2015 Musings. 2016 Plans.

2015 has been an enjoyable stitchy year even if my number of blog posts and YouTube videos have lessened. That is mostly due to the lack of time.  The good news is my work hours is reducing in 2015 and my youngest starts full time school so there should be more time during the day for updating social media - yay!

This post is about the progress on my goals for 2015 and new goals for 2016.

What are my Top Five Cross Stitch Highlights for 2015?

5. I have stitched more cross stitch presents this year.  My favourite gift was stitching on a Round Robin with friends and giving it to our mutual friend, Gillian, for a surprise 50th birthday present. She had tears in her eyes when she opened the gift so it was worth it.

Four blocks adapted from the Prairie Schooler alphabet
Stitched two over two 32 count white linen.

I stitched most of the J and G block. Note H is for Honey has been changed to J is for Joyful. J is my initial hence the change.

4. I finished up two Christmas ornaments and stitched up 3x more that I will fully finish for next Christmas. It was nice to see my 15yo son enjoy putting his dragon ernie on the tree on Christmas Day.

Just One Bite
From Christmas Ornament magazine 2013

Proud Penguin by Mill Hill gifted to my sister.

3. A highlight has been stitching on my two Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED).   I have found it utterly enjoyable.  Here is Mini Alice and Snow White.  I stitch on my HAEDs during the day in my craft room if I have a free moment. I keep them there ready to go.

2. I am totally addicted to watching FlossTube (cross stitch Youtube channels) even if I haven't made many videos myself recently. It has taken over my TV viewing. I love to watch them while stitching.

Drum roll...for my top moment please...

1. Being part of the community of stitchers.  I love meeting new stitchers. The highlight was getting a message from a fellow Facebooker about the same HAED we are stitching, only to discover she lives 15 minutes away.  It has been awesome to get to know someone who also loves HAEDs . Hi Sarah!


So let's check up on my progress of 2015:
2015 New Starts/My Actual Progress:

1. Mirabilia SAL  The Enchanted Mermaid January 1st start- yes I did start this for that one day but haven't stitched on it since. I plan to stitch on it today though to make up for my slackness. It will become the WIP I stitch on regularly with my cross stitch friends, when I complete the Prairie Schooler Alphabet in 3-5 months. 

28 ct hand-dyed evenweave stitched two over two 

2. Chatelaine pattern - Mini Castle - I never got around to starting this; hopefully I will start it in 2016

3. Chatelaine design - 2011 Autumn Freebie Fly Agaric- A little progress made. It should finish this in 2016

32 ct linen stitched two over two

4. Purple Stitching - Classic Book Spines - like the Mirabilia mermaid I stitched on it for a day and that was it. I plan to stitch on this consistently this year.

Stitched two over one full crosses 18ct Aida

5. Bothy Threads - Kings and Queens -  I have almost finished the first figure William I.  Oh well, better than no stitches in it. I had better pull my finger out on this one. 

Stitched two over one Aida 16t

6. HAED - Treasure Hunt Bookshelf Fox to Dragon - I have put in about a 1000 stitches; lots of confetti in this one!

Stitched two over one tent stitch on 25 ct even weave

2015 WIPs that I plan to finish during 2015/My Actual progress:
1. Prairie Schooler -Alphabet
I am currently stitching K is for Kitty.  11 down, 16 to go!- I didn't finish it but made good progress. I have stitched 22 and 2/3 blocks. I am 5 1/3 to go.  I am in the middle of stitching V is for Vineyard. I will finish it this year! 

Stitched two over two 36 ct linen

Blocks U and V

2. HAED - Mini Alice and Snow White
I have almost stitched a full page in a month so lets hope I can keep up this progress - That pace of stitching was not continued but I am halfway through page 10 so should knock this project off by mid-2016.

3. Heritage Sampler Company - I Love London - My big finish for the year! I need to make it into a cushion so should try and do that over this Summer.

4.  Annet Eriksson's Passion for Stitching Chateau - No progress on this so I should make this a Summer project

2015 Works in Progress - not necessarily finish in 2015
1. Bucilla - A Touch of Gold - I put this project away as I have run out of a colour and need to colour match it. I'm not sure I will get it out this year. I think this might be one for 2017.

 

2. Carriage House Samplings - Shores of Hawk Run Hollow- I have almost finished Block 2 and plan to make this a car project.  I will take out with me and work on it if I am waiting for something (usually children doing an activity).

Stitched two over two 32 ct linen

3. Designers Forum Needlepoint Rug- I have worked on this a bit and finished the inner border in 2015. It will definitely have more stitching time in 2016.

4. Country House Needleworks- Santa's House -I am now stitching all 12 of the Santa's Village series as part of a SAL on Facebook. I started Block 1, Santa's House on New Year's Day.  I plan to stitch a block per month.

Stitched on Smokey Pearl Belfast 32ct linen
two over two

5. Dimensions- Promises Kept - I have stitched a bit more on this but need to make this a focus piece in 2016. I aim to finish it!

 16 ct Aida

WIPS for 2016:

1. Vervaco Fox Cushion

11ct cross stitch in yarn

2. Mill Hill bead kit- train and scotty dog

3.  Mill Hill bead kit - scotty dog

4. Prairie Schooler alphabet

5. HAED Mini Alice and Snow White

6. HAED QS Treasure Hunt Bookshelf Fox to Drago

7. Mirabilia The Enchanted Mermaid

8. Carriage House Samplings Shores of Hawk Run Hollow

9. Dimensions Gold Promises Kept

10. Annet Eriksson's Chateau

11. Chatelaine 

12. Bothy Thread Pirate Ship

13. Bothy Thread Kings and Queens

14. Designers Forum needlepoint rug

15. Bucilla A Touch of Gold

16. Country Cottage Needleworks Santa's Village

17. Purple Stitching Classic Book Spines

Possible New Starts for 2016:

1. HAED Four Seasons

2. Chatelaine  - Mini Castle

3. Carriage House Samplings Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow

4. Charting Creation's Santa's on the Big Top

5. Charting Creation's Small Blueberry Lunch

This leaves me with a grand total of 17 WIPs (and possibly plus some I have completely forgotten about he he). 

Happy Stitchy New Year to you all...

                                                       Jan x

Prairie Schooler Alphabet progress...

Hello stitchers,

It is time to update you all on the Prairie Schooler Alphabet cross stitch.  It drapes over me like a "lap rug" as I stitch in hand. That is not a bad thing as it as we are heading towards winter at a rate of knots here in Tasmania. The stitched piece is a biggie. It is currently 90cm wide and 40cm deep. I have a little over two blocks left to stitch on the second row then I will start on the third and final row.

N is for Nest is now completed. Those baby birds are adorable. Tweet tweet.

O is for Owl is complete. The main owl's eyes pop out of the piece. This block has an autumnal feel.

P is for Parrot is almost complete. The parrot's colour combination is heavenly gorgeous.

So here is the whole piece to date...

The Prairie Schooler Alphabet
Stitched two over two on 32t natural linen

Thanks for dropping by my blog...

                                               Jan x

HAED update...Treasure Hunt Bookshelf

Happy April readers,

I was drawn to start a smaller version of Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) Treasure Hunt Bookshelf back in January. I am trying to stitch on it at least once per week as it is calling "stitch me, stitch me".

The Treasure Hunt Bookshelf artwork by the artist Aimee Stewart is one vibrant piece.  I am stitching a portion of the original artwork - Fox to Dragon.  It is the large format pattern. There are 24 pages.

I was delighted to finished the second column of page 1.  It is stitched using DMC threads on 25t Magic Guide Evenweave two over one. I am staggering my edges to avoid stitching lines in my work. What you see is the top left corner of a book (Quest of the Red Fox) in front of the midnight sky. I am parking my threads.

Hopefully my Easter break will be filled with many stitches.  Enjoy your Easter break if you celebrate it...
                                                                Jan x

Prairie Schooler Alphabet Update...

Happy Stitchy Thursday everyone,

I am sharing the progress on my Prairie Schooler Alphabet cross stitch. I am almost half way there.  There are 27 blocks in total and I have completed approximately 13. This has become a focus piece for me. I am trying to stitch on it every day for 1-2 hours.

I completed L is for Leaves about 3 weeks ago. As you may remember, I have already stitched this letter individually finishing it in January 2014.  The link to it is here. This block looks completely different stitched on the natural linen background.

K is for Kitten and L is for Leaves

Since finishing the letter "L", I have half finished M is for Mermaid and started N is for Nest.  I haven't stitched the mermaid yet as I want to make some modifications to her face/body which I need thinking time for.  So I started "N" and will come back to the mermaid soon.  N is for Nest is so sweet with the 4x little chicks in the nest.

M is for Mermaid and N is for Nest

So here is a photo of the whole project:

The Prairie Schooler Alphabet stitched 2 over 2 DMC threads on 36 count linen

It's the sixth anniversary of my blog on March 9th 2009!!! Here is my very first blog post if you are interested. I was very into quilting at the time so the blog was focussed around that for the first year or so.  I fell in the beautiful cross stitch blog community and I haven't looked back. Sure there might be mountains of quilting UFOs in my cupboard but I am so happy with my cross stitching.  I am so proud my blog is still going after 6 years. There have been ebbs and flows in the number of posts from time to time but I always come back to it. My blog is my diary of my crafting life with a little of everyday life thrown in.

My youngest has turned five! Boy did those years fly since he thrust himself into our lives at 29 weeks. He is a precious boy who has brought joy, fun and laughter into our lives.

Tom is 5! His big sister made him a Minecraft cake.

Until next time...
                        Jan x

My Top 5 HAED Tips...

Hi everyone,

I have been AWOL.  I had the beastly Summer Influenza (if there is such a thing) and it took three weeks of my life away.  I am so pleased to be back, stitching as madly as ever and back to blogging and floss tubing (another term for making cross stitch videos on YouTube).

2015 has seen me delight in stitching on Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED).  I have two on the go.

First up is the HAED Mini Alice and Snow White, artwork by Jasmine Becket-Griffith.  This is stitched on 25 ct Magic Guide Evenweave, two over one tent stitch. The pattern is the large format pages and have nearly finished the second page of 16 pages. I am so happy with how it is stitching up.  I have stitched the top of Alice in Wonderland's head and the hair of Snow White is starting to appear. It is a joy to stitch on. I started it on December 1st 2014.

HAED Mini Alice and Snow White

The second HAED I have started is QS (Quick Stitch) Treasure Hunt Fox to Dragon Shelf, artwork by Aimee Stewart. This design is part of the fabulous Treasure Hunt Bookshelf by the same artist and it is glorious. It is also stitched 25t Magic Guide Evenweave, two over one tent stitch. The pattern is the large format pages and I am stitching the first 10 by 10 column of stitches of the first page.

HAED QS Treasure Hunt Fox to Dragon

My Top 5 tips for stitching a HAED:
After failing miserably stitching a HAED several years ago I have worked out a way that works for me when stitching on them:

1. Pre-gridded Fabric
The pre-gridded 25t Magic Guide Evenweave purchase at www.sewandso.co.uk has been a lifesaver. It is a nice quality and not too stiff to hold. The gridding has helped me from some major mistakes and saved me hours from gridding it myself. I use a purple marker pen (ink disappears in a few hours) to mark the 10 by 10 grid (as the even weave is divided into 20 by 20 blocks).

2. Reading the pattern from an iPad 
My mini iPad has been so valuable.  I don't have bits of paper floating around me.  I bought the HAED pattern as a PDF and use PDF Expert Application to read my pattern from. I can enlarge the 10 by 10 squares which makes it so easy to see what stitch I am up to.

3. Parking Threads
Carolyn Mazzeo's video on parking is brilliant so check her channel out on YouTube.  I stitch on my HAEDs in 10 by 10 blocks working down a page.  I leave my threads (parking) in the next 10 by 10 block below if that colour is used in the next block. Parking allows me to continue using the same thread without stopping and ending threads so it is time-saver.

4.  Highlighting my Pattern
So I don't get confused I mark my stitching offs on my PDF pattern in the PDF Expert App with my finger with a pink dot.  That way I can keep track of my progress. I mark my parked threads on the pattern on the iPad using a yellow dot.  It is a good idea to mark the parked threads as it makes it so much easier to know what colour it is without doing lots of counting or colour matching to find out. With these types of patterns there are often graduated colours used so keeping track of which colour is which is easier if the pattern is marked.

5.  Starting a Thread- Front Loop Method
The reason I am using two threads to stitch my HAED with is for a selfish reason; previous tutorial on a loop method but it the thread is put through the loop on the front of the work not the back. The advantage of this is that one doesn't have to turn the work over or view the back of the work.  It is a very quick way of starting a thread.

I only want to start a thread using the front loop method.  This is similar to my

They are labour of love but I am so pleased I gave HAEDs a second chance.

Happy stitching and thanks for visiting...
                                                           Jan x

Day 1 DUCJC2015

Happy New Year stitchers,

I am part of a special group stitching in memory of Debbie stitching the Ultimate Crazy January Challenge 2015 (DUCJC2015).   This challenge involves stitching on different items on every day throughout January and even February if you dare.  I have committed to January and will stitch on a combination of new starts and works in progress (WIPs).

It was easy to choose my first new start!  I was also committed on January 1st to take part in a Mirabilia stitch along (SAL) event hosted through a Facebook group and a YouTube/Instagram group. The Mirabilia design I chose was a mermaid called The Enchanted. She is one of the most beaded Mirabilias which should make her very pretty.

I am stitching her two over over on a 28ct hand-dyed fabric by Chromatic Alchemy which is such a pretty combination of sea blues and grays that I was fortunate enough to win on the CA Facebook page.  I love the start I made.

Joyful stitching...

                       Jan x

2014 musings...

2014 has been a big stitching year for me.  OMG moments have been the constant this year as I learn yet something else about stitching. Who knew there were so many tips, tricks and techniques out there to form those perfect little cross stitches?

What are my Top Five Cross Stitch Highlights for 2014?

5. Cross stitch Facebook groups have only become part of my life in the last 6 months. Not only am I enabled to improve my stash but my stitching knowledge and new friends has made this a daily part of my life.

4.  Railroading when I stitch to make them neater (thanks MrsMilkbyBarKid from #FlossTube). It involves splitting the thread with my needle when I make the cross so the threads lay flat and side-to-side.

3.  Front Loop Method for starting a thread (thanks Carolyn Mazzeo from #FlossTube) has transformed my starts. I now longer have to turn my stitching over when I start a thread.

2.  Giving Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) a second chance has really paid off. I had a major fail with a HAED 2 years ago. I have started a new HAED recently and with tips from again MrsMilkyBarKid (you know who you are) it is a success.

Drum roll...for my top moment please...

1. My cross stitch friends- you!!! I have a soft spot for my Blog and for reading your blogs too and will never stop enjoying the beautiful, friendly community of blogging. A big thank you to you.  Losing SoCal-Deb a few months ago only highlighted the strength of our beautiful community.

I have also really enjoyed the cross stitch YouTube community (affectionately known as #FlossTube) has been the bigbuzz of 2014. I reckon it is a community that is growing in a huge manner on a daily basis YouTube. There is a library's worth of information on there. Watching contributors takes you into their homes and gives a personal viewpoint on stitching progress. The interaction is different to blogging and it cannot replace it. There is a place for all types of social media. I will never stop blogging permanently (sure there have been a few dry patches over the years) as I value the blogging community so much.

So what do I have planned on the stitching front in '15?

2015 New Starts:
1. Mirabilia SAL  The Enchanted Mermaid January 1st start
2. Chatelaine pattern - Mini Castle
3. Chatelaine design - 2011 Autumn Freebie Fly Agaric
4. Purple Stitching - Classic Book Spines
5. Bothy Threads - Kings and Queens
6. HAED - Treasure Hunt Bookshelf Fox to Dragon 

2015 Works in Progress - I plan to finish during 2015
1. Prairie Schooler -Alphabet
I am currently stitching K is for Kitty.  11 down, 16 to go!

2. HAED - Mini Alice and Snow White
I have almost stitched a full page in a month so lets hope I can keep up this progress.
3. Heritage Sampler Company - I Love London
4.  Annet Eriksson's Passion for Stitching Chateau 

2015 Works in Progress - not necessarily finish in 2015
1. Bucilla - A Touch of Gold

 

2. Carriage House Samplings - Shores of Hawk Run Hollow
3. Designers Forum Needlepoint Rug
4. Country House Needleworks- Santa's House
5. Dimensions- Promises Kept

Other 2015 plans:

 I am also doing Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge in 2015 (DUCJC2015) which will feature many of the above.

So what do you think of my list? Am I dreaming? 
Happy Stitchy New Year to you all...

                                                       Jan x

HAED Start...

Hello lovely readers,

If you celebrate Christmas, I hope it was fabulous. My Christmas was busy (my knees feel the pain today from standing in the kitchen for hours) but it was enjoyable.   Now to the fun part of the year - Summer school holidays.  Mind you, I am still working but at least not doing all of the usual stuff related to being a mum (which mostly involves taxiing children to and fro).

I started my a Heaven and Earth Design (HAED) on December 1st as part of a stitch along (SAL) with a Facebook group.  There were no other SAL rules apart from starting December 1st.  I chose a mini HAED called 'Mini Alice and Snow White'. It is tent stitched (only half crosses) on 25ct Magic Evenweave using 2 strands of DMC floss over 1.

I am thoroughly loving stitching this! How refreshing to stitch on something different.  I have stitched about 1600 stitches.  I am using a parking method I learnt from a YouTube channel by the delightful "Carolyn Mazzeo".  Check out her parking video if you want to find out who she parks.

Great excitement yesterday as my gorgeous hubby surprised me with a mini-iPad. I am going to use it as my pattern guide.  I mostly use PDF patterns but instead of printing them I can read, enlarge and  highlight on my iPad using an app.  It is working so well and I have only been using it for an hour today.

I have posted a video on my YouTube channel showing how I started the HAED on December 1st. If you are interested in Heaven and Earth Designs you might like to see my fun.



Thanks for stopping by today.  Have fun in stitches...
                                                                               Jan x

My Slow WIPs...Turtle Trot SAL Update

Howdy lovely blog readers,

Turtle Trot SAL 2014
I signed up for the Turtle Trot SAL (Stitch-Along) run by BAP Attack at the start of the year.  This SAL is about nominating 10x WIPs to work on once per month and posting their progress on the 10th day of each month.  I was religiously doing the SAL every month until June 2014 when I made the Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Castle my focus piece so I could finish it. As I live in Australia I have been posting on the 10th. I didn't realise until recently, there was a spot on BAP Attack's blog, to link my page back to the Turtle Trot SAL. I think this is because I was looking her blog too early living in Australia (it is the 10th when only the 9th across much of the world). So I have missed all of the link opportunities this year so will just have to do it again next year.

Now that I have finished the castle I can give some loving to some of my slower WIPs.  I hope you enjoy the before and after photos.

1. Shores of Hawk Run Hollow by CHS
I have continued stitching on Block 2 this month which is an under the sea theme. The fish are very cute swimming amongst the seaweed.

Before:

After:

32 ct ivory linen two over two

2. I Love London by Historical Sampler Company
I have had fun stitching this border while travelling in October through New Zealand. This will be a January focus piece - I hope to finish the border and sew it into a pillow.

Before:

After:

32 count  white linen stitched two over two

3. Shepherd's Bush 2007 Christmas stocking

Hooray I have a finish! The stocking is now sewn together using a burgundy/black star cotton fabric. Everyone one in my immediate family now has a Shepherd's Bush Christmas stocking.  This is for my hubby. Let's hope Santa fills it with some gifts. 

After:

11ct linen stitched with No 5 Pearl cottons

4. Annet Eriksson's Passion for Stitching Chateau 
No progress

5.  Christmas House by Bucilla
No progress

6. Designers Forum Needlepoint Rug
No progress

7. Country House Needleworks Santa's House

No progress

8.  Bucilla Touch of Gold
I have shown this some loving recently and have stitched some more of the background. I am treating this as practice for my HAED (Heaven and Earth Designs pattern) I am starting on December 1st in the HAED SAL. The muted colours are so feminine.

Before:

After:

Stitched on 28ct mushroom even weave two over two

9. The Prairie Schooler Pumpkin Patch
No progress

10. Promises Kept by Dimensions

I also started stitching the two horses on this project. You can see a grey horse facing it's black horsey friend.

Before: 

After:

Stitched on 16ct Aida

Cross Stitch YouTube Update

It you enjoy FlossTube (cross stitch updates on YouTube) you can see my latest video about my finishes and WIP progress can be viewed here:

IT Help Needed
I am so frustrated with Google Plus! It is constantly converting my status when I comment on blogs. It converts me into a "no reply" commenter which means bloggers cannot reply to my comments as it has unlinked my email address. I am so sick of it I have stopped commenting on blogs as it takes me half an hour to change it back again. Anyone who has a simple way of converting it back please share!

Happy stitching…

                        Jan x