Stitching updates

I've been spending most of my stitching time working on Hypnotic.
I've done about half the first page.

Here is my progress on Romantic Rose Garden Mandala.

Giveaway

I am giving away the chart set for Lizzie Kate's Living with Charm.

This is only for the charts.  Fabric, thread and charms are NOT included.
Please leave a comment below stating if you wish to be included in the draw.  Don't forget your email address.

I will draw a name on April 16th (Australia time).   It is our 15th wedding anniversary.  DH and I were married on Easter Sunday 1995.

April Update

Living with Charm Framed

I haven't been able to do much stitching lately but here is a picture of Living with Charm framed.

I can't decide where to hang this so it is leaning against the wall near the TV for a bit.

I'll post an update on my other stitching after Easter.


Non-stitching Stuff

The kids are on holidays until the 13th.  DS has a rugby union (football) camp for a few days next week. 

DH has gone car racing at Bathurst over Easter.  He left this morning and has just arrived - 12 hours towing a car trailer to get down there.  He will be driving back on Wednesday. 
This is a picture of his toy - it is a GT40 replica he built from a kit.

We have all survived the first term of school.  DD has been officially diagnosed with a peanut allergy and has to carry an epipen.  Her allergy is moderate but all nut allergys are treated as life threatening.  

DS had a trip to hospital for x-rays after a cricket game 2 weeks ago.  I thought he might have broken his hand but the x-ray was clear.  It took a week for the swelling to go down so he could move his fingers and wrist easily.

DH had a work trip os for 2 weeks - mostly in Vancouver.  He got back the day DS was hurt. 

I was called up for jury duty AGAIN - I did it last year.  I had to be available for 2 weeks but I ended up only having to go in on the first day and I wasn't required for any trials.  The worst part was that I couldn't plan anything because I didn't find out until after 5PM whether I was needed for the next day. 

I'm having a holiday at home while there is no school.

A Finish and 2 WIPS

It has been very hot and humid here in Brisbane for the last few weeks and I haven't picked up my stitching.  We don't have air-conditioning and I am resisting getting it.  The weather is only nasty and unbearable for a few weeks a year, although it feels like forever after the last few weeks.

I am updating my blog today because it is COOLER and WET today.  I am going to stitch all afternoon and hopefully some evenings this coming week.  Here is where I was at before the hot weather.


Living with Charm Finished

I finished this a few weeks ago and have just taken a photo.

It was done on 28ct Laguna opalescent with WDW and GAST threads. 

Rose Garden Mandala

Here is my progress until mid January.  I love working with the silk threads that came in this kit.    I am using Q-snaps to hold this piece as I am doing it.  The pattern is from The Gift of Stitching online magazine (Issue 44) and it is stitched on 32 count white linen.

 

Hypnotic

I have started my leopard, but I am still on the black as you can see.  I have gridded this with sewing thread so I am removing it before I get to it.  I am doing this on scroll rods on my floor frame.  It is the biggest piece I have ever started and is for my son. 

Living with Charm

I'm almost finished this but I've run out of one of the threads in the kit. 
There is meant to be a pink circle behind the start of the word create.

I've ordered more thread and some other things from a shop in the US.  It should be here in a few weeks.

Now I can put this away for a bit and work on my 2010 projects.


I've updated my webshots albums with photos of old finishes.  Take a look if you like.

Sunday Stitching Progress

WIP

This is a picture of Living with Charm taken on Sunday morning.  I have been plugging away at this over the holidays and doing a little most nights.  I was trying to get it finished before 2010, but I've run out of time. 






2010 Projects

I have 2 new cross stitches I want to do in 2010

1.  Romantic Rose Garden Mandala

2.  Hypnotic by KustomKrafts

I have made a tiny start on the Romantic Rose Garden.

Here is the photo - don't laugh!

I just sat down to look at the fabric and threads and the next thing I knew I was threading a needle.  I can't wait to get stuck into this one.

I am doing this on my 17" square Q-snaps.

This is the first time I've used Q-snaps.

I have started gridding up the fabric for Hypnotic.  This will be my first BAP.

Christmas and New Year

We had a quiet Christmas.  DH's Grandmother was in hospital and got out the week before Christmas.  She is staying with DH's parents.  We had Christmas lunch at my parents in laws with them, DMIL's parents, DH's brother and his wife, my Dad who comes to stay with us for Christmas, and our 2 kids. 
It has been fairly wet with rain most days for the last 2 weeks.   

I stayed up until after midnight on New Year's Eve.  DS and I were watching TLOTR 3 on TV and I was stitching.  DH went to bed early because he had to work on New Year's Day - 14 hours!   He can't complain to anyone because he is the boss.

My Cat

Here is a photo of my cat Lexie,  She is an abysinnian and we got her 5 years ago just after Christmas when she was 10 weeks old.  She's very stand-offish and doesn't like being patted by adults.  Won't sit on people's laps, but she's friendlier with the kids and will go to them for attention. 

View From My Sewing Room Window

Member of the online group scquilters have been talking about their sewing room views and posting photos on their blogs.

Here is my sewing room view.  The room faces east and is at the front of the house.  It has a big bay window.  Looking out I can see our front yard, the road and the neighbours houses, and the trees in the nature reserve.  We've had lots of rain recently so the grass is a lovely green.

This room was the original main bedroom before another (bigger) master bedroom was added just after the house was built.  I use this as the sewing room/spare bedroom/ironing room.  It has lots of built in cupboards and a walk in wardrobe (all full of stash) and an ensuite.  In the room there is the spare bed and a desk where I put the sewing machine.  It gets great breezes and is a good place to have a nap on hot Sunday afternoons.