SAL: Trick Or Treat Update

Here we are at the end of another year and another three week check in on our project. I have continued working pretty steadily even with other holiday projects needing completion. ‘Perry’ has been my faithful companion as I work. Setting the time each day has really been helpful in getting this project worked on.

You may remember my last posting with the start of trick or treaters walking down the street. It certainly seemed odd to me. At first glance I realized my choice of aida cloth color was wrong. The white simply was lost. In fact after a good start I was disappointed with the over all choice from the get go. But that was behind me. Now what the heck was wrong with these kids out for treats besides the white thread being lost?

Of course, I had skipped a step, the row of homes came first. So out came the stitches, thankfully not too many of them and I started on the houses.

Here is where I am now. Much better 🙂

I need one more home, I need to add some more greenery (shrubs), perhaps a tree between the orange and red house or another home. I was thinking a bat and I’ll be ready to start on the kids. I was also thinking about putting this project into a ‘tea’ bath when I am done to darken the cloth. I am just feeling as this progresses that the cloth is all wrong. It should be dark and gloomy/spooky. Does anyone have any thoughts on that or an idea what I could use or do?

The year has come to an end. Our three week check ins have helped make this year seem to go by so quickly. Good riddens to 2020, I am not sad to see you end. I have accomplished so much with the encouragement of the group. It’s been so much fun to follow you all. You’ve not only encouraged me but inspired me.

Please check out what everyone else has been up to by clicking their names 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 17th January 2021.

AvisClaireGunCaroleSueConstanzeChristinaKathyMargaretCindyHeidiJackieSunnyHayleyMeganDeborahMary MargaretReneeCarmelaSharonDaisyAnneConnieAJJennyLauraCathieLindaHelen

About the SAL

Please note this SAL is not accepting any more new members until further notice but this is what it’s all about anyway. This SAL (Stitch Along) is slightly different to other SALs in that we don’t all stitch the same design at the same rate. We choose ONE unfinished project, or ONE new one, and show progress of its completion over a series of three weekly updates. There are no deadlines and no set amount to stitch. The result is that the space in our drawers full of WIPs (works in progress) is gradually being freed up to store lots of new crafty goodness. It’s surprising how much motivation I’ve gained from being in this SAL.

HQAL: The Dahlia Project ~ Completed

I totally surprised myself with this finish. Here is where I was at our last posting. I only shared sections of finished leaves.

I had filled in quite a few of the outer layers of leaves with just about half dozen or so to finish. Before I knew it I was creating my own bias tape for the border using the backing fabric. I cut out 4 ~ 1t yard strips ~ 2 1/2″ wide plus a bit more, sewed together, pressed down the middle, then folded both sides in to middle and pressed…homemade bias tape 🙂

View of the backing and the bias tape

And here is The Dahlia project finished

Thank you for all the encouragement. I started this in July. Six months of working on this payed off. It was slow going at times as other projects took center stage for completion but I truly loved working on this.

Not sure what I will be working on for my next project. I did buy two other panel pieces, one highlighting Utah and another highlighting Alaska and if any of my daughters are reading this I may have just given away a surprise. I also have a gorgeous tulip quilt top I picked up at out local goodwill ions ago that is very sad and begging to be finished. You may remember it:

I imagine the decision can wait till our next posting. For now wishing you good health and happiness, a lovely blessed holiday season. Stay safe and keep on hand quilting…..

Hand Quilt Along Links

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another.  If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.

KathyMargaretDebNanetteSharonKarrinGretchenDaisyConnieMonica and Sherrie

SAL: Trick Or Treat update #9

Three weeks has never gone by faster. Thanksgiving has come and the holidays are ahead of us. We will have one more post and then welcome 2021…how can this be possible?

Here is where I was at our last posting

I finished section 2 with Perry Mason my faithful tv companion.

I started on section 3, and true to this project, confusion reigned. I kept looking at my work, thinking something is not right. Progressing I could see that the background cloth color was crucial in choosing. A darker color was needed for the ghosts to show up but that wasn’t what was wrong.

After starting the row of trick or treaters, I realized I had skipped the background, a row of wonderful houses to trick or treat at. Thankfully I hadn’t worked to many of the costumed cuties. Now I need to remove them and start over.

The Halloween cross stitch is not the only project I have been working on. My time has been shared with cross stitch Christmas Cards. I have shown these outside of this SAL posting but thought so close to the holidays I needed to add some cheer along with Halloween. Here are a few of my favorites that will be sent out to special friends this week.

Below are the links to the others participating in this SAL. Please stop by and visit their pages ~ there is some amazing projects in the works.

AvisClaireGunCaroleSueConstanzeChristinaKathyMargaretCindyHeidiJackieSunnyHayleyMeganDeborahMary MargaretReneeCarmelaSharonDaisyAnneConnieAJJennyLauraCathieLindaHelen