Dowerin Stitching Weekend

Hello Friends,

I’ve just returned from a weekend away in the wheatbelt town of Dowerin with some of my stitching girlfriends. We had a wonderful time – stitching, eating, stitching, drinking wine, stitching, laughing and stitching some more.

Beware of Cat / Lizzie Kate

Here’s the only finish I had over the weekend: Beware of Cat by Lizzie Kate. This is a retired Pocketbook Kit (included the fabric and button). I’ve had this as a work in progress for a long time – so I’m glad to have finally finished it!

Spot Sampler Mystery / Stickideen von der Wiehenburg

Whilst we were away I also got to work on some of my long standing WIPs. Here’s my progress on the Spot Sampler Mystery by Stickideen von der Wiehenburg (now published as Spot Sampler Patricia). I have been stitching on it quite a bit since I finished Mary Thompson. Here’s a link to the last post featuring a photo of my progress on this piece.

Countdown to Christmas / Blue Ribbon Designs

I also pulled out Countdown to Christmas by Blue Ribbon Designs and finished the right hand side of the top panel. To complete this section, I just need to complete the row of flowers beneath the text and finish stitching the bottom row of the outside edge. Then there’s the rest of the frame to do (oh, joy!)

Felix (Emperor Meow) draped in the Purple Spot Sampler

Whilst I was taking the photo of the Countdown to Christmas, I had draped the purple mystery spot over my stitching chair instead of putting it away in my WIP basket, imagine my combined horror and amusement when I turned around to behold the sight in the photo above. Mr F cat had found away to drape the spot sampler over his shoulders in a very regal fashion!  I couldn’t chose between this photo and the one that follows so I have included them both. I think that the Beware of Cat finish was timed exactly right!!

Felix again, such a cute (and very naughty) boy

Finished Peacock Cypher at long last!

Well friends, when I looked through my old blog posts to find out when I started this beauty I found it has been been languishing more than 2 years in the WIP pile! Shock horror! Started on the 7th of May 2007 and finally completed it last night 2nd Oct 2009. It’s stitched on Stitches and Spice “Moonbeam” 32 ct Jobelan with AVAS silks (as charted). Loooooove it!

Peacock Cypher / Just Nan

I’m so glad it is the weekend at last – even though we had a short week this week (WA had a public holiday on Monday) – it’s seemed a really long one – lots of long days at the office.  I’m working today but I have dinner with my SIL and her husband to look forward to tonight and Stitching time with the Stitchy Girlfriends on Sunday (followed by a BBQ).  Looking forward to seeing Alison who is visiting from New South Wales with the Stitchy girls – she’s such a fun lady – it will be great to catch up. Anyway, best get this published and get my tail to work.  Thanks for visiting!

Lovely gift from Suzanne

Hello Friends, a quick drive by post just to showcase this absolutely fabulous fob I received this week from Suzanne. It’s one of the bookmarks by Prairie Schooler stitched over one and it is adorable! Thank you so much Suzanne, such a beautiful keepsake (I’ve already attached it to one of my pairs of scissors).

Floral bookmark / The Prairie Schooler (Stitched by Suzanne)

We went out last night to Deville’s nightclub in Perth (it’s decked out to look like a cavern in hell and all the cocktails have a “devilish” theme). It was such fun, especially as last night they had an Elvis impersonator performing who was just fantastic, he did a wonderful Suspicious Minds. He also had the moves, which just made the performance for me – a great night out.

Today? Well, I’m off to catch up with the stitchy girls – yay!

One happy camper!

Hi Everyone,

What a wonderful weekend! I accomplished so much! Here’s a taste:

• We had Joel’s parents and my niece Catriona over for dinner on Friday night (Daffodils in previous post bought in their honour)
• Joel and I went to IKEA on Saturday morning and bought me a new desk, a lamp for the sitting room and some storage boxes
• Then we went to the large shopping centre near us and bought our groceries (and a new waistcoat for Joel with the gift voucher his parents gave him for his birthday)
• I ironed, posed and took pictures of Mary Thompson and then blogged them (miracle of miracles!)
• I pulled the books off the four bookcases in my study / sewing room and rearranged the room to make space for the desk (yes, it fits!!)
• I built the desk (with a little assistance at the end from Joel).
• We did all the washing (5 loads)
• I baked a cake (yum)
• I stitched a little on the Purple mystery spot sampler
• Started watching Battlestar Galactica all over again from Season one (while I stitched)

Whew! Good thing I have this morning off to recover before I start work today (I’m on a late shift at the Library).

Here’s a snap of my new desk (creative clutter already in place!!)

Cathy's new desk!

Till next time, friends.

Mary Thompson Completed!

Hello all, as you can see I am rejoicing today – I finally managed to finish Mary Thompson’s Quaker Sampler this week.

Mary Thompson with Daffodils

I started her as part of a stitch-along with some of my stitching girlfriends here in Perth. We started in January last year and my original aim was to complete a motif a week… she was put aside quite a bit poor lass, but I refused to call her a UFO and she was finally completed this week on Thursday night. She is stitched on Edinburgh linen with AVAS silks. She is absolutely gorgeous.

Mary Thompson completed

I love her. I think I know just where to place her in my stitching room once she is in a frame.