Owl SAL - KLT Charting - Owl 5 of 12 - FINISH 9 of 2016

So it's time for the next part of the Owl SAL for KLT Charting.  I am stitching it on an 18 count hand dyed aida from KLT Charting called Dryad Dwelling.  I've decided to count each individual owl as a mini finish for the year so this one is my ninth finish for 2016.

As there are 12 owls I decided to stitch each one in a colour that I feel relates to a month of the year.  So owl five represents May to me and is stitched in Autumn Berries.  You may be a little bewildered as to why this represents May - well my birthday is in May and this is one of my favourite colours from Jodyri and contains purple and teal which are my favourite colours.

So here is owl number 5:

And all the owls so far:

Keep stitching and smiling

Christmas Mystery SAL 2016 from Jodyri Designs - 01.03.16

I was lucky enough to be asked again to stitch the model for a Joydri mystery SAL. This time the theme is Christmas.

The design is being released in three parts and this is the first part.  If you're interested in joining the SAL you can find it here.

I am stitching it on 18 count cream aida.  The design is charted in Jodyri threads but unfortunately I didn't have the recommended thread for the star so I subbed it with another Jodyri thread St Clements.  I was a bit concerned that the yellow wouldn't show up against the cream aida so I worked the thread so that the orange would be surrounding the outside of the star.  I am really pleased how it turned out.

The other threads you can see in part 1 are the recommended Jodyri threads - Emerald Forest and Ruby Slippers.  Can't wait to stitch the next part.

Keep stitching and smiling

Owl SAL - KLT Charting - Owl 4 of 12 - FINISH 8 of 2016

So it's time for the next part of the Owl SAL for KLT Charting.  I am stitching it on an 18 count hand dyed aida from KLT Charting called Dryad Dwelling.  I've decided to count each individual owl as a mini finish for the year so this one is my eighth finish for 2016.

As there are 12 owls I decided to stitch each one in a colour that I feel relates to a month of the year.  So owl four represents April to me and is stitched in Summer in Bloom from Jodyri Designs.

So here is owl number 4:

And all the owls so far:

Keep stitching and smiling

Pumpkin Passport - Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery - Part 2 of 12 - 12.02.16 - FINISH 7 for 2016

So this month we travel to Paris with the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's mystery SAL.

It took me longer than I expected to get this part stitched because I had a few days where I didn't do any stitching.  Can't wait to see where the adventure takes us next.

Keep stitching and smiling

Owl SAL - KLT Charting - Owl 3 of 12 - FINISH 6 FOR 2016

So it's time for the next part of the Owl SAL for KLT Charting.  I am stitching it on an 18 count hand dyed aida from KLT Charting called Dryad Dwelling.  I've decided to count each individual owl as a mini finish for the year so this one is my sixth finish for 2016.

As there are 12 owls I decided to stitch each one in a colour that I feel relates to a month of the year.  So owl three represents March to me and is stitched in Charleston.

So here is owl number 3:

And all the owls so far:

Keep stitching and smiling

Pumpkin Passport - Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery - Part 1 of 12 - 30.01.16 - FINISH 5 of 2016

I am taking part in the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's mystery SAL this year - Pumpkin Passport.

We got the first part of the design on 15.01.16 and I finished it today apart from the bottom border which I don't want to put in until I have stitched some more on the bottom part - I would hate to stitch the whole bottom border and find I was a row or two out!

As with my other SALs I am counting each part of this design as a finish so this if finish number five for 2016.

I am stitching this on 28 count opal Jazlyn in Nimbus from Chromatic Alchemy.  I am using the recommended DMC threads apart from the words in the middle which I stitched in Pushkina from Fiberlicious.

Part 2 comes out on 1st February so I will be working on this one again in the near future.

Keep stitching and smiling

Owl SAL - KLT Charting - Owl 2 of 12 - FINISH 4 of 2016

So it's time for the next part of the Owl SAL for KLT Charting.  I am stitching it on an 18 count hand dyed aida from KLT Charting called Dryad Dwelling.  I've decided to count each individual owl as a mini finish for the year so this one is my fourth finish for 2016.

As there are 12 owls I decided to stitch each one in a colour that I feel relates to a month of the year.  So owl two represents February to me and is stitched in Love You Lots thread by Jodyri Designs.

So here is owl number 2:

And the owls so far:

Keep stitching and smiling

Owl SAL - KLT Charting - Owl 1 of 12 - FINISH 3 of 2016

I was lucky enough to be asked to stitch the Owl SAL for KLT Charting.  The first part was released on 13th January and a new part will be released every 2 weeks.  I am stitching it on an 18 count hand dyed aida from KLT Charting called Dryad Dwelling it's a lovely mixture of greens and browns which makes for a lovely background for the owls.

Every owl has the same basic outline:-

Then each one is completed differently.  They are also all sat on a branch which I think really adds to the design.

There are 12 owls in total and I have decided to try and stitch each one with a thread that represents a month to me.  This one is stitched using Jodyri Designs Heavenly Host - the blues, whites and yellows remind me of a cold frosty morning.

You can sign up for the SAL here until 31st January 2016 if you want to join me in stitching this gorgeous design.

As I am counting each owl as a mini finish this is my third finish for 2016.

Keep stitching and smiling

In Our House - Love Thy Thread - 10.01.16

I have been stitching on a piece for my sister over the last few days.  In Our House by Love Thy Thread.  I am stitching it on 22 count Oslo in Nebula from Crafty Kitten.  I am using a DMC Variegated floss - 4025 - three strands over 1 tent stitch.

This is how the finished piece will look:-

This is where I was at when I last stitched on it:-

Here is where I am after 10 hours stitching.  I have now used one full skein of DMC thread.

Time to rotate onto another project.

Keep stitching and smiling

Pretty Little Amsterdam - Satsuma Street - SECRET PROJECT REVEAL

I stitched this design for my sister in law for her 40th birthday.  She and her partner always go to Amsterdam for New Year's and her birthday so I thought it would be something she might like.  This was finished in 2015 although I am only showing it now so doesn't count towards my 2016 finishes.

I stitched it on 18 count aida in Jem's Dreams from KLT Charting.  It's a lovely subtle blend of blues and purples and I think it sets the design of perfectly.  I used the recommended DMC threads.

Keep stitching and smiling

Huey Owlet - Mill Hill - FINISH 2 of 2016

This was my second start and my second finish for 2016.  It's a Mill Hill kit called Huey Owlet.  Such a fun and quick design to stitch up and bead.

And here he is with his sister Violet who I stitched last year.

I do have all six owls in the series so will look forward to adding to my little owlet family in the future.

Keep stitching and smiling

Mabel Figworthy's Round in Circles SAL - Round One - 01.01.16 - FINISH 1 for 2016

So on the 1st of January 2016 I have my first start and first finish for the year.  It also happens to be my first attempt at hardanger so all very appropriate!

It was also the first time I have done Kloster blocks and whipped backstitch!

All my supplies haven't come in that I had ordered for this stitch a long but I really wanted to start this today so instead of using different coloured threads as indicated in the chart I used one hand dyed thread from Jodyri Designs in Perle number 5 and Perle number 8 - the colour is called Alaskan Beauty.  It's stitched on Antique White 22 count Hardanger.

I have to say I was a little overwhelmed when I looked at all the instructions but I followed them step by step and breaking it down into each stitch made it an lot more manageable.  For my first attempt at Hardanger it only took me about 3 hours to stitch this which I am really pleased with.  So finish number 1 for 2016!  I'm looking forward to the next part coming out in February.

Keep stitching and smiling

Plum Pudding - Glendon Place - 31.12.15 - FINISHED

Plum Pudding by Glendon Place - stitched on 28 count Jazlyn in Candytuft from Crafty Kitten fabrics.  Stitched with recommended Dinky Dyes threads and Mill Hill Beads.

Started 01.03.15 - finished 31.12.15

Plum Pudding - Glendon Place - 30.12.15

I am very happy to say I achieved my goal of finishing the stitching on Plum Pudding in 2015 - I just need to get the beading done.  This will be the biggest project I've ever beaded so I am a little apprehensive but will just take it one bead at a time.

I've also come up with a rotation for 2016.  I intend to have one piece that is my focus piece which to start with will be the model I am stitching for KLT Charting - it's a new SAL featuring owls which starts on 13th January.  I will then stitch 10 hours on the focus piece and 10 hours on one of my WIPS I will repeat this until I have stitched on all my WIPs and then I get to have a new start then just repeat.  Hopefully it means important pieces will get more time spent on them but each piece will get some attention.  Let's see how long the plans last anyway!

Hope you all enjoyed Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year.

Keep stitching and smiling

Plum Pudding - Glendon Place - 13.12.15

I've been focussing on this piece for the last few weeks as I would really like to finish the stitching this year.  Here's where I am at today.

After my last post I have had a think about how I am going to work through my WIPs and new starts.

My plan is to work 10 hours on a project before rotating.  I will then work on a focus piece, a SAL, a new start and a WIP.  I will have more time on the focus piece than the other pieces and will work on my SAL pieces for as long as it takes to complete that month's part.

I've made big plans in the past before and never really stuck to them so all this is subject to change!

Keep stitching and smiling

General Update

It feels like a long time since I last posted.  I've been trying to spend less time on social media and more time actually stitching and I think it's working.  While I am stitching though I am watching flosstube and being enabled a lot!

I have had quite a few new purchases over the last few weeks and with Christmas coming can see more in my future.

The year of starts that a lot of people are talking about is really tempting me.  There's no way I can start a new project every day but I could possibly do one a month or even one a fortnight.

On the other hand for the past couple of weeks I have only stitched on one project - Plum Pudding by Glendon Place.  I would really like to get the stitching finished this year and then only have the beading to finish.

I've signed up for two SALs for next year, Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery and Mabel Figworthy's Hardanger SAL and I am model stitching a new SAL for KLT Charting.  There may also be a model stitch for another company's SAL in the pipeline.

I had made a decision a couple of weeks ago that I was going to make Spirit of Christmas by Lavender and Lace my focus project so that I could get it finished for next Christmas for my mum.  But now I'm thinking about new starts and having bought lots of new stash recently there are a lot of things calling me.

My latest impulse purchase was some of the months of the year by Cross Eyed Cricket. A stitcher on floss tube mentioned them and I looked at them and fell in love with them instantly.  So I am thinking of starting one of those each month.

The problem is I have just too many projects shouting at me at the moment.  Do you think if I sat down and worked out what fabric to stitch them on and put a few hours in on each one that would stop the shouting?

I don't know if it's the prospect of a New Year or what but I am feeling extremely unsettled in my stitching at the moment.  I spend all the time I am stitching on a project thinking of another one.  I know it is a ridiculous problem to have but sometimes having too many charts can be very distracting.

I am also spending time sorting through my stash and I wonder if this is what is making me remember forgotten projects.  I have quite a few WIPs which are very close to being finished and I had thought about making 2016 the year of finishes for me rather than starts!

Anyway I just wanted to get this all down to hopefully get it out of my head so I can concentrate on other stuff.

If you managed to read all this rambling thank you.

I hope to start blogging more regularly and will let you see all my new acquisitions and progress soon.

But if I don't post again this year I hope you all enjoy the festive season and get lots of time to yourself for stitching.  Peace, goodwill and health for the new year ahead.

Keep stitching and smiling

Summer Garden - Little House Needleworks - Re-Draw

As I have heard nothing from the person who was originally drawn I have redrawn and the next person the travelling pattern will travel to is CalamityJr.  Please e-mail (obsessivecrossstitcher @ gmail.com) me with your contact details and I can get the pattern sent on to you.

Keep stitching and smiling