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 :)

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

Beadazzled!

Welcome to this month's New to Me Link Party, where we celebrate the successes and failures of trying something new:)

This month I have been trying my hand at embroidering with beads, several times in fact.

There were beads as bunches of grapes climbing up the walls of the Stitcher's Cottage.

Beads for the splashy little duck in this mini kit from Ann's Orchard Needlework

and beads in my EG piece for the Capability Brown exhibition!


It could be said that I have had beads on the brain recently :)

The Stitcher's Cottage is also my first ever embroidery piece to be exhibited locally, so doubles up on the New to Me front. It was a bit nerve wracking watching people examine it and trying not to listen in to any comments, well at least not obviously!

I have also been trying my hand at silk painting for an embroidered picture. Several of the pieces on display at the exhibition had used this technique, so I was inspired to give it a go.

 This photo of Arran was the inspiration for the piece, so I hope that I can ultimately do it justice.

The fabric in the hoop has been dampened and painted with water colour paint, and (apparently) I will be dry painting the centre where the mountain ranges are in the next class. Should be interesting!

I have also tested this New to Me pattern for Sew Sweetness' Annex Double-Zip Box pouch.

So, that's my New to Me's now it is your turn. As ever please help to spread the word by linking back to this post in your post and/or adding the blog button to your sidebar.








Check out the other links too and, maybe, leave an encouraging comment along the way. The emphasis of this link party is to celebrate the trying so a little encouragement here and there would not go amiss! 
The link will remain open until 23.59GMT on May 31st, so you have some time yet to try something new and link up and join the party :)

An InLinkz Link-up

If your New to Me involves some Christmas or Holiday crafting don't forget to link it up to this month's Ho, Ho, Ho and on We Sew Link Party here

You could win this great Clock Making Kit to kickstart your gift crafting :)

Courtesy of the lovely people at