Saturday, December 06, 2008

This and That

Where have the past few weeks gone? Work has been deadly recently - owing to the fact that we have gone from 3 full timers down to 2 - so much for a slow ease back into work. I honestly feel that I can't see the end of the tunnel. I have spent so much time on the computer, that once I finish up with work, that's it for me and the computer. Needless to say, I am very behind in my blogreading :-(

But it didn't stop me from taking Friday afternoon off so that Carrie and I could head down to the One-of-a-Kind Show in Toronto. I love this show - its absolutely the best show around and we love the Christmas show. Its so fantastic to see Canadian artisans and handmade items. I had thought to find myself a new coat, but didn't see anything that struck my fancy. I did get some wonderful smelling body butter, smelling of oatmeal and honey, yummm, and honey lip balm, which is so necessary for these cold winter days. Plus some delicious Christmas cranberry pot pourri and herbal tea. But the best was the new tea set that I had a hankering for - hand made stoneware - in a gorgeous shade of blue. I indulged in the teapot, cream and sugar and a small matching bowl. I did run out of money! May be the tea cups can come next year. You'll see some glimpses of my teapot in the pictures......

I received this in the mail last week from sweet Jenn (Sweet Pea) . She has been playing around with dying her own threads and has done a fantastic job with the colours. I was so lucky to have won this skein from her!! This skein is called 'American Girl' but she suggested we change it to 'North American Girl' for me! Thanks Jenn, I'm going to look for a special project to use your thread.
Here's a little finish from last month - Little House Needleworks Wool Needlebook, stitched on a 32 ct remnant (note shiny new teapot!).

And another small finish - Blackbird Designs Buttons & Pins, on a 40 ct remnant.

I started some Christmas ornaments - this is the Shepherd's Bush series that has appeared in the JCS Ornament issues, starting way back in 2000. I got the first 2 stitched already this week. I've been using a mixture of DMC, WDW and GAST threads and instead of using the silver charms, I used Kreinik #4 cord to make the cane and trumpet. Looks pretty good I think! Only 6 more ornaments to go.....do you think I'll have them finished for Christmas?

On looking at these pictures, I really think the finishing fairy is long overdue at my house!

One last shot of my wee Christmas tree. I have a sweet collection of handmade angels that I have found over the years at local craft shows and the smallest of these I have hanging on this little tree, along with a few ornaments that I made about 10 years ago.

We're off house hunting this afternoon - with the newlyweds Carrie and JF!

17 comments:

Ranae said...

Your new teapot displays nicely with your beautiful stitching.
That thread is awesome colours.
Love the SB ornies
Happy house hunting!

Melissa said...

Wow, what wonderful stitching you have there, Wendy! I must check out the Sweet Pea threads too. Looking forward to seeing your finishes.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Everythign looks fantastic Wendy! Congrats on all your little finishes!

Laura said...

You have been stitching up a storm. At this rate, I am sure you'll finish the Shepherd's Bush ornament series. I love the ones you have done so far.

glamlawlib said...

I have some of those smalls on my 'to do' list too :)

Love the colour of your teapot too and great thread from Sweet Pea Stitches, I've admired them on some other blogs too.

I hope your work issues ease up soon, take care!

stitcherw said...

Your new tea set is gorgeous, and your finishes are lovely as well. My favorites were the two by Shepards Bush. I have the different ornament issues, but had totaly forgotten about those, I think I need to go look them up.
Sue

WendyJo said...

You have some great ornies Wendy! Love the teapot too! The craft show sounds like it was alot of fun.

Kelly said...

Oohh... I love the teapot!! You *really* bought it for my Birthday right!?! Or maybe Christmas..?? Right!?!?

Michele said...

Sounds like you had a fun day with Carrie :)

Love your finishes! and your tree is sooo cute :)

Julianne said...

Hi Wendy,

Your ornaments are lovely.

Best wishes to your dd and sil on their house hunting.

Hazel said...

Great stitching! Lovely thread too. xx

Alberta said...

I hope you have many cuppas from your new tea pot...love the blue!

Love the finishes! Stay warm!

Concetta said...

Your wee Christmas tree is so lovely! What a great idea. :D

Sharon said...

All your finishes are beautiful! Love those ornaments.

Karin said...

Love the new teapot and the new threads. I'll have to be on the look out for them. Congrats on your stitching too.

Lynn said...

I love your little ornament tree! I just might steal that idea from you if I can find the right tree!

Work has been pretty bad here too. We're now short by 3 techs which means that anytime someone is sick it results in a double shift for someone. We're each taking turns with that. Plus we're back to taking callback on the night shifts. Quite often I'm reading blogs but not having the time to comment.
I hope things ease up for you soon.

All things beautiful said...

What a unique Christmas tree! And I love your Shepherd's Bush stitching. They are not freebies, are they? Would love to stitch them too. Happy New Year!