All posts tagged cross stitch

Woodland Sampler – Stage 8

It’s time for another SAL project update.  I’m stitching the Woodland Sampler by Anchor. The design number is PCE958.

This is where I was up to last time.

Stage 7b

This is where I’m up to now.

Stage 8

Not as much progress as I’d hoped for this time. I was teasing you all last time about which animal will be coming next. I thought I’d have at least an ear done for today’s update but it wasn’t to be. Anyway, let’s hope I’ll be able to show the beginning of a fox cub in 3 weeks time.

Please check out what everyone else has been up to by clicking their names below. Carole is taking a break for a while so her link has been omitted. I hope she’ll be back soon. 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 17th October 2021.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, 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.

26 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on September 26, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Cross stitch, Woodland Sampler
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Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on September 26, 2021

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2021/09/26/woodland-sampler-stage-8/

Woodland Sampler – Stage 7

It’s time for another SAL project update.  I’m stitching the Woodland Sampler by Anchor. The design number is PCE958.

This is where I was up to last time.

Stage 6

I’ve now stitched right across the top quarter of the design.

Stage 7a

I can honestly say if it wasn’t for the fact that my sister bought this kit for me, plus the motivation and virtual whip cracking of this SAL, I think this project would’ve been destined for the back of a cupboard. I spent all of my crafting time on this for the last two whole weeks and two days. Claire has been cheering me along throughout so she deserves special credit, especially when I finally got to do the back stitching. You’ll be pleased (but not as pleased as I am) that I’ve completed all the back stitching HURRAY! I hope you can see the difference. If not, click and zoom because it was way too much effort to miss, particularly on the owl’s head. What a nightmare!

Stage 7b

My plan (when I recover) is to begin stitching under the owl and work across as usual. One of my favourite animals is coming up next and there’s not too much back stitch. Any guesses what it’ll be?

Please check out what everyone else has been up to by clicking their names below. Laura is taking a break for a while so her link has been omitted. I hope she’ll be back soon. 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 26th September 2021.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, 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.

25 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on September 5, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Cross stitch
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Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on September 5, 2021

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2021/09/05/woodland-sampler-stage-7/

Woodland Sampler – Stage 6

It’s time for another SAL project update.  I’m stitching the Woodland Sampler by Anchor. The design number is PCE958.

This is where I was up to last time.

Stage 5

I’ve now completed the greenery and some sky under the butterfly.

Stage 6a

Also, continuing to the right, I added a bit more patchy sky, the head of a great spotted woodpecker and some leaves at the top.

Stage 6 

There’s nothing more to the right of the leaves. I’ll continue with the woodpecker so the top section is all stitched and then add all the back stitching to what I’ve done so far. That’s my goal anyway.

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 5th September 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.

29 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on August 15, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Cross stitch, Woodland Sampler
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Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on August 15, 2021

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2021/08/15/woodland-sampler-stage-6/

Woodland Sampler – Stage 5

It’s time for another SAL project update.  I’m stitching the Woodland Sampler by Anchor. The design number is PCE958.

This is where I was up to last time. The squirrel was peeping at the next stage 🙂

Stage 4

This is where I’m at now. I’ve completed more of the sky, some overhanging leaves and a peacock butterfly. I’d hoped to have stitched the greenery along the bottom of this section for this update but it wasn’t to be. I’ll be working on that next.

Stage 5

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 15th August 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.

32 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on July 25, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Cross stitch, Woodland Sampler
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Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on July 25, 2021

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2021/07/25/woodland-sampler-stage-5/

Woodland Sampler – Stage 4

It’s time for another SAL project update.  I’m stitching the Woodland Sampler by Anchor. The design number is PCE958.

This is where I was up to last time.

Stage 3

This is where I’m at now.

Stage 4

It’s growing very slowly. There were lots of fractional stitches to do but I’m plodding along. I did some of the trees and sky plus the squirrel’s muzzle. It looks a bit strange I think but I checked the chart and the backstitched detail will put that right. I did panic at the beginning of last week because I’d only managed to do a few stitches since the last update but I picked up a bit in week 3.

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 25th July 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.

36 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on July 4, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Cross stitch, Woodland Sampler
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Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on July 4, 2021

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2021/07/04/woodland-sampler-stage-4/

Woodland Sampler – Stage 3

It’s time for another SAL project update.  I’m stitching the Woodland Sampler by Anchor. The design number is PCE958.

This is where I was up to last time.

Stage 2

This is where I’m at now. Can you guess what the latest animal is without reading further?

Stage 3

I decided to leave the back stitching until I’ve finished all the way across the top. I might regret it! The greenery under the owl is now filled in and I’ve got most of the red squirrel done. I was hoping to finish this piece of the chart but there’s a lot more background to add. I hope to at least square it off in time for the next update.

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 4th July 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.

26 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on June 13, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Cross stitch, Woodland Sampler
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Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on June 13, 2021

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2021/06/13/woodland-sampler-stage-3/

Woodland Sampler – Stage 2

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.

Stage 1

This is where I’m at now.

Stage 2

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.

38 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on May 23, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Cross stitch, Woodland Sampler
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Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on May 23, 2021

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2021/05/23/woodland-sampler-stage-2/

Woodland Sampler – Stage 1

It’s time for another SAL update. After completing Tiny Treasures last time I decided my next SAL project would be the kit that my sister bought for my birthday. It’s called Woodland Sampler by Anchor. The design number is PCE958.

Woodland Sampler

I zig-zagged with the sewing machine around the edge of the supplied 16 count aida fabric, pressed it and clipped it to the frame. All was going well. The charts are on A3 paper and the print is VERY small so I needed to make a working copy to mark off as I stitched. I set myself a target of getting the tawny owl finished for this update. This is how far I got. I’ve stitched for many hours and I’m really disappointed with how long this much took to complete.

Stage 1

Eagle-eyed readers will notice the fabric isn’t aida. I did try but there are so many fractional stitches that I couldn’t get my needle through the aida in the right places and it was all a mess. I swapped it for 32 count evenweave. I don’t enjoy stitching on evenweave but I had no choice. More whinging coming up…

Some of the half stitch symbols weren’t showing up very well on my copy so I needed to refer to the chart to check. That wasn’t very helpful because the print had worn off the original where the paper had been folded! I’d literally taken the chart out of the pack, laid it flat, made a copy and then folded it back up. The print and/or paper must be very poor quality.

Most of the owl that I’ve stitched so far is made up of fractional stitches. I’ve been tearing my hair out LOL. I’ve moaned to everyone around me and now I’m moaning here as well. Anyway, as if all the fractional stitches aren’t enough, there’s a load of back stitching to do over the top. Most of the half stitches that are next to each other are only a shade different. I’m sure this design could’ve been just as effective if it was done in full crosses and backstitch. It all seems a tad unnecessary to me but I’m not an artist.

However, I do love the design and this kit wouldn’t have been cheap so I’m determined to finish it. The threads are Anchor brand so they’re good quality and the supplied fabric was nice too. I can use it for something else. I might have to buy some new dancing shoes for when this one is done but I’ve got plenty of time to save up because it’s going to take ages!!

Sorry for all the whinging. I feel much better now I’ve got it off my chest. I promise to be more chipper next time.

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 23rd May 2021.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Jenny, 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.

47 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on May 2, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Cross stitch, Woodland Sampler
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Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on May 2, 2021

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2021/05/02/woodland-sampler-stage-1/

Tiny Treasures – Happy Dance

It’s time for another SAL update. Tiny Treasures was designed by  Liz Almond  and the original chart is a free download from Blackwork Journey. This is where I was up to last time.

Stage 11

As you can see there were only 8 boxes to complete so me and Claire decided to sprint to the finish line. We did it!

Stage 12

This is why we’re Happy Dancing this time 🙂 It’s a long way to scroll down!

Finished

As usual I made the process so much more difficult for myself by changing and adding to lots of the original designs from the beginning. Once I’d started to make everything more densely stitched to suit my thread choice I had to keep it up or the top bit would’ve looked wrong. I struggled towards the end to redesign or come up with something completely different from the original but I managed. All the boxes and flowers are different. There’s 70 flowers and 52 boxes. I think I’ll finish it up as a wall hanger. If not, it’ll be framed but I’m not in any hurry to get it done. 

The design finished at 10 x 27 inches but you could choose any number of the boxes and flowers to make something a more suitable size for your needs. It’s been a very enjoyable project to stitch, especially as the chart and instructions are so clear.

Do you want to know what I’m going to stitch next? OK then, I’ll tell you. I’d already pulled something out of my stash and put it to one side ages ago but then it was my birthday and my sister bought me this gorgeous kit. It’s a cross stitch design featuring some of my favourite animals, namely foxes and hedgehogs. I think it’ll take a long time to stitch this one but it’s perfect for the SAL in that it has several different animals that I can do in stages.

Woodland Sampler

I know Claire is also Happy Dancing today and there’s bound to be others as well.

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 2nd May 2021.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, 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.

37 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on April 11, 2021  •  Permalink
Posted in Woodland Sampler
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Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on April 11, 2021

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2021/04/11/tiny-treasures-happy-dance/

Tiny Treasures – Stage 4

Tiny Treasures was designed by  Liz Almond  and the chart is a free download from Blackwork Journey. This is where I was up to last time.

Stage 3

I haven’t done as much for this update but I’m pleased it’s coming along. Here’s where I’m up to now.

Stage 4

There’s a tiny bit of the border hiding. It’s rolled under the frame on the right hand side.

I’ve been busy doing loads of jobs outside in the garden recently and there’s still lots to do. It’s good to be out in the fresh air but it doesn’t leave much time for stitching. The daylight hours are getting shorter so there’ll be more time for crafting soon. Maybe I should get some quilt tops out to quilt. It’s a while since I’ve done that and it’s a nice cold evening activity.

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 15th November 2020.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, 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.

33 Comments
by Sewing Beside the Sea on October 25, 2020  •  Permalink
Posted in Blackwork, Tiny Treasures
Tagged , , , ,

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on October 25, 2020

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2020/10/25/tiny-treasures-stage-4/

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