Philly's Birthday

Yesterday was Philly's 19th birthday - it's too far to visit her at Uni in a day so we meet in Gloucester for a few hours. It's about half way; Philly travelled by train and we drove down.

I had baked some cupcakes and a chocolate Guinness cake. I bought some cake boxes from Tesco and a small shopping bag for her to put all her gifts in - I liked the bag so much I'm thinking of buying one for myself now :-)

Philly's Cupcakes

Philly's bag

We had a great meal in Gloucester - Philly loved her gifts. She also had a good time doing a bit 'more' retail therapy as you can see from all her bags.

Philly and me outside Gloucester cathedral

All too quickly she had to get the train back but had a wonderful surprise when she got back to Uni - her flatmates had cooked and iced her a birthday cake - they are a lovely bunch :-)

I settled on the sofa and did a little more on my LHN A Place We Call Home

A Place We Call Home

It's half term this week which feels good; I have a few jobs to do at Dad's and we're popping to France next weekend so it won't be much of a rest, still very very enjoyable though.

Thanks for popping by, see you again soon x x x

Happy Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day as it's when DH proposed - 27 years ago today :)

 

I did two exchanges this year - a secret one with Needlecraft Haven and a private one with Parsley.

 

Here's the gorgeous ornament I received from my secret stitcher and the lovely gifts too .

 

Love Bug ornament

Valentine's Gifts

 

This is the ornament I stitched for Parsley and the beautiful one I received.

 

Wee Bird for Parsley

Love Tree

My February mantle was looking a little bare but now I have opened my Valentine's gifts and hubby and I have exchanged cards it's looking a little more romantic.

 

Valentine's Mantle

Wishing you all a very happy Valentine's Day - love and wishes to you all x x x

Stitching catch up

I haven't posted for a while as I've been busy stitching - two Valentine's exchange pieces which I can't share but I can share these :)

The Drawn Thread - February

A gift for Philly as it's her birthday month

I have been working on my LHN A Place We Call Home although I didn't make it to the Parlour on Needlecraft Haven this week, sorry Barb and my Parlour friends.

A Place We Call Home

I have my mantle for February - hubby bought me a gorgeous vase with a red rose plant which looks lovely with my Drawn Thread and my iced crystal candle holders. After opening day I will also have some exchange peices to add.

February Mantle

We've had a lovely weekend away as our Chrstmas present to each other - it's all in my Aimetu blog. Before we went hubby had bought me some daffodils - it was an amazing sight to arrive home to.

Daffodils

Thanks for calling by - I know I don't blog very often, something I hope will change from the summer as I am retiring from work - whoo hoo.

Snow time = stitching time

We've had snow since Friday - in fact school was closed 10.30am on Friday so we could all get home.Yesterday DH and I walked into town to do a little shopping, it was very picturesque but I was very glad I had my wellies on.

Today we have had constant snow since 7am - we should have been going to The France Show in London to enjoy a day of francais living and hopefully book some good deals on P&O ferries or My Ferry Link. Unfortunately the weather has beaten us which is very disappointing as we have paid for our tickets already and booked a wine tasting seminar.

So instead I have been sorting a few more of Dad's papers - some are easy, they go straight in the shredder or recycling; some make me smile; and others make me pause and think a while.

I have been doing a few bits of stitching but there is only one piece I can share here as the other pieces are for gifts - although two of the gifts are for people who are not members of Needlecraft Haven (yes really hee hee) so I will be sharing on the forum.

Anyway here is my progress on A Place We Call Home which I didn't do on Wednesday in the Parlour but did a little yesterday.

Please stay warm and safe if you have any snow - happy stitching x x x

2013 first finish

I decided to theme my mantle every month or so as I have many lovely things and would like to display them now and then. This month's theme is a tenuous link to France as we are doing a few french things this month. France means wine so I have my Partylite iced crystal trio out as they look like wine gasses, especially when the candles melt. My gorgeous Winter Exchange from Fee is also on show.

I spotted The Drawn Thread pocket calendar charts which I thought would fit the mantle perfect. I have already finished January (good job really) and have the February chart ready to go. I need to find a mini easel now to display them on.

January

January Mantle

Now it's time to start some other peices and tomorrow night is Parlour night on NH :)

2013 - a new year

Happy New Year to everyone - I wish you and your loved ones much love for 2013.

 

DH and I enjoyed a few days in Liverpool - I'lbe blogging about it on my other blog Aimetu's  in the next few days - we had a lovely time.

 

I have been busy stitching too - I've started a Drawn Thread piece but amnot going to say what it is just yet. Here's my progress so far.

 

 

It's been very busy on Needlecraft Haven - we've had our Winter Exchange Opening Day. Unfortunately one member has yet to receive her parcel - hopefully it is just a little late with the Christmas post. I can't reveal the gift I sent as my partner hasn't posted on the forum but I can show the beautiful pillow I received from Fee.

 

 

The Christmas Competition on the forum is now closed and I must draw the winner. This year we have a Reading RR and our first exchange of the year is for Valentine's. It is certainly a busy place - I can't believe it's been two years since I started it. A huge thank you to all NH members for making it a joy to run.

 

So to close my New Year blog here's my final orts jar - I am amazed at how full it is this year; maybe 2013 will be even fuller :)

 

 



Season's Thank Yous

We had a quiet Christmas with MIL and her partner. I actually did quite a lot of stitching on a new piece that is just for me. It's growing fast so hopefully soon I'll be able to be HDing.

I had some wonderful gifts - huge thanks to all my friends, you all know me so well.

Santa left Philly's stocking on the hearth with her two final pressies - Vanilla Smirnoff and Armanti perfume

Philly's Stocking

I took part in Stitched with Love Exchanges Christmas Exchange and June was my partner. I had some lovely items in my parcel; Christmas serviettes which we used at dinner; Christmas tissues; Christmas plaque; thread;  fabric; chocolates; 'A very merry winter' chart and a gorgeous stitched cushion - thank you June.

My snowman loves my new cushion from June

 These are the gifts I sent to June; I stitched a bookmark for her. The exchange details said she likes snowmen and gingerbread men so I stitched both on it :) and tried to match all the gifts to those themes too.

Christmas Gifts for June

It's a busy time now at Needlecraft Haven - it's opening day for the Winter Exchange on 31st December and the birthday thread starts 1st January. There's also the Christmas Competition to draw and lots of activities starting in the New Year.

Wishing all my friends a very Happy New Year - hopefully 2013 will be good for everyone x x x x