Stitchsperation
Showing posts with label Stitchsperation. Show all posts
have courage and be kind
Finishing a project is such a joy! But then so is starting a project... and working on a project, no wonder I am always making ;)
This finish is a special one for a few reasons. The cross stitch kit is from Stitchsperation, I love her kits and had already completed one which you can see here. She hand paints the fabric and not only is that really cool but it means you get a unique piece of fabric to stitch on. I chose 28ct evenweave and as a change I stitched this in hand rather than using a hoop.
Now I really like my Q-snap frames and won't be giving them up completely but I also really like stitching in hand and I'll probably just decide on a project by project basis what I feel like doing.
New to me, I also used the sewing method to stitch this design. Usually I stitch one cross at a time, I don't like the other way of making half stitches and going back on yourself. But the sewing method is a bit of a revelation and is quicker too (not that speed matters). I really enjoyed stitching this way, although on occasion I did do my usual one cross method (for travelling in a certain direction), I know you can turn the work around but I hate that - my brain literally can't cope and my counting goes off.
If you cross stitch and haven't tried the sewing method, give it a go! I watched this YouTube video tutorial on the Fat Quarter Shop FlossTube channel and seeing Priscilla, Chelsea and Kimberly each show how they stitch was so helpful. Kimberly's tip of loosening the frame to stitch this way really works and that's what I'm doing with another project I have on the go!
The Stitchsperation cross stitch kits comes with thread, though as I have a lot already I requested she didn't send any so I can use what I already have. This was stitched with Aurifloss #2692 using 3 strands of floss over two. I love how it turned out!
I framed it in an Ikea frame and hung it on the gallery wall we have in our dining room. Eventually I need to frame more of my completed projects and then hang them on the opposite wall. It would be nice to have the wall dedicated to stitchy things so I can look at them as I'm at my sewing machine (or eating dinner! - small house means multiple use dining room!).
In other news, I've been joining in with CraftyMonkies over on instagram for the #monkiemotivation photo challenge. I can't always do it everyday because, well life gets in the way but there are some really fun prompts to inspire you creatively and they are a great way to play and escape for a bit.
Yesterday they suggested making a colour palette using the website Coolors, it's so easy to use and I really enjoyed playing about with it. I actually have photographs that I've taken while we've been out walking, mostly of things with colours that inspire me and this would be a great way to pull a palette together from those pictures. There are inbuilt pictures too, so you can scroll through those to find colours you love if you're not into taking photographs.
I went with this photograph and use the colour picker to select colours that I liked and I think they make a nice palette!
This selfie was taken with my husband yesterday as we celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary! We had a quiet night in and ordered a takeaway (after earlier making pancakes with the kids!). A lockdown anniversary celebration.
Finally I just wanted to let you know that I have some upcoming classes with CraftyMonkies, my next class is Stitches & Thread - explore sewing machine stitches and expand your options using thread! I will show how to best set up your sewing machine for using different stitches, as well as types of thread and tips for preparing your fabric. Learn all about selecting needles, weights and varieties of thread for different uses. Whether purely to decorate small makes or items of clothing or for applique stitching or quilting, this class will inspire you to use and enjoy your machine to the max! Click the image below to book your place.
Excitingly you will now find videos of some of my live classes available in the CraftyMonkies online shop! If you're interested in learning how to do Big Stitch Hand Quilting & Tying a quilt or would like to watch me demonstrate making my Stitchy Pie needle case pattern, head HERE.
And I am thrilled to be taking a live class myself this weekend! I'm doing the Mindful Stitch Journal class with Gary Mills and can't wait to spend an afternoon relaxing, learning and sewing. If you'd like to join the class too visit CraftyMonkies.
Hope you're all having a good week, staying safe and enjoying working on your sewing projects!
stay home stashing
Grab a cuppa and hide your bank cards! This post is full of goodies amassed over the past few months, the majority of it is for specific projects and some were bought from necessity. There's some nice treats and 'just for fun' here too. I like to keep a record to refer back to (I can't tell you how often I have done that over the years) and also to remind myself what I bought things for. If you're not interested in my shopping habits, that's totally cool and you can check back next time for finished projects.
Most of this lot is for an ambitious project so you may not see the results for some time but bits of these fabrics have already been cut up so no doubt you will see those sooner.
First up, a lovely bundle from one of my favourite shops Sew Hot. I splurged here but all with a purpose!
I'm building up a collection of black and white prints, I also needed some greys for a specific quilt I've designed and I like neutrals with a touch of metallic in them. Originally this seemed like such an 80's thing, reminiscent of Christmas fabrics with scratchy metallic/glitter but modern metallic prints generally feel lovely and the sparkle adds a bit more dimension.
first finish
woo hoo!! I'm happy to start the year with a finish. I was encouraged by Carolyn Friedlander's informal QAL and, while this isn't a quilt, I knew it would be the push I needed to get it done. The fact that I have purchased a new cross stitch pattern, specifically to stitch this year, also meant this one had to be finished. A woman with so many quilt projects on the go can't possibly work on two cross stitch projects - so not true - but I'm sticking to that because it will prevent a slippery slope.
Keep it Simple is a kit from Stitchsperation - Charlie creates such a cool selection of modern cross stitch kits and the hand painted fabric makes them so unique! You can choose your colour / colours / or even rainbow too. I picked 28ct evenweave (she also has 14ct aida) and obviously I went for pink. The kits are so nicely packaged, with everything you need (I actually had a bobbin of thread left over) and I definitely recommend getting one of the snap frames. I got mine last year and love it, it's so easy to use and adjust. Great for embroidery and cross stitch.
And not only did I finish stitching it, I actually framed it too!
my last quilts
I have two quilts that I finished recently, both made for Sewing Quarter. These are the last quilts I will make for them (for now at least) as I start something new. This one is the pretty Hot Air Balloon quilt pattern by Sarah Ashford.
festival of quilts 2018
Festival of Quilts is probably the highlight of the year for quilters in the UK. It's a chance to showcase talent and be inspired by the amazing display of quilts, an opportunity to meet up with friends and of course shop all the wonderful stalls and stands.
I have to admit I wasn't going to attend this year. I hadn't arranged to go with anyone, I was working Friday-Sunday and I've been so busy that it seemed almost impossible to take time off. And then there's my anxiety, no small thing but it makes it very easy to convince myself to stay at home. Later on I will explain why I chose to go but I am SO glad that I did. In fact next year I might try and attend every day if I can find a way to wangle it! (Shout if anyone needs me to work a stand!).
Last year I was in full blogger mode, taking pictures of lots of quilts and my very important reason for going was to meet my quilting guru and friend Clare. Read about that here.
This year was very different and I'm going to share what made it great for me. Firstly I ran into Di on the long walk to the festival hall, it was awesome to see someone I love and be able walk and talk together, she even treated me to a coffee before we went in!
Next I made a decision just to experience the day, only photographing things if I really felt like it, rather than trying to capture everything. I'm so glad I did that. Phone down, eyes up.
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