Santa is Ready for His Journey

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Heather

It is finally done!

Santa's Journey Stocking, designed by Dimensions

Santa’s Journey Stocking, designed by Dimensions

Santa’s Journey Stocking from Dimensions is now all stitched! He just needs to be washed, ironed, and stitched up into a stocking. So, still a lot more work…

Beads and colonial knots

Beads and colonial knots

I made a few minor changes–adding a few partial stitches here and there to make the edges a little smoother; taking a few liberties with backstitching; and leaving off all the white french knots that were meant to evoke snow. (I think they make the stocking look too busy and take away from the beads and french knots used elsewhere.)

He turned out even better than I was hoping.  Thankfully, the vast majority of the stained areas will be cut off or are under stitching. The gold trim along the edge of his jacket really brings the whole piece to life. The finished stocking will sparkle nicely in the light of the Christmas tree. I can’t wait to see it hung up!

2015SmallsSALSmalls SAL – Smalls stitchers! Tomorrow is Smalls check-in day. I hope you’ve got your finish all ready to post. I’m looking forward to see them all.

colourinbookgiveaway2Colour Giveaway – Don’t forget to enter my Autumn Colouring Giveaway over here. Entries close at midnight on October 1st.

12 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

Witches and Creepers

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Heather

I few months back I mentioned that I managed to snag an embroidery machine for a really good price on Amazon Prime Day. And, I don’t think I’ve mentioned it since then. Well, I have been playing around with it and learning how to use it properly. It isn’t too difficult to use; the main issue is getting the tension of the fabric right as well as pairing the fabric with the right stabilizer.

Kitchen Witch, designed by Urban Threads

Kitchen Witch, designed by Urban Threads

This is Kitchen Witch from Urban Threads (my favourite embroidery pattern site). Because I use a different brand of thread than them (Brother vs. Madeira), I had to adjust some of the colours. And, as you can see, I haven’t quite figured out proper tension and stabilizer. I used a tear-away when I clearly should have used a cut-away. But, since this was a learning piece meant for me, I’m happy enough with it.

Kitchen Witch, designed by Urban Threads -- inserted into hotpad

Kitchen Witch, designed by Urban Threads — inserted into hotpad

Here she is all stretched and placed within a needlework hotpad from MCG Textiles. Not too bad!

Demolition Company Badge on backpack

Demolition Company Badge on backpack

This is Demolition Company Badge from EmbroIderes.com, and it went much better. I used a slightly heavier cotton fabric as the base, and a heavy cut-away stabilizer. Again, I had to adjust some colours. (I’m seriously thinking about buying a set of Madeira or Sulky at the Creativ Festival since they seem to be more standard.) I cut it out very, very carefully and then hand-sewed it on to my son’s backpack. (My poor fingers were very sore after that!)

I’m working on a few other projects which I hope to share soon. Machine embroidery is a lot of fun! But there is so much to know in order to ensure that the stitching turns out right.

5 Comments | Posted in Machine Embroidery | Tagged ,

Colouring Giveaway

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Heather

Adult colouring is one of the biggest trends going right now. And, to be totally honest, I’m not the best at colouring, but I do still enjoy it.

Coloured bookmarks

Coloured bookmarks

For the past few weeks I’ve been working on these really fun bookmarks. They are a freebie from Dawn Nicole Designs, and you can find them here. I used Prismacolor Scholars on plain old printer paper. (I’m sure the real artists among you are cringing!) Once I was done, I cut them out, affixed them to construction paper using double-sided tape. I then placed them inside a self-laminating sheet (3 for $2 from the dollar store), and cut them apart. Hopefully they will be sturdy enough to withstand years of reading.

colourinbookgiveaway2

That brings me to my giveaway! I love to colour, and I’m betting some of you do too. There may be some of you who’d like to colour, but just don’t know where to get started. So, I’m giving away a little colouring kit. Included is a package of 24 Crayola coloured pencils and issue #1 of Relax With Art magazine.

Colouring Giveaway Prize - Relax with Art #1 and Crayola Coloured Pencils

Colouring Giveaway Prize – Relax With Art #1 and Crayola Coloured Pencils

What do you need to do to enter? Simple! Leave a comment below and tell me what you liked to colour as a child (or with your child). If you’d like a second entry, please post about the giveaway on your blog and then come back and let me know.

The giveaway will be open to new entries until midnight Eastern time on October 1st. I am happy to ship the prize anywhere in the world, but may choose to send via ground service (which can take a while).

And if you enjoy adult colouring too, please let me know! I’d love to see what you’ve made.

22 Comments | Posted in Colouring, Giveaway | Tagged ,

Stitch from Stash – September 2015

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Heather

It is Stitch from Stash time! How did I do this month? Well…

Stitch from Stash 2015 BMonth: September 2015
Spent: $17.95
Earned: $0 (not tracking)

I’m hanging in there. This month’s purchase was Just Nan’s Witchy’s Sister Mouse kit. I ordered it in August, but it didn’t ship until the beginning of September, which is when I paid for it.

Witchy's Sister kit, designed by Just Nan

Witchy’s Sister kit, designed by Just Nan

Sadly, I know that I will be going over budget in October. I’ve placed an order for two items that haven’t shipped (so I haven’t paid for them), and because the Canadian dollar as dropped so much, they cost far more here than in the US. And, even still, I would still be a little over budge. Add to that the Creativ Festival in a couple of weeks, and I know that my budget is shot. Nonetheless, I feel that I’ve done pretty good this year… except for all the machine embroidery supplies! Yikes!

4 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged ,

Backstitching Santa

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Heather

Where has the time gone, stitchy friends? The last time I looked it was the end of August with a week of summer vacation still to go. Now we are into the third week of school and fall is only a few days away. The last few weeks have been full of end-of-summer activities, getting used to a new schedule, kids’ birthday parties, and other fun things. But, of course, I’ve found time for some stitching.

Santa's Journey Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

Santa’s Journey Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

Look!! Santa’s Journey Stocking is getting very close to being finished. All the stitching is done, and I’ve also completed a large part of the backstitching. I still have a whole bunch of couching to do, some beads to attach, and then a tonne of French knots (actually, I’ll be doing colonial knots). But, I am pretty much on the home stretch now. Yay!

Close-up view of Santa's face

Close-up view of Santa’s face

I’m so confident that I’ve actually got the next stocking out. I thought about starting to sort the colours, but I want to stay focused on Santa’s Journey. The temptation is so strong, though.

Sleigh Ride at Dusk Stocking, designed by Dimensions

Sleigh Ride at Dusk Stocking, designed by Dimensions

Smalls SAL – Guess what! It is almost Smalls SAL check-in time. The last Wednesday of the month is just over a week away. The check-in post will be up on September 30th, and I will also be sending out a reminder email the same day. If you’d like to sign up for the reminder email, just head on over here. I only use that mailing list to send out Smalls SAL reminders, and your email address will be perfectly safe.

10 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

Stitch from Stash – August 2015

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Heather

Oh dear… It is time for the Stitch from Stash check-in… Stitch from Stash 2015 B

Actually, I did okay with regards to cross stitch stash.

Month: August 2015
Spent: $11.35
Earned: $0 (not tracking)

I bought four skeins of floss that I needed to stitch up some Just Nan designs that I have had hanging around for ages, and then I bought the 2013 New Colours pack for myself. (I’ve given away three or four, but I’ve never kept one for myself! I figured it was about time.)

August stash purchases

August stash purchases

Now, as for the rest of my craft spending… Well, it was a rough month. I picked up some supplies for machine embroidery (thread, patterns, and stabilizer), hand embroidery (linen, a hoop, and a heat transfer pen), sewing (thread), knitting (buttons for a vest), and jewellery making (beads and charms so my mom can make me a couple of things). I haven’t totalled it all up, but I know that it is bad. 🙁 There is always next month, right?

4 Comments | Posted in Crafts, Cross Stitch | Tagged ,

Smalls SAL – August 2015 Check-In

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Heather

Hello, Smalls Stitchers! The last Wednesday of the month is here. Yay! I love getting to share my small and getting to see all of yours.2015SmallsSALWe’ve had a pretty strange month way up here. There were days (like yesterday and today) where it is very clear that fall is just around the corner, and other days (like last week) where it is so hot that there isn’t anything to do but sit inside and enjoy the air conditioning. I’m sure it is no surprise that I enjoy the cool days. I spend the end of August examining the trees for signs of fall, and I rejoice when I see that the sumac has started to turn. So, of course, I decided to focus on fall-themed smalls again this month.

Wendy's Cat and Haunted Zone

Wendy’s Cat and Haunted Zone

These are both from this year’s Mill Hill Autumn Treasures series: Wendy’s Cat and Haunted Zone. I made the cord with the help of my little man (when, oh when will school start again?!) and leftover floss from the kits.

So, what did you stitch this month? Does your stitching still reflect the warm weather (or cold, depending on where you are)? Have you started stitching for Christmas already? Maybe back-to-school stitching was under your needle this month. I can’t wait to see! Use the form near the end of this post to link to your post. The list will close to new entries at about midnight September 1st Eastern time.

Next month: The September check-in will take place on the 30th. You’ve got piles of time to get stitching!

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