Drum Roll please

 Last time I posted an update on my Quaker Pumpkins stitching I mentioned that I had a finish in my mind that I thought would work for it but didn't know if I would be able to do it.

Well, with the help of Vonna's excellent drum finish tutorial I did it!

I used the same fabric top and bottom, I didn't have a lot of Autumn theme fabric to choose from but I thought this one brought the colours of the piece out.  

I'm so happy with it, I keep picking it up and looking at it, lol, (ha ha, does anyone else do that)?

Chenille trim is very very hard to find here in the UK but, The Works sell a narrow version which is what I've used here, the colour choice is very limited but this one was perfect. 

I used heavy card stock for the top and bottom and it is stuffed with toy stuffing, Vonna recommends using crushed (or ground) walnut shells to fill the gaps in the stuffing and to add a bit of weight, but again I couldn't get any so I've used rice.

It wasn't a quick finish but I followed Vonna's tutorial step by step and took my time and it really was easier than I thought it would be and I'd definitely make another.

The chart is Quaker Pumpkins by Hello From Liz Matthews and I stitched it on 20 count aida with the recommended colours.  As you can see I left out the bottom part of the chart because I wanted it to be more Autumn and less Halloween

I have another Autumn stitch I'd like to get done in time to display this year, I'm itching to start something new but I'm being very strict with myself to get some things finished first.

Hope you all have a great week

-X-

Still stiching

 I started Quaker Pumpkins by Hello From Liz Matthews at the beginning of July and worked on it on and off for a couple of weeks in that month, then I'm afraid I lost interest in it.  

I'm not one of those people that can just put a few stitches in here and there, I much prefer to set aside a chunk of time to sit and stitch, that does mean that I'm less productive though, especially now with looking after grandchildren, who are still on school holiday and taking my turn looking after mum.

But last week, apart from one day, I had a child free week and a week off from my turn at mums, (we have all taken it in turns to have a week off 'mum duties' so that we could get a decent break).  It was lovely not to be clock watching every day and thinking about being somewhere by a certain time, and of course It meant I had some free time for stitching.

It was never my intention to stitch the words on this piece, so with a bit of luck, and some stitching time I'm hoping to get it done soon.  

And.... I've just noticed that there is an incomplete section on the first pumpkin! Good job I uploaded the photo because I hadn't noticed it 😕

I have an idea how I'd like to finish it but, I don't know if my finishing skills are up to it, we shall see.

I opened my surprise book this morning as I will need something new to read tonight. There were a couple of guesses as to what the book might be and some people, like me, hadn't got a clue.  There was one person however who guessed correctly.  Gloriade said she thought it was Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy, and she was right!

I've only read one other Maeve Binchy book and that was a long time ago.  This one has mixed reviews on Goodreads, but I'm going to give it a go and I'll let you know what I thought later in the month.

I haven't done any baking in a while but I was in the mood to this morning so we have scones and banana loaf for tea.  I only use a basic banana loaf recipe and then add some extras, chopped nuts, sultanas, chocolate chips, and my secret ingredient, (caramel flavouring), shhh, don't tell😉 

That little drop of flavouring is what makes the loaf so delicious and everyone who has tried it has said how lovely it is, so it must work, ha ha.

I hope you are all having a lovely relaxing Sunday, we have another Monday outing planned for tomorrow which I will tell you all about later in the week.

Take care

-X-