ThwartedCheekyChimp

Woodland Draft Excluder - Betz White

2012-01-23T04:49:00.000-08:00

Well been very busy making things, have attempted the Woodland Draft Excluder out of Betz White's book Sew Green and I have to say it was great fun to make and very eco friendly. I simply used all the scraps of fabric that I already had in my stash and an old pair of cordoroy jeans. I loved making the snail with wool felt. What do you think?

January 2012 Intentions

2012-01-03T05:44:00.001-08:00

(Above random picture of bread making session recently)

Well after a long, hard think I've decided to publish some intentions for 2012 because I thought if I don't give voice to it then it won't happen, so here goes:

* Complete my Woodland Winter cross stitch picture (it's huge and am not even a quarter of the way there yet);
* Go swimming every week
* Go for walks each day
* Finish knitting another stripy blanket for daughter (nearly there with it)
* Learn a new craft
* Read more books
* Sell or give to charity unused items in house
* Try and be more confident and challenge myself more

There phew... that feels better to get that off my chest...

Sewing and other meanderings...

2011-12-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

We have all been feeling really chilled out and relaxed over the Christmas period. Such a wonderful, magical time with plenty of walks, rests, sewing, knitting, board games and films watched.

I made a couple of these bucket bags from Mayamade at Etsy for my daughter for Christmas for all her little toys and she loves them, she keeps insisting on taking one out on a walk with her for collecting leaves etc.

On a recent visit to our local town we saw these lovely reindeer, we got to stroke them, they were so gentle...

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T05:38:00.000-08:00

Well that's the wrapping done, baking done, just a few more presents to wrap :) Chilling out now and enjoying it... have a wonderful Christmas everyone :)

Update

2011-08-28T11:08:00.001-07:00

Here is my latest progress on Woodland Winter... I've now completed a bit of the snowy background and started the three trees in the foreground.

Have managed to do a couple of hours stitching nearly every night for the past couple of weeks which has been lovely.

New Book

2011-08-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

I've recently bought a new book by Stephen King called Full Dark, No Stars which is a series of short horror stories. I can't put it down it's very gripping. One I can definitely recommend..

Hurrah!

2011-08-13T02:28:00.001-07:00

It's the weekend! Yippee... I do love weekends, chance to go out into the woods with doggy, little daughter and lovely partner and chilled out evenings stitching brill!

There's a bit of a change in the air now, can feel Autumn approaching, love it my favourite season of all, stomping through the leaves and puddles ...

The photo above was actually taken last year, it was one Summer weekend at Dovedale, Derbyshire. Doggy normally doesn't like water much but he thought he'd have a paddle!

Latest on Woodland Winter

2011-08-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

Here is where I am up to at the moment with my Woodland Winter cross stitch project. It's coming along now, I've just done a few hours stitching of the background snow scene and will soon be starting on the tree branches.

Woodland Winter Cross Stitch

2011-08-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working on this lovely cross stitch project... it's so fun to do I'm loving every minute of it!

I know it's Winter themed in the middle of Summer but I'm addicted to it at the mo...

Doves and Cherries

2011-03-31T13:20:00.001-07:00

I recently went to the Sewing for Pleasure and Hobbycrafts show in Birmingham NEC. It was really good I bought with some early Birthday pressie money a cross stitch kit and a Clothkits doves and cherries dress which I've just completed. It was very straightforward to do and I'm really pleased with the results. The fabric is baby cord with a Liberty print lining and is a gorgeous colour and fits beautifully.

My next project is an Old Shale Scarf I'm knitting made using Araucania Wool in Multy which is 90% finished. You may see a sneak peek in top right hand corner of photo, I'll show you all finished results soon...

Little bit of cross stitchy buttons

2011-02-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Just completed a little bit of cross stitchery goodness! Made this little birdy button inspired by the brilliant book in the photo that I received for Christmas. I really love stitching it's so relaxing and peaceful of an evening to just sit and sew with a hot drink and good tv on.

Rag Rug Completion

2011-02-03T06:53:00.001-08:00

I finally completed my rag rug (I've been working on it for months and months now) using recycling t-shirts, jeans, whatever material I could get my hands on and am so pleased it's done. I must admit I don't think I will be making one again as it was quite tedious, but thought I'd show you a photo.... it's in front of our log fire to hopefully guard against any marks on floor with it being laminate.

Knitted Stripy Blanket

2011-01-30T09:07:00.000-08:00

I finally completed my knitted blanket for my daughter.... what do you think? I'm really pleased with how it's turned out, so simple and meditative, just 220 stitches per row in garter stitch and away you go!

More to come, including embroidered tea towels, a new cross stitch big start project and a completed cross stitch lavender pillow and knitted dish/face cloths.

Happy Christmas

2010-12-24T10:46:00.001-08:00

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy positive New Year 2011!

Winter Wonderland

2010-12-06T10:59:00.000-08:00

Hello, hello, hello... I've been a bit quiet on the blogging front haven't I! We've all been poorly for the past week, on the mend now though and in the midst of birthday preparations, christmas preparations and more birthday preparations... woo hoo, exciting... I'll post more soon... TTFN

Completion...

2010-11-15T12:33:00.001-08:00

I've finally completed my celtic christmas cross stitch picture... I'm soooo pleased with it, although it was quite difficult sewing all the beads on. I'm planning on getting it framed for a christmas present soon. What do you think?

I received a gorgeous vintage (1950's approx) sewing basket from a very generous blogger a few weeks ago with loads of lovely interesting finds, buttons and things, the inside is lined with a pretty floral pattern.

Creative busyness..

2010-09-24T12:59:00.001-07:00

I've completed a bit more of my celtic lady cross stitch picture. I've done all the beading on the top border and right hand border and am now working on the left hand side sewing on the red beads. I've really enjoyed sewing this picture and will be a little sad when it's complete.

Exciting news!!!! I treated myself to a new to me Nikon camera recently... I'm absolutely loving using it, took little one to the zoo so there were loads of photo opps there. Recently decided to make my own camera case for it. I've had this material for ages and ages and wasn't sure what to make out of it, so I thought this little project would be perfect for it. The bag is quilted for extra security against knocks and toddlers :)

Giveaway on one of my fav blogs!

2010-09-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

You simply must head over to one of my favourite blogs, she is doing a wonderful giveaway, you never know you may win! It's 'www.quietlystitching.blogspot.com' .... take a look...

Baking Day

2010-08-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

Had a fun baking day, making chocolate nests... they were yummy.... little one helped lots sorting out the paper cases and stirring!

Farm fun..

2010-08-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

We had a great time recently going to an open farm, little one really loved the 'baa's' as she calls them! There were lots of animals to see including LOADS of chickens, some pigs who had recently had piglets - so cute, goats, sheep (of course) and cows. We came back with some freshly laid eggs that we picked ourselves and had a yummy slab of cake in the cafe...

Thought I'd leave you with a cute pic of the dog snoozing after his bath, it's a hard life isn't it!??

Celtic Lady

2010-08-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

Not much been happening so far this week, took little girly swimming this morning, it was lovely she's really enjoying splashing around!

Bit more progress (above) on celtic christmas design, I've done some more of the left hand border, it's coming along slowly but surely.

ttfn

Woods

2010-07-29T06:20:00.001-07:00

We went to Shipley Woods this morning and had a picnic, it was lovely, so quiet and peaceful... we walked for about 2 and a half hours and are very tired now... going to work on my celtic christmas cross stitch later on this evening, can't wait!

Celtic Christmas WIP

2010-07-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

I've been doing lots of cross stitching just lately. This is my progress so far... it's quite fiddly sewing all the little stitches in metallic thread, taking a lot longer than with normal cottons but it's getting there.

I'm planning on completing it for this christmas, finger's crossed!

Local Food Festival

2010-07-25T02:35:00.001-07:00

Today we are having for dinner game pie in red wine sauce with potatoes, carrots, peas.. the pie came from our local food festival we went to last weekend. Can't wait to try it as it's got rabbit and pigeon in it which we've never tried before.

This afternoon we are going to walk the dinner off by a trip to Carsington Water, love it there, always lots of wildlife to see and clean air to take it!

Ta ta for now!

Evening Stroll

2010-07-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

Me and the dogger had a lovely walk tonight in the evening sunshine! It was so beautiful the views over the hills. We are so lucky to live in the country and be able to step out and see this view!

Bread!

2010-07-20T02:39:00.000-07:00

I'm addicted to bread making! Albeit I cheat by using a breadmaker but I love to wake up in the early hours to the smell of freshly baked bread, it certainly gets me up in the morning and ready for breakfast! I tend to either make honey bread or basic white. Has anybody got any other interesting recipe ideas they are willing to share?

Den Making

2010-07-18T11:08:00.001-07:00

We have been VERY busy today, creating a den for my one and a half year old! She absolutely loves it and has been picking up her toys one at a time and putting them in her snug little nest to make it just so.... really sweet.. it amazes me how fast toddlers pick up on things and start to copy you.. so beautiful!

First Time Quiltmaking...

2010-07-16T10:55:00.001-07:00

Above is my first attempt at a quilt top! I love doing it but am a bit apprehensive about sandwiching the batting and back together! The lace doilies are thrifted and I simply love them, the fabric pieces are a mixture of Amy Butler fabrics and Joel Dewberry. I've sized it up to fit a single bed, what do you think?

Woolly Stripes...

2010-07-12T12:00:00.001-07:00

A lovely project I've been working on for a while....

Colourful stripes!! I'm using up all my yarn stash to knit a blanket for my little one for the holidays... it's slowly but surely growing and growing...

Happy Sunday...

2010-02-07T11:34:00.001-08:00

We had a lovely day today spent at Elvaston Castle, which is only about 20 minutes drive away from us. We all went out early this morning and stomped through the lovely muddy ground and had great fun, time spent with my partner's family and their little doggy...

Just contemplating...

2010-01-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

cross stitching, knitting and eating chocolate.. yum...

Haiti

2010-01-14T03:06:00.000-08:00

Meg at Sew Liberated has put some useful links regarding the awful disaster in Haiti, please take the time to have a look if you can... our thoughts are with them...

http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/

Feeling creative...

2010-01-12T03:12:00.000-08:00

I received some lovely Christmas gifts; namely some CK goodies wow I simply love her stuff and also a couple of really amazing books.... Amanda Blake Soule's Handmade Home book and Amy Karol's Bend the Rules with Fabric... I've been very creative with some ideas out of them ... will update you soon!

Autumn Baby Blanket

2010-01-10T14:01:00.001-08:00

Well hello folks!

I finished my knitted baby blanket end of November.... am so so pleased with it. Also I completed a handknitted scarf for my partner's birthday and managed to make all my Christmas cards too.

Hope you are all having fun in the snow.. we've been out and about lots with baby and doggy.. who absolutely loves snuffling along in the snow.

Sorry it's a quick post but will update you further soon... bye for now..

Lists, lists, lists!

2009-11-12T11:35:00.001-08:00

Phew! Got soooo much to do before the big 'C' word - ie Christmas!

My WIP stash is getting bigger by the day:

1. Autumn baby block blanket to finish knitting
2. Read book - The Terror by Dan Simmonds
3. Complete cross stitch Celtic Christmas
4. Finish patchwork baby quilt, made with Amy Butler fabrics, it's yummy!
5. Complete mini cross stitch kit
6. Complete handmade Christmas cards for everyone

May not seem like much but most of these are all big projects... toodle oo for now

Mr Russell...

2009-10-27T03:33:00.001-07:00

Thought I'd post a piccie of our cheeky Jack Russell cross Beagle! He's 5 in December and a complete softy! Loves nothing better than snoozing as you can see here!

It's Halloween soon!!

2009-10-26T03:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpvdAJYvofI

Celtic Christmas Cross Stitch Picture

2009-10-23T02:26:00.000-07:00

I've been working on the above for a couple of years now... am on the metallic thread section which is taking me forever as can only do a few stitches at a time as the thread is prone to snapping. But oh my it is looking very pretty now... this is the kit I'm talking about if any of you are unfamiliar:

http://www.sewandso.co.uk/cgi-bin/find/db.cgi?db=zoom&do=search_results&Prod_Code=7280&ww=1

PS - this is a great online shop! very fast service and friendly too!

Request...

2009-10-20T02:51:00.000-07:00

Does anyone of you lovely bloggers happen to have any size Bamboo knitting needles they are willing to trade in return for a surprise pressie? Am looking in particular for size 4mm needles? Much appreciated xx.

Autumn fun

2009-10-20T02:45:00.000-07:00

Really loving this weather, time for cosying up next to the fire with a blanket and some stitching in front of me.. maybe even a cup of cocoa! It's the simple things in life that really make me happy!

Little girly took a few steps yesterday, whoopee! While I was holding onto her - but it won't be long before she takes those few magical steps on her own...

Baby blanket update - have completely 5 large squares of it now! The squares are about 10 x 10in. All in lovely autumny browns and orange colours.

ta ta for now, I hear baby cooing for my attention...

WHO Bread...

2009-10-15T12:13:00.001-07:00

I'm just making WHO bread from Amanda Blake-Soule's recipe here... http://soulemama.typepad.com/soulemama/2008/02/who-bread.html

Sounds yummy, I love baking bread, although I have to admit I make it in the breadmaker!

Am currently reading a really gripping story called The Terror by Dan Simmons, it's a really big novel but very interesting. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Terror-Dan-Simmons/dp/0553818201/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255634129&sr=8-2

Sampler Complete!

2009-10-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hello

Well I finished baby's birth sampler a couple of weeks ago... am soooo pleased with it!

Working on knitting up baby blanket that I started a while ago... hope to get that finished before her birthday in December.

Yesterday we had a nice day visiting my partner's grandad and parents. It was his grandad's 90th birthday last week so we gave him his present and cards, then we had a yummy curry for tea and settled down in front of tv watching Trueblood and knitting.

Today we visited my parents who have just come back from a trip abroad to LA! They absolutely loved it there, the people were so friendly and had a great time.

Well ta ta for now am settling down to do more knitting!

2009-10-07T11:23:00.001-07:00

Sampler Update!

2009-09-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

Very nearly finished it now! Am just on the final lettering ...

Really busy, manic day today, hope you all have a lovely weekend, we have plans to take the doggy out on Sunday - we always take him out every day at least once, but at weekends we go a bit further afield... he loves it...

Birth Sampler...

2009-09-22T02:28:00.000-07:00

Am getting there with the sampler am now up to 'I' on the sampler (I started the alphabet backwards!!), hoping to complete it soon as it's getting a bit tedious now...

Going to pick the last of the blackberries in our garden today to freeze... can't wait for apple and blackberry crumbles etc in winter, yum!

The colours of the leaves on the trees are just turning now, beautiful oranges and reds... love this time of year, think it's my favourite... what's yours?

Anchor Birth Sampler

2009-09-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a Anchor Cross Stitch Birth Sampler with alphabet and teddy bears on that I received for a Christmas pressie last year.. has anybody else done this design? I'm really enjoying doing it.

Birthday Crown

2009-08-26T03:37:00.000-07:00

Hi folks!

Have just complete a felted birthday crown for my daughter's first birthday! (Her birthday isn't until December but I wanted to get ahead!) What do you all think of it? I'm personally so pleased, I got the template from Amanda Soule's book 'The Creative Family'. So love that book. Think am going to embroider a little star for each of her birthdays!

Lazy Sunny Sunday

2009-06-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

What a great sunny day it's been today! My OH has been out trimming the conifers and me and baby been playing together. Took our doggy out for a nice little walk with OH's parents this morning... great day!

More trouser sewing and learning to knit!

2009-05-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

Hello,

I've just been making 2 more pairs of trousers for little one! Am sooo pleased with them, only takes an evening to make.

Have also learned how to knit! I made a little cardigan for babe in white large yarn - merino and am keen to do more! At the moment, I'm doing a baby blanket for her with scraps of yarn I have...

New Trousers for Baby

2009-04-21T13:47:00.001-07:00

As mentioned in previous post... I customised my dad's old shirt into a pair of trousers for baby and they were very successful! Am soooo excited want to carry on with making clothes for her now! It seems such a waste to throw old clothes out when you can re-create them into something new and wonderful.

Am really trying to not be wasteful and think about everything I do. For example using cloth nappies instead of disposables - am using half and half at mo.. and making my own wet wipe solution (see internet for recipes) whilst using old flannels instead of wipes for baby.

Seed Sowing

2009-04-20T06:37:00.001-07:00

Well I've been sowing a few seeds today... planted some rocket seeds, lettuce, tomato and basil.. can't wait to see the little seedlings appear.. it's a lovely warm day here today so that should set them off to a good start.

Have got a wonderful book ... The Creative Family, by Amanda Soule - she has a great blog... soulemama and it's got some great ideas for free, simple family time including games, music, nature walks right down to customising clothes for children etc. I've been having a read and have now got the bug and want to make my little one some trousers customising from one of my dad's old shirts! Will let you know how I get on!...

Wet Wednesday

2009-04-15T03:46:00.001-07:00

Hello there, it was my birthday last Saturday and had a lovely day, had some visitors come round in the morning then we went to a garden centre and I bought some lovely eggs to decorate our little Easter tree with and a chilli plant! We then went out shopping and I bought baby some clothes and we had a leisurely coffee and cake - it was wonderful! In the evening we went out to a couple of pubs for some drinks and some much needed time with other half... all in all it was a great day...

Easter Sunday was spent pottering around eating too much chocolate!

Today I've just been busy selling some baby clothes that little baby grown out of - already! Time really does fly! Other half is out walking the doggy.

Last night I bought some lovely vintage linen fabric with birdies on from ebay with my birthday money.. can't think quite what to do with it yet, but am sure I'll come up with something!

Stew in Spring!

2009-04-09T02:46:00.000-07:00

I've just made some beef stew! I know, I know! It's not quite the weather for it but we absolutely love it, it's soo easy to make and yummy! we usually do double quantity cos it's nicer the next day isn't it... yum, yum...

Felt Stocking

2009-04-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

Finished! Finally, yippee, spent a final 3 hours working on this last night and it's now complete! It's a very early Christmas pressie for my daughter. There was so much work gone into it including not having enough beads and thread left in kit! But we got there!

Spring has Sprung!

2009-04-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

Well today has been a great day - was out in the garden pottering ... cleaned out a terracotta herb pot and put fresh compost in and sewed the seeds of basil and parsley, can't wait to see the little seedlings appear, it's always so satisfying isn't it? So now in the garden we have rhubarb, cabbage, beetroot, rosemary and mint!

Just been on Attic24's blog and she has ordered 5 samples of stripey deckchair fabric which looks really bright and cheerful... so, inspired, I decided to have a look at the website she ordered it from and WOW! I couldn't resist so have done the same! would love to get some fabric to create some seat cushions for the garden (www.deckchairstripes.com)... have to see..

Baby has been rolling onto her side a lot today! She really got the hang of it now, it's so lovely to watch her progress...

Ta ta for now..

Weekend

2009-04-05T11:22:00.000-07:00

Well, we are having a lovely weekend! Yesterday we went for a nice walk with my partner's parents round Elvaston Castle with the dogs .. baby was in her carrier and she loved it, lots of gurgly giggles from her! So cute...

In the evening I did some more sewing of my felt christmas stocking - I will put some photos on soon - and a bit more of the birth sampler cross stitch project.

Also made an Easter card for baby and one for niece.

Sunday, today, we took dog out for walk in the morning, then went sat out for a couple of hours, was a gloriously sunny day, so relaxing.

Am going to spend a cosy evening sewing and watching tv...

ta ta

Long Time - No See...

2009-04-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hello there, so sorry to not have blogged for ages and ages.. am making a conscious decision to do more of my own blogging cos every time I come on I'm busy following everybody else's and forget about my own! Anyway enough rambling...

My beautiful little girl is now nearly 4 months old! Can't believe it, the time really does fly, she's nearly sitting up now and smiling lots. Each day I notice some small change in her, it's amazing, I love being a mum!

The Christmas stocking I was working on is now very nearly finished just need to assemble it now and am currently working on a birth sampler for baby's room.

Spring seems to be here now, all the lovely flowers in the garden that are beginning to appear ... love the daffs and tulips ... am going to plant some vegetable seeds soon ... will let u know how I get on..

ta ta for now!

Happy New Year 2009

2008-12-31T08:43:00.000-08:00

This year has been a mixture of emotions - the two high points being having my beautiful baby girl and and little doggy in February - a jack russell/beagle ... low points not being able to work due to pregnancy probs, am looking forward to 2009 and hoping it will be a brilliant, forever changing, positive time with our new little family.. wishing you all the best for the new year...

Felting

2008-12-28T12:26:00.001-08:00

Tonight I'm currently sewing part of a doggy on a Bucilla Santa Paws stocking... a late (or early!) Christmas pressie! It's not taking me too long to sew and very fun to do!

I was reading Stephenie Meyer's book - Twilight earlier on... a real page turner can't wait for the film to come out on DVD...

Christmas

2008-12-28T12:21:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas spent with our little family - new baby, new doggy it was brilliant we had dinner - venison, yummy! and later on had the new grandparents round for tea.... a lovely family Christmas with lots of lovely pressies and lazy tv watching...

Beautiful Baby Girl

2008-12-20T10:50:00.001-08:00

We had a beautiful baby girl on December 11th at 12.29 pm! She is absolutely gorgeous, a complete joy!

Due Date

2008-12-04T02:03:00.000-08:00

Well had a few contractions last night but ended abruptly later on in evening.... hurry up baby we can't wait to see you!!!

thwartedcheekychimp

2008-12-03T10:26:00.001-08:00

adopt your own virtual pet!

Countdown

2008-12-03T05:15:00.000-08:00

Hello there, welcome to my blog! I love crafting of all kinds... cross stitching, reading and walking my doggy. Am currently at home eagerly awaiting the birth of my little girl who is due tomorrow!! Yikes!! Finger's crossed it's a fast labour!!

Today I'm currently working on a Bucilla Felt Santa Paws Christmas stocking... hoping to get it done before Christmas...

Anyway, ta ta for now will keep you posted...