...the day's doings...

... a lucky find at the local op-shop today. Someone had had a stash clean out and there were at least twenty cross stitch charts. I believe that they were from the same stash as some had a definite theme. There were some really nice ones among them however common sense prevailed and I only bought these. The Kingsland are seasonal charts - each season is depicted by a different quilt pegged to a line which is tied to a tree. Yes G, I know I already have an incomplete WIP (work in progress) of a similar theme. But these are very lovely... The Gentle People is of Amish children going about their daily life. The Sweet Hearts chart is quite cute but my favorite one is Helen Kathryn and Mama's Goose - there is a gentleness to to this design and a sense of peace which struck me when I first unearthed it from the pile. This one and 'Sweet Hearts' are by the same designer- Barbara Bourgeau-Richards. The numbering on the front suggests that they may be part of a set but whether it is the same set I'm not sure. Perhaps whoever owned originally them was wanting two which complemented each other... All of them have definite possibilities... However I think any of the seasonal ones or the Helen Kathryn are close to the top of the list... How much were they you ask ? One dollar. Each? No, for all of them... I felt very fortunate... More stash to fondle... :-)

Not such a great photo.. These FQ's are part of a plan for a crazy block using plain fabrics. I wanted to use a variety of the same colour range as a background and experiment with different stitches and thread weights... I am debating whether to have a 'feature' piece and have two as contenders... I am going to try and track my progress with this one by way of a visual journal... I am almost frightening myself with this organization!!!!

The packets of beads came from Go Lo of all places - they were purely and simply a stash buy... I couldn't decide which ones so I bought one of each design. They were only $2.50 so not bank breakers but the sort of thing if you don't buy when you see them are gone the next time you go looking for them...

...now where is Mouse you may ask??? He is still here and nearly finished. I have to stitch the remaining dandelion 'floaters' and back stitch the flower stem. A little frame and he will be off to his new home... As promised I will post a farewell photo...

Not a photo - however I am well on the way on the second last block of Gail Pan's 2009 BOM... After stitching the last block it will be onto the construction of the quilt. I plan to keep it simple as I want the blocks to be the 'centre piece' so to speak. I have 'auditioned' some fabric but keeping my mind open for other possibilities too..

In a way I can see myself making progress with my stitching as the sub heading to my blog suggests - one stitch at a time... But I am determined to have a finished pile at the end of the year. I believe by next year I will have more of a direction and then I shall start to cull what I don't want. I know I'm not a quilt maker but I do like embroidery and associated stitching and I am also keen to increase my drawing skills and perhaps look to painting as well. I'm not sure where all this will take me but I hope that it is fun...

Of course once next Monday dawns I may disappear into the work void forever...

Well I'm off to do some stitching - taking every opportunity to do it while I can...

Until later please take care - especially those of you in Queensland flood affected areas - you are in my thoughts and prayers...

S xx