Tribute to Ackworth through Part 5

I'm still moving along on Tribute to Ackworth, this is Parts 1-5, another corner finished!

Tribute to Ackworth -- SAL on Sticklounge Yahoo Group. Design by Barbara J.

This is Part 5 that I finished this afternoon.  I think the group is on Part 9 so I have just a bit more to do before I'm caught up with the SAL.  This is a really fun stitch and I love the motifs.

Tribte to Ackworth - Parts 1-3

I started a new stitchalong on the Sticklounge Yahoo Group.  This is Tribute to Ackworth by Barbara J. (Luv2Stitch2 Designs)  parts 1-3.  I started this in progress and the group is up to Part 8 so I'm playing catch up but it's going fast, this is one week's work. The fabric is Belfast/Fairy Dust and the thread is Caron Waterlilies #112 Fir and a coordinating solid Soie Cristale for the letters.

Around the World in 80 Stitches - Part 1 Complete

This is Part 1 of 24 of Around the World in 80 Stitches by Papillon Creations

I wish I could get the colors to show up more true but this is as good as I could tweak it.  The fabric is Belfast/Toasted Almond and is darker than in the picture.  I'm really enjoying stitching this project, and I've learned a few new stitches.  On the right hand heart the flowers are done in Lindisfarne stitch completed in 3 parts; the centers in metallic, then the flower petals and then the outline.  Other stitches are Scotch, lazy daisy, eyelets, and rays.  The left hand heart uses Norwich stitch for the purple flowers with metallic rays.  The green flower stems on the red flowers are Berwick stitch, a very interesting one to do and new to me.  Then there is a selection of rays, lazy daisies again, and backstitch. 

I have decided not to do the beads yet but there are several dotted about in this design. They will go on top of the Berwick stitch stems in the "corners" of the left heart, and also in the centers of the backstitch diamonds. They are in the empty backstitch sections on the right hand heart and elsewhere.  I don't like scrolling up beads and I want to wait and see what the next part is before I finally decide on the colors I'm going to use.  It calls for two colors of beads and I've picked four to choose from.

I changed my mind on the color of the metallic from what I posted last week in my color choices. The one I'd picked was too dark and so I went with PB10 Petite Treasure Braid from Rainbow Gallery.  I'm looking forward to the next section!

Check out new web site!

This is Abi Gurden's new web site, Bee's Needleworks, and she is the designer/owner of The Stitch Specialists Yahoo Group I co-moderate. You might see something of mine in the gallery too :-)
http://www.beesneedleworks.co.uk/

Chosen fabric and threads for next project

My next project will be "Around the World in 80 Stitches" by Papillon Creations.  This is a SAL and will be released in 24 monthly parts, the first part has just been released.  I went out to my LNS today and chose the fabric and threads.  The fabric I chose is 32 count Belfast/Toasted Almond and the threads are a selection of Rainbow Gallery Splendor silk.  It called for two colors of beads but I couldn't make up my mind and so I'll choose those from the 4 I picked when the time comes to use them.  There's also one skein of metallic braid from Kreinik.  The instructions were to choose 3 greens (dark, medium and light), and 8 floral colors. There's also going to be some white in there somewhere, not sure if I'll use floss or Perle.

Can't wait to start!

Finally Finished!

This is Day & Night by Long Dog Samplers.  It has been a WIP/UFO for a LONG time and I finally made a commitment to finish it.  The chart was a nightmare to work with because of the symbols not being clear, and some being very similar, but other than that it was an enjoyable stitch.  Excuse the wrinkles!  I didn't take time to iron it before taking the picture.

Another finish

This is my second stitching of the Tree of Stitches by Abi Gurden.  The first one I did in all greens and this one is my blossom tree. I left the beading off this one because I think it looks fine without it and I'm not wild about doing beads! 

An actual finish!

Just a small update because I actually finished something!  This is Heart of My Heart by Abi Gurden which was a Valentine freebie on The Stitch Specialists Yahoo Group. 

I've had virtually no time to stitch the last few months but hopefully that will change within a month or two. I quit a part-time volunteer position at the end of December and when I've finished the online computer class I'm taking I will have lots more time, that's the plan anyway.

Updates on a variety of projects

It's been a long while since I posted and for a long time I had no progress to post about!  It's been a very busy few months between work, my TOPS work, and taking an online class in Excel at the college.  However, I finally got my stitching mojo back and have worked on a few projects. 

Firstly, this is the new SAL from The Stitch Specialists Yahoo Group (of which I'm a moderator).  It's called "The Great Escape" and the design is by Abi Gurden.  As you can tell by the name of the group it's all done in specialty stitches. Everyone chooses their own fabric and threads and the variation in choices and the creativity on the group is amazing!  You can see a picture of the finished product by going to the home page of the group  click here The Stitch Specialists.  I'm using a piece of 28 count Cashel and it was a solo from Silkweavers way back when.  The thread is from Threadworx and I'll probably do most of the owl in this color, I'll think of colors for the other parts when I get there!  The picture is Parts 1 through 5.

 

Next is a long time UFO, now a WIP I guess!  It's a good project to work on if you're feeling tired or stressed, canvas is more forgiving that fabric!  It's called Reflecting Pools and is by Laura J. Perin.  The original design was in blues and I changed to the rose/mauve shades you see here.  I'm using a variety of threads but mostly Watercolors, Wildflowers and Waterlilies from Caron Collection.  There is a bit of a shadow in the picture, it's not really darker on the right hand side.

 

Next is another Tree of Stitches!  The design is by Abi Gurden and was the previous SAL on The Stitch Specialists. I think I mentioned in a previous post that my daughter-in-law took a shine to the first Tree of Stitches I did, that one all in greens, and so it is now residing in London, England. (See previous blog posts for pictures). I decided to stitch it again but this time make it a blossom tree in my favorite colors of purple/rose/pink.  The thread is from Threadworx and I've used three different colors so far, one for the trunk and two for the blossoms.  The eyelets are in progress and being done in Splendor silk.  The fabric is another one from Silkweavers, I do regret the demise of that company as they had some beautiful fabrics.

Last but not least is The Victoria Sampler design (see blog post below) which is in progress but I haven't worked on it in a while.  I have all the boxes done around the border and have started on the design in the center.  While I was feeling so tired I didn't want to attempt some of the intricate stuff and so I thought I'd do the easy cross stitch part!  When I have a lull in the above three projects I'll pull this out again, perhaps over the Christmas break when I have two whole weeks off work!  There are some distinct advantages in working for a college that closes :-)

Latest project

I just wanted to share my latest project.  I subscribed to this Cyberclass a few years ago but never got around to stitching it.  Yesterday I dug it out and set it up and put in the outside round of Klosters last night.  VS Cyberclasses are very detailed and fun to stitch.  I also have Tea Party waiting in the wings!

Tea and Stitches by Victoria Sampler