Stitch from Stash - August 2014

Dear all,

Just a quick check-in, as I am in the process of packing up to move tomorrow. The saddening part is that I cannot take all my stash with me, so had to be a little selective of few projects that I will work on in the next few months before I get a chance to travel back up North for the weekend.

My shopping last month was mainly fabrics. Hmm most of which I have to leave behind (ignore the grey undertone of my photo taking).

Mostly evenweave, just one 18 count (bottom picture left). Total cost £36.25 and £15 for a dmc 310 cone (sorry no picture). Total spend £51.25

Minus £25 (£/$) exemption ... I have £/$26.25 - £/$21.28 (previous month carried forward) ... £/$4.97 from current month's £/$25 .... so that is a total of £/$20.03 to carry to next month. It is a good thing we had the exemption this month or I wouldn't have made it.

Till soon,

Big update: TUSAL and Wipocalypse - post 10, 2 finishes, thank you, an exchange, and a giveaway

Dear all,

You must have notice me being away from blogging and emailing for some time now. I was a 'little' busy. But I am back (I hope). I thought I would do one big update ... but not sure if I will manage and it might stretch over a few posts. 

TUSAL

First up ... belated [sigh] TUSAL update. To find out about this click HERE:

October next to 2013 (so far)

2013 (including October)

Next up Wipocalypse (yet again belated) ... I have two finishes so thought this might be the quickest way to update you on them.

Wipocalypse:

1st finish is "Blue Bird" by Sub Rosa. I have done it as part of the 2013 SAL

For 2013 SAL blog click HERE.

For Sub Rosa blog click HERE.

For Sub Rosa shop click HERE.

The boring info: stitched on Kiwi Illusions (Hand-dyed embroidery fabric), Jubilee 28ct, Drifting Sands; in Anchor: 10, 131, 143, 281, 310, 754, and an unknown (I lost the number from the dark pink.

There is a second design of a set with just flowers which I will do at a later date. I was planning some lovely cushions from this but unfortunately a) we still have no sofa to put them on, and b) there are a few other projects demanding my attention.

2nd finish is a bookmark I have designed and stitched as part of an exchange with Sarah. More to follow on that. It features the Big Ben, which I designed using colour pencils and graph paper. I am now a proud owner of a cross stitch software programme, so will convert this into a proper chart some day for others to stitch.

It is stitched on Zweigart 32ct, Belfast Linen, Cobblestone; in DMC: white, 413, 414, 420, 471, 501, 524, 645, 729, 738, 904, 938, 3371, 3770, 3817, 3822, and backstitched in DMC white and 3371. I had the shade numbers for the brown and blue tapestry threads used ... somewhere. Until I find where I kept them are left guessing.

detail

Some progress on the QS Literate Dragon:

June 2013

October 2013

Will I finish this by the 2nd December? Most likely no ... especially if I pick up a few extra projects to do between now and then.

Field of Poppies:

June 2013

October 2013

Vertical gridding done. Evenweave is a pain to grid! I just can't wait to start stitching. All I need to do now is the horizontal lines [grunt].

Thank you

I would like to say thank you to Bernadett of Petite Armoire (click HERE to see the blog) for the lovely gift she sent me. 

I posted the 2009th comment on her blog (when Bernadett's younger daughter was born).

Exchange with Sarah

As you have probably guessed from the above I have done an exchange with Sarah of Sarah in Stitches (click HERE). This was great fun.

Gifts I received:

Sarah sent me some exciting tea (how I love tea!), a hoop, some patterns, a card, ... 

... gorgeous aida wich would be perfect for a pillow's front panel, and ...

... a snowman hanging (just noticed that in my closeup the christmas tree charm is out of place ... silly me and my photography).

And I sent Sarah:

There are also some newly dyed fabrics by my talented mum to share. But I will update you on them next time. 

Giveaway

Lets finish on a nice note ... a lovely giveaway from Nancy of the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe:

Deadline: 15th November 2013

To enter: click HERE and don't forget to mention that I have sent you.

Bye bye for now,

P.S. Don't be surprised if you get a few months old reply from me... if I ever end up getting around to replying.

Puppy Love by Margaret Sherry

Dear all,

Days seem to fly by, 'to do list' seems to grow, and I fall behind with it. There was a Wipocalypse check in recently ... hmm 3 whole days ago. But as I only have little time before I depart for work I decided I can't face such a big task. So I will skip (or rather fall behind) the Wipocalypse, graduation, and the Edinburgh trip updates (I do have some pictures to share).

Instead you can see my Puppy Love final post ... since I was going only to do 4 of them ... they are all done now ...

Puppy #1

Puppy #2

Puppy #3

and the last one ...

Puppy #4

I got the chart from bookazine "The Best of Margaret Sherry". And the 4 chosen puppies were stitched on fennel dyed evenweave. 

A few giveaways:

#1 - 'Cherries per te' blog birth giveaway @ In the World of Cooking

One of the ladies whom I follow posted about this small giveaway ... apologies for a late notice. Franca is only starting out in the world of blogging ... and I do hope she will stay for a long journey ... she has already posted 2 exciting recipes that I would like to try (she has a google translate on her blog - excellent for me), very exciting. 

To enter click HERE.

Deadline: Tonight midnight (not sure what time zone)!

The next two giveaways belong to a very friendly lady, Bernadett, whom I follow. Thanks to her I have potentially found a new place for bargain shopping online 

#2 - Blog Anniversary Giveaway @ Petite Armoire

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 31st July 2013

#3 - 200 Followers Giveaway @ Petite Armoire 

To enter click HERE

Deadline: 31st July 2013

Well on this very pleasant note I will say goodbye, lets hope till soon when I can share my last weeks adventures and last months of stitching (most of which you have already saw).

Fabrics and other ...

Dear all,

It has been a week since my last post ... and it does seem that I only get a little me time for posting during the weekends. But that is okay I do still get my daily intake of cross stitching and reading other blogs. I am hoping once the faulty component from my computer comes back and I will yet again expand the ram the new refound speed will help me to get about the internet world faster with less crashes.

In this as promised I will share all the fabrics my mum dyed. I will mention what substance she has used for the dye, and what mordant (where I had made a note).

all the dyed fabrics in their plastic packets

bottom row from above ...

top row from above ...

... now without the packets ...

#1: 

evenweave

dyed - curry

mordant - aluminium

#2:

evenweave

dyed - onion skins

mordant - white vinegar

#3:

evenweave

dyed - onion skins

mordant - aluminium

#4:

evenweave

dyed - red onion skins

mordant - aluminium

Another picture:

The camera did not do justice to this deep green. It is gorgeous ... and more appealing in real life.

#5:

Another green ... same colour but a lighter shade.

evenweave

dyed - red onion skins

mordant - vinegar

#6:

evenweave

dyed - curry + elderberries

mordant - ?

#7:
This fabric I am currently using for the puppies from 'Puppy Love' by Margaret Sherry

evenweave

dyed - fennel

mordant - ?

#8:
 In real life the colour is brighter ... more orangy peach.

bookmark

dyed - paprika

mordant - ?

#9:

? count (larger squares than 14)

dyed - red onion skin

mordant - none?

#10:

 I am giving some of this away in my giveaway - click here - for details.

22 count

dyed - turmeric

mordant - ?

#11:

Again picture does no justice ... the colour is more clean in real life - light peach.

14 count

dyed - onion skins

mordant - none?

#12:
 again less grey more light yellow (close to ochre)

16 count

dyed - little of turmeric + basil + marigold mixture

mordant - ?

Probably overall the closeups ended up worser than the whole together capture for the fabric colours.

Anyhow just wanted to share some of the gorgeous fabric that I own. These are all of the ones my mum has dyed. But I have also purchased quite a few pieces during the exams stress... so now I have a little draw of stash.

I have two more small finishes to share ... but till the next post ... and maybe by then I will have my third.

Giveaways:

Yes, a few more to share. 

#1 - Special (floss) Give-away @ Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

One of my favourite regular give-aways ... of course I never win. And this one for entering someone else rather than yourself. But I love looking at the dyed floss ... and keep promising as soon as I sort my finances out I will invest in a more independent floss than DMC/Anchor. It is right at the top with purchasing my very first LHN. 

To enter click here.

Deadline: 30th July 2013.

#2 - French Giveaway @ EmiliaSoVa

The lady creates gorgeous dolls; and generously is having a giveaway for some beautiful fabrics.

To enter click here.

Deadline: 15th June 2013

#3 Fabric Giveaway @ MoiSkrapinki

A very creative lady is having a generous giveaway of some of her fabrics.

So, take a peak at her blog.

To enter click here.

Deadline: 8th July 2013

#4 Giveaway @ Murzilka Moya

Some more fabric being given away:

The fabric:

But the lady is also giving away some other bits and bobs so take a look at her blog.

To enter click here.

Deadline: 15th July 2013.

#5 Giveaway @ Тайские всякости

And for my last to be mentioned giveaway there is something very pretty:

To enter click here.

Deadline: 15th July 2013

Till soon, when I will show off my small finishes.