The heat wave that started on Monday peaked on Wednesday but is still with us through the weeked. Welcome Autumn! I expect next week I will be complaining about being cold. 😝 Hopefully you all are enjoying your October. Can you believe it is here already!?
It has been a fairly productive and fun week. Yesterday I received happy mail from 123 Stitch so I spent the afternoon kitting up the next in two series I am working on: Santa’s House (Fabulous House Series) and Winter Baskets (Triple Play Pillows series). I finished so many projects in September that I had a pile of floss that had to inventoried and put away. It sure felt good to complete that task!
Since I worked on kitting up new projects I ended up not working on my current FFO – Let’s Talk Autumn. Hopefully next week I can share progress.
Let’s get started
Starts & Finishes 🏁
I was super happy to hit and exceed my goal for the month of September. Even happier to get October off to a good start. September I had 9 starts and 8 finishes. I wonder from time to time during the month if I was being my usual optimistic self. To my surprise I exceed the planned 7 finishes and the planned 5 starts with ease. Despite all that, I am being fairly conservative with my October plans of 3 starts and 5 finishes. Two of the finishes are a real stretch but would definitely be a coo if I succeed.
Let’s take a look at the two finishes in September and the new start in October.
FINISH: September Year of Celebration Season 2 by Hands on Design
This series is small but mighty with lots of detail and stitching. This cute one with its jars of sunflowers, apples, and blackbirds really represent September well. My actual favorite part was stitching the jars. Crazy right. It may have a lot to do with the fact that at that point I knew I was almost done. LOL!
They are being stitched on 16 ct dirty aida with all the called for specialty floss.
FINISH: Pop of Autumn by Bent Creek
I couldn’t wait to stitch this one. The pearl cotton really adds dimension to this simple chart. I just love this autumn tree. So much fun to stitch.
This chart comes with the fabric (a very stiff 20 ct linen) and the DMC pearl cotton. I still haven’t figured out the weight but I am thinking size 8 but it could be 5.
My favorite part was stitching the fence.
START: WIPGO Project: October Snapshot by Pine Mountain Designs
After finally finishing December last year month, I was excited to start October in October. Then to realize it was my WIPGO too. So I am being super optomistic thinking I could possibly finish it this month. Great start towards this goal.
September WIPGO Final Update
My normal WIPGO goal each month is to work five times on each project.
Project #4: Let’s Talk Winter by Hands On Design
I was thrilled when this project came up in September. Once I got into it, I was able to finish it up in just three nights. Love it!
Project #11: Fruit of Plenty by Modern Folk Embroidery
Looking back on my WIPGO progress, it doesn’t look like I made that much progress. I had to step back and take a closer look before I finally felt happy with how much stitching did get done. Almost 75% done with this one!
WIP Updates
With all of my focus on finishing and starting, there was not much time left for other projects. Here are the other projects.
August Calendar Crates by Stitching with the Housewives
I love working on this project. The sunflowers are very well done. I like this one much better than the sunflowers in the Truckin Along series. I just make sure I touch it at least once a month. September I threw in a second evening.
Snowman Collector: The Shepherd by Cottage Garden Samplings
This coat is so intricate and I love working on it. It was exciting to work on it again and even begin another sheep. I messed up early on in the count on the shepherds coat, so I have been improvising as I go. I never can tell where the mistake is which is a good thing. LOL! This was another project I wanted to work on twice this month instead of just once.
2024 SJ Temperature Library by Kristi’s Corner
In the chart it is very hard for me to tell what the knicknack is that is on each shelf. It is like a present when I finish. I had to chuckle when I realized this was a schoolhouse for September. Adorable little building. I wrapped up the September bookshelf. I am now at the point where I must stitch the shelf as well as the books on the shelf. I just love this project.
WIPGO Project: FQS Stitch Quarterly: Fall is in the Air by It’s Sew Emma
I got a start on this one in September and now it is my WIPGO project. I spent more hours than normal working on this one and I love the progress I did make. This fox is just adorable!
Upcoming Plans & Thoughts
I have my basic plan put together for October. This is what next week is looking like:
- WIPGO project: October Snapshot
- WIPGO project: Fall is in the Air
- Oct 1 – 6 for the Temperature Library
- Start September Monthly Markings
- Autumn Beauties
- Fall Harvest
- Augusgt Calendar Crate
- August Stackables
A lot of fall and August in the plans for the week. Enjoy your weekend and happy stitching!
Peggy Stockwell in San Jose, California
That little sheep in The Shepherd is adorable. Love the temperatures shelves, and the fact each has a knick-knack makes it even more fun. I usually enjoy October but not this year, at least weather-wise. It continues clear, low 90s during the day with 60s at night. Very dull and way too hot for me. We are in a drought at this point and no rain in sight. Enough of my whining – have a great weekend!
Hi Linda. Still catching up on my comments. I didn’t realize I was so far behind. I totally get you on the too hot October and the drought. Been there. Done that. Not my favorite thing. Totally ruins the fall vibe. I will do a little rain dance for you. Maybe instead of a temperature stitch, we should do a precipitation stitch. On second thoughts, it would probably be too boring as it only rains a few months out of the year here.