Turtle TUSAL

Although there isn't actually a Turtle on here yet.  There will be eventually.

It's TUSAL time, the Totally Useless SAL where we all show our ORTS and link-up on Daffycat's blog.

Here is my TUSAL with the current project:

Here's a close-up of the main project which is this month's focus piece, the Discworld Mappe by Lyndisfarne Designs:

And here's the cover photo with a circle around the area I've been stitching:

You may also have spotted a fully-finished object in that photo too.  It's the fourth of my Just Nan Ornaments, Victorian Rose, stitched on 32 count green linen which looks more blue in the photos!

The reverse

I couldn't find a suitable backing fabric at all so I simply finger-pressed the edges and folded them over.  Whip-stitched the folds top and bottom and then whip-stitched the central seam together with some small bugle beads I had in my stash.

Here are all four together:

 L-R: Christmas Rose, Christmas Star, Christmas Hearts and Victorian Rose

Finally, I got some very exciting news this afternoon.  One of the local artists who supplies our shop with cards, fridge magnets, prints and bookmarks is branching out into cross stitch!  She has a deal with Bothy Threads to convert four of her designs into cross stitch to be released at the beginning of next year.  Here are the four they have chosen:

and here is a link to her website where you can already purchase the cards, prints and other merchandise - Love Country UK.  I am so excited for her and can't wait to see the finished pieces.