Smalls SAL - November 2023

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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 (or more) specifically for this SAL which doesn't appear elsewhere on my blog.

Having finished all the Advent Calendar, I wanted something non-Christmassy this month, so out came an old favourite, Snuffles The Baby Dragon. This is him in Lime:

Snuffles In Lime by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitched on 16ct Lime over-dyed aida with DMC 704, 906 and 907

Started - 1st November 2023

Finished - 2nd November 2023

Total Stitching time - 3 hours 50 minutes

This is now my sixth Snuffles; the collection continues to grow!

Next month, being December, a little Christmas something, I think.

Take care,
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - August 2022

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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.

I said this month would be another Snuffles, but was unsure which colour. Jo suggested bronze shades but I'd sort of already got my heart set on orange/yellow shades so will keep bronze in mind for the future. So here's my new Snuffles. I think he's perfect for the summer heatwave we've just had:

Snuffles In Yellow by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitched on 16ct Sundrop over-dyed aida

Started - 1st August 2022

Finished - 6th August 2022

Total stitching time - 4 hours 15 minutes

I have three other Smalls this month too.

Merry Christmas QR Code was stitched at the end of Christmas In July:

And the letters R and T were stitched for Clare's Alphabet Christmas Tree. Clare has received and FFOd them, but I haven't shown these before, so here they are with their details:

Letter R from Lizzie Kate's A-B-Crazy Alphabet

Stitched on 16ct Cloud Lilac over-dyed aida using ThreadworX 10592 Wildflowers

Started - 21st January 2022

Finished - 31st July 2022

Total stitching time - 3 hours 20 minutes

Letter T from Lizzie Kate's A-B-Crazy Alphabet

Stitched on 16ct Cloud Lilac over-dyed aida

Started - 22nd January 2022

Finished - 1st August 2022

Total stitching time - 2 hours 55 minutes

Next month I think will be another cute little bird; my flock's getting bigger!

Take care,
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - June 2022

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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 returned to the designer of last month's Seahorses to stitch another of her cute little Aussie birds. This is one of the four designs on her bookmark, and is the Rainbow Lorikeet. I bet he can't wait to join all his other little Aussie friends!

Rainbow Lorikeet by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitched on 16ct Clover over-dyed aida

Started - 1st June 2022

Finished - 8th June 2022

Total stitching time - 4 hours 50 minutes

Next month I'm focusing on Christmas In July, so the Small will be Christmas-themed. I thought I'd decided which Small to stitch, but now I'm not so sure. At least I have a while to decide.

Take care,
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - May 2022

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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.

This month's small is a little bit bigger than something I would usually class as a 'small' but once I'd stitched one, which was my intention, I couldn't not stitch the other. OK, I could have stitched it next month, but the thought of leaving one on their own was too upsetting! See what I mean:

Seahorses by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitched on 16ct Bermuda over-dyed aida

Started - 1st May 2022

Finished - 11th May 2022

Total stitching time - 10 hours 55 minutes

For next month's small I'll be staying with the same designer but heading to the trees.

Take care,
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - February 2022

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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.

This month I decided to stitch another Snuffles the Dragon. In 2020 I stitched pink and aqua versions, and mentioned how I would like a shelf full of Snuffles in different colours. I didn't stitch any in 2021, but he's back now, in blue:

Snuffles In Blue by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitch count 31 wide by 32 high

Stitched on 16ct Glacier over-dyed aida 2 over 2

Started - 19th February 2022

Finished - 22nd February 2022

Total stitching time - 4 hours 45 minutes

I think the blue rather suits him, don't you?

And then there is my usual monarch of the month, this time George II. And no, you haven't missed his post as I haven't put it up yet! I sort of forgot about it this month but hopefully it'll be posted in the next couple of days. I also need to alter the backstitching on his legs - I'm sure his calves weren't that shape!!!

Next month, another dragon, but it's not another Snuffles.

Take care,
Rachel x

Link-up for Fully Finished Gallery SAL - February 2022

Hello all!

It's the 10th of the month so time for another Fully Finished Gallery SAL, the place to show your FFOing achievements since your last link-up.

The link-up for this SAL opens on the 10th of each month and stays open for 10 days so you can join in whenever you're ready.

In January I spent far too much time stitching and not enough time FFOing, so have only one to show. This was January's Smalls SAL piece, cute little Snowflake the Cactus. It's FFOd as one of my usual ornies but as I'd added Etoile to the design I thought I'd add a bit of tinsel wool around the outside for  even more bling. The backing fabric is, very aptly, called Snow Flurry.

Now it's over to you.

Please link-up using the URL of your FFG SAL post and not the home page of your blog, adding a thumbnail of a finish and either your name or your blog name as the caption. The link-up will remain open for 10 days, closing at 6am UK time on 20th February.

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I'm looking forward to see what this month's entries are!

And please don't forget to follow other links and support fellow fully-finish-offers.

Next month's post will go live on 10th March at 6am UK time. Hope to see you there!

Take care,
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - January 2022

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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.

To start off the year I have a cute wintery design. May I introduce Snowflake the Cactus. I'm not a fan of cacti, or any plants in fact, but this one, with his ear muffs, scarf and bobble hat, was just so cute I couldn't resist!

Snowflake The Cactus by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitch count 40 wide by 46 high

Stitched on 16ct Horizon over-dyed aida 2 over 2

Started - 1st January 2022

Finished - 2nd January 2022

Total stitching time - 5 hours 35 minutes

I made a couple of little changes, using one strand of white and one strand of white Etoile for the snow on the ground and two strands of white Etoile for the backstitching and snowflakes. I think Snowflake looks cold but cosy.

I have a second and third small this month too. These were unplanned new starts, which sort of means I've broken my 'no unplanned new starts this year' rule but, in my defence, they were small, were quick to finish, and are for a very good cause as they are for Clare's Christmas Tree for her local church. 

For the last couple of years Clare stitched, and received, many flowers. This year the theme of her tree is letters. Read about her ideas towards the end of this post. Anyway, I said I'd submit some letters and these are my first two - C for Clare or Christmas or Church, and H for her surname. I hope she likes them!

Letters C and H from Lizzie Kate's A-B-Crazy

Stitch count 33 wide by 33 high

Stitched on 16ct Margarita over-dyed aida 2 over 2

Stitched with ThreadworX 1046 Lemon Grass

Started - (C) 16th January 2022 (H) 18th January 2022

Finished - (C) 17th January 2022 (H) 19th January 2022

Total stitching time - 3 hours 25 minutes each

And finally I have my monarch of the month, George I:

For next month's Smalls SAL, a character who's just too cute to breathe fire!

Take care,
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - June 2021

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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.

In June I managed to stitch another of the Little Bird collection by Rachel James:

Galah (Little Aussie Parrot) by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitch Count 37 wide by 27 high

Stitched on 16ct Sorbet over-dyed aida by sewitall.com

Started - 1st June 2021

Finished - 17th June 2021

Total stitching time - 4 hours 20 minutes

This poor little bird might have taken only 4 hours 20 minutes to stitch, but that was spread over a total of 17 days! As you may have guessed, stitching really isn't happening at the moment.  :(

Next month will be something for Christmas In July.

Take care,
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - August 2020

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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 August I returned to a piece I stitched earlier this year, but in a different colour. This mean I've now got two on what will hopefully be a rainbow shelf full of Snuffles!

Snuffles In Aqua by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitch Count 32 wide by 30 high

Stitched on 16ct aqua over-dyed aida 2 over 1

Started - 6th August 2020

Finished - 9th August 2020

Total stitching time - 4 hours 40 minutes

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

There's this month's Monarch, the stingy Henry VII:

And five of the Advent Calendar Days. I know you've only just seen them but I'll pop them in here again:

So not a bad month for Smalls in August!

September's Small SAL will be a cute little Hootie, although I haven't yet decided which colour.

Take care,
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - June 2020

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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 decided to return to Rachel James' Little Birds series, and stitch the kakapo. As you'll find out below though, these are native to New Zealand, not Australia as I said last month, so apologies for the error.

Cute Kakapo by FuzzyFoxDesigns

Stitch Count 41 wide by 31 high

Stitched on 16ct Kelp over-dyed aida by sewitall.com

Started - 3rd June 2020

Finished - 5th June 2020

Total stitching time - 6 hours 5 minutes

I'd never heard of the kakapo so did a bit of research. This is from, or has been paraphrased from, good old wikipeadia:

The kakapo, also called owl parrot, is a species of large, flightless, nocturnal, ground-dwelling parrot endemic to New Zealand. It has finely blotched yellow-green plumage, a distinct facial disc, a large grey beak, short legs, large feet, and relatively short wings and tail, There are only about 210 remaining, up from around just 50-60 in the 1980s and 1990s, all of which have been tagged and live on four islands cleared of predators. They weigh about 2-4kg and can live up to 95 yeas.

Here's one with Davic Attenborough during his filming of the 'Life of Birds' series:

And if you want to see a real male in its habitat and getting amorous with a human, here's a YouTube clip from Stephen Fry's 'Last Chance To See' series. It's really sweet and good for a giggle!


In this Smalls SAL I'm also re-showing other qualifying small projects I've stitched during the month. This month it's just my Monarch, the never-crowned Edward V:

Next month I will be stitching another little Mouseloft kit. But which one?

Take care,
Rachel x

Smalls SAL - April 2020

Hello all!

It's the last Friday of the month so time for the Smalls SAL. Thank you, Mary, for continuing to host 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.

This month it was pink - the fabric was pink, most of the threads were pink and the backing fabric, when I get there, will be pink. Let me introduce Snuffles. Isn't he simply adorable?

Snuffles the Dragon by FuzzyFoxDesigns (etsy)

Stitch Count 32 wide by 30 high

Stitched on 16ct cloud pink over-dyed aida 2 over 1

Started - 6th April 2020

Finished - 10th April 2020

Total stitching time - 4 hours 35 minutes

In this Smalls SAL I'm also re-showing other qualifying small projects I've stitched during the month. This month it's my Monarch, Henry VI:

And three Advent Calendar pieces:

I have a feeling next month's Smalls SAL piece might involve quite a lot of yellow.

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