Eva's weekly progress and plans of a pale moon!

 

All of Eva's dress is finished and I have started on her skin.  I am stitching it over one and very carefully, if I might mention.  I don't want to rip any of it out because over one ripping is a stinker! I have also decided, at this moment anyway, that I will stitch a moon in front of her face and over and under her arms.  It will also be behind the front of her broomstick.  I have chosen Crescent Colours "Bamboo" for the variation and the mellow pale yellow cast. 

I am quite pleased with her and looking forward to another lovely week of stitching!  Happy Eclipse Day! 

Design: Eva designed by Nora Corbett

Link to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted" (similar to DMC 3768)

Fibers: As called for

The condition of Eva as the weather warms!!

 

This is the progress photo of last week's work on Eva.  I am working upward from the bottom of her dress and darn close to starting on her skin. The photos show lots of fabric behind my stitches, however, in person it is not as noticeable.

We are forecasted to have thunderstorms and the possibility of tornadic weather today, so I stitch, stitch, stitch. 

Our Easter was lovely as my neighbor, Donna, joined hubby and I as we ate a lovely dinner at my sister's home.  The weather was overcast and very humid but no rain to spoil Easter egg hunts. 

Christ is Risen! Hallelujah!  He will reign forever and ever.

Design: Eva designed by Nora Corbett

Link to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted" (similar to DMC 3768)

Fibers: As called for

Half an Eva!

 

As I get ready to begin a new weeks' work on Eva, here is my progress to date. Eva's flowing skirt is finished (minus the beads).  The flowing line on the right is the bottom of the body of Eva.  So, one could say she is better than half complete.  I have been contemplating stitching a moon behind her head and am leaning heavily that way at the moment.  

Design: Eva designed by Nora Corbett

Link to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted"

Fibers: As called for

The weekend's progress!

 

Design: Eva designed by Nora CorbettLink to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted"

Fibers: As called for

Spring Storms, Stitching and Stash

 

This is the progress report on Eva.  Last evening I finished the broom under her posterior.  I thought my progress was rather slow but then when writing this entry, I saw I had started this a little over 3 weeks ago!  Not bad considering how many times I have had to rip and restitch. 

Stitching has been going smoothly now.  I am going to start on that backward "C" shape above the broom.  The spots in the broom are for beads, lots and lots of beads.

I did receive the Barbara Ana chart I spoke about in the last post.  I really like it.  I also received the new tablet I ordered with a Christmas gift certificate and $14.00 of my own money.  I am learning how to navigate it.  I did purchase Pattern Keeper but am not using it as of yet. The photo above is taken with the new tablet.  It is a pretty good picture.

We had our first big thunderstorm of the spring season move thru during the night on the 13th/14th.  Hubby asked me to take him to work so our Jeep wouldn't get hail damage sitting in the parking lot at the office.  It was safely ensconced at home in our garage. 

I did find a new Italian blog call "It's 5 o'clock".  There are some cute free designs there. Love this camping Santa design!  Look at the reindeer in the tent.  Really darling. Here is the link to that blog: Il est cinq heures....... (il-est-5-heures.blogspot.com)
I am wishing you all the happy spring stitching your heart desires.  God Bless!

Design: Eva designed by Nora Corbett

Link to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted"

Fibers: As called for

Plodding, Patternmaker and Purchases!!!

 

I had not worked on Eva for several days this week.  But I picked it up for a few stitches on Friday and again yesterday, Saturday.  The black arms have been the bane of my existence as they once again were stitched in the wrong place by apparently some unknown novice stitcher.  But alas I believe I have correctly corrected the situation.  

So, I have begun the broom under Eva's fanny with the hem of her dress flowing out like a jet stream behind her as she flies silently in the haunted night sky.

I have purchased an inexpensive tablet which should be delivered today by the wonderful Amazon truck.  I was given a $50.00 Amazon gift card at Christmas by my baby sister.  I used it and $14.00 of my own money to purchase it.  I want to try PatternKeeper and see how well it works for me.

I did purchase a new Barbara Ana pattern called "Holy Night" from 1 2 3 Stitch! I have been waiting for it to come back into stock.  Here is an image of it: 

That is about the last of the stitchy news.  I have begun reorganizing my stash with Dollar Tree bins I purchased.  I also found some cute Easter decorations up at the Tree for my tablescape. 

Life is lovely as the stitching plods on and spring is creeping towards my Lilac Thicket much too slowly. 

Design: Eva designed by Nora Corbett

Link to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted"

Fibers: As called for

Rip roaring stitching progress

 

Progress on Eva as of bedtime on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The two arms on the upper right had been stitched in the wrong place and I had to take them out and restitch them.  In the photo you can see the bigger holes to the left of each arm in the fabric.  This is where I had mistakenly stitched each of them.

Today, Sunday March 3rd, it is forecasted to be 80° here in the Kansas City, Missouri area.  At 8:30 a.m. the sun has risen and there is a good gustiness to the wind.  I will get out for a few minutes, but I am going to stitch to my heart's content.

♕♕♕♕♕

Design: Eva designed by Nora Corbett

Link to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted"

Fibers: As called for

Leap Day Stitching

 

Stitching progress on Eva from Leap Day, February 29, 2024.

Design: Eva designed by Nora Corbett

Link to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted"

Fibers: As called for

Eva progress

 3 days of stitching February 26th, 27th and 28th.  I switched from the Q-Snap to a 10" hoop because the Q Snap was so cumbersome. The maroon to pink floss is very striking with the black.  

Design: Eva designed by Nora Corbett

Link to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted"

Fibers: As called for

New start

 

Design: Eva designed by Nora Corbett

Link to design: Nora Corbett Eva (Bewitching Pixies) - Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch

Started: Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Finished:  

Fabric:  Picture This Plus 28 count Lugana in color "Haunted"

Fibers: As called for

Happy, happy fourth finish for February!

 

Project particulars

Design: Happy Spring designed by Heart in Hand

Link to design: Happy_Spring_Bird_Free_Chart.pdf (shopify.com)

Started: Sunday, February 18, 2024 @ 4:45 p.m.

Finished:  Monday, February 19, 2024 @ 3:45 p.m.

Fabric: R&R Reproductions 28 count hand dyed linen in "Blue Wave"

Fibers: Note: Fibers are no longer available

                        Old Willow: Vampire Kiss and Churned Butter

                        Dye is Cast: Pine cone and Willow

This free design came in the Heart in Hand newsletter 4 days ago and I thought I would stitch it as I have a Nora Corbet design that should be in the mail tomorrow.  I had finished Stitch until your heart is content which was completed yesterday and I wanted to fill the time as I wait for the mail.   I had fun choosing my fibers and fabric for Happy Spring. That is my favorite part of any project.  I love the Old Willow and Dye is Cast fibers and I dearly wish they were still available.  The Vampire Kiss floss is such a delicious red.  It reminds me of a cordial cherry color.  I feel so accomplished with 4 projects being finished this month. Now, what do I want to pick up to keep my hands busy?

A lovely February finish

Project particulars

Design: Stitch till you're content by Doop Design

Link to design: out of print

Started: Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Finished:   Sunday, February 18, 2024 @ 3:00p.m.

Fabric: Zweigart 28 count Quaker linen in "light mocha"

Fibers: Needle Necessities #1841 Desert Vista, Week Dyed Work Deep Sea, GAST Forest Glade & Pink Azalea, Old Willow (no longer available) Raspberry Ripple, DMC 822 (for attaching beads

Beads: Mill Hill 2004, 2012, 2047

I love this finish!  I did not use 1 of the charms that came with the design.  I used a mother of pearl heart button I had in my stash.  I attached it with 2 Mill Hill #2004 beads.  The scissors charm I painted with pink nail polish before attaching it.  The trim that I added at the top and bottom was given to me by my sister.  I love how it really sets the whole design and made it even more special. The instructions said to insert a needle into the design for a charm but I didn't want to do that.

I am not sure how or when I will fully finish this project, but when I do I will post it.

 

A dapper finish! ☘

Project particulars

Design: Lucky O'Green designed by Notforgotten Farms

Link to design: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1660023657/lucky-ogreene-pdfdownload-cross-stitch?ref=desktop_listing_share_button

Started: Thursday, February 8, 2024

Finished:   Tuesday February 13, 2024 @ 11:50a.m.

Fabric: Zweigart 32 count Lugana, color Bone

Fibers: Called for DMC

I finished Lucky this morning and I love this little mischievous guy! He was a fun stitch.  His red hair and beard plus his bouquets of shamrocks are my favorite parts of him. His appearance is unique to me.  I have never seen a St. Patrick's fellow quite like him and that was his attraction to me.  So, I would like to venture up to Hobby Lobby to see if I can find just the right frame for him.

Off to a new project!

 

A fine Irish gentleman is Lucky O'Greene!

Lucky O'Greene designed by Notforgotten Farms. Stitched by Cathy Sowers

I saw this photo of Cathy Sowers finish on the Facebook Group "Friends of Notforgotten Farms" and fell in love with Lucky O'Greene.  Cathy finished him so well honestly he looks a bit like my Great Grandfather Thomas Patrick Connolley.  I understand he was a red haired Irishman.  I only remember his funeral and I was 3 or 4 years old.  He came from a huge Irish Catholic family in Batavia, Illinois.  But I digress...

I purchased Lucky on Etsy and wanted to finish Baby Jesus before starting him. This morning was a slap stick comedy as I rounded up the prerequisite floss I needed.  I am in the middle of reorganizing my stash in my Happy Room so you can imagine.

 Project particulars

Design: Lucky O'Green designed by Notforgotten Farms

Link to design: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1660023657/lucky-ogreene-pdfdownload-cross-stitch?ref=desktop_listing_share_button

Started: Thursday, February 8, 2024

Finished:   

Fabric: Zweigart 32 count Lugana, color Bone

Fibers: Called for DMC

Baby Jesus has arrived!

 

Baby Jesus, a free design from Lavender and Lace, is at last finished.  We had a few disagreements and I did have to rip out a significant amount of stitches.  I also had some problems doing the back stitching on His head.  Plus in a couple of spots I got maroon colored pencil dust from my working copy onto the white floss.  I was afraid it might not wash out, but it did.  I used Great Value blue dish soap and washed and rinsed a couple of times and it did come out nicely.  The piece was pressed dry on a bath towel before the beads and metallics were added and it looks fabulous.  I am not sure how I will finish it but that it fine for now.

Project particulars

Design: Lavendar and Lace complimentary 2004 design (Baby Jesus)

Link to design: 2004 Christmas Design (tiag.com)

Started: Saturday, December 23, 2023.

Finished: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 @ 8:20 p.m.  

Fabric: 32 count Kiwi Illusion's Southern Sky

Fibers: Called for DMC, Mill Hill beads & Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid

Progress on Baby Jesus & an old finish

 

Project particulars

Design: Lavendar and Lace complimentary 2004 design (Baby Jesus)

Link to design: 2004 Christmas Design (tiag.com)

Started: Saturday, December 23, 2023.  

Fabric: 32 count Kiwi Illusion's Southern Sky

Fibers: Called for DMC, Mill Hill beads & Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid

Just a progress photo for myself.  The other framed angel was an annual free design from Told In A Garden.  This particular stitched angel was and is the annual free angel from 1993 and here is the link to that pattern which is still available: 1990 Christmas Angel (tiag.com) I know I stitched it with the called for DMC embroidery floss on 28 count linen.

I stitched mine in August of 1993 and I still love her.  She was framed at CC & Company in Blue Springs.  CC & Company is still in business and here is a link to that shop's web site: C. C. & Company - Needlepoint Kits & More in Blue Springs, MO (ccandcompanybluespgs.com)

I am never leaving my Happy Room once I get the kitchen & bathroom in there!

 

I have been slowly reorganizing all my leaflets this past week.  I intend to take most of them down to the basement and store them on my bookshelves down there.  They will be in alphabetical order by designer name.  Each designer will have a file folder filled with their leaflets. I had them that way at one time maybe 10 years ago but somehow didn't stick with it.  It was easy to find what I was looking for and also I avoided duplicating purchases.  Designers like Lizzie Kate and my beloved Just Nan have magazine organizers or in Nan's case a storage box with leaflets and kits in it.  Nan will not go downstairs, her designs are protected with my life and will remain in my Happy Room.  Magazines will be organized in magazine organizers according to name. Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament magazines will stay with Nan.

Freebie charts will also accompany leaflets in the appropriate file folder according to designer.  This is a lot of work but in the end, it will make me happy. I believe it will help me refrain from shopping for more stash.

I did get a Temu order last night. I had been anxious to get it.  I got some silicone baking pieces, like cupcake molds, ice cube trays and such.  I also got a felt piece for jigsaw puzzles and a nice pair of pink slippers with fleece like lining.  But then I got some things for stitching.  Straight pins with buttons on the heads, rustic looking jingle bells, 5 zippered project bags, tweezers, and a plastic project case. I saw these little booklets for saving money where cash is tucked in a pocket each week.  I thought those could work with floss for a project with a lot of floss colors. I could put a little label on each pocket with the color number or name. I purchased 3 of those books.

This is the progress on the baby Jesus I am working on.  I have a ton of projects I want to start.

Project particulars

Design: Lavendar and Lace complimentary 2004 design (Baby Jesus)

Link to design: 2004 Christmas Design (tiag.com)

Started: Saturday, December 23, 2023.  

Fabric: 32 count Kiwi Illusion's Southern Sky

Fibers: Called for DMC, Mill Hill beads & Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid

I am looking forward to getting this stash project done so I can get my Happy Room reorganized and rearranged.  Christmas 2022 my husband won a 43" JVC Roku TV and he told me it was for me.  I know where I want it now. I just have to move things around to make it happen.  If I could move the bathroom and kitchen in my Happy Room I would never have to leave. Now that thought makes me giddy with happiness.

Long over due update of Gloria finish!

Project particulars

Design: Gloria Sampler designed by Patricia Andrle

Link to design: Cross Stitch and Country Craft magazine Nov/Dec 1995

Started: November 27, 2021

Finished: May 28, 2022@ 4:11 p.m.

Fabric: 28 count Lugana fabric in Opalescent White

Fibers: called for colors of DMC floss, Kreinik metallics and Mill Hill beads

Here is a link to a video of close ups of this beauty: (1572) Gloria is finished! - YouTube

Progress on The Steady Thread's 2023 Botanical SAL

 

This is the progress on The Steady Thread SAL.  I stitched on it in December.  I love how it looks to date.  It was a free SAL but now can be purchased with all proceeds going to charity.

Project particulars

Design: 2023 Botanical Stitch Along designed by The Steady Thread

Link to design: SAL 2023 OVER Announcement – The Steady Thread

Started: July 1, 2023

Finished: 

Fabric: 28 count Lugana33 in an unknown color name but similar to Anchor #28

Fibers: DMC 310 and GAST "Red Grape"

A Grinchy kinda finish!

I stitched and finished an ornament for my little sister.  She loves the Grinch.  It was a fun and quick stitch.
 

Project particulars

Design: An Ecliptica Design called "Grinch"

Link to design: Grinch PDF Cross Stitch Pattern, DIY Christmas Ornament, Gift, Beginner Easy Pattern, Instant Download - Etsy

Started: December 16, 2023

Finished: December 17, 2023

Fabric: 28 count Opalescence lugana in white

Fibers: Called for DMC floss colors