My June WIPocalypse Update

Time for another WIPocalypse update. This month I made progress on 4 projects including my "Candy Nutcracker" stocking shown above. I finished stitching the ice cream cone this month.

 

I also stitched on "Linen Sampler", making a few inches of progress on the border.

I finished the stitching on the red and white striped bunting on my "Summer Sampler" by Sandy Orton.

I also stitched on my "Autumn Sampler" by Sandy Orton.  I finished the marbles and tape measure on the lower right hand border.

So ... some progress was made this month.  Even though I didn't make time to stitch every day, I think I am doing better than I have during previous months.

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

This year has been tough.  I didn't set any goals, and am just happy to be able to stitch at all.  I am happy with any progress I have made, and hope to be back to goal setting and more regular stitching soon.

I look forward to seeing what everyone has been working on!

Happy Stitching!

February WIPocalypse Update

Looks like it's time for another WIPocaylpse update.  I haven't done one in such a long time. 

I started getting up a bit earlier to take time for stitching in the morning, because I found that waiting until the end of the day wasn't working for me.  I was always too tired and bleary eyed to get much done (and had to frog often).  Anyhoo ... I actually accomplished enough to post.

Above is shown where I am with my "Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House" (which was my "marathon" piece to work on during the Olympics).  Look how much progress I made from my last update:

 The only other project I stitched on this month was my "To Everything A Season" Sampler by Sandy Orton.  I've only worked on it this past week, but can see the progress I have made.

Here is where I am today:

Making progress down the left side border, and some stitches in the central flower basket.  Here is where I left off last time:

Question of the month: What stitch-a-longs (SALs) are you participating in this year?

I made so little progress on my WIPs over the past few years, that I decided to focus on my current projects this year and avoid starting anything new (except an ornament or two).  However, if my current projects fit into a stitch-along theme, I am all for it.  

I guess that's all I have for this update.

Happy Stitching! 

Praying for peace!

 

  

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!

All Purpose Mid-Month Update

BeeHive Sampler

Hello World.  I started out the month by working on a different WIP each day.  I was able to keep it up for a week or so before life got in the way.  I have been having a tough time the past couple of years, and then things just got so much worse.  A lot of anxiety, fear and sadness in 2020.  The worst was losing my Dad last Saturday.  So bear with me ... I am kind of a mess right now.  Just trying to keep busy to get through the day.

I am merging in my "Gifted Gorgeousness" update, as several of these projects were gifted to me over the years.  The "Gifted Gorgeousness" stitch-along is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, and features projects that in some way have been gifted -or- are being stitched to be given as gifts.

I worked on many different projects since my last update.  "BeeHive Sampler" shown above finally has a beehive.  This is a Sandy Orton design from years gone by.  Here is where I left off last time:

I still have back stitching to do in the central motif, and some more bands of stitching at the bottom of the sampler.  LOVE this one!

Next  "Winter Sampler": (gifted to me)

I am working on the area around the snowman.  This sampler is working up very slowly.  Lots of color changes and small areas with back stitching.  But I did spend a few hours on it.

Also "Autumn Sampler": (gifted to me)

I am working on the grapevine to the right of the apple girl.  Again, slow progress with lots of color changes and small areas with back stitching.  

I also stitched on my "To Everything a Season" sampler (gifted to me).  Another one of Sandy Orton's designs. 

"Linen Sampler" got a completed alphabet:

Here is where this one was left previously:

"Victorian Charm" got some attention:

Other projects I stitched on include: "Afternoon Nap", "Ride to Dreamland", and "Women of the Mayflower".  Not really enough progress to show on these.   But I think I had a great start to the month - working on 9 projects!   I hope to continue making progress on my projects, and maybe have a finish before too long.



 

September WIPocalypse Update

"To Everything A Season" Sampler

I'm a bit late for my September WIPocalypse update, but here it is!  These are projects that are in progress, that I hope to finish before the world ends.  

I made some progress on "To Everything a Season" a sampler by Sandy Orton.  This is a fun stitch on 28 count evenweave.  I am working on the top right corner.  Here is where I left off last time:

 I also stitched on my "Spanish Sampler" by Sandy Orton.  

I was working the Horizontal Satin Stitch below the corner.  Unfortunately, a frog was sitting on my shoulder ... I miscounted which threw off 90% of the stitching I had accomplished.  I frogged it out & will restitch at a later time.  

Moving on to "Berry Patch Rooster".  I  managed quite a bit on this one.  (No frogs in sight!)

Here is where I left off last time:

I have chosen this project for my October "One Stitch Per Day" challenge and have been stitching (at least a few stitches) on it every day this month.  I am making great progress so far!

Question of the Month: What finishing style have you never tried but would love to do?  
Hmmm ... I think I would like to try the little houses I have seen, or perhaps one of those "Quaker balls".  Something a bit different than my typical finishing style.

That's all I have this time.
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!

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!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for December

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. 

I have another finish this month!  I managed to finish the second butterfly pillowcase in my gifted set (shown above).  I may add a crocheted trim to the edges, but that is a project for a later date.

I worked on Bothy Threads "Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon" a bit more.

This is a fun project ... and seems to move right along.

I made good progress on my Christmas sampler.  The chart is from Cross Stitcher Magazine (Nov 2017), which was gifted to me last year.  I should be able to finish this one by Christmas. yay!  

Last, but not least, I stitched on my "Winter Sampler" (gifted to me along with the 3 other season samplers) .  I had hoped to finish the snowman, but boy oh boy does this one stitch up slowly.  Many color changes and tons of back stitching.

That's all for this update.  I can't wait to see what everyone else has been working on.
Happy Stitching!

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 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!