Scissor case

Hi, It has been a long time since I posted an item on my blog and now we are a good way into the new year. I begun stitching a scissor case from a kit of raised and gold work embroidery by the Royal School of Needlework. This is a lovely design and I have enjoyed the combination of stem stitch satin stitch and couched gold thread. I have yet to stitch the flower centres with gold chips. The flap will have a raised flower attached to give some depth to the design. The photographs show the stitching so far. I will post further photos when I have completed the raised flowers.

Embroidery and Brooches.

Hi, Christmas is approaching fast and I have lots to finish. I am currently stitching cards for my mum and dad and for my mother in law. Very pretty cross stitch designs of children playing in the snow. I attended the Hylands Christmas fair last weekend which was really great. I had a stand in the new Grand Pavillion which has only just been completed and looks very impressive. The show was packed with shoppers and we spoke to many people. Next year they may run the event over two days which would be great. I have completed more of my emboidered jewellery brooches (which are for sale through my online shops - links above) and hope to run a class next year at my local adult community college on embroidering a brooch. Could be great fun. Back to the cross stitch cards.

Embroidery

 Hi, I have'nt written for a couple of weeks but here are a few of the jewellery broches and pendants I have embroidered. I found these very enjoyable to stitch. I used DMC and Anchor stranded cotton to stitch the designs.

Felt Reindeer and Christmas Pudding.

Hi, Today I have been making my Christmas pudding and mincemeat. Good old Delia Smith, I love her recipes. They work so well and taste fantastic. I started making my mincemeat yesterday and left the mixture over night for the flavours to develop and will put it into kilner jars later today. The Christmas pudding has been made and now I will leave over night and steam tomorrow. My kitchen smells gorgeous and will smell even better tomorrow when the pudding is steamed. My other little project, since the last time I wrote, is now finished. I have made a herd of felt reindeer. I subscribe to the craft seller magazine and one of these little fella's came as a free gift to make and sell. I made him and thought he was so cute, I made a herd. The photo shows just four of them, I have more downstairs! I added the sleigh bells so that they make a lovely christmassy sound as well. That's all for now, back to bottling my mincemeat.

Christmas fair and handbag mirrors.

Hi, We had a lovely week in the Lake District over the half term break. The weather was mixed but the scenery was fantastic. Back home last friday to load up the car ready for the Brentwood Christmas craft and gift fair. The show was great and got me felling christmassy. I did'nt have enough room or the means to display my paintings effectively. I had a lot stashed behind the stall. I embroidered a couple of handbag mirrors just before the show and I have more to make together with jewellery to embroider (brooches and a few necklaces), but at the moment its all go teaching my painting classes and making felt reindeer. Great fun!