January, it was good

I always seem to start the year off well with making things, there is something about January that makes me feel positive, something to do with new year goals I suppose.  Lets hope I can make the it last for more than just a month :-)

After my tidy up / sort out in my crafty space I realised I have quite a lot of acrylic yarn, not really enough of any one colour to make anything but paired together I will be able to make up some little blankets.  This one has already gone to it's new home

I have not idea why I have so much Stylecraft in yellow, on it's own it's a bit bright, but put with white I think it looks really fresh and clean.  

 I bought this little octopus kit from the Cotton Pod when we went to Yarndale last September.

It only took a night to make but, those sleepy eyes! oh my goodness, I think I stitched them on at least six times!  Finally I got them so I was happy :-)

He has gone to live with Oliver, who, I'm happy to say still loves his stuffed animals and teddy's

I finished my first ornament of the year.  You might remember I'm stitching monthly ornaments along with some friends on a small FB group we have going.  I'm going to wait and do the actual finishing  when I have a few to do.

My second stitched finish was only finished tonight and I couldn't wait to show it to you even though it's still on the Q snap!

Good Tidings by The Drawn Thread
Started December 26th 2019 - Finished 31st January 2019

I had wanted to get it all done by the end of January, and I have, by the kin of my teeth, lol. 

I'm still not overly keen on stitching on linen, I don't like the unevenness when stitching so I'm glad it's done if i'm honest.  It has a few 'personal design features', but on the whole I'm happy.

January has also been a good month for reading.  

Towards the latter part of last year I didn't read as much as I would have liked and I missed having my nose in a good book.
This month I read 3 books on my Kindle and listened to 3 audio books

My favourite for the month was The Friend.

My least favourite was The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy

So that's it for January, not a bad month at all, what about you?  How have you filled your first month of the year?

-X-

First Christmas ornament of 2017, (only 11 more to go)

I'm doing a Christmas ornament SAL with a few friends on Facebook this year, the first suggested theme was 'snowman'.   I sorted my chart, threads and fabric out over Christmas and started stitching on January 1st and finished it quite quickly but put off making it up until last week.

I don't really enjoy the process of making up and since I don't think I made any ornaments up last year i'm out of practice, but he came out ok in the end.

Lizzie Kate Snowman #10

When I went to the Needlecraft Haven meet up back in November this chart was amongst some that the ladies had bought along to either swap or give away.  I think this one belonged to either Justine or Julie? not sure, but as it was gifted to me I would like to pass it on.

If you are interested then please say so in the comments and I will do a draw next Monday.

I don't mind where in the world you live but please don't enter if you don't really want it.  

When I offered the Mollie Makes issue up for free on my blog a while ago the person who wanted it never answered my email, 

(that MM issue has now gone to someone in my book club, I think I waited a reasonable time for her to respond).

My Amaryllis is growing, Yayyyy.

Last year I had a dud bulb.  No stem, nothing, so I threw it away.

But this year I have 2 stems :-)

I love marking the progress of these plants, they grow so quickly once they start.

I went for a white one this time, this is how it should look.

That's it for now I think, Oh, I did finish stitching Elizabeth (Carriage House Samplings), but I haven't taken any photos of her yet, I only finished on Friday, so that's something for next time. 

Until then

-X-