Category: Patterns

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…

Advertisement

Wild Olive is doing another one!

I have even started “Jam of the Month Club” from 2019 created by Mollie of Wild Olive; but I have just seen on my Instagram feed (silly allgrythm!) that Mollie has created another SAL for 2020. Oh my word! It is so cute! There are currently four parts that have been released; Mollie is yet to released the May part. So far; Mollie has released:

I have also been listening to the podcast that Mollie is involved with Very Serious Crafts. I am only on the first series (they are currently on series 3!), but I am enjoying it all the same! It is nice to hear about other crafts that are available to me and my fellow crafters…

Are there any other craft Podcasts I should be listening to? Let me know…

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…

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.

Just Cross Stitch Subscription!

I have fallen into the rabbit hole; the Just Cross Stitch digital subscription rabbit hole!

I have also joined Annie’s Half Price & E-Bucks club – OMG! I am in love with these subscriptions!

I have seen some many people stitching from the magazines; but as it is an American publication, I thought that I would not be able to receive it! This was until I saw a post in a Facebook group saying that they had stitched a piece from it – however, this person from the UK! I was super excited and asked them how they got the pattern – digital subscription was their answer. I was over the moon; I went over to the website and ordered that very moment!

I am have decided that October I will be doing ‘Halloween/Autumn’ themed pieces – I cannot wait! I have received the first two part of the Halloween SAL from Lakeside Needlecraft; it is looking fab!

Have you seen my latest FlossTube episode? FlossTube #22?? Head over to YouTube now!

I have less than two weeks to finish and frame my Grandfather’s birthday piece; I better crack on with it!

Until the next row…

Blog Sig

Being on mailing lists…

I do love being on mailing lists from Cross Stitching blogs and shops – it is interesting to see what the blogs are writing about and what the shops are currently or will soon be selling.

I love getting the Free patterns email from DMC; however, there have been some designs I don’t like and will never stitch. The latest email was “Floral Wreaths”; which I feel would be wonderful for weddings and birth announcements. Have you stitched anything from the free patterns from DMC?

I am also a lover of Lord Libidan; his blog posts and articles in XStitch Magazine are wonderful. I have recently received my “Green” edition of the magazine arrived only a few days ago – and this article arrived in my inbox – Why are Glow in the Dark threads Green? I have never thought about why glow in the dark threads are green and I found this article interesting.

I used some glow in the dark threads on my “Halloween SAL” from Lakeside Needlecraft; I found them a little difficult to work with.

Until the next row…

Blog Sig

2018 – what a start to the year!

1 Comment

cropped-21248426_352985481818798_512589887364767204_o.pngI cannot believe that I have not told you all about my stitching since November 2017! I am so so sorry about that! I have so much to tell you!

I now have a Facebook page – which is where I have been sharing all my projects; it is very active. My Instagram account is also very active, as I have been posting many on my projects there recently.

My Twitch Channel is now up and running! I am still trying to get a Streaming Schedule all organised, but it all depends on my work schedule – both for Online and Offline work.

The Etsy shop is now back open for business; I will be uploading my Cross Stitch charts soon!

I have been binge watching FlossTube; there are many channels I am getting my way through. The channels that I am now up to date with are:

However; I do have to catch up on Lindy Stitches, Bendy Stitchey Michelle and…well, there are a few! Today; while writing this post – I am currently at 146 subscribers and I need to post a FlossTube video later today – so keep your eyes peeled for that! I would love to have many more subscribers!

I made a “goal” for 2018 (I am not going to say ‘Resolutions’) to stitch more –  a lot more stitching! So; I had the bright idea to do as many ‘stitchy events’ as possible! Are you ready to see what I have signed up for?

Stitch Maynia has ‘one day SALs’ which I have signed up for most of the; the Winter Olympics Challenge (which ends today) and Tour de Designers. There are so many!

As for The Ultimate Cross Stitch Group; there are two monthly SALs – one counting stitches and the other is just a “show and tell” type of event. I sign up for them every month. There are also extra events that occur; for example another Winter Olympics challenge; I try to take part in them too!

I am in the process of creating photos albums on my Facebook page to keep a record of everything; from my finishes to my TUCSG ‘badges’

I will stop there; so until the next row…

Blog Sig

 

 

 

Two New Starts in One Weekend?!

Oh my word! Yes, you did read that right! I started two new pieces over two days – crazy I know!

I have started “Rainbow Birth Sampler” by Faye at Little Dove Designs and the “Spirit of Christmas Mystery Sampler” by Linda of Lizzie*Kate.

The Birth Sampler should have been done ready for the birth of my former “Brewery Wife” Trudy; however I was unable to get it started until I knew the baby’s name etc. I now have all the information, so I could get started. UntitledI am stitching it with the ‘called for’ threads; which are DMC and it is being stitched on 14 Count Aida in Celadon from Zweigart – which I purchased from SewAndSo. I have found that I was stitching this rather quickly! I am enjoying it so far! Fife; that is the baby’s name, is being Baptised in November. I REALLY want to get this finished and framed before then!

I am hoping to complete the “Spirit of Christmas” for my Grandfather and his partner for Christmas. At the moment, I do not know if they will like it or not; however, Judy – my grandfather’s partner, loves things handmade. I want to get this framed by the first week in December – so I will need to crack on with it really! Untitled1I am using Weeks Dye Works threads and 14 Count Aida in Heartland – both ‘called for’ items. I have never use WDW threads before – I just need to remember to do each stitch individually as the variegation will not work properly. I order the whole sampler kit from Peakside Needleworks, here in the UK.

The photos are not doing the pieces justice – that is the problem when taking images at night and the light is terrible!

In other news; I have also been doing some Finishing! Yippie! SUNP0002I have been framing (or re-framing in one case) and creating an Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the Cross Stitch ATCs “group” on Instagram.  I posted my partner the card this afternoon, on my way to a Cross Stitch ‘Stitch In’ in a local needlecraft store. SUNP0005The smaller piece is my “Princess Peach” stitching that I created for Sprite Stitch and the re-framed piece is the “Story Time Sampler” from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. I REALLY need to work on my “A Very Merry Christmas Town” too!

I have caught up to date with “Spooky Halloween” SAL designed by Durene Jones and from Lakeside Needlecraft and the “Russian Dolls” SAL by Kim at KLT Charting. I have also added to my Chart Stash; but you will need to watch the current episode on my FlossTube channel to see how they are coming along (FlossTube #11). My needleminders from The Everyday Stitcher also arrived this morning – I cannot wait to use them! I have also signed up for the “Beverages SAL” (from KLT Charting) and the “Class Schedule SAL” by Kirsty at Armada Designs. I am very excited about these pieces; they do not start until 2018! It will be here before we all know it!

This afternoon; as mentioned above, I have been at a ‘Stitch In’ event as a local needlecraft store – Threads & Patches, is the name of the store. It is not too far away from me and I thought I would try again to attend this place. I will post all about it soon!

Until the next row…

Blog Sig