6 Box of Shame Finishes - Christmas Pals

Good afternoon all!

I'm still on a roll making ornaments... so may I present another 6 finished Box of Shame pieces.

These are the Christmas Pals Ornaments by Dimensions which I stitched as part of my 31 new starts for Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge 2016. I finished the first four in 2016 and the other two in 2017.

Using my usual finishing technique, they are all the same, only with different colour marble-effect backing fabric and matching (or as near as possible) barley twist cord:

These give a better indication of the backing fabric:

And (because I'm feeling just a little bit proud of myself) I thought I'd show them all individually too:

I must admit, having finished 18 ornaments so far this year, I now find it hard to understand my previous aversion to doing them; there's nothing to it really except having time and a bit of patience for the fiddly bits.

I might take a bit of a finishing break for a while (I think I deserve it!) but, since I am also eager to continue and already have appropriate backing fabric and cord for all but one of my remaining ornament pieces, there could be more finished-finishes soon...

Take care,
Rachel x

Christmas Pals Bear - DUCJC 2016 Finish 28/31

Morning all!

So, here we have another finish from last year's January new starts. This is the final Christmas Pals Ornament - yippee! I stitched a fair bit during the final two days of 2016 so only had the background and backstitching left to do. I should have taken a photo at that point but didn't. Nevermind.

I left him looking like this last January:

And now he's all happily finished:

Dimensions

Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Started - 31st January 2016

Finished - 16th January 2017

Total stitching time - 11 hours 55 minutes

(estimated 13 hours)

Looking back, it did get a little monotonous finishing all six more or less in a row, but at least there were enough variations to keep them interesting. If I ever did a set like that again I think I'd space them apart a bit more.

Now to work out how to finish them off instead of letting them collect dust in my Box of Shame.

I've only got three projects from last year's January Challenge to complete now - Spring, Summer and Winter from the LK Seasonal Alphabets - but they are going to be put on hold while I work on a few WIPs from 2015. Back in 2015 I started 59 projects during January and February and still have 42 left to complete! I have prioritized 12 which I would like to finish this year, all I have to do is choose one from that list. Decisions, decisions.

Oh, and there's a medium-sized (about 180 hours) unplanned new start which has naughtily snuck its way onto my frames too. I just couldn't help it!! To be honest, it's the colours that caught my eye as it's not normally a palette or design I would work with. And it's one of a pair. No more information until after the first 10 hours though!

Take care,
Rachel x

Christmas Pals Polar Bear - DUCJC 2016 Finish 27/31

Afternoon all!

Last night saw another finish from last year's January Challenge. This cute little polar bear has been completed just in time for the cold/snowy snap we are due for the next few days. He's my second finish of the year (the first being my Smalls SAL piece which I won't blog about until 27th January) and one which I wasn't expecting to pick up because, after finishing four out of the six Christmas Pals Ornaments at the end of last year, I thought I'd had enough of them. But something drew me towards him so here he is!

Here's how I left him (well, his border!) on 29th January last year:

And here he is all wrapped up for winter:

Dimensions
Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Started - 29th January 2016

Finished - 12th January 2017

Total stitching time - 13 hours 45 minutes

(estimated 13 hours)

There is no doubt I'll now be picking up the final Christmas Pals Ornaments in order to both finish off the set and cross another WIP off my list.

Happy stitching :)
Rachel x

Christmas Pals Santa - DUCJC 2016 Finish 26/31

Good morning all,

So, here I am back with yet another finish from my pile of January starts. This is the fourth Christmas Pals Ornament I have now completed, which has been finished just in time for Christmas Eve!

I left Santa looking like this on 23rd January:

And here he is all ready to deliver his presents tonight:

Dimensions
Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Started - 23rd January 2016

Finished - 23rd December 2016

Total stitching time - 13 hours 35 minutes

(estimated 14 hours)

I know I've only got two Christmas Pals Ornaments left to do but I can't say I'm enthusiastic about trying to finish another one just now. Instead I'm going to stitch a couple of little extra projects for this month's Smalls SAL. These will tide me over until New Year and my new set of stitching plans.

Happy Christmas Eve!
Rachel x

Christmas Pals - Black-Hatted Snowman - DUCJC 2016 Finish 25/31

Hello all,

Another post and another finish. This is the third of six Christmas Ornament Pals I started back in January.

The last time I stitched on him was 19th January:

But I finally completed him last night:

Dimensions
Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Started - 19th January 2016

Finished - 14th December 2016

Total stitching time - 14 hours 5 minutes

(estimated 14 hours)

I was hoping to get the other three finished by the end of the year but that looks less likely now that the Christmas season is upon us. I'll be happy with one more.

Happy stitching,

Rachel x

Christmas Pals Woolly-Hatted Snowman - DUCJC 2016 Finish 24/31

Good morning!

Another finish from my January starts. This is the second Christmas Pal by Dimensions.

I left him like this on 11th January:

And completed him yesterday:

Dimensions
Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Started - 11th January 2016

Finished - 26th November 2016

Total stitching time - 15 hours

(estimated 14 hours)

His eyes, mouth and the snowflakes required quite a lot of French Knots so I did think of using beads. But having decided they didn't all have to be neat and precise I ploughed my way through the French Knots quite quickly. I also changed the message on the sign from 'Peace' to 'Love' but may well change it to something else as I'm not entirely happy.

Now to work on the third one from this series. Can I finish the remaining four before the end of the year I wonder?

Keep stitching,
Rachel x

Christmas Pals Penguin - DUCJC 2016 Finish 23/31

Good morning again,

Just a quick post today to show another finish. You must be getting bored of all these posts about finishes but at least it proves I'm gradually getting through my WIPs!

This is the first in a set of 6 Christmas Ornament Pals by Dimensions, all of which I started back in January as part of Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge.

In my usual tradition, here's how I last left him on 17th January:

And here he is now:

Dimensions
Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Started - 17th January 2016

Finished - 5th November 2016

Total stitching time - 12 hours 30 minutes

(estimated 13 hours)

I'm going to wait until I finish all 6 before deciding how to actually finish-finish them.

I loved watching this one come together, although he hasn't quite got me in the mood for Christmas yet!

Back soon, I expect,
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 31 - Bear

Good morning all!

Well, this is it, the last day of Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge 2016. Debbie, I hope you are looking down smiling at the craziness and projects I, and fellow stitchers, have started in your memory.

I would like to say a massive thank you to all the comments and support I have received during the month. I haven't answered many but please rest assured that they have all been read and very much appreciated.

For the final day I was left with Bear from the Christmas Pals Ornaments. Here he is then:

Dimensions

Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Estimated stitching time 13 hours

Stitching time to date - 2 hours

So that's it..... that's all you're getting from me.

Some of you have asked if I will be carrying on into February but the answer is an emphatic NO! I've had my starting fun..... now I want to make progress on and/or finish them, proving to you and me that I am not just a serial starter. Afterall, working on and finishing a project is just as much fun as starting one, right?

I deliberately chose smaller projects this year and believe I can probably finish at least 24 of them, although that very much depends on how many of my WIPs from last year work their way into my finishing pile. I also have a few other new starts planned during 2016 but they are not too big so should stitch up fairly quickly. Then, of course, there are my larger projects to consider which have been neglected far too long. Whatever the case, there should be lots of progress reports and Happy Dances between now and Christmas.

So, which project will I pick up to finish first? I know, but I'm not telling you lot! One commenter has already guessed correctly but the rest of you will have for a Happy Dance post. Stay tuned!

Don't miss me too much!
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 29 - Polar Bear

Good morning again!

Today's choice was the fifth of the six Christmas Pals Ornaments. I didn't pick up my needle until gone 10pm again so took the easy option of starting with the border. And that was as far as I got! There's nothing interesting to see, but here's my start for the day:

Dimensions
Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Estimated stitching time 13 hours

Stitching time to date - 1 hour 40 minutes

For tomorrow I have number three in a series of four. One and two were stitched last year and four was started a couple of weeks ago. Miaow!

See you then!
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 23 - Santa

Morning all!

So, ho ho ho, my rather special person is none other than Santa! At least starting him in January means I should have him finished in time for Christmas!

Stitching his hat and face had to be my top priority and luckily I had a good long evening session in which to do it. I like the way Dimensions have combined the use of 1 or 2 strands of thread with full and half crosses for effect. I know they do that with bigger charts but didn't expect it on these smaller ones.

Here's where I left off:

Dimensions

Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Estimated stitching time 13 hours

Stitching time to date - 3 hours 15 minutes

For day 24 I have another environmental (although probably less achievable) message.

Until tomorrow then,
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 19 - Black-Hatted Snowman

Good morrow!

It's about time I said another thank you for continuing to follow me in this challenge and for leaving lovely comments. I will reply to you all... at some point!

For day 19 we have another Christmas Pals Ornament which I have called Black-Hatted Snowman. I like the way he's blushing; it's as if he's just been kissed! Here he is and here's my progress for the day:

Dimensions

Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Estimated stitching time 13 hours

Stitching time to date - 2 hours 30 minutes

I'll be back tomorrow with the last in a series of little woodland characters which a lot of you have found so cute.

See you then!
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 17 - Penguin

Good morning again!

With our slight dusting of snow it was appropriate that Heather picked this little Christmas Pals Ornament for me to stitch for day 17. I didn't stitch for long after day 16's marathon but still made good visible progress:

Christmas Pals Ornaments by Dimensions
Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Estimated stitching time 13 hours

Stitching time to date - 1 hours 25 minutes

Thank you for wishing Heather well for Frost Camp. The Scouts all had a thoroughly good time with Heather, as usual, mucking in more than most. She returned home wearing 7 layers on her top half and 4 on her bottom half! I wondered why her rucksack was half empty!!

Tomorrow sees a real cutie so if you like those type of designs you're in for a treat!

Back in the morning!
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 11 - Woolly-Hatted Snowman

Hello all!

I can't believe I'm more or less one third of the way through the challenge already! I've loved every start so far even though I still have so many more to do!

Day 11 saw my first Christmas piece come out to play. I've called this one Woolly-Hatted Snowman, and he's from the Christmas Pals Ornaments kit which you may have seen Katie stitch and finish last year.

Christmas Pals Ornaments by Dimensions

Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue Aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Estimated stitching time 14 hours

Stitching time to date - 2 hours 15 minutes

I was going to stitch the border and background first but then thought where better to start than with the hat after which he is named?

I am really looking forward to stitching tomorrow's piece, not only because of the pattern but because of the colour fabric I will be working on. ;)

See you then,
Rachel x

Stitch From Stash - May 2015

Good morning fellow bloggers!

Here are the financial details of May's Stitch From Stash:

BROUGHT FORWARD - £0.23
MAY BUDGET - $25 = £16.51 (at 01/05/2015 exchange rate)
EARNED - $11.00 = £7.26
AVAILABLE TO SPEND - £24.00
SPENT - £18.16
CLOSING BALANCE - £5.84


Spending:
* £7.95 on two charts
* £10.21 on a kit

Snowman Row by Ursula Michael (download from crosstitch.com)

These will be stitched as nine individual projects.

Halloween Banners by Artecy (download from crosstitch.com)

(thank you Heather of Fantasy Cross Stitch for introducing me to these!)

Christmas Ornament Pals Kit by Dimensions

(thanks to Katie Jeremiah's Mom for tempting me again!)

I feel very guilty about buying these but they were all on offer and I was feeling down in the dumps that day - a lethal combination!

Qualifying projects worked on: (post to follow 31st May)
* dandelion time
* autumn
* tea

Non-qualifying projects worked on: (post to follow 31st May)
* dreaming of dolphins
* pretty little London
* hufflepuff
* ravenclaw

Qualifying projects completed: ($4, $3 and $4)

 My Treasure                            Friends Forever

Lizzie Kate May flip-it stamp

Although slightly bigger, Friends Forever was categorized as 60x60 as a lot is unstitched. I  also claimed only 75% of the bonus as it became a qualifying project after 1/4 completed.

Non-qualifying projects completed:
* none


My closing balance this month, along with next month's budget, will be spent on threads. Let's see how close I can get to zero for my end of SFS-A closing June balance!

Cheerio
Rachel x