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!
 






 

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for April

Maison De Famille (freebie by Gazette94 )

It's time for another "Gifted Gorgeousness" update.  This stitch-a-long is being hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching.  Gifted Gorgeousness projects are projects that were made to be given as a gift, or in some way or part received as a gift.  

I made some good progress on "Maison De Famille" (freebie by Gazette94 ).  I am stitching this "gifted" pattern with random bits of floss left over from other projects, all in shades of blues and greys.  Now it is about 70% complete and should be a finish soon.

I also stitched on "Dutch Sampler" by Sandy Orton (floss purchased with a gift card).  I completed the border and finished the top row of alphabet letters.

I put some time into my newest project "Mini Banner - Fall" by Debbie Mumm (purchased with a gift card).

I worked on the border of my "Christmas is Coming" Sampler by Faye Walsh, featured in Nov 2017 Cross Stitcher magazine (gifted magazine).  I have been stitching motifs on this as part of the "Christmas Ornie SAL".   

And finally ... I stitched this cute kitty from the 2013 Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue (gifted magazine).  The design is "Stitch-an-Inch Halloween" by Donna Bayliss of "By the Bay Needleart".

I stitched the pattern on 14 ct clear plastic canvas.  I backed it with black felt, pinked the edge and added a black satin ribbon and purple buttons to finish.

Lots of projects, lots of progress, lots of fun!  I hope to continue the trend this month.
Happy stitching!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for March

It's time for another "Gifted Gorgeousness" update.  This stitch-a-long is being hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching.  Gifted Gorgeousness projects are projects that were made to be given as a gift, or in some way or part received as a gift.  

The past few weeks have been so busy with work that I barely managed any stitching time.  However, I did make some progress.

Shown above is "Mini Banner - Fall" designed by Debbie Mumm.   This is a new start for me, which I purchased with a gift card from my Mom.  I really like this project because of the theme and colors, but also because it comes with the hangar and finishing instructions. (PS. I got a great deal with a 50% off coupon!)  It is a fairly small project (5" x 8") and is fun to stitch!  

This is what I managed to stitch so far:

I put a few more stitches into my "Dutch Sampler", adding a few more letters and completing a bit more of the border.

I also stitched an adaptation of "Adoration of the Magi" from the book "100 Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments" by Carol Siegel.  I have stitched several of the ornaments in this book and have many more I plan to stitch in the future.
  

That is all I have this month.  I hope to make more progress next time (seems to be my wish each month).
Happy Stitching!

my WIPocalypse Update

Time for another WIPocalypse update ... featuring projects that I currently have in progress that I hope to finish before the world ends.  I have all of my WIPs posted here.

This month I had a serious lack of stitching time and managed only a little stitching.  (Any stitching is better than none.)

I made some progress on my Dutch Sampler (shown above).  I added a few more letters and worked a bit on the border.

I also stitched a bit more on "Multi-Coloured Alphabet" by Gail Lawther.  I'm moving right along on this one.  It's nice to find a project on which to use my variegated floss!

Here is where I left off last time:  
 

Question of the Month – Gadgets!  Show us your favorite stitching gadgets!  and How did you do with Olympic Stitching, and what goals did you achieve?

✂ I don't use many stitching gadgets.  I have 2 pairs of stitching scissors - both Sullivans with wide finger holes (my favorites are shown below).  I have various hoop frames and a couple sets of Q-snaps.  That's about it for now.  

I didn't have time for Olympic stitching ... maybe next time! 

That's all for my update.  I hope to have more progress next time.
Happy Stitching!

my January Gifted Gorgeousness Update

Dutch Sampler by Sandy Orton

It's time for the first "Gifted Gorgeousness" update of the new year.  These are projects that were made to be given as a gift -or- in some way or part received as a gift. 

I worked on a few of my gifted projects.  I made quite a bit of progress on "Dutch Sampler" (fabric and thread gifted to me).  I finished the windmill and lower right corner, the cat, the crown and sections of border.  I also stitched the big "I" and "K" eyelet letters, the medium "E" filigree letter, and the small "I" "K" "L" and "M" letters, the "6" "7" "8" "9" and "0", as well as the date.

Here is where I left off last time:

I stitched on "To Everything a Season" (kit gifted to me), making some I progress on the leaf and berry border on the top left.

I also stitched on my "Winter Sampler" (kit gifted to me).  I had already finished the Valentine section, this time I worked on the area below that.  There will be a nifty snowman making an appearance.

Last, but not least ... I started a new little Xmas Sampler from Cross Stitcher Magazine (Nov 2017) that was gifted to me:

I was quite happy with the amount of stitching time I had this month & feel like I made good progress on my projects.  That's all I have for this update.  

Happy Stitching!

my June WIPocalypse Update

Multi-Coloured Alphabet by Gail Lawther

It's time for another WIPocalypse update (and past due for a Gifted Gorgeousness update)!  These are projects I hope to finish before the end of the world, as well as projects gifted to me & that I am stitching as gifts for others.

I have had a bit more stitching time the past couple of weeks, so I pulled out some of my neglected projects to stitch on.  Shown above is "Multi-Coloured Alphabet" by Gail Lawther, on which I made some pretty good progress.  I am following the shape of the pattern, but I am just using floss in variegated colors - placing them where they seem to fit.

Here is where I left off last time:

   
I also stitched on "Carousel Tiger" designed by Angela Pullen.  The hind legs and tail are taking shape.  This was a kit gifted to me by my sister (along with the matching "Carousel Zebra" and "Carousel Lion", both of which I have finished).  This kit had issues with floss and blending filament shortages - so it sat neglected for quite awhile.

Here is how the project looked when I last posted:

I did continue on a bit with my Dutch Sampler as well.  I stitched more on the windmill and finished the medallion next to it (lower right area).

I also stitched a bit more on my "Cow Sampler" ... but I will save that one for next time when I have more progress completed.

The topic of the month:  Show us your stitching space!  Where do you sit, and what is going on around you while you stitch (TV, audiobooks, etc)?

Honestly, I don't have a special stitching space.  I am often sitting at the computer in the kitchen stitching while I earn swagbucks (to use to buy more stitching supplies, lol), or I stitch in the front room while watching tv, or in the back room before I go to bed.  Wherever I can find some good light and a little bit of time.

That's all for this update.  I can't wait to see what everyone has been working on!  I don't comment very often, but I do make the rounds to get inspiration from all of you fellow stitchers.

Happy stitching!
 

my May WIPocalypse Update

Dutch Sampler by Sandy Orton

Hello.  It's time for another WIPocalypse update!  These are projects I hope to finish before the end of the world.  lol.  

I managed to stitch on my Dutch Sampler this month, making progress on some motifs, the maiden, and windmill in the lower right corner.  

Here is where I left off last time:

I also made good progress on my Cow Sampler.  I am stitching this in red, black and green.  I stitched the two trees on the left, completed the black part of the border, started the alphabet, and added some grapes and a leaf. 

Finally I put some stitches into my Berry Patch Rooster.  I think I am close to 30% completed. 

I am really trying to stitch for a little while each day.  Some days I am just too tired to manage it.  I'm happy as long as I make some progress.

Happy Stitching!

 

my February Gifted Gorgeousness update

Time for another Gifted Gorgeousness update.  Gifted Gorgeousness projects are projects that were made to be given as a gift -or- in some way or part received as a gift. 

This month I worked on "Dutch Sampler" (shown above) - (threads purchased with gift card from my Mom).  The photo below shows where I left off last time:

I also made progress on my "Too Much Honey" sampler (gifted to me as a kit from a non-stitchy friend). I finished the checked side border and added a couple rows of text.

 And last but not least, I stitched a bit more on my "Traditional American Sampler" (chart from a book that was part of a prize package I won in a design contest many years ago).

Not too much time for stitching this month, but my work usually slows down in the Spring, so hopefully I will have more time to stitch soon.

Happy Stitching!

 
 

Happy New Year WIPocalypse Kick Off

Dutch Sampler by Sandy Orton

Hi Everybody!  My name is Cheryl.  I live in Atlanta, Georgia USA and have been participating in the WIPocalypse stitch along since it began in 2012. (And still have many of the same WIPs as I did back then. lol.)

I am starting 2017 with 47 WIPs (all WIPs are shown here), which I hope to whittle down over the year.  Last year I began with 51 on my list, I finished 6 of those and added 2 new projects to the WIPs list - so I am making progress.  (I also finished 18 additional projects from start to finish, for a grand total of 24 finishes.)

Here are some of the WIPs that I hope to complete this year:

"Dutch Sampler" (progress shown above)

"To Everything a Season" Sampler:

my progress:

"Rambling Rose" miniature sampler:

my progress:

"Too Much Honey" sampler:

my progress:

I hope to finish the 4 projects shown above (at least), as well as make significant progress on my other WIPs.  I do have a couple of other new projects waiting in the wings, but will hold off for a bit and see how things develop.

I also have been participating in both the "Hallowe'en Ornie SAL" and the "Christmas Ornie SAL" for the past few years, which I hope to continue this year (for at least some of the months).

That sums up my stitching goals for 2017.  I look forward to seeing what all of you other stitchers are planning for the new year.

Happy Stitching!

December Gifted Gorgeousness and WIPocalypse Year End Re-Cap

The time has flown by!  This is my final Gifted Gorgeousness and WIPocalypse post of 2016.

During the year I managed 24 finishes: 6 of my WIPs and 18 new projects (most of which were ornaments).  All of my finishes for 2016 can be seen here.

My most recent finishes include the cute little Boston Terrier ornament shown above, which was stitched on 14 ct plastic canvas and backed with felt.  A cute little quickie that I made as a GIFT for someone special.

Also (drum roll please) ..... I finished Sandy Orton's "Simple Blessings".

This sampler was stitched from a pattern in "The Best of Kooler Design Studio", which was GIFTED to me.  I started stitching this project in January 2015 as part of DUCJC (Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge).

Here are the projects that I made the most progress on during 2016:

"Dutch Sampler" JANUARY

"Dutch Sampler" DECEMBER

 

 "Too Much Honey" Sampler JANUARY

 "Too Much Honey" Sampler DECEMBER

"Chirpy Sort of Place" JANUARY

"Chirpy Sort of Place" DECEMBER

  

 "Gathering Honey" JANUARY

"Gathering Honey" DECEMBER

 

"Autumn Sampler" JANUARY

"Autumn Sampler" DECEMBER

 

I worked on many other projects as well, but I don't want to keep you here all day.  I still have many WIPs to stitch, so I will be continuing on with my WIPocalypse updates in the hopes of whittling down my WIPs list during 2017.

Happy Stitching!