UFO-WIP and Updates.

Here is my progress on Dragon's Lair by Black Swan Designs:

A couple of close up's so you can see the pretty colours better.

Next up is Dragon Moon by HAED:

Not too much done on it but it is stitching up quite quickly where there are not too many colour changes, so far!

UFO to WIP

I was sorting through my UFO's when my son saw Natures Vision. He has asked if it can be for him. So I have decided to go back to a ten hour rotation and I started with this project.

Here is a before:

And this is a now picture after ten hours stitching on it.

I am really enjoying stitching on it even though it feels strange to be stitching on aida again.

My rotation will consist of:

Natures Vision

Spirit (HAED)

Dragons Lair

Green Man Cernnunos (HAED)

A new WIP, but not sure which yet

Dragon Moon. (HAED)

Big Post!

I have been so busy lately that my feet have hardly touched the ground. Some things good others not so good.

My son Ben and his wife and the four kids up and left Hastings moving about 200 miles away without telling any of the family until they had moved. None of us were impressed to say the least. Not that they had moved but the way they did it. We did not get the chance to say goodbye to the kids. Ben and I was so close. Since he has been married he has tried committing suicide, so I don't think the move away from all his family is a good idea. I know it was his wife's idea and what she says goes apparently. I can see Ben turning up on my doorstep sometime in the future!

On a positive note, I am going to be a  granny again. My daughter Rebecca, (Doullies mum) is expecting between Christmas Day and New Years Day.

On to some stitching.

I am finally getting some where we Joshua's dragon. The picture does not do it justice where the colours are concerned.

Next up The Green Man:

I have finally finished the Celtic symbol. To look at it, you wouldn't think there was so many colours changes in the symbol. It was confetti stitching on a grand scale!

I also stitched my ornament for the exchange on my ILCS Yahoo group but will post pictures once Denise has received it.

I received my ornament from Denise, it is truly lovely!

And I just love the cute owl purse!

Thank you so much Denise for such a wonderful exchange!

WORLD RECORD BROKEN.

Hastings absolutely smashed the Guinness Book of World Records for the most massed pirates. 14,231 pirates to be precise. We held it two years ago then lost it to those scurvy dogs from Penzance last year. But shiver me timbers, we got it back! It was a very long day because apart from drumming I was also marshalling, by helping people to get into the site where the record took place. It was a brilliant day topped off by a display from the RAF's Red Arrows Display Team.

What a motley crew Section 5 Drummers make!

My drum chum Sarah and me taken by a professional photographer.

This last Sunday was the Opening of Old Town Carnival week so we did a parade with the Carnival Queen.

Colin decided he was not going to wear face paint and wore a morph suit instead the plonker lol. Looks like he is resting his belly on the drum.

Taking a break outside the pub lol.

With our Town Crier. Unbeknownst to me, the other ladies gurned (pulled faces) whilst I smiled away the buggers lol. It was as much as I could do to breathe and smile seeing my corset is steel boned and weighs 4 lbs!

Friday I am drumming at a funeral as unfortunately one of our bonfire society members passed away on the beach on pirates day. The sea came him and drowned him whilst he was sleeping. He was only in his 20's.

New BAP

Other than my HAEDs, I have no large projects on the go since finishing Midnight Enchanter.

Edie sent me Angel of the Sea by Lavender and Lace and I had just the right fabric for it sitting in my stash.

Here's one with the floss toss:

The fabric is not as dark as that called for on the chart but I think it matches in well with the colours.

It is Rue Green 32ct Belfast linen.

I am going to start a second BAP but I can not decide which one so I might hold a poll if I do not pick one lol.

Midnight Enchanter Finished!!!!!!!!!!

I can not believe that I have actually finished it! Not including my HAEDS, it was my only current BAP.

The chart is by Dimensions and out of print now.

It was stitched three threads over two on 28ct cashel linen. The fabric is 'Night' by Sugar Maple Fabrics.

Here are some close ups:

The top portion is all purple Kreinik.

The loop for the keys is hand made cording that I did.

As you can see, Kreinik everywhere.

The bookmark is cording as well.

All around the sash is heavy braid which had to be couched. ( Laying the braid and then small stitches over it in Kreinik to keep it in place).

It feels really weird now it is finished where I have been working on and off it for a few years now.

I am not going to start a new BAP straight away. I am going to do my ornament for my ILCS groups Summer Ornament Exchange. Then I need to finish my son Joshua's dragon and then start my other son Ashleys wolf. But I do have to say I am having a good year when it comes to my stitching as I have finished quite a few current WIP's.

Last but not least, I would like to thank each and every one of you who have encouraged me to get this project done, I really do appreciate it. There were times when I couldn't even pick it up lol. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Teaser Shot and Update

I will start with the teaser. So many people keep asking if Midnight Enchanter, my HUGE BAP, is finished yet. Well, it is not finished but getting very close. I am working on the back stitch and then the couching. So, here is a teaser shot.

So many stitchers have expressed how much they like this piece. In some ways I will be sorry to see this finished as I have been working on and off on it for a few years. The fun part will be starting a new BAP.

Next up is Friendship Tea Time Sampler:

Sorry about the photo quality, it came out a bit dark.

Last but not least Spirit by HAED:

It is starting to get more exciting as her head is slowly appearing lol.

Small Finish and The Green Man

This was a freebie with The World of Cross Stitch Magazine:

I enjoyed stitching it and it made a change to stitch on something small.

Next up is The Green man Cernunnos:

I am over half way done with page one now :-)

I am currently stitching on 'Spirit' HAED.

The weather here in the UK is glorious. It makes such a welcome change to see the sun after weeks of torrential rain.

Been So Busy.

I have been so busy lately that at times it has felt like my feet have not touched the ground! Thankfully, I have a couple of weeks now that I can relax for a bit.

I started a new HAED, Dragon Moon Storykeep.

This is how much I have done so far:

I have been working on the backstitch on Midnight Enchanter as well but no more pictures now until it is finished. I am finding it a tedious task as there is so much. I am doing it in dribs and drabs.

I got my prize through from Lizzie Kate:

The popcorn is maple and Bacon flavour! I don't think we have anything like it here in the UK but I could be wrong! I love the charts and will stitch them sometime in the future.

I had two drumming events, and here are a few pictures.

Colin and I.

Me looking like Princess Fiona. I'm covered bodily in green face paint for Jack in the Green.

Section 5 playing on the stage at Hastings Castle.

My green ball gown .............I look mouldy with the face paint on my body lol

Section 5 knackered after walking up a massive steep hill.

Me and my drum chum Rebecca and Colin.

Hiding from the rain in the castle.

Parading down to Butlers Gap for the big drum off! I'm in front as usual lol

No, that's not Achmed the Dead Terrorist, it's our mascot (one of them).

Weekly Update

I have not got as much done as I would of liked, but I was very busy over the weekend.

First Up Spirit HAED:

I am very pleased as I have finished page one and page two which is a partial page.

Next up, Midnight Enchanter:

I am so close to finishing the actual stitching! Just leaves tons of backstitching and couching :-/

Just the bit left in the above photo to stitch and the mauve Kreinik at the top of the moon.

RAK

Edie from my I Love Cross Stitch Yahoo group sent me a RAK. I knew Edie was sending me it but what I was not expecting was her astounding generosity! Edie sent me L&L Angel of Summer, Celtic Christmas, Angel of Spring and last but not least Angel of the Sea including all the threads and beads for it. I was astounded to say the least! I had tears in my eyes when I saw exactly what Edie had gifted to me. She also sent me some pieces of fabric which will come in more than handy seeing Colin's job situation is so dire at the moment. I just can not thank you enough Edie and again, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Lizzie Kate Win

Linda over at the official Lizzie Kate blog held a competition and all you had to do was leave a comment about your favourite bacon food and I WON! I hardly if ever, win anything, so I was chuffed to bits!

http://lizziekateblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/makin-bacon-blog-contest.html

Drumming

All the Scouts groups in our area held a big parade on Sunday in honour of ST. Georges Day , which was actually on the Monday but due to the good old British Government (said with much sarcasm) it is NOT a public Holiday seeing it is England's patron Saint but it should be seeing Wales, Ireland and Scotland all get a day off for their Patron Saints day! Just put a wig on David Cameron (UK's Prime Minster, but you knew that didn't you?), and he will be the spitting image of Maggie Thatcher the Snatcher...............but I digress, sorry,

Anyhow, we drummed for the scouts and didn't realise till we got there what a big parade it was or should I say just how many scouts there were. There was hundred's of them lol. Anyhow, we had a great time drumming in their parade then we headed off around Hastings and then the Old Town drumming for St Georges Day (in advance lol, don't get me started again lol, bloody government).

This is just a few of us but there was about 40 drummers altogether.

Having a pint before we started drumming.

April TUSAL:

I think I'm a few days late but here goes: