Smalls SAL 2016 Plans

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Heather

2016 is getting closer and closer, and I am so excited to begin my planning for next year! I rarely follow through with my plans exactly as written, but I do love having some sort of game plan to work with.

SmallsSAL2016When it comes to the Smalls SAL (soon to enter it’s 3rd year, or 4th if you count the Ornament SAL I ran originally), I like to have a pool of designs to pick from every month. One year I decided to stitch one design from each Just Cross Stitch ornament issue, another year I stitched a Dragon Dreams Christmas ornament every month. This year, I gathered together a bunch of little kits and picked the one that inspired me the most each month. For 2016 I’m going to try something a little different.

Stained Glass Ornaments kit, designed by Teresa Wentzler (aka B Ornaments)

Stained Glass Ornaments kit, designed by Teresa Wentzler (aka Byzantine Ornaments)

Part 1 of my plan is to stitch all six of Teresa Wentzler’s Byzantine Ornaments (aka Christmas Ornaments, aka Stained Glass Ornaments). They measure about 45×45 stitches, which I think I can manage each month.

Twelve Days of Christmas, designed by Joan Elliott

Twelve Days of Christmas, designed by Joan Elliott

Part 2 of my plan, for when I finish the ornaments, is to stitch one section of Joan Elliott’s Twelve Days of Christmas as my small for the month. Again, each of these sections is somewhere around 45 stitches square-ish. And, while not a small in and of themselves, they are small, discrete designs separated by boarders, as laid out in the rules to the Smalls SAL.

So, tell me what you think. Am I crazy for trying to stitch six TW ornaments? Do you think the Twevle Days designs shouldn’t count as smalls? What are you plans? Let me know!

Also, if you’d like to going the Smalls SAL in 2016, head over to this page for all the information.

12 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , , , ,

Half a Biscornu

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Heather

We have been having such terribly dull and damp days around here that I decided to get out some decidedly more cheery stitching.

Lilies Biscornu, from Gingerbread Girl Designs (WIP)

Lilies Biscornu, from Gingerbread Girl Designs (WIP)

I just finished up one side of the Lilies Biscornu, which is from a class taught by Kathryn Drummond of Gingerbread Girl Designs at this fall’s Creativ Festival. The style of needlework is called Punto Antico, and makes use of satin stitches, whipped stem stitches and other techniques. Kathryn has created some very pretty designs using Punto Antico techniques, including Precious Jewel which I finished about a month ago.

Lilies Biscornu, from Gingerbread Girl Designs (WIP) - close-up of stitching

Lilies Biscornu, from Gingerbread Girl Designs (WIP) – close-up of stitching

I chose the lilac colourway, and I wish I knew the name of the Wildflowers thread I’m using because it is just lovely! I also really like the look of the pearls. I may need to add pearls to more of my stitching!

Lilies Scissor Fob Kit, from Gingerbread Girl Designs

Lilies Scissor Fob Kit, from Gingerbread Girl Designs

At the Creativ Festival, I also picked up the kit for the matching scissor fob. But, believe it or not, I don’t have a pair of scissors to use it with! (I’m not at all a scissor collector like so many of you are.) I’ll have to keep my eyes open for the perfect pair.

There is only one (partly) sunny day in the forecast for the next two weeks, so I’m sure I will have some more cheerful stitching to share soon.

9 Comments | Posted in Punto Antico | Tagged , , ,

O, Christmas Tree

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Heather

Yesterday afternoon the little man and I put up our Christmas tree. Normally, it isn’t a job I share because I can be very particular about where I want certain ornaments to go. But, I decided to unbend a little this year and allow him to help me out.

Little man very carefully placing ornaments.

Little man very carefully placing ornaments.

(I apologize for the poor picture quality. It was very dull yesterday, and I was using my phone…)

Our Christmas tree

Our Christmas tree

Our Christmas tree may not be Pinterest worthy, but we love it just the same. It is full of meaningful ornaments, some dating back to my own childhood (and earlier!), and some bought or made just this year.

christmastree3

Ornament designed by Julia Lucas (finished in 2011). In the bottom right is a Christmas spider, made by Gracie of Needles, Pins, and Dragonflies.

Before we got started decorating, I laid out all the ornaments on the floor. I was so delighted when the little man said he remembered so many of them and began pointing out his favourites. It is nice to know that things I find special he also finds special too.

christmastree4

Ornaments designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams, and Mill Hill.

Whether you celebrate Christmas (religiously or not), celebrate some other holiday this month, or nothing particular at all, I still wish you a season of peace and happiness, filled with friends and family. This year, perhaps more than some, we could all use some quiet time to reflect on life and peace.

6 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch, My Life | Tagged , ,

2016 Smalls SAL

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Heather

Hello, Smalls Stitchers! With the year starting to wind up, I am sure your minds are already turning towards your 2016 stitching plans. And, I hope you will consider joining me for the 3rd iteration of the Smalls SAL.

SmallsSAL2016

The Smalls SAL is a monthly stitch-along (SAL) where the participants stitch a small design and share it on their blogs. On the check-in day, they stop by my blog and add their link to the check-in list, and hopefully also visit the blogs of some other participants. The check-in form remains open for one week, so you’ve got lots of time to add your link.

You may be wondering what a small is. Well, it is really up to you. A small is just a little design, maybe 25×25 stitch, or perhaps 100×100 stitches. You decide. (Chunks of large designs don’t count, unless they are discrete designs within a larger piece. E.g. separated by frames/borders within the piece.) It is also your decision with regards to finishing it into an ornament, biscornu or what-have-you. All you need to have done by the check-in day is the stitching. Everything else is bonus.

You don’t need to share the designs you will be stitching ahead of time. Heck, you don’t even need to report in ever month. This is a low pressure SAL, meant to provided inspiration and a little bit of accountability every month. Join in when you can and skip a month or two if you have too.

There is one prize, though. For every month you check-in with a completed small, you will get one entry into the end of the year draw. The prize will be stitching related, but I’m not going to share any more details right now. 😉

Interested? Great! Here are the rules:

Rules

  1. Stitch a small every month. You get to decide what a small is for you. 50×50 stitches? 100×100 stitches? It’s up to you. You just need to be able to get it done by the check-in day. (WIP smalls that you complete in time for the check-in are great too!) You pick your design, I do not provide designs.
  2. Post a picture of your completed small (stitching done, but the actual finishing is optional) on the last Thursday of every month, with the exception of November, which will be the last Wednesday.
  3. Hop over here to my blog and add a comment to the current month’s check-in post to get an entry into the end of the year draw.
  4. You do not need to post a finish every month! Stitch what you can when you can, and check-in whenever you have a qualifying finish.
  5. The SAL is open to new participants all year. You can join in whenever you’d like. The more the merrier!

Also, please consider using the above graphic to link back to this page so other people can find out about the SAL and join in the fun.

Dates

The check-in dates for 2016 are as follows:

  • January 28
  • February 25
  • March 31
  • April 28
  • May 26
  • June 30
  • July 28
  • August 25
  • September 29
  • October 27
  • November 30 Note that this is the last Wednesday of the month.
  • December 29

Need a Reminder?

Want to make sure you never forget a check-in post? Sign up for my mailing list using the form below and I will send out an email every month after I post up the check-in post. I will be using TinyLetter again this year to help manage the mailing list.

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Sign Up!

Interested in joining up? Just add you link to the list below. If you can’t get the form to work, please send me an email and I will add you manually. (In the link title field please enter either your blog name or your name; it is your choice.)

10 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged ,

Stitch From Stash – November 2015

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Heather

I’m sure most of you are aware that Mel of Epic Stitching decided to shut down Stitch from Stash for personal reasons. As much as I will miss the accountability that Stitch from Stash provided, I can understand and relate to Mel’s reasons.

Stitch from Stash 2015 BI’ve been busy lately and not checking blogs, so I don’t know if anyone else has picked up the baton. I have no intention of doing so, but I have decided that I am going to do my best to keep up the spirit of Stitch From Stash. I love the idea, spending limits and all, and I intended to continue with it through next year. Although, I am going to give myself a free month like in the original SFS. 😉 I’m also going to give myself a pass if I pick up something (One thing! Not fabric, just a fibre or bead.) that is required to finish a project already on the go, or if the project is purchased to make a gift that will be given within the year (I have at least one wedding and a baby to stitch for next year…). All of that is pretty fair, and inline with at least the rules for the 2014 SFS.

So, with that in mind, here is my report for November.

Amount spent: $18.50

I bought the newest Just Nan Christmas angel mouse. I haven’t received it yet, so no picture. :/ But I will share one when I finish it.

Let me know if you plan to continue with Stitch from Stash, or if you know of someone who has taken it over. And a big thank you to Mel for starting Stitch from Stash and helping me become more aware of my craft-related spending.

3 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged

Smalls SAL – November 2015 Check-In

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Heather

Hello, Smalls Stitchers and a Happy Thanksgiving to all the Americans. (Happy Thursday to the rest of us. 😉 ) It is time for the penultimate Smalls SAL check-in of the year.

Holiday Holly, designed by Mill Hill

Holiday Holly, designed by Mill Hill

This month I dug out a really old kit, but one my favourite design lines: a Tiny Treasure Diamond from Mill Hill. This one is Holiday Holly, and was really more beads than stitching. So, it worked up pretty quickly.

What did you stitch? Are you working on Christmas ornaments, still finishing up Halloween designs, or maybe working on some holiday gifts? I can’t wait to see! Please head down near the bottom of this post and add your link to this month’s check-in list. Remember, every time you share a finished small you get another entry into the end of the year draw.

The list will stay open until midnight Eastern on December 4th. I know this is a busy time of year for many people, so I want to make sure you have lots of time to share your wonderful smalls. And, please also take a little bit of time to visit some of the other participants.

December Check-In – Next month’s check-in will take place on Tuesday, December 29th. I’m moving it up a couple of days (like I should have done this month…) so that it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of New Year’s Eve, etc. Like always, the check-in list will remain open to new entries for a week. If you’ve like a reminder, make sure you are subscribed to the Smalls SAL mailing list.

2016 Smalls SAL – Yes, the Smalls SAL will be returning next year. Yay! I love all the inspiration I get from you, and many of you have written to tell me the same things. So, I will be making an announcement about how the 2016 SAL will work next Monday. Don’t forget to check back then.

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12 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,

Icy Finish

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Heather

Oh, stitchy friends, can you believe I managed to finish something else? I’m on a roll. Actually, I’ve come to the end of a short productive streak. 😉

Icy Ornament, designed by Carol Storie

Icy Ornament, designed by Carol Storie

This is Icy Ornament, designed by Carol Storie for the 2015 Creativ Festival. It is stitched on fabric with metallic threads woven into it, and used DMC variegated Perle cotton, Kreinik braid, and three colours of Mill Hill beads.

I actually managed to finish this one up on the class, but it took me a little while to get around to turning it into an ornament. (One lady in the class decided to do the snowflake as blackwork, so she didn’t progress too far. But, she sort of made me wish I had tried, until I remember that I don’t like blackwork because it is too fussy! Her piece, though, looked so lovely from the back and front.)

cy Ornament, Carol Storie (back)

cy Ornament, designed by Carol Storie (back)

I finished it up by lacing the design and pretty snowflake fabric to some batting covered cardboard (I use acid-free comicbook board because it is very inexpensive), and then sewed the two halves together. I then glued purchased cording around the edges.

I know the thought of using glue makes some of you recoil in horror. But, honestly, this isn’t an heirloom piece. I wouldn’t use glue on the stockings I’m making for my family, but for something like this I am perfectly comfortable doing so. And, you should be too. 😉

Smalls SAL – Don’t forget, the check-in for the Smalls SAL takes place tomorrow! I know it is American Thanksgiving and many of you will be busy. But, don’t worry. The list will be open to new entries until midnight Eastern time on December 4th.

2016 Smalls SAL – An announcement about next year’s Smalls SAL will be coming on Monday, November 30th. Yay!

10 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,