I've been trying to get a few things finished off before the end of the year, there's quite a few UFOs in my basket that have been there for way too long so as DH says I'd better get on with it! The first picture is of the exchange stitching that I've done for my partner for our twice a year exchange. I really enjoyed stitching this.

Prairie Schooler

Next is a stitch that has been on my list to finish for ages, it only needed the backstitching done  and there was quite a bit of it and now it's waiting for DH to frame so it's given us both something to do. We are trying to fill in the days now that we can't get out in the garden at the moment as it is so wet, I'm just hoping that he doesn't decide to start decorating again, I think I've done enough painting for this year.

Fancy teapots from a Readers Digest cross stitch book

The next finish is a freebie from Instagram, a lovely little Christmas stocking that will be ready to hang by the fireplace when Santa comes.

J B W design freebie

I've only bought a couple of presents up to now as the grandchildren tend to change their mind so much so I usually wait until as close to Christmas as I can get before I buy them something.

Some kind soul had decided to spend all my Nectar points that I'd saved on my Sainsbury's shop, thankfully they have been refunded so the Christmas shopping will be a little bit cheaper but how can someone in London use my details when I live in Derbyshire.

Another funeral to attend this week, DHs brother in law this time, I hope this will be the last one that we have to go to this year, it's getting too sad saying goodbye to loved ones.

No recent photos of the garden to show as it's been too wet, but the colours are gorgeous out there so even though it's been too cold it's been nice viewing them through the window in the warm.

These were taken a few weeks ago before all the wet and windy weather blew a lot of the leaves off.

A shopping day today and then back to some stitching or knitting this afternoon, it's so nice to be retired.

Take care all,

Sue xx

Another oldie framed

 

I've just been checking back on my blog and hadn't realised that I started this SAL of Beatrix Potter in 2011. I finally finished it in 2015 and since then it has been in a drawer with all the other stitching that needs framing or finishing off. OH framed it for me a couple of weeks ago and it's now hanging on the wall where it belongs. I have quite a few pieces that I got fed up with stitching on or my tastes changed but looking back through them now I want to at least finish another one or two this year.

February's ornament is finished, I'm not sure if I'll finish them off as trees as they are in the booklet or whether to just have them with a loop for hanging on the tree. No rush at the moment to decide.

Another small stitch to make up, I can't remember who it is by and the chart has been put somewhere safe and I can't find it either. Too much going on in this old brain of mine lately and not all of it good.

Another couple of project bags have been made and have made a welcome change to get my sewing machine out as it doesn't get used as much as it should. Lots of fabric in the cupboards waiting to be used, both patchwork and dressmaking so I ought to make more of an effort before gardening season is upon us.

I had a craving for something sweet over the weekend so a little baking was done, needless to say that there's not a lot left of either the cake or the tarts now. I love making cakes, it was the last job that I had in my working life when I made cakes for a tea room which I really enjoyed doing.

No flowers in the garden at the moment though we have been out getting everything in the garden ready for Spring but a nice bunch of daffodils makes things look cheery. OH is out in the garden now putting in new compost bins that he's made but as it's raining I don't think he'll be out there much longer.

That's about it for now, take care,

love Sue xx