Smalls SAL - September 2016

Good evening!

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

This month I thought I would go a bit more seasonal and prepare something a little in advance of Halloween. It hasn't got a name so I simply called it Halloween Cauldron!

Halloween Cauldron magazine chart

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

Stitch count 48 wide by 48 high

Started - 8th September 2016

Finished - 12th September 2016

Total stitching time - 9 hours 35 minutes

For such a small design I love all the little bubbles and swirls.

I didn't know what to do with it so have not finish-finished it yet. There are another three in the set so I might stitch those and then finish them together into a hanging of some sort. Probably.

Back next month with another small.

Happy stitching,
Rachel x

Ollie Owl - DUCJC 2016 Finish 19/31

Good morning again!

And another finish rolls off the frames in September - my 40th finish this year!!! This is Ollie Owl.

I managed to stitch his eyes when I started him on 20th January:

But now he has all his body and feathers and a couple of flowers too:

DMC Woodland Folk

Stitched on 16ct Kelp over-dyed aida by Fabric Flair 2 over 1

Stitch count 75 wide by 49 high

Started - 20th January 2016

Finished - 21st September 2016

Total stitching time - 15 hours 55 minutes

(estimated 18 hours)

The completion of Ollie Owl means that the set of six Woodland Folk designs are all ready to be framed. I hope it's not too long before I design and purchase a frame as these are simply too cute to stay in my Box of Shame for too long!

Given my current run of finishes, I wonder if I can fit in another one before the end of September? We'll see.....

Take care everyone and thank you for your continued support, despite my lack of commenting and replying.
Rachel x

Jo's Big Birthday Blog Hop

Hello all and.....

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY JO!

This is my contribution to Jo's Birthday Blog Hop and the year given was 2010. In her own words, here's what happened to Jo in that year:

2010 - Jo was 44.  As the Small Boy grew up and settled into a routine Jo got more stitching time and also more computer time.  She had joined a Parenting Forum when she was pregnant and discovered there were cross stitching forums too.  She found the Yuku boards, in particular the Mirabilia forums and saw the links to the stitchers' blogs.  Her new career as a Blog Stalker started.  At this time Jo was still a strict OAAT stitcher.  Her finishes that year soared into double figures, mostly smaller projects but there were a couple of larger designs.  She discovered the world of online shopping too, which was a good thing because a Big Box Store had recently shut down her beloved LNS.


My anecdote/memory for 2010 - gutting and redecorating my daughter's bedroom.
At the end of 2009 we moved into a bigger house which was in need of updating and refurbishment. One bedroom stayed out of bounds for a while as it had a window that did not close, a radiator with a hole, a disgusting carpet, missing skirting boards, stunk of cigarette smoke and was stained yellow/brown with nicotine. During 2010 it was so satisfying completely gutting the room and working  hard to develop into a clean and refreshed white lilac and purple bedroom fit for habitation.


As for which of my pieces to show which would appeal to Jo, I was quite stumped as Jo has stitched such a range of projects over the years covering just about everything. In the end I opted for a small project from Dragon Dreams Inc called My Treasure. I know Jo's stitched a few small Dragon Dreams designs, so she should like it!

If you are following Jo's Big Birthday Blog Hop I hope you have enjoyed travelling through the years with her.

All that remains to be said again is Happy Birthday Jo. Have a great day and thank you for your hard work and preparation which has enabled us to delve into your life!

Rachel x

Molly Mouse - DUCJC 2016 Finish 18/31

Good morning,

September has been a really good stitching month for me so far, meaning progress has been speedy and the finishes are rolling off my frames! And here's another one.

This is Molly Mouse, the fifth finish of the six Woodland Folk designs I started for Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge this year, and finish number 18 from that challenge.

Here's how I left her back on 10th January:

And here she is completed:

DMC Woodland Folk

Stitched on 16ct Kelp over-dyed aida by Fabric Flair 2 over 1

Stitch count 55 wide by 54 high

Started - 10th January 2016

Finished - 14th September 2016

Total stitching time - 10 hours 55 minutes

(estimated 15 hours)

As usual, I really enjoyed stitching her, especially the backstitching which made her tail stand out. I love the way she's holding it. So cute!

As soon as she was off the frame, the final Woodland Folk animal, Ollie Owl, went on so if my recent progress continues it shouldn't be long before you see him finished too!

See you soon, probably.
Rachel x

October Fairy - started and finished

Good morning all!

Today I am showing you another finished project, this being my final planned new start for 2016.

Back in the spring I purchased the downloadable monthly set of fairies from Lili of the Valley, the company who produce the Odd Dog designs which some of you like. Originally, I'd intended to stitch them one a month during 2017 but I couldn't help starting one this year and October is the month I chose.

So, without further ado, here she is:

October Fairy by Lili of the valley

Stitched on 16ct Peach Cobbler over-dyed aida by Sewitall.com 2 over 2

Started - 4th September 2016

Finished - 9th September 2016

Total stitching time - 15 hours 10 minutes

She was absolutely adorable to work on and I am almost certain I shall finish the remaining fairies in this series before the end of next year (perhaps even another one or two this year?!) I have already planned which colour fabric each one will be stitched on so they are now just waiting for my attention. I wonder which one will be next?!

But first, I really need to get back to more WIPs with  no more new start distractions!

Back soon I hope,
Rachel x

Eat Locally - DUCJC 2016 Finish 17/31

Morning!

I have another finish from my myriad of January starts to show you:

This is how Eat Locally by Lizzie Kate looked after my meager 30 minute January start:

And it now looks like this:

Lizzie Kate

Stitched on 16ct Muted Garden hand-dyed aida by The Crafty Kitten 2 over 1

Stitch count 40 wide by 63 high

Started - 28th January 2016

Finished - 3rd September 2016

Total stitching time - 8 hours 45 minutes

(estimated 11 hours)

This now completes my stitching of this set of Lizzie Kate Green designs so all six are ready to be finish-finished. I spent a fair amount of time deciding how to finish them off and in the end opted to frame them. I have already ordered and received the frame so it's just a case of putting them in, which I plan to do today.

Happy stitching everyone,
Rachel x

Mini Midnight Manor - started and finished

Good afternoon everybody!

Despite the numerous WIPs I have which need finishing, I allowed myself a new start over the lengthy summer school holiday. I told myself quite severely that this had to be on the understanding that it was stitchable within the seven week time-frame and easy enough so that it could be stitched on for just a few minutes at a time if necessary. This is the pattern I chose:

Mini Midnight Manor by Waxing Moon Designs

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

Stitch count 80 wide by 80 high

Started - 22nd July 2016

Finished - 31st August 2016

Total stitching time - 16 hours 50 minutes

I made two main changes to the design:
1)  I moved the lampposts slightly so that the design would be an exact square (because I already have a square frame to put it in)
2)  I stitched the lights in the windows and lampposts as I thought it would give it a slightly more spooky feel.

Here's the original design for comparison:

I certainly don't think my changes have spoiled it but then I would say that!

Even though I used just over a skein of black I didn't get fed up of the one-colour chart - in fact it was quite refreshing for once not to have to change colours and carefully follow the symbols. This will definitely not be the only silhouette-type chart I stitch - there is a bigger version of this haunted house in my stash for starters.

Apart from my Smalls SAL pieces, I've got one more new start planned this year. Other than that, it's time to whip more of my WIPs and further decrease the number outstanding before the end of 2016. Best get on then.....

Take care everybody :)
Rachel x