Puppy Love by Margaret Sherry

Dear all,

Days seem to fly by, 'to do list' seems to grow, and I fall behind with it. There was a Wipocalypse check in recently ... hmm 3 whole days ago. But as I only have little time before I depart for work I decided I can't face such a big task. So I will skip (or rather fall behind) the Wipocalypse, graduation, and the Edinburgh trip updates (I do have some pictures to share).

Instead you can see my Puppy Love final post ... since I was going only to do 4 of them ... they are all done now ...

Puppy #1

Puppy #2

Puppy #3

and the last one ...

Puppy #4

I got the chart from bookazine "The Best of Margaret Sherry". And the 4 chosen puppies were stitched on fennel dyed evenweave. 

A few giveaways:

#1 - 'Cherries per te' blog birth giveaway @ In the World of Cooking

One of the ladies whom I follow posted about this small giveaway ... apologies for a late notice. Franca is only starting out in the world of blogging ... and I do hope she will stay for a long journey ... she has already posted 2 exciting recipes that I would like to try (she has a google translate on her blog - excellent for me), very exciting. 

To enter click HERE.

Deadline: Tonight midnight (not sure what time zone)!

The next two giveaways belong to a very friendly lady, Bernadett, whom I follow. Thanks to her I have potentially found a new place for bargain shopping online 

#2 - Blog Anniversary Giveaway @ Petite Armoire

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 31st July 2013

#3 - 200 Followers Giveaway @ Petite Armoire 

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 31st July 2013

Well on this very pleasant note I will say goodbye, lets hope till soon when I can share my last weeks adventures and last months of stitching (most of which you have already saw).

TUSAL - post 7, several finishes, new favourite online shop and some giveaways to share ...

Dear all,

I am going to Edinburgh tomorrow to visit the zoo and their pandas! I am very excited. And it is my graduation (again) next Wednesday ... so there are tonnes of excitement in my life.

On to updates.

TUSAL:

July 2013

2013 so far and July

2013 so far with July 

So many orts ... will need to push them into the glass soon ... or get a larger jar.

Some finishes and a new favourite shop:

The new shop came recommended by the amazing Sarah of 'Sarah in Stitches'. Click HERE to see her blog.

And the shop (you might ask) is The Floss Box. To check it out click HERE.

It has long been my desire to stitch a biscornu or two, so I have asked Sarah what shop would she recommend, and she was kind enough to respond with some suggestions. At the Floss Box the charts can be either downloaded, sent to you by email or post. I stuck to downloading ... and had them immediately on payment. They are also quite cheap and could be bought with paypal. I bought 4 so far, and have stitched 2 already (3rd is in progress).

The finishes include:

Biscornu #105:

I have used slightly different colours by Anchor:

168

302

304

311

316

877

and this is how it came out:

 

Biscornu #330

This biscornu is in monochrome. I used DMC 69 on black fabric. The thread is variated colour.

back

front

I love how this one turned out, though it took longer than expected to stitch it. I do have the final puppy by Margaret Sherry to show you ... but I'll leave that for a separate post.

Giveaways:

#1 - Cushion give away @ Eline Pellinkhof a designer's journal / Ard's - Catch 22

To enter you need 2 messages:

- 1 here

- 1 here

Deadline: 17th July 2013

#2 - 50 followers giveaway @ Heather's Stitches

A lady that I follow is currently celebrating reaching 50 followers with some stationary and tea giveaway (I do love tea).

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 31st July 2013

#3 - 60th Birthday giveaway @ Everybody loved Clark

It was recently brought to my attention that this lady is having an extremely generous giveaway. So I am passing on the information (which to be fair most of you already have).

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 15th July 2013

#4 - 200 Followers Bunny giveaway @ Cross Stitch Cottage

It seems only recently did this lady celebrate her 100 followers giveaway, but she is becoming increasingly popular; pop along to see her knitting and embroidery creations ... and her magnificent cat. I need one of those.

To enter click HERE.

Deadline: 31st July 2013

#5 - A spotty giveaway @ PatchMania

A lady who creates some great patchwork is having a giveaway. I am so jealous of the quality of her photos. 

love the spots ...

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 25th July 2013

#6 - Giveaway @ A House by the Sea

Another kind giveaway:

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 24th July 2013

#7 - Varnish/Silk giveaway @ Sunny world of Yamir

This lady is doing two giveaways ... silk yarn and nail varnish.

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 20th July 2013

#8 Giveaway with a surprise @ Handmade by Natulja

Another blog I have discovered where a lady makes adorable toys from linen. I will begin my own soon ... I promise (my will be fluffy and cute ... I think)

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 25th July 2013

#9 - 2nd blogaversary Giveaway @ Sub Rosa Cross Stitch blog

A lady that I follow is having a giveaway of 3 cushions! There will be 3 winners. She designs some lovely designs. One could lose track of all the things I want to buy.

But if you are not the winner or are and want the patterns the lady is giving them free if you purchase one of her charts (till 31st July 2013). I might be very tempted by this (will wait for my pay first to see if I can afford a little stash enhancement).

To enter click HERE.

Deadline: 20th July 2013

Till soon,

Fabrics and other ...

Dear all,

It has been a week since my last post ... and it does seem that I only get a little me time for posting during the weekends. But that is okay I do still get my daily intake of cross stitching and reading other blogs. I am hoping once the faulty component from my computer comes back and I will yet again expand the ram the new refound speed will help me to get about the internet world faster with less crashes.

In this as promised I will share all the fabrics my mum dyed. I will mention what substance she has used for the dye, and what mordant (where I had made a note).

all the dyed fabrics in their plastic packets

bottom row from above ...

top row from above ...

... now without the packets ...

#1: 

evenweave

dyed - curry

mordant - aluminium

#2:

evenweave

dyed - onion skins

mordant - white vinegar

#3:

evenweave

dyed - onion skins

mordant - aluminium

#4:

evenweave

dyed - red onion skins

mordant - aluminium

Another picture:

The camera did not do justice to this deep green. It is gorgeous ... and more appealing in real life.

#5:

Another green ... same colour but a lighter shade.

evenweave

dyed - red onion skins

mordant - vinegar

#6:

evenweave

dyed - curry + elderberries

mordant - ?

#7:
This fabric I am currently using for the puppies from 'Puppy Love' by Margaret Sherry

evenweave

dyed - fennel

mordant - ?

#8:
 In real life the colour is brighter ... more orangy peach.

bookmark

dyed - paprika

mordant - ?

#9:

? count (larger squares than 14)

dyed - red onion skin

mordant - none?

#10:

 I am giving some of this away in my giveaway - click here - for details.

22 count

dyed - turmeric

mordant - ?

#11:

Again picture does no justice ... the colour is more clean in real life - light peach.

14 count

dyed - onion skins

mordant - none?

#12:
 again less grey more light yellow (close to ochre)

16 count

dyed - little of turmeric + basil + marigold mixture

mordant - ?

Probably overall the closeups ended up worser than the whole together capture for the fabric colours.

Anyhow just wanted to share some of the gorgeous fabric that I own. These are all of the ones my mum has dyed. But I have also purchased quite a few pieces during the exams stress... so now I have a little draw of stash.

I have two more small finishes to share ... but till the next post ... and maybe by then I will have my third.

Giveaways:

Yes, a few more to share. 

#1 - Special (floss) Give-away @ Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

One of my favourite regular give-aways ... of course I never win. And this one for entering someone else rather than yourself. But I love looking at the dyed floss ... and keep promising as soon as I sort my finances out I will invest in a more independent floss than DMC/Anchor. It is right at the top with purchasing my very first LHN. 

To enter click here.

Deadline: 30th July 2013.

#2 - French Giveaway @ EmiliaSoVa

The lady creates gorgeous dolls; and generously is having a giveaway for some beautiful fabrics.

To enter click here.

Deadline: 15th June 2013

#3 Fabric Giveaway @ MoiSkrapinki

A very creative lady is having a generous giveaway of some of her fabrics.

So, take a peak at her blog.

To enter click here.

Deadline: 8th July 2013

#4 Giveaway @ Murzilka Moya

Some more fabric being given away:

The fabric:

But the lady is also giving away some other bits and bobs so take a look at her blog.

To enter click here.

Deadline: 15th July 2013.

#5 Giveaway @ Тайские всякости

And for my last to be mentioned giveaway there is something very pretty:

To enter click here.

Deadline: 15th July 2013

Till soon, when I will show off my small finishes.