Stitching and garden

I decided to have a few days off from studying so the children both helped clean the house from top to bottom over the course of a couple of days.  Their reward for that was an extra hour on the laptop or Wii Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with an ice cream off the van when it came round. I obviously just did it for fun!! Well actually, I rewarded myself with 3 hours of stitching time.  As my next new start will be Spring Fling Faerie, I thought I should show Sweet Pea a little love.  So this is where she is with an extra 3 hours work on her.  Now I love this design, but to me she doesn't look like a sweet pea.  She actually reminds me of a Cancan Pansy.  Can you see what I mean? All those ruffles just look like a pansy.

Nora Corbett - Sweet Pea

Cancan Pansy from TMseeds.com

I have to admit to having been pleasantly surprised at how different the colours were in the actual stitched piece to the photo on the front of the chart.

I have also been out and got a few shots of the garden which is looking brilliant at the moment.

Wow! 2 updates in the same week - bet you are really shocked.

And finally...is this REALLY what a suave, sophisticated feline should be doing?

That tummy was just begging to be tickled...and it was!  In case you can't work it out.  He is laying on the right hand side of a 3 seater sofa with his head resting on the arm like it's a pillow.

Sneaking in the back door...

Well the study is still going full steam ahead with 5 assignments written and 1 more to go.  Then all I have is the final project which is due on 19th September.  My next course will start on 28th September so there won't be much of a break.

I have done a little stitching, but not much  :(

I have added a blob of 3371 to the bottom left corner and a bit to the lower middle area.  Just telling you in case you can't tell!

Sweet Pea - Nora Corbett

Cinderella has a little bit done to the tops of the steps.

Cinderella - Joan Elliott

A small amount has been stitched on the Stable.

Cut Thru Stable - Bothy Threads

Can you spot the difference here?  Don't worry it's only 4 stitches!

Santa's Village - CCN

 I did finish part 7 of Around the World AND make a start on part 8, woohoo!

ATW - Papillon Creations

Part 7 - upside down!

 Rachael has been bitten by the cross stitch bug too and decided to make a leaving present for her form tutor who is off to London.  He has been an amazing form tutor and looked after her so well, especially with diabetes issues so he will be missed by us both.  She rooted through my magazines and came up with this design.  I haven't a clue which magazine she chose in the end but she personalized it by putting the 'E' on his chest which is his surname.

With a little help from me, she turned it into a cube finish and I made the bow for her which she was happy with.  What do you think of her first attempt?  I didn't help her at all with the stitching after explaining how to read the chart and to start the thread off.  I think she did brilliantly.

Mr E was pleased with it apparently.