Sunday, January 6, 2013

Three SAL's

Hi everyone, I love the start of a new year when I can think about the projects I want to work on during the year. Right now I'm involved in three SAL's one of which will probably take me well over a year, one which will be finished around September and the other should be finished in a matter of weeks. I signed up for Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year Challenge and I started my sampler on December 26th. I've managed to get the top border done. I'm stitching on 36ct Lakeside linen Vintage Light Exemplar with DMC threads. Hard to get a good photograph of this. I think you should be able to click on it for a better picture if you wish.
It's a long time since I've tackled such a big cross stitch project but I'm enjoying it and hope to have at least some progress to share each month. The second SAL I'm involved in is Chookyblue's Stitch-a-Long 2013 This will involve making a variety of small projects from three books. These are just the kind of things I love to sew so I jumped right in. The project for January was either a shoe bag or a thread basket. I chose to do the thread basket.
A few years ago I was trying to teach myself Redwork and I still had this little block lying around from that time so I made use of it. The design was a freebie from Bird Brain Designs The third SAL I'm doing is 1905 JHA SAL which is currently free on this blog but only for a limited time so if you want to do it at some point you need to get it now. I'm stitching mine on 36ct Antique White Zweigart linen with Vikki Clayton silk. Here is my progress so far
I didn't manage to do a blog post in December but there are a couple of Christmas things left to show. This is a Shepherd's Bush design Sadie's Pocket. I think this was a kit with a pre-finished pocket but friend Angela sent me her pattern and the fabric to make my own pocket. My mum was called Sadie so I thought of her often while I stitched this.
Next is a little pillow using the free Christmas Robin design from here Another small pillow from a design by The Primitive Hare which was in Gift of Stitching magazine issue 64
Now for some lovely gifts that I have received. This pretty pillow was stitched for me by sweet blogging friend Michelle for my birthday and she also sent me this Cath Kidston address book, handbag mirror and card of buttons for Christmas. Thank you Michelle you really spoiled me :)
A few weeks before Christmas I was the lucky winner of a giveaway on the Green Rabbit Designs blog Vivienne makes the most delightful little crochet bunny rabbits and beautiful crochet flower corsages to sell in her Etsy shop I was delighted to receive a pretty corsage, a gorgeous little tin bird tree decoration and a handbag size diary as my gift. Thank you Vivienne I love it all!
I think that's it for this time but hopefully there will be lots to share in my next post. As always a big thank you to everyone for visiting my blog and welcome to the new followers. Margaret

47 comments:

Mii Stitch said...

Good luck with the SALs!! I love that little thread basket, it is ever so pretty :)

Lesleyanne said...

Lovely finishes. Good luck with the SALs. Look forward to seeing your progress.

Caz said...

Great progress with your S A L's. The first one looks fantastic.

sigisart said...

Dear Margaret,
lovely...everything you make and I also am looking foreward to see your progress concerning the SAL´s.
Hugs
sigisart

Margaret said...

I love all your SALs. Margaret Gibson is going to be amazing! Love that first piece you made out of the book -- so pretty! And the red sampler SAL too! Nice gifts as well!

jane said...

Lovely stitching as always Margaret, you are going to be busy this year, look forward to seeing your progress!

Katherine said...

Margaret - love the thread basket.

Sheila said...

Lots of gorgeous things to see on here - as ever - and I am so lucky to be able to see most of them in person.
You have done loads of Margaret Gibson since yesterday :)

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Your projects are lovely. I loved the Sadie's pocket. All the SALs are beautiful, can't wait to see your progress.

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Margaret you put me to shame with the amount of crafting you do, as always so neat and beautiful. Your thread basket is so pretty and you've set yourself some lovely tasks for 2013.
So glad the little bird arrived on time to make it onto your tree. :)
Vivienne xxx

Manuela said...

Wonderful stitching projects.

Happy Stitching, Manuela.

Brigitte said...

Oh Margaret, your choice for Nicola's SAL is gorgeous. And you made a great start on it already. My charts are still on their way and I'm impatiently waiting for them to arrive and to start stitching.
I love the other two SALs you started stitching. So, this year will be your SAL year, lol.

Melissa said...

What beautiful stitching, Margaret! I love your new SL start!

Happy New Year!

Cindy said...

Your sampler for the SAL is looking great already! I love to look at all you finishes and the gifts re quite nice too:)

angelasweby said...

Margaret, what a wonderful year ahead we have to enjoy your blog and incredible stitching. Everything you touch your hand to turns to gold :-)
I love your SL SAL start. That promises to be as exciting a serial as any novel as each chapter reveals itself from month to month!!
The little thread basket is gorgeous. Such a pretty piece of redwork for a practice piece! Too good to not use in a project.
I'm doing the 1905 SAL too so we can keep each other company.
Sadly though, you've left me behind on Sadie's pocket but your finish has inspired me, I must now finish mine.
Such pretty Christmas ornaments and some lovely gifts received.
Big hugs A xx

Vickie said...

Wow!! Your sampler is gorgeous. You have such pretty SALs.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Margaret, Hello from Michigan. Your stitching is always so beautiful to look at. It is always a JOY to read your blog. I wish you and your family a Very Happy and Healthy New Year. Happy Stitching. Hugs Judy

Karen said...

Great stitches! I love the SB on the red holly fabric...so cute on the vibrant fabric.

happy stitching...

Roberta said...

Hi Margaret, your SL is coming along nicely. I am also doing the 1905 JHA Sampler. Have been thinking of doing Chookyblue's SAL, but haven't decided yet, need to get the books!!!

Pat said...

Hi Margaret,

Your are certainly going to be busy this year. Your sampler start is lovely. Love your little thread basket I need a jump start. I just can not decide which project I want to start first. I have a bag of probably twenty projects I want to stitch. The time I have wasted trying to decide, I could have had two projects finished by now!! Good luck with all your SAL's. I will look forward to your progress. Happy New Year!

Nancy said...

Lovely stitching Margaret! I love the border on your sampler choice. Borders on samplers is always something that catches my eye. Beautiful gifts you received. Best wishes for a very Happy New Year filled with lots of pretty stitches!

Ellen said...

Love your three SALs! Your choice for the SL's challenge is gorgeous!

Love your thread basket, your sewing and stitcheries are always so beautiful!

Beautiful gifts received!

Hugs,

marly said...

Enjoyed seeing all these projects and that border on Margaret is magnificent!

Karen said...

What a feast for the eyes, Margaret! I especially love the little thread basket and the Christmas robin ornament. All of the items are so lovely, though!

Penny said...

Margaret Gibson is going to be spectacular! Love your thread basket - I need something like that. :) Your other projects are lovely as well! Looks like you received some wonderful gifts too!

Lyn Briggs said...

I love the sals that you've chosen. The sampler looks especially impressive - the border is very dramatic. Should be beautiful.
I always like Shepherd's Bush cross stitch patterns are some of my favourites.
As usual your work is very impressive!

Mouse said...

ooooo eye candy from start to finish :) love your wee thread bag and your sals are coming along beautifully ...
and your finish is gorgeous too :)
wishing you a very merry stitchy new year and looking forward to watching your progress's :) love mouse xxxxx

Yvonne W said...

Enjoy the 3 SALs. You have had some lovely finishes for December too.

Elisa said...

Some lovely gifts, ornies and new projects Margaret...I still have a shortlist which is slightly too long...lol

Siobhán said...

Oh my goodness, Margaret! You are spoiled for choice on what to work on--each SAL looks amazing! I love the thread basket that you did! Wonderful progress on the samplers, too. Beautiful gifts and Christmas pieces! I must do that Christmas robin ornament--thanks for sharing the link!

Wishing you and yours a blessed 2013!

Christine said...

Have fun with your SALs. I will enjoy watching your progress. Lovely cross-stitch items ... the Christmas ones are my favourites.

Nicola said...

I have been drooling over your photos.

I am so looking forward to stitching with you this year.

Lili said...

The sampler is amazing!!
Very pretty stitching!!
Happy New Year!!
Hugs,
Lili

Michelle said...

Beautiful post Margaret - great progress on your SAL's xx

Giovanna said...

Lovely stitching! Great start on Margaret Gibson, such a pretty border.

Sally said...

Beautiful stitching Margaret. Love the SB pocket it's gorgeous.

Carol said...

Looks like a beautiful year lies ahead with all those lovely SALs on deck, Margaret! I really love the Sadie's pocket finish that you did as well as your little ornaments... Thanks for the link for the sweet robin--hadn't seen that one yet.

Wishing you and your family a most happy and healthy 2013!

Jenn M said...

EVerything looks lovely:) Good luck with the SAL's.
JEnn

Chookyblue...... said...

it's going to be a busy year......lovely projects so far and welcome to the SAL.........

Tatkis said...

Your new SALs are so beautiful - good luck with them!
And Christmast gifts are so lovely and cute!

Hugs,
Tatyana

RedecĂłrate con Lola Godoy said...

Wonderful your blog and your work, congratulations. Kisses from Spain.

http://redecoratelg.blogspot.com.es/

Grit said...

Wow, fantastisch Stichling Projekts. Liebe gruesse grit

hazel c UK said...

Another wonderful post Margaret with so much to see. Love the look of the SAL's you are taking part in and I know you will complete them all. The little robin freebie is so cute must make a copy of that. The little thread basket is also very nice.
Thank you for sharing.
Hugs
Hazel c (uk)

Anonymous said...

Beautifull new projet!!!
Françoise

Abby and Stephanie said...

I could never pic a favorite. I love the precise-ness of your beautiful work. Looks like you have lots of terrific projects to keep you busy.

Karoline said...

Your SAL's are all looking lovely, that sampler is gorgeous

Great finishes as always

Artesanatos da Minie said...

You have a lovely blog!
I'll back...
Happy New Year!
Mi.