Wednesday, April 01, 2015

April 1st and the start of the hols!

Hello dear readers. No this is not an April Fool; I really am blogging!! Goodness me, another month has flown by and I still haven't updated my little blog space. You must think I am hiding away in shame for not having completed my March goals??? Well, not at all. On the contrary, I have completed them all and also finished off the blanket goal from February too. Big pat on the back for meeeee. Ho hum. 

So here we go....

March goals were to stitch up the next ornie in the CCN series.



I must admit, being the truly honest type that I am, I'm really not enjoying these ornies very much. They were advertised as Classic ornies done in classic colours of red, white and green. These ornies do not shout to me as being very "classic" with the exception of the first one that was of three angels. I guess I was expecting them all to be along a similar vein of hymnals and Christian imagery. Elves, cookies, snowmen and Santas speak of a more modern view of Christmas. However, I will press on and continue. I am just kicking myself that I didn't wait and go for the LHN sampler ones that are now out as they are much more my style. Oh well, you live and learn they say. 


Next goal was to complete the Elisabeth Lillie sampler by MacIntosh Designs. Huge Ta-aaaa here. Goodness, I started her a long time ago, somewhere in 2012 and she got picked up and ignored constantly. I am so glad I decided to finally crack on and finish her. She was a joy to work on even though I made a huge mistake with one of the colours - (blue/brown confusion with similar symbols). I stitched her on 34 count Legacy Linen in Oaten Scone and used the called for DMCs.









My next goal was to finish the Love Quilts charity square I started at the end of last year. It was a Nibbles and Tibs design from a cross stitch magazine stitched on 14 count aida.


 It felt a little weird and strange working on aida after stitching on linen for so long but it was a refreshingly easy change until the dreaded backstitch arrived. Oh let me just work on samplers for the rest of my stitching life! The backstitch was so awful that I decided to miss a fair bit of the grass out. They were all fractional and part fractional through the aida weave. Yack! Anyway, I missed the Tibs out - I am presuming this is a little bird and just stitched the cat. Cute. Just need to add initials and location and this will be sent off to Love Quilts for an Any Child square. Please do take a look at this wonderful charity and think about stitching a square or two for it. They have this charity in several countries now I think.


And finally....... I finished the joining and the border for my Woodland Blanket which I have since given to my husband as a gift. He actually really loves it! 









Just a reminder about the colours I used..... plus black for the joining. I did a double V border around it. Nothing frilly. It's a man's blanket. 

What do you think? Starting with the gold colour at the bottom and going clockwise we have the following:

Gold
Mocha
Camel
Teal
Petrol
Grey
Parchment
Cream
Stone
Copper
Spice

And as if that wasn't enough this month, I even made myself an Artfully Simple Infinity Cowl which you can find on the Moogly blog. Wow this was a treat to make and wear. I wore it all day yesterday and I think the little button tie finishes it off perfectly. Instructions for both the cowl and tie can be found on the blog with links to Youtube tutes. I used King Cole Riot DK for mine using a 6mm hook. I am thinking of making another one with some lovely hand dyed yarn I bought a while back.



I also tried my hand at some paper cutting this month as well. My dear friend bought me a beginners set from Paper Panda and I had a go at it. It is quite hard and my hand hurt after a while. I managed to do the hedgehog quite well but then I tried to do this swirly design and it doesn't look quite so good. I guess there is a knack to getting those curved lines right. 



I also pulled out an older design called Tranquility which I got from my very first stitching meet up back in the old days of Jane's Attic. What fun memories this brought back. This design is by LoopyLou designs and I decided it was time to get this baby finished so this is going to form part of my April goals. I think I started it in 2008. Shame on me. It looks much more stunning in real life as usual. 


I don't think my dove's eyes are right. I think I need to pull them out and do them again. Doh! 


Speaking of which...

April Goals:

 Get one page finished on A Quaker Christmas
Get the rows finished on Tranquility
Stitch up the next CCN ornie

Quite a crafty month I think. I do believe these monthly goals are working out quite well for me. 

Seeing as it is April, I thought I would end with a happy April the cat picture. Have you ever seen a happier cat? Look at that smile!



Have a good Easter folks. I'll be back soon. 



26 comments:

Marilyn said...

All great finishes.
Love the colors in the man blanket.
You've been busy!
Cute kitty also.
Marilyn

Christine said...

Fabulous stitching and crochet Hazel. I love the colours in the blanket. I've recently got into paper cutting too. The curvy bits get easier with practice

CJ said...

Lovely update Hazel. You had a very busy March. All of your stitching is beautiful and I love the blanket you made for hubby. I was transfixed looking at all the squares, there are no two alike. Love it!!

CJ

Jackie's Stitches said...

Congratulations on meeting your goals! I particularly love the sampler (the colors and that boat!) and the crocheted afghan. Love the colors you chose, the bright pop of color is just perfect!

VeggieMummy said...

Wow ! What a busy month you've had. Beautiful makes and, indeed, that is one very happy cat! Happy Easter. x

Vickie said...

Good for you! The Sublime Thought is fantastic.
A Blessed Easter to you all!

Irene said...

i tuoi ricami sono bellissimi, e la coperta favolosa

Linda said...

Congrats on all of the amazingly gorgeous finishes this month Hazel.

Linda

Mrs Milkybar Kid said...

Congratulations on reaching your goals Hazel! I particularly love your Elizabeth sampler and your blanket and cowl are just gorgeous - I'm constantly in awe of knitters and crocheters!

Raggedystitcher said...

Fabulous finishes! You have been quite the busy bee! Everything came out beautiful Hazel!!
Xx

Tina said...

What a busy month march was for you,love hubby's blanket and the crochet cowl neck is lovely too.

Nice wip on the go,love your finished sampler,cant wait to see it on your wall,

See you soon�� xx

Margaret said...

Wow! So many beautiful finishes! I love Elizabeth Lillie especially! I enjoyed this post -- so much eye candy to appreciate!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh my you have been busy...I'm sorry you aren't enjoying Nikki's ornaments. I believe when she called them "classic" she meant in the colorway (red/green) not in the "classic" way that you took it. I've stitched the whole series and they are all darling, but not what you were expecting. . . The sampler series on the other hand...yep that probably is what you were expecting and I've stitched all of those and they are classic as in what you were thinking. Sorry about that...you know you can always e-mail and ask them what their take on a "series" is. You have been very busy and I adore that scarf! Paper cutting...I've never tried that, but it looks like it would be a fun time!

Julie said...

Lots of lovely crafting happening at your home Hazel. The loopylou is a nice design and hubbys blanket turned out beautiful, nice colour choices.
Blessings to you this Eastertime.

Andrea said...

Congratulations on completing your goals. Some wonderful finishes. Cute cat. :)

laydilyke said...

Love the granny colours. Great stitch work. Happy Easter

Annette-California said...

Congratulations on meeting your goals. WOW! A very loud "WOOHOO" Elizabeth Lillie is truly beautiful Hazel. I am so happy you finished her. I hope you did a victory lap around the house - lol! Woodland blanket is beautiful! I love it. My mom had made us many crocheted blankets that I cherish. Beautiful gift to your husband. Sweet Christmas & Spring kitty stitches too.
Have a blessed Easter!
love Annette

butterfly said...

What a great post.
You have so much talent .
Love all your stitching .
Lots of different crafts just wonderful.
Enjoy your Easter.

Annie said...

Wow, you HAVE been busy! I must say that I love the christmas ornament, and I'm very impressed with the sampler. You must have put in MANY hours on that one:))
Thank you for your kind comment on my blog:) Hope to see you there soon again:)
Happy Easter!
Annie
http://www.mylittlexstitchnook.blogspot.se/

Sparky said...

what a treat to see your lovely stitchings, brings smiles to my heart

Sheryl said...

Pleased to have found your blog. Beautiful stitching work on a wonderful sampler and such pretty crochet work. Better not even contemplate the cutting paper work because that would spark my interest too. Lovely post.

Margaret said...

Wow Hazel - you have been a busy girl.
Love all the beautiful things you have made. Your sampler is my favorite of this post. Aren't they wonderful to work on? O
Oh my - all those half and quarter stitches on your love quilt. All I can say is - it is a wonderful cause and the piece is adorable.

Brigitte said...

Wow, March was such a productive month for you. Your sampler finish is looking gorgeous. And that Woodland blanket so beautiful. I can see wny your husband loves this gift.
Good luck with your April goals as well.

Faith... said...

All your stitching is beautiful! Love the sampler and the elves! Gorgeous crocheting and those colors look awesome together.

Anonymous said...

Hello Hazel

Thank you for visiting my blog and becoming a follower and your nice comment.
Your blog is lovely - beautiful stitching and crochet too. Also cute hedgehog paper cutting!
Happy Wednesday x

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow! Wow! Wow! Look at all of the awesome stuff you've done!