French stitchery cushion

I started this French stitchery a long time ago. The stitchery itself didn't take that long it was just me trying to figure out how to make it into a cushion (yes, you would think that would be the easy part).

I purchased this stitchery from here. I just love her work. I really would love the Edwardian house but that will have to be when I win Tattslotto.

I find the stitcheries a little difficult to trace as I have to stick the pattern and the fabric up on a window and its rather awkward. Your arm starts to ache after a while. A lightbox would be fantastic - but perhaps Tattslotto again (they are really hard to get on ebay too).

I just adore these little tulips. As you can see, the stitchery is mainly stitched in backsttich, with a little satin stitch and a couple of french knots. I have stuck to the thread colours provided in the pattern but would be great to see another variation.

Some of the fabric I won from the lovely Val's blog.  I knew I could put it to good use.

This cushion is for my mum as it was her birthday a couple of weeks ago. I hope she likes it.

Happy Stitching,

Susie xo

Cake, cakes, more cakes and a Party.

Like most people, funds are a little tight at the moment. In the past I've never attempted the kids' party cakes but this year there wasn't a choice. I think I was a little inspired by this blog too. I invested in a large rectangular cake tin and proceeded to run with a decoration of rainbows and flowers I had in mind.......

I prepared for the worst but when I looked at the cake and it was golden brown on top, then I pulled it out of the oven and it was like blubber, I started to panic.!! Flick, on went the other oven (my two ovens purchased on sale years ago and kept in storage waiting for the 'big reno' have finally been put to good use) and I made the 'back up' round cake whilst the other was still baking.

After a panic call to my 'baker' friend, who put me at ease, this is what i ended up with......I left the rectangular cake in the oven for around 1.5hrs and it seemed to do the trick.

I also made some cupcakes to go on the table with the food. When it came to icing the main cake it wasn't the best idea to start it after two glasses of wine (not that it really would have mattered).

The smarties started sliding around and I had to keep propping them back into place. But the main thing was the birthday girl LOVED her cake!

Big sister helping to set up the party at the party playhouse.

The birthday girl not wishing to pose for a photo.......Hello Miss 4!
Well, Mr almost two next month and then Miss 8 in August, looks like that cake tin is going to get a workout!

Happy Baking
Susie

The Gifts are delivered

This was the secret project I had been working on for my mum and mother-in-law.

The beauty of the Creative Memories digital scrapbooking and calendar making is the calendar's can be custom designed so I started mine from the beginning of this month.

I love this photo of this cheeky girl. The digital scrap booking package is so easy to use and the best part about it is its portable. Perfect for a busy lifestyle where it takes me a long time to set up my scrapbooking gear - not to mention having to wait till the littlie's are in bed. I purchased my package from here. Its no trouble to jump on the computer and start scrapping.

I still do traditional scrapping with my 7yr old once a month. Its fun to do something lovely together however this is perfect as a relatively easy and quick gift.

My almost-78-year old mum has been so ill for weeks with shingles in the eye and side of her head that it was lovely to see a smile on her face when she received this belated Mother's Day present. My mother-in-law also appreciated hers and spent a long time considering where it would go - I suggested the laundry but she wouldn't have a bar of that!!

Happy Stitching, (and scrapping)
Susie