Tiny Treasures Exchanges Too -exchange received

My exchange piece has arrived at Melissa's house.  I chose the peacock butterfly to make as a scissor fob but it turned out too big.  I made that into a little pin cushion for her instead.

Peacock butterfly from Cross Stitch Crazy magazine

Close up

I then found this one here but changed a few colours...oh ok...all of them!

stitched up

 And this is them ready to send!

ready to go!

Don't forget there are a few days left to enter the giveaway if you want to.  Just see the previous post!

stash, exchange and other news

Well, Manchester has been basking in glorious sunshine this weekend.  What have I been doing? Sat at the kitchen table all day Saturday and all day Sunday writing and assignment on safeguarding and resilience.  The only sun I have seen is when I have brought a line of washing in so I could put another out!  I'm sure it will all seem worth it once I have my degree...

Please see my previous post about Rachael and Luke raising money for Sport Relief.  They are both swimming a mile each and would love any sponsorship or messages of support you are willing to give them - even £1 or $1 would be welcome.  As the advert says "Every little helps".  Rachael has written a little bit about the challenge she faces and why she wants to do the swimathon.

Anyway - there has been some stash deliveries this week.  Firstly, 2 designs to stitch for Luke.  He wanted a cushion stitching for him.  I couldn't decide which to get him but found these 2 so got them both!  I have already started stitching the larger one for him and there is a photo of progress so far.  This is after about 2 hours stitching on it.

new charts for Luke's cushion

after about 2 hours of stitching

I had to buy a piece of fabric to stitch the cushion.  As it's for Luke it needs to be pretty hard wearing so I have opted for aida instead of evenweave.  I was using my sewandso voucher so treated myself to 5 fat men. (Yes I know it is 6 but I already had one given to me for my birthday!)  I also got one of the JBW designs charts that was on my wish list too.

birthday stash!!

I have also done a little tiny bit more on Rachael's bookmark.  I am finding it really hard going with trying to see the very pale grey on the white fabric especially when it is one strand and half cross stitch.  It will be worth it though - she will be so pleased with it!

Rachael's bookmark

Finally, I received my exchange piece from the exchange on Tiny Treasures Too.  My exchange partner was Liz who stitched me a lovely scissor fob for my Union Jack scissors and a measuring tape.  She also sent a lovely card where she had stitched onto the card.  They are all beautiful - but I will let the pictures do the talking!

TTE2 - one side...

...the other side

with the card

The picture above is my offering for my exchange partner.  I really hope they like it!
Tomorrow (Monday) is my blogoversary.  I will be announcing a giveaway to celebrate.

Just a Quickie

First off...Amanda is arranging another exchange on tinytreasuresexchangetoo.  The poll is closing tonight and is looking like being a scissor fob.  Come and join in the fun!

Next...have you seen the new margaret sherry kits on the new website.  There are some really cute free charts.  One is ready for Christmas with a cute kitty holding a stocking and the other is a snail with a Union Jack design on its shell.  It's lovely!

Theme-a-licious / WIPocalypse

Ok...so...it's 2012...yay!  Happy New Year to you all and happy stitching.  I'm not doing a round up of 2011 as I am glad to see the back of it like many other people.                                                                                
Anyway having signed up for Theme-a-licious and WIPocalypse for 2012 I thought I would start by showing where I am at the start of the month. 

I have got the final leg of the RR I'm in to work on this month but will alternate this with working on Cut Thru Garden Shed and Roots to Grow, Wings to Fly.  There will probably be more progress on Garden Shed as I would love to get that one finished.

Below is where I am before starting on them.

Roots to Grow/Wings to Fly
Waxing Moon
As of 2nd January 2012

Cut Thru Garden Shed
Bothy Threads
Progress as of 2nd January 2012

Close up of Garden Shed - bottom middle section
Only got the rest of this section and 2 small sections to the right plus the backstitching 

Rachael gave me this Mill Hill Tiny Treasured Diamond as a Christmas present.  I had to stitch it up and get it on the tree this year!  Didn't want her to think I didn't like it.

Miche'le never received the first ornie I stitched her which is a shame so I chose another design and replaced it.  The second one arrived on Christmas Eve which was lucky.  The design was from Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue but I can't remember what year.  I would check but they are hidden away behind the Christmas Tree at the moment.

Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue 

New stash to fondle

Long long ago...well March in fact, I received a gift certificate for Downsunshinelane.com which is definitely my favourite ONS. As I wanted the JCS ornament issue, Amy held the rest of the order for me until it was in. Today it arrived!!!

I got some finishing forms to try as I would like some round ornies but there isn't much chance of me doing that with my finishing skills without a bit of cheating! L*K Housework never killed anyone, Winter thread pal and Winter Wonderland chart to complete it, CCN Mermaids, Nora Corbett Bluebell and Letter R, Blue Ribbons Behind the Gate and of course the magazine too. Our postie must have wondered what was up with me. I had rung the sorting office this morning to see if they were delivering it today as I had paid the customs charge on Wednesday so I knew it was on its way. He knocked on the door and I opened it with a huge grin on my face and near enough snatched it off him! Well it makes a change from bills and junk mail!!

Rachael has been poorly all week with an ear infection and flu symptoms. She was seen by the doctor on Monday and given anti biotics that are apparently her first lot since she was 1. I find that really hard to believe although in truth I can't remember her having any. She is 10 now so I suppose that must show she is a pretty healthy child - well apart from her diabetes...lol.

I am working on a needlebook for the Tiny Treasures Too exchange at the moment so once again my stitching is secret. I have also made a start on Summer in Sussex but have only done half the roof so far which means it is not really worth a progress piccie at the minute.

Don't forget there is still time to vote in the poll over on the right. It seems people mainly start in the middle still at the moment.