my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for December

It's time for another Gifted Gorgeousness update.  This stitch-along, hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, is for projects that in some way have been gifted -or- are being stitched to be given as gifts. 

I have another finish this month!  I managed to finish the second butterfly pillowcase in my gifted set (shown above).  I may add a crocheted trim to the edges, but that is a project for a later date.

I worked on Bothy Threads "Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon" a bit more.

This is a fun project ... and seems to move right along.

I made good progress on my Christmas sampler.  The chart is from Cross Stitcher Magazine (Nov 2017), which was gifted to me last year.  I should be able to finish this one by Christmas. yay!  

Last, but not least, I stitched on my "Winter Sampler" (gifted to me along with the 3 other season samplers) .  I had hoped to finish the snowman, but boy oh boy does this one stitch up slowly.  Many color changes and tons of back stitching.

That's all for this update.  I can't wait to see what everyone else has been working on.
Happy Stitching!

my WIPocalypse post for November

Teresa Wentzler's Castle Sampler

I made some decent progress this month with my WIPocalypse projects.  I stitched on my "Castle Sampler" by Teresa Wentzler.  I focused on the framework and border areas, putting in several hours of stitching.

"American Sampler" by Sandra Sullivan

I completed the alphabet and worked a bit around the yard on "American Sampler" by Sandra Sullivan.  I am mainly using bits of floss leftover from other projects to stitch this one.  I may also play around with "aging" this sampler once I am finished stitching it.  

I found the chart in the book "The DMC Book of Cross Stitch and Counted Thread Work" by Eleanor Van Zandt (published 1994).  There are several types of projects in the book, including some Hardanger (which I have yet to try) and blackwork.
 

Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon by Amanda Loverseed

I also put some stitches into my "Gypsy Wagon", which is rolling along.  I am back-stitching as I go ... but I may save the French knots until the end.  This is a fun project on which to stitch!

And last, but not least ...  I put a few hours of stitching into "Ride to Dreamland".  This is one of my very old WIPs - but I do make sure to add a few stitches now and then.

Ride to Dreamland

That's all for my update this time.  I can't wait to see what everyone else has worked on this month.

Happy Stitching!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for November

Dutch Sampler by Sandy Orton

It's time for another Gifted Gorgeousness update.  This stitch-along, hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, is for projects that in some way have been gifted -or- are being stitched to be given as gifts. 

Today I am super happy to have a finish to show!

I finished stitching "Dutch Sampler" by Sandy Orton just this morning.  This was a fun stitch with Algerian eyelets and double running stitch, both of which were new to me.  I stitched on mushroom colored 28 ct evenweave, which along with the threads, was gifted to me.  The chart can be found in Better Homes and Gardens "Treasures in Needlework" magazine from Fall 1992. 

Creative Cats

I worked a bit on "Creative Cats" which was a kit gifted to me in the late 90's.  This is a printed piece, which is embellished with many stitches, such as satin stitch, stem stitch, straight stitch, lazy daisies and French knots.  

Every time I think I am closer to finishing, I find another area that I missed.  I still have quite a bit of stitching to do ... but this project is moving along.

I have also been stitching on my Christmas sampler.  The chart is from Cross Stitcher Magazine (Nov 2017), which was gifted to me last year.  I hope to finish this one by Christmas.

Last but not least ... I have started stitching Bothy Threads "Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon".  A friend has nicely "loaned" the pattern to me (sort of a gift, but I must return it).  lol.  I have been wanting to stitch a Cut Thru' design for awhile and am too eager to wait. (I have some on my list for Santa).

Bothy Threads - Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon

That's all I have right now ... I think I made great progress this month & hope to continue the trend next time.

Happy Stitching!
 






 

the Hallowe'en Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on Jo's Hallowe'en Blog Hop!

This blog hop is being hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching.  Please visit the start of the Hallowe'en Blog Hop if you would like to collect the letters for the mystery phrase.

As part of the blog hop, I am featuring some Autumn and Halloween stitching that I have completed.  This year I have decided to showcase a Parliament of Owls.

I recently finished an adorable little project: "Mini Banner Fall" by Debbie Mumm.  This was a fun stitch, and I love the cute little hangar that came with the kit!

"Mini Banner Fall" by Debbie Mumm

 Here are some owl projects I previously stitched:

Owl-O-Ween by Marie Driskill : 2013 JCS Halloween Issue

Owl : Elizabeth Spurlock

Spell of the Moon by Blackbird Designs

Little Owl Sampler by Knotted Tree NeedleArt

(freebie) Owl chart by Aliolka

Which brings me to the last little owl ... He is a tough little bird and is holding your secret letter:

In case you are graphically challenged, the secret letter is "T".

I hope you enjoyed your visit ... now I must send you off to the next stop in the Hallowe'en Blog Hop: http://astridxstitching.blogspot.com/