comments very much.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Hardanger update and a surprise mail!

The big book of Small Doilies
Bellana evenweave 20ct.
DMC perle threads


Another doily is done! Now, i've found a couple big projects that was started years ago. Really a shame, but thinking back i really got bored with them and my interest has been more spent on card making, patchwork for a short while and cross stitching. Haven't done card making and patchwork for a long while now.



I think this one was started more than ten years ago. I cannot even find the threads for it. I'm afraid i've use it for other hardanger projects before. I do like to try and complete this off as it will look good on our kitchen table. It's a boring work on this one though.



(You can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want)




Look at what came with the mail today. I didn't know i won a game, on one of the yahoo groups. I do feel bad as i haven't read about the message that was posted on the group earlier.
That is why, i was really surprise when i got an envelope with a familiar name but not expecting any mail. Thank you, thank you so much, EVA! I LOVE these beautiful designs.

It's raining and very strong winds right at this minute. Actually started around midnight on monday. The next day, my garden is a mess! All the blooms are all scattered around, the standard roses were a bit damage so i transfered them to a safe place.

Thanks so much for stopping by and all the nice comments. I really appreciate them all.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

started a new project and an update on an old WIP!

Since i've seen this sampler on one of the U.K magazine years ago i really wanted to stitch it, i've cut it out off the magazine then and added to my pile of todo list which is really quite a pile as i had forgotten about it for a year or two. When i was looking at one of the todo pile maps lately i've encountered it and immediately went looking for the threads/fabric needed and here is what i've started. I am not so happy with the colour threads given but i don't like to frog it now.












This is an old WIP which was always put aside and forgotten...no not really, last i run out of the WDW threads i was using and always forgot to order more. It has arrived last week so now i don't have an excuse! The picture on the right was the new update.


Anyway, you are all probably wondering about the ZUMBA dance i went too. Infact, been to this evening for the second time. The first time, i was really lost! I can't follow most of the steps as it wasn't really shown slowly, not sure why but the last days i did practice with the help of films from youtube! This evening, i can say i felt a lot better though i still have to do more on my hips and shoulder.

Grace HIP-HOP went very well too, much much better than me. Well she's been doin street dance for the last three years, so following steps are quite easy for her.

Chris did very well with his guitar too and actually his test lessons are over but we asked if he can continue taking lessons now and not wait till the next season which is in September and it was fine. So he's having lesson once a week.

Here are some pictures taken during our outing last friday to MADURODAM. About the miniature city, you can read more about it here and if you want to see more pictures, there are lots over here here.














Thanks so much for stopping by and all the lovely comments. I really appreciate them all!! Hope you are all having a good week.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

another mattress pincushion & May x'mas ornament

Received a note the other day that Julianne received my package to her, really surprise me as it took 4 days i think to the U.S. So glad to hear you like it Julianne and it's on time for your birthday.
flower mattress pincushion
Primitive Bettys freebie design
32ct linen & DMC threads


I've completed my May ornament just before dh came home last week, as he was supposed to be in thursday but they are far at sea that day. He came home friday afternoon instead. Just forgot to post it with my last post earlier.

Yule Rejoice ornament
Primrose Needleworks design
JCS 2008
Zweigart Belfast naturel 32ct.
DMC threads


Was able to buy two big pots yesterday and planted the roses with the petunias around it this afternoon.
(You can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want)







Here's how it looks like with the peonies and other flowers today. Isn't it lovely...oh how i wish it will stay like this for a while.












And last..the winner of the May giveaway is...Laura!! Please email me your address so i can send it your way. THANK YOU all so much who enetered for this month's giveaway.

I am behind in my blog reading and other mails but hope to catch up this weekend. We are going to the mainland early tomorrow to visit one of the amusement parks.

Thank you all for stopping by for a visit and all your lovely comments. I deeply appreciate them all.

Monday, May 18, 2009

mattress pincushion & scissorfob for Lynn

Pins& Needles Mattress Pincushion
PS Book No.115
32ct linen & DMC threads

Rose scissorfob
Susan Bates
Cross Stitch Crazy Feb 2004
28ct. linen & DMC threads


I've just read a note from Lynn that she received my package! That was quick to the U.K as i've sent it last friday. Now, i wonder how long the other two packages to the U.S and Canada takes. I had a personal exchange with Lynn and promised to make her a mattress pincushion and i know

she loves roses but i couldn't find an appropriate rose pattern to complete it into a mattress pincushion so i've chosen one of PS designs as she loves that too. And made a scissorfob from one of the roses alphabet in one of the U.K magazines.
I am so happy to hear you like them both Lynn. Over your questions, i will answer them later, i try to take a few pictures of the materials or how i made it. It may take a while though as it will be a busy week ahead.

At this hour i should be at the dance school for ZUMBA! I've joined the trial lessons that was offered for this coming four weeks. It's once a week. But the teacher called this morning that i am placed for tomorrow evening as the group for tonight are quite crowded. I am really excited but don't know what to expect.
CHRIS signed for the gitaar trial lessons which is for two evenings while GRACE signed in for the HIP-HOP dance trial lessons which takes five evenings. Me and Chris will be for tuesday evenings while Grace on wednesday evening.

A couple of standard roses that i bought last week and i would like to put them in pots with some smaller plants but i don't have big pots yet, hope to get those by wednesday as i don't have a car tomorrow.


(You can click on all pictures to enlarge if you want)


Bought some small plants this afternoon: petunias, Verbena's, phlox and one i can't remember the name. oh well, it seems i am spending more on plants these days than on crafts items. Flowers plants didn't interest me much before, ussually luck of time to take care of them but now i want to try.

Here's how my peonies looks like today. I do so love them, such a pity the weather is too cold to sit down outside and admire the flowers!

Thanks so much for visiting and leaving me a comment, and all the links over the hardanger. I really appreciate them all.
Hope you are all having a good week

(the draw is still open until wednesday)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

May giveaway! a small hardanger piece!!

Burda Hardanger magazine
size: 19cm x 19cm
Bellana fabric
DMC perle threads


Everyone is welcome for the draw, but please indicate if you want to be added for the draw and if possible to leave your
e-mail address so i know where to contact you. It will be open until wednesday, May 21st.

Joanie, i did seach for bloggers who does hardanger but haven't really find one that does lots of it. Perhaps, anyone who reads this will let us know or share their blog.

Thanks for all the ideas shared for finishing this spring buzz. I just completed it this evening into a pinkeep, and chosen the easiest way i can. And i need to take pictures how i made it without using the glue to share to a friend.




DH is coming home tomorrow so i won't be online much and stitching will slow down too, im afraid.

I will leave you with a few pictures of my blooming peonies and other flowers.











This is another kind of Peony than the one above, quite tall one. Last year when it was blooming it was such bad weather, very windy, it was destroyed within a couple of days. It was really a pity. So i hope this time will stay fine or else i will cut it and place it on a vase inside.






Rhododendron, the first time it blooms since i planted it a couple of years ago.




Hope you are all having a good week. Thanks so much for stopping by and all the lovely comments. I really appreciate them all!!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Spring Buzz!!

A big THANK YOU to all the lovely comments on my previous post. Hope everyone had a wonderful mother's day yesterday. Mine was great, the kids presented me with their gifts before breakfast, it kind of surprise me as DH isn't around for three weeks now, so it's really their own. Chris made something from school and with the help of his sister he bought a necklace, while Grace bought a nail polish and some bath products. I was really touched and a HAPPY mom!!!
It was around 12 pm when we arrived at MIL's place, thought we were the last but we came in together with the youngest sister of DH with her kids. Her hubby is also at sea this week. After half an hour came the eldest sister and the only brother with their partners. We had quite fun catching up. When the eldest and the brother left, i and yougest SIL were really surprised to see it's nearly 4pm and no mood to go home and prepare dinner so we decided to take her MOM and the kids out to dinner. Our kids are on the same age and they get along very well so they really had fun. Really a pity i forgot to take pictures as this outing doesnt happened often.

After a wonderful day and kids are in early as school begins, i printed this new freebie from
OakHaven Designs. and start stitching. I didn't expect i will finish it at once last night though. I change one of the colours and the recommended colour fabric. Now i don't know how to finish it off, thought at first into a scissor fob but it's bigger than i had expected. Any ideas????


Here's Grace and Max. We took some pictures yesterday morning at the dyke, since Max is coming with us to MIL's place we had to take that route.







ah, my first picture without my glasses. It's more than a month now since i started wearing contact lens again after about 8 years. It feels fine, only i have to remove it if i am going to stitch and coming online.

I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Hardanger table runner...


...is DONE!!






Burda Magazine
Bellana evenweave 20ct.
DMC perle threads










The big book of Small Doilies
Bellana evenweave 20ct.
DMC perle threads






A very Happy Mother's Day to all Mom's out there! As only me and the kids...oh and Max still with us, it will be a quiet one. We will go to MIL's place in the morning but would like to be back in time for lunch as i want to prepare something for us here at home. Thought of taking the kids out but hubby is coming home later next week so we better wait.
Have fun!!!

February ornament..

...finished just right on time. This is my very first into a round ornament. I am so glad it turned out well, though honestly it was quite d...