A Happy stitchy New Year and Starry Night progress

Been a good start to the year so far, plenty of stitchy progress.

I got most of my Christmas order through...drool!

I haven't made any stitching resolutions other than to stitch, stitch, stitch. And more importantly finish more stuff. Which looking back over this years finishes I have done pretty well. 2012 I have 7 finished, small wonder due to the arrival of my youngest that year. But 2013, I have totted up 19 finishes. A lot have been smaller finishes and of the three big finishes, two were started the year before, but I am still pleased with that. Check out the 2013 finishes tab at the top.

 

Here is my final finish of 2013. I finished this mini on New Years Eve.

I love the iridescent aida but the picture doesn't do it justice.

 

In light of my resolution to finish more, I found I had done all the cross stitch for these cards an age ago.

So I finished them off, making this my first finish of 2014.

I also tidied my threads up I have been meaning to do this for a while. 

 

I had started this bunny for my cousins expected bundle of joy due at the beginning of Feb.

 

 

As you can see it is completed as she decided she was going to make an early appearance and I had a rush on to get it finished.

 

And finally I have done my 10 hours on Starry Night.

 

Here it is before:

And now:

Oh yeah A page finish!!!!

 

It has been hard to find the odd spaces dotted around and dealing with all the confetti so just after I started the next page I decided I would give a bit of stitch and park a go. 

 

So far It's been great, a much calmer way of stitching this confetti heavy piece. So I'm going to continue with it and see how I get on for this next page.

So I'm feeling on track to getting plenty more progress going this year!!!

Hope you all have a productive year.

Keep stitching...

Twas the night before...

After having a slow few weeks recently on the stitching front things are looking up. I have completed the X stitch panels for a Christmas bauble for my new arrival. And I haven’t even took the 10 hours to do it from start to finish.

Ok so they are mostly back stitch verse which whizzes up, but I am very pleased none the less and really feel like I’ve got my stitchy vibes back. I initially was going to just do one of the verse but after looking it was only half the line in the first round so I decided to go with the full quote over the 2 sides. The night before Christmas has to be one of my favourites I love to read it every year and even more so to read it to my son this Christmas gone.

I love the candle stick as well I think it fits with the verse very nicely. I just need to make the bauble up and stitch baby’s name and 2012 onto the fourth circle but I’m not going to do that until a bit closer to Christmas to get myself in the Christmas spirit, and means I can just hang it straight up!! I can’t wait to see the 2 baubles together. The other thing is that I am in the zone with making x’s so I don’t want to break that by getting on with different crafting.

I have already made a little start on the next project in rotation so I’m hoping that this continues and I can get a bit more back on track.

Such a happy bunny to feel like I’m making progress on stuff, even if it wasn’t to tick anything off my Crazy January list that is still haunting me lol.

Having said that I have just had a tot up and I have 5 completed and 3 are moved into current rotation so maybe not as bad as I think? What do you all think? I’m pretty sure I’ll not be doing similar this January though no no no lesson learnt ha ha.

Keep stitching....

Fun in sun and Xmas stitching

I had finished these the other day but have been in such a stitching zone I didn't stop to update! That and enjoying the glorious weather with my little boy - with a little bit of moaning about the heat lol it's just not kind to bumpy women. Not even a touch of mist on the beach spoilt our building sandcastles today - well hubby and I built them tot squashed them.

my boys emerging from the mist lol

This was the view out to sea but a turn of 180 to inland it was bright blue skies!!

Also over the last few days we've had picnics in the garden, the paddling pool out, seen the sailors from HMS Ocean parade through our town, and ate lots of ice cream - it's been great!

Anyway back to the stitching. I have completed my stitching for the second batch of free Cross stitcher Christmas tags. These were part of my crazy January 15.

Here's where I was after the day in Jan:

And now all completed:

I did have stuff left over to do more but the magazine said it should be enough to do about 6 so that is what I had set out to do. Plus its all in metallics and after a while it does get to you. I normally stitch with the 2 ends through the needle and leave a loop at the bottom to fasten with but I do the opposite for metallics making it loop through the eye and knot the ends otherwise it slips and slides too much.

I have found however that the kit contains a random extra brown metallic thread.

It's not listed in the key or appears in any of the designs - how strange - it had me looking for ages thinking I was just missing something but its no where to be seen.

Here's a closer look at all the tags;

The designs themselves aren't very difficult it is the metallics that add the fiddle to these.

I'm gonna have some handsome dressed Christmas presents this year.


So I'm slowly knocking stuff off my crazy jan list - 4 down and 2 in current rotation but think I'm gonna need to get a move on to get them completed before the end of the year. Think I'll replace this with another smaller kit from the crazies list.

Keep Stitching....

Al fresco stitching

Been a busy week this one with the end of term but I have managed to complete the rotation on the Christmas tags. I had hoped to have already moved on to the next project but it just wasn't happening with how busy I was at work oh and Vinnie cut another tooth so has been a struggle to get him down at bedtime. But I'm done for 2 weeks Easter holidays (woop woop) so hoping to fit in some more stitching amongst all the other plans I'm hatching!!

Anyways how lovely is the weather at the moment I'm loving it. Wasn't at the beginning of the week when I was stuck in my office lol. So I have jumped at the chance as soon as I could to do a spot of al fresco stitching.

The little enjoyed playing in the garden too with his sand table. Although at the moment it's mostly trying to stop him eating everything!! We are planning a good garden sort out not that that'll stop him trying to eat sand lol.

I've got another 2 tags finished

The one with the holly I had to trim to less than a block of aida from the design to get it to fit on the tag. It must be wider than all the others as they trim easily to a couple of blocks either side of the design. I'm pretty sure I didn't go off anywhere.

Here are all the ones that I have completed together

I'm going to have some pretty looking Christmas presents this year!

I have made a start on the fifth one as well

So I'm nearly there with complete all 6 in the set. But I'm happy with that I'll get them done on the next go round the rotation.

We also had the Easter party at playgroup yesterday and there was a Easter bonnet competition. We didn't win anything but here's mine and Vinnie's effort

I did do most of it with Vinnie only being 1 he's not really up to much crafts yet. Its a paper plate and some foam cut outs from the pound shop. But I did stick to materials that he could use and help a little with. Some of the parents had clearly spent ages on some of the hats there as they were impressive but quite clearly not touched by a under 3!!

I'm looking at starting my next project in my rotation sometime today. So watch this space.

Keep stitching

Spring Xmas stitching and TUSAL

Loving the fact that spring has sprung! The sun is shining - great light for stitching :)

Well I've been sticking to my rotation although I nearly caved last night at picking up Motherly Devotion but after last night things are going well and I'm going to keep going a little longer. I have still a few hours to do on this one but I'm used to fitting in a weekly post so I'm just going to stick with that rather than wait till I'm done.

I've set myself this one then something else and then I can go back to Motherly Devotion. This means its not so long and I get back to the beginning of the cycle. I can build on that then if it starts to work for me.

So I've been working on Christmas tags from Cross stitcher magazine. I know funny right stitching Christmas when its nearly Easter but that's just the way it goes lol.I spent most of the summer last year stitching Father Christmas so why not!!!

Any way I have finished 2 completely

and I have one in progress

There are 6 in the set so going well. Think that they are coming together lovely. I see to have lost the red thread that was in the kit. I know there was some more it probably stuck to my butt and dropped off somewhere lol oh the times that has happened! Hopefully its a colour I have in the stash if it doesn't turn up!

Here's my TUSAL post think I have forgot the last few times. Doesn't look much for the amount of stitching but maybe that's a good thing not too many frogs and less wastage lol. I have took the picture with my lovely books I started collecting some of my favourites in nice hardback editions and they look rather smart on my book shelf.


Keep stitching...

Let the stitching begin in ernest

Well I did it!!! Woop Woop. There was a little while I thought I mightn't get it done, but I've slogged it out and made a start on all my 15.

Day 10: Gift Tags Cross stitcher number 234

Stitched all of one of the tags it just needs trimming and making up.

Day 11: Motherly Devotion Cross stitch collection

Fabric Pack finally arrived this very day so I thought it was rude not to start it right away. Still had been having sleepless nights with my teething son so could hardly keep my eyes open. But I was really loathed to put this one away for the next.

Day 12: Ornies Cross stitcher magazine

 Made a good start. Uses three strands so will be super rich colourwise. But ouch on the threads so will have to see how far supplies get me!

Day 13: Kingfisher in Flight.

 After having been up since 4am I had a busy zombiefied day ended up out at the shops longer than I wanted but luckily I had stopped for a large peice of choccy cake to fuel me along. So really thought I wasn't going to get any stitching done. But being so close to the end I camped out in bed and stitched a length.

Day 14: Christmas Angel

 Did a little bit still was low on energy.

Day 15: Middle Earth

Doesn't look much but did take a bit of sorting firstly I nearly all the threads for this needed winding onto bobbins and it's stitched 2 over 1 so will look really good.

Now to sort the mess out......and where to start arrrrgggghhhhh!! lol

Keep stitching...

Here's to a stitchy New Year

As I bid a fond farewell to 2011 I wish you all the best for 2012. I will never forget 2011 as it gave me my wonderful little boy who I can't believe will be 1 year old in a few months!!! Where does the time go.

Santa brought me plenty of stitchy gifts- mostly which are for my crazy 15 - I can't wait to get started!!!!!
In addition to that he got me a kindle which has shamed me into get cracking on with my reading, rather than stitching, which is a massive stash to rival my stitching stash. Mostly fantasy books but I think there is around 80 - oh my!!!

I think on your recommendations I'm gonna order a Q snap frame and see how that goes, so thanks for the advice.

On Christmas day Vinnie decided to stand all by himself not holding onto anything. Which got whoops of excitement from me and my MIL. He hasn't done it since but what a Christmas present. He had a blast on Christmas day and even had a full 3 course dinner followed by a long nap of course. Need a big reorganise of the house as it's full of toys!

So I've been saving my excitement for stitching ready to start my crazy 15 tomorrow so watch this space! I have no idea what kind of mess this is going to get me into but it sure does seem fun. I'm normally a one at a timer so for me this really really is a crazy challenge. I just hope by the end of the 15 days I have myself a plan of action cos I'm sure I'll have new project blindness by then and not know where to start!

Keep stitching...

Frames? Hoops? or Clips?

I'm looking for some stitchy advice this week.

I've mostly been up to festivities rather than much stitching but I've had a great time. I'm super excited for Christmas day now with it being my son's first Christmas!!!

I can't wait to get started on my crazy January projects.

My best friend gave me some sew and so vouchers and I've been looking into frames etc. I used to use a floor stand with a huge elbsee easy clip frame but my stand has succumbed to wear and tear and now lists badly as the middle post is threaded in the wood. Anyway I think that is for the best, as a floor stand would just be a hazard with my now increasingly mobile and inquisitive tot.

But I'm really struggling with a 26 inch easy clip balanced on my lap. I've been considering delving into the loft looking for my old hoops, but I ditched them because of the nasty marks that appear and are a pain to get out on large projects. So I was wondering what you all use? Got any recommendations for me.

I keep looking at these type of clip frames.


But I'm not sure if these are any good for large projects would the clips crush stitches for moving it around?

A very merry Christmas to you all and I hope santa leaves lots of stitchy gifts under your tree.

Keep Stitching...

Cute cards and Christmas holidays

Mostly this week I have had a dash on and completed a side project of a new baby card for friends.



I think its totally adorable. I did use some glissengloss blended with the darker pink on the bear and the hearts in the corner. Why do sparkles not snap well its so annoying!!! I flapped about on Sunday wondering if I had the time to do but it's stitched up really quick. I do think its good for stitch mojo doing these spur of the moment projects. The design is from an old issue of Crossstitcher that I had on the shelf. I love the bright pink felt that a stash dive produced gives it a bit of zing. I'm not a huge fan of the washed out baby colours, for my son his room was filled with rainbow primary style colours which I love better.

I should have more stitch time from now for the next 2 weeks seen as school has broke up for the holidays!!! Yippee and not a moment too soon as the end of term is always crazy busy in the office.

Its started to snow this morning so is starting to feel really festive.

No pic of Starry night this week it kinda got abandoned for the card and that I was so tried I didn't have the energy for concentrating lol.

I've updated a page for my crazy january challenge so check that out!

Keep stitching...

TUSAL and naughty felines

I've signed up for next year's TUSAL but I'm getting into good habits so here is this month's

I only started it on the 1st so not bad going. It's not very colourful it's full of black mostly from backstitch and the start of the Starry night. My cat Dot is here 'helping' as she has been all day. She has ran off with threads, sat on my stitching and just generally made a nuisance of herself today. Love her to bits though.

I've also finished the X stitch for another of the christmas houses so just one more to do then I'm on with making them up.

While out shopping I saw the cutest advent calendar, it was a garland with 25 little stockings hung along it with the numbers on, so you could put your own little gifts in them. It was one of those moments I looked and thought I can make one of those but as the hubby pointed out its only 4 days till December. Not that that stops me with madcap spur of the moment projects normally lol.

Actually enjoyed being back at work for the half days but did miss my little man like crazy. Sure Monday will be the big test as I'm in whole days from then.

True love and tangled threads

I have made decent progress on stuff this week considering that I haven't done much the last couple of days as I have been away for my sister's wedding.

Here's the sampler I stitched for it, I did this at the beginning of the year to make sure I definitely had it done with not knowing how much time I would have to stitch with my son arriving in March.

I let my sister pick which kit she wanted as I had asked if she wanted a sampler. Sometimes I worry if people get sick of stitchy gifts. She's a huge Tatty Ted fan so this is one she picked. It was a pretty easy stitch (only took a week to complete) but is very cute and I'm sure it'll look great in their home.

I have made a start on my small project. It the freebie kit from Crossstitcher magazine 244 the little Christmas houses. I'd been dying to do them when they came but I decided to be focused and get other stuff finished first. I've stitched the cross stitch for the first one. So got 2 more to do and then make them up.

Progress is coming along nicely on Starry Night despite a few initial grumbles with the Riolis kit.

Even though its only 2 colours I'm loving the vividness of it so far. And it seems to be stitching up well as the chart is easy to follow.

When I first opened the kit I wasn't impressed with the thread being more wool than cotton. These were all in little bundles as well with just a shade card.

I ended up with a right tangle situation with the first bundle I used, spent nearly a whole day trying to untangle and I still haven't done it. I tried to wind another one onto a bobbin card that I use for my DMC cottons but that got tangled too. I was nearly cursing the whole kit and chucking it in a corner; when my DH gave me a hand so we sat side by side on the sofa watching TV with my DH with his hands out front with the loop of wool over his hands while I wound it onto the bobbin giggling at the sight of us. But ah that's true love!!

Seen as I'm still full of cold along with my DS and DH I think I'm gonna cosy up on the sofa and get stuck back in after my little break.

Keep stitching...sniff sniff

Another day, another finish..

I'm on fire at the mo lol. After finishing the Mr Men height chart I've now finished the Christmas bauble.

I'm really pleased with it. I think its much more special and personal than the bought printed baubles you get for a baby's first Christmas.

This is the final side that needed doing and then I've added all the trimming on. This was the second stitching of this as I had already started it before I managed to get coffee everywhere!!

So here's the full set of close ups.

The front piece of silk had got a splash of coffee across it but I used a bit of coffee to stain it an even colour so it just looks a richer gold than it did before.

The hardest bit of making the baubles is getting the hole through the middle of the polystyrene ball. It takes some effort to get it through and even more to get the hole in the centre. I use an 8 inch mattress needle from an upholstery set of needles I got. It does the job great but always seems a bit scary sure I'll end up with it through my finger!!!

 Here's a peek in my Christmas bauble box from my stash. This contains christmassy fabrics, floral pins, sequin pins, upholstery needles, polystyrene balls, trimmings, ribbon, tassels and bells.

So my house is slowly filling up with Christmas decorations but it would be no point putting them away so close to getting them back out now would it? At least that's my excuse anyways!!!

Keep stitching..