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!

---

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!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Slice Of Summer

Howdy all! Hope everyone is staying cool in this heat. Temps have been quite warm here, and are expected to rise during the end of the week. I am not ready to start stitching on fall/Halloween designs as of yet, so I am continuing with summer themed stitching. 

This latest project is one that I have wanted to do for a very long time. It is discontinued as the frame is no longer being made, however, I do not let things like that stop me. I am sure I will find the appropriate finishing bits and bobs at some point and Bob's your uncle! Another actually finished finished! :D

At any rate, here is what is currently in the Q-Snaps:

Design: A Slice Of Summer ( out of print)

Designer: Jacquelyn Fox of Waxing Moon Designs

Fabric Used: 28 count Carolina linen from Charles Craft in Sand

Fibers Used: Anchor six strand embroidery floss in 246. Crescent Colours  cotton floss in Hickory Sticks and Sunshine Girl.  The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Hibiscus. Needle Necessities #1091 Independence Day (retired floss). 

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #42014 Petite Black seed beads

Stitchers' Notes: Design is OOP and retired due to the frame and buttons being no longer manufactured. Stitched with supplies in stash. Needle Minder by Puffin and Company 

Time for me to be off. Lots of chores to do today and they aren't going to get accomplished by themselves. Hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

I Spy A Blackbird

A Blackbird Design that is!

I have not stitched a Blackbird Designs piece in quite some time and I thought this latest piece would be perfect. It has a nice 'summery' feel to it and it is stitching up quite quickly. I am really liking how it is turning out so far. I just wish the frog would have stayed away! :O

As is my custom, I have changed the fabric and the colors, so that nothing would have to be purchased and I could start straight away. 

Well, at any rate, here is the latest work in the Q-Snaps:

Design: The Lily Of The Valley 

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen of unknown manufacturer in white.

Fibers Used: Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 004, 037, 124, 126, 165, 197, 312, 486, 561, 663, 705 and 773. Kreinik silk serica thread in Light Charcoal, #8073. 

Stitchers' Notes: Design taken from the book And Blossom As The Rose. Fabric and fibers chosen from in house stash and converted from the called for Weeks Dye Works thread and Picture This Plus fabric. 

Well, I had best be off. Tons to do today. I hope everyone is enjoying a good start to their week. Happy stitching!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Fleur d'Orleans Finish For WIP Wednesday 03.07.2018

I really loved stitching on this piece. It went very, very quick and I thoroughly enjoyed the process of stitching it. I am really happy that I decided to bite the bullet and use the Kreinik cord in #102C Vatican Gold instead of the Access Commodities Soie d'Alger in 521. The delicate vermeil coloring adds to the richness of the silks that were used. I think this is another chart that I am going to keep as opposed to passing on or selling outright. I can see stitching this in many different colorways. 

Well, on with the show! 

Design: Fleur d'Orleans

Designer: Tracy Horner of Ink Circles

Fabric Used: 36 count smokey white Edinburgh linen by Zweigart

Fibers Used: Access Commodities Soie d'Alger in 234 and 1326. Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Old Crow. Kreinik cord in #102C Vatican Gold. 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Monday, February 26, 2018. Converted called for silks to in house materials. Finished Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Project #4 for 2018.

Time for me to be off. I need to clean up my stitching area and then choose another project to either begin or pick back up again. 

I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday Ink Circles Edition

I was speaking to a friend of mine the other day and I was waffling over whether to pick up a UFO, start something else, or pick a project that needed some attention. I eventually settled on this current WIP. I have had the chart since it's initial release in 2010 and I am just now getting around to it. Proof positive that while I may now begin new stash right away, I eventually will! :D

At any rate, here is my WIP for WIP Wednesday! 

Design: Fleur d'Orleans

Designer: Tracy Horner of Ink Circles

Fabric Used: 36 count smokey white Edinburgh linen by Zweigart

Fibers Used: Access Commodities Soie d'Alger in 234, 521, and 1326. Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Old Crow. 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Monday, February 26, 2018. Converted called for silks to in house materials. 

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

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday For October 25, 2017: 1855 I Auguste Heidemrieg Sampler Edition

I haven't picked this one up in quite some time. As crazy as it sounds, this project has sat since late January. Which is rapidly approaching. :O

I decided to pick this back up for something easy to stitch as it requires only one color, as I chose to stitch this as a monochrome. The motifs at the bottom require some attention and one cannot 'zone out' as during the alphabet portions of the design. I am hoping to finish this before the end of the year, certainly by the original start date of January 30th! I do have two other projects that I wish to stitch before then, so this may be a finish for next year. Time will tell!

Welp, on with the show! 

Design: 1855 I Auguste Heidemrieg sampler

Designer: Reproduced by Lorraine Mootz for Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly (Fall 2014)

Fabric Used: 22 count Ariosa linen by Zweigart in white

Fiber Used: Rainbow Gallery Splendor 12 ply silk floss in Black (S801)

Stitchers' Notes:  Design featured on page 29 of the Fall 2014 issue of Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly. Began Saturday, January 21, 2017. 

As of Monday, January 30, 2017:

As of Wednesday, October 25, 2017:

Time for me to be off. Lots to do and as we all know, there is no rest for the wicked. I hope everyone is having a great week.

Happy stitching!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIPs And An Organizational Post

I've put some time into two projects and have completed some more organization. When I am too tired to stitch, I have a tendency to clean and organize things, so that when the time comes to get out another project, I know where I stand. This is predicated on the fact that I have a 25+ year stash. I have been contemplating another 'great culling' but I am not quite there yet. 

I was going to wait until the end of the year to take another inventory of the infamous Bin O'Shame, however, I bit the bullet the other day and just got on with it. I was down to 29 going into the beginning of 2017, which made me really, really happy. I started off with 70 UFOs beginning in February 24, 2015, so every bit has counted! 

During the recount, I decided to separate the small to medium projects from the huge BAPs and long term projects. I wanted to separate the projects that I could complete in a reasonable amount of time, from the projects that will take many, many months to complete. After completing this task, I am now sitting on 23 projects in the infamous Bin O'Shame, however, I do have six long term projects that need to be dealt with. I have three projects that I am undecided as to whether or not I plan on finishing the stitching on them. One of them is the Forget Me Not Sampler  by With Thy Needle and Thread. The fact of the matter is, I cannot stand the color of the fabric. It is so dull and washed out. I understand it is a 'primitive' type design but the Lakeside Linens 40 count in Navy Bean just leaves me cold. I am not that far into it, so I may just finish of the central motif and restart it in a nicer color fabric. Or I may just finish the central motif and be done with it. Did I mention that I really do hate this fabric? :P

Well, at any rate, here are the two projects that I have worked on since completing the Strawberries and Cream sampler from Casey Buonaugurio: 

WIP #1:

Design: Be Kind and True (retired)

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 28  or 32 count white linen of unknown manufacturer

Fibers Used: Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 004, 037, 124, 126, 165, 197, 312, 486, 561, 663, 705 and 773. Kreinik silk serica thread in Light Charcoal, #8073. 

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched one strand of floss over two fabric threads. Chart on loan from Patricia G of the Blackbird Designs Lending Library Facebook Group. Replaced the cotton embroidery floss for silks. Began Monday July 17, 2017. 

I also managed to put in a bit of time on my 'Every Now And Again' project. 

WIP #2:

Design: Pretty Little San Francisco

Designer: Jody Rice of Satsuma Street

Fabric: 28 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus

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

Stitchers' Notes: Began Friday, March 17, 2017. Project to be stitched 'every now and again' with no set time frame for completion.

As of Saturday, March 18, 2017:

As of Tuesday July 25, 2017:

Time for me to bolt for the door. I hope everyone is having a great weekend. 

Happy stitching!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

The San Francisco Treat

I began a new project on St. Patricks' Day this year. This is a special project that will only be worked on once a month, as I have almost hit my unofficial goal of 12 projects stitched in a year. Once I have finished stitching #12, I will be 'allowed' to stitch on some of my larger projects that have fallen by the wayside. I will also be hitting up Kit Mountain and the ever popular Bin O'Shame. I haven't gotten delved into either one in quite some time, and there are projects in both that are calling my name. Should be good stitching times! :)

This project will be going with me whenever DH and I take any road trips.  I really like the colors in this project and I can see visiting the other cities and stitching the other designs up as a memento. :) It would be a really good excuse to travel and stitch while doing so!

At any rate, here is the beginnings of my 'Every Now And Again' project:

Design: Pretty Little San Francisco

Designer: Jody Rice of Satsuma Street

Fabric: 28 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus

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

Stitchers' Notes: Began Friday, March 17, 2017. Project to be stitched once per month. 

As of Saturday, March 18, 2017:

I do wish that the camera picked up the 'fogginess' of the fabric. The colors really pop and it definitely looks foggy! As this is stitching up fairly rapidly, so I do not anticipate this project taking more than a few months. I will probably frame this, although, I really do wish that I had a sewing machine. It would make a really nice pillow finish. 

Well, I had best be off. Time to start stitching my Easter themed project, so that I can at least have my 12 finishes for the year. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Two Of Three On Finish Friday

This little guy was stitched up a lot quicker than I thought it was going to be stitched up! I began this one right after I had hung up the finish from yesterday afternoon. I had a good bit completed before I went to bed and I managed to finish this piece just a bit ago. I need to get to Michael's to see if they have the same frame or something similar, as I have a feeling that the last one in the series, the clothespin with flowers, will go just as quickly. 

Well, here it is, in all its' spring time glory: 

Design: Les étiquettes des bocaux (Jar Labels) Yellow Teabag from the book Dans Mon Jardin

Designer: Véronique Enginger of Les Brodeuses Parisiennes

Fabric Used:  28 count Cashel linen of unknown manufacturer

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 as called for: 151, 471, 535, 676, 677, 734, 3011, 3012, 3348 and 3688. 

Stitchers' Notes: Book purchased February 2017 in Japan Town, San Francisco, CA. Teacup jar label first project of three. Began Thursday, March 2, 2017. Finished Friday, March 3, 2017. Design number two of three. 

Off I go to start on the last of this series. I have really enjoyed stitching these beautiful designs. 

Have a great weekend, everybody! :)

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Jar Labels En Française

Some time ago, my husband and I went to go visit with his grandfather. He lives in the Bay Area and is a lovely old gentleman. I have never really had a grandfather, so it was nice to see him and visit with him. As a special treat, my husband took me to Japan Town, which is a section of San Francisco and one of my favorite areas to visit. There is a lot of shopping and good food to be had there. There is a bookstore within Japan Town, where I picked up a French book of cross stitch. Honest to God :) ! The book is by Véronique Enginger of Les Brodeuses Parisiennes. I picked it out as the colors are gorgeous and the artwork is simply stunning. The style is quite French and I love it. While the book is printed in Japanese, fortunately, I am fluent in Stitching, so I am able to at least read and comprehend the stitching parts of it. The book is called 'Dans Mon Jardin' and it reminds me of spring and summer:

I think that with all the cold and snow we are having, I was feeling the need for warmer temps and flowers. 

It was very difficult to choose which project I was going to begin stitching. I spent quite a bit of time waffling between all of them. I simply could not decide! However, with DH's help, I decided to begin with three smaller designs, that were designed to be together. I have already decided to frame them all separately after I stitch all of them. They will hang in our kitchen when completed. 

Design: Les étiquettes des bocaux (Jar Labels) from the book Dans Mon Jardin

Designer: Véronique Enginger of Les Brodeuses Parisiennes

Fabric Used:  28 count Cashel linen of unknown manufacturer

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 as called for: B5200, 535, 676, 734, 747, 3011, 3012, 3760, and 3766. 

Stitchers' Notes: Book purchased February 2017 in Japan Town, San Francisco, CA. Teacup jar label first project of three. Began Thursday, February 23, 2017. Finished Thursday, March 2, 2017. Frame purchased on clearance at Michael's. 

Well, time for me to be off. It's on to the next project! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

---

Respectfully submitted, 

C. 

Time Flies Like An Arrow

Fruit flies like a banana, however. :)

Good morning and happy start of the new week to you all. January is almost finished and February is just around the corner. How nutty is that? Soon it will be Spring and the March of the Girl Scout cookies, King Cake and Peeps will begin commencement. I, for one, welcome these seasonal Carbohydrate Overlords. 

I realized the other day that I never posted a picture of my very last Bin O'Shame finish for 2016. It was finished on Saturday, December 31, 2016, and time just got away from me. As it is increasingly doing these days. At any rate, this piece is quite old. So old that it has my maiden name initials on it :O! I had a lot of difficulty stitching the Rhodes butterflies that are a feature of the piece. After the sixth time of ripping floss out, I decided that I could just finish it with charms. I like the way it turned out. I just need to find the tin that came with it in order to mount the stitching and have an actual finished finish. I may rip out the initials and use my 'new' last name, although I may just be lazy and not change it. 

At any rate, here is the stitching all finished:

Design: Lorri's Heart Tin 

Designer: Lorri Birmingham for Lorri Birmingham Designs 

                                 Fabric: 28 count white Monaco

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in B5200 and 3012 Medium Khaki Green.  Needle Necessities  #149 Hydrangea. Kreinik silk Mori #8000 Soft White. Kreinik #002 Gold blending filament. 

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #03021 Royal Pearl white seed beads. Mill Hill #12051 small blue bird treasure. Mill Hill #12121 matte rose butterfly treasures.  Czech crystal beads of unknown origin and manufacturer. Gold bumblebees of unknown origin and manufacturer.

Stitchers' Notes: Design published in 2002. Began roughly 2002 or 2003. Finished Saturday, December 31, 2016.

I managed to put in a bit of time on my sampler that is my current project. I am skipping around a bit in order to keep it interesting. 

Design: 1855 I Auguste Heidemrieg sampler

Designer: Reproduced by Lorraine Mootz for Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly (Fall 2014)

Fabric Used: 22 count Ariosa linen by Zweigart in white

Fiber Used: Rainbow Gallery Splendor 12 ply silk floss in Black (S801)

Stitchers' Notes:  Design featured on page 29 of the Fall 2014 issue of Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly. Began Saturday, January 21, 2017. 

As of Monday, January 23, 2017:

As of Monday, January 30, 2017:

Time for me to go. I hope everyone had a great weekend!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C.