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Thursday, June 1, 2017

May Stitchery Progress


I never did get around to sharing my April stitchery progress for one simple reason  - there wasn't any!  Due to a combination of reasons, including some travel and a bit of minor illness that made it uncomfortable to try, I just stopped. And then waited to be in the mood again, and it never came back.

So for May, I decided I'd better get myself a plan to get back into the habit, and decided I'd join the Facebook group Stitch Maynia's annual signature event - StitchMAYnia!  Those crazy people actually do 15 new starts in 15 days - but I already have around 23 Works in Progress (WIPs) so decided that instead I'd work on those, switching them out each day.

Big Ol' Bag O' WIPs
All together, I spent some time on 13 pieces, finishing 2 of them, starting 2 new projects and getting myself re-interested in them all.

And I was pretty amazed because I thought working in swift daily rotation like that would feel chaotic and drive myself nuts, but instead it was very motivational and kept things fun.

So I'm tossing my 'plan' for the year, and work this way for awhile to get through this big bag of WIPs (including the 7 or so I didn't manage to touch this past month), adding one or two a month as I feel like it.

I don't know that it will get any of them done any faster - but a bit of monthly progress is better than a half done stitchery project sit untouched for 10 years. And some of these have.

Here's a tour through what I worked on this month:

KITS


128 x  198
Navy Blue 14 ct Aida
Todd Trainer / Dimensions

This represents about 1/6th of the finished work, and I first started it around 7 years ago.  What I like about it is the composition itself, and the colors that create both bright and subtle effects.  Much of is half stitch, using colors very close in hue to the dark fabric - and that is the challenge. My eyes and ability to concentrate both have to be in good working order to deal with this one.


Dolphins
138 x 138
White 14ct Aida
Roger W. Reinardy / Janlynn

This one got abandoned by me about a decade ago, after the dolphin-loving person I was making it for told me she no longer liked dolphins. Oh.  I left it untouched for a long, long time but I think I like it fine for myself and in spite of all the variations of blue requiring me to have good lighting, it's an easy, relaxing stitch.  There is a fat border of shells that get stitched around this center section, so I still have a long way to go here.


80 x 75
Navy Blue 28ct Linen over 2
Laurel Burch / Mill Hill

More blue, more dark fabric - so another challenge here!  This one is a new start - I picked this up in a local craft shop in Delaware at the end of April, when we took a trip up to Bethany Beach for the  weekend.  When the stitching is done, there will be a lot of beadwork, and I am looking forward to how pretty this will be once done.

SMALLS


63 x 49 ea
14c Aida
Satsuma Street
FINISHED: 3 French Hens
NEW START: 4 Calling Birds



I began this series at the beginning of this year, hoping to get one done each month - so I'm a little behind, but I'll keep plugging at it. These are really fun to stitch, and low energy compared to some of my other projects.  Adding in finishing time (I plan to create a banner garland out of these), I hope to have it ready for display by Christmas 2018.



43 x 35
White 22ct Hardanger over one
The Pure Palette Baroque Silk Thread
The Stitcherhood

Really fun floss to use - I expect this will be complete by Halloween. I started this last fall, mainly to see how the floss worked on a finished piece. A bit fiddly working it over one, but otherwise, I like it!



By the Full Moon
48 x 43
Lt. Blue 28ct Linen over 2
Just Cross Stitch Sep-Oct 2010

Begun in January 2017, I have the rest of the trees and the large full moon to go.  A very fun little stitch I will make sure to have finished by Halloween this year.



Tropic of Cancer Mini Mandala
45 x 45
beige 28ct Linen over 2
roll your own colors

This was started about two years ago, when I needed something small to play with while on a trip.  I didn't put a lot of thought into the colors, and I honestly don't think I chose that well.  There are four optional corner pieces that could be stitched, turning the finished item into a square that is 59 x 59, but I think I'm going to call this complete, and perhaps try it again at some point with a better eye to my color choices.


GRAPHS


One Hundred Years
243 x 75
28 ct. evenweave over one

Started two years ago as a gift. It may get done this year but I'm making no promises.  I'm a bit less than half way done.  A fun, easy stitch, although working it over one means my eyes have to be in the mood for it.



ABC Lessons
207 x 136
28ct Oatmeal Linen over 2

I started this about 3 years ago, and am nearly halfway done - I had lost some of the flosses, and had to go reclaim them (cannibalized for other projects). Lizzie Kate's patterns are always relaxing to do.



Mountain Bluebird and Blackcurrent
100 x 100
28ct Sand Sable Laguna over 2

I love this project! Started in January, this is a combination of cross stitch and blackwork. I clearly have a thing for using lots of blues, but as long as my eyes aren't overtired, this is a fun and relaxing stitch.




Metamorphosis
359 x 47
18ct Burlap
Threadworx floss (my choice)

Begun two years ago - I expected to have this done by the end of last year.  Then I lost my floss for it. (!!!)  Once I figured out what I needed to proceed, I got to that last mandala and wow, it is so much more complex than the previous one.  There has been much frogging and gnashing of teeth and I make no predictions on when I will finish it. But when I do, this will go to a professional framer and I will hang it with pride.




1873 Elizabeth Taylor Reproduction Sampler
100 x 118
tea dyed 28ct Linen over 2

I've had this in my WIP bag for about 4 years - I've had a desire to do a reproduction sampler for several years, and the small size and the name of the 11 year old girl that worked it charmed me.  And then I abandoned it.  I was so happy to find myself enjoying it again.  Parts are worked over 2 threads, and parts over 1.



Tree of Life
28 ct evenweave over 2
various flosses, my choice

I love this graph, and started it a couple years ago as a way to 'doodle'.  I use a variety of variegated and overdyed flosses and basically grab one at random for each curly branch. It's one I tend to save for trips and other low-concentration stitching times.  Will be finished whenever, and I'm not sure what I will wind up doing with it - I sort of see it as a journal cover?


So that's it - I managed to get some done nearly every day this past month on one or the other of these.  In June, I plan to take a crack at the remaining WIPs in my bag, and take up a couple new starts, as well as try to catch up on the 12 Days of Christmas.

I also have a plan to start a daily stitch project on my birthday, which is Friday - with luck, I'll have something to show off at the end of the month.

Until then, take care and I hope you've doing something to include some creativity in your life!


17 comments:

  1. I love all your WIP's but especially the dark ones at the beginning. They'll be gorgeous. I'm also very fond of dolphins (and pelicans, and manatees) so that little one is a fav too.

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  2. Great work! Mediterranean mares is my favourite!

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  3. Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW's DIY party!

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  4. I love the libra and moon one it is so pretty!

    Thanks for sharing at #bloggerspotlight

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  5. Wow, that's impressive! I especially like ABC Lessons and Metamorphosis. Thanks for sharing at Sew It Cook It Craft It.

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  6. Such a lot of work! You're very talented. Thank you for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty

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  7. Not having done any needlework for far too long am certainly not qualified to make assessment of yours. However seeing what you have done certainly looks very well done.
    Since I've gotten older and having problems with arthritis hands/wrists and nerve damage in right hand/arm cannot crochet any longer, something I totally enjoyed.
    Have been thinking would take up embroidery after many years away from it for way to create needlework.
    My eyes aren't what they used to be so quite possibly will have to limit myself to day light. Getting older really isn't fun but have to work with what we have right, lol. If I can do justice to projects as you have will be happy. Glad I clicked on your post.

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  8. You are very talented. I never learned this art form. Congratulations on being a newlywed and thanks for sharing with #blogginggrandmotherslinkparty . I have shared it on social media.

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  9. Oh I used to do this. And by that I mean I used to buy the kits from Michaels or AC Moore and then started on them and then never finished 😂 Actually I finished one, with some help from my mom. I should go find those unfinished ones and work on them in my spare time. It's a relaxing activity 😄

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  10. Beautiful work! I greatly admire your talent!
    #blogginggrandmotherslinkparty.

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  11. These are all so nice, great job! The "12 Days of Christmas" will look nice displayed once all are completed! Thanks Lynda for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post.

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  12. So happy that the minor illnesses are gone and you're able to share these with us. They are beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope your week is going great.

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  13. Beautiful work and such a lovely past time. Thanks so much for sharing with us at #blogginggrandmotherslinkparty. I've pinned and shared on social media. Catch you at the link up next month!
    Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond.

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  14. I'm so glad you are feeling better. You really are working on some gorgeous projects. You are reminding me how much I used to love to stitch - I haven't done it in years...Thank you so much for being a part of Hearth and Soul. Hope to 'see' you again this week!

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  15. So many projects going on and each one is very beautiful. You are a very talented lady! It's been many years since I have done any needle work. Thank you for sharing your lovely work at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.

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  16. These are all beautiful. Love all the different styles and colours. Can't imagine working on so many projects simultaneously. Great job on all of them.

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  17. You are so like me a lot of projects on the go and I am a big fan of cross stitch - I adore you work

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