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!

my May WIPocalypse Update

"To Everything A Season" Sampler by Sandy Orton

I have a few project updates to show for my May WIPocalypse posting.  The first is my "To Everything a Season" sampler by Sandy Orton.  I managed some good progress on the left side border leaves and flowers, and added a few more letters to my alphabet.   

"Butterfly Forest" by Punch Studio

I spent some time with "Butterfly Forest", stitching on and around the big butterfly at the top.  I still have quite a way to go with this one.

"Multi-Coloured Alphabet" by Gail Lawther

I made more progress on "Multi-Coloured Alphabet".  This one is always a nice change from the projects with lots of color changes and blending.  Working with variegated thread makes it so easy.

"American Sampler" by Sandra Sullivan

And finally ... I put some stitches into "American Sampler".  I stitched the little squirrel in the tree, added more of the alphabet, a sheep, a crown, and started working on the inner border.  This is another project where I am just using leftover threads from other projects.

Question of the Month – Talk to us about your longest-running WIP or UFO.

I have several old WIPs/UFOs dating back to the 90's.  At the time I was very into carousels and carousel horses/animals, so I picked up a few kits (4) and received more kits as gifts (6) ... before I knew it - I had oodles of carousel related projects.   Many went into storage when I moved and I didn't get them back out until a few years ago.  I am slowly making progress on them, but still have 5 carousel related projects from the 90's lingering in my WIP list.

The last one I completed was "Carousel Zebra" in 2014!

So many projects ... so little time.  

*This just brought to mind the old "Twilight Zone" episode, where the man who loved to read but never had time survived the end of the world and found the library.  "Time enough at last!"  But then he broke his glasses.  

So all of you WIPocalypse stitchers who survive the Apocalypse better be careful with your glasses and needles!

Happy stitching!



 
 

DUCJC : Feb 07-11

Whew!  I am still going on the challenge.  This month I am working on a different WIP each day and trying to make a bit of progress on my larger projects.

On Feb 7, I stitched on Castle Sampler by Teresa Wentzler (15.5"x 14.125" on 27ct. evenweave).  I managed to get some more work done on the border around the castle.

project:

progress:

On Feb 8, I picked up "To Everything A Season" Sampler by Sandy Orton (18"x 11" on 28 ct evenweave).  I worked on the 2nd bird & almost got him finished.

project:

progress:

On Feb 9, I returned to "Butterfly Forest" (10" x 16" on 14 ct. aida). I worked on the half stitch background a bit more.

project:

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On Feb 10, I stitched on "Napping Kitten" (5" x 7" on 18 ct. aida), filling in a few spots in the flowers and fur.

project:

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On Feb 11, I brought out my "Linen Sampler" (14"x 18" on 25ct linen).  I stitched the medium blue on all of the small flowers and added a bit of green to the leaves.

project:

progress:

By then end of this challenge, I will have 59 WIPs! (what!)  But, I am having a blast stitching along with all of the other challenge stitchers & enjoying visits to all of your blogs.

Happy Stitching!

Gifted Gorgeousness and DUCJC : Days 7 - 14

As a part of DUCJC (Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge), I am starting a new project each day in January.  

As a part of the Gifted Gorgeousness Stitch-along, I am also working on several projects that have either been given to me as gifts -or- that I am stitching to give as gifts.

So ... here are the projects that have been keeping me busy so far this month:

On January 7th, I started stitching one of a pair of Butterfly Pillowcases, which were gifted to me.  They are stamped cross stitch - which I haven't done in a long time, but am enjoying.

Butterfly Pillowcases - package photo

Jan 8) Cow Sampler (freebie)
started: 08JAN15 - updated: 08JAN15

project :

progress:

Jan 9) Quaker 2 (freebie)
started: 09JAN15 - updated: 09JAN15

project :

progress:

Jan 10) Mary Engelbriet Puppy
started: 10JAN15 - updated: 10JAN15

project :

progress:

Jan 11) Candy Nutcracker by Barbara Baatz Hillman
           *being stitched as a gift for someone special
started: 11JAN15 - updated: 11JAN15

project :

progress:

Jan 12) Maison De Famille by Gazette94
started: 12JAN15 - updated: 12JAN15

project :

progress:

Jan 13) Quaker 2011 by Gazette94
started: 13JAN15 - updated: 13JAN15

project :

progress:

Jan 14) Mini Flowers
started: 14JAN15 - updated: 14JAN15

project :

progress:

In a way, all of the freebie projects I am working on also fall under the category of "Gifted Gorgeousness", as they were given to me by the designers.  

I am enjoying all of the new starts ... I am keeping them updated here: my DUCJC 2015 page.

WIPocalypse Update for September

To Everything A Season - current progress

Things can change in the blink of an eye.  It's so sad to have lost a sweet soul and fellow stitcher with the recent passing of Debbie.  She had commented that of all the projects I was working on this year, her favorites were my "To Everything A Season" Sampler and Butterfly Forest.  So I worked on those 2 projects and thought of her.  

To Everything A Season - previous progress

  And here is my progress on Butterfly Forest:

previously:

current progress:

I also made progress on Berry Patch Rooster:

previously:

current progress:

And I made good progress on "Ungloomy":

previously:

current progress:

I also had a "monster" finish, which is shown in my previous post.

As a part of Measi's WIPocalypse group, this month’s topic is:  Who is your favourite person to stitch for, or do you prefer to keep your stitching yourself?

I enjoy stitching for family and friends.  It's always fun to see my stitching displayed in their homes.  I especially love making ornaments for everyone, as I am apart from family during the holidays,  so it is nice to think that part of me is helping to decorate their trees.

That's all for now.  Happy Stitching!

May WIPocalypse update

For this month's WIPocalypse the colors were Purple and Brown ... well, I did find a bit of purple and brown to stitch.  I worked on grapes in my To Everything A Season" Sampler, and stitched the golden-brown honeycomb and started the purple flowers in my BeeHive Sampler.  A bit of a stretch, but .... next month the designer to work on is Teresa Wentzler, so I will be hopefully making progress on my "Castle Sampler" and my "Summer Carousel Horse".

previously:

current progress:

I also worked on "Afternoon Nap" (5" x 7" on 18ct Aida).

previously:

current progress:

and on my "Quaker Sampler" (8" x 7" on 18 ct. oatmeal aida).

previously:

current progress:

I started 2 new projects (with very good reasons)  First, I rewarded myself for going through a dreaded dental visit with this beautiful hooked rug kit called "Monterey Sunset".  It is a big one 30" x 50".  Purchased on sale at Michael's for $14.99! (normally about $50.00) and I used a gift card.

Secondly, I received this kit for my birthday:  "Butterfly Forest" (10" x 16" on 14 ct. aida) 

project:

progress:

I think that covers my month of stitching!  I hope to actually have a finish next time around.

Happy stitching!