Well, I did e-mail Black Sheep as I said the other day, but they say 'they have no record of their money being up from the show'. As it didn't look like they were actually keeping proper records there, (i.e. comparing stock shifted to cash received) I would say that they wouldn't even know if they were up or down, and clearly don't give a rat's behind anyway! I'm totally mad and disgusted with that kind of attitude! Yes, of course, I'm angry with myself too for not paying closer attention when I was getting my change (or not, as the case appeared to be!), but I do think that they could have been a lot more like Pearsalls' Silks who, as soon as I e-mailed them about the missing threads in their kit, sent full skeins to me by return post, never mind just the lengths needed for the kit! Clearly, customer relations are more important to some companies than others, but I know one who has lost my custom! Their mail said that they hoped it would not deter me from shopping with them again, but I lost no time in telling them that it certainly would! Pearsalls' I'd recommend to anyone, but Black Sheep can discount and offer free postage until they're blue in the face, but I won't even look at their stand next time!
Ugh!
Started Stitching Something...
Started last night on a bookmark for a friend who's off to a special training school for 2 weeks next weekend. It was on my list for this year to do for him, but now seems like a good time. <-This is a(n awful) photo of the kit that I pinched from the Textile Heritage site and I'll put a WIP later in the week. I hope to have it done PDQ though! I've done all the red border stitching already as well as the bits of turquoise that are next to it.Just e-mailed the company at whose stand I think I lost the £15. I hope it was that and that they found themselves about that much over when they cashed up. Then I expect they'll give me the money OK. I don't mind it I have to spend it with them as I like the look of plenty on their site. Of course, it's awfully hard to sort this kind of thing as there's no reason why they should believe me! Anyone could try this kind of thing and not be telling the truth. I am honest, but they don't know that! On the other hand, the lady who served me might even have noticed too late and felt rotten all weekend, so we'll see. Will update as and when I can on that one.=)
A Show and an SS Parcel!=)
Plenty of stash added to the collection yesterday, but only one thing that, had I not made an exemption of stitching show buys (or what's the point in going?), would have broken the challenge rules!!!
Firstly, yesterday morning I got my first Secret Sister package. It's the one for February, but was nice and early. Makes a real change as I frequently got mine late when I used to do these exchanges a few years ago. Here's what I got:
5 skeins of GAST, 5 of Anchor Marlitt, 1 of NN's #5 pearl cotton, 2 of Caron Waterlilies Silk, 3 boxes of Mill Hill Beads, 2 of Treasures, a ball each of DMC #8 and #12 pearl cotton and some hardanger bookmark patterns. The Waterlilies, DMC pearls, beads and treasures are all for a challenge item I plan to do for my mum and the others are from my wishlist. All except the pattern that is and that makes me suspect the identity of my SS.....!!!!=) It was a lovely package and, apart from the fact that I'd put a pack of beads on my list that I already had (my own silly fault), everything was just great! I want more Marlitt now I've started a collection..... Eeek!
Most of what I bought at the show was for private exchanges with Petra and for the lady whose Secret Sister I am, so I can't put a photo here for fear of spoiling the surprise for them. These are what I got for me: A metre of white hardanger band which I hope will do for the challenge item where I said I needed linen band - I just need to double check the stitch count, and 7 things of organza ribbon. Most of them have 2 different shades and 2 thicknesses on so for only 75p each, they were a total bargain! The company who sold them want to see photos of anything I stitch with them as they're were interested in them being for ribbon embroidery. I might even get my work featured on their site one day!!!=)
Firstly, yesterday morning I got my first Secret Sister package. It's the one for February, but was nice and early. Makes a real change as I frequently got mine late when I used to do these exchanges a few years ago. Here's what I got:
5 skeins of GAST, 5 of Anchor Marlitt, 1 of NN's #5 pearl cotton, 2 of Caron Waterlilies Silk, 3 boxes of Mill Hill Beads, 2 of Treasures, a ball each of DMC #8 and #12 pearl cotton and some hardanger bookmark patterns. The Waterlilies, DMC pearls, beads and treasures are all for a challenge item I plan to do for my mum and the others are from my wishlist. All except the pattern that is and that makes me suspect the identity of my SS.....!!!!=) It was a lovely package and, apart from the fact that I'd put a pack of beads on my list that I already had (my own silly fault), everything was just great! I want more Marlitt now I've started a collection..... Eeek!
Most of what I bought at the show was for private exchanges with Petra and for the lady whose Secret Sister I am, so I can't put a photo here for fear of spoiling the surprise for them. These are what I got for me: A metre of white hardanger band which I hope will do for the challenge item where I said I needed linen band - I just need to double check the stitch count, and 7 things of organza ribbon. Most of them have 2 different shades and 2 thicknesses on so for only 75p each, they were a total bargain! The company who sold them want to see photos of anything I stitch with them as they're were interested in them being for ribbon embroidery. I might even get my work featured on their site one day!!!=)The only downer yesterday was that I had about £60 at the show, came back with about £10 and only have goods enough for £35, including the sandwich I bought and my share of the parking costs. It seems that I got change for £5 at one stand instead of £20 or something like that and didn't notice as I was rushing to keep up with my friends and talking to the lady on the stall! So, in effect, I've paid for the SS parcel!=( I think I know which stall it was and I will e-mail them and ask that, if they are £15 up on what they should be, could I please have my change??
Four Sympathy Cards
Here are 4 small hardanger cards I've been doing this weekend following the death of my Aunty Vicky last Thursday.
They're for my mum, her one other remaining sibling and Aunty Vicky's two surviving children (her son died about 9 years ago). Although she was the aunt who was geographically nearest to us, I hardly knew her to be honest so, of course I'm sorry that she's gone and sorry for my mum, but it hasn't made a very big impact on me. Funeral is next Tuesday morning and I'll be there to support the family.
They're for my mum, her one other remaining sibling and Aunty Vicky's two surviving children (her son died about 9 years ago). Although she was the aunt who was geographically nearest to us, I hardly knew her to be honest so, of course I'm sorry that she's gone and sorry for my mum, but it hasn't made a very big impact on me. Funeral is next Tuesday morning and I'll be there to support the family.
HUZZAH!
A finish! My first of the year and also the first of the 50 project challenge. Here he is, the completed blue tit in all his back-stitched glory!=)
Isn't he pretty?=) I just love him.
Blue tit update
At long last, here's the current status on the blue tit cross stitch picture. I'm almost done with him, just some more back stitch to do - it's very plentiful on this design, but it does bring it to life in some detail.=)
Things are a bit wild at the mo, so I'm doing very little stitching. Can't settle to anything and have only done about a third of the dog's nose so far. Not worth an update photo on that just yet. I'm sure it'll pick up soon though, esp. when enough of the decorating is done for me to be able to sleep at home, instead of always escaping to my poor mum's!
Things are a bit wild at the mo, so I'm doing very little stitching. Can't settle to anything and have only done about a third of the dog's nose so far. Not worth an update photo on that just yet. I'm sure it'll pick up soon though, esp. when enough of the decorating is done for me to be able to sleep at home, instead of always escaping to my poor mum's! Got an awful lot of work to get through over the next couple of weeks, so I daresay posts could be very sparse, but money shouldn't be and we may be able to get the hall and bedroom carpetted and new curtains bought for the bedroom too. Will post WIP photos there soon too, when it's tidy enough and there's enough natural light. It's so dark these days!
The saga continues.....
Seems like everyone is doing a review of their finishes during the year, so here's mine:
Cross stitch:
4 Cards - 10th & 20th wedding anniversaries, a wedding and DH's graduation card
2 Bookmarks - Victorian Pansies and Butterflies and Buddleia, (I've put 'nutterflies' on my Webshots!!!!), plus finishing up 1 more bookmark and 2 needlecases.
1 Picture - Chaffinches and Blossom. Blue-tits small picture to be part of a cushion almost completed.
Hardanger:
1 Card, 3 bookmarks, a needlecase and finished up the cushion, (stitching on which done during the previous year). I also did one VS counted thread design with hardanger sections etc and got about 50% of another cushion done.
Freestyle etc:
1 card and 2 pictures - 1 carried over from '05. Also did a lot of stitching on the dog, which has been going since late Dec '03 and is still not finished.
All of the above, except the XS picture which is for our bedroom, have been given away. Only 16 items in total, as well as 7 carried over from '05 or to' 07.
Cross stitch:
4 Cards - 10th & 20th wedding anniversaries, a wedding and DH's graduation card
2 Bookmarks - Victorian Pansies and Butterflies and Buddleia, (I've put 'nutterflies' on my Webshots!!!!), plus finishing up 1 more bookmark and 2 needlecases.
1 Picture - Chaffinches and Blossom. Blue-tits small picture to be part of a cushion almost completed.
Hardanger:
1 Card, 3 bookmarks, a needlecase and finished up the cushion, (stitching on which done during the previous year). I also did one VS counted thread design with hardanger sections etc and got about 50% of another cushion done.
Freestyle etc:
1 card and 2 pictures - 1 carried over from '05. Also did a lot of stitching on the dog, which has been going since late Dec '03 and is still not finished.
All of the above, except the XS picture which is for our bedroom, have been given away. Only 16 items in total, as well as 7 carried over from '05 or to' 07.
