Sunday, April 19, 2015

April Showers...

....bring Puddles Of Love.





This is a new start I had this month. I just couldn't resist it when I saw it up on the wall of a needlework shop. It was so glittery and pretty and my dd will just love it. It isn't my usual thing but it is nice to do something different for a change. 

By way of other news, I spent a lovely weekend away with stitchy friends the other week. I went to their LNS and spent a few pennies....

I bought, 
Robin's Song - LHN Needleworks with the called for threads.

School of Needlework - LHN


And the Charlotte Bronte Sampler which I had to have after seeing the original at Hawarth.


I also had a few new starts. Hmmmmmm how did that happen? This is supposed to be a finishing year. No new starts!!! Ahhh well. I figured I have been doing so well on my goals each month that I could afford a few new starts. 

So, I started:

Peace - My Big Toe designs.
 I am stitching this on Cream Cashel and using Victorian Mottos threads (always a pleasure to work with)


I started:

January Anniversaries of the Heart - Blackbird Designs. I am stitching this on Vintage Country Mocha and using the called for threads.

'Scuse the dodgy fingers!

I started:

In the Meadow with Jane Austen - The Sampler Girl. I have had this kitted up ready for a while and so here it is. It is being stitched on a pale blue fabric but not sure which one it is. Very pretty though.



As for my April goals....

All met!

A Quaker Christmas - 2 pages done



CCN ornie - done. 



Tranquility - Loopylou Designs - Finished!!!!!! Happy dancing indeed. 







This project was started way back in 2008 as part of a Jane's Attic weekend away where the dear Lynda did a drawn thread workshop. I made a mistake on the Kloister blocks and never picked it up again. Well I decided last month to have another go at it and I am so glad I did. I wanted to get the rows complete for this month's goals but I decided I was enjoying it that much I just wanted to carry it on to completion. The pictures really don't do it justice as the beads and Kreinik give it much more sparkle than it is showing. I am now looking at other Louplou designs to begin. 

I would like to gift this chart to somebody who likes drawn thread work. It does require some concentration so would be suited to an intermediate stitcher. I can include the rest of the Dink Dyes Ocean Grove and Silk Serica for the Kloister blocks that I have left. There should be enough of it left. The rest of what is needed is a 3 DMC colours, Perle 12, beads and Kreinik. If you would like this chart, please say so in a post below. I would like it to go to one of my dear followers who would get some pleasure out of it. If there is more than one then I will do a drawing at the end of the month. 

Julie said my stitching mojo had definitely returned. I think I agree! I haven't decided on next months goals yet. I might have a goal free month. 

Although I began this post with April Showers, it has indeed been rather sunny here in the Peak District. I decided to go for a walk around our estate. It is so pretty in the sunshine. Hope you enjoy some pics of my hometown.






Another lovely thing this month is enjoying a Gingerbread Latte - Nescafe. Thank you Tina for introducing these to me. 


So that is the end of my Easter Hols. It is back to work and school tomorrow and so I might be quiet for a while. Take care all and happy stitching/crafting. 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

28 comments:

VeggieMummy said...

Wow - you have been incredibly busy. So many beautiful things to admire - and I can't believe that a 6 year old completed that sampler! Lovely family photos and a very yummy looking latte - must go and put the kettle on! Have a great week.x

Christine said...

Well done on your finishes. The LoopyLou piece is stunning (I'd love a chance to win the chart), and your new starts are all looking lovely too.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

A lovely mix of designs. The drawn thread work is so very pretty, I would have worked on it at one point but not at the moment - the simpler the better these days!

CalamityJr said...

What beautiful finishes! You deserve your new purchases and starts, I think.

Linda said...

Congrats on the gorgeous finishes Hazel. Awesome progress on the others. Great new starts and stash. Your neighborhood is amazing.

Linda

Blu said...

So much pretty stitching. Tranquility looks amazing! The colours are so fantastic! I would love a chance at the chart.

EvalinaMaria said...

Oh my, oh my! Lovely finishes, lovely starts, lovely stash and lovely neighborhood. Thank you for sharing beautiful photos. I usually say 'no' to giveaways (I'm working hard on de-stashing) but I can't resist yours. LoopyLou is gorgeous with all those beautiful stitches - please include my name in the draw.

stitcherw said...

Puddles looks like it would be very cute finished up, and fun to work on. Love your new stash and your different projects. I think my favorite is Quaker Christmas, the colors and motifs just pop on that one.

Vickie said...

Oh my!Quaker Garden is so wonderful. Tranquility is so gorgeous. As are your children.

Gillie said...

So pretty, love the colours but don't include me as I have two of her designs "waiting in the wings"! Love the spring walk in your neighbourhood too!

Cindy's Stitching said...

Some great piece you have worked on. All the photos are so nice.

Clare-Aimetu said...

Beautiful stitching Hazel, huge congratulations on your finish, your mojo is definitely returned :-)

Anonymous said...

Hello!
I love the Gorjuss designs and yours looks great.
Great new starts and lovely finishes. The hardanger piece is beautiful.
Some very nice stash too.
Happy Monday Hazel x

Julie said...

A bumper stitching filled Easter holiday, lots of lovely new things to watch grow over the coming months.
Loopylou looks wonderful, a great finish. I'll pass as I have a couple of Linda's charts in my stash box (they've been there forever!).

Margaret said...

Congratulations on your beautiful finish! Love seeing your WIP and your new stash too. Lovely pics of your town and your kids. Enjoy the spring weather!

Sherry said...

So many beautiful projects. I have been doing cross stitch for years but have slowed down to sew and embroider. I have been back at it lately and have been inspired by stitchers like you. The pulled thread projects is beautiful.

Justine said...

I love the Gor2jus designs and this is a lovely one. The fabric is so pretty! Gorgeous photos of all your other projects. I don't do needlework, just cross stitch, so please don't include me, but I enjoyed seeing your beautiful finish.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

What a great post, I thought I'd stumbled on Nia's blog when I saw the Gorjuss Girl! She stitched so many of them before she had her baby.
I couldn't believe all your starts as I scrolled down, are you sure you're not doing the One a Day Challenge?
And then I saw the Loopy Lou design and fell in love. I'm a big fan of band samplers and love those purples too.
So please put my name in the hat for this one. Thank you.

Annie said...

Wow, you certainly have been busy stitching! Everything looks great:)

*Wisher* said...

wow.. i love the drawn thread work.. is really beautiful and elegant looking.. congratulations on your many fininshes

Brigitte said...

Wow, some very lovely finishes and some great new starts. You really have different styles of WIPs and I love them all. I also love to have a bit of everything on the go so that I can pull out a project that is right after my mood. Enjoy your new and old projects and your new stash.

Andrea said...

Beautiful finishes and so many wonderful starts. Great photos of your neighbourhood too. Love the Loopylou design, gorgeous, very pretty colours. Please put my name in to the draw, thank you.

Raggedystitcher said...

Everything is just beautiful Hazel, and my your children are growing so fast! They are adorable!! Great to see your post ! ❤️

hazel c UK said...

Hi,
Some beautiful starts I especially like April Showers so pretty. Love the Bronte sampler. I stitched the Quaker Christmas last year in a rusty red with gold and grey words and numbers. Love the photo of your two children and so pleased to read you had a little break all Mums deserve that once in awhile.

Enjoy the day,
Hazel c uk

Stitchabilities said...

Oh I love the Gorjuss girls, I have one that I bought before I lost my stitching Mojo. Oh the Hardanger is gorjuss too lol
lots of lovely projects on the go ,reminds me I need to get my Quaker Christmas framed xx

Sally said...

You have been very busy Hazel. Lots of lovely finishes, starts and progress.

Karoline said...

Great progress on your projects and your new starts are lovely. The Loony Lou sampler is gorgeous

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

Gorgeous stitching :-D