DUCJC 2016 - Day 6 - Playful Puss 4

Good morning!

Another cutie today but one which may remind you of a couple of little projects I did last year. This is another in the set of 4 Playful Puss designs, the other two having already been stitched and framed here.

Here's my progress for the day:

Playful Puss 4

Featured in ???

Designed by Lucie Heaton

Stitched on 16ct Antique White aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 57 wide by 59 high

Estimated stitching time 15 hours

Stitching time to date - 4 hours

It seemed obvious to stitch the tree first, so that's where I started! The rest was a bonus.

I have had a question about how I calculate my estimated stitching time. To me it's very important to know how long a project is going to take, no matter how big or small it is. So in very basic terms I:

1) work out the full coverage of the chart = 57x59 = 3,363 stitches
2) multiply that by the rough percentage of the chart that is stitched = 3,363 x 65% = 2,186 stitches
3) divide that by a stitching rate of between 135 and 180 depending on how complicated the chart is and/or how much backstitching is involved eg = 2,186/150 = 15 hours (just like the chart says!)

Usually I overestimated the stitching time but I'd rather have that than the other way round.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's chart the children have chosen for me. It's something different again and definitely not a project I would have even glanced at a couple of years ago. It's surprising how some of my stitching likes and dislikes have changed since living in blogland! Does that make you fellow stitchers good or bad influences I wonder???

Until tomorrow,
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 5 - Let's Eat Dessert

Morning all!

The chosen start for day 5 was something totally different for me. I have seen a few Ursula Michael "Let's" Word charts stitched up (mainly by Katie, Jeremiah's Mom) so thought I would have a browse for one or two (or more!) for myself. Amazingly I only bought this one but definitely believe it will not be my last!

Here's my progress for the day:

Let's Eat Dessert by Ursula Michael

Artecy (via crosstitch.com)

Stitched on 16ct Crocus hand-dyed aida by The Crafty Kitten 2 over 1

Stitch count 97 wide by 125 high

Estimated stitching time 40 hours

Stitching time to date - 3 hours 15 minutes

I thought the fabric gave this design a really sweet-tooth feel. If I were to stitch another similar design I would probably choose evenweave over aida as there are lots of fractionals.

And to prove I'm human, frogs kept visiting. I couldn't believe how many times I miscounted at the beginning, even though I only had to count up to two or three! By the time I'd got to "Butterscotch" though I'd sent the frogs packing.

Tomorrow sees the return of a character who appeared on two of last year's finished Challenge pieces.

Take care
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 3 - Contentious

Good morning!

Thank you for your comments again yesterday. A lot of you seem to like the little Woodland Folk.

For day 3 of DUCJC 2016 the children chose this funny-cute chart. If you familiar with Margaret Sherry you will be aware how many fractional stitches are usually involved, so I immediately opted to stitch it on evenweave. But... guess what? There are no fractionals! What? A Margaret Sherry with no fractionals? Not even the backstitching splits the fabric! I was (almost) speechless!!

Here is my progress for the day. I will not be stitching the background, hence the coloured fabric. With hindsight I should have stitched the face and expression first and although I tried to squeeze them in before midnight I just couldn't do it. Nevermind, it's something to look forward to when I return.

Contentious by Margaret Sherry

Featured in Cattitudes Calendar 2003

Stitched on 32ct Lime Murano evenweave 2 over 2

Stitch count 79 wide by 71 high

Estimated stitching time 30 hours

Stitching time to date - 5 hours 15 minutes

I mentioned yesterday that today's project was "so me". If you are wondering, contentious means to be controversial or likely to be the cause of or involved in a heated argument. It's not so much the wording that makes the children think of me, rather the cat's scowl and hand-on-hips-do-as-I-tell-you-or-else pose. Apparently I do this quite a lot!

Another cutie tomorrow.

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

Happy New Year and 2016 Stitching Plans

Good morning everybody!

It's one minute past midnight (UK time) so Happy New Year and welcome to 2016! I wish you all a happy and healthy year with lots of time to stitch lots of little x's. Thank you for joining me as I embark on yet another year of madness. Your company and comments are greatly appreciated!

So, are you ready for the first day of stitching action in 2016! I am raring to go, but before I put in my first stitch I thought I would outline my stitching plans for the year ahead.

1)  DEBBIE'S ULTIMATE CRAZY JANUARY CHALLENGE - 31 starts in 31 days

I am really looking forward to this Challenge again! Most of my new starts are fairly small so I should be able to finish a good portion of them during the next 12 months. I had originally planned their stitching order but have decided to copy Katie (Jeremiah's Mom) and ask my children to pick one at random each day. My OCD is shuddering at the thought!!

2)  SMALLS SAL - an ornament a month

I have joined the Smalls SAL run by Stitching Lotus in which we post a small finish towards the end of each month. My 12 pieces will be Christmas ornaments by either Lizzie Kate or Country Cottage Needleworks.

3)  APRIL'S A-Z CHALLENGE

I have a small project planned for this challenge with each letter being easily achievable each day. It's a silly little project I have had on my to-do list since about 1995!!

4)  NEW STARTS?

To say for definite "no more new starts" would be too restricting so in addition to the above I am allowing myself up to five small(ish) new starts providing they are "special" projects. I don't have to do them but the flexibility is there just in case I get really itchy fingers. Small gifts for exchanges or as presents do not count as they are not for me!

5)  DECREASE MY BOX OF SHAME / THE ORPHANAGE EACH MONTH

I have quite a collection of unfinished-finishes (Orphans) in my Box of Shame so would like to home an Orphan each month either by framing, scrap-stitching or making into an ornament. This is in addition to finishing any finishes I have during the year. Given my past record, this will be the plan on which I fail the most!

6)  STITCHING RETREATS
Hopefully there will be one, if not two, Stitching Retreats during 2016 where I can meet up with stitching buddies and enjoy a couple of short respite breaks from caring for my mother.

7)  OTHER PROJECTS

My larger projects were terribly neglected last year and even though I feel a bit guilty I'm not actually that bothered. If I get the chance during 2016 I would possibly like to stitch on:

a)  Mini One

b)  Mini The Owrd Lord
c)  Dolphin Ruins
d)  OMG Tigger Is Out
e)  Dragon Eye

8) TRY TO KEEP UP WITH BLOG READING AND COMMENTING
I've lost count of the number of times I have fallen behind with both of these and as you know, it's quite difficult to catch up. So this year I hope to be a better reader and commenter. I can't promise anything, but at least I can try!

And finally:

9)  SCARLET MACAW PREENING
The saga of this piece has been going on for nearly two years. I so desperately want to start and stitch him but feel I will never find the right background colours. The search is still on.....


So, there are my many and varied plans for the year. Wish me luck - I think I might need it!

If you are making plans for 2016 I wish you good luck in setting and keeping to them! I'll be here to encourage you along.  :)

So, let's go and find my first project then!

Back tomorrow!

Love and hugs :)
Rachel x