C'est fini

Hot off the Q-Snap from just moments ago. I stitched the parts of this that I wanted to stitch, very much like Willow House that I stitched last year. This one had a lot of pinks in it, which is not generally my style, but I like how it turned out anyway. 

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. Finished Sunday, August 6, 2017.


As of Sunday, July 30, 2017:

Finished Sunday, August 6, 2017:

I must be off. I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Happy stitching!

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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!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

The Last Finish For July 2016

This tiny little finish is courtesy of the Blackbird Designs Lending Library. It arrived in the mail the other day, and I was anxious to get to it. Although we have up to eight weeks to finish a project, I get antsy after about a week or so. I don't want anyone thinking I've made off with their chart, ya know? :)

As is my custom, the main design was nice, but the smaller project attached to it appealed to me more. I have some fabrics that I can pair with this to make it an actual pincushion. I am toying with the idea of hand dying my own rickrack trim for this project, but if I manage to find something that looks better than the picture in my head, I will certainly use that instead. :)

At any rate, here is my latest effort:

Design: Patchwork Pinkeep

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric Used: 36 count linen by Hand Dyed Fibers in Earth Stars-5211 (equivalent to DMC 822)

Fibers Used: Au Ver a Soie Soie 100/3 Spun Silk in 004, 124, 126, 197, 312, and 705.

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched one strand of floss over two fabric threads. Design created exclusively for the Silver Needle Stitching Club. Chart on loan from Patricia G of the Blackbird Designs Lending Library Facebook Group. Replaced the cotton embroidery floss for silks. Substituted cross stitch for satin stitch on the inside of the leaves. 

I had best be off. I hope everyone had a great weekend and I wish everyone an awesome week!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Liked It So Nice

...that I stitched it twice. I know of a lot of folks who stitch something once and then never again. With some designs, I just cannot help myself and I feel compelled to stitch them over and over. The really cool thing about cross stitch is that you can change all sorts of things to make it truly yours. 

This next project was another loaner from Patricia G of the Fans of Blackbird Designs Facebook Group. It came with two charts, Spring's Notice and Savoir Faire. I have had Spring's Notice in my freebie collection for quite some time now, but I *really* wanted to stitch Savoir Faire. It had been somewhat very elusive until the Fans of Blackbird Designs Facebook Group and their Lending Library. This fantastic group of ladies has been a godsend and I am hoping to contribute to the Lending Library some time in the near future. 

At any rate, here are my stitching efforts for the week. I am pleased with the outcome.  I have a few ideas on how to finish these, but I must think about it some before I make my decision.

Design: Savoir Faire

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Version One: 

Fabric Used: 28 count natural linen of unknown manufacturer

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours  cotton floss in 12 grain, Amethyst, Brown Sugar, German Chocolate, Prickly Pear, Purple Pansy, Steamed Broccoli and Wasabi. 

Finished: Thursday, April 28, 2016

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched two over two. 

Version Two:

Fabric Used: 32 count white Belfast linen 

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours  cotton floss in Brown Sugar, Crushed Pineapple, Frozen Margarita, German Chocolate, Pink Champagne, Queen Bee and Spun Sugar. The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in #0191 Kiwi.

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched two over two. 

I am kind of sad to see this one leave me. I could see stitching this at least three more times! But, alas, the next stitcher is anxiously awaiting the charts, so I must bid it fare thee well. In the mean time, in between time, I will comb my usual haunts looking for a copy that I may add to my collection. Hooray for stitchy quests!

Well, it is time to be off. I need to clean up my stitching area and do the coffee and blog thing. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Blackbird Designs Weekend Project Finish

It's really odd how things work out. On Friday, just before lunch, I received another pattern from the Blackbird Designs Lending Library. This time it was another quick project that I managed to get finished in about two and a half days. I finished it so quickly, I fear I am going to have to take a few days off from stitching, as my hands and arms are starting to hurt. I'm literally stitching my hands off! I really should try and pace myself better. 

Dh had to work overnight this weekend as it was his turn, so I concentrated on this one. It was stitched during a binge session of Midsomer Murders on Netflix. Not quite my beloved Hercule Poirot  but then again, there is no one quite like Monsieur Hercule Poirot , non? 


At any rate, here are my efforts:

Design: Pumpkin Blossom Pinkeep (Loose Feather #4). Chart is long out of print and retired. 

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Fabric:  32 count Cashel linen in Legacy  by Picture This Plus

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Carrot Cake, Collard Greens, Harvest, Ivy League, Old Crow, Pumpkin Carriage, and Slate.

Beads Used: Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red

Stitcher's Notes: Chart on loan from Patricia G of the Fans of Blackbird Designs Facebook Group. Replaced the cotton embroidery floss for silks. Left off initials. Changed beading to reflect bittersweet. Changed from needlecase to sampler. Horizontal arrangement based off of the vertical arrangement by Kimberly Young Hart. Used actual needle in place of stitched one due to space issues. Began Friday, March 18, 2016. Finished Monday, March 21, 2016. 

Well, I had best be off. Time to do the needful. Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

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Respectfully submitted,

C.