Hello blogging friends!  It is mid February already and I feel like my ambition in January is stuck in January.  But I am making progress on things 🙂  First up, I have a little Fairy!

Boy did she drive me crazy!  Not sure if it was because the designer made the large fairy a lot smaller to fit into this space or what.  But the backstitching was so crazy, that I ended up doing it my own way.  Too many zig zags within a stitch or 2 that were just not possible on the Aida, so I did my own thing and I think it came out pretty good.  I am not that happy with her face.  Her green eyes are not that visible, but I will leave it for now.  I am just happy to have her finished.  Not sure if I will continue with this piece or put it away for now.  We’ll see how I feel tonight.  This is the 20th Anniversary SAL from Passione Ricamo that was put out in 2014.  Yeah, I slacked on this one, but I am hoping for a finish this year…maybe…Anyway, I am stitching her on 16ct Aida Nantucket Sky from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie.

I also have a framed finish!  Yep, I picked up from the cross stitch store on Feb. 3.  I still don’t have a place to hang it, but it’s home and I love it!

Sorry about the crooked photo.  I was trying not to get the glare from the window and maybe my head was tilted, too.   What a truly remarkable piece!  I loved every stitch of this one and am so proud of myself for keeping up with it and finishing it in the month of December when the last section was released.  I love my color choices and where I placed the colors.  I would not change a thing about my choices on this one.  So, for all the info on this one:  2017 Mystery Sampler from Linen and Threads.  Stitched on 16ct Aida Castleview from Silkweaver.  Threads are Sullivan’s variegated London Fog and DMC 3888.  I am hoping that my color choices for the 2018 Sampler make me as happy as this one.  I haven’t started it yet, as I am waiting on a bigger piece of fabric and some threads.  I will be sure to share once I get it started.  If you are interested in the 2017 or the 2018 Mystery Samplers, you can find the info about them on the Linen and Threads website.  They are both FREE patterns, so that is even more amazing!

When hubby took me Birthday shopping in January, one of the things he bought me was this:

A cute Cowl pattern and a very soft, squishy skein of yarn. So I started it 🙂

Oh my gosh!  Those colors are so gorgeous!!  Very nice pattern, too.  I do have to pay attention, at least until I get the hang of the pattern.  I am in love!  And I can’t wait to see more of the color variations.  The pattern is Aspen Cowl by Javori Designs.  The yarn is Ella Rae Seasons Yarn color #52.  One ball will make the cowl using drop and eyelet stitches.  the yarn is 76% acrylic, 14% Wool, 10% Nylon and has 219 yards.  The yarn almost looks like a crocheted chain.  Gives it that nice squishy texture. According to the pattern there are 280 rows and I have 32 completed rows.  Long way to go to a finish, but it is going to be gorgeous when finished.

It is another cold day outside today, but the last 2 days were warmer so our snow is melting.  I will leave you with a picture of a sparkly icicle with the sun shining through.  So pretty, but glad they are all melted now 🙂

What are you up to?