Hello everyone,
It was touch and go as to whether I’d have anything much to show for the last three weeks in the cross stitch department but I made it!
First, this is what made me smile yesterday along with some crafty presents including a new cross stitch kit for a Christmas decoration, buttons for my stash and a handmade needle holder from my lovely friend Claire, not forgetting a gorgeous handmade card. There was also a new quilting ruler from my other half, sock knitting wool from my dear friend Lin (all shades of yummy purple), some Bali Pops and a quilting book from my sister ( she knows a challenge when she sees one!) and my daughter thought it was time to launch me into the 21st century with a smart phone. So now you can see why I was a little bit distracted from sewing yesterday. The recipe links for this cake and a baked cheesecake are in the comments below.
Then, just when I thought my birthday celebrations were coming to an end, I received a phone call from a wonderful family friend, who lives half way around the world in India. Isn’t technology amazing? It was lovely to catch up with him at the end of a great day 🙂
Yes, stitching this block meant burning the midnight oil on my birthday last night but I really enjoyed having the deadline for once. I’d sewn the border a couple of days before and it was a good job I had.
This is how it looks with the other seven blocks.
The design is by Whispered by the Wind and both me and Claire are stitching it. All of the other SAL members are stitching something different. Even though my enthusiasm for stitching this piece is waning, I’m enjoying getting it done bit by bit and I’m glad I didn’t push it in a drawer and forget about it. It isn’t the fault of the design or the chart, it’s just that I have other things to do at the moment. Anyway, I really enjoyed the enforced sewing marathon yesterday.
The other crafters in the group are also posting updates today so do pop over to see what they’ve been up to.
We have a new SAL member to introduce this time. Please visit LucyAnn over at LucyAnn and Luna Craft. She is embarking on a Disney design. I’ll be cheering her along with that 🙂
The rest of the group can be found by clicking the following links.
Claire, Gun, Carole, Alison, Jule, Elizabeth, Wendy and Kate.
Our next update will be on 8th March 2015. We hope to see you then.
Avis x
Sewing Beside the Sea 
katechiconi
/ February 15, 2015A very happy belated birthday, and congratulations on your loot! I’m glad you had the dedication to keep stitching despite the distraction; it wouldn’t be the same without you!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015I’ll always have something to show for the SAL. It’s just the amount that is tricky!
Carole
/ February 15, 2015I do like a nice deadline for making me get stuff done 😉
Love the latest block, and that’s a lovely lot of Birthday presents you have there. Belated Happy Birthday from me 🙂
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015I don’t usually relish the pressure which is why this SAL isn’t supposed to have any LOL!
claire93
/ February 15, 2015well done on block 8 Avis ^^
I am still amazed that we don’t seem to have stitched a similar block yet. How is that possible????
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015Hmmm….perhaps it’s because I keep changing them 😉
witchylin
/ February 15, 2015I am so pleased you had a happy Birthday and you are now the proud owner of a smart phone. There will be no stopping you from now on. I guess the cake was made by your daughter.
Your cross stitch SAL is looking great. No sign of the rushed the job to get it ready in time. I do like the colours, the more you do the nicer it looks.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015Yes, we have our own private baker here. I’m told it’s a Victoria Sandwich cake with buttercream frosting and seedless raspberry jam. It’s very calorific and deeeeelicious! Thank you so much for the sock wool. I can’t wait to get started 🙂
minerva
/ February 15, 2015Well done on completing another block despite all the lovely distractions – oh and a belated Happy Birthday too!
Alison x
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015Thank you! It’s nice to have those kind of distractions, though I’m often told my birthday is far too close to Christmas. It suits me fine 😉
Jule
/ February 15, 2015A happy belated birthday! 🙂 No need to worry about the time it takes to finish – my butterflies took about fifteen years. I love to have this little deadline now, otherwise some projects would never see the light of day. Thanks for encouraging me to join your SAL. 🙂
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015Yes but you also have your UFO Garage which is the best idea ever! I love your UFO lottery. Thanks for joining the SAL. Where else would we have found embroidered beetles and dinosaurs 🙂
rutigt
/ February 15, 2015Happy Birthday!!!!!! I guess it was a perfect day 🙂
Gun
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015Correct! Fun, fun, fun and sewing to finish it off 🙂
Eleanor Gordon
/ February 15, 2015Cake recipe… https://sunandcake.wordpress.com/2015/02/14/birthday-cake/
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015Thanks for posting and for all the smiles yesterday 🙂 I’ve mentioned your delicious cheesecake too!
Eleanor Gordon
/ February 15, 2015There’s the cheesecake one: https://sunandcake.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/cheesecake/
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015Thank you 🙂
kiotta
/ February 15, 2015Many Happy Sewing Returns! 😉
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 15, 2015Thank you 🙂
wendy
/ February 18, 2015happy birthday! The design is coming along nicely. I know how you feel about losing enthusiasm for a piece, I usually find it comes back at some stage though
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ February 18, 2015Thank you. We just have to keep going. It isn’t much to ask to do one block every three weeks. This time next year it should be finished 🙂
knettycraft
/ February 20, 2015Hello Avis… I’m really late but I want to wish you all the best to your birthday too. I see you enjoyed this day and hope you’re fine.
I started following this blog too. Take care Annett xx
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ March 6, 2015and I’m really late in replying too! Things are improving here….still busy but definitely improving thank you 🙂
Isabel's Needleworks
/ March 4, 2015Happy Long belated Birthday Avis ! hope its was a good one.. and I love the cross stitch..haven’t picked up my cross stitch project in ages.. but I am hoping soon I will get a chance 🙂
Izz
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ March 6, 2015Please excuse the late reply! I did have a lovely birthday and can’t believe it is March already. Where does the time go?