Christmas in Spring

/ Amy / Leave a comment

 

I’m really enjoying working on “Welcome to Christmas Town” by Emma Congdon from CrossStitcher magazine, November 2014. The colors are glorious (which of course didn’t pick up on camera), and it’s giving me vintagey seasonal vibes.

Modifications: I am using  DMC E5200 for festive, sparkly snow.

 

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A New Tradition

/ Amy / 1 Comment

Left: Last year’s start. Right: Progress since yesterday.

Meet “Christmas Island Santa” from Mill Hill! I started him last year— I didn’t include him in my WIP Parade because of the small handful of stitches I put on him (see left). I picked him back up on Wednesday- it was gorgeous weather, so I took him outside.

Needed a lot of magnets because of the wind. Also…please excuse the stained outdoor table.

I’m starting a new tradition in my home. My husband loves the beach and all things nautical. I’d like to stitch all the beachy/tropical/nautical (and colonial series) Santa’s from Mill Hill so that one day we’ll actually have a themed tree that’s he’s always dreamed of. I already have a few kits to get me started. So I’m steadily working on this one: I started on Wednesday. Progress is on right. I forgot how much fun stitching on perforated paper is once you remember the feel of it.

I’m not officially participating in Maynia, but I am making a conscious effort to stitch every single day this month even if just for 10 minutes. I don’t really have any plans either- just picking up whatever calls to me that day.  I do know I’d like to start Kooler Design Studio’s “Haunted October Nights,” which is currently on its way to me via mail. I’d also like to pick up “Winter Window” again soon- still in love with it, which still really surprises me. Actually, I’m surprised about “Haunted October Nights,” too. Both are styles I never thought I’d stitch (e.g., full coverage, loads of backstitching, etc.). But when you know, you know! Surprise yourself, keep yourself on your toes: sometimes you have to branch out of your creative comfort zone.

Happy almost-weekend, stitchers! I would love to have good weather and time to hermit with my projects. I hope you all have stitching company as cute as I do:

Belle (top), Bilbo (bottom)

Happy stitching!

Midyear WIP Parade: Cross Stitch Edition

/ Amy / 6 Comments

I know I’m not the only stitcher/knitter/crocheter that feels this way: I have too many WIPS, and that stresses me out. I know I’ve talked about this before, but it’s worth saying again: this is a hobby, a favorite thing; so, let it be. If you want to start a new project, do it! If you want to work on only one project the whole year, do it!  I know this is a “duh moment,” but it’s easy to get caught up. Ignore the numbers, and don’t compare. So this is my post to gain some organization, start my to-do list (for gifts only), and see where I want to go. I had started a crafting journal but fell off the wagon. I love planners/journals, so I’m brainstorming on a system that will work for me, so I can keep up all the details of my crafty escapades (definitely something with a monthly calendar because I like to see the days I stitched and what I worked on).

I just love talking about WIPs, seeing what everyone else is working on, and comparing notes with other stitchers. So without further ado, here is my parade of WIP starting with the oldest (info in caption):

My oldest WIP: “Gypsy Caravan,” by Helz Cuppleditch- The World of Cross Stitch (Issue 205). I have so many happy memories associated with stitching this.

My first (and ONLY) mystery SAL: “Once Upon a Time Sampler,” by The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. I can’t even find my thread for this project. I would like to pick it back up in August and finish it this year!

“Fauna the Fairy Witch,” by Brooke’s Books. I wish I had a pet owl….

“Pretty Poppies,” by Lesley Teare- The World of Cross Stitch (Issue 220). SO CLOSE! I even started the backstitching so I wouldn’t burn out.

“Dragonfly Sampler,” by Wendy Mosbacher- Just CrossStitch.

“Grief and Sorrows,” by My Big Toe Designs. This small bit took a really long time.

Two years after our wedding….”Your Color Wedding Cake,” by Bent Creek. I have a more formal sampler kitted up, but I’m not touching it until I finish this SMALL piece!

Bane of my existence (jk…kinda): “Halloween Fairy,” by Nora Corbett. Lovely project but I HATE KREINIK. I’m finally so close, and that’s the only thing that stops me from picking it back up. Oh…and this is a present for my sister…like two years ago.

“Winter Window,” by Susan Bates-The World of Cross Stitching (Issue 197). Still loving it! Already received supplies for “Spring Window.”

My Passion Project: “All Creatures Great and Small,” by Barbara Ana Designs.

“The Queen’s Sampler-Elizabeth I,” by Plum Street Sampler.

My pipe dream: “At the Met,” by Mirabilia. This is my number one project I want to finish. I love it so much but it seems like anytime I pick it up I get nothing done on it.

“Miss Fortune,” by Prairie Schooler

“Elizabeth McGuire, 1763,” by Little House Needleworks. SO MUCH BROWN.

“Hannah Purington, 1796,” by Little House Needleworks. I had to take a break from all the brown in “Elizabeth McGuire.” Still in love with this whole series.

“Seven Swans a Swimming,” by Nora Corbett.

“Caroling Quartet,” by Little House Needleworks. Reminds me of a Dickens Christmas.

“Rabbit Run,” by Prairie Schooler. Love the hand-dyed floss I picked out.

“Moon Sicke,” by The Primitive Needle. I don’t have that much to go!

Progress on my most current WIP: “Frida,” by Barbara Ana Designs- Punch Needle & Primitive Stitcher (Spring 2018). Love the colors in this one

I also have a secret WIP for my sister but not much progress on it either. AND I did just purchased a new pattern and its supplies (Happy Early Birthday to Me!): “Haunted October Nights,” by Kooler Design Studio.
Moral of the story…stitch what you want and don’t worry about it.

Happy crafting!