Could it be, yes it could, something's coming, something good ...

...if I can wait.  I don't know what it is but it had better be ... ELIZABETH.. 'cause that would be great!

Can you tell I am excited ? The good news is that my bank account has been hit (well yes, in this case, it is good news), but the bad news is that the amount is not enough to cover all that I ordered (hmm surely that should be good news ??), so the conundrum now is - what's missing?? I ordered Elizabeth and a few of the new BBD back on the 17th March but I guess they had to order the pattern in so it has been a while.  I added a couple of CHS charts to the order on 8th April along with one or two (dozen??) threads.  So the amount is too much for just the first order but not enough for both orders so I will have to sweat it out a bit longer, but let me tell you there will be major tantrums disappointment if the lovely one is not in the parcel.  The mail used to only take about a week to ten days from the US, but the last parcel took nearly three weeks, so I hope it won't be that long this time.

Anyway, I really need to move butt and finish "Tis" before that parcel arrives.   I have been trying lots of different white threads to get the coverage for the snowflakes and the writing, because it needs to be quite stark looking and one strand of the Gloriana was not giving that look.  The gloriana is the brightest white I have so I am trying it now with two strands and will see how that goes.  Sorry no pictures today of my unpicking.  I have a few cards I need to get finished and then it will be stitching time and hopefully a finish.

Thanks for listening

Mary

"Who's a pretty boy ?"

Here is my progress on "Tis".  I thought I would have finished it by now - I thought once the bird was done that was it, but as usual vines take much longer than you expect.  Thanks for your comments on that leaf, but I did change it tonight for a more autumn toned thread and I am pleased I did because it seems to pick up some of the red in the bird.  

 Still about five of the paler green leaves to go and the snowflakes and the wording. 

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and once again I have charged off all 'gung ho' to start this one and the instructions for one thread over two were obviously meant for using the silk, which I am not, so the coverage is not as good as it should have been, especially with the white.  I have been using one strand of Gloriana silk for the white but I think I may go back and do the words with two strands and possibly even the snowflakes.  Also I am not sure now that it was Belfast because it seems quite a bit thinner in parts and I have found the threads splitting very easily - not at all like Belfast. 

All that said, I really love this one and it is a joy to stitch - I like the way they have done the leaves.  I only realised tonight that the year is on this one - over on the right - hadn't even noticed it before, because it sort of blends in.  I have been hurrying to finish this one in case Elizabeth arrives, but of course even when my card is debited it will still take about ten days to get here.  Oh well, I am sure I will find something else to fill in with, although I am also waiting on a few threads.

I checked out the Cardinal on the web and they are really beautiful little birds - not as large as I thought they would be. 

Oops, nearly Cinderella time again - where does the evening go to?

 

" 'Tis" - a new start

with grateful thanks to Karen "the temptress" and Sandra "the enabler" I have started stitching this lovely piece by Blackbird designs - " 'Tis the Season" and I am thoroughly enjoying it.  Not that I have had a lot of time to spend on it lately as I have been busy with work (pays for the stash).  Instead of the called for "32ct Pear by Lakeside Linens", I am using a piece of pale green linen from my stash - I think it is Belfast but not really sure but it seemed to be similar in colour.  I don't have any Belle Soie so I started with the dmc colours and then changed most of them to Sampler threads.  I am quite happy with it so far with the exception of that leaf at the top centre - it needs to be more of a contrast  from the bough so will check out the threads and find something a bit more autumnal.  I tried all my white threads and ended up using Gloriana silk although it is not showing up too well in the photo.  Not much done at this stage but it isn't very big so shouldn't take too long to finish. 

I am still checking every day to see if the lovely Elizabeth is on her way to me - I can't wait for her to arrive on my doorstep, but at least "Tis" is keeping me occupied until then.

After a busy day today at my Grandson's birthday party I intend to sit and stitch all day tomorrow - I may not even answer the phone or the doorbell!  lol !  So if that comes to pass I may be back tomorrow night with a finish !!

Mary