Pandas - finished!

Hello all!

And another too long-neglected WIP bites the dust!

Pandas was started on 28th February 2015, the final project for Debbie's Super Duper Ultimate Crazy January February Challenge. I last worked on it in December 2017, leaving it here with just the lower bodies to fill in, the grass to stitch and, of course, all the backstitching to add:

So now those have been done here it is in its entirety (with a much more accurate fabric colour):

Pandas from the Young'Uns collection by Gloria and Pat

Stitched on 16ct Kelp over-dyed aida

Started - 28th February 2015

Finished - 9th February 2023

Total stitching time - 60 hours 15 minutes

The backstitching, which for once I didn't leave to the end, took a mere eight hours but was nice and easy as it followed the squares of the aida. I often 'cheat' by using long stitch but this chart was definitely designed with the square-by-square outline in mind. It might have taken a long time, but was actually really therapeutic.

As for the next finish... I think it's time for the final Winnie The Pooh to join the other four, don't you? Back soon then.

Take care,

Rachel x

3 Box of Shame Finishes - Dolphin, Red Foxes, London

Hello all!

I have 3 framed pieces to show you today. All frames are courtesy of easyframes.co.uk. and all have my usual anti-reflective glazing.

First up, the fabulous Dreaming of Dolphins which I finished last May (was it really that long ago?!) After a lot of deliberation I opted for a plain 22mm Confetti Dark Blue frame with no mounts. I say a lot of deliberation because I really liked it with mounts, but because the fabric picks up different colours in different light (greens, blues, purples), and because I couldn't guarantee an exact match I decided to play it safe and opt for the frame only. I certainly didn't make the wrong choice:

Then we have the adorable Red Foxes, from the Young'uns collection by Gloria and Pat, finished last September. No mounts for this piece, just a simple 13mm mahogany frame. I just adore these little cuties and definitely need them on display.

Finally, Pretty Little London by Satsuma Street completed last October. I had a slight issue with this piece because I literally had only 15mm of spare fabric on the left and right - it was a case of ordering a piece of fabric onto which the project just about fit, or ordering a much bigger piece and having more waste. I'm afraid meanness won! I originally chose a dark grey frame to match the colour of the cloud but then thought that this was a fun design so needed a fun frame. So I opted for a 13mm Red Paint frame which clashes beautifully with the pinks in the fabric but definitely brings out the reds. Mounts were never going to be an option for such a colourful piece as this:

Most of the remaining pieces which need framing are parts of sets so I'm going to wait until I have completed all of the parts before framing them together. Hopefully that won't be too far away.

Take care,
Rachel x

Spotted Owls - finished

Good evening all!

So, here's my May finish from the DSDUCJFC 2015 Challenge (when I was mad enough to start one project each day during the whole of January and February).

This is finish number 30/59 which means I've officially just passed the halfway point - yippee! However, if I continue at my pace of finishing just one project per month I've still got a l-o-n-g way to go, but I'm not bothered at all; I think all cross stitchers agree it's just as much about the fun of the journey as the finish.

Anyway, here's how I left Spotted Owls at the end of April with just a few leaves left to stitch:

And here is the finished piece with all the info:

Spotted Owls from the Young'uns collection by Gloria and Pat

Stitched on 16ct Tumbleweed over-dyed aida by sewitall.com 2 over 1

Stitch count 106 wide by 109 high

Started - 21st February 2015

Finished - 14th May 2018

Total stitching time - 43 hours 25 minutes

I think they're totally adorable and, from previous comments, I think a lot of you will agree!

For the immediate future this piece will, unfortunately, go in my Box of Shame. I have already chosen the frame and added it to my basket but do not have enough at the moment to justify an order from my online framing shop (I usually buy 3-4 at a time). Fingers crossed I should have enough by the end of the year though.

Take care,
Rachel x

April Progress on 2015/2016 Challenge Pieces

Hello there!

April has flown past already so let's see so where the month took me regarding my outstanding WIPs started back in 2015/2016. Remember that my aim is to finish one and work on two more each month.

I successfully finished (and framed) Canal Crossing (posted previously) and made progress on:

Spotted Owls by from the Young'uns collection by Gloria and Pat
started 21st February 2015; last worked on last month
finished the owls, added backstitching to leaves and branch

Sugar from the Little Black Cat collection by Heritage Crafts
started 16th February 2015; last worked on December 2015
finished the cat, most of the sugar and started the background

In May I aim to finish Spotted Owls and make further progress on Sugar and another project from my remaining WIPs.

Take care,

Rachel x

March Progress on 2015/2016 Challenge Pieces

Hello there!

Another month has flown past already so it's time to check in with my stitching for March on my outstanding WIPs started back in 2015/2016. Remember that my aim is to finish one and work on two more each month. So, how did I do?

Well, I finished Spring Alphabet by Lizzie Kate (posted previously) and worked on:

Canal Crossing by Heritage Crafts
started 10th February 2015; last stitched on last month
filled in the top and then worked in from the bottom right
(big blocks of colour ensured rapid progress)

Spotted Owls by from the Young'uns collection by Gloria and Pat
started 21st February 2015; last worked on October 2015 (was it really that long ago?!)
stitched the branch, some leaves and started their tails

In April I should be able to finish Canal Crossing and make further progress on Spotted Owls and another project from my remaining WIPs.

Take care,

Rachel x

Red Foxes - finished

Hello all,

I'm just a wee bit late posting this! September's finish from Debbie's Super Duper Ultimate Crazy January February Challenge (DSDUCJFC) 2015 was Red Foxes. Whilst stitching this design and showing updates, a lot of you commented how cute they are. I hope you are as happy with the finished piece as I am!

Here's how I left it at the end of August:

And here's the finished piece (with more accurate colours):

From Young'uns by Gloria and Pat

Designed by Ruth Morehead

Stitched on 16ct Iced Coffe hand-dyed Aida by Fabric Flair 2 over 1

Stitch count 101 wide by 89 high

Started - 14th February 2015

Finished - 16th September 2017

Total stitching time - 38 hours 50 minutes

Progress on my remaining pieces is progressing steadily. I have one more finish to post and am working on the final two Challenge finishes for 2017.

Rachel x

August Progress on 2015/2016 Challenge Pieces

Hello all!

It's time again for another month-end round up on the progress I've made on my Challenge WIPs. So, here we go.

During August I finished The Lock (posted previously) and worked on:

Red Foxes from the Young-uns Collection by Gloria and Pat
started 14th February 2015; last stitched on July 2017
stitched the second fox's head and added some more backstitching

Pretty Little London by Satsuma Street
started 5th February 2015; last worked on July 2017
reached the bottom and then continued working left

Slytherin by Theworldinstitches (etsy)
started 25th February 2015; last stitched on January 2017
added the border and most of the snake
(the fabric is not that cream but I simply couldn't get a good photo today!)

I was hoping that the school summer holiday would have allowed me a bit more stitching time but it was not to be. Still, progress is progress and I'm happy with my achievements.

I shall finish Red Foxes in September and work on three more, as usual.

Take care,

Rachel x

July Progress on 2015/2016 Challenge Pieces

Hello all!

Time for another month-end round up on the progress I've made on my Challenge WIPs. By now you know what I'm going to say about my plans and how successful I was!

I finished Cream (posted previously) and worked on:

Red Foxes from the Young-uns Collection by Gloria and Pat
started 14th February 2015; last stitched on June 2017
finished stitching the first fox and backstitched some of the fox, leaves and rocks

The Lock from the Silhouettes range by Heritage Crafts
started 17th February 2015; last stitched on June 2017
continued working my way down

Pretty Little London by Satsuma Street
started 5th February 2015; last worked on 26th May 2015
reached the bottom right and continued working left

Another satisfying stitching month for me there then.

I have now recommenced working on all of the Challenge WIPs I hope to finish this year so there will be no more to show over the coming months - only more progress and finishes.

In August... surprise surprise... I intend to finish one, The Lock, and continue making progress on three more. With it being the school summer holiday, and therefore not having to work for the whole of August, I hope to have a little more stitching time and be able to work on a few other projects too. Who knows what might sneakily slip into my plans?!

Take care,

Rachel x

June Progress on 2015/2016 Challenge Pieces

Hello all!

Time for another month-end round up on the progress I've made on my Challenge WIPs. My plan for June was to finish one piece and work on three more. And, true to form, I succeeded yet again!

I finished Gryffindor (posted previously) and worked on:

Cream by Toni Goffe for Heritage Crafts

started 9th February 2015; last stitched on May 2017
continued the background and stitched some of the spilled cream

Red Foxes from the Young-uns Collection by Gloria and Pat
started 14th February 2015; last stitched on May 2017
actually started the first of the red foxes and really did not want to put this one down!

The Lock from the Silhouettes range by Heritage Crafts
started 17th February 2015; not stitched on since then
filled in some of the sky at the top and the lock on the right

So overall another month of keeping to my plans and making good progress.

July plans are to finish Cream and work on three more (again). I really do sound like a broken record but why alter plans that are giving me the monthly finishes and progress I crave?

Take care,

Rachel x

May Progress on 2015/2016 Challenge Pieces

Hello all!

It's the end of the month so time for another update on my Challenge WIPs. My plan for May was to finish one piece and work on three more. And I succeeded. Again!

I finished Dreaming of Dolphins (posted previously) and gave attention to the following three:

Gryffindor by Theworldinstitches (etsy)

started 4th February 2015; last stitched on April 2017

filled in the lion, so just the name banner to do now

Cream by Toni Goffe for Heritage Crafts

started 9th February 2015; last stitched on April 2017
worked my way down, filling in the background and continuing  the cream pot
(and I gave the cat his eyes!!)

Red Foxes from the Young-uns Collection by Gloria and Pat
started 14th February 2015; not stitched on since then
finished the rocks and greenery, although ironically haven't started the red foxes themselves!

Once again I'm happy with my progress for the month, finding that finishing one project and changing the others every week or so is really keeping my interest up. For those of you familiar with the term I suppose it's a bit like Turtle Trot..... but on speed!

In June, keeping to my plan, I aim to finish Gryffindor and work on three more WIPs.

Take care,

Rachel x

January Progress on 2015/2016 Challenge Pieces

Hello all!

Back in 2015 I used to do a post at the end of each month summarizing the progress I'd made on any unfinished pieces which had been started for Debbie's Challenge. In 2016 I had no need to do this as nearly every Challenge piece I worked on in any given month also became a finish.

This year, I plan to revisit some of my 2015 Challenge pieces and will once again be posting monthly summaries. It's a neat way of pulling together all the progress I've made on my Challenge WIPs in just one post.

I finished two pieces:
*  bear
*  polar bear

And worked on:

Little Black Cat Coffee by Heritage Crafts

started 2nd February 2015; not stitched on since then

worked my way down, stitching the background, the cat and continuing with the coffee pot

Slytherin by Theworldinstitches (etsy)
started 25th February 2015; last stitched on 31st August 2015
finished the name banner

Pandas by Gloria and Pat
started 28th February 2015; not stitched on since then
finished the first panda's head and started the second panda's head

Alongside my other stitching commitments, I'm hoping to work on a minimum of three Challenge WIPs each month but I expect there will be times when I concentrate on one and other times when I flit around between quite a few. Whatever the case there should be lots of progress and some finishes to see during the year. Wonder which ones I'll pull out during February? It's not as if I haven't got many to choose from!!!

Happy February everyone!
Rachel x

October Progress on DSDUCJFC 2015 Pieces

Good afternoon everybody!

Thank you again for all of the lovely comments you have been leaving me. And welcome to the new followers I have recently gained. I hope you are enjoying my ramblings.

October was strange month for stitching on my Challenge pieces as making two little initial ornaments and starting two new projects during my Stitching Retreat ate into my usual stitching time. I didn't have any finishes but I did manage progress on:

"Wilfred" the Winter Owl from 3rd February

stitched his chest/tummy

Spotted Owls from 21st February
the first owl now has the beginnings of a companion
(don't you just love those eyes?!)

I'm not an owl person but all three pieces I have stitched on this month have been owls. Just a coincidence perhaps? Or is somebody trying to tell me something?

November might see a bit more progress on my Challenge pieces but that very much depends on how obsessed I remain with the monochrome Owls in Love.

As for next year's Crazy Challenge..... I may have recently increased my stash of charts but I'm sticking to my plan and definitely only joining in with the 31 new starts in January. In fact, most of my stitching for the whole year has been planned so no amount of hinting will get me to change my mind - sorry!!

I'll be back soon with an Owls In Love update.

Take care and if you celebrate it, Happy Halloween.
Rachel x