Another Finish and WIPs/UFOs

WOW!  I can't believe that it's now over a years since I've been blogging!  Welcome to my new followers.  I am amazed at having 142 followers!  

Today I wanted to show you my latest finish, another Blackwork Angel by The Prairie Schooler.  Yes, I know, you have seen it before, but this one I'm keeping for myself.  The last one was made into a tree decoration for my friend Janet.

Angel with Sheep.

WIPs and UFO's

I've got so many unfinished items plus works in progress (depending on how old they are) that I have joined a UFO/WIP Stitch-a-Long for members of the Margaret Sherry Cross Stitch Group (MSCSG).  So hopefully, I will get some more progress done on my stitching.  Here are the ones I want to start on first.

Time and Season Sampler by Moira Blackburn.

OakHaven Designs, Owl SAL 2011 by Tonia Pappan

Freebie design "First Snow" by The Drawn Thread

Blackwork Angle by The Prairie Schooler.

I have also got some UFOs from  "The Stitch Specialists" Group that I am still working on, but I will only share them on this blog.  The designs are by by Abi Gurden.

Tree of Stitches by Abi Gurden.

Little Lace Learning Hardanger SAL by Abi Gurden

 I'm looking forward to finishing these two especially, then I can start the next design Abi has started.

Well, I think that's all from me!   So, until next time Happy Stitching Everyone.

WIPS and Lots of Giveaways!!

First of all I want to say "Welcome" to my new followers.  I'm always pleasantly surprised to see so many  people following me.  Thank You All.   

I have finally finished my OakHaven Designs Group June Owl SAL and will shortly be starting the July Owl.  

Here are what they look like so far.

June Owl

OakHaven Owl SAL

I've also move on a little bit further with the, "Little Lace Learning Hardanger SAL", by Abi Gurden at

"The Stitch Specialists" Yahoo Group.  Just need to finish the bottom section before I start cutting out the middles and start the needle weaving.

Lots of Giveaways

I've been amazed at how many Giveaways there has been recently.
I now post them on my right hand sidebar for all to see.
But as there has been so many, I've listed them below.
Do check them out.

!Happiness is cross stitching!

Lynn B is having a Giveaway, which ends 31 July 2011.

Teresa is having a Giveaway at "Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches". The winner will be announced on Monday 18 July 2011.

Lori at "Notforgotten Farm" is having a Giveaway. The draw will be held on Wednesday 20 July 2011.

Parsley is have a Giveaway at "Seasons Of My Mind". The draw will take place on 25 July 2011. Please note for US residents only.

Valerie is having a Giveaway at "A Shenandoah Sampler". The Giveaway will close on 25 July 2011. The winner will be chosen the next day.

Jennifer is having a Giveaway at "Feathers in the Nest". The draw ends 6 August 2011.

June is having a Giveaway at "Butterfly Wings", to celebrate her first blog. The draw ends on 12 August 2011.

Happy Stitching Everyone

WIP Update

Thank you everyone for your kind comments on my Hardanger, and to all those who have asked about the threads I use.  So, I have taken a photo of the Anchor Multicolour threads so that you can see what they are like.

 Multicoloured threads by Anchor

Anchor Pearl Cotton Multicolour

 Anchor Stranded cotton Multicolour

I'm finding it harder and harder to buy these threads in a shop in the UK.  Most don't do Pearl Cotton, and those that stock Anchor stop before the multicolour threads.  The last time I bought some was in Belgium about 3 years ago, which had a wonderful supply of everything and in sizes I have never seen before.  The only way left open to get supplies is internet shopping.

New WIP

I've started something new by Abi Gurden called "Little Lace Learning Hardanger SAL".  I know what you are thinking.  Why a Learning Hardanger SAL?  Well first of all, I liked the pattern and secondly, it has cable stitch in it and I've not done it properly before.  I joined "The Stitch Specialists" Yahoo Group in May and started the Tree of Stitches.  I could not also resist starting the Hardanger.  The instructions by Abi are just so good and easy to follow.  I've completed the cable stitch and I've happy with how it looks.  There is also a motif between the cable, which I am not happy with.  Mostly because the multicoloured threads look most unevenly spaced.  So I thought I would unpick it and choose another thread to complement the rest, something like a soft green.  I will have a look at my stash to find something. 

Top piece with Satin, Cable and Eyelet Stitch, plus 2 motifs.

Here is what I have done so far.

Half way through.

All I need to do now is duplicate it again, for the bottom half.  Cut the bits away on the Kloster blocks and then do the needle weaving.  Once you get the hang of it, it makes up quite quickly.

Mosel Holiday in Germany

Many of you have asked about my holiday and if I had any pictures.  Well, I always have my camera with me and I did take a lot of pictures.  Unfortunately, we had a lot of rain and there was a cold wind at times.  

But I did get some pictures of blue sky and we did see the sun.  We visited a castle and many churches and cathedrals along the way, and we also took a trip down the Mosel river by boat.

Aachan

Beilstein

Cochem

But we did have lots of lovely food and wine and saw beautiful fruits and flowers.
By the way did you spot the Japanese Tourists?

Until next time, Happy Stitching Everyone.