Little House Needleworks - Kindness complete

Dear all

It has been a while since I posted. Two months it seems! In all honesty it has even started getting to that awkward stage ... you know the one where you begin to put off posting due to the increase in the amount of projects one would like to share progress on. And then I am caught in a bit of a cycle.

So I will do it a little at a time. And that way at least some of the progress is shared. Here is a recent finish:

Complete - June 2020

'Kindness'

(Little Sheep Virtues)

by Little House Needleworks

I have also done some radical reshuffling of the current stash (donating/eBaying off - if I am never likely to complete certain projects maybe someone else will)  and am proud to report that I am down to 79 projects which is an amazing decrease from the 130 I had last year. However it is a long way away from my goal of reducing to 50 by the end of 2020.

Until soon,

Lija

Two of a Kind progress...

Dear all

Here is some progress on my two magpies.

This is 78 hours in total and the project is about 80% done. I am quite proud of how it is working out, although there is quite a bit still to go.

WIP - 11 April 2020

I also would not recommend using sewing thread to grid your fabric. I have started to remove it and it is proving to be a massive challenge in places where the cross stitch thread sewn through the thread. 

Until soon,

Lija

Some stitching in silk ...

Dear all

I did say I would update you on some silk embroidery I have been doing as of recent.

This is by no means all of it. I will borrow a phone and get a few better images of a finish and another two WIPs for you soon. Still phone less, although hopefully not for long.

I enjoy the stitching in many forms ... but free standing flowers, where you have to cut out petals is not my thing. So mum, who hates monotonous stitching and leaves, and I have joined forces on a few projects.

WIP

My contribution to this embroidery project is almost complete. Some grass and ground stitching to go. Mum is working on the poppies at the moment.

A solo project is three plates and three cups ... so far one plate complete:

WIP

I will be working on the cup below next.

How is everyone holding up? I love embroidery and knitting and well hobbies that do not involve the great outdoors, but even I am finding being cooped up in a house a little daunting. However I am grateful for many things, including ability to work from home, having health, food and shelter, and my family and hobbies to keep me going.

We will come through this storm and be better for it!

Until soon,
Lija

Not a lot of posting but a lot of stitching this month ...

Dear all

I have to admit I have not had a lot of posting / blogging time. This was partially to killing my phone (with which I take photos). An entire separate story ... and by the way in present day and age it is next to impossible to exist without a phone. Even during the entire country going into isolation. To top up my bank account is now blocked from online transactions (seeing as I failed the authentication by text).

However on a positive note ... a lot of stitching time. Here is my progress on the 'Two of a Kind' .. 50.5 hours in total since 7 March.

WIP - 30 March 2020

I have changed the fabric from 14 count to 18 count and I am loving it a lot more. I am half way there and you can even see the 2 magpies emerging.

WIP- 30 March 2020

I have not made progress on my other cross stitch projects ... but did do some silk ribbon embroidery which I will share in the next few days. 

Until soon,

Lija

I'm not fat by Margaret Sherry and some unexpected downsizing to stash

Dear all

'I'm not fat...' by Margaret Sherry is coming along well. I have now completed stitching the cat and am onto the cupcake with only the frame and backstitching to go.

WIP - 2 March 2020

I may take a break from this design to stitch a couple of magpies. 

Speaking of my magpies, this is the chart I am designing based on one of my paintings I gave you a sneak peak last time, after commencing stitching I have realised I hate 14 count fabric. Having not used 14 count in so long I forgot how with using 2 strands the white comes through the design. If a kit has empty space for a background I swap the fabric out for even weave and where there is full coverage I prefer 18 count (with 16 at a push). Interestingly I tried either 20 count and hated it as the fabric was less structured.

So I will be saying good bye to 5 packs of 14 count fabric. Not quite the kits or charts that I am tracking, but there is definitely space appearing in my cross stitch / knitting drawer.

Until soon

Lija

New starts, some downsizing, and resolution not to wash my finished projects

Dear all

I was digging in my stash on Friday night to find an easyish project to work on. Ideally not a large one. So the one that took my fancy was 'I'm not fat ...' by Margaret Sherry.

WIP - 16 February 2020

Years ago I bought two kits from Sherry Lewis Kits, this was when Margaret Sherry ventured out into a partnership with Cathy Lewis. However the business was subsequently dissolved. For years I have picked the projects out and put them away. But now it looks as if at least one will be completed. I have replaced 14 count with even weave fabric.

Whilst digging through my pile of stash I have decided to say good bye to 'Love' by Livia Rovaris and 'Let's do coffee' by Ursula Michael. Both are charts stitched in one colour that at this point in my life I don't see myself ever picking up. I still love Ursula's chart ... however I do hate backstitching so lets be realistic ... will I ever pick up a chart that predominantly uses backstitching? Both have joined the eBay pile. Hopefully someone will give them a much needed love. So here is to downsizing my stash list by further 2 projects. 

Having slightly improved my stash / projects in respect of my desire to minimise ... I have went and done the unspeakable ... I started a new project that is not on the list! I have designed my own cross stitch chart of two magpies based on original art work by me. Assembled the kit ... and am now stitching and manually adjusting the pattern. 

WIP - 14 February 2020

And speaking of assembling threads I have decided to rinse a few that were what I felt a little stale from storage ... and yikes the navy DMC 939 bled so much in the sink! It made me resolve not to wash my finished projects going forwards!

Until soon,

Lija

Happy Valentine's Day ... and Love at First Sight

Dear all

Happy Valentine's Day! If you have that someone special I hope you spend the day (or evening) marvelling in each other. If you are single perhaps it is time to crack up a bottle of wine or brew a hot chocolate with marshmallows and enjoy a few romantic comedies in celebration of your wonderful... and some stitching for the stitchaholics amongst us.

Here straight from the hot press is 'Love at First Sight' by Judy Rossouw completed this very morning:

Complete - 14 February 2020

This also completes another project on my stash to stitch list ... 2 down and 39 still to go this year. Totally doable right? I may need some quick wins soon if I am going to accomplish this crazy challenge I set myself.

Until soon,

Lija

Love at First Sight is almost done ...

Dear all

I was hoping I would get to finish this project over the last weekend. I even had a good excuse (fighting a cold) for avoiding life admin. But I am not quite there.

WIP - 10 February 2020

The stitching itself is done. Only the backstitching remains. 

I do try stitching every morning together with one podcast and a cup of coffee. So perhaps I can make it for the Valentine's day. I am unsure about your plans but mine involve romantic films, hot chocolate, and maybe more stitching! Who said you need a man to celebrate loving yourself. 

Until soon,

Lija

Welcome February and Love at First Sight

Dear all

I am finally here ... on the other side of January! I have survived January and the tax returns deadline. In a way February is the new 2020 start for me and I am super excited for it. I have picked up embroidery again. And the project of choice is 'Love at First Sight' by Judy Rossouw.

Two frogs kissing ...

WIP - 2 February 2020

Do you think it can be completed ahead of Valentine's?

Anyhow I better go and start sorting my life admin, something that was somewhat rejected amidst the stress and pressures of work... and get excited for new projects and dreams.  

As of 10.06 pm of 1 February 2020 I am an aunt (for the first time) to a most beautiful boy. I am super excited to meet him someday soon ... and do need to start knitting again (the cardigan I have made him already will be to small for him)! 

Until soon (with lots of love)

Lija

First finish of 2020 - 'Picture of Elegance' (Sara Moon)

Dear all

My first finish of 2020! It is 'Picture of Elegance' (Sara Moon). This was meant to be a birthday present for my mother about 7 years ago or so ...

My mum's birthday is coming up in March ... however she no longer likes this embroidery piece (her style / decor has moved on from what she loved 7 years ago). So not entirely sure what I would do with this finish.

19 January 2020

One project down 40 more to go before the end of the year if I am to meet my minimising goal of 50 projects. 

Until soon,

Lija

Welcoming the New Year, Goals/Resolutions and Picture of Elegance

Dear all

I am super excited for 2020! I am hoping it will bring me a great deal of self development and productivity. I am intending on devoting this year to finding the new me... or rediscovering the girl that got lost amidst all the busyness of modern life.

Every year I set myself resolutions/goals and year on year I am becoming better at keeping (or maybe setting) them. In 2019 I met 8 out of 12 and the ones I have not met I was very close.

The 13 goals for 2020 are:

1) Complete BS3 / Fully Funded Emergency Fund (Finance ... aka Dave Ramsey plan)
2) Complete BS3b / get ready to purchase a property (Finance)
3) Finish 40 books (Growth)
4) Attend a seminar (Growth)
5) Healthy living - lose weight, regular exercise, 7-8 hours of sleep (Wellbeing)
6) 2020 in 2020 challenge (Minimalism)
7) Build a capsule wardrobe (Minimalism)
8) Volunteer in 3 ventures (Contribution)
9) Write 40 blog posts  (Contribution / Relationships)
10) Design 5 knitting patterns (Creativity / Business)
11) Paint 18 new paintings (Creativity)
12) Earn £1,000 from side hustles (Finance / Business)
13) Give up alcohol for 2020 (Finance / Wellbeing)

Now that I have wrote them down ... that makes me accountable.

I have been making steady progress on some for a while ... I started the Dave Ramsey plan last February and have been on a minimalism journey for about two years. It is interesting how everything is linked. The less I buy the more money I have left at the end of the month, the more I save the less things I bring in and lead a healthier life style (less takeouts etc), the more intentional I become the more every area of my life improves.

I know losing weight is probably one that many add to their list ... I became intentional at the start of the December ... with Christmas work party fast approaching and unwillingness to spend money on a new dress meant I needed to fit into one of the existing ones. So far I lost 3kg. I am hoping for another 14kg by the end of the year. I am not going on a diet but choosing intermittent fasting (in plain english only having two meals per day), daily yoga, and no alcohol to progress.

I am co-hosting a Self-development reading group on Facebook so extra motivation to pursue the reading. If anyone interested in joining do let me know. We all read books of our own choice in a topic of our own choice, with some challenges along the way and accountability. Encouraging each other on. My choice of books will cover finance, minimalism, business, motivation and wellbeing.

Has anyone else set goals? Anything stitchy related? I am intending on downsizing stash to 50 projects (however it did not quite make the above list ... unless it counts towards minimalism).

And onto the stitchy news ...

I have picked up 'Picture of Elegance' (Sara Moon) and made a lot of progress with only backstitching left. Perhaps this can be a finish this month.

WIP - 12 January 2020

 

Until soon ... I better go do some extra stitching.

Lija

Blackman Street in London progress and the final post of 2019

Dear all

First up is the progress on the Blackman Street by Yiota's Xstitch ...

WIP 28/12/2019

I have made it to the top left corner of the picture. As a work in progress I am a little disappointed in the colour ... however I am hopeful that once it is stitched the colours would blend into each other a little better.

The other very small disappointment is how slow the project is coming along. Generally speaking my progress on the cross stitch has slowed down in the recent month or so. I have instead picked up knitting and daily yoga (or almost daily) in addition to reading, on top of a busy season at work.

As regards to 2019 ... I am grateful for restarting blogging in earnest and hopeful for an even better 2020. In addition, as I progress on my minimalist journey, I have also started with a huge endeavour - decluttering my hobbies, something I did not think was possible. In turn this made me stitch and knit more.

In 2019 I have managed to decrease my stash from 130 to 88 kits/charts by stitching/selling/donating. I may need to take stock to ensure that it is 88 as I think a few projects may have got missed from the initial list. (I will update the stash tab as it is a little messy).

By the end of 2020 I would like to decrease the stash to 50 projects! Anyone else in on such a stitching challenge? To decrease the stash dramatically and to stitch more in the process.

Anyhow until next year,

Lija  

A finish and a new start

Dear all

I can't believe I have not posted since November. Well, I have started the blog post ... but ultimately got sidetracked by other things and never finished. So her is to attempt number 3. As they say third time lucky.

This is an awful picture but here is 'Cardinal Winter' by Little House Needleworks complete. It was part of the Ornament of the Month 2011 series, No 1.

Complete - November 2019

In addition back in November I was visiting my sister ... who has awful lighting ... by which it is impossible to see even weave fabric, so I needed a project that used larger squares. So I started 'Blackman Street in London' (very appropriate as my sister lives in London) by Yiota's Xstitch.

WIP - November 2019

I am not sure I am a huge fan of the colour of the sky and not sure it does the image justice, but perhaps once it is all done it will make complete sense ... and I just need to have a little faith in the process.

So I am now down to 88 projects (from 130) and still many to go.

Until soon
Lija

A belated Halloween finish ...

Dear all

A finish ...'Scaredy Cat' by Love thy Thread.

I was trying to stitch it as fast as I could for the Halloween, however ended up a bit late on the finish. But here it is...

Complete - November 2019

It was stitched on hand dyed fabric (by us at ILiNi designs ...click HERE ). 

I believe I am now down to 88 projects ... and am slightly behind in my downsizing of stash. I am also at present visiting my sister, who has downsized her cross stitch chart and has returned a bunch of charts and kits I shared with her at some stage in the past. I think I will need to reassess my stash on my return home.

Until soon

Lija

Halloween is fast approaching ... part 2

Dear all

Some progress on 'Scaredy Cat' by Love thy Thread ... (the quality of photo is not the best).

WIP - 27 October 2019

With only 5 days remaining until Halloween... time is quickly running out. I'm really loving this project. The fabric used is hand dyed. 

Until soon,

Lija

Halloween is fast approaching ...

Dear all

I was hoping to finish stitching Tobermory, however got a little distracted with some other patterns in my stash.

The plan was to pick the next couple of projects to follow Tobermory; as I wanted to pick charts rather than kits I was unsure whether I had all the threads already for the projects. In any case I got a little bit excited about sorting out my stash.

Whilst sorting the stash I came across some Halloween designs I wanted to stitch up next. I then realised that if I continued with my then current project I would not have enough time pre Halloween.

So here I am ... 'Scaredy Cat' by Love thy Thread.

WIP - October 2019

With some stitchy luck I may be able to finish by Halloween. I have been stitching for a week and am about one third into the project ... so need to apply double effort across the next week. Fingers (or thread) crossed for me.

Until soon,

Lija

Tobermory - some progress

Dear all

Some progress on Tobermory ...

WIP - 13/10/19

I was a little bit disappointed at the progress I have made on this ... however I have only been stitching it for a week and two weekends. And to put it in perspective some progress has been made.

A finish would have been lovely. And perhaps this can be achieved in a week or two. I only have the boat, the water and some backstitching to do. We will wait and see.

Until soon,
Lija

Stitch before it's gone ... stitching from stash and lack of progress ...

Deal all

Very little progress on my stitching this week. I have been trying to stitch just a little every morning ... a sort of morning ritual. And this week it seemed either I started super early at work or had to travel for a day to London, or just did not have that much time to spare. So have been playing some catch up other the weekend.

Anyhow here is to progress however small. This is Tobermory by Susan Ryder (Heritage Collection). I started it awhile ago, but I do not think I ever photographed progress. I have decided to use my own fabric.

WIP - 6 October 2019

I am aiming for this to be my next win. By my plan I need to downsize four more projects this month either through stitching them or by saying good bye ... so I better get my head down and stitch. Here is to 'stitch before it's gone' my personal stitching challenge.

Until soon,

Lija

Wipocalypse, an actual finish, slow downsizing and taking stock ...

Dear all

I may be a little early on the Wipocalypse update ... as the link is not up yet. However it is 29 September where I am and I am super excited.

I have finally finished 'Spring Bouquet' by Margaret Sherry. A design I started stitching back in 2014! That is 5 years ago! And here it is (I have just finished it after a couple of weeks of intense stitching ... backstitching alone took two weeks ... and in my excitement to post I have not washed of the grid marker ... fail):

Complete - September 2019

Complete - September 2019
Closeup

The fabric is gorgeous ... and perfectly suits the colour scheme. The fabric was a gift from a fellow blogger Sarah a number of years ago.  I may make it into a cushion.

Also last month has seen the following finish (I have blogged about it awhile ago ... I decided not to include Home Sweet Home amongst the wins):

Complete - September 2019

'Angela'

by the Snowflower Diaries

After a spell of non blogging and minimal stitching I am super happy to rediscover this hobby I had. I am, as you may have already gathered, also stitching down my stash one project at a time. I am down to 89 projects (if I am to be honest I am excluding a couple of magazines I kept back as well).

Coming up in October I need to stitch or say good bye to four more projects to be on track to downsize to 75 by the end of the year.  Does the sheer volume of projects make you also freeze up? Unaware what to stitch next?

Until soon,
Lija

P.S. final chance to win a giveaway by commenting on the following post - click here.

Margaret Sherry and more stash downsizing ...

Dear all

You know I have been ranting about the desire to be a minimalist in all areas of my life ... well when you have over 100 stashed project this is not something that can be easily achieved. Last month with a lot of caffeine I was taking stock ... and was considering whether I can actually downsize to 50 .... doubtful. How about 75 ... slightly more doable ... with 5 projects a month to be downsized either through completion or letting go.

If I am going to stick to this new rule (until it drives me crazy or I get bored with it) I need some accountability ... and where else to post my wins and losses than here ... I cannot believe it but I have made the target this September. I had two finishes in September and was ready (yesterday) to list three more projects on eBay.

Well talking of going for easy wins to achieve this... I was hoping to get this little one finished quickly and after consistent stitching over the past two weeks I am still going. So not quite an easy win I was hoping for. The Cross Stitch Crazy magazine does say this projects takes approximately 55 hours so I am unsure what I was thinking ... even with half the stitching done that was never going to be a quick win.

The Spring Bouquet by Margaret Sherry ...

WIP- September 2019

Excuse the bad lighting (it is a grey rainy morning here in the UK). Fingers crossed that I can do all the backstitching in the week ahead ... and will be one project down towards my October target.

There is still time to enter my giveaway this month by commenting on the post that can be found HERE.

Until soon,
Lija