CROSS STITCH DIARY: Stitch-tober 2020

Tomorrow is the beginning of October and I have been gathering fall projects (and a few others) that I want to work on for Stitch-tober with Kim at Fat Quarter Shop and Lori Holt. Let me show you my new projects as well as continuing projects!

FRIGHT NIGHT MYSTERY STITCH-A-LONG hosted by Fat Quarter Shop

I have all my supplies and am excited about using Fabric Flair 14 count purple aida for this project. The oranges, black, and white will look fantastic on this! I also went ahead and bought two Halloween itty bitty floss holders (one for me and one for my daughter Caitlin) just because they were so cute! Since this is a mystery, I have no idea what the outcome will be but I can’t wait to get started on this frightfully fun project!

MIX & MATCH HALLOWEEN 2020 with Lori Holt

This project has taken a great deal of planning. We are taking 9 different small projects and combining them into a 9 patch montage. Most are from the Lori Holt Stitch card series with the latest (F) is the focal point. Fat Quarter Shop has put suggestions out there but of course it is open to interpretation. I have my first row identified and threads pulled. I was having a hard time deciding on Fabric Flair 14 ct Purple or offwhite cloth but jumped in with both feet with the purple. I saw recently was released a nice lime that would have actually been perfect. Maybe next year….

PUMPKINS FOR SALE by Lori Holt

When I saw this stitchery come out, I fell in love immediately. I love this time of year with all the apples and pumpkins. Scarecrows are like the final touch on a perfect scene. I was online ordering everything I needed for this stitchery the day it was released. My hard choices will be what to begin with tomorrow, this one is at the top of my list. I am using called for 25 ct barley lugana and weeks dye work threads.

MR. OCTOBER – CALENDAR GNOME by Charlie’s Needle

I was perusing my Instagram feed when I saw this adorable guy materialize. Instant love affair! I am not typically a big gnome fan, but Charlie has done such a great job with charting out this guy. I had a hard time deciding between with the word October or without and went with October in my stitchery. Since this was a last minute add, I quickly had to go through all my threads and cloths on hand to see if I could find something that worked. I was close, but since all the I really have is DMC (as I am building my other thread collections), I did want to stitch this in the suggested Classic Colorwork threads and I am using 28 count mushroom as the background.

COTTAGE OF THE MONTH – NOVEMBER by Country Cottage Needleworks

A few months ago I came across this set of stitch outs that I thought would be just adorable. When deciding for Stitch-tober, I decided to begin with November instead of October since I have a number of October projects on my list. I am using all the called for threads and cloth which is 28 count linen, my first time to work on linen. That turkey will be downright fun!

FQS QUARTERLY STITCH CLUB – HEY PUMPKIN!

There were a few fall projects that I just couldn’t wait to start. Hey Pumpkin! Is one of them. It arrived a couple of weeks ago and I started it last weekend. I am using called for thread and cloth which is 10 count burlap. This is my first time working on 10 count. It is a nice and relaxing stitch project.

OCTOBER TRUCKIN ALONG by Stitching with the Housewives

I’ve been working on this one for about a week and a half. I really wanted to skip it and do November but it did not arrive in time and I don’t need to start another one for Stitch-tober. I am about halfway with finishing the header and a third of the main photo. The candy corn was fun to stitch and way easier than sunflowers. LOL! I am loving the Classic Colorworks thread for the pumpkins. They are turning out great! This is the last of the “fall” projects.

WHAT’S IN MY HOOP?

SNOW VILLAGE by Country Cottage Needleworks

I believe I mentioned this project as a September start in my last diary entry. I am absolutely loving this stitchery piece. I finished the first block which was SNOWFLAKE STAND (3rd in the series). I wasn’t sure about my fabric choice of Blue with Snow by Fabric Flair 14 count. at first, but now I have no doubts. This week should find me starting on PEPPERMINT PARLOR (4th in the series). Pumpkins and Snowmen! I am crazy about both!

PRIM STITCH SERIES by Lori Holt (a monthly release)

My PEACE & PLENTY pattern came at the beginning of September but I wanted to work some more on my border. I felt things were a bit out of line and just wasn’t comfortable starting the third in the series of twelve. So most of September found me working diligently on the border until I finally started PEACE & PLENTY last weekend. I worked again on this sweet angel last night. I don’t think I will be done before the next in the series arrives next week but that is okay. No more unstitching is necessary so all is good!

FINISH!

I had another finish this month. I wrapped up the charity mystery stitch-a-long with Fat Quarter Shop that started in January 2020 – BLOOMTOPIA! That puts me at five stitched finishes for the year. I will need to carve out some time for Final Finishes; just not yet.

I have two projects that I have setaside for now – BUTTERFLY DREAM and FEELS LIKE HOME that I was working on. If perchance it works out, I can take up the needle and hoop again soon.

I appreciate you stopping by and checking in on what I am working on. If you see something you like, I have tried to provide enough information to obtain these projects. I buy most of my patterns from either Etsy or Fat Quarter Shop. See all of you in October!

Peggy