The last of 2011

Well, 2011 is almost over and there is a New Year on the horizon. So, I think it is appropriate for one last post before the year collapses into regrets, hopes, and expectations.

It has been one long 2011 with so many changes. I lost my job, boyfriend, some sort of stability. Redeployed to a 10 hour contract now, self-employed (with the business somewhere flying overhead and web designer behind the schedule by about 6 months at least), a degree that seems to be in ruins, no time at hand, no job secure for next September or house for that matter, and a passport that is about to expire I have to admit that I am looking forward to a new start, new year, and all that jazz. 

The last post will be of the Fizzy Moon that I was in a rush to make (including Christmas Eve believe it or not) ...

It is called 'A Winter Wonderland' and was in the 16-month Calendar September 2011 - December 2012 by the World of Cross Stitching. It came as a free gift with the issue 182. It was a Christmas gift for my mum. And she is planning on turning it into a pillow ... so await an update from me in the New Year about the progress. 

Wish you all to enjoy the celebrations and till next year,

Lija

Merry Christmas

A card from the World of Cross Stitching Magazine Issue 181. 'Christmas Kisses'.

It did not start very well ... I have managed to cross stitch an entire colour in the wrong shade. Then I ran out of the light blue for the background and finally of time.

But in the end I think it was worth it.

Finished finally

This project has taken me longer than I have expected to finish ...

'Watembea Nyumbani (Walking Home)' original art work by the Kenyan artist Gakonga. It has been done on 18bpi cream Aida fabric, much more strenuous for the eyes in comparison to the 14count I normally do.

An Anchor kit I bought on sale ... it is also something different to what I'd choose. I am already working on the next one, but again I have picked a rather big project, so might have to update the progress.

It is also slightly askew ... hopefully this will change with ironing. 

Till next time,

Lija

New everything

Well, I have now moved into my new place ... it's nice central and yet near nature. I even managed to make friend's with a local squirrel ...

Constant internet access when needed and not needed is great ... but there as always there is a lot to do with not enough time. Application for jobs amongst others. The need to decide on the future is quite pressing ... oh dear. Aw well and to cross stitch ...

I love Newton bear .. this is my first of the set yet to come ... I have done it during summer. An Anchor kit ... enough thread, but which wasn't very strong unfortunately, it kept pulling apart and ripping. I don't think I have the same problem with DMC though. So whether the other one is just stronger ... or it was me being aggressive I don't know.

Till soon,

When I  have an exciting new project to share,

Lija

A tiny little bear

Going back to the roots of things... this tiny little bear has been stitched by me when I was much younger. As you can probably guess (neglecting all the shades and colours - parents don't tend to go for 'lets buy all new set of dmc numbers' ... more like 'look in the box, you are bound to find some browns or yellows'). 

It was from a book of collectable teddies ... 12 for all months. I my memory does not deceive me this might be November.

Till next week,

Lija

Posted and sealed in an envelope

The appalling lack of internet continues. We have finally received a box and all the passwords and go ahead 'nod' to set it up, just to get disappointed with a missing telephone line. And even I have to hang my head and admit that that poses a rather large problem. Well, no fear it is almost time to move again for the next year ahead of me.

And now to cross stitch ...

    

This magnificent card was part of a kit that came with the World of Cross Stitching magazine issue 179. I think it is perfect for use as a birthday card (probably one of the only types of cards I generally give). Christmas ones are always rare with me - excluding immediate family. Do I give a Christmas card or the New Year one or both? And what happens if I forget one but not another distant relative or friend? I have a few boxes of unopened Christmas cards that I am destined never to give out. They will no doubt eventually be passed on by me to my very younger brother who will give the cards out to all his mates at school as is the custom with children at school. In fact I sit down to write Christmas cards every year and fail at the enormity of this daunting task.   

I have now stitched these two cards from the set of three as birthday cards for two of my friends. And the third still needs to await its destiny.

Another problem that I am beginning to face is that while I am attempting several larger projects ... they take much longer to create and will eventually mean that I will run out of projects to display on this blog ... but not to fear and persevere I say I will cross that bridge when I come to it. All it means I need a birthday or something of the kind to motivate me.

Till later,

Lija

Last week

Free kit from World of Cross Stitching issue 178.

I have used it as a get well card for my sister, after her recent operation.

A bit belated and short,

till next Wednesday,

Lija

An early post

This is new to me ... actually posting in advance of my schedule. I am so proud already.

It so happens that I am in my local pub trying to download LaTex ... with which I can start writing beautiful pdfs ... if I am lucky to learn the bloody thing... and it still has another 17 minutes to go ... was a total of 1 hour and 40 minutes.

So a post to occupy me ...

This is something I have done as a child ... I personally think it is wonderful. Not only does it combine cross stitch, loops and french knots ... but it also relies on printed fabric, making the work almost 3D.

If I'm not careful I might end up posting everything I have and then being unable to do large projects I am concentrating on at the moment in a week.

Oh dear ...

but either way till next time,

Lija

Another Present

These last two weeks marked a bit of excitement in my cross stitch world. My shopping trip for thread ended up with me buying 3 new kits (not only were they all on a sale, but also on a buy 2 get one free offer). So I have decided not to judge the amount I spent but to marvel at my new projects to be yet begun. After I smashed my desk lamp (a rather exciting switch on (3 settings)/off by touch), I had to get a new one ... and although my new desk lamp is not as exciting as the previous one it does have a special daylight bulb that will help me not go blind.

This week's project post is one of Fizzy Moon. A free kit that came with the World of Cross Stitching magazine issue 173. It was meant to be a card ... which I gave to my mum for her birthday without glueing in or writing a message as I wasn't sure she wanted it as a card. A good thing too, she has decided it is too pretty to be on a card and will think of what to do with it. Her fancy for Fizzy Moon means my next year's presents are sorted ... just need to begin stitching. Two designs are almost finished (just the backstitching and french knots left). Which ones wait and see ... I aim to complete all available designs for her at some stage in the future.

So,
       till next week,
                                 Lija

Belated last weeks post

I hope I will have internet at the house soon ... so I wouldn't have to make excuses for not posting ...

First of all a better photograph of the Iris ...

Then onto a new design ...

This was Mother's Day gift this year. The free kit came along with the World of Cross Stitching magazine issue 175. It was a pleasure to stitch and turned out better than I hoped it would.

It did mean a lazy morning in bed cross stitching. Small kits are good for that ... a sort of a replacement for a book. 

And for this weeks post ... 

Iris

Well Wednesday went by and no post ... I am slightly behind I suppose. With no internet access it is a bit difficult to make an effort of staying connected. I'll try being better next Wednesday.

The following project did not take too long to do ... the kit was from Hobby Craft, and although is simple it is also very appealing.

I wanted to post some of the things I have done since the beginning of Spring, but unfortunately I have not uploaded the photographs to my laptop as of yet. This one was completed by me about a week ago ... and I am still going strong with bigger projects that I hope to share soon.

So from a proud addict,

Lija

Continued

The cross stitch pattern was 'He Loves Me' from 'Cherished Teddies: for All Occasions' book 81 by Priscilla Hillman.

My new blog

This is my first ever blog ... and I am quite excited about it.

I have been crafty since I can remember. I was cross stitching small projects by the age of 7. But unfortunately although other type of projects and discoveries of knitting and painting followed, the past is where the cross stitch has remained for me. I have picked it up from time to time over the years but projects remained unfinished and only cards appeared.

This is a new spell of excitement for me ...

Last summer I have completed a teddy bear project I begun a few years back ... it stayed packed away until my mum made it up into a beautiful cushion ...

I have now proceeded to do cards, small, medium, and large projects. And by aiming to publish 1 post per week I hope not to give up this new found hobby.

So till next Wednesday.

Lija