Half way there!

Time off pays off.

Christmas Wreath update

Page 2 completed

Of course it's helped that I've had a week off work!

Christmas Wreath update

A page finish!

Butterfly Heart update

Another page closer to completion. I do like pages where very little is stitched. Technically speaking, this was page 9 and 13 as page 13 had only 83 stitches.

Christmas Wreath - update

It's been a couple of weeks now, working on my little robin only on a Tuesday and Wednesday.  at first of course there is little to show, but things are starting to ease in.  I think the main issue is not having a needle organiser (as they're loaded with threads for my other BAP), therefore time is taken swapping threads.

Butterfly Heart update

Another page completed. 

It's got to the interesting stage now, where I'm excited to work on it. I'd say I'm about a third of the way through it.

New Stitches

I'm usually quite strict with myself sticking to just one BAP at a time, but on a Tuesday and Wednesday each week I'm planning on working on a Christmas Wreath with my Butterfly Heart being picked up on the other evenings. 

I was late starting my Robin tonight as I fell asleep after tea.  

As with most of my large projects, I've started at the top left hand side.

Needles and hooks

Our friends came to visit today.  Lots to eat and drink, a good natter and a few stitches added to my butterfly heart. 

For the last 18 months, this fabulous cross stitched Eddie Stobart lorry was painstakingly created by Richard.  The chart was made from a photograph of the actual lorry named after our Colly!

Colly herself has just put the last stitch in a crocheted blanket.

While I finished another page of my butterfly heart.

On the move

A few years ago I was in the unfortunate position of having to endure regular hospital stays.  As part of my packed-ready-to-go case I collected a number of freebies from various cross stitch publications to help stave off the inevitable boredom.   Thankfully those days are behind me now,  but I have hung onto the freebies which come in handy when travelling. 

Last week we visited London for a long weekend; the 2 hour train journey was the perfect excuse to break open a wee kit. 

This little fella should make a nice birthday card.

SAL finish

This week Essie and I completed our stitchalong:

I went with Kreinik sparkles, above.

Essie went with a colour close to the original fluffy effect, below. 

As you can see both are equally as beautiful. 

Week 4 - Fairy SAL

As I move onto the easier part of the fairy,  Essie begins the wings. She has also already picked out all the detail with backstitch. 

I have opted for a different colour for the skirt and fairy dust, using cream thread with Kreinik for a subtle hint of sparkle.

Both beautiful in their own right.  Another week or two and we'll have completed her!

Week 3 - Fairy SAL

Another evening of stitching our Fairy Stitchalong and some real progress has been achieved. 

Essie chose to add definition with some back stitch. 

While I chose to complete the wings.  The paler colours don't stand out well on this fabric.

Week 2 - Fairy SAL

The next installment of our stitchalong. 

Essie's update:

My update:

I wonder who will finish first.

Page finish - Butterfly Heart

I'm really enjoying stitching this up.

Fairy Stitchalong - week 1

Tuesday has been chosen as the day Essie and I stitch this piece, and share our progress on a Wednesday. 

This is Essie's first update:

And this is mine:

I have my work cut out to keep up!

Update on Pink Heart Butterflies

September's effort.

Kitting up

My pal Essie and I have planned a stitchalong. 

We each have the same chart, fabric and basic threads, with a small element of artistic licence.

We are going to stitch on it for just one evening a week then share our progress.

Ring Cushion finished.

Lastly the beads were added to lend a bit of bling. 

The design will now be returned to be made into the ring cushion.  I'll ask for a photo to upload when that has been done.

Frogging and weaving

It wasn't until I posted the photo on yesterday's entry that I noticed the cross stitched flowers were incorrectly placed....out came the frogs this morning to unpick and restitch them.

Next up is the woven bars.

Firstly the heart shapes.

And then the outside border.

Cutting edge

This is the part I tend to procrastinate over, particularly if it's on a piece for someone else.

Good light and time, along with a sharp pair of snips.   Lift each thread, double check, angle the scissors and cut.

Once all the selected threads have been cut it's time to remove them.