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Monday 10 August 2015

The Things I Do For You Lot!

I usually think about my blog posts in advance, planning what to say and show photos of, posting around the various SAL dates which I write in my stitching diary.  I try to always have a nice progress picture to show you as well as something interesting to read.

Then you have those weeks where you haven't got anything you can show because you've been working on an exchange piece which hasn't been mailed yet.  So yesterday I had no choice but to find something else to stitch just so I had something to show you all!

Brooke's Books - Trixie the Hallowe'en Witch


The top photo was how Trixie looked after one day in January for the DUCJC.

And how she looks now:


There are a lot of gaps because there is so much metallic thread used.  Possibly a little too much for me, so I may substitute some of it for DMC.

I finished the front page (or left hand side) of the Book of Spells:


There is a little tiny bit of colour to be added to the ring of circles but I will do that when I use the colours on the back page.  For now there is some long boring border and then some interesting border!

I also started planning for next year's WIPocalypse!  I am thinking of having the theme "16 Series in '16" so have been writing done all the series of designs I have started/own.  Nothing like planning early!

As you all know, I am a cross stitcher.  If you didn't know that then I have to ask - how did you get here and why are you here? LOL.  But I also appreciate many other crafts.  I have a nice little group of quilters following me and I enjoy their blogs, also quite a few free-form embroiderers and some knit-wits and crochet-queens!  So you may enjoy this blog which was brought to my attention recently.  Hawthorne and Heaney are an embroidery company based in London who specialise in commercial embroidery for customers as varied as the fashion industry to the military.  There is some beautiful work on their website and they are keen to link up with crafty bloggers too.

Their most recent post was all about adding some quite heavy goldwork to men's clothing for a fashion show - Application of traditional goldwork.  They've also done recent projects with H&M and New Look (both affordable High Street shops in the UK).  And some nice ideas for those special times in your life - Hawthorne and Heaney does Anniversaries.

So why not pop over and see for yourself the beautiful work they are doing.

Finally, the Summer Postcard Blog Hop:

First postcard from Cheryl goes to Noni at Fireflies and Cats in the Garden
Second postcard from Vickie goes to Katie at Jeremiah's Mom
Third postcard from Noni goes to Julie at Julie's Stitchyknitter Journal
Fourth postcard from Katie goes to Anna at Stitch Bitch
Fifth postcard from Julie goes to Bea at Thoughts and Musings
Sixth card from Bea goes to Narita at The Twilight Thread (not up yet)
Seventh card from Narita goes to Kaye at Kitten Stitching


26 comments:

D1-D2 said...

You're better than me. I haven't posted in a week. I haven't had much stitching time. I love Hawthorne and Heaney. They're on my must-visit list if I ever find myself in London.

Nic said...

Bless you for your sacrifice just to keep us entertained ;-)

Mini said...

Ha Ha you are one funny lady. Of course we know you cross stitch..lol
Looks like you are stitching for a special exchange ;)
I have started liking Books of spells a lot...what fabric are you stitching it on?

Kate said...

LOL You're so funny, Jo! You always take good care of your loyal readers. Terrific progress on Trixie and The Book of Spells!

purple24 said...

Beautiful stitching! Trixie is coming along very nicely. :)

Linda said...

You are so funny Jo. You always make my day. Great progress on both pieces.

Linda

Joysze said...

Awwww.... you had to stitch for us, you sweet thing! ;) Trixie looks fab and I love the fabbie of Book of Spells!

Barb said...

I love Book of Spells. Maybe after I stitch for my family, I will tackle that one. Trixie is going to be very cute. I'm with you a bit of metallic thread goes a long way.

sew.darn.quilt said...

Trixie is quite a treat ") Thank you for making the time to stitch on her! You are wonderful!!

Heather said...

Lol thanks for your sacrifice ;). They're looking great!

Preeti said...

Book of spells is looking great and Trixie is cute stitching :) Thanks for looking after us ;)

gominam said...

Amazing how you keep up with all these blogs/SALs and still turn in those beautiful projects for us to enjoy! You are one very organized blogging stitcher, lol. Love the progress on your WIPs, I esp.like the colors on Trixie:)

Leonore Winterer said...

WHat a cute little witch! Thanks for working on her for us. Yay for finishing the front of the spell book as well ^_^

Bea said...

Aw, poor Jo, you had to work on a Halloween piece just for us. So sorry for the hardship (snicker)! Spells looks wonderful. Really looking forward to the next page.

Tiffstitch said...

Great work on Trixie and the Book of Spells!

Kerryp77 said...

Now we know your secrets! Great progress though

Kaisievic said...

Oh, it is a hard life having to work on such a cute project just for us! lol!

Sheryl said...

Just love that book of spells.

Sarah in Stitches said...

Beautiful stitching progress! Trixie is really coming to life :D

Mrs Milkybar Kid said...

You work so hard on our behalf :)! Trixie is looking great and I love Hawthorne and Healey too, amazing how skilled and talented some people are!

Justine said...

Thank you for thinking of us Jo - we appreciate your sacrifice!

SilverCuteDwarf said...

I love your Book of Spells and your process pictures :)

rosey175 said...

Gosh I never would've figured out you were a cross stitcher! I was brought here because I was positive you were an underwater basket weaver. Shocking!

And I'm sure you suffered greatly working on that Halloween piece! You sacrifice so much for our reading pleasures! Perhaps you should take some time off. A nice trip of stash enhancing sounds like a good break after all that hard work~ ;D

jocondine said...

Love your Book of Spells, thanks for the goldwork link, I visited them yesterday, very interesting. xxx

Shebafudge said...

How noble of you to have a new start just so you have something to show us!! It's such a cute design too. xx

Brigitte said...

Trixie is such a good girl to stitch on just to have to show something, lol. And you made some progress on her. Well done :)