Finally Fully Finishing Fun for May

Hosted by Rachel the Ten Hour Stitcher

This new SAL is designed to motivate us all to do something with that box of Finished pieces instead of just storing them under the bed.  We will all be linking up on Rachel's blog on or after the 10th of each month (10 Hour Stitcher - 10th of the month).

This is a rather old piece which was previously finished in my patented "chuck it in a bag for 20 years" method.  I decided it was time it got scrapbooked as I would never want to use it as an actual bookmark!

This was a kit from Textile Heritage Collection called Fairytale Bookmark stitched in 2000 when my initials were JMM. 

Stitched on the 14 count aida band provided using the non-DMC thread also provided.

Now it is finally fully finished mounted on a fairytale scene from Monet

In the same bag was the Jane Greenoff design Woodland Walk which I posted about here - The People Chose Speciality Stitches.  I decided not to add anything to it on the grounds that if I was going to do that I would have done it at some point in the last 20 years.  So a simple frame and it's an FFO.

The third piece was not quite finished back in 1998 when it went to live in the bag.  There were approximately 20 orange stitches to complete.  Then I whip stitched around the edge with a bead per stitch and added a ribbon hanger.  Done!

This is a better photo of the colours of the ornie, it's a very dark red not bright red.

According to the packet, this was a cover gift from Needlework magazine in October 1998.  Happy 21st Birthday!  What is funny is that the description says "a traditional pin cushion for you to stitch in an evening".  Or two evenings separated by 21 years....

Finally, let's see some newer projects.  For Maynia this year I am stitching on the same projects I started last May.  I started one Just Nan small per day so this year I am stitching one strand on each project on their relevant day.  Here are the projects for Days 6 to 10:

I got a lot done on Day 10 because I went on a train journey so I stitched all the border on this one and on the third one in the series which I did not start last year.  The second one is for Day 11 of the SAL.

WIPocalypse and Giveaways

Measi of Measi's Musings is worried the World is ending in 2012 so has decided to try get some of her WIPS finished before then.  Because, of course, unfinished needlework will see St. Peter turn you away at the Pearly Gates to be doomed to spend eternity in the perfect LNS with no needles.

Here's the link to join in with the WIPocalypse: WIPocalypse.  The rules are great, very open to your individual interpretation, the important one is to post every New Moon with a picture of of WIP in order to be entered into the end of year draw (if we're all still here, otherwise you'll get your prize in the afterlife).

On this gloomy subject, I do wonder what will happen to my stash when I'm no longer here.  The finished items are no problem, there are loads of people who would want them but only a fellow needleworker would appreciate all the unstarted stuff.  I think I'll put a bit in my will to say you guys get first dibs on my stash when I go!  An enormous stitch-in wake would be good too...

On a happier note, Violarium is having a September magazine giveaway here.  Violarium is where I ordered the Nimue charts from, they were very speedy with their delivery and included half a dozen freebie charts from various designers which was a nice surprise.

I haven't got any new pictures, the cover kit from Cross Stitcher is stitched but not framed because of the rubbish cards included, I've emailed to ask for some replacements.  The Margaret Sherry from WOCS is nearly finished, just the bs.  I've stitched "K is for Kelpie" and will show-and-tell when I've stitched "L".

So here's a random picture from the archives:

Stitched from Needlework magazine in 1999.  Cute isn't it? 

Although I need to move that bee's bottom to the left!

Finally, I have found a nice online Ebay store which sells Tibetan silver charms ideal for my growing Just Nan collection.  Some are available in mixed bags (Hallowe'en) but others come in packs of 10 the same.  But at 99p for 10 I can't complain.  So if I buy 10 the same I'll be passing the spares onto you guys.  My Giveaway thoughts are progressing.  I have a main prize, and some ideas for bits to go with it, only 3 more followers or 17 days and we'll be there!