Smalls SAL - July 2016

Good afternoon everybody,

It's the end of the month so time for another Smalls SAL post hosted by Heather of Stitching Lotus.

This month I opted for something completely different. When I saw a set of seven Dolphin Beach Buddies charts I knew I had to start at least one of them straight away. So the Lizzie Kate Tiny Tidings ornaments I usually stitch for this SAL got pushed to one side and these cuties stitched in their place!

To my delight, I was able to complete two within the month, both finished off as little padded tri-fold cards using card and bling from my scrapbooking stash:

Heart Dolphins by Dureen Jones from Cross Stitch Crazy issue 218

Stitched on 16ct Eastern Sky over-dyed aida from Sewitall.com 2 over 1

Stitch count 38 wide by 38 high

Started - 15th June 2016

Finished - 16th July 2016

Total stitching time - 5 hours 55 minutes

Dolphin in Hammock by Dureen Jones from Cross Stitch Crazy issue 218

Stitched on 16ct Eastern Sky over-dyed aida from Sewitall.com 2 over 1

Stitch count 38 wide by 38 high

Started - 17th July 2016

Finished - 20th July 2016

Total stitching time - 8 hours 5 minutes

With the two-day heatwave we had here in the UK last week I expect a lot of people would have been dreaming about contentedly laying in a hammock in the sunshine like this lucky dolphin!

As I can't wait to stitch the remaining five in the set, I expect another one (or two) may follow next month. See you then.

Happy stitching,
Rachel x

Playful Puss 3 - DUCJC 2016 Finish 14/31

Hello all,

Just a quick post today to show you another finish from my myriad of January 2016 new starts. This is number 3 of the 4 Playful Puss designs I have stitched or am stitching. Here are reminders of number 1 and number 2 (if you're interested) which were finished 15 months ago.

This is where I left number 3 back on 30th January after 4 hours of work:

And here she is completed:

Featured in ???

Designed by Lucie Heaton

Stitched on 16ct White aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 57 wide by 59 high

Started - 30th January 2016

Finished - 22nd July 2016

Total stitching time - 15 hours

(estimated 17 hours)

The final Playful Puss is already on my frames with the aim of completing her before the end of the month. Somehow I don't think that will be a problem!

Back soon, hopefully!

Rachel x

Ocean Critters Dolphin - finished

Hello all,

Well, another finish has been a long time coming but I can finally show you my latest completed project. It's the Dolphin from the Ocean Critters series and a companion for the Seahorse I completed last month.

I haven't taken or shown any progress pictures, so all you get to see is the finished piece:

Ocean Critters - Dolphin by Janet Morningstar for Moonlight Inspirations

Stitched on 16ct Sea Glass over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1

Stitch count 92 wide by 114 high
Started - 14th June 2016
Finished - 16th July 2016
Total stitching time - 22 hours 25 minutes

As usual, I loved stitching this piece. The dolphin's so cute the way it's peeping through the seaweed!

With the 7 week school summer holiday about to start I'm hoping to sneak in some additional stitching time and a few more finishes before another new start jumps onto my frames!

Take care everyone,

Rachel x