Lesleyanne's Life of Stitches

IHSW / FINISHES!

2012-01-22T14:40:00.000-08:00

I decided to work on L*K Snowman 10 this week. I started it on 1 December as part of an SAL with Sally and Chris. It stitched up really quickly and was a lovely stitch and I managed to get it finished.

I stitched it on 14ct Blue Marble Aida using the recommended DMC threads apart from 712 I used 3865 instead.

I would like to thank Sally for buying this chart for my birthday last year and letting me join the stitch a long.

On Friday I started a Brittercup Designs pattern from JCS Magazine July/August 2010 called Mine! As it was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend I stitched all weekend and finished it as well.

I stitched it on 14ct Opalescent Aida using the recommended DMC threads.

I haven't decided how I am going to finish either of these yet.

Finally I will leave you a picture of my Tusal for January. I have a new ort jar. This is just the lid where I put my orts and I will tip them into the jar now. I couldn't put them straight in the jar as it is stripped and you wouldn't see the threads.

Until next time, happy stitching

Love Lesleyanne

Thank You!

2012-01-19T05:28:00.000-08:00

Thank you Michelle for the gorgeous gift I received. It is a pin pillow designed by Danybrod called Pins and Needles.

The pretty backing fabric.

Michelle is stitching a few pieces this year which she will be offering to say thank you for following her blog and commenting. I was the lucky first. Thank you so much Michelle, I am thrilled with it.

Until next time, when I shall have a finish, happy stitching

Love Lesleyanne xxx

Week 2 Progress!

2012-01-16T06:05:00.000-08:00

Firstly, I must thank Lisa for very kindly me sending me Lavender and Lace's Spirit of Christmas. Lisa saw that I wanted to stitch this design and sent me her chart as she is not going to stitch it. Thank you so much Lisa, I really appreciate your kindness.

I have spent the week working on Retro Lady again this week. I spent most of Wednesday unpicking what I had stitched Monday and Tuesday as it didn't meet up. So on Wednesday the whole lot came out and I started again so there is not a lot of progress. Despite all of this I am enjoying stitching it.

On Sunday I picked up Lizzie Kate Snowman 10 which I started as an SAL with Sally and Chris on 1 December 2011 and haven't touched it since. I am hoping to finish it this week and will post a picture when I do.

I am also hoping to stitch an ornament a month and have made a small start on January's which I will also show at a later date.

Congratulations to everyone taking part in the 15 Crazy Challenge. I have seen some gorgeous new starts and look forward to seeing your progress on them over the year.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

New Start / First Finish!

2012-01-09T05:39:00.001-08:00

I have my first finish of 2012, Little House Needleworks' Winter Band Sampler. I really enjoyed stitching this. I stitched it on 14ct Beige Marble Aida and the recommended DMC threads.

My new start was started on New Year's Day. A little tradition I seem to have. I just can't help myself. It is a design by http://pauchok.okis.ru/. It is a free design. There is a lot of white on white at the moment.

This is my progress as of Friday. About three quarter of the first page of nine.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

Firstly, Happy New Year to you all. I hope 2012 is good to you.

I have been going to do this post for a few days but have only just got round to taking the pictures.

As promised here is the giveaway I received from Lesli. I am absolutely thrilled with it and hope to stitch it sometime soon. Thank you again Lesli for pulling my name.

Before Christmas I was stitching like a mad women finally got my great nephew's sampler finished. I am so pleased. I was hoping to find a frame and frame it myself but unfortunately I haven't been able to so when I go back to work I will take it to the framers near there and get it done.

I am going to work on some of my larger projects in 2012. I have six wips to finish:-

1. Winter Band Sampler
2. Snowman '10
3. Lanarte Poppy
4. CCN A Bee C Sampler
5. Vervaco Pink Lady with Red Rose
6. L*K Halloween ABCs

I would like to start the following designs at some stage during the year.

1. Lizzie Kate 6 Fat Snowmen
2. Historical Sampler Cupcakes
3. CCN Ice Cream Sundae
4. CCN Pie Menu
5. Vervaco Lilac Flapper
6. Lavender and Lace Spirit of Christmas

I would also like to stitch an ornament a month which will probably be a weekend project but I am not sure so will see how I feel as I am not very keen on finishing them lol.

All of the above, except Lavender & Lace Spirit of Christmas, I have in my stash and as I have jumped on Sally's band wagon I am hoping to stitch only from stash this year and only buy fabric and threads needed for each of the projects I start. My son was looking over my shoulder when I was on facebook and said how lovely the Spirit of Christmas was and I really should stitch something as good as this. So I will buy this for myself later in the year when I have finished my wips.

I have had a new start but will tell you more about that next week, I think this post is long enough as it is.

Again Happy New Year to you all and thank you to those who visit and leave comments I can't tell you how much I appreciate them.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T01:22:00.000-08:00

I have been stitching like a women possessed since my last post. I stitched on IHSW the border for the baby sampler I am stitching for Robert. It took all weekend because even though I followed the pattern I discovered one side was eleven high and the other was ten high. I have very nearly finished the sampler and will post a picture next week when I have framed it.

I have received my exchange from Edit for the Stitched with Love Exchange exchange. Thank you Edit - I love it. I have taken a photo of the gorgeous cushion I received but unfortunately have already put the rest away. In her package Edit included a Duo Noel chart, Christmas Tree ornaments, Scented Thread, Finishing Ribbon, Bells and Christmas Napkins. She also included two Real Madrid pencil rubbers for my two boys who were thrilled.

My exchange went to Sarah at Craftymoo.

A close up of the Lizzie Kate I stitched.

I also received the giveaway I won from Lesli at Fabulous Frogger. Thank you Lesli - I love everything and will take a photo next week to show you all the gorgeous things I received.

It is also Tusal time again. I have already signed up for next year and have a new pot to put my orts in.

Lastly just a couple of picture of my decorations and my tree.

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope you get lots of stitchy pressies and enjoy your time with your families. I would also like to thank everyone who visits and leaves comments. I love to come down in the morning and see what you have to say about my stitching it makes my day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Ornaments Finished!

2011-12-12T23:22:00.000-08:00

I have finished the two ornaments for my new Great Niece and Great Nephew. Both were stitched on 14ct Aida using DMC threads. It is a design by Lizzie Kate although not quite as charted, I missed the stitches off around the edge. Sorry for the bad photo. I took this quickly to show my sister and then posted them off before taking a better one.

Yesterday was Sally's birthday and I wanted to stitch her a little something. It is a design by Lizzie Kate from one of the Tiny Tidings, I can't remember which one. It is stitched on 28ct Mushroom Jobelan using DMC threads. I have had an email from Sally to say she loved it. Thank you Sally for letting me use your photo.

Lastly, but by no means least, I received this lovely card and everlasting mistletoe from Nia. Thank you Nia. I have waved it around my boys but haven't managed to get a kiss yet lol.

I have managed to get all my Christmas shopping done, cards are wrote but have wrapping still to do. Hopefully it won't take much longer and then I can get back to stitching as I have a baby sampler to get done ready for my New Year's Eve get together.

I hope you like my new blog layout, I won't tell you how long it took to change it. I have also managed to delete my finishes page for 2011 whilst trying to update it.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

I love my Postman!

2011-12-05T22:50:00.000-08:00

I was very lucky last week, my postman was very good to me and brought me two parcels. One I can't show yet.

The one I can show is from Michelle. I was reading Michelle's blog and she had said she was sending out some gifts, not for one second did I think I would received one. Thank you Michelle for my gift and your friendship. Both of which I treasure. I feel very lucky in having some fantastic on line friends.

I have managed to get my three ornaments finished, I just need to make them up. I will show them next week. I am spending this week getting ready for christmas, gift wrapping, card writing and putting the decorations up, before my kids sack me as I am late putting them up this year.

I had a new start last week but my progress was so minimal that I will wait until I get some more done before showing. It is L*K Snowman 10 that I am stitching in an SAL with Sally and Chris. Thank you both for letting me join your SAL again this year.

I am getting a bit twitchy as I now have SIX works in progress lol so really need to get a wriggle on. I do have to have another new start though as I have one more baby sampler to stitch for my great nephew, Robert. I am hoping to get this finished ready for New Years Eve when the family are coming round to my house for a get together.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

TUSAL NOVEMBER / FRAMING HAPPY DANCE

2011-11-27T13:47:00.000-08:00

This is my TUSAL for the month of November. Mostly orts from my christmas gift stitching and Lizzie Kate Baby Sampler. I have signed up for the 2012 TUSAL and if you want to do so just click the link and it will take you to the sign up page.

Here is the Lizzie Kate Bably Sampler all framed and ready to go to my cousin who had baby Sophia on Friday 25th November. I am really pleased with how this looks and hope the new parents will be too. Sorry for the mark on the picture it appears to be on my camera!

I have stitched one christmas gift ornament and started another one and will show what I can next week when they are completed.

I got on quite well with my Christmas shopping, I only a few gifts to get but am waiting for them to be released so hopefully it wont be too long. Then its the wrapping and christmas card writing.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

IHSW Weekend!

2011-11-21T23:52:00.000-08:00

It was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend this weekend I decided that was what I was going to do. Luckily since I managed to catch a lovely cold my family agreed lol. Unfortunately since my brain was obviously not working at full pelt I spent the weekend stitching my Stitched with Love Exchange
exchange piece and obvously I can't show you doh!

At Stitched with Love Exchange we are showing our favourite christmas pieces so I thought I would share mine here too. It is Lizzie Kate's 12 Blessings of Christmas stitched in 2009. I love this piece although I have still to frame it, maybe this year lol.

I have started the first of my four ornaments I want to stitch as gifts, two of which I can show, two of which I can't.

I have three days off this week to get some Christmas shopping done, wish me luck.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

House Built!

2011-11-14T06:35:00.001-08:00

Sorry I didn't post last week but there was so little progress on my stitching it didn't seem worth it. I have managed to get a bit more stitching done this week so I can show you my progress on LHN Winter Band Sampler. I have managed to get the house built! I am loving stitching it.

Sorry for the terrible photo the weather is terrible today and I have had to take it inside.

I have made some progress on my Stitched With Love Exchange but obviously can't show that but am hoping to get it finished this week, fingers crossed.

I can show something that I have been secretly stitching and that is LHN Strawberries that I stitched for Jane as it was her birthday last week.

This was stitched on 28ct Mushroom Lugana using Crescent Colours and backed with the red gingham in the background.

I am pleased to say that Jane loved it as it has three of her favourite things, Bunnies, Strawberries and Gingham. This was another lovely stitch.

Thank you to everyone that takes the time to leave a comment, they really make my day.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Stitching Progress/Exchange!

2011-10-31T06:13:00.001-07:00

I have stitched some more this week on my SAL with Sally and Angela. LHN's Winter Band Sampler. I am still loving this one. Really pleased to hear that Diane from LHN is going to do another year of ornaments, not that I have stitched any of this years yet lol.

When I wasn't stitching on my LHN I started a Lizzie Kate Baby Sampler for my cousin whose baby is due middle of November. I just need to stitch the name and date of birth when I know and I will then frame it.

I can, I hope, reveal what I received in the Stitched with Love exchange, from Lainey. Thank you Lainey. I love it all.

This is what I sent to Loretta, who I am pleased to say loved what I sent her.

Thank you for Lainey and Colleen for organising this exchange.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xx

Tusal / Last Week's Stitching!

2011-10-26T04:21:00.000-07:00

First up today is my Tusal since the last month. Orts are mainly from L*K ABC Halloween and my secret stitching.

Next up is my progress on L*K ABC Halloween. I have been really enjoying this one and quite sad that I have to put it away to concentrate on gift stitching. I am not sure if it will come out again this year or whether I will leave it until next Halloween lol.

Finally for today I had a new start, Little House Needleworks Winter Band Sampler. I am stitching this along with Sallyand Angela. I am really enjoying stitching this. We are stitching this on a Tuesday and Sunday. Luckily I remembered to take a photo before I started stitching last night.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne

Winner of the Travelling Pattern!

2011-10-20T13:47:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post this yesterday. The travelling pattern is on it's way to Michelle. Congratulations and welcome to the stitcherhood, Michelle. Don't forget to follow the travelling pattern to Michelle's blog for your chance to become part of it next time.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne

Yiotas Review / Travelling Pattern!

2011-10-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

I recently received an email asking me if I would be interested in reviewing of cross stitch kit of my choice. Not one to turn down an offer as good as this I spent an enjoyable couple of hours on Yiotas' website looking at all the counted cross stitch kits available. I found the website very easy to use with different categories such as Angels, Animals - split into individual categories, fantasy, fairies, cottages and lots more besides.

I eventually, after much deliberation, chose Daisies and it arrived a couple of days ago in a very sturdy evenlope marked do not bend. When I opened the chart I found the threads all wound onto bobbins which to me is heaven itself as I hate winding threads on to bobbins. The chart looks very easy to read and is A3 in size so the symbols are very clear to read. The kit came with Aida and a needle. I know some stitchers prefer to use their own fabric and you can also order just the chart either by email or post. Here are some pictures:-

Heres the design I choose.

The contents of the package which includes the thread on bobbins, aida and needle.

The chart itself is over two A3 pages and is very clear.

I am really looking forward to stitching this design and will definitely be ordering from Yiotas' website again. Thank you for the opportunity to review your products.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne

Exchanges / Finishes / IHSW

2011-10-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hello All

I can now show you my exchange received from Becka in the Rotating Designer Exchange.
Becka stitched me this lovely Prarie Schooler Santa - thank you so much Becka I can't wait to put it on my tree this year.

I sent a couple of my finishes to Karen's Finishing Service. First up my Tralala Due Noel. Karen finished this as a hanging pinkeep for me. I think it is gorgeous I am really pleased.

Next up is LHN Holly and Berries. Another stunning finish. Thank you Karen.

This is the back view.

Last up it was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend this weekend. Now I managed to take advantage of this as from Thursday as I was a very silly girl and twisted my ankle leaving my mum's house on Wednesday night. So I stitched all day Thursday, all day Friday and on Sunday and finished up the Travelling Pattern, Count your Blessings. I am going to leave this open until Wednesday 20th October as I have not been inundated with names. So if you do want enter please leave a comment on the post below. I think I will probably frame this one to go on my bedroom wall.

Thank you to all those that take the time to leave a comment, I really do appreciate it. Hello to all my new followers.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne

The Travelling Pattern has arrived!

2011-10-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to have been chosen to continue the journey of the Travelling Pattern started by Sharon of It's Daffycat by Sally. It arrived yesterday and I have made a very small start. If you would like to join the sisterhood please comment on this post only and I will chose a winner on 24 October.

The rules of the TP are as follows:

1. Comment on this post, saying you would like to be part of the Stitcherhood.

2. By leaving this comment, you agree (if you are chosen) to stitch the design and send it along to the next person in a timely manner. If this means dropping everything in your rotation to concentrate on this project...so be it. If you can't bring yourself to do this ~ don't sign up.

3. You must have an active blog to participate. If you have a blog but never post to it ~ you won't be chosen to be the next stitcher.

4. This is a giveaway-type Traveling Pattern. That means you must follow it from blogger to blogger to enter each time it is ready to send along. Commenting on this post doesn't make you a guaranteed part of the Stitcherhood.

The Traveling Pattern has been stitched by:
1. Sharon of It's Daffycat, Oklahoma, USA
2. Karen of Karen's Handiwork, South Carolina, USA
3. Patty of Hanging On By A Thread, Florida, USA
4. Terri of Chocolates for Breakfast, Stitching for Lunch, USA
5. Lynda of A Cozy Little Place for Stitching, Oregon, USA
6. Nataly of Nataly's Needle Creations, Massachusetts, USA
7. Erin of Fairy Tales & French Knots, NY, USA
8. Jo of Serendipititous Stitching, Suffolk, UK
9. Mouse of talesofastitchingmouse South Yorkshire uk
10. Sally of Stitchyangel's Treasures, East Yorkshire UK
11. Lesleyanne of Lesleyanne's Life of Stitches, Northamptonshire, UK
12. ?????? Could it be you?

Now if you look closely you will see a little parcel that Sally also sent me. It was this gorgeous ornament by L*K. Apparently, Sally was having a look at my stitchy plans and saw this on the list and decided to stitch it for me, just because. Thank you so much Sally it is gorgeous.

I'm off now to do some stitching before school run time.

Until next time, happy stitching

Love Lesleyanne

Gifts / Exchanges

2011-10-09T04:53:00.001-07:00

It was my stitching sister's, Angela,birthday at the end of September. I wanted to stitch a little something and knew she loved snowmen and so stitched her a little cushion using stitched on 28ct mushroom evenweave using crescent colours, Blue Moon or Blue Jeans, not sure which. The design is by Midnight Stitching called Snowman's Quaker Christmas. It was a lovely stitch and I am pleased to say Angela liked it.

Here is a picture of it plus a couple of other bits I sent as well. I borrowed the picture from Angela, hope you don't mind.

I was lucky to win Andie's giveaway and my prize arrived this week. I was totally blown away as everything is gorgeous. Thank you again Andie.

Lastly, I heard that my exhange partner in the Rotation Designer Exchange, has received my exchange. I am pleased to say she liked it.

Prarie Schooler Snowman from Holly Days chart booklet, I think. I backed it with the green gingham shown in the background.

I have nearly finished another gift that I am stitching and hoping to spend sometime this week with L*K ABC Halloween that hasn't been touched for a few weeks. I don't want to leave it although I am not sure I am going to get it finished in time for this Halloween but I have realised I have a few unfinished projects that I want to finish, probably next year now as I have a few things I need to stitch that will probably take up the rest of the year.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne

Holly & Berries Finished!

2011-10-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

I started and finished LHN's Holly and Berries this week. I have wanted to stitch this for years and am so pleased to have finally stitched. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Stiched on 14ct Beige Aida

using DMC Threads

I have made a very small start on a gift and will carry on with that this evening and then probably start a couple of little halloween stitches I would like to stitch. Until next time, happy stitching Lesleyanne xxx

September Tusal

2011-09-28T06:14:00.000-07:00

Here is my tusal for September. Not sure if it looks any different from last month or not. I had to empty it all out as my mum put my scissors in it. I really can't believe how quick this has come around again this month. It doesn't feel like five minutes since the last one.

Sorry my bin is in the picture - just look at the pretty flowers and orts instead lol.

I may have a finish to show at the weekend, fingers crossed, only a small one though.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

RAK!

2011-09-25T03:07:00.001-07:00

Hello all

I am sorry I haven't been around for a while life has been busy and I haven't been getting a lot of stitching time in. The little I have been stitching is for exchanges but I have now finished them and they are ready to post so hopefully normal service will be resumed, fingers crossed.

I received a surprise in the post on Friday. I had won Chris's Random Act of Kindness and this is what arrived. A gorgeous pinkeep and the cutest pair of scissor. Aren't a lucky girl. Thank you Chris - I love them! The colours are so me!

The parcel arrived in the lovely backing paper.

A close up of the pin keep.

The back of the pin keep.

I am off now to do some stitching while it is quiet. It was my youngest son's birthday this week and he has gone off with his Dad to spend his game cards and money so I have some quality time with my stitching.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

Two Finishes!

2011-09-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

My first finish is for my great niece, Chloe Ann, who was born on Tuesday 30 August at 9.35 am weighing 6lb 8oz. It is the baby sampler from Cross Stitcher magazine made into a cushion by a work friend. I think it is beautiful, hopefully Mum and Dad will too. It will go over to Ireland with my Mum, Dad and my sister (Chloe's nan) who are going to visit next Friday and meet Chloe in the flesh so to speak.

My next finish is one part of the Noel Duo by Tra la la. I loved every minute of this and even though there are a couple of mistakes, I am really pleased with it. There should be green lines between each line of the alphabet but I didn't leave enough space so adapted slightly. I haven't quite decided how I am going to finish it yet but when I do I will show you. Favourite is a pinkeep but if you look at my effort below I am a bit nervous.

Next up is my progress for the L*K Lovers SAL Monday and Friday night. Again, I am loving this piece. Not sure it will be ready for this halloween though lol. Sorry for not ironing it first.

Next up is something I stitched a while ago and have now attempted to finish it into a pinkeep. There are no pins yet and I have still to work out how to do a bow for the top so if anybody knows where there is a tutorial I would be really grateful. I definitely need more practice as there is too much material either side even though I measured it.

If you have made it this far you have done really well. I just want to show off my new stitching shelf. My mum found this in the recycling centre and thought it was perfect for showing off my stitching. I have to say I am really pleased with it and for £3 I think it was a bargain to boot. It is showing off the stitching I have received as gifts from my stitching sister, Angela, and Sally. I need to get some stands for Life's a Beach and Pins and Needles but you get the idea.

Until next time, thank you for looking and commenting

Lesleyanne xxx

Tusal / New Start

2011-08-29T04:29:00.001-07:00

This is my Tusal for this month.

Monday and Friday I stitched on my Lizzie*Kate Lovers SAL ABC Halloween. I am loving this one and the little ghost is just too cute.

I started stitching my exchange for the Rotating Designer Exchange
which obviously I can't show you. I have also signed up for the Fall into Halloween Exchange so not bad for a girl that has never done an exchange in her life lol. I also have plans to stitch a couple of gifts so will get onto that after these two are stitched up.

I have been wanting to stitch Christmas ornaments for the last little while so this weekend I gave in to my desire and stitched this design by Tra la la that I saw on Butterfly Wings blog and immediately fell in love. I would have finished this but I haven't got the green thread needed so will have to wait until I can get my husband to go to the chemist next to where he works. The next ornament will probably be a Little House Needleworks design, either Holly and Berries or Silent Night, haven't quite decided so please feel free to vote when you comment.

A special thank you to Joyze who told me how to insert a link, which you may have noticed in this post.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Building Fences!

2011-08-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

On CCN A Bee C Sampler. I am not sure if you can see the white fences stitched on the cream aida or not but for International Hermit and Stitch Weekend
thats what I stitched and a tree.

I had the week off last week and spent it taking the boys out and about. We went to Chapel St Leonards for the day, visited friends and family, lunched out at lot and saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 which according to my boys, and me, it was AWESOME.

Here is my progress for Friday's L*K SAL which was the first time I had any chance to stitch.

I did, in between outings etc, managed to finish my L*K Santa wants to know into a cube. I used Vonna's tutorial, http://tts-tutorials.blogspot.com/2008/04/cube-finish.html. I am quite pleased with the finish and one I may do again. As is normal with me there is room for improvement but have managed to hide the flaws at the back.

I am also stating for the record, I am going on a STASH DIET, on the wagon, whatever you want to call it lol. I have just placed an order with Down Sunshine Lane, for the JCS ornament magazines and the Lizzie Kate Snowman and the Santa and that is it until at least Christmas if not longer. I have ordered the JCS ornament magazines and haven't stitched the ones I want to stitch from last years so really need to crack on.

I would really like to know how to insert a link too. I click on the icon type in the url address but nothing seems to happen, not sure why, anybody know?

I also wondered if anybody else was having trouble getting into the Needlecraft Haven on Yuku. It keeps asking for my log in details and then won't log me in.

I think that's enough waffle from me for one day.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Progress & New Start!

2011-08-15T04:16:00.000-07:00

My stitching week didn't go quite as planned last week. Unfortunately my diabetes seemed to knock me for six and left my absolutely shattered most evenings so I only stitched a little most nights, forcing myself to at least put a few stitches in.

Monday and Friday night is L*K Lovers SAL night. I carried on working on ABC Halloween.

Tuesday and Thursday evening I stitched on CCN A Bee C Sampler. I hate the material I am stitching this on. It is good old 16 ct aida but it is really rough.

Saturday morning after sitting at the computer for a small time I got up from the chair and hurt my back. Nothing too serious but I decided the best thing to do was to rest it as it was quite painful. So for all of Saturday and all of Sunday I stitched on my new start, Vervaco Pink Flapper with Red Rose. The frogs paid a little visit and I have done some unpicking but am really pleased with my progress but it is not something that will happen often. I have somelovely aida for this, I am not sure if you can see but it is has pink roses printed on it.

This is what it will hopefully look like when I finished it.

On Wednesday, as I had my partner's name in the Rotating Designer Exchange, I was looking through Prarie Schooler patterns trying to decide what to stitch. I think I have decided and will probably start stitching it sooner rather than later.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

New Rotation!

2011-08-08T05:21:00.000-07:00

I always said I would never stitch different designs on different days. I couldn't understand how stitchers ever made any progress. That was until I wanted to stitch everything and Lizzie Kate Lovers blog had an SAL. So I now have a new rotation. I couldn't stick to being a one at a time girl although I tried lol. I get bored easily and there are soooo many things I want to stitch. So Monday and Friday nights it is Lizzie Kate night. Here is my progress for last week. This is ABC Halloween that I received as part of my giveaway from Danielle. Danielle started it but didn't enjoy it. She stitched upto the moon and I have stitched from "b". I have to say I am really enjoying this.

Tuesday and Thursday nights are LHN/CCN designs. I started CCN A Bee C Sampler and this is how I have got on with this.

Saturday and Sundays are reserved for Vervaco or Lanarte. I did start a Vervaco I brought off the bay of evil. After stitching on it for two weekends and it bearing no resembleance to the chart I gave up. Lesson learnt! I will start a new one this weekend. I have a freebie chart from http://pauchok.ucoz.ru/ that I am thinking of doing next. I won't be stitching the black or using black aida. I am thinking of using sparkly fabric but haven't actually decided yet. Let me know what you think!

Wednesday night is exercise night so don't tend to get a lot of time to stitch especially when the boys are at school. So Wednesday is going to be my finishing day or putting threads on to bobbins day - you get the picture. While the boys are off school I am going to stitch on the baby samplers so will show a picture next week as the girl one is nearly finished except for the vital information which I will have once she is born.

I am quite excited as I have joined the Rotating Designer Exchange, http://rotatingdesignerexchange.blogspot.com/, that Angela, http://hookedonstitches.blogspot.com/, has organised. The first designer is Prarie Schooler and if you want to join you will have to sign up today as Angela is closing them later on today. I have never done an exchange before, it is a stitched piece only, so any hints and tips you have would be greatly received.

I am very late in saying thank you to Becs, Cath and Sarah for the stylist blogger award they have each given me. It is very much appreciated. I am taking the easy way out and giving it to all those that leave me a comment and I will try to think of seven things about me ready for my next post.

Thank you for reading my waffle and for those that leave comments know that I really appreciate them. If you have got to the end you've done well.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Gift / Tusal

2011-07-31T03:43:00.001-07:00

I had a lovely package from my stitching sister, Angela, yesterday. She sent L*K Life's a Beach finished as a pinkeep, some fabric, buttons, needles, matt board and batting so that I can have a go at finishing. Thank you Angela I love it all.

A close up of the pinkeep.

The backing fabric of the pinkeep.

Next up my orts jar for the second full moon of July. Mostly threads from the baby sampler I have been stitching. I have just over one block to do but have run out of thread and am waiting for my husband to go to the shop next door where he works to get it for me. I'll show a picture next time.

Monday night was Lizzie*Kate night and I finished up Santa wants to Know. I really enjoyed this one and am hoping to finish it into a cube - just have to get some backing fabric on Tuesday when I go into town. Wish me luck I am going to need it.

While I wait for my thread I am going to have a new start, Country Cottage Needleworks A Bee C Sampler, as it is calling me lol.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

New Start / IHSW

2011-07-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

I want to thank those of you who left words of encourgement on Sweet Dreams Baby. Unfortunately I think I left it too late. I spoke to my Mum that day telling her how much I was hating stitching it although I didn't know why. She said as it was a gift and if I really hated it that much to stop stitching it. She suggested I stitch the baby sampler I stitched for my other nephew's babies and so I started this sampler on Friday night after trying a couple more times to get into Sweet Dreams Baby. I stitched on it the whole weekend making the most of International Hermit and Stitch weekend organised by Joysze at http://joysze.blogspot.com. I have really enjoyed my stitching this week after several weeks of being quite unmotivated by it. I have never spent so much time going through my patterns as I did these last couple of weeks.

This is my new start from the Cross Stitcher magazine, July 2008, designed by Helen Philipps.

Hopefully when finished it will look something like this. A work colleague will make it into a cushion so that it can be easily transported to my nephew in Ireland when his baby is born, due end of August. I will be stitching a blue version for my new great nephew, Robert, who was born in June and it will be given to him for Christmas as I have done for the other babies born to my nephews.

Last night was Lizzie*Kate Monday. I stitched some more on Santa Wants to Know. I love stitching this and can't wait until it is finished as I am going to have a go at making a cube finish, my first. Elaine at http://themainhoose.blogspot.com recently finished a cube finish so I emailed her and asked her where she got her cubes from and she kindly sent me the link. Cross stitchers really are the best.

Thank you to those who leave comments, I really do appreciate them.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne

Progress and Finishes

2011-07-12T06:21:00.000-07:00

First up is my progress on L*K Monday. I am really enjoying this and it is coming along well. I actually think I got quite a bit done, well for me anyway.

Next we have Vervaco's Sweet Dreams Baby, which I am not enjoying for some reason, more like pulling teeth at the moment and I have had to unpick what I did on Saturday night so am even more annoyed with it today lol. Lily thought she would like to get in the photo too. At the moment I seem to want to stitch anything but this and have been looking through my stash making lists etc anything rather than actually stitch but I do have to stitch it as I have a deadline.

I stitched a freebie from L*K A Hug will do for Sally,
http://stitchingplace.blogspot.com/, as she said on her blog sometimes you just need a hug so I sent her one. I stitched this on a pink 28ct evenweave that I brought from Michelle and I actually finished this one all by myself, a first for me as my mum usually closes the top up for me. My only complaint with it was I could have put some more stuffing in it but a lesson learnt for next time. I didn't have a heart ornament to attach so used a heart topped pin.

Lastly for today, my eldest son, Andrew, was thirteen on Monday so I stitched him L*K Birthday wishes as he said I had never stitched him anything. I framed it myself, not very well lol, with a frame from Wilkinsons.

I have also spent the week looking for my finish of LHN Ponsietta House that I stitched. I can't find it anywhere and am really annoyed so if anybody knows where it is please tell me. I have seen it on a blog framed and would really really like to get it framed in a similar manner if only I could find it.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Tusal / Progress

2011-07-02T00:18:00.001-07:00

First up is my Tusal for July. Threads from Simple Joys and Sweet Dreams Baby are in for this month.

Next up is my progress on Vervaco Sweet Dreams Baby. Coming along slowly as at the moment due to watching too much Wimbledon. Maybe next week I will really get going.

Lastly is my new start for L*K Monday, Santa Wants to Know, not a lot of progress as I had a job deciding what I wanted to stitch despite spending most of Sunday going through my L*K charts I was still undecided on Monday but I do love the colours in this so that is what finally swayed me. Again I am hoping to get more progress on this on Monday.

Sorry both projects are still in their hoops I couldn't be asked to take them out and iron them lol.

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends. Happy 4th July to my American friends. I hope you both have lovely long weekends and get plenty of stitching in.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Stitching Finishes and a Winner!

2011-06-26T04:31:00.000-07:00

The winner of my blogaversary is Mylene. I used the random organiser. Congratulations Mylene please could you email me your address so that I can get the charts in the post to you. Thank you to everyone who took part I only wish I could send you all something as your comments really brighten up my day.

I am sure many of you know I hate finishing my stitching into things. So when Karen V of My Favourite Things, http://kvstitching.wordpress.com/, offered a finishing service I was keen to give it a try. So I sent off Peppermint Twist and a recent visit I haven't shown you L*K's Jingle and this is how she finished them. I am absolutely delighted with both of them. I can't believe my stitching could look this good. Thank you Karen and be sure I will be sending some more your way. I have borrowed Karen's pictures with permission as my camera's batteries are out and I don't have any more.

I have been stitching on Vervaco's Sweet Dreams Baby and have made some progress probably not as much as I would like as I have also been watching Wimbledon. Destressers are very much in need at the moment which is probably why I have been stash buying which is not good for the purse. I will show what I have brought when it arrives.

On Monday L*K Lovers blog are having a stitching day so I am going to have a look in my stash and start a L*K design not sure which but will show it next week.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Stitching Finishes & New Start!

2011-06-20T06:00:00.001-07:00

These are the two finishes I promised to show last week. First up is LHN Simple Joys. I loved stitching this although I ran out of the colour Tigers Eyes, so left the border around Simple Joys off as the DMC equivalent just didn't look right. I finished this whilst I was on holiday. I must apologise as my border doesn't look straight only it is it is due to how tight I have the fabric on my hoop. I framed this myself and don't think it looks too bad. It is going in my bedroom.

Secondly is Lizzie Kate's Birthday Wishes. Another great piece to stitch. I have blanked the name and date off as it is for someone who might see my blog. I changed a couple of the colours as they were pink and it wasn't appropriate so changed them to reddish colours. I have to say I am really pleased with the end result as I don't usually change charted colours.

Heres my new start that I started on Tuesday of this week. I actually started on Monday but stitched a whole block in the wrong colour so started again on the Tuesday making sure I used the right thread for the right symbol lol.

In case you are wondering with any amount of luck it shold look like the picture below when I have finished. It is called Sweet Dreams Baby by Vervaco. I am stitching it in Pink and Blue as I have another family baby due in September which is hopefully, according to the scans, going to be a girl.

I was supposed to be taking part in ISHW (international stitch and hermit weekend) this weekend but my plans went to pot as my nephew's wife gave birth to my great nephew, Robert, so I went to visit them in hospital instead.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Blogaversary Giveaway

2011-06-15T05:43:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that I have been blogging two years today. I have "met" some lovely stitchers and have discovered new designers and designs and am frequently enabled by your lovely stitches.

So I am having a giveaway. All you need to do is leave a comment with your email address on this post only and I will enter your name in a hat and pick a winner. I will leave the giveaway open until 26 June 2011.

You will win the charts below:-

L*K Jingle including fabric and embellishments
L*K Spring Fab Fob
L*K Snowman 10 - I was lucky enough to be given this chart for my birthday (so I am giving away the one I brought).
LHN Be Merry - Belle Pepper
LHN Simple Joys

I have stitched these charts but make a working copy so they are almost as good as new.

I have got three finishes to show you but will leave that until next time.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

I'm Back!

2011-06-09T00:01:00.001-07:00

I am back from my holiday in Bude, Cornwall. We had a lovely time. The weather was gorgeous, except for the journey down. Here are a few pictures of what we saw. I have caught up with all the blogs I read, you have all certainly been very busy with lots of lovely stitching.

Merlin's Cave at Tintagel

View from a King Arthur's castle window

Part of the entrance to King Arthur's castle

King Arthur's stone

Beach Huts at Westward Ho! (or sheds as my children like to call them)

Beach at Port Isaac (where Doc Martin is filmed)

View at Port Isaac
Boscastle
Boscastle

I have managed to finish two pieces which I will show you next time, might even be three, you never know lol.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Gifts / Tusal

2011-05-29T06:42:00.001-07:00

I have been a very lucky girl this week as I have received another gift from my Stitching Sister, Angela, http://hookedonstitches.blogspot.com/,. Angela asked if I had a flatfold to which I replied no, well I have now. It is absolutely stunning and I am thrilled to bits with it. The colours are perfect for my bedroom and go so well with my At Home with Jane Austin piece I stitched last year and will look lovely with my LHN Simple Joys.

I am really enjoying getting to know Angela via our emails. Thank you Angela I LOVE IT. Angela also sent me some L*K charts and notelets which I stupidly forgot to take photos of but love them.

Front View

Back View

I also received this lovely lavender satchet from Nia, http://caixinhadepirlimpimpim.blogspot.com/, that is now sitting on my bedside table with Rupert the Bear, a childhood favourite. Thank you Nia is is gorgeous.

Lastly, as I will on holiday when it is the new moon, a picture of my TUSAL. Mainly made up from threads from Temptation and a few from LHN Simple Joys.

Finally, I would like to apologise as I am not able to comment on all blogs. So if I normally comment on your stitching and haven't this last week know that I am reading and loving your stitching and finishing and hope to be able to comment when I get back.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxxx

Finished!

2011-05-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

After a minor disaster, I got up to answer the door without putting the lid on my highlighter pen, you can see where this is going, I came back to discover the highlighter had fell on the fabric. I'm sure if you look closely you might still see a slight pink blob which I am hoping won't be visible once it is framed. I scrubbed and scrubbed and eventually got the highlighter off my white stitches. There was a lot of muttering I'm surprised you didn't hear me. I nearly threw it out in utter annoyance at myself.

Anyway I stitched and stitched with the help of ISHW I have finally finished Vervaco's Temptation.

I have to say I'm really pleased with it. Didn't like some of the thread it seemed to keep knotting, driving me mad. I enjoyed stitching this. I did have a couple of wobbles where I hated it but got through them especially with the lovely comments I have received whilst stitching it.

I will take her to the framers after I have washed and ironed her, again.

Stitching might be a bit scarce this week as we are going on holiday the week after next and I need to sort out the clothes we are going to take with us and have a few household jobs to catch up on. If I do manage to do some stitching it will be on LHN's Simple Joys which I am taking on holiday with me.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

New Addition and Progress

2011-05-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

I would like you to meet Lily, our new addition to the family. She is seven months old and a little cutie. We have only had her since Friday so she is still settling in but seems to be doing well.

I have been working on Temptation. It has been two weeks since you have seen her and I have to say I am pleased with my progress although my mojo seems to be a bit intermittent. I am hoping that another two weeks will see her finished, fingers crossed.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne

I'm the Winner!

2011-05-09T10:34:00.000-07:00

of Michelle's giveaway, http://stitchcraftplace.blogspot.com/, and look what came in the post. Isn't it gorgeous. I love gingham and am soo looking forward to stitching the love hearts and making them up. A notebook, I am always writing lists lol, some gorgeous threads and a pincushion to make up and some needles, I can't tell you how many needles I lose into the needle black hole. It all came in a lovely pouch that I am going to put my wip ornaments in.

Thank you so much Michelle. I have been feeling a bit bleugh this week for some reason, all of my mojos disappeared, and your gift really cheered me up.

I have been stitching - all day Monday, think I may have burnt myself out, as I didn't really do much for the rest of the week but haven't taken a photo because I have a section I really want to finish before taking another photo - I am DETERMINED to get this bit finished this week.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

May Tusal

2011-05-03T23:46:00.000-07:00

This is my Tusal for May. Orts are mainly from Temptation's shawl, blue through to white but you can also see some orts from my scissor fob, pink and orange lol.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne

More Progress!

2011-05-01T13:19:00.001-07:00

After a slow start stitching wise on Temptation I sat down on Friday morning to watch the Royal Wedding and I stitched my little heart out whilst watching a lovely event.

I am really quite pleased with my progress but must apologise for not ironing it before taking a picture I hope you will forgive me. I am looking forward to spending tomorrow, bank holiday Monday, stitching for most of the day with any luck. I have been playing taxi driver today so haven't got as much done as I would have liked.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and leaving me comments. I really do appreciate them.

Hope you all have a lovely week.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Happy

2011-04-24T12:02:00.001-07:00

Primitive Betty Easter Freebie
Stitched on Cream 14ct Aida
Using DMC Threads
Stitched on 21st April 2011

I stitched this Primitive Betty Freebie (http://primitivebettys.blogspot.com/2011/03/easter-freebie.html) on Thursday. I have yet to make it up, hopefully as a pillow, when the mood takes me. Finishing mood doesn't happy often lol.

I hope everyone is having a lovely Easter and those who can have lots of lovely chocolate.

I have also been working on Vervaco Temptation. Heres this weeks progress.

A close up of the area I have been working on white on cream doesn't show up very well.

Hope everyone is enjoying the lovely weather. It has been gorgeous here. I have been out in the garden pruning a couple of shrubs and I have planted some cosmos seeds, my first time, fingers crossed they grow.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Progress!

2011-04-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

I have been working on Vervaco Temptation this week and I am pleased with my progress - still a long way to go but getting there. This weekend was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend again and I worked on LHN's Simple Joys. I am REALLY pleased with my progress on this. I normally try to stay in on a Sunday but decided that as I am on holiday next week I would stitch on Saturday as well, the ironing can wait until during the week lol - priorities. This is a great stitch and am loving it. Thank you to all those that leave me comments - I do appreciate them and they quite often make me giggle, especially when you justify my new starts for me. Until next time happy stitching Lesleyanne xxx

Good, Bad and Just Because!

2011-04-10T10:04:00.001-07:00

Good

I have been a good girl this week and sorted out my DMC threads, put them all on bobbins and in numerical order in my boxes.

Bad

I have been soooooooo bad, I have had two new starts and not touched Temptation, oops. But one of my new starts is a finish - yay. I absolutely loved stitching this one.

Lizzie Kate Limited Edition Spring Scissor Fob
Stitched on White 14ct Aida
using CC threads

Little House Needleworks

Simple Joys

This is going to be my weekend project. I have decided whilst I want to keep stitching on Temptation as I love stitching it I also need a bit of a break. So Monday to Friday I will stitch on Temptation and at the weekend I will continue on this, Little House Neeldeworks Simple Joys. The plan was to stitch an ornament but all the patterns I have I don't have all the necessary threads for so hence the DMC sort out. I most annoyed with myself to find that I obviously don't fill in the chart I have of DMC threads as I have three, yes three, of some of the threads, so as Simple Joys was all ready to go I started it lol.

Just Because

Kate of http://katesflossbox.blogspot.com/ very kindly sent me a christmas bauble for me to put my orts in at Christmas. I left a comment on her blog asking her where she brought hers so she sent me one, Just Because, as she put in her card. Thank you so much Kate. It was very kind of you. I was so thrilled because I now don't have to throw my orts away this year which I didn't like last year. She said the bauble looked sad empty and so has put two varigated threads and some ribbon in it. I have already some ideas for the thread and ribbon, so looking forward to using these. Thank you again.

We've had lovely weather here over the last few days and today I have been out in the garden stitching in the sunshine, bliss.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

TUSAL

2011-04-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

This is my ort jar as of today. I have squashed it down a bit so it looks like a birds nest, not the brightest idea I have had. Mainly blues and browns in there at the moment from my LHN and Vervaco's Temptation.

Speaking of Temptation. Here she is as of today. You can see where the lowest point of the chart will be so still a fair way to go. I am hoping probably by the end of May or possibly April will see her finished, fingers crossed.

Happy Mother's Day to those of us celebrating today. Hope you have all had a lovey day.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Progress!

2011-03-27T04:22:00.001-07:00

I am really pleased with my progress this week on Vervaco Temptation. It started with IHSW (International Hermit and Stitch Weekend) and I managed to stitch on it most evenings which hasn't happened much just lately and I'm not sure why.

I do seem to spend a lot of time thinking about trying to decide how I want to stitch, one at a time, one at a time with a seperate project at the weekend etc etc. I'm sure it would just be better to stitch. I also spend too much time on Facebook and looking at peoples' blogs.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Wow!

2011-03-23T09:56:00.000-07:00

It has been a glorious day weather wise and the postman is my very best friend today. Look what he brought me - a stitchers box from my adopted stitching sister, Angela. Isn't it absolutely stunning. I am so thrilled with it and will treasure it always.

Design: L*K Life's A Stitch

Fabric: 28ct Mushroom Monaco

Floss: CC / WDW / Gast / DMC

Finish : Stitchers Box

Inside of Box

The colours are a perfect choice for me, pink and blue are my favourite colours and match my living room too. The design is one of my favourites and I had always meant to stitch it for myself but hadn't got round to it.

Many many thanks Angela.

I'm so excited

2011-03-20T05:07:00.000-07:00

and I just can't hide it. Sorry that song is in my head. The reason for my excitedness - I have been adopted by Angela at http://hookedonstitches.blogspot.com/. Pop over and have a look at the gorgeous stitching and finishing she does and I am going to be a lucky receipient throughout the year. How lucky am I. There is already something winging it away across the pond and I can't wait to see it lol.

I am also very pleased to show my first finish of 2011 - yes my first! Let me introudce you to Belle Pepper.

Stitched on 14ct Beige Marble Aida

Using Crescent Colours and DMC Threads

I worked on Belle last week to finish her off after I had done some spring cleaning so poor old Temptation has been left again although I did stitch on her last night and will today as part of the IHSW (International Hermit and Stitch Weekend) pop over to http://joysze.blogspot.com/ to see what its all about and who's in it as there is some lovely stitching going on.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

2011-03-13T05:46:00.000-07:00

Firstly, thank you all so much that left birthday wishes for me. I really do appreciate them.

I want to send a special thank you to Sally of http://stitchingplace.blogspot.com/ for the lovely L*K chart and embellishments she sent me for my birthday. I am taking this to mean that I can join her and Chris on 1st December SAL. Thank you Sally I was so thrilled when I opened this up.

Sally also received the chart below as part of a giveaway and she has passed it onto me to stitch and then I will then pass it onto Hazel when I have stitched it. Thank you again Sally I am looking forward to stitching this, my first ever Blackbird design.

I was also lucky enough to win a giveaway from Vicky at http://nswvml.blogspot.com/. This week I received the package below. Thank you Vicky. The picture does not do the fabric justice, it is gorgeous. I am looking forward to stitching this.

I think my postman may have earned his wages just coming to my house this week lol.

And finally, the only thing I have stitched on this week is LHN Belle Pepper. I don't know what happened this week but I haven't touched Temptation and my only excuse is that life got in the way as I have had the week off work and have been visiting family, shopping with my mum and sister and clearing out my wardrobe! Who knew I had sooooo many clothes lol.

I had planned to stitch "Christmas" instead of Belle Pepper right up until the minute I started when I realised I would only be able to have it on the wall at Christmas time so left it as Belle Pepper now it can be on the wall all year round.

Thank you again to everyone who visits and leaves comments it really does make my day.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Back from the Framers / Tusal

2011-03-04T06:07:00.000-08:00

I have been out into the garden today as the sun was shinning although it is still a bit chilly to take some photos.

First up is The Sampler Girl's At Home with Jane Austen which I picked up from the framers a couple of weeks ago. I am really pleased with how this turned out and it will be going on my bedroom wall shortly.

Next up is my orts jar for the March Tusal. It doesn't look much different from last month but is still made up mostly of Temptation and a few strands from Belle Pepper.

Finally, as it is my birthday on Monday I have been spending my birthday money. Yes I know I haven't actually got it yet but when I saw Sew and So had L*K Jingle All the way on their website my clicky finger had clicked before you could say Happy Birthday lol and there is no point in paying postage for just one chart so another couple of L*K landed in the basket. The snowman is for the December SAL with Sally and Chris. The birthday wishes is for my son who turns thirteen this year. He was moaning at Christmas that I had stitched a L*K First Christmas for his brother and not for him even though he has got a First Christmas ornament so thought I would stitch this for him.

The other two charts are from fellow stitchers who were selling on their charts after they had completed them.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

House Built!

2011-02-27T13:29:00.000-08:00

My LHN House that is. I have stitched on this an hour on Wednesday as part of my SAL with Sally and Lisa. A bit on Thursday, a bit on Friday, a bit on Saturdya and finally finished the brickwork today on Sunday. On Wednesday I shall work on the window frames lol and perhaps even the door. It's got to be a bit drafty at the moment.

I did get slightly sidetracked this week as a new magazine came out and I decided I wanted to have a go. It is called the Art of Knitting. I haven't knitted in about twenty years so needed a bit of a refresher. I didn't get far enough to show anything. I really need to practice my casting on lol.

I did stitch on Temptation's Vervaco this week and have nearly finished her back and will be soon stitching the shawl. My clever mum managed to take a piece of thread to a shop that sells DMC thread that I am nearly out of and managed to match it up for me. Little does she know I have another one lol. I daren't carry on in case I do run out although I might not it's a bit 50/50.

Heres my progress picture.

Thank you for all your answers to my questions. I decided to carry on with the hoops for now and hope that my stitches go back to normal after I washed and ironed it when it is finished. I have also decided to keep my threads on bobbins as I really don't feel like unwinding them as much as I detest winding them on lol.

I can't believe that I have got 103 followers. I am going to have a another giveaway later in the year to celebrate my blogaversary and my followers. I would like to thank you all for following my ramblings and a special thanks to those who leave comments they really do make day.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

Thank You / Questions / Progress!

2011-02-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

There's a lot to get in this week.

Firstly, thank you to KarenV and Jennifer for their tutorials on a couple of finishing ideas I hope to try out sometime this year. Both emailed me with notes which I really really appreciate. Thank you ladies.

I would also like to thank Nia for my lovely stitching buddy below. Nia sent me this gorgeous doll who now resides next to my daylight lamp watching over me while I stitch and some ribbon which I forgot to take a photo of. Thank you Nia, you really shouldn't have but it was very much appreciated.

I wondered how fellow stitchers held their stitching. Do you use hoops, frames or q-snaps. I have noticed on my Vervaco piece that some of my stitches look flat I am thinking probably because they have been held between the two hoops. I am wondering if it would be better to use q-snaps - any advice you could give would be very much appreciated. I sit at the end of my sofa so couldn't use a floor standing frame. I also wondered how you stored your thread. I have been using bobbins but have quite a lot to still wind on and am really not that keen so again any ideas would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

Talking of my Vervaco - here she is as of today. I couldn't put her down yesterday, hence the reason my post is later than normal lol. My excuse is that it was International Hermit and Stitch day and I wanted as much progress as possible while I was in the zone.

Wednesday it was SAL time again with Sally and Lisa. It was hard to put Belle away again although I am not sure about the colour of her dress - it looks mucky to me lol even though I am using the colours called for.

I have also picked up my At Home with Jane Austen stitching from the framers but will show that next week.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Finally!

2011-02-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

I have finished the curtain. This seemed to take forever to finish and my mojo took a bit of a dip whilst stitching it - not sure why but at least now I can get back to the main part of stitching lol.

I had a new start this week - it certainly saved my sanity lol. My SAL with Sally and Lisa, LHN Be Merry Belle Pepper. I enjoyed every moment of stitching this and found it really hard to put away on Wednesday evening.

A shorter post from me this week lol. Thank you to everyone who visits and takes the time to comment I really do appreciate it.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

TUSAL FEBRUARY!

2011-02-04T05:38:00.000-08:00

It is time for me to show my Orts Jar for February. I am quite pleased with the amount of threads in there although they are all from one project, Temptation by Vervaco.

Thank you for your well wishes, I think I may be on the mend starting to feel a bit more like myself and wanting to stitch, always a good sign. I haven't made a lot of progress on Temptation this week so won't post a picture.

I have been making plans for my stitchy year - I have quite a few so you might want to skip this part but I like to put in writing so I can see how I do.

I have joined Sally, http://stitchingplace.blogspot.com/, and Lisa, http://lisasstitchingaddiction.blogspot.com/, in the Little House Needleworks SAL. Sally is stitching Be Merry Belle Pepper and Lisa is stitching Winter Band Sampler and then are going to swap and stitch the new design. I have both of these and although I was going to wait until later in the year temptation got too much and I asked to join in lol. I will start this coming Wednesday although Sally and Lisa started on 1 February. I have got all the threads and will be stitching Be Merry Belle Pepper first of all and then later on Winter Band Sampler.

I hope to stitch LHN Simple Joys and A Bee C Sampler this year hopefully after I finish Temptation as they are quite spring like in colours and will be framed and put on my bedroom wall as they are the right colours.

I am hoping that I will be able to join Sally and Chris, if they let me lol, for the 1st December SAL and am hoping to stitch Lizzie Kate's Snowman 10 chart.

I also found out recently that my nephew and his wife expecting a baby boy in June so will be stitching a sampler for them, as I have done for their daughter and my other nephew's two children. My other nephew's girlfriend, I have three nephews, is also expecting at the end of August and so another sampler will be stitched. I think I am going to be quite busy this year. I have chosen Vervaco's Sweet Dreams Baby.

I also hope to stitch a Vervaco Flapper Girl sometime this year as well.

I think this should see me through to the end of the year lol but you never know my plans may change.

If you got to the end of this post, you have done well. Thank you.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

More Progress!

2011-01-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

Firstly, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who left me a comment on my previous post. You really made my day with your kindness about my mistake in my stitching. Stitchers really are the best!

This is my progress on Vervaco Temptation. I haven't done as much as I would have liked since I managed to get a virus and although I still managed to go to work, typical, in the evenings I didn't really feel much like stitching but did force myself here and there. Hopefully the antibiotics the Doctor gave me will kick in and I will feel more myself and stitching. Anyway heres my progress, I have been stitching the curtain.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Progress and New Stash!

2011-01-23T13:10:00.000-08:00

This is my progress on Vervaco's Temptation. I have stitched and unpicked and stitched and unpicked the left arm this week more than I can say and I have to say that I still don't think it is absolutely right but I couldn't find my mistake but I still love stitching it.

My new stash is via Lisa at http://lisasneedlesandthreads.blogspot.com/ who brought two Little House Needleworks Winter Band Samplers so I swapped with her a chart I had that she wanted.

Thank you for your best wishes for my son, he is now back to normal.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

And the Winner is................

2011-01-16T04:30:00.001-08:00

Firstly here is a picture of the bowl, no expense spared, with all the names in it.

I gave them a stir and pulled out a name:

Congratulations Nia - if you can email me and let me have your address I'll put the charts in the post to you.

Thank you to everyone who entered. I was really pleased so many did. I wish I could send you all a little something.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to stitch much this week as my second son has been poorly so will update a picture next week as he is much better so should be able to stitch as normal.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Progress / Giveaway

2011-01-09T05:02:00.000-08:00

This is my progress as of today of Vervaco's Temptation. I really pleased with how this is stitching up. I have had a couple of visits from the frog otherwise I think I might have got a bit more done.

Once I have finished getting the dinner ready I shall carry on with her.

When I offered my giveaway I forgot to post a closing date. Please forgive it is my First giveaway hopefully I will remember next time lol. Anyway I will keep my giveaway open for another week making the closing date 16 January 2011. If you want to enter please leave a comment on the giveaway post only - two posts down.

My ort jar would like to thank everyone for their lovely comments on its appearance. It seems to have won a reprieve lol.

Good luck to all those enjoying the different challenges across various blogs. I am loving watching your progress and find them very ummmm enabling. I trying not to look too closely as I have got enough to stitch already lol.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

TUSAL

2011-01-04T12:11:00.000-08:00

Making it's second appearance in a week is my ort jar. This is my first post for the TUSAL being run by Daffycat. I think, judging by some of the other ladies ort jars, my poor coffee jar is going to have to changed for something a bit more "upmarket" lol. But until then here is my orts as of today from the 1st January 2011. I just have to remember to label the posts - something I'm not very good at. I did it first today so I didn't forget lol.

It is all from Vervaco's Temptation formerly known as Lady in Blue. I discovered today on the packet that it is called Temptation and so from here on in will be called Temptation lol. Will post a picture on Sunday.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

TUSAL / GIVEAWAY

2010-12-31T07:05:00.000-08:00

On New Years Day I empty my Orts Jar. This is it as of today. I can't see me doing any stitching tonight as we are having family round to see in the New Year so thought I would post my picture. It is filled with a year's worth of threads. I have joined the TUSAL being run this year by Daffycat, http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com, so will be posting a picture every month.

I have also joined the 2011 Weekly Stitch a Long to keep me motivated whilst stitching Vervaco's Temptation / Blue Lady. I will post a progress picture on Sunday when the stitch a long starts.

As this is my 100th post I thought I would have a giveaway. It is very simple just leave a comment on this post only and I will put all the names in a hat and the winner will receive four of the LHN 2010 ornament charts that I have stitched and maybe even a surprise chart. They are as new as I make a working copy. I am not sure which ones yet because I still have to dig them out from my cupboard lol.

Until next time, I would like to wish everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Lesleyanne xxx

Finished!

2010-12-22T22:02:00.001-08:00

Last night I put the last stitches into my LHN Ponsietta House. I am so pleased. It was a lovely stitch. I did mess up slightly but I will not worry too much lol. I have got a frame to put it in so might do that today.

Thank you to Sally and Chris for letting me join their SAL.

I would like to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR and to thank you all who read my ramblings and leave comments it is very much appreciated.

Merry Christmas

Lesleyanne xxx

I can't believe it!

2010-12-13T06:28:00.000-08:00

What a lucky girl I am. I arrived home from work today to find a parcel in my letter box. No sender's name on the envelope just a number and postcode. I was a tad puzzled as I wasn't expecting anything. So I ripped open carefully the package and was stunned to find this gorgeous ornament and bunny cutter and a christmas card.

A close up of the ornament.

A close up of the backing fabric.

This lovely package came from Jane and Tilly of http://buttonsstitches.blogspot.com/. Thank you so very much it is really gorgeous and I am so thankful. Aren't stitchers the best!

To finish with a bit of progress of LHN Ponsietta House. I am really loving stitching this. Would have liked to have got more done but life is getting in the way a bit. I am hoping to get this complete for Christmas but I am not sure whether I will or not, fingers crossed. I would have normally have stitched on this yesterday but my eldest son had to go grading for his karate. I am pleased to say he is now a green belt and his mum is very proud of him especially as I have also had good parents evenings for both my boys in the last fortnight.

Hope you are all ready for Christmas and looking forward to the festive time ahead.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

New Start!

2010-12-05T11:31:00.001-08:00

This is my new start, LHN Ponsietta House. I am stitching this as part of an SAL with Sally, Chris, Lisa, Hazel and Claire. I am loving stitching on this at the moment and plan to carry on with this for now. I think I am becoming a one at a time girl at the moment I hope you don't get too bored seeing the same project all the time.

Before my new start I carried on with Vervaco's Lady in Blue up until 2nd December. I had a bit of a nightmare with the hair. I stitched a section with the wrong colour, had to unpick it and then couldn't remember what I needed to stitch as I had coloured the chart in lol. I got there in the end although I think some of it maybe made up by myself.

I have received the threads from Lanarte for the Poppy and hope to finish this before carrying on with Blue Lady.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Lucky Girl 2!

2010-12-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

Thats me! I was a lucky girl and won one of five giveaways from Andrea at http://thecraftroom.blogspot.com/. I received this lovely ornament stitched and finished gorgeously by Andrea. Andrea emailed me on Saturday saying she had posted it so I thought I would get it later this week. The Royal Mail can be a bit slow to say the least. So when I heard the postman I thought the parcel that arrived was my order from Sew and So, ummm which I tell you about another day lol, but when I opened the parcel I saw this little beauty. Andrea tells me it is an iStitch design stitched on 36ct antique white Edinburgh Linen using WDW Holly and DMC 115 threads.

Thank you again Andrea I love it.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xx

Peppermint Twist!

2010-11-28T14:09:00.001-08:00

Firstly can I thank everyone for your lovely comments and offers of help on my cushions. I really cannot express how much they mean to me. Thank you.

There has not been a lot of stitching this week. I have been Christmas Shopping so too tired in the evening to do any stitching but I did manage to finish LHN Peppermint Twist this evening. It has taken me three Sundays lol I am such a slow stitcher. I have been stitching this as part of an SAL with Sally and Barb.

It is stitched on 14ct Ecru aida using a mixture of DMC, Crescent Colours and Works threads. I am not too sure about the colour of the fabric I was hoping the white might show up a bit more. I was planning on stitching Ponsietta House on this fabric now I'm not sure but I have until 1st December to decide lol.

I have worked on Vervaco Lady in Blue but there is so little progress I won't bother with a photo. I am going to put her away until after Christmas as I am going to work on some Christmas Stitching probably the last three LHN Ornaments and Ponsietta House which as I mentioned before I am doing as part of a SAL.

Elisa, http://paperfaerie71.blogspot.com/, is having a giveaway to celebrate her three year blogaversary. Her stitching is gorgeous so go pop over and put your name down!

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

Don't Laugh!

2010-11-21T05:10:00.000-08:00

at my feeble attempts to make cushions. The first one up is LHN's Frosty Flakes which I backed with the green checked fabric in the background. This was my first attempt and probably my best. Although I did struggle with using the sewing machine after I had put the stuffing in. I also discovered I am not very good at sewing in a straight line lol.

The next two are both Lizzie Kate designs that I have stitched this year. Again backed with the fabric in the background.

Now on to my sewing of the last few weeks Vervaco's Lady in Blue. I am loving this one apart from her hair where I had to frog quite a bit as I stitched a symbol in the wrong colour had to unpick it and then couldn't remember where I had stitched. I think it is almost as it should be. I am going to stitch on this again this week and then I am joining Sally, Chris, Lisa, Claire and Hazel in a LHN Sal starting December 1st and will be stitching Ponsietta House.

I am also stitching on LHN Peppermint Twist on a Sunday with Sally and Barb but I haven't taken a photo of this yet.

Thank you all who leave comments on my stitching, I really do appreciate it.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

Very Lucky Girl!

2010-11-14T04:46:00.000-08:00

Me thats is. I am absolutely overwhelmed by the lovely gift I received from my wonderful on-line friend Sally from http://www.stitchingplace.blogspot.com/. We traded some charts and in return she stitched me this truly gorgeous gift.

The colours are gorgeous and so me. The stitching and finishing are stunning. There is also a cute little charm at the bottom. Sally said that she loved stitching it and I loved receiving it. Thank you Sally.

I have been stitching on Vervaco's Lady in Blue and will post a picture another day. Sally's gift deserves a post of its own.

Today I am stitching along with Sally and Barb on a LHN Ornie. I think Sally is stitching Winter Sheep and I'm not sure what Barb is stitching on. I will be stitching on Peppermint Twist.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne

Back from the Framers & Stitching Challenge Revealed!

2010-11-07T04:37:00.000-08:00

This week I have picked up my All Our Yesterdays The Lighthouse back from the framers. I really love how this looks and am really pleased with the finished result. Not cheap but I think it is worth it.

I have also finished the Stitch and Stash Monthly Stitching Challenge this week with the help of my mum and her sewing machine, only a week late. I finished it into a stuffed ornament and have to say it is not too bad for a first attempt well my second really but they are almost a year apart so I am classing it as my first attempt lol.

The fabric behind it is what I backed it with. I have to say I really loved stitching this and love the colour, Crescent Colours, a blue, not sure which lol.

I have been stitching on my Lady in Blue and will post a picture next week so you don't all get bored of seeing it. I really loving this one and haven't stitched on anything else all week.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xx

New Start!

2010-10-31T15:19:00.000-07:00

Firstly, Happy Halloween.

I had a new start this week thanks to Facebook and the serial starters SAL - who can resist the temptation of a new start. I started Vervaco's Lady in Blue this week as I can't continue with my Poppy until the thread hopefully arrives from Lanarte.

This is my progress so far and hopefully what it will look like when it is finished:-

I have to say that I am loving stitching this so far and so am going to continue with it for the foreseeable future ie until I get bored with it lol. So hope you don't all get bored while I am a one project girl. I didn't even stitch on Row of Love on UFO night - but I will this week I promise.

I have had a few days off this week with my boys as it has been half term. Unfortunately the weather hasn't been that kind to us but I did take them swimming on Thursday. Then on Friday we spent the day with my parents who took us out to lunch which was lovely. They both had sleepovers this weekend, my eldest son spent two days at a friends house and my youngest had a friend spend Saturday night with us so a good time was had by all. I will know doubt pay for it sometime next week when they will both be grouchy due to lack of sleep lol.

It was reveal day today on the Stitch and Stash forum for the monthly stitching challenge. I have stitched this piece but have not finish finished it yet and I can't see it happening at the moment. I have to be in the mood for finishing so when the mood grabs me I will post a picture.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Finally!

2010-10-27T00:32:00.000-07:00

Finally, I have finished LHNs Frosty Flakes. I can't believe I struggled with this one. It seems the more I like these little ornaments the longer they take me to stitch them.

I have definitely decided I prefer stitching on my pieces for a week at a time so that I see some progress and I might have finished this in one go lol. I have got, I think another four of these but have run out of fabric so will have to go and get some. Such a shame, I wonder what else might jump in my basket lol.

Last Tuesday it was UFO Night again on the Stitch and Stash Forum so out came Row of Love. If you squint really hard you might be able to see my progress - white on white is so not good lol.

I was a bad bad girl last night and didn't stitch on this, I had a new start which I will show next week when it might not just look like a blob.

Finally, I worked on Lanarte's Poppy. I just love this design and stitching it. I have grounded to a bit of a halt as I have run out of thread, probably thanks to the three false starts on it I had. I have emailed Lanarte and hope they will pop some threads in the post sometime soon. I emailed them for the green in the top left hand corner and they sent some so fingers crossed.

Thank you for all the lovely comments on my stitching. It is very much appreciated.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

A little bit of this!

2010-10-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

And a little bit of that. Explains my stitching this past week.

On Tuesday, UFO night at Stitch and Stash, I stitched on Row of Love. This week it felt like I was pulling teeth. I hope tomorrow night it is a bit more fun to work on.

I don't tend to stitch much on Wednesday as it is exercise night but on Thursday and Friday I worked on my Lanarte Poppy and this is where it stands at the moment. I intend to stitch on this again this week.

On Saturday and Sunday I stitched on the LHN Ornie, Frosty Flakes. I am a bit behind on these but must admit to thinking this is one very cute snowman lol.

I would like to thank you all for your comments on neutral coloured linen, I will be looking more into this in the future.

Thats all from me this week, until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Christmas Ornaments!

2010-10-10T04:50:00.000-07:00

I finally finished finished Merry Skater today. Sorry it's the same old finish I hope you won't get bored of this finish by the end of the year. I sent the chart to Sally of http://stitchingplace.blogspot.com as it was on her wish list. Sally is going to stitch me something in exchange and as you will know Sally is a great stitcher and finisher and has said she knows just what she is going to stitch for me. I am sooooo excited lol.

This week I stitched two Prairie Schooler Freebies, 2007 and 2008. I have also finished these as ornament.

Both of these were stitched on 28ct Summer Khaki Linen, what else, using DMC Threads. If anyone could recommend a different neutral coloured linen I would be really pleased because I haven't a clue lol.

On Tuesday night I decided to join Stitch and Stash's UFO Night with my Dimensions Row of Love. It is not officially a UFO but I think it was on its way to becoming one and not sure why. I am quite pleased with my progress and plan to stitch on it every Tuesday so look out for more next week.

I am also stitching the monthly challenge piece on the Stitch and Stash forum. I am really enjoying this but won't be able to show it until reveal day at the end of October.

After stitching the challenge piece I am going to work some more on my Lanarte Poppy.

Last but by no means least, I won Little House Needleworks Anniversary giveaway. I could choose a chart from the latest releases and chose "Be Merry - Belle Pepper" and received it this week. I can't wait to stitch but not sure when yet lol.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne

Merry Skater!

2010-10-04T07:52:00.001-07:00

I finished my LHN Ornie, Merry Skater, yesterday. I haven't had chance to finish finish it yet but will do sometime soon when the mood grabs me. This chart is now winging it way to its new home and should hopefully arrive soon.

I should be stitching on Blue Ribbon's Peppermint Twist this week according to my rotation unfortunately when I picked it up last night I appear to have miscounted and the only way to get round it is to unpick all the border. I do not like unpicking on linen and think I will have to restart it completely and I SO do not want to do that at the moment so think I will leave it for the time being just in case something comes to me in a moment of inspiration lol!

So I am stitching another christmas ornie but will wait until I have finished it before I tell you what I'm stitching.

Can I thank everyone for all the lovely comments you leave. They brighten my day no end especially last week as I had a particularly bad week at work it was lovely to read the comments left on my last post.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

Halloween Finishes!

2010-09-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

I didn't get to stitch much early on this past week but on Thursday I managed to make a start on L*K freebie, Spooky Patch. Friday night I was up all night waiting for someone to sort out the lock on my front door and so stitched the night and the morning away and managed to finish it. I finished it last night by backing it onto to black felt with white velvet ribbon. It's not brillant but it will hang on my cross stitch cupboard door okay.

Lizzie Kate Freebie Spooky Patch
Stitched on 28ct White Evenweave
DMC and WDW threads

On Sunday I started and finished Homespun Elegance's Boo Freebie. Again I finished this by backing with black felt and white velvet ribbon. Again not the most brillant of finishes - its a bit wonky especially my cutting but it hangs okay on my cupboard lol.

Homespun Elegance Boo Freebie
Stitched on 28ct White Evenweave
DMC Threads

I have now started my LHN Ornie Merry Skater but haven't done enough for a progress picture but will back later in the week hopefully with it finished.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Finishes!

2010-09-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

I have lots to show this week. First off L*K Halloween Sampler. I finished this late last night whilst watching Joe Maddison's War, which was really good. I stitched this on 28 ct summer khaki with the Crescent Colours, Weeks Dye and DMC threads asked for and I have even framed it. The framing is not brillant but it will do for me and I won't blame the 99p frame, I will take the blame as the framer.

Next up I have eventually got round to frame LHN Red House in Winter and you guessed it another 99p frame. Woohoo.

And I have also framed Angel in the Cloud.

And last but not least my progress on my Lanarte Poppy.

Green!

2010-09-13T09:20:00.001-07:00

I have stitched a lot of green this week on Blue Ribbon's Peppermint Twist. I will be so glad when I'm over the other side where the border is red. I am not a huge fan of the colour green lol. I didn't get much stitching time this weekend as on Tuesday evening it was back to school night at my DS2 school and then on Wednesday it was exercise class so missed two evenings where I normally only miss one boooo.

I also didn't get as much done on L*K Halloween Sampler over the weekend as on Sunday we went to Skegness for the day and Sunday is normally a lovely stitching day. We had a lovely day in Skegness though and the weather was quite gorgeous considering how it has been lol. Here's hoping for better progress for this week.

I am quite tired today from all the driving yesterday but I am hoping I can get on with my Lanarte Poppy tonight and the rest of the week. I don't think this one is very far from being finished. I think it might take a couple weeks more of stitching and that it will be hot footing it down to the framers because I can't wait to put it on the wall lol.

I received the JCS Christmas Ornament Preview this week. I brought this because I loved the Britty Kitty design. Having looked through it I also can't wait to stitch the LHN and CCN ornaments, no surpirse there lol. I have also received my LHN Ornie Under the Tree - I am sooooo far behind these I really need to get a move on lol

Do you like my new header? I thought I would try something different.

Thank you to everyone who visits and leaves comments, it really makes my day.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Finishes and a New Start!

2010-09-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

As I hoped I managed to finish the stitching on All Our Yesterdays the Ligthouse on Friday, it just needs the outlining done. I will post a picture when this is complete.

I also stitched a scissor fob, a freebie that I had seen on a blog somewhere that I just HAD to stitch. When this is made up I will post a picture lol.

I think I mentioned in a previous post that I had entered the Lizzie Kate Lovers Creative Challenge. I don't know why becuase I'm I no finisher. Its not something I particularly enjoy and I am not particularly good at it. So it came as not great surprise I didn't win I don't think I even got a vote but the winner, whose name I can't remember, was a fantastic finish and I offer my congratulations. But I can now show you my finish but don't look too closely lol.

As I had finished the stitching on my Lighthouse on Friday night I started my weekend project. I started Lizzie Kate's Halloween Sampler which I have a for a couple of years and have never got round to stitching it. I have to admit this is my first attempt at Halloween stitching and this is my progress as of tonight. I have to say I LOVE this one. I love the colours and it has stitched up quite well as well.

This week I will be stitching on Blue Ribbons Peppermint Twist and am really looking forward to working on this one.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

A finish and some progress!

2010-08-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

Firstly heres my finish for this week, Angel in the Cloud by Angel in Hand. I'd like to say it was a nice and easy stitch but it wasn't due to the fact that I can't count lol. I had numerous visits from the frogs which took away some of the enjoyment but at least it is finished. I do LOVE the colours in this one, pink and blue, my favourites and it is very cute. I will frame this one myself as it is only small. It is for my great niece's birthday in September so have a couple of weeks to find a frame.

Stitched on 28ct Summer Khaki linen using DMC threads suggested on chart.

Next here is my progress on All Our Yesterdays The Lighthouse. I am enjoying this one and hope to have it finished by next weekend except the outlining which a friend is doing for me as I am rubbish at it and hate it hence my love of Lanarte, LHN and Vervaco designs, no outlining lol. I have had to shorten this design slightly as I have stitched it the wrong way round doh. I always do this, forget to check which way up I am supposed to be stitching the design as I am always so excited to have a new start lol.

I have the next week off work to spend a few days with the boys getting them ready for school, checking the uniforms etc and I am also going to sort out their wardrobes - great fun lol.

I'm off now to stitch some more on The Lighthouse so until next time, happy stitching to one and all.

Lesleyanne xxx

At Last!

2010-08-22T12:02:00.001-07:00

I have finally finished LHH's Red House in Winter. It has taken all week, seven days and lots of hours of stitching. I can't believe something so little has taken so long. I did quite enjoy this, not as much as I hoped but I had a lot of visits from the frogs. My own silly fault, can't count etc, but nevertheless it is finished so join me in a little dance around the room lol.

Poor little Angel in the Cloud didn't get a look in. I did take her to the swimming pool with me thinking I would stitch on her while the boys were having their swimming lessons but forgot to take a needle such an idiot am I. I was not best pleased.

I will be stitching on All Our Yesterdays The Lighthouse this week. I am hoping to finish this even if it takes the next two weeks it will be finished.

Thank you to everyone who leaves a comment I do appreciate them and they really make my day and who can believe I have 57 followers thank you to you too. I can't believe people want to read my ramblings lol.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xx

Giveaway

2010-08-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

Whilst I was on holiday the Royal Mail tried to deliver a parcel. I was very excited on Monday when I collected my parcel. It was the mystery prize I won on Danielle's blog, I'll be perfect in my next life, http://danielle-hahn.blogspot.com/. Well I couldn't believe my eyes, I don't know what I was expecting but it certainly wasn't this

or this

To say I was blown away would be putting it mildly. There are roughly 60 charts,LHN, CCN, Lizzie Kate to mention just a few, some came with threads, some with threads and fabric plus at least another 70 over dyed threads in such gorgeous colours. There are way too many to mention but I am totally overwhelmed by Danielle's generosity. THANK YOU, THANK YOU DANIELLE! Words cannot express my gratitude at what you sent me. You certainly did send Sunshine my way.

Talking about giveaways, Belinda, http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/, is having a giveaway on her blog so go check it out.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

I'm Back!

2010-08-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

I'm back from my holiday in Chapel St Leonards. Had a lovely time. The weather was lovely until Thursday when it absolutely threw it down but it didn't stop us we still had a fantastic time. We visited Natureland, Church Farm Museusm and visited the beach and played cricket. I managed to get some stitching done whilst the boys went to the Fun Pool on the site we stayed at. The lighting was fantastic and I really enjoyed watching the boys in the pool and slide whilst I stitched. This is my new start and progress on Blue Ribbons Peppermint Twist. I have to say I'm quite pleased with how much I got done.

Today I started my first "weekend project". I was too tired yesterday after driving home to do any stitching because I had a very late night on Friday as at the site where we were staying Shawaddywaddy were on. They were fantastic. Yes I know I am sad lol. So this is just one day's stitching which I don't think is too bad between washing and cooking etc.

This week I am going to restart my LHN Ornie "Red House in Winter" so keep your fingers crossed for me that I actually manage to get this one done as I soooo want to. It is one of my favourites although I think I may have said that about all of them lol.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Decisions and Progress!

2010-08-04T05:23:00.000-07:00

I have been making decisions this week. I have decided to adjust my rota slightly so that I can stitch on some of the smaller designs I have that I would like to stitch up so:-

Monday to Friday I will work on the following:-

Blue Ribbons Peppermint Twist
AOY The Lighthouse
LHN Ornie SAL
Lanarte Poppy

Both the Poppy and Lighthouse are not very far from being finished perhaps two to three weeks work on each at the most. Peppermint Twist after much agonising I have decided to start again on Summer Khaki Linen which I have ordered today from Sew and So so hopefully that will reach me either tomorrow or Friday. So I will take that on holiday with me to make a new start. I didn't like the Aida I was stitching it on and also was having trouble seeing the white thread on it so decided to start again. I know I am mad.

Saturday and Sunday I will work on the following:-

Angel in Hand's Angel in the Cloud - this is needed for September as a present
L*K Halloween Sampler
L*K Spooky Patch
LHN Holly & Berries
Stitchy Kitty Chillys Gift
Prarie Schooler Freebie 2007
L&K Winter ABC
Plum Pudding's Fa La La
Prarie Schooler Freebie 2008

As you can see I have had some of these charts for quite some time and would really like to get them finished, especially since I can now finish them into ornaments.

I have left Dimensions Row of Love off my rota for a while until I get Poppy and The Lighthouse finished by which time I hope I shall start enjoying it again.

I have also joined Sally's LHN Ponsietta House SAL beginning on 1st December (http://stitchingplace.blogspot.com/).

I hope I haven't bored you too much with this but wanted to get my plans down in writing to see if I can stick to them lol.

This week I have been working on my Lanarte Poppy and am really pleased with how it's coming along.

If you have made it to the end of all my waffle, well done. I am holiday next week in Chapel St Leonards so will post a picture of Peppermint Twist the week after.

Until next time, happy stitching and many thanks for all your comments I really do appreciate them.

Lesleyanne xx

Ornaments

2010-07-30T05:17:00.001-07:00

Yesterday because I had the afternoon to myself, the boys had gone to Skegness for the day with my mum and sister and the OAP bingo ladies from the local pub, I decided to have a go at making up my LHN ornaments. This is a picture of them I took this morning. I used Vonna's instructions, The Twisted Stitcher, and voila here they are. I was going to use two pieces of felt but felt they were just a bit big. I have to say I am really pleased with them. There is room for improvement but I loved making them up and will use this finishing method again, you make get sick of it lol.

I will be back as usual with a progress picture of my Poppy next week.

Until then, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xxx

Row Love Progress (Not a lot)

2010-07-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

I really wasn't in the mood for stitching on Dimensions Row of Love this week. I think I did about two evenings worth. I have this strage desire to stitch on little things that can get done quick. To this end I signed on to do the Creative Challenge # 1 on the Lizzie Kate Lovers blog. I have stitched up the challenge and just need to finish it. I cannot show the picture until the challenge is over around 20th August.

This week I will be stitching my Lanarte Poppy and don't think I will have any problem with stitching this one. I am hoping to have a little more stitching time as I won't have to go out to pick the boys up from school as they are on summer holidays but I have said this every school holiday and it never seems to work so fingers crossed lol.

Until next time, happy stitching.

AOY "The Lighthouse"

2010-07-20T06:03:00.000-07:00

This is my progress on All Our Yesterdays The Lighthouse. I have still a way to go with this one I was hoping it would nearly be done but I lost a couple of nights stitching so haven't got as far as I would have liked. I will be stitching on Dimensions Row of Love this week as I feel a bit guilty since it hasn't seen the light of day since May. Hopefully I can finish the Lighthouse next time in my rotation.

I am hoping to get Lighthouse and the Poppy finished in the next couple of months so that I can concentrate on my LHN Ornie SAL as I am a bit behind after having a little hissy fit with Red House in Winter. As it is one of my favourites I really want to start and finish it again.

I have also noticed that DMC have brought out two old Henry VIII cross stitches. I have completed Henry VIII and his six wives and so would like to complete Henry VIII and the Palace of Richmond. I made the mistake of showing my mum this and she has said she would like to have it alongside the other two I have stitched for her so it looks as though in the near future I will be buying this kit ready to stitch for my mum (for christmas she said, but didn't mention which year lol).

Anyway enough of my rambling, until next time, happy stitching.

Peppermint Twist Progress!

2010-07-12T00:06:00.000-07:00

This is my progress for my Blue Ribbon's Peppermint Twist. I will have to finish it now as I have put the year in as 2010. I was going to leave this until the end but decided to go for it. I would have liked to have more done but the white thread is not showing up as well as I would like so I am going to buy some B5200 which I think is a bit brighter. The white shows up okay next to another colour but not when it's on its own.

This week I am going to work on All Our Yesterdays The Lighthouse. I might carry on with this until it is finished as there is not that much left to do.

I am not sure how much stitching will get done this weekend as we are going out for a family meal on Tuesday for my son's 12th birthday. I can't believe he is twelve already (on Sunday 11th July).

Hope everyone has a lovely week and gets lot of stitching done. It supposed to be a bit cooler here this week and we might even get some rain which will be good for the gardens.

Thank you to everyone who leaves a comment I really do appreciate them.

Happy Stitching, Lesleyanne

Poppy Progress!

2010-07-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

This is the progress on my Lanarte Poppy for the last two weeks. I seem to have one week where not a lot is done and then the second week there seems to be more. I think I am about half way through this now. It is really lovely to stitch. I did have to frog a couple of times. When I picked it up I noticed I had stitched one small block in the wrong colour so before I could start I had to unpick this and stitch it in the right shade. I am hoping with a bit of luck my mojo is back and I can get back to one project for a week.

I have read that Little House Needleworks are doing another twelve ornaments next year so may carry on with these next year depends how I get on with making them into ornaments lol.

This week I am going to be stitching on Peppermint Twist on my Christmas Design SAL.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

AOY "The Lighthouse"

2010-06-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

This is my progress on All Our Yesterdays "The Lighthouse". Unfortunately between being on the computer waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much and my mojo going on its summer holiday there is not a lot of progress for two weeks worth of stitching. Life has also been getting in the way as well.

After the first week I had stitched the little boy in blue and a leg of the other boy but couldn't leave him with just one leg and a head so decided to carry on with him and have just about finished him. Hopefully next time in the rotation it will be finished, if my mojo is back, fingers crossed.

I don't seemed to have received my next LHN Ornie which was on auto ship. I think I will wait a month or two and then query it if the next one doesn't turn up. I haven't been charged so am not too worried.

Next in my rotation is Lanarte's Poppy. I have skpped Row of Love and will get that out next month.

Hope everyone enjoys the weather this week, it is supposed to be nice all week which is good news for Wimbledon.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xxx

Oooh just remembed I have been blogging a year - wow that's gone fast.

New Start!

2010-06-09T05:45:00.000-07:00

It was time for my Christmas Design SAL last week and I had a new start. I started Blue Ribbon's Peppermint Twist. I decided on this after following Sally's progress and finish on this design. I am stitching it on 14ct cream aida. Here is my progress.

So far I am really enjoying stitching this and am looking forward to stitching it next time.

This week I am going to carry on with All our Yesterdays The Lighthouse.

Thank you to everybody who leaves a comment, it makes my day and I really appreciate them.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Poppy Progress!

2010-05-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is my progress for this week on my Lanarte Poppy. I do enjoy stitching this and could quite easily carry on with it.

I did stitch on LHN Red House in Winter but unfortuantely I made so many mistakes on it I have decided to bin it. I had managed to fudge a couple of mistakes I made but on the third and uncorrectable it went flying across the room lol. I seem to do this with littler projects so might just carry on with my bigger projects for now and try again later in the year.

It is the Christmas Design SAL next week and I have a new start. I will be stitching Blue Ribbon Design's Peppermint Twist and am looking forward to this. Just have to decide on my fabric. Can't design between Summer Khaki 28ct Linen or nice old cream 14ct aida. No doubt I will decide by tomorrow.

It is bank holiday monday tomorrow so no work for me so a little extra time stitching.

Until next time happy stitching

Lesleyanne

Row of Love Progress!

2010-05-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

This is my progress of Dimensions Row of Love. I enjoyed stitching this this week. I would have got some more done but I took my second son for his grading in Karate so missed most of Sunday afternoon. But it was well worth it as he passed and is now an Orange belt. Well done darling.

This week is the turn of my LHN Ornie SAL and I will be stitching "Red House in Winter" and I have to say I can't wait as I LOVE this one. I seem to have a thing for houses at the moment lol.

Thank you to everyone who leaves a comment as it really does make my day.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

More New Stash and TWO finishes!

2010-05-09T11:55:00.000-07:00

More stash has arrived at my house. I ordered the threads for LHN's Ponsietta House, my next stitch on the Christmas Design SAL. I also ordered Blue Ribbon's Peppermint Twist, again for the Christmas Design SAL. I think this will probaly be all the new stash for a while.

My first finish of the week was LHN's "Winter Sheep". This seemed to take forever for such a small design. I have also received the next one of this series "Red House in Winter". Can't wait to start it.

After finishing "Winter Sheep" I carried on with my At Home with Jane Austen SAL and have completed it. I enjoyed stitching this soooo much. I will get it framed eventually probably not for a couple of months. Many thanks to Sally, Barb, Hazel and Tracy for allowing me to join the SAL.

That's all from me this week, I am off to stitch on my Dimensions Row of Love.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

New Stash!

2010-05-04T08:57:00.001-07:00

I have been on a little stash acquisition of late. Below is LHN Needle and Thread that I brought from Sally (http://stitchingplace.blogspot.com). Thank you Sally.

I brought the two charts below from Elisa (http://paperfaerie71.blogspot.com). Angel in the Cloud and Summer Iris. Thank you Elisa.

This is my progress on LHN Ornie SAL "Winter Sheep". I seem to be struggling with this one a bit so as I am still waiting for my threads to come for my Christmas Design SAL I am going to carry on with this as it is a christmas design. I am hoping this is not cheating too much lol.

I am however loving my Sampler Girl's At Home with Jane Austen. This is my progress from this weekend. Sorry I forgot to iron it before taking the picture.

Well I am off to carry on stitching with Winter Sheep.

Until next time happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Poppy Progress!

2010-04-25T14:17:00.001-07:00

I have worked on my Lanarte's Poppy this week. I haven't done an awful lot because I managed to get a summer cold so although the mind was willing the body wasn't. Apologies for the bad picture - not quite sure what went wrong this time.

Unfortuantely over the weekend my cold became a little worse and I wasn't able to work on my At Home with Jane Austen SAL but will hopefully will catch up next week.

I shall be working on my LHN Ornie SAL this week, Winter Sheep. I want to get this completed as I have had an email to say the next ornie, Red House in Winter, is ready to be shipped and I know I will want to stitch this as soon as I receive it.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Christmas Is.... Finished!

2010-04-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

I finished my Lizzie Kate Christmas Is this week for my Christmas Design SAL. I think I may stitch LHN Poinsettia House next for this SAL. I have got a bigger design on order so will stitch that afterwards. It is stitched on 28 ct Summer Khaki Linen using DMC threads.

I have also been stitching on my Sampler Girl's Jane Austen at Home SAL with Sally, Barb, Tracy and Hazel. This is this weekend's progress.

Whilst out shopping the other day I came across some square frames the right size for my monthly LHN Ornie SAL, although I don't intend framing them all, I did want to frame "Snowy Pines" and will also want to frame the next one out, "Red House in Winter", I LOVE this one. So I brought three frames and framed Snowy Pines yesterday whilst watching Doctor Who. I have to say I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I just have to decide where it is going now.

Until next time, Happy Stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Blue!

2010-04-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

I have stitched a lot of Blue this week. I didn't do any stitching the week before last so many different things on in the evening I didn't pick up a needle. This week I carried on with my new start, All Our Yesterdays, The Lighthouse. I had already stitched the top of the lighthouse and the boys' hats so last week I stitched the sky. I probably would have got more done if I had read the instructions and only did half a cross stitch and not the whole cross stitch.

This weekend I joined another SAL with Sally Barb, Hazel, and Tracy, (I would love to add links to these blogs but don't know how, if anyone could help, please feel free to leave a comment). We are stitching the Sampler Girl's At Home with Jane Austen and this is my progress for this weekend.

I will be stitching on my Christmas Design SAL this week as I didn't get it done when I should have. I think my rotation has gone to pot a bit. Never mind I will catch up sometime lol at least I am enjoying my stitching and that's what it is about.

Have you seen the new LHN Ornament of the Month? It is gorgeous, definitely my favourite so far can't wait to receive it so I can start it.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Anniversary Sampler Picture!

2010-03-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

Woohoo - as promised here is a picture of the Anniversary Sampler.

Until next time, happy stitching

Lesleyanne xx

Award and Miscellaneous

2010-03-26T06:34:00.001-07:00

I have received the lovely sunshine award from Claire (http://aimetu-clare.blogspot.com/). Thank you so much Claire you really, really made my day. I am supposed to pass this award on to 12 bloggers but I am not going to do that because there are soooo many more than 12 that deserve it (just look at my blog list lol) but will say that it's for all the bloggers out there who I visit as there are so many wonderful, inspiring bloggers out there.

I would like to post a picture of the award but blogger won't let me.

I also have a picture of the anniversary sampler I have finished and has been received but again blogger won't let me.

I started All our Yesterdays, The Lighthouse, last week and have done better than I thought I would as I have had a very busy week.

This week is the Christmas Design SAL, I don't think I will be stitching on it this week as I am out just about every night, with parents evening, a school concert and a night out to see Snow White on Ice by the Russian ballet stars, can't wait.

Talking about SALs, I have joined Sally, Barb and Hazel on their Sampler Girl's Jane Austen at Home stitch along starting on 9 April. I have juggled my rotation slightly to fit this in but couldn't resist since I had it in my stash. I have just got to decide what fabric to use.

Until next time, hopefully with pictures, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Not a lot!

2010-03-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

of stitching going on that is. For some reason this week I haven't felt like doing ANYTHING - not stitching, not facebook, not housework (not that thats new), nothing. However at the weekend I picked up a bit and finished my LHN Ornie "Snowy Pines".

I did stitch on Lanarte Poppy on Monday but not enough to show a picture.

I am going to have a new start on Monday - All Our Yesterdays, The Lighthouse. I have had this for some time and now also have another similar design from All our Yesterdays from a magazine, can't remember which one, that I also want to stitch so I thought I would make a start on one of them and decided on the Lighthouse because I have had it the longest.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Home Sweet Home Back!

2010-03-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

I picked up CCN's Home Sweet Home from the framers today. I have to say I'm really pleased with the job they did on it.

This is my progress on Dimensions Row of Love. I must apologise for the state it's in - its needs a wash and an iron. I can't believe the fabric looks as mucky as it does. I wouldn't mind but I keep it in a zipped clear wallet so not quite sure how its come to be in this state.

I also had a new start this week. It's LHN Ornie SAL "Snowy Pines". I started this as I took my sons swimming lessons and then carried it on on Sunday when my eldest son went for his grading in Karate. It was not how I planned my Mother's Day but he achieved his orange belt so am very pleased. I have to say I have really loved stitching this week especially since I didn't get any visits from the frogs and on Row of Love I have passed the part where I had to fudge it because of the previous mistake.

This week in my rotation it is the turn of the Lanarte Poppy and I can't wait to work on it some more.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx

Christmas Design SAL Progress

2010-03-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

I finished the Lizzie Kate Special Edition 2007 Ho, Ho, Ho and have started Lizzie Kate's Christmas Is for the Christmas Design SAL. I am really pleased with my progress I have finished the bottom half and only have the top half to do. I have also finished my LHN Ornie SAL "He's a flake". I not ever so happy with it. After unpicking and stitching and unpicking and stitching again I decided to leave it as it was. They are only minor mistakes but I know their there.

Anyway here's a picture of my progress and finish on the Lizzie Kate designs.

I have celebrated my 41st birthday this week as well and went out with my family for a meal which was lovely. I received mainly cash for my birthday (which I asked for) so I can keep getting my cross stitch framed and of course, buy more stash lol.

I am so delighted to see that I have thirty followers and quite a few are new. I look forward to reading your blogs and getting to know you.

My plans for this week are to stitch some more on my Dimensions Row of Love. It should be my Lanarte Poppy but I thought I would swap them over as I stitched on Lanarte Poppy the week before last. I don't want you getting bored of seeing the same old thing all the time.

Until next time, happy stitching.

Lesleyanne xx