Happy Dance - Wise Man #3

 Started: 2/13/2023

Finished: 2/16/2023

Total Stitching Time: 8 hours 26 minutes

This is one of the wise men from Durene Jones Nativity project in Enjoy Cross Stitch - Christmas 2021.

It's stitched as charted with mostly the called for DMC on white perforated paper. The only exception is that I stitched the beard in brown and his skin in 3770 as shown on the chart cover in Durene's Etsy Shop.  The chart itself called for chocolate skin and a white beard.

This is part of a set that will be given to the Nursery Coordinator (my daughter) at our church to help tell the Christmas story.  I won't be finish finishing them until I have a chance to see how she'd like them finished.

Next up: Santa's Hat and Boots

Happy Dance - Gingerbread House Snow Globe

 

Started: 11/23/2020

Finished: 1/29/2023

Total Stitching Time: 8 hours 30 minutes

This is the Gingerbread House Snow Globe from Durene Jones' Christmas Snow Globes Chart, the final one of this series.

It was started as part of  Christmasitis 2020 where we did a new start everyday for both November and December.

It's stitched mostly as charted with the called for floss on 14-count white Aida, but there are a couple of areas stitched with the wrong color.  Since they didn't detract from the design, I didn't fix them,  I did leave off the words on the base of the snow globe, because of the type of backstitching--I learned my lesson on the Christmas Tree.

I have some Gingerbread material in my stash, so it will be made into a pillow ornament and given to the Ronald McDonald House.

Next up: Sugar Plum Fairy #6

Happy Dance - Mr. & Mrs. Santa Snow Globe

 

Started: 11/22/2020

Finished: 1/27/2023

Total Stitching Time: 10 hours 39 minutes

This is the Mr. & Mrs. Santa Snow Globe from Durene Jones' Christmas Snow Globes Chart.

It was started as part of  Christmasitis 2020 where we did a new start everyday for both November and December.

It's stitched as charted with the called for floss on 14-count white Aida,  I did leave off the words on the base of the snow globe, because of the type of backstitching--I learned my lesson on the Christmas Tree.  I also had problems with the snow globe itself, so in the end, I just "free-handed" it

I found some Santa material in my stash, so it will be made into a pillow ornament and given to the Ronald McDonald House.

Next up: Gingerbread House Snow Globe (Durene Jones)

Happy Dance - Christmas Tree Snow Globe

 

Started: 11/25/2020

Finished: 1/23/2023

Total Stitching Time: 9 hours and 10 minutes

This is the Christmas Tree from Durene Jones' Christmas Snow Globes Chart.

It was started as part of  Christmasitis 2020 where we did a new start everyday for both November and December.

It's stitched as charted with the called for floss on 14-count white Aida,   The only change I made was to leave off the words on the bottom of the snow globe.  After spending 20 minutes stitching "TIS THE SEAS", I was not happy with both the H and the A, and the third S was a mess, so I spent another 20 minutes frogging the words and decided to call it done.

I haven't decided how to finish it yet, but it will be made into an ornament.  and will be going to Ronald McDonald's House next Christmas.

Next up: Mr. & Mrs. Santa Snow Globe (Durene Jones)

Two Happy Dances

 

Started: 1/27/2022

Finished: 1/29/2022

Total Stitching Time: 5 hours and 16 minutes

After completing the designs for the 2021 Stitchmas Advent SAL, Creatively Crafting republished the daily designs without the numbers.  This was Day 23.  

He's stitched mostly as charted with the called for DMC on 14-count white Aida.  I did modify some of the backstitch, because I don't like starting/ending a backstitch in the center of a cross stitch.

He's been added to the box of ornaments going to the Ronald McDonald House later this year.

Started: 11/26/2021

Finished: 1/29/2022

Total Stitching Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

This is one of the shepherds from Durene Jones Nativity project in Enjoy Cross Stitch - Christmas 2021.

It's stitched as charted with mostly the called for DMC on white perforated paper.  When pulling the floss to finish this, I couldn't find DMC 839 and 963 so I used the Anchor equivalents.

This is part of a set that will be given to a Director of Christian Education at our church to help tell the Christmas story.  I won't be finish finishing them until I have a chance to see how she'd like them finished.

November Stitching

It's been awhile since I've posted a monthly recap.  In fact, the last one was for January.  My stitching has been mostly nonexistent and I've been dealing with a lot of  health problems.  The health problems are still with me, but the stitching has increased to almost normal so I decided to start posting again.  I will probably do a weekly recap as well.

I started five projects in November, two of them were also finishes.

My finishes are both from Durene Jones' Away in a Manger series in the 2021 Enjoy Cross Stitch at Christmas (also available on her website).  This is the entire set:

They are all being stitched on white perforated paper, using DMC floss, mostly as charted, but because I can't do the finicky backstitch, some of the backstitching had to be modified. So far, I've used the called for colors, except that Mary's head piece is stitched in 762 instead of white.

Joseph

 Started: 11/11/2021

Finished: 11/16/2021

Total Time:  9 hours 33 minutes

Mary

Started: 11/17/2021

Finished: 11/26/2021

Total Time:  8 hours 50  minutes

I also started the Red Shepherd from this series on 11/26/2021, but put it away temporarily on the 30th to work on some other projects.  This is where I am so far.

Prior to working on the Away in a Manger series, I worked on two Mill Hill projects, but gave up on both of them temporarily (I hope) because I was making too many mistakes on them.

The first is Jingle Bell Wreath from Mill Hill.  It's stitched with the materials provided in the kit.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture of it when I put it away and now I can't find it.  

The other project is also from Mill Hill.  It's Gingerbread Chalet, which is all beads and also stitched with the materials provided in the kit.  Here's where I left it on 11/10/2021

December Plans

 

 I will be working on the 2021 Stitchmas Advent Calendar from Amanda Dion, a free SAL on Facebook.

Depending on how that progresses, I may continue with the Away in a Manger project or  stitch a Christmas present for Kyleigh.

 

Statistics:

Days Stitched This Month = 28  (didn't stitch on 11/24 and 11/25)

Days Stitched This Year  = 191 (possible = 334)

Total Hours Stitched This Month = 34 hours and 9 minutes

Total Hours Stitched This Year = 285 hours and 14 minutes

Number of Projects Worked on This Month = 5
Number of Unique Projects Worked on This Year = 38

Number of Projects Started This Month = 5

Number of Projects Started This Year = 23
Number of Projects Finished This Month = 2

Number of Projects Finished This Year = 22

Happy Dance - Snowman Globe

 

 

Started: 11/24/2020

Finished: 12/27/2020

Total Stitching Time: 7 hours 58 minutes

This Snowman Globe was designed by Durene Jones and is part of group of charts called Christmas Snow Globes.

It's stitched on 14-count white Aida with the called for DMC, which probably wasn't the best choice in hindsight.  I changed the outline of the globe from white to gray (415) and the wording at the bottom from "Season's Greetings" to "Joy", because the way it was charted used a lot of backstitch that went into the middle of a stitch.

This was my 24th start for the 2020 Christmasitis SAL on Facebook. It will be made into an ornament for a Ronald McDonald House.

Up next:  Gingerbread Bell

Wednesday Update - 4/17/2019 on the 18th

I'm actually a day late this time, because I knew I was going to have two finishes last night and wanted to be able to post them this week.  I think I'm back to my normal stitching routine at the moment, but I'm very behind on my monthly pieces and blog posts.

My first finish was the Anemone, a free blackwork SAL on Facebook and her blog by Leslie Teare.  Part 12, the final backstitching was posted yesterday so I finished it last night.

It's stitched on light blue 14-count Aida as charted with the called for DMC I'm not sure how I'm going to FFO this yet, but I think I might stick it in a hoop.  It's got petite black beads on it so it can't be a quilt square.

Started:2/4/2019  Finished: 4/17/2019

My second finish is a Jack Russell Terrier by Durene Jones.  This was the Pet of the Month from World of Cross Stitching #266.  It's stitched on 14-count white Aida mostly as charted with the called for DMC.  I left the backstitching around the border off because I didn't think it was needed.  The backstitching was the fussy type that includes 1/4 and 3/4 back stitches so some of those might not be exact and there is one error in it that I decided to ignore.
This is part of the Dogs SAL for a lap quilt for Quilts for Older Children and Adults.   It's been my focus this week since it's due in Pennsylvania on  or before May 1st.

Started: 4/12/2019  Finished: 4/17/2019

Since stitching at least one stitch a day on Big Trees for the month of March was a success, I decided to do it again in April with a different project.  This is Eagles by Dimensions and is being stitched for both the Year Long Dimensions SAL on Cross Stitch Frog Busters and YOW 2019 at Soulful Stitches.  Of course, I'm stitching more than one stitch every night, usually managing 15-20 minutes before bed. 

As of 4/10/2019

 As you can see in the picture below, there is a two column error that has occurred because I miscounted the first row.  Since it's all sky, I'll compensate for it when I stitch the next portion.

As of 4/17/2019

Happy Dance - Cats ABC (Letter K)

Started: 11/29/2018

Finished: 11/30/2018

This project is from the Cats ABC in The World of Cross Stitching #265 and was designed by Durene Jones.  It's stitched on 14-count white Aida and the only changes I made were: 1) to make some of the backstitching line up with the holes better and 2) to change the cat from gold to gray since Kyleigh's cat is gray.

This is another square for her quilt and she chose it when she visited the week before Thanksgiving.  We went through all the squares I had stitched and discovered that I only needed a few more, so she chose several for me to stitch from my various UK stitching magazines. 

A Thanksgiving Finish

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving (a day late) to all who celebrate it.  We went to my daughter's for breakfast and lunch/dinner.  Breakfast, because I cook the turkey at her home and it had to get in the oven early.  David makes what he calls a farmer's omelet and that's what we had for breakfast.

After putting the turkey in the oven and eating breakfast, I pulled out my stitching.  I usually take a couple of things to stitch and most often only work on one.  This time, I only took one thing and wished I'd taken more since I finished it before the turkey was done.

Started: 11/4/2018

Finished: 11/22/2018

This little cutie is by Durene Jones and was part of the free kit that came with this year's Enjoy Cross Stitch at Christmas magazine.  Instead of using the fabric provided, it's stitched on 14-count plastic canvas with the threads included in the kit.

Because I used plastic canvas, I had to change some of the backstitching and change the eyes to cross stitches, because I couldn't do 1/2 stitch backstitching.  I also accidentally used full crosses for the background instead of the half crosses called for, but when I realized it, it was too late to do any frogging.  I don't think it detracts from the design though.

I'm not sure if it will go on my tree or not; it may be a gift or be held for next year's boutique at our church.

Happy Dance - Love Bear

Started: 1/11/2018

Finished: 1/19/2018

This is part of a free chart that I found on Durene Jones Facebook page.  

I only stitched the bear and heart and left off the background of white cloud hearts on a patchwork of blue and green squares.  Other than that, it's stitched as charted on a scrap of white 14-count Aida with DMC floss except for the eyes--I replaced the french knots with cross stitches.

This is going to be sent to WOCS for their Valentines Card Project.  I hope to have a couple more done by next weekend so I can go shopping for stuff to make it into a card.

WIP Wednesday - 01/17/2018

I'm back to my two projects a day again.  One uses my Q-snaps and floor stand, while the other is small enough to stitch in hand.

The one on my Q-snaps right now is the Ronald McDonald House SAL sampler that I'm making for the Family Room at Mission Hospital. 

The second piece I'm working on is called Love Bear, a freebie from Durene Jones and is for the WOCS Valentine SAL.  I hope to do a couple more this month as well.  The bear has a charted background with heart shaped clouds on a patchwork or blue and green squares, but in the interest of time, I've decided to just stitch the bear and the heart.  This one should be finished in a day or two.

November Happy Dances

Gingerbread Couple

Started: 11/3/2017

Finished: 11/6/2017

This is from the Challenge Lucie section of a Cross Stitch Crazy magazine, but I don't know which issue.   It's stitched as charted with DMC threads on 14-count Fiddler's Lite Aida.  

I love gingerbread anything, but I'm very picky about the shape of gingerbread people.  These meant with my approval so I'm stitching them again on white 14-count Aida, but I'm changing the bow tie to bright green and the dress to bright red. I haven't decided whether I'm going to finish this one as an ornament or a card yet. 

Dream Catcher

 Started: 11/6/2017

Finished: 11/10/2017

This is from Cross Stitch Crazy #214.  It was designed by Durene Jones and was part of the 50 Native American Gift Ideas article.  It's stitched as charted with four colors of DMC on white 14-count Aida.

It's another square for Kyleigh's quilt.  I almost have enough squares now, but I'm changing the theme to be a memory/favorite things quilt so several of the squares I made will be going for other things and there are a few more squares I want to make.

Cozy Penguin Couple

 Started: 11/12/2017

Finished: 11/27/2017

This was also from the Challenge Lucie section of a Cross Stitch Crazy magazine, but I don't know which issue.   

It's stitched with DMC threads on 14-count Fiddler's Lite Aida.   I changed the colors of both scarves since one was supposed to be black and white and the other claret and light blue.  I really do like my colors better.  I haven't decided how to finish this one either.  I'm trying to decide between a card and an ornament.

I've now finished 41 projects this year, most of which were small, but I've also worked on a couple of larger ones.