WIPocalypse - August Part 2

Well, I really feel like I haven't achieved much in the way of progress since the last post, maybe I'll change my mind after I've posted some pictures!

Lets make a start with SK Blue Moon:

August P2

August P1

Pretty happy with the progress on this, although it doesn't look like much, it's definitely all coming together and I think I've finally gotten over my fear of this project.  Page 3 was released today and I'm only just halfway through page 1....I'm such a slacker!

Next up, Lickle Ted birth sampler:

August P1

August P2

They found out this week that the baby is going to be a boy.  They haven't got any names in mind as yet, but they still have plenty of time.  I have no idea if this will be finished for the birth, but hopefully shouldn't be too late!

In case you missed my last post, I had a new start, just because I felt like it!

This is a kit I've had for a while that I bought from Colray Crafts (don't worry, they are authorised HAED vendors) that came with the proper chart and full skeins of each colour used.

Last up is another new start, but this is one that was designed by a friend of mine and I'm hoping that stitching it up and posting it on various boards might help bring her a little publicity:

This is a small free chart called Ravenhair, it's designed by Jennidee and I'm stitching it up on a piece of Polstitches Fairy Dreams from one of their grab bags.  The photo was taken on my phone so really doesn't do justice to the colours.  If you would like a copy of this chart, head over to her blog, Tapestry Moon and drop her a message.

As a last thing, I just wanted to share with you a a picture of something I stitch last month, but as it was for an exchange I didn't want to post anything until it had been received:

This is a design by Joan Elliott from her book "Bewitching Cross Stitch".  It's 1 of a set of 4 inspirational words.  It's stitched on Opalescent Lilac Ice fabric from Sparklies and I changed to beads to white Ceylon pearl seed beads.

International Hermit and Stitch Weekend - August

Well I was naughty.....not exactly a surprise if you know me!  At least this time it didn't involve spending money.

I started a new BAP (Big A$$ Picture)!  It's actually one that I've had around for a long while - at least a year or so!  I bought the kit from Colray Crafts of Zindy Nielsen's A Rose For My Love:

As my threads hadn't arrived for the charts I got for my birthday and this one was ready and waiting with gridded fabric, working copy of the chart and the complete set of threads, I decided to make a start.  I know I shouldn't really as I've got others I really should be working on and I plan to start The 3 Fates as soon as my stash arrives, but I'm blaming the pre-wedding nerves (only 1 month to go) and needed something to distract me (yeah I know.....any excuse!).

I haven't got too far but this is my small amount of progress:

Please excuse the 2 colour gridding, my pen ran out so I did the top bit in red fabric marking washable pencil!

I definitely think that next year, I'm ditching the rotation, not joining up to any SAL's and just doing my own thing, stitching on what I want, when I want....well that's the plan for now, whether I stick to that who knows! :)

Artwork

Since discovering Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED), I developed a real love of art.  Now don't get me wrong, I've always been a admirer of artwork, but HAED have really opened my eyes to artists that I never would have known about and styles that I would never have ever considered previously. 

I've largely always been a fan of pencil sketches and have a couple of framed pencil sketches on the walls of my house.  When I saw Nikki Burnette post an original pencil sketch for sale on Facebook, I took the leap and snapped it up.  This is the artwork I bought:

It's now framed and sits on my bedside cabinet so I see it every morning when I wake.  Since then, I've also bought a print of her new work, Rayne:

As well as these, with some money I that I received for my birthday, I bought some signed Jasmine Becket-Griffith prints:

Faces of Faery 117 - Steampunk Witch

Angel of Starlight

The strange thing is that previously, I've really only ever liked life-like pictures, mainly of females!  Thankfully by other half loves art and even though these pictures wouldn't be his first choice, he appreciates them and encourages me to display them.

WIPocalypse (slightly late) August #1

It's a few days late but I hope I can be forgiven!  Anyhow, the first of the August WIPocalypse posts.


No finishes this time, but a new start and progress for you.  First up we'll go with QS Clara:

July

August

As I've mentioned before, I thought I'd do the black outline then colour it in.  It's coming on well so far.

Next up, SK Blue Moon (HAED SAL).  Still having issues making progress, but at least this time you can see it a bit!  I seem to spend hours on this without anything to show for it, but determined to finish it and keep ploughing on through.....it will not defeat me!

June

August

As I've not worked on this for a while, I decided that Endless Dream (HAED) should have an outing.  Didn't get a lot done, but a small bit of progress is still progress.

April

August

Last up, my new start, Lickle Ted Patchwork Sampler:

August

This has had to take precedence over my Celtic Fairy for now as it's a baby sampler for my cousin's baby which is due in January.  I really wanted to be able to have it finished for when the baby is born, although it's not a huge problem if it works out to be slightly after.

That's all for now, look forward to seeing all of your lovely pictures. Thanks for reading, any comments are always greatly appreciated!

Birthday

It was my birthday last Saturday and I was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to me my my online stitchy friends!  I got a ton of cards from friends on one of the online forums that I am a member of, which left me speechless.

I got 2 RAK's (Random Acts of Kindness) from friends on the HAED stitchy forums:

This one is Dream Catcher by Nene Thomas, which was gifted by the extremely kind Nikki:

This one was from Liz, who is so sweet, generous and helpful!  It's The 3 Fates by Jasmine Becket Griffith:

I also got some lovely presents from my OH, I have him well trained and he bought me 2 HAED charts also. 

Panda Heart by Kayomi Harai:

and Mini Pink Lightning by Jasmine Becket-Griffth:

As well as a beautiful Jasmine Becket Griffith ornament:

In case you hadn't guessed, I'm a bit of a fan of Jasmine's!  Now my dilemma is what chart to start first?

Freebie Fairy

I know how much people love freebies, especially with the economy being the way it is so I wanted to share this one with you.  It's a little fairy that has been created by my good friend Jennidee:

If you would like to get this chart, just head over to her blog: Tapestry Moon and send her an e-mail and she'll post you a PDF chart of this lovely fairy.  It's only available for the rest of July so better do it quick!

International Hermit and Stitch Weekend - July

Hope everyone had a good weekend and got lots done!  It was a fairly quiet weekend, watched lots of sport and stitched so managed to get a fair bit done. 

I worked on QS Clara, I plan on doing all the black outline first then colouring it in.  It does get a little dull doing the black and I really want to see some colour but it works well when rotating!

This is before:

and the after:

 

I'm really happy with how it's taking shape, I just wish I stitched quicker.

I've just decided to pick up Endless Dream again, so hopefully there will be a little progress for you to see next time!

 

WIPocalypse July

I'm happy to report that I have a lovely finish to show you.  I've already posted this as I managed to finish it during the International Hermit and Stitch Weekend (IHSW), so I apologise if you've already seen this, but here is Henry VIII and his 6 wives:

Next up is my Celtic Fanciful Fairy:

April

July

She's coming along nicely and I'm loving stitching on the 28ct Jazlyn, which I've not used before.  I'll shamelessly advertise the online store I bought it from which is Crafty Kitten.  The picture doesn't do the fabric justice as it really is beautiful.  Dawn at Crafty Kitten has great customer service and has a really great range of fabrics.

Next up is QS Clara:

June

July

I've not done too much on her but there is a little progress.  I'm planning to stitch all the black first then colour her in as it looks fun to do it that way.

I've not done any progress on my other projects as I've been working on a exchange picture for an exchange.  I'm not going to post pictures of it, despite being really happy with it in case the person I'm stitching it for sees it.

Thanks for reading and I'd be thrilled if you could leave a comment!

HAED Sales & willpower

I have no idea what it is with Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) sales that reduce my willpower to resist to zero.  There was a 50% off sale recently that totally got me and I caved and bought 11 charts!  I won't share all of them with you at it will be photo over load but this is a few of them:

Alicia Aliana - Lynn

Snow White's Fall - Nielsen

Princess Izzy - Lynn

The Ghost - Sinz

Black Rose - Kuik

Portrait With a Spiderling - JBG

I chose a really varied selection with different artists and muted and bright colours.  I've no idea how I'm ever going to get everything stitched that I want to, especially when Michele keeps bringing out such new and beautiful charts!  I need to learn to stitch faster!

Also, this week I found out that my cousin is going to be a father and so that means another birth sampler!  Just when I thought I may be able to get a nice run of stitching for myself I have another sampler!  It took a while to find one that I liked and that him and his partner would like, but I finally chose this one:

It is both cute and modern with nice bright colours and I don't have to wait to find out if they are having a boy or a girl to complete most of it!


As a final note, for those of you who aren't aware, Heaven and Earth Designs are having a 25% 4th of July sale which lasts until 9th July, I doubt my willpower will hold out until then so expect more new purchase pictures!  Even if you don't fancy stitching something so big, have a stop by just to look at the beautiful artwork.  

International Hermit and Stitch Weekend - June

Sorry I'm posting this a little late but I was so close to a finish I just wanted to hang and and get the last little bit of beading done!

So after being a UFO for 5 years or so, Henry VIII is finally finished!

I'm so happy to get this done and it feels so good to see it completed.  I have to say I'm not 100% happy with it and I know that there are a lot of people who could have done it much better, but it's not too bad.  It's going to be going to my mum, who has loved it from the day I bought it as she was with me.  She's going to get it framed herself so that she can choose the right frame for her.

Thanks very much for all the encouragement that kept me going when it was close to being thrown back in the cupboard!