Three Amazing Giveaways - Millennium Frame, 60 Kelmscott Designsstitchers accessories and $50 Scarlet Letter gift certificate

Elizabeth Cox is finished and hung. I am delighted with her.

We have been having some cold weather at Poldhu Cove (well cold for Cornwall) and with clear skies the stars have been fascinatng to look up at.

I have used stars on my Christmas trees this year for the holiday cottage rentals

All our visitors this year are adults so rather than the traditional floor standing trees I thought to go with elegant and contemporary using the theme of gold, diamonds and pearls. I wonder if the theme will continue with the presents to go with the trees :o))

Ray has been away for nearly a fortnight and Blue and Poppy have been keeping an eye open for his return. We all missed him but now he and all his laundry are home.

Followers of my blog will be familiar with another blog I am involved with - Our Scarlet Letter Years. This group now has a Facebook Page and over 1100 members.

It is well worth checking out the Facebook group. In December we have three wonderful giveaways

1. A $50 gift certificate for the Scarlet Letter.

2. A Millennium Frame.

3. THE "KELMSCOTT" TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS where we have SIXTY of their stitchers accesories to be won.

2015 is going to be a fun year for the group with lots of group acitivites - we already have in place  a group SAL for these four samplers starting January 1st

This SAL is being led by Krista of Just Stitching Along. All four samplers are cross stitch and you can stitch just one, some or all.

We also have "Mastering Mary - A Group Learning Project" where we will be working through step by step a sampler with specialiity stitches. There will be lots of stitch tutorials, analysis and studying of motifs and bands. If you have wanted to stitch a band sampler that is outside your comfort zone this is a great learning opportunity.

The sampler chosen for the Group Learning Project is Mary Hurst. She is difficult to photograph in one so below are several photos of some of her bands. She measures 6.75" (w) x 32.50" (h).

Thank you to Bethany Gallant for allowing me to use photos of her stitched Mary Hurst.

I would like to wish all my followers and readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. May Santa bring you lots of stitching treasures to add to your stash.

November Check In

Winter has gently arrived on the Lizard Peninsuar after a long and glorious summer. Certainly one to remember fondly.

I like all the seasons for varying reasons and for me one of the attractions of winter (athough it can also be a down side) are the wild storms we experience. Sat tucked up safe and warm in Trewoon with a warm drink, the log burner and my stitching it is so exhilarating watching the sea toss and turn with big waves crashing onto the cove below.

This rosy picture is imagined before storm season - during or after a bad storm I will be looking forward to the return of summer.

Winter nights usually bring wonderful sunsets and  more stitching time and I have so many projects stacking up. I wish you could put more stitching time on your list for Santa !!!

Elizabeth Cox - Scarlet Letter

My current project is Elizabeth Cox which I put to one side to work on the model of Eleanor Parr. 

I had intended to stitch a hardanger/drawn thread project before picking her back up but she was calling so loudly to me so only a little progress has been made on Ivory Blush by Judy Dixon

My other current project is a heavily appliqued quilt, a few blocks have been stitched. Excuse the sags and creases but it has been pinned very quickly onto my design board.

The fun part will come after the quilt has been top quilted and then I can get really creative with embellishments which will include beads, buttons, ribbons, vintage lace, minature pegs and even some string for a washing line. Such fun !!!

I have acquired a few antique samplers this year including the Calcutt pair - both stitched by Lucy aged 8 and 9.

There is so much that appeals with these. I do hope that they will be reproduced.

I have just started the American Sampler by Sandy Orton which will be my weekend project so not much progress to show. 

The American Sampler - Sandy Orton

I am afraid I do not have any photos to include on this post of my walks on the Lizard. It's a long story but I lost the entire contents of a camera card.

I have been using Facebook more lately as a weekly check in on stitching projects so please send me a friend request if you are active on Facebook.

Eleanor Parr

I am so excited to introduce you to the finished "Eleanor Parr". She is now available to pre-order from Marsha Parker of the Scarlet Letter.

http://www.scarlet-letter.com/samplers/parr.php

I have had so much enjoyment stitching her and she now hangs proudly in my home. I hope everyone has as much pleasure from her as I have done.

ENJOY !!!

A Well Overdue Post

Ellen Gregson 

October 1st - where has the year gone?  It certainly has been  busy one. Lots of exciting happenings the most recent being my acquisition of Ellen Gregson.

Ellen Gregson

She is a beauty and Marsha Parker of The Scarlet Letter has agreed to chart her so we will all be able to share her.

Ellen Gregson

This charming pastoral scene is my favourite. The animals dressed in human clothing and poses are very Beatrix Potter.

Eleanor Parr is finished and at the framers - I will be posting more information and photos very soon. She is a stunner.

Archie continues to grow and flourish. He is very much a "doer" and likes to be busy outside on the farm.

He helped bring in the hay and with the building work

The Tall Ships came to Falmouth at the end of August and we took to the water to form part of the flotilla that accompanied them out of the Fal to start the race to the Isle of Wight.

They were a magnificent sight.

Seeing them from another boat gave you a true sense of their size.

So many of the small boats were crammed with people.

Music was playing and several boats were partying. The atmosphere was electric.

Ray took the laid back approach.

My parents have been visiting and by Father at 87 years fulfilled a life long ambition to fly a Boeing 747. 

Well not quite - we treated him to a lesson in a flight simulator.

He thoroughly enjoyed his day captaining the plane to Munich and Strasbourg with two landings and take offs. Ray took the jockey seat behind and said that it was all very real, there was even turbulence as they hit clouds..

I am now trying to find where he can try out a fighter jet simulator for his 88th birthday.

I attended a Papercraft workshop making this little bottle holder and next week I will be making  a double picnic basket. Both I intend to fill with homemade preserves and give as Christmas presents.

Time for Blue and Poppy's walk now.  

Eleanor Parr 1816 and Frenchman's Creek

I feel as if I have been missing in action but I have been busy stitching away on the model for Eleanor Parr. Eliz. Cox has been put to one side but will be picked straight back up when Eleanor is finished.

Eliz. Cox 

This is where I was when I started Eleanor.

Eliz. Cox

Marsha is still charting Eleanor and is currently working on the vines and leaves that connect the birds in the outer border. 

Eleanor Parr 1816

I have so much respect for Marsha's charting skills and seeing the chart grow has been an amazing experience.

Eleanor Parr 1816

The top of the centre panel has been charted and stitched.

Eleanor Parr 1816

Marsha is charting the sampler with the colours Eleanor used rather than the faded colours of time. 

Eleanor Parr 1816

It really is so pretty.

Eleanor Parr 1816

Miss Scarlet and Miss Georgina have made an appearance and the four corner motifs have been stitched.

Eleanor Parr 1816

Here is the first of the 18 birds. 

Eleanor Parr 1816

Thank you Marsha for allowing me to share these with you. 

Eleanor is a big girl at 426 x 490 and is stitched over two with the exception of the verse which is over one and a small area under the girls feet which will be in stem stitch but can be crossed stitched if preferred.

She should be ready for shipping at the end of October or November so will be perfect for our Christmas list.

I hope to post another sneak peak soon.

Besides Eleanor I have been busy with quilts for the cottages, I am on the 6th now but have no photos to show you as they were put straight into use as they came off the machine.

The summer has been long and hot - 36 C at Trewoon last week which for the UK is HOT !!! Thankfully we have a cooling breeze from the sea here.

I recently enjoyed a lovely walk with members of Gunwalloe WI to Frenchman's Creek made famous by Daphne du Maurier.

We started at the head of the creek and finished where the creek branches off from the Helford River - ENJOY !!!