OhSewCrafty Blog

July was a good stitchy month.  It’s too hot to go outside (I am so thankful for the new HVAC system we got to replace our 20 year old unit, earlier this year), and I love the July SALs (namely Christmas & Joan Elliott).

The month started with Christmas in July, I decided to work on Stained Glass Angel for a few days, and got 1310 stitches for challenges.  It’s coming along, about 1/2 done now. 

My regular wip rotation started with Save the Stitches, I gave it 1.5 days, 2254 stitches (backstitch counted for half), and finished parts 17, 18, and 19.  I also started and finished part 20.  Only 4 parts to go!  I think I’ll try for 2 parts/month and aim for a September finish.  

On July 4th, I watched Hamilton, streaming on a well known platform, and highly enjoyed the show as I beaded (241 beads) the Mill Hill American Eagle ornie that I started a few months ago, for Maynia.  So, it required 2 stitchy days total, and it was the perfect project for the holiday.  

Fantasy Triptych got some time for challenges, also I really wanted more progress last month, but ran short on time.  So I gave it 2 days and 1,614 stitches, mostly backstitch counted for half.  The Castle panel is done, including backstitch.  Finishing this year is a likely possibility, and I’m pretty excited about it.  The sky (my addition) makes everything pop.  

Twilight Bridge needed some attention for Full Coverage Fanatics Bingo, besides I try to work on this every month to make consistent progress.  I gave it 2 days and got 1,203 stitches.  The upper left is mostly done, except for 1 color, I think.  I worked with most of the parked threads, cleaned it up a lot.  

Harvest Witch got a short rotation, 1.5 days and 1,003 stitches for the Semisane Stitchers trip around the world challenge.  I filled in more of her purple cape, including blended colors, finished the pumpkin and stitched some more of the black cat.  The bright orange pumpkin pops against the purples and blues.  I also started the pumpkins and greenery on the right side, at the page break.    

Christmas in July continued with Victorian Carolers.  First I was only shooting for 1000 stitches, but then I looked into FullCoverage Fanatics Bingo and realized I could participate, earn a line bingo, with the 3 full coverage WIPs I have now.  So I gave it 3.5 days and got 3,016 stitches, the first page is about half done now.  

Comet needed a little love, also for Alphabet soup “N” (Nora Corbett, the designer) for Semisane Stitchers.  Just an hour or so and 326 stitches, but every stitch counts! 

My big “focus finish” goal for the month was Gingerbread Grove.  I didn’t get started until July 16th, but my stitchy bug felt a fire under it at that point.  It took 3.5 days and I got a finish!  

Besides Christmas in July, my other big priority was Joan Elliott July.  I was especially keen to work on Fairy of the Rainbow after focusing on Rapunzel for the past few months.  I gave her 3.5 days and 3,260 stitches. I started with the lower wings, working up to her back and finished the ribbons extending from her waist on the left.  Then I started her wings, working from her back.  The wings are almost done, just a few color bands left, then a few colors for highlights.  

Father Frost & Polar Bear was up for a finish, it took 2 days.  Check out the details, here!

So much for temporary hiatus!  Well, there’s not much to go on Fairy of the Rainbow so I feel comfortable working on Fairy of the Rain.  She got 1 day and 541 stitches, in addition to my 300 stitch start from last month.  I am really looking forward to stitching more on this after I finish Rainbow.  Rain doesn’t have nearly as many colors and I hope it will stitch a bit quicker.  

Question of the month: What new charts or designs are catching your eye this year?  Well, my love affair with European designers continues.  Most recently, I’ve picked up a few charts from Les Petites Croix de Lucie.  Many of her designs relate to pop culture and/or have a vintage flair.  There’s a big wide world of cross stitch out there and especially if your tastes vary beyond the prim (as mine do), I’d encourage you check out British, French, Ukrainian, and Russian designers.  Also Bella Fillipina is publishing some incredible designs.   

As for plans, this last week of July, I want to do some model stitching and create FFOs.

For August, I have several goals:

•Finish Lemonade, Save the Stitches Parts 21 & 22

•Focus rotations on Fantasy Triptych, Cathedral Woods Goddess, Gryphon, Twilight Bridge, and Toy Story Cast.  

•Short rotations on Harvest Witch, Fairy Rain, and possible new starts

Happy Stitching