my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for February

Carousel Tiger

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

I have so many gifted projects that I'm sure to be participating in this stitch along for many years to come.

Since I stitched the head on my "Berry Patch Rooster" for my last update, I decided to stitch the head on my "Carousel Tiger" for this update (shown above).  Whenever I work on this project, I remember why it is taking me soooo long to finish it.  1) hard to read chart, 2) many color changes, 3) blended colors and use of blending filament, and 4) lots of fractional stitching on Aida.

I have finished the other 2 carousel animals (lion and zebra), so I am anxious to finish this one, too!

Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler

I worked on the Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler this month.  I am about 1/2 way through February in the stitch along, so right on track. 

It is not too late to join in on the fun, you can grab the chart and details here: http://linenandthreads.com/mystery-sampler-stitch-a-long,

I also stitched a bit on my "Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Pirate Ship".  This was a Christmas gift, which I started on Christmas day.  

Now .... I have another new start (what?!?) that I received as a Valentine's gift from my sweetie.  This kit has been on my wish list for a couple of years & happened to go on sale last month.  So ... I am now also stitching "Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House".

I had some dye left over from last time, so I took the light blue 16 ct Zweigart Aida from the kit and put my own spin on it.

I love the way it turned out!  There are darker blues and purples towards the top - which look like a cloudy sky.  There are more green areas near the bottom.  The lighter area on the top right is near where the moon will be, and if you look closely, there appears to be is a creepy face looking downward in the center.  (That will likely be stitched over, but I will know it's there. lol.)  

I have only stitched a small area so far, but I know I will really enjoy stitching this one.

OK ... so now I have to ask ... 
Would anyone like to stitch along with me on "Bothy Threads Cut Thru'" projects?  
I remember that Debbie (http://debbiescrossstitch.blogspot.com/) was hosting a group for this & I really would like to stitch along with someone.   Any takers?

That's all I have for this update.
Happy Stitching!

my January WIPocalypse Update

Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler

It's time for the first WIPocalypse update of the year!   WIPocalypse projects are all of those works in progress that we hope to finish before the world ends.  

I only worked on a few projects this month, but I made good progress.

First up ...  I have completed January's motif for the Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler (shown above).  I have named my peacock, "Georgie".  I can't wait to see what's in store for February.

I stitched a head for my "Berry Patch Rooster" (finally), and filled in sections here and there.  

Here is where I left off last time:

I also put in quite a bit of time on "American Sampler" by Sandra Sullivan.  I added another tree, the Colonial couple, a flower, and worked on the border.  I am keeping this project handy, as I would like to finish it up.  

I am considering this an "experimental project".  I stitched it with leftover threads from other projects & I have plans to age it with tea or coffee - maybe a scorch mark here and there and a little unraveling, etc ...

Now ... for the question of the month (which I often forget):

What SALs are you participating in this year?
   
1) Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler (12 part - year long SAL)
2) Gifted Gorgeousness (gifted projects - monthly on the 15th)
3) WIPocalypse (WIPS - monthly on the last Sunday of the month)
4) Halloween Ornie SAL (monthly -if I am able)
5) Christmas Ornie SAL (monthly - if I am able)

That's all for this update.  I hope to make even more progress next time.
Happy Stitching!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for January

Bothy Threads - Cut Thru' Pirate Ship

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

I stitched on 3 of my gifted projects this month!  I added the back stitching to the little pirate on the Cut Thru' Pirate Ship, and stitched more of the ship (shown above).

I also did quite a bit of stitching on my Spring Sampler:

It's hard to see the progress, but I worked on several areas of this sampler.  It has a ton of back stitching in several colors!

Here is where I left off last time: 

And finally ... I put in some stitching time on the Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler.
This is a free year-long SAL (stitch along) with a section of the chart provided each month by Linen and Threads.

I am stitching with plain DMC black on 28 count Monaco that I tie dyed with a Tulip Tie-Dye kit.  I am right on schedule with my peacock and should have him finished before the end of the month.

It is not too late to join in on the fun, you can grab the chart and details here: http://linenandthreads.com/mystery-sampler-stitch-a-long, and there is a facebook group where several folks are posting photos of their projects.  It is fun to see all of the different color, thread, and fabric choices people have made.  Many are adding beads to their peacocks.

That's all for this month.
Happy Stitching!

WIPocalypse 2019 Intro Day

New Start: 2019 Linen & Threads Mystery Sampler

Hello!  My name is Cheryl. Welcome to my blog and my WIPocalypse 2019 Intro Day post.  

I live in Atlanta Georgia USA, where I enjoy all types of hobbies and needlework.  I have been stitching for several decades & still find joy in it.  I am self employed with Etsy (I stitch and sell finger puppets and other items).  I have participated in the WIPocalypse SAL since it began in 2012.

I currently have 43 WIPs (I am working on this.) 

I have already added a new project this year, as I jumped into the "2019 Linen & Threads Mystery Sampler" stitch along recently (progress shown above).  I tie-dyed a piece of 28 count Monaco fabric for the project.  This was my first time using tie dye. I used a Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit with the colors called "Moody Blues" (turquoise, green, and blue).  I love the way the colors came out & it was super easy!

Anyhow...  I love stitching samplers.  I have several in progress, and even designed a simple "cat sampler" of my own, which I offer as a free chart on my hobby website here: http://hobbyloco.com/patterns/cat_sampler.html

I also recently got the bug for the "Bothy Threads Cut Thru'" designs.  I am a few years behind everyone else (they hit popularity around 2013-14), but they are fun to stitch.  I am currently stitching 2 of those.

I also love to stitch ornaments!  I don't have any ornaments on my WIPs list - because I usually stitch them quickly over a few days & finish them right away. 

My goals for the year are to finish as many of my WIPs as I am able, keep up with any SALs (stitch-alongs) I join, and try to finish more projects than I start!

One additional project I may start this year is the "Women of the Mayflower" Sampler by Sarah Ullman.  I really want to finish this project in 2020 - so that I can have the dates 1620 and 2020 on the sampler.   So that may be a start later in the year.
 

Women of the Mayflower by Sarah Ullman

I think that brings me to the end of my post.  I feel the need to go and stitch.
Happy Stitching!