TUSAL December 2015

Here we are again - new moon, new month... end of the TUSAL year!  I can't believe how quickly 2015 has flown by!

My ORT's picture this month is all about the season.... Christmas/Holiday season that is, and as you can see the ORT's have been consorting with the Elves and Angels this month....

You probably can't see the ORT's very well but there is a lot of brown sitting in the little tin... I am still stitching on my creepy tree!  Hopefully the tree will be finished this week and I can finally get a more festive WIP out to stitch on in the days leading up to Christmas.

Until next time, happy stitching!

Hugs xx

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Essentially TUSAL posts are all about stitching and saving our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  I haven't heard yet whether Daffycat is going to host the 2016 TUSAL, but in the meantime pop over to Daffycat's blog to see the links for everyone's last 2015 Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL) update.  

New Moons - 2016
List coming soon.....

TUSAL November 2015

web image

As I write this post I am watching the BBC News while they report on the terrible events that occurred in Paris overnight.  When we first heard the news this morning I just couldn't believe what I was hearing.... and now I can't believe what I am seeing.  My heart goes out to everyone in France.... I know the French people are strong and they will survive these horrible attacks, but I fear there are dark days ahead...

My TUSAL post today will be short as I am struggling with the words....

TUSAL Nov 2015

Today's picture has the ORT's sitting in amongst the poppies with my Paris snow globe.  As the new moon date was Remembrance Day (11 Nov) and my garden is full of orange Californian Poppies I planned to take my photo out in the garden today... Typically the remembrance poppy is red... but my red poppies didn't re-grow - one day I must get some more red ones in the garden!  I decided to also add my Paris snow globe this morning after the terrible news of what happened in Paris overnight....

Stay safe everyone.... Paris and France we love you and are praying for you...

Hugs xx

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If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
11th December

TUSAL October 2015

Here we go for a very quick flyby post.... I have been trying to find time for the last 2 days to get this post written and ticked off the To-Do List all to no avail until now!  I am waiting for a visitor to come and see the boss, so thought while I am waiting I would sneak the opportunity and post!!

Just a photo of the little monthly ORT's this time (I forgot to get the suitcase out on Monday night when I took the photo!)

TUSAL Oct 2015

As it's October, and nearly Halloween, I added some cobwebs to the pic.... and you may also notice the Tardis hanging around as well - that's because Dr Who is back on the TeeVee... and also because my little ORT's tin is bigger on the inside!!

Visitor still hasn't arrived.... but that's good as I got my post done and dusted... and now I can pack up and be ready to go home as soon as the visitor is settled in - yee hah!! :o)

So that's it for my super dupper quick TUSAL update!  Shame I don't have a time machine in real life as I could go back to yesterday and pretend I posted on time!!

Til next time, happy stitching...
Hugs xx

*********************

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
11th November
11th December

TUSAL September 2015

Can you believe this... I forgot to post my TUSAL update over the weekend.... so I must make amends rights now!

Sorry for the really uninspiring picture of my ORT's this month... remembering to take photos just before I go to bed at night does not lend to awe-inspiring pictures!!

So there you have them.... a little suitcase full of ORTs since the last new moon... and a big suitcase full of 2015 ORT's so far!  If you're wondering what's in the background - just my iPad and my never-ending cup of tea (wish it was never-ending!) :o)  Told you.... very uninteresting photo this time around!!

While I'm here though, I thought you might like to see an update photo of "ABC Chats" from Les Brodeuses Parisiennes that I am stitching for TAC.  Last time you saw them I had started on Kitty "B".

Well Kitty "B" now looks like this:

Bit hard to see the kitty but I promise you he is starting to appear.... the red has been a pain to stitch if I have to frog as it is leaving red fluff behind.... I am hoping to get back to this one for IHWS which I believe should be happening this weekend.

So that's it for my very quick TUSAL update!

Til next time, happy stitching...
Hugs xx

*********************

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
13th October
11th November
11th December

TUSAL August 2015

Quick post for this afternoon.....

Here are my lovely ORT's for August - when I took the photo yesterday morning we had the most delightful sun shining outside - almost a Spring day!  I am so hanging out for Summer!

As you can see in my photo the small suitcase of ORT's is hanging out with the gorgeous purple South African Daisies or if you want to use their botannical name...  Osteospermum.  I just love these beautiful flowers - they are so easy to grow and are happy being ignored!  And of course this particular variety is purple - which is probably my most favourite colour of all time!

I will be back again soon with my GG post... I even have a couple of finishes to show you!!

Catch you next new moon with some more pretty ORT's! Happy stitching...

Hugs xx

*********************

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
13th September
13th October
11th November
11th December

TUSAL July 2015

Before I forget again.... I thought I had better get my TUSAL post up!

The orange suitcase is filling up rather quickly.... which is just great!  Lots of ORT's mean lots of stitching happening :o)

Did you see my two new needleminders in the background..... a sweet little shiny Marie (from the Aristocats) and a multicoloured owl!  Gina always has these beautiful shiny things that I just can't resist..... I think I am developing another addiction!!

I will try and get back tomorrow to give you all a stitching update on the FNSI and IHSW, but for now I must go back to my stitching!

Catch you next new moon! Happy stitching...

Hugs xx

*********************

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
14th August
13th September
13th October
11th November
11th December

TUSAL June 2015

It's TUSAL time again..... well actually it was TUSAL time 5 days ago but who's counting!

The top lot of ORT's are the ORT's from the last month... and the bottom lot are all the lovely ORT's from the whole year.  They are slowly starting to build up...

Did you notice that I appear to be having a cats and dogs theme happening here?

Catch you next new moon! Happy stitching...

Hugs xxx

*********************

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
16th July
14th August
13th September
13th October
11th November
11th December

TUSAL May 2015

May is definitely a slower blogging month.... after all that activity in April things have definitely slowed down around here....

I may be a week late.... but finally I am here to post my TUSAL pic

It is quite amazing how the ORT's seem to be growing these days...  This month's ORT's are sitting with my new friend.... Hubby bought this cute little sheep home the other day.  He is one of those little cuddly things that you can heat up (or freeze) a little bag that then gets popped into back and warms you up... just like a hot water bottle only cutier!  I haven't tried him out yet, but as it is getting colder here now I don't think it will be long before he comes in handy!

Over the last week I have been stitching on the "Faces of Joan Elliott" SAL piece.  I have decided to leave the last little bit of the first face for the time being (doing the 2 over 2 is doing my head in....) and I started the second square which is the cat.

After a week of stitching him, I have now put this one away - this is what he is looking like at the moment:

I am really pleased at how cute he is turning out to be.... this square is stitching up really quickly - next time I pick him up I should be able to get that square finished!

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The Annual Quilt and Craft Fair is in town at the moment.  Hubby and I went along yesterday for our usual shopping spree!

Before we started shopping though we met up a for a coffee with some other WA bloggers/stitchers/quilters.  This catch up was organised by Anthea from Hibiscus Stitches.  It was great meeting up with the girls.

Hubby was taking the pictures so managed not to get his own taken....

After a morning of walking around Hubby and I then met up with the girls again for lunch before we headed off home.

I did manage to buy a couple of things this time round, but I have to say that this year was extremely disappointing as far as needlework goes.....  There was only one cross stitching stand and unfortunately she didn't have any of the latest charts that I was looking for.  But of course, I did manage to buy some new kits and also some plain colour linen to add to my stash.

I have been eyeing these gorgeous kitties off for ages and finally got around to getting some of them.  I plan to stitch them to hang in the spare bedroom which we call "the cat room" as I already have cat pictures on display in that room!  I so feel a new start coming on.... which one should I start first I wonder!

Til next time when I have an update for you, happy stitching...

Hugs xxx

*********************

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
16th June
16th July
14th August
13th September
13th October
11th November
11th December

TUSAL April 2015

And here we are again.... another new moon and another date with my ORT's!

Last month I showed you my new ORT's container - the little suitcase.  Before changing over ORT's containers I used to put all my ORT's into one jar as I stitched, but now I have decided to collect my ORT's in a smaller container and then transfer them to the suitcase once I have done my monthly TUSAL report.

Now as the old saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words... so here are my ORT's from the last month.

TUSAL April 2015

It is quite amazing how many ORT's I have collected in the last month.  They will now go into the orange suitcase and I will start collecting again for another 4 weeks.

So that's it for this post.... I will be back again tomorrow with my continuing A-Z Challenge posts... so stay tuned!

Til then, happy stitching!

*********************

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
18th May
16th June
16th July
14th August
13th September
13th October
11th November
11th December

TUSAL March 2015

It's TUSAL time again....  another new moon - another month has disappeared before our very eyes!

As you know I have actually been stitching over the last month, and as you will now see the ORT's have been growing again!

But this month we have a slight change!  Gone is the old Maccona coffee jar that I have been using for years...

Today I have a new ORT's holder... but which one of these three is it?

Here they are... in the little suitcase....

The suitcase and the pretty blue box in the background are from the Body Shop.  They were full of yummy Body Shop things, but I didn't buy them for what was in them... I had eyes only for the containers!! ♥

This weekend is International Hermit and Stitch Weekend (IHSW) and for my weekend stitching I want to try and stitch on my Jean Farish Deer and Grapes SAL.

Here it is already to go... right where I left off last time!  The pretty paws needle minder and scissor fob are going to keep me company while I am stitching today!

So that's it for this post.... I will be back again in the next couple of days to show you what I have been stitching on over the last week or so... so stay tuned!

Til then, happy stitching!

*********************

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
18th April
18th May
16th June
16th July
14th August
13th September
13th October
11th November
11th December

TUSAL February 2015

I know, I'm late... again!  The New Moon was actually 18th February... but I just didn't seem to get around to taking a photo and posting in time!

So here we go with February's ORT report.... and since it's February, what do you think the ORT's have been doing?  Why celebrating Valentine's Day of course!

TUSAL February 2015

Hubby gave me the cute Forever Friend a few years ago and he normally sits on the dressing table in our bedroom... but I thought he deserved an outing and he is so very much a Valentine's Bear!

The ORT's jar is filling up already this year.  All that Crazy January stitching and follow on stitching in February has certainly helped fill the jar!

You may also be able to notice in the picture that I have received some more pretties from Gina's Fobs and Froggers!  As you can see from the pic below, Gina has excelled again with these gorgeous needle minders.  I just so love the pink frog and the sunflower..... think they are my favourites from this order....

New needle minders added to the growing collection!

There is one more order in transit.... and then I think I had better stay away from the FB page and stop looking as looking leads to buying!!  And with the exchange rate being so bad at the moment my credit card is looking very sad!!

So that's it for this post.... I will be back again tomorrow to show you what I have been stitching on over the last week... so stay tuned!

Til then, happy stitching!

*********************

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

New Moons - 2015
20th March
18th April
18th May
16th June
16th July
14th August
13th September
13th October
11th November
11th December

Day 20 & 21 - More Crazy Stitching and ORT's!

I know, I promised you an update a couple of days ago.... but unfortunately the forces have been against me the last few days and I just haven't found an hour spare to jump on and post.... But today I got into work a bit early so I thought I would at least start my post and see how far I got before everyone else gets into the office!

So where was I up to when I last sat down to post?  Oh yes.... Day 20 and 21 were also WIP stitching, and last night I started something new... but no photo of that one today as I forgot to take a photo last night before I went to bed - will post that one tomorrow with tonight's new start.

Day 20 - I stitched on my long neglected Margaret Sherry "Spring Bouquet" SAL.  This sweet design is a SAL that I started with some of the girls on the MS Lovers Blog last year.  I started stitching this one last year in April / May and that was about as far as I got!  So this is what kitty looked like when I posted on 4th May 2014.

Margaret Sherry "Spring Bouquet"
progress as at 2 May 2014

After and hour or so of stitching on Tuesday night, this what kitty looks like now:

Margaret Sherry "Spring Bouquet"
progress as at 20 January 2015

It is bit hard to see in the photo but I managed to add some white into his belly.... not a lot of progress but every little bit counts!  And it is nice for kitty to come out and see the light of day again!

Day 21 - Buddha and Bonsai (Dimensions kit) - started yonks ago (at least 4-5 years ago).  Now I don't think that I have ever posted a picture of this WIP on my blog.  I have gone back to the beginning of all my posts, and while I have mentioned it (in 2010!) there is no picture!  Just as well that I took a photo before I started stitching the other night.

"Bonsai and Buddha" - Dimensions Kit
Starting point for January 2015

This is quite a nice design to stitch and I really don't know why I haven't pulled it out of the basket long before now.  Fingers crossed that now it is out of hiding I will continue to stitch on on it

"Bonsai and Buddha" - Dimensions Kit
Progress as at 21/1/15

I managed to start on the base of the tree the other night as well as fill in a couple of other missing stitches in the leaves.  You may notice that I have a little fairy in the picture.... this is one of the needle minders that I bought from Gina's Fobs and Froggers and I decided to put her to good use holding the chart to the fabric as this particular WIP is on a scroll frame and I have the space to do this!!  Plus she is pretty...

So that's it for the stitching update.... now onto the next reason we are here!

ORT Report - TUSAL 2015

As you have all been seeing lots of photos of my stitching for January you can probably guess that I do have some ORT's to show....

TUSAL - January 2015

Sorry, this month's photo is probably not very inspiring is it?  But I wanted to show you the gorgeous fabric that I recently ordered from Tammy at Colour Cascade Fabrics.... and well the ORT's jar just fell into the pile of colours!! These fabrics are just beautiful... and do you know what - I discovered after seeing Tammy's fabric all over the Mira Facebook groups that she just lives down the road from me (well about a 15 mins drive - but in Australia anything less than an hour's drive is just down the road!)

If you don't know (or haven't heard) about the 2015 TUSAL, Daffycat is again hosting the fun Totally Useless SAL (TUSAL).  Essentially we stitch and save our ORT's (Old Raggety Threads) and every New Moon those of us participating in the TUSAL post a picture of our ORT's jar, and then leave little msgs for Daffycat on her blog to show that we have been stitching and have posted our wonderful pics.  Please head over to her sign up page and join in the fun!

Well that is it for this marathon post... not only is it a long one... but it has taken me all day to type!!

We have a long weekend in Australia this weekend so I am hoping to get lots of stitching in and maybe even have time to poke around on some of the 100's of blogs that are in my blog reader and catch up with everyone new's.

Til then, if you want to have a look at any of my previous updates for the FB CrosstitchCrazy Event and Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge 2015 (DUCJC2015) the links are below:

Day 1 - Winter Witch  Day 2 - "Eek!"  Day 3 - "Prancer"
Day 4 - "Autumn Fab Fob"  Day 5 - "Comet"  Day 6 - "Koala"
Day 7 - "Sneak Peek - Halloween"  Day 8 - "Printemps"  Day 9 - "été"
Day 10 - "Joyeux Noel"  Day 11 - "Feeling Festive"  Day 12 - "New Year's Magic"
Day 13 - "Grumpy Kitty"  Day 14 - "Happy Howloween"  Day 15 - "Happy Owl O Ween"
Day 16 - WIP "Faces of JE Mystery SAL"  Day 17 - WIP "Lizzie Kate's Jingles"
Day 18 - "Witch & Friends"  Day 19 - "Mini Mandala II - C"

Til next time, Happy Stitching!