Grow Your Blog ...

Hello all,

My name is Lija and I am a stitchaholic / stashaholic and bunch of other things. I started blogging a few years ago just when I came across an old project I never got to finish as a kid. I thought if I could post pictures of my finishes I would incidentally actually have many finishes. After all you cannot have a blog post without a finish ... oh how wrong and naive I was back then.

I have recently moved across country (England) to start as a tax trainee and am in love with my job. In my spare time (which I do not have a lot as of recent in view of it being a January) I stitch, sometimes knit, create art dolls, read (after all I used to be a part-time librarian for eight and a half years), blog, paint (exhibited in over 15 exhibitions) and grow orchids. I also started a handmade bags and accessories business with my family called ILiNi designs (sidebar for more info). 

So as not to bore you a few pictures ...

my first ever exchange ...

I do need to get back into stitching Margaret Sherry's designs with their whimsical look. I actually signed up for a SAL last year which requires my attention.

cross stitch with a bit sketching

I have participated in another exchange of Valentine cards, which promoted me to create in a similar style another Valentine card, and two thank you cards one with butterflies another with a bee. I love when cross stitch interlinks with an image. But this was slightly short lived deviation from the hobby as although I continued to make cards but somehow without the cross stitch.

So far we have created 3 art dolls, and are working on the next two. I am responsible for the drawn out faces and the individually sewn a strand at a time hair with a few extra details. I have knitted the cardigan for this one.

my first ever art doll in conjunction with mum

A Snowflower Diaries design stitched in hand dyed threads ...

I know, there is a first time for everything and lets say although I am not a convert into the hand dyed stuff ... as I do like to be able to reproduce exact same design as others rather than gamble on the tone of how particular shade turned out. And the lack of steadfastness definitely a put off. If one stitches a huge piece how is one expected to wash it. I can appreciate how this can work in smaller pieces.

orchid closeup

I do promise more pictures of orchids in the future. Oh how I wish I had a working camera. I own over ten orchids back up North with mum. And 5 down here with me. I am even attempting to grow a vanda. Not sure how that is working out. The flowers fell off and the instructions from the florist of soaking once a week made quite a few leaves rot. I am now spraying the roots with water every morning.

LHN sheep 'Hope'

And a sheep is one of my recent finishes through a SAL.

This is just a few thoughts etc. 

Giveaway:

I will be also having a giveaway. Deadline to enter is 15 February on this post. Just leave a comment. No rules (almost). I need to be able to contact you. So either leave your email in the comment or make sure you're replyable. 

The prize would be something made by me + something that you could use in your own hobby ... a bit vague I know. So another request ... please leave a link to your blog if you have one so I can get to know you. Or if you haven't got a blog say a little about yourself.

So till soon,

 

Check out the other blogs participating HERE.