Monday 7 October 2013

Sunday Stitchalong on Monday

Hello everyone, I'm running a bit late here but you know how it goes "Better late than never"! I hope you've all enjoyed a lovely weekend and are looking forward to an interesting and happy week. Many thanks to all of you for your lovely messages - I do so enjoy reading your interesting observations - and I'm very grateful to not be talking to myself!

Today I am only doing a short post to keep up with Sunday Stitchalong with Chrissie and friends and I'll do my 'regular' post in a few days.

 Just an apple and a couple of hearts but I did enjoy doing them! This time I decided to use only two of the six strands of floss at any one time, just for a change, and I think it does look a bit neater. Of course this time I had only pencil sketch marks to cover which is a lot easier than the effort involved after using my (too thick) indelible tracing pen!


This one is done mainly in back stitch and stem stitch plus that little border stitch is one I found in a Semco Embroidery Stitches booklet that I've had for .. .. well .. it may be over twenty years .. .. at a time when it seemed a good idea to get into embroidery but then nothing much came of it! Well, I say nothing came of it but my elder daughter, who has a memory like an elephant's, has reminded me of table cloths and such like that I turned my hand to. That girl never forgets a thing! This is a wonderful booklet actually, with all the stitches explained and illustrated so clearly, and, looking closely at the top right corner I see that it only cost $2.80 (brand new!) which is a far cry from today's prices, although that's all relative anyway!


Just a close-up in case you're against wearing glasses?!!! I'm only joking girls!


This little thing won't become a cushion - it will need to have a wee bit of protection as that stitch may not stand up to much wear and tear and would probably soon get tugged out of shape, were it in a cushion!


But last week's effort has become a cushion, so the dilemma about 'which way up' has been put to rest, and I do appreciate all the input from you lovelies regarding that point, thank you!



I may have stuffed this little thing too full, although these things usually flatten out a bit anyway in time, and I could have put an edging panel in it but decided to go the easy (well, not quite!) way and cut two equal circles and take it from there. I won't say that I'm thrilled with the result, but do still like the design and if at some future date I decide to make changes then I can easily do so. What do you think?

So now I'm off to catch up on some of your lovely new posts to see what you've been up to, but I will leave you with another couple of shots of my gorgeous lollipop tree, which has presented me with more blooms as well as much pleasure:



Wishing you all a happy, happy week full of all the things you best enjoy!

Joy xo

46 comments:

  1. Sweet new stitching project. I love your beautiful cushions and your blooming tree. Very nice!

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    1. Hello Joyful, and thank you for your kind comments - I'm looking forward to seeing your crochet progress, all the best with it!
      Joy x

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  2. Hi Joy, I love how you made your round embroidery in to a pillow, it was born to be a pillow. I like how the colours match the flowered cushion.I also like the little apple embroidery
    how clever to do hearts for the seeds.you are good I love seeing what you make next.lastly that tree is so pretty x
    .

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    1. Many thanks Joy, your messages are always lovely!
      Joy x

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  3. Hi Joy...you get so much done -I am envious!! And the cushion is lovely -and what a clever way of solving the which way up issue. Happy stitching!

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    1. Thank you once again Leeanne for your sweet message, always lovely to hear from you!
      Joy x

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  4. Hi Joy and what a joy to see your gorgeous cushions - I am so envious as they are just beautiful - every time I see your embriodery I want to try and get some done - not very good at it but I do find it so relaxing so should do more of it. You are an inspiration Joy and I do look forward to reading your blog. Hope you have a wonderful week too, big hugs
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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    1. So nice to hear from you again Dorothy - you always have so much on though, I can understand you not having time to fit in embroidery as well. Thank you so much for your kindness, I really appreciate it. Don't work too hard!
      Warm hugs,
      Joy xo

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  5. Dear Joy
    Another lovely project - you are super speedy! The cushions look lovely together too and as you say, if you want to change it in the future, you can (unlike something that has been bought). Just one of the many delights of a hand made item. Your tree is beautiful too.
    Have a lovely week.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. I'm so glad you like what I'm doing here Ellie - I seem to be hooked on a few things at the moment and there are not enough hours in the day to get to everything - even though I don't go out to work! I'm looking forward to seeing your up and coming project, it's all very exciting isn't it!
      All the best and warm hug,
      Joy x

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  6. Joy what a beautiful apple with the sweet hearts in it. It does look very neat indeed. I absolutely love what you have done with your cushion, wow!!! Well it most certainly was the best way to solve the problem of which way round, that is for sure. I think it looks beautiful on the sofa with your other cushion and how lovely for you to see it every day. Your lollipop blooms (can't help but singing the tune in my head) are gorgeous, what a beautiful pink and so vibrant! It must help a great deal to have someone in the family who remembers everything, I certainly don't. Thank you for your sweet comments at mine and I am pleased to hear that you abstain from gluten. I didnt have any substitutes for at least two years, but then I started to be a bit more relaxed about things, but I stay well clear from anything gluten. Wishing you a very lovely week, you will be on your way to the land of nod, enjoy your rest. Much love xoxo

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    1. Oh Hannapat, such a lovely message again, thank you! Yes, our Trace is remarkable with her memory skills and all the family are astounded at her ability to recall the minutest details so clearly! The gluten problem is such a pest but at least there are many more products available these days and people are so much more aware too, so generally it's easier to manage, don't you think?
      When it's 9.00 am for you over there it's 4.00 pm here on the same day Hannapat, unless your clocks have changed recently, which makes another hour difference back or forward depending on the time of year. I find it a bit confusing at times .. .. it's a regular problem I lay claim to, haha!!!
      Sending love and warm hugs,
      Joy xoxo

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  7. Fantastic cushion! It goes so well with the other one, and I love how you solved the 'which end is up' dilemma! The apple is so sweet - and I love how so many craft books ate just timeless! Enjoy your day and those stunning blossoms! Thank you for sharing, Chrissie x

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    1. I'm so glad you like it Chrissie, and thanks so much for all your encouragement, without which I probably wouldn't have kept on keeping on; I'm so enjoying the stitching!
      I just adore that pink blossom and find it quite incredible - there are so many lovely blooms around us at the present time, and at last we are having a couple of warm days to cheer us too.
      Warm hugs,
      Joy xo

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  8. Hi Joy! I love your new cushion! It looks so pretty sitting next to the flowery cushion you also made. Even though their designs are so different, they look like such a perfect pair! Your plump little apple stitching is adorable, and those lollipop trees make me so happy! :) xo

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    1. Lovely Paulette, you're having a busy time keeping up after your wee blogging break and I'm so glad to hear from you again! Once again, thank you so much for your kind words.
      Now that the blooms are further advanced you can see why it's called a lollipop tree can't you, and I'm looking forward to it's sweet little peaches appearing by-and-by.
      Do take care of yourself, warm hug, Joy xo

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  9. Your apple and hearts are beautiful, you're so neat and such pretty stitches. The two cushions work really well together. Gorgeous lollipop tree (haven't heard of it before), stunning blooms :) xx

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    1. there



      Thank you Cheryl - there's something about doing these little stitches that forces one to be neat - and it's so enjoyable too. I hope you are well and haven't caught your daughter's cold symptoms?
      Joy xo


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  10. Hello JOY, Your new cushion looks very pretty next to your other cushion.. They make a lovely statement together... Your Lollipop Tree is absolutely a stunning and beautiful tree.. I have never this unique kind of tree before.. Your other stitchery is also very pretty. Have a lovely week. Hugs Judy

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    1. Hello Judy, I'm glad you like the cushions together, thank you, and our little tree amazes us every year, each time seeming to be more beautiful than the previous blooming season; as I just mentioned to Paulette, you can now see why it's nicknamed the Lollipop - perfect shape eh! I expect you are having another full week Judy, so do enjoy it.
      Warm hugs, Joy xo

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  11. Your apple is so cute and what a great idea making a cushion as each way can be the right way up.
    Clare x

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    1. Yes, it seemed like the best way to overcome the wee problem and I'm happy it's being so well liked, thank you Clare. Keep well!
      Joy x

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  12. Joy, your stitching is so beautiful and I think making the circle pattern a pillow was a fabulous idea. Love your tree, it is so bright, a gorgeous shade of pink.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. Lovely Meredith - thanks so much for always being so sweet!
      That little tree even looks good when out of season with just sticks poking out everywhere, but when it's blooming as it is now I just love it to bits. Mother Nature blesses us, does she not!
      I hope your week is not too hard on you Meredith,
      Warm hugs, Joy xo

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  13. Hello Joy.
    How lovely to see a new post from you to have a read of. Your stitching is so pretty I love the apple design with the hearts, the colours go nicely together too.
    Brilliant little book you have there a bargain hey! You table cloths were obviously so good they couldn't be forgotten I wish I had some of your daughters memory!
    I'm terrible I have to write everything down hehe.
    Cushions are looking fab and don't look over stuffed at all. Really pretty.
    That Lolly pop tree is looking wonderful really pretty xx


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    1. Hello FB - it's always so lovely to hear from you, you never miss a beat and I thank you once again for your sweet message! My daughter emailed me last night with a pic of a little bookmark I had cross stitched for her and I did remember that one - it was more recent! I think what happens is we get so busy with different things over the years (and I have a lot more years under my belt than you!) that some things must take precedence over others and my brain is not big enough to hold on to everything, haha!!! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it! What's yours FB - come on now, be original, haha!
      How's all your lovely crocheting coming along? I'm sure you'll be enjoying it and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.
      Take good care of yourself,
      Warm hugs, Joy xo

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  14. I love how your design looks as a cushion cover, Joy. That's really different and beautiful. Your apple is really pretty too. That little stitch guide looks really useful; I love finding an old crafty item and trying it again. Crochet has been that way for me; I picked up projects and put them down for years, and finally it clicked and I wanted to get better and now I do some every day! Your lollipop tree is just stunning, it must make you so happy to see it every day. Take care. :)

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    1. Hello again Jennifer, and many thanks again for your sweet message - I'm so glad you like my little stitchies. Isn't it amazing how we can have a book stashed for years and don't even think about it, never mind give it attention, then all at once it literally falls off the shelf or jumps out of its little box to say "Here I am, I can be very useful" This one is so well laid out and 'understandable' and brought back so many memories - that shop is long gone now!
      I'm really with you here Jennifer, and I'm so glad your interest in crochet has now taken hold for you're doing such a lovely job with it. I have two blankets to finish but one may become a cushion when I work out how to do a half hexi in order to finish it off.
      Have a lovely week!
      Hugs, Joy x

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  15. Hello lovely Joy, your little apple with the hearts is so pretty and your stitching is perfect. I really love both your pretty cushions too, just lovely.
    Marianne x

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    1. Ah Marianne, another sweet little message from you, thank you - you're up late tonight!
      I trust your crochetalong is going well; I see lots of lovely folks joining in and wish there were more hours in the day so I could also be a part of the fun. Nevertheless I am enjoying the Stitchalong and it's really encouraging me to look deeper into the possibilities offered by 'needle and threads'.
      I hope you're still having some pleasant weather in your area before the cold really sets in; we are finally having a couple of warmer days and most folks seem cheerier with a bit of sunshine.
      Warm hug, Joy xo

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  16. Hi Joy, your little stitched apple is so sweet and your cushion is stunning, you are very talented. Deb x

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    1. Hiya Deb, and thanks so much for your sweet and welcome message.
      Joy x

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  17. Bravo, Joy! When I saw your round pillow I was so excited! Now one can enjoy your beautiful design from many angles :) and the two pillows together really compliment each other, each unique, yet drawn together in interesting harmony. The hearts in the apple design is charming, and your lavishly pink blossoms are nothing short of amazing. Thanks so much for posting!
    Gracie xx

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    1. Hello Gracie - what a wonderful message - you bring me cheer, every one of your lovely words is so much appreciated, thank you!
      Warm hugs, Joy xo

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  18. What a sweet design ... it would be perfect for a child to stitch for a teacher :)

    Your garden is looking fabulous Joy!

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    1. You're quite right Annie, it would!
      We do enjoy our garden and this is a good time of year for us when everything is bursting into bloom - before we know it the weather will be too hot to for us to get out and potter around, then it'll be the air conditioner we enjoy!!!
      Lovely to hear from you again Annie, thank you!
      Joy x

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  19. Nice to see the embroidery stitches you're using! Those pink blooms at the end of your post are just glorious!

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    1. Thank you Sandra - I attempt to use new stitches on a regular basis to 'increase my repertoire'. Someone likened the blooms to azaleas and I have to agree they are quite similar, except for their 'lollipop' form - I'm glad you like them!
      Joy x

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  20. Hi Joy, it's good to keep the older guides, the diagrams are often clearer than the photos In some of today's books. The cushions look great, and what a clever idea, so much fun arranging them.
    S xx

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    1. Hi S, I agree - it's strange how I had forgotten I even owned that booklet, but on the other hand I love and enjoy reading my new books too, full of lovely ideas for using the stitches. I DO still need to shop for books dear Hubby!!! Lovely to hear from you again S - happy stitching!
      Joy xo

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    2. Very clever solution to the 'which way is up' Joy. :) the flowers on your Lollipop tree look just like my azalea.., marvellous colour.

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  21. Hi Grace, lovely to hear from you again - the flowers are very azalea-like aren't they and the blooms last for ages too!
    Joy x

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  22. Hi Joy, congratulations on winning the pattern!!!!! I can't find an email link on your sidebar so could you email me please at tinkhickman@blueyonder.co.uk Thank you. Deb x

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  23. Thanks so much Deb, I'm feeling very fortunate now and have bought the (hopefully) winning lottery ticket for this weekend, after my lovely win from you and one from Judy at CJ Stitching and Blooms just a few days ago!!!
    I have emailed you Deb, and thanks very much once again!
    Joy x

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  24. It's occurred to me as I catch up on your posts that you need to add a Pinterest button so I can pin your sewing pics, would you please? It's easier then! X

    Ps I don't get notified of your replies if you do to any of mine btw, so miss them unless I think to check back which with my brain of custard is unlikely!

    Rachell - the little room of Rachell

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  25. Hello Rachel - yes, I always reply to all of the messages I receive here, yours included, but I am not notified after leaving messages on other people's blogs - I just keep check when looking at their new posts; all very time consuming eh, but enjoyable and inspiring!!!
    I haven't done much with Pininterest but will think about your suggestion Rachel, thank you so much for your interest!
    Joy x

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