Autumn Finish!!

Finally finished Autumn by Sara Guermani. I started this in 2021 and had to restart it this year on a different fabric (56 count Cream Kingston Linen with DMC threads) since I miscalculated my counting when I started with the border on the top left. I started in the middle the second time and worked outwards, which worked out great. I actually have too much fabric all the way around now, about 8", but at least I can trim it depending on how it will be framed. Now I'm frogging the first start to reuse the linen on another project. I just wanted to post this before Winter starts tomorrow.  I did end up changing quite a bit of colors especially on the houses. I did write down the changes for future inquiries of if I want to stitch it again. It was very fun to come up with other colors that would keep the overall feel of her design. 

This was the first time using a count this high and I really enjoyed it. I'm not sure I will be able to turn back. 

I have picked up another project I started early this year called Evergreen Sampler by Rosewood Manor from a 2013 Christmas book by Craftways Herschnerrs A. I will post pics later. 

Autumn Stitching and Plans

Autmn by Sara Guermani

I started this pattern back in August 2021 but realized that I had counted wrong for the fabric 36 count linen and decided to order 56-count, which would help reduce the size. This is the top left quarter section, which is almost finished. Need to do some final back stitching and fill in the door on the purple house on the right. I changed the colors considerably and made notes just in case someone else askes me what I used. I am filled with joy whenever I look at that acorn border. I am so smitten by this design. 

I'm not sure if I will be finishing this piece this year since I want to start a Halloween at Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings. I saw this stitched on a bright purple linen that I absolutely LOVED! called Highland Heather by FabricsbySteph, which does not look like it's available anymore.  I am planning on dying a 56-count linen to see if I can match the color. 

 

Wheel of The Year by Heaven and Earth Designs / Start

[I'm stitching it on 56-count Cream Zweigart Kingston Linen and using called for DMC threads.]

Started this pattern this month to learn more about the pagan year.  I've always been curious about living more seasonally. I know my grandparents lived off the farm in Michoacan, Mexico. That meant using everything that the land and animals provided. I remember visiting my Abuelita Teresa (my dad's mother) a few times. She lived in a dirt floor shed-like structure. She made cheese, maza, arroz con leche, bars of soap, and so much more from scratch. I remember the first time I saw her cook a chicken. She asked which one we wanted and then proceeded to catch it and twist its head off. I was horrified, but it didn't stop me from eating the stew she made because she had cooked it in honor of our visit. 

The new studio we just bought has a small piece of land. There are apple trees, blackberries, a bay leaf tree, a hazelnut tree, lots of sage, a tiny Japanese citrus tree, a palm tree, and an adorable small pond.  

It was too late to do much with the bounty of green apples we picked, but next year, we plan to get a dehydrator and learn how to can!  I did make a couple of apple pies that turned out very yummy. Used a new recipe by Natashas Kitchen. Link here Apple Pie Recipe

Greenhouse of Oddities SAL by Lola Crow

I've only done a couple of Stich Along projects. It's so much fun working on a mystery SAL especially from designers that I really love. 

This project has been amazing! I loved waiting for each design to be revealed every Friday. I mean look at that skeleton!! I still have two weeks to finish, but I'm already so in love with it. 

I will add the details of it once I'm finished. 

https://lolacrowcrossstitch.com/products/greenhouse-of-oddities-sal

Flower Skull on MobiStitch

 

 

Been playing with MobiStitch on the iPad. Still now sure how to make a PDF. I really like it. I think I'm going to stitch this. It's only 21x21 stitches. I also need to learn how to use the stitch descriptions to show specialist stitches. 

Current Projects - Summer Cross Stitch Camp 2021

This summer I discovered Flosstube on YouTube. So many great stitchers to follow. One of them I found called #TheColoradoStitcher. She started a stitch along called #crossstitchcamp for the three months of summer. I ended up participating and having lots of fun. Here are the three projects for June, July, and August. 

June - Chart by Little House Needleworks "Be True"

This month's requirement was to start a new project that was inspired by someone else, and that it can be started and finished in a month. It needs to be posted on instagram with the hashtag #crossstitchcamp and @coloradostitcher so she can like it and note that you started, and at the end of the month you post a pic with the same hashtags to show your finish. 

I picked Little House Needlworks because I had been inspired by so many "smalls" posted on Instagram. When I saw this one, the only thing I was focusing on was that it could be done in a month. What took me forever was trying to add the cats. Finding the right size and coloring was a challenge for sure. With that said, I am so pleased with how this turned out. I knew I wanted to add my cats because they are such a huge part of who I am. Having the one month deadline was fun! I thought I would not like it, but it actually gave me and excuse to just stop in the evening and stitch. I loved it!

July - Chart by Plum Street Samplers "Cap Cod Keeps" Whale Right Side

July's project had to be a new to your designer. Plum Street Samplers has been something I've been collecting but had not yet stitched. I did end up shopping for a new one. I've been really like the Sea themed designs because I would like to live by the sea one day. So basically, I'm creating a wall for my future home! ; ) 

August - Chart by Plum Street Samplers "Cap Cod Keeps" Mermaid Left Side

This month the requirement was to work with materials that you've never used before. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I decided to make the mermaid's tail in silk but don't really know much about them. I ordered some online but knew they would take a few days to arrive so I went to my local stitch shop called Acorns & Threads in Portland. I had never been. I'm so glad I did because I got to meet Jeannine, the owner, and the shop...Wow! 

Here are the special threads I ended up using for the tail. I also ended up using a blue blender glitter thread to accent the water and bubbles on both sides. 

I found a perfect frame for it on ebay. Slate distressed wood 5x10" and can't wait to frame it. Will post finished project pic here once I get it. 

I am so grateful for Sheri Truax Berger from The Loopy Ewe for starting this summer camp. It's been so much fun. I was so inspired by this whole project that I decided to make and gift these floss drops and needle minders of my own oil painting artwork for prizes. I had not considered doing this before hand so it ended up being a lot more than just a stitch camp because now Sheri's shop carries my new floss drops and needle minders... I know! 

Here are pics and links to them on my Etsy shop. 

Theodore by Stacy Nash Primitives - Animal Crackers Series

 

Theodore is done! Finished it last night. I made slight changes in the stitches to keep things uniform but tried to keep it as true to the pattern as possible. I added my initials on the bottom right (under his left foot). I used homespun fabric different from what the directions called for because I didn't use a pattern on his little bag. He's filled with ground walnut shells and lavender. I LOVE how he smells. Can't wait to get started on Clementine!