And then there were FOUR!!

Yes, all four are finished.
I'm pretty pleased with them and I like each one, even though I thought I'd favour some more than others.
They all need to come out of the coasters again and have a final press, but for now here they are.

Here's the pink one finished.

And all four together:

There was also a light pink and a peach in this set. I might do the peach one at some point but not the other one as I think the light pink would be too light for me.

So now I have another project ... Can you guess which one?  It's one I've shown you before.

:)

Slow growing rose.

Just a little more of the two lighter pinks left and then I can get onto the leaves.

The colours do look alot nicer 'in real life' on this one.

Hope to get this finished fairly soon though. I really want to start one of the other designs I showed you previously.

:)

Reversible tote.

So I had another chance to get on my machine last night.

I looked around you tube and found a tutorial for a reversible tote bag, but they used the same material for the straps for both ways, whereas I wanted mine to each match the tote colour. So I fiddled around until I worked out how to do it.
I don't really have any fabric yet, so I cut up another one of my mum's old skirts and I also cut up a pair of my old kitchen curtains.

The results:

One side

 The reverse side

So I now have a little tote to carry my WIP cross stitch round in.  :) 
I know it's not exactly professional, but I can't believe I've actually made something I can use!

When I am able to get some nice fabric, it would be nice to make a little bag embellished with some stitching, buttons, or something fun.  I'm also itching to try some curtains and some more cushions in nice material, plus making them a bit more fancy maybe.

Anyhow, I've been looking in the charity shops, but nothing fabric wise has turned up yet. 

I hope I find some soon!  Otherwise everyone will be in fear for their wardrobes, wondering what might disappear out of it as I have another idea for a project!

:)

It's growing ... albeit slowly!

It's been a few days since I've blogged.  I haven't really done much to show you, so just a small update again this post.
Thing is, it's been a bit up and down here again.
We've now found out that Steve's job is actually only safe until the end of this month. Also, that they are looking like they will lose their redundancies packages.  It's all very complicated, so I won't bore you with it all.   It's so hard for him right now though. He just doesn't know where he is and there are lots of hush hush dealings. Morale is very low and people are losing trust.

My mother in law had another fall at the weekend. Face down on concrete. She's not too bad considering, but has a big lump and cuts and grazes all over her face. The bridge of her nose is cut and her glasses are damaged.   Father in law goes away for a week on Friday, so we are going to have to be keeping a strict eye on her!  My mum has an awful cold and on top of damaged ribs (can you believe she fell as well, out on the main street) she's in some pain.

So all in all, not alot done here but I do at least have a small update for you.

I really like some of these pinks.  They don't show up here really, but some are really pretty.
This was the colour I expected to like the least but it's lovely in real life.
Hopefully I'll have a bit more to show you next time though. 

:)

Update with pictures.

Today is a busy kind of day here for me. I'm waiting on the new washing machine being delivered. It'll be wonderful to actually be able to get all my washing done properly once Steve has plumbed it all in tonight.
:)
(Am I going mad? How can I be getting excited to do washing???).

I also have to run Tom and one of his friends to college this morning and then take him and 2 others onto a painting job this afternoon.  I've given the delivery people my mobile and asked for an hours notice before they come so that I can make sure I'm here, as I also have to go and clean for Steve's parents Friday lunchtimes as well.
So can't see me getting any 'fun' time for projects today. :(

I do have a little to show you though.
I made another envelope cushion cover.  This one went perfectly except in one place where it pulls slightly. The annoying thing about it is that I felt there was a problem as I was sewing that part, but rather than stop and recheck, I carried on and now am really cross at myself.

Here they are, versions 1 and 2.  Can you tell which is which?  I don't have enough material to center the design, so I'm not worrying about that at the moment, but shape wise, can you see a difference?

Front view:

Back view:

I also tried a table cover with another skirt I cut up. 

These are only for practice of course, but if it were staying there, I'd want to add a cream crochet lace border round it, to finish it off.

Then I  got a bit carried away and pulled an old navy blue top out of the ragbag (note creases) to see how it would look 'refashioned'.
I altered the neckline as it had ribbon there originally that was now pretty much worse for wear and got some bits of lace and a few buttons out and had a play around.
Keeping in mind, it's all just pinned and was only to get an idea of the sort of thing that's possible, I was quite pleased with it really.
Of course the neck lace part would be properly cut to fit and shaped. On here it's just roughly pinned to get an idea. The front lace would be measured out and buttons proportioned properly.
This was just a play around really.

Before:

After:



I think it could be alot of fun to do things like this.  Mind you, whether they'd be wearable in public at the end of it, is probably debateable! Ha,ha.

And my poor little pink rose has been sadly neglected, so I'll show you where I was with it and hope to get a bit of time on it this weekend. I can't wait to see it finished. Some of the pinks in it are really nice.

So just to keep you up to date with my happenings ... My cooker broke, my washing machine broke and last night my iron broke!!!
What is it with me?  I hardly dare touch anything now.
Good job Steve has got that 12 week extension at work, I'm off to buy a new iron this weekend as well!

Take care everyone!

:)



A few answers.

Haven't felt much like stitching this past few days, we've been more concerned with what will happen over Steve's job. At last though we have a few answers, albeit a bit late in the day! Tomorrow should have been his last day, so they've not been quick to let us know what's going on.

Anyhow, they have a temporary extension until the end of June, which has been a relief. They plan to try and sell them off, which if it comes off, means, hoping he gets kept on by the new company, he will still have a job, but this will mean he loses all his years of service (been there since he left school) and redundancy terms.
So as you can imagine, everyone there is feeling unsettled, unsure and unhappy.
This is also going to happen right as Tom leaves college and so we lose his money at that point as well (that's going to hurt) and with employment the way it is, it's a worry what will happen for him as well.

Well, no point worrying, can't change it, so am going to get back to my stitching and will hopfully have an update for you all soon.

Hope all is good with you all! Take care!!

:)

Three's company?

I'm off out in a minute to look at washing machines, but while I'm waiting to go I thought I'd quickly do an update.

Toni's rose is now finished and in it's coaster!!

I like it :)

Here's the three together.

Nice?
I am really pleased with them I have to say.  I've made a start on the pink rose now, but I didn't have time to take a picture to show my progress.  There isn't really alot to show at the moment anyhow.

Hopefully I'll get an update for you on that soon and also I can then get caught up with your blogs, I want to see what you've all been up to!

Have a lovely day, whatever you're doing.

:)



Toni rose and projects to come!

I got a little done on my Toni rose yesterday, so a small update for you all to see.
At first I wasn't sure of the browny yellow, the darkest colour, but I think as the greens are going in and I look at the overall design, it adds definition, so I'm happy with it.

What do you think?

I should hopefully get some more done on this tonight.  I can't wait to see the whole set completed.

I have a few more small projects that I have lined up waiting before going back to my larger ones. I know I keep putting the larger ones off, but I think I'm just having that much fun with these smaller finishes at the moment, and they don't require the amount of concentration that the larger ones would, so it's better for me at the moment.

Poor Steve still has no idea of his job situation. As things stand at the moment, he has 8 days left of employment. The contract ends on 31st of this month and they were meant to be getting a one year extension until March 2012, which would allow time for things to be sorted out with what would happen to the employee's. Now they can't agree terms for the extension, it could all be over.
I just wish we knew either way, the not knowing is the worst part.

Anyhow, to keep things on a brighter note rather than being a down, I'll show you the patterns for my next little projects. Sorry for the rubbish pictures, but you'll get the idea.
:)

I'm so excited to start on these.

:)

More repairs and a small update.

Such a busy weekend, I haven't even been able to look at my stitching, let alone touch the sewing machine!
Anyhow, things should be better this week I hope and I should get time for both.

We had the car at the garage for it's MOT on Saturday. It passed, but the brake pipes are corroded and need to be replaced. That wasn't expected.  We have to save up for that, so will get it done asap.

Well speaking of repairs .... this morning I had the repair man out for my washing machine and guess what ... it's unrepairable!  *cries*
They can't get the parts anymore, it's too old and at anyrate, it would cost more to repair than to buy a new one.   :(   So I'm waiting for a call to tell me how much the cover we have on our appliances will give us towards a new machine.  I can't believe we have to get another new appliance, why does everything go at once?

One good thing though. Remember my cooker? Well, I'm far from expert with it still, but I have to say that I absolutely LOVE it! I really was worried about changing from gas to electric, but the only wish I have, is that I'd done it years ago. Oh, and you're right Midge, it's SO easy to clean! Do you have a cover on your hob? I was looking and they do glass covers (not expensive either) that you can even stand things on if needed (hot dishes from oven) and that protects the hob when your aren't using it. I was wondering if they're any good.


So now onto nicer things ... stitchy stuff. :) :)
I've made a start on Toni's yellow rose. It's such a bright happy colour. :)

Only a small update due to the weekend I've had, but hopefully I'll be able to really get on with it now. Three colours of yellow in there. Doesn't look it though does it?
I'm enjoying stitching it anyhow.

Hope you all had a good weekend and were able to enjoy some lovely stitchy moments.

:)

And then there were two!

Last night I really thought I'd have chance to get on with some sewing practice on my machine.
I thought wrong!

Everyone seemed to need me for something last night and coming in at different times for tea, then it was a lovely mild night and Steve wanted to go for a walk.

So by the time I came back and got everything sorted, the evening was gone!

I did get time for one thing though ...

I finished the Lilac rose!

And so now there are two!!

Yellow next!!

:)