Learning Sampler - Northern Expressions Needlework - Part 7 Completed - 28.05.16

I'm ashamed to say that the last time I worked on this project was 26th September 2014.  I honestly cannot say why it has been so long since I worked on this project as I really do enjoy stitching it.  The combination of bands of speciality stitches and cross stitch means there are sections I can do easily and then the speciality stitches once I get into a rhythm with them come easily too.

Here's the picture of where I left it in September 2014.

 

This time I mainly worked on completing Band 7 but I like to add in stitches in other bands so that one band isn't too overwhelming.

This is a close up of the speciality stitches in Band 7.

This is the piece as it stands overall:

I've decided with my new rotation that I will set myself a goal for each piece I work on.  I will then rotate the project either when I have met the goal or if I have been stitching on a piece for 7 days.  My goal for the above project was to complete Band 7 which I achieved in 3 days.

The next project I will be working on is the Jodyri Designs mystery Halloween SAL.  As I am model stitching this piece I won't be able to share the image with you until it is released.  My goal on this project is to complete part 3.

I got some more happy mail today.  A couple of gorgeous new charts that I can't wait to kit up.

The first is Fairy Grandmother by Lavender and Lace.  This is a piece I have loved for a long time and I finally decided it was time to add it to my collection.

 The second design is one I have only seen recently but I heard it was out of print so when I saw there was only one left in stock at Sew and So I had to add it to my basket.  It's called Vintage Stars by Jeanette Douglas Designs.  It is charted in NPI silks and I cannot decide whether to stitch it as charted as I do love the cover image or whether to try and sub out other less expensive threads.

The last thing I want to share is that I have finally got round to organising my stash to the point where I have all my projects in folders and have catalogued all my threads and fabric.  Still not quite done cataloguing charts but I have done over 1,000!

So just for fun here's where I'm at:-

I currently have 41 WIPs

I have 27 projects kitted up and ready to start

Finally I have 33 projects which I am itching to start but need to buy materials for.

I think I can say I've definitely earned my blog title of Obsessive Cross Stitcher.

Keep stitching and smiling!

Happy Mail - May 2016

I've had quite a few bits of happy mail over the past couple of weeks and thought I would share them with you.

Jodyri Birthday Club

The first one was the Birthday Club from Jodyri Designs.  You sign up for it and pay £10 and then on your birthday (or as near to it as the post will allow) Michelle from Jodyri Designs will send you a surprise package with a retail value of approximately £15.  Here's what I got for my birthday:-

I received three pieces of fabric, one in a bookmark size, one in a card size and the other piece was a piece 14x17 of 25 count Silvered Lugana in Jade Dragon.  I also received five silks in some of my favourite colours and two perle threads in Tropical Bay.

It was a lovely "gift" and although I know I paid for it, the contents were a surprise and this made it feel very special.

If you are interested in signing up either for yourself or for a stitchy friend you can do so here - you need to let Michelle know your date of birth and any colour, fabric preferences you have so she can tailor the package to you.

Peakside Needleworks - Needleworker SAL

I recently found a new online store for purchasing patterns and speciality threads - Peakside Needleworks.  They sell DMC, Classic Colorworks, Gentle Arts and Weeks Dye Works all at a very reasonable price.  They also have a variety of charts for sale.  Something I haven't seen before from any UK supplier is a finishing service for stitched pieces into ornaments - pillow, flat fold, tag style and other finishes.  This is a service I hope to use in the future as although I love to cross stitch I have no finishing skills at all.

Upon receiving my first package from them I was delighted to discover they were in Glossop which is very close to where I live - I hoped beyond hope that they had a brick and mortar store that I could visit and could become my local needlework store but unfotunately at the time being they are only an online store but hope to expand to a brick and mortar store in the future.

I had a lovely "chat" with Sue on Facebook and after signing up to there Facebook page discovered they were about to have a SAL for there 1 year anniversary.  The chart for the SAL was Needleworker from Little House Needleworks.  As this is a chart I have contemplated buying for a long time I felt it was serendipitous that I had found them just as they were about to have their SAL.  I therefore signed up and received everything for the project literally the day after I paid for it.  The service they provide is excellent and I am sure that if they don't have a chart available that you are interested in they will do everything they can to get it for you.

This is the materials for the Needleworker from Little House Needleworks.

Riolis

The third piece of happy mail I received was very exciting.  I recently received an e-mail from Riolis asking if I had heard of their cross stitching kits and whether I would be happy to receive one gratis from them.  I of course was delighted to be offered such an opportunity and spent a long time browsing through their catalogue which you can see here.  

There were so many beautiful kits I couldn't decide on one so I sent them a shortlist of four kits and asked them to choose one and send it to me so it would be a nice surprise!

I was delighted to receive Watercolour Gerberas in the mail within 3 days of them telling me it had been sent out.  Here's a picture of the kit.  I will do a more in depth review in due course.

Disclaimer - I received the Watercolour Gerberas chart from Riolis free of charge on the basis that I will do a review of their kit and post update pictures to my blog and share them with the company so they may use the information.  I paid in full for the materials from Jodyri Designs and Peakside Needlecrafts and was under no obligation to post about their products.  All opinions are honest and my own.

Keep stitching and smiling

Stargazer - Mirabilia - 25.05.16

I finally started Stargazer by Mirabilia which is a chart I have wanted to stitch for a long long time.

I am stitching it on 28 count Britney from Jodyri Designs in Regal Peacock 2 over 2 full crosses with the charted DMC threads.

I worked on this project for three days and could almost see myself working on it until I finished it.  But then I started the skin 1 over 1 full crosses.  I have never done skin 1 over 1 before but decided for this piece as there is a very small amount of skin it would be a good one to try.  This really did burn me out for this project.  It took me two days to do all the stitching you can see here and then one day just to do the one over one.  I really do not know how people stitch large amounts of skin one over one it really is a labour of love.

So here are my pictures:-

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Close up of one over one

Full piece - this is the best photo of the colours in the fabric

I am so glad I started this project and I think that Maynia really did make me wonder why I don't start pieces I long to stitch.  Having thought about this for a while I think I've decided on how my rotation will work now.

Bear with me - I hope this makes sense.

Firstly I will work on a focus piece which currently is the Jodyri Halloween mystery SAL which I am model stitching.  My focus piece will either be a model or a project I am stitching for someone or one that is close to completion.

I will then have a new start - which this time was Stargazer - call this Start 1.

I will then go to a WIP which this time is Learning Sampler from Northern Expressions Needlework - call this Start 2.

Then I will do:-

Focus - Halloween SAL
Start 1 - Stargazer
WIP 1 - Learning Sampler
Focus - Halloween SAL
Start 2 - To be determined
WIP 2 - To be determined
Focus
Start 1
WIP 1
Focus
Start 2
WIP 2
Focus
Start 3
WIP 3

and so on.  This means that my Focus pieces get regularly worked on and my Starts and WIPs get regular attention but I also get regular new starts.

How long this will last I don't know as I always make plans and then don't stick to them but we will see.

Keep stitching and smiling

Jodyri Christmas Mystery SAL 2016 - Part 3 - FINISH 19 of 2016

I was lucky enough to be asked again to stitch the model for a Joydri mystery SAL. This time the theme is Christmas.

The design is being released in three parts and this is the third and final part.

I am stitching it on 18 count cream aida.  The design is charted in Jodyri threads but unfortunately I didn't have the recommended thread for the star so I subbed it with another Jodyri thread St Clements.

The other threads you can see are the recommended Jodyri threads - Emerald Forest, Ruby Slippers and Sapphire.

Keep stitching and smiling

Pumpkin Passport - Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery - Part 5 of 12 - Finish 18 of 2016

As I spent the first 16 days of May on my Maynia projects and then worked on the next part of the model I am stitching the Frosted Pumpkin SAL got put on the back burner.

So this month was Greece and I finished the part today.

And here's the whole thing:

So what does a Mayniac do after 16 new starts in the first 16 days?  I'm starting another new one!  I couldn't resist The Stargazer from Mirabilia.  I have had this chart for so long and haven't started it but today is the day!

I have also had some happy mail today but I'm going to do a separate post for that.

Hope you are all getting some good stitchy time.

Keep stitching and smiling

XStitch App

A few people asked questions about which app I use for keeping track of my stash.  It is called XStitch and it is available for Apple and Android.  Here are the links to the app and also a link to the website for the actual app where new updates are shown.

Apple

Android

Website

Keep stitching and smiling

Owl SAL - KLT Charting - Owl 10 of 12 - FINISH 17 of 2016

So it's time for the next part of the Owl SAL for KLT Charting.  I am stitching it on an 18 count hand dyed aida from KLT Charting called Dryad Dwelling.  I've decided to count each individual owl as a mini finish for the year so this one is my eleventh finish for 2016.

As there are 12 owls I decided to stitch each one in a colour that I feel relates to a month of the year.  So owl ten represents October to me and is stitched in Witches Brew.

So here is owl number 10:

And all the owls so far:

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch Maynia Round-up

I have really enjoyed taking part in Stitch Maynia and it has made me eager to start more new projects.  I am however glad the Maynia is over for me and I can get back to stitching for more than one day on each project.

During Maynia I have been thinking a lot about WIPs, UFOs and new starts and how I can manage a rotation that can include them all.

To start with I will always have a focus piece which currently is the Halloween Mystery SAL Model that I am stitching for Jodyri Designs.  As it's a mystery I obviously won't be able to post about this design until each part is released.  After I have finished a section on my focus piece I will switch to a WIP then go back to the focus then to a new start (if I have any kitted and ready to start).  I plan to work through my WIPs and new starts in alphabetical order using my trusty XStitch App.

I will also use this app to keep track of the charts I have which I have not yet kitted up and will work on getting them kitted.  I am ashamed to say that at last count including all the electronic charts I have and charts from magazines I have well over 1000 charts to stitch.  I am going to try very hard not to buy any new charts unless it is to finish "sets" of charts that I already have started.  There are a few more that I have on my must have list and I am sure more will get added but I need to look back at what I already have before buying more.

Obviously my stash now well exceeds my life expectancy!  If only I could win the lottery and give up work and just stitch full time.  Well I can dream can't I!

So the Maynia is over but the new starts are not.

I wanted to take an opportunity to thank all the people who comment on my blog posts.  It makes me smile every time I open my inbox and find a new comment so thank you for making me smile.

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch Maynia 2016 - Day 16 - Spirit of Christmas from Lavender & Lace - 16.05.16

If you haven't heard of Maynia before please see my post from 1st May - don't want to repeat myself everyday and bore everyone..

My day 16 project is Spirit of Christmas from Lavender and Lace.

Here is the picture of the finished design:

I am stitching this on a piece of 20 count aida in nougat.  I am stitching 2 over 1 full crosses with the charted threads.

Here's the picture of the progress I made today:

Thanks for joining me on my Maynia journey - today was my final day so normal stitching will resume tomorrow.

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch Maynia 2016 - Day 15 - Things Unseen by Lizzie Kate - 15.05.16

If you haven't heard of Maynia before please see my post from 1st May - don't want to repeat myself everyday and bore everyone..

My day 15 project is Things Unseen from Lizzie Kate

Here is the picture of the finished design:

I am stitching this on a piece of 28 count Jazlyn in Just Peachy from Crafty Kitten 2 over 2 full crosses with the charted Weeks Dye Works threads.

Here's the picture of the progress I made today:

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch Maynia 2016 - Day 14 - Knotted Garden Biscornou - Polstitches Designs - 14.05.16

If you haven't heard of Maynia before please see my post from 1st May - don't want to repeat myself everyday and bore everyone..

My day 14 project is Knotted Garden Biscornou from Polstitches Designs.

Here is the picture of the finished design:

This came as a kit so I am using the fabric and threads provided.

Here's the picture of the progress I made today:

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch Maynia 2016 - Day 13 - Save the Stitches - Blackwork Journey

If you haven't heard of Maynia before please see my post from 1st May - don't want to repeat myself everyday and bore everyone..

My day 13 project is Save the Stitches from Blackwork Journey.

Here is the picture of the finished design:

I am stitching this on 25 count white Lugana.  The perle thread I am using for the outlines is a custom dye from Jodyri Designs.  The thread I have used for the fill in this first section is also from Jodyri Designs it is a silk called Hibiscus and the metallic is a Petite Treasure Braid.

Here's the picture of the progress I made today:

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch Maynia 2016 - Day 12 - I Am A Stitcher - Cherry Wood Design Studio

If you haven't heard of Maynia before please see my post from 1st May - don't want to repeat myself everyday and bore everyone..

My day 12 project is I Am A Stitcher from Cherry Wood Design Studio.

Here is the picture of the finished design:

I am stitching this on 18 count silvered aida in Frosted Pine from Jodyri Designs.  I am stitching it 2 over 1 full crosses and the thread I have used for the background is a Dinky Dyes silk called Lily Pily - and the word is stitched in a silk from Jodyri Designs called Hibiscus.  I am substituting all the threads in this chart for ones I have in my stash.

Here's the picture of the progress I made today:

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch Maynia 2016 - Day 11 - Love Tapestry - Historical Sampler Company - 11.05.16

If you haven't heard of Maynia before please see my post from 1st May - don't want to repeat myself everyday and bore everyone..

My day 11 project is Love Tapestry from the Historical Sampler Company

Here is the picture of the finished design:

I am stitching this on the canvas included in the kit using the provided wools.

Here's the picture of the progress I made today:

And here's a picture of the back so you can see better what I've stitched.

And straight away with this piece I am reminded why I don't like printed tapestry canvas.  The straight line borders round the edges are out of line straight away.  There is a paper pattern of the design as well so I think I will be working from that rather than the printed design.  

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch Maynia 2016 - Day 10 - Candy Canes & Wreaths - Design Works - 10.05.16

If you haven't heard of Maynia before please see my post from 1st May - don't want to repeat myself everyday and bore everyone..

My day 10 project is Candy Canes and Wreaths from Design Works.

Here is the picture of the finished ornaments.

I am stitching this on the plastic canvas included in the kit and using the provided threads.

Here's the picture of the progress I made today:

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch Maynia 2016 - Day 9 - Around the World in 80 Stitches - Papillon Creations

If you haven't heard of Maynia before please see my post from 1st May - don't want to repeat myself everyday and bore everyone..

My day 9 project is Around the World in 80 Stitches from Papillon Creations.

I don't have a picture of the finished item without using a picture from another stitcher so I will just link to the gallery.

I am stitching this on 28 count opalescent Brittney in Sunset Sky from Crafty Kitten.  I am stitching 2 over 2.  There are no specific colours charted for this design so I am using a variety of hand dyed flosses from my stash.

Here's the picture of the progress I made today:

Keep stitching and smiling