wee update before April arrives...

Karen emailed me on Friday and asked why I haven't blogged in so long. Well, here I am! ;-) I've been stitching much more lately. I even finished Just Nan's Spring in the Square last week. I didn't get a good photo (it's a bit washed out!) :



Here is a scan (without the lovely charm in the middle, though - and very crooked, oops!)

I've now completed two of the Just Nan Squares. Here is Winter:

I've really enjoyed doing these. I hope to get to Summer & Autumn very soon: they're all kitted up and ready to be started, so it'd be nice to get them done. Especially as I know exactly where I'm going to put them...

I've been working on some other WIPs lately too. I'd really like to finally get The Silver Lining's Gloria done before nonna's birthday in May, so that's the one I'm focussing on just now. The last progress photo I have:

I've pretty much completed those leaves on the left side and I'm about to start the bunch on the right side.

I'll be busy getting my accounts together soon for the end of my business year (something that I really don't mind doing strangely enough - as I'm pretty organised and keep good records and keep everything updated weekly). I can't believe that I'll be going into my third year of the business already, though. Time sure does fly.

And finally, some photos of Snoopy I took the other day. He was being adorable snoozing directly in the sun rays coming in from the window. :) He's just plain annoyed in photo #3 as I guess I disturbed him too much with the camera (sorry Snoops!)

Garden of Life

One more post today (I know, two in one day, that's a shocker!) to share my happy dance, and for those who read my blog for stitching updates and haven't had very many lately *grins*

I finished this up the last week of February, before all my relatives descended upon me! Someone is borrowing my digital camera at the moment, so I've only managed a scan. I did this as a SAL with Karen in January and February, though was very remiss taking any progress photos. I'm looking forward to seeing Karen's finish. :)

I used all the suggested materials, including the R&R Alabaster linen.

Zia Christina's Surprise Birthday Party!

Edited 25/03: I've deleted the photos from the party, as I didn't want to keep them up for too long (not having asked everyones permission if it was OK to have photos of them on the net!)



My mum's auntie (zia Christina) turned 80 on 25 February. We had a surprise birthday party for her at The Lodge in Loch Lomond. Just about everything went according to plan in the end ;-) and everyone had a lovely time. :)

So, mostly for anyone we know who reads this blog (relatives in Italy mainly), here are a few photos I took. Though I'm sure Fede & Aldo's pictures will be much better, whenever they get around to developing them. :)

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Zia C was surprised enough as it was when she arrived just with the few relatives she spotted first: but look at the expression on her face when she notices everyone else at the back, including her son who she thought was still in Italy. Aldo had actually called her (on my mobile!) just before she left, to wish her a happy birthday and to express how sorry he was that he couldn't be with her on her 80th b'day. She bought it. ;-)

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Lots of (happy) tears! Shame these two photos didn't come out -- hopefully Federica's will have come out better (she's in front of me snapping away). :)

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Even zia C's best friend and neighbour in Italy, Angelina, (on the left) made it!

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The only photo of Loch Lomond I ended up taking! The weather was really lovely all day - no rain at all.

I came across this one the other day of zia C, my mum and nonna, in Filignano circa 1950-51. I love these old photos. :)