Thursday, 31 December 2015

Happy New Year!

Hello everyone, I hope you've all had a great Christmas!  We've had a lovely time but it's gone so quickly, I can hardly believe it's New Years Eve.  For the first time in years I am not working tonight and can stay up stitching until midnight!  I do have to work tomorrow though - boo! 

I have enjoyed reading everyone's reviews of their stitching this year and am amazed at the number of starts some of you had and are planning next year.  I finished lots of smalls this year for card challenges and a few bigger projects too - my reindeer, Pretty Little Hong Kong and my first HAED Forest Walk.  None of these have yet been framed or finished finished so that is one of my goals for 2016.




The reindeer is going to be a cushion by next Christmas and the other two need framing.

Bamboo Fan is still a WIP but I have made a lot of progress, I'm more than half way with the stitching.





I would like to get this finished by the end of the year.

And my final goal for 2016 is Treasure Hunt Bookshelf by HAED.  I wasn't going to start it until January 1st but it has been calling me so I decided to start it on my son's birthday just before Christmas as it will be an easy date to remember.  I've worked out that there are 282,500 stitches in it and if I did 500 a day it will take less than 2 years.  Of course I won't actually be able to achieve 500 every day but I reckon if I make some steady progress I could do the whole thing in 2 years or thereabouts.  So my goal for 2016 is to be half way through by the end of the year.  I have even figured out how to add a progress bar to my blog to keep track of how I'm doing.




So far so good, as of last night I was at about 6100 stitches on day 11 so am actually 600 stitches ahead of schedule.  I'm stitching it on 25 count magic guide evenweave 1 over 1 using the recommended threads.  I decided having done 2 over 1 on Forest Walk that it was too hard to get the needle through in the confetti heavy areas.  1 over 1 has been much easier and the coverage is fine.  At the moment I'm stitching this on my small snap frame and will move it to my bigger one when I need to but I'm not sure what to do when it gets too big for that.  I'm worried that when the snaps are covering the stitching that the stitches will be squashed and spoilt. How does everyone else manage these enormous pieces?

Thanks for visiting my blog this year, wishing you all a very happy 2016.
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Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Christmas Cross Stitch

We got the Christmas decorations out at the weekend so I thought I would share some of my past finishes that only see the light of day at this time of year!

First is my Gold Collection wintery village scene, sorry about the flash!  It has sequins on the tree and in a couple of other places but you can't really see them in this picture.


 A couple of coasters that I made so many years ago I have no idea where the patterns came from!


 Our stockings are hung in anticipation!  These are Gold Collection kits, I made the middle one first for our son and loved it so much I made one for myself.  Then my husband felt left out so he bought me the snowman kit for Christmas for me to make for him.


 These are a couple of banners I made a few years ago, I think they were Dimensions kits



And here is my latest addition hanging on the tree - my Nutmeg Company Pantomime House Goldilocks and the Three Bears.


My goodness, I think it's the fiddliest thing I've ever made.  The stitching was fine but making it up was not fun at all!  I have to confess I've cheated a bit and used some felt on the underside of the roof to make it look a bit neater as I was making such a mess of it! I'm really pleased with it though, the mice and cat under the tree are so cute.


You may remember I finsihed my reindeer earlier in the year and was intending to make it into a cushion.




I haven't got round to it yet, the material I had that I thought would do is not big enough.  I also saw that you can get cushion backs but I can't find one in the right size.  So I think this is going to go back in the cupboard until next year while I either get different material or frame it.

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!









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Thursday, 3 December 2015

Anything goes in December at Craft Rocket

Hello crafters, it's nearly Christmas so to give us all time to get ready we have a month long anything goes challenge for you at Craft Rocket for December.

http://craftrocketchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

I've used a digital stamp from The Paper Shelter called The Cutest Wizard.  





I've coloured him with Promarkers and added some small sparkly green stars from my stash.  The hand stamped sentiment is by Inkylicious using a Memento  Tuxedo ink pad.  The purple card is from my stash and the background paper is from my Create and Craft Club pack. There is also some Angel Whispers glitter on the top of his staff.

I would like to enter my Wizard into the following challenges:


Thanks for visiting my blog today and don't forget to enter our challenge at Craft Rocket!
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Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Winter Time at Unicorn

Hello everyone, it's Winter Time at Unicorn this month so we would like to see all your Wintery creations.  The DT have some great inspiration for you so please come on over and have a look and link up your entries!

http://unicornchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

I've stitched a Winter in the Country chart from World of Cross Stitch magazine using the recommended DMC threads 2 over 1 on 28 count evenweave.

 

I've used some background paper from Crafter's Companion The Snowman pack and a die cut oval frame.  The sentiment has some silver net behind it from my stash.  There are also some felt snowflakes  from Hobbycraft with pearls on there.

#realstitchersdontsteal
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion - Anything goes
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Thursday, 19 November 2015

Add a Sentiment at Craft Rocket

Hello everyone, it's challenge time again at Craft Rocket, our theme this fortnight is Add a Sentiment.

http://craftrocketchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

I've made a 7x7 Christmas card for this challenge using an image from The Paper Shelter called Holy Night.  I've coloured it using Promarkers and added Angel Whispers glitter to her hat and the ground.  The red card is from my stash, the background paper is from  Dovecraft Papermania Traditional paper pack.


I've added a flourish and some pearls to the background paper, the sentiment stamp is from Inkylicious.

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Sunday, 15 November 2015

Anything goes at Craft Rocket for November

Hello everyone, it's challenge time again at Craft Rocket.  We are having a special anything goes challenge for the whole of November kindly sponsored by Fabrika Fantasy digital stamps.


I have used their Pirate Parrot 2 stamp for a card I've made for my son's birthday next month.  He will be 8 this year, I really don't know where the time goes!


I've coloured the image with Promarkers.  I really must buy some more of these as I only have a few colours.  I've layered him and the sentiment on some black card.  The pirate paper is from my Create and Craft Club paper pack.  I've also added 3 loops of bakers twine.


I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Thanks for looking and please link up your anything goes projects at Craft Rocket, remember this challenge is live for the whole month!
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Midway Reminder at Unicorn - Christmas is Coming!

Hello everyone!  It's my turn to remind you all to come on over to Unicorn and join in our Christmas is Coming challenge this month.  You have until 27th November to link up your creations.

http://unicornchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

I've used a digital stamp for my card this time, it's called Melanie and Benny Boos Holy Night.  I've coloured the image with pro markers and added some glitter to the star.


 I used some blue mirror board for the base layer and a paper from Crafter's Comapnion The Snowman paper pack and added some pearls to finish.


I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:


Thanks for visiting and don't forget to come on over to Unicorn and link up your Christmas Creations!
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Monday, 9 November 2015

A finish and some shopping!

Hello everyone, I've been happy dancing as I have finished my HAED Storykeep Forest Walk!


I'm really pleased with it but am not sure what to do with it!  It seems too big and too nice to make into a bookmark so I'm thinking of framing it.  It's been great practice for when I start Treasure Hunt Bookshelf.  I stitched this on 25 count magic guide evenweave 2 over 1 using the recommended DMC threads.  With all the confetti it was very difficult to get the needle through the fabric.  I think I might try a small corner of Treasure Hunt Bookshelf 1 over 1 on an offcut of fabric to see what the coverage is like.

In other news my friend and I (known as the Thelma and Louise of the craft world in some quarters!) made our annual pilgrimage to the NEC craft show yesterday.  I bought lots of card making bits including a die cutting machine.  I'm not sure how I've managed without one before, it's brilliant!  I decided that I wasn't going to buy any cross stiching supplies as I have plenty to be going on with but The Nutmeg Company had a stand with all their adorbale 3D houses and cards and I couldn't resist!


I have bought a Panto House (Goldilocks), a Christmas tree, a pack of 3 Christmas cards and a Formula One card - this will be for my petrol head husband.

Now I have a dilemma, I wanted to concetrate on Bamboo Fan for the next few months in the hopes of finishing it but I really want that house on my Christmas tree next month! 
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Thursday, 5 November 2015

Pearls/Gems at Craft Rocket

Hello everyone, it's challenge time again at Craft Rocket and our theme this month is Pearls/Gems!  We would like to see pearls and/or gems on your creation, how many is up to you! 


I have made an anniversary card, this is a DMC mini kit called Bouquet of Flowers.  I used some dusky pink card for my base layer and I found some paper with pearls on in my Scruffy Little Cat paper pack.  I added some pink pearls to the corners of the Aida and some ribbons to finish off.

#realstitchersdontsteal

I had a lot of fun making this card and would like to enter it into the following challenges:

Don't forget to join us at Craft Rocket, I look forward to seeing what you make!

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Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Christmas Is Coming at Unicorn!

Hello everyone, it's challenge time again at Unicorn and our theme this month is Christmas is Coming!

http://unicornchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

We would like to see your Christmas Creations, you have until 27th November to link up your makes.

I have stitched a Fizzy Moon kit that came with World of Cross Stitch magazine.  I love the Fizzy Moon images but they are a devil to stitch, especially on Aida as the backstitch splits the blocks of fabric.  A very sharp needle is needed!


 I used some dark red card from my stash as my base layer then used stripy and green paper from Dovecraft Traditional Back to Basics pack.  The sparkly stocking paper is from First Edition Stocking Fillers pack.  Finally I added some gems.  I haven't added a sentiment as I liked how it looked without.

#realstitchersdontsteal

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:


Please come on over and join us at Unicorn, we can't wait to see what you make!
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Thursday, 22 October 2015

Spooky!

Hello everyone, I have a Halloween themed card to share with you today.  I don't normally do anything for Halloween but I'm really pleased with how this turned out.  It's for our Spooky themed challenge over at Craft Rocket this fortnight, why not come over and join us!

http://craftrocketchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/


I found this design in 365 Cross Stitch magazine.  I've stitched it on 28 count white evenweave 2 over 2 using the recommended DMC threads.


 I've used orange and black card for my base and frame layers.  The background paper and sentiment is from Art by MiRan, a free download from her facebook group.  I added a couple of green Tattered Lace Cherish flourishes to finish.


#realstitchersdontsteal
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:


Thanks for visiting and don't forget to link up your spooky creations over at Craft Rocket!
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Thursday, 8 October 2015

Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness at Craft Rocket

Hello again everyone, I have another card for you this week on a new challenge blog - Craft Rocket!

http://craftrocketchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

This is a fortnightly challenge and our first theme is Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness.  This cruel disease strikes so many people, I'm sure we all know someone who's been affected.  

Here's my card, I've used a DMC Tatty Teddy kit for the image and pink glitter card for my base layer.  The gingham glitter card is by Docrafts Papermania.  I've added a sentiment, some washi tape (from Ikea of all places!) and a couple of gems with pearls.




I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Thanks for looking and don't forget to link up your pink creations at Craft Rocket!
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Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Think Pink at Unicorn

Hello everyone!

It's challenge time again at Unicorn and this month our theme is Think Pink!

http://unicornchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

We would like to see your creations using mostly pink.  Here is what I have made.


 I started with pink glitter card then added a dotty paper from Fizzy Moon.  I used these layers and a pink square die cut fanned out to make the sentiment which I hand stamped in silver ink.  I added some dark pink braid and some bows.  The image of the handbag was stiched from a pattern in World of  Cross Stitch magazine.

#realstitchersdontsteal

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Our challenge is open until 30th October with winners being announced on 3rd November.  We would love to see what you make so come on over and join us!
Posted by at 20 comments:
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