Finally Fully Finishing Fun for July

Hosted by Rachel the Ten Hour Stitcher

This SAL is designed to motivate us all to do something with that box of Finished pieces instead of just storing them under the bed.  We will all be linking up on Rachel's blog on or after the 10th of each month (10 Hour Stitcher - 10th of the month).

Not much FFO'ing this month, just two small framed pieces.  The first one is the freebie from The Primitive Hare for Litha, the Summer Solstice.  Framed the same as Ostara in the same multi-frame.  The goal is to have all eight done by the end of this year.

The second one is my Just Nan small - Pansy Basket.  A couple of people asked about this one.  It's part of the Filigree Fancies series and I got the kit with the little basket charm.  I painted a cheap wooden box frame and it's done now and on display.

Finally, I'm going to be taking sign-ups for my Summer Blog Hop on the same theme as last year - Stitching Friends are Friends Who Count.  Have a look at this post for last year and let me know if you'd like to take part this year.

Stitching Friends Summer Blog Hop 

June IHSW and F.N.S.I

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 - IHSW on Facebook.

The third Friday is also the Friday Night Sew In or F.N.S.I. which Kaye introduced me to.  You can find out more about it here - Sugarlane Designs

It looks like Friday is going to be my regular day for work so I take my current Just Nan Band Sampler in to stitch at lunchtime.  This is Follow the Needle:

stitched on 28 count lilac Brittney evenweave

The rest of the weekend was dedicated to Just Nan's Scream House:

stitched on 28 count Smokey Pearl Cashel linen

You can see how close to the edge I had to start to ensure it will fit on this smaller piece of the fabric.  But at least it is 28 count and not shrunk to 30.  It says it is Cashel but I am not convinced this is Zweigart because of the shrinkage and the yellow stitching in the selvedge rather than orange as you usually get.

I also had a finish at bathtime, this is Litha a freebie from The Primitive Hare:

stitched on 35 count cream linen

Litha is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and I finished this just in time because it is tomorrow - 21st June.  And what do I do on the Longest Day of the Year?  I have a Longest Day Marathon where I stitch on all my WIPs.  I thought this year had worked out perfectly falling on a Monday as my son goes to the gym after school so I would be able to stitch uninterrupted until 4.15 when he comes home.  But no, I have to go into work just for the morning!  And it's time-sensitive so I can't move it to Tuesday which would be a lot more convenient.

So my new plan is to start before work, stitch one project, go to work, come home and stitch as many as I can until bedtime.  Then on Tuesday, stitch all the ones I couldn't fit in on Monday.  I made a list with timings and if I am lucky, I can get 12-14 stitched on Monday.

Finally the next IHSW will be 16th -18th July 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 by leaving a comment on my post.