Finished Diamond Painting

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Last night, I finished a 3-D diamond painting kit that my hubby got me for Christmas.  He bought me 4 in total and this is the 3rd one I’ve finished.  I stored the other 2 before I thought to take pictures…I’ll photograph them next Christmas.

It took me about 8-10 hours (I wasn’t paying attention to the time).  This one had 21 different colors/sizes of diamonds.  I’m not sure where he got them, but here’s a similar one on Amazon:  Christmas Tree diamond painting kit.

Now I’m going to go back to my SAL.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

A Few Finishes!

 Hey!

I finished my Sweet Pea Gazebo Sampler from The Victoria Sampler!  I finished it this past Friday but have felt a little under the weather, so I didn’t post about it until now.

I changed the poem ‘cause I’m not really fond of the “All things bright and beautiful” poem that was charted.  The poem I used is by Alfred Noyes and was perfect for this sampler.

The next project for my now empty scroll frame is Grizz from Heaven and Earth Designs.  First though, I’m back to working on my SAL piece Jelly World.

I have been working on crocheted snowflakes lately too.  Here are the ones I’ve finished including the starching.  I have at least 7 more that still need to be starched.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

A Christmas finish!

 Hey Everyone!

I had a finish last night that would qualify as Christmas in July.  This is Nutcracker Sampler from The Nutmeg Needle.

Now I'm off to see how my stuff did at the fair.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Framed! 3 of 5

 Hey!

I got the 3rd one framed today.  I’m a Christmas fanatic, so I had to stitch this one.  I almost always have something Christmas-related in my rotation.

This one is so simple, but poignant and I love it!  Projects 4 & 5 are a pair, so I’ll be posting them together when I get them framed.  Oh, all the frames were purchased from arttoframes.com (no affiliation, just a customer).

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

New small finish

 Hey Everyone!

I had switched to a quick project while waiting for a magnifying lamp to arrive.  My eyes aren’t what they used to be, though most of the time I’m fine with “cheaters” from the dollar store.  That being said, full crosses on 34ct is apparently not something I can see well enough.  I had a hard time seeing the single missed stitches especially.  So this is what I finished during my little break:

It’s from an old issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine.  I did correct the grammar and changed “fresh” to “freshly”.  It would’ve driven me crazy if I’d left it alone.

I did also do some tidying in my craft room.  I’ll probably post some before and after photos once I’ve finished.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

One Block Wonder progress

Hey Everyone!

I made some more progress on my One Block Wonder quilt.  Here is the previous photo:

...and here it is today:

This is not necessarily the final layout.  Once I have all the blocks done (still have probably 50+ to go), I'll tweak the layout.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

I'm still here!

Hi to those of you patient enough to stick around!

I am still here!  I have still been working on my various crafts, just for some reason I have forgotten to share any of them.

Here are some updates (life, crafts, whatever).

In November 2022, hubby took me to Disneyland to see it decorated for Christmas.  I've been there multiple times, but never for Christmas before.

We spent Thanksgiving on the Oregon coast.  Yes, I know it's a Christmas setting, but it was at our hotel.

In early December last year, hubby took me to Leavenworth, WA.  It was phenomenal!  There was obviously snow on the ground, but the passes were clear, so no worries with driving.

I finished my Christmas string quilt last year in time to have it out during the holidays.  I’ll see if I can get a better photo, this is the only one I could find.

I finished (as far as I was going to) Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt from 2021 (a year late).  It wasn't really my favorite color palette and I was too lazy to do the final border.  My sister likes it though, so she'll get it after I get it quilted.  Maybe she'll even help quilt it once I get my "new" longarm figured out.

I finished a wall quilt to hang during the Summer.  I didn't get a photo of it after I quilting it, but here it is assembled.

I finished Night Train II by Elizabeth Spurlock.  That means I have the set done now.

Night Train I (finished in 2008):

Night Train II (finished a couple of weeks ago):

In February of this year, hubby and I attended our industry's convention (Awards and Personalization) in Las Vegas.  The convention was at Paris Las Vegas and that's where we stayed.  It was our first time attending since 2008!

This update is rather sad, in August, hubby and I had to put down our cat Spooky who was just one month shy of 17.  Here she is under the Christmas tree while I was decorating it three years ago.

On October 7, hubby and I adopted 2 kittens (sisters) from our local PAWS.  Meet Freya (striped) and Dolly (gray and white).  They were 3 months old when we got them.

I started another One Block Wonder quilt.  Here is the fabric I'm using:

....and here is my progress as of yesterday:

I promise that I'll try to update more frequently, rather than 14 months apart!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

A Finish: Heirloom Christmas Sampler

Hello Everyone!

I'm making progress on completing projects!  My latest finish is Heirloom Nativity Sampler from The Victoria Sampler.

This is stitch on 32ct. fabric in an antique blue color, not sure of the actual color name.

This finish means that I have 3 scroll frames that are empty (gasp!).  I've already chosen the 3 new patterns that I'm going to add to my rotation:

• Birds on a Wire (Heaven and Earth [retired])
• Kringle Comes to Town (2017 limited edition from HAED)
• Father Christmas (Curtis Boeringer)

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Another Finish: Victorian Santa

 Hello Everyone!

As I mentioned in my previous post, my next project was going to be a Santa.  Well, I worked on him.  Here he is "built" and finally clothed a bit:

He's fairly large at 22" (55.88cm).  The kit came with everything except the material for the gown and coat.  I chose silver and purple, partially because the accent pieces would go with those colors and I didn't have a Santa dressed in purple in my collection.

Here is the completed Santa:

Behind him, you can see a few of the other Santas in my collection.  I've got my Christmas decorations up already.  It's early, even for me, but...2020.  'Nuff said.

Here are a couple of my trees.  The first one is in our living/dining room.

The second tree is in my sewing room/office.  It's decorated in...Santas!

   

My next project, which I've already started, is a Christmas wall hanging quilt.  Hopefully, I'll have it finished before November 27th when Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt starts.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Sweatshirt

I know, it's an odd title for a blog post.  However, it is what I made for hubby for Christmas.

Hubby has this old, ratty sweatshirt that he loves.  It's hideous looking though.  It used to be black but had gotten some bleach spots on it, so I washed it with the whites to really bleach it.  That made it turn orange.  Ugh!  It also has holes in several places.  Holes that I couldn't "fix".  I know because I tried.

The problem is the company that made it, hasn't made that style for years.  Hubby had scoured the internet looking for another one with no luck.

Well, hubby got me a very thoughtful gift for Christmas:  a Christmas addict's pack from HAED.  I knew before Christmas because their packaging is very distinctive:  a shiny, red, bubble-pack mailer.  I didn't open it until Christmas Eve so I didn't know precisely what was in it but I knew what it was.  I was so touched, I tried to figure out what I could do for him that would be as thoughtful.  Cue the sweatshirt.

I quilt, which means I sew, but I rarely sew clothing.  On the occasions when I do make clothes, I have a nice, orderly paper pattern that tells me what to do and when to do it.  I have never made anything using an existing piece as my template.  Now the nerves kicked in big time!

I knew I needed sweatshirt fleece and ribbing.  When I got to the cutting counter at Joann's (I forgot the ribbing!), I had no idea how many yards I needed.  I made a guess and crossed my fingers.  Apparently, I'm a good guesser because I had enough with a little to spare.

I won't bore you with the gory details on making the patterns I needed (it wasn't pretty).  I did follow this excellent tutorial.  Due to my paranoia over getting this gift right, it took me a full day to bring myself to make the first cut into the fleece.  It took awhile to make it.  I think it was 3 days.  I'm not sure because I was in such a state!

I finally finished it and in time for Christmas Eve!  When hubby opened it, I asked him if it looked familiar.  He said, "Yes." and promptly checked the collar for the tag!  I knew I had accomplished what I'd attempted when he did that!  He's worn it pretty much every time he's left the house since Christmas.  I doubt I'll ever give him a present as meaningful again...though I will try.

Here's the finished sweatshirt:

Sorry the picture isn't the best quality.  The sweatshirt has a double color and a kangaroo pocket.  If I get a chance to get a better photo, I will post it.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Great Ornament Idea!

Here's an idea for a meaningful but non-traditional ornament:  medals!

I'm certain that you or your kids have a few medals around.  Simply take the medal off the neck ribbon (or keyring), put it on an ornament hook, and hang it on your tree!

Here's a year-round option:  buy an ornament "tree" to showcase your medals.  The ornament holders come in many shapes and sizes and don't have to be a "tree". This would work for kids or adults.  I picture it particularly on a desk or a shelf.  Something like these:



These are affiliate links.  If you purchase through them, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Happy Decorating!

Stacy

Christmas Stitching Challenge

Well, there's nothing to report on my Christmas stitching - I haven't done any.

I have been working on my La Belle Dame...  Since I haven't finished a page, I haven't rotated to any other project, Christmas or otherwise.

In other news, I am making a start on adding listings to my Etsy shop, XedStitches.  I just finished sorting out the items I need to list:  magazines, leaflets, books, kits, etc.  There is a lot!  Not only do I have a bunch of cross stitch stuff, there is quite a bit of quilting and sewing too.

I currently have 222 items for sale in my shop and by the look of my office area, I'll be close to doubling that!  (whew!)

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Christmas Stitching Challenge

Well, it's time for an update on this year's Christmas Stitching Challenge...and I actually have one!

The last round of my rotation, I started Heirloom Nativity Sampler by The Victoria Sampler.  When I work on a piece like this, I stitch until I have to roll my scroll frame.  Here's what I've gotten done so far:

It looks like there's plenty of room for another band but the next band is the shepherds in the forest, or something like that, and it's a bigger band like the angels.  This is the first 7 bands out of 30.

The fabric is the recommended 28ct. linen.  The color name is something like Ice Blue (I forget what it's called).  It's about the same shade as DMC 927.

That's it for now.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Christmas Stitching Challenge

Hello Everyone!

Well, for 2017, I don't have any progress to report on Christmas Stitching.  I'll admit, I'm not even done packing up the Christmas décor from last month.  I still have a 7' Christmas tree up in my office area!  The ornaments are off it, but I still need to get the lights off and then pack the tree away.

It's been cold here (WA state coast).  Not like most of the US, but cold for here.  The difficult part is the insulation, or lack thereof, in my house.  My office area is currently 58.8°F (14.9°C).  The chill in the house is keeping me in the living/dining rooms 'cause that's where the fireplace is (we have a wood insert - it's the only source of heat).  I have been getting some stitching done...just not Christmas themed!  ;-)

I am close to a page finish on my La Belle Dame so I'll see about popping a Christmas project into my rotation.  I'm thinking that this year, I'm going to concentrate on a larger piece - probably the Victoria Sampler's Heirloom Nativity Sampler.

I was going to mention my post-Christmas purchase, then I realized that I'd done that in my last post.  I think the cold office is affecting my brain.  Back in front of the fire I go...

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

This & That + WIP update

Hey Everyone!

Happy 2017!  I hope everybody had a great holiday season!

I didn't get a cold, which is a minor miracle, so that is excellent.  I'm also another year older, not just due to the new year, but because I had my birthday (Dec. 27).

For Christmas, I got jewelry from Hubby and a 123stitch.com gift certificate from my Mom.  I haven't used the g.c. yet but I know at least some of what I'm going to get.  I bought this:

The pattern is called:  Rosarium and is by Chatelaine Designs.  I'd been searching for a US source for a different Chatelaine pattern and while I did find one, it was less expensive to buy it directly from the designer - even with the $ to  € exchange rate.  I would rather give my money to the designer any way, so I did.  The other up side to this was I had the pattern within minutes!

I'll be spending part of my 123stitch g.c. on some of the flosses and embellishments that I'll need for this pattern.  I'll be buying some other "stuff" as well so I won't be getting everything for Rosarium all at once.

Now for a WIP update!  The HAED FB page has another challenge going on right now (it started Jan. 1).  I've been working on Mini Wings in Repose (retired pattern) as my challenge piece when it meets the "requirements".  Well, this time it did so I worked on it.  I finished this challenge, which is to finish a page of 7300 or more stitches, on Saturday night.  Here's my progress:

I'm doing this 1x1 on 32ct. in half stitches.  This completes page 4 of the chart.  At the bottom right corner of what I've just stitched, you can see the swan's head starting to form.

Well, it's cold at my desk, so I'm going to go sit by the fire and possibly stitch.  I'm working on La Belle... again, apart from the short break on Mini Wings...

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Christmas Challenge Update

I remembered to post this update!  Yea, me!

I finished another Mill Hill Charmed Santa Faces kit.  This one is San Nicolo.  I think this is the last one of these kits that I have.

Next up is a Dimensions Gold Collection Petites kit:  Peace Ornament.  I've already made a start on it but so far it's just blobs of red.  ;-)

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Christmas Challenge Update

I'm writing this a day early (gasp) because I'll be out of town tomorrow (Sat.) and even if I were home, we might lose our power.  We're experiencing a wind/rain storm at the moment but an even bigger storm is supposed to hit on Saturday.  It's the "remnant" of a typhoon that hit Japan and then made its way across the Pacific to the US.

I know I didn't do a Finish It Up Challenge update because, well, I didn't finish anything up!  I only have the one item left on my list:  finish my sister's Disney scrapbook.  I don't think I'm going to be getting to it any time soon 'cause "cleaning" is getting in the way.  Actually, reorganizing my craft room is wreaking havoc on everything except my cross stitch, of course!  It's pretty major "surgery" to my room, requiring new, custom furniture.  Hubby and I are going to build the bookcases that I've designed specifically for my stuff and the space I have.  In the meantime, my room is in chaos that's only slightly organized.

I have made progress on my Christmas Challenge though!  Here's the latest ornament that I've finished:

He's another of the Mill Hill Charmed Santa Faces Series II.  I've forgotten his "name" already - poor guy!  And guess what?  I've finished the hat for the next one.  I really don't know what it is with me and the hats.  Personally, I only wear a hat if I absolutely have to (burning sun protection) so it's not like I have a hat fetish.


Well, that's all for now 'cause the lights are flickering and I'm not sure how long my internet is going to last.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Yes, I realize that I missed the last 2 months of this challenge!  I really didn't do much Christmas stitching those months, maybe 50 stitches, so you're not missing anything.

I did finish another ornament this past month.  It's another Mill Hill Santa - I love these guys!

Here's the latest one done:

Again, I have started on the hat for the next one, but haven't finished it yet.


Happy Stitching!



Stacy

Christmas Challenge Update

I'll bet you all think I forgot!  I didn't, I'm just running late.

This is the busy time of year at my "real" job - owning a trophy shop.  With the end of school (sports banquets, graduation, etc.) plus baseball season, we're a bit busy.

I did finish my Mill Hill St. Nicholas this past month.  Here he is:

I also started another one and got his hat completed.  I don't know what it is with me and hats.  I get one done and then...nothing.  Well, not nothing because I have started on the new Santa's face.  I just seem to get distracted or temporarily lose interest.  Who knows?

Anyway,

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

FIU Challenge Update

Here's the way my list looks now:

1. Bind my 4-patch quilt (poor thing's been waiting for over 2years)  finished on 21 Feb 2016
2. Remove last of carpet in sewing room  finished on 10 April 2016
3. Finish my "Merry Christmas" framed set  finished on 4 May 2016
4. Tidy up all my quilting scraps
5. Frame my Mother's Tree.
6. Clean off my scrapbooking desk so I can actually scrapbook!  clean enough to work on 15 Jan 2016
7. Finish the Disneyland scrapbook for my sister
8.  List the rest of the items I have set aside to sell on Etsy.  finished on 7 Jan 2016
9. Re-starch/shape the rest of my crocheted snowflakes.  finished on 29 Feb 2016 

Here's a picture of my "Merry Christmas" set:

The frames I got years ago at Michael's in their sales bins.  I think I got them for $1 each.  The letters are Christmas Alphabet by Tereena Clarke that I purchased from PatternsOnline.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy