March Gifted Gorgeousness Link-up Post

Welcome to the March Gifted Gorgeousness link-up.  The link-up date continues to be the 15th and I will keep the link-up open until the end of each month so you have plenty of time if you are late posting.

The format remains exactly the same, there is a list of rules on the main sign-up page if you want to check what is required but basically anything connected to the word "gift" is allowed, whether it was a gift TO you or is a gift FROM you.

The first design is stitched on gifted fabric.  The lovely Tiff Stitches sent me this gorgeous piece of acid yellow from Chromatic Alchemy and I decided to stitch this Satsuma Street design titled Nest Egg which I call "Goose in a Bonnet" just for fun.

Here is where the piece was left last month:

stitched on 32 count Belfast in Marie's Daffodil by Chromatic Alchemy

And here is where I am now:

look how much nicer that wing looks in the lighter shade of peach

I worked on my Chatelaine for one week this month.  This was a Birthday present and a number of bloggers donated threads for it.  Here is where I left the second Garden last month:

And here is where I am now:

Not a lot of progress this time.  I did stitch a lot of Queen's Stitches in the border.  Unfortunately the pink in the right garden looks different to the pink in the left which I prefer.  So I see another frog in my future.  Then I stitched the rice stitches in both gardens.  Next month will be speciality stitches in the right garden and in both outer borders.

stitched on 32 count Cotton Clouds Belfast by Crafty Kitten

My Discworld Mappe will be a gift for my son, hopefully for his 18th Birthday in 2020.  Here is where is was at last GG post:

And here is where I will pick it up for this month:

stitched on 32 count Murano custom-dyed by Sparklies

Now it is your turn to show us your Gifted Gorgeousness for the month. Please use your name or your blog name in the field and NOT the words "March Update" so I can easily see who has linked up this month. And link to the actual post, not just your blog. It is easier if you copy and paste the link, rather than typing freehand.

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Finally, it is IHSW this weekend.  The weekend where we hide away from the rest of the world and stitch to our heart's content.  Unfortunately I have to work Sunday but I will be picking up Discworld on Saturday and starting on the lettering.  Hopefully I can add Monday to my weekend as I'm not working that day.

February Gifted Gorgeousness Link-up Post

Welcome to the February Gifted Gorgeousness link-up.  The link-up date continues to be the 15th and I will keep the link-up open until the end of each month so you have plenty of time if you are late posting.

The format remains exactly the same, there is a list of rules on the main sign-up page if you want to check what is required but basically anything connected to the word "gift" is allowed, whether it was a gift TO you or is a gift FROM you.

The first design is stitched on gifted fabric.  The lovely Tiff Stitches sent me this gorgeous piece of acid yellow from Chromatic Alchemy when I moaned about how difficult it was to find a good yellow.  I decided to stitch this Satsuma Street design titled Nest Egg which I call "Goose in a Bonnet" just for fun.

Here is where the piece was left last year:

stitched on 32 count Belfast in Marie's Daffodil by Chromatic Alchemy

And here is where I am now:

I'd love to have this one finished by Easter so I am doing a bit each day.

I worked on my Chatelaine for one week this month.  This was a Birthday present and a number of bloggers donated threads for it.  Here is where I left the second Garden last month:

And here is where I am now:

Noni sent me the lovely yellow I have been using.  

My Discworld Mappe will be a gift for my son, hopefully for his 18th Birthday in 2020.  Here is where is was at the end of last year:

I stitched on it for 2 weeks in January and I am now about to start another two weeks this month.  This is my starting point for today:

Now it is your turn to show us your Gifted Gorgeousness for the month. Please use your name or your blog name in the field and NOT the words "February Update" so I can easily see who has linked up this month. And link to the actual post, not just your blog. It is easier if you copy and paste the link, rather than typing freehand.

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Finally, while I was hopping around last month I noticed that a few people are still using the 2018 logo and linking to the 2018 sign up page which is no longer a valid link.  Please have a little look and make sure you're linking to the 2019 page.

January Gifted Gorgeousness Link-up Post

Welcome to the first Gifted Gorgeousness link-up of 2019! The link-up date will continue to be the 15th and I will keep the link-up open until the end of each month so you have plenty of time if you are late posting.

The format remains exactly the same, there is a list of rules on the main sign-up page if you want to check what is required but basically anything connected to the word "gift" is allowed, whether it was a gift TO you or is a gift FROM you.

Last year we had 30 people sign up and only one didn't manage to post while 8 people linked up every single month.  Both of which were improvements on the previous year.  In total there were 221 posts linked up via my blog.

So I put 221 into the random number generator and post number 119 came up.  This was the June post from

Beth's Needlework Stash

Congratulations to Beth.  You win the chart which is our logo for 2019 and some random stuff I will put together for you.  I'll also need an address to send it to.  Beth in IL is probably not enough info for the postman!

Since our last update in December I have worked on three gifted projects.  The first was our new logo.  This was a gift from Heather for taking part in last year's Smalls SAL:

stitched over one on Wichelt Linen

The next project was Nora Corbett's Gathering Eggs which was a gift from Carol:

stitched on 32 count Vintage Grain linen

Unfortunately, not too much progress as there was an attack of the frogs!

Then I spent the 12 Days of Stitchmas on Christmas Ornaments followed by a couple of days on my Hallowe'en project.  My first Focus Project this year was a week on my Chatelaine, Gardens of London.  This was a gift for my Birthday in 2016, several of the speciality threads and most of the DMC were gifts from my blogging friends and the chart and fabric were gifts from my family.

Here's where it was last time I stitched on it in 2018:

Here's where I am now:

stitched on 32 count Cotton Clouds Belfast linen from Crafty Kitten

(it only looks wonky because I stitch in hand and haven't stretched it out for the photo)

Close-up of Garden 1:

Close-up of Garden 2:

Garden 1 is complete except for the beads and the speciality stitches in the border.  I have decided to do the borders for both gardens at the same time.

I am using a mixture of the charted threads and my own conversion of DMC or Jodyri which is working out rather nicely.  I am particularly pleased with the pink Queen's Stitches.  They were charted for a very variegated silk which I wasn't keen on so I substituted DMC 3688 which is more subdued and I prefer it.

Now it is your turn to show us your Gifted Gorgeousness for the month. Please use your name or your blog name in the field and NOT the words "January Update" so I can easily see who has linked up this month. And link to the actual post, not just your blog. It is easier if you copy and paste the link, rather than typing freehand.

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Finally, I will be running the Secret Stitching Sweetheart Blog Hop on Valentine's Day.

Secret Stitching Sweetheart Blog Hop

 

It's really very simple, all you have to do is email me a picture of something you have stitched which is suitable for a stitching friend on Valentine's Day.  It could be a heart, or a pair of cute creatures, or the word "love" or anything which warms your heart. Really anything you think a fellow stitcher would like to receive in her email Inbox.   It can be something you've stitched in the past or something you've made especially for this year.  It could also be quilted or sewn this year as I know some of my followers do other crafts too.

Send me the email by 10th February.

When I have all the emails I will randomise them and send one to each participant on 13th February.  Then on 14th February you must post the picture you receive onto your blog under the heading

 Secret Stitching Sweetheart. 

There will be a list on my blog of everyone joining in, so check out all the blogs and find out who got your picture and identify yourself  in their comments as their

Secret Stitching Sweetheart. 

Does that make sense to everyone?  I hope so!

If you'd like to be involved then leave a comment on this post or send me an email if you are "no-reply".   I'll be putting little reminders up from time to time and will email on 9th February to make sure you send the pic in time.  

June Pie and Stitch from Stash

Time for the end of month round-up and statistics.  June was the focus month for my Chatelaine Gardens of London.

Here is where I left it at the end of April:

And here is where I am now:

stitched on 32 count Cotton Clouds Belfast by Crafty Kitten

Here's a close-up of the Garden, the blue Queen's Stitches don't show up too well on the blue fabric but once I get the rest of the Garden filled in they will be more visible.  All the spaces in the centre are for beads and there are more speciality stitches in the border. 

The Chatelaine part of the rotation finished on 25th June and I picked up my spooky conversion of The Enchanted Alphabet by Lavender & Lace to stitch the rest of the X I started for The Longest Day Marathon:

stitched on 32 count Tiger Lily Murano by Sparklies

Here's the whole piece, only 2 letters to go then it will be time to add some more spooky motifs:

The Longest Day Marathon did take a day off my rotation and combined with some extra work shifts meant I only managed to stitch for 10 days on my Chatelaine.  Here's the full pie for June:

I did actually spend some money this month.  I needed some charms for my Just Nan Smalls and got 6 bags for the price of 5 from an eBay seller.  You've seen the butterfly used already on the Small SAL post.  Then I needed some DMC replenishing so an order was put in to Lakeside Needlecraft.

June
Charms eBay	£10.25
DMC	£18.03
Total	£28.28

The first period of Stitch from Stash is finishing now and the second starts 1st July.  This is designed to give people who have zero self-control a fresh start and keep them interested LOL.

My biggest expense so far is magazines but I have cut my subscriptions down to two - Just Cross Stitch and Cross Stitcher (which is a legacy subscription from when I got Cross Stitch Collection).  I pay £8.72 for 3 issues rather than £22.39 for 6 issues.  You can see why I won't cancel at that price!

I did manage to avoid spending money on any of the five re-released Mirabilia charts.  If Touching The Autumn Sky had been one of them I would have gone for it.  Seaside Kingdom was tempting but to be honest I'd rather save my money and get both of the Royal Games cards charts.  I have asked Dawn to put my name down to the Cameo design.  I like that one and it's not Limited Edition.

Finally, there will be a Summer Blog Hop this year.  I will be returning to the Postcard theme.

Each person emails me a photo of something they have stitched which is suitable as a postcard to a fellow stitcher along with a short message of the kind you write on a postcard.  I will forward the photo to another participant who shows it on their blog.  The photo can be anything Summer themed, beach themed, holiday themed, you get the idea!   It can be a new piece or something from your archives.  The Hop will run over the whole of the Summer with a few cards going out each week.  Final deadline will be the end of August, just in time for Back to School!  If you'd like to take part then leave a comment or send me an email.

Entry into this Blog Hop also counts as another Peak for my Five Peaks Blog Hop Challenge I am running all year.  If you participate in or comment on all five Hops this year you will be entered into a draw at the end of the year.

June WIPocalypse Stitching Retreat

WIPocalypse is hosted by Measi's Musings

Each month we have to share the projects we want to complete before the End Of The World.  For me, this will be my "18 in '18".  Many of them are part of SALs so I will be working on them each month.

This month I have stitched on all my outstanding projects because of the Longest Day Marathon!  Here's a little collage of all the projects:

That was easy to post!

I also got a finish from my list of 18 earlier in the month.  Satsuma Street's Libra:

stitched on 28 count black Jobelan

This weekend I have continued with my focus piece for the month which is Chatelaine's Gardens of London.  I have completed the inside of the top left Garden and just have the Rhodes, Queen and Rice Stitches in the border.  Beading will be done at the end.

Here's the whole piece:

stitched on 32 count Cotton Clouds Belfast by Crafty Kitten

Measi always sets us a discussion topic:

June - Tell us what you think the ideal stitching retreat would include. 

I have been on two quite different retreats.  The first was a Re-Treat with the emphasis on the treat.  Two sisters owned a converted barn where they held the retreats for only 6 other ladies at a time.  One sister taught the stitching and the other sister did the cooking and also the pampering in the evenings.  I had a wonderful time!  We spent three days just stitching, chatting, eating, having our nails done and shopping in the pop-up shop they had there.

The second was more formal, based in London at the Imperial College in Kensington, I signed up for a goldwork course.  This was fascinating but sadly I never finished the project.  I have sent it to Dima as she has more chance of completing it than I do.

So my ideal retreat would be a combination of the two; time to chat and a class to learn a new technique or a special class project with a designer I admire.  I would love to get together with more stitchers, especially my blogging friends but that just isn't possible at the moment.  But if anyone is passing this way do get in touch and come round for coffee and stitching!

Finally, there will be a Summer Blog Hop this year.  I will be returning to the Postcard theme.  Each person emails me a photo of something they have stitched which is suitable as a postcard to a fellow stitcher along with a short message of the kind you write on a postcard.  I will forward the photo to another participant who shows it on their blog.  The photo can be anything Summer themed, beach themed, holiday themed, you get the idea!  If you'd like to take part then leave a comment or send me an email.

Edit to add - the Hop will run over the whole of the Summer with a few cards going out each week.  Final deadline will be the end of August, just in time for Back to School!

June IHSW

That was a good Hermit Weekend, lots of progress on my beautiful Chatelaine design.

Here is where I picked it up on Friday:

And here is what it looks like now:

I'm hoping to complete this small garden by next Monday which is the end of my rotation.

The other project I've been working on is Alice and the Flamingo by Mrs Peggotty.  Here's where I was last IHSW:

And here is where I am now

stitched over 1 on 25 count blue evenweave

Here's a close-up of the part I've been focusing on, love that bow in her hair.

A few people have said that they don't do Facebook and asked if I could host a link-up for them, so here it is!  Just add your name and the link to your actual IHSW post, not just your blog home page.

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Finally, the next IHSW will be 20th - 22nd July so make sure you note the date in your diary or come and join us in the Facebook Group - IHSW on Facebook.  If you don't do Facebook then you can check in here or on Joysze's Blog - Random Ramblings.

Gifted Gorgeousness June Link-up Post

Welcome to the June Gifted Gorgeousness link-up.  The link-up date will continue to be the 15th and I will keep the link-up open until the end of each month so you have plenty of time if you are late posting.

The format remains exactly the same, there is a list of rules on the main sign-up page if you want to check what is required but basically anything connected to the word "gift" is allowed, whether it was a gift TO you or is a gift FROM you.

In the past month I have stitched a few gifted pieces:-

Just Nan's 12 Days of Christmas - Chart was a Christmas present

stitched on 32 count Vintage Grain linen

Just Nan's Diamond Bouquet - chart was a gift and this was a finish, another off the 18 in '18 list

stitched on 28 count lilac evenweave

Lyndisfarne Design's Discworld Mappe - a gift for my son.

stitched on 32 count evenweave custom-dyed by Sparklies

And the starting point for IHSW on Chatelaine's Gardens of London - a Birthday gift

stitched on 32 count Cotton Clouds Belfast by Crafty Kitten

Now it is your turn to show us your Gifted Gorgeousness for the month. Please use your name or your blog name in the field and NOT the words "June Update" so I can easily see who has linked up this month. And link to the actual post, not just your blog. It is easier if you copy and paste the link, rather than typing freehand.

Please could you remember to link up as well as make your post.  There have been a few people making GG posts but not linking.  Which means they don't get entered into the draw.  If you have technical or memory issues, just leave a comment and let me know!

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Finally, as mentioned above, it is IHSW this weekend.  International Hermit & Stitch Weekend, where you get to kick the family out of the house and spend the entire weekend stitching to your heart's content.  Or just try squeeze in ten minutes stitching time for yourself.  Sign up on the Facebook Group via the link below or on my blog on Monday:

IHSW - Facebook

A number of people have asked me to host a blog link-up page as they don't have Facebook so it will appear on Monday (evening as I'm working all day).

ps - this is my 777th post!