Two Finishes For WIP Wednesday!

Two happy dances to share with you all today. I could not decide on what to put up above the main body of the design I was stitching, nor could I find an appropriate font, this baby is finished as of now. I may go back at a later time and stitch a saying that is appropriate for the design, but as I have been waffling on whether to do it or not, I am keeping this as is. I truly enjoyed stitching this guy and I plan on stitching it several more times as the design is perfect for fall. 

Here is finish number one:

Design: Autumn's Bounty

Designer: Marva Owen for Black Star Designs 

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours cotton floss in Toasted Marshmallow. The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Black Crow, Buttercrunch, Dried Thyme, Maple Syrup, Nutmeg, and Sarsaparilla. 

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Legacy  by Picture This Plus, from their Crystal line.

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Friday, August 3, 2018. Finished Monday, August 20, 2018. Changed pumpkin from orange to white. Substituted Algerian eyelet stitches for  Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red  seed beads. Please note that this chart is OOP and very hard to find. Please also note that this chart is not for sale/trade. 

As of Wednesday, August 15, 2018:

Finished Monday, August 20, 2018:

Finish number two comes in the form of a Mill Hill kit that I purchased on a buy/sell group on Facebook. It was a bargain at $2.50, IMO. This was my first time using the included perforated paper. I am not sure that I like stitching on paper. The floss got caught in the corners an awful lot, which became annoying after a while. 

Here is finish number two:

Design: Caramel Apple (MH18-9203)

Designer: Mill Hill

Fibers Used:  DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 as called for in the chart

Fabric Used: 14 count Antique Brown perforated paper by Mill Hill

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads as called for in the kit. 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Tuesday, August 21, 2018. Finished Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Left off beadwork at the top of the design. 

Time for me to be off. I need to clean up my area and check on dinner. Hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday Update For Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Hidey ho, sports fans! Hope everyone is getting plenty of stitching time in. I have managed to get a bit further than last week, but not as far as I would have liked. It's always the way, isn't it?  :)


At any rate, here is what I have so far: 

Design: Autumn's Bounty

Designer: Marva Owen for Black Star Designs 

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours cotton floss in Toasted Marshmallow. The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Black Crow, Buttercrunch, Dried Thyme, Maple Syrup, Nutmeg, and Sarsaparilla. 

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Legacy  by Picture This Plus, from their Crystal line.

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Friday, August 3, 2018. Changed pumpkin from orange to white. Substituted Algerian eyelet stitches for  Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red  seed beads. Please note that this chart is OOP and very hard to find. Please also note that this chart is not for sale/trade. 

As of Wednesday, August 8, 2018:

As of Wednesday, August 15, 2018:

Well, it is time for me to be off. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy Stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday And A Change Of Seasons

At least stitching wise. I really wasn't 'into' stitching a whole lot this past few weeks. The air quality here has been absolutely horrible due to the wildfires and it has made it quite difficult to breathe, let alone get anything done. I am sending prayers and good vibes to the people and first responders who are having to deal with this disaster. As bad as my burden is, theirs is far greater.

This actually led me to the decision to stop stitching my latest project , and instead start stitching on fall related things. I have really had the itch here lately to stitch on fall and Halloween related stitchery. I have had this one in my stash for quite some time now and I decided to start it immediately. 

Here is what I have so far:

Design: Autumn's Bounty

Designer: Marva Owen for Black Star Designs 

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours cotton floss in Toasted Marshmallow. The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in Black Crow, Buttercrunch, Dried Thyme, Maple Syrup, Nutmeg, and Sarsaparilla. 

Fabric Used: 32 count Belfast linen in Legacy  by Picture This Plus, from their Crystal line.

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red 

Stitchers' Notes: Began Friday, August 3, 2018. Changed pumpkin from orange to white. Substituted Algerian eyelet stitches for  Mill Hill beads in #03049 Rich Red  seed beads. Please note that this chart is OOP and very hard to find. Please also note that this chart is not for sale/trade. 

Well, it is time for me to be off. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy Stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

First Finish Of 2018

Greetings, stitch fans! I hope everyone had a great holiday season. Mine was extra busy and jam packed as I am sure everyone else's was choc-a-block. 

It has taken me almost the entire month of January, but I have my first finish of 2018. It is a small finish, but it is a finish nonetheless. I am very happy that I have decided that I am only going to finish 12 projects this year. At this rate, I will be lucky to get the 12 per year unofficial goal obtained! 

Well, at any rate, here is the first finish of 2018!

Design: Let It Snow

Designer: Barbara Ana Astray Mendez of Barbara Ana Designs

Fabric Used: 28 count natural/raw opalescent Cashel linen by Zweigart 

Fibers Used: Anchor six strand embroidery floss in 02 and 103. Crescent Colours  cotton floss in Caterpillar and Pink Champagne. The Gentle Art Sampler Threads in 0570 Bittersweet, 7013 Green Apple, and 0880 Punchberry.

Accouterments: Mill Hill Magnifica beads in #10001 Ice. White pom pom from Joann Fabrics and Crafts. 

Stitchers' Notes: Substituted called for DMC for a conversion that I found many, many years ago. If I manage to remember where I found it, I will be happy to update this post in order to credit the stitcher that had the original piece. In the original conversion Cerise from Crescent Colours  cotton floss in was used, however, I substituted this substitution for Pink Champagne.  

Time for me to be off and away. I hope everyone is having a fantastic week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday Finish

This weeks' project is another one that I have wanted to stitch up for quite some time. I used the materials that I had in house, as I did not want to kit up yet another project. I love these little tucks. It's always nice to have an alternative to framing things!

At any rate, here is today's offering:

Design: 2011 Valentine Quaker

Designer: Sandra Dering of SanMan Originals

Fabric Used: 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line

Fibers Used: Rainbow Gallery Splendor 12 ply silk floss in S820 Ruby Red. 

Began: Monday, August 14, 2017

Finished: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 

Stitcher's Notes: This was a Secret Shop purchase in either 2011 or 2012. Tuck was included with purchase of the chart. Scrap fabric used to complete project. 

Time to be off. I must clean up my stitching area and find something else to stitch. I hope everyone is having a great week.

Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Thanksgiving Finish

This cute little piece went ridiculously fast. Even with holiday prep and working this week, I still managed to get this guy stitched up in less than a week. I love, love, LOVE how it turned out. I think this one should be a no sew finish, probably in block form. I will have to see what ribbons and trims there are out there, however, 'tis the season for steals and deals so I should be able to find something suitable. At least that's what all of the ads are telling me, haha! :)

At any rate, here is my latest finish:

Design: Marshmallow Sweet  Kit #DM20-5101

Designer: Debbie Mumm for Mill Hill

Fabric Used: 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 165, 166, 318, 413, 758, 3033, 3766, 3810, 3811, Ecru, White

Accoutrements : Mill Hill beads in size 11/0: #00161 Crystal , #02031 Citron, and #02097 Bahama Blue. 

Stitchers' Notes: Design one of four in the 2015 series, Winter Cheer. Substituted 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line for the included white perforated paper. Began Friday, November 18, 2016. 

As of Monday, November 21, 2016:

Finished Thursday, November 24, 2016:

Well, I had best be off. Time to get out the long anticipated Noel 2009, a retired design by Jackye Derhay Renahy of A Mon Ami Pierre. I have so many things I want to do with this one and I have every intention of going nutty on this one in the style of my Winter Sampler from Diane Williams of Little House Needleworks. It should be a good show!

I hope everyone had a blessed and full Thanksgiving day and I wish you all the happiest of holidays this upcoming season! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Winter Cheer

Well, it appears as though I have officially moved on to Winter themed pieces. I am saving any Christmas related pieces until the day after Thanksgiving. DH and I have no plans to go out and quite frankly, I just want to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday before I am bombarded with the commerciality of the holiday season. 

I managed to get this newest WIP on sale for half off, with everything in the kit included. I really do love these kits. It is so nice to unpack the kit and just get to it. I have found that Mill Hill is quite generous in the supplies and I am very grateful for the inclusion of the DMC numbers that are used. They are under no obligation to do so. I do know of some kit manufacturers who do not do this, because they want you to buy another kit. Which is all well and good, however, there is a distinct difference between a $15.00 kit and one that is $150.00. 

I spent this past weekend stitching on this off and on. This past week saw the first of the snow flurries arriving and I am hoping that more arrive soonest. I know there are folks who would rather not go there, however, having lived in the desert twice, I am grateful for whatever precipitation that manages to make an appearance. :)

At any rate, here is what I have so far.

Design: Marshmallow Sweet  Kit #DM20-5101

Designer: Debbie Mumm for Mill Hill

Fabric Used: 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 165, 166, 318, 413, 758, 3033, 3766, 3810, 3811, Ecru, White

Accoutrements : Mill Hill beads in size 11/0: #00161 Crystal , #02031 Citron, and #02097 Bahama Blue. 

Stitchers' Notes: Design one of four in the 2015 series, Winter Cheer. Substituted 32 count Cashel linen in Fog by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line for the included white perforated paper. Began Friday, November 18, 2016. 

I will be stitching this piece until either the day after Thanksgiving, or until I finish it. I have three more days, so I will see how far I get. While I have a very, VERY special project that is earmarked to be stitched on Black Friday, I may very well continue until after this piece is finished. We shall see, eh? :)

I need to be off. I hope everyone has had a great weekend and I wish you all a happy week! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

First Finish For October!

I love October. October heralds the 'official' beginning of hockey, crisp leaves underfoot, cool days and nights, blankets and hot cocoa. It also means a month of Halloween, which is the number one holiday in this establishment. Out of my stitching pieces that I have kept for myself, I believe I have more Halloween finishes than anything else other than general Fall related pieces. 

This piece is by a new to me designer Shannon Wasilieff of Shannon Christine Designs. She is fantastic to work with and if you are Facebook, I highly encourage you to join her Facebook group. 

On with the show! :)

Design: Spooky Elegance

Designer: Shannon Wasilieff of Shannon Christine Designs

Fabric Used: Fabric: 28 count white opalescent Lugana by Zweigart

Fibers Used: Rainbow Gallery Splendor 12 ply silk floss in Black (S801). DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 208, 2019, and 211.

Accoutrements: Mill Hill beads in #02014 in Black, #02031 Citron, #02033 Brilliant Orange. Mill Hill Treasures in #13065 Rondele in Champagne Topaz and #13072 Rondele in Peridot. 

Stitcher's Notes: Substituted called for Kreinik (#4) Braid in #005HL Black for Rainbow Gallery Splendor 12 ply silk floss in Black (S801) for the cross stitched portion. 

Time for me to be off. Tons to do today. I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Easter Sunday Finish

I hope everyone had a great weekend. DH and I had a wonderful weekend. Saturday was spent running some errands and going to the book store. Saturday night was spent with family having a birthday month dinner. Everything was fabulous and a good time was had by all.

Yesterday was spent with the The Easter Fairy. I had wanted to get her finished by the end of May as she has sat for some time. I took my time, but I managed to get the The Easter Fairy finished late last night. I had to wait until this morning in order to take pictures, naturally. I decided to leave the wings off and I like her the way she is. I am waffling on obtaining the rest in the series. I know I want to get the New Year's fairy, but I am not sure on the other ones. 

Well, at any rate, here she is. My latest finish and the number 6 finish for 2016 from the Bin O'Shame projects. 

Design: The Easter Fairy (Limited Edition kit)

Designer: Nora Corbett 

Fabric Used: 28 count linen in Spring by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours  cotton floss in Baby Chick, Bella Rosa, Betty Bluebell, Blue Beatrice, Blueberry Tart, Bramble Bush, Fool's Gold, Sassy Brass, St. Bernard, Tufted Yellow, Wasabi, and Zach Black. 

Bling Used: Mill Hill glass seed beads in size 11/0 #02010 Ice. Mill Hill glass Sitting Bunny in Matte Brown #12192. 

Stitcher's Notes: Substituted kit fabric for the 28 count linen in Spring by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line. Substituted stitched blue egg for Mill Hill glass Sitting Bunny in Matte Brown #12192. Declined to stitch wings. Number 6 finish for 2016 from the Bin O'Shame projects. 

Last update as of Wednesday, May 28, 2014:

Finished Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016:

Well, I had best be off. Have a great week, everyone! :)

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Respectfully submitted.

C.

Pre-Game For Easter Weekend March 2016

Easter is early this year, on this Sunday as a matter of fact. I have rested my hands and arms a good deal and have taken all of the precautions that one normally does during these times. They feel well enough to get cracking on something else. 

I have chosen The Easter Fairy (Limited Edition kit) by Nora Corbett,  as the next item up for bid. I have not touched her since May 28, 2014, so it is past time that I finished her up. She is, as you can imagine, a resident of the Bin O'Shame . When she is finished, she will be number six from the Bin O'Shame. which is nice. This will also mean that within the first three months of 2016, I will have hit the halfway mark on the Bin O'Shame goal of twelve projects completed from that bin this year. Yay! As I am leaving off the wings on this piece, it *should* go fairly quickly. If I do decide to stitch them, I think they should be done in all metallics. The question is, do I even go there with myself, as metallics are notoriously difficult to deal with ? Time will tell, I suppose. 

Well, at any rate, here is the last update. I have not stitched hardly anything else on her, so I am hoping that I get some time in this weekend to finish the stitching on this piece. 

Design: The Easter Fairy (Limited Edition kit)

Designer: Nora Corbett 

Fabric Used: 28 count linen in Spring by Picture This Plus from their Crystal (opalescent) line

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours  cotton floss in Baby Chick, Bella Rosa, Betty Bluebell, Blue Beatrice, Blueberry Tart, Bramble Bush, Fool's Gold, Sassy Brass, St. Bernard, Tufted Yellow, Wasabi, and Zach Black. Kreinik (#4) Braid in #3223 Ametrine

Bling Used: Mill Hill glass seed beads in size 11/0 #02010 Ice 

Last update as of Wednesday, May 28, 2014:

I had best be off. I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Two Finish Friday

As of late last night, I managed to get two more finishes for the week in, one of which is from the Bin O'Shame. I am very happy with this progress. The finish from the Bin O'Shame is the fourth one for the year, which means as of late February, I am a third of the way to my goal of 12 projects finished up from the Bin O'Shame. Happy day, happy day! :)

Well, let's get started, shall we? 

Finish #1:

Design: Coffee Is Magic 

Designer: Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

Fabric Used: 28 count white opalescent Lugana

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in B5200, 415, 550, 552, 554, 744, 776, 809, 818, 938. Rainbow Gallery Fuzzy Stuff in FZ-25 Pink. Kreinik metallic threads in #4 Very Fine Braid in #002HL Gold. 

Accouterments: Mill Hill beads in #02014 in Black

Stitcher's Notes: Project began in late 2003 or 2004. Project resumed on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. Stitching completed Thursday, February 18, 2016. Left off 'Coffee Is Magic In The Morning'. 

As of Wednesday, February 17, 2016:

Stitching completed Thursday, February 18, 2016:

Finish #2:

Design: Love Birds (my title)

Designer: Antique Sampler Stitcher 

Fabric Used: unknown 28 count natural linen

Fiber Used:  Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Tulip

Stitcher's Notes: One day start and finish. Design does not have a title as it was a part of a group of smalls to be stitched. Project taken from the March 2009 (no. 5) issue of the magazine. Project was to be completed during a recent car trip, however, as is the custom, time was an issue. :)

 Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs has issued another challenge on the official Heaven and Earth Designs Facebook group. This challenge is 1000 stitches in stair step stitching. The challenge begins today and runs until March. I did sign up for the challenge for the QS Evil Queen. So, Saturday will be devoted to her exclusively. Sunday will be devoted to the return of the Lady of the Flag. I am looking forward to putting some time in on her. She is a very large project and I really would like to see her finished before September 11. 

I had best be off. I need to clean up my work area and get a start to my day. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C.