Here We Go Round the Mulberry TUSAL

It's TUSAL time again!  For those of you new to blogging, the TUSAL is a project run by Daffycat, click on the button on the right hand bar for more details.

Here is my ORTS jar posing with the current stitching projects:

On the right hand side is the Easter chart I won in Justine's GGG (Gifted Gorgeousness Giveaway).  I'm trying to get it done quickly so I can pass it on for my Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop.

On the left we have Shepherd's Bush Mulberry.  One of a series of mini plant based band samplers.  I stitched the four Christmassy one way back when and Bilberry more recently.

Here is the finished design:

stitched on 32 count Antique White linen

using recommended DMC threads and perle.

There are lots of speciality stitches in this one, including some lovely bargello and this hemstitching where you cut the fabric and remove the horizontal thread then weave a strand of perle through the verticals.  Before I frame this I will straighten up the woven thread!

Here is Bilberry which I finished and framed back in 2013.  I'm hoping to get the same frame and mount it in a similar way.

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Finally, it's nearly time for the Easter Blog Hoppity Hop!  Taking place over the Easter weekend each participant will be allocated a letter of the alphabet which they must post along with a nice Easter or Spring themed stitched photo.  In recognition of the varied talents of my followers I think you can also show any sewn, quilted or otherwise crafted Easter or Spring themed items.

Everyone will then hoppity hop around like a little fluffy bunny and collect the letters which will spell out something seasonal.  If you would like to be a picture poster then please drop me an email.

If you'd like some inspiration then look at the freebies on this page of my blog - Themed Freebies

A Most Eggcellent Post

(sorry Christine!)

 

 

Last Friday was the annual Easter Treasure Hunt Blog Hop, where all my followers hop around like Easter Bunnies looking for the letters on the blogs listed to spell out the Mystery Phrase.  Today is the Big Reveal Day.  The phrase you all managed to find was

 

An Eggstravaganza

 

 

You all did Eggstraordinarily well to discover the phrase!

 

 

I would usually pick two names to win a prize but this year I am rolling it up into my Blogaversary Giveaway.  So if you were a picture poster or a treasure hunt hopper please have a look at the previous post to this one and let me know your top three charts from those listed.  Everyone who joined in with the Treasure Hunt gets an extra chance in the draw.

 

This week I have been stitching something very unseasonal, Lizzie*Kate's Autumn.  I have already stitched Spring in this series and have Summer in my stash.  All I need is Winter for the full set.

 

 

I stitched this over one on 28 count blue evenweave using most of the recommended DMC conversion.  The original design had a leaf button but I used a pumpkin instead.  I also had a cunning plan to avoid stitching all that green hill.  I coloured it in using a fabric pen!  I did the same on the Spring design and it looks great, as well as saving a lot of time.

I've scrapbooked the finish, just mounting it on two squares of coloured card along with a Knotted Tree design from the 2012 JCS Hallowe'en Ornie mag.  There is a companion to that which I will mount with these two once I have stitched it.

 

I also added some metallic leaf stickers:

 



As we've been at home for the school holidays I've had a little time to organise my stash.  I've been sorting through my charts to make sure I know what is where.  I'm also listing them so it's easier to see what I want to include on my targets next year.  Gosh, I'm looking ahead there!

 

Finally, I just heard from our dear mutual friend Jacquie that she is back in hospital again.  So if Hannah hasn't updated the blog for her, you know where she is.  She usually has internet access in hospital so will appreciate any comments you leave for her.

 

 



 



Stitching Out Stigma

First of all, it's nearly time for the Easter Blog Hoppity Hop!  Taking place over the Easter weekend each participant will be allocated a letter of the alphabet which they must post along with a nice Easter or Spring themed stitched photo.  In recognition of the varied talents of my followers I think you can also show any sewn, quilted or otherwise crafted Easter or Spring themed items.

Everyone will then hoppity hop around like a little fluffy bunny and collect the letters which will spell out something seasonal.  If you would like to be a picture poster then please drop me an email.

I read about this project in Cross Stitch Collection magazine.  (They are back in my good books because I won another voucher this month and they sorted out my subscription problems too.)

Anyway, Stitching Out Stigma is the brainchild of Natalie who has suffered mental health problems herself and wants to raise awareness by making a display of stitched squares on the theme. There are more details on the page.  The initial deadline is the end of March but she wants to extend it to make a permanent display so there is still time to get involved.

I like these kinds of projects, given a loose brief you can let your mind roam free.  The theme I decided on was the Parents' Point of View.  As those of you who have any experience of illness or disability will be aware you not only have to cope with your child's issues but also the professionals who will surround you and bombard you with acronyms and jargon.  The most essential tool is The File (or The Filing Cabinet in the case of one friend who has three children with three different diagnoses!) and the front page of The File should contain the phones numbers and the acronym list for easy reference!

So I asked the parents in the NAS Group for their acronym suggestions and got over 50 different ones.  I charted as many as possible on graph paper around a central figure of a boy leaping out of the letters ASD.   Because at the centre of the jargon there is always a child.  Here is my progress so far:

I'm stitching on evenweave as although the website says aida it is just the English obsession with the damn fabric and Natalie confirmed that evenweave is fine.  I stuck to 28 count so the proportions will be the same as everyone else.

Here is my sketch for the letters:

Now it's time for the fun part, choosing the colours!

I have completed another one of my DUCJC starts.  This one was a PIF from Sarah-Beth and here it is:

Lizzie*Kate Friends are Angels

Why is yellow fabric so hard to photograph accurately?

I stitched this on 25 count yellow evenweave which means it is rather large for an ornie so will be scrapbooked instead.  The original intention was to stitch it over 1 until I realised that parts of it were already over 1 so that wouldn't work!

Threads used were:

Jodyri Salsa for the words, 

DMC 115 for the heart, 

DMC 90 for the stars and 

Anchor 979 for the blue border.  

Random beads around the stars.

Finally, I am planning to do a giveaway as part of Gifted Gorgeousness in April and this chart will be part of it along with anything else I actually manage to finish!

Gifted Gorgeousness January Link-up Post

and Days 10 to 14 of the DUCJC.

Gifted Gorgeousness is my first ever year long SAL.  Click on the picture above for the full details.

We will be posting and linking up on the 15th of each month, because it is 2015.  Should be easy to remember.

This month I am also taking part in the DUCJC in memory of SoCal Debbie so I have many projects to show you!  

Day 1 was a giveaway prize - Little Snapdragon by Dyan Allaire:

Day 2 was a gift for my cousin to celebrate her new baby - Hobby Horse by JBW:

Day 3 was a giveaway prize -  Poinsettia Place by CCN:

Day 4 was a giveaway prize - Friends are like Angels by Lizzie*Kate:

Day 5 was a giveaway prize - Sunflowers and Acorns by Beehive Needleworks:

Day 6 - not a GG piece!

Day 7 was a giveaway prize - Strawberry Sampler by The Sampler House:

Day 8 was a gift - Hallowe'en Town by Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery:

Day 9 was a gift - Sugared Almond Cottage by The Nutmeg Company:

Day 10 was stitched on gifted fabric - Book of Spells by The Goode Huswife:

40 count Jewel Butterbeer from Under the Sea Fabrics

Day 11 was bought with Birthday money - Trixie the Hallowe'en Witch by Brooke's Books:

28 count tan evenweave

Day 12 was a gift - January Wordplay by With Thy Needle & Thread:

over 1 on 32 count Star Sapphire linen

Day 13 was stitched on gifted fabric - Autumn by Lizzie*Kate:

over 1 on 28 count blue evenweave

Day 14 was a gifted kit - Elizabeth Shephard by The Scarlet Letter:

30 count linen supplied with kit

Wow!  This is definitely the Year of the Gift for me!  Here is the place for you to link up so we can see what Gifted Gorgeousness you have been stitching so far this year.  Please use your name or your blog name in the field 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.  Thank you.  I can amend links if you make a boo-boo though.

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, 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.

WIPocalypse January 2015 Introduction

WIPocalypse is hosted by Measi's Musings

The focus of my WIPocalypse will be my "15 in '15"which are 15 charts I want to stitch in 2015 (following on from my "11 in '11", "12 in '12", "13 in '13" and "14 in '14" - imaginative, eh?)

1. Joan Elliott – Diary February WIP
2. Just Nan – Winter Typography WIP
3. Frosted Pumpkins – Hallowe’en Town WIP
4. Praire Moon – Thine is the Trick and the Treat WIP
5. Joan Elliott – Faces Mystery SAL WIP
6. Madame Chantilly – On the Beach WIP
7. Just Nan – Haunted Pumpkins Tree WIP
8. Jannlynn – Gathering Honey WIP
9. JBW – Rocking Horse
10. Teresa Wenztler – You were Hatched
11. Kingfisher for school
12. Dragon of the Winter Moon from Riona
13. Joan Elliott – Believe for school
14. Primitive Hare – Hallowe’en Blocks
15. Nutmeg Cottage from Susan

So far I have stitched the JBW Rocking Horse and Prairie Moon's Thine is the Trick and the Treat (this is my evening focus piece, one thread every evening).

 

I am also taking part in the DUCJC where I am attempting to stitch on 31 different projects throughout January.  Here are the starts for Days 4 and 5:

Day 4 - Lizzie*Kate - Friends are Angels

Stitched on 25 count yellow evenweave using Jodyri Threads Salsa

Day 5 - Beehive Needleworks - Sunflowers and Acorns

Stitched on 35 count linen

Measi also sets discussion topics for each month:

January
Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!

The projects and goals are pretty much covered above.  Introduction to me?  Well, the blurb on the right pretty much says it all.  I like to stitch, blog, help other stitchers and bloggers, organise SALs.

Which brings me to the next part!  The advert for the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL.  This will be running all year and involves you stitching anything which could come under the category of a gift and then blogging about it and linking up here on the 15th of any given month.  We have 44 stitchers all signed up so far but you can pop in at any time during the year and join in with the fun.

Finally, it's back to work tomorrow so I think the Day 6 stitch will be a small one!

April WIPocalypse

WIPocalypse is hosted by Measi of Measi's Musings.

The main focus of my WIPocalypse this year will be my "13 in '13" a list of 13 projects I want to complete in 2013, click on top tab for the list.

I have actually finished one of the items on my list of 13!  The Lizzie*Kate design Spring.  I thought I'd add as many of the gifted charts to my list as possible this year as a little Thank You to the people that had sent them to me.

Here is Spring:

You've seen Spring already this month but as I haven't stitched on anything else from the list this will have to do!  I'm hoping to get into town this week and buy a nice Spring themed page for my scrapbook so I can mount this one, the San Man design, the Twisted Threads and the Needlecraft Haven Challenge altogether.

You'll see the Needlecraft Haven piece after the Big Reveal this Sunday.  Christine is very strict with us, dentention for anyone revealing themselves their stitching early!

I did look at all the designs on my list and thought about fabrics for them.  I have a £10 voucher for Willow Fabrics and I'm trying to choose some linen.

I'm looking at 35count Edinburgh and I'm torn between the neutrals; Mushroom, Sand, Summer Khaki or Flax.  Any opinions on which would be more versatile?  They all look nice and I just find it hard to decide between items of equal worth!  So whichever gets the most mentions will be my choice.

It's either that or get half a metre of 32count Tobacco in the sale but there's no picture!

Finally I have discovered that Just Cross Stitch no longer allow people in the UK to subsribe to their magazine!  My sub ran out last issue and I received an email inviting me to subscribe and get a free copy.  I thought this was odd as I'm already a subscriber!  I went into the website and found my sub details had "expired" on there which was accurate but there was no way to renew.  I emailed JCS and they said to use the offer in the email.  So I clicked on the link, filled in the details then got the Country box which gives the choice of USA or Canada.  No UK anymore.  Now I know we're going down the pan financially but I don't think we've totally vanished off the planet yet!  So I'm waiting to find out why I can't resubscribe.  Very disappointed.  They could at least have emailed or written to their UK subscribers, they have our addresses after all!  There is a UK based website that can sell me a subscription.  It costs a little more and I'm not sure if the Christmas Ornie issue is included as they only refer to 6 issues a year.  I'll wait and see what JCS say first.

When it's Spring again, I'll bring again...

Stitching from East Anglia!

We finally have some nice weather and I've been stitching some lovely Spring themed pieces, most of which I can't show you yet because they are giveaway prizes.

I can show you this one though:

This is a Lizzie*Kate design called Spring.  I received it in a giveaway from Sarah Crafty Moo.  I changed alot of the colours as the original is very dark for a Spring design.  I used the same threads as the San Man Easter design I recently stitched because they are on the same fabric and will be scrap booked together.

The little bunny charm comes from Ang's Attic, a great online store based only a few miles from where I live.  You can get a small bag of 6-10 charms for only £1 and there are loads of different designs.  They mainly sell beads for jewellery making and have a good FB page for their beading fans.  They also have a forum on the website for those of you that don't FB.

The piece is stitched over 1 on 28 count which I really enjoy.  I was not looking forward to all the green in the hill so guess what I did?  Have a closer look at this photo:

Yes, I coloured it in using a fabric pen!  I stitched the house first then had the idea.  I counted the number of threads needed for the hill and marked it on the fabric then just coloured it in.  Then I stitched the path, carrots and flowers on top.  Saved me hours of boring stitching.

The other piece I can show you is the fourth in the Dragon Dreams 12 Dragonlets of Christmas:

This one shows Four Calling Collie Birds.  A collie bird is the traditional name for a blackbird but over the years the word has changed to "calling".  Dragon Dreams have gone for both meanings ancient and modern; four blackbirds calling on the telephone!  The picture reminds me of the telephone cable leading to our house which always has a few pigeons and collared doves sitting on it.  Pre-fibre optic day our internet connection varied according to if there was a bird there or not!  That's how fragile it was.  Now we can actually stream Youtube much to the Small Boy's delight.  For those of you with young children I recommend Barefoot Books' video clips.  I also recommend the actual books themselves, alot of them feature soft sculpture and collage pictures, beautiful to look at and lovely to read aloud.

I'm so pleased that I'm keeping up with this SAL, one a month.  Here are all four dragons together:

Finally, via FB this week I discovered a fellow cross-stitch scrap-booker -  Inside Number Twenty.  Monique has been scrap booking much longer than me and has some lovely pages.  Very inspiring.

January WIPocalypse

Bit of confusion on my part.  I signed up for both WIPocalypse and TUSAL noting that you had to post on moondates.  What I didn't spot is that WIPocalypse is on Full Moons and TUSAL is New Moons.  So opposite ends of the month and two dates to remember!!

Here is my first WIP for 2012, Joan Elliott's Green Goddess:

I started stitching her back in September 2011 almost as soon as I got the book-a-zine she was in.  The fabric is a piece of 32 count Murano dyed specially for me by Crafty Kitten (Hi to Dawn and her new Christmas Day baby!).  I'm using all the recommended DMC colours because Joan just picks the best combinations, I feel there is no need to change anything!

The face will be filled in but I only have half a skein of that colour and I'm paranoid of running out halfway through and getting a different dye batch so it will wait until I order some more threads (after payday).

My other two WIPS are The Dark Alphabet:

And My Lovely Sewing Tools from Gift of Stitching online magazine:

Neither of these have been stitched this year so far.  I am a OAAT gal at heart and enjoy my stitching most when I can keep on with a project until it's done.  Rotating is not really for me, I tried various forms last year and it didn't really do it for me.


I did take a picture of my TUSAL thinking it had to be posted too, so here it is:

As you can see it's a TUSAL dish at the moment and the jar is empty.  I put my ORTS in the dish besides the sofa and empty them into the jar periodically.  There doesn't seem to be much in there and it is mostly yellow, as I frogged one shade and replaced with another for the Needlecraft Haven freebie.  I think I must have emptied some of 2012's into 2011's jar as there is no red at all and I know I stitched red this year!

The WIPocalypse is run by Measi and by coincidence she is the latest member of the Stitcherhood of the Travelling Pattern.  This TP is the Lizzie*Kate Life's a Stitch, remember this post?  I asked you what stitch your life would be and Measi said:

"I think I would probably be the rice stitch - complex at first glance, but honestly quite simple underneath. :)"

So the Travelling Pattern is off on it's travels again, back to America.  I have to Google the address Measi gave me as I have no idea where in America it is going to!!