Another New Start.

Well, do you think I have been a little busy? It certainly seems so to me. I have started a new class at my Embroidery Group, which is a small Applique Baltimore Quilt. This is been taught by one of our members who is a well known Tutor of Embroidery and Patchwork. I won't mention her name as she is unaware of my blog but I hold her in high esteem for her talent and generosity in sharing her skills.  We are truly blessed to have her living and tutoring in our area. This small quilt is in Dimensional Applique and I am enjoying every stitch. I have actually made the larger version several years ago but never finished for many reasons, this is now giving me the incentive to take it to a professional quilter as my poor hands will no longer cope with the many hours of quilting it needs. Please note the teeny tiny flowers. They started life as a 1inch circle, then became a tiny little Suffolk puff before they became little flowers. I will show you when they are attached to the quilt block. I need to make over 60 of these, ouch! my sore fingers. Also the selection of fabrics that I have chosen for flowers and leaves. I found some in Newcastle last week, others I have had for some time. I was very good during this little shopping trip as I only bought three different fabrics but making a choice was difficult as the variety was wonderful.
I have also been working on The Earth Gatherers. You will notice that I am now stitching the vegetable rack which has pink carrots!  I can live with that, if the Ladies of Shepherds Bush decree pink carrots.
Also, during the past week my friend has had her daughter and family visiting. This visit included her very beautiful 4month old grandson Liam. Needless to say we managed to get some cuddles and lots of smiles from Liam. We all went out for dinner last Sunday night and had a wonderful time. Baby Liam was enthralled with the lanterns still hanging for Chinese New Year. Sadly, they are now back in the U.K. but we are hoping for another visit soon.
And before I go,
                                                            ' AOTEAROA'
                                                     God Defend New Zealand.

Another Update.

I have been absent for a while and my excuse is that I have been a little busy with this cross stitch project and the class I am involved with at my embroidery group. Please note the addition of the second Gatherer. He is so cute, dressed in DMC 926 and 927 with touches of 224, 3012 & 712 and some beads.
The class is Needle-turn Applique. I have not stitched anything yet, worthy of a picture. However, when I have, it will certainly make an appearance here. I had taken some lovely fabric to class with me and then decided to change the colour I had chosen for stems. So a trip to our local patchwork shop tomorrow. Whoohoo.
I am also going to gift myself a new Rotary Cutter as the locking mechanism has broken on my 8yr. old cutter. Is that a normal life for a Rotary Cutter? Anyway, I should buy one for the sake of safety, but which one is the question.
I am still working on The Earth Gatherers, not that I have done much tonight as my hands are a little stiff after clipping and weeding the front garden after dinner.  We have had some wonderful rain these past few day's with more predicted tonight. The left over weeds should be a little easier to remove tomorrow and then we will be able top up the mulch.
Well, I think it is time for a lovely cup of Lady Grey tea and may be a few stitches, before calling it a night.

Another WIP and a small selection of completed items.

Funny, since I have become so involved in working on The Earth Gatherers I have pushed another WIP that I should be giving some attention too, out of my mind.  Already I have broken a New Year's Resolution, that's bad considering it is only late January, oh well.  This is an item in Hardanger which is a class piece from last year.

Class?, I have been a member of our local Embroidery Group for over 12yrs. I enjoy my twice monthly meetings very much and have been so fortunate over the years to have taken part in some wonderful classes with fantastic Tutors. Some of the different techniques I have enjoyed learning are Silk Ribbon Embroidery, Trapunto, Crewel Work, Hardanger, Wool embroidery, Deerfield, Wessex Stitchery, Drawn and Pulled Linen work just to name a few.

Every three years we hold an Exhibition and I can say it is stunning. Our group has over 200 members and when you see the combined work of three years on display it is like an Aladdin's Cave full of treasure.

I opened a drawer yesterday and there was the Hardanger project waiting for attention along with past finishes that are waiting to be framed or turned into something but at the moment I am not sure what that will be.

As you can see, I have more Shepherd's bush designs that I have completed. I have also gathered a collection of needle rolls and have featured a selection here. I have others that have been completed over the years and  I will post those another time. The small pansy and crocus designs are from a Jane Greenoff magazine from  several years ago and are delightful designs, very handy for cards.  I have also just remembered another WIP, oh dear, looks like a very busy year ahead.

More Earth Gathering.

More Earth Gathering, that sounds like a good name for a Gardening blog but this is about Cross-Stitch . I am still working on The Earth Gatherers and have now started the bottom of the coat which is in a lovely shade of pink. I think it is color that first attracted me to Shepherds Bush designs and then the very sweet subject matter.  Who would not like delicate floral motifs and gentle sheep along with the sweetest little rotund figures wearing beautiful patchwork inspired  clothing. Then to complete these designs, there are beautiful charms to add as embellishment.  I have managed to complete  more on this section between some sewing, shopping, gardening and dog wrangling.
I have also been looking after some house-management items for my friend visiting her daughter in New Zealand who gave  birth last week to a beautiful baby girl.  She is such a dear little sweetie, she has been named Gabriella.  My friend once lamented she might never have grandchildren but now has two after her younger daughter had a lovely baby boy last October.  Needless to say I know a very happy grandmother and am looking forward to her return to hear about the latest addition.
Today is Australia Day, which is a country wide public holiday. We are by tradition suppose to have a BBQ of  Lamb Chops and Sausages or visit the closest beach but the temperature is climbing towards 40c and I think it might be an afternoon of stitching with the Air-conditioner for company. So, HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY, the country we love so much.

Earth Gatherers Progress.

Between last night and tonight I have managed  a little surge ahead with The Earth Gatherer. Not as much as I had hoped for but after bathing and grooming a very messy little Bischon Frise (Miss Molly), I was a little worn out.
  Molly has developed the habit of walking under the Plumbago bush in the back garden, which is not at all compatible with her curly coat.  She looks so sweet when she first comes inside with blue flowers scattered around her body and on her feet and occasionally on top of her head. Then when you try to remove any flowers, you would think that they had been stuck on with glue as they are very sticky. So with the Plumbago and scratching around in the garden, it was time for a bath and a beauty treatment.
I did manage to see Oprah's second T.V. show of her visit to Australia and thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope everyone across the world who has the chance of having a vacation takes our wonderful country into consideration as a holiday destination.  Tomorrow night's episode will show part of my local surrounds which are the vineyards in the Hunter Valley.  Mmm, Sauvignon Blanc, or a Chardonnay.
No, I must be good and do a little more stitching before I am off to rest my weary self. Molly is already snuggled up in her bed, I think the walk she had with DH and her beauty/spa treatment have worn her out as well.