2018 – what a start to the year!

I 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:

• Lollypop Stitches
• JustKeepStitchin’
• MsOhSewCrafty
• TheSilentStitcher – Corey is Deaf and an ASL user; CC is available on her videos!
• Ginger Gerald Stitcher
• AZ Needleworker
• Buckeye Stitcher

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…

 

 

 

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A lot has happened…

Since my last post, I have completed TWO more pieces!

The ‘Story Time Sampler’ and ‘You’re Dino-mite’ are now ready to be framed! I do apologise about the images; they will look so much better when I have the pieces framed. I am so excited about that!

I completed ‘You’re Dino-mite’ in less than SIX DAYS! I started it on Monday 12th June in the afternoon; I was away for a few days with my family and I needed some “me time” and I completed it on Saturday 17th June around lunchtime. This inspired me to finish the ‘Story Time Sampler’ and I finished the last frame in about three hours yesterday afternoon.

While I have been stitching; I have also been watching some FlossTubers – I have been inspired to create my own channel; so keep your eyes peeled for that!

The FlossTubers I have been watching are JustKeepStitchin’ – a mom/daughter combo Pam and Steph. I follow them on Instagram and I have fallen in love with their channel. The patterns the have been showing – I need them in my life! There are so many designers I have never heard of and I love the designs!

Now that I have finished two pieces; I now need a current project. I have started the ‘Tea & Cakes’ Stitch-A-Long from the beautiful Kate of Lakeside Needlecraft – I am a little behind, but I am very determined with my stitching. Keep an eye out for some progress photos on my Instagram account!

#30For30Crafting Update!

Wow! I cannot believe that it is Day 22 of my #30For30Crafting challenge! I felt that it was time that I shared my progress with you:

Day One – Peter Pan

I was surprised how focused I was on this challenge from the start. At first I started a timer so I would stop and have a rest after 30 minutes; but by Day Two that had gone out of the window!

Day Five – Peter Pan

As you can see, even after five days I have almost completed this frame. I am happy with this progress.

Day Ten – Peter Pan is complete; now on to the Lady of Shallot 

To be honest, I have never read The Lady of Shallot; so I had to do some research on the story. Let’s just say, that I have added it to my To Be Read (TBR) pile…

Day 20 – The Lady of Shallot

I was attending a vendor event on the 20th of May; sadly it was VERY quiet! I completed this frame that day. I will let you know how I am getting on soon…

Until the next row…

Story Time Sampler Update…

I know that I am over two years behind with this pattern but I have had a very positive stitching sessions. Just have a look at these:

Only two years late @thefrostedpumpkinstitchery – hee hee! #StoryTimeSampler #TheFrostedPumpkinStitchery #SAL #CrossStitch #CrossStitchersOfInstagram #AliceInWonderland #TheSecretGarden

A photo posted by Jemma | JemmaJ (@jemmajh) on Feb 6, 2017 at 6:13am PST

 

This is how I ended yesterday before heading off to work…

A quick process pic before heading off to work… #SAL #TheFrostedPumpkinStitchery #StoryTimeSampler

A photo posted by Jemma | JemmaJ (@jemmajh) on Feb 6, 2017 at 8:23am PST

 

I have also decided to enter the Make of The Month competition and Craftie Challenge both via Create and Craft – I know, I’m crazy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until the next row…

 

Projects of 2017…

Firstly, Happy New Year to you all! I have had a busy few weeks. I have been downsizing my Etsy & craft show stock. I am currently hosting a Flash Sale on my Facebook page – head over there if you wish to see what I have. I have decided to stick with jewellery and stitched items. So, with a gift card I received for Christmas a trip to Hobbycraft at Northampton I carried out. I went round the store looking for some stitchy inspiration. This was when I saw this:

I tried to start it that afternoon, however I found the pattern too small to read and the Aida not tough. So…I decided not to follow the pattern – I created my own pattern using the thread colours provided in the kit. I thought it was a genius idea. What do you think?

I am thinking about created more of these to sell in February. Would you buy it? Either the hoop or pattern? Let me know… I have been thinking about what to back the hoop with; I have seen people who have used felt or scrapbook paper.

On the same trip, I saw Cross Stitcher (which I thought I had subscribed to – if not, I will start in February!) and there is a new SAL in the January issue. I am rather excited about that. I will need to make another trip to Hobbycraft to buy some more Aida and any threads I don’t have. Also I noticed that February’s issue was also available – two magazines to get through!

Also, I have been spending some time on my 2015 SAL from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. I have been focusing on the title banner and the first frame. I have so many of the kits from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery and I have decided to finish them before I buy anymore. I can buy them from The Homemakery here in the UK. Hee Hee, cheeky I know!

The members at Sprite Stitch have been Stitching for Charity; where they all do a 6″ x 6″ square of stitching that is made into a quilt. I did plan to join them a few years ago, but life took over and I was unable to. However, Doctor Mario is what I am going to do for the charity. I have been getting my supplies together for a few months now and I am ready to get started. I will keep you posted on all of that…

Until the next row…

My WIPs…

Currently, I have only a small pile of WIPs – well, only one! It is the Story Sampler from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. It was the 2015 Stitch-A-Long. I am aiming to make it for my niece; who is a lover of books. She loves to read.

This is what it should look like when I have finished it:

The characters that I should have got through are:

January: Alice in Wonderland
February: The Secret Garden
March: Sherlock Holmes
April: Wizard of Oz
May: Charlotte’s Web
June: Peter Pan
July: The Lady of Shallot
August: Phantom of the Opera
September: Black Beauty
October: Anne of Green Gables
November: Little Women
December: A Christmas Carol

BONUS! This chart also contains a bonus character- Jay from The Great Gatsby!

Finished stitched project measures

+ 131 stitches wide x 180 stitches tall

+ 8.2” wide x 11.2” tall on 16 ct aida or 32 ct linen

The Cover sample was stitched with DMC & Weeks Dye Works floss on hand dyed Lugana. However, I am using DMC thread and light blue Aida from The Homemakery. I wanted to give this sampler for a Christmas present in 2015 – whoops, that did not happen! I am aiming for 2016 instead – sounds like a plan right?

As requested by Amanda and Ashleigh, I have not uploaded any images of the actual pattern – I don’t want to be in Pumpkin Jail – however, I will post an image of my completed sampler (when I have completed it that is!). If you are a follower of my personal Instagram account @JemmaJH you may have already seen some of this sampler in progress.

 

Until the next row…