#35 - A HAED virgin no longer ...

Progress as at 27th February 2019

Finished Design Size 400 W by 584 H (16 W X 23-1/4 H inches on 25ct)

Chart Contains 89 Colours

Copyright Heaven and Earth Designs 2017 (Conni Togel 2017)

DMC Magic Count Evenweave 25 count (KatzXstitch)

Stitched on 36" rods for Millennium Frame and floor Stand (Needle Needs)

with two diagonals under my belt now, and a feel for how to deal with 25 count, I'm on my way.

I'm using this for my SMSL homework (Year 2 Week 5), which is 1 point for our House for every 200 stitches.

Oh, I had an email yesterday from Omanik to say that my Quantum frame has been sent on its way.  I am excited to test it out.

Which brings me nicely, to my stats (please note that this is only a challenge for myself alone):-

• 179 stitches done.
• 6,889 cumulative stitches.
• 42,195 left do do.
• 2 hours 24 minutes stitching for this session.
• 39 hours and 30 minutes cumulative time.
• 75p into the cauldron.
• £36.05 cumulative cauldron pennies.
• 29 unpaid stitches to carry forward.

I've walked the dog, cleared up the kitchen and will now be off to calm mindfulness by stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Have a great day.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#34 ~ How much space do 37 stitches take up?

Progress as at 26th February 2019

Finished Design Size 400 W by 584 H (16 W X 23-1/4 H inches on 25ct)

Chart Contains 89 Colours

Copyright Heaven and Earth Designs 2017 (Conni Togel 2017)

DMC Magic Count Evenweave 25 count (KatzXstitch)

Stitched on 36" rods for Millennium Frame and floor Stand (Needle Needs)

the answer is .... minute amount at 1 over 1 on 25 count.  

Heathfield Crafts came to the rescue, as usual, as the lovely Lisa was just unpacking a DMC order and came to talk to me with a box of 3840 in her hand.  I love the service and friendliness of that shop, it is a shame they don't have a website.

I took away three other colours from the list I had given her:  152; 3713 and 842.  Lisa has the rest on order for me, and I will take the whole lot in one go when they are all in.

I was just about to wind up this post, when I realised I hadn't updated the #50kxstitch challenge:-

• 37 stitches (actually a few more but they were test ones which were frogged out).
• 6,6710 cumulative stitches.
• 42,374 left for the challenge.
• 1 hour and 03 minutes.
• 37 hours and 6 minutes cumulative time.
• 25p in the cauldron.
• £35.30 cumulative cauldron.
• 5 unpaid stitches to carry forward.

I can now enjoy this unseasonal February afternoon (sunny and warm), keep calm and stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#33 ~ Murphy's Law ....

DMC 3840

After a frustrating night light night, when I eventually gave up in a huff, I went back to the HAED this afternoon and ripped out the 2 over 1 tent stitch and the 2 over 1 full crosses.  I then stitched it again in 1 over 1 full crosses.

Man alive 25 count is tiny, but my eyes were just adjusting to it when I discovered a that a pivotal thread colour is missing in action.  I could have sworn I purchased it!

So I eventually got 4 rows of the very first diagonal done, and will have to go out tomorrow to track down this colour.  Fingers crossed Lisa at Heathfield Crafts will have it.

Oh well, I'll make sure that I will keep calm and not keep read instead.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#32 ~ SMSL - Extra Credit - Ultimate House Points Reading Challenge

Moving forward, I will update progress on this challenge using the same labels and by linking to the original post (#31) which I will also keep updated.

Each word will have a separate post number as well, but I will always use the same labels so that it can all be tracked... does that make sense?

I've just put this one on my Kindle and it will be going towards the word RAVENCLAW:

R -
A -
V - 
E -
N - Cuckoo's Nest (The) - Gordon Reid
C -
L -
A -
W -

I actually picked this up on Kindle Unlimited in July 2013, but it's been sitting in my library since then.

Date started:  25 February 2019
Date completed:  03 March 2019.
3 stars

Keep calm and carry on reading.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #schoolofmagicalstitchesandliterature #ultimatereadingchallenge

#31 ~ SMSL - Extra Credit - Ultimate House Points Reading Challenge

also including the follow up within this title as 'Suddenly Susan' was essentially a prologue.

The School of Magical Stitches and Literature Extra Credit - Ultimate House Points Reading Challenge 

This extra credit challenge will last for the entire year. It will end on December 31st. This is a chance to earn 100 house points for your house to take the cup. This is a spell-out challenge using Title and Authors. You may use the authors First or Last name. Ignore articles “The, And, An”.  How it works:

1)Start a thread with all updates completed on the thread.


2) Include your house name:


3) Spell out the following:
Ravenclaw
Gryffindor
Hufflepuff
Slytherin
Hogwarts

4) Each complete spell-out is worth 20 points.
5) Didn’t finish a word? Each letter is worth 2 points each

Now this challenge was made for me, because I am a eat up literature, especially when I have a light study schedule. On a good day, with nothing else to do I can get through a book, but at the moment with stitching and studying.

This was not a long book, so I've also included 'Caught Up in Me' within that read, which was longer. quite long.

Start date: 12 February 2019

Finish date: 25 February 2019

* * * * *

I've just finished this one on Kindle Unlimited and therefore I'm using it towards the 'S' in Slytherin.  

S - Suddenly Susan/Caught Up in me - Virginia Gray

L

Y

T

H

E

R

I - Into the Darkness - Sibel Hodge

N

R
A
V
E
N
C - Cuckoo's Nest (The) - Gordon Reid
L
A
W

G
R
Y
F
F
I
N
D
O
R


H
U
F
F
L
E
P - Perception and Illusion - Catherine Kullmann
U
F
F


H
O
G
W
A
R
T
S

Keep clam and carry on reading.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #schoolofmagicalstitchesandliterature #ultimatereadingchallenge

#30 ~ School of Magical Stitches and Literature (SMSL) ...

I

Progress as at 24/2/2019

The Elves - DMC Kit - on White Aida

Grided with Sulky Sliver

DMC threads from kit and DMC Etoile in white substituted for non-stitched portions of kit (purchased from Hobby Craft - a gift from my girlie squad)
Currently on 36" scroll rod and stretcher bars on Millennium floor stand by Needle Needs

I've been watching a few Flosstube episodes that have mentioned the School of Magical Stitches and Literature Facebook Group, and I found that resistance was useless ... I joined and have been sorted into the Hufflepuff House.

I was just thinking of packing up for the night, and taking The Elves off the frame, when a Busy Work assignment was posted.  To earn points for your house it required 100 stitches that could not be on anything you were doing for another (SMSL) challenge.  Obviously, I couldn't ignore a call to arms, and managed to knock off another 10 x 10 square which equals 100 stitches and complete my end of the task.

I've just noticed that homework has been posted for this week on there too, but I will check that out later on.

Today the plumber is coming to install a new kitchen sink ... it's a long and painful story, and whilst he's working I will sew up the other scroll rod and pop on the Alpaca HAED.

#50xstitch challenge update for yesterday therefore is:-

• 303 stitches (including 100 for Busy Work)
• 6,673 cumulative stitches for the year.
• 42,411 left to go for the year.
• £1.50 in the cauldron.
• £35.05 cumulative in the cauldron.
• 3 hours 41 minutes stitching time.
• 36 hours and 03 minutes cumulative.

Right, let there be a new sink .... and I will keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch 

#29 - Alpaca HAED New Start ...

Finished Design Size 400 W by 584 H (16 W X 23-1/4 H inches on 25ct)

Chart Contains 89 Colours

Copyright Heaven and Earth Designs 2017 (Conni Togel 2017)

DMC Magic Count Evenweave 25 count (KatzXstitch)

Stitched on 36" rods for Millennium Frame and floor Stand (Needle Needs)

Feel free to ignore this post, but you may be interested in all the methodology for stitching this Bad Ass Project (BAP) which will be my very first HAED full coverage piece.

25 count evenweave - DMC Magic Guide with 10:10 grid (as I'm stitching 1 over 1 my 100 square will only be half of the marked grid).

Number 26 petite needle. 

No thread storage has been organised yet other than kitting up most of the project.  I decided that I would not kit up the whole thing in one go.  I purchased colours required for most of the first page (bought total amount of floss in each colour for the whole design), and then have taken floss colours from the list from stash.  I have then also provided the lovely Lisa at Heathfield Crafts with a list of the other colours, and she will make sure they are in stock.  I will probably put them in Flossaway bags and print off symbols to add to the front of the baggie, and then put them in colour order into a Wham Box.  I do not bobbinate my floss.

No specific needle minder yet, but I have got my needle storage organised:

Stitching in 1 over 1 continental tent stitch (CTS) full cross.  I tried CTS, and hated it.

Stitching on diagonal - I have marked a working copy of the file to make this easier.  Chart format is PDF and therefore I can export to my Kindle for ezpdf reader, but will probably mark up straight from my laptop.

Crosses will be worked bottom right to top left / bottom left to top right in sequence for each row, as per the Elves.

I will be parking.  Threads to be parked bottom right hand corner as per Elves.

I think that is all of the information for now, but will update this if I discover anything else pertinent.

I just need to breath, keep calm and start to stitch ... stitch ... stitchin.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#28 ~ That's the way to do it ...

Progress as at 23/2/2019

The Elves - DMC Kit - on White Aida

Grided with Sulky Sliver

DMC threads from kit and DMC Etoile in white substituted for non-stitched portsions of kit (purchased from Hobby Craft - a gift from my girlie squad)
Currently on 36" scroll rod and stretcher bars on Millennium floorstand by Needle Needs.

Ever since I started on the face and beard of the first Elf, all I can think about is Mr Punch.  There's something a bit sinister about the way he's creeping through the woods ... it would not surprise me to find sausages in that sack to lure a crocodile, or is it Mrs Punch and the Baby!

Update on the #50kxstitch challenge:

• 289 stitches in this session.
• 6,370 cumulative stitches for the challenge.
• 42,714 stitches to go in the challenge.
• £1.50 in the cauldron.
• £33.55 cumulative pennies in the cauldron.
• 29 unpaid stitches to carry over.
• 4 hours and 45 minutes in this session.
• 32 hours and 22 minutes cumulative for the year.

Katz X Stitch were super quick sending the replacement fabric through, and it was sitting in the post box when we got back from shopping ... soooo, when I've stitched a few more stitches in The Elves, I will break out the fabric and put it on the scroll bars to start my very first HAED.

I also need to make the top scroll cover, as I don't want the fabric to flop around when I flip the frame over, which is what has been happening with The Elves.

Have an awesome Sunday, and whatever you do keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay

x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwith

#27 ~ Little Chaps are back for a brief appearance ...

Progress as at 22/2/2019

The Elves - DMC Kit - on White Aida

Grided with Sulky Sliver

DMC threads from kit and DMC Etoile in white substituted for non-stitched portsions of kit (purchased from Hobby Craft - a gift from my girlie squad)
Currently on 36" scroll rod and stretcher bars on Millennium floorstand by Needle Needs.

... I managed to finish off the furtherest square on the righthand side.  

It is brilliant sunshine here, and so I couldn't get a shadow-free picture.  Holy macaroni these scroll bars are loooonnnnngggg.  Too big actually for The Elves, but I hated the cheap frame that it had been set up on.

I managed to knock out the bottom rod cover.  That was a challenge in itself, as I had to use fabric yardage instead of fat quarters to avoid a seam in it.  This red and biscuit polkadot matches (or will do when it's finished) my sewing machine cover which has that fabric on the reverse - it may also be bound in it.

There has been no response from Omanik after I submitted a paypal dispute.  It seems that Kyle from Stitching in Sound (flosstube) ordered his on the same day as me, and it arrived around 13th February.  What the *&^£.

I'm hoping that my replacement fabric will turn up today so that I can start the HAED Alpaca, so fingers crossed for me.  If it doesn't then I will stick with these little guys for a few days.

Oh, I nearly forgot the #50kxstitch challenge update and a note to myself:

• 59 stitches (40 unpaid).
• 6,081 cumulative stitches.
• 25p into the cauldron.
• £32.05 cumulative.
• 59 minutes stithching time.
• 27 hours and 37 minutes cumulative.

Note to self:  36" rods need 38" width of fabric; 9.5" depth; cut elastic before first fit to around 30" (but check the stretch first).

There is food shopping and cleaning in my future, but for now I'm going to stay calm and keep on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

May you Saturday be sun-filed and happy.

Hugs

Kay x

#26 ~ Holy Macaroni

25 count DMC Magic Guide Evenweave (marked with 10:10 grid)

... that's tiny, tiny holes.  Full disclosure, I've never stitched on evenweave before, and didn't relise that a 10:10 grid is marked out on the basis that a cross would go over 9 squares, rather than my continental tent stitch (which I have also never done before) which only goes over 2 holes.

I had a panic moment last night when I put in test stitces and it was coming up only half of the grid.  There was another panic when I realised that the fabric wasn't big enough.  I had been careful about working out the size of the fabric I would need plus 4" margin.  One panic was averted when I checked the paperwork from Katzxstitch to find that they had sent me a fat quarter no a fat half as per my order.  I called them today, and I have to tell you their customer service is second to none, they were amazing.  I decided to keep this piece, which I paid them for, and they are sending me the correct piece today.  I would highly recommend them, or their sister company Willow Fabrics.

The stitch size panic was also averted by the beautiful and talented Teresa Little Stitcher (her blog is in the side bar).  I wizzed her a message and she assured me I was both doing it correctly and that it would only take up half the marked grid.  Thanks so much Teresa, you are a lovely lady.

I do remember one of Teresa's flosstube episodes that she mentioned about the magic guide being 20 stitches, but hadn't put two and two together.  Having done some research it might be that Zweigart easy count might be a better option, as from the pictures it look to have a 5 x 5 grid, which when done 1 over 1 would be the correct grid.  I will get some and try it out.

These bad boys turned up this morning - my 36" scroll bars for the Needle Needs Millennium Floor stand.  They are huge, and now I need to sew some scroll rod covers for them.

As soon as the fabric turns up it will be all systems go for my HAED Alpaca Bad ass Project (BAP).  I can't wait, although those holes are super tiny.

#25 ~ Shockingly bad photo ...

WIP as at 20/02/2019

4281 Holy Lady from Joy Sunday (Ali Express)

Started 10/10/2018

Aida swapped out for DMC 14 count Aida Magic Guide (Willow Fabrics)

Working on 20" bar Millennium Frame and Floor Stand

of progress on my lovely Russian lady - soz about that.

I'm very reluctantly saying goodbye to her for a little bit, and will bust out the Elves to make a bit of progess on them.

Fingers crossed my rods will turn up tomorrow ... twice now the chap at Needle Needs has said he will 'put them in the post tonight' and when I phone to find out how/when they were despatched he say 'sorry they didn't go out but I will put them in the post tonight'.

Honesty is really the best policy, and I would far rather be told the truth so that I am not on high alert waiting for things to turn up.  Currently, you can colour this witch severely angry as both Needle Needs and Omanik have not come up with the goods, shown little to no customer service other than empty promises, and seem reluctant to communicate the true state of affairs.   I am not a happy bunny as I need either the rods or the Quantum to get on with my HAED Alpaca.

The update for my #50kxstitch challenge is:

• 189 stitches completed in this session.
• 6,022 cumulative stitches.
• 43,062 left to go.
• £1.00 added to the cauldron for this session.
• £31.80 cumulative in the cauldron.
• 3 hours and 4 minutes in this session.
• 23 hours and 34 minutes cumulative.

Not much stitching for me today, as I had to go for a medical appointment, and then dropped into work for a catch up session.  When I eventually got home I then had to empty under the kitchen sink in readiness for the plumber on Monday to intall the emergency replacement tap and sink.  Life is not dull in this place.

Fingers crossed my rods will turn up tomorrow, and I can finish putting away my DMC floss and updating the inventory, and send the order through the Heathfield Crafts for the remaining colours for the HAED Alpaca - I think there are about 65 more colours to get (some of which are multiple skeins).  That's gonna be a big bill.

In the meantime, I will try to keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#24 ~ I really need to let this one go ...

WIP as at 19/02/2019

4281 Holy Lady from Joy Sunday (Ali Express)

Started 10/10/2018

Aida swapped out for DMC 14 count Aida Magic Guide (Willow Fabrics)

Working on 20" bar Millennium Frame and Floor Stand

and take it out of rotation, and will bite the bullet and put back The Elves or start the HAED Alpaca if my scroll rods turn up (oh, that's a story right there!).

In the meantime, decent progress was made even though it was only a small stitch count - metallics y'all - not a fan.

I should have more time to stitch today, but have to take care of business this morning with one or two things going on.

#50xstitchchallenge update:

• 95 stitches yesterday.
• 5,883 cumulative stitches.
• 43,791 left to do on the challenge to get to the bonus.
• 50p earned for the cauldron
• £30.80 cumulative coins in the cauldron.
• 1 hour 40 minutes stitching time.
• 23 hours 34 minutes cumulative time.

Today, I will be stepping out in my Cath Kidston Alpaca print dress.

Stay calm and keep on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#23 - A quick Flosstube hello with WIP update and checking video cam position

WIP as at 18/02/2019

4281 Holy Lady from Joy Sunday (Ali Express)

Started 10/10/2018

Aida swapped out for DMC 14 count Aida Magic Guide (Willow Fabrics)

Working on 20" bar Millennium Frame and Floor Stand

The swivel arm for the web cam arrived yesterday, and after a hurried set up by my darling Hubby last night, I've taken my coffee break this morning to play around with the set up.  It's not quite right, so I won't be firmly securing the cam to the swivel holder yet, but it's not far off.

Instead of just a photo, I've uploaded a super quick video to say high and share the latest WIP update.  The details for the #50xstitchchallenge are:-

• 163 stitches yesterday.
• 6,114 stitches cumulatively for the year.
• 43,886 to go for the year.
• 75p in the cauldron yesterday.
• £30.30 cumulative pennies in the cauldron
• 2 hours 13 minutes stitching time yesterday
• 21 housrs and 54 minutes cumulative stitching time for the year across all projects.

I have any essay to do today, and probably until it's due in on Thursday if truth be told, but I want to get it dones as quickly as possible so I can get back to stitching.

In the meantime, I hope you have a great week, keep calm, and if you can keep stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#22 ~ My rotation = my rules ...

WIP as at 16/02/2019

4281 Holy Lady from Joy Sunday (Ali Express)

Started 10/10/2018

Aida swapped out for DMC 14 count Aida Magic Guide (Willow Fabrics)

Working on 20" bar Millennium Frame and Floor Stand

and that is why I am keepig this out and not replacing in the rotation.  

I've made a good amount of progress too, and hit the first bit of metallic to be stitched.  I have had an internal debate about whether I should sub out metallic for beads, but in the end I've decided to keep the metallic.  I might add some pearls on her brooch, but that is yet to be debated.

The only thing I am definitely going to do is to make sure I do not do loop start on the metallic, instead I will use waste knot.  The reasoning behind this is that the loops do not pull back behind the threads too well, and therefore the first stitch doesn't seem to site nicely.

Considering this is a confetti heavy piece (especially the border), my progress yesterday was not to shabby.

Here's the update for my #50kxstitchchallenge:

• 250 stitches done.
• 5,951 cumulative stitches.
• 44,049 left to do.
• £1.25 pennies in the cauldron.
• £29.55 cumulatie cauldron money for stuffs.
• 3 hours 55 minutes on stitching.
• 19 hours 41 minutes cumulative.

Lots of boring housekeeping and logistics to do today, but all is quiet in the house at the moment, so I will keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin.

Hope you are all having a great stitchy weekend.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#21 ~ after a frustrating morning ...

trying to unsuccessfully find the adjustable swivel fixing for my HD Webcam and then trying to cobble someting together with my selfie-stick (yes, I am an annoying idoit we owns a selfie-stick!) I finally gave up and ordered this.  

My darling husband should be able to fix the Web Cam in place somehow and it can clamp next to my maglamp.  I've downloaded the drivers, in readiness, and I can then use it to film flosstube and stitch with me videos, rather than using my phone.

All in all, it was truly a frustrating morning and not much stitching has been done.  So I'm going to stay calm and keep on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin' until the Prime Delivery tomorrow.

#20 ~ Update for yesterday and today ...

WIP as at 15/02/2019

4281 Holy Lady from Joy Sunday (Ali Express)

Started 10/10/2018

Aida swapped out for DMC 14 count Aida Magic Guide (Willow Fabrics)

Working on 20" bar Millennium Frame and Floor Stand

It's a late update for me today, as I've been busy doing housework and some stitching.  As I didn't post yesterday's this is two days stitching.

Considering this is so confetti heavy, I'm actually making decent progress.  Although I have to admit that I have not managed to get back to fully parking, I am working in a roughly diagonal fashion, and parking as and when required.

I should really take this out of rotation, but I think it will be allowed to stay out a few more days. 

I have an assessment to write for Uni next week anyway so it will give me a good run on this ... not too much stitching will be done for the first half of next week whilst I shift my backside to do work.

#50kxstitch challenge so far is:

• 14th February 2019 62 stitches.
• 15th February 2019 212 stitches.
• Total for two days 274 stitches
• 5,701 stitches cumulatively.
• 44,299 stitches to go.
• 14th February 2019 1 hour 42 minutes and 15th February 2 hours 57 minutes.
• 15 hours 46 minutes culumlative stitching
• 14th February 25p in the cauldron and 15th February £1.25 in the cauldron.
• £28.25 cumulatively in the cauldron.

My new bars for the frame did not turn up today, and fingers crossed the gentleman from Needle Needs put them in the post.  I am hoping that they will come tomorrow, but will not hold my breath.

In the meantime, I will keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Have a good weekend, and check out the Heaven and Earth Designs sale that is on at the moment.  I am staying well away, promise!!!

Hugs

Kay xx