OhSewCrafty

2023 WIPocalypse: July

Hello friends, thanks for visiting!  My progress in July was a bit less, since I was away for 2 weeks, but my projects still got a fair amount of attention.

Autumn bellpull was my main focus for the month, because it fits on small scroll bars and is a decent travel piece.  So I ultimately gave it about 10 days and 4,068 stitches.  I finished the U block and made a sizable start on the T block, it's over half done, I'd say.  Though Autumn bellpull wasn't an original WIPocalypse goal, I'm bringing it in since I do hope to finish this year.   

Minecraft Sampler, another 2023 start I'm rolling in to the WIPocalypse, got 1.5 days and 2,009 stitches.  Mostly that was backstitch- all the animals, the word, and both characters are fully backstitched now and I even made a little start on the next page, the mostly dark grey "enderman".  

Christmas Angels, a Christmas in July focus piece had 2 days love and 1,216 stitches added.  Mostly, I stitched on right side angel, adding a lot to her wings, skin, her crown, sash, and ribbons.   I did a little backstitching (words) to count across and then start the other angel with her wing, and finally one of the blue tones in her dress.

Merry Christmas by Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe, also a Xmas in July focus was a new start, had about 1 day and 1,600 stitches added. Though this pattern is fully charted in cross stitch, the pattern photo appears as satin stitch, and the other victorian motto pattern I did (by a different designer) was charted with cross stitch stitch outlines and then satin stitch over, so that's how I'm stitching this.  So far I'm using Threadworx 010051 "Wine castle" on cream Cashel.  I'm thinking of using a different color for the satin stitch, something a bit lighter, maybe more highly variegated.  

Santa's Workshop, another July Xmas focus, had 1 day and 1,206 stitches done.  I'm working on the table, the art supplies atop the table, the nutcracker toy, and little on Santa's skin & outfit.  

Bellatrix had 1.5 days love and 1,211 stitchers added. I worked on the trees outside, a bit on the dress, shawl, the book, started the candles, and extended the border up on the left.  

Rennaissance Mermaid.... it was frustrating but I misplaced the beads I need to finish her, but I worked with the beads I have on hand, gave her half a day and 701 stitches (mostly beads in and around her hair).

Last but not least, my lovely ornies, as for wips, Hello Summer had 1.5 days / 923 stitches, and Snail Slime had a half day / 465 stitches which was enough to finish in both cases!  Continuing as a wIP, Santa on his Way had 1.5 days & 302 stitches

I also had 2 new ornaments starts (& finishes), Foxy by Mill Hill and Christmas Star by KEB Studios, finished both with 1.2 days / 924 stitches, and a half day / 707 stitches, respectively.  

Question of the month: What are your favorite and least favorite fabrics to stitch on?  My favorite would be Belfast linen (32 count by Zweigart), especially hand dyed ones, least favorite would be 32 count opalescent lugana, too tightly woven and the fabric makes this dragging sound as the needle goes through, which I dislike.  

Now for August goals: 

1. Renaissance Mermaid, Santa on his Way, Nutcracker King (finish) 
2. Minecraft, Autumn Bellpull (3 k per)
3. Bellatrix, Halloween Memories, Santa's Workshop (2k per)
4. Christmas Angels, Merry Christmas (1 k per)
5. Baking Spirits (start & finish)- JCS SAL 

Happy Stitching 

2023 WIPocalypse: June

Hello friends and welcome summer!  

My major priority for June was Renaissance Mermaid.  She was loved for 4 days and 3,824 stitches, I completed the face, hair, backstitched, started beading... and ran short of one bead color.  So it's hold until I can get more.  

Night Peony was a secondary goal.  Stitching on t shirt is a challenge, but I gave it 3 days, 1,725 stitches and it's finished!  I pulled out the waste canvas, which was a real pain... I suppose it looks alright in the end.

Santa's Workshop had some attention.  The border was a WIPGO hit for June, so I did 3,505 stitches over 4.5 days, almost all on the border.  That was enough to basically finish the border, aside from some of the red and purple flowers, which are minor.  I also worked on the table and Santa's stomach area.  

Christmas Angels had a brief turn, 0.5 days, and 504 stitches added, mostly on her dress & wings.  The red angel is coming together!  

As for my little ornies, I made a start and finish of Jolly Snowman by Rhone Norrie / JCS Ornaments 2022, which involved 2 days & 913 stitches.  Spider Legs had a partial day, 922 stitches, and it's finished!  St. George's gift had a couple hours, 456 stitches (backstitch counted for half), and it's finished too!  Crazy Quilted Halloween also had some attention,1.33 days and 937 stitches for yet another finish!

As for the continuing WIPs, Santa on his Way had a few hours & 616 stitches.  Gingerbread House had a few more hours and 615 stitches.  Finally, I made 3 new ornament-esque starts, Snail Slime by Hands on Designs (my last of the Scary Apothecary series!) with 1.25 days and 1,000 stitches, Hello Summer by Shannon Christine, for my Summer start-to-finish challenge with Semisane Stitchers (FB), 2.5 days and 1,727 stitches, and Nutcracker King by Satsuma Street for 0.5 days & 601 stitches.Question of the month: Half year Review of Goals

1. Fairy Rain- finished
2. Alice SAL - finished
3. Fata dell' Aurora- finished
4. Easter Bunny House- finished
5. Santa's Workshop- a little more than 50%
6. Bellatrix- a little more than 50%
7. Renaissance Mermaid- on track to finish once I get more beads
8. Scary Apothecary- last (12th) ornament in progress
9. Witches Werewolves- finished
10. Christmas Angels- a little under 50%  
11. Ornaments- All 9 in my original post are finished, plus I've started & finished 5 additional. So 14 so far... I suppose the goal is complete, but I won't stop stitching ornies.  
12. Framing / Finishing - 1 finished, 2 more in progress 

Overall, goals are proceeding pretty well.  6 are complete, 2 more are very close, several more are around half done.  The framing / finishing goal is lagging, but I think I'll feel more motivation for that as year winds down. 

Goals for July: 

1. Finish: Renaissance Mermaid & Snail Slime
2. Start & finish: Christmas Star ornament for the JCS SAL, Mill Hill Foxy ornament for kiddo 
3. Focus WIPs: Christmas Angels, Santa's Workshop, Autumn Bellpull, Bellatrix, Minecraft, Hello Summer (1-3k stitches, each)
4. Start & progress: Merry Christmas sign by Victorian Sampler Shoppe, a WIPGO hit from April and a finish goal for 2023 (1.2 k stitches)

Happy Stitching