Wipocalypse - post #11 ... I do have a finish and a giveaway I have to mention

Dear all,

I am going to post even if it kills me! You won't be able to imagine how long it took me to compose it. First of all apologies for the weird bright colour of my photos ... the projects are not as bright in real life.

First of all is the Xmas card kit by Margaret Sherry. Free kit from the Cross Stitch Crazy December 2012/issue 171.

I have now completed this one (some indication at my attempts to compose this post).

Anyhow next up is my progress on the 'Field of Poppies' by Yiota's XStitch. Not sure if I mentioned about my failure to fully grid it. I was gridding away ... and ran out of the red stuff. Since the bottom was done I decided to start stitching and then transfer the gridding to top. 

There is still tonnes to go.

Next up is my SAL piece, QS Literate Dragon. I haven't managed to complete it, but stitched enough for three extra charts. My choices were: QS Heather, SK Trick or Treat, and QS Theatre of the Absurd.

I have put it aside for now ... Since it was driving me crazy (especially page 1, I can't seem to find some shades of green). I might go on to bottom left page when I next pick it up, or finish off the bottom right ... it has a few more stitches to get me stuck in.

And my finish is the tiny Fizzy Moon, it will be an addition to mum's present:

will look up what magazine it came with in the next few days (if I find the time). 

And a giveaway is over at Nancy's (a very generous lady indeed ... there are quite a few on her blog all going at the same time):

Christmas Over Dyed Floss Give-away:

Don't forget to mention it was me who sent you (you probably wouldn't to increase your chances of course). 

Oh, and Nancy is currently having a free shipping offer if you buy some skeins ... so tempting.

Click on ...  Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe .... to enter.

Deadline: 10th December 2013.

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.

Wipocalypse - post #6, reviews and dare I say giveaways ...

Hello all,

It seems to me I have fallen through some hole like an Alice in Wonderland ... and time has just run away from me. I have picked up some extra hours at work, so was a busy bee ... since I stitch during lunch times (that's some extra stitching to share).

Wipocalypse - post #6

Oh dear this means we are half way through the year ... I have not amended my targets yet, but I will decrease specifics, and include an aim for finishes. More on that at a later post. And now to the stitching:

Puppy Love by Margaret Sherry

May 2013

a lot done here ...

Puppy #1 complete

Puppy #2 complete

 This is what the #3 was like when Wipocalypse post was due last week:

Puppy #3 progress

But in a few days it became ... well complete:

Puppy #3 complete

I am making good progress on #4 (the final of the set for me) but no pic.

Field of poppies:

June 2013

As I thought gridding is going very slowly and painfully on evenweave.

QS Literate Dragon:

May 2013

June 2013

And to see the bigger picture:

June 2013

Snowflower Diaries:

I recently mentioned a new SAL. Well with no progress pictures I have a finish ...

Truly, Madly, Deeply ... complete

'Truly, Madly, Deeply' by Snowflower Diaries is a free pattern from HERE.

I don't remember what colours I stitched with as silly me with so many projects on the go decided to tidy up and put them away. It was a combo of DMC and Anchor that much I know. If you are interested about the SAL(s) I am partaking in click HERE. There you can see some more finishes of various charts by this designer.

Fabric I have used was Cashel - Vintage Green 28ct. It's gorgeous! and has this crackling effect. One of my crazy mid exam stress purchases.

Will show you again later once I get it into a proper finish.

More shopping ...

Hmm ... not as bad as you'd think. I got the following from a charity shop:

Anchor ... with a few slots empty I guess this is still close to full collection (or part of it) ...

... Guess how much it cost me? A massive total of £5!!! What a bargain and it came in a box.

Book Reviews

'Home-Made Vintage' by Christina Strutt 4/10

There was a nice rabbit doll in this book. Although very simplistic projects, they'd be great for cross stitch finishes: bags, aprons, pillows, etc.

I might even borrow it again some time. You can see from my ratings the opinion I have on finishing touches is not that high... no wander my box of finished stitchings is getting fuller. 

'Red Ted Art' by Maggy Woodley 4/10
Some crafts for kids. My favourite is the egg candles; not sure it is a great idea for kids to do them, but I definitely want to try.




'Patchwork Bags' by Cecilia Hanselmann 5/10
Not too bad. Red Retro used very nice fabric ... which I want! So that upset me a little. And that particular bag was although simple but nice in design. I liked the makeup bags (all four), Rose Windows could be adapted to hold small cross stitch project in its windows; again simple but effective. Must stress that the designs are very simplistic - but would suit a beginner.




'Mollie Makes Christmas' by Mollie Makes 2/10
I only like 1 project of a crocheted reindeer in this book. I am going to even include it's picture (from back cover so not infringing any copyright I guess)

Giveaways

#1 - Colours of Summer @ Swet-lanka

Some beautiful fabrics ...

To enter click HERE.

Deadline: 7th July 2013

#2 - Giveaway @ Bellissi

Look at the amazing teapot! Wouldn't it be wonderful to store bits and bobs in and look gorgeous on the shelf.

To enter click HERE.

Deadline: 4th July 2013

#3 - A Giveaway @ Cat's Home

Aren't bunnies cute in real life and as toys ... check out the following giveaway.

To enter click HERE.

Deadline: 1st July 2013

#4 - Giveaway @ Interior Toy

Another gorgeous toy/doll being given away. I have a book from a library on making dolls. I do want to try to make one myself some time... staying away from clay this time (ended up a mess last time I tried). 

To enter click HERE.

Deadline: 30th June/ 1st July 2013

#5 - Useful Giveaway @ Aunty Rose
Gorgeous box. Amazing for storing those little things.

To enter click HERE.

Deadline: 1st July 2013

Well this post has taken me a lot longer than expected. How long do you think I will be able to keep up this sharing of book reviews and giveaways? Anyhow, I am not too worried as they are not the main part about blogging ... the sharing is, regardless of what it is ... which reminds me I still haven't shown off all my beautiful fabric mum dyed. Next post I promise. And don't forget to enter the most important giveaway - mine!!!

click here click here click here

Till soon,

Wipocalypse - post #5 and exciting new projects ...

Hello all,

Thank you for your good luck wishes and support. I have now completed 3 exams, and only have another 3 to go. I do feel a lot lighter, and with the sunshine outside as if summer is coming (a very rare occurrence in the North East). So for this update I have 2 new starts/projects, and this months progress report. Also, now that I am approaching 100 followers I can let you know that I will have my 1st ever blog giveaway once I hit the said number (and obviously after my exams were this event to happen before 3rd of June).

Exciting New Projects: 

I recently got the following kit 'Field of poppies' by Yiota's XStitch :

chart and pre-wound threads

Isn't it beautiful? It is based on one of the Van Gogh's paintings. It is my new addition to this year's Wipocalypse list (I'll be changing the list slightly ... after exams). You have probably saw the amazing pre-wound threads phenomenon across several bogs. I love it! I have several Anchor kits that have the threads on a card ... and the numbers are not aligned properly. I might have mentioned some maia kits of peonies/poppies I bought on sale in my local craft store which is generally limited and overpriced (those will be future living room cushions) around January. I have wanted to start them for some time ... but that would mean winding all the threads onto bobbins first. The 'Kiongozi - Dance Leader' had the same annoying unaligned threads issue that drove me insane. What is even worse is when the threads are all tied together and you have to guess which colour is which. I am not very good at that task.

I have almost finished 'Kiongozi - Dance Leader' and thought I'd use that mini box for storing bobbings. They did not fit. I hate that box! The only bobbins that ever fit there are the ones that came with it, I have forgotten this little detail - silly me the current bobbins there are all placed at an angle. But I do have 2 bigger boxes for storing threads on bobbins (3 times bigger), one that has all leftovers from kits/projects once they're done, and the second I got for the HAED I am currently working on and wound/prepared less than a fifth of those (the rest are still in wallets or loose in my draw). Shame to leave a box half empty, so this is where my new project threads went:

and now they are all in a box

You can see them all sideways fitting perfectly. I have a feeling the card they are on is a lot better quality than what I normally wind threads onto.

closeup- all wound up and numbered!

They would have been such a perfect fit into my smaller box, all separate if only the box was a little deeper. I have no idea why that company produces perfectly good big ones, and annoying little ones.

The chart in my new kit is printed on good quality thick paper. And the symbols/squares are rather large (will be great for stitching in the evenings while watching films). Four A3 pages in total.

part of chart

 And finally the fabric (slightly cut unevenly but a minor detail):

evenweave

There is an option to get either 14, 16, or 28. I requested evenweave (count 28). After all thats what cool kids stitch on ... and I am a sheep that likes to follow (well sometimes).

about to grid

I was about to grid when I realised that I have never stitched on evenweave before (you'd think I'd realise that sooner) and what if I don't like it? or I won't be any good and ruin it? So I set it aside for another smaller project (also addition to Wipocalypse list to follow), to see how I'll do with evenweave. It came just before my 2nd exam (very quick delivery) in a sturdy envelope ... that even my favourite postman with his inability to read 'please do not bend' was unable to ruin. 

Yiota's XStitch is UK based, but ship internationally and also do downloadable charts (they have several free ones on the website that one can try - I have the one of the cat). Their website is http://www.yiotas-xstitch.com and you can find the easy count guideline I use from http://www.rseasycount.com/

And now the other new project I mentioned (it is in fact not new per se as I have signed up to do this awhile back). It is for this year's Margaret Sherry's SAL I am going to take part in, for more info click:

Margaret Sherry Lovers - Group Blog

It is the SAL #4 Puppy Love.

And my progress on one of them is:

Fabric is evenweave dyed with fennel by my lovely mum (featured in previous post). This is my first attempt at using evenweave, and I am yet uncertain. It is definitely better for half stitches (if one is stitching over 2 threads); and with projects like these, one would be able to see the background and eveneweave is a lot more appealing than having massive squares. Downside: it is taking me longer to stitch on it as I am not yet accustomed to it. I am increasing speed gradually; I bet it is a pain to grid.

That was the 2 new projects/additions, and now onto the current wips' progress ...

Wipocalypse - post #5:

'Kiongozi - Dance Leader:

April 2013

May 2013

It is all stitched up, and ready for backstitching (oh how I hate the backstitching).

QS Literate Dragon:

February 2013

I can't believe how fast time flies, and that this was untouched for so long.

May 2013

closeup of the worked bit

Till soon,