Welcome back to my cross stitch blog! I was distracted this week with other crafty projects that you can check out here but still a good week. We have continued to have pretty nice weather for a February in the PNW. Starting this weekend we will be falling back into the normal February weather patterns – rain. So enjoying the last of the sunshine ☀️
Starts & Finishes
Surprisingly, I have had some activity in this category with three starts and one finish.
START & FINISH: February Calendar Crates small chart by Stitching with the Housewives
This was a very relaxing stitch and I enjoyed it very much. This is stitched on 14 ct chalkboard black aida with the called for Classic Colorworks floss. The rose was pretty easy to do – and fun!
START: February Calendar Crates main by Stitching with the Housewives
I wasn’t planning to start this one. I had a few minutes left after finishing the small one, so I thought why not?
It is just so much easier to pick up a project already started then to start one. This is the start of the roof on a building. I moved to the Hold pile after this start to wait to be called for WIPGO or February 2027.
START: Sweetly Sayin’ Valentine’s Day by Primrose Cottage
I picked this leftover Picture This Plus 16 ct aida in my stash – Whimsey. When I laid the floss on it, looked as if it would be a good contrast. So I am not sure if it is just this photo or if it truly doesn’t have contrast. I am using all called for Classic Colorworks floss but subsituted CCW Bamboo instead of using DMC 5200 per the pattern. I have a lot of Bamboo and it was just easier. I don’t have alot of the Pink Posey so I am hoping 🤞🏼I have enough. I am keeping this project out with the hope I might squeeze in just a wee bit more time on this project before the weekend is out.
WIP Updates
Between all those starts and no stitching for three days, that left me working on only one WIP this week.
WIPGO Projecty #5: Fabulous House: The Castle by Cottage Garden Samplings
I worked with only CCW Milady’s Teal on the castle roof all of last night. I was able to put in almost 600 stitches which makes up for only doing 200 last week. My goal is 2000 so reaching 800 is well done. Stitching this patterns is extremely soothing to the soul. I can’t wait to add in the light blue to finish up this roof. I was thrilled to stitch the castle flag waving in the wind!
Plans & Reflections
This image I downloaded is what I am projecting this week. I have done a pretty good job staying off social media and focusing on me. I have been busy educating myself on the market outlook, next steps for social security and medicare, as well as thinking about what I want out of my retirement.
Visitors
My sister is coming this weekend to stay for a week. We don’t have any grand plans. We just want to have some sister bonding time. I saw her in December which was nice but quick. This will be a week of sisters. I suspect I may not get as much quilting and sewing time as I expect. This is all okay with me. I am so excited she is coming.
My daughter will also be returning from the Winter Olympics. It will be nice to not have to feed the grand fur babies all the time. After being gone for two weeks, I know she will need to recharge and have some alone time. I will have Dorothy to distract me.
I have plans to have dinner with my nephew Ian while Dorothy is here. I reached out to him this week. Young people have such busy lives. It is always nice when they make time for us.
Next Week’s Plans
While I know this won’t all happen, just listing out what I need to work on in this very short month of February helps keep it in front of me. I hope to work on all of WIPGO projects.
- The Castle
- Mr. April
- Sweetly Sayin’ Valentine’s Day (for Valentine’s Day )
- Shabby Winter Calendar
- 2025 SJ Moon Phases
- Winter Camper
- Start Ocean Wonders SAL
Meanding thoughts on Temperature Stitches
I really enjoy working on a cross stitch temperature stitch each year has brought me much joy. The fact that I haven’t finished 2025 therefore have not started 2026 has been a bit of a struggle for me. The moons have been much harder to work on. Caitlin has also struggled with this pattern as well. She said she wasn’t doing the outline of each moon. I am tempted to go that route, but the full moon and new moon outlines is part of the high / low so I have not.
The one that was the easiest was the bookcase. The butterflies while challenging was not hard to keep moving forward on. Although I do remember getting behind on them that first year.
I am determined to finish 2025 and start 2026. It might not be this week, but it will happen. I think I might even switch my focus to the 2026 and stitch the moons to fill in time here and there. That might help with the mojo doldrums I am feeling currently with this project which is reflecting back on all of my projects. I have elected to use the same temperature colors this year as last year so it should be easy. Getting started is the biggest battle of all.
Okay. Moving on. I am sending you happy stitchy vibes. Enjoy each moment and will talk next week!
Peggy Stockwell in Vancouver, Washington