An exchange, another RR done and some sunshine...

Stephanie sent me a lovely email to let me know that she received the Prairie Schooler (HOE) exchange I sent to her. I stitched 'F is for Friend' and made it into a little cushion (my first attempt at finishing something with my sewing machine). I also made a card, included some charts off her wishlist and sent an embossed New Zealand leather bookmark.



Tonight I finished stitching on Edgar's QFRR. I really enjoyed stitching this, the fabric and thread are just gorgeous (you can click the photo for a clearer view)



It's typically spring at the moment. Just like summer yesterday and earlier today, and now it's pouring with rain. It was nice while it lasted (although I was not tempted to get in the water!).



Someone else enjoyed all the lovely sunshine too...



Hope you are having a nice weekend

2 down, 4 RRs to go...

I've finished my piece on Donna's RR for the Quaker Friendship RR. My restitch and Donna's RR will both be going in the post next week.



I now have Cheryl's RR in my hot little hands too (thanks Edgar!).

Judy asked if I'll be stitching my sister's baby a birth sampler. I did think about it, but my Mum said she'd be doing one (she's already knitting baby stuff on the quiet).

But that's OK, I have another exciting idea. I am a bit of a fiend for old family photos and genealogy. Last year I made contact with a lady who was able to give me photos of my Great Great Great Grandparents. So I thought I'd get a photobook printed starting with those photos and working my way through all the relatives to the present day. It's actually far more affordable to get a book printed and hand bound than I thought it would be. I think it will make a nice keepsake.

Did any Kiwi bloggers watch the doco on Romanian orphans last night? Oh my, I couldn't hold the tears in while watching that one. I'm so glad there are people helping and trying to make a difference for them.

Hang in there folks, it's not long until the weekend!

I'm in love....

With my Quaker Friendship Round Robin restitch...



(Of course the photo is terrible, but if you click the picture you get a clearer view)

I stitched it using Needle Necessities 135 (Bali Hai) and DMC 3750. I just love the colours, they remind me of water (the ocean, lakes, fjords...). I picked the 3750 last night, and was pleased to see in the daylight today that it was a good choice.

Kathy your Kiwi bookmark kit went in the post today. I love native New Zealand birds. A lot of them (Tuis and native Wood Pigeons) are starting to make a reappearance after Winter. It's always nice to see them.

I also posted my HOE Prairie Schooler exchange. I stitched my all time favourite PS design, so I hope my partner will like it too. I even managed to finish it into something with my sewing machine (yay). Will post photos once it has been received.

Thanks for all the comments on my recent posts, they are always appreciated. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Ooh-la-la

I was after a particular kit by The Sweetheart Tree, which I was having trouble finding. After surfing around and making some enquiries, I eventually found it at The Silver Needle. I hadn't used them before, but definitely would again... look at how it arrived all wrapped up in pretty paper. Postage was very reasonable and shipping was fast.



I got a sweet freebie too - a JBW chart complete with a little charm. So sweet.



The kit I was after was Sparkling Shamrocks, which I intend stitching as a memorial piece for someone I knew in Northern Ireland who passed away in July. A very sad and sorry tale, indeed.

I'm a bit scared at the moment - I need to get my sewing machine out to finish my Prairie Schooler exchange on the HOE blog. Wish me luck!!

Here comes the summer sun...

It is a glorious summer-like day here today. OH and I were up early, so decided to head out to one of our favourite beaches.

It is one of our favourites because it is wild and rugged. The wind is usually blowing so hard the sand whips around your bare legs, your hair gets in a tangle and you can see some huge waves crash onto the beach. There's only usually a handful of people about too, so we always feel like we have it ourselves.

Plus, on a good day you can see the South Island. As can be seen in the first photo, today was a very good day - we were able to see the Kaikoura mountain range (which is in the South Island) in all it's snow capped glory.



And where else, other than in New Zealand, do sheep graze on the beach?? LOL



Sorry for the delayed drawing of the Kiwi bookmark. But the winner is....KathyA. If you could please email me your address Kathy (I only have your Arizona address), then I will get it in the post to you soon.


I can't show you my latest stitching finish yet (it's for the Prairie Schooler exchange on HOE), but I can show you my QFRR restitch. I started it last night. I'm using one of the lovely threads Kendra sent me for my birthday.



We bought two leather recliners for our lounge the other week - it makes stitching so much more comfortable! I can't tuck my Ginghers into my slippers when I'm stitching anymore, because my feet are too far away. LOL.

Have a great week!

A Kiwi bookmark kit to giveaway

My sister bought me this bookmark kit for one of my "round-robiny things". LOL.

I assume she meant for me to gift it to someone. So if you are interested, leave a comment and if there is more than one person interested I'll randomly pick a name. Don't be shy, I'll post it anywhere in the world.

A little finish

Here's Von's Neighbourhood RR.



I think you'll all agree it is one very pretty neighbourhood!

A little quiet lately...

There's been all sorts of things going on, but not a lot of stitching.

I don't like to do a post without photos, so here are two charts I have on the way from 123stitch (dispatched the day after ordering so they'll be here soon, speedy!).

I saw that Lisa is working on Ezmerelda's House by Brightneedle, and it reminded me of how much I like this design.



I've also liked 'His Heart Belongs to Me' by Carriage House Samplings since I first saw it. It reminds me of a lovely Yorkshire miner I used to go out with when I lived in England. I'll probably change York to Ballymena though, for my OH. lol.



In other news...

OH and I had a long weekend away in Taranaki. Here's OH part way up Mt Taranaki - it was bitterly cold and snowing (it was great!).



I'm going to be an Aunty for the very first time. Now I have three nephews, one niece and a step-niece (is there such a thing?) and they are all fantastic young people, but this one is going to be a proper blood relative. Yay! (If you know me and you are reading this, I won't disclose which sister is expecting because I probably shouldn't be mentioning it yet. lol)

On a sadder note, just before writing this post I was shedding a few tears reading tributes to my work friend's father (who I also knew) who died this week. I was already feeling bad because I sent flowers then found out the family requested people not to send flowers, and when I checked to see if they were delivered they were - at 7.30 this morning. That's early, especially at such a terrible time. I am sure they will be well received, but talk about feeling like an annoyance.

On to happier things... Spring is here. I've seen blossoms, daffodils, magnolias, lambs (my sister has one at the moment!) and it's light when I go to work now. Yay!

And Tiggy is getting a friend. We've made her outdoor house a lot more waterproof and comfy (I reckon we've spent close to NZ$1,000 on her house - strewth, a bunny boutique!), the weather is improving and she needs something to put a hop in her step. The hard part might be choosing her a suitable friend from Animal Rescue though. Perhaps I'll just have to go with whose been there longest.

Oh well, back to the RR I'm working on - nearly there, which is just as well as the deadline is 1 September.

Have a great weekend!

Strawberry House

Once again, excellent service from Amy at Down Sunshine Lane. I responded to Cheryl's 1 August request for someone to stitch on her LHN Heartfelt Friends RR, ordered the chart and threads a day or two later and it arrived on Monday. Talk about super fast!!



I haven't any stitching photos to share. I've been working on my Long Dog Mystery Sampler while watching the Olympics - of course the only mystery left is when I might finish it!

I'd be interested to know what other stitchers do when you start a sampler in one year and finish in another? I can't decide whether I should unpick 2007 and change it to 2008, or leave as is. I asked OH, but his cheeky reply was "You should put 2009 on it"!!! LOL

Here's a couple of blogs that have caught my eye recently, so thought I'd share the links.

Lisa
Piko

Hope you're having a great week!

Another little finish

I was determined to get Wendy's Quaker Friendship RR finished up last night. And I did... around midnight.



It will be on it's way to Donna soon.

Next up I'll be working on the Hello Neighbour RR, as there is a 1 September deadline and I've not even chosen a design yet! Off to do that now...