February 2024 progress report

 Good evening everyone,

Wow, February is in the rear view mirror and we are driving straight into March. 

So, over on Facebook I have tried to participate in the Magazine Monthly Challenge hosted by Robin and Carolyn. I love the idea of stitching out of my magazines.   I had 3 finishes, which is amazing to me. Some of these you have seen from earlier post in the month but I will recap February's Challenge.

The theme was In The Meadow.

I chose Baked Alaska by Glendon Place because of the blues and greens. Minimum stitch was 200 stitches. I converted floss to my own colors on 28 ct Lugana.

The acrostic was S N O W S H O E

S- Star Spangled Winter Home Saltbox by Melissa at Pinker n Pumpkin Quilting blog.

I am stitching this on coffee dyed 28ct Monaco and DMC. Minimum stitch was 200.

N- Love Quaker Freebie by From The Heart Needleart by Wendy on her web site. Done on 14ct Opalescent Aida dyed by me. SAF (start and finish).

O - Louisiana by LubaDaviesAtelier on Etsy. Minimum of 300 stitches. Done on 28ct white Monaco.

W- Pandemic by Long Dog Sampler (wip) Minimum of 300 stitches. Done on 18 ct Aida dyed by me.

S- Snowflake Sampler by KEB Studio Creations JCS Feb 2022. I decided to make this my "focus on a finish" wip. I completed it on Monday, February 26, 2024. I loved working on this. Done on 14ct Opalescent Aida dyed by me.

H- Halloween Entrantress by Durene Jones JCS Oct 2021. Done on 32 Lugana by Fiber On a Whim in Silver Fox. Minimum 200 stitches.

O - Comfort and Joy by My Big Toe Designs. In 2023 JCS ornament issue. SAF. 2023 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. Random floss and fabric. 

E- Eeek! It's Frank SAL by Tempting Tangles Designs. 28ct Monaco fabric dyed by me. Minimum 300 stitches.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stitching.

Hugs,

Mary

Smalls SAL 2024 for February

 Happy Friday everyone,

Thank you to Rachel from the Ten Hour Stitcher for hosting this fun monthly SAL.

I completed my monthly ornament for February. I am choosing one Christmas ornament pattern each month as a birthday present for my mom. Her birthday is December 1st, so that would allow her to put it on the tree to enjoy the whole season. Now that I am thinking about it, I will have to pick a month to do two so she can have twelve. 

I think over the summer I will gather some fabric and trim to work on it so I don't leave everything to the last minute.

I decided to use leftover floss and scraps of fabric. The pattern is called Comfort and Joy by My Big Toe from the 2023 JCS ornament issue.

I can't wait to see everyone else's finishes. 

I hope you have a great weekend and Happy Stitching.

Hugs, 

Mary

IHSW for February 2024

Good morning everyone,

I cannot believe we are on our last weekend of February.  Over the last 3 days I participated in the International Hermit and Stitch Weekend hosted by Jo.  I usually post my progress in Facebook but I wanted to also show you on the blog.  It was a chilly and rainy weekend and was perfect to watch tv and stitch.

I worked on 3 projects and made really great progress on all 3. 

The first wip I chose was Pandemic by Long Dog Sampler.  I know I will not finish this project this year, but I will probably use the IHSW weekend to exclusively work on it starting in March.

Here is the before:

And here is the after:

I have decided to work right from left because I made an error on page 4 and I am definately not ripping it out.  I think my course of action is to work downward into page 15.

The second project I worked on is Eeek! It's Frank! by Tempting Tangles Designs.

Before: It isn't accurate because I had his legs and part of the spider done.

After:

I finished the spider and the word Eeek.

Last WIP was Snowflake Sampler by KEB Studio Creations from the JCS Feb 2022 issue.

Before:

After:

I love working on this project.  It is challenging because I am using Diamont floss, but I just love how much it sparkles.  I am working on 14 ct Opalescent Aida for that extra sparkle.  

I have decided to make this project my Focus on a Finish and get it done by March.  

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Hugs,

Mary

My first Gifted Gorgeousness 2024

 Good morning everyone,

Wow, 2 post in the same week.  Jo at Serendipitious Stitching is hosting this amazing SAL.  I don't always participate in this SAL but I had something to share from January.

I cannot wait to see everyones beautiful work.  

The only project I have in this catagory can actually be tied to the Fully Finished SAL that the Ten Hour Stitcher host every month.

My dear stitchy friend, Sharon gifted me this pattern and DMC floss for Christmas.  It is a tradition we started last year.  The reason why I haven't posted in so long is that in June of 2022 my husband decided to retire.  We moved down to Florida so we can take care of my mom.  She has limitations on what she can do and my dad passed away in 2020 from Liver Cancer.  I had to go through all of my belongings and get rid of a lot of crafty/stitchy related stash.  I passed along about 2-3 boxes.  She wanted to show her gratitude my sending me stitchy Christmas gifts so I send her things in return.  I have really cherish our friendship.  

Sharon gifted the chart called Love and Joy by October House Fiber Arts.  I loved stitching this pattern.  I used 32ct Antique Ivory Linen.  I purchased a frame from Amazon.

Thank you so much for checking out my blog.  Hope you have a wonderful stitchy weekend.

Hugs,

Mary

First post of 2024

 Hello dear friends,

I bet you thought I forgot about you, but I haven't. Gosh, the last few months have really flown by. Between getting a new computer and figuring it all out and just being busy with family is the only reason why I haven't posted.  I have been stitching a lot so here goes my finish parade for 2023.

Darth Vader by NikkiPatterns on Etsy. Finished on Nov 2, 2023. This is for my son, Blake.  He loves Star Wars. Done on 14 ct Black Aida and Sulky 12wt threads.

Well after working on so many large pieces, I decided to work on an ornament.  I did a stash buster by using scraps of fabric and floss.  I love the color changes.  It is called Peace Angel by Nikycreations from the JCS Ornament 2019 issue. My mom mentioned she would love some stitched ornaments so this year I am trying to do 1 a month.  I will add this to my finishing pile for her because she loves angels.

Lucy Milton Sampler by The City Stitcher was completed on 11/28/23.  I did this on 36 count linen but I don't love the small count fabric.  I omitted some of the bottom part. I love this small little sampler.

Bill's nephew and wife were expecting their first child.  It is a tradition that I stitch a Christmas ornament for the new baby of the family.  This is my second one so far.  My husband chose the pattern and I personalized it with her name, Pearl.  It is called Gentle Glow by Gentle Pursuit Designs from the JCS 2023 ornament issue. Done with the scrap piece of 36 ct linen and various overdyed floss.

The last finish of 2023 was Patriot House by The Calico Confectionary from ETSY.  I finished this on 12/11/2023.  I really enjoyed stitching this pattern. 32ct linen and called for DMC.

I will come back later this week and post my finishes so far for 2024.  I have 4.  I really appreciate the support and comments.  

I hope you have an amazing stitchy day.

Hugs,

Mary