TUSAL & Travelling Pattern

Well I'm behind again so two quick things to catch-up on.

First my February TUSAL post.

Wow I have absolutely amazed myself and added a lot of orts this month as I've been stitching up a storm, not only finishing the Travelling Pattern but also starting a The Secret Project which has come on way faster than I expected, which is good.

I have also done the draw for the Lizzie Kate Travelling pattern and it should soon be heading across the ocean to Lynda at A Cozy Little Place for Stitching. Do hop over to her blog if you want another go at stitching this pattern.

Not a lot else has been happening as I have been unwell and not felt like doing much except watching the Winter Olympics, although now I have a ton of things to catch-up on but if GB carry on doing well in the curling not much will get done this week either.

Framed

I was so pleased with how these two designs came out once they were framed and ready to be given as Christmas presents to my sisters.

April Plans

Before I get to my plans for April here's my third finish for the year. I've stitched this for my other sister's birthday.

Lizzie Kate: Dogs Leave Paw Prints

Fabric: 28 ct Linen Shade: Biscuit

Threads: DMC

As you might have guessed she likes dogs. She is actually coming here for dinner on Sunday but as I want to get it framed before I give it to her she will have to wait for it. Mind as she's not expecting it that won't bother her too much.

Quite a while ago I stopped setting myself stitching targets as I rarely met them. However, this month I'm going to because if you scroll down my sidebar you will see that I am way behind on my stitching for others. I had planned on making February my finishing month but was far too busy with quizzing to even think about that. Now that the quiz season is over and the pressure is off, for a bit, I'm determined to catch up on all the stitching I owe others. So if your name appears on my list of WIPs keep your eye out for the postman in April, just don't give him or her filthy looks until the second half of the month.

A Finish

Yes, OK so it's a bit of a shocker. I know, not only am I doing a post that is stitching related but I also have one of those very rare things, on this blog, a post about a finish.

I have been working on a birthday gift for my sister Debra. I started it back in January and had nearly got it finished when the world went slightly crazy around here. Anyway with yesterday being Mother's Day I treated myself to an hour or so of stitching and finished it off.

Lizzie Kate - Cinderella is Proof
On enclosed fabric using DMC threads

As you might have guessed she likes shoes, a passion I simply don't share or understand. I'm hoping to give it her for her birthday but first I have to get round, very quickly, to stitching something for my other sister, Carol, whose birthday is the day after Debra's. As I want to get both pieces framed I'd better get a move on. Just as well things are seriously calming down around here and I'm actually ahead of the game, for once. It won't last but I'm enjoying it whilst I can.

I also have a late posting for the TUSAL

Not surprisingly there aren't many new threads in the jar but those of you with long memories might notice the new jar, it looks much prettier sat on my living room sideboard than the old jam jar did. Obviously I'm expecting the TUSAL to run for at least a decade as that's how long it will probably be before I fill the jar.

In fact just looked on the TUSAL blog to see I've missed a whole month out. I didn't realise I'd been out of circulation for that long. Note to self:

'Must pay more attention'

I must also show you the lovely PIF that Chris sent me. She sent it me so long ago that she must be thinking I'm the most ungrateful PIF recipient ever, especially after she clearly put so much time and effort into what she sent me.

She has made me a beautiful scissor case, with a beaded fob, my very first beaded fob.

From A Gift of Stitching on 28ct with DMC threads.

The back of the case has my initial on it.

Isn't it it delightful and isn't she so clever to make both the fob and card that go with the scissor case.

Finally, an appeal, if you haven't read the post below, please, please do.

My First PIF

I heard from Kath that she has received the PIF I stitched for her. As it was the first one I've ever done I relieved to hear it had arrived safely and that she likes it.

Lizzie Kate - Friendship Grows

Stitched on linen with DMC threads

It's a Lizzie Kate freebie called Friendship Grows. A quick search of Kath's blog had revealed that she liked Lizzie Kate designs and when I saw this design I thought of the lovely pictures of her garden that she has also posted on her blog. I stitched it on some unidentified linen that I had in my stash and backed it with the Pins and Needles fabric I bought a few weeks go.

You may well observe that there is no bow on the top of the pinkeep. This was only my second attempt at a pinkeep and after spending an hour trying to create a bow I gave up, I hope Kath doesn't mind. Something I will have to work on for any future pinkeeps.