Overnight Shift Weekend Finish

I am so happy this one is finished. While it went quite quickly, I didn't really enjoy stitching it. The symbols that were used were a bit confusing, so I wasn't able to rip through it as quickly as I could have. Still in all, it *is* finished, and that is all that matters. 

Design: Antique Roses (greeting card kit)

Designer: Hallmark

Fabric Used: Unknown 16 count. The nearest approximation is Stoney Point by Wichelt

Fibers Used: Unknown as provided in the kit. It is probable that it is DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 

Stitcher's Notes: Kit included in a birthday card for mom. Card purchased in Virginia in either 1995 or 1996 at a Hallmark Gold Crown store. Returned to the project on Thursday, January 14, 2016. 

As of Friday, January 15, 2016:

Finished Sunday, January 17, 2016:

It is a bit overcast today, so the picture is not as nice as I would like it. The fabric is actually the exact color in the first picture. It's more of a seafoam green, rather than the sage color in the finish picture. DH remarked on the very Victorian feel to it. I think once I get my sewing machine, this one will be turned into a small pillow. I am picturing lots of lace and things. 

Well, I had best be off. A headache has now set in and I am in need of a nap. I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

First World Stitcher Problems

One of the downsides to having only one hobby is the accumulation of so. much. stuff! over a very long period of time. Occasionally, I love to paw through it to see what I have. It's like shopping at home without having to change out of your jammies :D. 

And then there is the flip side of the coin. Where one runs into abandoned projects that are so old that they can be carbon dated. It is really not fun when it is a kit and there are no DMC numbers involved. Which is frustrating. The good news is, I had the foresight to purchase a second one of these because I was terrified that I was going to run out of floss. Even pre-internet days, word had gotten around that the floss amounts in kits was not so great! 

Here it is. Number three from the Bin O'Shame projects and another 20+ year UFO at that!

Design: Antique Roses (greeting card kit)

Designer: Hallmark

Fabric Used: Unknown 16 count. The nearest approximation is Stoney Point by Wichelt

Fibers Used: Unknown as provided in the kit. It is probable that it is DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 

Stitcher's Notes: Kit included in a birthday card for mom. Card purchased in Virginia in either 1995 or 1996 at a Hallmark Gold Crown store. Returned to the project on Thursday, January 14, 2016. 

Project as of Thursday, January 14, 2016:

As of Friday, January 15, 2016:

I have the weekend which is good. I should be able to make some serious headway on this piece. Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs has issue another challenge on the official Heaven and Earth Designs Facebook group. This challenge is 1000 stitches in stair step stitching. The challenge begins today and runs until March. I did sign up for the challenge as the QS Evil Queen could stand some attention. However, I am not too entirely certain that I am going to enjoy this type of stitching as it leaves other blocks unstitched. I prefer to stitch all of one color whenever there are huge blocks of color. I think it will be annoying to have to go back and fill all that other stuff in. Still, in all, the point of the challenge is to think outside of the box and grow a bit as a stitcher. Even at my age, that's never a bad thing.

Well, I had best be off. It's time for breakfast and there are chores that need attention. I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

It's no joke! #14 from The Bin o'Shame!

Well, I managed to pull off yet another super quick finish from the Bin O'Shame. This was actually a kit that was in our car's dashboard. It was there in case I forgot to bring anything with me and was caught sitting around bored. This also is one reason why it did not get finished until today. Another reason was the backstitching. Unfortunately, this is another one of those designs, much like the Teacup Kitty where the design does not come to life unless copious amounts of 'off set' backstitching takes place. By 'off set', I mean that not each individual square is backstitched in the normal manner. The backstitching that I am referring to is almost in the long stitch manner for when you need an unbroken line. One could *almost* refer to this as 'English' backstitching, as I do not know of any US designers off the top of my head that employ this method of backstitching. I do see it quite frequently in English and Continental designs. While pretty, it requires a LOT of concentration to get correct, and this is a giant pain in my tookis. :)


Well, at any rate, here it is, #14: 

Design: Souffle cover kit

Designer: Silver Lining Group

Fabric: 16 count creme aida

Floss: Unknown as provided in the kit

Bling Used: Mill Hill beads in 342014 Petite Black

Stitcher's Notes: Cover kit from issue 46 of the UK Cross Stitch Card Shop magazine. 

Before:

After: 

I hope that I have not lost the card that went with this, as it came with the kit. I will have to dig through some things to see if I can't find it. If I can't, I have a few card making supplies and I will just use those. 

This also mean it's Stats Time. I did a quick inventory and found another project that I had taken out of the original 89 as I cannot find the chart for it. 

To date:

41 in purple bin

14 in small bin

15 in second small bin

Original Total: 89

Removed: 8 for various reasons

Final Total: 81

Total Stitched of Wednesday, April 1, 2015: 14

Total Remaining: 67

Better than the 89 I started off with, yea? ;)

Well, I best be off. Need to clean up the stitching area and get the next project out. Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Clean Up In Aisle 3!

I wanted just one more from the bin to round out the first three months of the year, and I managed to finish this up just moments ago. This makes 13 from the Bin O'Shame for the year to date. This also means that I am on track to finish 25 from that Bin before the year is out.  I am so terribly excited about that!

Well at any rate, on with the show!

Design: Popcorn kit

Designer: Silver Lining Group

Fabric: 16 count creme aida

Floss: Unknown as provided in the kit

Bling Used: Mill Hill beads in 342014 Petite Black

Stitcher's Notes: Cover kit from the August 2005 Quick and Easy Cross Stitch magazine from the UK. Left off the border as I may turn this into a card.

Before, as of Monday, March 29, 2015:

Finished Tuesday, March 31, 2015:

Well, I best be off. Tons to do still. Farewell March, hello April! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C.