March Review

Who knows where the time goes?* It's been a busy month. There's been a lot of non-crafting stuff going on in my life and work and I'm so glad the long weekend is here and I can re-group and re-focus. But, as this is mostly a craft blog, let's have a look at the crafting goals I set myself for March:

Finish UFOs:

• Mouse About The House - DONE!
• Bless The Baby - not done.

Finish:

• Chevron Socks 2 - these are going to be a Mother's Day present (in the UK, Mother's Day is in March) - not done. Ma got a massive box of chocolates instead, and the socks will be an early birthday present. I'm halfway down the second leg at the moment - and I have until June to finish them, which is when the Aged Parents are going to Norway.
• Chevron Socks - DONE!

Start and Finish:

• Hooked on Exchanges LHN/CCN Exchange - DONE!
• One quilt block - not done. I'm going to put this away for now, it's just causing me loads of guilt, and I think I'll be happier once I've worked on some more UFOs. As a UFO, it is hardly the oldest...
• F is for Friend (Prairie Schooler ABC SAL) - not done. But I'm well ahead of my self imposed schedule for this anyway.
• 20 Innocent Smoothie Hats - not done. But the deadline for this isn't until late October, so no worries

Frame or have Framed:

• June - not done.
• Sow Kind Seeds- not done.
• Morning Song - not done.
• Bee My Honey Bee - not done. I haven't done any framing myself this month, although I did take O Christmas Tree into be framed, instead of Morning Song.

Giveaway:

• March Biscornu & Fob Design - DONE! - I had over 20 requests for this chart.
  
• St Patrick's Day Biscornu & Fob Design - DONE! - I had over 30 requests for this chart.
  

Fundraising:

•  £20 for the MS Trust - a total of £12 was raised this month, which came from only two people. I would like to thank them for their generosity. Their names and comments can be seen on my JustGiving page.

I also need to get my previous giveaways mailed out ... - still not done. It's a task for this weekend!

• My Needle and Floss Comfort Me - not completed yet, but I'm working on it.

I also managed to complete:

• Alpaca Mitts - these are just so strokeable - I got one small ball of this alpaca, and it will be enough to make two pairs of fingerless mitts, a great use of this luxurious yarn!
• Afghan Blocks - I've done 15 six inch square blocks so far of my stash busting afghan, which will be called "You Shall Be Queen" - you'll see the reason for the name when I post pics of the block. It's using acrylic double knitting yarn, which is horrible after the alpaca, but it will make a hardwearing and easily washable blanket!
• Oh, and an eight inch block for a charity blanket

So, I was quite productive, just not towards my goals - I even managed to forget about one commitment totally :o/, which is going to be finished today ... One major project is complete - I've decided what to do with all my UFOs, whether to "Finish or Fling?" them. I've really enjoyed going through them and talking about them in a rational way, and appreciated all your comments on them, including the offers of adoption! I may do something similar with the "To Do Something With" pile, so watch this space!

Right, I need to get cracking, I'm off to the opticians to have my eyes checked over, and then to visit with my sister and The Tot! I hope you have a fun day too!


*  This is one of the songs I want played at my funeral. The decision is to whether it is Sandy Denny's, Kate Rusby's or Nina Simone's version that gets played. Sorry if this sounds morbid, and it's not an event I'm planning on having anytime soon :o)

March Biscornu and Fob - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

 

 

Design: March Biscornu and Fob - freebie available here

Designer: Linden Bee Designs

Stitcher: Tina

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 14 count aida, antique white

Tina was another kind volunteer who offered to help me with the stitching of my models, and I'm so pleased she managed to do so, as I know she's had family stuff going on. She's done a great job, and I think she liked stitching it, because she tells me she's at work on another two but with slight variations in the colours, including a pink one! I hope she will also share those, but these ones were stitched in the charted colours. I especially like the braided cord for the fob, it's a great idea to get the perfect match.

Tina, thank you so much for doing this!

If anyone would like a copy of the chart, leave a comment on the pattern post and I will get it out to you!

March Biscornu and Fob - Free Cross Stitch Chart!

March brings breezes loud and shrill,

Stirs the dancing daffodil.

We're having a nice bright March here, but because of the snow earlier this year, our daffodils will be later than usual - it's looking like it will almost be April before we get a show! I love daffodils, they are so bright and cheery. The Hermit gets them confused with dandelions ...no, don't ask me how! He just has no interest in flowers, bless!

Another "D" who deserves celebrating is my gran, Donaldina Mitchell McLeod. It would have been her 87th birthday today. She loved flowers and was a super gardener - her soft fruits and fresh vegetables were high spots in our summer holidays! Her son, my Uncle Rod, shares her birthday (although not her green thumb) and he is 60 today! I can't believe that my cool, trendy Uncle Roddie would be eligible for his bus pass if he was still in the UK ...

Anyway, enough family stuff! The chart uses only three shades of DMC- I've chosen quite muted shades, but I think this would look good in a bright colourway too!

There's a matching fob with this design too, included in the chart pack!

If you would like a copy of the chart, please comment below and leave an email address unless yours is visible in your blog profile. Some people ask for charts but I have no way of getting them to them :o( Charts are sent in PDF format.

If you do stitch this design, I'd love to see the finished article - and there will be a prize for any I show on my blog!

Although there is no charge for this chart, a donation to the MS Trust for this chart would be appreciated. Pennies will do - and you can make a donation by clicking here

There is no obligation to make a donation - you will be sent the chart whether or not you choose to make a donation, as I appreciate that some people are not in a financial position to do so.

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may be sold on a small scale basis such as on Etsy or at craft sales. Sales for charity are positively encouraged! This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Please direct people to this blog rather than forwarding the pattern, thank you! Copyright 2010 N M Wray