Welcome back for some cross stitch goodness! Last week we went in depth on my Cross Stitch WIPGO results for April (and past month goals) as well as to diving into the May WIPGO projects. I was pretty focused this week and went with finishing a goal before moving onto the next project goal. I know..a little unusal for me. It is just where my head was this week. I feel good with the results.
Let’s jump in.
Starts & Finishes
I had planned a few starts this week. In particular I had wanted to start my Make Today Count as this is part of SAL. Well I didn’t like the shape of my fabric and I could not remember what the count was (16 or 18). I felt like I needed to cut it down and start in the middle instead of a corner because my fabric wasn’t going to be wide enough for my usual 2.5 inch border. Finally got it up to the sewing room today to cut down and zigzag the edge. Still need to bobbin up the floss, then I will FINALLY be ready to start. LOL! So instead, I have a finish to share.
FINISH: MAY WIPGO #15: Spring Stitching Season by Stitching with the Housewives
It took me 3 nights to finish this one. It felt good putting in the last stitch and finishing my first WIPGO goal for May. Once again, Stitching with the Housewives amaze me with their ability to put together such cute projects with just 5 or 6 colors.
WIP Updates
Since I was so focused on finishing my monthly goal for each project I picked up this week, that means not a lot of projects were worked on.
Fabulous House: The Castle by Cottage Garden Samplings
The goal I usually pick is what has been my norm number of stitches in an evening. Past couple of months, I haven’t been spending 4 or 5 hours stitching in the evening. It has been 2 or 3 hours instead. So, it took two nights to finish up my 400 for May on this fun project. I ended up leaving the door half stitched as I focused in on filling in the lightest color (darkest already done) in the main part of the castle. Then I will just need to fill in with the medium color. Almost done with the main (middle) part of the castle.
March Month 2 Month Barn by Stitching with the Housewives
My goal for the month on this was to do 400 stitches. I got most of them done the first night and really only had a little to do on the second night, but I lost track of time and before you know it I had almost finished the rest of the chart (not my intention). There is literally only 64 stitches left, but I put this away at midnight when I could not keep my eyes open anymore. I will be finishing it up today! It will be an unplanned finish. This is always a welcome outcome.
Plans & Reflections
This Wednesday I will be flying out to Michigan to attend my first Cross Stitch retreat. While I have asked questions, I am still not sure what to expect. I know there will be a smalls exchange, but I have no idea what is expected so I am not bringing anything, therefore will not participate in the exchange. I will watch and learn baby! They also mentioned bringing small gifts for your tablemates. Once again, I have no idea what those “small” gifts should be, so will just be observing, not participating. This is going to be a learning experience.
Since this is not a workshop, there is no prestitching. I understand there will be some finishing demos throughout as well as fun and games.
My plan is to bring 3 or 4 projects to work on:
- Fieldguide to Dragons
- Fruit of Plenty
- Crescent City Velaris
- Mystery project – Maybe Make Today Count as the sponsor of this SAL is the same one hosting the retreat
The rest of the week before the trip
- Mr. April
- Kit up The Scarecrow (Snowman Collector #5)
- Start Make Today Count
- Start Light the Way (HOD Merry Moments ornament #2)
- maybe Shabby Winter Calendar (just not feeling that winter vibe but needs to get done)
That should keep me busy. Hope you saw some eye candy. I am not making any promises that I will post next Friday. I have no idea how the day will shake out at the retreat. The last time I thought I would post at the retreat, I was having to much time to write up the blog.
Have a great weekend stitching my friends,
Peggy Stockwell in Vancouver, Washington