1 section down 23 to go....

...or 5 blocks down 129 to go. 

I had no idea I was going to enjoy this so much.  I had it in my head that this was like back stitching and I very muchly dislike back stitching, but I now know this is nothing like back stitching.  Once you get the pattern worked out in your head you hardly even have to look at the paper pattern.  If you are thinking of starting this but hesitant for whatever reason, just go for it.  

 And here is how much fabric I have left to fill in.  It's going to be huge!

Right now I have framing ideas for this one, but the cost of framing something so large might change my mind.  But I have visions of this being a family heirloom so I really want it framed properly.

On the Save the Stitches introduction it calls this project a "stitch dictionary", and that is what got me so excited to do this project.  I love the idea that maybe somebody, years down the road looking at this will see stitches that possibly have been forgotten, but I saved them here on this fabric.  That is what "Save the Stitches" means to me, I am literally saving the stitches.

So everybody, go save some stitches of your own, spread the stitching bug and have lots of fun doing it :)

Move over cross stitch!

I was sure I wasn't going to like blackwork, or greenwork as my sister is making me call it "so I don't confuse her"  :)  But boy was I wrong.  I was sure I wasn't going to like using the same color for forever and the pattern just looks so complicated but I followed McKenzie, thelovelyarray from youtube, which is where I first seen this pattern, and she said to start at one corner and follow it around.  So like this:

                                                   x

                                               x      x

                                           x             x

                                      x                      x

                                 x                               x

                             x                                       x

                         x                                               x

Start here -> x                                                        x <- finish here.

Then just keep filling the rest of that block in and it worked great.  Once I got the first few star things done on that first row, I had the pattern down pat and hardly looked at the paper pattern until I got to the next row.

I love it, I have a place picked out where I want it to hang and which way I want to hang it.  So 1 down 133 to go.... 

Another new start... this is becoming a habit

I broke down at stitching group last night and started Save The Stitches.  I didn't get much done because...

...we were learning how to make Dorset buttons.  I am so lucky to be part of a group of such talented people who are willing to share their knowledge with the rest of us.  If you are not a part of a stitching group you should see if there is one in your area, I can't promise they will be a good as the one I am a part of, but I promise you will have a good time!

This was fun to do but it took so long!!  There was a lot of thread to be wrapped around that ring.

 Another one of the members spent Christmas with her family, and there was a shop close by that sold tatting needles so she picked me up a set.  Can't wait to try these out!

And a little bit of progress on Hannah Lynn. I can't seem to get back into the grove on this one, but I need to because I would like to add at least 1 page to the SAL... it is not looking very good right now.

Hope everyone has a good day doing whatever makes you happy!  :)

TUSAL and day 78 Hannah Lynn

Hello stitching buddies!!  Here is my first TUSAL.  It is pretty sad looking but I know my contributions to my ORT jar are never going to be very big.  I use the thread until it isn't long enough to go through the fabric anymore and I cut my thread very long, so for every ort in there, there should probably be 2 if I cut my thread the proper length.  But I live on the edge (probably more like cheap and lazy :) ha!) 

 Day 78 Hannah Lynn - not too many stitches yesterday, I finished Don't Cry Because It's Over yesterday so I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time on this and I went to donate blood last night and all I want to do after that is sleep so that is what I did.

Happy Stitching!!

Quote SAL is finished!

It is all done!!  I think I will frame this and hang it in my bedroom so I see it every morning.

"Don't cry because it is over"

Inspirational Boxer by Lizzie*Kate

Stitched on 30ct Natural Linen with Weeks Dye Works thread

Started Jan 16,2015

Finished Jan 19,2015

Day 75-77 Hannah Lynn and Quote SAL start

They were having a great conversation about whatever was going on out the window.  

Day 75

 Day 76

 Day 77 - And a full view of the whole thing while I move the Qsnaps.

 Day 1 start of the Quote SAL on Cross Stitch, Its fun!!! facebook group.  Don't Cry Because It's Over by Lizzie Kate.
After I took the picture I noticed my E was a row too short so....

 This is my day 1 frogging picture haha.

Day 71-74 on Hannah Lynn

Day 71

 Day 72

 Day 73

 Day 74

This seems to be slow going right now.  I would like to get a whole day to just sit and stitch this.

I have stumbled across some new designers that you should check out.  I think I may put some links in the side bar so check back as I plan to add more.

Paine Free Crafts - Same idea as Heaven and Earth, artwork that has been licensed and made into a cross stitch chart.  It is completely legal and the charts are gorgeous.

Eclectic Bloke Designs - Same as Paine Free Crafts - artwork into cross stitches.  Equally as gorgeous.

Sew sew n sew - I have a new love, I am counting off the stitches until I feel I have finished enough wips to start this pattern.  And that alphabet, and the 4 seasons, and, and, and....  I want all of them.

On this Cross stitch, It's Fun! facebook group there are Stitch-A-Longs all year long and this first one I am participating in starts this Friday and it is stitch a quote.  I will me stitching my winning LizzieKate "Don't cry because it is over, Smile because it happened"  I am super excited to start it.

Thanks for reading and Happy Stitching!!

Cross Stitch Review

I recently come across a new blog called Cross Stitch Review.  Her tag line is "I peek inside the chart packets for you", and that is exactly what she does.  Her name is Mel and it seems she has one very impressive stash as most everything she has reviewed is something she is stitching or has stitched. And so far pretty much everything she has reviewed has been something totally new for me.  This is a great blog to find out about new to you designers.

She also has giveaways, one of which I recently won from Tea Party Revolution.  So far they have all been open worldwide and not many people have been entering so the odds are good right now, but I know that isn't going to last much longer.

Every post has a review of the chart or recently she has also started reviewing thread, places where you can purchase the chart all around the world and different fabrics or thread that would work with the chart.  She really knows her stuff and is very enjoyable to read.  Go check it out!

Day 68-70 Hannah Lynn and the boys

These first 2 are of day 68

Day 69

Day 70

 And here's the boys.  My little old man trapped in a 5 year old's body has been telling me things he would like to give to me as a gift.  Last week it was Proactiv, which I do not need, and tonight he came and told me that he found something I could use.  He said "It is like a "shaver" (which I am assuming he means a shaving razor) and it will cut off all the yucky stuff on your feet and make them look nice like mine." Ummm, thanks?  I can just imagine the gifts his future spouse will be receiving HA!

Day 67 Hannah Lynn and a new start

Day 67 - I made it to the top of this row but I am missing 3 colors that I have to go back and do.  My sister and I share threads.  She has my missing threads.  Hopefully I will see her tomorrow and then I will be able to really finish this row.  

The tread sharing usually works out pretty good but once and awhile we end up needing the same color.  At least she only lives across the road.  

And since I didn't want to move my Q-Snaps until I had finished the top of Hannah Lynn and also because my stitching group was cancelled tonight because of the extremely cold weather, I made a new start to cheer myself up.

This is Quoth the Raven by Kincavel Krosses.  It is a freebie and all you have to do to print it is click on the picture of the chart and print.  I am stitching it on 35ct Northern Cross Off-White Linen and I am using Gentle Arts Carriage Black thread.  So far so good but that border might kill me yet...

Happy Stitching!!

2015 TUSAL

I just joined Daffycat's 2015 TUSAL.  If you want to learn more and/or join up too go here.  Also check out Daffycat's blog while you are there, she has done some beautiful stitching over the years :)

Hannah Lynn Day 62-66

I have joined a Heaven and Earth Design Stitch-A-Long (SAL).  So I have thrown what little rotation I have out the window and I am just going to go with the SAL flow for the year.  If you would like to join too click here to join the Heaven and Earth Design facebook group then click on events and the SAL is listed there to join.  It is pretty laid back, you don't have to start a new chart, you can work on one you already have started and it is just for fun.  Here is my progress since Jan 1, 2015.

Day 62

 Day 63

 Day 64

 Day 65

 Day 66

Here is my little fashionista!  Sweater pulled over his head and a hard hat.  This kid makes me laugh almost as much as he makes me pull my hair out.  He is so comical, but usually while I am laughing he is behind me getting into something.