Jane Marshall 1857 update

I am enjoying stitching this sampler. Here is an update of where I finished on Friday. Now that I have a Lowry workstand I feel that I am stitching more quickly. At my current rate I could be finished next week. However, I have some other things I need to work on so it might not happen.

Jane Marshall 1857 - Hands Across the Sea Samplers
Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique Ivory linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Gifted Gorgeousness 2020 and Needlecraft Haven Valentine Exchange

Gifted Gorgeousness is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching where we display the crafted gifts we have made, used or received. Full details about how it works and how you can join in can be found here.

As it's February we had a Valentine's Exchange at Needlecraft Haven. No stitching was required this year. Instead we exchanged socks with a heart or floral theme and included two skeins of threads that matched the colours in the socks. This is what I sent to Katie.

Needlecraft Haven Valentine Gift
sent to Katie

Justine sent me this lovely selection. As always the chocolate didn't last long.

Needlecraft Haven Valentine Exchange
received from Justine

I think it was back in late 2017, maybe early 2018 that I stitched this mini quilt top for a doll's bed. As part of my intention to complete outstanding projects this year I finally finished it this week. It will be posted to its new home shortly. While making this mini quilt I found that half square triangles are not as straight forward as I thought they would be!

Doll's quilt

A friend of my sister is competing with their dog in the agility section at Crufts this year so I stitched this card for them. I hope they do well.

Good luck card for Crufts 2020

Secret Stitching Sweetheart

Happy Valentine's Day.

Jo of Serendipitous Stitching has organised a Blog hop for Valentine's day. Those taking part have received something stitched which is suitable for Valentine's Day to share on their blog.
Here is the stitched piece I received. As well as the design, I love all those rich reds in this Little House Needleworks finish. I hope whoever stitched this comments soon so that I can find out who you are.

The list of who is taking part in this blog hop can be found here. Please visit the participating blogs to see more Valentine themed loveliness. I know that is what I'll be doing today and tomorrow, so come and join me.

Jane Marshall 1857

I first heard of the Jane Marshall 1857 sampler on this Mid-week FibreTalk podcast which went out in January. It is a reproduction sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers and it is being sold in aid of the Rural Fire Services (RFS) of Katoomba/Leura and Wentworth Falls. With a beautiful sampler and being able to help an important service, I lost no time in placing my order.

Here is a photo of the completed sampler and ...

here is my progress so far. Sadly my photo doesn't do it justice. I hope the lighting is better when I take my next progress photograph.

Jane Marshall 1857 - Hands Across the Sea Samplers
Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique Ivory linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Crochet finishes and Knitting starts

In January, I crocheted a shawl for my mum and a scarf for my sister. I'm glad to say that both of them were delighted with their gifts.
I ended up crocheting each item twice! I have no idea why but even though my tension swatch was fine, the finished products ended up shorter than they should have. However, all's well that ends well, the dimensions were better second time around.

Nordic Shawl - Annette Ciccarelli
Wool: Bergere De France IDEAL wool. Colours as suggested except
 I used purple instead of light pink and navy for turquoise.
This meant changing the order of some of the colours.

Granny square triangle shawl
Wool: Mille Colori Socks and Lace Luxe No. 859.0059 - 2 skeins

I love the gold 'thread' woven through this wool and my sister fell in love with the autumnal colours.
Here is a fuller view of the final crochet if worn as a shawl.

Even though our winter has been very mild, I wanted an Aran sweater so I've started this design from Hayfield.

My mum's local wool shop didn't have the Hayfield Bonus Aran wool I wanted so I bought Stylecraft Special Aran in Denim instead. I love how this is knitting up. It is lovely and soft. I'm going to have a new jumper for next winter.

Hayfield Bonus Aran Pattern No. 9219
Wool: Stylecraft Special Aran in Denim

(Re)Organisation of craft materials

For the past year I've been dreadful about having 'everything in it's place and a place for everything' when it comes to my crafting materials. It's got to the stage that I'm delaying doing things because I can't find what I want easily!
So it was time to bite the bullet and (re)organise my materials. To be honest it's more of an organisation, as to date I've tended to work on the principle 'that this carrier bag has A, that one, B'. However, when you can't find what you want anymore, something has to give.
I've decided to rearrange the spare bedroom so that I can use it as a craft room while making it available as a bedroom at short notice, if needed. The room is only used for two to three weeks in a year, so this way, it will be be used more.

Here are two photos of my cross-stitch materials - threads, charts, kits and fabric. I've probably got about the same amount combined for my wool, patchwork and finishing materials. It's been something of a revelation to DH how much stuff I have now that he sees it all laid out in one place!

Fabric and Kits

Those of you from the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean area might recognise the Chepstow Needlecrafts carrier bag. This was a terrific needlework shop in Chepstow in the mid 1990's. It was thanks to Carol(e), the owner, that I discovered cross stitch and Just Nan designs. She was (and I'm sure still is), a lovely, helpful lady.

Charts

As this project is being carried out at a leisurely pace, it will be a few weeks before you see nicely organised shelves.