Sunday 29 September 2013

Sunday Stitchalong 4 and Pretty Things

Sunday again - there's no time between one week and the next it seems; are you finding the same?
Anyway, I hope you are having good times, however quickly or slowly time passes for you, and for those of you who have not been in the best of health, I wish you well! There must be something travelling around blogland methinks, for I've been feeling rather depleted and out of sorts myself these past few days or so. No doubt things will pick up along with the weather - if it ever picks up!!!

Right, here's my 'Sunday Stitching with Chrissie' effort for this week. If you don't know about Chrissie's stitchalong, then you can find her  here  and, even if you're not into stitching, you may be interested in joining up with Chrissie and Marianne - also  here - for their Chrochetalong which will begin in a couple of days. Chrissie also has a lovely giveaway happening too, so jump quick if you feel drawn!

I delved into my art box this week and found my compass - such a handy little tool - which I used to create the design for this little Sampler. Most of the stitches I've included are in Jenny Hart's Sublime Stitching book - 'Embroidered Effects' and if you are interested, you can find Jenny here .



Now, as you can see, I have photographed this piece four times, turning the design around each time in order to view it in the various directions! ( Yeah, I know the computer would have turned it for me but I'm trying to make things easy here!) I can't decide which way to make 'UP' even though I had to come to a temporary decision in order to get my post done - what are your thoughts on this; I'll be very interested to hear what you think so please let me know!


This week I have also crocheted another couple of the apple slice coasters, but you saw those last post so I won't include them here. And yesterday I spent quite some time using that little floss winder (also shown last week), and organized all my threads which had threatened to become rather messy. Things will be much easier and straight-forward now with no struggles in the midst of a sewing spell to find the correct end of the thread to pull out of the skein; gosh, do you ever have hissy fits with those things? They try my patience at times!
Look at all those glorious colours! And do you like my tin? I couldn't resist it!


Of course you realise that I now have stitched several pieces so far, during the Sunday Stitchalong, that need to have something made with them - the flower wheelbarrow and the blue wren, as well as this latest design - so I must put my thinking cap on this week and come up with a plan of some sorts.


My daughter bought me some beautiful flowers this week - what a lovely surprise, thank you M! This is a 'Waratah', and is native to N.S.W.. Don't you think it's a stunning bloom?



I also picked a few little things from the garden yesterday to brighten me up a bit:



And I want to show you my 'lollipop tree' which is actually a flowering peach - and yes, it does bear fruit and they are edible, in fact they are very tasty - smallish at first so we thin them out  in the early stages and then it produces fewer but larger fruits!
As you can see, it's not nearly finished blooming yet and will eventually be covered with those delightful flowers: such a wondrous sight!



And here is our 'Boy Buddha' surrounded by pretty plants, from the same area of our little back garden as the lollipop tree. I think our little water feature looks quite content with himself, don't you?



That's about it for this time folks - I'm so happy you popped in and thank you so much for taking the time to leave me your lovely messages; I've been a bit tardy this week in keeping up with all of your posts but will catch up soon for I so enjoy them and the inspiration and encouragement they provide me. Thank you all for showing your lovely work and sharing so much of your daily lives!

Joy xo

58 comments:

  1. Joy your stitching is simply sublime!! I love the design of it, how clever are you!! All those stitches they are all different and I love the variation of texture you've created too. Personally I love it the way it is show in the first image, that is my favourite way 'up'. Well done, I thought you were doing something simple this week (heehee). Your blooms are beautiful and I especially love your lollipop tree. Buddha is looking really happy there, it's the perfect little spot for him. Your garden looks wonderful and your pretty posy from the garden is lovely. I hope you start to perk up a little this week. Thanks for your lovely comments over at mine you are a darling!! Much love xoxo

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    1. Lovely Hannapat - a huge thank you - I so much appreciate your beautiful messages full of encouragement, they really lift me! Thank you also for your input re the way 'up' - the more I look at it the more I agree with you.
      I thought this one was going to be a simple one but have to admit it took a bit of working out in the finish. But very enjoyable, and I do like a challenge, as if you hadn't already guessed!
      Thank you so much for your well wishes - a little bit of sunshine would help I think.
      Much love to you too lovely,
      Joy xoxo

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  2. Hi Joy I do like your new design, its very contemporary. I also love your little sewing tin, maybe im biased just love the name Joy!!!

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  3. Haha, you're funny Joy!
    I'm glad you like my work, thank you, I enjoy ringing the changes!
    Joy x

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  4. The Waratah is stunning. I love your garden and your Boy Buddha. I've never seen a Boy Buddha statue before. It is nice.

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  5. Oh I was so busy admiring your garden that I forgot to mention your lovely needle work. The piece reminds me of a stylized base ball because is round and has some of the similar stitching. It is a lovely little piece. Get well soon. I find whenever a cold is trying to catch on to me, it lingers a long time. I hope you can get some rest.

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  6. Thank you so much for your kind words and well wishes Joyful - very gratefully received.
    I see what you mean about the baseball - you're 'spot on' too!
    Our Boy Buddha brings his own lovely charm to our garden and we're very fond of him; a while back when the sun was shining very hot my Hubby put a cap on BB's head to 'protect him from the sun' - funny man.
    Joy x

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  7. loved the waratah, all the natives and aussie flowers are so unique! I'm going to do a post soon on our natives here after a walk through the kings park festival today! I also like the vase the warath is in?
    the boy buddha looks so peaceful I'd love to get something like this for my garden too! youve inspired me!

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    1. I bet the festival was a great experience Krissie - they do such a terrific job at KP, and I'll watch out for your post.
      The vase was just a cheapy picked up many years ago - imported I think! Not a Claris Cliffe although it is a bit reminiscent of same, don't you think?
      Joy x

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    2. PS. Oops - the jug the Waratah is in was made by a local potter and gifted to me by my daughter some years ago - it's very pretty isn't it!

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  8. Joy your stitching is simply beautiful! Gorgeous colours too, just perfect. I adore all the lovely blooms in this post too. Thank you for the lovely little mention about the crochet a long too, it is much appreciated! Wishing you a very lovely week.
    Marianne xx

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    1. Hi Marianne, once again thank you for your lovely message - I'm always so happy to hear from you and to know that you enjoy what you see here. I'm wishing you all the best with the crochet along - it'll be a heap of fun I'm sure!
      Joy xo

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  9. A beautiful piece of embroidery Joy, it's stunning with gorgeous colours and looks so intricate.
    Your embroidery flosses look so colourful together, and your little tin is brilliant. Love the blooms
    and little buddah.
    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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    1. Thanks so much Irene, I'm so glad you like my little piece - it's such a heap of fun using the compass cause I never quite know what will eventuate - then there's the choosing of stitches and colours which can throw a totally different light on the whole thing .. .. ..
      Have a lovely week!
      Hugs to you,
      Joy xo

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  10. Joy, your posts always warm my heart. Hope you are feeling a bit better today. I can not imagine you having a hissy fit of any kind, I can have them but you? Love the stitching you have been doing, it is so interesting how changing the angle of the picture really changes the feel of it.
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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    1. Aw what a delight you are Meredith, thanks so much! Oh yes, I can hiss AND boil but usually it's at my Hubby and not my craft work!!! We all have our moments don't we! Yes, I think this type of design work is quite versatile - it adds to the fun!
      Warm hugs and a happy week lovely!
      Joy xo

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  11. Hello Joy.
    I know where does the time go? it seems to flying by here. Sorry to hear you've been out of sorts I think it must be going around we're all full of colds and viruses here!
    Your stitching is so lovely! I love the idea of using a compass...the way you've photographed them is great It's cool seeing them from different angles.
    What organised threads you have! Mine look like a big bowl of multi coloured spaghetti hehe.
    The flowers from your daughter are so pretty what a lovely gift.
    I like the lollie pop tree it's very pretty I will have to wait a fair few months now until I see blossom again here oh well I will look at yours :)
    Your Buddha looks very contented indeed surrounded but that lovely purple. Hope you have a lovely week xx

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    1. Hello FB, how are you feeling now - I hope you have recovered and don't take on another dose!
      The multi-coloured spag sounds inviting FB, haha! A big dose of indigestion coming up methinks! I just had to get those threads fixed up before things went too far, and now it's so easy to find what I need - and it offers an excuse for buying colours that I can now see I'm short of! Method in my madness - sometimes!
      I'm wishing you a lovely week too FB and it was so nice to chat with you again, thank you for your sweet message!
      Hugs,
      Joy xo

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  12. I want a Waratah all of my own! Please! I really like the combo of that stitching in a modern design. Would look great on a round cushion. Jo x

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    1. Now that is a very good idea Jo - although round is not always easy it certainly could be managed, thanks for that suggestion!
      The Waratah is spectacular isn't it, and if I could present you with one, I would be very happy to!
      Warm hug,
      Joy xo

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    2. Hello JOY, First your stitchery is very very pretty and each version of up is lovely but if I had to pick one I would chose #2.The blue satin stitch looks like it is holding up the world.. VBG I absolutely LOVE your flowering Peach Tree.. It is a beauty.. Your Tin is adorable. I have always admire the Waratah Flower.. Lovely that your daughter gave it to you. Hugs Judy

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    3. Hi Judy, and thank you for your input - yes, I can see what you mean about the blue and hadn't thought about that before!
      I really love hearing from you and am very grateful for your lovely message Judy, thank you! Warm hugs, Joy x

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  13. Dear Joy
    Another really beautiful project - the stitches are so neat. I think your garden looks stunning with the blossom too. The flowers are gorgeous and such lovely jewel-like colours.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Thanks so much Ellie, I'm very happy to know you've been here again and taken the time to leave your lovely message!
      All the best to you too,
      Joy x

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  14. A wonderful post from start to finish! I am just amazed by your embroidery, everything you make is so lovely! The original photo of the circle is how I would see it...and I am inspired by your thread organisation...have a wonderful day, hug the Boy Buddha for me! :-) Chrissie x

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    1. Many many thanks lovely Chrissie - I feel the same about your embroidery! Also thanks for your input re the circle - it's interesting to read the different views on it.
      Consider BB well and truly hugged, thank you!
      I hope you and girls are feeling better today?
      Healing hugs,
      Joy xo

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  15. Your embroidery is incredible! I love the colors and the interesting design, thank you for turning it in all directions because it looks totally different depending on how you're viewing it. Your garden is beautiful, I just love the lollipop tree. I would enjoy having a peach tree myself but I have no idea whether they can grow here. My grandparents had a peach tree when I was growing up and it made so much fruit; they used to freeze it and they made peach pies all winter. :)

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    1. Hello again dear Jennifer - it's always lovely to hear from you and I so appreciate your slant on things, thank you! I think peach trees are gorgeous to have even if only for the blossom, and we were pleasantly surprised (and excited) to find out little lollipop bore fruit as we thought it was just a miniature ornamental. Have you asked at a garden nursery if it's possible to grow them in your area?
      A lovely week to you Jennifer!
      Joy x

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  16. Sweet Joy,, another beautiful post to brighten my day. Lovely stitching as always. Sorry, I am no help to the different directions in turning your photos..good luck with that but your photos always seem to be the right side up on my end and lovely as ever! There is so much inspiration here I stay and look forever! Gorgeous garden.....love it!
    Have a wonderful Sunday!
    Shari

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    1. Lovely Shari, hello, there you are with your sweet words of encouragement for me again! A huge thank you and feel welcome to stay as long as you wish for it's always lovely to have you here!
      Wishing you beautiful days!
      Joy xo

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  17. Hello lovely Joy I do hope you are feeling a little better today - life is a bit of a rollercoaster sometimes and who knows where these feelings come from - sometimes I wish I could wallop them with something very hard! Your work is just exquisite Joy, you are so so talented and you make it all look so effortless, the mark of a true professional. I love the colours of your flowers, stunning, nature is the true artist and we can learn so much from her. You take care Joy, feel that maybe you are a little tired and doing too much? Take a little time out for you Joy and sit and smell the lovely flowers and gaze at your wonderful garden. I am so glad that I found you Joy as you always make my day much brighter. Thank you so much
    Lots of love and a big hug
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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    1. Thank you Dorothy for your well wishes and encouragement, I will be 100% fit again in no time but this is definitely a 'quiet time' to ponder and relax methinks, and what better way than with gentle craft work in hand!
      I'm afraid my lovely garden of flowers is taking a hammering again with heavy sleety rain - will it never stop!
      Thanks so much Dorothy for your kind thoughtfulness - I'm really enjoying your posts also!
      Loving hug,
      Joy xo

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  18. We are having a steady rain in our part of the world today, Joy, but I am cozy inside enjoying your post. I think that if your embroidery piece needs an "up" your first largest photo seems like the up position to me, but putting the embroidery on a round pillow as Jo suggested would make up more versatile :) Your flowers are all soooo beautiful. Thank you for sharing the photo bouquet. Bravo for your embroidery thread winding! I have a thread case like yours but as yet have just jammed my skeins of thread in the box :( Tangles do inspire me to have internal if not external hissy fits, too, sometimes :) The winder contraption you got is brilliant! I can see why you could not resist the tin that certainly seems made for you! Blessings to you and yours, Gracie xx

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  19. Aw thank you so much Gracie - always so lovely to hear from you and enjoy your messages. Jo's suggestion re the round cushion came back to me a few minutes ago and I thought "Well, no decision need be made if it's in a round cushion" so you and I are on the same wavelength this morning Gracie! I have to laugh when you mention tangles for I remember in one of your posts you having a spot of bother with one huge tangle - they are all workable - just as in life in general, aren't they!!!
    I so appreciate all the lovely things you say Gracie, thank you, and I send blessings also to you and yours, Joy xo

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  20. Oh Joy, you truly live up to your name by spreading the joy! What a lovely post - your embroidery is just too beautiful, and I love it any which way up :-) And I'm with the others on the round cushion suggestion.
    Have a happy, blessed and joyful week,
    hugs xx

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  21. Thank you so much Gilly for your lovely message, and it pleases me no end to know you like my embroidery - I just love your little bird (message left on yours)! I am now considering the best way to produce a round cushion, another challenge!
    Blessings and warm hugs to you too lovely,
    Joy xo

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  22. Hello JOY, Please email me you are a give away Winner. thanks Judy

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    1. Well isn't that wonderful Judy, thank you so much and I'll be in touch shortly!
      Hugs, Joy xo

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  23. Gorgeous plants Joy :) And your threads are so colourful. I really should sort mine out ... they are a mess!

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    1. Thank you Annie - I love colour and having things organised makes life easier for me.
      Joy x

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  24. Hi Joy, how organised you are. Not sure which way is up with your embroidery, it looks great from all angles. In fact if you had the time to do three more .......
    You have some really striking looking flowers where you are. That waratah is magnificent.
    S xx

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    1. How lovely to hear from you again S - and thank you so much for your input - and laugh!
      In order to get over the dilemma I have 'more or less' decided to make a round cushion so 'watch this space', as they say!
      The waratah is an absolute beauty isn't it S (the spell corrector wants to put 'warpath' instead of 'waratah', silly thing!) and reminds me of the protea family - maybe there is a connection there!
      Have a lovely week S.
      Hugs, Joy xo

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  25. Hi Joy, I'm with you on the floss - stress!! Love your organised tin - yummy. Garden looks fabulous as well, must be lovely to spend time there, take care Sam xx

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    1. Hi Sam, lovely to hear from you again, and thank you! I do like being in the garden and am hanging out for some decent weather to really start enjoying it more - ah yes, stitching and yarning outside in the warm air whilst drawing in some vitamin D - can't wait!
      I hope your week is going well lovely.
      Joy xo

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  26. Well you are organized with all your embroidery threads! It's a sheer joy just to look at all the lovely colours. Love the jumping for joy tin!
    There are so many different stitches on that last sampler. Some of them look so intricate!
    Gorgeous garden shots and I like that unusual flower from your daughter.

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    1. Hello Sandra - you certainly share my feelings - something comes over me when I gaze on an array of colours - I'm sure my heart skips and I have moments of sheer bliss!
      I very much appreciate your lovely message Sandra, thank you!
      Joy x

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  27. I love this new design! It's so intricate. My vote is top right is "up". I think the weight of the blue band swings it round..All your flowers are so pretty...Spring has finally arrived here in Cape Town so our flowers are starting to bloom too...

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    1. Thanks so much Leeanne, for your input - I've now solved the quandary re the 'up' and will be posting about it on Sunday, all being well!
      I hope your Spring weather over there is better than ours has been so far; at least today we have had warm sunshine but rain and cold snaps forecast over the next few days again! I'm looking forward to your next post, to see what you've been up to.
      Hugs,
      Joy xo

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  28. glad you're enjoying your creative moments! The yarns look really pretty. How lovely to have a peach tree. I don't think I've actually ever seen one! maybe you need a warm climate. Love your budda! Heather x

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    1. Thank you Heather - it's always so nice to hear from you! I suppose a warm climate is a necessary part of growing peaches - I hadn't really thought much about that, so I think it means I take things for granted, which is not always a good thing; but I am grateful for my blessings. I love BB too! Joy xo

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  29. Such a lovely design Joy,I love all the colour plus the sight of all you organised flosses makes my hearts sing, I really must get on with mine. We have a peach tree in the garden, they do have the most beautiful blossom.
    Clare x

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    1. Thank you Clare for your sweet message, it's lovely to hear from you. I hope you are well.
      Joy x

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  30. Well it's a little hard to choose which way would look best 'up' Joy, if I were you I'd go with your first image it looks right somehow! Aren't children such a joy, lovely flowers from your daughter. btw j'adore your little bluebird from previous post, I managed to get a shot of one a while back, it gave me so much pleasure just to see it in my lens.

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    1. Thanks so much Grace for your lovely message - sounds like we're on the same wavelength with each point made. Have a great week! Joy x

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  31. Hi Sweetie! I've been away from the computer AGAIN, and I'm miss more of your wonderful posts...but I'll play catch up backwards from here. :)

    Your embroidery is lovely Joy. Lots of pretty stitches and colors, and I love your design too. It's hard to tell which way I like it best as if's lovely all ways..... okay, I think the first (top left) may be a favorite. :)

    Oh, your yard and those flowers are so gorgeous! The pink blooms on your lollipop tree are such a perfect pink. How beautiful! Buddha must be very happy to have such a beautiful garden to sit in! xo

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    1. So lovely to hear from you again Paulette - I was so glad to see you back on your computer; thank you so much for your lovely comments, I love reading them. The lollipop tree has more blooms now so I will probably include another pic with my next post, which should have been yesterday! Warm hug, Joy xo

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  32. I hope you've perked up now? I'm catching up after a busy time so forgive my lateness!

    I'm going to check out the crochet along link. I need a new project to get excited about but only if it's small....!

    Rachell - the little room of

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  33. Hi Rachel, thanks so much for caring! Am still having a bit of a struggle but 'best foot forward' is the only way eh!
    I'm sure you'd enjoy the crochet along with the lovely girls - I haven't joined this one, only because I have too much going on at this time but am enjoying seeing the lovely work anyway!
    Joy x

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