MY STITCHY RAMBLE

2005-02-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

A Newton I stitched back in 2003 for said RR a distant memory

17th - 20TH FEB

2005-02-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

17th – 20th Feb

So so busy with little bits of life little things that if go wrong get annoying

like yesterday went shopping 2 pair shoes, 1 pair pumps, 1 Tshirt bought in shop never got as far as car lost -- left in a shop by one of kids or hubby and oh yes they were mine so as I say days of annoyance oh why did I not carry them FMS weak arms so frustrating

I am preparing to do a show starting Thursday and so many little things are aggravating me biggest is an RR

OK if your here for a while get a coffee it is a ramble

Millions of years ago back in the year 2002 an RR Round robin was started on a yahoo group the original UKCSFanatics a Newton’s Law RR started well here we are in 2005 and I am the only member not to have mine home 2 ½ years later !!!!

Everyone else has there’s back months and months ago we had 2 drop out I even stiched for them I never missed a post out date nothing I put the RR first on my list and here I am with nothing the girls who have completed for me I have pictures now thinking this is all I will have

I contacted the girl who has my piece and expressed my feelings tonight to be honest life is life it gets in the way but I an so P*****D off now I don’t give a dam for more excuses I have said send the incomplete piece back on Monday so will have to wait and see I think I will cut the RR up and frame all bits stitched with love and care separate if it ever appears not distrusting the person who has it but had bad feeling ages ago I do hope I am wrong.

An RR is where a group of stitchers get together set a theme pick a fabric mark it into sections and it passes from one stitcher to another it a set time scale each stitcher stitches a design or a section of a design most RR’s go great but not this one it was doomed from day 1.

Right I shall stop moaning oh what the hell I’ll not I am not a happy bunny

11TH - 16TH FEB

2005-02-15T16:44:00.000-08:00

What has happened to my hobby this month ?????

In short life has taken over but as my life runs around my fab family and the stitching world so be it life is good !!!!

I am almost finished stitching my next design which I will make a freebie on the net but not got it charted as yet will probably be March before this is done.

I am absolutely gutted the block 3 for my Chatelaine Celtic quilt has been released and it is an Owl an absolutely beautiful design but all the same an owl the quilt is a mystery the remit said 4 trees, 4 healing herbs, 4 ornaments and 4 animals I assumed a birds would not be included thought I was playing it safe as thinking it would have said 4 birds not animals even still birds belong to the animal kingdom I do believe they are a group in there own right. I do not stitch birds I do not have birds in my home I was brought up to believe birds were a symbol of bad luck this may sound like a silly superstition but all the same I am really upset so will leave the square blank for the moment. I think I will mail the designer and ask if maybe she has something else I can buy to put in the square.
I normally avoid mysteries for this reason but did think I was safe.
I do not do elephants now with a Celtic theme please please wish me luck next animal cannot be an elephant !!!!!!!

TONIGHT
Happy news not stitchy tonight took my Son to his first live gig XFactor concert at Newcastle Arena he is 10 years old and every moment was worth a lottery win just watching his excitement before and his reaction at the concert were priceless – The guys from G4 were robbed !!!!!

Just had a glass of wine and feel good about life in which I know I am blessed

7TH - 10TH FEB

2005-02-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

7TH – 10TH FEB

I am creating a design of my own now spent free time in last few days playing now got the design all sorted so will stitch up and post as a pic as soon as complete.
This is something I wish I had done years ago I am so so happy.

When I finish my design my stitching time will be really limited I am exhibiting in Newcastle at pins and needles 24th – 27th of this month and having a holiday 16th - 20th so busy time ahead but saying this I just know I will fit my square 3 chatelaine Celtic Quilt in somehow.

5TH - 6TH FEB

2005-02-07T17:32:00.000-08:00

5TH – 6TH FEB

All the free time I had this weekend was spent playing with my collection of threads and fabrics I pulled all my old art books out old scrap books photos and allsorts looking back was interesting.
Over the years I have without realising stopped making my mark on the things around me.
I never used to buy even a soft furnishing and if I did I would embellish it to make it my own.
So I have decided 2005 just could be the year I start to express myself through needlecraft.

4TH FEB

2005-02-05T04:14:00.000-08:00

4TH FEB
FINISH NUMBER 7 2005

I did it took the bull by the horns and created a mini design as I mentioned yesterday using the Polstitches Designs Threads and fabrics which I had in mind.
I made the design up into a trinket box top which my daughter claimed on completion a compliment in itself.

I am dancing with joy as I uploaded the chart to my yahoo group for all the stitchers on there and the feedback is just lovely. I have had feedback from Jo at Polstitches Designs the creator of the threads and fabric used and this was positive so you can imagine how big my smile is!

Quite often when limited edition threads are produced I wish there were charts for them so I guess this could be my mission to create charts this year for limited shades I imagine just small charts but charts all the same.

If any stitchers read this and want the chart just email me I have created it in PDF format but be aware at this stage the chart is very basic I say basic but still usable.

3RD FEB

2005-02-05T03:36:00.000-08:00

3RD FEB

Today decided to get organised and create something of my own I love playing with fabrics and threads and since the introduction from Polstitches Designs of a new limited edition pack of floss HERBS and new fabric shades which are totally beautiful and just me I just know today has to be the day I get creative.

LATER PM

I have had a ball fabric & threads everywhere drawing, stitching, charting, oh what a wonderful day this has been.
I am nervous about making any of my designs public so have decided today to do a small free design for my friends on my yahoo group.
Planning on stitching this right now!!!!

More on this to follow soon.

2ND FEB

2005-02-05T03:07:00.000-08:00

2ND FEB
FINISH NUMBER 6 2005

Finished another block for my Afghan project a Lizzie Kate Stamp Flip it February.
The flower centres are supposed to have tiny buttons on them I am resisting adding the buttons I may add a few French knots in the future but at moment thinking buttons on a blanket maybe not.
This was a very quick stitch I made one change to colour the outside edge shade was almost the same as the fabric so used a darker purple rather than the light lilac.
3 squares now stitched goodness knows how many to go!

Goal 1 for this month achieved.

1ST FEB

2005-02-01T16:40:00.000-08:00

1ST FEB

A NEW START

This is the start of Lizzie Kate Feb. Stamp Flip it on my Afghan project.
Admittedly a small start but a start all the same.
There simply were not enough hours for fun today.

FEBUARY GOALS

2005-02-01T02:27:00.000-08:00

1st of the month and time to list the goals I plan to achieve this month.

FEBUARY GOALS

WIPS
Celtic Quilt block 3
Table Cloth a few more flowers
Good Friends Sampler 4 rows
February Lizzie Kate Flip It stamp 2005 for my afghan project (COMPLETE)
CHRISTMAS CARD
Kit up and stitch another
EXCHANGE GIFT
Easter design for an exchange
STITCH A-LONGS
Autumn Echo on Sew To Be Seen Group --- NEW!!!!! Starting as a SAL
Ozark Sampler SAL Band 1

31ST JAN

2005-01-31T15:58:00.000-08:00

31ST JAN

EBAY DAY

Spent most of the evening listing stitching goodies mainly charts and threads on eBay I was well overdue a clear out simply got far to much stitching stuff that I will never use even if I live to be 100

Listing on eBay has to be one of the most boring tedious things in the world they have a tool to bulk list HAHA no hope of me getting that working so tap tap tap on the keyboard all evening.

Would you believe it typed this in word a new version and ebay was sowing as wrongly spelt when I spell checked it eBay with the capital B in it appeared looks like it now exists in the dictionary whatever next LOL ----- just looked it up and nope not there phew lets face it the capital B does not even effect the sound of the word so basically is a waste of time …..

Hope my auctions aren’t a waste of time they are on this link if you would like a peep
JAYNE’S AUCTIONS
http://cgi3.ebay.co.uk/ws2/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=jaynesattic

2005-01-31T05:44:00.000-08:00

ALL CAUGHT UP

29TH - 30TH JAN

2005-01-31T02:40:00.000-08:00

29TH – 30TH JAN

CAUGHT UP

OH HAPPY STITCHING DAYS

Completed my Celtic Quilt blocks all except the beads and crystal which I shall do at the end needless to say I am delighted I have managed to catch up with the other stitchers on this project as I came into this a couple weeks late

There was more detail in the border stitching than I thought so took me most of 2 nights but again well worth the effort.

The next part of the chart is released on the 15th Feb unfortunately try as I might no chance of me stitching that night I will be taking my 10 year old son to his first pop concert NO Laughing we have tickets for The X Factor concert at Newcastle Arena.

For anyone who does not know the background to my Celtic Quilt this is a brief description

Designer Martina Webber Chatelaine Designs based in Germany

The Project is an online mystery

There are 16 blocks in total making up a quilt 4 blocks by 4 block including 4 trees, 4 ornaments, 4 healing herbs and 4 animals all on a Celtic theme.

The project started January 1, 2005 and runs until July 2006.

There will be five parts to this series: during parts 1-4 we will stitch all 16 squares four each three month period... and part five will be the grand finale where we will put them all together in a quilt.

As I am not a quilter I am stitching mine on one large fabric to make a picture for my lounge room.

The full design is stitched in silks and has treasure braids, delica beads and crystals so pure luxury.

As this project is a mystery all snitchers belong to a support group on yahoo which is overseen by Martina Webber so full support all the way.

So glad I am up to date my scan shows blues in the border on my monitor they are really greens.

I have just packed my project away neatly till next time more on this one mid Feb.

28TH JAN

2005-01-29T03:13:00.000-08:00

I got a good start tonight on the inner border detail on my Celtic Quilt I intend to work on it for a few hours tomorrow planning a quiet day. I will do a scan tomorrow night to chart my progress

I have been giving some thought to my goals for next month so many nice projects to consider all I have decided so far is

Progress with my WIPS ( WORKS IN PROGRESS)

WIPS
Celtic Quilt block 3
Table Cloth a few more flowers
Good Friends Sampler 4 rows
February Lizzie Kate Flip It stamp 2005 for my afghan project
Ozark Sampler SAL Band 1

CHRISTMAS CARD
Kit up and stitch another

EXCHANGE GIFT
Easter design for an exchange

STITCH A-LONGS
Autumn Echo on Sew To Be Seen Group --- NEW !!!!!
Ozark Sampler SAL Band 1

I think the final list will be manageable and I might even find some time to spend on my own designs.
Apart from stitching I have signed up to a spring Bran Tub exchange so will shop for a gift to be included in that spend is only £5 often I find it harder to spend less than more wonder what I will choose I might look for a freebie design and kit it up with threads and fabric not sure I might be inspired nearer the time.

27TH JAN

2005-01-28T07:57:00.000-08:00

27TH JAN

UPDATE ON MY HAND – MOOD ELATED
Good new regarding my scalded had the last of the bandages came off today and the only way I can describe my reaction was amazement I was expecting the worst and to my sheer delight all the burned areas are healing really fast if anyone had told me in less than a week the fingers would have been well on there way to recovery and a good as they are I would not have believed them.

I may be left with a few small scare and it may take a couple of weeks for the skin to renew but that is all.
Needless to say I am one happy bunny. I believe the healing process has been so swift because the burn was treat immediately there was no delay in getting it into cold water and no delay on hospital treatment I urge anyone who reads this and in the future suffers any type of burn to seek immediate medical treatment and not try to deal with it yourself.

JOB LOSSES IN NORTH EAST – MOOD DEPRESING
The mood in the area I live has become marred in the last 24 hours by the announcement of the closure of the last remaining deep coal mine Ellington Colliery.
350 jobs are to be lost at the colliery. I grow up in an adjoining village to Ellington most of the men in my family Grand father, father, uncles, brother , cousins at one time or another depended on the colliery for an income it is a sad day to see it close forever. YES I’m a miner’s daughter!

Also Pfizer pharmaceuticals in Morpeth Northumberland who are my husbands employer announced at the same time the plant was up for sale without a buyer 650 jobs will go. We have to be optimistic about the future but know months of uncertainty are guaranteed.

In short on one day 1000 possible job losses within one council borough in a 7 mile radius of my home were announced as you can imagine heads are hanging low in the community.

MY STITCHING – MOOD HAPPY
Not stitched today with the bandages coming off I did not want to risk catching my war wounds on a thread so I ended up logging some of my stash into my database programme now when I need a WDW or a Polstitches Floss I know my records are correct. another goal for this month achieved. I also had a long natter with a fellow stitcher and as those who know me know I love nothing better the talking stitching.

One up one major down and another up ended up having an early night and actually reading a stitch mag not just skimming..

26TH JAN

2005-01-26T16:48:00.000-08:00

FINISH NUMBER 5 --- M DESIGNS HOPE TREE
Finished my 1st stitched card of 2005 a Christmas card very early this morning I added the star tonight.
Now at least one person will get a stitched card from me this next Christmas.

25TH JAN

2005-01-26T03:56:00.000-08:00

25TH JAN

Tonight started my 1st Christmas card of the year M Designs Hope Tree
Fabric Polstitches Designs 28 count Jobelan shade Midnight Magic Floss Plostitches Dragon Floss shade Waterfall
This design is stitched over 1 thread so a real eye tester I plan to get up early tomorrow and finish this before I start my day properly.
I would love to stitch a Christmas card a month and have nice stitched cards for next Christmas I have received so many nice cards from stitching friends I always have an intention of stitching some myself and suddenly it is Christmas and I run out of time so fingers crossed not this year.

If you are not familiar with the M Designs trees look at the design sideways and it spells the word Hope might be better to look when I finish as the H is missing .

24TH JAN

2005-01-25T02:28:00.000-08:00

24TH JAN

Goodness 24th Jan already where has this month gone???

Not a needle was lifted today not a single stitch created life was so busy it had many ups and downs today COME BACK SUMMER ALL IS FORGIVEN! I am simply not a winter person.

I won’t share any of the downs but will share a stitch related up!

This morning I did something exciting I finalised all the details for a stitching retreat weekend that I am arranging in March for a group of friends / fellow stitchers that I regularly chat with on Yahoo groups and got to say we are certainly going to spoil ourselves.
There will be 10 maybe 12 of us on the trip we are from all over the country some of us met last year on a weekend I arrange in the North East and we all got on so well just had to do it again and some of us have chatted regularly on the net but never met so it will be great for us to get together.

I had always wanted to book a stitching weekend the type you see advertise in mags but was scared as I had no one to go with and worried I would be out of place I worried I would either be less talented than all the other stitchers or bord stiff in a room of beginners so never did book one. After starting to chat on yahoo stitching groups I realised many other stitchers felt the same way so I decided to do something about this and rally a group of us together to arrange our own weekend with the help of friends this is exactly what we have done and that is how the first weekend came about. Being a natural bossy boots I basically take the lead and make the arrangements for some strange reason others trust me with this mind you I go for luxury, luxury, luxury my philosophy if a girl is going to treat herself she should do it in style LOL

Just got to share some of the details so excited LOL

We will be staying in a period hotel in Woburn just outside of Milton Keynes just got to add links and share.
http://www.theinnatwoburn.com/content/default/index.asp
Woburn is a small town steeped in history and has a wonderful cross stitch / needlecraft shop The Country Cross stitcher so scheduled a visit there well had no choice did I?
http://www.countrycrossstitcher.co.uk/ if you click this link take the shop tour at the bottom of the page.

So that’s where we are staying and where we are shopping here is the good best part we will be spending 2 full days in the workshops of Judy Dixon of Sew To Be Seen Designs – 6 hours full tuition per day each day we be supplied with a full teaching kit and be taught all stitches needed to complete the design we will also lunch with Judy day 1 we will be taught hardanger and day 2 will be a surprise Judy specialises in a few different styles of stitching which are all wonderful so leaving day 2 choice to her http://www.sewtobeseen.co.uk/classes.php

And if this is not enough I have also managed to squeeze in a social evening for fine food we shall visit an absolutely superb Chinese restaurant and indulge in a banquet fit for a king. I have eaten in the restraunt last year and I was well impressed
http://www.kamtonggarden.co.uk/

On these weekend the girls chip in a little extra and I have a ball I feel I add a bit of my personality to the weekend by arranging surprises now I love this naturally I can not give details of what I have in store but will say I have had a ball sorting things out.

Oh gosh I do ramble on and on after all that is what my ramble is for.

23RD JAN

2005-01-23T14:52:00.000-08:00

23RD JAN

I NOW HAVE 2 NEW TALENTS LOL

One handed typing and even better one handed stitching YES I can do it with the support of my Lowery and with the help of my daughter threading needles for me she has been a star today.

Today has been another lazy day for me no choice really my hand is basically pain free think all I am suffering from now is disbelief at my stupidity and frustration of the huge bandages I just hope the hospital can manage something smaller in the way of dressings in the morning.

The stitching above is what I have manage single handed today I am so thrilled with the result this is the inner section of block 2 of my Celtic Quilt the use of the hand dyed colours is amazing missing from this part as in part one are the beads and treasures
This is a mystery and I have not yet seen pics of any other stitchers work just hope mine is the same only time will tell.
My goal for next week is to complete the outer borders.

22ND JAN

2005-01-22T15:33:00.000-08:00

22ND JAN

After the events of yesterday I felt drained today family let me rest and sleep most of the day I feel a lot better tonight after thinking the accident could have been a lot worse and it could have been more than my hand I damaged I keep thinking what if one of the children had been standing next to me OH it does not bare thinking about! My hand still looks nasty but does not hurt so much now thank goodness.
I and tonight I am just angry with myself for letting this happen.

I have done a couple of hour stitching accomplished very little though one handed stitching is so slow but as I use a floor stand I have mastered the art had a couple of froggings though but just to unpick the bandages from back of my work LOL

21ST JAN

2005-01-21T17:02:00.000-08:00

The Scalding

Scalding stops play
Tonight has been a nightmare but started well I was going to buy some McDonalds for tea but decided to be a good mother/wife and cook up a pan of soup all went well till the time came to serve my delicious brew. I served up the four bowls necessary for my family, I went to transfer the rest of the pan to a stay warm wok pot

This is where it went wrong

.FMS came into play weak arms attack
I spilt the contents of the hot pan witch was boiling at over 100 degs, over my hand hence the photograph.( now removed pic it was awful to look at ) 8:30 pm went to casualty 11pm arrived at home totally peed off look at the bandages ( 3 fingers in the biggest bandages you have ever seen ) how the hell will I stitch I can hardly type BOO HOO

Got to go back to hospital on Monday the scalds are pretty bad I am not a happy bunny but watch this space if it is possible to do one hand stitching I will master it this weekend

19TH JAN CONTINUED

2005-01-21T02:10:00.000-08:00

Stayed up really late as my stitching became addictive and I just could not put it down.
I have had a perfect night stitching and have completed the inside of block 1 on my Celtic Quilt an oak tree
As the tree has started to take shape over the last few days it became very addictive starting off very brown then as additions of golds and oranges were added to the trunk and branches the design really came alive as soon as I reached the point of adding the leaves I simply could not stop stitching this design has been totally wonderful to stitch it is a small design yet so detailed and 3 dimensional
This design took a little longer than I imagined to stitch but has been really worth while.

Tomorrow I intend to complete the border design around the block and progress onto block 2 as I would love to be up to date when the 3rd block is released

19TH JAN & 20TH JAN

2005-01-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

19TH JAN
All work and no play added a few stitches to my Celtic Quilt WIP but nothing to write about I am forgetting my ME tome already -- What is the point in new year resolution when I beark them all in the first month mind you had so much ME time over the weekend I guess one day without will not hurt.

20TH JAN
I had a trip to my fav local needle craft shop YES Kate’s Kates Kloths in Blyth Northumberland which is just a couple of miles from me OH I am so lucky having such a wonderful shop so close I was good though I only picked up what I went for a larger Q Snap frame got a 14 x 14 inch those who know me will know I am not a Q Snap fan ok I take back all I have ever said I think my collection if Q Snaps were so old they must have been stretched and this must have made them loose the tension bearing in mind I have padded the sides where the clamps fit with loo roll pure white of course the Q Snap is after one stitching session a big hit think I might even get myself a larger one for when the design grows

The design in question is my Celtic Quilt which as of close of stitching today looked very brown with golden highlights on the tree design in the first block I am not fussing with a scan will do one tomorrow when I hope to get the 1st block finished as not made a lot of progress due to sitting at my laptop on the net wasting time ARRRRRRR wish I did not do that.

I did while sitting at laptop find a rather interesting item on ebay I shall give more details in due course as not wanting to draw attention to the auction.

18TH JAN

2005-01-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

18TH JAN

Last night I planned out the lay out for my Celtic quilt and put the first few stitches in place today I have worked some of the border and started the first block not taken shape as yet so will scan after another session

Need to think about a frame as think the q snap will drive me potty the one I have is tooooo small for long teerm use on this project

17TH JAN

2005-01-17T07:41:00.000-08:00

17TH JAN

Stash stash and more stash
When postman arrived this morning he had my Dyeing4U goodies 2 swatches of fabric 2 M Designs charts Hope & Love Trees and the start of my WDW monthly collectors club wonderful stash
BUT
That was not all my pack of goodies to start my Chatelaine Celtic Quilt also arrived WOW this is so luxurious all the colours are just perfect after a short while drooling and encouraging a friend to hook up to this project I packed the stash away till this evening when I shall fingers crossed plan the project out fabric size is 32" x 32" so may take a while to plan really looking forward to this cannot wait but must get on with the normal practical jobs of the day first ………………

16TH JAN CONTINUED

2005-01-17T07:22:00.000-08:00

16th Jan continued

Today has been the best relaxation and stitching all day I have made good progress on my FDL Tablecloth

16TH JAN

2005-01-17T07:15:00.000-08:00

16TH Jan

No your not seeing double this is the same piece in different colours and this was a gift to me from a good friend YES we stitched the pieces together this one uses Mellow Moments fabric, Glints of gold for flower centres, Salmon Leap for hearts, Moonbeam for petals, Creeping Ivy for leaves and stems and Fairy Sprinkles for words again all from Polstitches .
I shall frame this ASAP as it is really sweet.

15TH JAN CONTINUED

2005-01-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

A NEW FINISH 15th JAN
TIME after 11pm --- FINISH NUMBER 4

Finish number 2 of the month was not even a planned start but with the arrival of my new Polstitches Designs fabric and floss I was itching to stitch something using them and this gift for a good friend is the result.
An adaptation of a Lizzie Kate Design - Friends Forever - I used Fabric 28 count evenweave in shade SHADES OF NARCISSUS and floss Beloved for flower heads, Creeping Ivy for swirl, stems and leaves, Midnight Mist for hearts, Thumbergina for flower centres and Misty Vapours for words this was a total pleasure to stitch both fabric and threads are superb and a dream to work with all in all a really nice evening stitching tonight.

15TH JAN

2005-01-15T04:17:00.000-08:00

15TH JAN - FINISH 3

This morning I completed my current section of the Louisas Garden RR this section was for Claire rows 9 to 15 I would love to say I enjoyed stitching this section but alas it was not fun the floral band was frogged so much it nearly was thrown out of the window and eventually after consultation with Claire we decided that the twist in design I have given to (unlucky for some LOL) row 13 will remain and make the piece unique. I am so glad this section is complete it does look beautiful but I not rush back to stitch this again.

14TH JAN

2005-01-15T04:13:00.000-08:00

14TH JAN

Did a big sort out on my DMC collection compete now and my speciality thread so that’s Anchor, DMC and a few more all neat now it is amazing how much time stash sorting can take up but it is good to know what is in the boxes.
Plus now proud owner of a Dragon Floss Collection from Polstitches Designs and I just know I will have to have some fabrics real soon and have a play with the threads.
Tablecloth on hold till Sunday
Started Claire’s Louisa’s Garden RR slow progress though.

13TH JAN

2005-01-13T23:52:00.000-08:00

Almost there with sorting my DMC collection now so that now means all solid shades are sorted just the variegated to do now
I also have sorted my tablecloth planning a day tomorrow which includes a few hours freestyle.

11TH JAN

2005-01-12T01:12:00.000-08:00

11th Jan

No stitching today but I did go stashing visited Kates Kloths to replenish my anchor collection I just knew I would as I set me heart on refilling my box yesterday so I a got what was NEEDED LOL 20 something skeins and while I was there thought good idea to get what was listed for my FDL table cloth so ended up with 48 skeins I am still short of 3 skeins for the cloth shade 2 x 870 and 1 x 896 so guess I will have to get these when I go stashing again.
I think I was good I only picked up a couple of additional things a couple of pens to make embroidery transfers I never know when I might need them but the must have that could not resist was the some embellishment thread packs oh they are wonderful I am so pleased with them I will just have to add them to the Attic range at some point.

Tomorrow I will have to organise my time better or suffer stitching withdrawal an evening with my table cloth would be nice now I have all the threads. Failing this I do have Fri – Mon free and have planned almost 4 days or total R&R.

NOW AFTER 11 PM
I find myself playing with this blog fiddling with the template and adding features like it was not good enough in the first place when I know it was !!!!! Just got to fiddle….

MY WONDERFUL SCISSORS

2005-01-11T17:14:00.000-08:00

MY SCISSORS They are soooooooooooooooo cool !!!!!!!!

10TH Jan

2005-01-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

10Th Jan

Today has been a wonderful day it started with a wonderful parcel through the post a gift which is a delayed Christmas present I could not believe my eyes when I opened it it contained the most wonderful scissors in the world they are from Gingher Designer series a pair of 4” Olivia which I have admired for months I love them my friend who sent them made my day I shall use them everyday no keeping for best I feel so spoiled.

Mid morning totally distracted by the idea of signing up to a Chatelaine mystery Celtic Quilt well after some deliberation and influence from my mate Sandra I caved in signed up and bought the kit from Kathy in the States hehehehe I an so naughty
This is an 18 month project and the kit is crammed with luxury silks, beads and crystals OH I wish it was here !!!!!!!

So far I have been spoiled and have spoiled myself better make up for this so I finished the day by stash checking my Anchor stranded cottons only need to replace about 20 shades to replenish my collection and as I need to get some for my tablecloth I think a trip to Kates tomorrow might be in order.

9TH JAN

2005-01-09T05:21:00.000-08:00

2005 sal border yahoo
Originally uploaded by AMAJENDA.

9TH JAN LUNCHTIME
After a quiet morning came onto comp to find my Ozark Samper SAL chart had a BooBoo so I had to instantly correct this it was nothing major just 5 stitches on bottom left border running in wrong direction so got onto this straight away half an hour later all sorted and new pics added to the SAL group not had word from Mary to confirm all is correct but there is time yet I guess it will just be wake up time in USA.

Not sure what this afternoon will hold for me but it is mine all mine !!!!

PICTURE IS OF AMENDED SAL

8TH JAN

2005-01-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

8TH JAN

Headache has gone Yipeeee! I am never eating chocolate again not even sure I really like it anyway!!!

Well I have spent the last couple of days searching the net for somewhere to put my journal which I started elsewhere but had photo problems tonight I have transferred everything from last site and I seem to like this set up now.

Stitching wise I have not done a lot but I have been tidying my
stash quite a bit and have made a couple of small additions to it after a visit to Kates Kloths this morning I came home with 4 packs of silk ribbon and 2 bundles of mixed experimental threads the ribbons are the same shades as the Island fibres ones I wasted on my Good Friends Sampler Boo Boo the mixed threads are fantastic such an unusual mix Kate is so talented

Also this morning I got a parcel from Helen containing Claires Louisas Garden RR beautiful stitching from all girls as always I will enjoy stitching my section on this.

I had a really good afternoon not stitching but sorting out the Yahoo Group Stitching and Stash that I run it needed a good spring clean and I needed to look at 2005 activities all sorted now which is nice.

Tomorrow will be a lazy day no plans and family are all after a quiet day so I am up for that I intend to make some progress my new FDL tablecloth and perhaps a line or two on Claires Louisas Garden RR who knows but certainly looking forward to it.

7TH JAN

2005-01-08T16:08:00.000-08:00

7TH JAN

Well the headache got the better of me sort of a migraine without visual disturbance spent most of the day chillin with wet cloth on brow my own fault really I munched with the kids a box of flake chocs and chocolate is a no no with me apart from anything else chocolate gives me headaches so that will teach me till the next time LOL so no stitching for me but I have kited up my Feb Lizzie Kate Stamp and I did have a surf looking for a large cross stitch project aim being to hang in my lounge when I eventually get it decorated but no joy nothing caught my eye and I did not even find a decent sale thought January was sale month !!!

6TH JAN

2005-01-08T16:02:00.000-08:00

6TH JAN
NEARLY 5pm
Got a headache so I needed a treat to cheer me up LOL Just hooked up to collecting WDW threads woooohooooo so each month this year I shall be adding 12 skeins to my collection I decided I want to collect these as they keep poping up in charts and I never have the right shades in my stash ( OK yes any excuse ) and while I was browsing remembered to add 2 M Designs charts to my basket ( so to speak ) I got Hope and Love Trees planning ahead for Christmas cards for December YES I said Christmas !
Just about finished work wonder what I will do tonight?
11PM
Headache still hanging around it has not lifted all night so no stitching for me I did however sit with coloured pens and graph paper attempting to design a band for the Ozark Sampler Sal I like what I ended up with so forwarded it to Mary at Ozark Sampler so no going back now just hope Mary does not injure herself laughing to hard.

JAN 5TH OZARK 2005 SAL BORDER

2005-01-08T15:51:00.000-08:00

OZARK 2005 SAL BORDER
Originally uploaded by AMAJENDA.

5TH JAN BY END OF DAY FINISH NUMBER 2
Today has been a long day 99% of the Christmas decorations are now down and the house is getting back to normal I am looking forward to an evening stitching as done enough housework for a week. Kids went back to school today and extra curricular activities started so when I finish taxi driving I shall be putting my feet up and visiting planet stitchy

LAST NIGHT I felt like a naughty school child I made another start hehe
I started my Ozark Sampler SAL I know I promised all the other SAL members I would not start till packs arrived with them but I could not resist any longer I spent a blissful 3 hours stitching and completed just over half of the border.
I will not add a picture until the packs have arrived with the other SAL members

You might be asking yourself what is an Ozark Sampler SAL? If so this is the link which explains all
http://jaynesattic.co.uk/ozars_sampler_stitch-a-long.htm

Hoping to get sat down before 7PM I am such an optimist!!

YES ( now after midnight ) I have had a perfect night I was stitching by 7.30 and just over 2 hours later the border was finished. I adore the colours they made me feel so happy and cheery while I was stitching with them the result is as below and this is another Jan goal complete oh I am cooking on gas this week.

Urshs RR I stitched band 5 -9

2005-01-08T15:30:00.000-08:00

Ursh+RR+band+5+-+9+by+Jayne+H
Originally uploaded by AMAJENDA.

Helen requested to post Ursh piece early and as I had already completed Helen's I agreed and as if by magic in a few days this was complete bands 5 -9 also as before very quickly with no problems such a joy to work. The post out date to say goodbye to this piece was not until 24th Jan but as Louise was happy to receive this early off it went on its way

PICTURE IS URSH'S RR

I am now without a piece to stitch on my next will be SandraS which should arrive before the end of the month
I was drawn to this design myself because it brought back memories of my Father in Law (because of the 2 rows of shamrocks) My Father in Law passed away early 2004 he was a wonderful man and we lost him suddenly I have fond memories of him, his birthday was March 17th which is St Patricks Day hence the shamrocks I think when I have my finished RR home and framed I shall look at it and smile with fond memories of a very special man.

Helens RR I stitched band+2-4

2005-01-08T15:28:00.000-08:00

Helens+RR+band+2-4+by+Jayne+H
Originally uploaded by AMAJENDA.

Soon a parcel arrived from Helen time containing her own piece in no time I had stitched up bands 2-4 and the work went on its merry way. Bands 2-4 were stitched in just one evening this is a very addictive stitch I remember almost stitching the next row. This was them waved goodbye to before post out date of 13th December

PICTURE IS OF HELEN'S RR

My Louisas Garden RR

2005-01-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

Jayne+H+Band+1
Originally uploaded by AMAJENDA.

LOUISAS GARDEN - STARTED OCTOBER 2004
BY JUDY DIXON OF SEW TO BE SEEN DESIGNS

I am stitching this piece with 5 friends Sandra, Ursh, Louise, Helen and Claire another friend Dawn is co-ordinating the project we are all members of Stitching & Stash collecting & Sew To Be Seen Yahoo groups

The design has been split into 7 sections we each have 6 weeks to stitch a section and post onto next stitcher

I started stitching on my own fabric (27count Antique White Linda) for this RR back in October the first section was to complete the top hardanger heart section this was charted for stitching in DMC Perle I changed mine to House of Embroidery perle I always have to change something !! First post out date was IST November

PICTURE IS OF MY RR
On completion of my first section I waved goodbye to my piece which will not return until April 2005

GOOD FRIENDS SAMPLER LARGER PIC

2005-01-08T15:06:00.000-08:00

GOOD FRIENDS SAMPLER 1
Originally uploaded by AMAJENDA.

Just a larger pic

GOOD FRIENDS SAMPLER

2005-01-08T15:05:00.000-08:00

gf close up
Originally uploaded by AMAJENDA.

GOOD FRIENDS SAMPLER - A START

This design was a Christmas gift along with the thread pack it is by Thea Dueck and Yvonne Reitsma and retailed by Victoria Sampler.

As soon as I saw the design I just had to make a start.

THE BOO BOO
I started this just after Christmas on Antique white evenweave first section was Smyrna Crosses around top heart I got confused by the stitch diagram and did them over 6 fabric threads instead of 4 fabric threads I did not realise and went on to complete the full heart and all the top detail DURRRRRRR it was not until I went on to start the bands below that I realised by mistake so whole lot ended up in the bin to nice stitching sessions go to waste ARRRRRR I could have kicked myself.

THE SECOND START
Decided this time to start on a Sugar Maple Hand Dyed Fabric in shade Gelati which is a pastel mix of all the shades included in the sampler

This time I started on Jan 1st and all has gone well result so far below as I had already stitched this section once it stitched up in no time

The threads and ribbons used in this design are wonderful they include Thread Gatherer Silk n Colours, Caron Waterlillies, Au ver a Soie and Krienik Mori silk pure luxury.

I had not stitched a bullion knot in years so the roses were fun I was amazed I remembered how to do it.

Only problems I have now are replacing the Island Fibres Ribbon I used on my first attempt. And plucking up the courage to tackle the drawn thread band

SQUARE 2 JAN 2005

2005-01-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

A2 JAN 2005
Originally uploaded by AMAJENDA.

SQUARE 2

Stitched Jan 2nd 2005 design January Flip It 2005 Stamp series what a cutie I think he is throwing his arms in the air wishing us all a happy new year. I was so pleased when this new series was released it was exactly what I was looking for.

SQUARE 3

Is a goal to complete this month but undecided as to what at the moment perhaps February Stamp I did enjoy stitching January WHO KNOWS ???

AFGHAN PROJECT SQUARE 1

2005-01-08T14:54:00.000-08:00

A1 DEC 2004
Originally uploaded by AMAJENDA.

2005 AFGAN PROJECT & FINISH 1 2005

My Afghan is from Silkweaves from there hand dyed range in Lilac. I have had this afghan for almost a year and it took me forever to decide what to stitch on it finally I decided on Lizzie Kate designs in total on completion there will be 32 stitched squares 12 of which will be from the 2005 Flip it stamps series January to December. All designs will be stitched in Anchor or DMC stranded cotton as I will probably wish to launder the finished item.

SQUARE 1

Stitched December 2004 design Chill out from Lizzie Kate Tiny Tidings IX I wonder if this cheeky chappy has something to be embarrassed about or if that is just a Rosie glow he has in his cheeks .

4TH JAN

2005-01-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

4th JAN - HELLO
HELLO AND WELCOME TO MY STITCHING RAMBLE

This is where my Stitching Ramble starts.
What is my stitching ramble?
Good question as I am not sure.
I intend this will be my place on the net where I share my stitching adventures, experiences, dreams, goals and achievements on a regular basis. I guess I plan to ramble on and on about my hobby.

JANUARY GOALS

2005-01-08T14:40:00.000-08:00

JANUARY GOALS
Each month I will be setting myself stitching goals listing them in my ramble and adding progress reports and pictures.

My monthly goals list Jan 2005
LK Flip it 2005 Jan for afghan project (COMPLETE)
Start Victoria Sampler Good Friends Sampler complete top heart (COMPLETE)
Start FDL Table Cloth complete a 6 inch section. (COMPLETE)
Logg more stash into stash can (DONE)
Stitch a second LK on my afghan ( FAILED)
Next bands on Louisa's Garden RR (COMPLETE)
Ozark Sampler SAL border part 1.(COMPLETE)

Wonder if I will stick to these I am terrible at sticking to goals.