Busy Busy Busy

Hey everybody, sorry it's been so long since my last post. I've been a busy bee, which is great at the moment as it gives me something else to focus on. AT LAST, I bring you photies of my WIP's and some of my Ireland photos.

Here are my WIP's:

Mermaid of the Pearls


She's coming along nicely, although it's been about a week since I've done any work on her.

Knotwork Garden

I was really looking forward to getting this finished - now it's packed away with other stuff that is too emotional right now for me to deal with. You can see where I stopped stitching...maybe one day I'll finish it.

Holiday Photos!



This is a place called 'Doonass' which is about 3 miles down the road from CastleConnell, Co. Limerick. At the end of the road, there is a Restaurant/bar and the dead end, which faces out on to the River Shannon - this lovely little island with the 3 stones is what you gaze out at, after buying the obligatory pint of Guiness at the end of a thirsty walk!



And the little spec in the middle of this picture is the Heron I saw when out for yet another walk down by the River Shannon. This was taken about a mile down the road from my Aunt's house in CastleConnell.



This is my Aunt's cat - the lovely Misty along with my tower of strength, alias Ma. Misty's such a cutie and a friendly puss. She started life as a feral cat. My Auntie took her in and Misty took a shine to my Auntie. She tried to get Misty to come live inside, but Misty wasn't having any of that as she was so used to being outside. So my Aunt got a local carpenter to make her a little wooden hut outside - and there she lives quite happily! It has all the mod cons, like a heated pad for the winter and blankets - there's no fear of this little madam. As you can see, she's eyeing up my Mum's breakfast cereal - "any chance of a spot of milk please?"


Finally, this is my Auntie's Sister's dog called Molly. As my Aunt is at home for most of the time, and because Carmel is normally out at work, Molly spends most of her time here. About two hours before this picture was taken, Molly decided to go for a dip in the river, hence the 'Dragged through a bush backwards' look that she decided to adopt. Luckily Molly loves water and adores being washed - it's a good job really, she's always in the river up to mischief!

So there you have it - Ireland really is a place to restore your sanity and soul and I shall be returning next year. I'll post a few more Ireland photies later on in the week - if I don't stop now I'll be pushing it to get all the photos on here! I hope that everyone is well and happy and as always, thanks for dropping by.

Have a good week my friends! x x :)

What Kind of Flower Are You?

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first name is Friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh"

I've just read Ali B's blog and she's a Daffodil (a 'sweetie' Daffodil in my view, if there is such a species!), so I decided to take the challenge. Ironically, I love Snapdragons and I do love making people laugh, but I wouldn't say I'm a prankster. Mind you I can be when it comes to my Mum - we're always trying to out-do each other when it comes to pranks, but I wouldn't pull a prank on anyone unless I knew that they would be ok with it. I know some people in my life who have hurt and upset people with pranks - that doesn't go down well with me.

Take the Challenge and see what kind of flower you are!

Have a good day fellow Stitching friends! xxx

Sorry for the Delay!

Hey everyone - I'm so sorry it's taken a while for me to post. I thought that by now I would have been able to post some pictures but there's a problem. It's not with the camera thank goodness, but there's something on the computer that's preventing it from recognizing it when I connect it via USB. There is nothing wrong with the camera, the docking station or the software, as a friend of mine kindly plugged it into their PC and got it working no problem, so until I find out why my computer isn't recognizing it when it is plugged in, there's going to be no pictures I'm afraid, which is a real pain. I will be getting a new computer at the end of the month, as DH is taking this one when he goes, so I think that will be the end of the camera problem anyway. In the meantime, I'm going to get a USB card reader, as very kindly suggested by Natty - thank you Natty!x It will be handy to have if ever there are future problems - I should get it next week.

Last weekend I went on a 'Stitching Get Together', which was fantastic! There was about 17 of us, chatting, LOTS of laughing and showing each other what we had completed - it was good to get away from it all and this time, it didn't feel so difficult coming back home as it did when I came back home from Ireland.

I took along an L*K design, from the 'Thanksgiving' series, called 'In all Things, Give Thanks' - I finished the lettering on the bottom of the design last night. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with it at the moment, but I'm toying with the idea of making it a middle panel for a cushion cover.

Well that's about it for now. I promise I will post my Ireland and WIP photos as soon as I am able. Thanks for dropping by! xx

Today's Word on Sesame Street is 'Jinxed' !!!

Houston, we have a problem :( Yesterday evening I tried to upload my holiday photos onto the PC and unfortunately, it looks as though the USB connection on the docking station that came with the camera is faulty - AAARRRGH!! In normal circumstances I wouldn't think much of it, but because of what's happened, I really think that somebody somewhere doesn't like me! I don't know how long this temporary setback will last, so I'm really sorry if you were looking forward to my pics.

It will be no doubt a series of emails to amazon.co.uk, as I bought the camera from their site - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be for too long. I've been an amazon UK customer for years and they've always been 'on the ball' in the past if ever I've had to return something faulty or damaged.

I've not made much progress on my 'Knotwork Garden'. I was in the middle of doing more work on it the night Husband decided to tell me his dreaded news. Since then, every time I try and pick it up it brings back the awful memory and as a consequence, I become a wet, soggy mass of paper tissues, so I'm focusing my attention on my 'Mermaid' for the time being. It's a good job I decided to buy some additional presents for my Sister's Birthday, or she would have ended up with nothing on 22 July.

I will keep you posted on progress - hopefully the situation will be resolved quickly so I can then show you my lovely photos.

I'm trying to keep everything in perspective. Every time I feel like holding a Pity Party for myself, I think of what I have and how lucky I am:

1. I have a wonderful family supporting me
2. I have solid friends
3. I have a roof over my head and food to eat
4. I have a great job, with supportive and understanding work colleagues
5. I have my health
6. I have my wonderful puss cat :)
7. I have the love and support of my fellow Bloggers (thank you x)
8. I have an ample supply of Chocolate!

My Mum really put things into perspective the other day when she found me in tears - and she said (imagine a strong Irish accent): "If you think you have problems, think of all the other people in the world who haven't got what you have" She absolutely right, bless her heart. I shouldn't be so selfish!

Until next time, love and light to you all.

Carto x x x :)

Bouncing Back

Hey everybody! Well, I got back from Ireland yesterday evening - and it has done me the world of good (including my Ma who came with me!). We were visiting my Aunt, who lives in Castleconnell, County Limerick, which is right on the banks of the River Shannon. We had about 5 days of blistering sunshine, which was fantastic, and there was plenty of fresh air and the sound of beautiful summer days. I spent most of my time walking by the river, watching the Herons and Kingfishers diving into the water for food. It was pure heaven listening to the Bullfinches, Wrens, Song Thrushes, Robins and watching cute little Wagtails strutting their stuff.

I took my new digital camera with me and I've taken a few photographs of what I saw along with some gorgeous piccies of my Auntie's cat, called Misty. I will post them over the weekend and also, will FINALLY give you an update on my 'Knotwork Garden' and 'Mermaid' - Hoo-ray!

Just before I sign off, I would just like to say 'thank you' dropping by and a huge great big thanks to those who have sent me their kind words. The Stitcher blogging community is certainly a community filled with love and kindness. I still feel like I've been run over by a freight train, but with friends like you all out there, I'll know I'll make it somehow.

TTFN and bless you all!
Carto xxx

This is a Month of Heartaches

Hi all

I just wanted you to know that I won't be posting for a little while. I am busy falling apart. On Tuesday 30th May, my Husband told me that he doesn't love me anymore, therefore we are in the middle of a separation. I'm numb and I'm scared...and really still in shock at the moment. The one and only man that I will ever love is leaving me - and I feel like my heart's been ripped out. I'm going to Ireland with my Ma from 14th June to 21st June to get away for a while to try and get my head together. At the moment it is scrambled and I can't think, feel...or do anything at the moment.

I've just read Ali's blog and read her terrible news - my pain pales into insignificance compared to what she must be going through right now, poor sweetheart. It seems to be 'Bad News Month' all round - the world's gone mad.

Anyway, I'll sign off here now. I'll try and post once I get back from Ireland - maybe I'll feel a bit better once I've had a week away. Please keep dropping by though - I've only known you all for such a short space of time, but I feel already that I have made lovely and wonderful friends with you all. Don't forget me.

All my love and hugs
Carto x x x x

Normal Service Will Resume Shortly

Hey everybody, I hope you're all well and happy.

Sorry for the severe lack of postings at the moment. I just wanted to let you know that I haven't fallen off the planet. I've been itching to post about (and let you see) how my 'Knotwork Garden' is coming along, but I've come to realise that my phone camera is not good enough to do it justice regarding how much work I've put into it. You'll be pleased to know that I will be receiving a new digital camera in the next few days (I can't wait - hoo-ray!). Finally, I will be able to show you just how lovely the colours are and how it sparkles.

Until then, please keep dropping by. I really do appreciate your comments - they have made me smile and have kept me going on really bad days - thank you, you lovely people! x x x

Stitching 'To Do' List

It's funny. Even though I have two stitching projects on the go at the moment, I'm already planning what to stitch next. In fact, I've already ordered the threads and beads. Check out The Phoenix, from Dracolair Designs.

The design consists of lovely deep reds, rusty browns, greys and golden yellows, with some Kreinik cord/braids and some Mill Hill beads thrown in for good measure. It will also be my first time using 'High Lights' thread from Rainbow Gallery. Apparently it is just like combining a strand of thread with a strand of metallic, but with 'High Lights', the combining has already been done for you. All you do is just wind off as much as you want, thread your needle and start stitching. Has anyone else used it before? If so, what did you think of it? I'm still awaiting the fabric. I decided in the end to go for the fabric that the model was stitched on. It's from the 'Reflections' range of hand-dyed fabrics from Silkweaver Fabrics, in this case, it's the 28 count Lugana in 'Sparkling Sundown'.

Here's another update regarding my 'Knotwork Garden':


I've nearly finished trimming the green knot with the gold/Kreinik thread. As usual, I couldn't wait to see what it would look with the flowers in the background so I have started to stitch them. I really should stop being so impatient!

Thanks for dropping by! :) x

'Need a Hand?'

Awww - isn't he cute?! Even if I do say so myself, my gorgeous bundle of fur sure knows how to pose for the camera!

My elder sister came round to visit last weekend (the same sis that rescued Fudge puss, along with my Bro-in-Law), as B-I-L was working till all hours, so F came round to have a natter. She is also a cross stitcher, in fact she is the reason why I'm stitching today! Anyway she is working on a design by Amathusia Needle craft Designs - (this one is particular is called 'February Amethyst') and decided to bring it along last weekend. We were chatting happily (i.e., putting the world to rights!) whilst working on our respective stitching projects.


Then out of the blue, up popped Fudge on the table, which had F's chart and assorted threads spread all over it, and got comfy on said chart whilst purring like a Harley Davidson. Then he started to stare intently at the threads and everything else that was going on. F then got her mobile phone out and said 'I have got to take a photo of this!'. Then later when she got home she sent it over to me. And the end result is this rather adorable looking photie!



Fudge keeps me company whenever I'm stitching and purrs his approval whenever I take a break and show him what I'm doing (it's silly I know, but I talk to my puddy cat!).

Thanks for dropping by - have a good weekend :)))

Knotowork Garden - Further Progress

As you can see, I have progressed rather well with my Knotwork Garden. I've been having crafty stitching moments as and when I can. I've even been going to bed early so that I can sit up for a while and do a bit before visiting the land of Nod. I'm concentrating on getting the main green outlines of the knot itself completed, before filling in the colour - I can't wait. I tried taking photo of the photo that came with the kit, but the end result wasn't very good, in fact it was rubbish - I haven't got a scanner, so taking photos with the mobile phone camera will have to do for a while. Anyway it will keep you guessing about the end result - all the more to surprise you with!

Have a good weekend :) x

WIP's In The Pipeline

Hello again. I hope you had a good Easter break, mind you I'm not glad to be back at work. So far I've had a rubbish week, and I wasn't going to post because I was so fed up today, but then I thought "why should those 'barstools' at work affect my home/personal time?" Anyway, I decided to give them the old 'Two Finger Salute' then I blew a few raspberries into the air (well it was the back garden actually - I hope the neighbours weren't watching - you can just imagine them looking at some mad old twonk of a woman, flailing two fingers wildly into space and making bottom burp noises!!) and logged on to my trusty PC!

So, as promised in my last post here are some shots (and I apologise for the bad quality as before - I've got to get a new camera!) of some WIPs. The first photo is the WIP that I mentioned a couple of posts ago, yes, this was the reason for my goldfish-induced daydreamings. It's by Mirabilia and it's called 'Mermaid of the Pearls'


I'm stitching it on 14 Count green/grey Aida using DMC threads. The chart also requires Mill Hill beads and Mill Hill Treasures. I've committed the cardinal sin of stitching on the beads before finishing the bulk of the stitching, but I was so excited to see what the fin part of the design would look like with the beads on, I couldn't wait! I'll probably regret it when stitching the other half of the design, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I'm using Madeira Glissengloss Rainbow metallic thread instead of the recommended Kreinik threads, as I've found Madeira is softer and easier to use, but I don't think it matters which brand you use, you still get the age old problem of getting the tension even and the slippy texture.

The next piece I'm working on is for my Big Sister's Birthday in July, entitled 'Knotwork Garden' designed by Mary Hickmott of New Stitches Magazine


It's on 18 count white Aida, using Anchor threads and Madeira Gold metallic thread. It is small enough for me to take in my bag to work, so I'm grabbing a few stitches in my dinner hour every day. Despite the poor picture, you can see that it's quite sparkly due to the gold edging around the green. I will keep you posted about how both of these are coming along.

I hope you're week is going better than mine - Roll on Friday at 5pm!

Take Care :)

Off Topic!

Yes...it is terribly off topic (and I won't make a habit of it), but here's a cutie that wants to say "Hello"......


This is my pride and joy and my little ray of sunshine...my 7 year old cat, Fudge. He was rescued by my Brother-in-Law from a couple of street peddlers who were threatening to drown him because they couldn't sell him. He'd overheard them saying this and to put it politely, he asked them to hand him over, no he wasn't going to give them payment and if they didn't disappear he'd have something to say about it. I wouldn't want to bump into him down a dark alley at the best of times, but if you can imagine a 'Hell's Angel' biker holding a kitten, you can see why the two horrors decided to scarper!

Fudge fitted into the palm of my hand when B-I-L and Sis brought him over to me. The poor thing, he was riddled with fleas, malnourished and half deaf because of the ear mites that had infected both of his ears. The next day I registered him with the local Vet and got him checked over. He was diagnosed with a heart murmur as well, probably due to the lack of nutrition. We cured his fleas and ear mite problem, but the Vet prepared me for the worst....that he probably wouldn't live until after the age of 4...but as you can see, someone out there is surely smiling on him. His condition doesn't stop him climbing trees in the orchard directly opposite my house!

So there you have it. Normal transmissions will resume!

'Past Stitches' and 'Happy Easter!'

I thought I would show you some of my past stitching achievements. Unfortunately, there aren't many (errr...only 2!!) because I've given most of them away to various family members over the years, but it will give you an idea of the sort of designs that I like to stitch.

'CELTIC CROSS'


It was designed by Mervyn Rogers from a company called Treasure Island Products based in North Wales. It was stitched on 18 count white Aida, using Anchor thread as recommended. I am quite proud of this, as it was my first large-scale project. I remember buying it at the annual Stitching Show, at the Olympia, London, in 1998. My best friend and fellow stitcher K convinced me that I would have no problems with it, and she was right! Apologies for the poor picture quality (will explain further on).

'CELTIC DRAGON'



This is another design from Treasure Island Products that I bought and stitched a year later. It is stiched on 14 count cream Aida, again using Anchor thread as the chart recommended. They also recommended to stitch with 3 threads instead of the usual 2, to bring out the colour. Unfortunately the picture doesn't do it justice, but I can assure you, it is very vivid in colour.

To explain the terrible pictures, my digital camera decided to go on strike. It's been on the blink for some time, but it decided it had had enough last night, so I had to borrow Hubby's phone camera. I waiting for pay day so I can go out and get a new one! In my next post, I'll show you my latest WIP (the reason for my 'empty-head' dreamings!), plus a few other WIP's that are 'in the pipeline'.

Thank you for dropping by, and have a great Easter :)

Oh dear!

I started a new cross stitch piece a few weeks ago, which usually means that I can't think of anything else. Sure enough, I'm suffering from 'I'd rather stay at home stitching than go to work' Syndrome.

The other day, a work colleague was talking to me, whilst I reciprocated with my best goldfish impression. Yes, I've been reliably assured that I was (and I quote) 'as vacant as a toilet door' for a good 60 seconds or so. But why think of financial year end procedures, when you can spend your working hours thinking about which thread colour you are going to start using next?! I know it's really sad to get excited about seeing a brand new colour appear on your fabric, but I can't help it. Anyway, when I apologised and explained why my goldfish impression was so good, to say that my colleague looked bemused was an understatement. You could actually see that her face was saying 'she really should get out more'. But non-believers (or should I say non-stitchers) will never understand. Can anyone else relate to that feeling?

Greetings!

Welcome to my blog! I have finally entered the 21st century (which is amazing as I can get lost going to my garden shed and back). I hope to entertain you and make you laugh while showing you pieces of my hobby, which surprise surprise, is stitching! I mainly do cross stitch but I have been known to do Needlepoint, embroidery and beading as well...so watch this space!