The Blue Ribbon Sampler is Finished. HURRAY !!!

The Blue Ribbon Sampler by Olwyn Horwood

The Blue Ribbon Sampler by Olwyn Horwood was finished on Sunday afternoon. HURRAY !!!

The Blue Ribbon Sampler by Olwyn Horwood

I did change the filet panels. 36ct turned out not to be a problem with cutting the threads but the floss I had was far too bulky to do the ghost stitching so I substituted beads and changed the design slightly. The needle weaving was great fun.

Here are the final corrections

Page 84 6th border second flower from the left stitch as other flowers. Error in dmc 3822.

Page 86 3rd border middle flower set of leaves missing to the right.

Page 86 7th border stitch middle flower as the 1st and 3rd error on the tips also stitch the leaves on the middle vine/stem to match the other two, error on the right hand side.

There were a few other corrections which I managed to lose on my ipad notes. So sorry.

Do not let the charting errors put you off stitching this stunning sampler. My advice would be to study each border before you stitch it and you will spot the small corrections needed. I would recommend that you tack out the positioning of the three centre panels before you stitch the speciailty stitches as there is no room for "winging" a counting error.

I have been itching to start Dona Dorotea by The Scarlet Letter. I am stitching her on Lakeside Linen vintage meadow rue 36ct with AVAS threads.

Dona Dorotea - The Scarlet Letter

My other project SDW, another TSL project is progressing well. It is surprising how much you can achieve just having one stitching session per week.

Although I could not stitch her this weekend as Santa came to visit together with many of our family. Nineteen all told !!

We had an early "Christmas" for my MIL and her family travelled down from Wales for the weekend. We were quite a house full. 

Thea and Rhys my SDD's two boys were so excited that Santa was coming early, we put out food for the reindeer and cake for Santa before going to bed. They were up bright and early and great fun was had watching their delight as they opened their presents from us. 

It is a grandparent's privilege to spoil their grandchildren.

Theo and Rhys did the draw for The Scarlet Letter Year first monthly prize and Leona in Australia won 10 AVAS threads of her choice. Well done Leona. 

As my MIL is not well enough to sit at a table we had a buffet style meal which was a success. Too much food as usual but all delicious. We had to put most of it out on the worktops.

We had a lovely present as well on the weekend. The painting of Millie, Blue and Poppy was delivered by the artist David Sandell. We are so pleased, he has captured the spirit of each of my babies. I miss Millie so much.

I will be taking this and BRS to the framers this week.

I received  a surprise in the post yesterday from Gracie of needles pins and dragonflies. A beautiful hand made humming bird. Isn't it adorable.

Over the years I have collected quite a few little feathered birds for Christmas decorations and I place them amongst the greenery of my garlands.

Thank you Gracie for this perfect gift, it will remind each Christmas time of your generosity and kindness of heart.

I am very busy at the moment designing the layout and interior design of a new cottage "By The Seashore". This cottage was originally the stables/garage with coachman/driver's accommodation. Lots of wooden beams and stone walls and amazing views.

By The Seashore, Trewoon, Poldhu Cove

The kitchen has been planned and ordered. I have chosen solid oak free standing units with back granite worktops. A custom made oak island in cream not the blue shown and a stunning custom made double plate rack again in oak.

I have gone for a black retro Smeg fridge freezer and a large retro black range cooker. I must be mad having  another Smeg fridge, the parts are so expensive and the customer service poor but they look so good.

I have designed both the shower room and the bathroom and am ordering everything today. I have gone for a huge shower for the ground floor bedroom ensuite, I love the space when showering. On the first floor there is a very spacious bedroom with a quirky beamed ceiling. In the ensuite bathroom  I have chosen this free standing bath. When you have been out walking the coast paths its good to relax and soak in a hot bath. 

I am choosing the bedroom furniture today. I have always envisaged a big brass bedstead in this  room. I want our visitors to be able to lie in bed enjoying the view of the cove and sea.

The baby's due date in getting ever closer and I want to share with you a cape that I have knitted.

My DS, Chris had an identical one when he was a baby and I was so pleased when I found the vintage pattern on ebay.

As this may be my last post before Christmas I wanted to wish you all a season of blessings.

May the joy and peace of Christmas be with you all through the Year.

Nicola xxx

The 8th Day of Advent

Good Morning dear "pin" pals and welcome to the 8th day of the Advent Calendar Blog Hop. 

A BIG THANK YOU to Jo of serendipitousstitching for arranging the blog hop, Jo's events are always great fun to participate in.


I would like to share with you a favourite festive piece

Snowflakes - LHNs

It is dear to me as on the 24th December many years ago Ray and I got married at the Snowflake Inn in Stowe, Vermont on a skiing holiday.


December is the month that I like to use my Gingerbread House etui and it sits next to my sewing chair. 

Gingerbread House Etui - Victoria Sampler

It is such a festive design.

Gingerbread House Etui - Victoria Sampler

The theme for this year's Blog Hop is "Stocking, Sack or Something else". Here at Trewoon we place our presents under the tree.

Not many there yet as I still haven't started my wrapping.

We have two trees and this year there should be quite a few goodies under them as we have nineteen coming to celebrate Christmas.

It is going to be a very special Christmas for us as I have my first grandchild due to be born on New Year's Eve.

Earlier this year I made a christening gown.

Christening Gown

The sleeves were very fiddly.

I added some pearls to the bottom scallop and sleeves.

I loved these little buttons, so sweet.

I have been very busy these last two weeks with Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year. I would like to thank everyone who has supported the challenge. The nicest things in life are always better when shared. 

We are now at 120 + participants (!!!) If you would like to join in please email me but it is essential that you include your email address. We have many who have contacted us that have been no reply bloggers and we have been unable to sign them up. (if you have asked to joined and haven't had a response this could be the reason, please email again)

Marsha Parker, the amazing and very talented designer of The Scarlet Letter is participating with the challenge and will be regularly contributing to the blog with sneak previews of new designs and will be answering questions.

You can imagine my excitement as Marsha is one of my heroes.

The Blue Ribbon Sampler - Olwyn Horwood

Despite being behind schedule I am very nearly there with BRS. The dreaded filet panels are looming. I think that I will only be working on them when my eyes and brain are fresh. It is the 36ct that is making me nervous of cutting the threads  I have bought some new hardanger scissors as mine have had a lot of use.

SDW Sampler - The Scarlet Letter

The SDW sampler that I am stitching one day per week as a SAL with Michele, Elaine, Krista, Shannon and Robyn is great fun and I really enjoying the inter action between us. Thank you my stitching sisters for making this a memorable and loved sampler.

Last weekend was my MIL's birthday and we had family visit with us to celebrate her birthday. On the day they were due to arrive I tore around the house making sure that everything was perfect for their arrival and then I popped out to the supermarket to pick up a few odds and ends.

When I returned home this is what greeted me.

Ray's boat had come out of the water for the winter and he decided to wash his mooring ropes in my clean sink !!!!

He told me that he thought that I would be pleased as he hadn't used the guest bathroom.

Why he couldn't of used the boot room sink I do not know. Don't you just love them.

I may have the last laugh though as he went through a whole bottle of washing up liquid so he might find that he starts to "foam" when the boat goes back in the water in April. 

A warm welcome to my new followers, if you have a blog and I haven't signed up to follow please let me know so that I can do so.


Thank you for visiting and I wish you and your families a merry Christmas, a joyous Hanukkah, a happy Kwanzaa, no matter how you celebrate may it be filled with love, laughter and good food and company.



Warm Wishes from Stitching By A Cornish Sea Shore Nicola xxx