2012 - My next obssession outlined - and GIVEAWAY WINNER !!!

Stitched by me so many years ago
Comes out every year from the decoration box

It seems that I am the Queen of Theme - I realised n 2009 that I liked a LOT of Snowmen Charts and decreed 2010 - The Year of the Snowman. Simple rule - any new chart started in 2010 HAD to have a snowman in it.
I stitched a whole 21 snowmen (running total) - and true to form, started 7 snowmen projects on Dec 31st.
Of course it was Sheep that caught my eye during this time. I elaborated on my personal rules.
Any new chart MUST contain one sheep - exceptions: WIP's, Halloween, Christmas and Compassionate Stitching. (This explains 7 WIP snowmen!)
As you have all joined enthusiastically into my enthusiasm (OCD) - this year, my flock of sheep numbered 105.


What's for 2012???                                

 Cats & Cottages.

I have a number of cat charts and I desperately want to stitch Shores of Hawk Run Hollow - as well as a few pieces of architecture.
Rules have changed this year - to try to relax my obsession.
Week 1 = Cats
Week 2 = Christmas Stitching (I've stitched ONE ornament this year!!! Fleece Navidad!)
Week 3 = Cottages/Architecture
Week 4 = WIP's
Week 5 = Anything Goes.
I will also allow compassionate stitching to sneak in when required and Halloween can creep in with Christmas Stitching from August.


I currently have NO INTENTION to create a monthly stitched item as my wall-o-sheep (still needing batting & backing which I was supposed to have done yesterday)


This brings me to the announcement of my giveaway winner. I have started this morning (31.Dec) the final sheep - 105 - to be one side of my scissor fob. The first cat for 2012 will be the other side of the fob.
All names were put into the bowl of destiny - and the winner
(you were all pretty much spot on for answers - I'd not made much secret of the fact had I???)

is . . . . . . . . .


........

SHEBAFUDGE !!!!!!! (should that read She-baaaa-fudge ????)
(I'll contact you next week to confirm your snail mail address)

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!

For the very last time, thank you to all for indulging my obsession and joining in the fun and frivolity that became 2011.  Let 2012 be the same (although perhaps not so intense on the stitching - my family would like to see me from time to time!). - may all your floss be untagled and your needles point straight - I'll see you all in the New Year!!

baaaa-ronny

TUSAL - Final fibre flaunting for 2011



December 2011 T.U.S.A.L

Nearly forgot!!!  How could I not finish off 2011 without the final TUSAL installment - New Moon December 29.

Here it is - my lovely little jar, faithfully being looked after by my sheepie sentries. (the rusty wire thing on the right IS my hubby's Christmas gift - A SHEEPIE !!! )
I can see lots and lots of black and white near the top, some oranges from Halloween and some pink near the bottom (what project had pink?? I'll have to go look)
It's been fun collecting my orts and I'll certainly be joining in again next year with DaffyCat - and TUSAL 2012


(I'll have to find another crystal bowl to store my orts from 2011)

2011 - The Year of the Sheepie - at a close - the final baaaa

9 Sheepies

Here we go, what is probably the last of my sheepies for 2011. (although I might round off the number by stitching one for a fob tomorrow)
The Holstein Sheep/Cow was 100 - Moet, Dry-Clean, Longshanks & Screwball make it a total of 104 for 2011.
It's been a fun year, full of sheepie puns, I won't try to pull the wool over your eyes, the puns sometimes have been ewe-niversally baaa-d.

I'll draw a winner of my giveaway tomorrow morning.

Happy Dancing!


baaaa-ronny

100 Sheepies !!!!

100 sheepies !!!!!!!!


(of course, Holstein is a type of spotted black & white COW  -  just my crazy, warped & twisted sense of humour)

99 Sheepies - raising the baaaaa

96 - 97 -98 -99

........

Sheepie 96

Sheepie 96

Found on a french blog - one of 10 freebie sheepies.  I'm stitching 9 - and with a bit of luck - will mean a flock of 105 by the end of the year...

(why stop at 100? - I asked myself.........)

Christmas Day Sheepie

4 days!!!! Must be time for a quick Competition!

4 days to blogaversary??  Ye-gods and little fishes!  I was mereley musing about how during the coming week, once the Christmas fuss is over, how I'd be able to spend some time browsing and blogging, then remembered that was the time I started blogging - around Christmas - checked - and my Blogaversary is in 4 days!!!

Nearly missed it again!

I'll have a little competition - some people may already know this....   What two themes are my obsession for 2012???

I'll pick a winner in 4 days - I have no idea what I'll send yet - but it may be a scissor fob featuring both themes ........

2011 - A year of Sheepies - near completion

Here we are, two weeks before the end of the year and our Christmas tree has yet to make an appearance....  Why???  Because, for our tree to be put up in front of my sewing machine cabinet, I have to stop sewing ...  I have made some gifts for friends, but I really wanted to finish my sheepie stitches into the quilted top that I envisaged way back in February, when I decided to make this a monthly series.

I tried laying them out 2 x 6 and 6 x 2 and 4 x 3, but the best layout for colour placement, was 3 x 4. 

2011 - The Year of the Sheepies

I'm sure you will agree, this just works out well.  I had found some sheep fabric on a side trip to Mount Gambier in October and spent this morning fussy-cutting sheep heads.

Closeup of sheep heads and grass

After piecing them and ironing the strips, I had a near mental breakdown, because one strip of sheep and grass went missing for 2 hours.  I had not left the room, I was ironing them, my family thought me mad, and that I had not cut 20 heads in the first place, but I knew I had lost one solitary strip.  I had a little nanna-nap after moving furniture looking for this strip, (I even removed the ironing-board cover looking for it!), I dreamt of strips of sheep heads, woke up, continued on my search, then found it UNDER a box that I had moved before.  Perhaps it was my body telling me I needed sheepie sleeping.

I've been able to finish it off - now I am happy, although I need to find some suitable backing fabric and binding, but that can wait until the New Year - my family want a Christmas Tree!

Sheepie Greetings everybody - thank you for joining me on my obsession in 2011

11-12-11 - It's time for the Decem-baaaaa Sheepie

Frantically stitching tonight - I've stitched so much today - left it until the last 2hours 10 minutes of 11-12-11 to start, stitch and finish my Decem-baa sheepie!

I made it with a minute to spare (although, due to a 5 minute phone call - the beads on the tree were stitched just after midnight - but it was all stitched in time!!!!

These three sheep take it through to 94 sheep for the year - do you think I can make it to 100  ???

I was very busy this afternoon - If my boss or my workmates are looking at my blog.........turn away NOW !!!

You've not shown interest before.......why start now?

......................  go on.....  

I don't want to spoil your surprise....

All clear?????

OK - I was putting the last stitch into this Map Wallet, when I realised that most people nowadays use GPS.  Talk about a blonde moment!  Well, I hope my boss likes this anyway - drafted my own pattern (read: make it up as I go along....)  I'm really pleased how this turned out - I hope he can use it anyway.

And for somebody who's name begins with 'S' - While I was stitching this small sheepie design, I had always intended to finish it off as a tote-bag.  Once again, drafting my own pattern (read: as above..) I made this little bag up and I'm so pleased with it.  It is fully lined, with a small pocket inside, as well as the pocket on the outside with the sheep panel.  It's well and truly top-stitched and not likely to fall apart in a hurry.

Another project went flying - it wasn't working out at all well, the weight of the fabric was annoying me, so I've shelved that project for another time - I'll rescue the fabric and use it on something else.

Next, I grabbed some ornaments that were finished last year (or the year before) and got them ready to hand sew some embellishements on to be hung from the tree.

A very busy stitchity Sunday.  How are your stitching plans going for December???

Extreme 'Last-minute' gift giving........ again!

I have been known to be a bit of the 'last-minute' panic people...  Today is no exception.  At 10.30pm last night, I realised I had no gift for a Kris-Kringle for tonight.  I started cutting up fabric and by 1am, had nearly finished two tea wallets and two matching coasters.  Yes, I know I still have the bindng to stitch down, but I can get that done at work today at lunch, can't I???  I spent a few minutes googling for a pattern for the tea wallet then remembered that last december, I blogged about it and posted the blog post the tea wallets came from!    Not only did I start this project at 10.30 last night, it appears that I had a fit of inspiration at 10.30 last year!!  (I must stop starting projects so late at night!)  I did a smidge of free-style quilting on the fan shapes and am really happy with the way they worked out.  Working on the binding is a good way to practice the technique for my bigger quilt project (shhh can't show you that either!)

A thought about Christmas Shopping.......

As we prepare for the onslaught of December - here's a thought to ponder.  I received it in an email, and thought it well worth sharing.  (For my overseas readers - apply this to your local area)

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Australians with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of Australian  labor.

This year will be different. This year Australians will give the gift of genuine concern for other Australians. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by Australian hands.

Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small owned detail shops & car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Panasonic of a Chinese made flat-screen?  Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. If your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local cafe.  Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the Australian working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mum? Mum would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, & I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up & running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal.  Local crafts people spin their own wool & knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, & pottery & beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. How about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another 10,000 Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a $5.00 string of light, about 50 cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks burn, leave the postman, garbo or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining Australian pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging our small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. When we care about other Australians, we care about our communities, & the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new Australian Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- This is a revolution of caring about each other, & isn't that what Christmas is about?

Merry Christmas to Australians in 2011

I SPY with my little EYE, something beginning with 'T' -------

T.U.S.A.L.  November 25 - 2011

T.U.S.A.L

Yes that's right - it IS time again to show off our Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long.

Here in thecentre of the pic is my TUSAL jar, full to the brim, and yes, there are WHITE orts near the top.  I must be stitching Sheep again!!.  There is my current WIP too.. the setting for a few more sheep, my sheepie scissor fob is keeping it company, sitting on my Mug Rug, near my Friendship pillow, in front of a cupcake stand ready to disply Christmas ornaments on, and also displayed with some lovely gifts received in the past few months.  Of course, I've taken them OUT of the envelopes they came in and I have no idea who gifted them to me (so much for good intentions - I really must try better next year!!)  Thank you to you my friends, all I need now is the time to stitch them before Dec 31 - Oh well, they can always become WIP's  (I seem to remember I still have some snowmen to finish!)

I've signed in again to next year's TUSAL - one cannot stop one's obsession mid-stream now, can one???

I hope to churn fleece out at least 9 more sheep this year to make it to a flock of 100, before starting a completely new theme for 2012 - I also MUST pick up my Christmas Tablecloth and get working on that, as there are only 4 more weeks before that is due to sit on my Christmas Table - I need to stitch a Santa to symbolise 2010, when Dad came to share the Holiday.

Is it too early to start thinking of New Year Resolutions????

Nearly time for TUSAL

So nearly time for the next T.U.S.A.L on Friday.

I nearly missed signing in to celebrate and join in for 2012 Tusal.  Daffycat is hosting it again - click on the button on my sidebar, which will take you to the signup page.

What is TUSAL ????

What do you do with your orts?  The little bits of floss at the end of each section of stitching, those that are not long enough for anything.  Do you sacrifice them to the god of vacuum cleaners?  Leave them to adorn your clothing?  Much better to collect them in a pretty container, and post a photo every month to your blog - and see how other obsessive stitchers collect theirs month by month.

What do you do with them at the end of the year?  Some people put their orts into clear christmas ornaments and hang them from the tree.  I tend to use mine to stuff christmas ornaments themselves.

Come along and join the fun.

Are you prepared for Christmas???

No matter how many times a year I think I'm prepared for Christmas, now that I realise that it's only 5 weeks away, I realise, once again that I'm woefully unprepared.
I have all these ideas of gifts to make for satellite people, unsure if I'll have the time to start them, let alone any idea of gifts for close friends and family.
AND I still have my christmas tablecloth to stitch.!!!
So for now, until I have my stitching commitments under control - I'm not going to play hours and hours of playstation or mindless facebook games.  

Are you with me???

I believe that next year's 'Year of the ???" will have specific rules that include time for Christmas Stitching every month !!!!!

(I'm still leaning towards cats, but houses are trying to bulldoze their way into my intentions.....)

Year of the Sheepie - 11-11-11 Remem-baa-rance Day

Finished on the stroke of midnight - a race against the clock - After all these months, I couldn't let 11-11-11 go un-stitched could I?????

A special date - and perfect to pun.  

How do you fancy my poppies???  Off the cuff, because I've no graph paper to work with for the moment, and my computer is slightly tired (using son's computer - thank you Harry)

So I have one more to go to celebrate 2011 - the Year of the Sheepies

(4 more sheep ..... I think that takes me up to 91 for the year!! )

Remembrance Day 2011

This footage was taken on ANZAC day this year, however, today, 11-11-11 will be the 73rd CONSECUTIVE YEAR, that my Father, Harry John has played the Last Post for Remembrance Day.

What an outstanding achievement.
I am so very proud of my Dad.


We Will Remember Them

Happy Creepie Halloweenie from BOO-ronny!

Sometimes it's worthwhile being known as the local crazy lady.

You see, we don't 'DO' Halloween here in Australia, although over the past 3 years, Trick or Treating has become more and more popular.  All Hallowe's Eve, once celebrated as a pagan ritual in the UK and Europe, becoming Halloween Celebrations in the USA - we've got this odd notion of Trick or Treat, with our children expecting to knock on the doors of people they would never normally approach, dressed in ghoulish outfits.  Where once, a few years ago, I would not participate, now I decorate, using the wonderful kitchy witchy items, exchanged with blogging friends (remind me that I need to do a halloween/aussie fabric exchange again next year, I'm running low on specialty fabrics) and the local kids know that I can be the one house in the street where they WILL get a handfull of treats.

Poor fellow must have been waiting for awhile

I started today, by decorating my office.

Trick or Treat at work!

My boss just shook his head, muttering something like "Only Bronny........."

At the end of the day, I took the decorations down and raced home, knowing there was not a lot of time left to get my decorations back up, before the local toddlers made their way around to my door.  

Jack Skellingbone welcomes you

View from the front door...

One or two adjustments, such as moving my table near the entryway, a few cobweb or two and I was ready...........

Each little group of trick or treaters came up to my door and quietly murmured 'Trick or Treat'.  Of course, that was not good enough for me, and after a bit of coaching, each one was calling out so loudly:  TRICK OR TREAT !!     Then I would open my door and tell them I had treats for them.

I spy Candy Corn.....

Witch Witch?

The verdict from the group of pre-teen witches was that my display made their night and I was the 'Best Halloween House' in the neighbourhood.  I was the only adult that had made an effort and had as much fun giving it out as they did dressing up.

Webs to the left

eyeballs in a bowl...

Table from the other end

TUSAL TIME AND HAPPY DANCING IN THE MAILROOM

Whoa!!!   it's TUSAL TIME!!!!!

Nearly forgot to post - not having my own computer at the moment really stuffs up blog posting.

You can see how full this is getting AND not only is there halloween autumn tones at the top, but you can see WHITE floss - what do you think - Ghosts or Sheepies????  What do you think of my little sheepie - new to my flock?  I found him at an antique shop for a couple of dollars - he's an old ceramic sheepie and now has a new home - at least until the new year, on my sheepie display..... (what AM I going to do, come January, with all these sheep???)

I also get to share a wee bit of happy dancing with you - Pauline sent me a lovely package, and I received it today at work.  There's Voodoo Bob at the back right - a Mill Hill Christmas Sheepie chart, a pattern for a sewn sheep, a lovely scissors bag AND a sweet pair of scissors (hmmm....what sort of fob will land on these???), a lovely mug rug and a really sweet stitched pin pillow.  Thank you Pauline, I don't remember winning something, but this was a sweet surprise in the mail...I don't think Voodoo Bob will make it in time for this year....I love that pillow...so nice to make friends in blog-land.

Happy Halloweenie Spider Scissor Fob

With just on a week to Halloween, I realised that it was really getting to me, trimming my Halloween Orts with my Sheepie Fob Scissors. 
This afternoon, I fixed that dilemma - and I'll be able to use these next year.
I made a tiny little pillow, stuffed it then fashioned a spider, using the same trick as my last Halloweenie finish, with a button, beads and stitched legs.  I added a few beads and a tassel and there you have it...

Yes, I know - two posts in a row with no sheep..... I'm working on that...

I just checked, and this was my 301st blogging post.  Leave a message on this post, and I'll draw a winner on Halloween - they shall receive their very own Spider Scissor fob.  The usual conditions apply - If you are a follower, you will have two entries!!

Happy Halloweenie!

Halloweenie Madness creeps further in.

Here's my latest stitchity offering - sorry for the wonky view, but you know how it is, finish late at night, having only a chair back to drape your project on, and the flash washes out the colour of the tea-dyed fabric.  You only realise that the pic has a bend in it when you post it to blogger - but that will all be fixed when you fling it into a frame and take another pic later that same week (fingers crossed!)

This is Spooky Stuff button Sampler, by Homespun Elegance.  I stitched it using more of the lovely Nancy's handdyed floss - Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe - Swapped around the order of colours for the alphabet so that important letters were highlighted.

B = Bronny  

I = I stitched it!  

J= John (my maiden name and one of my son's -sorry Harry - you missed out this time!)

N= Needlecraft and Nancy (my mum's name)

S = Stitching!!

X = X-Stitch of course!!!

The chart called for Olde Brass embelishments to be stitched in each corner.  I, of course, changed that to something I could afford.  4 nearly black buttons, to which I added brass toned seed beads as I stitched them on to the fabric, then added 8 stitched black legs to each.  They make me smile, every time I see them.

Such an easy look - I might play with a bit of fabric later today and make a small fob with the same idea.

It's nearly TUSAL time again - and looking at my container, I can see so very few white floss orts.  I really need to 'raise the baa' and get a wriggle on to some more sheepie stitching.

What do you call it when a flock of sheep roll down the hill?????

A LAMB-slide    !!!!!

guffaw!

Year of the Sheepie - October's Sheepie

I had thought about Dimb-ewe-la, to celebrate our brief holiday in Dimboola last weekend, but couldn't think of what to stitch the sheep about.  Of course, I'm about to drag out my Halloween decorations - and had to pick that as a theme.  But; how to title it.  Let's face it, it's hard to come up with something fitting that links sheep, fleece, baa, flock to Halloween - let alone keep it precise.  I toyed with :
Boo! - Did I Scare Ewe
Woolly Boo-lly
Happy Hall-ewe-een

but in the end, decided that Creepy Sheepie fitted the bill.  I like my 'ghost sheep'

Now back to working on Spooky Stuff by Homespun Elegance and Halloween Magic by Carriage House Samplings  - I should be able to finish one, if not both by the end of the month.

Parlour games and a halloweenie finish!

For those who are interested, the answer to the quiz I posted a few days ago are:

1. Inimitable
2. Vegetable
3. Delectable
4. Irritable
5. Adaptable
6. Marketable
7. Comfortable
8. Profitable
9. Unsuitable
10. Portable
11. Unforgettable
12. Indubitable
13. Inevitable
14. Disreputable
15. Palatable
16. Respectable
17. Unbeatable
18. Notable
19. Tractable
20. Illimitable

Did you get them right???  I think Illimitable (20) has disappeared completely from the english language

I'll post another word challenge next week.

What have I been stitching??  Not much in the way of sheep I'm afraid, but as I'm on leave from work for the next fortnight, that could change.  I am however planning to stitch and finish 2 more projects for Halloween before the event.  I did design and stitch a quick cushion for a surprise gift for my sister ......... turn away NOW Meg - you cannot see it until tomorrow night.... !!!!!



..................

stop looking Meg (or at least pretend you've not seen it before I hand it to you!)
I was reading SPINSTER SISTER's blog and she mentioned having a small plaque on her wall, with these very words....  That started me thinking, and this is the result.  I've stitched it on some more of that tea-dyed aida using some floss that came to hand.  I finished it into a mini cushion this afternoon - something she can stick her pins into perhaps...
I hope she likes it...

back in a few days - I'll try to remember to take photos of my holiday to share with you.
bronny

T.U.S.A.L. time .......

Not so many new moons left in the year.....

Here is my latest TUSAL offering, you can't see the cork on the top of the bottle, but you can see some orange and black creeping in - I am so overdue to stitch a whopping huge fleecy lot of white to add to my jar...

The jar is sitting on a bit of tea-dyed aida.  I was so sick of all the white, and I've got one more halloween project in mind... The colours on the fabric are there more as an indication of the true nature of the fabric.

Yes, I'll post the answers to the quiz from my game book in the next day or two...

Halloweenie stitch and Parlour Games of the 1930's

Whoa!  So long since a post from me... - Where has the time gone?  Do you realise that it's only 3 MONTHS  to Christmas??????

Before Christmas of course, comes Halloween - and I finished this little one last Saturday - but forgot to show you earlier.  I'm still thinking of having a frantic finishing day very soon - need to finish something to send to a friend in the US in time for Halloween.

How do you like my LK - If the broom fits! - ?
Thank you again Nancy for your wonderful floss - I will be enjoying using your floss for some time to come - If I need inspiration, I merely plunge my hand into the bag of special floss and I've been able to find the right colour every time.
Once again, I modified the instructions, I couldn't be bothered to remember where to stitch the little black spots, so cheated and stitched beads later.  I do like making the googly eyes - I think using the pearl beads instead of buttons makes for a more googlier look - googlier - is that even a word??


Now - on a completely different subject:  Parlour Games of the late 30's and early 40's.
Way back in a different time, when I was a cub-scout Akela, I would scour bookshops looking for unique publications relating to games that I could tweak for use in the Pack.  This book must have been one of them.  I'm thinking some of you might like to learn some of the games that were suggested from this book, first printed in 1939, my re-print is 1942.

Games for Parties - Competitions, Games for Small Parties and Many Players, Tableaux, and Charades and Ideas for Dances.

On the inner flap:  the games are mostly new ones, but many variants of the old favourites will be found.  A most useful book for organisers of socials, hotel and shipboard entertainment, and very helpful to the giver of the most modest of house-parties.

The contents are divided into sections -

1. Competitions
2. Games
3. Tableaux, Charades & Miscellaneous Events
4. Ideas for Dances

The competitions themselves are quite complex - how Parties and gatherings have changed, as has the intelligence of gentle folk.  Some of the competitions are based upon your knowledge of inner London of the 1930's and have not withstood the test of time.  Some of them amaze me with their very complexity.     Let's see..........  one to start with..  pencils ready?

TABLE TURNING
The solutions are all words that end with 'table'

1. A table you cannot copy           Inimitable
2. A table that is good to eat           Vegetable
3. A very delightful table              Delectable
4. A table very easily annoyed
5. A table that will suit any purpose
6. A table you can sell
7. A table for the lazy man
8. A table that will bring good results
9. A table that will not be useful
10. A table a burglar can take away
11. A table that will not be left behind
12. A table you must not doubt
13. A table you cannot avoid
14. A table that is not very smart
15. A table that is pleasant to the taste
16. A table that is known for good conduct
17. A table you cannot improve upon
18. A table of little importance
19. A table that does your bidding
20. A table that is boundless

There we go.. I've given the answers to the first 3.  I think I am charmed by the phrasing of the questions - it takes me back to the time of Agatha Christie novels.  I'll post the answers on my next blog posting - and another quiz if you are interested...

One from the section on Active Contests and Team Events.   Try playing this at your next social gathering!

WOOL WINDING
This is a competition for men.  Have as many balls of wool as there are competitors.  Unwind the balls down the length of the room and let a girl hold one end.  The man takes the other end and proceeds to wind the wool into a ball.  It is not as easy as it sounds, and some queer and bunchy effects will be produced.  The winner is the one who first winds all the wool, provided it looks something like a ball!

Do you want more games?  Post a message and let me know!  There's even a whole selection for setting up a Halloween Party!

Year of the Sheepie - September

I know the date 11-9-11 has sorrowful connotations for most of the western civilisation, but I don't wish to dwell on the tragedy that changed our world irrevocably.  I'll mourn privately, the loss of international innocence.  I have my own intense memories of that morning, which are still too raw to share.


Lest We Forget.  (Associated with ANZAC and wartime memorials, yet still appropriate)

However, following all the previous months - here is my 11-9-11 Sheepie.

As it is now Springtime here in Australia, I thought a BBQ was appropriate.  I can pretend the grass under the bbq utensils are mint and rosemary.......

Thank you for sharing my journey this year.  I'm still thinking of next year's theme.  Nothing spectacular has leapt out at me, so I'm still swivelling around Cats/Santas/Houses and pretty much all Samplers.

French Sheepie, TUSAL and Halloweenie mumbles

Another sheepie finish yesterday afternoon, instead of having a flurry of finishing, which was my intent, I sorted out piles of charts and found a few Halloween charts I'd like to stitch and one or two sheepie charts that just may get started soonish.
This sheepie is the French Sheep chart and the border gave me the irits, which is why I put it down over a month ago.  However, when I picked it up this weekend, the border just fell into place.  Don't you just love finishes like that?

I have picked up a new Halloween chart to stitch - Halloween Magic, by Carriage House Samplings - shouldn't take too long. 
I do hope that next Sunday I can get a move onto a flurry of well overdue finshes.

Here is my T.U.S.A.L. offering for this month...

Yes the jar is there.. AND there is some white in there...however, a bit more black is creeping in.  Also in the picture is my very early Christmas Present from my girlfriend.... a bale stencil - most probably not so old and I could have had one that said SHEEP, but the LAMBS is so much more interesting.  This will end up on the pantry door in the kitchen, I'll be on the lookout for one that says BACON to go on the other door.
Also in the pic, leaning up against the wall is my 'Martha's Sampler' - it did get slightly damaged in the February Floods, as it was on the floor at the time, but I have resolved myself to accepting that has now become part of it's history.  I really must pull my finger out and chart it properly to share with you all.

How is your T.U.S.A.L. going?

Halloweenie Madness is surfing closer............

I hear tell that Halloween is getting closer....... and here is yet another Halloweenie finish.  I just had to stitch this witchie surfing - a freebie I pointed out from Linda's Bits of Floss blog.  I tweaked it slightly - as I am wont to do.
I also tinkered with a bit of floss - tomorrow may decide to finish my halloweenie scissor fob - I feel so wrong, trimming my orts with a sheepie scissor fob when stitching spiders and witches....

As Monday is TUSAL day - I'll probably post a pic of my jar tomorrow - it's better to take the photo in daylight than try to get a good pic after work in the dark.

Raising the Baaaaa - another Sheepie Finish

Wow!  Sombody has already stitched Sheepie Farm and posted to her blog - Check out how Cucki stitched her farm - so cute and I spy another sheep guarding it too..

Nearly forgot to show you my latest Sheepie finish for 2011- The Year of the Sheep

If you take the definition of August to mean of regal bearing - that explains the crown and the robe.

And if anybody's counting individual sheep - I think this makes around 86 sheep stitched for the year...Will have to make a proper tally shortly...I wonder if I can complete a flock of 100 for the year?

Also - check out another freebie design from Linda on her blog: bits of floss - she's found a way to share Halloween down under!!