Category: Current Projects

Plans for 2022

Plans? Jemma has plans!? Yes, I do! I do not know if I will be able to keep up with them, but I am going to have a try anyway!

Some of you may already know, but I am involved in some groups on Facebook and if you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that in October, at the MK Stitching Retreat, I started my first ever HAED – “Mini Small Magellanic Cloud” in Max Colours (177 colours!!). It was my “New Start Saturday” piece.

As it is currently the only HAED I am stitching on (there are a few that I have on my wishlist!), I am going to be using it for some stitching challenges.

The groups that I am a member of are:

“Mini Small Magellanic Cloud” has 62,500 stitches and one of the challenges in Full Coverage Fanatics is 22,000 Stitching in 2022; if I complete this challenge I will have completed 35% of the piece at the end of this year-long challenge – it is doable, right?

I have decided that I need to make monthly FlossTubes to help me with my accountability; as this year I have not really done many videos.

Until the next row…

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Whoops?! It’s been over ten months…

Hello Fellow Stitchers; I am so sorry that I have not kept you all updated with my stitching since January. I have been posting on my Instagram more than here – which I feel is not the best thing to do! I have a couple of charts that I have designed, which I have not uploaded onto Gumroad. I have decided to post them here instead! How excting is that??

Since January, I have finsihed the following:

“January to October” ‘Monthly Markers’ from the Cross Stitcher magazine ‘Freebie’ from January 2021.

“Fantastic Fungi” from Stitchonomy

“Stay Home Insta Icon” by Luba Davies Atelier

“January 2007 Celtic Knot” from Ink Circles

“Wish You Were Here Postcard” by Emma Congdon

“Winter SAL 2020” by Stitchonomy

“Be Well” by Thistles

“Fiesta, Siesta, Repeat” by A Fethered Stitch

“Russian Doll” by Durene Jones

“Bless This House” by Steotch

“Ladybug” by Barbara Ann via Cyberstitchers

“#GBBO Section” of FoE SAL by Cunning Cross Stitch

“Love Lives Here” by Heart in Hands

“Welsh Alphabet” by Wolf Down The Rabbithole (via Instagram/Gumroad)

“Favourite Colour” in 550 by ParkHopperBart (via Instagram/Gumroad)

Colorwork SAL by Stitchonomy

“Quaker Halloween Sampler” by San-Man Originals

I have recevied my ATCs via the A3ATCSwapGroup – which is organised by Amy’s Art Alchemy on Instagram. I have sent all of my ATCs. I took part in the #CommonThreadedStitcher tag on Instagram and the “Olympic Team Event” via Stitchingly.

I finally was able to attend a Retreat! After the “World Imploding” (I do not want to say the word; I am still getting use to it!), all of the Retreats I was booked on were either cancelled or postponded. This weekend; I attended the MK Stitching Retreat! I was so happy to see my fellow Stitchers and got to meet some new Subscribers on my YouTube channel – I was a little surprised to be recognised, as of today I only have 274 subscribers!

I have been spending a lot of my time working on “Pandemic” by Long Dog Sampler and at the retreat I started my first ever Heaven And Earth Designs piece – “Mini Small Magellanic Cloud” – Max Colours. I am looking forward to finsihing “Pandemic” and cracking on with my HAED stitching!

Until the next row…

Looking for SALs to join?

Are you looking for SALs (Stitch-A-Longs) to keep you occupied during this time?

I have recently found this wonderful website – Magical’s Quilts and More – ‘Magical’ has been creating different type of SALs for many years. She has created Fob SALs, Band SALs and Mini Mystery SALs. I am slowing working my way through the Mini Mystery SALs. I am going to create a large sampler of them.

If you have not yet signed up for the “Year of SALs” via Stitchonomy; I highly recommend that you do! Alyssa is going a grand job keeping me busy with the SALs she has created. I have completed the ‘Homely Houseplants’ and I am currently working on the ‘Colourful Critters’. There two more SALs to come this year! Alyssa has a Facebook group dedicated for this amazing event!

You may have noticed that I have been working on the Blackwork SAL by Clare of Peppermint Purple! I have been doing the “First 52 DMC Colours” of the Stranded Threads – however, I have found out that there are no “first 52 colours”. I mean I want to stitch colours 001 to 052 – sadly there is no 036 to 047, 049 or 050 (048 upwards are Variegated threads!) It is only Week 19 of the SAL, so I have a few weeks to make a proper decision. I have been using the DMC Thread Inventory from Lord Libidan

Are there anymore SALs that we should be partaking in during this time? Just comment below!

Until the next row…

Whoops! I did it again!

Yes! I did it again! I am so sorry everyone!

It has been two months and I have re-filmed my “Year in Review” FlossTube TWICE – hopefully with the current situation of the world, I will be able to upload more videos. So, you will have all noticed (if you are subscribed to my YouTube channel) that a new video went up today. It is a mixture of my “Year in Review” and a “Finishes Parade”, with a little hint of what I have been doing during this time. I know that some of the finishes everyone may have seen; but I had some items that I had fully finished over the last few weeks!

Here is the link to said FlossTube – FlossTube #31

If you have seen on my Instagram; I have been working on a few things recently.

Until the next row…

First Retreat of 2020…

I am writing this on my way home after my first Cross Stitch Retreat of 2020. It was organised by Donna of Purple Stitcher Retreats and it happened in Crewe, Cheshire.

It was lovely to see everyone that I met last year during the Retreats I attended. I took many projects with me – some I was going to start, however I did not. I focused on my “Homely Houseplants SAL” by Alyssa of Stitchonomy. If you didn’t already know, the SAL is part of the “Year of SALs” also organised by Alyssa.

End point of the weekend…

I also worked on the 52 Weeks Blackwork SAL – called “A Year of Blackwork” by Clare at Peppermint Purple. I am a member of Clare’s Facebook group, where she has been sharing the weekly releases. I have decided to do the first 52 colours from DMC Threads. I am very excited about this SAL…

Just starting “Week 2” in DMC 002

The last project I worked on was my ‘gift’ piece for my workplace. I charted it myself using Pic-Stitch. The original painting was done by He Qi.

I took some stash to unload, sadly I didn’t sell anything but a few of the things I put on the “Freebie Table” went. I will be putting the rest of the items onto my Destashing Instagram account – @dreaminginaidadest – this evening when I arrive home.

Don’t worry! I will be filming my “Year in Review” – I promise! As I did not upload my first attempt last month. This will give me time to organise the extra information needed for my finishes. I have been using the “Homely Houseplants SAL” and “Road to Emmaus” pieces for this month’s challenges at The Ultimate Cross Stitch Group.

Until the next row…

A simple first finish of 2020…

Woot woot! My first finish for 2020 has just been completed!

It is the Luggage Tag from Cross Stitch Crazy – Issue 258 (July 2019). I picked this little kit up at a Retreat from the “Freebie Table” last year.

Designer: Emma Congdon

Stitch Count: 16 (h) x 33 (w)

Fabric: 14 Count White Aida (came in the kit)

Started: January 4th 2019

Finished: January 4th 2019

I used this piece as a part of the 24 Hours of Cross Stitch challenges for January:

  • January Acrostic – I used it for the “!” section (one of eleven sections)
  • January Holidays – I used it for the “Make Your Dreams Come True Day” (one of twelve sections)

Until the next row…

Homely Houseplants SAL

I have spent the last few days stitching on this beauty…my shelves are built and ready for February!

I over dyed some cream 14 count Aida with some tea – I used Twinnings Chai. I followed Vonna’s (aka The Twisted Stitcher) tutorial on fabric dying!

The shelves are part of the Stitchonomy – Homely Houseplants SAL – the first SAL of the Year of SALs that Alyssa has designed.

Bad Jemma!

I cannot believe that it has been another TWO MONTHS since I last wrote to you all! I am terribly sorry!

Since October, I have been busy! I have filmed FlossTube Episode #30 and my personal life has been horrendous – my car decided to die (don’t worry, ‘Freddie’ is at ‘Car Hospital’ waiting for his procedure to happen!) and now it is blooming cold and dark by 4pm; I am not doing ask much walking etc.

I have been doing a lot of stitching; if you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed some interesting posts. I signed up for the Stitchonomy Halloween SAL 2019 aka “Drawlloween 2019 SAL” – I completed it in October and I have also signed up for the “Winter 2019 SAL” – cute little snowflakes; which I haven’t started yet. I really should get on with this SAL.

If you don’t know already, I have stopped partaking in ‘Magical Stitches’ and I am now only focusing on ‘The Ultimate Cross Stitch Group’ monthly events. I am finding these events easier to cope with. I am currently using a WIP – “Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble”, the third Halloween Inspired Mandala. I am stitching in on “Berry Burst” from KLT Charting in (you’ve guessed it!) 14 count Aida.

As I stated in a previous post, I will be sharing each of my finishes here on the blog in 2020. I am pretty excited about it, as I have also been doing some more designing – so, keep your eyes peeled for some freebies coming your way!

Until the next row…

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FlossTube #27 is NOW LIVE! FINALLY!!!!

Oh yes! FlossTube #27 is now live and ready for your viewing pleasure! I cannot believe that it has taken so long to upload. I am so glad that we are in the process of changing Internet Providers!

Have you been following me on Instagram? I have been sharing a lot of my finishes and WIPs there. I am really enjoying the Easter Break – only four weeks until the May Half Term.

I thought that I would share the “show notes” here on the blog too; just in case we need the links!

FB Groups:

The Ultimate Cross Stitch Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/429695990554914
‘Magical Stitches’ – https://www.facebook.com/groups/Magicalstitches/
Stitch from Stash 2019 – https://www.facebook.com/groups/997937246998360/
Cross Stitch Friends in the UK – https://www.facebook.com/groups/csfuk/
Mad Stitchers Retreats – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1029193870432147/

Websites/Companies Mentioned:

Darn Good Yarn – http://www.darngoodyarn.com
The Primitive Hare – http://theprimitivehare.blogspot.com/
Craftivist Collective – https://craftivist-collective.com/
KLT Charting – http://www.kltcharting.co.uk
Marney’s Mixed Bag – https://www.marneysmixedbag.co.uk/
Chromatic Alchemy – https://www.chromatic-alchemy.co.uk
Hobbyloco – http://www.hobbyloco.com
The Snowflower Diaries – http://thesnowflowerdiaries.blogspot.com/
Armada Designs – https://www.armadadesignsstitchery.com/
Lakeside Needlecraft – http://www.lakesideneedlecraft.co.uk

FlossTubers mentioned:

Corey “Silent Stitcher” – http://tinyurl.com/TheSilentStitcher
Cherise “Denkai” – http://tinyurl.com/DenkaiYT
Andrea “I HeartCrossStitch” – http://tinyurl.com/IHeartCrossStitch
Angie “Bubmie” – http://tinyurl.com/Bubmie
Linda “Anything Blue” – http://tinyurl.com/AnythingBlue
April “April May June Stitcher” – http://tinyurl.com/AprilMayJuneStitcher
Arlene “WorksByABC” – http://tinyurl.com/WorksByABC
Stacey “AtlanticaDreamStitches” – AtlanticaDreamStitches
Deb “AZ Needleworker” – http://tinyurl.com/AZNeedleworker
Charlotte “The Wooly Hatted Stitcher” – http://tinyurl.com/TheWoolyHattedStitcher
Shelly “The Stitching Colourist” – http://tinyurl.com/TheStitchingColourist **Sorry I spelt your name wrong on the photo…**

Twitch Channels:

Angie (BeetleAtBay) – http://www.twitch.com/beetleatbay

Finishes:

Malala “Dot to Dot” – Craftivist Collective
Harry Potter Banners – Cloudsfactory
A Spirited Mandala – Ink Circles
Merry Solstice – The Primitive Hare
Yule – The Primitive Hare
Cat Sampler – Hobbyloco
‘Beer’ – freebie online

**There are more that I have not shown you as they were for Exchanges/ATCs – see Instagram for them**

WIPs:
‘Candy Corn Border’ – Hobbyloco
‘Car Measure Tape cover’ – Durene Jones
‘January – Joyworld SAL’ – The Snowflower Diaries
‘Class Schedule SAL’ – Armada Designs

Wow! I know that it a lot; but enjoy! I will be blogging about Stitch Maynia soon…

Until the next row…

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March Update…

I completely forget to tell you all that I joined the School of Magical Stitches & Literature group on Facebook. As a group we are reading (or in most cases re-reading) the books in order; while completing weekly “Homework” pieces and smashing our WIPs Piles.

My Stitch From Stash journey is going pretty well! I did buy some things in February; but I also sold a lot of things while I was away at the Crewe Retreat.

I know that this Instagram post mentioned a Secret Project for my workplace; don’t worry! I will be sharing my progress; as I don’t think any of my work collegues are in the FlossTube or Stitching Community…

Since I last wrote, I have working hard on a piece I bought while at the Retreat. I have been using it as” Homework” and for the Monthly SALs of The Ultimate Cross Stitch Group. I am in the process of filming FlossTube #28; so you will be seeing my ugly mug again soon!

Until the next row…

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