Fully Finishing Fun for August

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).

I haven't got anything as fancy as last month's finish but there are more FFO'd items this month.  It's been really hot here so obviously the perfect time to FFO some Christmas designs.

The first up was a finish this month too.  I completed the stitching in July but only got a chance to add the beads and charm this month.  This is Just Nan's Holly Noel:

stitched on 28 count beige evenweave

I didn't have the holly charm so I used a little candy cane instead

and scrapbooked it:

It's a biggish piece so it got a page to itself.

Next up were three Dragon Dreams designs all completed last year for the Christmas Ornament SAL:

Never Too Big To Believe

from the 2004 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Special

stitched on 32 count green linen

scrapbooked with Not a Creature Was Stirring from the 2001 issue:

Peace on Earth

from the 2002 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Special

stitched on 32 count dark green linen

You are my Gift

from the 2010 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Special

stitched on 32 count dark green linen

scrapbooked together:

I decided to mount You Are My Gift as a gift tag style with a nice piece of ribbon.  You may have noticed I changed the words on Peace on Earth to Peace & Harmony.  Anyone whose child likes Peppa Pig will recognise the song those words come from!

I would have had a framed piece as well but I didn't have the right frame in my stash so that will have to wait.

Finally, we had the Summer Blog Hop at the weekend.  Thanks to everyone who took part and to all those who hopped around and discovered the Stitching Friends.  It worked really well and I will definitely be doing it again next Summer. 

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.