Hi friends

I was unable to post anything on this blog due to work. The same excuse I have been giving previously. I have finished my doily, a picture of which is here. I have been stiching some Arabic verses during my free time.

While surfing I found this site which gives out free patterns daily and the patterns are very good. They are easy to download. The link is below:

http://cross-stitchers-club.com/?code_avantage=tctvsy

Happy cross stitching

Nisa

My old projects

I was unable to write due to work piling up. I found some of my old projects which I did about 10 years ago. This pattern was from an old book. I did the same in purple and presented it to my bro.

Last Tuesday was Eid and had been very busy. Friends and relations still drop in.

Ship from Pirates of the Carribean

I saw this pattern and wanted to stitch it 'cos it reminded me of the film Pirates of the Carribean. I was thinking what if I could put in Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann, it would be perfect. I am sorry I am not a good artist. I still have a little more to finish this. Hope you like it.

More cross stitch

Here is some more of my projects. This framed one was done by me about 5 years ago and it adorns a wall of my living room. The matching cushion covers are still in the process of being done. I came across this in a craft magazine. Your comments are welcome.


Here is a lovely quote:

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves - Amelia Earhart

Cross stitch and roses

There was a time I loved to stitch roses. I used to search for cross stitch patterns of roses. I stitched a few and presented them to friends and relatives. Now there are 2 in my possession. One is a cushion cover, the background is black. Here they are.

My mother who is 84 has come to stay with me. She was very good at crochet. I was able to learn crochet from her, but am not as good as her.

My projects

Hi

Thanks to Deepa and Rosalie for their comments and advice. I have had a very busy 3 months. I visited India in the beginning of August. We were in Chennai. Had an enjoyable time shopping and sight seeing. We spent 7 days there. My workload too was heavy.

Here are some of my projects. The strawberry one is for a cushion cover. The one on the right, is it tulips or daffodils? Whatever it is I stitched a few of those for a table cloth which I have not yet completed. I will be posting pictures of my other projects very soon. Wish everyone peace and happiness.

After a long time

I have been very busy during the last month with a lot of work, house as well as my transcription. I have finished the ship project (cross stitch) I was talking about in my last blog. Now trying to finish some of my other uncompleted projects. I will soon upload some pictures of my work for your valued comments. This month too is a very busy one but I hope to find time to write something.

Regarding cricket, I was very happy to see Sri Lanka clinch the Asia cup. Really enjoyed watching the match.

Have a nice day

Cheers

Cricket and Brazilian embroidery

Have been watching the IPL cricket matches. so could not write anything. Sad to see the Mumbai team with Jayasuriya and Tendulkar go out of the competition. It was very nice to watch Jayasuriya batting, sixes and fours to all parts of the ground. Now the semi finals tomorrow.

I started another cross stitch project on antique ships, the ones with large sails which will be good to use as wall hangings.

I love to do Brazilian embroidery. Could anyone give me a good site from where I can learn it.

Cricket fever

I had such a lot of work and what with the cricket matches going on, no time to write. I am a cricket fan too. I am enjoying watching the matches which is telecast every evening. While watching the matches I do my cross stitch.

I have finished stitching the Arabic cross stitch and now outlining it with gold back stitch. It looks good.

A Dieter's Prayer

During the last week we have been experiencing heavy rain with lightening. So whenever I was unable to stitch or sit at the computer, I read some old books. In one of the Riders Digest I found an interesting poem which you too will enjoy.

A dieter’ prayer for the holidays:

Lord, grant me the strength that I may not fall

Into the clutches of cholesterol.

At polyunsaturates, I’ll never mutter,

For the road to hell is paved with butter.

And cake is cursed and cream is awful

And Satan is hiding in every waffle.

Beelzebub is a chocolate drop

And Lucifer is a lollipop.

Teach me the evils of hollandaise,

Of pasta and gobs of mayonnaise.

And crisp fried chicken from the South—

Lord if you love me shut my mouth.

-Quoted by Steven A Pickert, M D, in Organic Gardening.

Here is some more pictures of my trip to North of Sri Lanka.

Why the price difference

Today I was able to finish my work early. I took out my cross stitch bag and found that there are several unfinished ones. While stitching one of the projects – a cushion cover covered with strawberries, I was wondering why the DMC 6 strand embroidery thread costs more than the Anchor one. DMC costs 3 times more than Anchor. Is it only in Sri Lanka or is it the same everywhere? Hope someone will enlighten me on this. The cushion cover looks lovely, the pattern was in one of the Indian books I bought at a store. Very soon I will put some pictures of my work on this blog for your comments.

Happy cross stitching!!

Getting back to stitching

I had some urgent transcription to do the last few days. This takes priority over all other work. So no way of getting back to my cross stitch projects. At the moment I am learning black stitch when time permits. It looks great. I must try this for a cushion cover. This is all for now.

Here is a picture a beach in Sri Lanka. This was taken when we went on a trip to Trincomalee which is in the north of Sri Lanka.

My trip to Kandy

The trip to Kandy by train was very pleasant . The train passes through about 10 or 11 tunnels and the sceneries are breath taking.

I was able to spend time with my mother, sister and family etc. It was raining most of the time so the children spent there time playing board games as they were unable to go out. We enjoyed our stay though the weather was gloomy.

My hometown

This weekend I hope to go to Kandy which is my hometown. It is in the centre of Sri Lanka a beautiful city surrounded by hills. It has picturesque sceneries. In the midst of it is a lake. The town is a little congested, but is old and beautiful. The Peradeniya Botanical Garden is a place where you can spend the day. A river flows on the edge of a side of the garden.

Yoghurt making

For those who are interested in making yoghurt, here is a simple and easy recipe.

You will need 1 litre milk, 2 or 3 table spoons dry milk powder, and 2 table spoons store bought plain yoghurt.

Add the dry milk powder to the milk. Heat the milk until it is almost boiling. Heat slowly and stir often to prevent scorching. Remove before it comes to boiling point. Allow the milk to cool at room temperature. Don't proceed until the temperature of the milk is about 90F (32C). Let the store bought plain yogurt sit at room temperature while you are waiting for the milk to cool. Add the plain yogurt to a little milk in a cup and stir well. Add this to the boiled milk. Pour your milk into a clean container or containers. Cover each one tightly with a lid or plastic wrap. It will take about 8 – 12 hours to set. Place the yoghurt in your fridge for several hours before serving. It will keep for 1-2 weeks. You can use yoghurt from this batch as starter for the next batch.

Happy yoghurt making!

Cross stitch is one of my favourite past time. Now for sometime I have put my projects on hold due to work. I must put a few pictures of my work on the blog so you can have a look at it. I have stitched many cushion covers, wall hangings which adorn the walls in my house. I am thinking of doing this on a commercial basis in the near future, starting with some wall hangings, bags and table runners etc. First, I must collect some specimens. Any ideas are welcome.

Recently I got some Arabic cross stitch patterns. I have finished one and started on another.

My first blog post

I am a WAHM (Work At Home Mom) doing medical transcription. I do a little not much, to earn some money which is very useful these days, what with the cost of living sky rocketing. There are so many ways to make money at home by starting some small businesses like making yoghurt on a small scale which can be sold to neighbours and friends at a price which is a few bucks less than that is available in the market. Soap and candle making too is a good idea. These can be sold at a church feast and any festival sales. There are so many products which can be homemade and marketed among friends and neighbours which can bring in an income to help us these days.

I love cross stitch which has been a hobby of mine for the last 20 years. I started this to pass my time while the children are at school. (By the way I have 2 kids) It once became an addiction with me. That was the time I stitched any patterns that I could lay my hands on. Now with the advent of the internet I can surf and am able to get many patterns from various sites. Thanks to cross stitch fans all over the world the cross stitch world too have become small.

I love cooking and plastic canvas stitching too which I will write about another day.