Day 8 DUCJC2015

I had little stitching time on day 8 of DUCJC so only managed to start a few leaves on N is for Nest of the Prairie Schooler alphabet.  It was my lovely mum's birthday so we celebrated by going to a circus (many years since we had been) and catching a film 'The Imitation Game'. A pleasurable day spoiling my beautiful mother and being a family together.

Happy stitching

Jan x

Day 7 DUCJC2015

On day 7 of DUCJC I stitched on a WIP by Bothy Threads called Cut Thru' Pirate Ship. Well it was Pirate Wednesday after all! I stitched on the sail. It is stitch heavy in this part so it will take me a little while to finish the sail.

Happy stitching 

Jan x 

Day 6 DUCJC2015

I started the M block of the Prairie Schooler alphabet. This block is called M is for Mermaid. Wow is this waterbird pretty. I have run out of the DMC colour 924 so hope to put the wings and body on it soon. No mermaid in sight yet but she won't be too far off.

Happy stitching

Jan x 

Day 5 DUCJC2015

I started a new block on day 5. This is the Prairie Schooler alphabet block 'L is for Leaves'.  I have stitched this block before as separate block in the past. It features a gorgeous deer. Hopefully I won't find it too boring but so far so good.  

                                      

It is stitched two over two on 36ct linen using DMC threads. 

Until tomorrow happy stitching

Jan x

Day 4 DUCJC2015

Day 4 of Debbies's UCJC2015 saw me stitching on my HAED WIP 'Mini Alice and Snow White'. I only have about 200 stitches left and I will have finished my first page! 

                        

                             

Three things are new to me with this HAED. Firstly I am stitching this with tent stitch.  So quick! Secondly, I am using pre-gridded fabric called white 25ct magic guide evenweave. Thirdly I have gone paperless!!! I am enjoying stitching this using PDF Expert app on my new mini iPad. Lots of new challenges abound.

What you can see is the left side of Alice's face with her blonde hair and blue headband. 

Until tomorrow happy stitching...

Jan x

Day 3 DUCJC2015

Day 3 of DUCJC2015 saw me stitching on a work in progress (WIP). I have many WIPS so cannot start a new project every day.  I prefer large projects so starting 31 massive projects would be crazy. Therefore I am doing a combination of new starts and WIPS. 

Day 3 I worked hard on the cat in The Prairie Schooler alphabet block, K is for Kitty. This is stitched on raw linen two over two using the recommended DMC threads.

Until tomorrow...Jan x

                             

Day 2 DUCJC2015

Day 2 of DUCJC 15 saw me stitch on my first Chatelaine by Martina Rosenberg. I have been eager to start one. This is a freebie design from her website called Autumn 2011 Fly Agaric.

 

              

                          

This is the top of the toadstool stitched on antique 32ct linen 2 over 2 using the recommended threads. It's a small design so should be a 2015 finish. 

Today I will be working on a new letter of the Prairie Schooler alphabet.

See you tomorrow when I update on day 3. 

                                                             Jan x

Day 1 DUCJC2015

Happy New Year stitchers,

I am part of a special group stitching in memory of Debbie stitching the Ultimate Crazy January Challenge 2015 (DUCJC2015).   This challenge involves stitching on different items on every day throughout January and even February if you dare.  I have committed to January and will stitch on a combination of new starts and works in progress (WIPs).

It was easy to choose my first new start!  I was also committed on January 1st to take part in a Mirabilia stitch along (SAL) event hosted through a Facebook group and a YouTube/Instagram group. The Mirabilia design I chose was a mermaid called The Enchanted. She is one of the most beaded Mirabilias which should make her very pretty.

I am stitching her two over over on a 28ct hand-dyed fabric by Chromatic Alchemy which is such a pretty combination of sea blues and grays that I was fortunate enough to win on the CA Facebook page.  I love the start I made.

Joyful stitching...

                       Jan x

2014 musings...

2014 has been a big stitching year for me.  OMG moments have been the constant this year as I learn yet something else about stitching. Who knew there were so many tips, tricks and techniques out there to form those perfect little cross stitches?

What are my Top Five Cross Stitch Highlights for 2014?

5. Cross stitch Facebook groups have only become part of my life in the last 6 months. Not only am I enabled to improve my stash but my stitching knowledge and new friends has made this a daily part of my life.

4.  Railroading when I stitch to make them neater (thanks MrsMilkbyBarKid from #FlossTube). It involves splitting the thread with my needle when I make the cross so the threads lay flat and side-to-side.

3.  Front Loop Method for starting a thread (thanks Carolyn Mazzeo from #FlossTube) has transformed my starts. I now longer have to turn my stitching over when I start a thread.

2.  Giving Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) a second chance has really paid off. I had a major fail with a HAED 2 years ago. I have started a new HAED recently and with tips from again MrsMilkyBarKid (you know who you are) it is a success.

Drum roll...for my top moment please...

1. My cross stitch friends- you!!! I have a soft spot for my Blog and for reading your blogs too and will never stop enjoying the beautiful, friendly community of blogging. A big thank you to you.  Losing SoCal-Deb a few months ago only highlighted the strength of our beautiful community.

I have also really enjoyed the cross stitch YouTube community (affectionately known as #FlossTube) has been the bigbuzz of 2014. I reckon it is a community that is growing in a huge manner on a daily basis YouTube. There is a library's worth of information on there. Watching contributors takes you into their homes and gives a personal viewpoint on stitching progress. The interaction is different to blogging and it cannot replace it. There is a place for all types of social media. I will never stop blogging permanently (sure there have been a few dry patches over the years) as I value the blogging community so much.

So what do I have planned on the stitching front in '15?

2015 New Starts:
1. Mirabilia SAL  The Enchanted Mermaid January 1st start
2. Chatelaine pattern - Mini Castle
3. Chatelaine design - 2011 Autumn Freebie Fly Agaric
4. Purple Stitching - Classic Book Spines
5. Bothy Threads - Kings and Queens
6. HAED - Treasure Hunt Bookshelf Fox to Dragon 

2015 Works in Progress - I plan to finish during 2015
1. Prairie Schooler -Alphabet
I am currently stitching K is for Kitty.  11 down, 16 to go!

2. HAED - Mini Alice and Snow White
I have almost stitched a full page in a month so lets hope I can keep up this progress.
3. Heritage Sampler Company - I Love London
4.  Annet Eriksson's Passion for Stitching Chateau 

2015 Works in Progress - not necessarily finish in 2015
1. Bucilla - A Touch of Gold

 

2. Carriage House Samplings - Shores of Hawk Run Hollow
3. Designers Forum Needlepoint Rug
4. Country House Needleworks- Santa's House
5. Dimensions- Promises Kept

Other 2015 plans:

 I am also doing Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge in 2015 (DUCJC2015) which will feature many of the above.

So what do you think of my list? Am I dreaming? 
Happy Stitchy New Year to you all...

                                                       Jan x

HAED Start...

Hello lovely readers,

If you celebrate Christmas, I hope it was fabulous. My Christmas was busy (my knees feel the pain today from standing in the kitchen for hours) but it was enjoyable.   Now to the fun part of the year - Summer school holidays.  Mind you, I am still working but at least not doing all of the usual stuff related to being a mum (which mostly involves taxiing children to and fro).

I started my a Heaven and Earth Design (HAED) on December 1st as part of a stitch along (SAL) with a Facebook group.  There were no other SAL rules apart from starting December 1st.  I chose a mini HAED called 'Mini Alice and Snow White'. It is tent stitched (only half crosses) on 25ct Magic Evenweave using 2 strands of DMC floss over 1.

I am thoroughly loving stitching this! How refreshing to stitch on something different.  I have stitched about 1600 stitches.  I am using a parking method I learnt from a YouTube channel by the delightful "Carolyn Mazzeo".  Check out her parking video if you want to find out who she parks.

Great excitement yesterday as my gorgeous hubby surprised me with a mini-iPad. I am going to use it as my pattern guide.  I mostly use PDF patterns but instead of printing them I can read, enlarge and  highlight on my iPad using an app.  It is working so well and I have only been using it for an hour today.

I have posted a video on my YouTube channel showing how I started the HAED on December 1st. If you are interested in Heaven and Earth Designs you might like to see my fun.



Thanks for stopping by today.  Have fun in stitches...
                                                                               Jan x