OhSewCrafty Blog

Welcome back, friends.   November was a long, strange, stitchy month.  I started the month with We Do Harry Potter, since I needed to finish my Magical HW with it.  Previous progress:

Now:

Overall, I gave it 3 days and managed to get the chart half done.  This is not the quick stitch I imagined it would be.  First, some elements of the chart are weird (IMO) and required re-design.  Secondly, the fabric (Vintage smoky white Cashel) is whisper thin and carrying the Dark Shadows waterlilies, even short distances, makes the front look messy, so I’m constantly needing to secure my thread, snip, and start again. Nevertheless, I will try to finish it next month.  I really don’t want to carry it into 2020, and it might makes  a a good travel project.    

Spring Bellpull was my focus piece for the seasonal sal in my group Stitch from Stash.  Hey, it’s spring in the Southern hemisphere.  Previous progress:

Now:

I gave it almost 6 days, stitched and finished the I block and made good starts on the N and G blocks.  

I did all that stitching on the N & G blocks in a 24 hour period.  It was the Stitcher Games, with Semisane Stitchers.  It was an interesting experience, but I wouldn’t do it again.  I had a target on my back, apparently, and some aspects of the game seemed unfair.  Anyway, on that particular occasion, I had been “attacked” and managed to “heal” with 5.2 k stitches over 28 hours (with this project and Rainbow Fairy).  A personal record in output and stupidity…. I don’t recommend that sort of thing.  But the borders and letters stitch relatively quickly.  And I learned that I need a little more Waterlilies Budding Leaf to finish it.

The other project that got a lot of time for the Stitcher Games was Rainbow Fairy, mainly because it’s mostly chunks of color.  Previous progress:

Now

Over about 6 days, I did 8,861 stitches.  Yes, the Stitcher Games were insane, as mentioned above.  The upshot it, well, I could probably finish her at this point without too much trouble.  I’m not going to push for a December finish, mostly likely, but will aim for early next year.  

Fantasy Triptych was another monthly goal, I would really like to get another page finish this year.  Previous progress:

Now:

Over about 4 days, I managed ~2550 stitches on the knight panel.  It’s coming along and I plan to give it more time this week and next month.  

For Save the Stitches, my goal for this year is to finish part 12, which would get me halfway.  Previous (part 11):

After one long day (long days being the theme this month, with the Stitcher Games), I did 1000 stitches which was enough to stitch part 12, a little border, and a tiny start on Part 13.

I need to go back and do the metallics on parts 9-12, though.   

Twilight Bridge got some love, mainly because I needed it for Magical Stitches extra credit.  December is traditionally not the greatest stitchy month for me, so I tried (and succeeded) to finish all the Book 7 extra credit in November.  Previous progress:

Now:

Ovver 2 days, I did 1500 stitches and I feel like it’s really coming along.  I am over to the left edge of the chart, though it’s not entirely filled in.  This project is slow going because it’s primarily tent stitch with 4-5 strands in the needle, which I need to wrestle through the 18 count aida.  The kit included a hefty and sharp needle, but I don’t like stitching with sharps.  A friend suggested trying a 26 (I always use 28) so we’ll see how that goes.  

Finally, I spent some time working on ornaments.  First Batty Belinda got 300 stitches for a HW challenge.  

Then I decided to start Gingerbread Boy from the newest JCS because I thought it would be perfect for my son.  In one day, I did 928 stitches, and it’s almost done, just needs a little backstitching. I’m stitching it on white opalescent Cashel.  

At last, I started Winter White sleigh because I needed a quick 500 stitches and this is mostly solid rows of B5200, (and I liked it, of course). It had a bit over 1 day to finish with 691 stitches, and I love how it looks on the Ruby Wine Belfast I bought for another project, but could easily spare an edge for ornaments. 

Question: What new stitches or techniques did you learn this year?  Well, I learned how to sew project bags.  This one was made for a gift exchange at the retreat and I’m very happy with how it came out.

I learned it’s possible to speed stitch and pound out a lot of progress in 24 hours, if I forgo or minimize sleep.  In the course of the month, I set one personal record, then another.  I also learned that it removes a lot of the enjoyment for me.  A stitchy challenge is great, but there is a line.  

For December, I have a number of goals.  I want to finish We Do Harry Potter, Batty Belinda, Gingerbread Boy, Prancer, and my model stitching.  I would also like to create some ornament FFOs.   Happy Stitching and enjoy your holidays.