Thursday 30 September 2021

Birthday thank you

As it's the final day of September I should post my birthday thank yous. It's been a different birthday this year, my birthday is the 10th and we were on holiday with our friends touring Scotland - catch up on our travels at Aimetu's - wine, food and travel (I've loads more to be blogged yet). 

I did take my cards away to open but left any gifts here until we came home. I was very lucky this year as DH gave me two cards .... we were half way to Scotland when he realised he'd left my card and gift safely hidden at home hee hee. I put my cards up in our guesthouse bedroom and when we arrived home after a day out the owner had left a bottle of bubbly for us. My friend's birthday is the day after mine so the chaps were on spoil duty our first few days away!

I have been enjoying our hot tub all summer, I think it helps with my MS but I know it helps me relax and lets the worries drift away. Hubby bought me this superb gift, it's just perfect, although no skinny dipping is allowed!


My sister-in-law gave me a lovely treat box from her, my nephew and mother-in-law. It's has mini bottles of bubbly, edible rose petals, edible glitter and sparkles for cocktail making, although I've been using them on my cakes, thanks Julie, Scott and Syb.


I love sloths, they could be me especially on a sofa day, slowly slowly moving round ... they are also so very very cute, like I said they could be me. Our friends bought these for me in Scotland, I love the expression on the sloth's face, thanks Rob & Kathy


My stitchy friend Christine sent me a gorgeous book by Durene Jones, I've only recently discovered this designer and have been stitching quite a few of her designs so this book was perfect, thank you Christine. 


Ed Balls was an MP and to be honest not one of my favourites; since leaving politics he's been on a few cooking shows and my opinion is changing. He is such a dedicated family man and his cooking is amazing. I'd mentioned I'd like his book as it's about his life as well as having recipes in ... my lovely son gave me this the night before we left for our holiday. I can't wait to try his souffle recipe, something I have never made before, thanks Michael.


My crafty friend in USA made me a beautiful wine table runner with coasters for a previous birthday, they are perfect for using under our gazebo. This year she made me a tea wallet, it holds six tea sachets which is perfect for taking on a mini break, thank you Deb.


My lovely friend Julie is always so thoughtful with her gift. The last few years have been quite difficult for her and although she only lives about half an hour away we have not been able to meet up for a long long time. I love the flower broach she has made and my friendship angel will be put on my project bag so with me all the time, thank you Julie.


Gill is a member of Needlecraft Haven (as are Christine, Deb and Julie) and does many crafts. Her art and card making is beautiful. This year she has stitched me a wine card, so so me. I'm thinking what I might use this for, I love covering box lids but I don't need a wine box so for now it will stand in our display unit with all my wine paraphernalia until inspiration hits, thank you Gill


My Mum's gift included a snifter set. It's not something I have seen before but it's a little bottle of gin liqueur and an empty mini jar to make a small cocktail in ... a new idea but looks fun, thanks Mum.


To accompany my hot tub sign Hubby also gave me two signs for the wall under our gazebo, our entertaining area. I do know a little about cocktails as our son has worked in the hospitality trade for over 10 years and is well known for his super cocktail making. The shots are new to me ... it will be fun making a few, maybe they will be a more warming as the winter approaches than a long cocktail, huge thank Nick



I had a lovely day when we were away, a super meal with Hubby and our son when we came home, and later today our daughter Philippa and partner Michael are here for another celebration so as I said it's been a different birthday this year .... I'm just so grateful to still be here to celebrate one! 

Sunday 26 September 2021

September Smalls

 


Mary at 
Mary's Thread hosts the Smalls SAL. On the last Friday of the month we share our small stitching items that we have completed but not necessarily fully finished. Mary has a link up post on her blog so we can pop over to see everyone's work. 

I'm a little late as I've been busy baking cakes for Macmillan Coffee Morning. The actual morning was Friday but I've pledged a few large cakes for individual donations which I'm delivering over the next few days. 

Anyway my Smalls this month are my Jardin Prive 12 Days piece for September, nine ladies dancing and my Happy New Year for the Topsy Turvy SAL.


I think this is my favourite so far in this set, it has everything in it: flowers, sun, nature and the joy of dancing. Whilst on holiday I saw the perfect tin for my 12 Days ornaments, it has toffees and fudge in but I bought it for the tin ... I guess I'll have to eat the sweets to empty the tin hee hee


The first month of Topsy Turvy SAL was New Year; this SAL is on Facebook, here in Blogland a d on Needlecraft Haven so you can join in anywhere, any month. Posting is 20th of each month and this month the Facebook page has five participants so far ... all different and not all stitching. 

My piece was cross stitch, I took it on our holiday to Scotland and managed to get the gold wording stitched. If you would like to read about our travels I'll be blogging on Aimetu's - wine, food and travel, it will take me a while to blog about it all so keep popping back.

Thank you to everyone who joined in TTSAL this month, next month is Valentine's. 


Monday 20 September 2021

Topsy Turvy September - Happy New Year

 


I'm very excited as today it the opening day for the first Topsy Turvy SAL album - Happy New Year Sept 21

You can join the TT SAL on Facebook, post about your stitching on your own blog or join in with the members of Needlecraft Haven.

I took my stitching away on our holiday to Scotland, although I did not get very much done (too much to see, too much whisky to drink). The fabric I used was in my stash so I'm not sure where it came from. I chose it because it was stiff and easy to work on free hand. 

I decided to stitch the free chart from Cottage Needlecrafts and I'm hoping to finish it as a flat ornament.


I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's Topsy Turvy stitching, it won't be long before we start our next theme, where does the time go!

Thursday 16 September 2021

Gifted Gorgeousness in September

 


The 15th of each month means it's Gifted Gorgeousness time, and although I'm a day late it's time to share my latest gifts. These can be gifts given or received, or any item made using fabric, threads, buttons, ribbon, chart, backing fabric that has been gifted.

This great idea is hosted each month by the lovely Jo at Serendipitous Stitching,  if you visit her blog you'll find the links to everyone's Gifted Gorgeousness posts. 

My first GG is Needlecraft Haven's Summer Exchange. For this we had to stitch a mini pillow for our partner. The theme was 'something to make you smile'. I received a gorgeous mini pillow from Melanie, the design was just perfect for me.

I also received a skein of thread and an owl card, a lovely gift, thank you Melanie 



I stitched for Mary in France, because of the current restrictions it was easier to send my pillow unmade. I enclosed some fabric and a choice of ribbon for finishing. It all fitted neatly in an envelope so it wasn't classed as a parcel. 

This is Mary's photo, I think she plans on using the red ribbon. 


My final GG was a special wedding gift. Our daughter's best friend got married in early September, our daughter was one of the bridesmaids. The happy couple spend a lot of time surfing so I knew this was perfect when I saw it. 

The design is 'Let's Marry By The Sea' by Ursula Michael, I didn't do all the design, just the flip flops and lettering. I know our daughter's friend loved it, I'm hoping to have a wedding photo to share soon.


We are currently on holiday in Scotland which is why I'm a little late. We will be home in time for the first Topsy Turvy SAL Gallery ... how is your New Year crafting going? 

Friday 10 September 2021

Fully Finished Objects - September

 


Rachel, Ten Hour Stitcher, hosts Fully Finished Objects for us to show and tell about the crafty items we have completely finished. These are the pieces I finished in time for this month's check in. 

I have caught up with my 12 Days of Christmas. I've completed both my Jardin Prive and Plum Street Sampler pieces for July and August. 





I just managed to complete them before we came away on holiday. We're on holiday with friends in Scotland, extra special today was my birthday.






Wednesday 1 September 2021

Topsy Turvy SAL - off we go

 We're off - TT21 is starting with September stitching about 'New Year' 

I have started a group on Facebook - open to all if you'd like to join in.

I have found a few freebie designs online - you'll need to change the year as some are a while ago ... amazing how time flies. 

Here are my finds: 

Happy New Year

Cottage Needlecrafts

Crafttown

Cross-stitching biz


The photo is an ornament I finished in 2015 as part of Needlecraft Haven's Challenge - Gazette94


Happy New Year stitching 🤗