Middle Earth Update

Although I have a ridiculously long list of stuff that still needs to be done, I have concentrated on my LOTR map because I can see where it is going to go in our living room. 

Middle Earth

Mirkwood

These little trees are hideously tedious but I am very slowly getting there. I do it bit by bit so I don't give up. 

But other than that I am very positive about how this is turning out

Sprite Stitch Swap

I am long overdue posting these pictures. After taking part in the mini swap last year I took part in the Sprite Stitch Big swap this summer.  I love Sprite Stitch and was thrilled to pieces to be part of the big swap....until I found out who I had to make for...I got BlackMageHeart (BMH) who is one of the most talented people and who does so much cross stitch that one of the other members actually went off on a rant and worked out how much she must stitch per hour relating to things that she had mentioned on the site. She is also the lady that runs the swap and the person you go to when you need help.  The only reason I was daunted by making something for her was because I wanted to make something good enough, because actually she is lovely - go and check her out at her blog BlackMageHeart.
So after much deliberation this is the package I sent:

A Phantasy Star online biscornu.  This was the first biscornu I made but I am so happy with how it turned out. It is also something just a little bit different.

"The Rant" stitched

 This just had to be put into stitch form and if anyone was born to stitch it is BMH

Black Mage Tote

Over the swaps BMH has always taken part and she has recieved many different forms of black mage, but I found a new one!  I like the idea of this tote bag though because you could have any 8-bit character relatively easily....maybe.....

Unfortunately my swappee seems to have disappeared into the void of time and space, but I am quite excited as I know several people are making up stuff to send out so no one gets left out, since I am the only person not to recieve anything I know that I should still recieve a lovely little parcel at some point. Yay!

Lightning McQueen fabric!

Look what dropped onto my doormat this week:

Lightning McQueenie!

While I was catching up on the blogosphere I happened to see a post over at SLIKstitches with this picture:

I commented asking Benta where she managed to find Cars fabric and she sent me what she had left!!!! How amazing is she? So Thank You very much.

I haven't decided what I am going to do with them yet, but my little boy (who is obsessed with Cars)  wants to take the fabric to bed to cuddle as it is, which is very sweet.  I am debating finding some coordinating fabric and making a little patchwork quilt for him, but I have to admit I haven't made one before so am a little nervous. So if anyone out there has a pattern and detailed instructions that are idiot proof for a simple patchwork quilt I would be very grateful.

Crafty Confidence

Way back in April, after the Easter holidays, I started a confidence course called "Butterflies" which I must admit, I was a bit dubious about it at first, but it was an absolutely amazing course, run by an amazing woman.  Every week as well as working on self esteem etc we did different craft projects.  So I thought I would share my favourites.

Painting by Numbers

 I must admit to choosing this paint by numbers, as I was reading Game of Thrones at the time, so was drawn to the wolfs.  I have never done a painting by numbers before, but I really really enjoyed doing this, and actually have completed a second one of horses for my daughter who started horse riding lessons this year and is obsessed with them.  

Dream Book

The dream book was a really interesting one to do.  Partly because I have never done decoupage before, and partly because it was a lovely thing to do.  It is our own little scrapbook of stuff that we want,want to do or dreams we have.  I really enjoyed doing this and would advice anyone to make their own, because it is nice to remember what you are about and what your dreams are sometimes. This is no way near finished but some of my pages are done:

Travel the world in a VW bus with my gorgeous hubby

Have my own craftroom!!

Follow F1 around the world!!!

Ok, so the last one is a)not finished and b)a tad unlikely.....but a girl can dream.  

Hanging Heart

 I love this heart I did because it is very me!

And then I made this little biscornu for Cheryl who runs the course (the company is called You're Amazing)

Butterfly Biscornu

Butterfly Biscornu

 I have fallen a little bit in love with biscornu's recently, and this was one of the first I have made and am quite happy with how it turned out - They are so sweet!!! 

I'm Back!

I'm back online! YAY!!!!! It has taken us two months to get the net installed, but finally it is here.  At first, I didn't think it would be too much of a problem, a challenge if you like. NO! Everything is online! It has been a nightmare, but after breathing deeply I shall move on...

 ...And in! We are now very settled in our lovely new house.  Most boxes are unpacked, and we know where everything is going to go eventually.  I have plenty of stuff to show and tell coming soon, including the sprite stitch big swap items and all the crafts from my Butterfly Course which includes all sorts.  In the move I have found up some of the cross stitches that I have completed and put away, and they are very slowly coming out to be framed and found homes. 
Also I can now see very clearly where the Middle Earth map is going to go so have been stitching like a mad woman on that and I am very excited to show off how far I have got.  There is still quite a lot to do but I am well over half way there with it.  
With Madam back at school and my Little Man starting nursery next week I will be able to find the time to tend to my very neglected blog so I shall see you soon.