A very quick stitch finish! 🎃🎃🎃

 Design: Notforgotten Farms "Local Flights"

Link to design: Local Flights Pdf/download Cross Stitch PATTERN From Notforgotten Farm™ - Etsy

Started: Sunday 19 August 2024 @1930

Finished:  Monday, 20 August 2024 @2000

Fabric:  28 count Silkweavers lugana in "Candy Corn"

Fibers: DMC Flower Thread in 2371 & 2916 (I love working with flower threads!)

Notes: I added to the design the word "only" and the cat on the lower left.  I know it's a sketchy looking cat but I felt I needed to balance out the design.  Here is an image of the design as designed by Lori Brechlin. 

I found a witches broom on Temu for sale and will attach the sign to it.  The broom is really cute and I paid less than $10.00 for it.  This will be a gift for my sister who is a Halloween freakoid!  I will post a fully finished photo when it is complete.

Freebie Fondling Folic!

Danger Will Robinson! Danger!  Gangs of freebies are rioting, at least at my Lilac Thicket.  I pulled out the stitched freebies I could find and lined them up to get mug shots.  Some are still available and others are not.  Gosh this was fun fondling them in a very disturbing way if I was a non-stitcher!  

A 3 year old finish!

 

I realized I had never posted a finished photo of Mirabilia's Day Nymph that I finished October 14, 2021.  I had started it long before that and put it down for some time.  Of course this photo does not do it justice, she is really beautiful with all the beads.  I stitched her on Zweigart 32ct lugana in Cinnamon Roll with all the called for beads and fibers. I also stitched her skin over one which can be a disturbing activity.

I learned quite a lot about stitching in a variegated floss color when I stitched the inside of the panes on her wings.  I wanted the wings to look natural and so I stitched in puddles to create just the color effect I was looking for. I think the wings look wonderful!  

I will say I also learned I despise pony beads!  They are large, unwieldly and very funky to attach.

Day Nymph is still available for purchase.  Here is a link to it's sale page at 1-2-3 Stitch: Day Nymph - Mirabilia Cross Stitch Pattern - 123Stitch.   I very much recommend this great on-line shop!  

Another freebie finish: Cross Eyed Cricket "Autumn Acorn 2022"

 

I really did enjoy this stitch project. I worked like a possessed stitcher yesterday to finish it.  I stitched the bottom third below the houses sitting on the gold metallic yesterday.  The only thing different about my stitching from the called for is the gold metallic I used.  I like Treasure Braid better than Kreinik.  It is much easier to work with. I also love the fabric color.  This is the same fabric I used for Day Nymph.

Design: Autumn Acorn 2022 by The Cricket Collection (Cross Eyed Cricket)

Link to design: Complimentary Design — CECricket (This free design will change at some point)

Started: Wednesday, August 7, 2024 @1300

Finished:  Sunday, August 18, 2024 @2230

Fabric:  32 count Zweigart Lugana in Cinnamon Roll

Fibers: As charted w/DMC except used Treasure Braid by Rainbow Gallery #PH03

A "palette cleaner" stitch and finish!

 

This is a fun quick stitch and a lot of personal customizations.  I used black beads for the seeds on the strawberry.  I also accidently stitched the width incorrectly due to a counting error which left too much space for my taste on the left hand side.  So I added some small buttons I had in my stash.  The back stitched steam may perhaps be too light but I wanted it to look like steam and not smoke.  This was a fun "palette cleanser" stitch.  Not sure what I will work on next but I am delighted with this project.

Design: Strawberry Jam and Biscuits Stamp from Pinker 'n Punkin

Link to design: Pinker n Punkin Quilting & Stitching: We Have a Swarm and a Strawberry Stamp Freebie

Started: Sunday August 4, 2024 @1735

Finished:  Tuesday, August 6, 2024 @1500

Fabric:  28 count Zweigart Cashel linen in "Flax"

Fibers: Six Strand Sweets in Spice Drop and Rock Candy; Olde Willow in City of Bristol Brown and Quaker Gold Star; Dye is Cast in Blueberry, Fuschia and Juniper; DMC White and 310; Mill Hill petite beads 42014.  All fibers except DMC are no longer available. 

Embracing Our Mistakes, an article from Victoria Sampler's Newsletter

 

Embracing our mistakes in Cross Stitch Making mistakes in cross stitching is a common and natural part of the crafting journey and can stem from various reasons. For instance, miscounting stitches is a frequent issue, especially with intricate patterns where losing track can lead to misplaced stitches and inaccuracies. In order to avoid this most common tendency, I recommend that you baste all around your project with a sewing thread before you start. Also, baste a horizontal and vertical thread in the middle of your fabric. Your basting stitches can go over and under 4 fabric threads to help you count! Then as you stitch, check back frequently to see if it aligns with your pattern. Using the wrong color is another common mistake, often occurring when threads are not organized or when the pattern uses similar shades. Misreading the pattern or skipping a symbol can result in errors, particularly with complex designs. Using a printed copy of your pattern and marking each stitch so you know what you've done, really helps. Also, there are now digital pattern apps like "Pattern Keeper" that allow you to keep track of your stitches.

When we realize we've made a mistake, it's easy to react and feel frustrated, disappointed, or even disheartened. These emotions are valid, but they don't have to derail our progress or enjoyment. Here's how to get back on track quickly. The first step in handling the emotions that arise from a mistake is to take a deep breath and remind yourself that errors are a part of learning and improving. It's important to give yourself a moment to process your feelings and approach the situation with a calm mind. Once you're ready, assess the mistake and plan a methodical fix. Using small scissors or a seam ripper, carefully remove the incorrect stitches. Take your time to ensure you don't damage the fabric. To maintain momentum and motivation, try to correct the mistake as soon as you notice it. This prevents the error from feeling overwhelming and keeps you engaged with your project. You always feel better once things are under control. Remember, every fix is a step towards mastering your craft, so embrace the process and keep stitching with confidence!

Long overdue Eva progress post

 

This is the progress of Eva as of the end of April 2024.  My frustration level was in the dangerous category.  So many ripping outs of multiple places and then stitching over one on the skin and going to back stitch that over one just made my patience explode into a million nano sized bits.  The outline is for the moon that I want to add but I want the back stitch done first and that isn't gonna happen until possibly the new year.  I keep thinking that the Holy Spirit is bug a booing this.  Anyway, I will finish it eventually but thought it was long overdue for a progress picture.  I have been stitching other designs which you can see in posts below. 

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

A June finish, Mary did you know?

I love the song Mary Did You Know, the Home Free version which you can hear here: Home Free - Mary Did You Know (youtube.com)

Design: Lilacs by KiraLyns Needlearts

Link to design: Mary Did You Know Christian Cross Stitch Pattern Pdf Download by Kiralyn's Needlearts - Etsy

Started: Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Finished:  Saturday, June 8, 2024 @1900

Fabric:  28 count cashel linen in Antique ivory

Fibers: As called for 

 

A fully finished bookmark!

 

A fully finished bookmark which was a gift to my husband on our 13th wedding anniversary 24 June 2024.  The edges are blanket stitched and it turned out beautifully.  I ironed on interfacing on the back to prevent threads from raveling.  I was quite pleased. This is an Artecy design.  The pattern can be found here: Artecy Cross Stitch. Praying Hands Bookmark Cross Stitch Pattern to print online.

KiraLyn's Needlearts Lilac finish

 

Design: Lilacs by KiraLyns Needlearts

Link to design: Lilacs Cross Stitch Pattern Pdf Download by Kiralyns Needlearts - Etsy

Started: Sunday, June 9, 2024 @10:30am

Finished:  Thursday, July 4, 2024 @09:18am

Fabric:  Zweigart 28 count lugana in lavender (similar to DMC 211)

Fibers: As called for, except used Mill Hill beads #00161

Be Still finish!

This is my favorite Bible verse!

Design: A New Creation by Alison

Link to design: Be Still Cross Stitch Pattern - Etsy

Started: Saturday, July 6, 2024 @1500

Finished:  Sunday, August 4, 2024 1130

Fabric:  Zweigart 28 count Cashel in Light Mocha

Fibers: As called for, except used DMC 840 instead of GAST & used Mill Hill Beads in #3015