WIPocalypse and Stitch Maynia Update

Whale Watching

It's time again for another WIPocalypse update.  This has been the busiest stitching month I've had all year!  The first 2 weeks of May, I worked on 16 projects (shown in my last update), and the past 11 days, I have worked on 9 projects - including a small original design.

"Whale Watching" (shown above) is one of my designs - which I have posted as a freebie on my website, here:  http://hobbyloco.com/patterns/whale_watching.html 

Here are the other projects I stitched on this month:

Rose Lap Quilt

I stitched a few more flowers on my "Rose Lap Quilt", a printed embroidery project that was gifted to me by a non-stitchy friend.

Ride to Dreamland

I stitched a bit on "Ride to Dreamland" - working on part of the stitching that uses the sparkly blending filament. 

Summer Carousel Horse

I stitched on the flowers and greenery at the top of Teresa Wentzler's "Summer Carousel Horse".

Hummingbird and Fuchsias

I stitched more on "Hummingbird and Fuchsias", a printed cross stitch kit gifted by my Mom.

Gathering Honey

I kept "Gathering Honey" from gathering dust and stitched a row in the garden.

Cut Thru' Pirate Ship

I finished another pirate on my ship!  This one has a hook for a hand and a peg leg.

American Sampler

I also stitched a bit on Sandy Orton's "American Sampler".  Mainly filling in the left pillar and working on the framing for the center section.  Slow progress ... but progress nonetheless.

I had a visit form the frogs when I stitched on my "Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler".  I had to remove a bunch of stitches and am just about finished restitching and completing the May section.  I will include a photo with my next update.

Question of the Month: Where do you love to shop for stash?  

I love a bargain - so I tend follow a sale or coupon to locate my stash.  My relatives often send me "gift cards", and I tend to combine gift cards with coupons and sales to stretch them as far as I can.   

That's all I have for this update.  It sure has been a crazy month!
See you next time.
Happy Stitching!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for July

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. 

This month I worked on a few of my gifted projects including "Autumn Sampler" by Sandy Orton.  I stitched the berries along the right-hand side (shown above).

I started stitching on the second printed butterfly pillowcase of a gifted pair.  I completed the first pillowcase last year.

And finally, I worked a bit on "American Sampler", also by Sandy Orton (gifted fabric and threads).  I mainly worked Cross Stitches and a bit more of the Alternating Half-Cross Stitch background.

I am making slow progress on my projects ... but I do hope to have a few more finishes this year!  

Happy Stitching!

my November WIPocalypse Update

American Sampler - Sandy Orton

It's time for another WIPocalypse update.  WIPocalypse projects are all of the projects that I have in progress, that I would like to finish before the world ends.

I am attempting to stitch (at least a little bit) on ALL of my WIPs this year.  I began the year with 47 WIPs.  Out of those, I have managed to work on 35 of them - and actually finished 4!  So ... I still have 12 more that need attention.  With only December left to work on my WIPs this year - I don't know if I will be able to meet my goal.  We'll see...

This month I stitched on "American Sampler" by Sandy Orton.  I completed the Queen's stitch on the big pink flower, started work on the pillar and inner border, and filled in more background area with alternating half stitch.

Here is where I left off before:

I stitched a bit more on my "Tiger Lilies and Roses" pillow.  I added the big pink Tiger Lily start to finish:

And finally, I pulled out my felt Advent Calendar, and managed to make 2 more of the little "ornaments" to count down the days.  I wish I had more time - I would like to finish this and use it this year.  But ... I still have 12 ornaments to go - and I am short on free time.  Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

Question of the Month – What finishing style have you never tried but would love to do?

I have seen some lovely finished boxes, unusual bicornu, and amazing pincushions that I would love to attempt.  The reason I haven't is mainly a time issue - but perhaps I will make a resolution next year to work in more time for hobbies and to try new things.

Until next time...
Happy Stitching!

my October WIPocalypse Update

Her Majesty's Carousel

It's time for another WIPocalypse update.  WIPocalypse projects are all of the projects that I have in progress, that I would like to finish before the world ends. 

I am attempting to stitch (at least a little bit) on ALL of my WIPs this year.   

I finally pulled out "Her Majesty's Carousel" after not touching it for about 2-1/2 years. (shame!)  It appeared to be nearly finished ... however, I now see that there are many parts left to complete.  Aside from finishing the cross stitching and back stitching, there is the gold border to finish, a lot of beading throughout, and some twisted cording to make for the horses reins.  So, I do have a ways to go AND it starts with a single stitch - so I filled in here and there with some of the cross stitching, and I completed the back stitching on the horse's pole.  

I then moved on to Teresa Wentzler's "Summer Carousel Horse".  Oh Boy.  My stitching on this one moves as slow as mud.  I worked for hours on the tail ... here is what I have to show for it:

 Here is where I was last time:

Oh well.  Any progress is good.

I also stitched a bit on "Ride to Dreamland":

It may be hard to tell, but I did make some progress on the flowers from the top center towards the right.  Here is my before shot:

The most enjoyable stitching I did this month was on Sandy Orton's "American Sampler".

I added an entire bird!  lol.  I also worked a bit on the background filler "Alternating Half Cross Stitch", which basically changes the look and color of the linen behind the other stitching.  This project is barely begun ... but I love working on it!    

I did work on a few other projects this month - with one finish, which will be revealed during the upcoming "Halloween Blog Hop".   Stay tuned.

Topic of the month: How did you begin stitching?

I have my Grandma to thank for that.  She was very crafty with sewing, crochet, embroidery, etc...  I remember going with her to a sale (most likely a church sale), where I found some printed floral pillowcases & just had to have them to stitch on.  Never mind that I was very young and had never done any type of stitching before.   Of course, my Grandma bought them for me.  I do have the finished pillowcases tucked away somewhere - I ended up removing my clumsy first stitching and restitching them years later.  

In the 80's I moved on to cross stitching - as it was quite popular and easy to find.  I stitched through the 80's and 90's (hence all the Carousel projects - very popular back then).

That's all for my WIPocalypse update this month.
Happy stitching!

 

my April Gifted Gorgeousness Update

It's time for another Gifted Gorgeousness update.  These are projects that were gifted to me in some way (kit, pattern, fabric, floss) or projects that I am making for others.

I stitched a bit on Dutch Sampler by Sandy Orton.  I seem to skip around as I work on this ... but I really enjoy stitching it.

Here is where I left off in March:

Here is where I am headed:

Some big excitement this month (lol) ... I used a gift card to purchase floss for my "American Sampler" project (also by Sandy Orton).  This sampler has some interesting stitches such as: rice stitch, queen stitch, florentine stitch, vertical satin stitch, alternating running stitch, and alternating half cross stitch. 

I am stitching on a piece of 26 ct Antique Brown linen that I purchased with an Etsy gift certificate.  I might have had an easier time had I chosen to stitch on evenweave instead of this linen (which has some thicker, some thinner threads), but I like the look of the linen - so I will forge ahead and try to keep up.

Here is where this project is going:

So ... this one will be quite a journey.

That's all for my Gifted Gorgeousness updates.  I have been working on several of my other projects, which I will feature in my WIPocalypse update later this month.

Happy Stitching!