Christmas Exchange

I'm trying to get the back log of pictures caught up with. This was another Christmas exchange I sent out, but I can't remember at the moment who too! That's bad ...


I do remember what the design is though - it's a Bent Creek snowman, from an old JCS ornament edition (2002 or 2003) - stitched on black aida with various overdyed threads.

And here is a picture of the whole exchange:

Christmas Exchange to Mylene

This was the exchange that I stitched for Mylene - it's a Lavender Wings designs from an old JCS Ornament Edition. To the package, I added some Christmassy threads and ribbon, a Victoria Sampler Angel freebie plus Teeny Kit, a necklace and a stitched card.

Normal Service Will Now Resume ...

Just before Christmas, and in the middle of all my end of semester stuff and Christmas preparation, I got the norovirus (winter vomiting bug). Then after that, I got a flu type virus - I couldn't even eat Christmas dinner, never mind cook it! Once I'd recovered, I started a new job, plus had to write some more essays over my Christmas vacation from university. So, something had to give, and it was this blog - and as my stitching came to a bit of a halt, there wasn't really much to post about anyway!

However, I'm fully recovered, and I'm in the swing of being employed again and combining working with everything else. I don't have as much time to stitch, but I have been putting needle to thread and have a few finishes to show you ...

I have pruned my blogs that I read on Google reader, and I probably still won't comment much, but hopefully we can still "meet" in cyberspace from time to time!

Crazy Exchange from Edda

Edda sent me this fantastic exchange all the way from Iceland:

In it was the most delicately stitched fob - for which I've been out and bought some new scissors! - yummy purple ribbon and floss, and the sweetest bee patterned fabric, as well as a fascinating postcard.

Many thanks, Edda, I shall have to get thinking about something worthy for the return!

2007 Review

2007 seemed to be the year I got my stitching mojo back, although I left it to summer to start! So I think I did pretty well with finishes, and finishing finishing!

Stitching Finishes = 58

58. Christmas Bells - Janlynn

57. Ho Ho Ho Scissor Case - Lizzie*Kate

56. December Sampler Accent - Periwinkle Promises

55. Santa - Knotted Pine NeedleArt

54. Christmas Wishes Stocking - Thistle Threads

53. Winter ABCs - Lizzie*Kate

52. Christmas Sampler - Leisure Arts

51. Checking It Twice - Dragon Dreams

50. The White Cat - Bent Creek

49. Lamb - Shepherd's Bush

48. Buzz - Bent Creek

47. Bee Treat - The Trilogy

46. Pot Pourri Sachets - DMC

45. Acorn Scissor Case - Lizzie*Kate

44. Fall Into Autumn - Rainbow Gallery

43. September Sampler Accent - Periwinkle Promises

42. Sampler Bookmark - Needlework Magic ***

41. Potted Flowers - The Bold Sheep

40. Winter Needleroll - Heart in Hand

39. Fall Freebie - Trail Creek Farm

38. Plum Berry Sampler - Bent Creek

37. Pumpkin Flower Sampler - Bent Creek

36. Schoolhouse Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush

35. Pink Rose Freebie Kit

34. Pig Fridge Magnet Freebie Kit

33. The Rabbit - Bent Creek

32. Spring Needleroll - Lorri Birmingham Designs

31. Sweetheart Needleroll -The Sweetheart Tree

30. Strawberry Pincushion - Historic Needlework Guild

29. Sewing - Penelope

28. Wild Rose - Needleworks by Sue Hawkins

27. Beehive - Lifetime Samplers

26. Klimt Geometric - Cobweb Designs

25. Tartan Thistles Needlecase - Textile Heritage

24. Bumble Bee Needleroll - Lorri Birmingham Designs

23. USA International Heart - The Victoria Sampler

22. Easter Holiday Cracker Kit - Bent Creek

21. Baa - The Bold Sheep

20. Bumble Bee - Penelope

19. Celtic Stones - Textile Heritage

18. May Our Home Be Too Small - Design Works

17. Bee Kind Needleroll - Lorri Birmingham Designs

16. Amethyst - Classic Embroidery

15. Beehive Sampler - Charland Designs

14. Winter Peace - Sisters and Best Friends

13. Bird in Tree - Historic Needlework Guild

12. Winter Basket Snippet - Lizzie Kate

11. Bee Mine - The Victoria Sampler

10. Bee Happy - The Victoria Sampler

9. Bee Gentle - The Victoria Sampler

8. Bee Kind - The Victoria Sampler

7. Charming Alphabet - Historic Needlework Guild

6. Jewel Effects Bracelet - DMC

5. Beehive Beaded Pin - Mill Hill

4. Crewelwork Strawberries - Historic Needlework Guild

3. Jungle Room Plaque - Dimensions/Sunset

2. Iris Birthday Card - Mary Hickmott

1. Mothers Tree Sampler - Mary Hickmott/Self

Finishing Finishing = 55

55. Jungle Room Plaque - Sunset/Dimensions = Wallhanging

54. Christmas Bells - Janlynn = Christmas Card

53. Christmas Ornament - Brightneedle = Pincushion

52. "L" - unknown = Lavender Sachet

51. Christmas Wishes Stocking - Thistle Threads = Christmas Ornament

50. Noel - Homespun Elegance = Christmas Ornament

49. Snow - Gail Bussi = Pillow

48. The White Cat - Bent Creek = Mini Pillow

47. Snowman Ornament - Bent Creek = Christmas Ornament

46. Dear Santa, I Can Explain - Lizzie*Kate = Wallhanging

45. Christmas Sampler - Leisure Arts = Wallhanging

44. Joy To The World - Lizzie*Kate = Wallhanging

43. Ready or Not - Lizzie*Kate = Wallhanging

42. Santa - Knotted Pine Needleart = Christmas Ornament

41. Christmas Rose - Elizabeth's Designs = Mini Pillow

40. Checking It Twice - Dragon Dreams = Christmas Ornament

39. Star Santa Ornament - Lavender Wings = Christmas Ornament

38. Peace - The Victoria Sampler = Christmas Ornament

37. Merry Little Christmas - Bent Creek = Christmas Ornament

36. Joy Ornament - Just Nan = Christmas Ornament

35. Jingle Bell Time - SanMan Originals = Christmas Ornament

34. Sampler Bookmark - Needlework Magic = Bookmark***

33. Two Hardanger Squares - Mary Hickmott = Scissor Fobs

32. Winter Fobs Needleroll - Heart In Hand = Needleroll

31. Schoolhouse Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush = Needleroll

30. Peace Needleroll - Jeannette Douglas Designs = Needleroll

29. When This You See - Cathy Bussi = Mini Pillow

28. Merry Mooseness - Something in Common = Christmas Ornament

27. EduCATed - Bent Creek = Mini Pillow

26. Tartan Thistles - Textile Heritage = Pincushion

25. Robin on Egg - Bent Creek = Mini Pillow

24. Groundhog Day - Bent Creek = Mini Pillow

23. Fall Freebie - Trail Creek Farm = Fridge Magnet

22. Pig Fridge Magnet Freebie = Fridge Magnet

21. I Will Finish This Project - Jo Verso = Stitching Bag

20. Bless This House - Cathy Bussi = Card

19. Strawberry Pincushion - Historic Needlework Guild = Mini Pillow

18. Home Is Where The Heart Is - Donna Kooler = Ornament

17. Harvest Time - Elizabeth's Designs = Mini Pillow

16. Crewelwork Strawberries - Historic Needlework Guild = Pincushion

15. Welcome Knocker - Bent Creek = Bell Pull

14. Boo - Bent Creek = Tuck Pouch

13. Sewing - Penelope = Mini Pillow

12. The Rabbit - Bent Creek = Mini Pillow

11. Love Candlewicking - NMI = Mini Pillow

10. Bumble Bee - Penelope = Mini Pillow

9. Saturday's Sampler - Lavender Wings = Bell Pull

8. Primitive Primroses - Ewe & Eye & Friends = Bell Pull

7. Spring Needleroll - Lorri Birmingham Designs = Needleroll

6. Sweetheart Needleroll -The Sweetheart Tree = Needleroll

5. Bumble Bee Needleroll - Lorri Birmingham Designs = Needleroll

4. Bee Kind Needleroll - Lorri Birmingham Designs = Needleroll

3. Antique Sampler Accent - Periwinkle Promises = Mini Pillow

2. Bless The Breeze - SanMan Originals = Tuck Banner

1. A Hug Will Do - Lizzie*Kate = Pinkeep

SBQ

Today’s SBQ is:

Are you starting something new to celebrate the New Year or participating in “Guilt Free January?” If so, what are you planning on starting?

I'm making several new starts this month, but they are all obligation pieces - a sampler I've been commissioned to stitch, a gift, and two cards, plus an exchange piece!

SBQ

Today's SBQ was suggested by Nancy
(http://crossesnkisses.blogspot.com/) and is:

Do you do anything special to your threads before putting them through
your fabric to make them more manageable?

For ordinary or overdyed flosses, no. For rayon, I swipe it with a very slightly damp make up sponge - it helps stop the kinkies. For metallic braid, I don't use anything, but for metallic stranded floss, I use Thread Heaven (when I can find it). Also, for metallic floss, I use shorter lengths and knot it to the eye of the needle.

Spiced Butternut Squash & Coconut Soup

Over on my other blog, I mentioned I was going to have this soup for lunch, and immediately came the request for the recipe! Well, I call it a recipe, it's more of a guideline for making your own... My friend J makes a variant using pumpkin, and just cumin seeds for spicing, leeks instead of onion, and with a tin of coconut milk ... that's what I like about soup, it can be varied at will, with whatever's to hand. I've not made a truly bad soup yet! I find I can be creative with soup in a way I'm not with other dishes, and I'm willing to try all sorts of combinations...

Ingredients

1 butternut squash, peeled, de-seeded and cut into chunks
1 large onion, peeled and sliced or finely chopped (it doesn't really matter, the soup is going to be blitzed)
2 teaspoons crushed garlic
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (okay, I cheat, the last two ingredients are the "Very Lazy" stuff that comes in jars)
1 tablespoon garam masala (this I grind from the whole spices, but the mix is ready made - use your favourite curry powder or spice paste, to taste)
1 teaspoon cardamom seeds (ground with the garam masala, as I adore cardamom!)
100g - 150g creamed coconut (the stuff that comes in a block), in small pieces
vegetable stock, hot (I used about 1.2l, made with Swiss Bouillon powder, but it will depend on the size of your squash and how runny you like your soup).
3 tablespoons sunflower or vegetable oil

optional garnish: fresh coriander

Method

Heat the oil in a large pan, and add the onion, garlic and ginger. Sweat gently until the onion is slightly softened. Add the squash and spices, and stir well until all are evenly coated with oil and ground spice. Add stock and bring to boil. Simmer until squash is soft - about 15 minutes or so but longer won't hurt. Take off the heat, and blend until smooth with a jug or stick blender. Return/keep the soup in the pan, and add the creamed coconut in small pieces - blend or stir well to mix. Taste to see how much coconut you want - and bear in mind, the flavour is a little stronger on simmering or reheating. If your soup is a little thick, add more water or stock. If it's a little thin, you can thicken it with a little cornflour made into a paste. It will thicken on storage in the fridge - mine looked like mousse this lunchtime! If you're being smart, you can serve garnished with chopped fresh coriander.

I think this would be nice with a little chilli kick in it, as well.

Stash!

Okay, okay, I know I'm on a stash diet, but what can a girl do when faced with 8 boxes of kits for sale in her favourite charity shop? I don't know if they were someone's stash (in which case, it makes me look like an amateur) or if they were from a shop that has closed (although I can't think of one locally) but I was so pleased I dropped in on my way back from working on my Creative Media project.

All the kits were being sold for £5 each, in aid of the local hospice, so I didn't feel too guilty about buying the stash, as it was in aid of a good cause! Most of the kits were a bit too floral for me (no sheep or bees!) but I did get the following:

London Skyline - Heritage Stitchcraft

This reminds me of a lovely holiday DP (Dear Partner) and I had. My closest friend J was living in a flat in St Katherine's Dock (ie 5 minutes walk from the Tower of London) at the time and we made the most of being in the heart of the city, walking up and down the Thames, taking in all the sights. We used the river taxis a couple of times to go to Greenwich, too. It was a special time for us. DP is originally from Canada, although his late father was a Cockney from the East End of London, and it was nice to introduce him to his heritage - although I think it boggled his mind a bit!

The Pyramids - Heritage Stitchcraft

This is a reminder of a fantastic holiday I had in Egypt (pre-DP) - I adored Egypt and I would love to go back someday! I got to go on a camel safari in Aswan, and I thought the bad reputation camels have for being grumpy and smelly was undeserved :o) It's quite strange though, as the riding position is quite a long way from the ground, and there's usually not much in the way of a saddle, or stirrups!

Blackwork Sampler - DMC

I liked this when it first came out, but couldn't justify buying it at the time - it was nearly £20 and I do have a lot of sampler charts! I gave into temptation though, especially as the floss colours looked so nice in the kit - nicer than the picture, actually.

Autumn in the Square - Just Nan

I couldn't resist the chart and charm for £1, could I? I don't really like the charm, but the chart is sweet! Just Nan can sometimes be a bit too flowery and girly for me, but I do like this chart - I probably won't stitch the others in the series though - well, not if I have to pay full price! :o)

Hopefully, I'm going to have some time to stitch these, but these might have to wait for my retirement - only 27 years to go until I'm 65... :o)

Still here...

Sorry I've been a bit quiet this last week or so - since getting back from my weekend away, I've been caught up with end-of-semester stuff - all our assessment seems to be coming at once, especially as one tutor "suggested" that our multi media projects should be ready to burn to DVD one week before the formal submission date... grrrr... this is on top of the documentation and reflection for this project, plus another essay, plus the reading we're required to do ...

I did take the day off yesterday to go to a yoga and meditation day run by a friend, which was much needed, but it's back to uni today to do some more video editing and working on a computer animation sequence... as you can imagine, not a lot of stitching is getting done!

I am reading the blogs I can (my favourites list did strange things last week, our computer is ailing) but I'm sorry I'm not commenting - hopefully I will be caught up with my work soon and can get back to it!

I do have some pictures to post, too.