Happy Dance - Santa Cruise

 

Started: 2/4/2025

Finished: 2/7/2025

Total Time: 12 hours and 32 minutes

Santa Cruise is part of the Mill Hill Winter Holiday Collection.

It's stitched as charted using the materials provided and will be made into a Christmas ornament for  Ronald McDonald House in Orange, CA

 Next up: Mermaid (Creatively Crafting)

Happy Dance - Christmas Cactus

 

Started: 2/1/2025

Finished: 2/3/2025

Total Time: 9 hours and 31 minutes

Christmas Cactus is part of the Mill Hill Winter Holiday Collection.

It's stitched mostly as charted using the provided materials.. I did discover that my Santa hat has more white and less red than called for, because the two symbols were too much alike. (< and <, one is bold)

This will be made into a Christmas ornament for  Ronald McDonald House in Orange, CA

 Next up: Santa Cruise (Mill Hill)

Happy Dance - Gingerbread Lass

 

Started: 1/3/2025

Finished: 1/9/2025

Total Time: 14 hours and 4 minutes

Gingerbread Lass is a Mill Hill Beaded Holiday Kit and is stitched entirely with beads. 

It's stitched as charted with the materials provided.  I did run out of the thread, but I was able to match it to some in my stash.  It took so long to stitch because I miscounted in the very first row and after 6 rows, found the mistake and had to start over.  That was just too many beads to frog.

She's going to be made into an ornament and given to the local Ronald McDonald House this coming Christmas.

Next up: Trees Sweater

Happy Dance - Santa Paws

 

Started: 12/31/2024

Finished: 1/2/2025

Total Time: 6 hours and 32 minutes

Santa Paws is a kit from the Mill Hill Winter Holiday Collection.

It's stitched as charted with the provided materials.

It's going to be made into an ornament and given to the local Ronald McDonald House this coming Christmas.

Next up: Gingerbread Lass

Happy Dance - Sunday Night

 

Started: 5/3/2023

Finished: 5/16/2023

Total Stitching Time: 11 hours and 5 minutes

This was a Mill Hill kit.

It's stitched as charted on tan 14-count perforated paper with the provided floss but I accidentally changed a couple of colors, because I had trouble telling them apart.

It's going to get a backing and beaded hanger and will going to Ronald McDonald House.

Next up: Gingerbread Girl

Happy Dance - Kitty Love

 

Started: 4/7/2023

Finished: 4/12/2023

Total Stitching Time: 12 hours and 34  minutes

This is Kitty Love, a Mill Hill kit from their most recent Spring Bouquet Collection.

It's stitched as charted on the provided14-count yellow perforated paper with the provided floss.  I did leave the charm off, because I liked it better without it.

It will be backed with felt and a magnet and join the other magnets on my refrigerator.  Yes, this one's for me!

Next up: Snowman in Beanie (Design Works Kit)

 

P.S.  The leftovers include enough floss, the charm, the magnet and I've added a piece of brown perforated paper.  There are probably enough beads as well, except for possibly the cream colored ones around the border so if you'd like these leftovers, please comment on this post.

Happy Dance - Gingerbread Lad

 

 

Started: 1/12/2022

Finished: 1/16/2022

Total Stitching Time: 9 hours and 2 minutes

This is the Gingerbread Lad from the Mill Hill Beaded Holiday Collection.

It's stitched as charted with the perforated paper and floss provided.

It will be going to the Ronald McDonald House in Orange, CA come Christmas time.

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

Some Recent Finishes

I've been very lax about posting my finishes (and about some of the SAL's as well) so this post will catch you up on all the finishes that have occurred in February, March and so far in April that haven't been posted yet.

Started: 2/11/2021

Finished: 2/21/2021

Total Stitching Time: 9 hours 13 minutes

This is Day 2 of  the 12 Days of Christmas by Ursula Michael.  It's stitched on 14-count white Aida as charted with the called for DMC.

Started: 2/11/2021

Finished: 3/16/2021

Total Stitching Time: 7 hours 3 minutes

Thanksgiving Mouse is the Furry Tales mouse that I chose to represent November on my Furry Tales quilt.  It's by Lucie Heaton and can be found in the World of Cross Stitching #247.  It's stitched on 14-count white Aida as charted with the called for DMC.  It will be going to WOCS (World of Charity Stitching) once I've finished December's square.

 

Started: 3/30/2021

Finished: 4/10/2021

Total Stitching Time: 23 hours 45 minutes

Hello Sunshine is from Cross Stitch Wonders and the chart was sent to me by the group, Canada Stitches Work Group that provides quilts and Christmas ornaments to children and families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Red Deer, Alberta.

It's also stitched on white 14-count Aida as charted with the called for DMC and will be mailed to their coordinator shortly.

Started: 12/20/2020

Finished: 4/13/2021

Total Stitching Time: 7 hours 1 minute

Christmas Lizzie Mouse is representing December on my Furry Tales quilt.  She was designed by Lucie Heaton and can be found in the  World of Cross Stitching #261.  She is also one of my 2020 Christmasitis starts.

She's stitched on white 14-count Aida as charted with the called for DMC.  I have noticed that some of the mice call for backstitching in 844 and others in 3799, but I've backstitched all of them in 3799.  

She will be going to WOCS with the rest of the Furry Tales squares to be made into a quilt for either a child or an elderly resident of a nursing home.

Started: 4/14/2021

Finished: 4/18/2021

Total Stitching Time: 7 hours 59 minutes

 

This is Day 3 of  the 12 Days of Christmas by Ursula Michael.  It's stitched on 14-count white Aida as charted with the called for DMC.

 

Started: 5/5/2020

Finished: 4/20/2021

Total Stitching Time: 6 hours 8 minutes

Frosty is a Mill Hill Charmed Mitten that was started for Stitch Maynia last year.  It's stitched with the materials in the kit except that I'm leaving off both the bow and the gold heart charm.  Once fully finished, it will go to the Ronald McDonald House in Red Deer, Alberta Canada.

 

Happy Dance - Crimson Cardinal

 

 

Started: 5/8/2020

Finished: 8/6/2020

Stitching Time: 12 hours 36 minutes

 

This is part of the beaded Holiday Collection and is stitched as charted with the materials in the kit.   It will be made into an ornament to hang on my tree.

 

Oops!

One of my Mill Hill Maynia Starts was Father Frost from the Santa Faces Collection #2.  I stitched on it for one day in May and then took it out to work on last week.

At that time I wondered why I was missing some of the floss, beads and the charm.    Since I had replacement beads and floss in my stash, I spent a little over three hours working on it in July.  It finally occurred to me that even though I didn't remember stitching it before, I probably had, so I checked my Christmas ornament drawer and there it was.  I guess it got mixed in with my to-be-stitched kits instead of the already stitched ones.  I checked my photos and it had to have been stitched prior to 2014 so I guess I can forgive myself for forgetting.

However,  I've decided not to complete it a second time and instead choose another Mill Hill kit.

Up Next: Crimson Cardinal

Happy Dance - Love Coffee

Started: 5/11/2020

Continued Start: 7/6/2020

Finished: 7/15/2020

Stitching Time: 6 hours 53 minutes

Love Coffee is a Mill Hill I Love Charmed Ornament kit and was one of my Mill Hill Maynia starts.  

It was stitched with the materials in the kit as charted except that I only used two strands of floss for the cross stitching.

This will be finished as a magnet and given to my daughter's best friend to thank her for her helpfulness over the past few months.

Happy Dance - Pizza Slice

Started: 5/22/2020

Finished: 7/5/2020

Stitching Time: 9 hours 9 minutes

Pizza Slice is from the Mill Hill Spring Bouquet Collection. 

It was stitched with the kit materials except that I only used two strands for the cross stitch and left off the charm. This was one of the most un-fun projects I've ever worked on and actually completed.  I used the wrong color twice and had to frog most of the pizza at least once.   Of course, the frog seems to have taken up residence at my house so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

This was one of my Mill Hill Stitch Maynia starts and the third one I've finished so far.  It will take up residence on my refrigerator once fully finished.

Next Up: Love Coffee

Happy Dance - Egg-ceptional

Started: 5/13/2020

Finished: 6/19/2020

Stitching Time: 8 hours 37 minutes

Egg-ceptional is part of the most recent Spring Bouquet Collection and is one of my favorites. 

It is stitched mostly as charted with the provided materials.  The only exception is that I only use two strands of floss for the cross stitch.  The frog visited several times while I worked on it, but it's still one of my favorites.

I will trim it, add the charm and provided magnet to the back and it will join the others on my refrigerator and will probably stay there year round.

If anyone would like my leftovers, please leave a comment.  If not, I will take them to our local thrift store with my next donation.

Next Up: Pizza Slice

Happy Dance - American Star

Started: 5/6/2020

Finished: 6/4/2020

Stitching Time: 1 hour 54 minutes

This is the first completed Mill Hill project from this year's Stitch Maynia.  I chose to do it first because it was simple and would be a quick finish.  

It was a fun stitch, but there are two unintentional customizations that I discovered too late to frog.

I'll be making this into a magnet and giving it to Kyleigh.

Next Up: Egg-ceptional

Sitch Maynia - Days 22 through 28

Again, I continued starting and stitching for about 30 minutes on more of my Mill Hill ornament sized projects.

Day 22 was the Pizza Slice from the Autumn Harvest Collection.  I stitched for 30 minutes on the pepperoni and some of the cheese.

Day 23 was another Charmed Santa Face, Joyful Santa.  Yes, I have a lot of these; I think I purchased the whole collection when they first came out.  I stitched for 30 minutes, but this time instead of starting with his hat, I started with his beard.  And yes, I ignore the instruction about doing all the cross stitches first.

Day 24 was the Gingerman Snow Charmer.  I stitched for 37 minutes on his hat and managed to finish it.  I was so close that I just kept going.

Day 25 was another Charmed Santa Face, the last of this series for Maynia, but I do have one more that didn't make the cut.  I stitched for 33 minutes on his beard.

Day 26 was another Snow Globe; this time it was the Santa Claus one.  I stitched for 32 minutes on the bottom of the globe.

Day 27 was the only Halloween ornament that made the cut, but not the only one in my stash.  This is Dracula and I stitched for 30 minutes on his vest and started his pants.

Day 28 was Holiday Panda from the Winter Holiday Collection.  It will also be gift, hopefully for this coming Christmas.  I stitched for 32 minutes on his right arm and leg.

I also continued my 30 minutes a day of stitching on the Royals and I should have a finish either tonight or tomorrow night.

As of 5/21/2020 - After 21 hours and 11 minutes

As of 5/28/2020 - After 24 hours and 51 minutes

Only three more days and I'll have completed my goals for this year's Stitch Maynia.

Stitch Maynia - Days 8 - 14

First, I've continued starting more Mill Hill ornament sized projects for this second week of May.

Crimson Cardinal is from the Beaded Holiday Collection and is ALL beads. I stitched for 30 minutes on the cardinal.  It wasn't hard once I realized I only needed to do a half cross stitch through each bead even if it was a petite bead that normally calls for a full cross stitch.

Day 8 - Crimson Cardinal

Sunday Night is part of the Winter Holiday Collection.  I stitched for 31 minutes on the upper window and it's surroundings .

Day 9 - Sunday Night

Traditional Sleigh is from the Sleigh Ride Collection.  I stitched for 31 minutes on what I think is the bag in the middle.

Day 10 - Traditional Sleigh

Love Coffee is from the Mill Hill I Love Charmed Ornament Collection and I stitched on the background of the heart for 30 minutes.  This will be a gift for a friend when finished.

Day 11 - Love Coffee

Gifts Galore is part of the Holiday Pins Collection and is an older Mill Hill kit.  I stitched on the tree for 30 minutes.  You know, if there are gifts, there's got to be a tree, too.

Day 12 - Gifts Galore

 

Egg-ceptional is a kit from the current Spring Bouquet Collection.  I fell in love with this little guy as soon as I saw it.  I stitched for 30 minutes on the bunny's face and part of the egg.

Day 13 - Egg-ceptional

Triple Scoop is part of an earlier Spring Bouquet Collection.  I stitched for 30 minutes on the cone itself.

Day 14 - Triple Scoop

Second, I've continued stitching at least 30 minutes a day on The Royals.  I'm very happy with the amount of progress just 30 minutes a day makes possible and will keep working on this one until it's finished, probably sometime in June.

As of 5/7/2020

As of 5/14/2020

Happy Dance - My Pad

Started: 4/29/2020

Finished 5/11/2020

Stitching Time: 9 hours 27 minutes

My Pad is part of the most recent Spring Bouquet Collection and was stitched as charted with the provided materials.  As usual, I used two strands of floss for the cross stitches instead of the called for three.  I also forgot to add the charm, but I'll take care of that when I do the finishing.

It took longer than most Mill Hill ornaments because of my Maynia stitching and there was a lot of frogging involved.  I wonder if that's because of the subject matter.  It's much brighter and more colorful in person.  

I will be adding a magnet and it will soon be displayed on my refrigerator.

If anyone wants my leftovers--beads/floss and chart--please let me know.  If more than one person wants them, I'll draw a name on Friday (5/15).

Happy Dance - Father Christmas

Started: 2/18/2020

Finished: 2/23/2020

Stitching Time: 8 hours, 2 minutes

Father Christmas is one of the Mill Hill Charmed Santas kits.  It's stitched as charted with the enclosed materials, except that I left off the charm and only used two strands of floss for all of the stitching.

Hopefully, this will hang on my Christmas tree come December.

Happy Dance - St. Nicholas

Started: 1/4/2020

Finished: 1/11/2020

This is St. Nicholas, a Mill Hill Charmed Faces Santa from several years ago.  It's stitched as charted with the provided materials.  The only exception is that I used two strands of floss for the cross  stitch instead of the three called for.  I also left off the charm since it seemed to have enough bling without it. This is finish #2 for the year and took approximately 9 1/2 hours to stitch.

 

I've noticed that his hat isn't on straight, but it's stuck on pretty tight, so I figure no one will notice once it's on my tree.    It's also fully finished, but I'll save that picture for the Fully Finished Gallery SAL next month.

Next Up: Moose Joy (2019 JCS Ornament Issue by Angel Stitchin)