December In Turquoise - started and finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

December is the final month and the last time you will have to endure these little poems based around birthstones. Many of them have been quite negative but at least December ends on a more cheery note!

December's birthstone is turquoise:

If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue
Success will bless whate'er you do.

Visit here if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about turquoise.

And here's the stitched piece. It's a little bit darker than I would have liked, but brings out the darker brown stripes which often appear in turquoise gemstones:

December by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Glacier over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC variegated 4025 and Miyuki seed beads

Started - 2nd December 2019

Finished - 4th December 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 15 minutes

And so comes to an end my year of birthstones. It's hard to believe a year has gone by!

I was conversing with another blogger about how stitching a similar design every month started to become a bit of a struggle around August/September time, and she gets the same sort of feeling. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed stitching each one, but I had a similar problem when I stitched Durene Jones' Cute Animal Calendar back in 2017 and the LK Stamps in 2015. I have a few more annual sets I would like to stitch but probably not as year long pieces. Instead I'll just pick up a random month as and when I feel like it. Having said that though, do you see the same pattern as me... 2015, 2017, 2019... perhaps in 2021 I'll change my mind!

Take care,

Rachel x

November In Topaz - started and finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

November's birthstone is topaz:

Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November's fog and snow
Should prize the topaz amber hue
Emblem of friends and lovers true.

Visit here if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about topaz.


I was very much looking forward to the colours on this one. It's the same variegated thread I used for Scaredy Cats and stitches up beautifully. But whereas for Scaredy Cats I used mainly the darker half, for November I'm using mainly the lighter half since, in my mind, topaz is more orangey-yellow than orangey-red. There is a mistake in there, but I fudged it and am really really pleased with the way it turned out (and at least the acorns are a similar colour to real-life!):

November by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Tangerine over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC variegated 51 and Mill Hill frosted seed beads 62044

Started - 1st November 2019

Finished - 5th November 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 50 minutes

So, as I'm sure you have worked out, that's 11 months down and one to go; last one next month!

Take care,

Rachel x

October In Tourmaline - started and finished!

Hi all!

First things first... a little celebration as this is my 500th post!!! I would not have imagined when I started this blog I would get to 500 in 5 1/2 years. Just goes to show how much I have to say! Here's to the next 500.  :)

Now back to reality...

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

October's birthstone is opal (or tourmaline):

October's child is born for woe
And life's vicissitudes must know
But lay an opal on her breast
And hope will lull those woes to rest.

Visit here if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about opals and tourmalines. The opal is particularly interesting.


October is my birth month and, given that I am not keen on opals, I chose to stitch a pink tourmaline version although, where tourmaline is concerned, it seems that almost any colour could have been chosen!

October by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Dried Petal over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC variegated 48 and Miyuki Opaque Pink seed beads

Started - 1st October 2019

Finished - 5th October 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 40 minutes

I added a couple more bows to the pattern to make the fabric under October look less empty and love how it turned out. Now to FFO it!

Take care,

Rachel x

September in Sapphire - started and finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

September's birthstone is sapphire:

A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze
A sapphire on her brow should bind
To bring her joy and peace of mind.

Visit here if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about sapphires.


Here's my version for the month:

September by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Glacier over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC variegated 121 and Mill Hill frosted seed beads 60020

Started - 2nd September 2019

Finished - 5th September 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 35 minutes

I loved the blue for this one especially as the darkest shade is an exact match to the sapphire in my engagement ring. More to the point though, leaves and vines are always blue, wouldn't you agree?!!

Take care,

Rachel x

August In Peridot - finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

August's birthstone is peridot:

Wear a peridot or for thee
No conjugal fidelity.
The August born without this stone
'Tis said must live unloved; alone.

Ah, that's so sad but I'm sure it's not true!

Visit here if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about peridots.


You might remember seeing the top half of this in my #24HOCS post but here's the finished piece, most of which was stitched on a couple of train journeys. It's not quite as neat as it could be but it's only noticeable close-up:

August by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Ochre over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC variegated 92 and Mill Hill frosted seed beads 62049

Started - 28th July 2019

Finished - 5th August 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 55 minutes

Hopefully this will be FFOd in time for the FFG SAL on the 10th, but I'm not holding my breath this month!

Take care,

Rachel x

July in Ruby - started and finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

July's birthstone is ruby:

The gleaming ruby should adorn
All those who in July are born
For thus they'll be exempt and free
From lover's doubts and anxiety

Visit here if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about rubies.


Here's my July birthstone piece then:

July by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Sorbet over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC variegated 107 and Mill Hill frosted seed beads 62013

Started - 1st July 2019

Finished - 3rd July 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 25 minutes

The pattern is a little more dense than those on previous months but I love it, and I also think this border of beads is the most pleasing so far. They wprk well together.

Hopefully this will be FFOd in time for the FFG SAL on the 10th. Are you all (getting) ready?

Take care,

Rachel x

Smalls SAL - June 2019

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to run this fun little SAL. Pop over to Mary's blog to see what other participants have been stitching in the way of Smalls this month.

Each month I stitch a small project specifically for this SAL which doesn't appear elsewhere on my blog. For June I've added another little Australian bird to add to my flock: 

Eastern Rosella by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitch Count 38 wide by 25 high

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

Started - 4th June 2019

Finished - 7th June 2019

Total stitching time - 4 hours 30 minutes

From looking on the internet it seems there are about 15-20 types of Rosella, all with beautiful bright markings. I believe this is the Eastern Rosella, but please correct me if I am wrong.

Have I said before how much I love these this collection of Little Aussie Birds?! I won't be stitching any more this year so thought I'd show my small flock to date:

Interestingly, the charts are provided with the birds facing both left and right but I have unwittingly stitched them all the same way. What an excuse to stitch more and even things out a bit!


For this Smalls SAL I'm also re-showing other qualifying small projects I've stitched during the month.

My birthstone of the month, June in Alexandrite:

And my monarch of the month, Richard I (who turned out not to be quite as interesting a monarch as had been hoped):

Next month I'm celebrating Christmas in July!

Take care,
Rachel x

June in Alexandrite - started and finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

June's birthstone can be pearl, or moonstone, or alexandrite:

By her who in June was born
No gem save pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity

Ermm, that's the third time this poem has been used in six months! Wonder how long before it pops up again?!

Visit here if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about pearls, moonstones and alexandrites.


For June I chose not to go with pearl or moonstone as they were a little bland, but with alexandrite whose colour is usually depicted as lilac:

June by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Azalea over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with Anchor variegated 1209 and Mill Hill frosted seed beads 62047

Started - 1st June 2019

Finished - 4th June 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 25 minutes

I moved some of the swirls a little, so the design is not quite as charted, and added the border in coordinating beads.

As usual, I plan to have this FFOd in time for the FFG SAL on the 10th. I hope lots of you are taking advantage of the longer daylight hours to delve into your UFO pile and embark on some fully-finishing?

Take care,

Rachel x

Smalls SAL - May 2019

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to run this fun little SAL. Pop over to Mary's blog to see what other participants have been stitching in the way of Smalls this month.

Each month I stitch a small project specifically for this SAL which doesn't appear elsewhere on my blog. For May, this was another little Australian Bird from a series out of which I have already stitched three but still have many, many more to go. Here's the latest one: 

Kookaburra by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitch Count 43 wide by 35 high

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

Started - 3rd May 2019

Finished - 7th May 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 25 minutes

I love stitching the birds in this series. They're basically all the same shape but that's so easy to overlook when they've all got such different colourings. Here's the link to FuzzyFoxDesigns' Little Birds in case you feel tempted!


For this Smalls SAL I'm also re-showing other qualifying projects I've stitched during the month.

My birthstone of the month, May in Emerald:

And my monarch of the month, Henry II:

In June I'll be stitching another colourful little Australian bird from this collection. See you then!

Take care,
Rachel x

May in Emerald - started and finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

May's birthstone is emerald:

Who first beholds the light of day
In Spring's sweet flower, month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and loving wife

Visit http://www.birthstonesbymonth.co.uk/may_c60.aspx if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about diamonds.


Here's May's piece:

May by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Sea Glass over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC variegated 125 and Mill Hill frosted seed beads 62020

Started - 1st May 2019

Finished - 3rd May 2019

Total stitching time - 4 hours 55 minutes

As usual, I plan to have this FFOd in time for the FFG SAL on the 10th, where I hope lots of you are preparing to join me?

Take care,

Rachel x

Smalls SAL - April 2019

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to run this fun little SAL. Pop over to Mary's blog and see what other participants have been stitching in the way of Smalls this month.

Each month I stitch a small project specifically for this SAL which doesn't appear elsewhere on my blog. For April I chose A Very Merry Spring by JBW Designs, stitched with spring-themed Threadworx variegated thread 1134 Costa Rica. We've already had a couple of glorious spring weeks in the UK, but I'm hoping that stitching this design in these colours may encourage a little more! Here's my finished piece:

A Very Merry Spring by JBW Designs

Stitch Count 59 wide by 77 high

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

Started - 6th April 2019

Finished - 9th April 2019

Total stitching time - 7 hours 45 minutes

My design isn't exactly as charted; I slightly moved the two bunnies at the bottom and added a border to match that of A Very Merry Winter which I stitched for this Smalls SAL back in January. I guessed if I want them as a set then I needed the continuity.

For this Smalls SAL I'm also re-showing other qualifying projects I've stitched during the month.

My birthstone of the month, April in Diamond:

And my monarch of the month, Stephen:

That's it for April. For May, I'll be stitching an Australian bird. See you then!

Take care,
Rachel x

April In Diamond - started and finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

April's birthstone is diamond:

She who from April dates her years
Diamond shall wear
Lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow

Visit http://www.birthstonesbymonth.co.uk/april_c59.aspx if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about diamonds.


Here's April's piece:

April by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Wolf over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC white and Mill Hill frosted seed beads 60161

Started - 1st April 2019

Finished - 6th April 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 5 minutes

I was worried that April would look very washed out, given that I was using white and pale grey, but the addition of Kreinik blending filament #001 (not that you can see it in this photo) just about gave it that little something to take away the blandness. Anyway, more than any other month, doesn't this one deserve a little sparkle?

I plan to have this FFOd in time for the FFG SAL on the 10th (when I'll also try to get a better photo of the sparkle).


In other news... talk about perfect timing...

A couple of weeks ago I posted that I had reached 1000 stitching days in a row and how, before that, my number of continuous stitching days had only been broken by a lengthy visit to A&E.

Some of you suggested I should keep a chart and supplies with me at all times... just in case.

Well, it's a good job I remembered that advice for, on the night of Monday 1st April at 6pm, I left home with DD on a roundabout trip (walking+2 trains+1 bus+1 taxi) that would take us to a pharmacy, a walk-in health centre and finally A&E, and which would result in us arriving home at 1:45 Tuesday morning.

Having preempted that we might be in for a long night I had picked up my April birthstone folder before leaving. I only stitched for a few minutes in A&E (too tired to focus for long) but that didn't matter; my number of continuous stitching days remained unbroken. Big sigh of relief and thank you to those whose suggestion made that possible. Without those I would have frustratingly been back to zero again. Like I said, talk about perfect timing! Thank you!  :)

Take care,

Rachel x

Smalls SAL - March 2019

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to run this fun little SAL. Pop over to Mary's blog and see what other participants have been stitching in the way of Smalls this month.

Each month I stitch a small project specifically for this SAL which doesn't appear elsewhere on my blog, . For March I chose another dragon as a companion to last month's Green Sleeping Dragon. He's been finished off using matching purple backing fabric and contrasting red barley twist cord, not two colours which would normally be put together:

Purple Sleeping Dragon from Cross Stitch Crazy Magazine issue 81

Stitch Count 33 wide by 23 high

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

Started - 3rd March 2019

Finished - 7th March 2019

Total stitching time - 4 hours 45 minutes

I'm also re-showing other projects I've stitched during the month which qualify as Smalls.

My birthstone of the month, March in Aquamarine:

And my monarch of the month, Henry I:

And that's it for this month, see you at the end of April when Spring will be in the air, at least in cross stitch even if not in reality!

Take care,
Rachel x

March in Aquamarine - started and finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

March's birthstone can be either aquamarine or bloodstone:

By her who in March was born
No gem save bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity

(Hmm, same poem as January except for replacing garnet with bloodstone!)

Visit http://www.birthstonesbymonth.co.uk/march_c58.aspx if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about aquamarines.


I'm happy to report that, after the hassles with February, March's piece was stitched without a hitch:

March by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Horizon over-dyed aida by Sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC 67 and Miyuki matte transparent light blue seed beads

Started - 1st March 2019

Finished - 3rd March 2019

Total stitching time - 4 hours 45 minutes

The beads aren't quite right but, boy, is it difficult to match blues over the internet?! March, September and December are all blues and none of the beads I purchased looked like their screenshots, whereas the beads for the other months were fine! I can only assume that either blues photograph differently, or my monitor and/or eyesight pick up different hues. I'm just grateful they're not expensive!

I plan to have this FFO'd in time for the FFG SAL on the 10th (is it nearly that time again already?)

And don't forget, if you would like to be entered into the prize draw there's still time to leave a comment on my previous post. :)

Take care,

Rachel x

Smalls SAL - February 2019

Hello all!

Due to February being a short month, it's time for another Smalls SAL already! Thank you, Mary, for continuing to run this fun little SAL. Pop over to Mary's blog and see what other participants have been stitching in the way of Smalls this month.

Each month I stitch a small project, which doesn't appear elsewhere on my blog, specifically for this SAL. For February it's a little cutie:

Green Sleeping Dragon from Cross Stitch Crazy Magazine issue 81

Stitch Count 35 wide by 25 high

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

Started - 3rd February 2019

Finished - 6th February 2019

Total stitching time - 5 hours 15 minutes

And he's been finished off too, using my very much preferred finishing technique, with matching teal backing fabric and contrasting cerise barley twist cord:

What a sweetie!

Also this year, unlike previous years, I'm stitching other things during the month which can be classed as smalls so, even though they've already appeared on my blog, I am showing them here again too.

My birthstone of the month, February in Amethyst:

And my monarch of the month, although I'm including both January and February's monarchs here since January's was not completed until after January's Smalls SAL (I still need to order the seed beads to complete the shield and dot the i's of William).

Next month the little green dragon will be getting a companion.

Take care,

Rachel x

February in Amethyst - started and finished!

Hi all!

At the beginning of each month I will be stitching a little calendar piece, by Palkolp, in that month's birthstone colour. This idea was inspired by Jo's People's Choice SAL Birthstone posting and from her link to a website about birthstones.

February's birthstone is amethyst:

The February born shall I find
Sincerity and peace of mind
Freedom from passion and from care
If they, the amethyst will wear

Visit http://www.birthstonesbymonth.co.uk/february_c57.aspx if you would like to read little interesting snippets of information about amethysts.

Here's my little amethyst tribute, with a different beaded border to January as I've decided all 12 are going to be different:

February by Palkolap

Stitched on 16ct Azalea over-dyed aida by Sewitall.com 2 over 1
Stitch count 47 wide by 47 high

Stitched with DMC 52 and Mill Hill frosted seed beads 62042

Started - 1st February 2019

Finished - 4th February 2019

Total stitching time - 4 hours 15 minutes

But... Oh. My. Goodness! I think I found my nemesis! For such a small and simple design (whose chart is clearly gridded and has only one symbol) I had so many problems I'm sure I could have stitched it three times over in the time it took me to finish it! If you fancy a good laugh, read on...

*after stitching the top row of hearts I thought the fabric I'd chosen was a bit too dark but carried on and stitched the month before deciding it really was too dark. Time for a restart. Just over two hours wasted.

* I got to the same point again on new fabric and realised three of the four hearts were wrong, so I frogged them only to find it was the fourth heart that was wrong and not the three I'd unpicked! Duh! Another hour or more wasted frogging and restitching!

* I finally finished all the stitching and started beading the border. I must have had half a dozen attempts to get just the top right because I either started in the wrong place or miscounted. All I had to do was follow my pattern and count in increments of ones, twos and threes! Obviously too difficult on a Sunday. So more wasted time!

* when I finally got to the second side of the border, the beads didn't match up as I'd designed them, so I counted and recounted and knew that they were right... in which case I deduced the stitching had to be wrong. Yep! The hearts on both the top and bottom were one stitch too far away from the month, meaning the design was not a square as it should be. Now, I fully admit I could have left it and fudged the border, but the perfectionist in me couldn't cope with the fact this design would be a slightly different size to the others... so... out came the frogging needle again. The beads and all eight hearts were unpicked and the hearts finally restitched IN THE RIGHT PLACE! Two more hours wasted!

Finally the beading went smoothly (Monday is obviously a better day for counting to three!) the project was finished and I'm really pleased with the result. To be honest, I think the restitched hearts are in better shades than the originals so maybe all that frogging was meant to be!

Talk about people having a senior moment; I think I had a senior weekend!

But none of it frustrated me and I rolled my eyes and laughed my way through it all and at my total incompetence at being able to stitch such an easy piece correctly. When it comes to stitching March's chart I'll no doubt approach it with caution!

I hope to be able to fully-finish this little piece in time for the FFG SAL on the 10th but, given the problems it's caused me so far, I don't know if I dare touch it again!

Talking of the FFG SAL... if you're planning to participate I hope your preparations are well under way? Just under a week to go until the first link-up post goes live!

Take care (especially if it involves counting up to three!)
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - January 2019

Hello all!

So here we are at the start of another year of Smalls SAL... but with a different host! Thank you, Mary, for taking over the reins and continuing to run this fun little SAL, and thank you, Heather, for nurturing it during its first four years.

My January offering is a bit bigger than a project I would normally class as a small, but was still a quick-enough stitch to keep it within my 'how big is a small' parameters.

It was also another opportunity to break out some variegated threads to add a different dimension to the design.

A Very Merry Winter by JBW Designs

Stitch Count 59 wide by 77 high

Stitched on 16ct Glacier over-dyed aida by Sewitall.com 2 over 1

Started - 3rd January 2019

Finished - 6th January 2019

Total stitching time - 7 hours 20 minutes

I made a few changes, using Threadworx 1089 Bleeding Heart for the red, 1016 Crystal Blue for the blue and 10302 Reflections for the white. The black buttons and bird footprints (or are they seeds?) were stitched instead of using beads, and the hat was stitched in the variegated blue instead of the two blues suggested, although I did choose a dark blue for the bobble. Oh, and instead of using buttons, the snowflakes were stitched in the new Mouline Etolie blanc thread for a bit of sparkle.

It's not particularly clear but the writing for the body of the snowman says 'Have a very merry winter'. I did consider backstitching around it but then thought it would look wrong so didn't.

And, of course, he's been finished off, but not in my usual way! This is a new-for-me finishing technique and I have to say I'm very happy with it, especially since it can be made into a double-sided ornie if required (something I'm not intending to do, but you never know).

I have a second Small this month too, as I hope to have every month. The stitched piece has already appeared on my blog but now it's also been fully-finished, using the same technique as above. I don't think it looks quite as good but it'll do I suppose:

 Birthstone of the month - January In Garnet

That's it for this month. See you for the February check-in.

Take care,

Rachel x