August Stitching

*I found this post saved as a draft from August.  I have finished a few more projects since then, and will post them soon.

I stitched up this little Durene Jones bird on plastic canvas, and made it into a keychain for my mom in August.

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.



 

Gifted Gorgeousness for October

It's time for the October 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 a couple of Halloween ornaments this month.  "Black Cat Alphabet" by Judy Whitman is shown above.  Well... it is a black cat stitched in variegated orange.  The chart was featured in the Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue of 2012 (magazine gifted to me).

I also stitched this cute bat by Durene Jones.  This is one of Durene's many freebie (gifted) charts that she has posted on her facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/DureneJonesCrossStitch/

I attempted to stitch on "Berry Patch Rooster" a bit every day ... but I missed a few days here and there.  I did make progress, however:

 

Here is where I left off last month:

I also stitched most of this month's section of  "Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler" (free "gifted" stitch along).  I only need to add the other squirrel.  

I spent a lot of time restitching the lower border.  When I first stitched it, I got carried away and stitched too far down.  I fixed it once & wouldn't you know that I stitched it 2 threads too far down on the second go 'round.  The third time was the charm, and now I have a proper border.  For the November and December updates, there will be 2 additional borders added around the project - so I wanted to be prepared.

Whew!  That's all I have for this update.
Happy Stitching!

Gifted Gorgeousness Update for September

Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House

I'm a bit late for the September Gifted Gorgeousness update ... but better late, than never.  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 didn't have much stitching time this month, but I did make progress on my favorite project, "Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House" (shown above).  I just love this one so much!

I also stitched the September section of the "Linen and Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler".  October's section should be released next weekend.   I am quite proud of myself for having kept up with the schedule of this project.

I started another section of the  "Rose Lap Quilt" (8 duplicate sections).  It's fun to change things up and do embroidery stitches once in awhile.  This is a printed embroidery piece that was given to me by a friend.

I stitched a bit on my "To Everything a Season" sampler, but there's not enough noticeable progress to photograph ... so I will update that one next time.

Happy Stitching!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for August

Women of the Mayflower (new start)

It's time for the August 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 finally got around to starting "Women of the Mayflower" by Sarah Ullman.  I want to be sure to finish this one in 2020 (as it features the date 1620).  I just think it would be cool to have a finish date of 2020 on it.  Here is what the completed sampler looks like:

Women of the Mayflower

I'm just using leftover floss and stitching on a piece of linen that I purchased with a gift certificate.  The portion I stitched has cross stitched lettering and a couple rows of eyelet stitches.(done in variegated red).

Link to ebay auction:  Fine Lines Magazine with Sampler 

I also made great progress on "A Chirpy Sort of Place" (kit gifted to me by a friend).

A Chirpy Sort of Place

This will be a finish before too long.  I just need to finish the left border and add the text.

I am keeping up with the "2019 Linen and Threads Mystery Sampler", and am about 1/2 way complete with this month's section.

I also stitched a bit on Bothy Thread's "Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon" (gifted chart) - adding some light purple to a window, and a snail on top of the wagon.

Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon

That's all the stitching I managed this month.  I have been busy & lacking time to stitch the past couple of weeks ... but I hope to continue with my progress when I am able.

Happy Stitching!
 

 

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for July

Carousel Tiger by Angela Pullen

It's time for the July 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 have a finish this month!  Finally!  I have completed stitching my Carousel Tiger.  This is the third in a set that my sister gifted to me in the late 90's.  It is a bit hard to tell, but all of the gold areas (corners, pole and trim on the saddle) are stitched with sparkly gold metallic blending filament (which is a pain to work with, but looks lovely).  I finished stitching the Carousel Lion in 1998, and the Carousel Zebra in 2014.  The Tiger was by far the most difficult of the three. 

Carousel Lion by Angela Pullen

Carousel Zebra by Angela Pullen

I stitched on several other gifted projects this month including:
"A Chirpy Sort of Place" (I worked on the borders and lower right corner.)

 
"Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon" (I fixed a miscount in the roof area and stitched to the left of the dresser.)

"Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House" (Stitched in the upstairs bedroom area.  Completed the sickle.)

 I finished the flowers in the first section of my "Rose Lap Quilt".  

And I completed about 1/2 of the stitching for this month's section of "Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler".

Whew!  A busy month.  I am happy with my progress and hope to have a few more finishes before the end of the year!

Happy Stitching!

Gifted Gorgeousness Update for June

Victorian Charm

It's time for the June 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 a few of my gifted projects this month, including "Victorian Charm".  I am slow stitching on this project due to the dark fabric - but I love the design.

Here is where I left off last time: (This photo is closer to the actual fabric color.)

I also stitched on "Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler", completing 1/2 of this month's chart.

I brought out my lovely "Spanish Sampler" and worked on the lower left corner.

And finally, I stitched on (my favorite) "Cut Thru' Haunted House", finishing the second ghost in the music room.

That's all for now.  I can't wait to see everyone else's progress this month!
Happy Stitching!

Stitch Maynia and Gifted Gorgeousness Update

This is a pretty big update for me (16 projects).  I am participating in "Stitch Maynia" by stitching on a different one of my WIPs each day.  I am also including my "Gifted Gorgeousness" stitch along update as well - since most of these projects were gifted to me..

"Gifted Gorgeousness" 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 have stitched on 14 of my WIPs so far.  Shown above is "Afternoon Nap", on which I managed a bit of progress on the paw on May 1st.

On May 2nd, I stitched on "Berry Patch Rooster".  I worked on the greenery in the top left corner.

On May 3rd, I brought out my "BeeHive Sampler" and worked on the flowers and beehive at the top of the sampler.

May 4th was "Summer Sampler" day.  I finished the stitching and back stitch on the word "Camp", as well as most of the off-white stitching in that area. "Summer Sampler" was received as a gifted kit along with the other 3 seasons one year at Christmas.

May 5th was the day to stitch on my "Winter Sampler".  I only managed to stitch a bit of the shading on the snowman.  "Winter Sampler" was received as a gifted kit along with the other 3 seasons one year at Christmas.

I stitched on my "Castle Sampler" on May 6th - however I do not have a photo as it is too big to fit on my scanner & my camera batteries are kaput.  I managed to work a bit on the border.

On May 7th,  I brought out my "To Everything a Season" sampler.  I finished stitching the alphabet and worked on a bit more of the floral area.

May 8th was the day I worked on my "Butterfly Forest".  I only managed to stitch a few colors on the wings of one butterfly.  "Butterfly Forest" was received as a gifted kit on my birthday several tears ago.

"Napping Kitten" was my project for May 9th.  I finished his ear and added some stitches to the branch.

I finished another row of the alphabet on my "Linen Sampler" on May 10th.  

On May 11th, I did some back stitching on my "Spring Sampler".  "Spring Sampler" was received as a gifted kit along with the other 3 seasons one year at Christmas.

On May 12th, I finished all of the gold stitching on my "Carousel Tiger".  I will add a photo when I have this project completed (hopefully soon).  "Carousel Tiger" was received as a gifted kit back in the 90's from my sister.

May 13th was the day I stitched on my "Autumn Sampler" - I only managed a bit of stitching on what will become a yellow ruler, next to the lovely schoolhouse motif.  "Autumn Sampler" was received as a gifted kit along with the other 3 seasons one year at Christmas.

Last night (May 14th), I stitched a bit on the border, cat ears and moon on my "Halloween Pumpkin" project.  I received the chart for this project in a Just Cross Stitch magazine gifetd by my sweetie.

During this month, I also managed to finish the tower on my "Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House".  This kit was another gift from my sweetie this year on Valentine's Day.

And finally ... I worked on my "Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler" (gifted as a free stitch-along).  I had a visit from a big 'ol frog, but I managed to get this month's update about 1/2 way finished.  So I am right on schedule.

Whew!  That was a crazy update for me.  I still have to get through the last half of the month!

Happy Stitching!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for April

Carousel Tiger

It's time for the April 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. 

During the first 3 weeks of March, I put stitches into my "Carousel Tiger" every day.  I am so close to a finish, I think I will keep going.  The "Carousel Tiger" was gifted to me along with "Carousel Zebra" and "Carousel Lion" by my sister way back in the 90's.  I have since finished the other 2 kits.

  
I have also kept up with my stitching on "Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler".  I am just past half-way finished on April's swans, so I am right on track.  This year long project was gifted by the folks at Linen & Threads - feel free to join in at any time, if you so desire.

You can find the details here: http://linenandthreads.com/mystery-sampler-stitch-a-long

I managed progress on my "Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Haunted House", which was gifted by my sweetie this year.  I finished back stitching the mummy and added a bit more stitching here and there.

I also stitched on "Hummingbird and Fuchsias", which is a printed kit gifted by my Mom.  I think I made a good bit of progress on this one.

I ran short of stitching time the past couple of weeks, but I hope to do better this month.  That's all for my update.

Happy Stitching!