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…

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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…

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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A change in design…

You may have noticed that I have been doing a little less blogging…I apologise about this! I have been rather busy; however, all is well! I have decided to blog about every project I do. Similar to Candice aka SlubLoverStitches – I love what she does. It is a fantastic idea! Candice is also on YouTube – so, please go and subscribe to Candice and show her some love!

I have updated my Facebook page and Instagram Feed – these are the places I have been keeping the most up to date. Again, I am sorry about that! This is why I decided that with Halloween coming; I want to start the “New Year” with improving this blog.

I am determined to get this blog up and running properly. I have some designs I want to share with you all and I want to share everything! I mean EVERYTHING! I have a lot of projects, plans, and stash. I really need to share it all with you.

I should really get back to some stitching, so I can get the FlossTube filmed!

Until the new 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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Stitch Maynia 2019!

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Stitch Maynia 2019Oh yes! I have done a thing! I have decided to do Stitch Maynia for this year!

I know that I am crazy; but I thought that it would a fab idea to reduce my stash! I am a member of the FB group – Stitch Mayina

“Originally started in May 2015 as a stitch along for fifteen new starts the first fifteen days of May, Stitch Maynia (get it, May? Maynia? Ha ha!) has grown into an open, welcoming, fun cross-stitch community!”

So; I have decided to use my Cross Stitcher magazine freebies as my projects for this yearly event. As there are 31 days; I am going to have 31 projects – however, I am just going to work my way through the freebie stash, they are small items!

I will be doing a Vlog got the event…so keep you eyes peeled!

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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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…

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XStitch Mag – are you reading it?

Oh, my word! Have you heard the news? XStitch Magazine is now going to be digital – I cannot wait to receive the new issue! The cover looks amazing! What cute cassette tapes…

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I am REALLY excited about this issue! Are you? You can order your copy at XStitch Magazine. Currently, there are 5 issues; issue #6 is coming soon – so keep an eye open on the main website or XStitch Facebook page. The issues are:

Jamie aka Mr X Stitch and his mighty fine crew have also released MERCHANDISE! There are tote bags, shirts and a lot more! Come on payday and get here quicker! There are LOADS I want to buy!

I have been going through the copies I have got; which it from the beginning and I have labelled with ones I want to do in 2019. I have decided to “Stitch from Stash” – crazy I know but hopefully it will work. I am going to be using Epic Stitching’s rules and I have already joined a group on facebook that is going to help me! I missed the 2017-2018 ‘intake’, so I am currently watching for the rest of the year! I am very excited about 2019!

I am hoping to be doing another FlossTube episode soon. I am going to be doing a Stash Episode – ready for 2019…will you be watching?

Until the next row…

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