A blog trying to focus on all the nice things in life, those moments when everything turns out right. Finding the perfect fabric for that chart you love, the ideal sampler quote, just the right picture in all the 1000s of magazines you own. Meeting people who share your interests and obsessions and totally understand why you NEED that chart when you already have enough to last until you're 104
I'm using my WIPGO Board to decide what to stitch this year. For August I had Nora Corbett's Zodiac Girl for her second turn and a new start from The Cricket Collection with the third season in the series - Autumn.
stitched on 32 count Cancer Murano from Sparklies
She is the fifth sign I have stitched and the second Water sign. I stitched as charted but I substituted the following threads for the Caron Waterlilies:
CW152 - CC Argylle Socks
CW 158 - DMC 4210
CW 210 - DMC 4000
When I had finished her, I moved on to Cricket Collection's Autumn:
Stitched on 32 count tea-dyed evenweave
I'm using Anchor threads for this one. It's charted for both DMC and Anchor and I had quite a few of the right colours. The rest I have done my own conversion. I've got the skeins so I might as well use them for projects like this.
My Dark 13 project is Witching Hour by Keslyn's, and I added an H and the I. They were quite intertwined it made sense to stitch them both in one month.
stitched 1 over 2 on 32 count Cirrus evenweave from Chromatic Alchemy
I'm using a variegated DMC thread - 4240, a mixture of blues and purples. I decided to use a different colour for the spiders and chose the Victorian Motto Violet-Grey thread I used for the Halloween Bookshelf last year. It's not as harsh as 310.
In the evenings I continued with the Living on the Rainbow Alice in Wonderland book design. This will be fully-finished into a 3D book.
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.
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.
