We Survived!

Well, it was a crazy, cold camping trip but we did it! My hubby wanted to stay another night but on the second night, I woke up mumbling/complaining about the cold and he heard me so we left the next day.  It was definitely an experience I'll remember...being freezing! I was like a lizard during the day following the sun, trying to get warm.  There was also no water there, which we didn't know about.  Luckily for us, there were some older campers who were very kind and gave us water from their warm motor homes. On the last day though, we had to use creek water, boiled of course, to sustain us until we got back into Sechelt.  The water was very clear and crisp yet one can't take risks and should always boil water in case of parasites.  I managed to get a fire going on the second night which is a small feat considering the damp woods all around us.  I found dry kindling and we sprinkled some fuel to get it going.  I was very proud of my spring fire! We made a good choice in leaving that day for the very next, the coast had a downpour of cold rain.  Phew!! 

The trip over to the Sunshine coast

Sunset at Porpoise Bay

Morning sun at the Estuary

Rising sun

Frosted seaweed

Sea Snake!!

Hairy trees

I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do since my hands were so cold!! Very thankful for warmth now :D

Stitching Stuff and Conundrums    

Since I've been back, I made some progress on my projects however, I'm feeling stuck on my granny stripe.  When reading the instructions for the granny stripe, I found another post of Lucy's stating that it would be good to make the chain loose or use a larger gauge for the starting chain. Hummmmm....that's not what I did and so now, my granny stripe has a slight curve from the chain.  I'm not sure what to do.  Do I rip all my progress out or hold onto hope that the curve will "straighten" itself out?  Calling all crocheters for help!!  It's hard to tell in the photo but there is a definite curve.

I think ripping it out would have to happen now instead of adding more then deciding to rip....it's just so hard to think about counting 240 chains again!! That gave me a headache!

Quilting conundrums...I pulled out my quilt and measured, cut, pinned and sewed the first border the other day.  The second border, which was going to be 4 inches, is now going to be larger in order to cover our bed.  I think I have enough fabric for the border and the back but even if I don't, I'll improvise.  My conundrum is whether to hand quilt or machine quilt.  Machine quilting would mean I could only go in straight lines, which would be okay, but boring.  Hand quilting would allow me to be more creative and do swirls and things....yet it would take an age especially with all my other projects on the go.  I know I'll make the right choice for me in the end however, I can't visualize it at this moment!! The putting the quilt together part is still a bit of a mystery to me...hopefully when I get to that point the mystery will be revealed!

The brown border

The red fabric which will be the border and the back

Stitching, oh how I love you! If problems arise, I always (usually!) know what to do.  Thankfully, with stitching, I haven't had any conundrums...just pure, wonderful stitching.  I am happy to say that all of my little packages arrived to their owners.  I crocheted a little mug cozy for Mouse as a thank you for the 123stitch GC.  These little cozies are so easy to hook up and send on their merry way.  

Photo borrowed from  Mouse!

The little BBD pincushion I stitched for Shirlee arrived safely too.  I stitched it on 40 ct. Linen using a mix of DMC and GAST threads.  It's from the Agnes Platt's Strawberry Sampler book.  It was a fun one to stitch with some specialty stitches sprinkled in for variety.

Photo borrowed from Shirlee although my watermark showed up??

My spring biscornu made it all the way to the UAE!! Sarah loved the package and we both enjoyed doing this private exchange together.  Again I had to borrow photos from her to show you...sigh...next time I'll remember!!

The biscornu design is a spring biscornu freebie from Ancsanaplo.  I used 28ct Baby blue lugana with a mixture of WDW, Dinky Dyes Silk and Carrie's Creations threads. I chose the colours to represent the beautiful tulips of spring. 

Before I sign off, I wanted to show the progress I've made on Knotgarden and...wait for it....TEA BATH FAIRY!! My hubby again said "Why don't you give her some love and stitch on her tonight?"  So I did.  I pulled her out and am slowly filling in all the baby pink in the cup before I complete it with that wonderful stuff called Kreinik...Not!!! You can probably barely tell any difference but there has been about 2-3 hours put in filling in that pink!

Oh, and I got my love birds finally framed.  It's not the best DIY framing job, but it will do.

I feel like I have more to say...I'm sorry if it's been too long of a post! 

I just want to say to all of those who have joined my blog, and to those that I wish to join their blogs...that I CAN'T.  Google/Blogger are at odds and so am I.  For whatever reason, I can no longer join blogs and this is actually a problem for a few people.  You can read about it here. I also don't have any blogs on my reader list for some reason.  When I click on the settings, all of you are there, but not in the feed part.  Feedly is back to working for me so I can add people there...just can't be an actual follower on blogs...very sad and irritating.  

Take care everyone and thank you for taking the time to read this post! I know it's a long one!!


Hugs

Anne

March Surprises Me

Bonjour mes amies!!

It's been too long since I've posted but I know everyone understands that I've been busy.  Reports are finished! YAHOOOOO!! I still need to add a few things here and there but they are finito. Huge waves of relief washed over me when I completed the last kid's report.  I had quite the past couple of weeks.  This reporting season was especially difficult for me for some reason.  Other teachers felt the same.  One gave me some good advice about saving my first, second and third term comments so I can use them for next year which will save me a lot of time and agony.  I'll take that advice! I also suffered a cold/lost my voice last week.  The kids said I sounded like Yoda and laughed at me. It was pretty funny to hear me, although my hubby told me to stop talking since he couldn't stand hearing it anymore!

Like Yoda I sound. Yes Hmmmm

I have a lot to share with you today so be prepared! There wasn't a whole lot of stitching done until this weekend so I only have two small things to share.  My Friday night SAL with Maggee has been going well.  I'm nearly finished Magic Garden! I can hardly wait! 

Although it's now March, I managed to finish LHN's February last night.  I think I've said this before but I need to plan my stitching a bit better! I'm always late with monthly themes...stitching them after the fact! I think I'll make this into a pillow since that's the easiest finish for me. 

It was stitched on 28 ct. Lambswool using CC threads that dear Cindy provided in the kit.  I by accident stitched the roof white but I like it! We had a lot of snow in February so it's a good reminder of the snow we've had!

After leaving the peacock for awhile, I picked him up again Sunday night and tackled him.  No frog came visiting me that night! Yay! 

Now for the best part of the post....all the wonderful packages that have been sent to me.  

I did a biscornu exchange with Sarah, from Sarah in Stitches and our theme was Spring. She sent mine a bit early because she has other exchanges to stitch and send out.  Hopefully mine will get to her in two weeks. Anyways, she sent me the most beautifully stitched biscornu and pretty monogrammed pillow, plus some mint tea from UAE, fabric and two VMS charts. I am a lucky gal! Thank you so much Sarah for such a wonderful package!Your biscornu is so sweet and finished beautifully. It made me very happy especially after the harrowing report card experience!! Hugs to you my dear!

Setting up for a photo and look who pops in and flops all over it?!

The pretty two-toned biscornu.

Front

Back

Hanging out with new biscornu friends

Tea, chart and fabric from UAE...the tea is amazing!

Sarah is such a sweet heart and I remember seeing her blog over a year ago and was one of her first few followers.  It's so nice to "meet" kindred spirits from around the world!!

The next surprise was from dearest Carol, Stitching Dreams.  She has told me she was going to lend me a chart I'd admired on her blog, but didn't tell me she was going to send something extra!! Boy was I surprised! She made me a beautiful pillow personlized to me! She stitched a little cat in the corner and made it look like Titus. We have become quite close friends over the years and I treasure her friendship.  Thank you my dear Carol! Your finishing skills are so admirable and very creative.

The sweet pillow and chart

Such a pretty design and I love the added button detail

Love those little spools of thread!

Little Titus!

I feel so spoiled by Sarah and Carol.  They have truly made my week, month! I mailed out a few packages last week and hope that my recipients receive them soon.  This Spring Break, which I'm itching for desperately, I hope to stitch a few more RAK's and do another mail art exchange with Meari.  So looking forward to catching up with everyone too.  I've been very remiss with blog commenting and posting.  But that's how life is and I now you all understand.  

Almost forgot to show my fabric and thread toss for Sarah Chapple.  I ordered it way back in January and it finally arrived. The R &R Rook 36 ct. linen is quite dark but I like it.  Hubby says he wants me to keep it since it's very army like and manly.  I had to laugh since the sampler is anything but manly!!  I'm going to start her properly during Spring Break.  

Beautiful silks and fabric

I'll finish with a few photos of our late spring.  We had some snow at the end of February which set back the flowers from blooming.  Now I'm starting to see some sprouting around.  Can't wait for more to come!

Snow berries

Some pretty pink flower bush on the river

Finally I spy a crocus!

The last of the snowdrops

That's all for now.  Titus and I are going to lie down in a sun beam and relax.

Hugs

Anne

PS Lent started and I have 5 more weeks to go without dairy and meat...sigh...

Silks and 40 Count Linen

I see why everyone raves about silks.  They are the sofest, silkiest, most dreamiest threads to work with!! I decided that I needed to take a break from outlining my Tanglewood branches and beading Debi's Roses to start working on The Queen's Sampler by Plum Street Samplers.  I couldn't believe how luxurious the silks are to work with.  They almost never get tangled and glide into the fabric with ease.  The linen I'm using for the sampler is on eensy weensy 40 count linen.  My first time ever using such a high count linen.  I am thinking about purchasing a magnifier glass to preserve my eyes!! The recommended instructions in the pattern is to use only 1 strand of floss, however, the picture of the sampler looks like they used 2 strands.  I tried using two but it's quite bulky on such tiny fabric.  I do like the effect of the 1 strand on the fabric and I would rather save my silks for future projects.

The urn and flower is as small as a quarter!!

 Now I have also been plugging away at Tanglewood but there is still a lot of work to do! I thought I was near the end but the outlining of the branches is taking me longer than expected...so no happy dance quite yet!  Both sides of Debi's Roses is complete with the beading and I am getting prepared to make my second biscornu!

Don't forget to add a comment for my giveaway! The link is here. I would appreciate people adding it to their side bar but it is in no way a requirement.  I am going to add some little extras too for the winner but thought I would keep it a surprise!!

Take care and happy stitching!

Biscornu Finished and a Summer Giveaway!!!!!

Yahoo! I finally finished my first biscornu and I have to say that I really enjoyed the process. I finished it off with some pretty buttons I found at Fabricland.

 

As for the giveaway, well I have been contemplating this for sometime and would love to give away my first biscornu!! I do not have much in the way of stash to give away so I purchased some ribbon and fat quarters to make it a worthy giveaway.  This is just a way to thank the stitching community for all their help, encouragement and inspiration to expand my stitching horizons, and to finish my projects!  I have made many new friends here and cannot believe I have 44 followers!! Whoohoo!! So without further adieu, here are the requirements for entering the draw for my humble giveaway on June 21, the first day of summer:

1.  Be a follower of my blog
2. Make a comment on this post if you would like to be entered into the draw

That's it! Very simple! Each person who comments will be entered into the draw once, just to make it easier for me seeing as this is my first giveaway.  The deadline to enter is June 20 and on the next day I will answer the winner!!!! Now I have to let you all know, that the Canada Postal workers have gone on strike, so I am hoping by that time, the issues will be resolved.  If it looks like they will strike longer, I will let the winner know and keep them informed.

EDITED: I can ship internationally so this is open to all! Also I've been getting mail so it doesn't look like the stirke has hit BC yet (fingers crossed!)

Good luck to all!!

Anne

PS I got a new cell phone and I looooove the camera!!!!!

Nearly done Tanglewood!

I'm very close to finishing Tanglewood and I am happy yet sad at the same time.  It has been a lot of joy stitching this piece and a lot of interesting stitching memories have gone into each stitch! As for my biscornus, well, I finished the back of Barbi's design, and nearly done the other side of Debi's Roses.  I wanted to stitch them together, however, I was dog sitting this whole week and couldn't find the iron to iron down the edges to make the biscornu. Now I have to run off this weekend for church and work is super busy next week! Hopefully on Sunday night I will have some time to stitch it together.  I have decided to leave the edges clean on Barbi's design and bead Debi's Roses.  I think both will look fantastic!

Onto other news, Nataly is having an amazing glogiversary give away! Hop over to her blog and wish her congrats.  Nataly's stitching is always a pleasure to look at and her finishes are lovely! Click here for her blog: http://natalysneedle.blogspot.com/

The edging of the branches will take awhile!

Cute bird showing off his colourful feathers

Biscornu back, a simpler version of the front

Not Much Progress

As my post title states, not much progress to report :(

I have been more than sidetracked with life.  My sister came to visit after my mother left, so I had her to entertain.  I've been working a lot which leaves me tired at the end of the day...kids suck up your energy!!! My husband's birthday was yesterday, so there was that to plan and run around for. Oh, and I made bread for my first time!! Tons of fun to make bread! It didn't look that great, but it tasted amazing. With all of that going, where did my stitching go??  It was staring at me pleading to be worked on!! Especially those biscornus.  I have started working on the backs of them but I am really unsure of how I want to finish them.  Beading the edges seems to me to take a lot of time and I really just want to get one done.  Tassels are not my best friend, and no matter how much I try to make them look good, they never do.  So hopefully this weekend will be a bit quieter and I can finally get my biscornu's under way.

Questions on finishing

Suggestions to making beading go faster? Should I stitch up the biscornus then bead with the beading needle if I feel they need a little pizazz? Or just leave the edges clean?

Pics of slow progress. Also a pic of the picture frames I found while scouring the Lower mainland thrift shops. Still no frame found good enough for my geisha girl!

Thinking of projects to fill the frames with