October Stitch from Stash and Pie

A rather different Pie this month, it's a Pumpkin Pie!

Yes, I worked on only three designs in October!  Apart from my Bath Time Stitching which doesn't usually feature in the pie.

I stitched on the Mystic Sampler every day for 27 days but it only appears on the Pie for the days when I didn't stitch anything else.  Days when I did a full day at work usually.

I started on 1st October and aimed to stitch approx one 20 x 20 area per day.  I finished on the 27th October.

stitched on 40 count Newcastle linen in Jewel Butterbeer by Under The Sea Fabrics

The next piece was my spooky conversion of Lavender & Lace's Enchanted Alphabet.  Unfortunately I had to make a choice as to whether to finish this one or Raven and Raven won!  I still have a few more motifs to add so I won't show the whole piece.

stitched on 32 count Murano in Tiger Lily by Sparklies

But the good news is that I did finish Raven by Nora Corbett!  I started her in October 2017 and finished her on 31st October, 2019.

I stitched her skin over one

I changed two of the bead colours.  I knew there was an issue with the charted 02056 Sable which are now very red so I used 00081 Jet instead. As you can see there is a nice shine to them as opposed to the 02014 which are more of a matt black.

The other bead I changed is 10019 the Claret Magnifica which are used in the strings of beads around her shoulders.  I used 03004 Eggplant because their DMC colour is 550 which is used in her dress.

When I am substituting beads I always look at the colour thread Mill Hill recommend to attach the bead and then look for a bead which uses the same colour or a colour within the stitching. 

I also substituted 155 for 156 in her dress, one is more blue than the other which did not look right.  I also used 3 yellows for the moon - 743, 744 and 745 instead of 743, 3078 and a blend of the two.

Other than that, she is all as charted.

stitched on 32 count Belfast in Nebula by Crafty Kitten

The fabric is darker in person and the light patches and blue patches don't stand out so much.

I still have the other half of the fabric so I can stitch another Bewitching Pixie to face her!

I didn't start either of the other Hallowe'en projects on my list because I really wanted this finish after two years.  I had planned to stitch a Just Nan mouse but I bought another one instead!  This necessitated a visit to a needlework shop not too far from me.  Of course you can't just buy one chart so this is what else I got:

The Just Nan is the Autumn Mouse Scissor Roll.  It's a good thing I pre-ordered this as she sold out before they even came in.  I picked up two bargains from the Half Price box.  One is a nice band sampler by Elizabeth Designs called Autumn Leaves and the other is by MarNic Designs and is a beautiful Russian Mother & Child stitched on blue fabric using a mixture of cross stitch and satin stitches as well as beads and metallics.  It looks like needlepoint but it isn't.  I just love the colours.

I also bought a packet of bugle beads to make candles for this month's Christmas ornament and the lovely owl thread holder.  So here is the total spend:

October
JN Autumn Scissor Roll	£24.99
Elizabeth Designs chart	£2.50
MarNic Designs chart	£4.99
Bugle Beads	£2.50
Owl Thread Holder	£2.49
Total	£37.47

Luckily for Stitch from Stash, the Just Nan was my final Birthday present so I am well within budget again.

Finally, the Hallowe'en Trick or Treat Blog Hop went up this morning.  Don't forget to hop around and visit everyone, leave a comment and try guess the mystery phrase. 

Hallowe'en Trick or Treat Blog Hop 2019

Welcome to the spooky hallowe’en mystery phrase blog hop!

All you need to do is visit each of the following blogs in order, jot down the letter displayed with their Hallowe'en stitched picture then return here and leave a comment telling me the Mystery Phrase.

It'd be nice if you left a comment on their blog too, especially if it's new to you.

I have "moderate comments before publishing" enabled so no-one can copy anyone else!

So without further ado,

start the blog hop – enter if you dare…

Aimetu's Stitching

Wicked Stitcher

Books, Crafts and Other Procrastinations

A Patchwork of Crafts

The Alchymyst's Study

An Arizona Stitcher

Jocondine

Dragon Stitches and Stuff

Jeremiah's Mom

Needle, Pen and Sword

Purple Pixie Dust

Beth's Needlework Stash

Ishkabibble

Tiffstitches a Blog

The Crafty Princess

Today I Found

and back to me!

Here is my letter, the final one in the mystery phrase:

Hallowe'en Cubes by the Primitive Hare

This month I have been working away on three different Hallowe'en designs and have managed to complete two of them.  Here is the first one, the other will be shown on my monthly Pie Post.  This is Mystic Sampler by The Primitive Needle which was my daily stitch, my target was to work on approximately one 20 x 20 area per day.  I finished it in 27 days.   

stitched on 40 count Newcastle Linen in Jewel Butterbeer by Under The Sea Fabrics

Now I just have to frame it and display through November.  My Hallowe'en displays stay up until 1st December when I start to switch over to Christmas.

Some more photos of the Hallowe'en stitching around my house:

Don't forget, some of us are on different time zones so if you visit a blog and can't find a letter or picture yet, pop back later in the day.  

The competition is open for one week closing 00.01 hours 7th November GMT.

happy hunting!

        

all from Hyraea

October WIPocalypse, Rotational Stitching and TUSAL

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.  

Since 2011 I have chosen a number of projects to focus on that year, starting with my "11 in '11" and increasing to "19 in '19" for this year.  You can find the full list here.

This month I stitched on five of my list and had one finish:

1. Enchanted Alphabet by Lavender & Lace 

stitched on 32 count Murano in Tiger Lily by Sparklies

The owl is from a Maria Diaz sampler in Cross Stitcher magazine issue 349

2. Raven by Nora Corbett

stitched on 32 count Belfast in Nebula by Crafty Kitten

3. Mystic Sampler by Primitive Needle - a finish!

stitched on 40 count Newcastle in Jewel Butterbeer by Under The Sea Fabrics

seen here with my TUSAL.

More photos to follow in later posts

4. 25th Anniversary Cameo by Mirabilia

stitched on random 28 count hand-dyed evenweave

5. Victorian Christmas Tree by Sue Hillis Designs

stitched on 28 count green evenweave

Bling to be added.

Measi always gives us a topic to discuss too.

October - Do you prefer to stitch on a rotation or one project at a time?

I think you probably all know the answer to this one!  I do like a rotation.  I have tried several over the years and the one that suits me is based around the time of the day.

1. Each morning after breakfast - a small daily stitch project - it might be 10-a-Day or one length a day.  In October it has been Mystic Sampler, approximately one 20 x 20 block per day.

2. The afternoon - My focus piece for the day.  This year it has been The Discworld Mappe for a fortnight each month.  Then one of the other projects on my "19 in '19"

3. The Small Boy's Bath-time - stitching while supervising.  This year I have stitched on Mrs Peggotty's Queen of Hearts and the Jessica Savage Words as well as some of my Christmas Ornaments. 

Finally, there will be a Hallowe'en Trick or Treat Blog Hop as usual this year.  I am currently working on the Mystery Phrase and will email all the participants very soon.

October Smalls SAL

The Smalls SAL is hosted by Mary's Thread

At the beginning of the month I managed to finish my Christmas Small from September.  Several people guessed it was a dragon!  This is You Are My Gift from the 2010 issue of Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Special.

stitched on 32 count dark green linen

The design I chose for October wasn't the best choice for stitching time unfortunately.  As it is Dark October and I am stitching Hallowe'en all month, the only time I get for Christmas stitching is at bath time.  But I can't bead at bath time so this month's design is looking a little dull.  It is Victorian Christmas Tree by Sue Hillis Designs from the 2003 issue of Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Special.  You stitch the basic tree and then add beads to make candles and garlands.

Here is the tree:

stitched on 28 count green evenweave

I love the effect of the pine needles - they are blended with one strand of dark green and one of light green and then you backstitch the needles.

I will be adding the beads the first chance I get in November.

I have started this month's Word by Jessica Savage.  This is a series in Cross Stitcher magazine.  This is a very pretty one and will say "Imagine" when I finish it. 

stitched over one on 25 count blue evenweave

I also made a little bit of progress on the 25th Anniversary Cameo by Mirabilia.

stitched on random 28 count hand-dyed evenweave

Finally, this is the last call for the Hallowe'en Trick or Treat Blog Hop.  There is still room for more people to join in, I will be sending the emails out on Monday so everyone knows what they are doing.  Just leave a comment or send me an email if you are a no-reply person.

October IHSW

IHSW or International Hermit and Stitch Weekend always starts on the third Friday of the month.  It's a chance to lock yourself away and focus on your stitching for the weekend.  You can take part on your blog or via the Facebook page.  Links at the bottom of this post.

My focus piece for the weekend is Raven by Nora Corbett.  Here's where I was on Friday morning:

Here's the part I worked on this weekend:

Lots of over one skin!  The gaps are for beads.

And here is the whole piece now:

stitched on 32 count Belfast in Nebula by Crafty Kitten

You may have spotted where the frog attacked.  The pale purple in the dress is charted as 156 but it just didn't look quite right so I frogged it and I'm replacing with 155 which looks much nicer.  And it's a break from over one skin on linen.  I made the decision to stitch the backstitch on her arms first and fit the skin around it.  This turned out to be a very good plan although I may redo the backstitch in a darker grey.  It was charted for a lighter fabric.  It did help get the arms nice and smooth.

I've also been making daily progress on my Mystic Sampler by The Primitive Needle.  Here is Day 21:

stitched on 40 count Jewel Butterbeer linen from Under the Sea Fabrics

That tree took ages!

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 15th - 17th November 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.

October Gifted Gorgeousness Link-up Post

Welcome to the October 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.

My main project for Gifted Gorgeousness has been my Discworld Mappe by Lyndisfarne Designs, which will be a gift for my son.  This is where I left off last GG post:

This is where it was at the end of September:

Usually I would show you the portion I've been working on this month but I am taking a break for Dark October.

My main focus has been Nora Corbett's Raven.  The chart was a gift.

stitched on 32 count Nebula Belfast from Crafty Kitten

My daily stitch is Mystic Sampler by Primitive Needle.  Both the chart and the fabric were gifts from two different people.  This is Day 15:

stitched on 40 count Jewel Butterbeer linen from Under the Sea Fabrics

I haven't stitched on the next piece in October so this is the progress from last GG to the end of September.  The fabric was a gift.

stitched on random 28 count hand-dyed evenweave

This is the chart released by Nora Corbett to celebrate her 25th Anniversary of Mirabilia designs.  By using hand-dyed fabric I am hoping to avoid stitching all the background!

I did have a Birthday just after the last GG post.  I showed the things I bought for myself in my Stitch from Stash post, so here are the things other people bought me. 

The Little Stitcher Alice in Wonderland chart from one friend

The fabric to stitch it on from another plus the needleminder, Jodyri and the ORT catcher.

The cute pug postcard came from Mini.  It's so nice to get mail!

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 "October 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, there will be a Hallowe'en Trick or Treat Blog Hop as usual this year. I am sure you all know how it works but for those who need a reminder - here's a link to last year's

2018 Hallowe'en Trick or Treat Blog Hop

If you want to take part, just leave a comment here or email me if you are a "no reply" person. I need an email address for you to take part in this hop.

Dark 13 in Dark October

October in the stitching world is Dark October where we stitch our spookiest stitches.  Last year I had a selection of smalls and this year I am focusing on two large projects and one daily stitch.

The daily stitch is Mystic Sampler by the Primitive Needle.  I am stitching a portion each day, approx 20 x 20 squares on the chart.  Here are the first 12 days:

And here is Day 13:

stitched on 40 count Jewel Butterbeer by Under the Sea Fabrics

These snaps are taken using my iPad and the colours are not true at all.  To give you a better idea, here's the project I stitched on the other half of this piece of fabric:

The Goode Huswif - Books of Spells

It's because I take the photos sitting beside my large kitchen window in full daylight.  The thread colours are pretty accurate, I am using my own DMC conversion.

I've been using the Tiny Decisions app to choose my project some days and some days I have just stitched what I felt like.  The first project to get chosen by the App was my spooky conversion of Lavender & Lace's Enchanted Alphabet.  I've been adding various motifs throughout the year and the recent issue of Cross Stitcher magazine had an awesome Hallowe'en sampler with some perfect birds and animals to add.

stitched on 32 count Tiger Lily Murano by Sparklies

 

So far I have a wonderful over one raven and what will become an owl.  I think I need a couple more ghosts and then I can say it's finally done!

The other project is one of Nora Corbett's Bewitching Pixies.  This is Raven as she was at the start of the month:

And here she is now:

stitched on 32 count Nebula Belfast by Crafty Kitten

I've been stitching in three shades of purple all month.  The charted purples are 333, 3746 and 156.  But 156 is rather a blue purple and it just didn't look right.  You can see it in the top two folds of the cloak - the lightest shade.

So I tried 155 which is slightly more purpley and it looks much better.  So now I have to frog out the top two panels.  The difference is more striking in real life.

Of course I decided to make life just a little bit harder by stitching the skin over 1.  It's a bit blurry in the photos but looks good in person.

We've still got plenty of time this month and with half term holiday looming it would be nice to think I could get a finish on this one too.

Finally, there will be a Hallowe'en Trick or Treat Blog Hop as usual this year. I am sure you all know how it works but for those who need a reminder - here's a link to last year's

2018 Hallowe'en Trick or Treat Blog Hop

If you want to take part, just leave a comment here or email me if you are a "no reply" person. I need an email address for you to take part in this hop.