Floral Star - From Nancy's Needles - FINISHED - 21.06.15

On 23rd May 2015 I had my 40th birthday and received some money from relatives.  On 24th May I placed my order with From Nancy's Needles for the kit for Floral Star and what I thought at the time was my first counted canvas project.  I then went on holiday for a week and when I returned on 6th June my parcel was waiting for me.

I looked through the pattern and ummed and ahhhed about how to start.  I found a Facebook group for counted canvas and got some very useful tips from the people in there about how to go about starting.

I pinned the canvas to my stretcher bars and decided to take the plunge.  After that there was no stopping me.

I was advised to add more tacks to hold my canvas securely in place.

Once the first stitches were in I was loving every stitch.

The best thing about a project like this is once you've completed one section you can stitch the rest by referring to what you've already stitched.

It just kept growing and I didn't want to put it down.

Today I finished it.  I made one change to the charted design in that the inner border should be stitched in the metallic purple but when I was using this thread it was hurting my fingers pulling it through the canvas so I decided to use the Easter Eggs thread which was used for the tulips.

I don't think it looks too bad myself.

After I'd started stitching this my mum showed me a few pieces I had stitched when I was young and it turns out this was nowhere near my first counted canvas piece.  I will try and get some pictures of my past projects and post them here sometime.

So I can see a lot more counted canvas projects in my future.  However I think in the future I will just buy the charts and choose floss from my stash to stitch them with.  The nice thing is that I could see myself stitching this design again in the future with different threads and coming out with a completely different project.

Hope you've enjoyed my journey with counted canvas.  I'd love to hear if you've branched out into any other crafts needle or otherwise.

Keep stitching and smiling

Floral Star - From Nancy's Needles - Counted Canvaswork - 8th June 2015

Well I took the plunge and made a start on my first counted canvas work.  What can I say except I love it.  I can see this is going to be another thing I need to get lots of stash for.  Just a short post today to show you my first update.

Now I really must put this down and get some stitching done on one of the models I'm doing otherwise I'll be getting myself in trouble!

Keep stitching and smiling

Plum Pudding - Glendon Place - 5th June 2015

I've been stitching on Plum Pudding for the last week.  I've been on holiday and had hoped to get more done but I am pleased that I am now over half way.  Here's my before and after pictures.

I also had a couple of items of stash waiting for me when I got home.

The first is a chart I have coveted for a very long time.  I have tried various avenues to try and get it in the past but never been lucky enough.  However I posted on a Facebook group recently and a very kind lady told me about a site which seemed to stock it.  I still wasn't sure I would get it as I have ordered it in the past and then been informed it's no longer available but once I opened the envelope and had it in my hands I finally believed it.  It's called I am a Stitcher by Cherrywood Design Studio.

EDITED TO ADD - here's where I go the chart from - http://www.ceciliassamplers.com/charts/cherrywood.asp

I also ordered a kit from Nancy's Needles for Floral Star.  It's a needlepoint kit and is something I have wanted to try for a long time.  I was not disappointed when I opened the package and saw the gorgeous floss colours.  

I now have the difficult decision of wanting to do two new starts but also wanting to get a finish and I have a commitment to stitch two models in the next couple of months.  I've also told my mum I would stitch a Lavender and Lace pattern for her that she has had for years and has now decided she will probably never stitch.

I have so many ideas going round my head as well for charts I have that I want to stitch.  I have the Country Cottage Needlework charts for Santa's Village and I have decided I want to start stitching them this year.  My hope is that I will finish them as ornaments but then hang them like bunting during the festive season.

I am glad to say that I am finally starting to feel better for which I am very grateful but this means I will be back at work soon and my days of endlessly stitching will be over.  I am however grateful for my health and can't wait to get back to normal doing other things.  I am going to endeavour to get back to blogging at least once a week but may start posting more often when ideas pop into my head about what and how I want to stitch something.  Hopefully by recording it here it will take it off my mind and enable me to get some stitching done and also sleep better at night.

Well that was a longer post than I was expecting to do.  

Keep stitching and smiling,

Jodyri Mystery SAL - Part 4

Sorry it's been so long since my last post.  Life has been tiring to say the least recently and blogging unfortunately hasn't made it to the top of the list.  I thought I might try and put more photos on instagram but I haven't even got that far.  If you do want to follow me on instagram my user name is Xstitch23.  Anyway back to business ...

The latest part of the Jodyri Mystery SAL was released today.  As I am model stitching it for Michelle I completed my part a few weeks ago.

Here is part 1:

And here is part 2:

And part 3:

And finally part 4:

I will try and get back to publishing more regularly but for the time being I hope you will bear with me until I get back on track.

I should also mention that I've dropped out of Stitch from Stash again this year as I didn't keep up with tracking my spending.  I had a birthday in May and have made some stash acquisitions with the money I received which I will hopefully be able to share with you soon.

Keep stitching and smiling

Plum Pudding - Glendon Place - 7th May 2015

The last week I've been stitching on Plum Pudding as part of my Stitch a Long with Mrs Milkybar Kid.  Here's my before and after pictures.

Keep stitching and smiling

Jodyri Mystery SAL - Part 3

The latest part of the Jodyri Mystery SAL was released today.  As I am model stitching it for Michelle I completed my part a few weeks ago.

Here is part 1:

And here is part 2:

And finally part 3:

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch from Stash - April

Month: April 2015
Brought forward from March - £10.53 + March £25 = £35.53
Spent: £31.11
Earned: Nothing
Carried forward to April: £4.42

My first purchase this month was a Drawn Thread chart from a Facebook group which cost me £2.

I purchased some DMC variations threads for my new Northern Expressions Needlework project costing in total £9.93.

I purchased two charts from KLT Charting costing £8.

I also got myself some more threads from Jodyri Designs.  I got a duo set of number 5 and number 8 perle in Alaskan Beauty and also a skein of Tropical Bay silk total costs £6.19

I also purchased 4 Just Nan charts from a Facebook group for £5.

Sorry but I've not taken pictures of anything this month.

Keep stitching, smiling and destashing

Plum Pudding - Glendon Place - 07.04.15

The 7th April marked the end of the second week of my SAL with Amanda aka Mrs Milkybarkid on Plum Pudding by Glendon Place.

It's strange to watch my own piece and Amanda's grow as we have both taken completely different approaches as to how we stitch it.  We both started in the middle and she has worked outwards in a circular pattern.  I started in the middle and stitched one section in each colour as I was eager to see what each silk looked like.  I then worked out to the top left hand corner and I am now completing the pattern from the top down but completing each section as I go.  I hope that makes some sort of sense!

Here are my before and after pictures.

I'm looking forward to 1st May to get another week stitching on this.

Keep stitching and smiling

Jodyri Mystery SAL - Part 2

The latest part of the Jodyri Mystery SAL was released today but as you know I am lucky enough to have received the full chart in advance so I can model stitch it for Michelle.

Here is part 1 stitched in case you've forgotten:

And here is part 2:

I'm really enjoying this chart and it is a quick and easy stitch.  Unfortunately if you've not signed up now it's too late but I believe Michelle will be releasing the chart for general release at some point in the future.

Keep stitching and similing

Stitch from Stash - March

Month: March 2015
Brought forward from February - £11.20 + March £25 = £36.20
Spent: £25.67
Earned: Nothing
Carried forward to March: £10.53

This month I bought myself some threads from Jodyri Designs and a Passione Ricamo chart called The Prosperity Fairy.

I am currently model stitching the Jodyri Mystery SAL for Michelle and also helping her administer the Facebook group - in return she has given me the chart free of charge.  I am so lucky to have some really great stitchy friends.  I needed to purchase some Jodyri threads for this chart and also treated myself to one of Michelle's newest themed packs Feathered Friends.  I also rejoined the Jodyri monthly thread club and after having checked with Mel this doesn't count towards my Stitch from Stash budget even though I have joined part way through the year.

When my threads from Michelle arrived I was started stitching with them straight away and forgot to take pictures!!  So I will use the pictures from Michelle's website to show you what I purchased.

I purchased the Feathered Friends pack which contains:- Peacock Feathers, Lovebirds, Hyacinth Macaw, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Island Jay, Indian Ringneck, Robin Redbreast, Violet Parakeet, Bee Eater and Lilac Breasted Roller Bird.

I also got Moon and Stars, Diligence (one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues) and Autism Awareness.

I also received the 5 monthly thread pack and this months limited edition.  All the colours are gorgeous.

I don't remember ever seeing this chart before but when I saw it I had to get it straight away.  I got mine from Sew and So and once again their service was second to none.  I ordered the chart on a Saturday and received it on the Monday without paying any extra for quick delivery.

It will take me a while to purchase all the Petite Treasure Braid needed for this project so although it was an immediate I have to purchase it won't be a start in the near future.

Keep stitching, smiling and destashing

Jodyri Mystery SAL - Part 1

I am currently model stitching the Jodyri Mystery SAL for Michelle and helping her to administer the Facebook group.  I was lucky enough that she has given me the chart for this SAL for helping her out with it.  This also means that I have seen all the chart and I have to say I love it.  I am hoping to keep one part ahead of the group at least with the model but won't be publishing any pictures until the SAL participants have received that part of the chart.

So here is part 1 of the Jodyri Mystery SAL.  You can still sign up for the chart until the end of March if you're interested.

Here is part 1 completed.

I'm stitching it on 28 count Arctic Splash from Jodyri although this photo does not show the colour well.  The lettering for this part is also a Jodyri thread Emerald Forest.

Keep stitching and smiling

Plum Pudding - Glendon Place - 7th March 2015

On 1st March I was extremely excited to start my stitch along with Amanda aka Mrs Milky Bar Kid.  We are both stitching on Plum Pudding by Glendon Place.  As we both love the colour purple it had been a chart we had both coveted for a long time.  We agreed to both stitch on it for 7 days starting on the 1st of the month.  Here's my progress pictures.

I am stitching on 28 count Jazlyn in Candytuft from Crafty Kitten fabrics with the recommended Dinky Dyes silks.

I am really enjoying stitching on this and it is taking a great amount of restraint to put it down and not stitch on it again until 1st April.

Please check out Amanda's new blog here.

Keep stitching and smiling

Stitch from Stash - February

Month: February 2015
Brought forward from January - £24.10 + February £25 = £49.10
Spent: £37.90
Earned: Nothing
Carried forward to March: £11.20

I couldn't resist treating myself to some of the gorgeous threads from Jodyri Designs and three charts from Papillon Creations.  I also bought some fabric from Willow Fabrics when they were having a sale.

The first photo shows a theme pack of threads I got from Jodyri Designs.  It's the Butterfly and Moths thread set.  The colours from left to right are:-  Purple Emperor Butterfly, Chinese Moon Moth, Emperor Moth, Millonia Paradise Moth, Atlas Moth, Blue Morpho Butterfly, Green Birdwing Butterfly, Swallowtail Butterfly, Madagascar Sunset Moth and Peacock Butterfly.

The next photo is a selection of threads that I loved the colours for and just had to have.  From left to right they are:-  Mardi Gras (Silk), Lavender Fields, Kingfisher, Jaded Amethyst and Tanzanite Nebula.

As always I was so pleased with them and can't wait to stitch with them.

My next purchase was some charts from Papillon Creations.  I have admired Around the World in 80 Stitches for a long time and I think it will be a great way to use some of my gorgeous hand dyed threads.  Unfortunately I can't find a stock photo for this chart and don't want to use someone else photo without there permission but I will link here to the gallery of completed stitches.

The second chart I got from them was Celtic Beauty.  Again I think this chart could lend itself nicely to hand dyed threads.

And last but not least I also purchased Celtic Warrior.

My final purchase this month was some fabric from Willow Fabrics as they were having a sale.  I got a full metre of 28 Count Jazlyn in Mushroom for £15 which I think is about half the price it would normally be.  It's a lovely neutral colour and will lend itself to lots of different projects.

All in all an amazingly good haul and I stayed within my budget!

Keep stitching, smiling and destashing!

Twisted Band Sampler - Northern Expressions Needlework - 8th February 2015

Here's my latest progress picture for the Twisted Band Sampler.

The disappointing thing is I now have to frog most of the light blue cross stitch back to where the medium blue cross stitch ends as I have discovered I've done that whole section one cross to the left. The good thing is it's cross stitches I have to frog and not speciality stitches - thank goodness!

I am happy though as I have started doing the Queen Stitches which I was absolutely dreading and although they are time consuming and fiddly I can do them.  Just goes to show instead of worrying over something for ages until it comes up I should have just grabbed a spare piece of fabric and given them a try.

Anyway onto good things.  I received my layaway order this week from Crafty Kitten which I paid off just after Christmas.  Dawn was keeping hold of the order until all the threads came in and until the third part of the Lizzie Kate SAL arrived.  I'm still waiting on some beads and the fabric for the Lizzie Kate but that just means I get an extra surprise from the postie at some point.

This is the Lizzie Kate Mystery SAL Things Unseen.  I ordered the charts, threads, embellishment pack and fabric from Crafty Kitten.  Not sure when I will start this piece yet but I love the thread colours.

These are the supplies I need for the Glendon Place chart Plum Pudding.  I am doing this as a SAL with Mrs Milky Bar Kid (aka Amanda) and starting on 1st March.  Just waiting for some more of the beads for this piece but it's not a problem because I am sure it will be a while yet before I get to the beading.

I think when I've frogged the part of the Twisted Band Sampler I may stitch on something else for a while as I'm feeling a bit demoralised.  I don't think I've ever frogged a pattern so many times.  It's all my own fault as I haven't counted or read the pattern properly and because of the design I just feel I can't fudge round the problem like I would normally.  I might go back to Seaside Mystery for a while as it's been ages since I stitched on that.

Keep stitching, smiling and destashing