Just Nan December update

Here is my final Just Nan finish (stitching only) for 2014. It's Mitten Men. This took me much longer to complete than I expected, but at the rate I stitch, I should have learned by now that I don't do 'quick stitches'. Given how poor the light has been during the past couple of days, I'm pleased to see that the four blue sequins show up in the picture. I should manage to complete this as an ornament for Christmas 2015; Ha! Ha!

Mitten Men - Just Nan
stitched on 32ct natural Permin linen

I'm glad that I joined the Just Nan SAL in 2014. Without it I probably wouldn't have completed five Just Nan finishes - Patience, Sunny Summer Happy Garden, Beach Roses, True Blue heart and Mitten Men.

Just Nan November update and other stitching

It's hard to believe that we are so far through the year. With the exception of one month, I've stitched on a Just Nan piece every month. I'm still working on Mitten Men. It's not quite finished but it's getting there.

Just Nan - Mitten Men
stitched on 32ct natural Permin linen

 I wanted something that would stitch quickly and this freebie from The Little Stitcher fulfilled that need perfectly.

The Little Stitcher - Winter Sheep design
Stitched on 28ct Sandstone Permin linen

 I've been stitching for a couple of exchanges and I'll share those when I know the exchange items have been received.

Just Nan 2014 SAL October update

I didn't do any stitching in September but I returned to my Just Nan designs in October. I finally finished stitching 'True Blue Heart' but I have no idea yet what it will be made into. I didn't have the original embellishments for the design so I had to find alternatives. I'm happy with the Sapphire flowers that I bought but less so for the Amethyst Opal heart. It blends into the surrounding threads too much for my liking. I might change it later if I find something that I think is more suitable.

True Blue Heart - Just Nan
Stitched on 28ct White Cashel linen

I've made a start on Mitten Men as I wanted something small and quick. It's small but I'll need to come back to you as to whether I found it quick. All being well, this design will be finished by the end of November.

Mitten Men - Just Nan
Stitched on 32ct Natural Permin linen

Just Nan SAL 2014 August Update

Another month, another Just Nan finish.

I've admired Beach Roses for a long time and when I decided to take part in the holiday exchange at Needlecraft Haven, I knew exactly what I wanted to stitch. The only question was - did the design suit being made into a biscornu as that was how the stitching had to be finished.

While stitching Beach Roses, I recalled many happy day trips to the seaside when I was a child. As children we loved to walk along the beach to see what we could find - seashells, shellfish, sand crabs ... but never beach roses :)

All in all, I'm pleased with the end result.

Beach Roses - Just Nan
Sttiched on 28ct Permin Lambswool

Beach Roses - Just Nan
Finished as a biscornu 18 Aug 2014
Stitched for Needlecraft Haven Holiday Exchange 2014

Just Nan SAL 2014 July Update

July just went by in a blur. I got a two month work contract and since then I have done very little stitching.
I managed to make a start on JN's True Blue design. I like how it is coming along and wish my photograph could do it justice. As I bought the chart used, I've had to find my own charms and beads to complete it. They arrived yesterday and I think they will suit. It can be hard to tell when you are buying things online.

Just Nan - True Blue
Stitched on 28ct Cashel White linen with recommended DMC threads

Just Nan 2014 SAL June Update

After the high of completing Just Nan's Patience sampler in May, I decided to stitch one of her smaller pieces this month. I chose Sunny Summer, Happy Garden as I thought it would be perfect for my Friendly Stitchers summer exchange with Sharon. As I know she has received it, I attach photos below of the stitched design and of it finished as a biscornu.

I enjoyed stitching this and it made up more quickly than I expected. I'm currently working on JN's True Blue Heart, which I expect to complete shortly.

Sharon sent me a beautiful stitched pillow and a wonderful selection of other goodies, but I'll share these in a separate post.

Sunny Summer Happy Garden - Just Nan
Stitched on 28ct Cashel Light Blue linen

Sunny Summer Happy Garden - Just Nan
Finished as a biscornu

Just Nan 2014 SAL May update

I'm very pleased to say that I've completed Just Nan's Patience Sampler. It took me longer to stitch than I expected but it has been well worth it. I've loved the variety of stitches that this sampler has but I never grew to love the recommended fabric.
Very few of my finished pieces are framed. Having waited for about ten years to get this pattern, it will be going to the framers. So Pelican Picture Framing, here I come!

Just Nan - Patience
Stitched on 30ct Legacy White Swan linen
Completed 31 May 2014

So what will I stitch next? On the Just Nan front, I'm going to stitch 'True Blue Heart'. I'm also taking part in two summer exchanges - one with Needlecraft Haven and the other with Friendly Stitchers. So all of that should keep me busy during June.

Just Nan SAL 2014 April update

So near to completion and yet so far! I am on band 21 of 23 of Just Nan's Patience Sampler. There have been plenty of specialty stitches in this project which have been fun to do. I'm still not a fan of the recommended linen but if you don't try something different, how will you learn these things.

If you pop over to Zeb's blog, Keep Calm and Cross Stitch, you can see and find links for other updates in this SAL.

JN's Patience as at 27 April 2014
Stitched on 30ct Legacy linen

Just Nan 2014 March SAL update

Where has the month gone? As I mentioned in my last post, I had only managed to stitch one and a half rows on JN's 'Patience' sampler. Since then, ... I've still only managed to stitch one and a half rows in March. Oh well, something is better than nothing. It's another step nearer to completing this project and the main thing is, I'm happy with how it is turning out. I have plans to frame this piece.

March update - Just Nan ''Patience' sampler

Busy, busy, busy ...

I think I've fallen into the trap of trying to do too many things at once and making little progress on any of them!

Since I had little opportunity for stitching last year, I seem to have been trying to make up for lost time, particularly in regard to sewing exchanges. I've had three on the go at once - perhaps not one of my better ideas. I posted two of my exchange items at the beginning of this week. One is a Spring themed item for my Needlecraft Haven partner and the other is a Stitcher's Day item for my Friendly Stitchers's partner. I will post pictures when the items have been received. I'm also doing an Easter exchange and I've started stitching an Easter card and Easter shaped ornament for my Needlecraft Haven partner. I have until the beginning of April to complete that.

In the meantime I am making progress on pieces for myself. First up, Just Nan's Patience Sampler - I've only stitched one and a half rows since I last showed it. Hopefully I will be able to get a better photo next time.

Just Nan Patience as at 18 March 2014

I've made quite abit of progress on my quilt. I finished machine stitching the green/yellow squares and still have to finish machine piecing the red/yellow/burnt yellow squares. However, I got enough done to do a provisional layout to see what it will look like when finished (see below). What I have learnt from this design is that trying to get points right, is enough to make you want to pull your hair out! While not 100% perfect, they are almost there.

My Animal Farm Quilt - taster layout

Just Nan SAL 2014 - February post

In my mind, I'm a quicker stitcher than I actually am in real life. So despite thinking that I would have Just Nan's Patience sampler finished, I have only passed the half way point. I'm more used to stitching on the recommended fabric now but I wouldn't rush to buy it again. I'm very happy with the look of this sampler and wish I could take a photograph that does it full justice. About halfway through Row 6 I lost my rhythm and ended up removing and restitching the same section of the row about 4 times! Thankfully I got it sorted in the end. To see the progress of others in the Just Nan SAL 2014, just click here.

Just Nan 'Patience' as at 28 February 2014

January Just Nan 2014 SAL Update

Here is my progress on Just Nan's Patience Sampler. I expected to complete the first band and I probably would have, if I hadn't miscounted the positioning of the centre piece after the first rose! So after some frogging, here it is.
I'm stitching on the recommended 30ct Liberty fabric and I'm still undecided as to whether I like it or not. I feel that the fabric holes are 'big' compared to 32ct. Silly I know, but as I usually stitch on 28ct or 32ct linen, it just feels different. Still love what I have managed to stitch though.

Just Nan 'Patience'
Stitched on 30ct Legacy