Saturday 26 December 2009

** Time for stitching **

At last I have had time to just chill - and I have spent today sorting out my 2010 cross stitch projects - now that's what I call a good Boxing Day :)

So here are the things I'm doing next year:


I have decided to stitch ornaments they are vertically symmetrical (so if you put a mirror down the centre the image will be the same both sides. I have found some designs from World of Cross Stitching Xmas Cards booklet. I'm starting with the filigree designs and am using Maderia metallic thread 4022 & 4065. I'm using up my small bits of fabric and am using 28ct Quaker Cloth in white for my first few. I am doing this as part of the Christmas Design SAL

I have joined Chris' SAL and my chart pack arrived just before Chrismtas from Polstitches. I found some natural linen fabric in the attic stash which I think is 30ct (well it has too many holes for 28ct and not quite enough for 30ct) The floss came with the chart, it's Crescent Colours and I've used my floss ring for the first time to keep them tidy :)


I have also joined this SAL, you may have seem my first three ornaments although I have not finished them yet. I have not stitched Fa La La which is the first official ornament as my chart did not arrive from US. Hopefully it is in the Christmas post and will arrive soon. The next chart is on it's way so fingers crossed that arrives and I can get stitching. I have chosen 28ct Quaker Cloth in Natural to do these ornaments, hopefully I will have enough to do them all but if not then I'll just have to go shopping - won't that be a shame ;)

Stitch and Stash - 2010 Round Robin
I am organising this on the Stitch and Stash forum. There are 5 stitchers so far. I have decided to do another table topper and have spent a lovely afternoon browsing the internet for charts. I've decided on Lizzie Kate's Autumn, Spring, Summer and Winter Baskets, along with her Friends of all Seasons. I am using Zweigert 28ct Jubilee in Antique White and will be asking my fellow robins to use DMC floss. I have an idea of the layout but will make a final decision when the charts arrive.













My other project is the 2010 Weekly SAL on which I hope to finish my St George, and maybe the two Christmas designs I did not finish this year.

We had a lovely day yesterday with the family here for dinner, everyone loved their gifts and I was so lucky to have an iPod Touch from DH, DS and DD. They had even had the back engraved "Clare Hearnden - With Love Nick, Michael and Philippa x x " - it was such a special thing to do.
Thank you to all my friends for the lovely gifts, especially Julie, Karan and Brenda. I have loads of choccies which I will have to ration to keep on Slimming World - I lost another 1.5 pounds last week which means just 1 pound t go to my 2 stone - but I think Christmas will delay it a bit :)

Just a few photos to finish with - and to wish you all a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR
All of us at the bowling Christmas Eve












Ruby and her new toy
My chocolate cake and Michael's gingerbread house - yum yum.

Thursday 24 December 2009

Season's Greetings - God bless

Merry Christmas
to you all - I hope you all have a wonderful festive time.

I have not sent many cards this year but have instead added to my charity fund on Aimetu's Stitchery

We've had a wonderful Christmas Eve tea - homemade pizza and curly fries LOL and we are just off to Lakeside for a couple of games of bowling. Now Michael and Philippa are older we always go bowling Christmas Eve to start the festivities. Here's our Eve table; I'll take one tomorrow too - I love setting the table.
Tomorrow we have Dad, Mum and my step-dad here for dinner. All the gifts are ready and the food is waiting - I've even managed to cook Ruby some special biscuits.

I have also been stitching - I've done some work on Christmas Tidings which I am hoping to finish over the hols - although I also have to do some work on St George, plan my Round Robin, set up my Travelling Stitcher and sort out my ornament plans for next year's tree - it will be called Symmetry so all my ornaments will be virtically symmetrical :)

Have a wonderful festive time, love to you and your families, God bless.

Sunday 20 December 2009

Peaceful Sunday

I had a great day yesterday - we took dad to the church to see the trees and met Julie and her DH there too :) My mum and step dad were also there, as was my god-mother (dad's cousin) and another one of dad's cousins and her daughter. It was quite a family affair LOL. Julie always comes over - it's great to meet up and chat.

I have managed to do some of my Christmas Wishes stitching - first time in months LOL. But I have realised that it is stitching that gives me a headache in the morning - I think it is connected to my right shoulder and neck and is to do with the actual action of stitching. I am trying a hot wheat bag whilst I am stitching and am going to try some ibruprofen gel too. I'm seeing my specialist on Wednesday so will ask him if he has any ideas. I have thought this before and did at one time try to stitch left handed. I have joined 2010 Weekly SAL thanks to seeing it on Karan's blog. The UFO night on Stitch and Stash was really good but I couldn't always stitch on the nominated day so I thought this SAL would be better as it gives me a week to stitch - I'll be working on my St George.

Ruby is improving but it is very slow work. People who visit say she is getting better but there is still a way to go. I do however hear of other people's dogs and their habits which make Ruby seem like an angel LOL. So far she has ripped a stuffed reindeer and Friday she ate a bauble from the tree - glass one but DH said she crunched it up well. Yesterday she started eating the cotoneasta berries - I hope they are not posionous. I have baked her some doggie bisuits which look ok but I will not be eating them as they are tuna flavoured. All ingredients from my store cupboard with no colours or flavourings so she should be ok.

And what about Strictly I am so pleased for Chris - he certainly travelled the longest distance on the learning curve - a perfect pair - Congratulations Ola and Chris :)

So our perfect Sunday is hair cut day - our hairdresser is just doing dad then I'm the last one. Lunch is always at the pub in haircut Sunday - and then this afternoon is chillin' time - just a stroll with Ruby and then staying in nice and cosy :) I just need to wrap DH's pressies for tomorrow - birthday boy :)

Have a great weekend - I hope you are all sorted for Christmas, enjoy the festivities.

God bless, Merry Christmas to you all.

Monday 14 December 2009

Photos

I remembered the camera when we went to church on Sunday so here are some more photos of Miss-tree and the beautiful trees at St Lawrences.
Miss-tree
Miss-tree, Philly (DD) and me

Nick's mum, me and Philly
The church

Thanks to everyone who stitched an ornament - I'm just sorry you can't all see it in person, the scent alone is fantastic.
Merry Christmas




Thursday 10 December 2009

Miss-tree and dad

Long time no post - sorry, life has been a bit hectic. School is busy, Ruby is just Ruby and I am feeling a little tired. Anyway....

tonight we have been to church and put up Miss-tree. I forgot my camera but did manage to take a photo on my phone. We are back there Sunday so I will take the camera then. Thank you so much to everyone who sent an ornament - Maria's arrived yesterday and I need to take a close up photo at church. Thanks Maria it's gorgeous.


Last Monday was my dad's 83rd birthday and we took him to the Cross Keys Ghurka restaurant. It was a lovely meal and we had taken a small birthday cake which they brought out accompanied by birthday music. It was so funny when they brought out the knife to cut it - not a knife a splendid Ghurka sword. Again the photo is on my phone but as you can see dad was very happy.



A few weeks ago the Head of English and I took 12 students to the Town Hall to take part in a Public Speaking competition. This is quite a new thing for our school and not something our students would normally consider doing. They were absolutely brilliant and our Team B actually won :) we are soproud of them. The local press came to school this week to take some photos, and the write up is in tonight's paper.

I have a very busy weekend - we're out tomorrow with my school colleagues, Saturday we're at a friends for dinner and Sunday MIL is coming for Christmas dinner as they will be away for the festivities.

I have finished 'Peace' for the Little House Ornies SAL, it's a Country Cottage Needleworks design from Just Cross Stitch Christmas 2007. I've stitched it over one; this is my third over one ornament and I'm really enjoying it. I'm not sure what I'm going to pick to do next, if I get any time before Christmas.


I hope you are all ready for the festive season, happy stitching.