OhSewCrafty Blog

It’s the dog days of summer and I was not a happy camper when some heath issues arose.  But things improved after 11 days, I dived back in and accomplished my goals.  So let’s share!

My focus pieces:  starting with Christmas Blue Angel, she had 2 days love and 3,000 stitches added (including 480 backstitch).  I finished the DMC on the bottom left page, and started stitching the metallics across the whole bottom.  The backstitching was the green metallic vines and some of the dark grey outlining the dress, starting at the upper right.  Really, I’ve only dipped my toes into the backstitching.  But I am entirely thrilled with how it looks with the metallics, she’s my favorite wip for sure.

Poltergeist Pirates had 3 days attention and a whopping 3,700 stitches done.  I went over my goal by accident, blame shoddy record keeping.  But it’s not a bad thing, since I’m aiming for a finish this year.  I worked on the forewardmost mast and sail, then went to the bottom, stitching lots of water, the shark, and the hull.  The water stitches up quite quickly, it’s not too many colors.  It’s nice to use some brighter colors after all the brown and grey.

Belinda Botanica had 2.5 days regard and 3,000 stitches done.  It’s still a little patchy since there are a lot of metallics to do later.  I focused on the apron, and the left middle page (pumpkin, plants, dress sleeve).  I adore all the colors is this chart, and it looks fabulous on the Heaven’s Fury Belfast (Under the Sea Fabrics).  She’s a lot of fun to stitch, though a little slower with all the color changes.  

Now for secondary pieces: Positivity Rules had 2 days love, 1900 stitches done and it’s finished!  I love it and think it will look sharp in a red metal frame. 

Winter Bellpull had 2 days and 2,000 stitches on the T panel.  I was able to rack up big stitch counts with single colors.  Could this panel be over 50% finished?  We’ll see in August.  

My albatross (kidding), St. George & Dragon had 2.5 days and 1,500 stitches all on the border.  The border on the bottom half is coming along.  The 36 count even weave is pretty nice to stitch on.  I’m doing the quarter stitches as tent when adjoining full stitches.  

Encumbrance (joking), Mickey Stained Glass had 1.5 days and 1,500 stitches done.  Page 5 is half done.  I stitched more of Mickey’s robe, his belt, more water and some background.  

Now for my smaller goals, No Body at Home, Cross Stitch Coat of Arms, & Outlander Sampler, each had a half day and 600 stitches done.  Backstitching is begun on Cross Stitch Coat of Arms.   Outlander has a long way to go.  My dance card may be full this year but next year it will receive more time .  

As for my little ornaments, I got a couple finishes.  Tis the Season (0.5 days, 247 st & finished! ), Snow Baby Skater (0.5 days, 365 st & finished!), Santa Cruiser ( 1 day, 600 st) & new start Cuckoo Clock (0.5 days, 500 st), 

Last but not least, after weeks of dithering, I decided to continue with Joan Elliott for the Daily 30 designer focus challenge.  Since I finished Father Christmas, I started Fairy of the Clouds, my last of the Atmospheric series.  So far, so good, 1 day,  1000 stitches, and I adore this fabric (Supernatural jobelan 32 count by BeStitchMe).  

Question of the month: With what projects framed are you the most satisfied?  It’s tough to say, but my arrangement of Royal Holiday and the reindeer is pretty special and brings me a lot of joy each holiday season.  

Now for August goals:

•3k per: Christmas Blue Angel, Belinda Botanica, Poltergeist Pirates

•2k per: Fairy Clouds, Winter Bellpull (finish T panel)

•1,500 per: Mickey Stained Glass, St. George & Dragon

•600 per: Cross Stitch Coat of Arms (finish), Outlander sampler, No Body is Home, Cuckoo Clock, and new start TBD

Happy Stitching