Hello Everyone! It is so hard to believe we are halfway through July already. Times seems to be flying by doesn’t it? I hope your summer has been fun and productive at the same time. Remember to take time for yourself.
I am still feeling patriotic this week. While I did not work on both projects, I did make time for one of them. We will be checking that out soon, but first let’s visit new starts and finishes.
Starts & Finishes
I had only one start planned for this week and I almost forgot about it. But last minute I remembered “the plan”. No new finishes.
START: March Square Dance by Heart in Hand
Instead of stitching each pattern as a standalone, I decided to stitch them together. Since, I almost forgot to pull this one out, there is only a few stitches in this new start for March – the border. I am using called for floss. This is on 16 ct dirty aida but this photo doesn’t correctly show the colors. Viola! This week’s start!
WIP Update
The rest of the week was spent working on my planned wips, except for throwing in one of the patriotic stitches.
2025 SJ Temperature Moon Phases by Climbing Goat Designs (etsy)
I had intended on working on this multiple days this week. Oops! The best laid plans by floss and needle sometimes don’t happen. LOL 🤣. I think it is the backstitching that turns me off with this pattern. Well I hope to do better this week.
You don’t get the overview photo because I really did plan to stitch on it again and didn’t see the point of having a bunch of the overall pics.
Shabby Winter Calendar by Cuore e Batticuore
I was able to finish Day 14 in just two nights. I am getting so close to being done with the days. (It only goes up to 20). I just love this one. The fabric and the floss colors work so well together. I so get a “frozen” vibe. How about you? I thought these little cardinals were so cute and a nice pop of color.
WIPGO Project #16: House on Pumpkin Hill by Hello Liz Matthews
I can’t seem to stop when I start working on this project. I must say I am a little surprised at how nicely this is stitching up. Generally speaking, I am so slow on linen, but not on this one. I am flying!
I am about halfway done with the hill. I have already finished 1,750 stitches towards my 2,000 stitch goal. While I love working on this project, I only have 250 stitches left towards this goal.
Crazy!
WIPGO Project #2: Snowballs for Sale by Bee in My Bonnet (Lori Holt)
While this one is moving along well, the speed of stitching is more of what I normally experience when stitching 2 over 2. This is 25 ct lugana and should be easy peasy, but I find I will have miscounted somewhere and I have “to make up” for my mistake. I have completed the body and head of the snowman. I just have his broom arms to finish. This is so sweet to work with.
My WIPGO goal is 5 times this month. This was the result of #3.
September Calendar Crates (main chart) by Stitching with the Housewives
I had a hard time putting this one down this month. I have finished everything on the right and in the middle. I just have the left side to finish. Looking so good that I impressed myself. I think the blue pumpkins are a nice touch.
4th of July Round by Primrose Cottage Stitches
I am definitely still feeling the patriotic vibe in my life. I wasn’t suppose to work on this one this week, but it kept calling me so I finally spent some one on one time with the project. I am down to approximately 270 stitches. I am not going to be able to resist finishing this one off next week. So gorgeous.
Fruit of Plenty by Modern Folk Embroidery
I just had to work on the squirrel under the house. He was just too cute to resist. How fitting to work on his vines as well. Almost finished with this center motif. This is stitched on 16 ct white aida with Weeks Dye Works Lagoon and Ismeralda. Such beautiful color. I kind of wish I had used black because despite my best efforts, the oil from hands are showing up on the cloth. I was so careful, but (sigh) it still happened. I will have to do some research on how to carefully clean the cloth. If anyone has any tips, or places to look, please leave them in the comments. I am 80% done with this jumbo project of 42,000 stitches. I am currently working on page 8 (of 9). Love working on this project!
Reflections
I look at my overall goals for July and feel like I am well on my way to finishing all of my goals. This weekend is the virtual stitch with Lindy Stitches. It starts tomorrow morning at 6:30am. It will be my first experience with Lindy Stitches and I am looking forward to it. There will be lots of stitching rooms, You Tube Lives with some of my favorite floss tubers, as well as some exclusive shopping. I have some more research to do tonight in prep for tomorrow morning, but it should all be good. It is show up when you can. No classes, just lots of communit time and sharing. I think it will be fun! Midsummer Stitch starts Saturday July 19th and ends Sunday July 20th. Tickets are $10 and are still available.
Next Week’s To Do List
I got my plan together for next week.
- Still need to Crescent City Velaris (leftover from week 1)
- Start March Month 2 Month button chart
- Fabulous House: Santa’s House
- Winter Camper
- 2025 SJ Temperature Moon Phases (still need to finish March)
- Finish up 4th of July Round
- Snowballs for Sale
- House on Pumpkin Hill
- Field Guide to Dragons
- Finish up March Square Dance
Whew! That will keep me busy. That is actually more than normal that I would list, but I am assuming with the MidSummer Virtual Stitch, I will get in a little extra stitching time.
Happy Mail
While I didn’t actually RECEIVE anything this year, I did go out to Hobby Lobby and pick up a few things. I was running real low on B5200. My spreadsheet says I should have a couple of skeins, but they weren’t there.
I also signed up for the Finishing Course in a Box with 141 Chantal. It looks like a fabulous course and any finishing course is a good course. This is currently being advertised as a one and done course. Preorders are through July 31st. If you are interested, it looks like a winner.
I also got my first email for the Friendship Stitch in September that I signed up for back in May. That should be shipping soon. On September 20th we will be finishing a small project together but there will be two other larger stitches to be done. It will be my first time participating in this. I will have a 10 hour drive home the day before from my quilt retreat at Zephyr Cover on Lake Tahoe.
Enjoy your weekend everyone! Happy Stitching!
Peggy Stockwell in Vancouver, Washington