June WIPocalypse Update

BeeHive Sampler Progress

It's time for another WIPocaylpse update.  The last update I posted was back in February.  I do have quite a few project updates, starting with "Beehive Sampler".

Beehive Sampler

I completed the bee band and started working on the Bargello band (shown at the top of the post).  I have about 80% of the sampler finished. 

I also made progress on "Afternoon Nap", filling in areas of the cat and stitching the green area around the ear.

Afternoon Nap

I started stitching the sunflower on my "Summer Sampler".

Summer Sampler

I worked a bit more on a border area and alphabet on my "Castle Sampler".

Castle Sampler

I stitched quite a bit on my "To Everything a Season" sampler, working on the greenery and basket.  I am nearing a finish on this one!

To Everything a Season Sampler

I stitched more of the sky and tree blossoms on "Napping Kitten".

Napping Kitten

I managed a few more inches of the border on my "Linen Sampler".

Linen Sampler

I stitched on my Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Pirate Ship.
 

Cut Thru' Pirate Ship

And made more progress on my Cut Thru' Haunted House.

Cut Thru' Haunted House

 And finally ... I completed another embroidered flower cluster on my "Rose Lap Quilt".

Rose Lap Quilt

That's all of the update photos I have ... I think I have a few other projects that I need to photograph and update, but that will wait until next time.

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

I set some pretty easy goals this year, as I am working 2 jobs and am usually too tired to stitch.  My goals for the year are to work on each of my WIPs, and try to get a few projects finished.  Out of 41 WIPs, I have worked on only 10!  I am trying to step up my stitching ... so I hope to actually achieve my goals this year.  I have made a lot of progress on a few of those projects and am nearing finishes ... so time will tell.

Happy Stitching!

 

 

a Woodland Christmas Ornament

 

I have an ornament finish for January.  My ornament is adapted from the "Woodland Christmas" chart by Fern Ridge Collections.  The chart was featured in the 2014 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue.

I stitched with one strand of variegated floss on 28 ct fabric.  The pattern features diamond eyelet stitch, diagonal satin stitch, French knots, cross stitch and back stitch.

I stitched the tree and deer part of the chart, and added the "NOEL" to the bottom center.  I completed the ornament as a padded flat finish with dark green felt backing, a satin ribbon and some gold and brown beads.

Happy Stitching!

 

September 2021 WIPocalypse Update

Women of the Mayflower

 It's time for another WIPocalypse update.  I am getting close to a finish with "Women of the Mayflower" by Sarah Ullman.  I stitched most of this sampler during 2020, and am just filling in the motifs that I need to complete it.  I have a small area to frog, but there is not much stitching remaining.  

 

Pandemic by Long Dog Samplers

 

I also put a few stitches into my Pandemic sampler.  I feel that the bright colors are a bit overpowering, so I have been thinking about mixing in areas of black throughout the sampler to tame things down a bit.  It is far easier to stitch a large sampler in a single color or two ... It is a challenge to keep things in balance when you are using a handful of colors and "flying by the seat of your pants".  I do enjoy stitching this sampler & the bright and happy colors I selected.
 

Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Pirate Ship

Another project I stitched on this month is Bothy Threads "Cut Thru' Pirate Ship".  These Cut Thru' kits are fun to stitch.  When you do the back stitching, it feels like watching a Polaroid picture develop.  The photo below shows where I left off on my last update:

Question of the Month: List five projects you have unstarted in your stash that you’d like to start in the (relatively) near future.

I don't think I have many projects that are unstarted. lol.  I have had a few rough years, so for me it is just about focusing on making progress on my WIP list (about 40), and trying to get some finishes in before the year ends.

On another note, I do plan to participate in "October Focus Month", by selecting one of my WIPs and putting at least one stitch each day during October into it.  I haven't selected which project, yet ... but in the past, the "focus months" have really helped me to finish WIPs.

That's all I have to post this month.

Happy Stitching!

 

 

August 2021 WIPocalypse Update

 

Berry Patch Rooster

 

It has been a long time since I posted a WIPocalypse update.  I thought it would be a good time, since I actually have a finish.  

I finished stitching "Berry Patch Rooster".  I picked up this project as a kit while on vacation in 2012.  I didn't start stitching it until 2013, and then it was just a bit of stitching here and there, as I rotated between projects. 

I did select this project for a focus month and made some good progress.  I have kept it close by for the past couple of months ... so I could toss in a few stitches when I had time.  The back stitching took longer than expected, but I did manage to finish it this week.  Hooray!  I'm not sure if I will frame it, or make it into a pillow. 

Another project I worked on recently is Bothy Threads "Cut Thru' Haunted House".  This is still one of my favorite projects to stitch.  I did all of the back stitching on the roof and bedroom.  I completed the bats, moon, and flag on the right side, and continued stitching downwards.  The image below shows where I left off during my last update:

 

I worked on a few other projects in the past few months, and will update them as I get them photographed. 

Question of the Month: Which of your project finishes made you the most proud? The most relieved?

Gosh,  I guess I have some WIPs that I will be most relieved to finish someday. (ha-ha)

One that I was proud to finish was this one: 

Back in the 90's, I found this kit and wanted to stitch it for my Dad.  A 1928 Ford Model A (he restored antique cars most of his life).  I can't remember how long it took to stitch, but I did finish and frame it for him for his birthday.  I wish I had a better picture of it. 

I guess that's all for my update.  I can't wait to see what everyone else has accomplished. Happy Stitching!

 

 

 

 

Skating Snowman - A Tiny Finish

 

Skating Snowman - Kooler Design Studio via Janlynn 

 

This is the first project I have actually completed in a really long time.  The past few years have been extremely difficult for me, so I am just happy to have finished one cross stitch project!

I miss my stitching, so I am going to try to put a few stitches into "something" every day.  Baby steps ...

 

 

WIPocalypse Update for September

 

It's time for another WIPocalypse update.  I didn't have a lot of stitching time this month, so I just worked on the same three projects as I did last month.  

Shown above is my "Pandemic Sampler" - looking bright and happy (which I need right now).  I am stitching it on 18 count fabric with Prism "tie-dye" floss.

On "Berry Patch Rooster", I stitched more of the border.  It's moving along a bit more slowly than I had hoped, but at least it keeps progressing.

I put the most stitching time this month into "Women of the Mayflower".  I stitched the entire border (long armed cross stitch), and added all of the names - alternating with dark blue and dark red.  

Question of the Month: Are you a seasonal stitcher, or can you stitch on any holiday/seasonal stitch at any time of year?

I enjoy working on seasonal projects as the seasons change, however I will stitch holiday/seasonal projects at any time of the year.  So - both!

I guess that's all I have this month.

Happy Stitching!

 

 

WIPocalypse Update for August

Long Dog Samplers - Pandemic

 

This is my August WIPocalypse update.  I had a busy month, but did a fair amount of stitching.

Ooh, I went and did it.  I started a Pandemic!  A "Pandemic Sampler" that is.  I was lucky enough to receive a copy when it was offered by Long Dog Samplers.  I originally thought I would stitch it with all black floss on a piece of tie-dyed fabric, as I did with the 2019 Linen and Threads Peacock Sampler.  However being low on funds ... I opted to stitch with threads I had on hand.  I am using Prism floss from the "Tie Dye" pack, and some solid bright colors to coordinate.  So far, I am loving it!  I will likely substitute a few motifs here and there to make it more personalized.  

Berry Patch Rooster

I made good progress on the border of my "Berry Patch Rooster".  I need to finish the border, add the berries, and do all of the back stitching, but it is really moving along.

Women of the Mayflower

I am stitching myself a ship, as I work on my 'Women of the Mayflower" sampler.  I am hoping to finish this sampler before the end of the year.

Question of the Month: Have you participated in any of the mystery SALs on Facebook (or other social media)? What do you think makes a successful mystery SAL?

The only mystery SAL that I participated in was the Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler, which I really enjoyed.  I was able to keep up with the monthly chart releases and was very happy with the completed sampler.

I guess that is all I have for this update.  See you next time.

Happy Stitching!

 

WIPocalypse Update for July

The time sure does fly by, especially with the days feeling "all the same" for the past several months.  Anyhow ... time for another WIPocalypse update.

This month I stitched mainly on my "Berry Patch Rooster".  I filled in stitches on the feet and legs, and stitched a large amount of the yellow in the border.

Here is where I left off last time:

 I also stitched a bit on my "Halloween Pumpkin" - I stitched some grey/black on the cat and a bit more of the moon.

And, I stitched a bit on Teresa Wentzler's "Castle Sampler", working more on the border. (Pardon the bad image - my camera batteries are dead, so I had to use my scanner.)  I will be working on this one for a long time to come.  Lots of blending and lots of details.  I do love to work on it, though.

Question of the Month: What new charts or designers are catching your eye this year?

Sad to say, but I have not looked at anything new.  I have been focusing on my current WIPs.  I am interested to see what charts and designers everyone else is stitching.  Maybe I will find a few to add to my holiday wish list.  (hee-hee)

That's all for me.
Happy Stitching!

WIPocalypse Update for June

It's time for another WIPocalypse update.  This stitch along features WIPs (works in progress) that I hope to finish before the world ends.

I did not accomplish too much stitching this month.  I lost my stitchy mojo.  In fact, I lost my "everything" mojo.  I did work on a couple of projects early in the month ... but not in the past few weeks.

OK.  So I put some time into my "Berry Patch Rooster".  I worked on his legs and feet, and I made some progress on the border.  

Here is where I let off last time:

I also stitched a bit on "Women of the Mayflower":

I was fortunate enough to download a copy of LongDog Sampler's "Pandemic" chart while it was being offered for free last week.  I have always wanted to stitch a LongDog Sampler, and look forward to starting this one.  It will be a little while ... I want to finish a couple of my WIPs first, and will need to be able purchase supplies.   

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

Well ... I did finish 1 WIP and 2 small projects.  So, I am doing OK.   I had hoped to have made more progress this year, but considering how the year has gone - I am OK with what I've completed.  I am really going to try to push myself to pick up my stitching every day for the remainder of the year, whether I feel like it or not.  Baby steps.  The journey of a thousand miles ... and all that jazz.

Hope you are all staying safe.
Happy Stitching!

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.