The Rainbow is cross stitched...

It is a sense of relief to put the last half stitch into the rainbow over Noah's Ark. It was tricky to stitch because I had to fudge it in places (ssshh, don't tell anyone)!  I have also found time to almost completely backstitch the rainbow phrase "two by two they came".  There seems to be many more stitches to put into this sampler as I have the lower third of the ark to completed, a border and then an outer border of animals. I hope I can finish it in 2014!

Promises Kept
Dimensions The Gold Collection
18ct raw AIDA

Our Christmas day proved to be a true Aussie Christmas complete with warm weather, swimming in the pool, wearing sandals and eating prawns off the barbecue. All of us, especially our three year old Tom had a fabulous day. Tom is still keeping an eye out for more presents as he is sure there is just one more left to be opened.

DD (15) performs a Toyota jump

Three year old DS's new boat

DS (13) just hanging around

I have decided to do the WIP Crazy January Challenge in 2014. Rather than start a new project every day I am going to work on a different WIP each day for the first 15 days.  I have enough WIPs I don't need to start more LOL. January is the quiet month in my life so I am hoping I will get lots stitched.

Happy New Year!
                       Jan x

Happy Stitchy Christmas...

To all of my beautiful readers and followers I wish you a very merry Christmas and hope you find "you" time over the next few weeks. I have had such a great year in Blogland with my bloggy friends. Thank you for being so friendly and inspiring me.

Despite a busy Christmas period, I have stitched more leaves on The Prairie Schooler L is for Leaves. I think Christmas when I stitch this, seeing it has a deer. If anyone knows where I can get G,H,I of this series (Booklet no 104) please let me know.  It seems to have been retired and very hard to find!

I didn't finish my hubby's Shepherd's Bush Christmas stocking this year but plan to for next year. He is ok with that. Here are my kiddies with the four stocking I have already stitched in past years.

Shepherds Bush Christmas stockings

Have a relaxing Christmas season...
                                                    Jan x

More on Noah's Ark cross stitch sampler...

Despite it being only a week (or less) to Christmas, I have stitched more of the rainbow on the Noah's Ark Dimensions sampler over the last week. Just the blue inner rainbow arc and the back stitching on the words left.

Dimensions Gold Collection
Promises Kept

I am totally in love with anything especially antique Noah's arks! I have even started a pinterest board featuring them. 

Have a fabulous week leading up to Christmas...

                                                                    Jan x

The Royal "Throne" is cross stitched...

The moment you have been waiting for...a cross stitched toilet! Well it isn't backstitched yet but it sure will look hilarious once it has been.  I had a giggle to myself as I stitched the bathroom user's bottom.  A once-in-a-lifetime moment no doubt.

This Bothy Threads kit is stitching up quickly. I have cross stitched all of the Royal Bathroom and am now back to stitching the other side of the Dragon's lair below it. I have also added more backstitch in the King's chamber- the swords and shields are now outlined.

Thanks for the lovely comments on my advent post.  Be Very Merry this Christmas!
                                                                                                                         Jan x

2013 Online Advent Calendar

On the 13th day of Christmas, 

my true love sent to me...

my first Christmas cross stitched ornament!!!

Happy Christmas readers!!!   A special hello if you are following the Advent Calendar Blog Hop trail organised by the fabulous Jo at Serendipitous Stitching .

Bringing Home the Tree
Little House Needleworks
40ct linen stitched with specialty threads

I am delighted to present a finish on my blog today and a first. This is my first Christmas ornament I have stitched, finally finished over the last few days in time for this post.  I enjoyed sewing my daughter's name on the back. I used the tutorial on this link by The Twisted Stitcher to finish the ornie.

The reverse side of the ornament

My Mum has always been fabulous at cooking up treats for Christmas. With a household full of chocoholics it isn't surprising that anything chocolate is a goer at Christmas. Here is her famous peanut butter ball recipe. Simple but delish. My poor daughter can only admire them from afar, as she has a peanut allergy. I will have to find her a substitute for the peanut butter.


Peanut Butter Ball recipe:

2 1/4 cups of icing sugar
1 cup (cheapest brand) peanut butter
1 1/2 cups of rice bubble
125grams margarine or butter

Method:
Combine icing sugar and peanut butter
Melt peanut butter and margarine and add to rice bubble mixture.
Roll into small balls and place on a tray and freeze.
When frozen, dip balls into melted chocolate.
Place on foil lined tray and freeze.

You can then just keep them in air tight container in fridge.

Be Very Merry this Advent Time...
                                               Jan x

Dust off the Noah's Ark cross stitch...

I cannot believe it's been so long since I have stitched on this sampler. It is called Promises Kept by Dimensions. Its been a little tricky to stitch the rainbow - I am always miscounting it- so I put it aside and forgot about it.  Last night, I dusted off the cobwebs and stitched two pretty doves flying over the rainbow.

My soul is rejuvenated when I touch and read a new craft book.  This time, granny chic by Tif Fussell and Rachelle Blondel tickled my fancy. I bought this book with a birthday voucher. This book has fuelled my dreams for renovating a caravan and filling it with 'granny' goodness. I cannot wait. It might be a two to three year wait but it will be worth it. I will have to get out my crochet hook and doilies and start some projects for my van in advance.

Well I promise to stitch more on Noah's Ark soon as I want Tom to enjoy looking at it on his bedroom wall before he grows out of it!

Thanks for visiting my garden...
                                               Jan x

The Prairie Schooler Alphabet...

L is for Leaves is growing well.  I have stitched three quarters of it.  I am stitching this with friends, working on it once every three weeks.  Delighted in how it is turning out. Actually, so delighted I will definitely stitch the whole alphabet on one piece of linen! Not sure when I will start, probably after I finish this letter as need a new project with my friends.

L is for Leaves
Stitched on 32 ct linen
Recommended DMC threads

I am part of a blog group, called The Prairie Schooler ABC Stitching Bee, which shares progress, albeit slowly. Thank you for having a look in my garden...
                                                               Jan x 

Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Castle update...

Drum roll please.... I have an important update on my Bothy Threads Cut Thru' castle.  I am cross stitching the toilet scene in the yellow royal bathroom LOL.  It will be hilarious when it's back stitched!

I am enjoying stitching with my new Q snaps 11x11 inch as they keep the fabric taut and aren't bulky or heavy.  

Thanks for wandering through my garden...

                                                                Jan x