March's main project turned out to be Santa's Workshop by Jim Shore / Mill Hill, ultimately it had almost 6 days love and 5,676 stitches added. I started working on the "meat" of the pattern, as my floss colors were "hit" as Bingo with Semisane Stitchers progressed.
Before:
Easter Bunny House was the first project with floss color hits in Bingo. So I gave it 5 days and 2,426 stitches, with backstitch counted as half. I think maybe I can finish this next month, for Easter.
I also got an early start on Witches Werewolves Warlocks by Glendon Place, with the witch by the center. Overall, it got 2 days and 2,012 stitches. I'm quite pleased with this start, my last piece in the series and I should be able it finish it soonish.
Bellatrix was another planned focus, I gave her 3,489 stitches over 3 days plus a little extra time. Patchy progress with the bingo colors, again. I stitched on her skirt, the grimoire, its stand, and some organic background in the bottom right corner. I also got a little start on the border, as seen on the left side.
Fata dell Aurora was another heavy hitter for Bingo, she got 2,326 stitches over 3 days. Again, patchy progress, but I stitched mainly on her skin, hair, the background mountains, and the grassy knoll in front of her.
Renaissance Mermaid also got some love, more than a day and 1,652 stitches. It's a little patchy since I focused on certain colors for Bingo. Also, this was a March focus for WIPgo, the goal was to finish half the tail, I couldn't really do that since the tail is all specialty threads. I worked out a few conversions for Bingo, but mostly I stitched with DMC on her upper body (and hair).
My Alice SAL had the regular monthly goal of finishing a panel. I didn't give it much time, only 1.5 days because it was really annoying to use this piece for Bingo with all the color changes. But she did get 1,441 stitches. I didn't quite finish the Cheshire Cat, but I did several hundred stitches on the next (bottom) row, so I'm satisfied.
Then I had a zillion new starts since I messed up Bingo, again. Last time it was typos. This time, it was not enough stitches of certain colors, undone, on my WIPs. Mostly it's ornaments but there is one larger piece, Christmas Angels by Sandy Littlejohns for Cross Stitch Collection magazine December 2005. Quite a modest little start, half a day and 316 stitches. But I did work down from the top almost to the middle, on that side border panel. I hope this will be a relatively quick stitch. The others (clockwise from top left) are Waiting for Christmas by Lisa Leann / JCS Ornaments 2021 (+1,078), Crazy Quilted Halloween by Carolyn Manning / Just Cross Stitch Halloween 2018 (+407), Iris Faberge Egg by Solaria (+306, Vinney by Fresh Threads Studio / Just Cross Stitch July/August 2009 (+403), Silver Blue Ball by Artmishka / Just Cross Stitch Ornaments 2020 (+450), Christmas Peace Dove by Carolyn (carand88 @ DeviantArt) (+150), Patrick Sea Star by Alexstitches.com (+300), and finally Believe by Shannon Christine Designs (+505). A total of 3.75 days for all! Discussion Topic: Tell us about a technique, designer, pattern, or anything else in stitching that you’ve been nervous or afraid to try.
I'm a little nervous to stitch the "Stately Peacock" kit I got from Abris Art, from Ukraine, a few years ago. It's all bead embroidery and the needle(s) were included but the base for the embroidery is not exactly fabric, it feels kind of like diamond painting canvas (without the glue, of course). It's totally gorgeous, but I suppose I may need a thimble.
Goals for next month:
•Focus rotations on Fairy Rain, Bellatrix, Renaissance, Iris Faberge Egg, & Alice, 1 or 2k each
•New starts (birthday treat) Ireland Mandala, Scary Apothecary TBD
•Finish Cackle Lozenges & Easter Bunny House