DUCJC 2015

The DUCJC is a very special challenge in memory of a very special lady.  SoCal Debbie was a prolific stitcher, blogger and commenter.  Sadly she passed away very suddenly last year.  One of her favourie challenges was the CJC:

CJC = Crazy January Challenge, one new start for the first 15 days of January

UCJC = Ultimate Crazy January Challenge, one new start for all 31 days of January

DUCJC = Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge, stitch 31 projects one per day for January

Linda Stitchin' with my Furbabies is organising this all via a FB group.  Thankfully Linda is not making us all attempt the SDUCJC (Super Duper Ultimate Crazy January Challenge) or 60 starts throughout January and February which she did with Debbie in 2012.

I have listed out my choices on my Challenge page.  Here are the first three days of stitching.  All three days have been "at home" days so I have got plenty done.  I decided to have three new starts for these whole days and save the WIPs for work days when I have less time to stitch.

Day 1 - Dyan Allaire for Kustom Krafts - Little Snap Dragon

Stitched on 32 count Morning Sky by Crafty Kitten

Day 2 - JBW - Hobby Horse

Stitched on 32 count Antique White linen using DMC 115

This will have my cousin's baby's name added under the rocking horse.

Actually, that raises a good question - why is this called a hobby horse when it clearly is a rocking horse?  A hobby horse is a stick with a horse's head and maybe some little wheels that you ride around whereas a rocking horse you sit on and rock back and forth.  French speakers - are there two different words in French for these toys?

A hobby-horse.

Day 3 - Country Cottage Needleworks - Poinsettia Place

Stitched on 32 count Permin Twilight Blue linen

I don't have the subtle variegated green so I am using a blend of the converted DMC and the next shade to it (3364 and 3363).  I have found this is a great way of substituting varigated threads especially when you don't want the stripy effect, just a less blocky look to a solid area of stitching.  I will get some more stitches in this one tonight.

What are my thoughts of the challenge so far?  Don't pick your favourite projects at the beginning of the month!  I am already itching to carry on with the first two choices!

I've also spent some time today tidying up the blog, making sure all the links have been updated to this year's SALs and removing the old ones.  I am miles behind on adding projects to my Happy Dance blog so that will be next.  I have a couple of finishes which were gifts so I couldn't show them before so that will be for another post too.

Finally, these three new starts all count for my Gifted Gorgeousness SAL.  Two were gifts from generous stitchers and one will be a gift for someone.  Credit will be given on the 15th January when we share our first GG Update.  Don't forget, you can join in any time, this year, no obligation to post every month.

Theme-a-licious Looking Backward and Forward XI

Theme-a-licious is hosted by Heather of It's Geek to Me

Each month Heather thinks up a theme for us to stitch to, or in my case, a theme to somehow shoe-horn my existing stitching into, no matter how tenuous the link!

This was the theme for November:

No-Xs November

What can you make without making an X?? Blackwork, hardanger, embroidery, needlelace, and the list goes on! Don't panic...you can even backstitch for the month!

Not a very successful month for sticking to the theme I'm afraid!  I did finish the Mirabilia for the Round Robin.  She has lots of beads and some backstitch so that's OK.  I mailed her off to Rachel who now has possession of the piece so I'm happy to show it on here.

This is the piece I stitched; Titania, Queen of the Fairies

and a side angle to show the beads and fabric sparkle: 

And the whole thing, Rachel has not quite finished the beading and the Kreinik on her piece or added her name:

From left to right we have January Garnet Fairy, Adia, Fairy Idyll (Lenna's colour conversion) and Titania.

Heather and I did have a little discussion about how small an X had to be before it became eligible for No X October!  So here are some small Xs:

This is the JBW Alphabet Kitty for November, stitched on 28 count black over 1.  The theme is 5th November Fireworks Night so there are lots of splashes of bright colours and some stars in the air.  I couldn't find a firework charm or any fabric so I'm going to stitch some ray stitches on another piece of black and use that as the backing.

Next month's theme is:

Detritus December

It's the end of the year...are there some projects you thought you'd have done by now? Let's take a walk down memory lane and start the new year with a clean plate.

This is quite a good one for me as I have two giveaway prizes to stitch and a Hobbit Challenge piece to finish too.  As well as finishing off two of my year-long challenges; the JBW Kitties and the 12 Dragonlets of Christmas.

Finally, the Advent Calendar post is all set up to run from midnight tonight, Vickie is our first poster so I'm looking forward to seeing what she shares with us all.  I bet there's a poodle somewhere in the post!  I just love Henry and Mabel.  I have my supplies for MY advent calendar all ready to make it up tomorrow:

Aren't craft goodies fun?

Ornament SAL November Update

This is the Ornament SAL hosted by Stitching Lotus

I have three different ornament challenges running this year, the JBW Alphabet Cat stitched in a different colour scheme each month, the Dragon Dreams 12 Dragonlets of Christmas, a FB exclusive and the Hallowe'en Ornie SAL blog.

I stitched the 11th Dragonlet of Christmas right at the beginning of the month, so here he is:

He's a Piper Piping!  Bonus points for anyone who can identify the tune he is piping.

The JBW cat got left to the end of the month and I haven't quite finished him yet, so I don't spoil the surprise here is a "top of the head" scan:

That fabric is actually black jobelan.  Bonus points for anyone who can guess the theme this month.

I haven't stitched a Hallowe'en ornie (yet) because I've been concentrating on my Little Stitcher's Advent Calendar.  So here is the second part of that:

Cutesville!  Gingerbread men and little bunnies (or maybe hares given the length of their ears?).  The fabric is 32count Belfast in Vintage Grain as Shirlee asked me about it.  The colours do show up nicely.  The chart calls for a Vintage 32 count but not one that I had and I did have Grain.

I have bought the supplies for my finishing idea for this Advent Calendar while in town today, all I need is some velcro tape, some double sided tape and I'm ready for making up just in time for the weekend.  I promise to Show and Tell as soon as I get started.

Finally, as soon as I finish this post I will be sending out the dates for the Advent Calendar Blog Hop so watch your inboxes if you signed up.  There is still one place left if anyone wants to be in, just drop me an email.

Ornament SAL October Update

This is the Ornament SAL hosted by Stitching Lotus

I have three different ornament challenges running this year, the JBW Alphabet Cat stitched in a different colour scheme each month, the Dragon Dreams 12 Dragonlets of Christmas, a FB exclusive and the Hallowe'en Ornie SAL blog.

I spent nearly all of this month working away on Drac-in-a-Box (see previous post) but thank to the Half Term Holiday here I have managed to finish not one, but four ornies in as many days!!

The first is my Alphabet Kitty for October, stitched in the classic black on orange for a Hallowe'en feel:

I'll make him into an actual ornie this weekend I think, along with a spooky charm.

The second piece is the Dragon Dreams Tenth Dragonlet of Christmas, a cute Dragonlet a'leaping:

These dragons are a Facebook exclusive from Dragon Dreams.  One or two people have stitched all twelve onto one piece of fabric and are displaying them on the FB page.

The third and fourth pieces I am saving for tomorrow for the Hallowe'en Blog Hop and Theme-a-lious updates respectively.  I did stitch a Hallowe'en ornie this month but it's not actually relating to the chosen theme of owls.  I do have an owl one for next month instead of candy corn because we don't really have that in this country.  We do have Cadbury's Screme Eggs though and I had one yesterday.  Yummy!

Finally, thank you all so much for your comments on the Drac-in-a-Box post.  I do like to follow my stats and usually about 10% of the page views lead to a comment.  In this case it was nearly 50%!!!  I do find myself that I am most likely to comment on a Happy Dance blog post and it's obviously true for other people too.  Thank you all again, it means alot to me.

Theme-a-licious Looking Backward and Forward IX

Theme-a-licious is hosted by Heather of It's Geek to Me

Each month Heather thinks up a theme for us to stitch to, or in my case, a theme to somehow shoe-horn my existing stitching into, no matter how tenuous the link!

This was the theme for September:

Sampler September

Whether you're stitching the alphabet over and over (and over), starting your own band (sampler), or marking some spots, this is your month!

This most definitely was my month!  I love samplers.  First of all I stitched the September Alphabet Kitty in autumnal colours:

Then I spent the majority of the month stitching a new start, Just Nan's Autumn Typography:

This is stitched on 32 count Tobacco linen using a DMC conversion from the charted GAST.  I also changed the squirrels to red squirrels and stitched them over 1 to match the crows.  And I substituted the word Awesome for one of the Autumns, just because Autumn is Awesome!  The picture below is actually a better representation of the fabric colour but the threads are better on the top photo!

I then felt in the mood for Trick and Treat by Prairie Moon.  I only intended to stitch for a couple of evenings while I waited for the Mirabilia chart to arrive.  But I ended up doing a full fortnight I just loved it so much!  here is how it looked prior to this month:

And here it is now:

See what you can achieve when you OAAT?  I have stitched the whole height of the piece now.

During the day I have been stitching two challenge pieces; one is a secret for Anna the Stitch Bitch and the other is for the Needlecraft Haven.  I hope to have them both finished soon.

And onto the next month which is

Opulent October

It's time to don your tiaras and bring the bling! Stitch on projects with sparkly fibers, beads or charms.

The Mirabilia RR definitely comes into that category.  Not really sure what else does though.  Neither of the challenge pieces have bling, or any of the ornies I have lined up.  So maybe it will just be Mirabilia Month!

Finally I'm starting to think about next year's targets and challenges.  My "14 in '14" mainly.  Should I add the monthly challenges into that?  I chose smaller projects this year hoping to finish a few more but once again Round Robins and other obligation stitching took up more time than I'd allowed for.  Oh well, most of the fun is in making the list not working through it LOL.

Ornament SAL September Update

This is the Ornament SAL hosted by Stitching Lotus

I have three different ornament challenges running this year, the JBW Alphabet Cat stitched in a different colour scheme each month, the Dragon Dreams 12 Dragonlets of Christmas, a FB exclusive and the Hallowe'en Ornie SAL blog.

Here is my little Autumn Leaves Alphabet Kitty for September, complete with acorn pin courtesy of Shirlee:

And here is a Little Dragonlet Dancing for Number 9:

I have realised that I haven't stitched the red 9 yet but I was rushing to go out this afternoon and thought I'd finished!

I haven't yet stitched a Hallowe'en ornie although I did chose one which is a start!!  I have also just started the Needlework Haven Challenge piece today too.  Most of this month has been taken up with a lovely Autumn Typography.

Talking of which, I had a little fun competition when I showed my finish.   What was the change I made? (apart from the squirrels I told you about).  Not the easiest thing to spot but four of you did notice it.  It wasn't the charm (that was included) or the beads (they were included too).  Look closely at this photo and see if you can tell now:

Do you see it now?  The vertical word in the middle of the photo says "Awesome" instead of "Autumn".

I allocated playing cards to each of the four eagle-eyed spotters and the Large Boy picked a card.  Congratulations to

SouthpawStitcher 

If you send me your address there will be a little something in the post sometime.  I am hideously behind with my mailing which I do intend to catch up with very soon.  Or you will all get caught up in the Christmas post!! 

Finally I'm starting to think about the Hallowe'en Trick or Treat Blog Hop so you should be too.  For newbies, here is the link to last year's Hop so you can see how it all works.  I'll do a sign up post very soon.  I just wanted everyone to be on the look out for suitable designs.

Theme-a-licious September Update

Theme-a-licious is hosted by Heather of It's Geek to Me

Each month Heather thinks up a theme for us to stitch to, or in my case, a theme to somehow shoe-horn my existing stitching into, no matter how tenuous the link!

This is the theme for September:

Sampler September

Whether you're stitching the alphabet over and over (and over), starting your own band (sampler), or marking some spots, this is your month!

This is a nice easy one for me, no shoe-horns required this month.  The first piece I finished was the September Alphabet Kitty:

Apart from Andie's Mirabilia RR the only other thing I've worked on this month so far is Just Nan's Autumn Typography.  This is so close to being finished, there is probably only one evening's work left.  So rather than spoil the finished result I thought I'd make a nice jigsaw for you all to do.

Simply print off, cut out and rearrange!!

 That was a rather short and sweet update so I thought I'd share some of my winnings with you.

The first to arrive was a giveaway from Drea Dear for her 6th Blogaversary.  Yes, 6th!  Appropriately enough she found my blog through the Theme-a-licious.  She has designed and stitched this lovely Irish Blessing sampler herself and even hand-dyed the fabric herself too:

The original draft of the sampler can be found here, you can see the changes she made!

Andrea also included a new chart she has designed and personalised with my name, plus the DMC threads to stitch it and this gorgeous piece of fabric she hand-dyed.  Apparently both pieces are dyed using leftover wine which is very different.  This one is a little bit more purple in real life, sort of a bruised plum colour.  I love it.

The next Giveaway was from Stitcher Anon to celebrate a Creative Crafting Blog Hop.  Gaynor offered a number of different prizes for the different crafts and I won the Cross Stitching prize!  This is her photo of the prize because I haven't taken one myself/

As well as these goodies I also received two of her brand new series of  "Little Maids in a Row".  The first two are Pretty in Pink and Boo-tiful in Black.  Ms Black is perfect for me!  Many years ago I attended a "Colouring Workshop" where they look at your skin tone, hair colour, eyes etc and decide what season you are.  I am a Winter which means one of the best colours for me is black.  My friends did laugh when they heard that.

Radient in Red and Graceful in Green are coming soon.  To keep up with all the new releases you need to look on the website Stitcher Anon or the FB page.

Finally Nicola and I are in discussions about the Scarlet Letter Year blogs.  Everyone wants them to continue, me most of all because I will never finish my sampler before 20th Feb 2014!  We've been talking about a Gallery after someone mentioned samplers they had stitched prior to the start of the blog.  It will also give us more time to interview some of the leading lights of the Reproduction Sampler World.  Here is the list so far if you want to learn more about these stitchers and most importantly of all - Is Nicola the only person that forgets her glasses are on the top of her head?!!

INTERVIEWS

 (conducted by Nicola and edited by Deb)

Barbara Hutson
Margaret Chess
Ellen Chester
Bethany
Carol Sims
Fran of C Street Samplers
Deb Thread Gatherer

Sleepy September

Here is the piece that gives today's post its title, Andie's Mirabilia Round Robin with Dreamers as the theme:

And some close-ups so you can see the bling:

And one of the whole piece so far:

The top space is empty for Andie to stitch Sleeping Beauty, then it's followed by The Dreamer stitched by Orchid Julie and Sleeping Princess stitched by Karen Stitchy Woman and finally my Lilly of the Woods.

I posted this piece off to New Zealand last Friday expecting it to take a week-ten days to arrive.  I got an email from Andie on the Tuesday saying it was there!!  Less than 3 working days to cross the world!!  Amazing.

Also for September I had the JBW Alphabet Kitty for September:

The charm for this month is a lovely acorn pin I received from Shirlee some time ago.  The fabric is a tan 28 count evenweave and the thread is a Stef Francis variegated.  I was going for an Autumn Leaves effect.

And talking of Autumn, here is my latest progress on Just Nan's Autumn Typography:

Not too sure about that bright orange in the row of leaves under the large Autumn.  They look a little like Chinese words rather than leaves.  I'll see how it looks at the end.  I have a boring border to stitch and the squirrels plus another crow then it's all done.  I like it alot!

Finally, as more people move to Google Plus, I wonder if they are aware that their email does not necessarily follow them there.  I've had comments from people that used to have emails attached to their profile but now appear as "No-Reply".  So if you've moved recently and haven't had an email response from a comment you've left me then that is why.

Ornament SAL August Update

This is the Ornament SAL hosted by Stitching Lotus

I have three different ornament challenges running this year, the JBW Alphabet Cat stitched in a different colour scheme each month, the Dragon Dreams 12 Dragonlets of Christmas, a FB exclusive and the Hallowe'en Ornie SAL blog.

Here is August's little Sunflower Kitty:

And here is Dragonlet number 8, crying over his spilt milk.  Doesn't he know it's no use crying over it?

Here are the eight I've stitched so far, the plan is to cover 12 little boxes with them and make a post-Christmas 12 Days calendar with a little gift in each box starting 26th December and finishing on Epiphany.  I just need to find 12 small gifts, I have 2 so far plus the idea of a chocolate!

Here is the cute little skeleton pair from Just Cross Stitch Hallowe'en Special.  They are nearly all beads and great fun to stitch.  I have decided to make my ornies into little open topped bags and put chocolates in each one on our Hallowe'en tree.  We are having a Hallowe'en tree for the first time this year.  I'll try find something suitable or I might just go into the field and chop a branch off a tree!!

Julia Lucas Designs - Trick or Treat, 28 count evenweave.

While I was googling Julia's name (because I'd not heard of her before, I found this cool feature on Cyberstitchers website.  They list many designers and the places you can find their designs.  It seems Julia has designed alot for various different magazines.  Now I can look through and see which ones I already have.  Great!

And now, a little stash enhancement!  I was lucky enough to win another Willow Fabric voucher from having a FB tip printed in Cross Stitch Collection magazine.  I think it's the third or fourth one?  Anyway, they have a sale on and I got these two half metres of 32 count for a mere £6 each.

One is tobacco and one is cognac.

I also needed some beads for the Mirabilia RR design which I bought from Sewandso.  I think there is an issue with their website because while I was adding some #8 perle to my basket this Just Nan chart appeared in my basket.  Weird.

Finally, if you are a fan of Fairy Tales, the Little Stitcher or Advent Calendars then this is the SAL for you! 

Stitch-a-Long Community Blog

Organised by Angi of My Happy Memories  we will be SAL the Little Stitcher's Fairy Tale Advent Calendar.  I first saw these 24 small designs on Carin's blog last year.  You really need to check out her beautiful photography.  Start here and work through each day by clicking on the "newer post" after all the comments.

August WIPocalypse

WIPocalypse is hosted by Measi of Measi's Musings.

The main focus of my WIPocalypse this year is supposed to be my "13 in '13" a list of 13 projects I want to complete in 2013, click on top tab for the list.  But as I haven't stitched on any of them this month I'll show something else from the other sections instead.  (Again!)

You've seen the Wedding Sampler which has been my main stitching this month, and also my Mira RR.  The only other thing I have stitched is one of the Needlecraft Haven Challenge pieces so I can't show that until "Show 'n' Tell Sunday".  I did manage to finish finish the July and August JBW Alphabet Kitties.  So here they are:

July Beach Kitty with seashell brads

August Sunflower Kitty with sunflower button.

Here are all eight together:

I thought I'd used 28 count on all of them, but the August Kitty seemed alot bigger.  When I measured and counted it turned out that the yellow fabric is actually 25 count evenweave.  The July fabric is a hand-dyed 28 so is closer to 29 which made it more obvious.  They look ok on the board though.

Finally, the Summer Postcard Blog Hop latest list:

My card goes to Debbie at Debbie's Cross Stitch
Debbie's card goes to Christine at The Alchymyst's Study
Christine's card goes to Lynn at Kearnel's Korner
Lynn's card goes to Clare at Aimetu's Stitching
Clare's card goes to Vickie at A Stitcher's Story
Vickie's card goes to Julie at Julie's Stitchyknitty Journal
Julie's card goes to Penny at Larkspur Lane
Penny's card goes to Astrid at Dragon Stitches and Stuff
Astrid's card goes to Cheryl at Today I Found...