#65 ~ SMSL Extra Credit Task 11 and then 6

(as at 31/03/2019 - task 11 completion point)

(as at 31/03/2019 - task 6 underway)

see the original post for details on fabric, count, etc.

another diagonal down, and off to a good start with the next one - it's at that tricky stage where I have to switch between pages (I need to talk to by Bestie to find out how to split the screen to see both at the same time, it's way above my technical ability).  Two more rows will see me back on page 1 though.

It's been a bit of a mixed bag today.  We had a worrying phone call late last night from the youngest one, who is up t'north at University.  He had had a reaction to his medication injection, and we were worried that it was either a DVT or infection.  He went off to casualty around midnight and I stayed awake most of the night to hear how he was doing.  It seemed silly to drive the 5 hours up there to find that it was not serious, but around 6 in the morning when I had still not had a call from him I was getting in a bit of a panic.  He phoned about an hour or so later to let me know he was back in his flat.  It wasn't a DVT or infection thankfully, but a slight reaction to his meds.  Phew!

Darling Husband went off to see his Mother, and our oldest rang me to say happy Mothering Sunday, but he wasn't going to be home until later on.  So I had a fantastic treat day of stitching on my own with the tunes turned up and Salted Caramel Profiteroles for dessert.  Today was pretty much a golden day.  Yes, I missed the kids and Hubby, but oldest is home now and youngest will be home in 7 days and is ok.  I had beautiful and hilarious cards too.

I had intended to put my Mothering Sunday gift from them on my frame, but it didn't happen as I was too focused on Alwyn the Alpaca.  I can at least share the artwork with you though.

I am seriously excited about this one.  From a blog point of view, it will be more visually stimulating than the blue upon blue upon blue of Alwyn.

I guess I should also provide a bit of full disclosure too, I bought myself a present too.  That was the reason I stayed behind today and didn't go to see my Mother-in-Law as I had to wait in for the delivery guy.  I purchased a new camcorder for flosstube videos.  The webcam was such a struggle to keep still enough for stitch with me videos, and hopefully now the problem will be resolved.

At the moment the battery is charging, but I will hopefully have a play with it tomorrow - if I am too tired after my first full day back at work.

Keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay 

x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #magicalstitches

#64 ~ SMSL Christmas Break Stitching Extra Task

As at (30/03/2019

See original post for details on kit, etc.

... after 600 plus stitches is complete, although it is a challenge to see it because it is white DMC Etoile for the snow.

I think the white square on the chart are un-stitched areas, but I much prefer it with the Etoile as a substitute.  Apart from loop starts it is really lovely to stitch with.  I've got over the loop start issue where there mostly seems to be a little ruffle of thread by using waste knot method instead.

We've been out shopping most of the afternoon, and I have managed to pick up a lot of the DMC required for the 12 Dancing Princesses HAED.  Hopefully my darling will help me put it on the 36" scroll bars tomorrow before he goes off to see his Mum, so that I can get going ... the chart was a gift for Mothering Sunday after all.

We also had a look at digital cameras whilst we were out, as I have lost mine - or at least can't find it since we move.  I need to get into the attic and look in some boxes as it has to be here somewhere, right!

Keep calm and carry on stitchin', whilst I pop off and update my inventory (I converted it to a google doc, and it is in one of the pages above).

Hugs

Kay xx

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #magicalstitches

#63 ~ SMSL Y3 W5 Task 1 completed and new start point for Extra Task

As at 29/03/2019

See original post for this Project for details on kit etc.

564 stitches completed over two evenings to complete Task 1, and as my "homework" is done for the week I can turn my attention to Extra Credit like the swat I am.

We have a 'Winter Break' Weekend task of 600 stitches to complete, and as I think I can easily do this on just the snow portion of this chart I've posted this photo as both my completion point, and my new start point.

I've updated the time stats worksheet, but to save you the effort of looking I've done 12,493 stitches for the #50xkstitchchallenge with 36,821 left to go.  £67.55 cauldron total and 123 hours and 56 minutes stitching total.

Right, I'm off to crack on with my extra credit.

Have a lovely weekend, keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #magical stitches.

#62 ~ SMSL Y3 W5 Task 1

As at 28/3/2019

See original post for details on fabric, kit, etc.

I've managed 259 stitches tonight, so I am 1 stitch over half-way on Task 1 for the SMSL homework task ... a better position than I thought I would be in.

Stitching on this count Aida feels like a child stitching in Reception class, after 1 over 1 on 25 count for Alwyn Alpaca the holes on the Tronte Elves feel like craters.

I could probably have got away with 3 threads of floss rather than 2, but the coverage looks much better in real life than the photo is showing.  I think that perhaps some paper behind it when I take the next picture will improve the situation.

For the curious, I've updated the Time Stats file for the latest on my #50kxstitchchallenge.

Keep calm and carry on stitching.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #magicalstitches

#61 ~ SMSL Y3W5 - Task 2 - Completed

(As at 27/03/2019)

As usual see original post for HAED Alpaca for details on fabric, stitch count, etc.

with 200 stitches in 2 hours and 17 minutes, I've exceeded the 500 stitch count for Task 1 Homework.

Time Stats are now HERE on a clickable link to Google Docs.

Tomorrow, I can pop my Tronte Elves onto the 11 x 11 snap frame and get going on the 500 stitches to complete task 1.

It's been a busy old day today, and I'm going to stop stitching for now.

Keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs 

Kay x

#60 - SMSL - Y3 W5 Homework - Boggart Week

As at 26/3/2019

Alpaca - HAED

See WIP label for details on fabric, etc.

So the SMSL homework this week is interesting ...  it's boggart week.

'Students - Professor Lupin has decided that it is time to face the Boggarts in our Defence of the Dark Arts class. You must have your wand ready and be able to use the Riddikulus Charm. Remember, your Boggart will seem very scary at first but if you say the charm correctly, your scary boggart will become something funny!

For this week, your homework is for you to face your own personal Boggart and its correctly spoken Riddikulus Charm. You need to stitch 500 stitches EACH on some thing that is scary and something that makes you happy. Please tell why it fits each assignment.'

Obviously, the project that makes me happy is my HAED - the Alpaca.

I love his cock-a-hoop expression and blue butterfly ear decoration.  I've added a photograph to date of my progress.

For the scary project I decided on the Tronte Elves.  Simply because the scare the spit out of me.  Creepy punch-like faces and sacks full of goodness knows what as they creep around the spruce forest.

This will be my starting point:

As at 24/02/2019

Brief #50kxstitchchallenge stats are:

• 11,770 cumulative stitches across all projects.
• 37,544 stitches to go to reach the challenge target.
• £62.05 cumulative cauldron pennies.
• 116 hours and 03 minutes cumulative time.

If you would like to see the breakdown, check out the 'Time Stats' file on the #50kxstitchchallenge page at the top of the blog.

Keep calm and carry on stitchin' ... and don't let the Boggart bite.

Hugs

Kay

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #magicalstitches

#59 ~ SCSL Y3W4T1 - Icon

Updated 24/3/19

See under WIP - Russian Icon label for the original post, which should give you the details for the project.

Muggle Studies - Class 1 (Task 1) is officially complete.

200 stitches wasn't a huge amount, but it's pushing this wip in the right direction.

I will use it again for homework as soon as it fits in.

#50kxstitchchallenge stats are going well, but I haven't updated my spreadsheet.  So I will pop back in with the cumulative details in another post.

Keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #magicalstitches

#58 ~ SCML Y3W4T2

As at 24/3/2019

See Teacup WIP label for details on floss, etc.

The Task 2 Divination Class is completed after 201 stitches for a required 200.

I've been in the garden for a bit, and after a quick sandwich I will be starting on the Russian Icon for the Task 1 Muggle Studies Class.  I need 200 stitches to complete that ... which should be okay to get done.

Keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay

#57 ~ Longest Diagonal finished ...

Progress as at 23/03/2019

Alpaca by HAED - see original post under label to see details on fabric, count, etc.

... finally.  YAY!

I have had very little time this week to stitch, and yesterday as the weather was ok we decided to go in the garden to build a compost heap and start tidying up after Winter.

These stitches have completed one of the homework tasks for SMSL Y3W4, but I have two more tasks of 200 each to do by tonight for my homework to earn any points.  I am not sure if that is achievable as I have to go out in the garden again today, but we shall see ... never say never.

Stats are looking good for #50xkstitchchallenge:

• 23 March 2019 - 240 stitches (there stitches since the last update, but I'm short of time today so am not going to add them all up).
• 11,015 cumulative stitches.
• 38,299 to go.
• £1.25 pennies in the cauldron.
• £58.55 cumulative cauldron.
• 4 hours and 02 minutes stitching time.
• 110 hours and 25 minutes cumulative stitching time.

So, its wellies on for my and get going.  

Keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay 

x

#56 ~ Get ahead ... get a HAED

or at least get the floss for one, or perhaps two.

I picked up the rest of the floss for Alwyn Alpaca this afternoon from Heathfield Crafts and also added a few for my new HAED which I will show you when I am allowed to play with it.

I've then spent a happy quarter of an hour updating my DMC inventory, and now need to put them away.

Keep calm and carry on stitchin.

Kay

x

#55 ~ SMSL Y3 W4 Homework - Task 3

Progress as at 20/3/2019

Alpaca - HAED - HAECAT102

see previous posts under post #35 for full details

I have had very little time to stitch this week, and when I have let's just say it did not go well, and leave it at that.

I am dog tired, so off to bed, but photo of latest progress is at the top of the post, and the #50kxstitchchallenge stats are below covering all three days:

• (18/3/19) 90 stitches ; (19/3/19) 30 stitches; (20/3/19) 120 stitches.
• Cumulative stitches stand at 10,575 as at 20/3/19.
• 38,839 left to stitch.
• (18/3/19) 50p ; (19/3/19) 0.25p ; (20/3/19) 0.75p in the cauldron over the three days.
• £56.05 cumulative cauldron.
• Cumulative stitching time over the three days 101:35 

Happy stitchin',

Hugs

Kay x 

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#54 ~ Finished my SMSL Y3 W3 Task 1

Progress as at 17/3/2019

Alpaca - HAED - HAECAT102

see previous posts under post #35 for full details

and then some ... I've made a start on the longest diagonal which at this top right-hand side is the page edge.  Now, it will be short diagonals on the way to a finish page.  I am actually really surprised that it has take me so little time to get this far.  In part this is because I have been off on sick leave, but also School of Magical Stitches and Literature (#magicalstitches) has given me a push to complete more stitching for homework and extra credit points for my House.  Go Hufflepuffs!

Stats are looking awesome:

• 160 stitches today.
• 10,335 cumulative stitches.
• 38,979 stitches left to do.
• 75p pennies in the cauldron today.
• £54.55 cumulative cauldron.
• 3 hours and 1 minute.
• 95 hour and 10 minutes cumulative stitching.

I hope that you have had a good weekend.

Keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #magical stitches

#53 ~ Tomorrow will be the longest day ...

Progress as at 16/3/2019

Alpaca - HAED - HAECAT102

see previous posts under post #35 for full details

insofar as it will be the longest diagonal on page 1 ... which means that I will be on the downwards slope for a page finish on my very first HAED.

I have had a long stitching day today, but still have 20 more stitches to complete my SMSL Y3 W3 Task 1 homework.  That will be a breeze tomorrow morning, and if the wind doesn't stop overnight I will have a full day of stitching.

Awesome stats for #50xstitchchallenge:

• 250 stitches this session.
• 10,175 cumulative stitches.
• 39,129 stitches to go.
• £1.25 into the cauldron for this session.
• £53.80 cumulative cauldron money.
• 5 hours and 12 minutes stitching time today.
• 92 hours and 09 minutes cumulative time.

We are now snuggled up in front of the log burner listening to the howling wind outside.  Stay safe, keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay

x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#52 ~ SCML - Y3 W3 - Task 1 progress

Progress as at 15/3/2019

Alpaca - HAED - HAECAT102

see previous posts under this label for details on fabric etc.

I'm making headway on this page HAED.  In fact, I am about halfway through the first page.

Hopefully, we will eventually get to the Alpaca, and it will be a bit more interesting for you - rather than the 50 shades of blue.

I picked up about 40 further colours for this project today, and have put them floss away bags, updated my inventory and arranged in number order.   There are still quite a few more colours called for, and the lovely Lisa at Heathfield Crafts has them on order for me.  Whilst I was settling up today, I saw this at the checkout and added it to my basket.

If I am not very much mistaken it is like a snag-nabbit.  There are some stitches that are sitting proud on Northern Lights WIP, so I will try it out.

Due to one thing and another I have only managed a few stitches tonight, so my stats in #50kxstitchchallenge are not great:-

• 100 stitches this session.
• 9,925 cumulative stitches.
• 39,389 stitches to go.
• 50p pennies in cauldron.
• £52.55 cumulative pennies in the cauldron.
• 1 hour and 15 minutes stitching time this session.
• 86 hours and 57 minutes cumulative stitching.
• This stitching time is counting towards SMSL Y3 W3 Task 1 homework which I will hopefully finish by the Sunday due date.

Have a good weekend, and pray for a bit of dry here in Sussex as I need to get in the garden.

Whatever you do this weekend, keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin' if you get a chance.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#51 ~ Return of the BAP

Progress as at 14/03/2019
SMSL Homework: Y3 W2 Task 1

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)

I thought I would never get back to it.  Although for full disclosure I made a terrible mistake.  I had thought I'd scrolled my pdf chart up to the top of the next diagonal, but I was about a third of the way down without realising it.  Thus, the rows that I had stitched at the top were not as charted.  However, the beauty of this background is that it really will not show.  I deleted the highlights I had marked my stitching with, finished off all threads and started on the next row with a clean slate of charted stitches, and re-highlighted the correct portion of the chart.  

In my defence, I was a little bit distracted as my darling Husband had been taken ill, and I was waiting for one of his team to bring him home.  He's safe and sound and tucked up on the sofa, but is a poorly sick chap.

Working 1 over 1 on evenweave for this HAED is great, and it really does stitch up quickly, although this pattern is not all that great from a reader's perspective because of all the blue background.  Fear not, I will have a brand new start this month on another HAED, which is by far and away more detailed.  I'm going to work out this weekend what fabric I will need and also what the first 2 diagonal stitch colours are.  I will be simply cock-a-hoop to start it.

I'm off to look after my chap.  So goodnight.

Hugs



Kay x


#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#50 ~ I don't even like Tea ...

As at 12/3/2019

Teacup Stack - Joy Sunday Kit (Ali Express)

replaced fabric in kit with 18 Count Aida Easy Guide by Zweigart
Baorouge Snap Frame
Millennium Floor Stand by Needleneeds

I'm a coffee drinker, so not sure why I decided to stitch teacups.

Until I totalled up the number of stitches for yesterday and today, I thought I was behind on my homework Task 1, but was pleasantly surprised to find out that I only have another 126 penalty stitches to go, before I can switch to Task 2 and Alwyn Alpaca.

I was floored to see just how well the stats are stacking up:

• 249 stitches for this session.
• 9,438 cumulative stitches for the year.
• 39,876 stitches left to go for the #50kxstitchchallenge.
• £1.25 in the cauldron for this session.
• £50.05 cumulative cauldron for the year.
• 3 hours and 48 minutes stitching this session.
• 80 hours and 05 minutes cumulative time.

I didn't get as much stitching as I had hoped done today as the plumber was here to resolve the leaking rubber seal ... it seems to be fixed now.  I also took some time out to watch the Sewing Bee on BBC2.

Back to Alwyn for Task 2 penalty stitches after I knock out the remainder of Task 1 tomorrow.

Keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#48 ~ All going so well ...

As at 11/3/2019

Teacup Stack - Joy Sunday Kit (Ali Express)

replaced fabric in kit with 18 Count Aida Easy Guide by Zweigart
Baorouge Snap Frame
Millennium Floor Stand by Needleneeds

Until I was about to do the parked blue thread, and then I realised that the pale yellow and ginger brown threads were 1 row too high.  Oh well, I managed a load of stitches towards my penalty stitch for Task 1 on SMSL Y3 W3 homework, and I was just about to stop for the night anyway.

#50kxstitchchallenge stats are going so well at the moment:

• 225 stitches done this session.
• 9,189 cumulative stitches.
• 40,125 stitches to go.
• £1.25 in the cauldron for this session.
• £48.80 cumulative cauldron.
• 3 hours 30 minutes for this session.
• 76 hours and 16 minutes cumulative time.
• Even though I was 25 stitches off 50, I have decided that in future I will just pay 25p for part thereof rather than carry over unpaid stitches as it gets complicated to remember to account for them in the next session.

I'm going to do myself a hot water bottle, and snuggle down to read my Ultimate Reading Challenge Extra Credit literature.

Have fun and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay 

x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#47~ SMSL - Y3 W3 homework - Magical Chocolate

'Your homework assignment this week will be based on the Dementor protection and Care of Magical Creatures. Please stitch 300 stitches in chocolate (brown) thread. You will also need to show your lesson mastery by stitching a real creature that has claws or talons for 300 stitches also. You do not have to stitch directly on the animal, it just needs to be in the project. If you choose to do penalty stitches instead of the assignment, you must double the required stitches.' 

As I want to focus on Alwyn Alpaca (HAED) and Teacup stack (Joy Sunday) it looks like I will be stitching two lots of penalty stitches this week ... so 1,200 stitches before Sunday.

Task 1 - Alwyn Alpaca - starting point - 600 penalty stitches required.

Task 2 - Teacup stack - starting point - 60 penalty stitches required.

Never mind, I will keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

If you are a hardcore stitcher, or love magic, Harry Potter of Literature, then please come over to facebook and join in.  Simply search School of Magical Stitches and Literature and request to join.  It's great fun, and they are a really lovely group.  You will then get sorted into a house and away you go.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#46 ~ SMSL Y3 W2 - Task 3 - Diagon Alley

As at 10/3/2019

Teacup Stack - Joy Sunday Kit (Ali Express)

replaced fabric in kit with 18 Count Aida Easy Guide by Zweigart
Baorouge Snap Frame
Millennium Floor Stand by Needleneeds

That's Task 3 eventually completed.  It took my a little while because I kept screwing up, frogging it out and re-stitching to find it was wrong again.  After something like the 5th try the penny finally dropped and I realised that the mistake was further up, and that is why it was wrong .... DUH!

I've only just worked out the stats for Friday, Saturday and today for my #50kxstitchchallenge:-

• 370 stitches over the three days.
• cumulative stitches so far are 8,964.
• 40,350 stitches remaining.
• I am not sure what the individual cauldron totals were for the three days, but the cumulative cauldron total is now £47.55.
• 6 hours ad 36 minutes stitching for the three days.
• 72 hours and 46 minutes cumulative stitching time.
• no unpaid stitches to carry over.

I shall probably put a few more stitches in the Teacup WIP tomorrow, and then will swap back to my Alpaca as I as missing the HAED and it is very much a focus piece at least until I have one page under my belt.

I will probably have to wait around for the plumber at some point this week, as Darling Husband has just noticed that the new sink is leading.

I hope you all have had a good weekend.  I'm off for an early night and a little bit of reading for the Ultimate Reading Challenge on SMSL.

Keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x.

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch #schoolofmagicstitchesandliterature

#45 ~ SMSL Y3 W2 - Diagon Alley

7/3/2019

Northern Lights - DMC Kit - on Black Aida

I did not grid, but should have.

Purchased from Hobbycraft

DMC threads from kit and DMC Etoile in black substituted for non-stitched portions of the kit

Task 2:  When I gave this task some thought, I swapped 500 penalty stitches for Northern Lights.  As I visited Mr Mulpepper's Apothecary and purchased some 'Picea Pungens Borealis' (spruce needles) gathered from northern pines that have been exposed to the Northern Lights, and the reason given is it is useful for making up potions to aid House Elves if they have the flu.  This dropped my stitch count to 250, and thus saved me some time.  Stitching on 18 count Aida is a piece of quick cake when one's been working on 25 count.

Task 1: Alpaca - 500 penalty stitches completed.  I just have a small piece to complete another diagonal.

Progress as at 7/03/2019

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

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)

Task 3: The Tea Cups will be started tomorrow, and I will have 250 stitches to complete.

Thank Crunchie it's Friday.  I am looking forward to a decent long session of stitching this afternoon and tomorrow.

Keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs.

Kay x


#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch

#44 ~ SMSL Year 3 Week 2 Homework

Progress as at 6th March 2019

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

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)

Task 1 penalty stitches are nearly complete, I've done 400 out of 500, and also nearly another diagonal done.

I should be able to finish the 100 stitches for this task this afternoon, and then move on to Task 2.  I had thought that I would have to do 500 penalty stitches for that too, but them thought that I could change this to Elves by buying pine sap from the apothecary I could then drop the required stitch count to 250.  So you will see a change in project hopefully tomorrow.

I've looked out the Tea Cup stack for Task 3, which will be 250 stitches, and I should be able to start/finish that on Saturday.  I will change out the fabric for evenweave and stitch 2 over 2.

#50kxstitchchallenge stats are:-

• 150 stitches this session.
• 8,244 cumulative stitches.
• 41,070 stitches to go.
• 2 hours and 45 minutes stitching time.
• 62 hours and 21 minutes cumulative stitching time.
• 75p in the cauldron for this session.
• £41.30 cumulative cauldron.
• No unpaid stitches to carry forward.

Have a good day, keep calm and carry on stitch ... stitch ... stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay x

#flosstube #sussexstitchwitch