A Stitched Snow Globe

Remember the in-progress cross stitch project I blogged about a couple of weeks ago?

Well, I finished it!

As you can see, it's a little silver snow globe - with a couple of mountains, a little cottage, some fir trees and (of course) some snow.

This is the first cross stitch picture I've designed - before this I'd only made a sampler or two, and some mini sampler brooches. I'm quite pleased with the finished result and, apart from the fiddly silver sections and all that unpicking I had to do when I changed my mind about some of the colours I was using (sigh), this was a super relaxing project to work on in the evenings this winter.

I think there is definitely going to be more cross stitch in my future!

I'm hoping to get the pattern written up neatly so I can share it with you guys sometime soon... if anyone is interested?

Bright Colours

Ugh, I have a horrid cold! I've got lots of crafty projects I'd like to be getting on with in the evenings, but simple knitted squares is about all my cold-fogged brain can manage at the moment.

So... I've been putting my feet up and knitting in front of lots of DVDs and, of course, the finale of The Killing 3 (OMG, what an ending!)

As you can see, I'm continuing to use up the yarn left over from making these pompoms. Those bright colours may not be actually making me better, but they are definitely helping to cheer me up.

I've also started knitting a few squares with some of my left over sky blanket yarn. I know the year's not quite over yet, but it's already obvious looking at my stash which colours I'll have going spare at the end. It turns out that there were a lot more more grey clouds this year than white ones. Ah, England.

Festive Birds

I've finally made a start on writing my Christmas cards and wrapping some gifts and while gathering my supplies together I noticed a clear birdie theme appearing. I guess this shouldn't be too surprising as I do love birds!

The cards I'm sending this year include these Birds & Berries cards from Dee Beale...

... and Holly Birds cards from Kate Slater:

I'm wrapping gifts with some of Kate Slater's lovely Robin gift wrap...

... and some of the lush Charley Harper bird gift wrap I bought from Fred Aldous last year which isn't specifically Christmas-y but who cares! The more birdie goodness the merrier, I reckon.

(All images borrowed from the respective stores I've linked to).

P.S. If you're looking for some nice tags for your Christmas gifts, do check out the printable gift tag round-up I posted a couple of months ago - lots of lovely things, including several birds (of course).

December Sponsors

Say hello to all my lovely current sponsors...

Miso Funky sells cross stitch samplers with a modern twist (and a bit of spicy language!) Their range includes wall art, coasters, magnets, embroidery kits and charts & accessories.

The Yellow House sells screen prints, brooches, badges and purses:

Lucky Cat Handmade sells handmade purses, pouches, key fobs and glasses cases:   

And All Tea Towels sells a wide range of linen and cotton tea towels:

Interested in promoting your shop, company or blog? Sidebar ad spaces on my blog start from just $10 (about £6.25) for 30 days. Your shop will also feature in a sponsor post like this one and I give new sponsors a shout out over on my Facebook page. Click here for more info re: rates and my blog's traffic.