If brains were dynamite....

I certainly don't have enough to blow my hat off!!

Last time I was here I showed you the lovely presents I received from Sonia in Chookyblues Christmas Swap.    Yep... I patted myself on the back for that but now I have to beat myself up because I forgot to show you the gifts I sent to Wendy at Sugarlanequilts!!

Honestly.... one thought and my brain is overloaded!

Before I forget again.........

here's what I sent to Wendy.

I fretted for ages over what to stitch then finally plumped for Leanne's House Stitcher's Keeper.   I'm so glad I did.  It was a lovely project to make and best of all.... Wendy loves it.   Phew.... now I know the real meaning of relief!!

If you'd like a better look pop over to Wendy's.   She has better photographs plus you can see the gorgeous gifts she sent her SSCS partner.    

Now......there was something else I forgot to mention in my last post.   A problem with my Christmas Angels Swap gifts!

The package still hasn't arrived at it's destination!    I posted it on 26th November a whole 14 days before the last guaranteed Airmail delivery date to the USA from Scotland.   What I want to know is...... where is it?      Heck the time it's taking it would have been quicker to row the Atlantic and  hand deliver  it.

I've received my gifts from Wendy......(Wendy #2)

here they are waiting to be opened.    I'm not going to open them until Wendy can open hers.   I'm hoping that's really soon.  Keep your fingers crossed for us.   If the gifts don't turn up in the next few days I'm going to start on another batch.

Well..... it's Saturday night and I'm snuggled in front of the wood stove with the TV remote all to myself.  A nice glass of Chilean white  wine, a plate of Hovis digestive biscuits and a slab of delicious Dolcelatte cheese.   I really wouldn't thank George Clooney for phoning now!   Before this day is done I intend to  resemble one very tipsy,  contented and  rotund  rodent!   Wish me luck!

Hope you enjoy your evening half as much.....

See ya soon
if you can't be good....be careful!

Hugs
Josie

Happy... Happy... SSCS!

Who wouldn't be happy to have a gorgeous pressie to open on Christmas morning courtesy of Sonia my lovely partner in Chookyblues SSCS.........

I've already shown you my Christmas Joy Star which I was allowed to open early.   It's amazing I held out till Christmas morning without taking a peak into the main pressie.... but I did and I am so glad I resisted.

To say I am over the moon with the gifts Sonia sent all the way from Australia is an understatement.... I am in love with them!

Look at the gorgeous runner she made for me.....

It's just perfect!!!    It's everything I would have chosen for myself.   I've had my beady eye on that design for ages.    Just couldn't believe that Sonia choose to make it for me.  I adore the fabrics and colour she chose..  It's got hexies and stitching.... how good can it get......

Right now I'm auditioning it on my dressing table.   Sonia made it with the conservatory in mind but to be honest I don't want to risk it in there.... it's too precious.    Imagine if the sun faded it.... no I can't put it in there...ever!

Once I finish decorating the conservatory (it's on the New Years resolution list) I intend to give the bedroom a make over.   It's all very pale and uninteresting right now so this splash of gorgeous colour is just the inspiration I need in there.    Mind you.....my pretty new runner could be gracing the lounge by tomorrow.  Mac likes it on the sideboard and I have to say it looks great there too.   Decisions... decisions.....

And that's not all.....

all these gorgeous are gifts from Sonia too.    The Aussie animals on the pencil case are so cute.  Well.... most of them are.  I'm not so sure about the lizard!  The pencils have Aboriginal designs on them too.  Love Santa's little bag of old buttons.   It's amazing to touch them and wonder who wore the original clothes they were used to fasten.... in a land so far away.    Do you think Ned Kelly might have kept his shirt on with them or perhaps they held on the britches of that Jolly Swag man down by the billabong?   I can dream can't I.......

There is little spool of lovely red ribbon... a gorgeous white fat quarter with red cherries on it sitting in a lovely red dotty cone.... which is going to be filled with my current favourite chocolates soon.....

the wrappers are the perfect match but something tells me they won't last long in there.

I have a lovely embroidery to stitch and a lovely little bar of Green Tea and Bergamot soap.  How on earth did Sonia know that I love Bergamot.    Earl Grey tea flavoured with it is the only tea I'll drink.  I love it in perfume and now I can perfume my whole body with it.   OK... that's a bit of a stretch for any bar of soap!

All I can say is...   Thank you so much Sonia.  Your generosity helped make  my Christmas really special!   Thank you Chookyblue too... without you it wouldn't have been possible.

OK.... I'm off now to work on my list of New Year Resolutions..... this could take some time.

Hope all of you enjoyed a really wonderful Christmas..... now what are you waiting for... start writing your resolutions.  The clock is ticking.....

Be good.....

See ya soon

Hugs

Josie

There's something I want to say........

and it's this....

Couldn't let the Festive Season pass without wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy & Crafty new year.

Hope all your Holiday preparations are going smoothly.

Does anyone else have Christmas nightmares? Like the one where it's 5 minutes to the stores closing on Christmas Eve and you've only just cottoned on to the fact that it is Christmas!!    Nothing like that one to wake me up in a cold sweat.

This year I'm not sweating at all.    I've cleaned the house.  I took my glasses off before I started so I  wouldn't be tempted to overdo it.  Try it...it works!  The grocery shopping is done.  Got everything except  the roast which I'm collecting from the butcher tomorrow morning.    What could go wrong?   No suggestions.... please!

Mac is slowly recovering from his initial disappointment that the World didn't come to an end on Friday.  If it had a lot of Turkeys would have died for nothing!    Not being one to give up easily he's now devoting his time to seeking out a new catastrophe to look forward to.   I'm hoping it takes him a while.

Well.... I know you are all very busy so I'm going to get out of here and leave you to your preparations.

May your Christmas truly be Warm, Merry and Bright.

Happy Christmas to you and yours..

Hugs
Josie

Who won the Star Prize?

Promise I won't keep you in suspenders for too much longer.    Just long enough to show you the draw taking place.   Here we have the little box of entrants.... shaken and stirred by yours truly.

Now here's the long arm of the law (Mac - retired) picking a winner......

and the winner is.......

 #12.....Gill (no blog) from Gloucestershire, England!!   Congratulations Gill.  Hope you enjoy the book and get to spend many a happy hour sewing stars.

I wish I could say I'd got to spend many a happy hour sewing anything at all this past couple of weeks but although once in a while I had the time..... I just couldn't find the inclination!

Ever had one of those spells when all you can think about is crafting?  Ever spent every available minute planning projects or searching the Internet for inspiration?   Couldn't sleep for thinking about quilts in every size from humongous to minuscule?   Felt a burning desire to sew softies?   Start another BOM?   Embroider a heirloom tablecloth?    Crochet a fabulous granny square throw?     Ever actually done....... nothing at all!
How do you stop a head from spinning?    Spinning?   I haven't tried that.... yet!!

Phew.....   things are bad.    I even bought this book........

after thinking up a cunning plan  to re upholster an old chair that Mac's uncle made back in the 20's.  That's as well as the plan to paint the sideboard, coat stand and standard lamp in the conservatory.  Oh... and maybe the bookcases on the landing!

Do you think I'll get it all done by Christmas!!!!!   :o)

Remember I told you Mac had fallen for the quilt that Kitty worked on while she was here (it's in the last post).  Well.... the book with the pattern in arrived.   I'm still no closer to ordering up the fabric.  Probably a good thing all things considered.

Oh.... I almost forgot.   My SSCS partner Wendy in sunny Australia has received her parcel so I guess I can show you the Christmas ornament I made for her......

One side has stitched Christmas Tree......

the other side a cute Reindeer.     Both of the stitchery patterns are in Stitch it for Christmas by Lynette Anderson.   Had to reduce them quite a bit to make them fit the 'window' but it worked out fine in the end.

Heck.... for someone who had nothing to say when I started this post I've managed to rabbit on for ages!    I had better go and try to stop my head from spinning before I head on up to bed.    Shall I try wine... or tranquilisers?  Tranquilisers or wine?   Wine it is then....  cheers!!

Hope you are all surviving the run up to the Festivities......
Have fun....
See you soon....
Hugs
Josie

Reasons to be cheerful....

Christmas is on it's way and I'll soon be able to open the lovely package sent to me by Sonia from the Land Down Under.   A land where I know for a fact that bathwater swirls down the plug hole in the opposite direction to here  in Scotland.... strange.

It didn't take me long to rip the paper off unwrap the one package that Chookyblue allows her  SSCS Swappers  to open in advance of Christmas day.    Here's a shot of the lovely Christmas 'Joy' Star that Sonia made for me...... I love it!

Look at the reflection in the glass and you can see the lovely red polka dot back.   It brightened up a really dreary, rainy day here.  This cheery star won't be put away with the Christmas decorations that's  for sure.  Thanks  Sonia!

I'm relieved happy too that I posted off both my SSCS and Christmas Angels swap gifts in good time.

Here are the  SSCS parcels that are speeding towards......... sorry I'm not letting the cat out of the bag.   You'll just have to wait to see if the package lands on your doorstep.   I didn't manage to get a photo of the second batch of packages but I can tell you that they are well on their way to Wendy in the USA.  Phew... I did it!!

Another reason to be cheerful.......... it's my birthday..... TODAY!!

Yes.... the above photo really is me.   Proof that they did have cameras back when I was a nipper contrary to what Chris and Sally would like to believe.  They never stop rubbing in the fact that they are both younger than me.  Who needs friends like that.... OK... me!! 

I figured that this might be a good time to tell you all that this is my 59th birthday.   So I won't be able to claim to be 50 something on my bio for much longer.     Next birthday I'll be in line for that most prized of awards...... the free bus pass!   Not that it'll do me much good as there are only two buses a day through here... one going nowhere and the other coming back.   

As I have reason to celebrate I thought  today would be a good day to have a Give-A-Way...... a sponsored one to boot.  Well.... there is something  slightly 'off'  about me giving one of you a present on my birthday... not that I'm greedy you understand.  

So without further ado.... here is our Batty Benefactress (aka Chris) brandishing the book that she is has very kindly agreed to give away.   Now don't go thinking it must be a dud of a book if she's giving it away... far from it..... she wouldn't part with her copy.   It's down to the fact that strange things happen to quilters sometimes... like they end up with two copies of the same book!  I'm saying no more(!).... other than thanks Chris for donating your 'spare'!  

 All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning the Best of Fons and Porter Star Quilts is.....

 already BE or BECOME a follower and leave a little comment on this post.... that's it.   Simples eh!   

Closing time for the give-a-way is Midnight (GMT) on Monday 17th December.   One of you is going to be seeing stars soon!  

Now I'd like to introduce a new quilting friend...... Lucy.

She's thrilled to bits with her very first attempt at putting together a quilt and she has every reason to be.   I can't believe that she came over one night to find out how to cut and piece squares then went away and created her own lap quilt..... without the aid of a pattern!    Something tells me the rest of us are going to have to pull our socks up to keep up with her!   

I certainly know how to pick my friends too.  You see..... Lucy just happens to be a Firefighter!!   It's very comforting to know that in a case of dire emergency there is someone out there who will save my stash!  

Chez Dimple has been receiving visitors lately.    First came Tilly (soon to have her own blog launch) who came for two days and stayed a week!   Wish I could show you what she stitched while she was here but numb nut that I am I forgot to take photos.    On the day Tilly left she changed the sheets on the spare bed ready for Kitty.... bed hardly had the chance to go cold before she took up residence.

Mac was thrilled with the visitors.   He spent his time trying to persuade them to head straight to our place when the world ends (!)    Told them to bring as many bags of rice as they can grab with them.  Why he would see 'puddings' as being of prime importance beats me.    It seems his plan is to set up a 'Community' here... for survival (his) purposes only.   He's also discovered that  National Geographic is launching a week of Doomsday programs  in the lead up to Christmas  the End of the World.   Honestly...  who needs the Grinch!!  

Back to Kitty.   I did remember to get a photo of her latest project.....

She did the quilting on it while she was here.   No mean feat!    The fabrics are Kaffe Fassett and the pattern is called 'Economy Blue' from his Country Quilts book.   It's a stunning quilt.  Much, much better than the photo shows.   Mac is totally besotted with it so you can guess what I'm collecting fabrics for now...... 

Heck... I'd better get going.  My mum is taking me out for a birthday lunch.  Actually I'm taking her... to her favourite place for her favourite lunch... fish and chips!!   Boy... we do know how to live it up out here in the sticks!

Have a great fun filled week...

See ya soon....

Josie

p.s..... don't forget to enter the give-a-way... you have to be in it to win it! ;o)

There goes the diet!

The fabric diet that is.  I was doing so well too.  Mind you had I been able to get to the Scottish Quilt Show in September the diet would have crashed and burned then.  I reckon I deserve some Brownie points for holding out till now.

Fabric shopping was the last thing on my mind last week until the weather forecasters predicted a nice day on Friday... the first one in ages.   The perfect opportunity to cut loose and take a little road trip.   I met up with Chris on the road and we headed down to Northumberland to visit Stitchin Heaven.

Heavenly it was too........  the bolts on the table are the latest French General line... all of it!  If you live within striking distance I suggest you get your skates on if you want some.  I'm betting it won't be there long.

All four walls are stocked with gorgeous fabrics and lovely patterns.  It was really hard to choose.....

but somehow I managed.   I couldn't let the side down now could I.    How about the lovely bags.....

the snowflake one belongs to Chris and the Christmas tree is mine.   Amazingly we were restrained enough to only need one bag each.   Wonders never cease!

In my bag were this lovely bunch of fat quarters.   I'm sure I get more points for having a plan for all of them... don't I?  Some are destined for the Dear Jane box and the rest of them I'll turn into pretty baskets .  Heaven knows I need a lot of those.

Then..... I saw this and was lost.  There was no saving me.  All common sense went out of the window and Hugs & Kisses Twas The Night Before Christmas went in the bag.   I have always loved this quilt but managed not to buy it.    Told myself it was more for kids than adults.  I've no children... no grandchildren... no nieces or nephews.  Not a child within a million miles of me (slight exaggeration) so it would be silly for me to even think of making this one.      But I love it!!     If you look at the wall behind the counter where our bags are sitting  it's there made up on the wall.    Too cruel!   How much temptation can one woman resist.  Not that much.   Now it's mine and I can't be blamed.......

Next stop was a garden centre for lunch.    By this time Chris and I were quite giddy and totally in touch with our inner children.    There was this really cute Nativity scene..... the animals moved.   We stood with the mum's dad's and little ones and cooo'd over the sheep, donkey and calf.   Then got a fit of giggles at the camel.  The darn thing was giving everyone the come on!   I kid you not the beast was almost leering.  It's certainly the most lecherous looking camel we ever saw.   Not that we bump into many hereabouts.... just as well.   

We just happened to be passing by the door (well almost) of Just Quilting on our way home.  So we had to pop in there too.    Oh dear... !    I do have a plan for this little bunch too.    The neutrals are backgrounds for the baskets and the two Christmas fabrics... well they were just nice.    That cute little May Blossom pattern got in there somehow.... maybe by magic....   

OK.... so I really made a mess of my fabric diet but I'm still doing alright with the Cavewoman one.    I'm tickled pink to tell you that I've now lost 12.7kg  = 28 lbs = 2 stones!!     There is quite a bit less of me than there was a couple of months ago.   Of course I've still a way to go but I'm soldiering on.  I need to be fit to tackle this garden next spring.   

There hasn't been a whole lot of time for sewing lately and what time there has been has been spent on Christmas Secret Stuff.    Still..... I'm almost done.  The packages will be in the post by the end of the week and normal sewing will be resumed.     By the way..... 'MY' quilt is no longer mine.   My mum saw it and decided she liked it too.... so it's going to be her new quilt.  Oh well........

Better get going.... it's past my bedtime.  Early start tomorrow... taking my mum shopping.   Got to have all my wits about me for that.......

Hope you are all having fun....

Till next time...

Josie X

Happiness is......

finally finding time to make up the blocks for my new quilt.   I think I'm in love......

can't wait to snuggle under it.   Looks like Licky can't wait to snuggle on it either.

Now before you notice my little faux pas I'll tell you where it is.   Third row down... right hand side there are three blocks going in the same direction and looking like a row of egg timers.  Not any more.  I've turned the two blue/cream ones through 90 degrees.  Looks better now.    

This week I'm going to join the blocks and add the borders if it kills me.   I've not bought backing fabric for this quilt but I do have a lot of fabric left over from the top.   So I'm thinking of piecing squares for the back.  Quite like the idea of a reversible quilt too.... one side for me.... one for the pussies! 

Because you're not allowed to see any of the other projects I've been working on I had to buy a book to have something to show you.....

I know it's lame but it's the only excuse I could come up with for succumbing to the lure of  yet another

gorgeous quilting book from Edyta Sitar.

Raewyn... bet you a pound to a penny you can't watch this video without ordering it..... that goes for the rest of you too......;o))

 



I think I'm becoming an Edyta addict... one of these days I'll actually make one of her quilts instead of just drooling over them.   Problem is choosing which one........ watch this space.

While I'm on the subject of books.....  my mum surprised me with this.....

do you think she's trying to tell me something??   She also bought me one titled 'Wrinklies' Wit & Wisdom'... I'm not sure if I should be offended! 

What else.

Sally came over last week to layer up her latest quilt.....

It's a birthday present for her niece who's about to be 8 and is mad about pink.  I think she'll love it don't you.    Do you recognise the pattern?    Yep.... it's another take on  Nanny Sharons Picnic Quilt a real all time favourite of our little gang.

Cute flower block eh.....

Now you've seen it all.   Other news......

A decision has been made and a car has been ordered.    Something to think about..... how come a man who is convinced the world is going to end on 21st December orders a car for delivery in January.  Am I missing something? 

I blame National Geographic Channels Doomsday Preppers show for encouraging Mac and making him harder to spot in the garden....

Before I go I thought you might like to see part of my favourite road to the supermarket at this time of year.  The road just travelled.....

and the road ahead.....

I love living here!

I'm going now.  I've a bit of binding to stitch before I'm allowed to go to bed tonight.  No... I can't tell you what I'm binding you'll just have to wait to see.

Have a great week everyone....

See ya soon....
Josie X

Ooop's thought I'd better tell you that's not really Mac in camoflage......it's an actual prepper from the TV show.  But if Mac asks me to stitch us matching outfits like that I'll be sure to let you know ;o)

Off the wall!

When I got up this morning little did I think that today I'd be taking down my 'design wall' and giving it a much needed re-furb.

About a month ago I bought a nice white brushed cotton sheet with this in mind.....

I promise you the sheet is brilliant white all over. The grubby looking stuff on the back is the old surface that I left in place for extra stability.   Truthfully..... Mac had fixed the old cover on with so many tacks it would have taken me a week to get them all out.  As it was I drew blood pulling out the few that just happened to be right where I wanted to put a staple.  Don't worry I didn't bleed on the clean sheet.... thank goodness.

Both boards are finished and ready to hang again.... once I solve a little problem.   They were fixed to the wall with sticky backed Velcro which worked well till I took them down and the Velcro came with them!  Life is never simple.  Mac glued the Velcro back in place but it's just not sticking to the wall this time.   Time for Plan B I think.  Maybe involving a hammer.. some nails...a bit of pent up aggression?

Once I realised that no amount of wishful thinking would make the glue stick I put the pristine boards to one side and got on with the serious business of having some fun.    Remember this....

The Anna Griffin fabric I bought a while back to make this.....

Well I've finally put cutter to cloth....

 

This is going to be one hassle free project and the finished quilt is going to be mine..... ALL MINE!   OK... I'm shouting to make sure the pussies get the message.    What's the betting they ignore me and lay claim to it the second it's done.... little horrors darlings. 

Another great book winged it's way to me this week....

I love stars and this book has no less than 27 brilliant star quilt patterns.   They've all appeared in Fons & Porter publications at one time or another but as I haven't got many issues of their magazine I figured buying the book was a very practical thing to do.  Cost effective too.... much cheaper than buying 27 magazines.  I think I've convinced myself..... Mac is a different kettle of fish!

He's a bit preoccupied these days..... choosing a new car.    I'm doing my best to steer him in the direction of the one I like... well.... I'm the one who'll be driving it.    This could be difficult.  Mac is seriously into horsepower while I'm  more a MPG kind of a gal.   If it won't do a hundred miles on a bucket of chicken droppings I don't want to know!     Fuel Economy = Fat Quaters..... enough said! 

Now... I don't want you  thinking that because I haven't got much to show or tell you about I haven't been busy sewing this last couple of weeks .    I've been working hard on secret projects every chance I got.  Honestly I don't now how you fervent swappers keep up.   I'm only doing two and it seems like every sewing minute I have is spent working on swaps or thinking about swaps or worrying that I'm making something entirely unsuitable.  Phew!   Not to worry.... I've still got plenty of tranq's on hand and I should reach the wrapping stage before supplies run out.

OK... I'd better get going.   There's a recliner in another room with my name on it.   Hope to have more to talk about soon but in the meantime....

have fun doing what makes you happy

See ya soon...
Josie X 

Scotlands Next Top Model?

If the Judge is a blind man on a galloping horse....I'm in with a shout!

 

 

Chris thinks I suit the robe of Maid of the Mist.... but then she's the nut job that carried it all the way back from Niagara Falls just to get a laugh when I put it on.  Logo or not....who gifts a friend a giant wearable plastic bag for goodness sakes.  It came with it's own supply of Niagara water too.  That dripped on the hearth rug during the 'photo shoot'.   Nice one Chris!!   I'll get you back.

 

I've been seeing stars this week......

 

shiny sliver foiled ones that sparkle too much to be clear in a photo.  Just as well because they're part of a secret project I'm working on.    I have to thank Tilly (who stayed with me all last week) for showing how to foil on fabric and keeping a close eye on me while I did it. 

Here's another sneak peek.......

 

I'm really having fun with these projects..... problem is I love them so much I might not want to part with them.  Shame on me! 

 

Heavens.... this post is getting really BLUE!    Better have a colour change.....

 

 

These Dresden 'petals' are paper pieced then appliqued onto the background.  You can see from the needle in situ I'm not quite done with the applique.  Here's the progress so far...

 

 

I think this pattern is just gorgeous.    I was surfing for wall hanging patterns when I found a photograph of this design on Pinterest.   It was love at first sight.   I followed the link back to the Curio Flower Mini Quilt Tutorial from  Erin Russek at One Piece At A Time.    The fabric for her mini quilt is Moda Curio (who'd have thought) and it's absolutely gorgeous.

 

There is one thing I'm not happy about with my version and that is the two squares on the top right and bottom left.   They blend into one colour from a distance.   See what happens when I try to do 'random'... it just never works out.   It's no good.... I can feel a bout of unpicking coming on.

 

Tilly suggested we have a 'painting' day last week too.   My brushes haven't been used for a whole year.  There was some layer of dust on them I can tell you.......

 

 

Just a tiny glimpse of what I painted...... you never know who is looking ;o)

 

I succumbed to the temptation of this pattern last week too......

 

 

it was brilliant to buy it as a download.   True instant gratification!    I wish more designers would go down the e.pattern route.   Just in case you've been living at the bottom of a black hole these last few weeks and have never seen this pattern before you can buy it here and be cutting out hexies by bedtime.   You wouldn't believe but I just went to find a link to the pattern and found another .. this one... resistance is futile! I haven't decided on the fabrics to use yet but that Japanese style strip roll is in the running.

 

Before I go Bagpuss told me to tell you he is doing fine.   His bald patch is a little troublesome when he sits down on anything cold but apart from that he's tickety boo.

 

OK.... I'm off to press a button on that pattern.

 

Hope you are all in great fettle and enjoying your week

 

Till next time

Hugs

Josie aka Maid of the Mist 

All white on the night!

Well..... I might not have made it to the Quilt Show yesterday but the day was not a total loss.   I had a lovely relaxing FNSI instead. 

Isn't it funny how when you have a good rummage around looking for something different to do all sorts of goodies you'd put to the back of your mind catch your eye again.   Like this.....

Tailfeathers..... one of my all time favourite BOM's.     I had great fun prepping the little applique Robins.  For once Steam-a-Seam didn't get the better of me and I got all the pieces fused with no trouble at all.  Well... if you don't count that I fused the body of the bird on red fabric instead of tan first time... hey ho!
Got some of the blanket stitching done on the birds too.

Now for all the white stuff!

The roll of Sticky Fabri Solvy I ordered arrived yesterday so how could I not play with it last night....

The photo above shows the Solvy after I ran it through the photocopier to transfer the design.   It was a bit fiddly to do but that was more because I bought it in a roll rather than flat sheets.   The roll worked out cheaper (call me mean) inch for inch than the packets of sheets.   

Using my brain (!) I cut a piece of Solvy from the roll and stapled it at the corners to a sheet of craft card... kept it nice and flat and it fed through my aged printer/copier no trouble at all.

After that I trimmed the sheet down to the actual design area and peeled off the backing paper I stuck it in place.  Apologies for the brightness of the above photo.  I tried and failed to make it any clearer.   The design is in fact really well defined and PERFECT!   None of my shaky handed tracing ... it's just as the designer (in this case Leanne Beasley) intended. 

I did apply Parlan to the fabric before I placed the Solvy.  Wasn't too sure how the adhesive on the Solvy would react to the heat of pressing on the Parlan.   I'd imagine I could have had a real sticky mess on my hands and lots of tears before bedtime.  Better safe than sorry eh! 

Here it is in the hoop.   Have to say the design is really clear and easy to see and I felt it helped me to stitch a bit more accurately.     The fabric is a bit stiffer than usual and in the hoop I found it easier to stab the backstitch rather than working the stitch in and out in one movement.  Not much flexibility in the fabric.

I haven't worked with Parlan much... it's a bit bulkier than the Weaveline I usually use so maybe I just need a bit of time to get used to it.   I'll try the Solvy with Weavline soon and let you know how that works.

Here's a close up so you can see the texture of the Solvy.  Can't wait to see the end result once it's been dissolved away.

OK.... I didn't stitch a whole lot last night but I did enjoy playing with fabric.   It didn't help that I couldn't stay awake for a late night stitch in.   Didn't get much sleep Thursday night so I was comatose by 10pm.

Here's someone else who is having trouble getting out of bed recently.....

poor little Bagpuss has been to the Dr.   What do you do with a constipated cat?   Give it an enema according to the vet.   Fortunately Baggy has recovered from the embarrassment and is feeling quite comfy again.  He's much happier since I assured him no one can see his bald patch.... as long as he keeps his tail down!    What next.......

I'm off to blog hop now.   Hope everyone who joined in FNSI had a really great night.   Oooop's... just realised I forgot to drink my wine!  Next time.....

Have fun and I'll see ya soon
Hugs
Josie