2010 - A New Start

I was in two minds to do the 2010 Challenge this year. In 2008 I didn't finish either of the pieces that I started for the challenge & in 2009 I didn't even sign up for any. But having spent the latter half of 2009 getting myself back into my all time favourite past time I made a rather late decision to take part... and I did it... I started a nice new design on 1st January. It's Sweet Dreams by Cinnamon Cat & it's for my little boy.



I'm taking part in a few challenges this year & I'm looking forward to working on all of them. I have a 5 day cruise booked with my mum which we've already designated a "stitching holiday", I am sooooo looking forward to that... roll on June.

2009 Finishes
Baby Love by Cinnamon Cat. My only finish this year, my only finish for 2 years for that matter.

2010 Goals/Challenges
Ultimately to finish more than I did in 2009 :-)
Jan 1st Challenge - Sweet Dreams, Cinnamon Cat
UFO Challenge - Cindarella is Proof, Lizzie*Kate
Christmas Design SAL - Merry Christmas By The Letter, Lizzie*Kate
I've Started UFO - Was Christmas Trees but I think I'm going to change that this evening.
I would also like to complete the Festive Biscornu from Polstitches Designs & do at least one (if not two) pages on my HAED Dragon Riders.

Well there it is, that's what I would like to do, only time will tell if I get anywhere. I'll do my best to post regular updates & pictures. All pictures will be found in my WIP folder down the right hand side of my blog & once I get going I'll start a new folder for my HAED.

Happy New Year

UFO v's SAL

Following the finish of Baby Love I've spent a week trying to pick a new UFO to work on. The winner is Christmas Trees... also by Cinnamon Cat.



The other thing I've come across is a new SAL (courtesy of Dragon My Needle & via the Speedy Stitcher). It's due to start on 1st December & it's called Christmas Design SAL. I've sorted out a christmas design & the idea is that I stitch on it every month for a year & by this time next year I'll have a lovely new design to hang..... fingers crossed anyway! My chosen design for this is Lizzie*Kate - Merry Christmas - By The Letter. Now all I need to do is sign up for the SAL & order the fabric & threads for a new start... yay :-)

A Finish :-)

It's late & I'm tired so just a quick post to share a picture. My first finished piece of cross stitch for at least 18 months. I am well chuffed & can't wait to enjoy another.

Almost Done

I've been busy :-)

"Baby Love" has suddenly come to life with a bit of backstitch, not much left now. I was hoping to get it finished next week but we have house guests so you'll have to just watch this space for further progress.


My other finish is not cross stitch related but is instead a little bag. A baby tote measuring 8 inches square & made using some fabric that I had "in stock" :-)


Our little room which has housed our computers since we moved in is rapidly becoming my new craft/stitching room. We've moved a drop-side table from downstairs up here which is now the new home for my sewing machine & either side of the table I have 2 of my stitching boxes. DH was kind enough to put up 2 new shelves above my desk so I have DMC Gold Concept thread folders on the top shelf along with a folder containing charts from some magazines & a selection of books that include knitting, quilting & cross stitch (& some World of Warcraft books... loosely craft related!!). I'm feeling quite at home :-)

The Promised Picture

Here you go... an updated picture of Baby Love.


I've thoroughly enjoyed getting back into my stitching. Last weekend we continued having a tidy of the spare room & this involved me going through a rather large storage box where I came across all kinds of stitching goodies which included:

• Floor stand from Needle Needs
• Lap/Table stand from Needle Needs
• Several different sized frames for the above
• Cedric the knitted christmas gnome
• Lots of felt squares that came from my shop
• Scarf knitting project with fabulous alpaca yarn
• Some kits that I just had to have!!
  
• Several UFO's that haven't seen the light of day for a while :-)
  

This time next week I would've been to the Knit & Stitch show & hopefully returned with some lovely new stash to add to the collection. I will of course share with you any new purchases!

An Eve of Stitching

This evening I've put some time in on Baby Love. It's coming along really nicely & I've almost completed the main bulk of the design. I'm trying my best to get it done so that I can do the backstitch on it as I know that once the backstitch is on the design will really come to life & thats when the enthusiasm will really kick in to finish it off. Being such a small design it really shouldn't take me that long once I'm past the backstitch point.

Hopefully I'll get a picture posted tomorrow.... would have got that done this evening but the battery is dead again... maybe I should request a new one for christmas.

I've made some nice progress on the christmas gift stitching that I began last week, I'm pleased with the colour so far on the fabric. No picture to be posted of this until after christmas so a long wait I'm afraid.

Only 8 days to the Knit & Stitch show, can't wait. I hope there is lots of stitching there, I'll be gutted if there isn't. I do know that Historical Sampler Company will be there & both mum & me love their samplers so it'll be nice to see them & anything new that they have on offer :-)