May 2024

Finishes

 During May I managed three finishes, Slice of Summer, Be Like a Crow, and Anjour Pears-Swirl.

Slice of Summer, 

Erica Michaela’s

Be Like a Crow: Hop Happily

Erica Michales

                                                             Anjour Pears, Swirl

Annie Beez Folk Art

I have selected some trinm and backing fabric for Hop Happily and Anjour Pears; I will try for some finishing this weekend. '

WIPs: 

I’ve added the outside border for Prince of Peace as well as all the mini motifs on the inside. Coming in to the home stretch.

                                                                Prince of Peace

Erica Michaels

One Dozen Quakers is ahead of the suggested stitching schedule. The large motif I was working on is now done as well as the main motif for May. Next up will be some more initials and the smaller motifs in this top section.That will put me through suggested stitching through July.

                                                             One Dozen Quakers

Rosewood Manor

This month’s WIPGO had 3 numbers called. Since I had completed the stitching on one of the numbers that was called I added Prince of Peace as my number 13 (free space). I accomplished my additional 5 days on Prince of Peace and.  3 days on Lady Justice (#19). The numbers for June are 2, Cinnamon Stars and 25, Monica. If I complete her over skirt on this go round I can start putting her together.

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

Two Challenge Weekend update

Last weekend was WIPGO weekend. This weekend is the 24 Hours of Cross Stitch Marathon. WIPGO weekend is the second weekend of each month; 24 Hours of Cross Stitch Marathon occurs 4 times each year. 

While I was able to stitch on my focus WIPs  both weekends, I didn’t come close to the 24 hours of the marathon this month.  I completed the stitching on 3 French Hens on WIPGO weekend. This weekend I  was able to complete Dancer and 9 Ladies Dancing. I will add the beads to the ornaments when i complete a few more.

Dancer is my first finish for my Year of WIPS challenge. It was also on my WIPGO board, as was both of the ornaments.

Dancer

Barbara Anna

PNPS Magazine Christmas-Winter 2021

3 French Hens

Annie Beez Folkart

9 Ladies Dancing

Annie Beez Folkart

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

October Progress

During October the WIPocalypse SAL Challenge was to select a WIP and do a minimum of one stitch per day, every day for the month. My choice was What Remains, Blackbird Designs.

This was my starting point.

I missed a few days but was able to make some real progress.

What Remains, Blackbird Designs

I worked on the left side and got most of the border done. The central flower also got some attention. Now that I have moved the QSnaps I will complete the flower and the pot. The flower in the upper left is done. I decided to wait and do the satin stitches later, I don’t want to snag them.

What Remains was also one of my WIPGO calls for October. The other WIPGO call was As Life Wears Away, Carriage House Samplings. And I have a finish.

As Life Wears Away, Carriage House Samplings

Very pleased to have finished this one.

My WIPs with the most progress were:

Halloween Delivery, Plum Street Samplers

Hares’Christmas, Plum Street Samplers

Just a few more snowflakes and this will be complete.

Mabel Tuke 1779, Sassyfras Samplers

The month was a very good one for my stitching. Along with the five large pieces I have several smaller projects that I made a lot of progress on. Hopefully I can continue with my progress in November. I also got a chance to visit two cross stitch stores, had a great time visiting with some stitching friends, and attend two classes. Yes, it was a very good month. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

WIPGO Progress Feb.

This past weekend was the second WIPGO weekend for 2023. I spent most of my stitching time working on As Life Wears Away. My goal was to finish the top bargello section and start the verse.  I also wanted to complete two of the houses on Blooming Tiny Town.

At the end of the weekend, I met my goal for As Life Wears Away and managed one house on Blooming Tiny Town.

WIPGO #7

Starting and ending points of

As Life Wears Away, Carriage House Samplings

WIPGO #11

Starting and ending points of

Blooming Tiny Town, Heart In Hand

Gwen

 

Week 1 of 2023!

 Hope your 2023 is off to a great stitchy start.

I managed a few finishes in 2022 and hope to mark off a few more finishes this year. 

1. Autumn at Hark Run Hollow

Block 3 is outlined and ready for some stitching.

2. Lady Justice

I'm almost finished with the lower right portion of her sash, then I'll continue with her dress.

3. Nevermore

Time to finish up the raven.

4. Cinnamon Stars

5. Outstretched Arms

6. The Game

7. As Life Wears Away

Are the WIPs that are now on the top of my stitching list. I also will be taking part in a few Challenges and SALs, again this year

WIPocalypse 2023

WIPGO 2023

Christmas Ornie SAL  and 

Halloween Cross Stitch Challenge are some that I'm taking part in so far.

Beading has also now a very prominent part of my crafting. I managed to complete a few projects last year as well. The inventory of beads and the pattern collection is expanding. Thus far I've been able to keep them organized so hopefully that will continue. Just need more hours in the day to get to everything.

Here's to a crafty 2023.

Thanks for stopping by,

GWEN

 

Three Finishes and A Marathon

 Brave New Year by Ink Circles,  the designer focus for April, is stitched. This is stitched with DMC 4515. Instead of stitching a year I plan to add this Mill Hill heart charm. Still need to decide exactly how I will finish the piece. 

Brave New Year, Ink Circles

I finally put the last stitch into Halloween at Hollyberry Farm. This was turning into The Neverending Project. So happy to have it done.

Halloween at Hollyberry Farm, Stacy Nash Primitives

My Christmas ornament for April was Yule Flower from JCS ornament issue 2004. 

Yule Flower, JSC Ornament Issue 2004

Fourteen hours, 31 minutes , 15 seconds. My total time stitching time for the April 24 Hours of Cross Stitch Marathon. I worked on Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow, and started a second Ink Circles project, Another Year Creeps By. It's just a small section of the border. I will be stitching this as one piece, instead of individual ornaments. 

Autumn at Hawk Run Hallow, Carriage House Samplings

I didn't meet my WIPGO goals but I did spend some time on The Game and Olive Harrowgate. The numbers for May are 8 (Hello Summer, Plum Street Samplers), 13 Free (Lady Justice, Mirabelia), and 14 (Lady Justice, Mirabelia). I wanted to make some make some real progress on Lady Justice, so I have her on my board several times. For May she got called twice. I'm a little over working on the green in her dress. Switching back to working on the ribbon of her sash seems like a great idea. May work 5 days on dress and 5 on sash. We will see. 

Thanks for stopping by, 

Gwen

January Review

Focusing on Lady Justice in January gave me a  much needed boost. I made a lot of progress on her dress. I want to work on her at least one day per month to see how far I can get.

(before)

Lady Justice

Mirabilia

(now)

My HOD Love You freebie is stitched now to finish it and the 2 Hearts from JBW's French Country leaflets.

Cathy's 2022 Valentine/Anniversary Freebie was released this morning. It's lovely and is already in my list of must stitch. If I don't get to it this year it will definitely be stitched next year.

My ornament for January was on the movie theme Rudolph the New Red Nosed Reindeer. I stitched 4 of JBW's Reindeer from French Country Ornaments II ,The Reindeer Collection. 

Do you remember that Lady Justice and PNPS' Spring Home were my WIPGO numbers for January?

 This is my progress on PNPS Magazine's Spring Home. Just a few more hours and it will be complete. I'm thinking a pillow or flat fold for this one.

I also worked of Olive Harrowgate and a couple of starts for Magazine Monthly Challenge. My progress was not a much so I will share this later.

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

 

August: What I Accomplished

This is the last stitching day in August. What did I accomplish? 

I worked on my Plum Street Designs, Hello Summer; The Game, by Artecy Designs; Tree of  Life Thimble Purse by Brenda Gervais; Hello Summer by FQS; Halloween at Hollyberry Farm, Stacy Nash; and Busy Hands by Kathy Barrick.

I made a mistake somewhere on Halloween at Hollyberry Farm border. I tried to fudge it without a lot of counting. Well that didn't go as well as I liked so....... I frogged all that I had stitched of the fence and bottom right side. I have most of the fence re-stitched and I'm working on the bottom right side, then I will re-stitch the fence posts. Fingers crossed for a better outcome this time.

The Game was one of the WIPGO numbers for August. I was to work on it for 5 days (5 hours this month). I only worked on it 1 day this month, so I missed out on a WIPGO in August. I hope to work some more on this one in September. The colors for The Game are muted as this is a sepia style painting. So I wouldn't be posting a picture just now. I really want to get to an area where the project is recognizable. My second WIPGO project was Hello Summer, by Plum Street Designs. I managed to meet my goal. I'm still working on the leaves, should be able to get a few more xs in tonight.

before

current progress

Yesterday, I started Busy Hands by Kathy Barrick. This chart was gift from by friend CarolB.

I started with an inside  border and wonder of wonders it met up, on the first try. Yeah!!!

I'm stitching this with NPI silks on 36ct Pioneer from Victoria Sampler Threads. The Spool of thread is stitched and the bird started. I'm loving this project.

I'm so excited! I managed two finishes. Yeah and double Yeah!

This has been in my stash since it's release. The Tree of Life Thimble Purse, is finally stitched and ready to be finished. 

The kit came with 2 pieces of fabric so I pulled out my alphabet books and stitched my initial on the second piece that will be the back of the purse. I did leave the alphabet off the front.

Hello Summer, Fat Quarter Shop 's June 2021 Stitch Quarterly Club.

To be finished as a flat fold or pillow for next summer.

WIPGO September : 15 & 25

My projects: 15 Starry Night, Prairie Schooler Completed June, 2021

25 Nevermore, Lila's Studio

This will be my starting point for September, WIPGO.

Thanks for stopping by,

Gwen

My Christmas in July etc.

 Yesterday was the 31st of July and the end of Christmas in July Stitching. 

In addition to the Shepherd's Bush Star and Wish, I stitched 4 of the 6 Sue Hillis, Christmas in Red ornaments. I've decided to stitch the last two ornaments on red perforated paper. I was sure I already had some in my stash. I went through my stash and found several other colors but alas not red. I tried to order some but my online shop was out of stock so I'll reorder when they restock. 

I shared my finish on Wish and Star on my last post. Here are the Christmas in Red ornaments that I stitched.

Stitched with DMC 321.

I didn't make any progress on my Christmas Berry. Maybe I can work on that while I'm waiting on my perforated paper.

This is the last bit of Christmas stitching I did last month. I finished the needlebook for Just Add Tinsel by Blue Ribbon Designs. Last week at work was very stressful. Even though I stitched Christmas every day, I didn't get very many stitches in last week. I put the final stitches in the needlebook today.

 

WIPGO:

July's numbers were 12 and 2.

My Number 12 is Casting a Spell and this is my progress.

I stitched these 2 motifs and that I only have 2 more to stitch. Next time this is called I should have a finish.

Number 2 was Monica,  porcelain doll dress.

I really don't have that much more to go.

For August the numbers are 7 and 8. The Game and Hello Summer, Plum Street are up next.

 

May Days

I squeaked in two more finishes last week to end the month. In addition to last week's finish of Month Markings, I finished Starry Night, and Pumpkin Spice a freebie from 21 Halloween Cross-Stitch Projects in 2021. I really love the look of the WDW Autumn Harvest thread.

Starry Night

Prairie Schooler

Stitched on black 28ct Lugana (I think)

A tad too big for an ornament, possibly a pillow or flat fold finish.

Pumpkin Spice

Hel Panda Ross

FlossTube/Instagram made me do it:

I pulled out Just Add Tinsel, Blue Ribbon Designs to stitch along with Lorrie of Mischievousstitches and friends. I finished the front and back of the Star Pinkeep. I had to made a design modification (wink, wink) since I had made the stars' outline too small and didn't want to frog. (Full disclosure, most of these two were already stitched. I just added the flowers etc.) The next piece I will be tackling is the scissor fob. One of the birds is almost done. 

Just Add Tinsel

Blue Ribbon Design

Laura and Brenda of Laura and  the Serial Starter have challenged the lovers of  Blackbird Designs to stitch a Blackbird Weekend on the first weekend each month. I have several started and a lot more planned, Soooo..., this past weekend pulled out  Casting A Spell. This is also on my WIPGO board so thought I could kill two birds with one stone. I worked on the border for the Halloween sign.

Casting a Spell

Blackbird Designs

SPEAKING OF:

The WIPGO numbers for May were posted last week and they are:

 

My projects are 22: The Game, goal stitch 5 days this month (about 5 hours)

My minuscule start.

The Game

Artecy Designs

My progress on Sunday after spending some time wrangling my threads and attempting to get better organized.

This sepia toned cross stitch is from an antique print. I'll have to make it about a 3rd the way down the left side (top of the chair back/top of girls head) before I can see any definition.

19: Hands on Design 12-Days  I have only 4 more of these ornaments to stitch. I have been stuck on Ladies Dancing for far to long. Not sure what my problem. Hopefully this will get me over the hump and I'll get the last 4 at least stitched this year.

12 Days

Hands on Designs

I will see if I can fit any of these into the May Acrostic on 24 Hours of Cross Stitch. 

Thanks for stopping by,

<span style="color: 41383c; font-family: VIVALDI; font-size: 40px;">Gwen</span></div>