A month of Stitching

What a wet and stormy month January has been. On the plus side it has meant that I have had more stitching time than usual as I've been indoors. This will probably be my most productive month for the year.

I completed stitching Just Nan's Winter in the Square. 

Winter in the Square- Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Light Mocha Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Winter Sheep Gold Visions charm - to be added 

There was further stitching on Frosty Forest. Not alot but some. Unfortunately I need to rip out the bottom border as it is two threads too high. I can't face doing it just yet.

Frosty Forest - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Pearl Grey Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Clare

My sister asked me to stitch her some dog themed coasters. Woof Spoken Here is an ideal size for the coaster I have. This was a free design from Stitchy Kitty. Her website page is no longer available so I can't provide a link to the design.

Woof Spoken Here - Stitchy Kitty

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Cream linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads. Substituted DMC 422 for 3828, 

605 for 3806 and 3362 for 3345

I need to restitch this Lizzie Kate design on 36ct linen. As you can see from the photo below, it is too big for the coaster. I thought I might be able to squeeze it in but it doesn't work.

Dogs Leave Pawprints - Lizzie Kate

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique Ivory linen

Threads: Proposed Weeks Dyes threads except DMC 334 for Sky 

and some DMC 801 for Kris's Bon Bon

For a number of years I've pulled out Little House Needleworks's Needle and Thread Scissor Bed/Pin Pillow to stitch but always ended up putting it away again. This time I looked at the invoice that was enclosed with it and discovered that I had bought it in June 2012! That was the incentive I needed. I kitted it and I've stitched the mattress coverlet. I just need to stitch the scissor fob now.

Needle and Thread - Little House Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Natural linen

Threads: Suggested Crescent Colours and DMC 754

In 2022 I started the Cottage Garden SAL by Wiehenburg Designs. When I saw it on DJ's Blog (Tickled Pink in Stitches) I had to have it. Her finished project can be seen here whereas I have only just finished Part one of this 12 month SAL.

Cottage Garden - Weihenburg Designs

Fabric: 

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

For the past few years, I've been stitching blocks from the 1920's Farmer's Wife Quilt book.  When I started this English Paper Piecing project I had planned to make a King size quilt. Since it has become something I work on between other projects I have lost momentum. Therefore I've decided that I will make a lap sized quilt as given the speed at which these blocks are being completed, I think it is the only way that I will finish something with this fabric. Here are my latest two completed blocks,  Homemaker, Homeward Bound.

1920's Farmer's Wife quilt blocks - Homemaker and Homeward Bound

Fabric:Laundry Basket Quilts, Blue Sky by Andover

End of 2025 and early 2026 update

I like my catchy blog titles, Ha! Ha!

For Christmas I received lovely stitching and craft gifts from my Needlecraft Haven friends as you can see in the photo below.

Presents received from Needlecraft Haven friends

We also had our Christmas ornament exchange at Needlecraft Haven. I received this pretty Mrs Claus in the kitchen ornament from Julie.

NH Christmas Ornament received from Julie

I sent this Just Nan 2008 Christmas reindeer ornament to Gill.

Blitzen Glistens - Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Opalescent Belfast linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Charm pack purchased with chart

Before the end of 2025 I finished stitching on four projects but they still have to be fully finished.

First is the bookmark kit from Gill that I had nearly finished in November.

Summer Bookmark Kit - The Textile Heritage Collection

Fabric: Black Aida band in kit

Threads: In kit

Note: 2024 Christmas gift from Gill

Second was Santa's List.

Santa's List - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Justine

Third was Just Nan's Lady Scarlet's Christmas

Lady Scarlet's Christmas - Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Flax Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

By mid December I fancied stitching something different so I pulled out Just Nan's 'Spring in the Square'.  This was a project that I had kitted for a New Year start in 2023 so it was ready to go. This design stitched up quickly and made my fourth finish for November/December. I just need to add the central charm and mount it on a canvas frame and it's completely finished. I  love the colours in this design.

Spring in the Square- Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Light Mocha Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Swan Lake Gold Visions charm - to be added

Naturally I wanted to follow this up with Just Nan's 'Winter in the Square' so I started this in the New Year. Progress on this has been slower due to its snowflake border. Last night I fell into the trap of just wanting to complete a few more stitches before bed. That was a mistake as I miscounted and now will need to removed some pale lilac stitches from the inner left hand corner. 

Winter in the Square- Just Nan

Fabric: Zweigart 28ct Light Mocha Cashel linen

Threads: Proposed DMC threads

Embellishments: Winter Sheep Gold Visions charm - add on completion

If I managed to keep this level of activity up throughout 2026 I would have a very productive year. However I know that is unlikely to happen as I always seem to have a slump when the summer season arrives.

November's stitching update

You can tell that cooler weather has arrived as I'm blogging again.

I have four projects on the go at the moment and I'm trying to give them all some time each week. Just by chance they are all projects that have been gifted to me.

Apple Blossom Biscornu - Faby Reilly Designs

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique White Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads except DMC 3689 used for 604

Note: Gifted from Clare

Frosty Forest - Country House Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Pearl Grey Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Clare

Santa's List - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Vintage Country Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Note: Gifted from Justine

Summer Bookmark Kit - The Textile Heritage Collection

Fabric: Black Aida band in kit

Threads: In kit

Note: Christmas gift from Gill

This afternoon I will be stitching again on the summer bookmark. I expect to complete the cross stitching and hopefully start the backstitching.

Gifted Gorgeousness June

 Just slipping in on the last day of June to share my Gifted Gorgeousness (GG). This is hosted by Jo and this month's participants can be found here along with a summary of how GG works. 

I finished adding the beads to my Christmas Crew project. The pattern and fabric were gifted to me by Clare. After I've cut the Hardanger, I just need to fully finish it. Given our current heat wave I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Christmas Crew - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 28ct white evenweave

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I've also started stitching Country Cottage Needleworks' Frosty Forest series. This is also gifted from Clare. I'm stitching this as a single piece with a view to completing it as a cushion cover and I've added a border as I've seen in some other projects.

Frosty Forest series - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Pearl Grey linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

I don't expect to complete much stitching in July as in this heatwave I only feel fit to drink water and read. Have a relaxing and comfortable month.

Gifted Gorgeousness - January 2025

Welcome to Gifted Gorgeousness (GG) for 2025. I hope to have more to show this year than last. GG is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and here is the link to the sign-up page and details of what makes a gifted item. In essence it is an opportunity to celebrate any stitching related gifted item that you've made or received. It's hard to believe that it is ten years since Jo started hosting it.

This will be a relatively picture heavy blog post as I sent and received a number of stitching gifts at Christmas. I sent the following ornaments to my friends at Needlecraft Haven.

For Julie:

Snow Birds - Country Cottage Needleworks, 

Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornaments 2013

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Belfast Pearl linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads, except 3347 substituted for 3346

Embellishments: White chenille aran wool used for trim

For Clare:

Oh Christmas Tree - Little House Needleworks 

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Natural opalescent linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: DMC ecru and 814 thread for cord trim

For Gill:

Snow Globe Cookie Small - Shannon Christine Designs 

Fabric: The Crafty Kitten Brittney Ltd. Ed. Opal,

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: White chenille aran wool used for trim

For Christine:

Britty Christmas Kitten - Brittercup Designs, 

Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornaments 2005

Fabric: Zweigart 32ct Belfast Flax linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads, stitched 2 over 2

Embellishments: DMC 523 and 3012 thread for cord trim

I received these beautiful gifts for Christmas.

From Christine:

Seasonal red and green Anchor threads on an owl thread keeper.

I can keep my lip gloss to hand while stitching as it now has its own holder

From Clare: 

Ornaments, chart, threads and chocolate

From Gill:

A Fuchsia bookmark kit

From Gill:

My Needlecraft Haven Christmas exchange ornament

From Julie:

A scarf for wearing to my crossstitch group (and on other occasions)

From Family:

This kit will be my first attempt at Needle Felting

For Christmas 2023, Clare gifted me Faby Reilly's Lily of the Valley biscornu chart. I had high hopes of finishing it for May Day 2024. Instead it became my first finish of 2025. My finish isn't quite square but it looks good.

Lily of the Valley Biscornu - Faby Reilly

Fabric: 32ct Natural linen

Threads: Recommended DMC threads

Embellishments: Recommended metallic thread and beads

Let The People Choose - The Designer Most Enjoyed in 2020

This is my second blog post in Jo's Let The People Choose ... blog hop.  This month's theme resonated with me as the designer I most enjoyed stitching in 2020 has to be Little House Needleworks (LHN). In March 2020 I started stitching LHN's The Little Sheep Virtues and Country Cottage Needleworks' Sheep in the Meadow as a single project. It took me six months to complete this. I intend to have it framed, hopefully later this year.

Little Sheep Virtues - Little House Needleworks and

Sheep in the Meadow - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Natural linen

The reason I enjoyed stitching this so much was because it was such a soothing project to work on when we were all adjusting to our changed lives as a result of Covid-19. I found that my thoughts dwelt on each of the themes, Friendship, Hope, Love, etc as I stitched them and remembered people and events that I associated with each one.

Smalls SAL August 2020 - It's A Finish!

It's the last Friday of the month and time for a Smalls SAL update. This is hosted by Mary of Mary's Thread and all details of how it works can be found here.

I've been treating each of my Little Sheep Virtues as 'smalls'. Simplicity, Kindness, Gratitude and Joyfulness were all stitched in August to complete this project.

I started Little Sheep Virtues and Sheep in the Meadow in February on Ash Wednesday and six months later on Wednesday night, I finished it. This has been a lovely project to work on and was ideal for keeping my hands busy while watching television.

I haven't decided how I will finish it. It's a toss up between framing or a quilted wall hanging. One thing I do know is that there's no rush on deciding what to do.

Thanks to Julie of I'll Cross That Leg When I Get To It and Giovanna of Giovanna's stitches for inspiring me to stitch these designs like this.

Little Sheep Virtues - Little House Needleworks and

Sheep in the Meadow - Country Cottage Needleworks

Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Natural line

Threads: Recommended DMC and Weeks Dye Works threads

Smalls SAL - May 2020

Most of my stitching this past month has been done in the evening as during the day I've been busy doing family history research. I sit down at the laptop for a short while in the afternoon and the next thing I know, it's dinner time!

However, I managed to 'finish' a couple of smalls. I stitched Peace and Love on my Little Sheep Virtues sampler. I still find this a relaxing project for the evenings.

Little Sheep Virtues - Little House Needleworks and
Sheep in the Meadow - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Natural line
Threads: Recommended DMC and Weeks Dye Works threads

My second project was Shepherd's Bush All Seasons Scissor Fob. I love the colours and delicate look of this design. I still have to fully finish it but I'm getting there.

All Seasons Scissor Fob - Shepherd's Bush
This was a kit so all fabric, threads and embellishments were included

Works in Progress

During the past month I've started a new project and went back to an older one.

I had put Alpine Seasons Garden away as I was finding it cumbersome to stitch it in a hoop, in hand. So earlier in the year I ordered a Lowry Workstand and some Elbsee easyclip scroll bars. I'm finding it easier to stitch on this project though I'm not yet comfortable with such long scroll bars. The important thing is (from my point of view) that Alpine Seasons Garden is seeing some progress again. Over the past two weeks I've stitched the top left section of the trees. With all the colour changes it's coming along slowly but I still love it.

This is where I started

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 02 April 2020
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

and here it is today.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 28 April 2020
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

I'm glad I took a photograph of my starting point as it shows me that I am making progress.

My new project is Julie M's ( I'll cross that leg when I get to it ) mixing of Little House Needleworks' Little Sheep Virtues and Country Cottage Needleworks' Sheep in the Meadow. I've admired it since 2014 (!) but I was only able to buy the charts last year. It's a lovely project to work on and I find it relaxing.

Little Sheep Virtues - Little House Needleworks and
Sheep in the Meadow - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 40ct Zweigart Natural line
Threads: Recommended DMC and Weeks Dye Works threads

So as you can see, I've plenty of stitching to keep me busy.

A stitched finish

I finally finished stitching Country Cottage Needleworks' 'Silent Night' at the weekend. I'm considering mounting it on an eight inch canvas frame that I have. I love the colour combinations in this design.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads

Back to my stitching

I haven't spent much time stitching over the past month as my sister was visiting. We spent a lot of time drinking tea and talking and it was great to have so much time together.

Before she arrived, I had continued to stitch my tree border on 'Alpine Seasons' and this is where I've now got to. These winter trees on the left are quite slow.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 10 October 2016
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

Yesterday, I started to stitch the church on CCN's 'Silent Night'. I love how the colours work on this fabric. I hope to finish this by next Monday. We shall see.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads

More Alpine Seasons progress

Last week, I spent most of my stitching time on Alpine Seasons Garden and now I am approximately halfway around the mountains section.
I'm not sure if it is coincidence or not but since I am stitching with silk threads, I find that my hands get very dry. I don't have this problem with DMC. Has anyone else experienced this?

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 12 September 2016
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

I missed last Wednesday's night in Needlecraft Haven's Parlour but I managed to set aside some time for CNN's 'Silent Night' at the weekend. I finished the two smaller trees and added the snowflakes. Tonight I plan to start stitching the church.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads

Alpine Seasons Garden progress

It's been months since I had this design out. I worked pretty solidly on it during the past week and went from this

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
as at 29 August 2016
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen
Threads: Recommended silk threads

to this by Monday morning. The two photos made me realise that I had made more progress than I had realised. It's slow going but I'll get there. I'm looking forward to the day this will be framed and hanging in my living room.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine

as at 5 September 2016

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

On Wednesday evening I stitched in Needlecraft Haven's Parlour and made some progress on CNN's 'Silent Night'. I finished the large tree and added its leaves and star.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads

Some Christmas stitching

Last week I decided to do some Christmas stitching. This gingerbread boy design will be for my youngest niece. It was a quick stitch from the 2012 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament magazine.

Sweet Hugs Gingerbread Boy - Keepsake Stitches
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Flax linen
Threads: Suggested DMC and DMC alternatives

I also started 'Silent Night' by Country Cottage Needleworks. I love how the thread colours show up on this fabric. The fabric, threads and chart were a Secret Santa gift from Jennifer at The Stitch Specialists in 2012. This will now be my Wednesday Parlour night stitching at Needlecraft Haven.

Silent Night - Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Pearl linen
Threads: Recommended DMC, Weeks Dye Works and sampler threads