A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.

The Blue Ribbon Sampler by Olwyn Horwood

I had an early Christmas present from my framers, a two day turn around !!!! I have also received a lovely email from Olwyn which I will attach to the back of the frame for prosperity.

I have been holding off posting hoping to have some news of the expected arrival. We had a false alarm this morning but what is a pregnancy without one or two of those.

Not too much stitching has gone on over Christmas but I do have some progress to show you.

Dona Dorothea

I have struggled with Dona Dorothea, why I do not know but I guess some samplers go like that. I think that it is probably because we have had some sort of virus over the holiday season.

Dona Dorothea

She is has some vibrant colours that show off the silks.

Dona Dorothea

The stag motif caught my eye this first time I saw her.

Dona Dorothea

I adore all the animals.

SDW

I just love the SDW sampler and as the motifs develop I find my needle is flying. I could sit all day and stitch her. 


I have received some wonderful gifts from my pin pals and here they are in order of arrival.

Elaine of emilyscupboard sent me some gorgeous silks, the colours are so beautiful and these will be used very quickly. Thank you Elaine.

Next to arrive was a parcel from Michele of stitchingcatsandchickens. There was a present for me

 and for the baby

The bunny slippers are so cute and the little hat is adorable. Kate and Chris love them. Thank you so much dear friend.

Next was a beautiful biscornu and some gorgeous linen from Sharon of shebafudge

It is beautifully stitched and I will treasure it. Sharon chose the pattern for me very carefully and it is exactly what I like. 

Thank you Sharon.


Finally I received a pattern from Shirlee from The Easily Influenced Stitcher. Thank you my friend.

Shirlee writes a brilliant blog and has a wicked sense of humor. Well worth a visit.


The weather has not be kind over Christmas and on Christmas Eve the tree surgeons had to come in to attend to an ancient pine.

We were concerned that all the rain water which was hanging around in the garden had weakened the roots. The surgeon thought that it would be alright but took some of the branches off to alleviate the weight nearest the cottage.

Blue and Poppy have ate well over Christmas and have done a lot of sleeping.

I think that we will all need to loose a few pounds in the New Year.


Warm Wishes from Stitching By A Cornish Sea Shore Nicola xxx

The Blue Ribbon Sampler is Finished. HURRAY !!!

The Blue Ribbon Sampler by Olwyn Horwood

The Blue Ribbon Sampler by Olwyn Horwood was finished on Sunday afternoon. HURRAY !!!

The Blue Ribbon Sampler by Olwyn Horwood

I did change the filet panels. 36ct turned out not to be a problem with cutting the threads but the floss I had was far too bulky to do the ghost stitching so I substituted beads and changed the design slightly. The needle weaving was great fun.

Here are the final corrections

Page 84 6th border second flower from the left stitch as other flowers. Error in dmc 3822.

Page 86 3rd border middle flower set of leaves missing to the right.

Page 86 7th border stitch middle flower as the 1st and 3rd error on the tips also stitch the leaves on the middle vine/stem to match the other two, error on the right hand side.

There were a few other corrections which I managed to lose on my ipad notes. So sorry.

Do not let the charting errors put you off stitching this stunning sampler. My advice would be to study each border before you stitch it and you will spot the small corrections needed. I would recommend that you tack out the positioning of the three centre panels before you stitch the speciailty stitches as there is no room for "winging" a counting error.

I have been itching to start Dona Dorotea by The Scarlet Letter. I am stitching her on Lakeside Linen vintage meadow rue 36ct with AVAS threads.

Dona Dorotea - The Scarlet Letter

My other project SDW, another TSL project is progressing well. It is surprising how much you can achieve just having one stitching session per week.

Although I could not stitch her this weekend as Santa came to visit together with many of our family. Nineteen all told !!

We had an early "Christmas" for my MIL and her family travelled down from Wales for the weekend. We were quite a house full. 

Thea and Rhys my SDD's two boys were so excited that Santa was coming early, we put out food for the reindeer and cake for Santa before going to bed. They were up bright and early and great fun was had watching their delight as they opened their presents from us. 

It is a grandparent's privilege to spoil their grandchildren.

Theo and Rhys did the draw for The Scarlet Letter Year first monthly prize and Leona in Australia won 10 AVAS threads of her choice. Well done Leona. 

As my MIL is not well enough to sit at a table we had a buffet style meal which was a success. Too much food as usual but all delicious. We had to put most of it out on the worktops.

We had a lovely present as well on the weekend. The painting of Millie, Blue and Poppy was delivered by the artist David Sandell. We are so pleased, he has captured the spirit of each of my babies. I miss Millie so much.

I will be taking this and BRS to the framers this week.

I received  a surprise in the post yesterday from Gracie of needles pins and dragonflies. A beautiful hand made humming bird. Isn't it adorable.

Over the years I have collected quite a few little feathered birds for Christmas decorations and I place them amongst the greenery of my garlands.

Thank you Gracie for this perfect gift, it will remind each Christmas time of your generosity and kindness of heart.

I am very busy at the moment designing the layout and interior design of a new cottage "By The Seashore". This cottage was originally the stables/garage with coachman/driver's accommodation. Lots of wooden beams and stone walls and amazing views.

By The Seashore, Trewoon, Poldhu Cove

The kitchen has been planned and ordered. I have chosen solid oak free standing units with back granite worktops. A custom made oak island in cream not the blue shown and a stunning custom made double plate rack again in oak.

I have gone for a black retro Smeg fridge freezer and a large retro black range cooker. I must be mad having  another Smeg fridge, the parts are so expensive and the customer service poor but they look so good.

I have designed both the shower room and the bathroom and am ordering everything today. I have gone for a huge shower for the ground floor bedroom ensuite, I love the space when showering. On the first floor there is a very spacious bedroom with a quirky beamed ceiling. In the ensuite bathroom  I have chosen this free standing bath. When you have been out walking the coast paths its good to relax and soak in a hot bath. 

I am choosing the bedroom furniture today. I have always envisaged a big brass bedstead in this  room. I want our visitors to be able to lie in bed enjoying the view of the cove and sea.

The baby's due date in getting ever closer and I want to share with you a cape that I have knitted.

My DS, Chris had an identical one when he was a baby and I was so pleased when I found the vintage pattern on ebay.

As this may be my last post before Christmas I wanted to wish you all a season of blessings.

May the joy and peace of Christmas be with you all through the Year.

Nicola xxx