Thursday 14 January 2016

Ready, steady, go

As I said in my first 2016 post I have joined Mabel Figworthy's Round In Circles SAL. I can do hardanger but am self taught so I want to have a go at doing it properly. That being said I have treated myself to new needles - a packet of each size needed.

I was such a lucky lady at Christmas to receive a beautiful beaded needlecase made by Lindsay and from herself, Julie, Angi and Gill. It's now the keeper of my old but much loved needles which I'll still be using in my other projects. Quite a few years ago Moll, a lovely lady from Norway, stitched me a beautiful needlecase and I am using this for my new needles. I am using a side per needle number so I know which size is which.

My new needles, beautiful beaded case for my old
favourites and needlecase for my new ones
Size 22 on the first page
Size 24 on the left and size 26 on the right
Size 28 on the last page
Quite organised aren't I - I hope it lasts. Although I bought new needles and the lovely Mel is no longer doing Stitch from Stash, I do want to use up more of my thread and fabric again this year. I have plenty of white perle but did struggle to find matching light and dark in sizes 5 and 8. I have chosen a dark pink (part used skein) and a light pink in perle 5 and a varigated pink in perle 8 - hopefully it will look ok. I'm working on 22 count hardanger in white.

Fabric and thread ready to go 
I have another finish too - that's three this month already. A while ago I was luckily chosen by Gillie for her giveaway - Earth Sampler by The Primitive Needle. I started it then paused a while as other stuff needed doing. Anyway I picked it up this weekend to stitch along with the members of Needlework Haven to do some UFO work and I've finished it :) I'm just waiting for the frame to arrive now to finish it completely.

Chart from Gillie's giveaway
My finished stitching (it's on white although looks blue)
I'm going to return the gesture and offer the chart as a giveaway - please put a 'smiley face' (just the symbols will be fine if you can't do the little image) along with your comment and I'll include you in the draw which will take place on Friday 22nd January - if you are new to my blog through hearing about the giveaway I hope you've enjoyed reading and that you'll visit again soon.

Finally something special - I'm (and my blog) the feature in February's Cross Stitch Collection magazine - you'll see me on page five :) I'm not sharing a photo of the page as it's unfair on the magazine publishers and with many online sources magazines have a difficult selling job - I will say they are getting expensive though. Anyway I will be sharing the page sometime soon - I was very honoured to be chosen, it certainly made me smile.

It is with sadness that as I write this blog the news has broken that Alan Rickman has passed away, aged 69, from cancer. Sad news just a few days ago as well that David Bowie had also passed away. Both people who have been part of my life in different ways and who's talent will be missed but who have left great memories behind for us all to share. I have a particular soft spot for Professor Snape.


Thank you for calling by, I hope your 2016 stitching and crafting has begun with a flourish, happy stitching.

16 comments:

  1. I am loving the color choice that you did for the new project!!
    And here we go... :D :) ☺ ☻ I think that covers it, wait no.... ;)

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  2. Great finish Clare, and your colour choices for the Hardanger are very pretty

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  3. Hardanger has always fascinated me so I shall watch this with interest. The earth sampler is a lovely finish. Happy stitching in 2016 too

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  4. I don't think I've ever seen pink hardanger! Why not? Your Earth sampler is very pretty. Looking forward to reading about you in CSC.
    Very sad about Alan Rickman. One of my favourite actors.

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  5. Clare, I love the pinks that you choose. I am still thinking of joining, but am not sure if it is too late. I did hardanger only once years ago and enjoyed it, and have loved the projects that Dusty has shared on NCH. :)
    Deb

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  6. Love the pink you chose for your hardanger project... can't wait to see it develop.
    Your finish is lovely... well done on a great start to 2016 :o)
    I heard last night just as we were going to bed about dear Alan Rickman.... I am so sadden by the news - he was a wonderful actor :o( It has been a very sad week with David Bowie also departing our world :o(
    I think it might be a Labyrinth and Love Actually kind of weekend!!
    Hugs xx

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  7. Beautiful needlecases, Clare.
    I like your colour choices for the Hardanger SAL.

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  8. Nice choice of colour and thread for the hardanger SAL.
    Pretty needlecase to hold your collection for the new SAL
    Super finish of the Earth Sampler
    Better see if I can find a copy of the CSC

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  9. Gorgeous colours. I've never tried hardanger..looking forwards to seeing it!

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  10. The needlebook is lovely, such a nice present and so useful too!
    The Earth Sampler looks great too :-)
    It was nice to see you in the magazine this month, they have chosen so many of my friends, I look forward to the article every month!

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  11. Lovely finish Clare. Look forward to your Hardanger start.

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  12. It feels so nice to get some of our stitching supplies organized in the New Year! Good luck with your hardanger SAL. I think you'll gain confidence and pick up a few tricks during the year!

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  13. The needlebook is lovely and I am of course biased about the needle case :)
    Love, love, love Earth Sampler :)

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  14. Earth Sampler is lovely and the hardanger project very interesting. xxx AmitiƩs

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  15. This little needle case is so lovely and I have no doubt that you will keep your needles well organized using it.
    Great that you could finish Earth Sampler and I'm very curious to see what frame you chose for it.
    Those pink threads and beads look gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing your start with these threads.

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  16. Both of your needle keepers are pretty! That is a good way to stay organized for your Hardanger works! And in pink--my fave! I have loved loved loved Earth Sampler... you have a beautiful finish there! Look forward to seeing the framed finish! :) ;) :)

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