A few finishes...

Well I seem to have been absent from my blog for quite a while. It's been a busy time on the sporting front for the children and my Dad has been in and out of hospital so any spare time I've had I've spent stitching away. 

My last finish for March was the 3rd Henrietta Whiskers block - these blocks are all so sweet. 

I'm looking forward to this month's block which sees the return of Sophie the blackbird and friend. I need to spend some time with my sewing machine to give my hand a rest from all the hand sewing I've been doing...am suffering from a nasty dose of RSI and I'm hoping that a little time with the machine will give it sufficient rest.

I began my next finish while away with the girls for the first of this year's crafting weekends. I started it together with Karen and we have been stitching along together. I wanted mine completed in time for Easter though so I've zoomed ahead to finish off. I have my DH all lined to construct a frame for it, it's such an unusual size that I think I'm unlikely to find anything in the shops that will do the job.

This is Bunny Hop by Country Cottage Needleworks. It's stitched with recommended threads on the the recommended fabric. It was a lovely easy stitch, I really enjoyed it. Karen and I have all the ingredients for another CCN design called Sheep in the Meadow. I have my eye on a design called April Showers as well but that's way down the list, lol! I'm starting on a pattern from Jardin Prive next which is called Once Upon a Time...an Owl. I've admired these designs since Nathalie Cichon first started to adapt them from the paintings of Spanish artist Raquel Blasco and I could resist no longer. Will be stitching along with Cara on this one. After that I've a rather pretty teacup design lined up from this month's issue of Cross Stitch Collection.

My other finish this month was a candle mat with bunny rabbits on it. This year my friends and I decided to do a little Easter basket exchange. The gift had to include a small handmade item and some chocolate. I had a few things in mind to make but then couldn't resist this candle mat from Bareroots  for obvious reasons!

Photo is courtesy of Sue as I forgot to take a picture of it before I wrapped it up to give to her! I was really pleased with how it turned out. I've not been using wool felt for very long - obtaining a supply of it was difficult but now Karen at Patchwork Chicks has a great selection available so I'm keen to try more projects with it. I have another couple of these candle mat patterns - one with strawberries on and another with one of my favourites on it...beehives, can't seem to get enough bee related things lately for some reason!

I have a great list of things to do before the end of this month. The new button club from Lynette Anderson arrived last week from Fobbles, I really enjoyed making the first one and this one looks to be just as much fun. I also picked up the next Vignette magazine at the beginning of the month and there is a lot of stitching to be done for In Stitches quilt although I've not quite finished the first lot yet! I also have some new Inklingo stitching on the go - a new collection was released called Sunflower and it proved irresistable. The problem is that much of this is hand stitching (which is my favourite) and my poor arm needs a break so I think I will probably take some time to catch up with Civil War blocks and Pennsylvania Dutch blocks on the machine before I get down to any of these other things :) oh to be amidextrous! I read some good books last month too...just need some time to write up my list of those!

Comments

[Toni]

Hope your RSI improves with a bit of rest - love all the stuff you have been making.

Toni xx

[Jeanette]

Love your projects. I couldn't resist the candle mat either. :) have made the chicken one too. Happy Stitching,

[Pip]

I get RSI too, more in my left hand than the right (also some carpal tunnel as well) if I have a lot of hand sewing I try and take frequent breaks which seems to help. I switched to longer needles (the straw needles) which made a big difference.

I just love the style of the wool felt candle mat, I've been thinking about making something with wool applique for a while now it looks so vibrant.

[Yvette]

There is just too much adorable going on in here! I just love that wool mat. I hope you feel better real soon!

[Carole]

I've already told you how much I love Bunny Hop. It's just a shame about the RSI. Hope that eases soon so you can do more lovely stitching.
I do love all your other stuff as well. That candle mat is lovely.
I'm very much looking forward to your book report too. You know how I love to be tempted :)

[Nicky]

Wow, you have been so busy! Love the cute candle mat - adorable! All the very best for the RSI to improve soon.