Cross Stitching Chaos

June 20, 2022 My Time Stitching12 Comments

Hello my blogging friends. It is now past mid-June and creating a blog post has been longer than I had planned. So many things get in the way and yet I can’t remember most of them. I had a big cross stitch post planned, but plans change and I have decided to go in a different direction.

So, what have I been stitching? Well, my cross stitch projects have seemed to have expanded in the last few months. I was stitching on 2 Mirabilia’s and the Fox & Rabbit Mystery Sampler. But after the events that unfolded on Social Media over the weekend, I couldn’t even stitch on Saturday night…at all…on anything! That almost never happens with me. And on Sunday night I started yet another cross stitch project. So much for trying to get through my WIP’s. Anyway, a lot of my recent nights have been spent stitching on Rosamund by Mirabilia. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her and immediately started stitching on her as soon as I received her and the fabric.

I am stitching her on 16ct Aida Salem from Fiberlicious Yummy Fibers. I worked with the dyer to get the fabric painted so that I wouldn’t lose the edges into a frame. There are only 2″ on the sides for framing, and I am wondering if any of the black will show. But for now I stitch on.

I rarely ever do a face first when I am cross stitching. I usually work from the middle down and then the middle up. I feel that if I do her face first, I may get bored and my progress to get her done will really slow down. But since this is a vertical design, my needle automatically went to the right and wow! She is beautiful and I do love stitching on her.

And this is where I left off before the weekend.

I am really enjoying stitching on this Mirabilia. But after the Mirabilia designer posted on social media that she thought the Bella Filipina Designer was copying her designs, I couldn’t stitch on her Saturday night. There were so many negative comments going around and I just felt awful about the whole thing. I thought it was very distasteful what the Mirabilia designer posted. I love both designers. I think they each have their own style, that is different from each other. I am sure I will get back to Rosamund and Blossom, but last night I decided to do this:

This was a recent limited design by Bella Filipina Designs for the Casa Cenina shop in Italy. I am so lucky to have gotten her and very quickly I might add. I am not using the 32ct fabric that was included in the kit. I am going to stitch her on 16ct Aida Oberon from Fabrics by Stephanie. I thought it would be perfect for Esmeralda. After all the time it took me to find the perfect fabric and a scroll frame that wouldn’t drive me crazy, I don’t have much stitching to show. I will next time.

So what are you stitching on?

cross stitch · Fabric · Fairies · Floss · Fox and Rabbit · Hand Dyed Fabrics · Knitted Shawl · Knitting · Mirabilia · yarn

Juggling Four Projects

April 9, 2022 My Time Stitching11 Comments

It is April 9 and it does not feel like Spring yet. I woke up to a dusting of snow this morning 😦 I had planned on going to a Spring Fiber Fest today, but too many other things came up this morning and then it just seemed to be too late for the drive. Hopefully tomorrow I can get there. Even though I really do not need to add any more yarn to my stash. I did find out that there will be a booth carrying not only yarn, but cross stitch products too. Oh yeah, gotta go 😉

So as my title indicates, I have been juggling 4 projects lately. I have juggled 2 in the past, but not 4 that I can remember. Usually I knit in the morning and cross stitch at night. But I am all over the place with 4 projects. So, first up is the Liva Cardigan.

Yep, this one is still on my needles. This is a pattern in one of the Berroco books and can be found on Ravelry. I am using the called for yarn, Topaz by Berroco. I have picked up stitches along the left and right front and for the collar. I have to knit 6″ on about 300 stitches. I think I have 4 1/2″ stitches in right now. So, it is going slow, but I am getting there. Once that is finished all I will have to do is to sew on pockets (of course pockets) and weave in ends. It has been a few days since I put any stitches in. The Fairy Correspondence Shawl is the reason why.

This is section 2 and my least favorite of this one. The bobble row took me over 3 hours to get across :O Wow! They are not perfect either, but they are staying as is. There is a little v at the top of them that I don’t think is supposed to be there, but I’m ok with it. The Weeds and Thickets section before and after the bobbles were not fun either. None of these sections were hard, just very time consuming. I love the look of the Weeds and Thickets, but I am really hoping that there are no more of these or bobbles in this shawl. I am loving my color choices. That pop of pink is perfect with the purples. Purple yarns are Jilly & Kiddles Tour de France and Bonjour and the pink is Ishtar from AJHC Wools. Yesterday I finished section 3 and love it!

This section was called Conifers and it was so rhythmic and relaxing to knit. I was even able to watch tv while knitting this lace pattern. Though I guess I did get a little too into the “Bridgerton’s” as I forgot a yarn over a couple of times and had to unknit several rows. But I didn’t mind as this pattern was wonderful to knit. Section 4 doesn’t come out for a few days, so hopefully I can get the Liva cardigan finished.

The other 2 projects that have captured my attention are cross stitch. You know I can’t not have a cross stitch project going on in my life 😉 So now I have 2 going, LOL First up is Blossom by Mirabilia.

This one is a joy to stitch. The colors are so vivid. There are more than a few stitches in each color, so it isn’t like confetti stitching. I am stitching her on 16ct Busy Izzy from Fabrics by Stephanie. It is such a pretty fabric and I am loving watching Blossom come alive on it.

A special piece of fabric finally arrived for a project that I have been wanting to stitch since February. It is not the normal Aida that the dyer usually dyes so I wasn’t sure it was going to work. It is a rather flimsy Aida and the sizing looked to be off. One of the reasons that I use Aida is that I am a tight stitcher and having a flimsy fabric like Lugana or linen does not work for me. This Aida feels like a Lugana, so I am trying to be conscience of my stitches not being too tight.

Yes! I finally started the Fox and Rabbit 2022 Mystery SAL. The fabric is Winter Wishes by Fabrics by Stephanie. Like I said, this Aida is different and the Winter Wishes is a bit lighter than normal. But it is working. The floss I chose is DMC 115. I went with a color way out of my color comfort zone and I feel like I made the right choice. The way the colors change in this floss is awesome! I really like the continuous stitching with one floss. This is where I left this piece last night.

This project is quite large, using a 29″ x 29″ piece of fabric. I am not sure when I will be caught up with this one. The section that is stitched above is the February section. So I have all of the borders of the January section, the March and the April sections to do. I think after this section that I am stitching on now is finished, I will stitch the April section and hopefully have some time to do some catching up before the next section comes out May 1. This pattern is the 2022 Mystery Sampler and is a free design from Fox and Rabbit.

So that is what I have been up to. Juggling these 4 projects has been fun. I am enjoying each of them when I work on them. How many projects have you juggled all at once? I’d love to know.

And now I leave you with a most glorious sunset that I just saw out of my craft room window ❤

Ginny

cross stitch · Cross Stitch Patterns · Fabric · Heaven and Earth Designs · Mirabilia · Passione Ricamo · Passione Ricamo SAL

A Couple of Older Cross Stitch Projects and A New Start

March 26, 2022March 25, 2022 My Time Stitching15 Comments

Hello Blogging friends! When I finished stitching the Winter Snowfall project in February, I pulled out an older WIP.

I don’t remember when I started this project. It has to be 5-8 years ago. The pattern is Gossamer Princess Storykeep from Heaven and Earth Designs. This was a project I started for my husband. He mentions it every now and then, reminding me that I haven’t finished it, LOL So I thought I would pull it out and work on it. This is as far as I had gotten on it before having to put it in time out again.

This one is being stitched on 25ct Lugana in White over 1. I had made a mistake and found out how much of a pain it is to rip out on Lugana over 1. Ugh It is also hard to see the holes, so back into her bag and away she went. I hope to get it finished someday, but that time is not now. So I pulled out another WIP.

This is what the finished piece will look like. This design, by Passione Ricamo, was a Mystery Stitch-A-Long back in 2017. I think a couple of sections had come out when someone stole her design from her computer. She then halted the SAL and released the entire design to each person that had paid for it. Before sending out the PDF’s, she watermarked each person’s copy with their name and address. This is how it looked when I started the SAL.

And here is how she looked when I picked her up in early March.

I didn’t get to stitch much on her this time, but this is where I left off on her.

This is a beautiful piece and I am hoping to finish her this year. I am stitching her on 16ct Aida, a one of a kind piece dyed for me by Fantasy Dyed Fabrics, specifically for this project. It looks all gray in the photo, but there are hints of purple throughout. So the reason I put her away is because I just had to make a new start. Mirabilia comes out with a new design every month on the 15th. On February 15, Blossom was released and as soon as I saw her, I fell in love. She represents Spring, new beginnings and hope. With all that I was going through in the last few months, she was so appropriate and I knew I had to have her. Here is the quote about her;

To blossom is to burst forth with beauty and energy. It is a flurry of new life and electric beginnings. It is also a small flower that appears in the spring. This design is inspired by the hope and joy blossoms bring.
Nora Corbett

As soon as I saw her, I went through my stash to find the perfect fabric. It was a little difficult, but I found 2 that I thought might work. A friend ordered her for me and when she informed me that she was on the way, I pulled all of the threads and did a floss toss.

The fabric I chose is 16ct Aida Busy Izzy from Fabrics By Stephanie.

All set to go. And she arrived and I was so excited to start her!

I haven’t made much progress on her, with 2 knitting projects going. Hopefully the next time I post about her I will have more progress.

So that is what I have been cross stitching on. What are you up to today?

cross stitch · Shannon Christine designs

Winter Snowfall Finish

February 19, 2022February 19, 2022 My Time Stitching18 Comments

It is still winter where I am and the snow is still here. In fact we had another 5-6 inches yesterday. Today the sun is shining and I am happy for that. I am also happy that I have another finish for 2022! On February 7 I had finished all of the stitching on my Winter Snowfall project.

Yesterday I finished putting in the over 1600 beads!

I am so happy to be finished with all of that white and all of those beads. It was so worth it. Another WIP out of the pile! The stats on this one: Winter Snowfall by Shannon Chirstine Designs. I stitched on 16ct Aida Valyrian Steel from Fabrics by Stephanie. DMC colors are 818, 3354 and B5200. Mill Hill beads are 00479 and 40557. I have a new project in mind that I want to start. But it depends on how long it will take to get to me.

That is what I have been up to. What are you working on?

Country Cottage Needleworks · cross stitch · Shannon Christine designs

So Much Snow, Inside and Out

January 24, 2022 My Time Stitching6 Comments

Hello blogging friends! How is your January going? Mine has not gone well, but that is a story for another day. And the last few days we have been getting snow. So much snow outside.

This photo was taken this morning. It has been snowing all day. There is also so much snow inside, with my Winter Snowfall project.

I have finished all of the pink on this project, so all that is left is all that white snow. I have been trying to push through to get this done, but I am so bored with the white. So since it is my Birthday today, I decided I needed a new Birthday start!

So I started the February Sampler of the Month by Country Cottage Needleworks. I have so many CCN patterns that I want to do. I wanted to do this series last year, but didn’t get to it. I am skipping January for now since it is almost over. I will be mounting all of the months myself in order to pop them in and out of 2 different frames I purchased for them. We shall see how that goes. But this project will be a nice break from all that snow 😉 I am stitching on 16ct Aida Beautiful Beige from Wichelt. So for the rest of the day I am going to enjoy my birthday by stitching on a new project and eating cake.

What new project are you itching to get started on?

cross stitch · Shannon Christine · Shannon Christine designs

Snowflakes and Pink Trees

January 11, 2022 My Time Stitching10 Comments

The temperatures started out in the negative today. Brrr. I had a few errands to run but only did one and then came back home. It is supposed to get into the 30’s tomorrow, so I will try again tomorrow before the snow comes. I would much rather deal with the snowflakes on my cross stitch. So what am I stitching on?

I started Winter Snowfall in December 2020. The pattern is from Shannon Christine Designs. The entire pattern has 3 thread colors and 2 colors of beads. The snowflakes are done in B5200 and then you can choose any 2 colors you want to add. I chose to use 2 shades of pink. She does suggest a couple of colors on the pattern if you are undecided.

I think this is where I was when I picked this up on New Year’s Eve. This one is the next WIP in my “work on it until finished” project. There are only 2 more Scroll frames with projects on them after this one, but I think I have 2 additional projects that are started. But I am getting them down. This one is going to be so pretty when done. I just love all the pink trees and snowflakes that form a big tree. And that sweet little pink reindeer will look even cuter when I bead his antlers.

That is a lot of white snowflakes at the top! I didn’t think I would ever get through it. And then I noticed that not all of my skeins of B5200 match. What?? How can that be? They were all in the project bag together. Ugh. But you know what? I am leaving it. It is what it is. I am not tearing it out nor am I starting over.

This is what I have completed so far. I am moving the scrolls so I can start on the lower section. You see all of those snowflakes across the top? I have to do the same at the bottom. Hopefully I can get through it without getting too bored. I want this to be a finished project this year.

I am stitching on 16ct Aida Valyrian Steel from Fabrics By Stephanie. Threads are DMC B5200, DMC 818 and DMC 3354. Beads will be white and gold, but I haven’t decided on exact ones yet.

So that is where I am with this piece. Shannon Christine has a new companion piece to this one called Falling Snow. I would love to do that one in Red and white. But I have to get through this one first.

So that is what I am up to. What are you stitching on?

Bella Filipina Designs · cross stitch · Fabric · Hand Dyed Fabrics · Mermaids

Last Finish of 2021

January 9, 2022January 7, 2022 My Time Stitching8 Comments

My last finish for 2021 is a beauty! I started stitching on her back in August of 2019. I had put her down to stitch on something else, most likely. I didn’t have much stitched on her when I put her down, so here is what she looked like when I picked her up in October.

I was enjoying stitching on her.

Let the Beading begin.

I swear it took me 2 weeks to bead this beauty. Some sections I beaded, ripped out, re-beaded, ripped out, changed beads, ripped out, left beads off, ripped out. I didn’t use a lot of the large pony beads. Instead I went to a smaller pony type bead and in some instances, left beads off all together. The pattern calls for 28ct fabric, so working on 16 ct aida gives me a smaller space to work with putting the beads on. So leaving off beads, was not a problem. Changing to smaller beads worked well in some places. The long bugle beads needed extra space in order for them to lay flat, so I kind changed those areas in order to accommodate the bugle beads.

Here she is finished. She has so many beads! I think she is the most heavily beaded piece I have done. She is Pearl of the Orient Seas by Bella Filipina Designs. She is stitched on 16ct Aida, a One of a Kind fabric from Fantasy Dyed Fabrics.

What was your final finish for 2021?

cross stitch · Cross Stitch Patterns · Stitched Ornaments

Cookie Exchange

January 7, 2022 My Time Stitching6 Comments

Hello blogging friends. Well, we are one week into the new year and I hope that it is going well for you. My days have been a little bit of this, a little bit of that, more time wasting and less cleaning. My Christmas decorations are still up. Very unusual for me, as I prefer to have it all down before the new year. So it seems I am procrastinating. Oh well.

In December I participated in a cross stitch SAL (stitch a long) with a designer I had not stitched before. I had seen a post of a beautiful blue fabric that Fabrics by Stephanie was dying for the Hands On Design SAL. So I had to check it out. It was for a Cookie Exchange. It was only going to be 3 sections from December 1 – December 5. I was sure I could squeeze it in. So I ordered the SAL from Hands On Design. I ordered the fabric from Fabrics By Stephanie. I ordered the red cookie board from Homestead Needleworke and the trims from Lady Dot Creates. Everything arrived in time to start on Dec 1.

I loved how the designer referred to the fabric, trims, board and floss as the “ingredients” for the Cookie Exchange. And the businesses as “the Bakers”. It really is a cute concept. So I was all ready to go. On December 1st I downloaded section 1 and went straight to stitching.

Section one was completed rather quickly. I love what looks to be strands of Baker’s Twine between the cookie cutters. At this point I was really curious as to what the rest of the piece would look like.

In section 2 I added the table and some holly. One more section to go to complete the scene.

How cute does that table of goodies look? I love the cookies under the cloche. And that jar of candy canes is adorable! So now that all of the stitching was done, it was time to do the finishing. And like with the snowman ornaments, it sat, waiting for me to cut it and finish it. I finally did just decide to gather the things I needed and sit down and do the finishes. I finished this one along with the snowman ornaments.

I think it turned out rather cute! I even had the perfect little cookie cutter in my kitchen cupboard that I just had to add. The gorgeous fabric is 16ct aida Vintage Tiffany and is so perfect for this piece.

I will enjoy adding this to my Christmas decorating every year. And I tried a new designer that I was quite happy with. Her designs appear to be quick and sweet and I think there may be a few more in my future.

Have you recently tried something from a designer that you haven’t used before?

cross stitch · Stitched Ornaments

A Finish Other Than A Framing

January 4, 2022 My Time Stitching6 Comments

Hello Bloggers! So before the holidays, I decided I wanted to make a few cross stitch ornaments. I had only made one ornament back in 2014. You can read about that post here. I had done 2 other flat fold finishes back in 2015 and you can read about those here. I can tell you it can be very nerve racking for me to cut my finished cross stitch, but I decided I wanted to make more ornaments or finishes other than getting pieces framed. I had already purchased extra fabric back in 2014 to make several snowman ornaments, so that is where I started. I had 2 special friends I wanted to make an ornament for so I started there. I did the stitching on both and then they sat. I was so afraid to do the finishing because I was afraid I would mess them up. So I kept putting it off. But then one day I just decided to do it.

I actually made 2 of these snowmen ornaments. The pattern is Snow Love from Country Cottage Needleworks. I stitched them on 16ct Aida Dirty. I used white acrylic paint and a toothpick to add the snow after I finished the stitching. The other ornament had a different ribbon and trim. I was so excited to finally get them finished that I quickly packaged the one up for mailing before I realized I didn’t get a photo. So I snapped this one right before wrapping it up and packaging it up. The recipients received them and loved them and I was so happy to get them made. They are the only 2 ornaments I did in 2021. But I have plans for several others for 2022. I should probably get started on them now, LOL. I did make one more flat fold finish item that I will share in my next post.

So what kind of finishes have you done with your cross stitch, other than a framing?

Happy Stitching!

Ginny

Bella Filipina Designs · cross stitch · Hand Dyed Fabrics · Knitted Shawl · Knitting · Mermaids · Project Bags

Stitching, Knitting and Shopping

November 12, 2021 My Time Stitching8 Comments

Hello blogging friends. The temps are getting cooler here after a few days of surprisingly wonderful warm and sunny days. The dreaded white stuff is coming though. About an inch or two of snow is predicted for this weekend 😦 Are you a fan of snow and cold weather? I am not looking forward to winter and can only hope that it will fly by as fast as my summer did.

I need to plan out some projects for the winter. But for now, let’s talk about what I am stitching on right now.

I finished the tail on Pearl of the Orient Seas, minus the beads. I have moved scrolls to the middle of the design to work upwards.

While I am enjoying the stitching on this one, the colors are starting to bring me down and I am getting the itch to start something new. I am trying really hard to resist, but I do see some smaller projects creeping into my plans. For now, I stitch on 🙂 Just to remind you, the design is Pearl of the Orient Seas by Bella Filipina Designs. Fabric is 16ct aida, a one of a kind dye from Fantasy Dyed Fabrics.

The Marit Shawl by Amy Christoffers is still on my needles. It is going well, but still looking a little small to me.

I am actually on the decrease tier now and making half triangles for the top edge.

Maybe blocking will give me the size I need. This shawl will also have tassels.

Now onto the shopping as mentioned in my title. Last week Shop Hop started at local yarn shops. I decided not to shop hop this year, but just visit my very local shop, The Knitting Nest. I picked up some yarn for the newly published on Ravelery, Urchins and Scallops shawl from Soft Yarn Designs. This one should definitely be put into my winter knitting plans 😉

After getting home, I realized the yarn colors are very similar to the colors used in the pattern. I think they are perfect. The lovely shop owners also pointed out that they had some new stitch markers that they knew I would be interested it. Mermaids! Yes, please. And I couldn’t help but pick up another Project Bag by CleverGirl Designs. This one is a little bigger than the bags I usually order from her. It just fits into the bin I keep them in, but is taller than the other bags. I don’t think I can ever have too many of Kristine’s bags. Hubby ordered me another year of the Bag of the Month from her in August. I have received August, September and October, but I cannot find the pictures. Today I was surprised with the November and December bags and they are Awesome! Here is my November bag…ready?

Oh my gosh! It’s Gnomies!! so stinking cute! I LOVE it! And here is the back;

My December bag was just as awesome.

She knows my love for mermaids and I do love this one. In fact, it matched the mask I was wearing when I went to the yarn shop to pick them up. Did you catch that cute Seashell zipper pull/progress marker? So cute! And check out that cute wallet looking matching piece! Have to show the back and the open wallet, too!

Just look at that cute little Floss Catcher! I just love all of Kristine’s bags. They are so well made and her attention to detail and choice of fabrics is amazing. You can find her on Instagram @clevergirldesignsco

This is how I store my CleverGirl Project Bags.

There are 20 bags in these bins. It doesn’t include the one I am using for Pearl or the 2 new ones I picked up today. I can still use some more, LOL

This been is full of not so pretty bags filled with wonderful projects. Some day it will be filled with pretty CleverGirl Design bags.

While at the Yarn Shop today, I was looking for even more yarn. This time for a sweater. Yep, a sweater, not a shawl! I haven’t made a sweater in years and I think I need to add one to my winter stitching plan 😉 I didn’t buy any, as I need to figure out what I want to use. So, I am off to make a swatch. What are you up to? What are your crafty plans for the weekend?

Category: cross stitch

Cross Stitching Chaos

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Juggling Four Projects

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A Couple of Older Cross Stitch Projects and A New Start

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Winter Snowfall Finish

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So Much Snow, Inside and Out

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Snowflakes and Pink Trees

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Last Finish of 2021

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A Finish Other Than A Framing

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Stitching, Knitting and Shopping

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