Stable, Harrogate, giveaways

Well I didn't get the job, no surprises there.  Apparently my classroom activity was really good which I am really pleased with and the only reason the other lady got it over me was because she related more to the academy ethos than I did.  Thank you for your support, thoughts and prayers though, they were much appreciated.

Now Linda, sit down because the shock may be too much for you!  I have worked on my Cut Thru Stable!! I have restitched the bottom bit of the door/wall that I had 'reverse stitched' and I think I did a bit of the top half of the door too.

Last weekend, I went to the Harrogate stitching and knitting show.  I was disappointed that there wasn't more cross stitch stands there but I still managed to find something to buy.  Sadly most of it has been put away by Colin for Christmas :(  I was allowed to keep the quilting fabrics that I got from the Stitchwitch.  I could have spent a fortune there but had certain designs in mind to finish off so stuck with appropriate things for them.

Sewitall had some nice cuts of fabric so I picked up some brown evenweave as I always struggle to find nice browns.  There is some sparkly white aida, some blue and a gorgeous pink/blue mottled sparkly aida.

Then I discovered this stand.  Oh my word...they were gorgeous!  I had a hard time deciding which one to go for.  In the end I settled on Starry Night in gold and red.  I have made a start but have done something wrong and one bit has come undone.  I think I must have passed the needle back through a bead the wrong way.  Trouble is being a newbie to it, I don't know whether it is a repairable error or whether I need to unbead back to the mistake and redo it.  Google, here I come...lol.

I have been SO lucky recently with winning various giveaways.  First up is a surprise giveaway from Jan over at http://threadgarden.blogspot.co.uk/.  I was a little worried about this one in case it tied in with Jo's Halloween blog hop answer of Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog.  Thankfully it was far, far nicer than that! Firstly it was beautifully wrapped up. 

And on peeling back the pretty paper.  This what was revealed.  That geranium rose soap smells absolutely divine!  It's far to nice to put on the sink and let people use but I suppose I will have to...  The rubbish photo doesn't show the chart very well which is Up Up and Away.  Jan also gave me all the speciality threads to stitch it up with.  Last but not least was some cute little rock sweets, they were divine and if anyone EVER wants to send me some more, feel free :) 

I also won a giveaway from Susan of Acorn House Designs.  She sent me the rather gorgeous poinsetta to make up the design from JSC ornament edition.  Guess what I am doing this weekend?

Thank you ladies for such lovely packages and for offering the giveaways.  I am thrilled with them both.