I wanted a relatively small, quick project, so this week I stitched and made up this Just Nan biscornu. I didn't add the suggested ribbon on the corners as I wasn't keen on it. However, it is ages since I made a biscornu so I overstuffed this one. I realised that when I found it difficult to get the central button sitting as I wanted, but I got there in the end.

Jingle biscornu - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct evenweave White

Threads: recommended DMC threads and embellishment pack

I'm still doing the Ten-a-day Facebook group challenge and here is my current progress (Day 250) on Just Nan's Mermaid Heart. It will be finished before the end of this year as I think it has less than 3,650 stitches.

Mermaid Heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 32ct Rue Green Belfast linen
Threads: Recommended Au Ver a Soie

I have a couple of other small projects which have been stitched but now need to be finished, finished. I will hopefully show them in my Gifted Gorgeousness post, later this month.

My 10-a-day

It's 5-a-day for fruit and vegetables but I'm supplementing my healthy intake with 10 stitches a day :)

I've haven't done a progress update on Just Nan's Mermaid Heart since February when it looked like this.

Mermaid Heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 32ct Rue Green Belfast linen
Threads: Recommended Au Ver a Soie

At day 194 it looks like this. I am over halfway in completing this.

Mermaid Heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 32ct Rue Green Belfast linen
Threads: Recommended Au Ver a Soie

As always the photo doesn't do the project justice. The pinks and purples really 'pop'. I was beginning to lose interest in this project but now that I'm stitching the infills, the colours have renewed my interest.

As a reminder, this is a Facebook SAL where the objective is to stitch 10 stitches per day on a project with about 3,650 stitches so that you have a finish by the end of the year. This will be a lovely finish for the end of 2017.

Patchwork de Chouettes, Part 2 and the Ten-a-day SAL

Here's a short update on my recent stitching.
I'm alittle behind on the Jardin Privé Patchwork de Chouettes SAL but I've now completed the second part.

Patchwork de Chouettes - Jardin Privé

Fabric: 32ct Light Mocha Belfast linen

Threads: recommended DMC threads

My Just Nan ten stitches a day project is slowing progressing. Here is it after 42 days.

Mermaid Heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 32ct Rue Green Belfast linen
Threads: Recommended Au Ver a Soie

2017 stitching aspirations

A belated Happy New Year to everyone. It's hard to believe that we are already a week into 2017.

I don't tend to make New Year resolutions so I've titled this post 'aspirations' which is a more accurate description. I've been reading the plans of other stitchers and quilters for 2017 and I think 'Oh, I'd like to do that' but there isn't enough hours in the day for me to follow up on each of these ideas. As my Granny used to say when I tried to do too much or eat too much "Your eyes are bigger than your stomach".

I'd like to make a start on this kit that I received as a Christmas present. However, If I do, I know that won't be until the latter part of this year.

I've now bought each of the 'Little Sheep Virtues' from Little House Needleworks and 'Sheep in the Meadow' from Country Cottage Needleworks. During the year I plan to stitch these on a single piece of linen as Giovanna and many other stitchers have done.

Of course, I hope to finish 'Alpine Seasons Garden'. Well the stitching at least but I've been saying that for the past two years. I haven't touched it in a few months as I was on a course of treatment that meant my ability to concentrate was poor so I set it aside for a while. Now that I'm feeling alot brighter, I have no excuse for not stitching on it. This is where I last left it.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine
Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand line
Threads: Recommended silk threads

I'm also toying with the idea of stitching 15 scissor fobs; one for each of the ladies in my sewing group. They keep admiring the ones I have (example below) and I thought it would be a nice little gift to give each one next Christmas. We'll see, as that might just be one stitching plan too many.

Tiny beaded heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 28ct Cashel white linen

I have done a little stitching over the past two weeks. This is The Primitive Hare's 'I Believe in Santa'. All I need to do now is finish it as an ornament.

I Believe in Santa - The Primitive Hare
Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament issue, 2012
Fabric: 28ct hand-dyed fabric from Madame Chantilly

I've also been keeping up with the Ten stitches a day SAL. This is quite hard for me at the moment because when I start something, I either keep going with it until it is finished or until I feel I need a break from it.
Here are my first eighty stitches. I'll probably only post on this again when I feel there is some progress to be seen.

Mermaid Heart - Just Nan
Fabric: 32ct Rue Green Belfast linen
Threads: Recommended Au Ver a Soie

Well, that is more than enough for now and I didn't mention quilting at all. I have two doll quilts that I am in the process of hand quilting so I'll post on those when they are finished.