DUCJC 2015 - Day 13

Morning!

Today was my first Tatty Ted design. At the moment, and without any backstitching, it looks like a big splodge of greys, although you can at least make out the shape of the head. The Anchor to DMC colour conversion has one of the greys looking a bit green but I won't know for certain until I see it in proper daylight. If I'm not happy I may frog that colour. I've got some bigger Tatty Teds lined up so need to be happy with the colours before I start them.

A Tatty Friend

Featured in Cross Stitch Crazy
Stitched on 16ct White Aida with Silver Lurex by DMC 2 over 1

Another magazine cutie tomorrow. Hope you're not getting too bored of the same sort of cute designs appearing daily.

Love and hugs
Rachel x

DUCJC 2015 - Day 12

Hello dear things!

I couldn't resist the allure of this playful little kitten, the first in a set of four, two of which I am starting for the Challenge. The charts contain only full stitches so have that slightly "messy" feel where partial stitches overlap the backstitching. I could have adjusted for fractionals but I actually quite like the messy look; it somehow makes the kitten seem more mischievous!

I would normally stitch from the top but, for a change, fancied stitching the watering can first then working around it. Luckily I had enough time to finish the pinks, which was my aim for the day.

Playful Puss 1
Featured in ???

Stitched on 16ct Antique White Aida 2 over 1

Next up..... the first of my Tatty Teds.

Love and hugs
Rachel x

DUCJC 2015 - Day 11

Good morning!

Day 11, just over one third of the way through and I am still loving starting a new project everyday! I thought it would get boring and frustrating but so far... so good!

Thank you again for all of the comments you are leaving. They are all read and really appreciated, especially those along the lines of "I'd like to stitch that too". It's nice to know I might be providing inspiration (and depleted bank balances!) to fellow stitchers.

On to the new start. This is quite a large chart compared to previous Challenge starts but was just far too cute to ignore. The leaves are 1 over 1 - a weird feeling as I couldn't cut and loop or railroad. The pale blue/green shading on the fabric is very subtle but should look lovely showing through, hopefully mimicking a summer sky (because that's why I bought it!)

Nelson and Tibs - Carefree Summer

Featured in The World of Cross Stitching
Stitched on 16ct Fairy Forest hand-dyed Aida by The Crafty Kitten 1 and 2 over 1

Another cutie tomorrow and time to dig out the pink!

Love and hugs

Rachel x

DUCJC 2015 - Day 10

Hello everyone!

Here's day 10's start. I did sit and stitch much more than I should have done, but hubby and the children were amusing themselves so I took advantage!

Dragon of Earth

Free chart from Dragon Dreams Inc.

Stitched on 16ct Nebula hand-dyed Aida by The Crafty Kitten 2 over 1

To begin with I wasn't too keen on the earthy colours, but seeing as he's an Earth Dragon they make perfect sense so are now growing on me. His green scales should be brighter and in Kreinik but I substituted for an earthy DMC. Goodness knows what the red bits are. His finger and toe nails are in the same red so fangs perhaps? 

Back tomorrow with a cutie.

Love and hugs

Rachel x

DUCJC 2015 - Day 9

Good morning!

Oh dear..... Margaret Sherry on Aida! What was I thinking not buying evenweave for this chart? I can only assume I didn't look closely at the symbols first to see how many fractionals there were i.e. LOADS!

I only managed to stitch the worm (whilst watching Top Gear Burma Special - have you realized yet I really like Top Gear?!) but feel that's quite an achievement for one day. I'm not stitching the background but will probably backstitch the border to give the piece a definitive area.

Book Worm

Featured in Margaret Sherry 2008/2009 Calendar

Stitched on 16ct Crocus hand-dyed Aida by Polstitches Designs 2 over 1

I'm glad it's Saturday tomorrow as it's another Elemental Dragon design which I know I will want to stitch on all day. If I do have to put it down I might follow in Katie's footsteps and start pouting!

Until tomorrow then,

Love and hugs

Rachel x

DUCJC 2015 - Day 8

Hi all!

Today's start was just meant to be.....

I decided a couple of months ago the order in which the Challenge charts would be stitched. So it was ironic that, having got drenched on the school run (mainly thanks to passing motorist and big puddle!) I came home, got changed and settled down to stitch an umbrella! Up to now most of my Challenge stitching has been browns, creams and blues so it was nice to pull out some cheery pinks and reds for a change.

April Showers

Featured in Cross Stitch Crazy issue 110
Stitched on 16ct Iced Coffee over-dyed Aida by Fabric Flair 2 over 1

See y'all tomorrow!

Love and hugs,
Rachel x

DUCJC 2015 - Day 7

Good morrow gentle folk!

Oh my goodness! This fabric was just about the best I have ever worked on - soft, smooth and with a gorgeous twinkle every time the needle touched it. I was drooling!

This chart is the second largest of my DUCJC projects but will stitch up quickly as there are huge blocks of colour and only a tiny amount of backstitching. Rock on! Some of the colours look a bit weird for a dolphin but they match the fabric perfectly and give the piece that tropical (rather than murky) feel I was hoping for. I won't stitch the fish as I don't think they're necessary. As usual, the photo doesn't quite do the fabric justice.

Dreaming of Dolphins

Featured in Cross Stitch Collection March 2001
Stitched on 32ct Atlantic Depths hand-dyed Opalescent Murano Evenweave by The Crafty Kitten
2 over 2

Are you drooling with me?!!!

Back tomorrow!

Love and hugs

Rachel x