New stitching solo stitching

I've been naughty and started a new stitch.  It's another pattern I found in the magazine which I  discovered when going through my stash earlier in the month.  I'm doing it as a birthday present and for once I'm going to see if I can do solo stitching for this one as I've got a pretty tight timescale.  This is how far I've got after a week's stitching.

Art Journal Adventure 2017

I've been joining in with the Art Journal Adventure being run by Jogglesdot. The first prompt was to complete your cover for the journal.  With it being the year of the rooster they used this theme for their covers and I also went with it but used a quirky bird stamp which is my rooster element.  I'm a hoarder - something I am trying to change this year - but I did recycle some packaging to make my journal with.  I knew it would come I handy one day.

Prompt 2 was texture.  Again I recycled something - cereal packaging this time, cutting the box into four pieces to create some journal pages.  I created the texture using scraps of paper torn and adhered to the packaging and then covered with paint.  This was then partly embossed with an embossing folder and then I sanded the raised areas to show them up a bit more.  Some gliding wax was added to the snowflakes.  I've also used a couple of stamps and then some gorgeous embossing powders from Lindys Stamp Gang.  I've also used Paper Artsy infusions, some splatters of white gesso and finally some clear embossing powder which I then stamped into.  It's been fun experimenting and actually using lots of my stash.

Prompt 3 is mug shot and this is currently a work in progress in my mind - hopefully it will soon transfer onto another page.

Forgotten designs

While I was sorting through my crafting stash last week I came across an older copy of Cross Stitcher which had lots of lovely charts inside.  One in particular I am hoping to stitch as a birthday present for someone this year but until the fabric arrives I decided to stitch one of the smaller charts.  The bird charts are designed as brooches but I didn't read the fabric count and wanted to try and use up some of my scraps of aida.  Consequently it has turned out a little too big for a brooch so I am going to turn it into a hanging decoration instead.

What I didn't realise that this magazine goes back to February 2011.

Buttons galore

Last week I took a load of my buttons down to Vintage Brew where Mitch kindly helped me sort them out into colours in the bottles they had kindly collected for me.  On tidying up the craft overflow on Monday I came across some more which will also need to be sorted at some stage.  I love how they look and it should be far easier to find the right one for future projects of which the above photo would be a great project.

I have still to find a more permanent home for the buttons in my craft room, I'm thinking I might just need another set of shelves for them.

Mixed media birthday card

I made this birthday card for Margaret at Scrapbook Magic, as her birthday was on Saturday it is now safe to post it.

I've used Paper Artsy paints, stamps and Infusions.  Some texture was added using a stencil from Stamplorations and texture paste from Ranger. Lots of paper piecing for the birds and flowers, clouds created with a die set and lettering from a Simple Stories sticker sheet.  I even used my Inktense pencils for the leaves on the branch.  This was a lot of fun to make even if it did take me a whole evening but I'm pleased to say Margaret loved it.

A stitch a day progress

So far this week I have managed to stitch every day.  I added some back stitch on Tuesday and some orange French knots on Wednesday. 

Thursday I attempted Daisy stitch and yesterday I added some more French knots but this time in red.

I'm finding it very relaxing at the moment and decided I wasn't going to try and learn a different stitch every day but just see what I felt like doing each day and where I needed to fill in - less stress.

Yesterday I spent some time with our daughter, Harlee-Jay and Lincoln.  I treated myself to some denim jeggings and a new top and I bought Colette and myself some Yankee candles that had been reduced as well as some of the new fragrances. I also managed to pick up some plant bargains yesterday, these had been reduced from 10-15 pounds to just 2 pound each.

I was attracted to the plants pots as much as the flowers even if the festive season has now passed.

2016 review and 2017 possibilities

2016 was pretty good for us.  We had the addition of two lovely grandsons Lincoln and Theo.  Two relaxing holidays one with our youngest son and family in North Devon and the other on our own in Porthallow, both weeks the weather was  extremely kind to us.

  On the crafting front I started selling my cards at Vintage Brew and have now raised just over £200, we also enjoyed a fun weekend there doing a craft fayre.  I managed 21 stitching finishes and read a total of 32 books.  I also spent a fabulous weekend at Scrapbook Magic doing two mixed media workshops.

I took part on my first ever Muddy Race for Life and had a thoroughly fun time with work colleagues.  We also had a few other work related outings which was also fun.  I made new friends thanks to Darnells visit from the USA, one in particular was Hazel who I hope to get to see more of in 2017.  Far more positives than negatives thankfully.

Now onto 2017 which I hope will be just as good.  All being well we are going to be grandparents yet again which will bring our total to eight grandchildren.  A Spring fayre to get ready for.  Some of the 'projects' I'm hoping to take part in this year are 2017 Art Journal Adventure,  1 Year of Stitches and 52 weeks to an Organized Home.  Of course I have lots of stitching to finish and I want to read lots of books again this year.

I have made a start on my year of stitches.  I'm using a baby's cot sheet to do this so that should I fail to complete this challenge then I've not wasted valuable fabric.  The threads were a cheap packet of threads which I think came free with a subscription.  So far I have tried blanketstitch and satin stitch, it really is stitching with no particular design in mind so it will be interesting to see how out of my comfort zone this takes me - I don't usually do random. 

  I have also completed the first 52 weeks home challenge now WE just have to follow it through each day, week, month, etc.   So for the remainder of the week I will work on the cover of my art journal for the Art Journal Adventure along with whatever other crafting takes my fancy.

What have you got planned for 2017?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to you all.

Weatherwise it's been a bit bleak here today but I've brightened up the day with playing in my craft room.  I made a couple of Thank You cards and dropped them down to Vintage Brew but forgot to take photos but they are similar to the one I made for Moya's birthday card.  I have also tried to get ahead a little and have made a couple of Valentine/anniversary/engagement type cards  - same design but slightly different colourway.

New Years dinner is at mother in laws this evening along with brother in law and his fiancee.  It really has been a very easy festive season for us.