It’s time for another SAL project update. I’m stitching the Woodland Sampler by Anchor. The design number is PCE958.
After all my whinging last time I now accept this one isn’t going to be easy or fast to complete. I’m fine with it now. I keep telling myself it’s just a mindset. This is where I was up to last time.
This is where I’m at now.
There’s a lot of back stitched details to add but I’ll do those when the tawny owl is all finished. Most of the stitching on the body is full crosses so it’s been quite enjoyable to do even though there are a lot of colour changes.
After reading the comments on my last SAL post I realised I’d given the wrong name to the stitches I’d been having trouble with. I was moaning about half stitches which I now know to be the same as tent stitch and petit point. They’re easy! It was actually side by side three quarter stitches (i.e. two three quarter stitches in one square) that were trying my patience. Sorry if I mislead some of you. You probably thought “What’s she going on about? Half stitches are easy!” and rightly so.
Mary Margaret has sadly decided to leave the SAL. I hope you’ll pop over to see what she’s getting up to now and again. She’s informed me she’ll still be crafting. Please check out what everyone else has been up to by clicking their names below. We live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences. Posting takes place every third Sunday, local time. Our next updates will be posted on the 13th June 2021.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen
About the SAL
Please note this SAL is not accepting any more new members until further notice but this is what it’s all about anyway. This SAL (Stitch Along) is slightly different to other SALs in that we don’t all stitch the same design at the same rate. We choose ONE unfinished project, or ONE new one, and show progress of its completion over a series of three weekly updates. There are no deadlines and no set amount to stitch. The result is that the space in our drawers full of WIPs (works in progress) is gradually being freed up to store lots of new crafty goodness. It’s surprising how much motivation I’ve gained from being in this SAL.
Sewing Beside the Sea 
craftycreeky
/ May 23, 2021I agree re the 3/4 stitches but your owl looks lovely – he’s worth it 🙂
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021He’d better be LOL.
Cathie J
/ May 23, 2021Your owl is really pretty. The many color changes are annoying, but enhance its feathers.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021I’m happy with colour changes. It’sjust the fractionals that I hate. They seem so unnecessary on 16 count when back stitch detail will also be added afterwards.
marymargaretripley
/ May 23, 2021I guess I don’t know what 3/4 stitches are lol! And yes, your owl looks quite distinguished 😊
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 20213/4 stitches aren’t too bad but side by side 3/4 stitches on 32 count are over the top.
claire93
/ May 23, 2021I think that’s billiant progress considering all those horrid 3/4 stitches you had to deal with ^^ Will he have eyes for next time?
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021Too-wit-too-hoo knows? 🙂
claire93
/ May 25, 2021you tease!
Sharon
/ May 23, 2021You’ve made great progress with all that color changing going on. Your owl looks quite life like.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021I hope the back stitching will be worth adding.
kathyreeves
/ May 23, 2021Mr. Owl is looking very realistic!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021Just a bit of back stitch detail to do now.
hettyanddaisy
/ May 23, 2021This is looking lovely – just think how clever Mother Nature is – he looks very life like.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021I think the back stitching will make his eyes more detailed. I might not do that for next time though.
wybrow1966
/ May 23, 2021Wow that is some progress, the owl is looking really cute!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021I’m much happier now with some full crosses.
Christina
/ May 23, 2021I just started a design with lots of 3/4 stitches and they are definitely making me go cross eyed. Owl is looking fabulous though!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021Thank you Christina. Do you have two 3/4 in the same square as well? Nightmare!!
Christina
/ May 25, 2021Luckily only one 3/4 with a 1/4 from the opposite side, but still!! lol
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021Oh that’s bad enough. Good luck!
teamwilsun
/ May 23, 2021Your owl looks lovely — such detailed colors! I hate the fractional stitches, but just decided to do mine as 3/4 and 1/4, if you see what I mean — I just pick the color that needs the “outline” or the “majority”, and then the other color just gets a tiny stitch.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021I think that’s a good idea but I’ve done some as per the instructions now and coulldn’t possibly change part way through. I know, I have a problem LOL.
AJ
/ May 23, 2021Your owl looks awesome and I think you’ve made good progress for three weeks!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021Thank you AJ. He’ll get proper eyes at some point.
Debbierose
/ May 24, 2021Your Owlvus coming together nicely.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021Thank you. Slowly but surely 🙂
rutigt
/ May 24, 2021Cute and you have done a lot 🙂
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021Thank you. I’m much happier until next time haha!
Laura White
/ May 24, 2021Good progress, I think.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021Now that I’ve accepted it’s going to be slow I’m much happier.
Stitchingginny@gmail.com
/ May 24, 2021What a sweet little owl. A lot of work, but the results are so beautiful. Great progress!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021And when he gets some detailed eyes he should look even better 🙂
stitchingranny
/ May 25, 2021Coming along nicely Avis xx
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 25, 2021I’m getting there eventually. I’ve just started on the squirrel’s tail. So far, so good.
Anonymous
/ May 28, 2021You commented that you did a Susan Porta – which one was it? I love her stuff but it’s getting very hard to find.
Jackie
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ May 28, 2021Hi Jackie, I stitched Spirit of the South West in the burgundy colourway over 30 years ago. It’s on my living room wall 🙂 I’ve also done another one of her’s and I’m sure it has “Navajo” in the title but I can’t remember. It’s only about 6 inches square. The one by Laura J Perin is Starry Night, equally enjoyable to stitch and lovely charts too. There’s so many lovely designs out there it’s difficult to choose 🙂 Avis
Renee
/ June 13, 2021Wow! You made great progress!