an unexpected finish

I mentioned a few posts ago that I'd got my crafty motivation back.  I had a few days off work sick (just a really bad cold, but I was falling asleep as I drove to work so I turned round and headed home again) and I managed to accidentally finish a project.

I inherited this from Wonderful Mum.  The pattern is by Satsuma Street and it's Pretty Little New York.  New York is special to our family.  Mum and dad visited back in the 90s and loved it, so for mum's 50th (1999) he took her to New York again.  On her birthday, he took her for a walk to Strawberry Fields in Central Park where she found me and my brother sitting on a bench!  We all loved the city so much and have been back a few times since.

I got it just like that, she had been working on it before we lost her.  It was all kitted up with the threads cut to length and threaded on cards.  I knew I wanted to finish it, but it took me ages to get on with it.  I'd put a few stitches in here and there, but the first day I was off sick, I picked it up again.

And this happened!  I haven't ironed it yet, and I hope the hoop mark comes out ok.  I should really have taken it off the hoop but I have difficulties with mum's stuff sometimes.  I get over emotional and can't look any more.

I loved working this and I love the finished pattern.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet.  I should probably add mine and mum's names before I frame it.

Works in progress - a feltie and New York

I had a little spare time at the weekend and, instead of painting or decorating as usual, I actually sat down and did a little crafting.  Not much, but a bit!

I was sent this book to review on my blog and I finally made a start.  I'm working on one of the projects.  I've only got as far as cutting out the pieces, but it's a start, and it's a nice in-front-of-the-tv project.  Can you guess what it is?

I can't remember if I've shown this before.  This is a Satsuma Street design.  Most of what you see was stitched by my mum.  We both loved New York and both bought a copy of this pattern.  I hadn't got round to starting mine, but mum did.  She fully kitted it too, so I have everything to hand.  I've probably added about an hour's worth of stitching to this piece so far, just filling in some blank spaces.  It came in the hoop but I think I'll have to swap it for Q-snaps as I keep losing the tension - my main bugbear with hoops (and yes, the inner ring is bound).

Watch out for some progress soon!