SAL: “Trick Or Treat #2 Update

At our last posting I had decided to tackle the ‘Trick or Treat’ Victorian sampler for my next project. I had a small start – seen below – The instructions called for single strand floss thread. I didn’t have have the correct color floss called for so it was crafters choice 🙂

Here is where I am now, with quite a few flaws visible, besides something just didn’t seem right

Here is the jacket picture enlarged – the backing seemed to be fabric and not cross- stitch at all. This is a needle point project.

Checking back with the directions again – yup – careless mistake.  Oh boy – lets see how I figure this one out – I need to go back and really take a look at the directions. I think I can still work this as a cross stitch, double or triple up on the black floss..we’ll see

Until then

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 2nd August 2020.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

 

 

SAL: New Project Choice

Hi everyone ~ how does three weeks come and go so quickly?

I made a decision on my next project in the nick of time. I was wavering on what to start but I know some of you will be happy to see that my choice was the Halloween “Trick or Treat” cross stitch.

I was a little hesitant with this for a number of reasons. One reason was I didn’t have the right length of cloth to complete the whole picture. Another, I didn’t have the floss colors listed. Wanting to get started, I thought, hey I can eliminate, create, and alter as much as I want. Enough procrastinating, I’d give this a try get this project started…..

I don’t remember the exact details on the fabric I purchased at Joanns before Christmas. Pretty sure its an 18 count cotton Aida fabric in a neutral/beige. I will be using floss from my stash trying my best to match up the colors with the picture and thread list. I did a read through of the directions and seem pretty confident I can do this  🙂

I’ll see you all at our next posting and until then

Please enjoy the projects of the other participants by clicking on the links blow. We live all over the world so please allow for the time differences.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

 

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.

Progress on the Fun & Funky Baby Quilt

I’ve been busy with quite a few projects the past few weeks. We’ve seen cooler temps and rain here in the northwest, but it always seems by the late afternoon, the clouds break with the sun bursting through to warm us and remind us, we truly are in spring.

One of the projects I have been working on is a baby quilt for my grandson Kris expecting his first – a girl, due in August. I have shared the photo below, of what I am working on before, a quilt that’s fun, funky, bright and bold to match his and his families personality. I had stashed, massive amounts of the Curious George material and the pink flowered scraps  (picked up at a yard sale some time back) They seemed to be the perfect choice to use for this project.

Midway during the construction I ordered material from Connecting Treads for the sashing, ordering a few choices, hoping one would match. I wanted the sashing to be in the pink but once the material was received I was disappointed that the 3 choices I ordered were totally off. I had however ordered 2 other sashing choices to go with the other baby quilt I am working on (for no particular person)

On a whim and a prayer I thought ~ why not try the two turquoise I had ordered, one dark and one light. Since the theme of the quilt was fun and funky, bright and bold ~ throw in comic and outside the box – the dark turquoise seemed perfect to pick up the hint of blue in the pattern.

Here she is pieced together

38″ X 36″

The backing will be done in the Curious George material. The blocks were all hand pieced together but I admit it – I turned to the machine, the first time, and machine stitched the sashing to the blocks. I will be hand quilting her though. I just felt like time was becoming an issue for me after waiting so long for the material order. I want to get her in the mail to Texas by early July if possible.

Also in the craft basket for the last few weeks has been these 2 Christmas kitchen tea towels

And this cross stitch Christmas card to go along with them

Thank you for stopping by

 

 

 

SAL: Sweet Cactus Finish :)

Hi All ~ it’s that time again for an update on my SAL Sweet Cactus. I have a finish. That is a finish until I have her framed. At our last posting three weeks ago I was here.

It didn’t take me long to get the backstitching finished and my name on it, need to put the year still.

Once framed, this sweet cactus will join the first one I had completed back in December, and then make its way to Okinawa, Japan for my daughter. I’ll frame her exactly the same for a matched pair 🙂

You may remember this set of cross stitch Christmas cards I purchased. I had already completed the Cardinal and picked up the candle with poinsettia to work on while deciding on what’s next.

I do have the Halloween Sampler I could start and she may just be the one.

By clicking on the names of the links below you can visit the others participating in this SAL and see the fabulous projects they are working on.

 

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley,Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura,Cathie, Linda, Sherrie, Helen

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.

SAL: Sweet Cactus Update

Before I update you on my ‘Sweet Cactus’ I wanted to update you on my baking endeavor since the last time we met. Anne Lawson (in our group) shared a recipe last time we posted. It looked so delicious I had to try it. In fact, I tried it that very same Sunday 3 weeks ago. I’ve attached her link below.

https://annelawson.wordpress.com/2020/04/17/coffee-and-cake/

It turned out so delicious. The crust had a shortbread texture, the apples melted in your mouth. I’ve made the recipe one more time since.Thank you for posting that delicious recipe Anne, it most certainly is a favorite now.

Also, I wanted to say welcome back to Helen and I’ll be hopping over to see what project you’re working on.

And now for our SAL update

I had hoped for a finish, but not this week ~ but close. At our last posting I was here, questioning the dark green.

Here’s where I am now

In the photo’s below you can really see how the lighting affects color with the most recent closest to true. The shadowing and dark green looks just fine now. Last posting I was considering removing it. Thankfully the consensus was to leave it and wait and see. I waited, I saw and I like it 🙂 When I am finished with the backstitching and little prickly spines, I’ll be done 🙂

 

It’s Mother’s Day today in the states and I wanted to wish you ALL a beautiful day, whether here or abroad, celebrating or not, mom’s of precious humans or mom’s of precious fur babies.

 

If you have some time, please stop by the other members in the group to see all the wonderful projects in the works.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley,Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura,Cathie, Linda, Sherrie, Helen

SAL: Sweet Cactus Update

I know I must say this just about every time I post, how can three weeks fly by this quickly? Time again to show our progress. Sweet Cactus is coming along and I making progress. Here is where I was last time

And here is where I am now

Funny how lighting changes the look and color so much. The color on last weeks posting rings more true. I am not a fan of the dark dark green that was given for the shadowing. It just seems wrong to me. The change is not subtle enough. I wish I had spotted this before I had it all done. Now to decide if I want to remove it and substitute with a my own color choice. Any opinions on that?

I also wanted to welcome Sherrie to the SAL

The list of the other members in the SAL is below and if you have some time, please stop by and check out their pages and what they have been working on.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Sherrie

 

 

SAL: Sweet Cactus Update

I am so excited to check in and connect with all of you. We have been self quarantined during the corona virus since the 4th. It hasn’t been exceptionally hard for me but I was surprised how anxious I was for this 3 weeks to pass. Here is where I was at our last check in.

Here is where I am now

 

I’ll be continuing to work on this sweet cactus for my daughter but I have also finished another project I have been working off and on for some time that I wanted to share with you, a new crocheted baby blanket.

 

In my favorite popcorn stitch

 

My thoughts are with you all affected by our worlds current situation and I am looking forward to hopping over to your pages to see what you’ve been working on. Continue to look out for yourself, your family and others. Be safe and take all precautions possible.

Now to go and blog hop and enjoy the work of all the other talented crafters and if you’d like to participate please contact Avis below and she will walk you through joining in.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley,Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura,Cathie, Linda

SAL UPDATE: Sweet Cactus

 

In our last posting I had made the decision to start this simple Cactus cross stitch as my next project. It will go perfectly with the last cactus I had done for my daughter. I am calling this one ‘Sweet Cactus’.

I’ve got a good start going. This shouldn’t take too long to stitch up and it’s a nice simple distraction from a few other projects I have going.

Gorgeous cactus blooms

 

Welcome back to Linda and welcome Cathie and Laura ~ if your reading this and are not a participant and would like to be, its easy.  Please contact Avis below and she will walk you through it.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley,Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura,Cathie, Linda

SAL Update: Keeping It Simple

It’s been a crazy 3 weeks ~ I had thought my next project would be to start this Halloween holiday sampler. I never saw directions so tiny. My magnifier didn’t help nor lighting, so I put her aside again.

You may remember these little gems I picked up. I started and finished the Cardinal.

After finishing this and as an afterthought, I am now thinking wouldn’t these make darling tiny pillow ornaments?

While at Joanns, I picked up this simple Cactus kit and decided this would go perfect with  the Owl and the Cactus I did for my daughter a month or so back.

 

That about wraps up this SAL update. Please take a moment and enjoy the postings of the others in our group. Just click on the links below. There are some wonderful projects in the works.

 

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny

About the SAL

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. If you’d like to finish a project you’ve left unfinished for a while, or start a new one with us, you can join us by contacting Avis. She’ll send you a few simple rules to agree.

SAL Update: Ornamental Pumpkin

January and I am starting strong. At our last posting I had decided on and started the ‘Ornamental Pumpkin’ cross stitch and here is where I was at.

 

 

A snow storm kept us house bound for over a week. It was awesome! I got so much done, in fact I am all done 🙂

 

 

Not original in the plans, I added the word ‘pumpkin’. With a finished size of 6″ x 7″, its not much bigger than 4 1/2″ x 5 5/8″ if I had used the recommended 28 count. I used 11 count. It actually has one major counting flaw and is not symmetrical. I decided to leave the flaw and cross stitch on. Of course it is so visible to my eye but I am hoping not to yours. I still am unsure if I will simply frame or do something different with it. It was a fun little piece to do!

Now to tackle something a little more complicated, I will move on to “Trick or Treat”

Please spend some time and take a look at the pages of the other crafters in this SAL. There is some amazing projects in the works. If you would like to join in please contact Avis at the link below and she will walk you though joining – its easy!

 

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ

About the SAL

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.