Thanks for looking at my blog and all comments are appreciated

Monday 28 October 2013

Why do I feel a right Twit over Twitter? Latest cushions completed and the big project

Twitter

I am in desperate need of a lesson on how to use Twitter.  Don't get me wrong, I am not bothered about using technology, in fact I must be one of the first people in our family to purchase new technology that's out.  When it comes to Facebook, I can use that easily, Pinterest I am getting used to - uploading new photos of cushions created, even creating a website for my online business........but Twitter........I feel such a twit over it!!!!  Am I the only one?

Like Facebook, I have both a personal account and an account for Created with Stitches, but I struggled with not only my personal Twitter account but also the account I set up for Created with Stitches, that I deleted the Created with Stitches account.  One person I do know who is well used to (Twittering?)  is Anabel, one of our ex-looked after children young person who Twitters away constantly.  Now she is away at university, it looks like I am going to have to wait until the Christmas break when she returns home for Christmas to have a lesson off her.....and hope I can master it and get my Business Twitter account back up and running again.

Cushions completed

This week, I have been busy making more cushions to upload onto my website www.createdwithstitches.co.uk and my Facebook page.  Along with this,  I have also used this week to revamp my website to give a more professional feel to it and have added some photos of them.    My aim was to be able to take them into the garden yesterday afternoon (when I started to write my blog) to photograph them in natural light, but unfortunately over here in England we were expecting Jude to blow over the southern and eastern parts of the country so I had to wait until today.










I also managed to complete some small cushions that can be hung.







Now the storm has blown over (excuse the pun) and all the photos are taken I can upload them onto my website.

The Big Project

This week has also seen me manage to get some time on my big project.  I have to admit  I am finding the last part on the left hand side a bit tedious so have moved onto the middle working my way down. Last night I managed to get 500 stitches done and if I can manage my time effectively I will soon have the remainder of both Ben and Natalie stitched.  I'm looking forward to seeing how much more I can complete by next week, whilst I aim to post a new blog post on Sundays it is now looking like being a Monday supplement.

I need a break from this section.
I know it may seem strange why I have chosen this spot to start more stitching but my aim is for Ben and Natalie to be seen on here.
Since this photo was taken we have changed the decor once and are in the process of redecorating the house so it was interesting to see how the stitching brought back memories of the colours.
Lisa xx

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Hectic week, a happy customer and back on my big cross stitch

This week has been tough, everything has seemed to go wrong with kids coming down ill, misbehaving, totally taking no notice of anything Steve and I have said.  Whoever said about working children and animals was totally right and this week I have felt that I should have taken notice.  However, by Friday evening, just in time for the weekend the household descended into peace and tranquility.  I suppose looking back, now it is peaceful, I would not change a thing - well sometimes I might.

On top of my Christmas orders for cushions, I also had an order for a birthday cushion via Facebook on a local crafts page.  Combining a busy family life with my hard working husband, illness and meetings regarding some of our looked after children, the end result for Heidi's birthday cushion came out on time and provided me with another happy customer, a happy recipient and more likes on my Facebook page.





This week, I finally got out my large cross stitch and have restarted it.  Although it had been put away in a safe place, it was beginning to look a bit grubby, so with fingers well and truly crossed, I put it into a pillow case and into the washing machine on a hand wash on a 30 degree temperature.  I have to admit, I was really worried on how it would turn out, but the end result was brilliant.  Victoria's christening dress and the shirts Stephen and (half of) Ben's shirt came out white again.  

Came out of the machine so fresh and clean, more than I expected!!!
Still plugging away at those dreaded confetti stitches.
Whilst I do find cross stitching my way of relaxation, stopping me from raiding the cupboards etc, even though I wash my hands before stitching and put the stitching back in a protective cover.   Its amazing how much you, well I try to keep it clean, it can get dirty from time to time, especially with how long this is taking me to complete.  Part of me wants to finish this little piece, but its driving me crazy.  I am wondering whether of not to leave this piece until later on and to start concentrating on getting the rest of Benjamin on there and most importantly, Natalie.








Sunday 13 October 2013

Back to Blogging Again

It’s been ages since I last wrote on my blog, and such a lot has happened.  The first half of this year was a rollercoaster of emotions where life will never be the same again following last December.   Even cross stitch took a back seat and now I have begun to pick up my needle with my business, I am getting into the frame of mind to continue with my photo cross stitch.

During the summer holiday, whilst the kids were off school, we undertook a big road trip in the motorhome. Travelling from Suffolk to Cumbria, then we headed onto Somerset for a long weekend and catch up with two of my brother-in-laws.  From Somerset we travelled up to Derbyshire before heading to the North Norfolk Coast to round off the summer.  

There are a lot of photos showing where and what we have been up too since my last update and the stitching I have been getting back into.  Hopefully soon I will be able to show more updates of the big cross stitch I am still  sorry going to continue on shown in previous blogs.

Picturesque scenery up in Cumbia

I couldn't believe this, it was like they were used to photographs being taken and were ready for the posing

A day at the Beatrix Potter Attraction, Peter Rabbit

Mrs Tiggywinkle, I sometimes think I am like her with all the washing that needs doing in our busy household
Bakewell, Derbyshire, home of the famouse Bakewell Tarts......

.......and puddings
Trip to 'Seal Island' off Hunstanton

the seals were so tame, however.......

...all I could think about was the penguins in Madagascar......'Smile and wave boys, smile and wave'

I cannot say that the trip went without hitch, instead of me doing some stitching whilst I was away, I was the one who ended up being stitched on after cutting my leg open whilst on a walk and having to be taken by ambulance to Lancaster Royal Infirmary to be operated on.  10 stitches later and a joke from the surgeon that he had stitched my leg in the shape of Lake Windermere as a memento I was able to return to the motor-home the next day after being admitted only to return to a flooded out campsite and awning.  

Following our road trip, it was back to school for the kids for 2 weeks before we had another holiday away, this time we flew out to Rhodes to see my step-son and his fiancĂ©e get married.  The wedding was held in Kalithea Springs and was a beautiful ceremony.   Even the bride was creative making a brooch bouquet. 

View of Rhodes from our resort

Kalithea Spa, a beautiful setting that the photos do not do it justice



One of the entrances to Rhodes Old Town

Me and Victoria nicknamed him Spike


Steve and me after a total week of relaxation

Ben at the wedding

Victoria at the wedding

The brides bouquet, which was gorgeous, heavy and made by herself
Stitching wise, I have been busy, stitching a cushion for one of our young people who have lived with us for 6 years and is now off to university, a 2nd wedding anniversary cushion, a wedding cushion and starting to get stock done for a craft fair for Christmas on top of Christmas orders for presents.  I am currently working on another cushion which will be revealed after the recipient has received it.  All this is happening on top of trying to de-clutter the house ready for a major redecoration. 

Our young person who lives with us, for all her hard work who has now gone to Leicester University

An order for Angelina's Christening.  This cushion was a medium sized one at 102 x 10"

Cushion order for a birthday

I thought this was so apt, , even though I am married myself all I know of anniversaries is another year.  I actually learnt that a 2nd wedding anniversary is actually cotton.

Another christening cushion, this time for a little boy

The lady who ordered this cushion liked the end result so much.....
......she ordered another

For my step-son and lovely daughter-in-law, ordered by my husband who was told, yes even he has to pay for cushion orders too.

Small Godmother Cushions

Small cushions made up ready for a craft fair

My mother ordered this cushion for another Christening

Thanks for looking at my blog, and any comments are really appreciated and will be replied to.

Lisa xxx