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.

Summer Exchange for Carol

Oh happy day! I heard yesterday from Carol that the Summer Exchange Package I made up for her had made it safely to the United States!

Fob Front: A very merry summer / JBW Designs

I stitched JBW Designs’ A very merry summer in a patriotic Red White and Blue Colourway (white for the background).  It’s stitched with Belle Soie threads (can’t remember which now, I just pulled them from my stash) on some anonymous antique white evenweave.

Fob Back: Intertwined Initials (from my french book)

For the back I got out my one and only french book, Lettres Anciennes Entrelacees by Veronique Maillard which I bought on my trip to Sydney a few years ago. This book features 24 alphabets that have been intertwined – Simply beautiful. I used the same colours from the front of the fob to stitch Carol’s initials.
Here’s a link to a picture of the whole exchange.  Many thanks to Carol for allowing me use of her pictures (I was in such a rush to get it in the mail, I neglected to take pictures).

In thrilling garden news, we think we have some snowdrops about to flower.

Spring Sampler and Tulips in my Garden

I just got this photo out of my camera and discovered from the EXIF data that I finished this sampler back in June! I forgot to share it with you back then. It’s my 2nd finish for the year (not counting exchanges) – this year is off to a slow start!! It’s stitched on “vintage” Belfast fabric with the Belle Soie in the pattern pack.

Spring Sampler / Little House Needleworks

The reason I connected my camera to my lappy was to get this photo of my Tulip pots on the deck in our backyard. The red-ish one is “world’s finest” and the white one is “white” – no cute name for that one. I just love them.

Tulips on our Deck

I’ve been a bit bulb-happy since we moved, I also had three hyacinth bulbs in my bulb vases (see previous post to see the last white one – I also had two pink hyacinths that have now died).  As well as the bulbs we planted we have discovered narcissus bulbs in the front garden and iris bulbs in the back garden.  It’s been a delight discovering our new garden’s secrets.

Winter Exchange from Carol

Well, long time no posts. I just don’t have the same blogging mojo these days. I have a good reason to post today though!

Snowman Sampler Scissor Pocket / SanMan Originals

Here’s the simply adorable scissor slide that Carol sent me as part of our seasonal exchange. It’s winter down here in Perth so Carol selected a San Man originals freebie design – Snowman Sampler (July ‘09 freebie).

Winter Exchange package from Carol

And here’s the rest of the package (along with my last remaining Hyacinth bulb which is starting to flower – smells heavenly). I must tell you all, I had to work on Saturday and I picked up the parcel on the way into work. Opening up the package during my lunch break certainly lifted my day and made the remaining 5 hours a much more bearable. Carol sent along lots of lovely goodies. Thank you Carol, for such a sweet and thoughtful exchange.