Stitching for Syria....

You may remember from this post here, that some time ago I stitched a block for "Stitching for Syria" for Concern, an aid organisation, who have asked stitchers around the world to stitch this little design to be made into a wall hanging to show the women of Syria that stitchers around the world are thinking of them and are aware of their plight.  It is also to give them inspiration for their own craft.  I found out about this via the lovely Jo, who also stitched a block.

Stitched on 28 ct Mocah Linen

Floss: Cottage Garden Threads 1004 Blue Ixia

Well, the other day, I received this great update email.

Dear Kaye,  Earlier this year, hundreds of you took part in our cross-stitch challenge in aid of Syrian refugees. Now the individual creations have been turned into three beautiful wall hangings. Stitch for Syria saw crafters from around the world re-create a cross-stitch pattern inspired by the refugee women at a Concern supported training centre in Lebanon. The women at the centre use embroidery to deal with the trauma caused by years of violent conflict, as well as earn a vital income. Now Jane Caldwell, a grandmother and retired lecturer from Northern Ireland has stitched the patterns together to make three wall hangings! The hangings feature over 900 individual squares from over 20 countries. Jane spent four hours a day for two months joining the patterns together, using over one million stitches!  Jane said: "I'm really pleased with how it has turned out. It's been amazing to see how creative people have been and how varied each design is...I hope the completed wall hangings will remind the Syrian women that we support them in the difficulties they face."  The hangings will soon be sent to Lebanon where they will decorate the centre where the women meet. Stay tuned for our next email showing the hangings on their journey to Lebanon.  How wonderful it is to have been part (albeit just a small part) of this great initiative. Thanks, dear Jo, for giving me the inspiration to take part. hugs to you all,  P.S. Sorry that the last two pictures are so large, but if I try to change the size they go out of proportion!

Long Easter Weekend FNSI.... and Smalls SAL post...

Our dear hostess for FNSI, Wendy B from Sugarlane Designs, decreed in her wisdom that Friday Night Sew In be postponed by a week and would last all of the Easter long weekend.  And as she decreed, it was so.

So, Friday night I finished my Stitching for Syria piece and posted it off. This is run by Concern, an aid organisation, who have asked stitchers around the world to stitch this little design to be made into a wall hanging to show the women of Syria that stitchers around the world are thinking of them and are aware of their plight.  It is also to give them inspiration for their own craft.  I found out about this via the lovely Jo, who also stitched a block.

Stitched on 28 ct Mocah Linen

Floss: Cottage Garden Threads 1004 Blue Ixia

I was very pleased with how the colourway turned out on this piece and it has been sent to the women of Syria with all of my love.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, I picked up 'Twas the night by Sue Hillis Designs, this is my Start #9 for DUCJFC2016

Before pic:

 After Pic:

I also made this delicious English trifle to take to my friend's place for dinner on Saturday night.

Sunday, I had my first go at baking Hot Cross Buns - I was pretty pleased with the result.

Easter Monday, I picked up my "America, the land that we love" sampler by Jean Farish, I have decided that Monday is 'Merica Monday, to keep on track with my stitching for my Americana SAL blog.  This is piece #10 for DUCJFC2016.

Before pic:

After pic - nearly finished the first two states: Alabama and Alaska - yay!

So, quite a bit of stitching for my extended FNSI weekend - most successful!

.... and now it is Wednesday evening, so I should tell you about my Tudor Tuesday stitching, this is my post from the Tudor Tuesday SAL blog:

Well, I thought that after spending so much time on Lizzie recently, I should pay some attention to her Dad.  So, I picked up this mini Henry Viii pattern which the wonderful Jo, from Serendipitous Stitching, sent to me last year sometime.  Thank you, dear Jo.

This was originally a kit but, of course, Jo had already stitched it so there is just the pattern with the Legend saying only colours not specific floss, so I was able to choose my own fabric and floss. I am stitching on 28ct French Country Spring green fabbie with assorted DMC threads but I have substituted a gold metallic thread for Henry's hat and chain.  I am so pleased with how quickly this has stitched up - this is only one evening of stitching:

So, if all goes according to plan - next Tudor Tuesday should see Henry all crowned, too!

This is #11 for DUCJFC2016;

.... and now, as it is Wednesday evening, here is my Smalls SAL post.

The first piece, of course, is the Stitching for Syria piece above and my other Smalls SAL piece is 'Twas the night before Christmas by Prairie Schooler, which I stitched for the Christmas Ornie SAL.  Here is the post here:

At the end of last month I was scrabbling for what to do for March - Santa and/or one or some of his helpers, when I turned to my old faithful, Prairie Schooler, and found Book #63  Christmas Samplers.

And then my eye was caught by the middle sampler, "The Night before Christmas" and then I saw Santa on his sleigh with three of his reindeers and Bingo!  There was my March choice.

I went to my stash and found some great Crafty Kitten overdyed 32 ct blue linen and two days later I was finished!  Woo Hoo!

This piece, of course, also counts for my Prairie Schooler SAL and forDUCJFC2016.

Okay I am finally done!

Off to Byron Bay tomorrow for a few days for a family friend's son's wedding - the whole family is going. DS1 and DDIL are driving down from Queensland and DS2 is flying in from Sydney, whilst TraderVic, DD and I are flying up from Melbouren - it will be the first time we will all be together for over a year - so I am pretty excited!

So, you may not hear from me for a few days as we are away for a bit of a holiday as well - how lovely!

hugs,