6 Box Of Shame Finishes

Hello all!

A while back I ordered a few frames from my usual and trusted ezeframe.co.uk in order to finish-finish some pieces and further reduce my Box of Shame. So far I've only used one frame but as it contains 6 pieces I'm counting it as 6 finish-finishes!

This set of Woodland Folk by DMC went down a storm when I stitched them last year and I have always felt guilty about them being in my Box of Shame. But now they're free and looking fantastic on the wall. So let me reintroduce Toby Fox, Ollie Owl, Bert Badger,  Frankie Hedgehog, Molly Mouse and Sally Squirrel:

The frame is an 18mm mahogany frame with a mid-green top mount, off-white bottom mount and anti-reflective glazing. Each aperture could have been individually sized to fit each piece but I decided to keep the four side openings symmetrical as it looked more aesthetically pleasing. I'm really happy with the result even if it does make the kelp fabric look a little bit blue-ish.

As it currently stands I've now finished off 32 pieces this year out of the 67 which need/needed doing. I'll be framing 3 more next month and also hope to complete some of the pieces which need making into ornaments. But hope springs eternal!!!

Take care,
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

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

Toby Fox - DUCJC 2016 Finish 13/31

Hello again!

Here's my second finish for June and my 13th finish of the 31 projects started back in January for Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge. This is Toby Fox, another character in the Woodland Folk collection by DMC.

I hadn't made much of a start when I put him down on 14th January 2016:

But now he's a fully completed very happy little chappy:

DMC Woodland Folk

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

Stitch count 56 wide by 54 high

Started - 14th January 2016

Finished - 8th June 2016

Total stitching time - 14 hours 50 minutes

(estimated 15 hours)

He'll join his friends in my Box of Shame until all six Woodland Folk have been completed and can be framed together.


Seeing as I'm on a roll, I'm going to continue with another Woodland Folk WIP. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I'm daring to think I may even finish the remaining two (Molly Mouse and Ollie Owl) in June. Definitely a goal worth aiming for.

Back soon I expect,
Rachel x

Frankie Hedgehog - DUCJC 2016 Finish 12/31

Hello everyone!

As hoped, I'm back to working on my 2015/2016 Challenge pieces and am pleased to show my first finish for June. This is, of course, Frankie Hedgehog.

Here's how he looked when I left him back on 1st January this year:

And here he is now, completely finished and looking utterly adorable (and with the correct fabric colour):

DMC Woodland Folk

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

Stitch count 52 wide by 52 high

Started - 1st January 2016

Finished - 2nd June 2016

Total stitching time - 13 hours

(estimated 14 hours)

This means I've now finished three of the six Woodland Folk characters. I'm not sure if I'll move on to number four or choose something else to work on. Decisions, decisions.....

Until next time,
Rachel x

Bert Badger - DUCJC 2016 Finish 6/31

Good morning all!

I'm back with finish number 6 from my January new starts!

Bert Badger was enjoyable and easy to stitch up, although I did fudge the backstitching again. Justine described the backstitching as "sketchy" which suits the design perfectly and means a bit of poetic licence could be used.

This is how Bert looked last time you saw him:

And here he is all completed and ready to join Sally in my Box of Shame until all 6 Woodland Folk have been completed:

DMC Woodland Folk

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

Stitch count 57 wide by 57 high

Started - 6th January 2016

Finished - 23rd February 2016

Total stitching time - 15 hours

(estimated 16 hours)

So that's another WIP checked off my list.

As for what's next..... probably not another finish, but a couple of the larger pieces on which I wish to make some progress. But, you never know!!

Hope everybody's keeping those needles busy!
Rachel x

Sally Squirrel - DUCJC 2016 Finish 5/31

Hello again!

Thank you for all of your comments on my last couple of finishes. I'm surprised by how many of you liked Cantankerous' orange fabric. When I get around to it I intend to stitch each of the 12 Cattitudes on different colours of Murano so at some point in the future you will see lots more gorgeous colours.

In the meantime, I have another finish! I chose to work on Sally Squirrel because I knew she would be a quick and easy finish.

Here's how I left her on 2nd January:

And here she is completed (with more accurate fabric colour):

DMC Woodland Folk

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

Stitch count 55 wide by 54 high

Started - 2nd January 2016

Finished 15th February 2016

Total stitching time - 11 hours 15 minutes

(estimated 15 hours)

The backstitching could have been a nightmare because the suggested route involved splitting the aida "squares" not only in halves but also in quarters. I wasn't prepared for all that faffing around so modified the backstitching to make it easier! I don't think it shows.

I have already decided that the 6 Woodland Folk creatures will be framed together. All I  have to do is finish the other 5 - one of which is already on my frame. But as to which one it is, well, you'll have to wait and see!

Happy stitching!
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 20 - Ollie Owl

Morning all!

Here I am, back again with the last of the Woodland Folk designs. This is Ollie Owl and I know at least one person (HB) who will be pleased to see his appearance!

Ollie's post also marks the two-thirds-of-the-way-through-this-crazy-challenge point. It's certainly all downhill from now on!

Here's how Ollie will look when completed, and my progress to date:

DMC

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

Stitch count 75 wide by 49 high

Estimated stitching time 18 hours

Stitching time to date - 2 hours 15 minutes

I almost always start stitching at the top of a design but had to break with tradition for this one and start with Ollie's gorgeous eyes - how could I not?!

Tomorrow I will have another environmental message for you.

TTFN,
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 14 - Toby Fox

Hello again!

So, Toby finally chose his namesake Toby Fox, another of the Woodland Folk, to come out to play. He should stitch up really quickly due to lovely big blocks of colour. Here's where I got to

DMC

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

Stitch count 56 wide by 54 high

Estimated stitching time 15 hours

Stitching time to date - 1 hour 35 minutes

Tomorrow sees the emergence of a new, also cute, character and a welcome change of colours.

See you then!
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 10 - Molly Mouse

Good morning!

Thank you again for all of your recent and lovely comments. It is really gratifying knowing that you are cheering me along in this challenge and not casting aspersions that I am mad starting another 31 (though much smaller than last year's) projects. Rest assured I am actually aiming to finish at least 20 of them during the year so it's not as if I'm just a serial starter.....

My children chose another Woodland Folk for day 10 of this crazy challenge. This is Molly Mouse. Have you noticed the way she is holding her tail? I think she's really shy.

Molly Mouse

DMC Woodland Folk

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

Stitch count 58 wide by 50 high

Estimated stitching time 15 hours

Stitching time to date - 2 hours 40 minutes

I'm happy with my progress for the day.

Tomorrow's choice is apt considering our weather this week is due to get more cold and wintry.

See you in the morning!
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 4 - Bert Badger

Hello again!

Thank you again for your comments yesterday.

For day 4 of the challenge I'm back to another Woodland Folk and more green fabric! I had originally spread these Woodland Folk throughout the month but obviously the children have decided otherwise.

Here's my progress for day 4. It's still a fair amount considering the normal chores of a working week have started.

Bert Badger

DMC Woodland Folk

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

Stitch count 57 wide by 57 high

Estimated stitching time 16 hours

Stitching time to date - 3 hours 15 minutes

I love his big tummy. It reminds me of the ones my guinea pigs have!

Tomorrow's start is definitely more sweet than cute!

See you then,
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 2 - Sally Squirrel

Morning all!

Thank you for all of your lovely comments about Frankie Hedgehog yesterday. He was definitely a good project to start the year with.

Despite doing a Woodland Folk piece for day 1, the children chose another for me for day 2. So here is Sally Squirrel:

Sally Squirrel

DMC Woodland Folk

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

Stitch count 55 wide by 54 high

Estimated stitching time 15 hours

Stitching time to date - 4 hours 10 minutes

I like this one - it's got big areas of the same colour! And stitching the butterfly first gave me the satisfaction of actually finishing part of the project. The remaining stitching was a bonus.

Something slightly different for tomorrow which the children think resembles me most of the time!

See you then,
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 1 - Frankie Hedgehog

Hello all!

So, here we are, back to stitching madness and the first of 31 new starts which make up Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge 2016.

For the 1st January we have Frankie Hedgehog:

Frankie Hedgehog

DMC Woodland Folk

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

Stitch count 52 wide by 52 high

Estimated stitching time 14 hours

Stitching time to date - 6 hours 30 minutes

The first stitches went in just a few minutes after midnight - nothing like getting out of the starting blocks quickly! And as there wasn't much else that desperately needed doing I could get away with stitching a lot during the day. What a naughty girl I am!

Back tomorrow.
Rachel x

Big Eyes Kitty - Finished and Framed! and New Start Tease

Hello again everyone!

Wooo-hoooo! It's happy dance time!

It took me one hour to finish the stitching on Big Eyes Kitty and another hour to mount and frame her, so here she is - Big Eyes Kitty (or Misty) in her finished, mounted and framed glory! I hope you like her.

Big Eyes Kitty by DMC

Stitched on 16ct Cream Aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 96 wide by 96 high

Started - 4th March 2014

Finished - 6th April 2014

Total stitching time - 51 hours

I must remember to get some non-reflective glass for the frame. The reflections you can see in the glass are from the spokes of the umbrella I was holding up trying to prevent glare in the glass!

And, as a reminder, here is Misty with her sibling Cottonsocks:

I have three more in this set waiting to be stitched but will not do them for some time yet. I need a break from sepia tones!

So, on to the New Start Tease - I have been waiting a long time to start this chart but still cannot start it just yet for reasons I will explain (rant about) in my next post. But as a tease here are the fabric and threads needed for the project. The fabric is actually a darker brown than the picture shows (but for some reason my camera refused to take an accurate photo of the colour) and about three times the size! The chart is on my Current Stash page, so pop over and see if you can guess which one (of the 90!) it is!

I hope I can provide this chart's first post soon.

Until then,

All the best and
Happy stitching :)
Rachel x

Big Eyes Kitty - 50 hour update

Hi all!

Although only just over a week, this latest ten hour stint seems to have taken ages. I can't remember ever being so devoted to and completing a project so quickly. Here are the 40 and 50 hour pictures of Misty:

After 40 hours

After 50 hours

I'm very excited as the end is so close. I've only got the backstitching left and some threads to fasten off on the back, then she will be framed to match her sibling Cottonsocks.

The children are now at home for the next two weeks, so I don't know how much stitching I will be able to do. I'm hoping to get rid of hubby to his parents for a few days over Easter so may sneak in a couple of late nights/early mornings then!

See you very soon with a completed project and another new start.....

All the best and
Happy stitching! :)
Rachel x

Big Eyes Kitty - 40 hour update

Hello everyone!

Ooops! I'm back already with another update on Misty. I had a very late Saturday night (or should that be early Sunday morning) when I just couldn't stop stitching, hence such quick progress. Here are the 30 and 40 hour pictures:

After 30 hours

After 40 hours

I've definitely got to stay with her now until she is completed, something I haven't done with a project for ages. Despite being just creams and browns the colours are sumptuous to work with and not at all boring. I'd like to get her finished before school breaks up for Easter on 4th April but realistically I can't see that happening (or can I?!)

By the way, I'm really enjoying this blogging lark and sharing my progress with you. I've had some lovely comments and discovered many new blogs through these and various other links. I try not to make my posts too repetitive but am probably a bit boring at the moment! I promise I'll work on that one!!

Be back soon with another update.....

All the best and
Happy stitching :)
Rachel x

Big Eyes Kitty - 30 hour update

Hello everyone,

Well, despite having a very busy week spring cleaning the house I still managed to fit in my ten hours of stitching! Misty now has a bed to lie in and some fur around the outside of her head. I think I'm about on schedule for the 60-70 hours I estimated she would take. She is still a pleasure to stitch so I am going to stay with her for yet another 10 hours and work my way towards the centre of her face. Here are the 20 and 30 hour pictures:

After 20 hours

After 30 hours

In other news, my son had a fantastic week away with the school at Calshot Activities Center near Southampton. He came home exhausted having done climbing, skiing, cycling, archery, trawling, orienteering, a river study and video making, as well as various other team-based indoor and outdoor games. And all in just four days - phew! Unlike some children, he actually returned home wearing different clothes to those he went in and had showers whilst there! But a bath was still the first necessity that evening!

On the job front I didn't have any success. I was obviously disappointed but not surprised as the position applied for was full time and I could only offer part-time hours due to caring for my mum. It was a cheeky application, but if you don't try you don't get. I was, however, informed that my application was "very impressive" so I was pleased with that.

Hopefully I'll be back soon with another update and a cute kitty face appearing. Until then,

All the best and
Happy stitching :)
Rachel x

Big Eyes Kitty - 20 hour update

Hello again everyone!

Here's the second update of Big Eyes Kitty. It's so nice to have a piece that stitches up quickly with only a few colours and little confetti. It means I get the satisfaction of seeing progress without having to concentrate too hard! I'm enjoying stitching "Misty" so much that I am going to stay with her for another 10 hours. Here are the 10 and 20 hour pictures:

After 10 hours

After 20 hours

On a personal note, I've been very, very lucky for the last ten years and not had to work, instead spending the time bringing up my children, looking after my mum and doing voluntary work. However, this week the perfect job appeared and I actually applied for it! I'm not going to say anything more (yet) but please keep your fingers crossed for me. It would be the type of job I would quite gladly do for free, so getting paid for it would be a bonus!!! Let's hope I get called in for an interview.

My son's away next week on a school residential trip so I'm not sure how much stitching I'm going fit in over the next few days. With the weather warming up it'll be a good opportunity to fling open the windows and spring clean his room and the rest of the house if my enthusiasm lasts (which it probably won't!)

See you soon with hopefully some good news, a cleaner house and a third progress picture.

All the best and

Happy stitching :)

Rachel x

New Start - Big Eyes Kitty by DMC

Hello fellow stitchers!

First of all, I have to say a BIG thank you to all the people who have visited my blog and left such lovely comments. I've had over 30 hits already and certainly feel inspired to carrying on blogging! I'm not sure if it's good enough but I've added a "Follow by Email" icon so that those who wish to keep up-to-date with my posts can. If you know of a better link to follow a blog please let me know!

I've been a bit of a naughty girl this week and started another project although, to be fair, there is space for it in my annual targets. Whilst setting up my Current Stash and WIP pages I realised that all of my current WIPs are fairly large and I really could do with stitching something smaller. The temptation was just too great, so after much pondering out came this little cutie. With only ten colours and 9,216 stitches I'm estimating about 60-70 hours work.

Progress so far has been quick as it's all one colour!

Big Eyes Kitty by DMC

Stitched on 16ct Cream Aida 2 over 1
Stitch count 96 wide by 96 high

Started - 4th March 2014

Stitching hours to date - 10

I've decided to stay with "Misty" for another 10 hours so that I can finish stitching the dark brown background and make a start on her blanket. It's been a nice change to stitch a project where progress can be seen so quickly! See you soon with another update.

All the best and
Happy stitching! :)
Rachel x