Whiskers and Chips

As you probably know by now I have developed a bit of an obsession with Ann's Orchard mini beadwork kits. The gorgeous grandson already has Hilda the Duck, Basil the Cockerel, Hetty the Bantam, Lettice the Rabbit,, Daisy the Cow and Cheddar the Mouse on his bedroom wall. When I saw two more of these cute little kits on Emma's stall at the Knitting and Stitching show, well I couldn't resist.

So, along with Chips the Seagull,

I now have Whiskers the Fox to add to his collection!

All framed and ready to go in the post

I think that is probably enough wall art for the gorgeous grandson's bedroom for now, don't you think?

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts
    

Would you like chips with that?

Regular readers will know that I have been loving making up a menagerie of beadwork embroideries for our gorgeous grandson. So, I am sure that you will not be surprised to know that I couldn't resist the temptation of another kit when I came across Ann's Orchard Beadwork stand at the Knitting and Stitching show!

Now that we live on the seafront where seagulls are an ever constant, it would have been rude to pass up the chance to stitch up Chips the Seagull now wouldn't it? The seagulls on our seafront are so keen to avail themselves of the odd chip or three that day trippers brave enough to eat their fish and chips on the prom are warned not to feed the seagulls. Those gulls are not timid and have no compunction in diving at the unwary eater to snatch their fatty treats :)

With this kit finished I am running out of excuses to avoid tackling the third of my three challenges for Quilter in the Closet's 100 Day Challenge.

It took me a while to actually find the Craftsy BOM blocks, but find them I did and now I have to decide on the sashing and the borders. I am thinking that I will sash them in white and then add a navy border, as I think that navy sashing might be a bit much. I am also not sure that I have enough of the navy solid, so it might end up being white all the way! Either would be progress though :)

Straight from the stash

I have been stitching up more tiny tapestry brooches for my EG branch tabletop sale next month.

So, these two brooches have been added

and I now have this little collection to take to the next meeting.

I particularly wanted some 'silver' frames for my brooches as I had some odds and ends of threads from the GOT Hardhome Embroidery that I wanted to use up. I hunted high and low on the internet and couldn't find them for sale anywhere. Fortunately the generous Emma at Ann's Orchard Needlework was willing to part with three from her carefully hoarded stash, so I was able to put those thread ends to good use. Thanks Emma!

The 'gold' tone frames are from Tina Francis Tapestry again. 

In my haste to get these finished I am afraid that I got a bit too scissor happy :(

I trimmed this tiny tapestry without measuring it against the frame and discovered to my horror that I had trimmed it too far! Which absolutely serves me right for not checking I know. Fortunately I have some squares of canvas left so I am planning to stitch this to the larger square and then trim that back. I think that will work, don't you?

I found some kilt pin brooch blanks in a box and decided to have a go at doing something with them for the sale too.

You can't see it very clearly in the photo, but the centre of the medallion charm is fabric mod-podged (is that a verb?) to the charm and then covered with a clear cabochon. The lace is another piece of the antique lace handed on by my mum, and that cute pincushion charm is from my stash of charms from Nicole de Bruin. I cannibalised an old earring for the rest of the beads on the brooch, so this is very much a project from my stash!

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts

A final flourish

Well the big day is nearly upon us and the time for creating handmade gifts is almost gone, but I have managed to add one more gift to the pile under the tree today.

After ignoring it for weeks I have finally managed to sit down and finish the last of my beadwork animal kits from Ann's Orchard Needlework. I give you Hetty the Bantam.

Hetty has been framed with her partner in crime, Lettice the rabbit to round off the set.

 Basil and Hilda

Daisy the Cow

 Cheddar the Mouse

I thought that I had a photo of Daisy and Cheddar framed but I can't find it so you will just have to take my word for it that they have been, honest :)


I have really enjoyed working on these little kits, the quality of the materials and instructions have been excellent. Emma has a lovely robin embroidery pattern available to download on her website. I might tuck it away for stitching later!

If you have whipped up any last minute gifts don't forget to link them up to this month's Ho, Ho, Ho and on We Sew Link Party here for a chance to win the giveaway prize.

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Meet Cheddar

You have already met Basil and Hilda

and their farmyard friend Daisy the Cow.

Now meet the latest addition to the farmyard

 Cheddar the Mouse!

I only bought one of the frames before I left for France, so I will have to wait until I am back in the UK to frame Daisy and Cheddar.

Linking up to

Meet Basil and Hilda

A while ago I saw an interesting project in the Stitch magazine for some small beaded embroidery birds, but it was only when I saw a beaded bunny from the same designer worked by Wendy at The Crafter's Apprentice that I followed up the link.

I was delighted to discover that Ann's Orchard Needlework have a whole range of farmyard animals to embroider, and with the news that we will become grandparents for the first time in a few months time, what better incentive could there be to start stitching :)

First up,

Hilda the Duck.

Now joined by

Basil the Cockerel!
Given that we are currently living in France and it will soon be Bastille Day, I thought it was particularly appropriate to tackle him now :)

I was really impressed by the quality of these mini kits, the instructions and charts were very clear and there were ample supplies to complete each embroidery with plenty to spare. That was a real bonus when beads were in danger of scattering all over the floor :)

I ordered the frame at the same time as the bead embroidery kits and it was as good quality as the kits, so I will definitely be ordering more. Especially as I have already completed the next embroidery.

Meet Daisy the Cow!

Who will soon be joined by one of these cute creatures.

So, that's my TGIFF finish now it is your turn to link up and show off your creations. Don't forget to check out some of the other linkers while you do so, and give them a (virtual) clap on the back for finishing up a project too!

An InLinkz Link-up