DUCJC 2016 - Day 16 - Sleepy Book

Hello again!

So we're now into the second half of this crazy challenge. Time really does fly when you're having fun!

For day 16 Toby chose the other chart I have in the Odd Dog series. This is my favourite of the two and definitely how I feel whenever I pick up a book! I took advantage of it being a Saturday and stitched during the day too so made a lot of progress:

Sleepy Book by Lili of the Valley

Stitched on 16ct Cloud Blue aida from Sewitall.com 2 over 1

Stitch count 64 wide by 43 high

Estimated stitching time 14 hours

Stitching time to date - 5 hours 5 minutes

Whilst stitching I did not have the colour picture to hand otherwise I would have noticed how washed out the pillow looks compared to the picture. I'm definitely using the right colour so am really disappointed. But I've done too much to unpick now. Maybe it won't look so bad once I've added the backstitching.

We have a slight dusting of snow this morning. I hope the happy campers are keeping warm!

Back tomorrow with a Christmas Pal who would feel quite at home in our current weather.

See you then,

Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 15 - Balloon

Good morning!

We're now at the point where, for many stitchers, this is the end of their new starts. If you've made it through to day 15 - well done! I know there are a couple of bloggers whose daily postings I shall miss.

But this is also the point at which the more mad among us carry on for another 16 days..... or longer.

Heather chose this small design for day 15. I'd been secretly willing her to select it from day one so was really glad she finally chose it. I only sat down with my needle at 11pm so here's my progress in that hour:

Odd Dog by Lili of the Valley

Stitched on 16ct Cloud Blue aida from Sewitall.com 2 over 1

Stitch count 45 wide by 85 high

Estimated stitching time 10 hours

Stitching time to date - 1 hour

Heather's away with the Scouts this weekend on what is aptly call "Frost Camp" and, yes, they're sleeping in tents! In my opinion they're all mad as the temperatures are around 0-2 degrees C! But they also have my complete admiration - even dropping her off at 9pm last night was too cold for me to handle. It was so nice returning home to a warm house and cosy bed! Toby's much more sensible and chose not to go.

Tomorrow's new start is another by the same company.

See you then!
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 13 - Save Water

Good morning!

Thanks again for your recent comments. I'm glad you're keeping up with me!

Today the children chose the second of the Lizzie Kate Green series for me to stitch. Here's how I got on:

Save Water by Lizzie Kate

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

Stitch count 40 wide by 63 high

Estimated stitching time 11 hours

Stitching time to date - 2 hours 15 minutes

Obviously, I started with the easy bit first! In a way it's a shame I'm using DMC instead of WDW threads as the variegated writing really does look nice. Nevermind, I still like mine!

For tomorrow's piece, I was curious how long it would be before my son, Toby, chose it!

See you in 24 hours!
Rachel x


PS I have had a couple of questions and comments about how I am able to stitch for 2-3-4 hours each day. Here's my explanation:

Firstly, I only work a few hours each week, the rest of the time I look after my mum who lives with us and is more-or-less bed-ridden. She cross stitches small projects and sometimes during the day I will sit with her and work on a piece while we chat away about nothing in particular. She needs/enjoys the company and even though I have to put up with her ramblings I get the benefit of being able to stitch for a little while!

Secondly, depending on what the children are doing, I can often fit in an hour or so of stitching after dinner.

Thirdly, a couple of years ago I deliberately set about limiting my sleep to around 5 1/2 hours each night as I was fed up with always feeling tired and exhausted during the day despite having a good 7-8 hours' sleep. I now use that "spare" time from about 10pm to stitch, uninterrupted, for maybe 2-3 hours.

I don't feel guilty about how long I stitch for because I know it's not at the expense of family life or the usual daily chores. To me it's essential downtime from my sandwich-caring responsibilities. If you flip the coin though, I don't get to go on holiday. I may get a couple of weekend breaks each year but haven't had a decent holiday for over seven years! That's why I need cross stitching as an outlet to stop me going mad!

I hope that explains it. I'm just sorry that I cannot share some of my stitching hours with those of you who are desperate to stitch but just don't have the time. :(

DUCJC 2016 - Day 12 - Summer Alphabet

Hello again!

I'm really excited the children finally picked this one for me to stitch. Yes, I love the chart but more than that I adore this absolutely gorgeous completely strokeable jaw-droppingly beautiful bright yellow fabric! If you haven't guessed already, yellow is my favourite colour so stitching on this was divine!

It's a real pity that, as usual and despite lots of editing, the photo doesn't do the fabric justice. I'm still not happy with this one but it's the best I can do. I think it's time to invest in a new camera as I have to colour edit nearly all of my photos. :(

I don't think this design needs any introduction, so here is my progress for the day:

Summer Alphabet by Lizzie Kate

Stitched on 16ct Cloud Lemon aida by Sewitall.com 2 over 1

Stitch count 111 wide by 159 high

Estimated stitching time 59 hours

Stitching time to date - 3 hours 35 minutes

I've resisted saying this for the first 11 days, but I am really looking forward to returning to this piece. I wonder if you can guess why!!!

Day 13 will be a smaller Lizzie Kate on much more muted fabric.

Until tomorrow,
Rachel x

DUCJC 2016 - Day 11 - Woolly-Hatted Snowman

Hello all!

I can't believe I'm more or less one third of the way through the challenge already! I've loved every start so far even though I still have so many more to do!

Day 11 saw my first Christmas piece come out to play. I've called this one Woolly-Hatted Snowman, and he's from the Christmas Pals Ornaments kit which you may have seen Katie stitch and finish last year.

Christmas Pals Ornaments by Dimensions

Stitched on 16ct Ice Blue Aida 2 over 1

Stitch count 44 wide by 44 high

Estimated stitching time 14 hours

Stitching time to date - 2 hours 15 minutes

I was going to stitch the border and background first but then thought where better to start than with the hat after which he is named?

I am really looking forward to stitching tomorrow's piece, not only because of the pattern but because of the colour fabric I will be working on. ;)

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