Summer Stitchin' . .

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted - where has the time gone?

Both my children have had exam results - one did GCSE's, the other A-levels.  I was so thrilled and proud of them when they both did better than anticipated - DD Jemma is now in 6th Form, and DS Ross leaves for Birmingham University this coming weekend!

My Mum, who is battling a rare form of cancer, has had a rough few weeks and it has been a worrying time.  However, it appears her symptoms are in fact due to a complication resulting from earlier surgery, not the cancer itself; its both good and bad news.  Good because it's NOT the cancer: Bad because there's not much that can be done to improve matters.    But the best news is she's out of hospital and back at home again!

I have had problems with painful, cold hands and for at least two weeks, I simply could not stitch at all - it was awful!    Luckily my hands seem to have improved by themselves, and my needle is being wielded once more .

I made this cushion for my friend Mouse; she's had a tough year health-wise and yet has been busy making gifts for others to cheer them up, so I decided she needed something made just for her!  Here it is . .

Whilst I was in the mood for making things . . I decided my friend Alison Joy needed cheering up.  She's been in hospital with an ongoing chest infection and has contracted MRSA for about the 3rd time.  I know she's fond of her Nintendo DS so I decided to make her a little wallet to keep it in; I took a chance and did it entirely by eye, no pattern!  Mouse made her a little quilted bag in the same fabrics, so she can also take her charger with her!

The A Stitch A Week sal has been coming on; we are up to week 37 now.   Here are my latest scans . .

  
Some of the techniques I've used are Ribbon embroidery (the foxgloves), pulled thread (on the tablecloth - which is worked on a seperate piece of fabric and then attached to the main piece), and detatched button hole (the cushion on the bench).

I've also been working on an exchange piece, 'Bees Magic' and Mirabilia's "Lily of the Woods"; but I will upload those at a later date, once I know the exchange piece has arrived with its new owner!

Happy Stitching everyone!
Buzzing off . . . . . .
Bee