Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Stitchin'

I am having fun.  I am stitching.  Two projects underway, and several in the planning stages.  My fellow stitchers, can you ever have too many ideas or creations that you want to make?

Before I show you the current work, I can finally share the ornaments that I made for the kids as Christmas presents.  I love the process of looking for subjects that are suitable for the recipient, and yet not too big for a tree ornament.  Pinterest is fabulous resource, and the convenience of downloading designs for a minimal price is a far cry from the days of thumbing through racks of cross-stitch books at Michael's!


The fiance made his first trip to the UK in 2022, and since the itinerary included London, this ornament was an easy choice.

 

 

 #1 Son is a little more challenging - cats are an obvious choice, but I am reluctant to give him only cat ornaments.  So I took a little bit of an indirect tack this year, and this is all the more appropriate since together we have watched a documentary about how some people still claim the earth is flat!

In this post in December 2021, I wrote about discovering Spanish blackwork.  In December 2022, I finally began my first blackwork piece.  Last year, my oldest sister purchased an RV, and mentioned that she planned to call it "Bloomer".  I scoured Pinterest for cross-stitch designs with that word, or with a pertinent theme.  I was delighted to locate a pattern with many of her favorite colors, and blackwork!  Bingo!  

I will have to add "Bloomer" to the bottom of the design, but that is easy to do.  Over Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to ask her about the font style she would like.  So, I was all set.  Below are some pictures with current progress.  (I think she will use this a pillow cover.)

 

During my time in the blogosphere, I have seen many mentions of stitch-a-longs, and viewed creativity in action when my fellow bloggers post pictures.  This year, I finally decided to jump in.   Somebody out there (identify yourself!) introduced me to Loretta Oliver, and I subscribed to her email for access to free cross-stitch patterns.  On December 29, when the Great Big List of Stitchalongs to Join in 2023 popped into my email inbox, I decided to take a look.  Imagine my delight when I found The Steady Thread Botanical Blackwork Stitchalong.  Flowers AND blackwork, a perfect combination for me!!!  And it's free!

The Steady Thread is very thorough, and at first the detail of the instructions seemed overwhelming, but I took it one step at a time.  I chose the circular hexagon pattern, and decided on ivory 14-ct. fabric.  (In hindsight, I think I would have preferred 16- or 18-ct.)  I intend to put the finished project in our guest bathroom, so I had an idea of a preferred color palette.  (Traditional blackwork typically utilizes only black thread, but given the location for this piece and the botanical aspect of it, I wanted to experiment with color.  It may not seem like a big deal to you creative folks out there, but this is a STRETCH for someone who likes pre-made designs and can't cook without a recipe!!!)

The design has 49 hexagons in total, and each Friday the pattern for the next hexagon is released.  The Steady Thread provides a key for the placement of each week's hexagon, and "hexagon paper" that you can print in order to plan your color palette, if needed.  In the picture below you can see most of my "color design", and the two hexagons that I have already completed.


 And a closer look.


I still have a few questions, such as how participants share progress (I think it's on a FaceBook page) and when we are supposed to complete the leafy frame.  Watch this space!

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I am joining I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color.  You can always find something inspiring among this group.  Check it out.

This week the prompt is "Do you use a calendar?  Is it digital and do you like it?  Is it a wall calendar and who's do you have this year?  Is it a diary type that sits on your desk next to the computer?  Share yours, and if you like it, how did you choose that one?  Do you have another system to remember things?" 

I use a classic Franklin Planner (see above) and it has a flower motif.   Throughout my career, this style served me well and I continued in retirement. I use the month pages to keep track of significant appointments and events.  In between the month pages, there are two pages per week, so there is room to write down daily tasks, but not many.  So, I do find I need a separate sheet of paper to capture my very aspirational list of everything I would like to get done in a day!!!

So, as you can tell, I am a very visual person - I tried a digital calendar and just couldn't SEE enough to make me comfortable.  The closest I get is the "notes" function in my phone - I use it to record ideas when I am away from my Planner and to-do list.

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Also linking to Mosaic Monday.  If you like creative photo collages, this is the linky party for you!







39 comments:

  1. All your stitchwork is so lovely but I especially love (and laughed out loud) at the ornament for your son. :) I haven't cross-stitched in awhile so need to find something to work on pronto. Happy Thursday!

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  2. Your cross stitch is beautiful, very well chosen for everyone. I don't do cross stitch but have a never ending list of quilts I would like to make. I have a book type diary too.

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  3. Happy New Year, Angie, to you and yours! A handmade ornament designed to be meaningful is a treasure the receiver will unwrap year after year with warm thoughts of the giver for producing a creative reminder of affection shared. :)

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  4. ...I wish that my eyesight was good enough to do this.

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  5. Those are great ornaments you made! I like how you finished the edges. The blackwork looks fun - it will probably be helpful to be part of the SAL. I like seeing the whole month in one place on the calendar, too. I feel the same way about maps - digital maps are so helpful for directions and finding a certain location, but sometimes you just want to see the whole state, country, etc!

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  6. Dear Angie,
    I have to say you are really talented at stitching! Unfortunately, my own stitching experience is pretty poor. I learned to embroider at school and I hated it - like almost all needlework at school, which is probably because of the terrible teacher. After all, a few years ago, thanks to dear bloggers and their encouragement, I started crocheting again, and maybe one day I'll sew again. But will I ever start stitching again? I dont know. (My mother never liked stitching either, but as an old woman she suddenly took up it. I remember her stitching Dürer's "Praying Hands"...
    All the best from Austria!
    Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/01/costa-rica-2-kapitel-einblick-in-unsere.html

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  7. Those ornaments are all beautiful what a wonderful way to have something unique and creative for them all.

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  8. Hi Angie! What a great way to start off a post - I am having fun! Who could ask for more?! Oh, the Franklin Planner. Gosh, I used one ages ago and got away from it. A principal in our district uses one and she has oodles of cool stickers that she uses. It almost makes me want to go back to them! Happy Thursday to you. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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  9. Your gifted ornaments are beautiful! How fun to discover freebies in your favorite subject matter. That Bloomer CS is so pretty. I like those hexagons too! I had forgotten all about Franklin Planners - they used to be the "thing" when I worked. I've always loved small 3-ring binders for my "planner" and for scribbling. :)

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  10. Beautiful stitching, Angie, and I'm sure the ornaments were well-received. I laughed at the cat one! I tried cross-stitch many years ago and completed several large pieces, but I never really enjoy stabbing into those little squares. I prefer embroidery and sewing, so I'm sticking with those.
    I like a paper planner, too, but usually just purchase whatever takes my fancy at the stationery store.

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  11. Your stitchwork is incredible, Angie.
    Love the beautiful ornaments.

    Hugs and blessings!

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  12. The ornaments are really cute. I love the piece you're working on now. That's going to look great when it's done. The hexagons are pretty cool, too.

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  13. I do like the ornaments you've shared here :)
    Enjoy your stitching... and enjoy your January days too.

    All the best Jan

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  14. I love your cross stitch ornaments! I used to cross stitch and miss it. I'd love to start it up again but I have too much going on!!

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  15. You are an artist! Your stitching is beautiful!

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  16. So much pretty stitching here, Angie. Your son's gift caused me to smile. LOVE those embroidered hexies; so, so pretty!

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  17. So much pretty stitching here, Angie. Your son's gift caused me to smile. LOVE those embroidered hexies; so, so pretty!

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  18. Wundervolle Arbeiten, mein Respekt !

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  19. Your embroidery is exquisite, Angie! When I was young I enjoyed both embroidery and crewel work and kept many projects I completed. My eyes found the work harder to do when I got older but now after having had cataract surgery i could probably pick it up again. Cooking is my hobby now I like trying new recipes and

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  20. ...sorry that published before I was finished....cooking is a continuing hobby--I love trying new recipes and eating them...lol!

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  21. You made beautiful stitching, Angie. I admire your work, each of it. In my thoughts I walk back in time to school, where I learnt to stitch ... but I hate it. The teacher was very hard to me.

    Thank you for sharing at MosaicMonday.

    Hugs by Heidrun

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  22. Your stitching is so nice Angie! My gosh I haven't cross-stitched in ages, in fact I remember it was called needlepoint when I did it! ☺

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  23. Happy New Year, Angie! I prefer print calendars, just like I prefer paper maps. I like being able to touch the paper, write on it, and get a quick overview of the whole month, which I suppose I could do with digital calendars, but so much clicking. Your cross-stitch creations are amazing. The hexagons, oh my. I like the cat line, hahaha.

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  24. Hello Angie,
    Your stitching is so pretty, I love all the cute Christmas gifts. The designs are lovely, Boomer is a favorite. But, I love them all. Take care, have a great day and a happy week ahead!

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  25. I admire your energy and creativity. Your stitching is amazing!! I use both a digital and paper calender. Digital reminds me of stuff but it is easier to get the big picture with paper.

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  26. That is so neat, my fingers are way too big to do anything like that. BTW I have four blogs, You can see a list if you look down the right hand column of my blog

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  27. Your cross stitching is beautiful!

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  28. I love the designs you've chosen! Makes me want to stitch again but I would need thread! lol Enjoy your week and have fun!

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  29. Hello Angie, these are great stitching. You are very talented and creative. I really like the Christmas ornaments. Those are very cute.
    Have a great day!

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  30. You're so creative and talented. I love all the cute ornaments and how appropriate they are for each person.

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  31. The Christmas ornaments you cross-stitched are wonderful!

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  32. You're staying busy! I've always loved the cat quote. So true. It wasn't so funny when my cat pushed an antique bottle off a shelf though.

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  33. how pretty! I admire the calendar system and tried something like it when I was working but I just couldn't keep it going. We all find different systems that mesh with our styles I guess. Still I love the idea of that one.
    LeeAnna

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  34. The ornaments are adorable! I've not done any cross stitch for a while, you make me want to try some. Happy stitching!
    Amalia
    xo

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  35. Angie what fun and meaningful Christmas ornaments and gifts. Love the England one!! The pillow cover is so lovely. Such great colors. You are a talented lady. Great way to stay busy in the winter.

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  36. your needle work is beautiful, your stitches perfection. i really enjoy needle work and have not done any in years!! have you ever tried "needlepunch" so fun and a really pretty finished product!!

    sooooo funny - i have not read your post until now but my recent post goes over writing things down and using a planner or calendar!! and to answer the question you asked about printing my blog, yes, all the text is included. if text is more important to you, i would choose medium for the size of your pictures. it will be more condensed and use less pages. if you do print, and you have any questions, email me at stangs6@hotmail.com, i am sure i will be able to help or answer questions!!

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    Replies
    1. if you go to my blog and search for needlepunch you can see what that looks like!

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