I really love deer cross stitches...

The recent popularity in the deer being featured in home décor, has fuelled my passion for deer cross stitches and deer ornaments (which are currently packed away in the Christmas decoration boxes so I can't show you). 

I would love to own a pet deer but I have been told they are as destructive in the garden as wallabies (aka small kangaroos). I witness nightly the ability of animal teeth to wreck foliage in a garden in 2 minutes flat so I will stick with the cross stitched kind.

Last night I started a delightful little deer out of the cutest of books A Rainbow of Stitches written by a team of French stitchers. I have only stitched the head onto the linen. Expect more later in the week.  I will make it into a book mark to gift myself.

I am in a SAL with girlfriends stitching from the alphabet series by The Prairie Schooler. This design is L for Leaves. You can see my previous post here. I am pleased to have made some obvious progress as I am only stitching on it once every 3 weeks. The colours are so autumn and rich.

Thank you for walking in my little plot of cybergarden...
                                               Jan x

A Photo A Day: June 2

June 2 A Photo A Day: EMPTY

You can tell when the local dancing Eisteddfod is on as my kitchen cupboards are EMPTY!!! Only a cross stitch cupcake to eat.

This cupcake is stitched from the delicious craft book Sweet Treats.

You can check out my "morning themed" June 1 A Photo A Day here.

Thanks for sitting under the umbrella in my garden...

                                                                                  Jan x

Yummy macaroons...

The recent popularity of the TV show, Masterchef have brought macaroons into vogue in Australia. I knew instantly the moment I opened the Sweet Treats book that I just had to stitch the macaroons.  Not only that I knew I had to taste real macaroons.  I am ashamed to say I had never tried one. These macaroons baked at local cake shop, Sweet Envy were too good to pass up. What's more I could match the macaroons to my cross stitch threads. Stitching from the Sweet Treats book has been a great way to satisfy my sweet tooth.

The macaroons were the only stitching I achieved on the IHSW (International Hermit & Stitch weekend). It was a busy weekend with Toddler Tom's 2nd birthday party, visitors and a highland dancing competition.

Updated theme-a-licious post...

It's unusual for me to blog in the evening. I usually do it in the early afternoon when Toddler Tom is napping.  Well tonight is different. I have been in my sewing room all evening listening to the cricket (Aus vs India 20/20 match if you are interested). DH has gone to work doing a night shift so there was no excuse to spoiling myself with lots of stitching time!

I have a finish to share. Lollies stitched on 28ct antique white linen. Another adorable pattern from Sweet Treats cross stitch book.

Tonight's stitching was too much for Bob...

I forgot to mention in my last post what projects will be my focus for Fangirl February, Theme-a-licious.  These projects are designed by my favourite designers.

1.  HAED: I will devote time to "Love".  I have nearly finished the top section of black on this first page! It will join up with the rows below it very soon. Click here to see what Love will look like when it's finished.

2. The Prairie Schooler: I will make a start on this Halloween sampler that I kitted up last year

3. Marjolein Bastin designs: I will keep plugging away at the English garden sampler

Have you ever lived so close to a walking track but never been on it? That's exactly why I was determined to do this bushwalk with my family today! It has been something I have been thinking about doing for ages. Sure I have been to the destination by car but never by this track.  Being in the Aussie bush with all it's smells and textures cleared by head. It got pretty exciting at one point when I was in the lead and apparently I nearly stepped on a whip snake. Luckily I was none the wiser until after the snake was well and truly off the track.

Thanks for visiting my garden....
                                                    Jan x

Tiaras and Star Stacks...

I stitched little crowns and tiaras onto a bookmark.  The designs came from the Cross Stitcher magazine.

Having a toddler again means.......play doh. Tom is obsessed by it.  He is constantly getting it out of the cupboard, using his teeth to open the lids (where did he learn this from?) and spending ages poking and prodding it.  Luckily he doens't eat it which surprises me as he tries to eat sand, suncream and the list goes on (you don't want to know)! The two of us made these "star stacks" together which I think are very pretty.

Just when I find an online photo editing program I love (Picnik) I find out it's closing. No!!! Can you recommend any websites I should explore now so I can make my photos prettier?

Thanks for stopping by my garden...

                                                            Jan x

Stitchy bracelet...

It's just Toddler Tom and Moi pottering at home this weekend.The house is so quiet...except for the pitter patter of Tom's feet as he runs into his big brother and sister's bedrooms that he is not allowed in.  Plenty of stitching time I say rubbing my hands together (in between nappies and picking up toddler toys). My husband has taken my camera and my usual laptop is not working so there are reduced piccies today sorry.

My lovely, no-blog friend Rachael (waving madly), introduced me to the cross stitch book Sweet Treats.  Both she and I have drooled over this little bracelet design the last few times we have shared morning tea. And now I have stitched it! You definately have to whip this one up Rachael. I think I will turn it into a lid cover for a jewellery box.

Although enjoying the quiet I am acutely aware of how lucky I am to have such a warm, loving husband and three healthy and happy children.  I went to bed with tears in my eyes while reading a blog written by a local mother, Lisa who has just lost her husband. This is on top of losing a child four months ago.  My heart is bleeding for her. You are in my thoughts Lisa xxx.

Thanks to my lovely blogging friends who enrich my life so much...

                                                                                                      Jan x

Cross Stitches update and Giveaway Reminder...

I have added a bit more to the upper border of the Marjolein Bastin design Lanarte cross stitch. I've moved from Spring in the top left corner to Summer in the right hand corner of the design. I love the theme of seasons in patterns. Don't you?

As one can never have too many projects on the go, I am also stitching a peacock feather (pictured above) for the wall of my new bedroom like the design pictured. It is from the Rainbow Stitches book I blogged about recently. I will frame and hang it with an embroidery hoop. The white silk thread on the 32ct linen is beautiful to work with.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway by making a comment on my previous post!!! Competition closes on Monday July 18th. There are great odds for winning.

Must have stitching book...

A Rainbow of Stitches has magically appeared on my bookshelf. It is written by Agnes Delage-Calvet, Anne Sohier-Fournel, Muriel Brunet and Francoise Ritz.

It is a devine collection of small cross stitch and embroidery patterns. Already I am planning to cross stitch a white feather onto linen and hang in on my bedroom wall in an embroidery hoop!

Thanks for visiting thread garden...

Jan