WIPocalypse Update for May

I'm still here and stitching for the WIPocalypse.  This stitch along features works in progress that I hope to finish before the world ends.

This month I managed to put stitches into several projects.  Shown above is my "Spring Sampler".  I stitched the Lily of the Valley section, and a bit of the frame to the right of that.

I always enjoy stitching on this sampler during the Spring!  *Bonus: the Lily of the Valley is my birth flower.

Continuing on ... I also stitched a bit on my "Summer Sampler".  I stitched the cream background behind the "camp" section and added the "Wish you were here" cursive text.

I finished most of the butterfly in the top left of "Butterfly Forest".  I have a bit more color to stitch and then the back stitching to complete the butterfly.

I also stitched on my "Bothy Threads cut thru' Pirate Ship".  I added more of the ship.

Finally, I have been working on "Hummingbird and Fuchsias".  This is a printed piece.  I have such a hard time getting the stitches even as I stitch on the printed areas of the cotton fabric.  I am having to let it be "not perfect" and it seems to be looking fine despite my "not perfect" stitching. 

I made quite a bit of progress with the leaves - but do have lots of back stitching to add.

Question of the Month: Tell us about a piece that you absolutely loved stitching.

Such a hard question.  I have so many projects that I loved stitching.  (I really love stitching the bothy threads cut thru' kits!) 

I will just post a couple of my favorites.

Nature's Alphabet by Sandy Orton.  This kit had only about a dozen colors. Simple and straight forward.  No blended colors, no fractional stitches, no back stitching.  It was fun and easy to stitch.

I also enjoyed stitching "Simple Blessings" by Sandy Orton.  I opted to stitch it in red and black.  It was another simple stitch with no blending or fractional stitching.  Easy to follow and a lovely finish.

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

the year end WIPocalypse update

Time for the final WIPocalypse update for the year!  The project above is "Dutch Sampler" by Sandy Orton, and is my most recent new start.  Here is where it is going:

Here are the numbers for 2015:
I had 29 WIPs going into 2015 : I have 51 WIPs as 2015 ends. (Whoops!)
I finished 17 ornaments this year! (12 Halloween and 5 Christmas)
I had 26 total finishes in 2015!

My most recent finish.  "Itsy Bitsy" by Charlette Dockens of Charlette's Collectibles, which is featured in the 2015 Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue.

My happiest finish of the year!  Nature's Alphabet by Sandy Orton.  All of my finishes can be seen on my finishes page.

I plan to work harder on finishing WIPs in 2016! 

my Gifted Gorgeousness post (better late than never)

Nature's Alphabet by Sandy Orton

It's time for another Gifted Gorgeousness SAL update. 

Hip Hip Hooray!  I have a finish!  I have completed the stitching of Nature's Alphabet by Sandy Orton.  The only thing remaining is to attach the 7 little gold charms, which I will do when I have a frame ready.

I received this kit as a Christmas gift from my sweetie back in 2013.  I enjoyed stitching this one very much.

The other "gifted" project I worked on this month is my Winnie the Pooh "Too Much Honey" Sampler.  This project was gifted to me by a sweet friend.   I didn't make a ton of progress, but I managed to stitch several more blocks in the border.

previous progress:

current progress:

That's my final update for Gifted Gorgeousness 2015.  I have decided to join in again for 2016 ... hoping to make lots of progress on my gifted projects in the new year.

a Small Finish and my WIPocalypse update!

It is time again for a WIPocalypse update.  So here is what I have been stitching lately:

I just finished stitching this piece for the Hallowe'en Ornie Stitch Along.  The pattern is Shake, Rattle 'n Roll by Pam Lewis and Susan Rohm of Praiseworthy Stitches and is featured in Just Cross Stitch magazine's Oct 2015 issue.  I stitched this pattern on a piece of 32 ct. tea stained fabric.

I skipped around my other projects and stitched a little here and a little there.

I am close to finishing Nature's Alphabet by Sandy Orton:

Another Sandy Orton project I worked on was "Simple Blessings":

I still have quite a ways to go with this one.  Here is what the complete design looks like:

I stitched a bit on Gazette94's "Quaker 2011":

And a bit on my "Multi-Coloured Alphabet" by Gail Lawther:

And I did a little latch hooking, which brought my progress up to 30/50 completed rows on my American Eagle rug:

That's all for this month.
Happy Stitching!

my WIPocalypse Update : May

Nature's Alphabet - Sandy Orton

Time for another WIPocalypse update!  I worked on several projects this month ... and here they are:

Orchid Intrigue by Beth Ann Seal - JCS Feb 2015 Issue

project :

current progress:

Multi-Coloured Alphabet by Gail Lawther 

project :

current progress:

Quaker Flower by http://thestitcherhood.com/

Autumn Heart (freebie by Gazettte94)

That's all for this update.
Happy Spring and Happy Stitching!

my WIPocalypse Update : April

Time for another WIPocalypse update. This month I had several small finishes, which brings me up to 7 finishes for the year.  Hooray!  My most recent finish is the Mary Engelbriet Puppy, a small ornament kit with its own frame.

I finished this little owl ornament for the Halloween Ornie SAL.  I used part of a candle band design by Elizabeth Spurlock that was featured in the JCS October 2014 issue.  I stitched the owl on 14 ct. plastic canvas and backed it with felt.

I finished the Stitchers Sampler which is a freebie design.  I tried to locate the designer, but had no luck.

I also finished stitching "Year of the Rabbit", a freebie by Gazette94 - which is shown in my previous post.

I stitched a bit on Nature's Alphabet, which I plan to spend more time on this month.  I really would love to finish one of my larger projects.

Here is my current progress:

This month's discussion topic:
Which specialty stitches do you love doing on projects? Which do you dread?
I enjoy using specialty stitches on projects - especially stitches I haven't yet tried.  I look forward to mixing things up once in awhile.  I haven't really run across any stitches that I dread.  My Grandma taught me to make French Knots as a child, so I have happy memories tied to those.  I used to hate back stitching, but I do love the way it makes a design "pop" ... so I have come to appreciate it.

That's all for my April update.  I hope you all are having beautiful weather.
Happy Stitching!

DUCJC : Jan 29 - Feb 02

Here are the last few days of new starts for DUCJC.  I am continuing on with the challenge through February by working on a different one of my WIPs each day of the month. 


Jan 29) Multi-Coloured Alphabet by Gail Lawther  

project :

progress:

Jan 30) Cottage (freebie by Gazette94)

project :

progress:

Jan 31) Autumn Heart (freebie by Gazettte94)

project :

progress:

On Feb 1st I worked on Nature's Alphabet by Sandy Orton.  I added the letter "f" and worked on the flower and upper right corner of the border.

previous progress:

On Feb 2nd, I worked a bit on "Afternoon Nap".  I filled in a few spots and did a bit of backstitching.

 Here is my previous progress:

And now I am all caught up! Happy Stitching!
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
For those who are interested in the Multi-Coloured Alphabet Pattern:

The "Multi-Coloured Alphabet" pattern was found in a book titled "The
Book of Cross Stitch - Traditional and Contemporary Designs for
Holidays and Special Occasions" by Gail Lawther - ISBN 0-8230-0517-8

I believe the book is out of print, but is available used at Amazon
(actual cover not shown):
The Book of Cross-Stitch: Traditional and Contemporary Designs for Holidays and Special Occasions

*The pattern is a bit unusual - it is a basic grid with dots to mark
stitch placement.  There are no bold grid lines to separate blocks of
10 stitches, nor any color key.  If you have a bit of patience, you
can work it out.  I really like the pattern, so I am giving it a go
and using variegated colors to fill each section.
 
 

Wrapping Up 2014 and Looking Ahead to 2015

My final finish for 2014! I received this 12" x 12" latch hook rooster kit as a gift.  I started it on Christmas day, and just finished it this afternoon.  I haven't decided whether I will make it into a cushion or wall hanging, yet.

I will be starting DUCJC2015 (Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge) tomorrow.  I don't have a list set in stone, so I will decide which project to start each day as I go and I will post my updates daily on my DUCJC2015 page.

I made some good progress on my "Nature's Alphabet" sampler this past week.  The entire bottom half is finished, and I only have one more row of letters and the top of the border to complete.  Looks like this one will be a finish in 2015!

I have also joined a few other SALs (stitch alongs) : Gifted Gorgeousness,  Halloween Ornies, and WIPocalypse, so I will be keeping busy. 

Have a Safe and Happy New Year's Eve!



  

WIPocalypse Update for October

 

It has been a busy month, with not much time for stitching ... however I actually had a finish this month!  I finished "Ungloomy".  I popped it into a frame, and sent it to a special friend.

I also finished the bottom row of letters and worked on the border on my "Nature's Alphabet" sampler.

Here is my previous progress:

As a part of Measi's WIPocalypse group, this month’s topic is:  Are you a Halloween or Christmas stitcher?  I enjoy stitching for all holidays, however I have stitched far more Halloween designs. 

I also plan on participating in Jo's Hallowe'en Blog Hop again this year.

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

WIPocalypse Update for July

I heard that there is a "super moon" in the sky, however I haven't yet had the chance to see it (maybe tonight).  Anyhow, that means it is time for another WIPocalypse update.

I made some good progress on Nature's Alphabet: 

current progress: 

previously:

I worked a bit on Ride to Dreamland:

current progress: 

I made more progress on my Summer Sampler:

 current progress: 

And ... I finished the latch hooking on my lighthouse rug (hooray!):

I just need to sew on the binding and I will have it finished!

I have also made a new friend this month:

I don't know yet what the neighbors are calling him, but I have been calling him "Leo".  He has joined the little group of neighborhood cats (usually about 4) that hang out in the alley that runs behind our building & several other apartments & houses.  One of the neighbors gets them spayed & neutered - so there aren't any kittens running around, and several neighbors are feeding them.  Some of them are feral - one took 3 months to allow me to pet her.  This little guy was easy - he was my buddy from day 1 & has the sweetest personality. 

So, good month so far.  Hope you are all having a nice Summer!

Let's see what the other WIPocalypse stitchers are up to: http://measi.net/measiblog/2014/07/13/july-wipocalypse-check-in/