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. 

Red, White And BBQ With A Sweet Tulip

Woohoo! It's a twofer post today! I have a finish AND a WIP to share with you all. This small finish means that my unofficial yearly goal of 12 projects has been now met, which equals to one per month. I have a couple of projects lined up for the next month or so, so I am hoping I can hit 21 finishes this year. While I only have one Bin O'Shame finish this year so far, that's better than none, yea? 

I am also quite happy that I managed to procure this as a kit and for around five dollars. Gotta love a sale! :)

At any rate, here is the finish for today:

Design: Sweet Tulip 

Designer: Jeannette Douglas of Jeannette Douglas Designs

Fabric Used: 28 count Chai Tea jobelan by Wichelt

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours cotton floss in Gingersnap, Nutmeggie, Manor Red and Wild Berries. The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Brick Path, Dried Thyme, Espresso Bean, Portabella and Summer Shower. 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Monday, July 23, 2014. Finished Tuesday, July 24, 2018. Kit purchased secondhand. Substituted included fabric for the 28 count Chai Tea jobelan by Wichelt . Stitched one floss thread over two fabric threads.

My latest WIP is more patriotic than the original design. I dug through my Leaflet Silo and found this small design, which I dearly love. I loved the original as it was, however, I decided to tweak it just a wee bit so that it displayed the colors of July in a patriotic manner. While it was not completed in time for the 4th of July, it will be early for next year, so that's nice. :)

Well, at any rate, time to WIP it! :D

Design: hd-42: July (Red, White, and BBQ): a year in chalk

Designer: Cathy Habermann of Hands on Designs

Fabric Used: 30 count Ink Spot Black by R and R Reproductions (discontinued)

Fibers Used: The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Chalk, Geranium, and Presidential Blue. 
  

Stitcher's Notes: Substituted the called for 30 count Weeks Dye Works Gunmetal for the Ink Spot Black by R and R Reproductions in stash. Added  The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Presidential Blue to make it a patriotic styled project. 

Time to bolt for the door to clean up my area and see if I cannot put the spurs to this latest WIP. I hope everyone is having a great week. 

Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Slice Of Summer Finish

Well, that was sure quick! I had a lot of fun with this project and love stitching Waxing Moon pieces. They go so quick and turn out exceptionally well. 

Well, here it is! 

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. Gold bees of unknown manufacturer.

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. Hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching!

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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!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

First Blackbird Designs Finish For The Year!

Wow! That went super quick! I really enjoyed stitching this piece. I had a lot of fun plotting out what color was going to go where and why. I am thinking of stitching the Quaker Family Register in these colors, however, I will have to get DH's input. As this will contain both sides of the family's initials and dates, I think that is only fair. :)



Well, at any rate, here is the latest finish and the 10th finish for 2018:

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, 197,  561, 603, and 705. Kreinik silk serica thread in Light Charcoal, #8073. 

Accouterments:  Mill Hill bead in #42014 Petite Black

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. Left off border. 

As of Monday, June 25, 2018:

Finished Wednesday, June 27, 2018:

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

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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!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Finally Finished!

Woohoo! I finally have my ninth finish for the year and the very first one from the infamous Bin O'Shame for this year! I am very, very happy with this finish. It is so bright and cheerful and I am so happy that I stuck with it. I began this project in August of 2007, so I am a bit overdue, yea? I would love to find a bright royal blue frame for it. I think it would set the piece off nicely. 

Well, at any rate, here is the current finish and the very first finish from the Bin O'Shame for this year:

Design: Japanese Anemones

Designer: Sheila Hudson 

Fabric: 14 count summer yellow aida by Wichelt 

Fibers Used: As provided in the kit. There are no DMC or Anchor numbers on the floss, so I will have to do a match at some point, as I want to stitch this one again as it's so bright and cheery. This is the cover kit from issue 187, June 2007 UK Cross Stitcher magazine. 

Front Cover Of The Magazine:

As of Thursday, June 7, 2018:

As of Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

Time for me to clean up my stitching area and grab the next project out of the closet. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching! 

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Got The Blues

I have managed to make quite a bit of progress on my current WIP. So much so, that I am down to the last two colors that need stitching. Both of them are two shades of blue. There is quite a bit that needs doing, and it will be a bit tricky to stitch, due to the placement of the colors, but hopefully, by this time next week, I will have a another finish. This will make 9 for the year, which makes me very happy. 

Well, at any rate, here is the current project, #1 from the Bin O'Shame for this year:

Design: Japanese Anemones

Designer: Sheila Hudson 

Fabric: 14 count summer yellow aida by Wichelt 

Fibers Used: As provided in the kit. There are no DMC or Anchor numbers on the floss, so I will have to do a match at some point, as I want to stitch this one again as it's so bright and cheery. This is the cover kit from issue 187, June 2007 UK Cross Stitcher magazine. 

Front Cover Of The Magazine:

As of Monday, June 4, 2018:

As of Thursday, June 7, 2018:

Time for me to bolt for the door. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Stop And Start Project

It dawned on me the other day that I have put nary a stitch into any of my Bin O'Shame projects this year. I decided to paw through it to see if any were calling to me and I came across this one. Since it was purchased, way back in 2007, I have picked this up off and on and have never completed the piece. I think because there are a lot of colors that are very close together and a metric ton of white that has kept me from making any serious progress.

I have not stitched too much more than the photo from the May 31, 2015 photo. This was actually picked back up in my first year of the Bin O'Shame project clean-out! :O Better late than never I suppose. SMH. 

Well, here is the current project, #1 from the Bin O'Shame for this year:

Design: Japanese Anemones

Designer: Sheila Hudson 

Fabric: 14 count summer yellow aida by Wichelt 

Fibers Used: As provided in the kit. There are no DMC or Anchor numbers on the floss, so I will have to do a match at some point, as I want to stitch this one again as it's so bright and cheery. This is the cover kit from issue 187, June 2007 UK Cross Stitcher magazine. 

Front Cover Of The Magazine:

When picked back up on Friday, May 29, 2015:

As of Sunday, May 31, 2015:

What it will eventually look like:

As of Monday, June 4, 2018:

Given the amount of progress that I have made since I picked this back up on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, I am hoping that this is the year it finally gets finished. It's only been 11 years so far, so I think it is past due! :D

Time for me to bolt for the door. I hope everyone is having a great start to their week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C.