Día de Muertos

I hope everyone out there in Blogland had a Happy Halloween and a good start to their Dia de Muertos. It was quiet here, but that's pretty much the way we like it. Not too many tick or treaters in an apartment building, but that's the way things go. 

I managed to get this guy stitching up in a trice yesterday. I really do love the colors in it. This is a really good Halloween book to have and I am lucky enough to own it. I am really looking forward to stitching more out of this book. 

Design: Boo! 

Designer:  Blackbird Designs

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

Fibers Used: Access Commodities Soie d'Alger in Noir, 234, 521, 633,  and 1336.

Stitchers' Notes:  One day start and finish on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. Taken from the Trix or Treat booklet. Booklet is now OOP and HTF, as far as I know. 

Well, I must be off. Lots to do today. I hope everyone is having a great week.

Happy stitching!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

2010 Fright Night Finish

My latest finish is not the project that I recently started. I haven't been feeling all that hot due to the wildfires and as consequence, could not concentrate on such a dark fabric. I chose instead to stitch something else on a light colored fabric. The project should have taken no more than a week, however, I managed to stretch it out to three weeks until completion. These things happen I suppose. At least I have another finish for the year, which brings the total to 26 finishes for the year. Not exactly huge numbers, but then again, there has been a lot going on this past year. :)

At any rate, on with the show!

Design: 2010 Fright Night Quaker Halloween

Designer: Sandra Dering for SanMan Originals 

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

Fibers Used: Access Commodities Soie d'Alger in Noir, 234, 521, 633,  and 1336.

Accoutrements: Mill Hill beads in #00167 Christmas Green and #02033 Brilliant Orange. Toho 11/0 glass seed beads 1951-48 High Metallic Purple

Stitchers' Notes: Created for the members of the message board for the 2010 Fright Night festivities. Unfortunately, this chart is not for sale or trade as it is a .pdf file. 

I must be off. I hope everyone had a great weekend. 

Happy stitching!

---

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!

---

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. 

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! :)

---

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! :)

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Lad Insane

This latest finish is a tribute piece to David Bowie. I have been a long time admirer of his and since his death on January 10 of this year, I have had his music on constant repeat. I listened to his music almost exclusively while stitching this piece. I have the materials to do another one, so I can see stitching several more. 

At any rate, here is an actual finish finish. You can even see the glue drying, haha!

Design: David Bowie Told Me

Designer: Plastic Little Covers

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

Fibers Used: Anchor six strand embroidery floss in 46, 328, 335, 403 and 433.

Stitcher's Notes: Began Saturday, January 30, 2016. Finished Monday, February 1, 2016. Backing fabric and trims purchased at Joann's. 

Front View:

Back View: 

Side View:

Well, I had best be off. Tons to do today. I hope everyone is having a great week!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Not Quite The Finish I Was Looking For...

...however, one takes one's finished where one can. I had wanted to have the motif I am stitching from Quaker's Dozen by Julia Line of Long Dog Samplers at least finished by now, however, due to the weather, I have had some bad headaches. This means no stitching on 48 count Napery Ivory Dower linen or Lady of The Flag on 28 count Cashel linen from Picture This Plus in Phantom. More is the pity, I suppose. 

I did manage to get this guy from Kit Mountain finished up in no time at all. I just love this chart. As I adore Peeps from the Just Born candy company. I am, however, a traditionalist, in that I want the chicks in the color yellow, and the bunnies in pink. When I was growing up, those were your choices. Other than take it or leave it :). DH cannot fathom my fascination and/or love of these treats, but then again, I am hard put to explain it myself. :)

Well, at any rate, here it is. #1 from Kit Mountain and the first finish of the year!

Design: Hangin' With My Peeps (discontinued)

Designer: Sue Hillis for Sue Hillis Designs

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

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

Stitcher's Notes: Left off wording. Please note that at this time, this chart is not for sale and/or trade. 

Well, I had best be off. Lots to do today, but all of it fun. I hope everyone is having a great week and a good start to the new year! :)


---


Respectfully submitted,


C. 

Pre Overnight Shift Finish For Now

I've taken my time with this one for whatever reason. I think I have hit fall/Halloween stitching overload at this point. I am not sure if this latest finish is actually 'finished', as I think it may need something else. DH likes it the way it is, I think 'something' is needed. What I do not know, but there you have it! So, at this point, it is finished for now. 

Design: Creepy Cocktails

Designer: Pinoy Stitch 

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

Fibers Used:  DMC in 154, 164, 208, 209, 310, 327, 413, 414, 415, 444, 606, 741, 772, 907, 947, 3346, 3706, 3825, 3853 and B5200.

Beads Used: Mill Hill petite beads in #00275 Coral, #42010 Ice, #42027 Champagne.


Stitcher's Notes: Began Monday, October 12, 2015. As I did not place the wording correctly, the bowl full of eyeball snacks is in the words of the late, great Bob Ross, a 'happy accident'. 



As of Wednesday, October 14, 2015:

As of Friday, October 23, 2015:

I had best be off. I have a ton of stuff to do today before I do my overnight bunk. Happy weekend to you all! :)

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

This Is Halloween, This Is Halloween! WIP Wednesday

Boys and girls of every age

Wouldn't you like to see something strange?

Come with us and you will see

This – our town of Halloween!

We are big fans of not only Halloween, but The Nightmare Before Christmas in this house. I love the tale of Jack and Sally. When I saw this latest start, I immediately imagined Jack Skellington and Sally ordering one up after a long night of frights on Halloween. This one is a lot of fun to stitch. 

Well, here is what I have so far:

Design: Creepy Cocktails

Designer: Pinoy Stitch 

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

Fibers Used:  DMC in 154, 164, 208, 209, 310, 327, 413, 414, 415, 444, 606, 741, 772, 907, 947, 3346, 3706, 3825, 3853 and B5200.

Beads Used: Mill Hill petite beads in #42010 Ice.


Stitcher's Notes: Began Monday, October 12, 2015.



As of Wednesday, October 14, 2015:

Well, I had best be off. Lots to do today and this isn't going to stitch itself, haha! Hope everyone is having a great week! :)

---

Respectfully submitted,

C.