Learning Sampler - Northern Expressions Needlework - Parts 1 & 2 - Completed 15.09.13

I recently found out about the Learning Sampler by Northern Expressions Needlework.  It is being released in parts over about 18 months (I think).  I loved the design when I saw it and liked the idea of learning lots of new speciality stitches, it can only help with my Chatelaine when I get back to it.

This is the picture that I first saw.

I decided I wanted to stitch it in purples and I've chosen six Dinky Dyes colours to stitch it in.  I am stitching on 32 count Pearl Grey Murano.  I had originally thought I would stitch the border in white as shown but I am now doing it in DMC 4215.  The first part of the pattern was released on 1st September and was the border and the first five letters A-E.

Here is mine with part one of the satin stitch border completed.

And a close up of the corner.

When I first looked at the chart I thought the border looked very complicated but the diagram breaking down the border into three easy steps helped a lot.  I did miscount one stitch though which meant frogging a good portion of it but from start to finish the whole border took me three days of stitching possibly an hour or two a day.  I really like how it's looking so far.

And here is part two letters A-E.

And the whole

Keep stitching and smiling

Gathering my thoughts and projects

I feel like I have been neglecting my blog recently.  I haven't posted as many updates as I would like to and feel a bit lost as to where I am with all my WIPs and all those new projects that I want to start.  Sometimes I feel over whelmed with all the projects I want to stitch that I kind of come to a stand still and don't actually stitch anything.  Does any one else ever feel like that?

I am thinking that I will set up a couple of new pages on the blog one for WIPs with photos of the piece as it will look when finished and the most up to date WIP picture.  Then another page for future projects which I will try and prioritise.

As I type this I realise some people may think this is all a bit too much and that you should just enjoy your sewing projects and do what takes your fancy.  Unfortunately I have a bit of OCD when it comes to things like this and I like to know things are organised.

I am currently stitching on two projects that are being released in parts the first is the Learning Sampler from Northern Expressions Needleworks and also the Lizzie Kate Mystery Christmas SAL.  I really want to keep up with the parts of these as they are released so these will be my two main projects.  I am also committed to stitching two more model stitches in the near future so when I have the materials from those I will be making them a priority as well.  I would then like to concentrate on some of my current WIPs.  I also need to go through all my WIPs and decide which are UFOs and if I will ever actual finish them or if the fabric could be put to a better use on a different project.

I hope you will enjoy seeing my updates and I hope to make them more regular again.

Keep stitching and smiling

WIPocalypse - 20.08.13

Hearts SAL - Finished 22.07.13

Damask by Jodyri Designs - Finished 08.08.13

Keep stitching and smiling

Damask as of 08.08.13 - FINISHED

Doing a happy dance today as I've finished Damask by Jodyri Designs.  I loved every stitch of this.  The design is gorgeous as are the threads and fabric and they are all by the amazing Michelle at Jodyri.

So here's a picture of the original design and my step by step progress.

Keep stitching and smiling

Secret Ink Circles Project - REVEALED

So for the past couple of years I have mentioned a secret Ink Circles project I was working on.  I started stitching I Still Do by Ink Circles for my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary which was in August 2013.  I changed the colours to blues and purples because I thought my parents would prefer this to reds.

I made quite a bit of progress and then part way through 2012 my sister offered to stitch the project with me as well.  That way it would be a joint present we could both give to our parents and it would also mean that it would definitely get finished on time.  On 20th January 2013 it was finished are here below you can see our progress pictures.

This is where I stitched to on my own then my sister and I swapped it between us.

My update

My update

The final completed project finished on 20th January 2013

We gave it to our parents today and they loved it.  You could tell they were really pleased and I can finally share my secret project with the world!

Keep stitching and smiling

Hearts SAL - FINISH - 22.07.13

I'm not posting this on the day I actually finished it as my WIPocalypse post also went out on the same day.
So on 22nd July I finished the Hearts SAL from Thread Pickerz Silkz.

It is stitched on 20 count aida from Crafty Kitten in Feb 2011 Ltd Ed.

The hearts are stitched in the following threads

Heart border - Jodyri - Smoke & Mirrors
Heart 1 - Jodyri - Colour Cascade
Heart 2 - Thread Pickerz Silkz - Robin's Nest
Heart 3 - Thread Pickerz Silkz - Amazon Parrot
Heart 4 - Jodyri - Cha Cha Cha
Heart 5 - Jodyri - Arctic Splash
Heart 6 - Jodyri - Rascal's Rainbow
Heart 7 - Jodyri - Perfect Purples
Heart 8 - Thread Pickerz Silkz - Cream Latte
Heart 9 - Jodyri - Sherbet Dip
Heart 10 - Thread Pickerz Silkz - Peacock Blue
Heart 11 - Crafty Kitten - Raspberry Crush
Heart 12 - Crafty Kitten - Dragon Forest
Heart 13 - Crafty Kitten - Moonlight Magic
Heart 14 - Jodyri - Sea Wall
Heart 15 - Thread Pickerz Silkz - Ocean
Heart 16 - Crafty Kitten - Aleanna's Garden

Here is my latest update on Damask by Jodyri Designs.

Keep stitching and smiling

WIPocalypse - 22.07.13

Damask by Jodyri Designs as of 26.06.13

Heart SAL - Thread Pickerz Silkz - Part 6 completed 26.06.13

Perpetual Calendar Part 7 completed as of 05.07.13

So I've completed the next part in the perpetual calendar the number 2

I changed the background colours a lot from what was charted this time.  I looked for two of my hand dyed threads that I loved and that contrasted with one another.  The main background colour is Salamander and the blue/green squares and circles is Blue Agave both of which are from Jodyri Designs.

I've also made some more progress on my model stitch Damask.  I've used a whole skein of thread now.  I'm trying to make texture in the design with the direction of my stitches.

Keep stitching and smiling

Damask by Jodyri Designs as of 26.06.13

Here's my latest update on Damask by Jodyri Designs.  It is stitched on 18 count Fairy Bower and the thread is Perfect Purples.  The design, hand dyed fabric and hand dyed thread all come from Jodyri Designs.

I've also completed part 6 of the Heartz SAL from Thread Pickerz Silkz.  Hearts nine, ten, eleven and twelve are stitched in Jodyri's Sherbet Dip, Thread Pickerz Silkz Peacock Blue, Crafty Kitten's Raspberry Crush and Crafty Kitten's Dragon Forest.  I'm really enjoying this stitch along and managed to keep up quite well I'm only two weeks behind, the final part was released last week.  I believe the design is going to be for sale on the Thread Pickerz Silkz website if anyone is interested in stitching it.  I added the heart border myself.  The fabric is 20 count aida in the Feb 2011 Ltd Edition from Crafty Kitten.

I'm hoping to have a finish soon on the next part of the perpetual calendar.

Keep stitching and smiling.

WIPocalypse - 23.06.13

Heart SAL - part four completed 01.06.13

Black & White by Maggi Co's Village

Damask by Jodyri Designs

Keep stitching and smiling

Damask by Jodyri Designs as at 19.06.13 - a new start

As soon as I saw this design released I knew I had to stitch it as I absolutely adore it.  It is a new design by Michelle Easters at Jodyri Designs.  So imagine my delight when Michelle asked if I would stitch the project as a model for her.  I was absolutely over the moon.

Michelle has also started hand dyeing fabrics as well as thread and we decided that I would stitch this on Fairy Bower for the fabric with Perfect Purples for the thread.

Here are my progress pictures up to now.

Keep stitching and smiling