Timber Cross Stitch Owl Brooch

I bought a timber cross stitch kit by Leutenegger from the Haby Goddess a few weeks ago and finally had some time to sit down to cross stitch the owl for my Mum. I was surprised at how quickly the kit arrived and it was wrapped in pink tissue paper and pink baker's twine ~ can you guess that it's my favourite colour!

The kit comprises a die cut timber cross stitch frame (the owl measures 5.5 x 6.5 cm), charts for six different patterns as well as an alphabet chart, DMC embroidery floss, needle and pre-cut peel-and-stick felt backing.

As per the instructions, I stitched the Flower pattern using three strands of thread, and it felt weird stitching on such a solid frame when I have been accustomed to stitching on fabric. The project was finished in less than an hour, and I stitched a brooch pin to the felt.

Women's Weekly Apricot Loaf

I haven't had a chance to bake for ages so Mum made this on Sunday from Women's Weekly Home Baked cook book. It is sooo good with a rich buttery, caramel flavour. Mum and I usually share the ends because we really like the crusty bits.

• 200g dried apricots, chopped
• 125 ml apricot nectar
• 100g castor sugar
• 110g firmly packed brown sugar
• 250g butter, chopped
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 150g plain flour
• 110g self raising flour

1. Preheat oven to slow. Grease 14cm x 21cm loaf pan, line base and sides with baking paper, bring the paper 2cm above the sides of pan. If you can't be bothered, just rip a large piece of baking paper and line the pan, it still works!

2. Place apricots, nectar and sugars in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil then simmer, covered, 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; add butter, stir until melted. Transfer mixture to large bowl; cool to room temperature.

3. Stir eggs and sifted flours into apricot mixture and spread into prepared pan.

4. Bake cake in slow oven about 1 1/4 hours. Cover hot cake tightly with foil; cool in pan.

Crimson Rosella

Our pair of crimson rosellas are enjoying the bird seeds we have in the garden. Only one bird can eat at the one time, and the larger bird (assuming he's the boy bird) usually waits for the smaller one (the missus) to eat first - rightly so I say! His patience ran out the other day because after waiting for his turn for quite a while, he pecked the missus and she flew away! How ungentlemanly!

There was only one bird who came on Sunday so I'm not sure who was giving the other the silent treatment.

Owl Cross Stitch

I was kidding when I said that I had 799 motifs to cross stitch from Anne Sohier-Fournel and Sonia Lucano's Pictos, Logos & Autres Tags Au Point de Croix book...so I now have 798 to go! Here is an owl cross stitch card for our family friend Janice for her birthday. I mounted it on a green card by Cristina Re and finished off with a green satin ribbon bow. A big happy birthday Jan!