Saturday, January 9, 2010

A belated Happy New Year!

Hi everyone! Happy New Year to all.
Long time no post and I really DID resolve to do better but here we are already nine days into the new year and I'm only now getting round to updating my neglected blog.
I was beavering away before Christmas making a few gifts and now there are way too many pictures for one post so I'll save some for next time.

This is a bag I made from a Natalie Ross design using Moda Peace on Earth fabrics.
The pincushion is from Fig Tree Quilts Petite Gateaux pattern. I've made it several times and it's a fun one to do.



This shows both front and back views of a little door hanger/ornament I made from the Blackbird Designs book Peppermint and Holly





Sadly, my poor Rudolph stitchery wall hanging didn't get finished in time for Christmas 2009 but there is always hope for 2010 :)
Rudolph is from a Judith Tetley design.



I stitched this pincushion months ago from Blackbird Designs My Heart is Yours book and have kept forgetting to show the pictures so here it is both front and back views





More stitched Christmas ornaments..........the first is the December 2007 freebie from this French Blog
It's stitched on 40 ct Flax linen with Vikki Clayton Garnet silk. I took part of the design and stitched it again on the back and I used the beaded edge tutorial from Staci's blog




The other two ornaments are both LHN designs
I thought them a little big for ornaments so have finished them into pinkeeps.




Both pinkeeps are backed with the same fabric.

I've received several wonderful gifts that I'll show next time but I just can't resist putting up the pictures of the fabulous apron that Angela (no blog but she should have) made for me

Angela used Laura Ashley toile fabric and lined it with white cotton fabric




I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the gorgeous stitched mermaid on the pocket and look, the mermaid is stitching!



Here's a picture of the label on the inside of the apron


and I can't resist.........here I am posing in my new apron although there's no way I'll ever be cooking in it!



There were lots of other goodies included - toile fabrics, WDW felted wool, charms, mermaid floss drops and a profusion of ribbons


but wait, there was more and I just had to save her til last as she is so gorgeous.
a voluptuous mermaid tree ornament!



Now how gorgeous is she? Thank you so much Angela I really love everything you sent me.

Well, I could go on as there is lots more but I think that's probably enough for one post.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and, as always, for the lovely comments you leave.

Margaret

43 comments:

Misty said...

Wow, Margaret, those are beautiful finishes! It's always inspiring to see what you've been working on. I especially love the doorhanger--I just bought Peppermint and Holly after the holidays and I'm going to try one of the punchneedle designs.

Your friend, Angela, is so sweet. What a lovely collection of things she sent you, especially the apron.

I hope you're having a wonderful new year!

Misty

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Your stitchery is so beautiful. I always look forward to your new posts. The ornaments are so lovely and you finish them so nicely. Thanks for sharing! Love the mermaid your friend gave you.

Jill

Nancy said...

Happy New Margaret!

Everything you stitched and finished is as gorgeous as ever! I love the reindeer design you are stitching.

The package from Angela is amazing! She shared photos of your apron, and I thought it was exceptional work.

Have a wonderful weekend, and I can't wait to see what else you have to share!

Margaret said...

I just love seeing all your finishes -- you are amazing! And your presents, they are wonderful too! I can tell your mermaid fetish must have been satisfied -- wonderful!

Sheila said...

Again I was lucky enough to see all these gorgeous items up close and personal when visiting Margaret recently. And you are all in for more scrumptiousness next time too :)

Theresa said...

Everything is just gorgeous...I especially love the bag though, beautiful colours. Looking forward to seeing what else you've been making Margaret.

Julia said...

You've been very busy in your absence and have produced some really lovely items:0)

angelasweby said...

Margaret,
Your posts are such a dream! I love waiting to see the exciting things you have to show and this time is no exception. As you know, I've been following your Christmas stitching programme and I am thrilled to see the things you've been telling me about. I adore the BD Holly house hanger. It's so beautifully finished and the two LHN designs are perfect as pinkeeps. I love that backing fabric. It's so so pretty and Christmassy. The little wreath is really lovely and the reindeer is going to be gorgeous when it's finished. I love the way you have finished the little red freebie. It could not be nicer.

Thank you for saying such nice things about the apron but I do wish the pictures weren't clickable. I can see all the crooked seams now...haha! It's only now that I can spot a similarity between the stitching mermaid and the mermaid ornament, they are both rather traditionally built :>)

I have to say I have saved the best till last. Your stitched bag is a dream. I love the style and those fabrics are wonderful. Such a pretty little sunflower finishes it off perfectly.
Can't wait to see more.

Unknown said...

My gosh you have been busy with your needle and thread, and such lovely gifts from Angela. Lucky you.

Chookyblue...... said...

as per usual a visit to see lots of gorgeous things you have made.......well done once again Margaret.......not sure what is my favourite..........

Carolien said...

Hello Margaret,

Happy New Year to you! You made a stunning amount of new finishes, wonderful!
Happy stitching in 2010 & hugs,
Carolien

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

What gorgeous finishes, Margaret. You really do beautiful work! What a lovely gift your friend gave you - the apron and the mermaid ornament are both pretty.

Dolores said...

A happy belated New Year to you too. Great gifts both made and received.

Astrid said...

Hi Margaret! I love the ornaments you have made! What a great gift from your friend! You are a lucky one! :)

sea gull lights said...

You are so talented!

jane said...

Lovely ornaments Margaret, I love seeing your latest work. The apron you received is stunning, you must be delighted. Thanks for sharing with us

Stina Blomgren said...

You do always have the most wonderful cross stitch projects made.. just lovely..:o)

Karoline said...

Lovely finishes Margaret, congratulations

The apron is gorgeous.

Deb said...

Those are really beautiful finishes. I'm overwhelmed by all the beautiful things in this post. And your presents are wonderful too!

staci said...

Everything you stitch and sew is so beautifully done and flawlessly presented! You are such a talented lady!!!

That is a darling and thoughtful gift from Angela!!!

Dorothy said...

Happy New Year Margaret.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family, in spite of the weather!
Thank you for sharing all those photos of your recent finishes. I especially love the pinkeeps you made. They are exquisite!

Anonymous said...

Margaret, all of those are wonderful. I love the bag and the house from Blackbird designs!!! Too cute. You are very talented!!!

Carol R said...

Wow you have been busy - no computer time means lots of stitching!

I adore the mermaid apron from Angela - so beautifully made. And to send you mermaid related items too. Such a thoughtful gift!

hazel c UK said...

Hi Margaret, Such lovely projects to delight over and lovely photos that you take. I love them all, the apron from Angela is so nice and I know from experience she puts a lot of thought into what she does for people.

It brighten a very gloomy cold day here in the UK to see your lovely work.

Thank you for sharing.

Hugs,
Hazel

p.s. I hope to get around to replying to your email soon, have been away from the computer for a few days.

Sally said...

Wow, what a fantastic post full of ebautiful finishes Margaret! Happy New Year!

Daffycat said...

Matgaret, you always have the nicest projects to share! I just love your door hanger and pinkeeps ~ such lovely finishing!

Wow, your gifts from Angela are awesome! I really adore the mermaid ornament, you lucky lady!

From the Attic said...

Beautiful work as always.

Chrissie

Patricia Lessell said...

I love everything you have finished - your bag making is totally awesome!

The apron from Angela is gorgeous. I saw her stitching the mermaid and she also showed me the mermaid she bought you. She is just so generous in every way. I hope you enjoy them all.

I loved that you finished those two ornaments as pinkeeps. Maybe they needed stitching on very high count linen to make them the right size but I do love them. In fact I loved everything you stitched and made - you are so talented.

Happy New year to you my friend.

Lots of Love
Patti xxx

Anonymous said...

Feliz Año Nuevo Margaret !
I am glad to hear from you again. You have been busy - and I like your production !
Angela's presents are wonderful, the stitching mermaid is a hoot - not to mention the Christmas tree decoration !
Hasta pronto -

Peg said...

Oh Margaret what a joy it is to visit your blog, you have the knack of choosing the most perfect fabrics to go together or with your stitching. I'm looking forward to seeing your other photos when you upload them. Angela's gift is beautiful and I like you would not want to use it to cook. How thoughtful to stitch the mermaid I can just imagine your face when you opened it. And you're right Angela should have a blog she is so enjoyable when she's telling of an adventure or her familiy and her stitching. So come on Angela join the throng.:o)

hugs Peg xx

Clare said...

Happy New Year Margaret, you have cetainly posted a beautiful selection of your wonderful stitching - I did like the bag and pin cushion especially.

Clare

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Margaret, Glad to see your back. WOW, your fingers have been busy. You have stitched some lovely things for Christmas. I especially love your toile apron with mermaid from Angela. LOVELY. Lucky you. I wish you and your DH a wonderful and Happy New Year. Hugs Judy

Sandra said...

How did I miss this post Margaret? Gorgeous gorgeous stitching as always and lovely gifts from Angela, how clever is she? I just adore the mermaid tree ornament, that's a MUST for me next year. Take care.

bathroom lights said...

Wow, you are so talented!

Anja´s Wunschpunsch said...

Hello,

wounderful stitching and finishes.

Greetings
Anja

Brigitte said...

Margaret, I was "diving" into your post and was looking at all your finishes again and again. Everything is just wonderful and so perfectly finished. We'll certainly see the Rudolph wall hanging this year.
Enjoy your gorgeous gift from Angela. It's really outstanding.

Deb said...

OMGoodness, Margaret! What a treasure trove for Christmas. Your stitching and finishing put us all to shame (especially me)!! You must have had a phenomenal tree!
Hugs, Deb

Anonymous said...

gorgeous!!!!
françoise

Siobhán said...

Margaret, I know why there is time between your blog posts--you're so busy with that needle and thread, creating gorgeous stuff, that you don't have time to post! ;) Everything is absolutely amazing. Total eye candy. Thanks for the visual treats. Happy new year, too!

Roberta said...

Hi Margaret, you may never get to read this, but I wanted to drop in finally and visit. I have been away from blogging for quite awhile and am finally catching up.

As always you do beautiful work and I feel very fortunate to be the recipient of some of them.

Take care my friend -- Roberta

Catherine de l'Atelier des dix doigts said...

It is really wonderful !!
I carry on my reading !

Cath Ăś said...

I love your mermaid tree ornie.. she is lovely and all the things you have made and received are gorgeous... love your apron.....

Cath's Blog
Cath Ăś

MysteryKnitter said...

I love that apron of yours!