Just Cross Stitch - the top 5

Jan of Thread Garden fame has recently posted her top 5 designs from this year's edition of Just Cross Stitch ornament issue.  So here is my top 5...

5.  Pickle Barrel Designs - Peace on Earth
4. Plum Pudding Needleare - Let it Snow
3. Acorn House Designs - Poinsettia
2. Angel Stitching - Be Jolly
1. The Victoria Sampler - Gingerbread Cupcake

Sadly the chances of me stitching the Gingerbread cupcake are next to none as it will be fairly expensive for all the embellishments considering it is just a Christmas decoration.

There are several more that I like except they have something 'wrong' with them that puts me off.  For example I love Rosewood Manor's Peace Bird except for the colours.  I keep thinking it would be lovely stitched as a little robin sitting on a holly branch.  I do love the twigs used to frame it, fab idea.  I won't bore you with all my little moans about what I would have to change to make designs stitchable for me though :)

So what's your top 5 stitches for the 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.

A few finishes

I still have a couple of finishes that I can't show but there are some I can. This week I have finished both February Glows and September Brings. Only 3 left to do. I will probably leave them until after Christmas now.

I finished this ornament a few weeks ago but as it was for an exchange I couldn't show it. It is one of my favourite designs from the ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch and I fancy stitching it again for myself. It was the first time I had finished one in this way.

This one is one that I stitched a long time ago but only just got round to finishing.

Robin Titan can you please email with your snail mail details so I have them to hand when I am ready to send you your PIF. For some reason I can't just click on your email link!