Around the World in 80 Stitches update

I've finished Parts 1 and 2 of Around the World in 80 Stitches, except for the beads that is as I won't put those on until later.  Had some frustrations along the way, and a bit of frogging, but it finally came together.  I didn't like the Moravian stitch very much (think that's what it was called), seemed like too much thread in a small area, this is in the white section top right and bottom left.  Anyway, part 3 has been released and so will now get on with that, there is some nice cutwork (drawn thread) in that section.

Update on a couple of SALs

Here are a couple of updates on my Sticklounge SALs.  This is Tribute to Ackworth by Barbara J. of Luv2Stitch Designs through Part 11.  I'm still loving stitching this piece, it's so quick and easy.  I'm feeling a bit better about the thread situation but not 100% yet, hopefully I have enough, otherwise I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it.

The second one I'm doing is Fleur et Papillon by Angie Designer and this is it through Part 2.  This is also a lovely design to stitch and a bit more time consuming than Ackworth.  I've worked a bit on Part 3 but I'm going to put this up for a bit while I work on Part 2 of Around the World in 80 Stitches by Papillon Creations, I would like to get that done before Part 3 comes out.

Fleur et Papillon, Part 1

My other project with the Sticklounge Yahoo Group is "Fleur et Papillon" by AngieDesigner.  Having just joined the group I'm a little behind, Part 3 has just been released, but I have just finished Part 1.  I'm stitching this on 28 count Cashel/Lavender Mist using Rainbow Gallery Splendor silk.  The colors are S1037 Dark Plum, S1035 Medium Plum, and S802 White.  Looking forward to Part 2 which is the top right hand section.

I'm all caught up!

I've caught up with the group on A Tribute to Ackworth and this is my Parts 1-10.  Parts will be released every two weeks and so I've got to wait about 10 days for Part 11. This design is by Barbara J., Luv2Stitch Designs, and is a SAL on the Sticklounge Yahoo Group.

This is a really fun and very quick stitch.  Once in a while it's nice to do something all in one color and straight cross stitch.  Well, it's two colors in that the letters are done in a solid but the bulk is in Caron Waterlilies.  My only concern right now is that I might not have enough thread but I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it, can't worry about it now!

I've moved to working on Fleur et Papillon, another SAL on Sticklounge and I will have a progress picture on that shortly.  When I'm caught up with that one I will then move back to my Papillon Creations "Around the World in 80 Stitches."

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.