End of 2025 and early 2026 update

I like my catchy blog titles, Ha! Ha!

For Christmas I received lovely stitching and craft gifts from my Needlecraft Haven friends as you can see in the photo below.

Presents received from Needlecraft Haven friends

We also had our Christmas ornament exchange at Needlecraft Haven. I received this pretty Mrs Claus in the kitchen ornament from Julie.

NH Christmas Ornament received from Julie

I sent this Just Nan 2008 Christmas reindeer ornament to Gill.

Blitzen Glistens - Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Opalescent Belfast linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Charm pack purchased with chart

Before the end of 2025 I finished stitching on four projects but they still have to be fully finished.

First is the bookmark kit from Gill that I had nearly finished in November.

Summer Bookmark Kit - The Textile Heritage Collection

Fabric: Black Aida band in kit

Threads: In kit

Note: 2024 Christmas gift from Gill

Second was Santa's List.

Santa's List - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Justine

Third was Just Nan's Lady Scarlet's Christmas

Lady Scarlet's Christmas - Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Flax Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

By mid December I fancied stitching something different so I pulled out Just Nan's 'Spring in the Square'.  This was a project that I had kitted for a New Year start in 2023 so it was ready to go. This design stitched up quickly and made my fourth finish for November/December. I just need to add the central charm and mount it on a canvas frame and it's completely finished. I  love the colours in this design.

Spring in the Square- Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Light Mocha Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Swan Lake Gold Visions charm - to be added

Naturally I wanted to follow this up with Just Nan's 'Winter in the Square' so I started this in the New Year. Progress on this has been slower due to its snowflake border. Last night I fell into the trap of just wanting to complete a few more stitches before bed. That was a mistake as I miscounted and now will need to removed some pale lilac stitches from the inner left hand corner. 

Winter in the Square- Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Light Mocha Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Winter Sheep Gold Visions charm - add on completion

If I managed to keep this level of activity up throughout 2026 I would have a very productive year. However I know that is unlikely to happen as I always seem to have a slump when the summer season arrives.

November's stitching update

You can tell that cooler weather has arrived as I'm blogging again.

I have four projects on the go at the moment and I'm trying to give them all some time each week. Just by chance they are all projects that have been gifted to me.

Apple Blossom Biscornu - Faby Reilly Designs

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique White Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 3689 used for 604

Note: Gifted from Clare

Frosty Forest - Country House Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Pearl Grey Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Clare

Santa's List - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Justine

Summer Bookmark Kit - The Textile Heritage Collection

Fabric: Black Aida band in kit

Threads: In kit

Note: Christmas gift from Gill

This afternoon I will be stitching again on the summer bookmark. I expect to complete the cross stitching and hopefully start the backstitching.

Gifted Gorgeousness June

 Just slipping in on the last day of June to share my Gifted Gorgeousness (GG). This is hosted by Jo and this month's participants can be found here along with a summary of how GG works. 

I finished adding the beads to my Christmas Crew project. The pattern and fabric were gifted to me by Clare. After I've cut the Hardanger, I just need to fully finish it. Given our current heat wave I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Christmas Crew - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I've also started stitching Country Cottage Needleworks' Frosty Forest series. This is also gifted from Clare. I'm stitching this as a single piece with a view to completing it as a cushion cover and I've added a border as I've seen in some other projects.

Frosty Forest series - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Pearl Grey linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I don't expect to complete much stitching in July as in this heatwave I only feel fit to drink water and read. Have a relaxing and comfortable month.

Last exchange of 2016

I took part in a Christmas/Winter exchange at Friendly Stitchers and received these two beautiful ornaments and thread from Meg (Committed Stitcher).

Christmas/Winter exchange 2016 - Friendly Stitchers

In exchange I stitched The Drawn Thread's 'A Spot of Winter'. I had considered finishing it as a flat ornament or hanging ornament but felt it looked too large; so it was finished as a pillow. I replaced the snowflake charm with mistletoe as the charm I had was too large.

A Spot of Winter - The Drawn Thread
stitched on 32ct Smokey Pearl Belfast with recommended threads

A belated winter exchange

Due to pressures on the Christmas postal system, it was only a couple of days ago that I received my winter ornament in the Needlecraft Haven Four Seasons exchange for 2014. It was due to arrive before the end of December. Thank you Ursh, I think it is lovely. It will hang in our sitting room until Spring. Those blues are perfect for winter.

Received from Ursh in Needlecraft Haven Winter Exchange