Teeny Preview

A whole lotta stitching going on this week.  Here is a teeny preview of what's to come.  Before the week is out, two new designs will be released!  I hope you like them.  And thanks for stopping by!

Reminiscing...While Stitching

Two Days Old!

It's hot.  I never thought I'd say that about the Far North of Scotland.  I've been here for six years, and I've not experienced "hot".  Well, it's been lovely and warm for the past few weeks, and today, it was hot.  And muggy.  And very buggy.  The air was heavy, with lots of fog and sea haar.  When we were feeding the lambs, zillions of tiny fly-type bugs (possibly a type of midge?) were stuck to us.  Had to come home and take another shower just to get them out of my hair!  

So, it's hot.  And I'm stitching.  And thinking about our two bottle babies.  Above is a photo from when we first brought them home.  They were so tiny!  I can't believe how much they've grown.  They are 11 1/2 weeks old now ~ healthy and robust!

Time to stitch...with the occasional ice cream break...

Persistently Stitching

I'm excited about all the various web platforms and sites I am discovering for selling and promoting handmade items.  I know, I'm very likely waaaay behind the times, but I am moving forward, even if it's at a snail's pace.

Meanwhile, I'm stitching, stitching, stitching... working on a fifth design for a new kit.  The designs are piling up, but stitching my samples is very time-consuming, as all needleworkers know.  I have no stitchers in the background.  Any takers?

Here's a sneak peek:

St Columba Now Available

YAY!  St Columba is finally kitted and for sale on Etsy.

Three more designs are in production, so it's lots of stitching going on.  What's everybody else working on?

Friday :: Time for a Freebie

NOTE:  This chart is no longer available as a freebie.  You can find it as an instant PDF download in my Etsy shop :: for only £2.50.

Hello All!  We are enjoying glorious summer weather in the Far North of Scotland.  Don't get that much here, so we're making the most of it.  And... the thistles are starting to bloom.

 I've been inspired to create a freebie pattern for you...a little taste of summer in the Northern Highlands of Scotland:

 This little group of thistles would make up great in a variety of ways :: a little picture for the wall, a little pillow, a pin cushion, or what have you.  It's approximately 3" X 4".

 Thistles are sort of brushy on the tops of the flowers, so I've added long-stitch in a darker color over the paler purple to give a more "thistle-y" effect.

To get your free thistle pattern, CLICK HERE for a PDF download.  If you make your thistle, I'd love to see your finished product.  Please drop me an email with a photo of your creation!

And, as always, a little bit of lambiness for your viewing pleasure:

Happy Summer, and thanks for stopping by!

St Margaret Now Available in My Etsy Shop...And Lamb Therapy

I'm happy to say St Margaret has been kitted and is now for sale in my Etsy shop.

 

Next up:  St Columba.

Meanwhile... Lamb care continues :: TWO bottles a day.  This week we go to ONE bottle (YAY!).  The little ones are doing very well with the big ones, out in their field.  The big fellas were clipped about a week and a half ago, and they are enjoying the sun now that their big wool coats are gone.  A few lamby photos for you ~ for a dose of lamb therapy:

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

St Margaret of Scotland

Happy news!  St Margaret of Scotland is being kitted as we speak, and will shortly be available in my Etsy shop.  She is stitched on blue marble Aida, which is included in the kit, and her crown is done in metallic thread, also included.

St Margaret was extremely generous and loving to the poor, children, and anyone in need.  She is the only member of Scottish royalty ever to be canonized a saint.  When you visit Edinburgh Castle, you can see a wonderful little chapel belonging to her.

St Margaret lived in the 11th century, and she was the wife of Malcolm III, King of Scotland.  She was also mother to eight children, three of whom became kings of Scotland, as well ~ most notably King David I.

In my interpretation of St Margaret, I have her wearing period clothing and her hair in a long, golden braid and wreathed with a gold crown.  She is flanked by a little girl on the right and a little deer and cat on the left.  I hope you enjoy this version of St Margaret!

Separation Anxiety

Every mother dreads the day her babies will leave home, right?  Well, it even happens to surrogate lamb mothers!  Today we took the babies out to their new home (only a mile away, but still).  It was time.  We've had them living in our garage / backyard for eight whole weeks.  The original plan was four or five.  You know how it is.  How do you part with such cuteness??

So now the babies are living with their "uncles" and everyone has lots of room to run and play, graze and browse, nap and ruminate.  The little ones have their own shelter, complete with their own hay, a straw bed, kibbles, and tiny water trough.  My dear husband says they'll be fine.  Yes, but will I??

Introducing :: St Thomas the Apostle

Well, it has been a busy time at Fearn Abbey Needleworks (read:  frequent interruptions by the bottle lambs!), but I am so happy to finally introduce the kit for St Thomas the Apostle:

St Thomas comes as a complete kit which includes 14-count black Aida cloth, color-fast stranded cotton threads, needle, chart, instructions, and information about the saint.  

St Thomas is the first in a series of cross-stitch saints.  All of the saints are approximately 5.5" by 7.5", and I have mounted mine in mats or frames with a 7" by 9" aperture.  It will be easy for you to find the right mat or frame in a standard size.  

If you would like a St Thomas kit, he will be available soon in my Etsy shop.  Also coming soon:  St Margaret of Scotland and St Columba.