April JN SAL Check In

Time for this months check in for the JN 2104 SAL This month I chose to stitch "Rose Lady", a small chart that I've had in my stash for quite a few years. It's stitched on the required 28ct antique white Cashel linen with the called for DMC threads except for the Perle 8 which I don't have and don't enjoy stitching with. I substituted it with the same colour in the stranded cotton, which for me works just fine. I shall probably finish this as a pin keep.

Since I blogged last I've had two new starts. The first one is Daffodils and Snowdrops from Yiotas XStitch.

The second new start is Chatelaine's Mini Mandala Circle 01 I'm substituting the three silk threads with Threadworx stranded cotton as the two Silk n Colors are no longer available. The fabric is 32ct Belfast linen in lilac.

Many thanks to those of you who left comments on my previous post about wadding for mattress pin cushions. I was in a nearby craft centre earlier this week that has a small fabric section, and I managed to find a small piece of wadding for a pound, much better than spending £10 or so on a larger piece and finding that I don't use much of it. Although it is a polyester one it is quite compact and will give the pin cushion a nice firm finish.

Until next time..............

Nicola

Advice Needed Please

I am contemplating making my first mattress pincushion. The advice that I'm looking for is about stuffing it. What is the best material to use - cotton batting, polyester wadding or polyester toy stuffing?

I'd be grateful for any help, thank you.

Nicola

February Finish

My first finish this year is the Just Nan piece that I've been stitching in the Just Nan SAL 2014. I have decided not to sew on the crystal heart yet as I'm not sure just how I'm going to finish it off. One option is to make it into a biscornu which I think would look better with a decorative button instead of the heart.

Sparkling Iris by Just Nan

Fabric 32ct Lilac Belfast Linen

DMC threads

I have decided not to start another JN for the SAL in March as I'll be on holiday when the next post is due. I'll be starting again in April, but as yet I don't what I'll be stitching.

I've nearly finished the PS 1996 Santa, I just have the long stitching to do. I'll post a photo when I've finished it.

Until next time................

Nicola

PS 1996 Santa

Thank you all for your lovely comments welcoming me back to blogging. 

I promised another stitching update and here it is. I started this Santa while we were away on holiday last October, I actually managed quite bit on it that week. I've been stitching on him on and off since then and this is where I'm up to so far. Please excuse the hoop marks and squashed stitches, I'll give him a wash and iron when he's finished. I'm stitching this on Light Mocha 36ct Edinburgh linen using the called for DMC threads. 

Until next time...........

Nicola

Getting Back to Blogging

Well I really did not intend to be away from blogging for so long! I hope that there is someone out there who still has me in their reader and drops by occasionally! 

I'll start off with some stitching. During my time away I have still been stitching, although not quite as often as I would like. With Mr. L. now retired our days are somewhat different and I am now trying to get used to stitching more in the evenings. 

Through a Facebook group that I belong to I discovered the Just Nan 2014 SAL. If you click the button on my side bar you'll be able to find out more about it. I decided to start off with "Sparkling Iris" for January, although it isn't yet finished. I'm stitching it on 32ct Lilac Belfast linen with the required DMC threads. (The little thread at the top is just to denote the top of the piece.)

I'll be back again with some more stitching photos soon.

For our combined birthday and Christmas presents our son and daughter-in-law gave Mr. L. and myself a Fortnum and Mason gift card with the idea of us all having afternoon tea there. So on the 4th Jan. we went down to London and in the afternoon we ensconced ourselves in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. We had a lovely time followed by a little shopping, well you have to don't you?  

Afterwards we went back to Paul and Carla's for a while before returning to our hotel at Greenwich.

Now I never did blog about my son's wedding last April did I? It was a lovely day, the rain held off for the most part, just one shower while we were on a Thames Clipper for the Champagne reception. This was to enable us all to get across the river from the Church in Rotherhithe to the Four Seasons hotel at Canary Wharf where the main reception was held. Both of these photos were taken by my brother, Keith Leman, who has kindly allowed me to post them on my blog. 

 Paul and Carla on the boat at Greenwich

From left to right

Me, Mr. L Paul, Carla, Carla's Mum, twin sister and Dad

We're on the steps at Canary Wharf.

That's it for now, I'll be back soon with another stitching update.

Nicola

I Have A Huge Favour To Ask

Update - Someone is very kindly sending me the chart. Thank you

Does anyone have the Prairie Schooler book no. 60, Spring Samplers, which is now OOP? Would you be willing to lend it to me? I would dearly love to stitch one, if not all of these samplers, but just cannot afford the exorbitant prices being charged on the Internet.  If you would be willing to help me please leave a comment or e-mail me, my address is in my profile.

Thank you so much.

I hope to be back soon with a stitching and wedding post.

Nicola

New Starts

We've nearly got through January and here I am only now writing my first post of the year, so Happy New Year to you all!  Many thanks for all your lovely comments last year and a warm welcome to all my new followers.

 

I've recently had three new starts, the first being LHN's Daisy Lane Cottage which I'm stitching as part of a SAL on the Needlecraft Haven forum on Wednesdays. As you can see I haven't done much on it not having stitched on it for the last three weeks. I'm stitching it on 35ct Sugar Maple, which off the top of my head is,I think, by Lakeside Linens. I'm using all the recommended threads.

 

 

My next new start is CCN's Santa's House from Santa's Village. I'm doing this as part of a Facebook SAL. It's on 32ct Flax Belfast linen using the recommended threads except that I've changed the DMC Blanc for B5200 as it's a bit brighter so will show up better.

 

My final new is Carriage House Samplings Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow. I'm so pleased to be stitching this as I've wanted to stitch one of these designs for ages. The chart is a birthday gift from my very good blogging friend, Julianne - thank you so much Julianne! I'm stitching this on 36ct Light Mocha Edinburgh linen using DMC and Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colours.

 

 

 

That's all for now.

 

Nicola