#85 ~ It's been hectic this week ...

thank goodness it's the weekend.

Progress as at 31/5/2019

Colin the Crow (HAED)

and stitching has been slow going due to the two flower heads on the diagonal which are very confetti heavy.  I've just finished it a few minutes ago and prepared to start at the top again.  The top of the diagonal is the edge of Page 1.

I'm not certain if I will just keep a straight right-hand edge, or actually stitch each diagonal ... the only thing is I will have to work out how to split pages so that I can easily see rows that extend across the two pages.

I really am quite happy with the coverage, although am not a fan of the Zweigart over over the DMC Magic Guide.  Mostly I think this is because of the very light Tin colours that are very difficult to see on the marked greyscale x's, but I am developing a method to cope with that, so it could just be a time to get really used to it.

If anyone is interested I have updated the Google Sheets Time Stats page and you can find a link on the #50kxstitchchallenge page at the top of the blog.

I am hoping that tomorrow I will get time to get a serious stitching freak on, and Sunday will very much depend on the weather as I need to do some gardening.

Whatever you are doing this weekend, keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay

xx

Even

#84 ~ Stitching this is the mountain section ...

Progress as at 27 May 2019 (09:4 hrs)

HAED Crow on Crescent Hill

AKA as Colin the Crow T2

... equivalent of the Tour de France.  Especially the top of the current diagonal - with 20 stitches taking about an hour because of all of the confetti.  After stitching hard, I'm not head down on the frame and free-whee stitching furiously on background stitches until I reach the bottom of the diagonal and start on more grass.  It's still fun though!

If you are wondering why there hasn't been much progress on this, then you would be surprised to know that Mr Frog did come for a visit, and I ripped out all of the previous stitching - I was just not happy with (a) the tent stitch and (b) the coverage I was getting with it (it was very clear where I'd run thread under, and it made me very unhappy.  So, rather than continue on the project as it was and maybe get so disgruntled I put it in cross stitch prison, I welcomed the Frog with open arms and embraced the re-stitch.  I am much happier, and I give you Colin the Crow take 2.

There's been no School of Magical Stitches and Literature (SMSL) homework or extra credit around here, but I will get back to that next week.  I have been taking part in the Race for 10K on the FB Group For the Love of Diagonal Stitching (FLDS) and have so far got 2,433 stitches.  As usual, you can see all my stats in the clickable link on the #50kxstitchchallenge page at the top of the blog.

It's Bank Holiday here in the UK and we've fully taken advantage of the long weekend to do lots of work in the garden.  So, I'm just about to jump in the shower and we are heading off to get potting compost and bark chippings for the up-cycled raised vegetable beds that we've been working on.

Whatever you are doing ... have fun, keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs

Kay

xx

#83 ~ It's been hectic ...

and I had to start the Colin the Crow HAED again as the tent stitch just wasn't working for me.  Man alive, but it was difficult to unpick.  In the end I cut a new piece of fabric.

As at today, 20th March 2019, I've put in 1,676 stitches of full cross on the 25 count 1 over 1.  Whilst I haven't even had a chance to look at #magical stitches homework, I have made these stitches count toward For the Love of Diagonal Stitching FB group's Race to 10k challenge - they are also counting to my own #50kxstitchchallenge.

I've now gone past the point from the false start and started on a block of colour ... which is grass or seed heads.

After all that DMC 01 (Tin) I was grateful to get to some colour, but after 80 stitches in round about 3 hours I am jiggered and off to bed.

Hopefully, this week I can find some time in my lunch break to check into SMSL and see what the homework is.

Keep calm and carry on stitchin'.

Hugs


Kay

xx

#82 ~ Just one night left ...

HAED Alpaca

Progress as at 9/5/2019

... for this WIP to stay on the frame, and then I'll be swapping it out for Colin the Crow.  

I'm certainly pleased with the progress, with the first tiny bit of Page 3 now stitched, but as I have all the floss now for Colin, it is time for a change - I bet you can do with seeing something different too.

Fingers crossed that my order from Lakeside Needlecraft will arrive on Saturday, I have bought myself a present, and can't wait for the Postie to arrive with it.

I've also got some of the John James quick stitch needles on order, and I am completely blaming Crafty Lisa on Flosstube for that purchase.  It will be a whole different way to stitch as the needles are double-ended with the eye in the middle.  I really hope that I can get the hang of them.

It's late here, and I think I will toddle off to bed as it has been a busy old day.

Night all, keep calm and dream of stitching.

Hugs

Kay x

#81 ~ Buyer Beware

I could have cried just now when I picked up my thread order from the Post Office just now.  It's been put on bobbins, which is not how I store my floss.

Floss storage is a very personal thing, and now it will be all crinkled, and probably not fit for purpose until it has had time to drop out.  I may have to even iron the stuff to be able to use it any time soon.

I've just checked the company website that fulfilled my order, and it does not say that the thread will be on bobbins.  Not particularly well done job either.

You select 100 DMC Threads in the Blanc - 3866 (not including variegated threads 48 - 125) range . This way you no longer have the hassle of selecting each colour individually. 

Simply send an email with your order number included - listing the colours and quantities required.

Although to be fair to them they show it on bobbins, I assumed it was for product display.  Anybody who doesn't store on bobbins beware, the Enchanted Needle may not be place to buy your thread.  It's a shame as it was at a good price.  In hindsight, I would have rather paid more and received skeins of thread in perfect condition.

I will struggle to keep calm and stitch, as I am quite frankly furious.

Hugs

Kay x