Just a little pink

Or should I say in the pink!
Well not quite yet,but I am getting there, just thought you would like some pinkness too!
However before I type anymore may I just thankyou all for your get well wishes,your sympathy and your friendship. You do not know how much it means to have a 'lifeline'through you and your blogs , and even Martin asks how some of you are now. So on behalf of me and mine thankyou.
Now before I get maudlin here, I think I had better share with you what I have been up to. I saw about a week or so ago on - Life with needle and thread blog,(still haven't mastered the linky thing) a super duper blanket and thought; oh I would like to knit that . Yes, I did say knit, so I e mailed Julie (whose blog it is) and she kindly sent me the pattern. 2 DAYS later I had the wool and here it is in my other Julie bag in the process of being made.

I know I have let the cat out of the bag to one person who reads this blog of mine ,as she is going to be the perfect Nanna ,but she doesn't know what else I have hiding in the bag lol.
The wool is called Patter Pink so of course a little more pinkness.
I have been told it is going to be a 'pink'.
Why I say this is, because when Kate our daughter was expecting her second, she was convinced it would be a boy, and when she was delivered of a girl , she looked at me (I was with her at the birth of her first 2), (her dh couldn't do it)and said, Oh Mum ,its a pink!!
So here is a picture of her pink now.Caitlin.

This was taken in the week, had a phonecall saying she had a netball match at a school near us and could she come here after. Which of course she did, stayed and had dinner with us ,then Martin ran her home later. She suprised us as she has had her hair cut short. She has the most gorgeous dimples but for some reason they do not show in this pic very well. Out of the 4 she is the only girl and the only dormouse,the boys are not very bed orientated.
Talking of beds , we were delivered of a new bed for the spare room last week ,it is only a single as it doubles as my sewing room ,so if I get a problem with sleeping I can go up there and stitch in bed !!!
Of course that is partly what you came for ,yes, a stitchy update. Well the reveal day over at Needlecraft Haven was today and this I finished last night. I thought as Valentines Day was approaching this would look good tied to a heart.


Of course I do not think it matches up to this heart that Martin made for me a couple of years ago.


My other little finish is this little Christmas ornie a design from Bent Creek.This was my finish for the Needlecraft Haven monthly christmas ornie , this was done over one,and seemed to take an age.


No more finishes to show you this time but I can show you my progress on the wips, or you could skip this bit lol.

The journey continues with Sally and Colleen on Monday nights,we are off to the U.S.tomorrow to spend the evening with Colleen. Will let you know progress next week.
Really liking this one, although some of the thread is very close to fabric colour. I was hoping to find a shepherd to look after my sheep but could only find half a one.
The next one is Autumn by the Cross Eyed Cricket which is my UFO on Tuesdays with Julie and Mr. Stick ,I still have not quite finished the M but almost.

The Sampler Girls Sense and Sensibility is growing on a Wednesday too, this is being done as a SAL night on the Needlecraft Haven with 7 others. I did not do much this week I had to do my online grocery order which is only the second time I have done the shop this way.

Sorry about the crumpled fabric,in the photo.As you can see I have been on that construction site again building houses!
Then last but not least the Quaker Diamond wip , not a lot done here either as I a couple of finishes to get done! Also wool arrived.


So that is all I have to share with you this time. Oh in one of my previous posts someone asked if I could share the designer of the hardanger I use to display some of my pieces. I think its under the roses this time.It is from New Stitches Magazine no 11 which is very old but I still think you can get the older copies.
We have a birthday boy in our household this week, Ollie will be 8 on Friday . Wonder if Rory his friend from the US would like to come for tea.
Take care my friends until next time, and I do hope you all remain 'in the pink'
Hugs n stuff
Barb x

Hear ye,well not a lot !

Hello everyone did you think I had deserted you . As if I would. Some of you know I have been feeling a little under the weather,due to a virus thing and then a perforated ear drum. Which I can tell you is not pleasant. Anyway been Drs again today and have more antibiotics as she said it is still very red and angry in there. She needs to see me in 2 weeks unless it gets worse. Then she if the deafness is still there she will send me to Audiology- oh the joy of all that.
Anyway that is all I am going to say on the subject . Since I last wrote we have celebrated the New Year and we had all the family here for dinner. Oh boy was that a squeeze but we managed and all enjoyed it.

The Journey begins. On the first Monday of January 2011, Sally Colleen and I started our respective Shepherds Bush Designs. This is the start of the Journey and it is so nice to stitch. This was the first weeks progress followed by this weeks.


It does not look much progress but every little helps and some of the thread colour is very close to the fabric colour. I think they are clickable if you want a closer look.
Then on Tuesday I decided I would do the Rosewood Manor Quaker Diamonds -this I am doing over one as the Quaker Christmas,here is the start on that although I think I am going to change nights to Thursdays as I want to do the UFO night with Mr Stick and Julie on Tuesdays . I am going to do the Autumn design I started or I can see it being put away until this Autumn. Anyway another pic for you

I placed a 50p piece next to the first motif I finished so you can see just how small it is.
Now I will show you how far I have got with the Autumn Ufo ,however I do not want you to think it is all wips I do have 2 little Happy Dances to share.

The first one is The Sampler Girls Claras Dance done on fabric called for and also threads. I am quite pleased with how this turned out, although I now need some more filling-so shall send for that when finished on here.

Then I was reading Heidis blog the other day and she had stitched this design from Danybrod and I fell in love with it. So of course being the copycat I am ,well imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so they say, I had to stitch it. On my 60th birthday a friend gave me this photo frame and I have had it upstairs awaiting something to put in it. I now have to find the other 3 seasons to put in it lol.So if you see any designs out there. Let me know. I did wonder if to use the same design but use the seasonal colours and change the tree and adapt the words. Anyway My thanks go to Danybrod and Heidi for pointing me in the right direction with this one.


Yesterday was the night I had decided would be my Jane day,and I am delighted to say Tina , Angela and Margaret have decided they would also fancy a Jane Day. Tina and I are doing Sense and Sensibility and Angela and Margaret are stitching Fancy a Jane Day. So girls how did you get on. I did mention to Margaret I would maybe set up a blog for Jane stitchers but I have not yet decided on that.
Anyway another wip for you

I had not realised how narrow (but long) this design is.
So that is me up to date with stitching.
Thankyou so much for your enthusiasm and encouragement to me in my stitching . I just cannot believe how kind you all are. I have just realised I have 93 followers ,blimey 93 I never thought I would get that many.
Family news ,well we have had Sam who is now 9 enrolling for cubscouts and taking his promise. He was 9 last week and although he is not smiling properly(trying to keep a straight face I think) here is a pic taken last night just after he got home.

Sorry it is a little dark.
It was also the whirling dervish that is Alfies ,birthday yesterday heis now 4 and I just love this pic of him , I GOT A BIG BOAT Nanny he said,Think he was pleased don't you.

Jack the eldest grandson started his GCSE exams yesterday. I think it was English a subject he is not really that bothered about although important. He is excellent at Maths and Sciences though.
Sunday is our sons birthday ,Graeme will be (oh perhaps I had better not say )but it makes me feel old realising my son will be 43.I do not know if we will get to see him or not.
Martin has just come in to take Ollie out as I am confined to barracks . He really is a treasure, coping with a chest infection of his own too.
I have one little piece of stash to share which I shall do for next Christmas , I know Sally said she would post me hers when she has done it but I thought she may like to have a Jane night again together later in the year where we stitch the same design.

I also have been a little naughty and ordered an early birthday present for me well Brother usually sends pennies. So I took the bull by the horns and ordered The Needle Charmer by Examplar Dames in the US. As it was $28 I do hope I dont get charged by the PO here. It has happened to me once and i felt as if I did not want to order from the US again,as when you have to add £12 to the order it makes it an expensive chart. Anyway when it arrives I will of course give you a glimpse.
Ok I think that is all my news nothing much happens when you cannot get out.
Take care all and keep stitching. Thanks for saying Hi - it is good to have a friendly visit.
Hugs n stuff
Barb.zx

My friends wishes for you for 2011

are in the wassailing song that is in my sidebar, turn on your volume press the play button. I also thought for you here in the uk you would like a reminder of what is coming (I think) next week, Larkrise to Candleford. I do like this sort of programme. Also I have watched Miss Potter again and so like this music from it.
Firstly I will give you a peek at what I have been stitching since last I wrote.

This is Pine Roll by Shepherds Bush . Words read:-Pine and Yew to crown the earth. Christmastide brings joy and mirth .Finished on Christmas Eve.
I then on Christmas day evening started Claras dance by the Sampler Girl hoping to finish it on New Year Eve (but I dont think so somehow) this is progress so far,but you will have to excuse the poor pic and crumpled fabric.

So now the man in red has been and I have been just so spoilt by family and stitchy friends.
Before I bore you with all my goodies, a picture before it comes down in a few days time of a tree, and a dog and a tree with a rescued duck. This was before he had his new lion and penguin !!



We had a lovely Christmas ,spending Christmas Eve with Graeme,Sue and Ella.We were a bit unsure as to the condition of the roads and as to wether we should go, as they have been very icy. Pavements not being much better.If you have had nasty conditions(sorry but my sick sense of humour wanted to jump in there with lumbago rashes etc) where you are I hope you stayed safe.
On Christmas Day we took mother in law with us to spend the day with Kate ,Iain and tribe. We were met by a very excited Alfie, who informed us we had to go see the mess that Rudolf and his friends had made of their lawn. Bits of chewed Carrots everywhere. Even Santas sleigh had left an imprint in the snow. Sam who is 9 was thrilled to see he had been left a box on the doorstep, in it was a bright shiny bell from Santas sleigh for being such a good boy.Isnt it magical when the belief is there. Santa was very very kind to them and they had lots of parcels to unwrap.
I have them all coming here on New Years Day what on earth was I thinking!. Graeme and family are coming down to spend NYE with Kate and her family and some friends , so I think there will be some fun to be had there. Not for us old fogies , a quiet toast(we dont buy the noisy toast!think I have lost the plot here)more gin needed lol. and then up early to prepare dinner for 14.
Anyway I hope you had all you wished for and more,as I said I was very lucky and loved all that I had.
My lovely hubby well he bought me these GORGEOUS earrings. White gold and Tanzanite.

Karan a stitchy friend got me interested in Crystals a little while ago and I have some amethyst (birthstone) ones like these . He also as a smiley,bought me a bottle of perfume I used to wear when we first met L'Aimant , I could not believe he remembered.I am not sure if it really something I would wear now ,but on the odd occaision. The first Christmas present he ever bought me was boxed set of Wishing by Avon many many moons ago. Sorry rambling on here . He also got me these 2 to go with my other one.

Love the one with its legs in the air,it says inside, Time to put ewer feet up. The other one in the rain says Wish ewe were here. One can never have too many sheepies can one.
I won't bore you with other bits I got from family ,but I must share stitchy things with you.
Well I was gobsmacked upon opening this from my oldbagpuss friend Julie, I admired her bag she made back a long and look what she made and sent me.


It is just so neat (well what else do I expect from Mary Poppins friend Practically Perfect in every way) . Also she enclosed this little SB design which is now hangs on my tree .Sheepies ooohhhh sublime.

Thankyou Julie ,like MP you are one in a million.
Another stitchy friend Karan (of crystal fame) had evidently looked at my wish list on S&S and had sent me this.

OH yes! more sheep ! This coaster is by the same designer as my mugs. Karan got me Sweeping Cobwebs a design I must stitch by 2011 Hallowe'en. Karan also knows I like the birds that visit the garden and sent the lovely bird bookmark . I am so blessed.
Then from Jane a complete suprise and now I understand the comment on my last post.

Jane said she hoped I liked this design on the comment about Sallys gift of the same design to me. LOL Jane, but she has told me that you do not need a new Barb.So pleased to hear that Jane !Thanks Jane.

Angi (no blog) who won my blogaversary earlier this year, sent me this sweet little coaster ,another who likes birds, we often compare notes on what is visiting our gardens.She also sent me 2 of her pretty pins with crystals on the tops. Thanks Angi.
Talking of birds ,it has been very cold here in the UK ,we always leave fallen apples for the birds to enjoy in winter. This year we have been thrilled to see Fieldfares and redwing flocks (well 30 or more)in the garden enjoying the fruit.It has to be exceptionally cold for them to come to our garden. If you do not know what fieldfares or redwings look like there are some good images on google.
Now onto sheep again ,what is this fixation with sheep ,sorry but I just think they are oooohhhh just so woolly!!lol.
This I got from my friend Irish Anne , I think she has done a 'shirley sheep',looks a bit like me ,well the same shape anyway. No point in pretending otherwise.

Oh Anne it did make me smile.
I was so delighted to get my next gift. I have a few obsessions as well you know by now and I have a 'persuasion' for Jane Austen so this I loved . Angela thankyou so much for my Austen gifties this year , and I am so pleased you found me or was it me who found you-hmmm . Anyway here is what Angela sent me.

I must show you what MIL bought me and my brother.

The fabric and threads for The Sampler Girl Sense and Sensibility , These are mainly GAST,a couple of DMC and my brother bought the 28 count fabric. Lucky girl arent I . I am doing a SAL with Tina (no blog) on Wednesday nights so if you fancy a Jane night and want to join us please do ,leave a comment for me.
You can stitch any TSG Jane design.
Whilst on the subject of Sal ,my next years starting Sal next week will be

Mondays with Sally and Colleen The journey ,of Emmanuel(s song) with his Checkered Sheep. all designs by Shepherds bush . I think Julie maybe joining us with the SB ornies but not sure.
Wednesdays with Tina and whoever Sense and Sensibility a Jane night.
Another night that I feel like in theweek will be Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor this I am doing as a SAL at Stitch and Stash.
So keeping busy.
My Quaker Christmas we got back the day before Christmas Eve and it is now hanging on the wall next to the Spirit of Christmas I did last year.


A little stash came my way too and it is just so pretty looks complicated though.


Yesterday Martin went to Kates to do a few jobs for her,a willing helper was had in Alfie who by the end of the day was marching around with a pencil behind his ear (like grandad)and marking bits of wood ready to saw. He's priceless or am I just a little biased.
Well folks I think this has gone on long enough ,you are probably nodding off in your chairs now. I do hope you have a happy ,healthy and prosperous New Year and that you keep in touch by leaving comments and I look forward to sharing your stitching and mine over the coming year.
I will leave you with my tiny kitchen window

My three candles -one for my angel dad,one for my angel mum and one for my angel fil,to say although they are never forgotten, at this time of year especially we wish they could be here.
Blessings to you all and I will be back with perhaps a newsier (is that a word) post in 2011. Take care all off now for a large cup of tea of maybe something a little stronger as this has taken me ages! Thanks to you all for your friendship this year ,I really feel as if I am not quite so shut off from the rest of the world having this little corner of it.
Hugs n stuff
Barb

Will this be you?

Well it certainly won't be me!!
I think I mentioned last time I was going to stitch Gone Sledding by The Sampler Girl .It was a quick stitch but I only got it finished this morning.

Looking at the pics now the snowman seems to have veered off a little on his sled.
Perhaps he has been on the boozy juice,Barb you must not judge everyone by your own standards! I jest of course.
Well folks are you all prepared for the day itself, I still have things to wrap and one thing to post ,but all in all I have got everything anyway.Just need to rob a bank as the grandchildren (older ones)want money.

I have not been stitching this last few nights, I have been -- knitting-- do you remember I started these socks for Martin a while ago. That long I could have sworn I had finished one and told Julie so. However I had not , and only got down to the heel on the first one. So thought I would get them done. Martin is a hole in the sock man ,forever getting holes in his socks. So I have told him with all the loving effort ( wink) gone into making these he had better get his mum to darn them if he gets a hole in them. He says they are lovely toasty warm,tried them on when Ifinished them last night and wouldnt take them off. Now have I started something here,am I going to live to regret it!!!!!!!!!
So here are said socks

Perhaps I could borrow Martins socks to rob the bank lol.

That is my makes for this week .
I did have a couple of little gifts this week though. One is still under the tree which was from Angi, and argh it is tempting me so badly. So cannot show you that .
The other was from my friend SAL Sally , isn't it cute.

I did say to her though I think you are all stuck with the old one I don't think there is anychance of a new me.
It is a Tanya from the sampler girl design in the Gift of Stitching Magazine. Sheep too so well ,what was there not to like. Thanks again Sally a friend indeed.

You may (or may not )be wondering what I have propped the pinkeep up on with Winter Woolies on the inside it is this-

Just had to show you that didn't I.
Well the mug is empty and I really must drink more,forever being told,just not the Gin mother! Hee hee I am now going to put the kettle on and make a cuppa ,want to joing me. If I do not get here again before the 9sleeps are up ,stay safe and have a good Christmas .
Hugs n stuff
Barb x

Rockin around the Christmas Tree

Well these little choir people will be if they drink the booze in the background. This is a little group and tree that Martin made .
How are you all, I am feeling a bit brighter today ,just the wretched throat and cough. It is very quiet here too, no voice. I am hoping to get myself geared up to get cards written and some shopping to do too this weekend. At least I have not got Christmas food shopping to do ,well only a little as we are going to spend Christmas Day with Kate and the tribe. A real family Christmas ,shame Graeme Sue and Ella cannot join us, but it is my turn on New Years Day when they all have said they are coming here.
I have a couple of finishes to show you I did this little pillow for Tina for her birthday along with a couple gifties. I did this over one on Sassys 28count fabric and it is a Jardin Prive design . Tina was delighted with it . So all worthwhile.

Did you notice the sheep!!!!I think it is 'clickable' if you need a closer look.
My other finish and its a ta da moment here .I am just sooooo pleased with this and I was dreading putting it together .

Drum Roll please!!!!!


I was not sure where best to take pic,as you can see its very long,but oh I like it. The Sampler Girl design Christmas Stocking.
As you know I have been stitching this along with Sally on a Monday night. Thankyou so much Sally it has been great fun and I am looking forward to the Journey with Emmanuel and Shepherds Bush with you starting the first Monday in the New Year.If you are wondering about the title I am going to stitch The Journey and Sally is doing Emmanuels Song,not sure about the other titles being done by the other girls., I think Colleen and Julie are joining us too so whoo hoo more stitchy fun. I have not deserted Jane though and I shall be starting another Sal with Tina on Wednesday nights as a Jane night,we are starting with Sense and Sensibility sampler at least that is the one I have chosen from my stash and I think Tina has the same. I am going to order the GAST threads for this in a moment . Also a new start will be Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor does anyone want to join me with this one.

I have been having'A weekend with Mr Darcy', this last week or so , I really liked this book ,not at all demanding ,with references to various Jane Austen characters and sayings, I will miss snuggling up with this one. I finished it last night and thought I would read Darcys Christmas next - so in the twinkling of an eye I had downloaded it to my Kindle.

I am going to stitch Gone Sledding tonight ,another Sampler Girl design which I have been going to do since I got it earlier in the year,I see Tanya had it in her 12 days of Christmas sale over on her blog.

Our snow has all gone and it is a very grey sort of day here.Well my friends again thankyou for finding a few moments to leave me a comment .
Thanks for the encouragement you have given me since starting this ere blog.
Now I am off to empty the screaming washing machine and the drier has now stopped its whirring too -but no I am not getting out the dreaded ironing board.!!
Take care you all ,keep warm , enjoy your weekend whatever you are doing and keep stitching!
Hugs n stuff
Barb x