Pages

Monday 5 April 2010

Rubie Owl

Tomorrow morning is back to work, I've had four lovely days off and since Bank Holiday weather is notoriously bad here in the UK i had nothing more energetic planned than sitting and stitching and catching on TV programmes I'd recorded. (I've become addicted to Anthea Turner's Perfect Housewife). It's on the 'Home' Channel between 1am-3am, which only goes to show how sad i am as the programme doesn't even warrant prime time viewing!! What can i say, the woman has some great cleaning and storage tips!!
I've also been playing about with my blog colours, again! i can't seem to find something to stick with, these will do for now though. My header is a photo i took of the daffodils in my garden, me and my daughter planted over 200 of them last year and i am thrilled so many made it to flowering :-) They bring a lovey splash of colour to the garden even when it's raining.
Anyway, here's the progress i made on Rubie Owl.
Rubie Owl - April 2010
I really love the way these colours jump out at you, but does anyone else have a problem with Belle Soie silks knotting? I usually work with about a yard of floss but have had to reduce this to less because of knotting.
Rubie Owl - April 2010
The fabric is more of a sandy colour, which is refusing to show up true in the photos.
the weekend was spent stitching mostly leaves, and after a while I lost the ability to count! i must have frogged as many as I've stitched!! I need to order a couple of colours to finish off the tree, and because of the Bank Holiday they will be a few more days yet.
Rubie Owl -April 2010
Rubie Owl - April 2010
I'm putting Rubie back in the bag this week and working on the LHN monthly ornament, He's A Flake, it feels like ages since i had a finish and this looks like it will be a quickie. Until next time, have a great week.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

18 comments:

Loraine said...

Oh, love your Rubie Owl! The colors are scrumptious. You are stitching it fast too!
Love your daffodils too. I can plant daffodils, but not tulips, because the deer think they are candy, and they will dig up the bulbs and eat them in one night. I love the look of the yellow daffodils. Next year! I'll plan it.
Sorry you have to go back to work.
Take Care!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Rubie Owl is wonderful, Maggie and your pictures are just lovely! I have some tulips coming up but have never planted daffodils - don't know why - they're so sunny and pretty! Maybe this fall!

I like your colors - easy on the eyes! May I ask how you get this wider two column format using blogspot? I'd like to use this format as well and have not been able to figure it out. Would you email me if it's not too much trouble?

LiahonaGirl said...

What great progress you're making -- and I totally agree with Terri, your photos are fabulous. I use Belle Soie but I haven't had any problems with it knotting. In fact, it's currently my favorite silk floss to stitch with. I always separate the strands and run over a damp sponge to straighten.
Nancy

KarenV said...

Rubie Owl is looking lovely, great progress! I usually use my thread in 1/2 yard lengths, particularly with silk, as it shreds too much otherwise. Your daffs are so pretty; we (well, my DH ;) ) planted narcissi last year and have had a lovely display in the front garden this year :)

Mylene said...

What lovely daffodils-hope they'll stay longer so you can enjoy the view. I haven't planted any bulbs last year but still some old ones came out especially some Tulips.

Rubie Owl is looking beautiful and looking forward to see your next LHN ornament.

Sherry said...

Rubie looks wonderful! I have her kitted up and ready to go when I choose. Your daffodils are lovely.

SusanF said...

Beautiful stitching, and I love the way you photograph it. Don't know if this will help you, but I have recently been told to iron my silks before using them (carefully - on the silk setting!) Didn't believe it would help but gave it a try and now find the thread lies much neater and I'm getting very little knotting too. Might be worth a try.

Lois said...

You've made great progress on Rubie Owl and she's looking lovely!

I can imagine how wonderful all yoru daffodils are looking! All that hard work planting them last year will be well worth it.

Unknown said...

The daffodils are in full bloom here as well. I love the colors of spring.

Ruby Owl is just delightful - I think this is such a fun piece.

Long weekends are the best, aren't they!

Carolien said...

Hello Maggie,

Your banner and your stitches are just beautiful!
Thanks for your address, I will post my envelope today, I didn't get the chance to do it yesterday.
Have a great week too.

Bye, Carolien

Karan said...

Love all those daffs - such a cheerful flower. RO is looking lovely. Hope the first day back at work was a quiet one. :0)

Brigitte said...

I love your daffodils. And I hope to be able to see them around here, too, after the last two warm days. There won't be any in our garden but we've got lots of violets since it has been warming up after the Easter holidays.
Great progress on Rubie Owl. It's a wonderful piece.

Roberta said...

Rubie Owl is lovely.

Love your Daffodils on your header, their beautiful.

Siobhán said...

Rubie looks fantastic, Maggie! YGG! Your pictures are fantastic, too. Great job. :)

I must check out that program, but do it when my DH is away, lest he think I have any ideas about improving my game. LOL I don't want him to get too excited.

Have a great weekend!

Justflo said...

Your Rubie Owl Looks great. love the colours.

Your daffs. are beautiful. Must mean Spring is finally here.

Happy stitching to you.



wizzybuff

Kathy said...

I'm trying hard to get caught up on my blog reading. Not really succeeding. :) I just LOVE the photo of your daffodils. And your Ruby Owl is beautiful!

Thank you for your comment on my blog. I can't wait to see your LHN ornament.

Raven/Missy said...

Rubie is looking wonderful!

Your daffodils are gorgeous as well! What a bright happy picture, it made me smile.

MysteryKnitter said...

Nice stitching! Keep up the great work.