Hello Everyone! It has been a busy week here. I have been working on kitting and prepping all of my fall new starts. I have a crazy process.
First I decide on them. Next I pull threads. If it is a “purchased” kit, I check my floss inventory for used skeins. I update my Excel sheet (Floss Inventory) for number of skeins in the kit and my actual inventory numbers. This why if I have a little kit for something, I know where I can temporarily pull floss from if I need to or borrow until I order some online. I really like how it has been working these past couple of years.
Once that is done, I make sure I have fabric in the kit. Afterwards, I go to the sewing studio to prep the fabric (zigzag the edges). This has been done for all but one of my fall projects this week.
Now I am in the process of making sure that I did indeed to scan the pattern to load onto my iPad. If I am bringing it into Markup R-XP (or already loaded it previously), I prep the file for stitching. I love it when, it automatically loads (most purchased digital files) otherwise, I manually have to load the symbols and floss colors. Now you know why I prefer to purchase digitalized files.
Last thing before stitching is to put on the floss on drops and a ring. I keep it pretty simple currently. I use generic floss drops and generic steel cable rings. This week I got a total of 2 completed and almost done with 2 more with 4 others waiting to happen.
Starts & Finishes
With all that prep work done, I ended up with two starts this week. My goal with all these fall projects I pulled, is to just get them started. I only meant to work on them for an hour or so, but every now and again, I get sucked in. 🐿️. I had no finishes this week.
November Calendar Crates Mini/Small by Stitching with the Housewives
I am not sure if I will finish this mini or not. The goal of these starts this month is to be started. It is always easier to pickup a WIP, then start something new.
I am stitching on 14 ct chalkboard black aida with the included Classic Colorworks floss. I originally was in the FQS club of the month when this was originally released.
Pop(corn) of Blessings by Bent Creek
This turkey was a hoot to start. Hmm it was a gooble. No that just sounds dorky. LOL🙄
This is 20 ct linen with DMC pearl cotton #5 floss. I use a #24 needle and it works great for me. This pattern comes with the linen and pearl cotton. They only describe the linen as 20 ct. No color is mentioned or manufacturer.
WIP Updates
It was nice to have plenty of time to work on my other WIPs this week. I am starting the month with 13 active wips. Last week I finished two of them already. I even pulled the WIPGO projects this week and picked one to work on.
Stitching Quaker by Primrose Cottage
I am making steady progress on this so very cute Quaker pattern. In my bag is three difference “stitching/quilting” patterns from Primrose Cottage using the same threads. This week my favorite thing to stitch was the cutest little blue bird. Although stitching the spools is a ton of fun. These flosses are Cotton & Colour and I don’t think I have worked with them before this project.
2025 SJ Temperature Moon Phases by Climbing Goat Designs
I really fell off the wagon this year working on this project. It has been hard staying focused on this one. I love the look of it and am super pleased to finally finished through June 30th.
It is so beautiful looking and this before I add all the pretty border and verbage. I chose this year to do it in Celsisus because it was easier to do in 2 degree increments. I am so glad I decided to do that.
Fruit of Plenty (2021 SAL) by Modern Folk Embroidery
I really get lost in this piece now that I am so close to finishing it. This project was my first intoduction to a multi-page pattern. There was a steep learning curve. I love all the old time feel and am looking forward to finishing this one next year. I plan on having it professionally framed when it is finally done.
I am stitching it on 14 ct white aida with Weeks Dye Works Lagoon and Ismaralda. It is so cool looking. I know that a lot of people put the year finished on these kinds of samplers. I have not made my final decision whether I will put the year started or finished. I am glad I won’t have to decide yet for a while.
Snowman Collector: The Postman by Cottage Garden Samplings
I got really excited when I decided to work on his head this week. I finished off most of his scarf and ALL of his head. The spectacles are such a charming touch to this studious snowman out delivering love letters. I could not put this down until the last stitch was on his hat. 💌. I am stitching it on 18 ct vintage country mocha. It was suggested to me by 123 stitch. I gotta say this is one of my favorite fabrics now.
WIPGO Project 22: March Month 2 Month by Stitching with the Housewives
I pulled this out after putting it away last couple of months. I worked on it last night and after stitching so much fall (which I love), it made my heart happy to work on these flowers most of the night. I even stitched the “r” and started the “c”. I got a nice start on this month’s goal of 2000 stitches by finishing 488 last night.
I have been stitching this series on white Aida with the called for Classic Colorworks floss.
Reflections and Plans
I finally wrote out my Cross Stitch goals for November. I have a number of new starts I want to do including:
- Harvest Tiny Town
- Pumpkin Pals
- Corny Cruiser
- Pop(corn) of Blessings ✔️
- November Calendar Crates ✔️
- November Month 2 Month
- June Square Dance
- Oakly Acorn
- Fox Trot
It is a bit ambitious I know. Let’s take a look at what I want to work on next week:
- Start Corny Cruiser
- Start Pumpkin Pals
- Crescent City Velaris (400 stitches)
- Fieldguide to Dragons (400 stitches)
- Day 16 of Shabby Winter Calendar
- Finish Pop(corn ) of Blessings
The list looks so short. 🧐. Shabby Winter Calendar will probably take me 2 days as well as Pop(corn) of Blessings. We will give it a whirl. Meanwhile I will continue prepping the fall project kits for November starts and start looking at the December projects to see if need to order fabric or floss.
Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. Are you ready? I am hosting but everyone is bring food. Not sure what I will need to do yet. One family has asked about making cornish hens at my house for the dinner. They like them better than turkey. Since I like cornish hens, I gave a “oh yes!”.
Have a great weekend. If you missed my last quilty post, you can look at it here.
Peggy Stockwell in Vancouver, Washington