An Autumn Story...

The main reason I enjoy stitching the Marjolein Bastin English garden sampler is it reminds me of the Brambly Hedge stories by Jill Barklem.  I adore Brambly Hedge and its world within a wood.  The little mouse with the nearby juicy blackberries I have just stitched are as adorable as the pictures in Jill's books.
  

       

"It was a fine Autumn. The blackberries were ripe, and the nuts were ready, and the mice

                               of Brambly Hedge were very busy."  Autumn Story by Jill Barklem

10 Things you might like to know about me...

1. What was the last film that really moved/disturbed/thrilled you and why? Jane Eyre. The eerie noises from the attic room get me every time.


2.If you could be given ANY gift what would it be?
The gift of pushing thoughts into other people's minds particularly my husband so I don't have to repeat myself. I love my husband so much despite this.
Can I have a second gift?  The ability to crochet. It's the one craft I have FAILED at. I can never keep the tension right.


3.What's your favourite way to wake up and what's the first thing you do?
I love a little sleep in. 8am is the latest I sleep into these days.  First thing I like to do in bed is have a coffee while reading a book or my iPhone.


4. What crafts have you done?
You name it I have probably done it in a big or small way. Scrapbooking, sewing, quilting, cross stitching, tapestry, knitting, crochet, hobbytext (remember that one?) are the biggies.


5.  What were you doing before you started this?
Chasing my toddler around. It's quiet downstairs I think I should go check to see what mischief he is up to.
ADDIT - checked Tom. He was taking all the photos frames from the top of the dresser and giving them to Bob, the cat.


6. When was the last time you cried laughing?
Last week reading my 10 yo DS's story.  His characters were losing limbs and dying all over the placein his sci-fi fantasy story.


7.What did you want to be when you were little?
A school teacher.  I changed my mind in Year 9 and became a doctor instead.


8. What is your current favourite TV program?
Doc Martin. I've only just become a convert and love it. Maybe it's the doctor patient cringe moments in it I relate to the most. 
9. What would you name yourself?
I have been known as Jan nearly all my life so I would drop Janette from my birth certificate if I could.


10. What characteristics do you hate about yourself?
I'm terrible at keeping cupboards tidy

First blog win!!!

Happy Jan here (as a Jan I am not a fan of the catchphrase "not happy Jan" by the way). I've had my first blog giveaway win!!! Thank you Sarah for hosting the giveaway. I have won a Mollie Makes iPhone case kit. Can't wait to receive it.

There has been progress on my right Summer border on the cross stitch. Another shaft of wheat. I am totally in love with my new "angel" scissors. I received these as part of a free gift when I purchased a cross stitch from The Fox Collection recently.

Thanks for visiting my garden,
Jan

Mouse Monday...

"It's time for bed, little mouse, little mouse,

Darkness is falling all over the house."

Mem Fox

Picture update...

My computer wouldn't come to the party yesterday and upload photos. Today is a different story thankfully and my computer is nice to me again. Here is a photo of my Marjolein Bastin progress. It is a lovely stitch. Just when I am tired of stitching one picture I have finished it and can move onto the next!

Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for visiting...
Jan x

Somewhere over the Rainbow...

My week has been interrupted with the passing of a dear aunt. I had the honoured but daunting task of sharing some memories during the funeral. I was worried I would become emotional during it but luckily held it together. Surprisingly the funeral had more laughs than tears as we celebrated her gift for living life to the fullest.

My aunt chose the most beautiful song to be played as photos of her life were shown. It is a version of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.What amazing sentiments it shares!

The bench seat in my Marjolein Bastin cross stitch has been stitched! I have now started stitching a little mouse nibbling on a juicy apple.

Sorry for no photos. My internet connection is not playing nice...

Thanks for visiting, Jan x

Ready to hang for Christmas...

Toddler Tom's Christmas stocking is ready and waiting to be filled with presents. I am so happy with the colours - boyish but fresh. I have to admit but I didn't sew it up into the stocking. I sewed my other children's ones but was extremely nervous the whole way through so worried I would muck it up. I love the way my local needlwork shop sews it together.

Basking in the sun...

Great to be back. I hope life as been good to you in my absence. Thanks for your visits and lovely comments. Each hello inspires me in my crafting.

I have been away on a holiday to sunny Queensland. Amazing blue skies, gorgeous beaches and fun theme parks. Consequently I haven't quite finished the bench seat in the very centre of the MJ cross stitch sampler but it's close. I think it will be finished in another 2x nights of solid stitching.

I was excited on my return to collect a family heirloom chair that I repainted then reupholstered in a linen. I am so thrilled with it. The chair was bequeathed to my husband by his late aunt. The gold leaf and velvet just didn't suit our modern-style home.
BEFORE:

AFTER:



By the way, Bob the cat didn't suffer. He stayed at Catnip Cattery and was treated to daily play sessions, long pats and massages. I had almost daily texts and photos from Bob (LOL) so we felt very comfortable with leaving our kitty baby for the first time.

Spring has sprung in my cross stitch...

The rabbits are now happily hopping in the grass so I have started on the park bench in the very centre of the sampler. Yes, I have stitched half the sampler. Hooray!!!

Here is a little present I recently bought for myself. Isn't she sweet? I adore fairies so couldn't resist. The colours in it are so soft and muted. I'm trying so hard not to start her as I don't want too many large cross stitch projects on the go at once. We'll see how long before I give in to temptation.The design is called "Touch of Gold" and is based on a painting by a German artist Bente Schlick. The kit is made by Bucilla. Are you any good at resisting starting new projects?
'

Thanks for walking through my garden....
Jan x

Rabbits are nearly done...

All my rabbits now need is the grass to sit on....