WIPocalypse Update for February

Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House

Hello!  This is my February WIPocalypse post.  Things have been pretty brutal here the past few months, but I still managed a bit of progress since my last update.

I stitched on (my favorite) "Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House". I am adding the back stitching to the roof and bedroom, on which I completed the cross stitching.  So I am moving right along.

I also stitched a bit on "Berry Patch Rooster".  I have made a lot of progress with this one and plan to keep on going.

 This month I had a request for a pattern featuring a camel ... so I whipped up this chart: "Scenic Camel", which I am sharing on my hobby site as a free chart.
  http://hobbyloco.com/patterns/camel.html

I did finish my "Linen & Threads 2020 Mystery Sampler" the first week of January - I just hadn't posted since December.  So here it is:

 And I stitched a little Halloween ornament in January:

I do think I will try the "March one stitch per day challenge".  Most likely I will keep working on my "Berry Patch Rooster".  I would love to have a finish soon!

Question of the Month: In honor of “Leap Year,” tell the story of a time you had to make some sort of a “leap” in stitching – taking the chance on a new style of stitching, attending a meetup or class, etc.  

My latest leap would be the leap into fabric dyeing that I made last year.  I hadn't ever dyed fabric using actual dye. Just a few coffee and tea experiments.  However, I has terrific results using a small tie-dye kit when I dyed the fabric for my "Linen & Threads Sampler" (shown above).  I loved it so much that I took a chance on the fabric from my Bothy Threads kit (it was originally a pale blue), and couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

That's about all for this update.  
Happy Stitching!

WIPocalypse Update for December

The year is drawing to a close, and it is time to post my December WIPocalypse update and year end recap.

The past few months have been busy for me, with not a lot of stitching time.  However I did manage to stitch a cute red beaded snowflake.  The original pattern (found in "Cross Stitch for the Holidays" Winter 2011) called for French knots - but I used some glass seed beads that I had on hand for a little bit of sparkle.
I made some progress on "Berry Patch Rooster":

"Women of the Mayflower": I'm not happy with the colors I used on the last motif ... I have to think about this a bit more.

"Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler": I kept up with this all year ... I should have it finished very soon, just a few more butterflies to go.  This is the last picture I took of it (it is not really THAT blue).

On a Christmasy note ... I pulled some boxes out of storage and found two needlepoint stocking that I stitched years ago.  I did not add a date to them, so I can only guess that I stitched them in the mid-90's.

I stitched on 37 different projects in 2019.  I finished 8 projects, and I made some great progress on a few of my old WIPs. 

And ... (drumroll, please) ... Here is my little montage of finishes for 2019

I managed to finish 5 small projects and 3 of my old WIPs!  I did start 3 new larger projects - so my  WIPs count is still sitting at 42.  Not my best year of finishes, but I am happy to have completed the ones I did. 

Wishing all of you a safe and happy new year!
Happy stitching.

Gifted Gorgeousness for October

It's time for the October 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 a couple of Halloween ornaments this month.  "Black Cat Alphabet" by Judy Whitman is shown above.  Well... it is a black cat stitched in variegated orange.  The chart was featured in the Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue of 2012 (magazine gifted to me).

I also stitched this cute bat by Durene Jones.  This is one of Durene's many freebie (gifted) charts that she has posted on her facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/DureneJonesCrossStitch/

I attempted to stitch on "Berry Patch Rooster" a bit every day ... but I missed a few days here and there.  I did make progress, however:

 

Here is where I left off last month:

I also stitched most of this month's section of  "Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler" (free "gifted" stitch along).  I only need to add the other squirrel.  

I spent a lot of time restitching the lower border.  When I first stitched it, I got carried away and stitched too far down.  I fixed it once & wouldn't you know that I stitched it 2 threads too far down on the second go 'round.  The third time was the charm, and now I have a proper border.  For the November and December updates, there will be 2 additional borders added around the project - so I wanted to be prepared.

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

Gifted Gorgeousness Update for September

Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House

I'm a bit late for the September Gifted Gorgeousness update ... but better late, than never.  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 didn't have much stitching time this month, but I did make progress on my favorite project, "Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House" (shown above).  I just love this one so much!

I also stitched the September section of the "Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler".  October's section should be released next weekend.   I am quite proud of myself for having kept up with the schedule of this project.

I started another section of the  "Rose Lap Quilt" (8 duplicate sections).  It's fun to change things up and do embroidery stitches once in awhile.  This is a printed embroidery piece that was given to me by a friend.

I stitched a bit on my "To Everything a Season" sampler, but there's not enough noticeable progress to photograph ... so I will update that one next time.

Happy Stitching!

August WIPocalypse Update

Time for another WIPocalypse update.  These are projects that are in progress, that I hope to finish before the world ends.  

I have a finish this month!  I managed to complete my Winnie the Pooh project, "A Chirpy Sort of Place".  This was a fun stitch!  With just a handful of colors, it was easy to stitch and follow the chart while watching TV.  This was a kit that a friend found at a church sale & sent to me a few years ago.

I completed the August section of the "Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler".  I'm sure that September's section will be released this weekend.   

I also managed a bit of stitching on my current favorite project, Bothy Threads "Cut Thru' Haunted House".  I just love this one so much!  I stitched more of the roof area and bedroom.  I am always smiling when I stitch on this.  The ghosties seem to keep the frogs away as well.  It is an easy chart to follow!  Big print, no partial stitches and separate pages for the back stitching.  

Question of the Month: What do you have on your stitching bucket list?  (for example, specific projects, designers, fibers, etc)  

Wow!  I want to stitch so many things!  I would love to stitch the Bothy Threads Cut Thru' North Pole House, Magic School, and Castle.  I would love to stitch a Long Dog Sampler.  I would love to stitch a Glendon Place dessert project (they are all so lovely).  I would love to stitch a Chatelaine.  That's my "short" bucket list off the top of my head ... I am just happy to be stitching at all!  And if I don't manage to stitch these, it's still fun to see other people stitch them.

Wish I had more time to stitch ... maybe next month.
Happy Stitching!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for August

Women of the Mayflower (new start)

It's time for the August 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 finally got around to starting "Women of the Mayflower" by Sarah Ullman.  I want to be sure to finish this one in 2020 (as it features the date 1620).  I just think it would be cool to have a finish date of 2020 on it.  Here is what the completed sampler looks like:

Women of the Mayflower

I'm just using leftover floss and stitching on a piece of linen that I purchased with a gift certificate.  The portion I stitched has cross stitched lettering and a couple rows of eyelet stitches.(done in variegated red).

Link to ebay auction:  Fine Lines Magazine with Sampler 

I also made great progress on "A Chirpy Sort of Place" (kit gifted to me by a friend).

A Chirpy Sort of Place

This will be a finish before too long.  I just need to finish the left border and add the text.

I am keeping up with the "2019 Linen and Threads Mystery Sampler", and am about 1/2 way complete with this month's section.

I also stitched a bit on Bothy Thread's "Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon" (gifted chart) - adding some light purple to a window, and a snail on top of the wagon.

Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon

That's all the stitching I managed this month.  I have been busy & lacking time to stitch the past couple of weeks ... but I hope to continue with my progress when I am able.

Happy Stitching!
 

 

July WIPocalypse Update

A Chirpy Sort of Place

Here we go again ... time for another WIPocalypse update.  These are projects that are in progress, that I hope to finish before the world ends.  

I made some great progress on "A  Chirpy Sort of Place", completing the bottom border and moving on up around the sides.  This project is an easy stitch - not too many color changes and an easy to read chart.  This is a good project to work on while watching TV.

I stitched on "Candy Nutcracker" (Christmas stocking) by Barbara Baatz Hillman.  I completed the colorful cupcake.

Here is where I am headed with the project:

I stitched on "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (Carousel Horse) by Linda Gillum: 

Which will one day look like this:

Last, but not least ... I finished stitching the July section of the Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler:

 

I am happy to have kept up with this project.  5 more months to go!

Taht's all for this month's update.  I still have plenty of WIPs to keep me stitching until the end of time.  lol!

Happy Stitching!

 

 

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for July

Carousel Tiger by Angela Pullen

It's time for the July 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 a finish this month!  Finally!  I have completed stitching my Carousel Tiger.  This is the third in a set that my sister gifted to me in the late 90's.  It is a bit hard to tell, but all of the gold areas (corners, pole and trim on the saddle) are stitched with sparkly gold metallic blending filament (which is a pain to work with, but looks lovely).  I finished stitching the Carousel Lion in 1998, and the Carousel Zebra in 2014.  The Tiger was by far the most difficult of the three. 

Carousel Lion by Angela Pullen

Carousel Zebra by Angela Pullen

I stitched on several other gifted projects this month including:
"A Chirpy Sort of Place" (I worked on the borders and lower right corner.)

 
"Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon" (I fixed a miscount in the roof area and stitched to the left of the dresser.)

"Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House" (Stitched in the upstairs bedroom area.  Completed the sickle.)

 I finished the flowers in the first section of my "Rose Lap Quilt".  

And I completed about 1/2 of the stitching for this month's section of "Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler".

Whew!  A busy month.  I am happy with my progress and hope to have a few more finishes before the end of the year!

Happy Stitching!

June WIPocalypse Update

Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler - June

It's so hard to believe that the year is half over and it's time for another WIPocalypse update.  

I didn't stitch as much this month as I did in May, but I did work on 3 of my WIPs.  I completed the June section of the Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler (shown above).

 I added the bats and Jack O'Lantern to my Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House, and did a bit of stitching on the upstairs bedroom.  Here is where I left off last time:

I just love to stitch on this project!

I also finished the lower left corner of my Spanish Sampler, and did quite a lot of the Four-sided stitch outer border.

I do plan to participate in the "One-a-Day" focus for July.  I hope I can stick with it - I really would like to add another finish to my list soon!

Question of the Month: Half-year recap:  How are you doing with your goals so far this year? 

The goals that I posted in January of this year were:

"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!" 

So... I have only finished 2 projects this year (just one was a WIP), but I did keep up with the Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler (every month - so far) and the gifted Gorgeousness Stitch-along.  I've added 2 projects to my WIPs list, so I need to work harder to finish some projects.  I hope to focus & make better progress for the last half of the year. 

That's all for this update.
Happy stitching!

Gifted Gorgeousness Update for June

Victorian Charm

It's time for the June 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 a few of my gifted projects this month, including "Victorian Charm".  I am slow stitching on this project due to the dark fabric - but I love the design.

Here is where I left off last time: (This photo is closer to the actual fabric color.)

I also stitched on "Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler", completing 1/2 of this month's chart.

I brought out my lovely "Spanish Sampler" and worked on the lower left corner.

And finally, I stitched on (my favorite) "Cut Thru' Haunted House", finishing the second ghost in the music room.

That's all for now.  I can't wait to see everyone else's progress this month!
Happy Stitching!