Two finishes and a start!

As promised yesterday, a picture of the finished cakes, if you counted yesterday, you'll know that one more got the chomp before I managed to get back to them with icing!

 I used some of those Terrys chocolate orange segments to top them off.

 I love that they each have different messages on them.

 They are now, somewhat depleted. The men of the house got stuck in last night!

Though I did manage to save some for my brother. They will be delivered later today.

*

Finish number two is Santa!

Tadaa!

All done. Minus that awful looking border, thank you for that suggestion Janice!

He had  another good soak this morning and I even had another go at scrubbing at that rusty spot. There are still grubby spots, but hopefully Carlo can hide them when he frames it for me.

 *

My new start is called 

Lucky Escape.

can you tell what it is yet?

LOL

The entire project is worked in only eight colours, though some of them are blended to make a total of twelve symbols on the chart! It's also very small, with a finished size of 5 x 5 inches.

So I'll get this done, while I ponder my next larger project.

*

Dear Tony was contracted back to work by the receiving company. He has 25 days of work and will be paid for all 25 days, even if he finishes early. 

They are paying him VERY well too!

*

I received a letter the other day telling me that I have been given a case worker for my visa application and it may take 10 - 12 weeks to process! I could have cried, I was hoping to have the news before Christmas.

My case worker is supposed to email me, and send me a link, so that I can track my progress through the system, she hasn't done that yet. Does that mean I have landed on her desk, but didn't yet make it onto her radar?

Everyone keeps on reassuring me that there should be no problem.

I'm married to a Kiwi ex Pat.

We are in a long term relationship. (12 years)

And have provided oodles of proof of our relationship.

We don't have medical problems

We don't have criminal records.

According to Tony we are just a rubber stamp job!

And I should know very soon.

*

All I want for Christmas is a visa in my passport!

It's blowing a Hooley out there!

Although the sun is currently trying to make an appearance, it's a wild and wintry day here on the Isle of Man. The wind is gusting up to 70 mph. There are some fierce showers rattling through and next doors mail box is clattering! So that makes it a very good day to stay at home, wrapped up warm and doing something creative. Like my cross stitch. Santa finally has a face, I'm all caught up on the back stitching, and the only thing that remains to be stitched are the toys in his sack, I already made a start on the dolly, that's her blue dress you can see there.

I'm hoping to get Santa finished today. But first I got busy in the kitchen, it's a good day to have the oven on too! 

I made Chocolate and orange marble muffins. Once they have cooled I'll add a creamy chocolate topping and a slice of Terrys chocolate orange.

YUM!

I'm off to sew while the cakes cool down.

I'll try to get a photo of both finishes, but I suspect the cakes may be difficult, they disappear fast! There are already three missing!

Over the weekend.....

Santa collected his tree. 

I also got his beard finished. He is no longer headless, just faceless!  I'll fix that today though.

You know when you can almost taste the end of a project? I'm getting that feeling.

Some time in the next couple of days I'll have to go dig into my cross stitch stash and pull out a new project.

*

I noticed from my stats that 98 people looked at my last post! OMG! Does it have a suggestive title? Did someone famous link to it?  

Only two people commented though. LOL That's normal!

Flashy Photos!

It's dark this morning, so I had to use the flash I'm afraid.

Well, Santa's wreath is finished. Now I'm alternating between the Christmas tree he will be holding and his beard, which is rather difficult to see here, but I assure you it's growing!

The tree is promising to be as much of a pain as the wreath, if not more, as well as all the greens, there are several reds, for the ornaments and a golden garland. 

 Maybe, just maybe, I'll be finished stitching on this one by Christmas.

I did catch myself wondering how to finish him. It would be nice to do something different with him. Perhaps a wall hanger, with a forest of patchwork trees around him? Hmm......

*

If I'm wondering what to do with the finished project, then it must be time to start planning a new project.

A finish means a start doesn't it?

I've been lurking on Cross stitch sites, my clicky finger has been busy.

Hurry up and get finished Santa!

*

I had started another little crochet cardi, but lost count and got all in a tangle with it! So it got chucked into a bag and out came this pretty blanket I started while we were in Europe earlier this year. 

I'm off to see if I can find some more of the yellow yarn today, problem is, I'm not sure where I got it or even what brand it is! 

Never mind, I do have a plan B just in case.

Even though it isn't very big yet, I can confirm that it is very cosy. 

*

I'm off to do my chores, then I can relax and play.

Help!

Cheer me on please. This wreath is driving me bonkers! I seem to be spending more time changing thread colours than I do stitching.

I've tried 'parking' the threads, but just end up confused, I learned long ago I'm better off stopping and starting, no matter how much it slows me down.

This picture shows very clearly just how much detail a little back stitch can add. It also shows that nasty rusty needle stain in all it's glory. I'm so glad that one is not my fault, though I must admit, I have made that mistake in the past.

*

I'm off to town to do a few chores, then home to stitch! Maybe, just maybe I can get the wreath finished before The boys get home looking for food.

*