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Friday 19 February 2010

Rubies, Diamonds & Golden Pears

For the past few weeks I've been suffering with very tender 'boobs' more than usual even taking the time of the month in consideration, the doctor could feel nothing but could tell how tender i was, i went to see the consultant today who believes it's just a thickening of the breast tissue and is nothing nasty to worry about. She suggested a scan & mammogram just to have a look see, so I'm taking advantage of the health insurance we have at work and have an appointment at a local private hospital on Monday morning. At least my mind is a little easier now, you know how it is worrying about these things, I've just plodded through the week to be honest. So, now I'm more 'myself' I'm ready to share some updates :-) First i finished stitching the LHN ornament Pear Tree this afternoon, in my mind when i started this SAL was going to finish them all as hanging ornaments, but this one is HUGE!! too big to be a hanging ornament (me thinks) and i don't know how to finish it..any and all suggestions will be gratefully received!

LHN Finished Feb 19th 2010

I Stitched it on a scrap of 28 count and it measures 4" x 5" it turned out much bigger than i imagined but i do like it, i still have the beads to put on and I'm sure i had some somewhere, but at the moment can't lay my hands on them.
My first new start i thought would be quicker to stitch, ha, ha, famous last words! i didn't take a very good look at the chart, there are lots of colour changes!! so this is going to be a while in the making. Welcome Quaker Diamonds for the first of what may be many outings ;-)

Quaker Diamond WIP Feb 2010
I may need motivation with this one so if anyone knows of a SAL or would like to get one going, do let me know.

And just because i needed something that would be a little faster i started Rubie Owl, i had to wait for my LNS to get the threads in for this one, so again not too much to show. I splashed out on different fabric for this one (more expensive) I'm not going to name it because i know that lots of people love this particular linen and I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that i cannot say that i love it, it's OK, but no way does it justify the price i paid. Just my opinion ;-)
Meet Rubie Owl,

Rubie Owl WIP Feb 2010

I've been reading more than stitching this week and have finished up another Philippa Gregory book, i started the next one, The Virgins Lover last night. Only one more to read and then I've finished the Tudor Court series but i did read on line somewhere that her next series will be on the Plantagenet's, if they are as good as the Tudor's i can't wait! When i was leaving the hospital on Friday there was a book sale in reception, i took a few minutes to browse and came across these for 50 pence each!

Books

I already read The Lovely Bones a few years ago but it belonged to my daughter and i would like to read it again. I couldn't believe i found The Concubines Secret for 50p! i already have the Red Scarf (bought from Amazon) and The Russian Concubine (bought from the charity shop for
45 pence!!) so this completes the set which i plan on reading when I've finished the Tudor series, has anyone read these? The other two i read the blurb in WH Smith some time ago and wasn't too sure about so couldn't justify spending the money on them, but at a give-away price like i got
them at i don't mind if i don't want to keep them afterwards!
Phew, i think I've about made up for my none blogging, and if you're still with me, thank you!! and if your not that's OK too ;-) I'm off to plonk my bum on the sofa and get some stitching done, have a great weekend whatever your up too :-) see ya soon xx

17 comments:

Nancy said...

Your Pear Tree turned out beautiful! I'm having a hard time getting through this one for some reason. I'm going to finish most of mine as pinkeeps.

Have fun with your new projects!

Kathy A. said...

Pear Tree turned out lovey. Maybe a little pillow would be a nice option.
Your Quaker diamonds looks like a beauty.
Hope all turns out well with your checkup.

Unknown said...

Your ornament is just beautiful, I love this piece. What a wonderful new WIP, I look forward to seeing more this one.

Kim B said...

Beautiful finish! That is big for a hanging ornament. I heard some other people talking about stitching them on a higher count fabric to make them smaller, so I guess you're not the only one thinking it turned out a little big for an ornie.

Rowyn said...

I hope everything turns out OK with your checkup. Wishing you all the best.

Love your LHN finish, and your Quaker Diamonds is coming along well.

I too have pulled out Rubie Owl, and am busy stitching the lady and her dog for a small piece for an exchange I am in (it's not taking long, I am about 3/4 done). I'll look forward to seeing your progress on the whole piece.

Mylene said...

Congrats on the lovely finish, Maggie. Maybe into a pinkeep or a flatfold...
Great start on both of your new project and wow! i am so jealous of your books that you can find them so cheap. I think this is one of the disadvantage of living on a small island and at the library is no help either.

I hope your check up goes well. Take care.

Anonymous said...

Lovely stitching on the Pear Tree. I'm stitching these too and I'm also a little disappointed at how big they are. They're all very cute so far but don't think that they are "ornaments". Good progress on both Quaker Diamonds and Meet Rubie Owl. I started reading the Wildacre trilogy last night, good so far! Best of luck for your check up.

Brigitte said...

Pear Tree looks so nice and I think I'd finis it as a little pillow. But I always say that because I love those little pillows. You can finish them so creatively.
You have some great new starts on your new projects.
I wish you luck on Monday and will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Carolien said...

Hello Maggie,

Your stitches are beautiful.
I hope the scans on Monday will ease your mind!

Have a good week & greetings,
Carolien

Siobhán said...

Lovely stitching, Maggie! You should say what linen it is that you're using for Rubie... different strokes for different folks! I know some people love Lambswool and I feel like my needle is going to break off when I use it. Great start, though!

I find a lot of the LHN ornaments are too big to be ornaments. I am stitching one of the JCS LHN ornaments for my daughter and I stopped midway bc it's so large. I will use a high count in the future and do need to finish the ornament for my daughter, but still--eek. They're so pretty, though, that they're worth it.

I've skimmed the Concubine book. I had just finished The Red Scarf one so I need to try it again. I can't usually read the same author's books one after another. Did you see Plum Street Samplers' releases featuring QElizabethI? You might enjoy them, since you're immersed in the Tudor series!

Best of luck with the sore boobs. I worry about that all the time, but am fine, thankfully... I asked about having a mammogram here but they won't do it unless there's a family history of BC in the family. Thank God there isn't, and I don't really want my boobs squashed in a machine, but the peace of mind would be worth it. Big hugs--hope it puts your mind at ease.

Edy said...

Boob squeezing is fun; NOT! But the answering of the questions is worth it! I'm due next Thursday, so my thought will be with you on Monday!

Why not make up the "Pear Tree" as an inset in a small holiday pillow?
Surround it with a coordinating fabric and back it with the same fabric. I think it would be just right as an added holiday decoration!

Lois said...

Love your LHN finish and I think it would work really well as a pillow rather than a hanging ornament. Enjoyed seeing your other two projects. I hope all goes well with your appointment today.

Kellie said...

Hi Maggie,
I hope your tests went well today and that there is nothing to be worried about.
Pear Tree looks so cute. How about finishing it into a pinkeep? It is the perfect size.
Love your start on Quaker Diamonds. It looks gorgeous! Are you using the Valdani threads? I love those. I have this one in my pile to do after I eventually finish Quakers and Quilts. I work on too many things at once. :)
Rubie Owl is lovely as well.
You have read the Tudors really fast! I had not heard about the Plantagenet series, but I will want to read those too. I think there is at least one of the Tudors that I haven't read yet. But I do love Philippa Gregory's books! You found some real bargains. I have read Lovely Bones years ago, but none of the others.

Heidi said...

Pear Tree is just beautiful as well as the other starts. I was thinking it would make a cute door pillow hanger. I will keep positive energy coming your way for your scan. I hope it will put your mind to rest.

Hugs ~
Heidi

LiahonaGirl said...

Maggie: Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your stitching is lovely, as is your blog.

I've solved the dilemma of reading vs. stitching by downloading audio books to my iPod. Yipee! I can stitch while being read to.
Nancy

Lisa said...

Hi, I got your email about the Ink Circles Triangles chart you're interested in buying from me and replied on Sunday. Did you receive it as I haven't heard from you again and wasn't sure if it had gone through ok?
Lisa

MysteryKnitter said...

Gorgeous stitching! I mean the pear one. And you have a big pile of reading too!