2019 wrapped up with the completion of the Cactus and Owl cross-stitch for my daughter in Okinawa, Japan. While I missed my Christmas gift deadline, she’s been boxed and mailed to welcome the new year. With light shadows and a bit crooked, here she is framed…..
2020 welcomed the new year with a decision on what I would start for my next project. In our last posting, I needed to make a decision on what to tackle next. I had two choices .
After some thought, I decided on the Ornamental Pumpkin. With quite a few other projects on the table I wanted something a little easier, mindless so to speak, to tackle.
The kit called for this to be stitched on 28 count ‘Goldspinner’ Luguana from Silkweaver. Finished this will measure 4 1/2″ x 5 5/8″, its not large and one of the reasons for my choice –
I looked into ordering the fabric but while at our local Joann’s, I picked a Charles Craft 11 count Aida cross stitch fabric in beige. I wafted between 11 and 14 but decided I wanted a really airy look. (I haven’t tackled a 28 count ever 🙂
I was able to find all the recommended DMC threads that were recommended with the exception of 3 out of 10. It will be my color choice with those.
Here is my start 🙂
I began with the middle column, a little less than half way down.
A big welcome AJ to the group 🙂
Please also enjoy the latest SAL project updates from the rest of the group by clicking the links below. We live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences. Posting takes place every third Sunday, local time. Our next updates will be posted on the 26th January 2020. If you would like to join with us, please contact Avis at the link below and she will walk you through.
Piecing Life Together One Stitch At A Time 
a lovely start!
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What a fun project to work on! I LOVE working on 18ct Aida cloth although I have to wear my glasses and use a strong light. 14ct is also great and I find it so fun and easy.
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Thank you ~ 14 might have been the better choice with this but I think in the end it will be just fine 🙂
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The owl for your daughter looks fabulous all framed up. 🙂 Your pumpkin is off to a lovely start!
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Thank you Renee. I really like how the framing turned out. She hasn’t received it yet but I hope soon 🙂
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Love the mat board on your framed piece. It came out beautifully and your daughter will love it! Great start on the pumpkin too! The jungle piece i’m finishing up was also my first 28 count project. I definitely recommend it…you might never go back though 😉
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Thank you Christina. Really on the 28 count! Isn’t it very hard on the eyes? I am worried about that aspect of it.
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I think 28 count is easiest on the eyes as I’ve already moved on to 36 count as my favorite! Your X’s on 14 count are the same size as the X’s on 28 count to help you put the size into perspective 😊 On linen and evenweave, you stitch over two threads so there some extra holes to get used to. I hope you give it a try one day!! There’s lots of helpful YouTube videos out there!
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Susan had asked a question on size and was thinking about that. totally makes sense the size on 14 would be the same as 28 with stitching over two threads. I will give it a try and love that we have great videos on you tube to help us. I am surprised it is easier on the eyes though. Thank you for sharing this info – it sure helps 🙂
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It’s definitely pretty! If you are using 11 instead of the 28, how big will it be now?
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Well you totally right Susan, it will be much bigger. I actually thought about that after posting. Its definitely going to change the dimensions. I am sure it can be figured out mathematically but I’ll leave that to the mathmatitions 🙂
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Oooh, this is a very nice start! I love 25-32 count fabric, BUT I always stitch over two threads. I once tried to stitch over just one thread on 22, (back when I was younger) and it was crazy, never again!
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The directions called for stitching over two threads but I still thought that would be too hard on my eyes. I should have gone with a bit higher count I am thinking now but it should turn out ok 🙂
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The owl is so sweet,it’s a wonderful gift! How long will it take to get to Japan.. that’s a right good hike from here! You have a great start on that pumpkin .
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Thank you – funny you should ask about the mail and length of time. Usually about 2 weeks and it has taken longer, packages opened by customs, items removed and in fact once items added, lol. I received a Christmas package 2 years ago from my daughter. I was thanking her for the cookies and another treat she had sent only to discover she had not put them in the package, she was yelling Mom don’t eat them! The dolls she had sent had been removed and we guess replaced with the cookies. I am holding my breath on this mailing 🙂 Her post office on the base she is on was closed for the last week for new years if you can believe that. We wait and hope!
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I guess I’m always curious about mailing packages . When our son was serving in Puerto Rico there were times his packages took a round about way of getting to him,and few times never got there.
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I’ll echo everyone by saying too a lovely start on that gorgeous pumpkin. I’m going to enjoy seeing this coming to life. Happy New Year from me!
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Thank you 🙂 It was fun to get started with this ~ happy New Year to you too 🙂
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I love the expression on the owls face, he’s so cute! The pumpkin looks gorgeous, looking forward to watching this one
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Love the owl expression too. Excited for my daughter to get it.
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That cute owl always makes me smile! Your new project looks great!
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Thank you 🙂
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I’m glad you’re stitching this on a larger weave. It needs to be bigger than 4.5″ x 5.5″! The owl is a cutie. Your daughter will love it whenever she receives it.
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The owl was finally received yesterday and she did love it!
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Hooray for the pumpkin! Beautiful work.
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Thank you 🙂
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