Smalls SAL - August 2016

Good afternoon everybody,

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

For August I stitched another of the dolphin Beach Buddies to accompany the two I stitched last month. Once again the project was finished off as a small card with just a tiny bit of bling:

Dolphins with Ball 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 - 16th August 2016

Finished - 24th August 2016

Total stitching time - 8 hours 10 minutes

I have a feeling that another dolphin may make an appearance in September. See you then!

Happy stitching,
Rachel x

Contentious - DUCJC 2016 Finish 16/31

Hello All!

So finish number 16 of my 31 January starts has now been completed.

As usual she was an absolute joy to stitch, especially once I'd backstitched her face and eyes so that she could watch my progress. I'm impressed how Margaret Sherry never fails to get facial features spot on.

Here's how I left Contentious on 3rd January after just over 5 hours of stitching:

And here she is completed:

Featured in Cattitudes Calendar 2003 by Margaret Sherry

Stitched on 32ct Lime Murano evenweave 2 over 2

Stitch count 79 wide by 71 high

Started - 3rd January 2016

Finished - 20th August 2016

Total stitching time - 22 hours 45 minutes

For the time being Contentious will join her sister, Cantankerous, in my Box of Shame until I decide how I want to finish them. I hope it's not too long before I come up with a good idea as I definitely need them on display.

Next up, the Small's SAL on Thursday.

Happy stitching :)

Rachel x

Playful Puss 4 - DUCJC 2016 Finish 15/31

Hello again!

I really tried to finish the final Playful Puss WIP before the end of the July but without success. I still had the grass and backstitching left to do, so a few hour's work. But I've finished it now..... just four days later than hoped.

Here's how I left this piece on 6th January after 4 hours of stitching:

And here's the completed project:

Featured in ???

Designed by Lucie Heaton

Stitched on 16ct White aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 57 wide by 59 high

Started - 6th January 2016

Finished - 4th August 2016

Total stitching time - 16 hours 35 minutes

(estimated 15 hours)

It's strange, I'm not particularly fond of cats but I do seem to be stitching or have stitched quite a few cat/kitten projects recently. I guess I'm just drawn to them. My next planned finish is also a cat, but one with a bit more of an attitude!

This finish also marks the halfway point of my January 2016 Challenge pieces. I think I'd aimed to complete somewhere between 25-27 of the 31 new starts by the end of the year so I'm not doing too badly.

Best get cracking on working towards finishing number 16 then.

Take care everybody,

Rachel x