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Tuesday 22 May 2018

What I'm working on

I had planned on making a start on stitching Bonnie's Christmas stocking at the beginning of the year, but with one thing and another that didn't happen.  I finally made a start at the end of April and although I haven't worked on it everyday when I have stitched on it I've made good progress.


It's hard to get a good photograph of all because it's on a roller frame.  I've stitched the top border too and will leave adding her name till last.  This is Elizabeth's stocking by Shepherds Bush, stitched in the recommended Perle threads.  I'm hoping to get this finished by the end of June and that will leave me plenty of time to stitch one for Arthur too.  I stitched and finished one for Oliver for his first Christmas, you can see Oliver's stocking here 

Last year I bought a beach bag kit from Sew and So when they were having a sale, I forgot all about it until I was having a sort out a couple of weeks ago.  The pack contained all the material but not the wadding.  There were no making up instructions but after I called them they did email them to me right away.
I'm really happy how this turned out, it's not perfect, the inside pocket is too high for a start, but I like it :-)


I fashioned a bottom for the bag by cutting some thick cardboard and covering it with sticky backed plastic because I didn't want a saggy bottom!!

I've had two days off work this week and I couldn't have picked two better days, the weather has been beautiful.  Yesterday I went for a lovely long walk and then stitched and caught up on some TV in the afternoon.  Today I sat outside all afternoon doing a bit of knitting and some beach hut stitching while listening to my audio book.  I feel like my batteries have been re-charged and I'm ready to face the office again tomorrow.

Beach Hut stitching - I will reveal what these are for in a future post :-)


I've done so much baby knitting over the last year, now it's time for something a little bigger, If It comes out ok this will be a top for me.  The back is almost done and so far I'm enjoying it.


I've got most of my plants in the garden or in the pots now and everything is coming on nicely
.

I planted some Alliums for the first time, not all of them have come up though.  I didn't think any of the white ones had survived but then this one appeared and there is another one in the other bed which is just starting to open.


The previous owner planted this Lily of the Valley, it's tucked away on the far side of the conservatory so you can't really see it, which is a shame but you can catch it's scent if the wind is in the right direction.  I've been picking some for in home and the smell is wonderful.

I hope you too are enjoying some lovely weather :-)

-X-

21 comments:

crafty cat corner said...

Love the cross stitch angel. I used to do a lot of cross stitch and so did Tom. The lilly of the valley is beautiful, reminds me of my Dad, he loved it and managed to grow a huge clump in his garden, I've never been able to grow it for some reason.
Briony
x

Anonymous said...

Hi Maggie such beautiful work,love your new bag,well done my friend,and what a lovely garden you have,hope you have a wonderful day xx

Barb said...

The alliums are spectacular!! The stocking is going to e just lovely!

Poppypatchwork said...

Your craft and garden are both lovely, I am doing very little craft, but I am enjoying all the time in the garden.

butterfly said...

What a wonderful up lifting post .
Love all of your stitching and knitting.
Your garden flowers look beautiful too.

Jo said...

Glad you enjoyed your days off, it's nice to have a bit of time to do the things you enjoy and recharge the batteries. How lovely that you're stitching stockings for each of your grandchildren, something that they'll treasure, I'm sure, and become heirlooms. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the beach hut stitching and your top looks lovely and summery. It's a very long time since I've knit a garment for myself. I love your new header, the alliums are blooming in my garden and amongst them, one solitary white one.

Vickie said...

How wonderful that you are creating stocking for all the grands. Wow your garden is just gorgeous!

Sandy said...

So many nice projects. The cross stitch, the knitted top. Will be anxious to see them all progress. Beautiful flowers. As I'm out blog walking today,I saw your link and thought I'd visit. Always fun to meet new bloggers.

Rhona said...

So many lovely projects! Love the bag you made. Your garden looks gorgeous too.

Carolien said...

Hello Maggie,

Love your Christmas stocking and the bag, wow!
Enjoy your new projects :)

Miriam said...

Maggie, this post is gorgeous !!! I like your cross stitch, I love alliums, I love your bag, I would like one , but I can’t sew and I haven’t a sewing machine. The facbrics you have choosen are wonderful and remaind me Cath Kidstone...would you like to sell it?
Miriam

Tina said...

Plants are doing well, aliums are so pretty. The stocking is coming on fab, love the angel.beach huts look interesting, see you next week. X

Sandy said...

Making blog rounds so thought I'd pop back in to say hi. Hope you have a wonderful wkend.

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

What a beautiful stocking, I looked at Oliver's too, quite precious heirlooms. I rather like alliums, so stunning even after they've flowered, gorgeous weather here too xx

Sandy said...

Time for blog rounds again, so popping in to say hi.

Eloise at thisissixty.blog said...

I've tried to grow lily of the valley several times but with no success at all.
I received (and planted) some allium bulbs for my birthday in 2016. They've just come up, though like yours, not all of them. I hadn't realised that they'd take so long.
Love the beach Baganda I'm impressed that you are planning so soon for Christmas!

viagrajakarta said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Helen said...

Lovely post, the Christmas stocking is gorgeous! And the bag is stunning, perfect for summer :) Looking forward to seeing more of the beach huts!

Sandy said...

Waving hello and welcome to the new week. Hope you had a good wkend. You guessed it, I'm out and about doing by blog rounds. Hope things are going well for you.

Mary - Lecoeurceltique said...

Beautiful, delicate colours in the Christmas stocking. A couple of days to 'recharge the batteries' can be so beneficial.

Tammy said...

That stocking and bag are SOOOO cute! The flowers are glorious too!