IHSW January 2019

Image from Princess Sassy Pants & Co

Welcome back to my blog!  Today I am here to report on my stitching for the past weekend while I hermitted!!!  The weekend just gone was the 3rd weekend of the month which means it was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend (IHSW).  I tend to hermit and stitch most weekends but there is something special when you know that around the world other stitchers are also joining you in your craziness!!!

IHSW also coincides with Friday Off The Grid (FB group) and Friday Frolics run by our own Kitten Stitching Kaye.

Stand by for the update!

Friday 18 January 2019

Finish #2/2019
Design: JOY
Designer: Rovaris
Source: Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue 2018
Started: 6 January 2019
Finished: 18 January 2019

Fabric: 32ct Raw Gold Belfast
Threads: DMC 840; red Mill Hill beads for holly on tree branch
Joydri Designs Threads as per below:
December 2016 Limited Edition"Elf" (fussy cut for the letters, green present and leaves)
"Genie of the Ring" (dress and hat on the elf, bird and 2nd present)
March 2017 Club Exclusive "Winter Frost" (snowflake and ribbon on 2nd present)

Design: Bentley Bear
Source: Free Gift - Cross Stitch Crazy Issue 138 (June 2010)
Started: 22 January 2016

Stitching Challenge Starting Point 18 January 2019

Stitching Challenge Finishing Point 18 January 2019

Saturday 19 January 2019

Design: Hocus Pocus Trilogy - Muriel
Source: Mill Hill kit
Started: 13 October 2017

Stitching Challenge Starting Point 19 January 2019

Stitching Challenge Finishing Point 19 January 2019

New Start #5/2019
Design: Forever & Ever
Design: Cottage Garden Samplings
Started: 19 January 2019

Fabric: 36ct Edinburgh "Feldspar" Picture This Plus
Threads: Weeks Dye Works as charted
Stitched 1 over 2

Stitching Challenge Finishing Point 20 January 2019

Sunday 20th January 2019

I stitched the fill in colour on the Forever and Ever "L" first up to complete my stitching challenge requirements, and then moved onto:

Design: S'Mores Bear B-Q
Designer: Tempting Tangles
Source: Just Cross Stitch October 2016
Started: 26 August 2018

Stitching Challenge Starting Point 20 January 2019

Stitching Challenge Finishing Point 20 January 2019

Fabric: 28ct Cashel Linen "Rocky Creek Canyon" Stitches & Spices
Threads: DMC, Dinky Dyes Silk "Pilbara", Classic Colour Works "Hickory Sticks"
I am stitching the silk and CCW 1 over 2 and the DMC 2 over 2 - just for something different!

Design: Morning Has Broken
Designer: Mari Richards
Source: Cross Stitch Collection
Started: 17 May 2018

Stitching Challenge Starting Point 20 January 2019

Stitching Challenge Finishing Point 20 January 2019

So there you have it... lots of stitching variety for the weekend.. This variety was lead mainly by the stitching challenge in the Magical School of Stitching & Literature as I had to stitch 200+ stitches for 5 separate tasks (Classes) plus I decided to do an extra task and watch the first movie while I stitched... So with some fenangling I managed to get all the stitches done by bedtime on Sunday!!

Now I am off to find something else to stitch for my Mira SAL and another Magical Stitching challenge.  I certainly have plenty of Mira's to choose from.... 😼

See you next time!

Happy Stitching
Hugs xx

Gifted Gorgeousness - January 2019

Image from Princess Sassy Pants & Co

Happy GG New Year! It's time to start off a brand new GG year and this year I am planning to post way more regularly than I did in 2018! Although as you will notice I am late posting this month - so I am already behind the eight-ball! I did have great intentions to post on time but alas... my plans did not come to fruition!

First up... we have a gift of fabric from stitching friend
Earlier this month I was stitching a small Christmas Ornie design on a left over scrap of fabric that was gifted to me way back when.... in fact I can even show you the original post if you want to click in the link here.  This fabric also became a part of the very first GG post I ever made... link to that post is here.

Design: "JOY"
Designer: Rovaris
Source: Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue 2018
Started: 6 January 2019

as at 15 January 2019

Next up we have a Free Design from a Designer
Link to freebie chart is below

Design: "Happy Howloween"
Designer: Brooke's Books
Source: Brooke's Books Website (link to freebie page)
Started: 14 January 2015

Stitching Challenge starting point 11 January 2019

Stitching Challenge finishing point 12 January 2019

And last but not least, a gift from a Stitching Friend
Chart was purchased using a gift certificate from Linda (Stitching with my Furbabies)

Design: Fur-ever Friends - Laurel Burch (Mill Hill Kit)
Started: 17 May 2017
Source: Mill Hill Kit

Stitching Challenge starting point 21 January 2019

Stitching Challenge finishing point 13 January 2019

I stitched on "Happy Howloween" and "Fur-ever Friends" for a couple of stitching challenges (Cross Stitch Finish Line Stitchathon and Magical School of Stitching & Literature stitching challenge).  As the challenges were in 2 different Facebook groups I was able to use the stitch totals for both challenges!  Love it when that happens 😸

That's it for my January GG update.  See you again soon.  If you want to know more about the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL pop over to Jo's blog and check out her sign up page (link is here)

Til next time, Happy Stitching! 😻

Hugs xx

Smalls SAL October 2016

Hosted by Stitching Lotus

Hi there! Today is the last Thursday in October which means it is the day to post our Smalls finishes for the month, so let's dive right on in! ☺

Lakeside Needlecraft Fantasy SAL
September - Wizard
Designer: Durene Jones
Finish #34 (5 October 2016)

Lakeside Needlecraft Fantasy SAL
August - Pegasus
Designer: Durene Jones
Finish #35 (7 October 2016)

Stitched on 32ct Jobelan fabric "Silver Springs" from Colour Cascades Fabric  - DMC threads

Peacock
Designer: Kate Knight
Freebie Cross Stitch Crazy Magazine
Finish #36 (7 October 2016)

Really pleased to finish this little one... I started it back in January for the DUCSJC!

Autumn Harvest - Plaid Pumpkin
Designer: Mill Hill Kit
Finish #37 (16 October 2016)

You saw this one earlier in the month... so cute! I just need to cut it out and put it together now.... something else to add to the final finishing day that I keep promising myself I will have one day!

Halloween Portraits - Black Cat
Designer: Blue Ribbon Designs
Just Cross Stitch Halloween 2015
Finish #38 (18 October 2016)

This is my Halloween Ornie Blog entry for October - theme is black cats.  I have stitched 3 of these Halloween Portraits so far this year for the Halloween Ornie themes.

Christmas Bunny
Freebie from Cross Stitch Collection magazine (1990's...)
Finish #39 (21 October 2016)

This is my Christmas Ornie Blog entry for October - theme is presents/toys and she is carrying a Christmas present!

Merry Christmas (2015/6)
Designer: From the Heart ~ Needleart by Wendy
Just Cross Stitch Christmas 2015
Finish #40 (25 October 2016)

Stitched on 32ct Belfast "Fairy Tales" from Colour Cascades Fabric using Dragon Floss "Stem Green" for the tree foliage; Dinky Dyes "Pilbara" for the lettering and DMC for the star and tree trunk.  I re-charted the year and my initials as the original chart was for 2015 and had the designers initials :o)

So that's it for today's Smalls post!  I am feeling quite good about my Smalls finishes this month... I will try and pop back again later today with a new start and a WIP update.  Have a great stitchy day....

Til next time, happy stitching!
Hugs xx

IHSW October 2016

International Hermit & Stitch Weekend (IHSW).... 

held on the third weekend (Fri - Sun) of every month

hosted by Joyce (Random Ramblings).

Back again.... this time I am here to show you what else I stitched on over the weekend for the October IHSW.

I always keep forgetting to post my weekend stitching these days (bad blogger!!) but today I have remembered!

So here we go....

Friday night's stitching you have already seen but here's a recap:

Merry Christmas (2015)
From the Heart ~ NeedleArt by Wendy
Just Cross Stitch Christmas 2015 issue

Saturday was another new start...

Autumn Harvest - Plaid Pumpkin
Mill Hill Kit

I was debating whether to hold this one over for the Smalls post at the end of the month, but if I did I would have nothing to show now because Saturday's start was a Sunday finish!!

Sunday's stitching was a finish on the Plaid Pumpkin

Autumn Harvest - Plaid Pumpkin
Mill Hill Kit

Not a great pic... I now just need to "finish" finish this one which I might try and get done by the end of the month (hopefully!)  This is my very first Mill Hill kit finish... and I absolutely love it! I have two more started (Scottie Dog you have seen, the other one is below) and have become addicted to buying them on 1-2-3 Stitch website! Danger Will Robinson!!

So that was Sunday afternoon... after tea on Sunday night I went back to my little Christmas Bunny card (which I haven't shown you before).  I am stitching this one for the Christmas Ornie Blog as the theme is presents/toys.

Before pic:
Christmas Bunny Card - freebie from UK Needlecraft magazine (1990 something....)
Started 8 October 2016

before Sunday night stitching

After pic:

after Sunday night stitching

Bit more progress last night on this one.... completed all the red and white in her dress, stitched her feet and the white tail, as well as the white in the present and on her hand (not that you can really see that white at the moment!)

So that was my IHSW stitching for this month.  I'm not sure if Joyce is going to do a second one next weekend.... we shall have to wait and see!

New Starts:

Now while I am here I might as well show you my new starts that I have on the go at the moment...

Rubber Ducky - Mill Hill Kit
Started 15 September 2016

Dog House Sampler - Little House Needleworks
Started 26 September 2016

If You Don't Believe - Sue Hillis
Started 28 September 2016

Endless Knot II - Ink Circles
Started 1 October 2016

I do have a couple of finishes to show but I am going to save them for the Smalls Post at the end of the month - just to keep you all in suspense a bit longer!!

So that's it - think I am relatively up to date with all the pics of what I have been stitching lately.  Lots of new starts, couple of finishes and numerous WIPs to tackle!  Oh well... you can't say I'm not trying hard enough!! :o)

Til next time, happy stitching
Hugs xx

Gifted Gorgeousness SAL 2016 - Update #10

I am a tad late for my GG post this month.... but I do have something to show you!

The photo below is what I have also used for my Friday Frolic post on the FF blog so apologies if you have seen it before!

Just Cross Stitch Christmas 2015
Merry Christmas (2015)
Designer: From the Heart ~ NeedleArt by Wendy

So why am I showing you this for my GG post.... quite simple really - the variegated green thread that I used on the tree foliage is a gift!

I received this thread many, many years ago in an exchange (before my blogging days) - think it might have been a Craftbubble Exchange but can't quite remember (sorry).  The floss is a hand-dyed variegated thread from Dragon Floss and is called Stem Green.  I have never used it before and it has been sitting in the floss box for so long just waiting for the right project!  And I must say it is gorgeous to work with.... wonder if they are still around....

And in case you're wondering... the red lettering is in Dinky Dyes "Pilbara" and the star and tree trunk is good old DMC!  

That's it for this month...

Til next time, happy stitching

Jo from Serendipitous Stitching hosts the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL.  The GG SAL is about stitching charts/kits or using fabrics & threads that we have received as gifts, won in giveaways or anything that is intended be a gift or giveaway prize... or anything else that you can loosely use the word "gift" for!!  If you wish to sign up for this SAL, click on the button below or the button on my sidebar and you will be re-directed to Jo's blog.

Smalls SAL August 2016

Hosted by Stitching Lotus

Late again.... but it is still August... and to make up for being late I have another finish to show you!!

My first Smalls finish for August you have already seen but to refresh your memories here it is again:

Christmas Candle
Cross Stitch Gold Issue 5
Designer: Pam Johnson (Kooler Design Studio)
Finish #28

Started: 20 August 2016
Finished: 21 August 2016

My second Smalls finish for the month is:

Santa on a Bike
Needlecraft UK
Stitched on 32ct Belfast "Waratah" Stitches & Spice
Finish #29

Started: 16 August 2016
Finished: 28 August 2016

So that's my two finishes for the month.... I still have a couple of WIPs in progress and I am behind on my Christmas Ornie Blog piece!

New Starts / WIP Update

Lakeside Needlecraft Fantasy SAL - August "Pegasus"
Designer: Durene Jones

New start in August - Progress as at 16 August 2016

Progress as at 30 August 2016

Double Double

Designer: Lizzie Kate

Just Cross Stitch Halloween 2013

New start in August - Progress as at 16 August 2016

Progress as at 30 August 2016

This should have been finished this month for the Halloween Ornie SAL Blog.... oh well!! Fingers crossed it will be done in the next week :o)

Dear Santa

Designer: The Little Stitcher

Just Cross Stitch Christmas 2015

New start in August - Progress as at 30 August 2016

I am stitching this for the JCS SAL FB Group... again this should have been finished by today... another fail!  I will get it done in the next couple of weeks though once I locate the elusive DMC 3865 which I know I have somewhere!!!

So that's it for now.... I will come back in the next few days to do my TUSAL and Goals posts.  Hope everyone is having a good stitchy week!

Til next time, happy stitching!
Hugs xx