Category: Stitching Groups

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…

Advertisement

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…

Happy New Year & Year in Review

Happy New Year and welcome to 2020!

Today I have decided that 2020 is going to be a good year – much better than last year!

I have filmed a FlossTube (FlossTube discussing my Year in Review; but here are the questions for you all! I found them on Kim’s stitchy blog (My Life in Stitches) and the original ‘tag’ was done by Jessie Marie (Jessie Marie Does Stuff). The post was posted in 2017, so I just edited for my 2019 year:

Favorites (F) / Least Favorites (LF)
1. WIP: F – “Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble” & LF – “Class Schedule” SAL
2. Finish: F – the three mandalas from Ink Circles & LF – my grandfather’s Christmas card
3. FFO: F – My “Happy Camper” banner & LF – my grandfather’s Christmas card
4. New Start: F – SYOA SAL from Cunning Cross Stitch & LF – Class Schedule SAL
5. Tool: F – Needle minder & LF – my green ‘tension’ hoop
6. Technique: Not tried a new technique
7. Material: I love my 14 count Aida as usual but I have struggled with 20 count…
8. Pattern release of 2019: ooh so many! I have fallen love with Alyssa’s designs at Stitchonomy

How Many…
9. WIPs at the start of year? Five
10. WIPs at the end of the year? Seven
11. Starts during the year? 15 – 25, list count!
12. Finishes during the year? 30+ as I’m counting my ATCs
13. FFOs? 30+ as I’m still counting my ATCs
14. UFOs – temporary? Yeah, my ‘green swirls’ piece, but I will be restarting it soon!
15. UFOs – permanent? None
16. Full coverage pages complete? Zero, almost though – “Road to Emmaus” piece that I designed!

First and Last
17. Start: ‘Harry Potter House Banners” by Cloudsfactory
18. Finish: ‘Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble’ by Ink Circles

Regrets
19. Purchase? Class Schedule SAL, sorry – I should have waited
20. Starting? Class Schedule SAL
21. Stopping? My ‘green swirls’
22. Not participating? The Tiny Modernist SALs

New / New to You
23. Tool: no e
24. Technique / Stitch: None
25. Designer: Stitchonomy
26. Fabric: 20 count Aida
27. Thread: Cottage Garden Threads
28. Vendor / Shop: Stitchonomy
29. Terminology: none
30. FlossTube Channels: so many! I’ve been working my way through my list!

A Mix of Questions
31. What did you learn this year? That stitching from stash goes work for me and destashing helps a lot!
32. What did you teach someone this year? How to attend and pack for retreats
33. Did you become real life friends with any stitchers you only knew via social media previously? Yeah, Donna who I “met” before a retreat
34. Are you happy with what you accomplished this year? Yeah I am
35. Similarly, what were your goals for 2019? How do they measure up to what you accomplished? I wanted to finish as many projects as possible
36. Has your stitching style or organization changed during the year? If so, how? If no, are there any changes or improvements you’d like to make? Yes, I bought a large bobbin box to hold all of my DMC threads
37. Did you fall victim to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)? Were there any projects that you would pass on starting if you were given the chance to go back in time and do all over? I wish I taken part in the SALs organised by Tiny Modernist
38. Did you participate in any SALs? If so, which one was your favorite? I did – Winter and Halloween SALs by Stitchonomy were my favourites
39. What did you learn about yourself through your stitching this year? That when I organise myself I can achieve it
40. What was your favorite event that you participated in this year? Halloween SAL
41. Were there any 2019 “Stitching Fads” that you didn’t jump on the bandwagon for but you’re still considering? The Tiny Modernist SALs

2020
42. What project are you most looking forward to starting? Homely Houseplants // Year if SALs
43. What project are you most looking forward to finishing? My Class Schedule and SYOA SALs
44. Do you intend to be more determined or laid back in your stitching in the coming year? More determined
45. What event are you most looking forward to participating in? #24HOCS
46. What are your stitchy resolutions for next year? To fully finish some more items!
47. Will you be participating in any SALs? Yes! Year of SALs SAL, Nerdstitchalong SAL, SYOA SAL to name a few!
48. Are there any materials / stitches / techniques you’d like to try in the new year? Nope

Non-stitching
49. What was the best thing that happened to you this year? Going on retreats and meeting new people!
50. What are your resolutions for next year? To attend 4 retreats – 2 at Crewe and 2 at Milton Keynes – and to start streaming three times a week

Until the next row…

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…

Blog Sig

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…

Blog Sig

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…

Blog Sig

Welcome to 2019!

I cannot believe that I have not posted anything since NOVEMBER! Terrible I know; I had been having issues with my laptop – I was unable to stream on Twitch and record my FlossTube episodes; however – “Father Christmas” (aka my Grandfather) gave me some pennies and I bought a lovely new laptop! I am so happy that I will now be able to get myself back up and running!

As we are now in 2019 – I know?! Already? I made the decision when planning for my latest FlossTube (Episode #26 – the Stash Edition), I found that I had MANY, MANY charts and lots of fabric! I made the decision that I will Stitch From Stash for the year. I have joined a group on Facebook where I can record my Finishes etc. The group is based on the original (I am guessing that this blog was where it all started?!) idea created by Mel of Epic Stitching. The scary thing, is that I have already completed THREE pieces! Can you believe it? Three in January…

I have been posting my process on Instagram; but if you have not seen them – here they are:

Amazing right? I am wanting to do all the Mini Bunnies from the Just Cross Stitch magazine – so keep your eyes peeled for more.

I have also joined the School of Magical Stitches group; where we are reading Harry Potter and stitching! This group; along with the usual monthly events from The Ultimate Cross Stitch Group, I know that I will beat me stash down. I have decided just to purchase thread from Kate at Lakeside Needlecraft; as it is so affordable. I have not cancelled any of the subscriptions that I started in 2018 – Just Cross Stitch and Cross Stitcher

What was your New Year’s Stitching resolutions? Come on, share them!

Until the next row…

Blog Sig

My LNS is closing down!!!

2 Comments

My Local Needlework Store (or LNS); Threads and Patches are closing down.  I am sad 😿 – however, Sally is having a sale! I am going to grab as much Aida and DMC threads as I can! Sally announced this at the start of April; however I have been away and unable to get myself down to the store and buy all the things; so I can stitch all the things!

It is a shame really; as I only found Threads and Patches a few months ago. I was hoping to be attending the Cross Stitch Group that meets on Mondays again soon – I wonder if there are going to move venues? I need to ask them! Due to my work commitments; I was unable to attend every week. I missed sitting with fellow Stitchers; that could be why I have been watching FlossTube and Twitch a lot when I have been stitching. I have some exciting news; but I am waiting to see if I am still on the Waiting List as I have paid a deposit for a Retreat here in the UK…

If anyone know if there are any local groups in the Northamptoshire area; please let me know!

Until the next row…

Blog Sig

Another finish!

Oh yes! Yesterday; 27th March 2018 – I completed “Pumpkins A Plenty” by Homespun Elegance Ltd

29541413_10160150817810111_7452838656655225767_n

I stitched it on 14 count Aida from Fabric Flair – it is either Cafe Au Lait or Cloud Stone (the piece did not have the name on it); which I bought via Lakeside Needlecraft. I really enjoyed stitching this piece; as I have been using it for to “Stitch A-Longs” with The Ultimate Cross Stitch Group on Facebook. As a group (I may have already told you all this…); with have two monthly SALs – one counted and another not counted. An extra ‘event’ has been happening this month; “Mega Million Stitches to Oz” – we are trying; as the group, to stitch TWO MILLION stitches! We are getting there! At the time of writing this post; I was nearly at 3,000 stitches. I will be working on more today; as I am on “annual leave” from my Supply work until 23rd April. I feel a stitch binge happening – along with a binge watching session on FlossTube. I have recently subscribed to another ten FlossTubers – I have over 100 people to watch; luckily some of them only have a couple of videos.

FlossTube #17: From the Stitchy Spot…again! is now available on YouTube

Until the next row…

Blog Sig

March is going slowly…

Is anyone else feeling that March is going slow? Even though I have been a naughty stitcher; as I’ve not done much stitching since the begin of March. However; tomorrow I will be spending the day stitching as I need to catch up on my Stitch A-Long with The Ultimate Cross Stitch Group and I also need to prep for the St. Paddy’s Day SAL with Stitch Maynia.

I have been busy with work; I’ve been doing a lot of job hunting and applying for some more online teaching jobs.

I have now started adding Subtitles/Closed Captions to my FlossTube videos; I am thinking about doing a video in Sign Langauge – what do you all think? I thinking about doing it during Deaf Awareness week here in the UK; which will be in May – keep your eyes peeled!!

I better get my butt in gear; see you all soon!

Until the next row…

Blog Sig