Stitching Mad Mum

Fairy Exchange-Received

2009-06-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

I received this from my exchange partner, and I was really pleased with it. It's so pretty, and the metallics she used are lovely.

Fairy Exchange-Sent

2009-06-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

I recently took part in a fairy exchange, organised by a lovely lady called Angelique from South Africa. It was a group of us from Craft Bubble, and I really enjoyed stitching it.

It was a cute design from Cross Stitcher, and it only took 6 hours to do.

Fathers Day Card for my Dad

2009-06-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

I made this for my Dad, and he loved it. For such a simple card, I thought it looked really effective when it was finished.

It was from a series of designs in Card Shop magazine.

Fathers Day Card for FIL

2009-06-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

I made this card for my FIL...it was a last minute one as hubby wanted to buy him one, but I couldn't allow that!! As a stitcher/card-maker, I couldn't just settle for a shop bought one lol

This took me about 4 hours to do, and he loved it.

My ATC's

2009-06-23T14:46:00.001-07:00

These were done for exchanges this month, and were a lot of fun to do. As you can see, the themes were Chocoholic & Oriental.

Been busy stitching!!

2009-06-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

I have been really busy recently, I seem to have cards galore to make & ATC exchanges to do!!

I've really enjoyed it though, and I still have a couple of exchanges to get done, and some more cards lol

I hope you are all well, and are all busy stitching x

An Anniversary Card for my In-laws

2009-06-05T15:59:00.000-07:00

I made this card for my hubby's Mum & Dad, who are celebrating 40 years of marriage this weekend. As you can see, I had some fun with embellishing the finished card. I hope they like it.

More ATC's!

2009-06-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, these things are addictive!!!!! For such little cards, they are a lot of fun to do, and I love adding cute embellishments to the finished stitching.

These were also for exchanges on the forum, and they were Scottish themed & Cupcake theme.

A finished ATC.

2009-06-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

This is an ATC I did for a monthly competition on the Cross-stitching.com forum.

It was an any theme , so I chose a cute gnome, and had fun embellishing it with some summery bits!

Sorry for neglecting my blog!!!

2009-06-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

My apologies for not updating my blog for a while....I have been really busy doing ATC exchanges, birthday cards, and a couple of exchanges!! I'm also still working on my Mickey Mouse SAL, he's not too far from being finished.

I've also been experimenting with card making too, which is an interesting diversion from my stitching at times!! And it's also another excuse to buy lots of new stash!!!

Birthday Card for a friend.

2009-05-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

I made this for my friend's 40th over the weekend, and I'm really pleased with it. It was quick to stitch too, which is always a plus!!!

Update on Mickey Mouse

2009-05-19T13:38:00.000-07:00

It was Stitch-a-Long weekend on Facebook this weekend, so I concentrated on my Mickey Mouse. I got quite a bit done, and he's looking very cute!! There's not too much to do now, just the border & wording, then the backstitch.

Wanted to share this with you...

2009-05-13T14:31:00.000-07:00

As well as doing lots of stitching recently, I have also been experimenting with card-making & decoupage, which I'm really enjoying.

This is a card I've made for my Dad's birthday next week, I'm really pleased with how it turned out! It's a Jolly Nation decoupage with paw embellishments & a simple tag, I hope he likes it.

My Flower Fairy is Finished!!

2009-05-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

I finished her last night after 3 weeks of stitching her, and I am really pleased with how she turned out, the colours are gorgeous!! I want to do her again to keep for myself, and I also fancy doing my daughters' initials.

I'm posting her off tomorrow to the lady who will then make it into a quilt for sick kids, I've enjoyed stitching for something so worthwhile.

Update on my stitching

2009-05-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy stitching in the last couple of weeks, and I seem to have a needle in my hand almost every time I sit down!!!

Here's an update on my Flower Fairy quilt square, it's all done except for the backstitch...and it's such pretty colours! Even the French knots weren't too bad!!

I've also done a couple of small stitched pieces for some ATC (Artist Trading Card) exchanges on one of the forums, they are so dinky but great fun to stitch, and I'm looking forward to embellishing them to make them look pretty!!!

I've also been experimenting with decoupage, which is good fun...I'll post some photos of my creations when they're completely finished!

I've won an award!!!!

2009-05-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

I noticed today that one of my fellow bloggers, the lovely Sheila, has nominated me for this award....woo hoo!!!!

Thank you so much Sheila, it is quite an honour, and I'm so pleased you enjoy my blog.

I also want to thank everyone who reads it and leaves me comments, it's lovely to know people stop by.

I also thank my hubby & daughters for putting up with my crafty mess, my bits of thread everywhere, and the need to visit craft/stitchy shops where ever we are......

Here's the link to Sheila's blog: http://sheila-sheelagh.blogspot.com

In return I'd like to nominate the following people:
DaffyCat http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/
Lorraine http://k1ns.blogspot.com/
CJ http://tea-n-stitches.blogspot.com/
kelly http://i-love-cross-stitch.blogspot.com/
Margie http://its-all-about-cross-stitch.blogspot.com/
Jenn http://feelingstitchy.blogspot.com/

Fabric giveaway

2009-04-27T05:03:00.000-07:00

On the sidebar, there is a link to a lovely Blog by DaffyCat, she is giving away 2 lots of hand-dyed fabby, Aida & Evenweave!! Check it out, and enjoy her blog too x

My other project

2009-04-27T03:48:00.000-07:00

This is a Mickey Mouse design I'm doing as part of a SAL with some other forum members, I started him yesterday. Here's the progress so far...can you tell what it is yet lol??

My 2 current projects

2009-04-27T03:41:00.000-07:00

I've been busy the past few days on 2 new projects. Both are from the forums I'm on, and I'm enjoying them so much!!

This is the Flower Fairy Alphabet quilt square I'm doing, this is for a charity quilt. It's the letter S, and it's the Strawberry fairy. The chart booklet was in World of Cross Stitching a few months ago. She's coming on well, I've had a few thread traumas along the way, eg wrong colours bought etc, but they're sorted now lol

He's done!!

2009-04-22T02:42:00.000-07:00

I finished the Tatty Teddy sampler on Sunday, after only 8 days....definitely a personal best!!! The backstitch was a nightmare, even though I tried to just do my own thing....it's put off doing another one for a while lol
All he needs now are the baby's details in a few months time, and then I can get him framed.

My WIP

2009-04-15T23:58:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a while since I last posted.....but I have been stitching I promise!!! I've started on a birth sampler for a friend's baby, which is really coming along quickly.

I've chosen a Tatty Teddy design which is adorable, I hope she likes it. I'll post another update at the weekend.

My First Lizzie Kate Finish

2009-04-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

I've always liked Lizzie Kate designs so I couldn't wait to start one of the charts I'd bought at the stitching show.

I started this one on Friday afternoon, and finished it on Monday lunchtime after only 11 hours of stitching!! It was a real pleasure to stitch, and it looks so good.....especially as it's such a simple design.

I can't wait to do more of these designs....I plan to finish this as a wall-hanging with wire hangers.

Stash Alert!!!!

2009-04-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

I went to the Pins & Needles stitching show yesterday with my good friend Paula, and we had a blast!!!! We were both very good and stuck to our budgets, but still came home with bags full of stuff!! We were slightly disappointed that there wasn't more stitching stuff, a lot of stalls were dedicated to cardmaking & jewellery making, but it was still very good.....and we're planning on going to the Xmas craft fair too.

I bought:
2 Lizzie Kate charts: Housework never killed anyone & Praise your Children
Humphrey's Corner kit....a real bargain £2.99 instead of £8.99!!
Madeira threads
White Felt
Snap frame
2 rolls double sided tape
Country Companions chart book
Small flexihoop
Snowman/snowflake buttons
Stickers & embellishments for cards
Backing papers for Xmas & kids
3 Decoupage kits

I've finished!!!

2009-03-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my All Our Yesterdays Lighthouse today, and I am so pleased with it!! It's only taken me just over 6 weeks, and has stitched up a lot quicker than I'd expected!

It still needs framing, but I just wanted to share it with you in it's "just finished" state!!

Birthday Card for my Mother In Law

2009-03-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

I did this card this week for my Mother in Law's birthday tomorrow, and I'm really pleased with the result! She loves Oriental things so I thought this design would be perfect for her!! I finished it by adding a square of handmade paper to add more oomph.

Update on my Lighthouse

2009-03-28T14:02:00.001-07:00

I've done quite a bit of stitching on this the last couple of days.....and I'm pleased to say that all the cross stitch is done.....just the backstitch to go!! Yay!!! I hope to get it finished in the next couple of days.

And look what I received!!

2009-03-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

This was made for me by my exchange partner, and I love it!!!! I chose Somebunny as I think he's adorable, and this gorgeous picture is now on my window sill for everyone to see!! It is beautifully stitched, and the frame & mount fit the design perfectly!!!!

Character Exchange March 2009

2009-03-24T05:58:00.000-07:00

I have been involved in a Character Exchange on the Stitch & Craft forum which has recently finished. The posting date was Friday so I posted this to my partner. She chose Eeyore as her favourite charcter, so I did this kit for her, and then had the idea of turning it into a pin cushion. I'm quite pleased with it, as it's the first time I've ever attempted one!!

It's Mother's Day!!

2009-03-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all you mummies out there....whether your children are little or big!!!

I've been thoroughly spoilt by my girls, they love making the day special for me.

I got a beautiful snowglobe from my eldest, and a big soft teddy from my youngest, along with a sewn card & a flower she made at school. They also gave me a card with a lovely verse in it which made me cry!!!

And they also prepared breakfast for me....with my darling hubby's help of course!

Mother's Day Card

2009-03-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

I made this for my Mother in Law....I finished it at 11pm last night!!!

It's such a pretty card, the design was fun to stitch, and the pink card works well I think.

I finished it off with pink brads in each corner, it's the first time I've used them but I'll be using them again!!

Birthday Card for my Sister in Law

2009-03-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

I made this for my Sister in Law, whose birthday it is today....happy birthday Jane!!

I finished it off with silver peel-off flowers but kept it fairly simple, and I think the colours are very Spring-like.

Birthday Card Finish

2009-03-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy this week making cards for family & friends, and I really enjoyed stitching them.

This one was for my friend's 40th birthday, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

I used a glittery sticker & a pretty pink bow to finish it off, which I think looks lovely.

My progress after this weekend's SAL

2009-03-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

I did quite a bit of stitching over the weekend, I gave up on the Somebunny card though, it turned out badly....the colours were really weak, so I stitched a different card instead for my friend's birthday (photo to follow).

I also did some more on my Lighthouse as part of the SAL on Facebook, here's a pic of my progress. It's just more sky, but it's a stitch closer to being finished!!!

This Month's Cross Stitch Crazy

2009-03-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

I picked up my copy of this magazine at the weekend, and there's even more lovely projects to add to my already long To-do list!!! There's a lovely new Popcorn chart which I really like, some folk-art sampler type designs celebrating Spring & some birthday cards which will hopefully come in handy this year!! I also quite like the bathroom pics, they're quite cute!

The free kit was a Blue Tit, sweet but not sure if I'll stitch it though.....

My weekend stitching plans

2009-03-13T15:04:00.000-07:00

Well I've got quite a bit to do this weekend, mainly cards for birthdays that are coming up next weekend & of course Mother's Day!!

I'm currently working on a Somebunny for a card, which is almost finished, just a little cross stitch & the back stitch left. Then I need to do a card for my Sister-in -Law, I've chosen a pretty design in shades of yellow & purple, which shouldn't take too long!

Then I also hope to get some more done on my Lighthouse, as I'm taking part in another SAL this weekend, this time it's a Facebook group that's arranged it.

Happy stitching everyone, and have a lovely weekend xxx

Been buying some new stash

2009-03-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

My friend and I had a lovely afternoon out yesterday checking out a new craft shop that's opened near us.....it was quite good and we both came away with some goodies!!

It didn't sell any stitching bits sadly, but I did buy some bits to finish my stitched cards nicely, and a few decoupage kits to try.

I bought: 2 lots of silver peel-offs, an All Our Yesterdays decoupage kit, a horsey decoupage kit for my daughter's birthday card, 5 pack of blank cards, 2 sheets of handmade paper, 2 sheets of Xmas backing paper, and a little pack of pink flowers.

As you can see, I also bought a couple of stitchy bits, a skein of thread for a card I'm doing, some bobbins for my threads, and a little tomato needle keep.....

Decisions, decisions.....

2009-03-11T04:27:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to decide which project to do next, as my Lighthouse is so nearly done. I've got the tough choice between an adorable Popcorn kit or another All Our Yesterdays kit, which is so cute...... Hmm it's a hard one....

My progress after the SAL

2009-03-11T04:23:00.000-07:00

Here's my progress after the SAL over the weekend, looking so good!! I've only the half stitch & the backstitch to go:

Had a stitchy day today....

2009-03-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

We had a chilled day at home today, watching some movies with lots of poporn & sweets, so I used the opportunity to get some more done on my AOY.

I've been involved in a SAL this weekend with the Craft & Creatures forum, so I posted a pic on Friday, and will post another tomorrow....I'm quite proud of what I've got done since Friday, I've managed about 8 hours!!

I'm also hunting out designs for some birthday cards I need to do for family members this month....and I need one for Mother's Day!!

I won a competition this week....

2009-03-07T14:57:00.000-08:00

I am a member of the Stitch & Craft forum, which runs monthly competitions.....and I won the February competition courtesy of the lovely Jenni & Emily.

My prize was £10 to spend online, and after lots of deliberating, I chose a chart from Heaven & Earth Designs which I've wanted for quite a while.

This is what I chose:

My Current WIP

2009-03-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

I started this project on February 15th, it's an All Our Yesterdays kit called the Lighthouse, and I am really enjoying stitching it. The colours are lovely, and it's coming to life before my eyes the more I stitch it!

Here's my progress so far:

2009-03-07T05:50:00.000-08:00

Hi all

This is my new blog, created to share my love of cross stitching with others!!

I've been stitching for 9 years, and love cute designs especially.

I hope you like it, please let me know what you think x

Susie x