Blog Break

Taking a break for a while.Lots of decorating and gardening to be done and my spare time is going to be used for stitching.
Will be back soon,HAPPY stitching to you all.

I love Ebay

Found some more PV and Alma Lynne charts on ebay.They were all from the same seller and were sold in sets.I already have a few of the PV and don't think I will use the baby ones but for just over £10 inc postage I am very happy.Collecting these older charts is becoming part of the hobby too.
Put a few stitches in this DMC kit that has been floating around,love the browns and pinks.Also put PV down to stitch a card for DH friends' 40th.He is a keen fisherman so thought this would be perfect,I'm thinking it's a salmon,it doesn't say what it is on the chart.Just a few more stitches and a little backstitching and it will be done.
Forgot to say thanks to all those that let me know how they keep their places on charts,I like the idea of using different colours so you can track how much you have done each time.Also wanted to mention Fionas' blog,she has posted some great pics of some scrapbooked cross stitching.I love how she has used the cute buttons on the layouts.
http://crazystitching.blogspot.com/
Hope you all have a great weekend.

Snow

Just in case you hadn't heard it snowed here in the UK and things went a little mad.Well ok everything came to a standstill.At least the kids had fun, a couple of days off school playing out in the snow and still people moaned they should be at school,lighten up they will have to wait another 18 yrs until they see it again LOL.
Not a lot of stitching done as I have caught my DDs cold so been feeling sorry for myself.As usual DH is fine ,we are driving him mad coughing all day.
Managed to win this book on Ebay , for just £1.99,I did need a little cheering up so that is my excuse.I do like to read cross stitch books if you know what I mean.They don't just sit on the shelves,I like to browse through them for finishing ideas.
I have also found some lovely Russian cross stitch blogs.Unable to read them but love looking at all the projects they work on.It still amazes me how many stitchers there are all over the world.
A big thanks goes out to Always Smiling for a blog award she gave me,love your blog too even though I have only recently started to follow it.
Lastly sorry for lack of comments, not been in the mood due to cold,will catch up at the weekend.

Alma Lynne Again

Thought I would share a few of my Alma Lynne charts,a couple of them are amongst some of the first charts that I ever bought.I did start stitching in the 80's and never imagined the supplies you can now get hold of via the net.I even have her signature on the Amish chart,I had a lovely pen pal from San Fransisco that got hold of it for me after going to one of those great USA stitching shows we here in the UK could only dream of.I did google Alma Lynne to see if she is still designing and found a great news story about her and her family
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TurningPoints/story?id=4495184&page=1
what a story.Hope all goes well for them.
Well getting back to now I have stitched the quilt and have started on the chair.I did well as normally I work bits all over a chart but this time told myself that I had to do all the quilt first,they are a few gaps but they will get done tonight,when that colour is in my needle.
How do you mark off your charts? I tend to stick to pencil.It seems a shame to draw all over them ,but I would soon get lost if I didn't.
Edited to add-so sorry Wendy forgot to say thanks for the award you gave me - my first.

Going well

The quilt is starting to grow on the PV.The shading is very subtle and I am enjoying working on this design,hope it carries on.My eyes still feel tired though even working on 16cnt and using my daylight lamp.I am due an eyetest so I had better get them checked.
Picked up a couple of mags in town after dropping my DD off.She now tends to shop with friends rather than me,I don't mind as I can have a wander on my own instead of being dragged around Top Shop and New Look where I feel like an old frump.
I couldn't resist the little bunny on the front of Card Shop.I am trying to slow down on stash buying but mags don't count,hey I make the rules ok ;)
After looking at PV designs on webshots,I do like looking at other peoples stitching I have seen lots of designers that I had forgotten about.Not sure if they are all still designing.Anyone remember Dale Burdett,Mar Bek Angels by Serendipity and Alma Lynne who I think is still designing.
Thanks again for the comments left,Mavis do you have a blog?
Marianne got your letter this week,thanks, will reply soon.

PV finish

First of all sorry for the poor quality of the pics,it seems that photography is certainly not my thing.
Finished PV,very pleased with the results,so much that I have started another one from the same book.Working on 16cnt this time not evenweave,my eyes like aida so much better.There are a lot of aida snobs but I am fine with it.
DH came home from work and said "can you make me a card for a womens 40th to take in next day" not much warning given, so no stitching on this one.Next time he has a moan about how much stuff as he calls it I have, he will get a little reminder that last minute cards are not a problem as I have so much stuff.
Anyone seen or bought Joan Elliots latest book - Bewitching Cross Stitch ? A few of the designs have been in the mags and they look great.We only have a WHSmiths in town and they have a handful of craft books only - knitting and papercrafts,no stitching,I like to have a look first before buying off Amazon.

Backstitching

That is all I have been doing,there is loads to do,but I am getting there ,a few more nights and PV should be completed.I was planning on having it framed properly rather than doing it myself.My local framer has moved after his rent was increased, so now I have to look for someone else.
Tea for Two is finished, just needs an iron then put the frame together.I plan on putting it on a shelf in the kitchen,along with a couple of teapots,will post a pic next time.
Bought the latest copies of a couple of stitchy mags.Cross Stitcher is still my favourite,I like the more contemporary designs.I also like to read all the letters to see what other stitchers are making.
Hello to Marianne if you are reading this,you should get my letter soon.
Lindsay Ann,I thought you meant the shop at Edwinstowe.I used to go there too.He has moved a few miles away and now is on the main street at Ollerton.
http://www.heathscountrystore.co.uk/
Also hello to Alison,happy to have found your new blog,always love to see what samplers you are working on.