Another Year in Chalk design I needed to stitch. I stitched the clovers in green rather than the diamonds. Good thing, too. It used the full skein of chalk as is. I’d’ve needed to buy another if I’d stitched the clovers in white.
Vitals:
Design: A Year in Chalk: March by Hands On Designs
Stitched on 30-ct. Gunmetal linen by Weeks Dye Works as recommended, using recommended colors.
Changes: Stitched clovers in Avocado and diamonds in Chalk instead of the reverse.
Have a lucky day!
Typing “stitchier” will get you a “that’s not spelled right, or something” red line. Stitchier, stitchier, stitchier. March isn’t half over yet, and I’ve already stitched more than last year, so stitchier it is.
Here’s what I’ve been up to–Oh, wait! I forgot to share this last year–
This is Just Nan’s Gingerbread Jingle Mouse, stitched on 32-ct gingerbread fabric (I want to say Picture this Plus?) with recommended DMC fibers. I stitched it for a friend for Christmas. It’s so freaking adorable. You know how sometimes you stitch a gift and don’t want to give it away? Yeah, that. I gave it to her, but it wasn’t easy. OK. Now for 2015 stitchier stitching.
Last December I was in AZ, and visited the Attic Needlework shop in Mesa. Yes, it’s as wonderful as you’ve heard. It was more wonderful than I expected, honestly. I relieved them of much stash when I was there. The Just Nan mouse above was one item that left with me. Another was this Rovaris pendant, which I stitched in January.
I completed the stitching fairly quickly, but I haven’t assembled it yet, because it went missing twice. The first time was in my stitchy trash can (gasp!). The second time was because I have too much stash. I rediscovered it yesterday. I’ve got to get busy with the assembly.
Next came Leaping Cat by La-D-Da. I stitched this over one over one on 40-ct. Light Exemplar as an experiment. There are counting errors that I learned to accept, though I wouldn’t have on another project. It was just too small and confusing to find the errors. I love it anyway, so the experiment was a success.
What this project needs is an image that gives perspective. Trust me, it’s small. The framing was unexpectedly expensive. It deserves the extravagance.
I did some work on a WIP, too. Going to Market by Dimensions. The mother and child are walking to market, waiting for the background stitches. I’m stitching this over one on 32-ct. It’s challenging, but much easier than over one on 40-ct. linen.
I have strong magnifying lenses I clip to my glasses.
I also finished the January design of A Year in Chalk by Hands On Designs. I couldn’t resist. I couldn’t wait to stitch it. I haven’t decided how to finish it. I don’t plan to stitch every month. I have March on order at my LNS. They are very cute designs.
I’ve also been working on a bigger project–Bargello Symphony by Loretta Spears. I’m not stitching this in the original colors. My sister saw my original Bargello Symphony and asked me to stitch it for her, but not in pink, as she doesn’t like pink. She ultimately decided on taupe and cream colors. My sister once asked me to never stitch anything for her, which, OUCH! But really, better to know beforehand, yes? I got over the sting quickly. More stitching time for presents for me. 🙂 When she asked me to stitch her something I was surprised and flattered. It’s really important to me that she likes it. I’ve been sending her progress pictures.
Fabric on the stretcher bars!
First stitch!
Part one (of six) complete.
Part two complete.
I have to wait to complete the third part. The instructions say you only need one spool of metallic, but I used it up already. Maybe I cut the pieces too long. I don’t know. But I’ll be able to complete part three when the spool comes into the LNS, as I had to order it. It’s so weird to be stitching this again. I never expected to.
I hope you’re warm and dry. Happy Stitching!
It’s tiny. Don’t laugh. It’s something. 
It’s called Vive Noel. It’s a kit I got on one of my stashquisition adventures. It’s a mysterious item. It appears to be part of a series called Miniatures d’Alphabets by a French company called Alphabets. What I do know is that it’s stitched over one on 40-ct. linen with the included supplies, and I didn’t stitch the entire design for two reasons–I made some sort of counting error and my project is two stitches too narrow and I didn’t feel like dealing with figuring out where to make the compensation in the bottom portion of the design, AND it seemed done to me. This was the part of the design I was drawn to. I guess maybe I should have found a place for my initials and the year, but, meh.
Vitals: Vive Noel kit by Alphabets Stitched one over one on provided 40-ct linen
P.S. WordPress seems to have gotten buggy in my absence. It didn’t accept my photo opening in a new window, like it invited me to request, and then it squished everything into one paragraph. Rebellious little platform, isn’t it? 😮
Happy Stitching! 🙂
It’s time to clean up the hanging threads of 2013 and make sure I’ve shared everything I’ve meant to share. I’ve been a neglectful blogger this year, so I have a few pictures I haven’t yet posted.
Bone Appetit from Lizzie Kate’s Halloween Thrillogy. I finished this a few days after Halloween.
Later in November, I got Pieta framed. I took a quick picture to show my father before Christmas. He was traveling for the holidays, so I’ll be sending this off to him shortly. I never did get a better picture than this. Dad joked I should take a picture with my phone. I thought it was a good suggestion. That one wasn’t better.
After I sent Wendy her ornament, I started working on ornaments for myself that I’ve wanted to stitch for a very long time–Brightneedle’s “To Thee” stockings from JCS Ornament issues. I stitched them on 28-ct. Country Cream Vintage linen. I used all DMC for each ornament.
To Thee Love, from the 2004 JCS Ornament Issue, and To Thee Hope, from the 2006 JCS Ornament Issue.
To Thee Peace from the 2003 JCS Ornament Issue, and To Thee a Very Merry from the 2008 JCS Ornament Issue.
I rotated the colors in Peace to give her a pink dress instead of pink accents. For A Very Merry, I added the year and moved around the eyelet stitches above the year to fit. I also had fun with the eyelets. Many of them are off center.
Finally, I made progress on 272 Words by Primrose Needleworks. I’m not quite done with the first page. Instead of GAST Nutmeg for the text, I’m using soot by Nina’s Threads, which I ordered from The Thread Basket.
That does it for 2013. I’m going to participate in the Sampler World Snoot Parrots SAL 2014 on Facebook, so I’ll have another WIP very soon.
Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year. Happy Stitching! 🙂
I frogged the cat’s original 844 as planned, and left the tail with the “old” thread. Then the boy let me know I finished it too late, what was I thinking stitching on it in November? I love having a supportive family. He’s a sweet child.
Because my fabric is brighter than the fabric used for the model, I decided to change some colors to a lighter version. In the case of the cat’s bow, I changed it entirely.
Vitals:
Cat from Pumpkins by Prairie Schooler
Stitched on 30-ct WDW linen with DMC threads
Changes: 166 for 300, 613 for 611, 581 for 3012, and 677 for 3046
Happy Stitching! 🙂
After my sister repinned this pin from one of my Pinterest boards ~~
She asked me to stitch a couple of circles so she could make each of us one of these pincushion jars. So, I did.
I used the color placement of this classic Quaker motif in the June 2010 issue of Gift of Stitching magazine from the Tropical Quaker Sampler designed by Wal D’Champs. I used Dinky Dyes Mango Tango silk and Caron Waterlilies Flamingo Pink.
This is chart #569 from the French book Repertoire des Frises. I used Thread Gatherer’s Silk ‘n Colors Picadilly Circus and Tidal Pool.
I just need to iron and mail them, and then…wait…
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I am finished!! I thought this day would never come. I feel free.
Vitals:
Pieta Detail by Cross Stitch Collectibles
Stitched one over one on 25-ct fabric with DMC threads
Happy Stitching!
I completed the Doctor Who pixel piece a bit ago. It’s so adorable.
Vitals:
Doctors Nine, Ten, and Eleven
Designed by weelittlestitches
Stitched 2 over 2 on 32-ct linen with recommended DMC fibers
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I FINISHED!! Sorry to scream, but I almost can’t believe it.
Block 8 completed. We decided to use Capt. Jack Aubrey’s name, because the husband loves Patrick O’Brian’s series. We used the date of O’Brian’s death in 2001 as the death date. It seemed appropriate to lay him to rest in 1818. The last year Aubrey is known to command a vessel is 1817. Last night I thought 1821 may have been a better year, since O’Brian’s final, unfinished manuscript was titled 21. But, you know, whatever.
Here she is, finally:
Vitals:
Shores of Hawk Run Hollow, designed by Kathy Barrick-Dieter of Carriage House Designs
Stitched on 40-ct Lakeside Linens Vintage Autumn Gold with NPI silks as recommended.
I hope you had a lovely Easter. Happy Stitching! 🙂
This is what I was up to in February:
Vitals:
Peace on Earth by Victoria’s Sampler as appeared in 2011 JCS Ornaments issue. Stitched on 28-ct Cafe Mocha linen.
I love this little purse so much. It was fun to stitch.
Vitals:
Think Snow by Sweetheart Tree. Stitched with recommended fibers and beads on 32-ct Blue Ice linen.
I’m not going to mention how many times I’ve lost and found this chart, mmkay? I think I love the final choice of linen color, though I do occasionally wish I’d used the opalescent gray I bought for it, because it was sparkly. But the icy blue makes me happy without opalescence, so it’s all good.
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I have a weakness for Shepherd’s Bush small designs. I tend to like their bigger designs, too, but their small designs quite often make me weak in the knees. I finished Poor Robin’s Pincushion a few days after Warm Heart. I haven’t decided whether to finish it into a pincushion or a pinkeep. For now it’s on a table making me smile when I pass.
 |
Vitals:
Poor Robin’s Pincushion by Shepherd’s Bush
Stitched with supplies in kit.
Modifications: Omitted words around design
Well, I’ve been scarce, haven’t I? Part of it was not feeling like blogging, and part of it was Webshots changing over to Smile. That completely discombobulated me. I’m still pouting that all my linked photos are gone.
I hope you had a happy, blessed holiday season.
I may have been hiding, but I was stitching while doing so! So, pictures, pictures, pictures!
First: June Monthly Sampler finished into a flat fold. Yes, I finished stitching it in ’07. Yes, I have many more flat folds to complete. Don’t judge me.
 |
Next is God Bless Those by Shakespeare’s Peddler. I ordered this as a gift to myself and stitched it up straight away. Now it needs to be finished, as my many previously mentioned monthly samplers do.
 |
Vitals:
God Bless Those by Shakespeare’s Peddler
Stitched with included supplies as charted on 40-ct linen provided; key charm added where stitched key was charted.
Now the ornaments. 🙂
 |
I finished the Shepherd’s Bush Merry Be pincushion as an ornament. The fabric you see was used as backing. The red isn’t that bright, but you get the idea. When I try to darken photos, Picasa gets upset. I was going to ruche the ribbon like the model, but I liked it plain. I like the knotted ribbon, too. Amazing ideas can come from impatience and laziness. I liked the plain finish so much that I didn’t bother to cover the slice I put into it with a seam ripper. I’m learning to be wabi sabi about my stitching. Sort of. You can see where the slice was, but I’m not helping you find it. 😀
 |
Hardanger Poinsettia by Carole Rodgers for Cross Stitch & Country Crafts, April 1994. This was stitched on 32-ct Picture this Plus Phoenix linen. The flash was really bright on this. The red is darker. The splotch is pink, which I really like. That only took eighteen years.
 |
He’s a Flake by Little House Needlework. I stitched twins. One for an exchange partner, one for myself, because I lurve him. They were stitched on 32-count linen (I think Rue Green) with the recommended colors, except the red. I don’t remember what I used. It was less brick-y, but not really bright.
 |
Christmas Beer, front and back. This is modified from Christmas Cheer by Heart in Hand, as appeared in the JCS Ornament issue, 2001. I removed the year, moved the stars, and used the hearts from a different ornament on that page (I can’t remember the designer offhand. You don’t want me to procrastinate posting this to go check, do you?). The beer stein was modified from a picture of an old design I had saved on my computer. This was stitched on 32-count linen, Rue Green. I’ve been planning this for forever, too. This ornament has great family sentiment behind it. It’s based on a carol my husband “wrote” while enjoying Christmas cheer. Here are the lyrics:
A McGinty Carol
Christmas cheer
For Christmas beer
Christmas is
Our time of year!
{You’re welcome. 😉 }
I’m thrilled I finished two ornaments that have been on the back burner for so many years. You know how it is: so many ideas, so little time. And so many distractions. Nod, nod
Happy Stitching, and all the best in 2013.
I had an urge for something new. This project won. The model looks like so. I didn’t care for the fabric included in the kit, so I went stash diving and came up with 28-ct. Country French Wheaten. I’d gotten a bit of two stockings and then the branch when I decided I didn’t like the size. It was too big. I plan to make an ornament rather than a pincushion, and it seemed huge. I also realized that the light color for the right stocking was nearly the same color as the fabric. I frogged the stitching. I was too lazy/impatient to look for a new fabric, so I decided to stitch over one. I switched out the creamy color for NPI white. It was handy in my Shores WIP. Easy choice. I’ve been anti-word stitching lately. It’s weird, because I might ordinarily tell you I enjoy stitching words. Not lately. Hence, no “Merry Merry Be” atop the branch, but a couple of extra stitched stars. I wonder if my “None of the Words” mood is why I’m procrastinating the last two blocks on Shores? I could have used the star button that came with the kit, but I didn’t want to. I had to change a couple of the specialty stitches due to the over one stitching. The berries are French knots instead of Smyrna crosses. The squares in the right stocking are Smyrna crosses instead of the modified Rhodes stitches that were charted. I also omitted the Quaker star motif and the bottom of the design. Just felt like it. I really liked the trees, but I don’t love sheep the way the Shepherd’s Bush gals do. It felt done. As my son enjoys saying, “I’m not even sorry!” 😀
 |
| From Cross Stitch 2012 |
Vitals:
Merry Be Pincushion kit by Shepherd’s Bush. Stitched 1 over 1 on 28-ct. Country French Wheaten with floss supplied in kit, except for the cream color. NPI white was substituted. Adaptations were made due to its size and my mood.
Who knows, I might even finish it into an ornament before Christmas. Heh.
Happy Stitching! 🙂
Quaker aux Clefs by Jardin Prive. This would have been finished sooner, but life events prevented me from stitching. I suffered withdrawals, but I’m OK now.
I changed a few of the colors because the colors the chart called for didn’t resemble the model. I know that colors can “change” or appear different depending upon the surrounding colors, but there was no way the peachy color of the vase and medallion outlines was ever going to resemble the pink of the butterfly. I’m so glad I modified the colors, because I love these colors so much. I can’t get over it. They make me so happy.
This piece was a case of irresistible start-itis. I tried to decide what sort of finishing treatment I wanted to do, and I only wanted it to sit on a table, inviting you to pick it up. I thought I’d make a hemstitch and it would be pretty, pretty, all done. But the scrap I stitched this on wasn’t big enough for a standard hemstitch. I decided on a picot-edged pulled thread edging. That’s sort of what I ended up with after a few adventures. The most amusing adventure was with the light green. I thought I was using the original color. I certainly meant to. But when I had to cut a second length, the newer stitches weren’t the same color. Somehow during a previous project, I had wound a different color around the stitchbow. I figured out what color that was, and continued stitching with it.
I began the first step of the picot edge: pulled satin stitches. Next I was supposed to pull around the satin stitches in a “V” shape, after which I would tuck under the edge and hemstitch it. I started to do that with little success. I decided to tuck the edges under and hem it without the typical hemstitch, which amounted to just tacking it down on the backside (see below). Then I was going to do the final pulled stitches for the picot edge. Only by that time I was in love and my heart said it was done. So it’s done like this, and I’m so happy. I’m in love with the colors and the piece.
Here’s a peek at the back and the tacking of the hem.
Vitals:
Quaker aux Clefs by Jardin Prive
Stitched one over two on Lakeside Linens 40-ct Oyster Mist
Fibers used: DMC 152, 223, 407, 522, 926, 3022, 3051b 3768, 3859
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I finished a small piece in my dormant “travel” bag. I haven’t had much waiting around to do lately.
So cute! I changed most of the colors. It started with the alphabet. While pulling threads for another project, I saw CC Wisconsin Woods and was inspired to make that the color of the alphabet. When I pulled the rest of the colors, I used what I had available that seemd to be close to the original colors. I didn’t have the buttons, so spiderweb roses were a fun substitute. I’ve loved this pattern for so long, admired others’ finishes so many times. I’m so glad I’ve stitched it. I’m very happy with how it turned out.
Vitals:
Happy Bunny Bunny Day by The Trilogy
Stitched one over two on WDW 40-ct linen (can’t remember exactly which color–beige, maybe?)
Fibers used: CC River Rocks, Weeping Willow, and Wisconsin Woods, GAST Antique Rose, Forest Glade and Soot, and WDW Whitewash.
Embellished with spider web roses instead of buttons.
Happy Stitching! 🙂
This pattern has three reverse-image symbols. Sure enough, I goofed on the very last one. Some of the brown leaves were supposed to be green. I think it was a subconscious move, because I found that green distracting. Additionally, I grew stubbornly resistant to frogging as the finish drew near. I left ’em. I don’t mind, and I couldn’t wait to finish her.
Here is my “later-in-autumn-than-you-might-have-expected” conversion:
She’s so lovely.
Vitals:
Touching the Autumn Sky by Mirabilia
Stitched on 32-ct Silkweaver Blue Dynasty with recommended fibers and beads (except for the previously noted slip-up)
Happy Stitching! 🙂
This project took FOREVER to complete. I mean years. I’d never stitched on silk gauze before. That wasn’t too difficult, I don’t think. I can’t be 100% certain, though, because stitching this piece was so much harder than I anticipated.
Ring O’ Roses by Elizabeth R. Anderson, Miniature Embroideries.
Stitched one-over-one on 48-ct. silk gauze with black silk floss, as provided in kit.
Finished with a two-sided mirror as provided in kit.
When I bought it, I assumed it was 40-ct. gauze. You know what happens when you assume, don’t you?
It’s 48-ct. 
This was definitely my limit.
Anyway. HARD. Hard to see, harder to frog. I used 3X magnifiying cheaters. It was still hard to see. There are many mistakes. I don’t know how many, but it’s so hard to frog when you can’t see. There’s enough that the image was a little wide to fit perfectly in the mirror that was included in the kit (that I was tricked into buying because it was 50% off). I don’t care. I finished it, and I’m so glad. I would stitch a bit, get confused and stabby, and not pick it up for months on end. Even when I became determined to finish, I put it down for months after completing a mini-goal. This week I persevered and stitched the girls in the center. And now I’m done!!I rewarded myself with chocolate. Because I didn’t have cookies.
Here are the ladies–
See? TINY. So, hooray, I did that. But never again. Not 48-ct, no, no, no.
Happy Stitching. 🙂
A quick finish from my “on-the-go” bag.
Vitals:
Take Joy by Shepherd’s Bush
Stitched with supplies in kit.
Changes: I stitched an ornament instead of a sheep, I fudged a mistake on the candy cane instead of frogging, and used the lighter shade of green on the bottom of the basket.
I have the box they show the model finished in, and will share that picture soon. I have some fiddly things I want to do first.
Happy Stitching! 🙂
I finished a project on New Year’s Eve, but haven’t photographed the final result yet. I did scan the completed stitching, though:
My love affair with biscornus continues…
Vitals:
Poppy Biscornu by Faby Reilly Designs
Stitched as charted on 32-ct. white linen
I had big plans to modify the back from the original design, but I burned out completely. I got sidetracked after starting this in October. By December’s end, I just wanted to finish the thing and be done with it. I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to finish.In the end, I omitted all text and simply stitched a bud on each corner, rather than just the one.
Plans for 2012
I’m feeling a bit scattered with my stitching goals. My primary goals right now are to complete Shores of Hawk Run Hollow and to work on Pieta each month. I’ve signed up for a SAL of Mirabilia’s Touching the Autumn Sky which begins the last week of January, and except for wanting to stitch pretty much my entire stash, those are my current New Year goals. I desperately want to start Ann Dale: Big and Beautiful, but there are a ouple of things standing in my way: 1. I’ve ordered her, but not received her yet. 2. This is just as well, as I’m restricting myself from starting her until I’ve completed 11 blocks of SHRH. <– Notice the disciplined restraint. 😉
Best wishes for a happy, healthy New Year. Happy Stitching! 🙂
The men in my life known as the husband and the boy are both named Jack. This meant stitching Waxing Moons Designs’ Jacks are Wild was inevitable. I began this project with big, speedy plans. I would finish stitching before Halloween. Stop laughing! OK, laugh. I know you share my delusions. I’ll enjoy laughing at you when it’s your turn.
I had fun with this project. I used DMC Glow-in-the-Dark for the lightning bolts, DMC Rayon (I think they call it Satin now) for the sunglasses and DMC Memory Thread for the spirals. I figured if the Jacks were wild, the stitching should be, too. 😀
Vitals:
Jacks are Wild by Waxing Moon Designs
Stitched 2 over 2 on 32-ct Silkweaver Superstition Reflections
Stitched with the following substitutions: instead of GAST Black Crow, I used Raven, and DMC Satin for the sunglasses; instead of GASS Butternut Squash, I used DMC memory thread for the spirals; and instead of GASS Picket Fence, I used DMC glow-in-the-dark.
I took of this picture of the project in the dark to test the glow-in-the-dark threads. They glow, with varying results. I don’t know if you can tell, but if you look at the center Jack’s teeth, some stitches are brighter than others. The brighter stitches are glowing. I used a photo editor to brighten the photo, so it doesn’t appear to have been shot in the dark, but it was. The lightning bolt on the bottom right doesn’t stand out in regular light, because that part of the fabric is white, too. It is detectable in the dark, though, just like in this photo.
Silly fun.
My birthday was yesterday. In addition to stitchy goodness, I also received a lovely drawing from the husband. I don’t know which is more moving: the sentiment or the drawing.
Happy Stitching! 🙂
Raised by Poodles 