Smalls SAL - March 2021

Yet again the last Friday of the month has been and gone and here is my stitching for the Smalls SAL hosted by Mary of Mary's Thread (this link opens on the explanation of how the Smalls SAL works).

I only have my 12 days of Christmas smalls to share this month as I'm saving my other 'smalls' for Easter Sunday.

First up is Jardin Privé's 3 French hens. This was a quick stitch. I must start stitching the border for this design rather than leave it until it is the last thing to do.

Third Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads for red version

On my Plum Street Sampler stitching, I've started to toy with the idea of  stitching a number of gold motifs according to the day, so that the third day would have three, the fourth day would have four and so on. It might mean some adjustments in how I counts things, such as one pair of shoes would count as two gold motifs in nine maids-a-milking. I don't want the gold to dominate in each day. If I decide to go ahead with that idea, I will need to add another gold ornament to the tree below and change the colour of a gold pear on the first day. I shall think some more about this.

Third Day

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Plum Street Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart White linen

Threads: DMC 415, 932, 3750, 3820

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I had hoped to have all three designs from Pineberry Lane's Shamrocks completed for today but I only got one stitched. Oh well, there is always next year.

Here is my finish of  Erin Go Bragh sitting on the same fabric as I chose for backing this ornament.

Erin Go Bragh - Pineberry Lane

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Natural linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Gifted Gorgeousness - March 2021

I just have one item for Gifted Gorgeousness this month. It is this Just Nan Heartfelt design that I finished as a birthday card. All being well, it should arrive with the recipient tomorrow.

(Happy Birthday) Heartfelt Trio - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct pale blue (not Zweigart) linen

Threads/Embellishments: Suggested DMC threads plus sequins

Sampler Saturday

Here's a quick update on the two samplers that I'm currently stitching and a finish. First up is Just Nan's Winter Blues. I've managed to stitch this according to the proposed schedule on the Just Nan Facebook group and I'm now on the final row. When that is completed I will add the beads. There are just two weeks of the schedule left so it will be a March finish.

When this sampler is completed the next one is Nan's Garden. 

Winter Blues - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and Kreinik threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

I have completed Mary Stead 1824 and I'm thinking that I might make a cushion cover rather than get it framed. I will think some more about that. 

Mary Stead 1824 - Hands Across The Sea Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha/Mushroom linen

Threads: Recommended DMC

I was keen to start another sampler so I pulled out Just Nan's 4 Wishes. I've completed Winter and I'm now stitching Spring. I really like the little ducks paddling in the rain.

4 Wishes - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Raw Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

Fully Finished SAL - March 2021

For a change I'm ready to share my fully finished objects on the opening day for this thread. This SAL is hosted by Rachel (Ten Hour Stitcher) and the links to this month's other participants can be found here. 

I have two finishes this month. The first is a simple and straightforward padded card finish. As it needs to be in the post by Friday, I didn't dare delay finishing it any longer. It is a Just Nan design that I completed earlier in the year.

(Happy Birthday) Heartfelt Trio - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct pale blue (not Zweigart) linen

Threads/Embellishments: Suggested DMC threads plus sequins

My second finish is a recycle of an earlier finish from 2015 when I stitched all the Prairie Schooler seasons designs from the February 2008 issue of The Gift of Stitching.  Originally I had finished this to sit on a little easel. 

However I was never really satisfied with this and had planned to change it for some time. I've now made it into a small pillow and will complete the other seasons in a similar manner throughout the year.

Spring - Prairie Schooler 

The Gift of Stitching, February 2008

Fabric: 18ct Flax Aida

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Stick 6 in 2021 - First update

I have joined Martina (Mein-allerlei-hobby) for her Stick 6 in 2021. This means that I will stitch and complete six cross stitch designs in 2021. Each of my selected projects is given a number of 1 to 6.  For January/February's stitching the chosen project was No. 4. For me that meant Just Nan's 'M is for Mouse'. I'm pleased with this pillow finish especially as I made my cording the right thickness (to me, that is).

M is for Mouse - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Crafty Kitten Jazlyn Sunlit Smoke

Threads and Embellishments - As suggested DMC threads and mouse charm

My Stick 6 in 21 projects for the year are: 

1. Mill Hill
2. Heartstring Samplery
3. Blackbird Designs
4. Just Nan
5. Plum Street Samplers
6. Abbey Rose Designs

For March and April's stitching the chosen number is 2 which will be Heartstring Samplery for me. I won't start it straight away as I want to do some stitching for St. Patrick's Day first.