Challenge Finish 13

Good morning everybody!

I'm taking advantage of my daughter being out to use her laptop again. Hopefully I'll be finished before she returns and claims it back!

I have met my mini July target of completing another 2015 Challenge piece and was surprised at which one it was. I'd only intended to stitch the second cat but just kept going until only the backstitching was left. And what was the point of leaving just that? So I carried on until completed.

Cookie and Cream

Featured in The World of Cross Stitching issue ???

Stitched on 16ct Cream Aida 2 over 1

Stitch Count 73 wide by 68 high
Started - 16th January 2015
Finished - 20th July 2015

Total Stitching Time - 23 hours 45 minutes

Like all of my pieces so far I really enjoyed this one, especially watching the backstitching bringing the little kitties and the milk bottles to life. I think it's rather sweet. How soppy!

Now to try to stitch on four more Challenge pieces before the end of July.

13/59 Challenge pieces down, 46 to go!

I'll see you soon,
Rachel x

March Progress on DSDUCJFC 2015 Pieces

Good morning everybody!

Although I'm posting my Challenge finishes as they happen, I thought I would also do an end-of-month posting about progress made on other Challenge pieces just to show (1) what I am working on and (2) that they are not being neglected.

So on top of finishing 6 Challenge pieces in March I also made the following progress:

Daisy Hugs from 6th January

continued down and backstitched the petals
and the mouse on the right has a tail!

Dreaming of Dolphins from 7th January

finished the first dolphin
absolutely adore this piece!

 Lickle Ted April Showers from 8th January

finished the umbrella hood

Cookie and Cream from 16th January
stitched some of Cream and backstitched the window
can't say I've ever seen a cat quite that yellow!

Lickle Ted Flower Power from 18th January

finished the flower (mostly) and started Lickle Ted's head

Winter Owl from 3rd February

finished the owl's head as far down as his scarf

My Treasure from 27th February

finished stitching the dragon

My original plan for the Challenge pieces was to work on one at a time until completed. This sort of worked for the first few as they were small and I was desperate to finish them.

Then I changed my plan to work on one focus piece but stitch on others as my mood took me. That way I would definitely be heading towards one finish whilst working on others.

But now I've decided to just stitch what I want when I want! If that means continuing with a piece until it's finished that's fine. If it means stitching for a bit then moving on that's fine too. I want to enjoy stitching these pieces, not feel bogged down or in a rush to complete them.

With so many Challenge pieces to choose from, goodness knows which ones will make an appearance in April. Will they be the same ones? Will they be different? Or will there be a mixture of both? Watch this space to find out!

Love and hugs
Rachel x

DUCJC 2015 - Day 16

Me again!

So here some of us are, continuing the Challenge into the second half of January. Doesn't time fly when you're having fun!

Once again I would like to thank all of you who read or comment on my postings. I really enjoy what I do and I'm glad you enjoy following!

For this project, and a bit of variety, I decided to stitch the background first. It made a nice change from stitching heads, something which I have been doing quite a lot recently! Strange how the blue section looks like an owl!

Cookie and Cream

Featured in The World of Cross Stitching issue ???
Stitched on 16ct Cream Aida 2 over 1

Tomorrow is another Elemental Dragon. Yippee! Also, daughter's away camping - yes, camping (in minus temperatures) with 500 other scouts for the weekend so I'll encourage the boys to have a day together and leave me alone to stitch! Cheeky but worth a try!

Love and hugs
Rachel x