Two Finishes For WIP Wednesday!

Two happy dances to share with you all today. I could not decide on what to put up above the main body of the design I was stitching, nor could I find an appropriate font, this baby is finished as of now. I may go back at a later time and stitch a saying that is appropriate for the design, but as I have been waffling on whether to do it or not, I am keeping this as is. I truly enjoyed stitching this guy and I plan on stitching it several more times as the design is perfect for fall. 

Here is finish number one:

Design: Autumn's Bounty

Designer: Marva Owen for Black Star Designs 

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours cotton floss in Toasted Marshmallow. The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Black Crow, Buttercrunch, Dried Thyme, Maple Syrup, Nutmeg, and Sarsaparilla. 

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Legacy  by Picture This Plus, from their Crystal line.

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Friday, August 3, 2018. Finished Monday, August 20, 2018. Changed pumpkin from orange to white. Substituted Algerian eyelet stitches for  Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red  seed beads. Please note that this chart is OOP and very hard to find. Please also note that this chart is not for sale/trade. 

As of Wednesday, August 15, 2018:

Finished Monday, August 20, 2018:

Finish number two comes in the form of a Mill Hill kit that I purchased on a buy/sell group on Facebook. It was a bargain at $2.50, IMO. This was my first time using the included perforated paper. I am not sure that I like stitching on paper. The floss got caught in the corners an awful lot, which became annoying after a while. 

Here is finish number two:

Design: Caramel Apple (MH18-9203)

Designer: Mill Hill

Fibers Used:  DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 as called for in the chart

Fabric Used: 14 count Antique Brown perforated paper by Mill Hill

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads as called for in the kit. 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Tuesday, August 21, 2018. Finished Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Left off beadwork at the top of the design. 

Time for me to be off. I need to clean up my area and check on dinner. Hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday Update For Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Hidey ho, sports fans! Hope everyone is getting plenty of stitching time in. I have managed to get a bit further than last week, but not as far as I would have liked. It's always the way, isn't it?  :)


At any rate, here is what I have so far: 

Design: Autumn's Bounty

Designer: Marva Owen for Black Star Designs 

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours cotton floss in Toasted Marshmallow. The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Black Crow, Buttercrunch, Dried Thyme, Maple Syrup, Nutmeg, and Sarsaparilla. 

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Legacy  by Picture This Plus, from their Crystal line.

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Friday, August 3, 2018. Changed pumpkin from orange to white. Substituted Algerian eyelet stitches for  Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red  seed beads. Please note that this chart is OOP and very hard to find. Please also note that this chart is not for sale/trade. 

As of Wednesday, August 8, 2018:

As of Wednesday, August 15, 2018:

Well, it is time for me to be off. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy Stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday And A Change Of Seasons

At least stitching wise. I really wasn't 'into' stitching a whole lot this past few weeks. The air quality here has been absolutely horrible due to the wildfires and it has made it quite difficult to breathe, let alone get anything done. I am sending prayers and good vibes to the people and first responders who are having to deal with this disaster. As bad as my burden is, theirs is far greater.

This actually led me to the decision to stop stitching my latest project , and instead start stitching on fall related things. I have really had the itch here lately to stitch on fall and Halloween related stitchery. I have had this one in my stash for quite some time now and I decided to start it immediately. 

Here is what I have so far:

Design: Autumn's Bounty

Designer: Marva Owen for Black Star Designs 

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours cotton floss in Toasted Marshmallow. The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Black Crow, Buttercrunch, Dried Thyme, Maple Syrup, Nutmeg, and Sarsaparilla. 

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Legacy  by Picture This Plus, from their Crystal line.

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Friday, August 3, 2018. Changed pumpkin from orange to white. Substituted Algerian eyelet stitches for  Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red  seed beads. Please note that this chart is OOP and very hard to find. Please also note that this chart is not for sale/trade. 

Well, it is time for me to be off. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy Stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Happy Birthday March Cake Finish

Happy day, all! I chose this latest design because this series is one that I have wanted to stitch as soon as the series began. There are so many applications for these designs. And I love the use of color and beading that Brooke Nolan uses in her designs. 

I am also excited to use a large piece of fabric from my LNS' inventory sale. Once a year they have a 'fabric by the pound' sale and this past December, I purchased 2 pounds of fabric in all counts and colors for $10.00. I could not pass that up! This year I will have to see about saving up more loose change for the end of the year inventory sale. I didn't get a whole lot this past year, but I love what I did get and really, two pounds of fabric is none too shabby. :)

At any rate, here is my latest finish:

Design: March Cake

Designer: Brooke Nolan of Brooke's Books

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen from Silkweavers' in Dusk 

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 as called for in the chart. Anchor six strand embroidery floss in 02, Brightest White. 

Beads Used: Mill Hill beads in #00479 White and #02011 Victorian Gold. 

Stitchers' Notes: Began, Sunday, March 18, 2018. Design from the 12 month series of monthly Birthday Cakes. Finished Monday, March 26, 2018. Left off border. Substituted DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117  B5200 for Anchor six strand embroidery floss in 02 Brightest White. Sixth finish for 2018.

Time for me to be off. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C.

WIP Wednesday Finish

This weeks' project is another one that I have wanted to stitch up for quite some time. I used the materials that I had in house, as I did not want to kit up yet another project. I love these little tucks. It's always nice to have an alternative to framing things!

At any rate, here is today's offering:

Design: 2011 Valentine Quaker

Designer: Sandra Dering of SanMan Originals

Fabric Used: 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line

Fibers Used: Rainbow Gallery Splendor 12 ply silk floss in S820 Ruby Red. 

Began: Monday, August 14, 2017

Finished: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 

Stitcher's Notes: This was a Secret Shop purchase in either 2011 or 2012. Tuck was included with purchase of the chart. Scrap fabric used to complete project. 

Time to be off. I must clean up my stitching area and find something else to stitch. I hope everyone is having a great week.

Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Uncle Sam And George Say Cheese!

I have always adored this design. The last frame has always made me giggle. I began this on the day before the 4th of July, as a patriotic start. I knew that I would not have it finished in time. I really enjoyed working on this piece. I really do need to get the rest of this series. They stitch up very quickly and I really do think they are a hoot! 

Design: Flags and Friends (from the 2010 Photobooth series)

Designer: Marsha Worley and Elizabeth Newlin of Bent Creek

Fibers Used: DMC in 321, 612, 646, 729, 823, 839, 931, 950, 3371, 3864 and and 3865. Needle Necessities #1091 Independence Day (retired floss). 

Fabric Used: Belfast Linen in 32ct Vintage Country Mocha

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #40123 in Petite Cream and #42014 Petite Black seed beads

Stitchers' Notes: Substituted called for overdyed flosses for DMC. Stitched on in house fabric. Began Monday, July 3, 2017. Finished Tuesday, July 11, 2017. Eagle in the piece was nicknamed George, after George Washington, the very first President of the United States. Please note that this chart is not available for sale or trade. 

Time for me to be off. I need to get out the next project and clean up my stitching area. Hope everyone is having a fantastic week! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Summer Solstice Finish On Finish Friday

My latest finish stitched up very, VERY quickly. I enjoyed picking out different threads for this project as I did not wish to purchase any additional supplies. There is always that one color that you are lacking, no matter the size of your stash. And let's be honest, who wants to order one single skein of floss, only to wait 3 or 4 days for it to come in? Or worse yet, having to fight the crowds in the big box stores. No thanks! 

I had a lot of fun with this piece. It reminded me so much of summers spent at the seaside. Being landlocked the last 10 years has made me appreicate those summers all the more!

Design: Summer

Designer: The Snowflower Diaries

Fabric Used: 32 Count Belfast Linen in Driftwood by Zweigart 

Fibers Used: Au Ver À Soie  Soie d'Alger in Mode, 234, 1423, 1712, 1733, 1836, 2524, 2928, 2936, 3342, and 3846. Caron Collection Waterlilies in #181 Ocean Breeze (Dye Lot #CS201613). Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Rose of Sharon.

Accoutrements: Mill Hill beads in #00128 Crayon Yellow, and #00479 White. 

Stitchers' Notes: Freebie obtained from designers' blog. Substituted called for DMC for in house materials. Began Wednesday, June 21, 2017. Finished Friday, June 23, 2017. 

Time for me to go. Tons to do today. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

May 19, 2017 Edition Of Finish Friday

I managed to get this guy finished just in time for Memorial Day. Now that summer has decided to make an appearance, I am hoping that my mermaids will come out and play. I would also like to get a few more Americana themed projects completed. 

I picked up this design on the secondary market. It contained the leftover threads and there is enough to stitch this piece at least twice more. This is nice as the design uses both solid and hand dyed silks. Naturally, I made some changes. DH likes how it turned out. I need to see if I cannot find an appropriate frame for this piece. If not, there is always a pillow or no sew finish route that I may take. 

Well, at any rate, here is my latest finish. 

Design: Tiny Flag

Designer: Shepherd's Bush

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen by Silkweaver Fabric in Antique Almond

Fibers Used: Thread Gatherer's Silk n' Colors in Frosted Auburn, In the Burgundy, and Old Lace.  Au Ver À Soie  Soie d'Alger in 1435 and 3424. 

Accoutrements: Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red

Stitchers' Notes: Replaced beads for stitched flowers. Changed 'America' to read as 'We the People'. As the fabric was not included with the kit because it was purchased secondhand, previously purchased fabric from stash was used. 

Time for me to be off. I hope everyone has a great weekend! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Thanksgiving Finish

This cute little piece went ridiculously fast. Even with holiday prep and working this week, I still managed to get this guy stitched up in less than a week. I love, love, LOVE how it turned out. I think this one should be a no sew finish, probably in block form. I will have to see what ribbons and trims there are out there, however, 'tis the season for steals and deals so I should be able to find something suitable. At least that's what all of the ads are telling me, haha! :)

At any rate, here is my latest finish:

Design: Marshmallow Sweet  Kit #DM20-5101

Designer: Debbie Mumm for Mill Hill

Fabric Used: 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 165, 166, 318, 413, 758, 3033, 3766, 3810, 3811, Ecru, White

Accoutrements : Mill Hill beads in size 11/0: #00161 Crystal , #02031 Citron, and #02097 Bahama Blue. 

Stitchers' Notes: Design one of four in the 2015 series, Winter Cheer. Substituted 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line for the included white perforated paper. Began Friday, November 18, 2016. 

As of Monday, November 21, 2016:

Finished Thursday, November 24, 2016:

Well, I had best be off. Time to get out the long anticipated Noel 2009, a retired design by Jackye Derhay Renahy of A Mon Ami Pierre. I have so many things I want to do with this one and I have every intention of going nutty on this one in the style of my Winter Sampler from Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks. It should be a good show!

I hope everyone had a blessed and full Thanksgiving day and I wish you all the happiest of holidays this upcoming season! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Winter Cheer

Well, it appears as though I have officially moved on to Winter themed pieces. I am saving any Christmas related pieces until the day after Thanksgiving. DH and I have no plans to go out and quite frankly, I just want to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday before I am bombarded with the commerciality of the holiday season. 

I managed to get this newest WIP on sale for half off, with everything in the kit included. I really do love these kits. It is so nice to unpack the kit and just get to it. I have found that Mill Hill is quite generous in the supplies and I am very grateful for the inclusion of the DMC numbers that are used. They are under no obligation to do so. I do know of some kit manufacturers who do not do this, because they want you to buy another kit. Which is all well and good, however, there is a distinct difference between a $15.00 kit and one that is $150.00. 

I spent this past weekend stitching on this off and on. This past week saw the first of the snow flurries arriving and I am hoping that more arrive soonest. I know there are folks who would rather not go there, however, having lived in the desert twice, I am grateful for whatever precipitation that manages to make an appearance. :)

At any rate, here is what I have so far.

Design: Marshmallow Sweet  Kit #DM20-5101

Designer: Debbie Mumm for Mill Hill

Fabric Used: 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 165, 166, 318, 413, 758, 3033, 3766, 3810, 3811, Ecru, White

Accoutrements : Mill Hill beads in size 11/0: #00161 Crystal , #02031 Citron, and #02097 Bahama Blue. 

Stitchers' Notes: Design one of four in the 2015 series, Winter Cheer. Substituted 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line for the included white perforated paper. Began Friday, November 18, 2016. 

I will be stitching this piece until either the day after Thanksgiving, or until I finish it. I have three more days, so I will see how far I get. While I have a very, VERY special project that is earmarked to be stitched on Black Friday, I may very well continue until after this piece is finished. We shall see, eh? :)

I need to be off. I hope everyone has had a great weekend and I wish you all a happy week! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Under Tall Pines Again

Not too long ago, the Hubmeister and I decided to go on another camping adventure. I looked around for an appropriate project to take along with me. Generally, as soon as we make base camp, we chill out for the rest of the day, as was this case this last time around. I began this project right before we started making s'mores, which are just lovely. And if you have not substituted Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, might I suggest you run, do not walk to your nearest campsite and partake of this nectar of the Gods:

And now that we all have gone into a sugar coma :P, here is my latest finish. I really like the way this one has turned out. I am keeping the kit as I plan on stitching this one a few more times. And probably with the perforated paper that was included! :D

Design: S'mores (MH18-4206)

Designer: Mill Hill

Fabric Used: 32ct Vintage Country Mocha Belfast linen

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 347, 433, 434, 436, 938, and Blanc. 

Accoutrements : Mill Hill beads #02058 Crayon White, #02068 Crayon Brown, #42028 (petite) Ginger, #12088 red channeled heart. 

Stitchers' Notes: Purchased at LNS. Substituted 32ct Vintage Country Mocha Belfast linen for the included Mill Hill perforated paper in 14 count PP3 antique brown. From the 2014 Mill Hill Harvest Collection of beaded kits. Finished Saturday, September 17, 2016.

Time for me to bolt for the door. Lots to do today. Hope everyone is having a great weekend! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C.