Since the last update I picked up the Woodland Sampler from the framer. I think he made a smashing job of it. I chose a wooden frame and double mount in cream and green. The framer gave me several nudges in the right direction as to what colours etc. to choose. I paid extra for art glass which is so much clearer than other picture glass. I’ll be living with this sampler for a long time so it’ll be worth the cost. I’ve just noticed the left hand green border looks odd compared to the rest. It’s fine, I checked. The window is on the left of the picture and the double thickness border has created a shadow. Phew!
I haven’t hung it on the wall yet because I’m going to have a switch around of all my pictures. They’ve been part of the furniture for so long that I don’t even see them any more. It’s time for change.
Now it’s time to introduce my new SAL project. I’ve chosen one of the Roll Your Own designs from Ink Circles. My other half bought the charts for Christmas a few years ago and I’ve been itching to stitch one for ages. My friend Claire introduced me to Ink Circles a long time ago. We’ve stitched some of the designs together for this SAL including Cirque des Cercles. There are links at the right of this page if you’re interested.
This is the charts I have. There are 2 large and one small design in the pack. The Ink Circles charts are always very clear and easy to read so this is going to be an easy project to stitch.
I’ve decided to make the design at the top and I’ll be using fabric and threads from my stash. The design is all full crosses so I’m using white 16 count aida and lots of leftover threads, some of which came from my lovely friend Lin when she decided she wouldn’t be cross stitching any more. Thank you again Lin!
Tracy, the designer, gives advice on how to choose your own colours as well as lists of threads for the versions on the cover photo. If I run out of a certain colour I’ll be able to substitute with something else. I’m stash busting :-). Anyway, I’ve chosen purples (who would’ve guessed?), greens, teals and blues plus black for the borders.
Ready to start. I love the needle holder. I’m still using the needle case you made for me Claire :-).
This is how far I got with the black border. There’s a lot of counting to do but the chart is so good that it’s very easy to stitch.
I think it’s going to be fun when I start to fill in the colours but I’m going to finish all the black first. It’s not a huge design.
If you’ve been in this SAL for a long time you’ll remember MaryMargaret. She took a very long break but is now ready to get back to stitching along with us. Welcome back MaryMargaret.
Please check out what everyone has been up to by clicking their names below. We live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences as we’re posting today at local time.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny,
Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen, Connie, Cindy, MaryMargaret
Our next updates will be posted on the 18th September 2022.
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 
Lindashee
/ August 28, 2022The framed picture looks gorgeous!! And I like your next project. I stitched one of those designs long ago with variagated thread (although struggled to finish so my mom did the last 1/4 or something). I like your choice of colours so can’t wait to see update, you’ve already done loads!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022I love stitching with variegated thread. Several of the Ink Circles designs lend themselves to it.
marymargaretripley
/ August 28, 2022Wow the new framing is beautiful! What a lovely job he did. You also have made huge progress in your current project. I have always only used one needle at a time never have I preloaded multiple needles. I am going to have to try this!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022I’d never go back to one needle. I’m not one for gadgets but I wouldn’t be without this one. It’s a Paco needle holder that I bought on Amazon. There are other brands and I do have one but it’s not as good as the Paco one. The initial cost of the extra needles is well worth it too. For a project like yours, with so many colours, it would be a very good investment.
letsgocrafting
/ August 28, 2022The framing really accentuates your piece. It will look lovely hanging in the wall. I totally get how things on the wall become “furniture”! Looking around at my walls, there is a lot of furniture that needs to be rearranged. I love the new piece you have chosen and will look forward to your updates.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022After realising I wasn’t actually seeing the pictures around the house any more I tried to recall what was hanging in different rooms without looking. I’m ashamed to say (after all those hours of stitching) that I’d forgotten I’d made a lot of them. Definitely time for a change.
claire93
/ August 28, 2022WS was beautifully stitched and has now been beautifully framed, so deserves pride of place on a wall ^^ Your new project is a complete change and looks as though it’ll be very relaxing to work on.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022I really lovely the framing and the cross stitch design but I must admit I’m this one so much more relaxing to stitch.
Cathie J
/ August 28, 2022I adore the framing of your Woodland Animals piece. I may have to do something similar with my birth announcement. I really love the next piece that you are going to work on. You have chosen some of my favorite colors. I have to get a needle holder like that. I usually only use one needle at a time.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022The needle holder is Paco brand. I’ve got another one of a different brand but it’s not as good as the Paco so I only use it when I have too many colours for one holder. It’s so much faster to stitch when I’m not constantly unthreading and threading one needle. One of the best gadgets I’ve ever had.
wybrow1966
/ August 28, 2022The woodland sampler looks wonderful in the new frame and your new project will be interesting to watch.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022Thank you. I’m very happy with how it turned out so I just need to decide on the right place to hang it. I’m enjoying stitching the new one a lot.
kathyreeves
/ August 29, 2022You will have so much fun moving your needlework all around! Enjoy the new look!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022I know. We’re planning to redecorate some rooms soon so it’ll be a while before I make final decisions.
anne54
/ August 29, 2022This is the first time I have seen your woodland finished ~ and it looks wonderful! Such a stunning work, and beautifully framed too. It will look so good on your wall.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022I’ll find a special place for it after we’ve redecorated some of the rooms. I wish I could just wiggle my nose and it would all be done LOL.
rutigt
/ August 29, 2022Love the finish of your Woodland project! Your new project looks interesting 🙂 you have chosen very great color to work with!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022This is so much more relaxing than the woodland scene. All full crosses and no back stitching 🙂
hettyanddaisy
/ August 29, 2022The frame looks great with the the double border. I always have a conversation with my framers and they have such a good eye for the correct ones. The next project looks interesting.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ August 30, 2022I knew I wanted natural wood and green but I initially suggested the cream and green borders to be round the other way. The good thing about going to the framer is that they can lay out several possible choices on different corners which makes the best option so much more obvious. I also suggested leaving empty fabric space between the edge of the embroidery and the mount and that met with a flat “No, not good”. He was right 🙂
sunnydelaney
/ August 31, 2022Avis, I love the natural wood frame and the green in the double mat — absolutely stunning! And your new project is so pretty — I can’t wait to see how you fill in the colors.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ September 1, 2022I’ll be stitching the rest of the outline before filling in but I’m already looking forward to adding the pretty colours 🙂
stitchingranny
/ September 5, 2022I have done a couple of Ink Circles and they turn out beautifully. I love this design and its nice that its a little smaller than the normal ones. xx
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ September 6, 2022And I’m considering making it bigger LOL.
stitchingranny
/ September 8, 2022lol