A Finish!

Ok, here's another reason I love band samplers:  they're quick to finish!

Yes, I've already finished the Woodland Violet Sampler!  Here's a pic:

This is by The Sweetheart Tree.  It is stitched on white, 28ct. evenweave.  I started this on 23 December and finished it on 31 December.  That makes it my official, last finish of 2012!

Next items being added to the rotation:  Checking It Twice by Sandi Gore Evans/Leisure Arts; also QS Mystic Garden as part of the HAED BB 2013 SAL.

Next item that I'm actually be working on:  PTP Floral Arrangement from HAED.

Happy New Year and Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Look what I won!

Mel had a drawing on her blog and I was one of the winners!  I won a gift certificate to her Etsy shop, Epic Stitching.

I tried to take a photo of the bracelet that I chose but it didn't come out so well, so I'm "borrowing" the image from her shop.

Isn't this lovely?!  Believe me, the photo does not do it justice!  It was hard to choose just one item - you have to check out the shop to view all the gorgeous pieces she offers!

Since I didn't think I'd do too well trying to tie on the bracelet, I asked her for a lobster clasp to be added.  It's a service that she offers in the shop as well as requesting different lengths for the bracelets and necklaces.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Band Samplers

I've decided that I love band samplers.  Don't get me wrong, I will always love patterns that are just cross stitch but band samplers definitely have a place in my heart.

I ask you, "What's not to love?".  Most band samplers are narrow and by their very nature are broken up into small bits that can mostly be stitched quite quickly.  Now if there are any pulled thread or Hardanger sections, those do take some extra effort but I feel it's worth it.

How many other types of stitching typically use a variety of threads?  I don't just mean colors.  If we were talking about color variety, HAEDs, Marty Bells or a few other designs would win.  (The one Marty Bell that I've finished had 132 different colors!)  I'm talking about different types of thread.  The band sampler that I'm currently stitching uses DMC floss, DMC perle cotton and one Needle Necessities* overdyed floss.

I also love the challenges presented in such a typically small area.  My current project, Woodland Violet Sampler from The Sweetheart Tree, uses 8 stitches besides regular cross stitch.

Want a bit of bling?  You've got it!  Beads, charms, buttons, metallics, lace, silk ribbon...I've used them all on various samplers.

Yep, I'm hooked on band samplers and will probably always keep one in my rotation.  Besides, what else is going to fit so perfectly on my 10" scroll rods?

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

* Needle Necessities went out of business but the same colorways, made using the same process, are being made by ThreadWorx.  I happen to be using original NN threads 'cause I bought an accessory pack quite awhile ago.

Sistine Chapel update

I just finished the second page on the Sistine Chapel from HAED.  Here is my progress photo:

For the next project in my rotation, my randomizer app chose:  Woodland Violet Sampler.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Just opened an Etsy shop

Hello!

I've finally gotten around to opening an Etsy shop!  You'll find it here:  Xed Stitches.  Unfortunately, the name Crossed Stitches was already taken and this was as close as I could get!  ;-)

Right now, there are only 20 items available but I have alot more to add - especially more magazines!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Blog Hop 13: Wishlist

The Blog Hop question this time is:

The holidays are right around the corner and gift exchanges are happening everywhere you look. If an amazingly magical Stitchmas Santa were to fly overhead and bring you one stitching wish, what would it be?

 

Hmm....TIME!  This is an "amazingly magical" Santa after all.  I've got so many projects that I want to do that time is my most precious commodity.  Floss, fabric, patterns, etc. I have in abundance!

Now if we were to head to a more practical and realistic present, I guess I'd have to say more scroll frames.  I always leave a project on the frame when it's waiting for its turn in my rotation.  Right now, that means that my WIPs are limited to seven...bummer.

Happy Stitching and Merry Christmas!

Stacy

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

My First Blog Award!

Thank you to Monica at The Hoopless Stitcher for giving me my first blog award.

As I was writing this and checking out the addresses of the blogs I was listing, I noticed that Melody at The Stitching Life also gave me this award!  Thank you to both you wonderful ladies!

So now I need to pick 5 blogs with under 200 followers:   I don't "officially" follow any blogs but these are some of the ones that I'm regular in checking (in no particular order):

1. Ca11i0pe's Reviews and Stitching News
2. The Stitching Life
3. Reflections of a Desert Rat
4. A Simple Mind
5. All This & a Bag of Chips Too

Now the Rules are:

1. You must publically thank the person who awarded it to you.
2. Paste the Liebster Award on your blog. 
3. Pick 5 blogs with less than 200 followers, and leave them each a comment on their blogs letting them know of their honor.


Happy Stitching and Blogging!

Stacy

New project...

Since I finished the Heirloom Christmas Sampler, I had a set of scroll frames with [gasp] nothing on them!  Well, that's just wrong, so I searched through my considerable stash to find a new project.

It was a tough decision to avoid starting another HAED design, but since the empty scroll frames are fairly narrow there weren't many HAEDs in my stash that would have fit.

The "winner" of the empty scroll frames is:  Woodland Violet Sampler from The Sweetheart Tree.  Here's what it looks like:

I've already got the fabric on the frame and I've entered it into my randomizer app but I don't know for sure when it will actually show up in my rotation.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy



Blog Hop 12 - Thankful Stitching

The question for this hop is:

When it comes to the stitching part of your life, what are you most thankful for?

A husband who supports my "habit".  My husband has always been very supportive of my stitching no matter what form it takes.

For my cross stitch, he's bought me: a glider rocker w/gliding ottoman; my Gazelle floor stand; my Ott light; a DVD player for my "white noise" and most recently a flat screen tv.

For my quilting, he recently brought home fabric from a garage sale.  He pays enough attention that he bought only fabrics that I would/could use (all cotton and all nice patterns).

When people are at our house for the first time, he is proud to show off what I have done. 

He also allows me as much time as he can (we own our own retail, home-based business) to be in my sewing room.  He's also flexible enough to let me have one project in the main part of the house (so I have something to work on during business hours).  Trust me, I plan on keeping him!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy



Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

A Finish!

Woohoo!  I have a finish!

This last round of my rotation had me working on Heirloom Christmas Sampler from The Victoria Sampler.  As I got going, I thought, "I'm close, I might as well finish this." and I did!

Here's the finished sampler:

Now I actually have an empty set of scroll frames and I'm contemplating what my next start will be...

Happy Stitching (and Finishing)!

Stacy

Rapunzel progress

Well, I've finished another rotation on Rapunzel (Dawe).  This time I did a bit more than one page because while page 5 is a full page, page 6 is only 12 stitches wide so I included it too.

This means that I have the top row of pages done!!  Technically, the pattern is 30 total pages but I just looked and pages 25-30 are only 3 rows of stitches each.  For this update, I did remember to update the progress bar on the right side of the blog.

I was thrilled to watch the moth come to life on these last two pages.

Next up in the rotation:  Heirloom Christmas Sampler by The Victoria Sampler.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Wall Quilt finish

I've finished another wallhanging quilt!  I was working on it as one of my goals for the Sept/Oct FIUP (Finish It UP) on StashBuilders.  While I didn't finish it in time to be an "official" FIUP finish, it is done now and I'm happy with it.

I've already rearranged the wallhangings along my stairway to make room for it but I still need to get a curtain rod for it.  Hopefully, I'll be getting one tomorrow!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Blog Hop 11 - Interesting Stash Aquisition

The question for this blog hop is:

What has been your most unusual or most interesting stash acquisition to date?

I really had to think about this one.  One of my coolest is one of my smallest:  my scissors reel.  I think it came from a storage unit that my husband bought but I don't remember for sure.  I can tell you that it was made by Ketchum & McDougall.

UPDATE:  The scissor reel has a pin on the back which I attach to my shirt near my right shoulder.  The part that is hooked to the scissors is on a self-retracting cable (think of how a tape measure works).  When I need to cut something, I pull the scissors away from my body and clip away.  When I'm done, the scissors "reel" back into place.
Another great find was something I didn't keep.  Back in the 1990's as I was travelling across Montana, I stopped at a small cross-stitch shop.  In the leaflet racks, I found two Paula Vaughan in Miniature leaflets.  I knew that leaflet was out-of-print and very hard to find.  I bought both of them for the cover price of $6.50 and when I got home I sold them on Ebay for $73 each.

More recently, I went to a garage sale a couple of houses down from me and found two cross stitch leaflets:  Chandler's Cottage by Thomas Kinkade and Watering Can from Lanarte.  This was a surprising find because the bulk of the items for sale were quilting related.  Yes, I did manage to buy some fabric as well at 50¢ a yard!
Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

My sewing/stitching room

Recently, I was inspired by Moda Bake Shop's Show Off Your Stash Link Party to really clean and organize my sewing/stitching room.

Here the photos of my favorite room in our house (except for the carpet).  You can click on any of the photos for a larger view.

First of all, my sewing room is upstairs.  Here is the view looking down.  I love the quilts that I have hanging in the stairwell.  As you can see, my cat Spooky likes my room as well.  The veil in the upper right was from my wedding.



Here is the start of my quilting area which is all on one side of the room.  I got the idea for stacking my fabric like this from Quiltville.  The top shelf has my radio/cd player plus some quilt tops that need finishing.  The fourth shelf down has all my pretty precuts.  Any tools or accessories for my sewing are in the sewing box on the floor.



Here is my cutting and design area.  The table is from Joann's online.  The blank wall to the left is my design wall.  I put a layer of high loft, polyester quilt batting on the wall and then put a piece of wide white flannel on top.  In the background, you can see my ironing board.  The quilt hanging on the wall was made by my grandmother.

The plastic drawers hold my crochet threads, ribbons I've won, orphan quilt blocks and some miscellaneous stuff.  The chest of drawers has my cross stitch fabric; fat quarters; misc. fabrics.  On top you will see my wedding bouquet.  The two leather boxes hold my collection of frame samples for when I choose a frame for my completed cross stitch projects.  I order my frames from Picture Frames.com.



Next we come to my cross stitch area.  The bags are for holding small projects that I can work on away from home.  My WIPs that are awaiting their turn are hanging on the wall.  The glider rocker (and ottoman) and the Ott Lite were gifts from my DH.  Actually, the floor stand was too!  Yes, I am spoiled!  The project in progress is Rapunzel - Dawe from Heaven and Earth Designs.

In this odd alcove, I have a filing cabinet which holds my cross stitch patterns (top drawer); crochet books and patterns (next drawer); quilting books and patterns (lower drawer); and craft glues and misc. kits (bottom drawer).  The armoire has all of my Mill Hill beads; cross stitch kits; yarns; misc. tools; misc. craft supplies.  On top of the old sewing machine is my DVD player and to the right is another gift from DH - a LCD tv!  (You didn't think I was kidding when I said I was spoiled, did you?)

And in this corner, we have my books (mostly non-craft); my cross stitch magazines; my DMC floss collection and my Kreinik metallics (bottom right); and the shoe box tubs have various-sized cuts of material for quilting.

And here we are back at the top of the stairs.  The hope chest holds my quilt batting and gives Spooky a perch for looking out the window to our backyard and the alley.

Here is my attempt at a 360° view of my room.  It's a little wonky in spots:





Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Ooh...

my order of photo paper arrived today!  Now I can print copies of my Polaroid photos.  I didn't want to put the actual Polaroids in my scrapbooks so I'm going to make new prints and scrapbook them.

I have been making progress getting photos out of the first magnetic album.  I'd say that about half of the photos are out of it and I have 20 pages completely done and into the new album.

Now I'm off to do a bit of housework then I'll dive back into the scrapbooking!

Happy Stitching (or whatever)!

Stacy

My Window Quilt

I first heard about window quilts from one of my online groups (StashBuilders).  After doing a Google search, I found a couple of sites that I found particularly helpful:

Energy Boomer: Window Quilts
Design Your Own Insulating Window Quilts

Using both these sites, I decided to make my own window quilt for in my sewing room.  Here's how I did it:

• Measured the inside of the window frame.  Mine was 26" x 56".
• Cut muslin for the backing.  I cut it about 32" x 60" so that I'd have plenty and I would trim the excess later.
• Cut up an old king-size flannel sheet for the batting layer.  Since it was a king-size, there was enough to give me two layers for extra insulation.
• Chose a pattern for the front which faces into the room.  I'd never done a Disappearing 9 patch before so this seemed like a good time to try it.
• Once I finished the top, I put the four layers together and did a simple quilt in the ditch on my sewing machine.
• Trimmed the backing and fillers 1/2" smaller than the front.
• Folded 1/4" of the front border under then folded it around to the back instead of using bias binding.
• Made a hanging sleeve approximately 3" narrower than the width of the quilt.
• Cut two ties 2" x 50" from the same material as my borders.
• At the top edge of my quilt, I pinned the:  folded edge from my front border; then the hanging sleeve on top of that; then my ties (6" in from each side).
• Starting at the top, I sewed through the binding, sleeve and ties then continued around the rest of the quilt just sewing down the binding.
• Blind-stitched the bottom edge of the hanging sleeve.
• Hung the quilt on a tension rod.

Here's what the front of the quilt looks like (before I put the layers together):

And here is what the window quilt looks like hanging in the window:

Happy Stitching!

Stacy



Uh-oh

I think I may actually be getting organized in my old age (ok, I'm not really old, I'm only 43)!

My sewing room is really starting to look tidy.  I still have a couple of small areas that need straightening up but on the whole, it's looking good.

In my office area, the computer desk is mostly clean.  The most notable spot is the printer - nothing's stacked on top of it!  ;-)

Also in my office, the other desk is now set up for my scrapbooking.  My scissors are all now on a thread rack which is hanging on the wall.  My scanner, paper cutter, stapler and hole punch are all accessible.  There is enough empty space to layout a 12in x 12in page.

I'm the secretary for my Tuesday night bowling league.  My paperwork for this week has all been entered into the computer and everything I need for next week has been printed and is in my binder ready to go.

This is not like me - Procrastination has always been my friend.  The scary thing is that I find I like the organized me - hope I can hang on to her!

Happy Stitching (and organizing)!

Stacy

I've made a start...

on getting my photos out of those nasty magnetic page albums and into acid-free scrapbooks.

I'm not one of those scrapbookers that has to have every page "just so" with all of the fancy flourishes.  I do like to have my pages look nice but relatively uncluttered.  I print the photo descriptions on card stock usually using the same font throughout the album.  To give a little bit of interest, I do trim the card stock using the fun and funky scissors available.  Currently, I have 11 different scissors for this part of the job.

Hopefully, I can get a few pages done each day.  I have two of the magnetic page albums and they are my first priority.  The other albums I have (that aren't acid-free) have the slide-in style pages so they're not as bad for the photos or as difficult to work with.

I've made up six (12in x 12in) pages today - I just need to print and mount the description for each photo.

Wish me luck!

Stacy

Update:  Those six pages are completely done and in their new album!

Online Needlework Show - my choices

Here are a few of the items that I liked from The Needlework Show...
(please note, some of the images might not show up once the show is over)

From Blackberry Lane Designs:

From Blu Cobalto:

From Creative Poppy:

From Keslyn's:

From The Needle's Notion:

From Threaded Needle Designs:

Each of the designers that I have shown here also had other items I found interesting but these were the ones that really jumped out at me.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Online Needlework Show

The Needlework Show, is going on right now!  The show dates are October 18-23.

What could be better than attending a needlework show in your pajamas (if you choose)?!

This year's show has 92 vendors.  You can linger as long as you like in a "booth" and no aching feet from walking!  The link above will take you directly to the booth links.

I'm off now to browse.  I'll be posting a few of the items that catch my eye.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Least Favorite Thread...

The question for Blog Hop #10 is:

What’s your absolute least-favorite thread to work with?

I can guess what the most common answer will be:  blending filament (BF).  I think I'm in the minority 'cause I don't mind working with BF.

This question is really tough for me.  To paraphrase Will Rogers, I never met a thread I didn't like.  The best that I can come up with is Kreinik #16 braid.  That is one fat thread and it's difficult to work with.  The only way I've ever used it is as a couched thread.  The couching is okay but in order to hide the ends, you do have to bring it up from the back at the beginning and then take it through to the back at the end.  It's so thick and rough that just those two passes through the fabric are really hard to do.

Happy Stitching (with whatever thread you need)!

Stacy

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

Scrap Afghan

Here is a photo of a scrap afghan I designed and crocheted.  It's pretty simple to do and a great way to use up yarn, particularly if you have a good bit of a color but not enough to make anything by itself.

I've listed directions below but since I was just trying to use up some yarn, I didn't measure anything so nothing is exact!

You will need:

• Afghan hook - I used a size J (US).
• Solid color yarn for the primary color (A), several ounces  (I used ecru in mine.)
• Various yarn colors (B), probably a couple ounces of each

Directions:

• Using color A, make a chain as wide as you want your afghan to be.
• Work 5 rows of afghan stitch.  All rows are worked in this stitch.
• Rows 6-10:  Continuing in afghan stitch, bring up 5 loops of color A; switch to color B and bring up loops in color B until you are within 5 stitches of the end of the row.  Switch back to color A for the last 5 loops.  I found it easiest to have a separate skein or ball of color A for these last five loops.
• Working back across Row, do 5 stitches in color A; switch to color B; do last 5 stitches in A.
• Rows 11-15:  work in color A.
• Repeat rows 6-15 until afghan measures as large as you'd like; do not finish off.
• For border:  in top of third stitch from hook work 8 treble crochet (fan made).  Skip 3 stitches; work 8 treble crochet in next stitch.  Continue across to the third stitch from the end, work 8 treble crochet.  Do not work in the corner - skip to the third stitch past the corner and continue around.  Finish off.

Because you are choosing the length of your initial chain, you may need to adjust by a stitch or two across each side as you work the border.

If you make an afghan based on these directions, I would love to see your work!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

I never realized...

how easy it is to spend $80 (US) on stitching supplies!  I received my order from 123stitch yesterday.

I got the two thread/accessory packs for the Heirloom Nativity Sampler by The Victoria Sampler.  I already had the leaflet but had to save up some money for the threads.

I also bought an ornament kit, Mistletoe from Dimensions.

I may attempt to start and finish the ornament before this Christmas but I'm not going to hold my breath!  ;-)

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Blog Hop #9 - Stitching Tools

The blog hop question for this round is:

What are your must-have stitching tools and aides? Other than your trusty scissors, of course. Is there a problem you have had when stitching that you created your own solution for, or have you purchased a tool that helped?

Wow!  Another tough question to narrow down so I don't think I will limit myself!  ;-)

Absolute must-haves are my scroll frames and floor stand from Artisan Design!  I have the original Gazelle floor stand with the optional chart holder.  I have enough scroll frame rods and sidebars to make 7 (yes, 7!) complete frames.  All of my frames currently have a project on them.

Other gadgets that I've found to be extremely helpful include:

• Star De-Tailor for running short thread ends under other stitches
• Pako Needle Organizer for having pre-threaded needles handy
• OttLite Floor Lamp so I can actually tell 3771 and black apart!
• Highlighters for marking off stitches as I do them.

Other items in my sewing/craft room that have me so spoiled:

• DVD player
• LCD tv
• glider rocker and ottoman

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

Floral Arrangement progress

Here is a progress photo of my most recent WIP:  PTP Floral Arrangement.  This is from Heaven and Earth Designs.  I just finished page five out of sixteen.  This is on 40ct. using one strand over one thread in half stitches.

For my next WIP, my RandomMastr app chose:  Rapunzel (Dawe) also from HAED.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy C.

Blog Hop #8 - Favorite Project

What has been your favorite project to stitch?

Gosh, this is a hard one.

There are a few projects that stand out.  Miss Hathaway's Garden by Pegasus Originals is the first one that comes to mind.  I stitched this one for my mother-in-law.  She cried when she saw it.

The one I get the most questions about is my stitched Monopoly board 'cause everyone thinks it's an actual game board.

My first original design was great fun.  I call it Fade to Blue. The colors gradually go from white to dark blue (DMC #939).

The most sentimental one I've done is also an original design:  Viola's Lace Sampler.  The crocheted laces that I used were made by either my grandmother or her mother.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy



Visit all the blogs in this round of the Stitching the Night Away Stitching Blogger Blog Hop:
Find the instructions on how to participate in this round by clicking here.

An ornament finish

Yesterday, I finished another of the Mill Hill Charmed Santa Faces:  Kris Kringle.  Here's a pic:

The day after Thanksgiving, he'll join all the other Santa ornaments on the tree that is in my home office.  It's a 7' (artificial) tree with only Santas on it.  It's one of three trees that I put up for Christmas.

Christmas Countdowns at WiddlyTinks.com

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

La Belle Dame...progress photo

La Belle Dame Sans Merci was the latest project in my rotation.  I have just finished the 6th page!!  Here is a progress picture:

The RandomMastr app has chosen...PTP Floral Arrangement from HAED as my next project.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

And the winner is...

Jamie Fredrickson!  Congratulations, Jamie!  If you want to drop me an email, with your tartan and style choice, I'll get your pattern to you via email as soon as possible!

For anyone interested, the various tartan charts are always available for sale on my website:  Tartan Surnames.  I am in the process of updating the list and adding the links for each tartan.  The link for this is always available on the right hand side of this blog as well.

Also, I have a ton of tartan items (shirts, mugs, cards, mousepads, etc.) available in my online shop, Things Scottish.  The link for my shop is also available on the right hand side of my blog.

---

Julie, the tartan for the Lord of Lovat is Fraser of Lovat.  While Lord Henry Lovat was the last person beheaded at the Tower, the title of Lord Lovat was eventually "resurrected" and there is a current Lord Lovat who is the head of the Fraser clan.  Lord Lovat at Wikipedia

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Pattern Giveaway...tomorrow!

Just a reminder that I will be giving away a Scottish tartan cross stitch pattern tomorrow!  For details, you can go directly to the original post.  At the moment, I have a total of 10 entries so your odds are pretty good.  If you haven't entered, please comment on the original post to enter.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

In Memory of...

Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum of Told in a Garden, Butternut Road, and Lavender and Lace, who passed away yesterday, I thought I would share the designs of her's that I have stitched.

The Bride - Lavender and Lace

I did this for my college roommate when she got married.










Earthdancer - Butternut Road

I stitched this for my secret pal from church as a "revealing gift".











Angel of Spring - Lavender and Lace

This was also stitched as a revealing gift for my secret pal from church (different lady, different year).










I have at least a couple more of Marilyn's designs in my stash.  I know that 2MuchXS, is planning a stitch along in Marilyn's memory.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Ribbons!

Just picked up the two items I entered in our county fair:  Twilight Repose and Wild Menagerie.

I didn't make it to the fair this year, so I didn't know how I'd done until I got my items back.

Twilight Repose got a blue ribbon (first place).  Wild Menagerie got a blue ribbon (first place), best of section ribbon (for cross stitch), and First Place rosette (for all items considered needle arts by hand)!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

12 Days...progress photo

My latest project in rotation has been 12 Days of Christmas by Teresa Wentzler.  While I love the beauty of the pattern, it relies heavily on backstitch which I don't enjoy.  I now have Day 4 completed plus the border areas for Days 5 & 6.

Here is the progress photo:

Because it was so late at night when I finished this bit, I haven't run the randomizer to see what my next project will be.  We shall see...

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Time on a Project?

What is the longest amount of time that it's taken you to finish a project?  I'm not referring to actual time spent stitching but rather the span from the first day started to the day it was finished.

I'm pretty sure that my longest project was Miss Hathaway's Garden from Pegasus Originals.  It was 6 years from the time I started until it was finished.  Here's a picture of it for reference:

I did do other things during that 6 year period:  several afghans, small cross stitch, possibly some quilting.  There were probably months at a time where I never touched MHG.

I'm sure that since I've discovered HAED, I'll surpass the 6 year mark on a project, especially since I currently have 5 of their patterns in my rotation!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

WIP photo and Rotation

This last round of my rotation had me working on La Belle Dame Sans Merci from HAED.  Here is how it's looking now that page 5 is completed.

It looks a bit wonky because it's a bit loose in the scroll frame and I was too lazy to tighten it.  Also, in the lower right corner, you can just make out the knight's nose.  I knew by the colors that it had to be part of his face but until I looked at the photo, I couldn't make it out.

Next up in the rotation:  12 Days of Christmas by Teresa Wentzler

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Ever find yourself...

...talking to yourself while you stitch?

I notice myself doing it occasionally.  It usually goes something like this:

"The square symbol, what color is that?"
"Next, the diamond.  Where is the diamond?"
"The solid box, that's 3371."

Please tell me that I'm not alone in this or else my next post might be from a padded room!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Pattern Giveaway

Well, since no one guessed correctly in the previous giveaway that I offered, I decided that I would do a giveaway that will have a definite winner!

I will give a Scottish tartan cross stitch pattern to a random winner.  All you have to do is comment on this post to be entered.  On August 31, I will use my randomizer app to select from all those who commented.  The winner will get to choose which tartan they want and the style of the chart (full tartan, terrier, heart, etc.).

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

If you are the winner and you know that you have Scottish heritage but are not sure which tartan you want, I can research that for you.  Most Scottish surnames do not have their own tartan.

Tartan Cross Stitch Charts

I don't know how many of you know this but I chart Scottish tartans for cross stitch.  I've been doing this for a number of years and have hundreds of charts available.  There is now a permanent link on the top right hand side of my blog or you can click here.

Here are some samples of the tartans and styles of chart that I offer:

Shown in:  Deas #2154
full tartan

Shown in:  MacCullough #3339
Celtic knot

  Shown in:  Dorward #2533
  monogram

Shown in:  Colquhoun #0274
Celtic cross

Shown in:  Wallace #1208
thistle

Shown in:  Blair #0416
heart

Shown in:  MacDonald #0419
stocking, toe right (toe left is also an option)

Shown in:  Christie #1355
Scotland map

Shown in:  Chisholm of Strathglass #1455
lion

Shown in:  Connel #1854
Scottish Terrier







Happy Stitching!

Stacy