A Tiny Progression

 

Current Stichin' Projects - Winter/Spring 2020

Since early 2019, I've been quite prolific in creating cross stitch works.  You've already seen some of what I've made in previous posts, but today I've got more to add to the collection (in rough chronological order).

Before I bombard you with photos - yes, I would be happy to make something via request ... pending size and subject matter.  Meaning: I don't want to take on anything too huge, and want to make sure it would be something fun for me to make as well.  

If you have something in mind, let's chat!


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Wrapping up with Valentine's Day, I finished a cross stitch for my husband.  Usually I don't give him stuff like this, but I ended up with a 2020 copy of Cross Stitch Magazine and this pattern was in it, so I couldn't resist.

After completing the above, I had some various scrap threads and a hunk of fabric left over.  Knowing I had to mail a payment to a tour guide for an upcoming visit to Salem, I threw this in the envelope.  Of course, things have changed quite a bit since I mailed this, and my trip was totally cancelled, but ... the art remains anyway!  :-)

Still behind in my abstract horse, I took a break on that and made a bookmark gift for a Reddit exchange.

Then I finally got around to killing that damn horse project (every crafter out there knows how much fun it is to start something new, but sometimes the loss of focus that happens when you're close to finishing).

Of course, I finished the horse MOSTLY because this wonderful thing called "stay at home orders" surfaced, which means I had nothing but time on my hands ... queue me pumping out a backlog of squirreled away patterns.

I particularly like how Rosie turned out, because her back stitching details were so intricate.

Foot note: the white knots on her headband were my later addition, I felt like she just wasn't quite Rosie without them.

Among the above, I also started my largest project to date, a gift requested by a coworker of mine.  While I've made it abundantly clear it will be done no time soon, here's my progression so far:

And that's about all for now ... lol, like the above was a small feat.  Ha!  More updates to come, as isolation doesn't seem to be ending any time soon!

Current Stichin' Projects - Valentines 2020

Since early 2019, I've been quite prolific in creating cross stitch works.  You've already seen some of what I've made in previous posts, but today I've got more to add to the collection (in rough chronological order).

Before I bombard you with photos - yes, I would be happy to make something via request ... pending size and subject matter.  Meaning: I don't want to take on anything too huge, and want to make sure it would be something fun for me to make as well.  

If you have something in mind, let's chat!


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Before I could start on my Valentine works for 2020, I had to close out a 2019 remnant.  Though to be fair, I was just waiting on birth info to complete the stitch.

With the baby work done, I also finally started on a 2019 remnant - it's a larger project that's a "choose your own" cross stitch gift from Christmas, meaning I told the person I would make them whatever they wanted as their 2019 Christmas gift.  I'm finally getting close on finishing - hopefully within the next week or so I'll be done.

Interspersed between the horse work, I did a few minis in preparation for Valentines Day at work.

And since my son was jealous, I made him a decoration for his room as well - in rainbow variegated floss, because I knew he'd love it.

Well, that about does it for now.  Let's see what other fun finishes 2020 brings!

Current Stichin' Projects - Early 2020 (and 2019 Leftovers)

Since early 2019, I've been quite prolific in creating cross stitch works.  You've already seen some of what I've made in previous posts, but today I've got more to add to the collection (in rough chronological order).

Before I bombard you with photos - yes, I would be happy to make something via request ... pending size and subject matter.  Meaning: I don't want to take on anything too huge, and want to make sure it would be something fun for me to make as well.  

If you have something in mind, let's chat!


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To begin, a few backlogged photos from end of 2019 and Christmas gifting:

This is a semi-finished place mat set, all that's left is to have the edges completed with a sewing machine.

The set was made from a kit that my husband's late Grandmother gifted my mother in law years ago, 

of which it ended up in my hands ... completed ... and then gifted back to my mother in law!

I like this one because you can actually see the scale of the work.

You will see below that I've become enamored with these dual paned glass tension frames.

Speaking of 2019 final finishes, why not showcase my first finishes of 2020?

I particularly like how these frames function, since you can see the back side of the finished work as well.

In case you're a "completionist" like me, here's a photo stitch of the entire Valentine collection:

And that about does it for now.  Let's see what other fun finishes 2020 brings!

Current Stichin' Projects - Late 2019

Since early 2019, I've been quite prolific in creating cross stitch works.  You've already seen some of what I've made in previous posts, but today I've got more to add to the collection (in rough chronological order).

Although ... technically the frog should have been in my summer collection, and somehow I missed that, so I'm adding it today.

And before I bombard you with photos - yes, I would be happy to make something via request ... pending size and subject matter.  Meaning: I don't want to take on anything too huge, and want to make sure it would be something fun for me to make as well.  

If you have something in mind, let's chat!

 These two side by side comparisons of the same work are kind of fun to look at for:

1- the difference framing can make

2 - the difference fabric can make

I repeated this design because I wanted to gift it to two different people, and also I wanted to 

"test" out my first ever piece on linen fabric (best to do on a pattern you're familiar with).

 

I shot this bookmark on two different backgrounds ...

Why?  I couldn't decide what would look better LOL!

This one is a work in progress that I finally framed as follows ... 

I posted both pics because the glass glare is pretty bad in the final pic

Of course, the above doesn't include Christmas gifts I'm madly working to complete now.  Those will come in a future post.  Ta-ta for now!

Reddit Gifts Awesome Packaging 2019

I've already put a few posts up on this blog about Reddit Gifts, so I won't do a re-introduction on what that is.  Instead, I'll open today's blog by saying ... the exchange that most people get excited for on Reddit Gifts is the Christmas/Holiday-centric one that opens in November.

Me on the other hand ... I have spent the last 6 months fan-girling for the Trick-or-Treat exchange.  

Well, until my partner for that one specifically asked for a charitable donation.  And only a charitable donation.  

Whomp-whomp.

Lucky for me, I was overly tempted this round and actually singed up for two exchanges - something I never do.  But with an exchange open where awesome packaging was the end goal, and everything else was open to interpretation ... how could I not?!  I mean, that's the most creative I can be in all the exchanges!!!

So with my Halloween exchange thwarted, I decided to add a Halloween twist to my awesome packaging gift instead.  Being that my partner said they liked "hometown" type gifts, and I love Halloween sooooo much ... I mean, sending a Halloween themed gift is kind of like coming to my house for Halloween, right?!

With my "theme" of sorts planned out, my goal in mind was now: create a package that makes you feel like you're at my house for Halloween.

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First off, the main gift box.  

For my "real job", I work as a buyer.  Which means at the holidays, I'm inundated with various sugary treats.  So great for someone trying to manage their weight ... so great.  (D'oh!)

Anyway, a few years back I received some cookies in a wooden presentation box.  Actually, two years in a row I got cookies this way.  

It's a little hard to tell in this photo, but the box is essentially two pieces:  

     (1) a flat piece of wood that serves as a lid

     (2) a box base with an extended "lip" on two sides, which has a channel cut into it 

To close the box, you feed the lid into the channels of the box and gently slide it shut.

The above shows various box sizes, but the boxes I have are a bit smaller than a shoe box.  

These boxes were too cool, and I could never quite bear to throw them out.  Solid wood, with a sliding top panel?  How can you put that in the trash?!

So ... back on topic.  After simmering for awhile about what would equal "awesome packaging", I decided to repurpose one of these boxes.  A little acrylic paint, some Martha Steward stencils, and some orange raffia later ... viola!

Of course, I forgot to take photos of the box until I had already loaded it with goodies and tied a bow on it.  Dang it.  At least you get the concept.

Since one of my gifts to include in the package was too large for the wooden box, I wrapped it in a second side package.  And being that another add in - a sequin pumpkin - was cute even without packaging ... I left that one "naked".  The final gift collection looked something like this.

Not shown, an orange envelope which included a letter explaining why I selected the gifts.  Since you won't get to see that letter, the general gist is:

(1) I included a skull cross stitch made by me, with a sequined pumpkin to complement it

(2) Two squishy mystery toys (the item I'm actually handing out to trick-or-treaters that ring my bell), and some Halloween crackers for her kids

(3) Pearson's candy (the receiver specifically mentioned they like local treats), with napkins

(4) Halloween "Christmas" ornaments (the receiver specifically mentioned they like ornaments)

And since you now know the contents, may as well show you the end result!

So now I wait ... will I get something awesomely wrapped as well?  Time will tell!  (I'll be sure to update if I do).

Happy Halloween everyone!  

Universal Monster SAL (Stitch Along) - Update and Finish

Remember this?

Universal Monster Stitch A Long (SAL) Cross Stitch Pattern 

Mystery, Horror, Gothic, Halloween, Frankenstein, Mummy, Wolfman, Phantom

Yep, here's my final sequence:

Ta-da!  About 100 hours, and finally done.