Ornament SAL – November Check-In

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Heather

It is the penultimate check-in for our 2013 Ornament SAL. And, ladies, we have all done so well with our stitching. Whether you’ve posted a design (or two!) every month, or only joined in occasionally, I have appreciated the company enormously. Knowing that I must have something done to post every month has been a great motivator, not only for stitching an ornament, but for all my stitching. And, I’m so glad many of you want to continue into next year. (More on that later.)

logo_stitchinglotus_2013_ornament_sal_200x231

My next-to-last ornament for this year is Just One Bite by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams, from the 2013 Just Cross Stitch ornament issue. I stitched it more or less as charted, but added some Swarovski bicones in the corner motifs. And, I think he turned out really well. I can’t wait to hang him on my Christmas tree. (How great is it that he doesn’t require additional finishing? Except a cord, which I haven’t gotten around to making yet…)

Just One Bite, designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

Just One Bite, designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

So, what did you stitch this month? Please fill in the form below so we can all visit you blog. Don’t forget: each month you leave a link, you get an entry into the end of the year giveaway.

Next Check-in: The last check in for the Ornament SAL will be December 30th. Feel free to post a little early if you’d like, but the form won’t be up until the 30th. I’ll leave entries open until January 5th, and do the draw shortly there after.

Next Year: I will be continuing the SAL into 2014, but changing the theme slightly to smalls. All the information will be posted tomorrow, so please check back.

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

Stitching the Torah

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Heather

Religion is a bit of a tricky thing for me. I’m very open-minded with regards to what other people believe, but I’m a bit confused about what I believe. I’m actually in the middle of a project that involves exploring many faiths, mostly through reading their holy books. So, as you can imagine, when I found out about the Torah Stitch by Stitch project, I knew it was something I needed to do.

Torah Stitch by Stitch kit

Torah Stitch by Stitch kit

In a nut shell, Torah Stitch by Stitch is an attempt to recreate the entire Torah (Jewish holy book) through cross stitch. You needn’t be Jewish, or even religious, to participate. You don’t even need to be an expert stitcher. After submitting an application and paying a small kit fee, you are provided with instructions, your charted section of the Torah, aida cloth, and black DMC. You’ve got six months to complete your section, and there are areas where you can personalize it using a prescribed colour palate.

My section is Genesis 21:19-22.

Close-up of my stitching

Close-up of my stitching

The project currently has 420 stitchers, but ultimately needs 1463 panels stitched. I know that the resulting scroll will be amazing! I think I have a bit of a soft spot for the project because it is being organized by textile artist who lives and works in Toronto.

If you’d like to participate, head over to the Torah Stitch by Stitch site and read all about it. Remember, you have six months to work on your panel, which is piles of time for expert stitchers like all of you! And, you don’t need to be Jewish, Christian, or any kind of religion. Opening yourself up to other faiths is an excellent way to get to know both the people you share this planet with and yourself.

Thank you to Lynn of Kearnel’s Korner for first posting about Torah Stitch by Stitch! You can see her panel in progress here.

7 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

Emerging Mermaid

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Heather

All nine parts of the Passione Ricamo Mystery SAL Into the Deep have been released, and I’m still chugging along. I’ve been working very hard on getting Christmas gifts done, so I haven’t spent too much time on my mermaid. Still, she is beginning to emerge.

Into the Deep, designed by Passione Ricamo (WIP)

Into the Deep, designed by Passione Ricamo (WIP)

I decided to skip around a little bit. Originally, I was stitching each part as it had been released, even though I was behind. But, because I had left so many loose ends near her torso, once part 9 was released I decided I should tackle it just to keep things tidy. So, hopefully she will soon have a face.

I’ve tried to promise myself that I won’t do anymore mystery SALs, but I understand that there may be a new PR one early next year… I don’t know if I will be able to restrain myself. lol!

 

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

Lotus Case

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Heather

Ugh, I really did not enjoy stitching the case for my new phone. But, at least it has turned out nicely.

Lotus iPhone Case, from a design by Joan Elliott

Lotus iPhone Case, from a design by Joan Elliott

The design is a small section of the Wonderful Waterlilies candle wrapper from the special edition magazine The Ultimate Joan Elliott Cross Stitch Collection. I left off the backstitching because I couldn’t actually fit it in! It turns out that my case was defective, and the holes in about 90% of the case weren’t actually punched all the way through. I could have sent it back, but the postage would have cost more than the case itself, so I powered through… and ended up putting the needle through the tip of my finger many times.

Yuck. That doesn't look nice at all.

Yuck. That doesn’t look nice at all.

So, the finish was hard won, but I don’t even like it. Unfortunately, the case isn’t very well made, and the rough plastic on the corners is picking up dirt (and dye from my jeans!) really easily. So, after all the blood and tears, I’ll probably end up replacing it soon. 🙁 Oh well, at least the lotus is pretty to look at for the time being.

I have learned a lesson, though: Don’t ever buy the cheapest stitchable iPhone case on eBay.

5 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

Sweater Sampler

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Heather

When it comes to new projects, my willpower is almost non-existent. Every time I see something cool, I want to give it a try. For example, Jacqueline Fee’s sweater sampler from her book [amazon_link id=”0892725338″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Sweater Workshop[/amazon_link]. It is the knitting equivalent of needlework sampler, full of different types of ribbing, increases, decreases, colourwork, etc.

Sweater Sampler - front

Sweater Sampler – front

It’s kind of odd looking, isn’t it? But, it was really fun to knit. I used Knit Picks Brava in colours Freesia and White, and just a little bit of Bernat Satin in colour Teal for a touch of swiss darning. This was the first time I’ve used Brava, and I am really impressed by it. Although I’m not a big fan of using acrylic for garments, I will definitely consider it in the future. (At US$2.99 for a 100g ball, it is a steal, even though I have to pay shipping up to Canada.)

Sweater Sampler - back

Sweater Sampler – back

I have made a few garments in the past, so very few of the techniques in the sampler were new to me. But it was still interesting to learn new ways of doing things, and to learn some good reasons for using different techniques the next time I made a sweater. For example, I learned that I really like the way twisted rib looks and works (e.g. it doesn’t really pull in at all), so I will probably use that on the next sweater for the little man. I also like the cardigan border that is worked in the sample, and will consider working it into another pattern someday.

Sweater Sampler - colourwork and bind-offs

Sweater Sampler – colourwork and bind-offs

Beyond the instructions for the sampler, The Sweater Workshop also includes over 20 different sweater and cardigan patterns, all using techniques from the sampler and having the same basic instructions that are heavily influenced by the EPS system from Elizabeth Zimmermann. There are also some cute smaller projects, like the very cute infant vest.

This is the second sampler I’ve knit this year (the first being the Lace Sampler from Kate Atherly). I think I’ve discovered a new love!

2 Comments | Posted in Knitting | Tagged ,

Rush, Rush, Rush

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Heather

Goodness, the year really is rushing to its end, isn’t it? Christmas is just around the corner, and I’ve still got a lot to do. (I bet you have too!) Thankfully, I finished up my Christmas shopping this past weekend, and I’ve got my Christmas card list in order. Now I just need to find time to finish the three gifts I still need to make.

Want some more peeks?

Yikes. That is a lot of ends!

Yikes. That is a lot of ends!

This just looks like a mess, doesn’t it? Trust me, if I can figure out the pattern, it should be something amazing.

That looks weird...

That looks weird…

And this cross stitch is in the home stretch. Depending on how my week shapes up, I might have it done by next Monday. Cross your fingers for me! 😉

How is your Christmas crafting going? Got any tips for planning (for last minute gifts or for getting a jump start on next year)?

Also, don’t forget, the penultimate Ornament SAL check-in is coming up. November 27th is the day, and I hope to see a whole pile of ornaments!

1 Comment | Posted in Cross Stitch, Knitting | Tagged , ,

Rememberance Day

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Heather

Lest we forget.

poppy

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