Stitch from Stash May

I can't believe it's the end of May - the time has flown, especially the last week or so. I have lots to blog so will blog on Aimetu's Stitching and Aimetu's today - this blog is purely for Stitch from Stash and my stitching ... so here's my update:

Charts

• Hearts Full of Love - Lynn's chart sent with RR
• Meet Up Exchange
• Summer Exchange
• French Country - Amour
• Monthly Challenge -- free chart The Little Stitcher

Fabric

• 28ct antique white
• 32ct ecru

Thread

• DMC colours as required for charts
• Weeks Dye Works as required for charts

Finishing

• backing fabric Summer Exchange
• ribbon Summer Exchange
• Christmas fabric Monthly Challenge
• gold ribbon Monthly Challenge

Additions to Stash

• seaside ribbon 25p (one metre)
• owl ribbon 25p (one metre)
• flag ribbon 25p (one metre)
• heart ribbon 90p (one roll)
• Paris fabric £2.75 (fat quarter)
• pink fabric £1.25 (fat quarter)
• plastic coaster Meet Up Exchange (£1.69)

Total spent £7.34

My section on Lynn's RR

Lynn's RR so far

May Monthly Challenge

My Travel Project kitted up

Santa's House - completed
(minus the white)

Ribbons bought for stash

CCN Monthly charts
prize from Stitch from Stash

I can't share some of this months photos just yet but I will do soon. Thank you for calling by to see this month's Stitch from Stash - even though I did spend a little hee hee

RR, Wales, Museum and a surprise

A third of the way through May already - this year is certainly flying by. The weather here in the UK has been mixed the last few weeks - we've had some glorious sunny spells but then some really heavy downpours, usually when I'm walking Ruby.

I have been quite busy - as always - and have finally finished my part of Needlecraft Haven Welcome Round Robin 2014. I was working on Lynn's piece this time which is Hearts Full of Love by Jeremiah Junction. I stitched the banister and two quilts.

My section on Lynn's RR

Lynn's overall

 Nick and I went to the caravan for the May Bank Holiday weekend, it was surprisingly quiet, in fact we have noticed quite a few of our neighbours have not been around much this year.

 

We took Ruby for a walk over the new Dysynni bridge - a bit breezy but lovely and sunny.

 

New Bridge

The railway bridge through the railings

Bluebell wood

Are you looking at me?

Nick and Ruby

We are back again at the end of May but this time without Ruby as we're are then going straight to South Wales to see Philippa. The Queen's Baton for the Commonwealth Games is travelling through Wales and on the 25th May Philippa will be one of the Baton Bearers -w e are so proud of her. The Baton has arrived in the UK in Jersey - here's the link to my other blog which has a piece about when the announcement was made http://aimetus.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/commonwealth-day-queens-baton-relay.html

 

Last weekend was the Open Day for Nuneaton North Scouts to celebrate their 100th birthday - another link to my other blog with some old photos http://aimetus.blogspot.co.uk/2014_01_01_archive.html

 

I helped set up a museum at their Headquarters with some of my Dad's old photos and documents from when the group had it's original name of 1st Ansley Hall - a few people who came were actually young lads in these photos dating back to the 1950s. he museum will be left up for a couple of months before we put all the papers and photos into folders and store them for the future.

 

1950s photos

1960s and 1970s - you can watch me grow
up through these photos

The banner with drawings on was a Beaver Scout Challenge
in 1996 when I was Beaver Leader - it travelled the world
as the challenge was for it to travel the most miles

Uniforms

It's been great fun setting this up but also very sad that Dad isn't here to help - frustrating too as he's know all about who is in which photo and when it was taken, whereas we've all been playing detective and piecing together old memories.

And so to the surprise ... which happened just this morning. Mel from Epic Stitching and wonderful host of Stitch from Stash sent this email:

Missy who won one of the sets of all 12 months of Cottages by Little House Needleworks has graciously let me know that she already has them all! 

And therefore that another name can be drawn. 

Thanks so much Missy!! 

 

So the "second" of the second winners for the Cottages is: 

Clare (Aimetu) from http://aimetu-clare.blogspot.co.uk

 

Thank you so much Missy - I am so pleased, especially as I was quite unwell this morning, you certainly brightened my day. And thank you to Mel for all your hard work running Stitch from Stash

 

Talking of Stitch from Stash I have been buying so for the first time this year I have spent some money !! but not a lot :-)

 

I went to Kisko (a fabric warehouse) with my Mum and bought some material for a sewing  project which isn't in SFS but I did get distracted and bought some ribbon and new fabric for a stitching project - total spend £5.65

 

Prices £1.25, £0.90 & £2.75

Ribbons were 25p each (1 metre each)

I have been stitching the Meet Up exchange - all from stash apart from the finishing item so I need to add another £1.69 to this months amount. I have also kitted up the Needlecraft Haven Summer Exchange all from stash, and the Monthly Christmas Challenge is ready to go, again all from stash.

 

I have kitted up all the other items using my stash that I need for my new project using those gorgeous new fabrics - hopefully I can share the finished item next time.

Ready to go

Thank you for visiting - happy stitching to you all x x

 

 

May Day

May Day is the traditional end of winter and start of summer - Traditional English May Day celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen and dancing around a Maypole.

 

Another special day so yes I'm making a May Day dinner - there is very little about a May Day menu other than milk based puddings were often made. Here's my May Day menu:

 

boiled ham

mashed potatoes

homemade chutney

green salad

 

trifle

 

elderflower cocktail

 

Spring flowers feature in May Day celebrations too, usually as a garland worn by the May Queen.

 

Now it's a new month I can reveal my Monthly Christmas Challenge on Needlecraft Haven. This month Christine chose a lovely design from Maurismom and is a beautiful tree design using buttons - I added a red button to the top to link in with my felt backing.

 

April Monthly Challenge

 I am working away on September from The Drawn Thread - I have put May out but as yet have not decided what else to put on the mantle for this month. I need to make up June, July and August too so they are ready.

 

May - The Drawn Thread

Earlier this year Bev won my Blogoversary giveaway - Bev lives the other side of the world to me and her parcel took ages to travel - I think it was doing a bit of backpack touring on the way. It has now safely arrived - here's the goodie parcel I sent (all from my stash to keep my on my zero spend)

 

Bev's Giveaway Goodies

Our garden is slowly coming into bloom and my orchids inside are all in flower - I love these plants and they seem to be quite happy in our conservatory as they are nearly always in bloom and one has even had a 'baby'

 

 

The photos are a little blurry as I used my iphone - I gave up using my small camera because my hands are not stable due to my MS and I always end up with camera shake. However last Saturday Hubby and I had a trip to Leicester and he treated me to a new small camera which I tried in the shop with no shake :) we're going to our caravan this weekend and my camera will be coming too for it's 'trail' run.

We had great fun in Leicester, going by train was a change which meant we could enjoy a lovely glass of bubbly in The Case Champagne Bar, and scones with cream in Patisserie Valerie.

Champagne at The Case

In Patisserie Valerie

I just love this poster on their wall -
 a pair of garters with every bottle !!

As I said we're off to Wales - Hubby has a new car so it will be good to take it on a run. We have decided we don't want Ruby harnessed on the back seat of the new car (she has worked out how to step out of it and even with a full cover the seat is left so hairy). So we've bought a new 'kennel' for in the boot - she cannot be free as she climbs over. The photo was taken with the side windows down but they roll up so she can see through the mesh, the front rolls down and she is zipped in. We've taken her on a short run and she seems quite happy, I just need to get some cording to use as anchor ties - maybe there is some in my stash haha.

It's quite nice Mum, thank you

Easter Saturday was our lastest wine tasting for the Scout 100 Challenge - all the fun is in my other blog Aimetu's - pop along to have a read.

This month's stitching includes: May Monthly Challenge (another great design), Lynn's RR, September The Drawn Thread, Santa's House, Summer Exchange and Meet Up Exchange on Needlecraft Haven and a small surprise - looks like a busy month.

Thanks for reading my latest news - please add your thoughts as I love to read them.

Stitch from Stash April

I haven't stitched quite so much this month - I have been a little unwell and missed a while but I am much better now and my needle is once again stitching !!

My spend this month is again ZERO - I am really enjoying the challenge of using all my bits and bobs.

Charts

• The Drawn Thread September - previously purchased
• Monthly challenge - free chart from Mausimom
• Gift - The Drawn Thread forget me not scissor keep (for Gill) free chart
• Santa's House (already purchased)
• Easter Egg - design from cross stitch book '2001 cross stich designs'
• Easter Rabbit for card - chart in old magazine

Fabric

• 28 count ecru
• 28 count cream
• perforated paper

Thread

• DMC colours as required for charts
• Variegated DMC 69

 

Finishing

• Green ribbon
• Card
• Felt red and cream
• Sewing backing fabric
• Cream cording

 

Additions to Stash 

Little House Needleworks Sheep Virtue series - gifted by my very generous friend Barb

• Patience
• Wisdom
• Simplicity
• Kindness
• Friendship
• Joyfulness
• Gratitude

Here are my finishes for April:

Easter card and Egg ornament for Alison
Needlecraft Haven Easter Exchange

The Drawn Thread Forget Me Not scissor keep for Gill
the scissor were also in my stash

My own design - a thank you for Barb for the charts
Barb looks after The Parlour at Needlecraft Haven

I have finished the stitching on my UFO
Angel Blessings - 2012 Round Robin

I started September - The Drawn Thread

A little more on Santa's House

I have also completed the April Monthly Challenge - Needlecraft Haven - but I can't share the photo just yet, that will be in my next blog.

Looking at the photos I still did a fair bit of stitching - hopefully a fair bit more in May.

Easter Blessings & Blog Hop

Happy Easter to you and all your family :)

I am taking part in Jo's Treasure Hunt Blog Hop this Easter - pop along to her blog to start hunting and hopping.

My Easter photo is April in the Drawn Thread calendar series

My letter is .......   O

Hop hop to now visit http://refreshedintent.blogspot.co.uk/ 

So my Easter news - it's a mixed day today as it's two years since Dad passed away - I've had a difficult two weeks both with my health and losing a close friend, but hopefully Easter weekend will be a turning point. We always took Dad away at Easter, when the children were younger to various parts of the UK and in later years to the caravan.



Easter Sunday outside the pub inn Wales
with a glass of whisky



I have been stitching but not much - I made a small ornament for Barb who looks after the Parlour at Needlecraft Haven. She kindly forwarded some charts to me so this was a little thank you gift by return (and yes I did keep to Stitch from Stash)

The parlour for Barb

And I have a HD - it's been a while but my Round Robin from 2012 is finally finished - thanks to Julie and Mr Stick for the weekend encouragement and to Dusty, Lynn, Tina, Jaclyn and Julie for your stitching on my RR.

Angle blessings
(a quick photo - it needs an iron and maybe a wash)

I have put together our Easter mantle, although I know there will be more to add. The branch from my Nan's tree is still ok from a year in the shed and we've already had three lovely cards.

Easter Mantle

The garden is also starting to bloom - the pixie clematis always flowers for Easter no matter when it falls. My herb pot is coming back to life so long a Ruby stops pinching the herbs :)

Pixie clematis

Herbs

I used some rosemary in our lamb dinner last night -  lamb for Passover and to accompany it the lovely Trivento Malbec as yesterday was World Malbec Day

Lamb dinner with Trivento Wine

I have started a new forum for wine lovers - similar to Needlecraft Haven but it's all about wine :) Cuvée Reserve is free to join - you just need a Yuku account :)

Have a great Easter - don't overdo the chocolate - thank you for hopping by !!


Two gifts

I can final share a couple of gifts I recently stitched. The first was for Marsha as a small thank you for John Foster.

I used a free online chart and all items were in my stash so still no spend on Stitch from Stash !!

Thank You gift for Marsha

My other gift was for a friend who I see regularly for coffee - last time she said 'you know you forgot my birthday' - I was mortified but as it wasn't in my diary I couldn't really be accused of forgetting, just not knowing.

To  make amends I quickly stitched this scissor keep - another freebie from The Drawn Thread and yes all the items were from my stash. The design was just perfect :)

Birthday gift for Gill

So far this month I have done very little stitching as my time has been organising and then blogging about our weekend in Oxford - you can read all about it in my other blog Aimetu's

Unfortunately my MS symptoms have reappeared. I did hope the double visit to my chiropractor would be the answer and although they really helped the numbness has not improved so Monday I started a short strong course of steroids. I really dislike taking them as they confuse my head, disrupt my sleep and general make me feel unwell; however they do work on my arms and legs. Hopefully by Easter I will be back to being me.

I picked this bunch up from our local Coop on Monday - reduced to £2.50 - what a bargain. They will last at least until the weekend if not longer as the lilies have plenty of buds still.

Just a short blog from me - thanks for reading my news :)

An exchange, a reveal, a treat and a WINNER !!

The weather here at the moment is beautiful - sunny days with the occasional shower (usually when I'm walking Ruby) but the garden is springing into life.

It was Opening Day yesterday for the first part of the Four Season's Exchange on Needlecraft Haven. This exchange happens for each season and members can sign up for as many as they like; all seasons, just one, or any two. There is no set finish but the design must be based on spring.

Alison was my partner, my parcel had arrived a few days ago so I had it hidden out of temptation until yesterday. Had I known the beautiful gift inside I would have had it open days ago - Alison stitched a beautiful blackwork pin cushion with beading - it's so intricate.

Blackwork pin cushion from Alison

My partner was Ursh who lives next door so my postie was Hubby early one morning on his way to work. I stitched a needleroll based on a Sweetheart Tree design. I changed the rose colours to yellow for spring.

Needleroll for Ursh

I like doing season themes; the summer exchange is now open for sign ups so that will be my next exchange - after the Easter one of course, but that is stitched ready to post.

The March Christmas Ornament Challenge has been revealed - this month Christine chose a snowman by Jura Point de Croix. It was a larger design and some stitchers chose to do it over one but I used 28 count. It is large but I didn't intend it to hang on the tree. The snowman gave me a little trouble for no reason but now he's done I love him.

March Christmas Challenge

Sunday was Mother's Day and we had quite a weekend. Philly came home from Uni on Friday night and Saturday we took both my Mum and stepdad and Hubby's Mum and partner out for lunch. Luckily Michael was off shift for the afternoon so we were a table of 8 - all the family together.

Sunday I was spoilt with Hubby buying me some beautiful tulips and a bottle of my favourite wine 'Sancerre'. Michael also bought me wine - a bottle of Wishbone sauvignon blanc - a new wine to me so that will be a great experience. Philippa bought me a beautiful engraved mirror for my handbag - it reads

When we're apart you're still in my heart. I love you always Mum x x x x

 

We popped into town and of course called into The Abbey as Michael was working - I insisted on a few selfies:

My gorgeous girl

Best bartender ever !!

 

My lovely Hubby Nick

My tulips from Hubby

 Back home Hubby made a lovely buffet which although it was a sunny day we decided to eat indoors. But not before we enjoyed the sun to taste and review a bottle of champagne I was sent by Tesco. I often get chosen to be one of their tasters - I must be getting it right, and it's quite an enjoyable task.

Michel Gonet Champagne

Stitching wise I am back on track with my rotation although I do have a small gift to get finished by Friday and another one to do as soon as possible. I have started September (The Drawn Thread) and tomorrow night is Santa's village. We are away this weekend but I will take my UFO Angel Blessings as there is not much to do - I might not do any as we're going to a wine tasting (bit of a recurring theme going on) but I'll be very annoyed if I get time and have not taken anything.

AND so to my Blogoversary giveaway - thank you to everyone who asked to be included - 14 bloggers in total, some well known acquaintances, some new friends who I hope will visit again.

All 14 went into the hat and the lucky lady is ...........

Bev C of Kainga Happenings out in Australia

I have yet to chose the items as they will be from my stash so I keep my no spend on Stitch from Stash but I'll be drawer, box and cupboard hunting in the next few days and sending a parcel to the other side of the world.

Thank you for calling by and sharing my news - happy stitching x x x