Floss Update and A Win

This post should be a quilty update but the only sewing I’ve done in the last few weeks has been making masks for my family.  I have blocks cut out, ready to sew and that is my plan for this weekend.

For now, I’d like to share an update on my cross-stitching activity.

Previous Finish

Pattern Name: Liberty Lane

Designer: Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 14 Count Aida, Wichelt in the color Natural

Stitch Count: 160 x 85

Finished Size: 11 ½” x 6”

Floss: 3 strands of the called for DMC over two (should have used two strands…I was new – what can I say?)

Start date: 5/12/19 End date: 7/7/19

Current status is “FFO” (Fully Finished Object)

I fell in love with this chart…one can NEVER have enough of the good ol’ red, white and blue.  This was my fourth cross stitch start.

FO (stitched but not fully finished

Feels Like Home from the Fat Quarter Shop.  This should have been an easy stitch but (don’t you just love the ‘but’), for some really silly reasons, I had to 'frog' stitches from just about every part EXCEPT the rose.  Not saying that some frogging wasn’t needed on the rose, I just wasn’t going to do it.  It was the last release of the design and I was ready to be finished with it.  In spite of it all, I think it is cute.  I’ll provide the details of the piece once it is fully finished.

Chalk Full: Bloom – the small from Hands on Design and Priscilla Blain.  These designs are so much fun and fairly quick to stitch.  I look forward to stitching the ‘jar’ next.  Again, I’ll share the details when it is fully finished.

WIPs

Memorial Day

This is what it looked like when you saw it last.

A little progress…

It hasn’t gotten a lot of attention lately.  I’d like to have this finished before the end of July.

Bloomtopia

The Fat Quarter Shop’s annual fundraiser for Make-A-Wish.  You can read more about it on my post here.

When you saw it last...

Today...

We are up to release 9 with only 3 more to go.

New Start

Stitching Book Club – Secret Garden from Sapphire Mountain Handcrafts.  Sapphiremthandcrafts on Esty.

A stitch along with a twist.  It is also a book club.  We are reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett which is one of my favorite classics.  The SAL started on May 24^th.  The reading and cross stitch assignments are released every two weeks.  Our discussion of the book takes place on Instagram and Facebook.

Release one...

I purchased both linen and aida fabrics for the project and decided I liked the color of the aida better so that is what I’m using.

And that brings us to haul…

Haul

Book was ordered from Barnes and Noble.

The fabric for secret garden is named Chocolate Raspberry.  The fabric and all called-for floss was purchased from Stoney Creek Collection.  I found the must-have garden gate needle minder on Etsy from ginasuniqueboutique.

The hydrangea print project bag and project pal is also an Etsy purchase from dotdotgoose design.  I have several of her items which you will hear more about in the future.

Flag of Stars is a market release from Bent Creek.  I ordered this from The Cross Stitch Cupboard in Fort Lauderdale.  It is a kit that comes with the fabric and floss as well.  I’ve heard this is a quick stitch…do you think I can finish this one before the end of July as well? (probably not)

Flosstube Favorite and A Win

Meet Southern Doxie Stitcher.

Photo provided by Michelle

Michelle lives in Louisiana with her stitching buddy, Miss Dolly.  Dolly, a dachsund, is obviously spoiled and even has her own doxie inpired quilt.  See it hanging behind Michelle?

Photo provided by Michelle

Michelle recently hosted a giveaway on her YouTube channel SouthernDoxieStitcher and I won.

She gifted me the pattern Perfect Pumpkin by Heart in Hand along with a quilted project bag and eyeglass case.  Love!

Michelle is also southerndoxiestitcher on Instagram.  She stitches not only fun but sometimes quite challenging designs.  Go find her and look at her Let Freedom Ring stitchery that is in progress.

She has recently started sewing.  When you see her project bags and grime guards you will not believe she is new at it.  I love how brave she is to try new things.

Plans

My cross stitch plans for the upcoming week are to continue stitching Memorial Day, the next release from Stitching Book Club Secret Garden and start a new project.  The new stitch will be a gift so I’m not sure how I’ll share it’s progress because the recipient is a follower….wonder how many are guessing who it is 😊

I’m expecting to be back with a quilty update soon.  I must put down the q-snaps and start up the sewing machine.  I just cannot get behind on the Bloomtopia quilt.  I introduced you to it here and I’ve completed more blocks since then.

I’ll leave you with a little happiness from my flower pots around the house…

Hope you enjoy the weekend and stay safe!

Floss Update - AKA Cross Stitch

I hope all the Mom’s in blogland had a nice Mother’s Day last Sunday.  My daughter was home…we social distanced as best as we could.  I felt since we’ve all been isolated in our respective homes that it was worth the risk.  It was rainy most of the day but we still had a nice time.

Today’s post is all about cross stitch and I hope you enjoy it…

A Previous Finish

Pattern Name: Quilter’s Cottage

Designer: Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet Co for It’s Sew Emma Stitchery

Fabric: 10 Count Aida, Vintage Burlap

Stitch count: 99 x 140

Finished Size: 10” x 14”

Floss: 6 strands of called for Aurifloss (yes 6!) over 1 square

Start date: 2/14/19  End date: 4/4/19

Current status is “FFO” (Fully Finished Object)

This was my third cross stitch start. It was a SAL hosted by the Fat Quarter Shop.  I purchased the recommended frame from Amazon.  The glass was broken when the package arrived and I was given a total refund and told to keep or discard the remaining parts.  Honestly, I wasn’t planning to use the glass anyway so it ended up being free.

I put a thin piece of batting behind the stitching and mounted it all on sticky board and popped it in the frame.  It now hangs in my craft room.

FO (Finished Object - stitched but not fully finished

Pattern Name: Wee One: Quilting Bird

Designer: Heart in Hand

Fabric: 18 Count Aida, hand dyed by Fortnight Fabrics

Stitch count: 42 x 79

Finished Size: 2.3” x 4.4”

Floss: Called for Classic Colorworks and DMC (2 x 1)

Start date: 4/4/20  End date: 4/7/20

This was my 26^th cross stitch start.  I want to fully finish this piece into a small pillow.  Lori Holt has a new YouTube channel and her first video is a tutorial on how to make small pillows with your cross stitch.  I just need to gather a few supplies and then I’ll be ready.

WIPs

Feels Like Home

Last week’s status

 This week’s progress

Finished part one.  I’ll begin part 2 this evening, after all, part 3 releases tomorrow 😊

New Starts

Memorial Day by Hands on Design.  I’m stitching from stash on this one and will share my floss conversions once I finish it.  The fabric is 16 count white aida.

My progress so far.  It looks wonky but I promise, it isn't.

Chalk Full: Bloom – a collaboration between Hands on Design and Priscilla Blain.  Priscilla draws the designs in chalk and Cathy Haberman of HOD then turns those drawings into cross stitch charts.

This series is offered as a club kit from the Fat Quarter Shop.  The kit includes the chart, floss and fabric. Each design consists of a “jar” and a “small” chart.  We get a new release every other month.  Bloom is next to last in the series so I will share previous finishes over the next few months as the ‘seasons’ change (so to speak).  These designs are stitched using hand dyed floss on 14 count black aida.

This is my start on the ‘small’

Haul

My recent haul…

Memorial Day (chart only)

Chalk Full: Bloom kit

Coral Beach and Robin's Egg Blue

Hand dyed fabric from fionascraftcottage on Etsy.  This fabric is amazing and it was quick shipping.

This last piece of haul leads into the next category of my cross stitch posts which will be…

Flosstube Favorites

Fiona is also a new stitchy friend.  We’ve joined a virtual stitching group on Zoom that meet up on Monday and Thursday evenings.

Photo provided by Fiona

This is Fiona and her ‘real life’ stitching buddy, Marley.

Fiona and her family live in Washington state.  She homeschools her two daughters and has even convinced her husband to cross stitch a piece. You can visit Fiona on her YouTube channel Fiona’s Craft Cottage.  She is also on Instagram at fionas.craft.cottage.  She has some amazing finishes.

Photo provided by Fiona

More of Fiona’s beautiful fabric

That is my floss update this week.  Have I convinced any of my quilty friends to join me yet… down here in this rabbit hole?  Let me know if you have…I enjoy company 😊

Until next time, stay safe!

Like I Needed One More Hobby

How is your Saturday going?  Are you doing any kind of stitching today?

Hubby and I spent the day doing yardwork.  The weather was so nice, no clouds and not terribly hot.  He took a swim afterwards but the pool water is still a bit too chilly for me, especially after the recent rain.

I’m back today to tell you about one more hobby that is taking up a good portion of my crafting time.

I try to always watch the Fat Quarter Shop’s “Behind the Seams” YouTube videos and one day in the latter part of 2018, Kimberly started talking about her passion outside of quilting… cross stitch.  Then Fat Quarter Shop does what they do best…enable and sell.  I found this whole community on YouTube called Flosstube and then I went straight down the rabbit hole.  I’ve learned new acronyms like FOs and FFOs.  I’ve learned to stitch on fabrics that I never knew existed and I found out that DMC isn’t the only company that makes floss.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to drag you through every stitch I’ve taken thus far, all in one post.  I’ll break it down over time and I’ll keep my cross stitch and quilting posts separate in case my friends aren’t necessarily interested in both.

I put my first x stitch to cloth on November 5, 2018. 

Pattern Name: Farm Girl Fall

Designer: Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet Co for It’s Sew Emma Stitchery

Fabric: 10 Count Aida, white

Stitch count: 90 x 90

Finished Size: 9” x 9”

Floss: 6 strands of called for Aurifloss (yes 6!) over 1 square

Start date: 11/5/18  End date: 12/7/18

Current status is “FO” (Finished Object)

The finishing instructions included with the pattern are for a pillow.  Initially, I was afraid to cut it but I’ve since gotten over that fear so it sits in the FO basket waiting for just the right moment.

Cross stitch start number 2

Pattern Name: Bee Joyful

Designer: Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 14 Count Aida, country mocha

Stitch count: 74 x 103

Finished Size: 5.25” x 7.25”

Floss: 2 strands of Cosmo over 1 square

Start date: 1/3/19  End date: 5/3/19 (I was stitching other patterns during this time as well)

Current status is “FFO” (Fully Finished Object)

My finishing inspiration came from Priscilla Blain of The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch.  You can see her amazing work on her blog, Priscillas.  She also has a Flosstube with her daughter, Chelsea.  Their YouTube channel is Priscilla and Chelsea - The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch.

One of my current WIPs (we all know what that means) is Feels Like Home.  This is a mystery SAL (stitch along) sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.  They release a portion of the pattern each Friday in May.

Yesterday's Release, Part 1

I’m using the called for fabric, 25 count lugana in cloud and over-dyed floss.

This is Friday night’s start.  Doesn’t look like much but I also stitched the next release in FQS’s Bloom-Topia cross stitch pattern.

The above piece was stitched by Kimberly at FQS and Priscilla Blain did the finishing.

This is Fat Quarter Shop’s annual fundraiser for Make-A-Wish.  It is typically just a quilt-along but they’ve added a cross stitch project to it this year.

There have been seven releases and I am current.

I’ve shared a project in every category except UFO (again…we all know what that means).  I think I’ll do that each update to keep the posts from getting too long.

I’m linking up with Cheryll at Gone Stitchin’ who hosted Friday Night with Friends last night.  Click here to see what everyone else was up to.

Until next time, stay well and safe!

Flimsies and Finishes

Happy Hump Day!

I’m excited to show you last weekend’s accomplishment…

Even though we had some nasty weather – I do not operate the sewing machine during lightning storms - Witch’s Night Out went from being a WIP to a Flimsy.  In last Friday’s post this was just a stack of blocks and the background fabric had not been cut yet…all gazillion pieces of it.

I’ve preordered the backing fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop and it is supposed to ship next month (fingers crossed). Fabric is All Hallow’s Eve by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda Fabrics.  Once it arrives then it will be ready for the longarm quilter.

Speaking of the longarm quilter, these are also waiting their turn…

Current Quilt Flimsies:

LQS Block-of-the-Month

         This is the project I was working on two posts ago, in January 2019.  You can read more about it here.  I’m not loving the backing fabric I selected for it so there will be a bit of shopping to do before it gets quilted.

 2018 Temperature Quilt

         I participated in Needled Mom’s temperature quilt sew-along in 2018.  It was a fun project, keeping track of the daily temps and paper piecing the blocks on my husband’s great grandmother’s Singer 99.  

But South Florida doesn’t lend itself to pretty colors in this sort of quilt.  

Still need to piece a backing that includes a legend for the temperatures and I’m at a loss on how to quilt it.

Star Island

         This pattern is by HollyAnne Knight of String and Story.  She hosted a QAL last year close to Christmas so I decided to use fabrics in the holiday’s traditional colors.  This also needs backing fabric.

Pat Sloan’s Let’s Go Camping

         I shared some of the progress on this quilt during the sew-along. 

Y’all…this is a tad embarrassing…all it needs is binding…and the strips are cut!

I had outdoorsy motifs quilted on it

Besides Lincoln’s baby quilt I shared about last Friday, I did have a few other finishes.

Quilt Finishes:

Lanterns of Hope

         Another HollyAnne Knight pattern made with fabrics from my stash. 

I had bubbles quilted on this one to soften the hard lines of the squares...hope it worked.

Harli’s Quilt

         Harli is my ‘grand’ dog.  My daughter lived in Denver from June 2018 until May 2019 and her dog needed her own quilt to stay warm.  I think this pattern was one of Bonnie Hunter’s freebies from a long time ago and the fabric was all from my stash.

(I didn't fib Julierose...I actually forgot about this pieced backing!)

Patriotic Table Topper and Pillow

         My husband found a small bench at a local antique store and thought it would fit nicely just inside our front doors.  I had made a log cabin table topper earlier and used one leftover block to make a pillow for the bench.

Fat Quarter Shop’s Sew Sampler Box Basket Quilt

This pattern was from SS boxes in 2017 – 2018 and the fabric is from my scrap bins.

Fruit motifs were used for the quilting on this one.

Sewing Room Wall Hanging

         My friend and I found this pattern at our local quilt show a few years ago.  It was wool applique’ but we used quilting cotton, a few pieces of felt…and made a few design changes as well.  I’m sure the original did not include a glass of wine 😊

Many thanks to Mr. Slammin' the Screen Door for standing in as a quilt holder...you are the best!

If you’ve read to the end…thank you.  In the next post I’ll share about my new(ish) hobby.

Until then, stay well!