OhSewCrafty Blog

Hello friends, November wasn’t the greatest, stitchy bug struggled some, but I did get some good progress and finishes so let’s dive in!

My major focus for the month was Autumn Bellpull, with 2.5 days and 3,028 stitches added.  Alas, that was not enough to finish the panel.  But it’s getting there and maybe another thousand should do it!  I will be so glad to put this one in the rearview, tired of brown. 

Trick or Treat SAL had 2 days love, 1,421 added and it was finished!  This was my Semisane Autumn Start-to-finish piece, roughly the size of 2 ornaments (total 3 stitchy days to finish since October), and I think it will make a lovely flat fold, maybe with some black lace trim. The free design is by Nicole Fortier Young, stitched on “Impressive” Cashel by Fortnight Fabrics, which I love so much, perfect moody grey for Halloween.

Bellatrix also had 2 days love, 2,000 added, I started beading and backstitching from the bottom.  It’s still a little patchy since I’ll do the pony beads last. I stitched most of her face and beaded up to her chest area.  I ran short on time, since I only got 21 stitchy days for November, but I should be able to finish her in December with another 600 beads or so.  

 Christmas Angels had 1.5 days, 1,855 stitches added, unfortunately not quite enough to finish.  I worked out the metallics (Kreinik #4 028 for the cross stitching, petite treasure braid PB 26 for the backstitching & beading, petite treasure braid ph 02 for cross, backstitching, & beading. All the backstitching is done except for a bit on the big “box” letter L.  Also, I ran short of the Mill Hill gold (00557) beads and don’t have the red ones specified.  Oh well, more will be ordered and this will be a lovely finish for December!

I made a sizable new start, finally!  Father Christmas by Joan Elliott / Cross Stitch Collection magazine, on Jay Belfast (Picture this Plus). My new love had 1.5 days and 2,001 stitches, all in red for the Fandom Stitchers monthly color challenge.  No biggie since his outfit is all red anyway. I adore this design!

Santa’s Workshop had 1 day, 619 added, and he’s finally finished!  More pics and details in a forthcoming happy dance post, after I figure out what to do with the corners.

Halloween Memories had 1.25 days love, 1,525 total, and it’s finished!  More pics and details in a forthcoming happy dance post.

Merry Christmas had 1.25 days (several short sessions of embroidered wheel berries), 302 stitches, and it’s finished!  I’ve ordered a frame too.  More pics and details in a forthcoming happy dance post.

Minecraft had half a day, 680 added, and it’s finished!  I’m so happy to have this finished, and I ordered the perfect frame, it will be wrapped under the Christmas tree for my kiddo. More pics and details in a forthcoming happy dance post.

Another new start, When Black Cats Prowl by Maria Diaz on Ale Crystal Cashel (Picture this Plus) had a half day and 900 stitches done, I worked all on the yellow moon for the Fandom color challenge. I do love a good band sampler!

Last but not least, my little ornies.  I worked on several, and even got 3 finishes!  Continuing WIPs Bewitchin’ Stitchin’ got 1 day (400 stitches), and Stitch Witch had half a day each (400 stitches each).  New starts Lil’ Christmas Angel and Little Reindeer had half days and 400 st, each.  Finishes Yuletide had 1 day and 765 stitches, Jolly Elf had a quarter day and 362 stitches, Nevermore (also a November start), had a half day and 666 stitches. 

Question of the month: What is your favorite way to finish ornaments and/or smalls? I tend to lean towards the flat finish because they are easier to store. The round ones are more pleasing to my eye;  my biscuit cutter set is great for tracing circles of different sizes on acid free mat board. 

Now for December goals: 

•Finish: Bellatrix, Christmas Angels, Autumn Bellpull

•Finish ornaments: Ireland Santa, Stitch Witch, Gingerbread House, Nutcracker King, Lil Christmas Angel, Little Reindeer

*Progress: Christmas Calendar new start (12.5k), and Father Christmas (3k), minimal progress on anything else that comes up during WIP Wranglers (Semisane challenge)

Happy Stitching