Cross Stitch Update

Before I get to what I was stitching this week, I want to let you know that you can watch the recorded live question-and-answer video I did earlier in the week.  You can find it HERE.  I hope you get a chance to watch and please ask more questions.  We collect the questions and once we get enough to do another live video, we’ll do one.  We are kind of hoping to do one a month if there is interest and we have time.  HA!

Next, I have a cross-stitch question from a blog reader.
Cindy asked:
“Hi Jo, Like you, I started cross-stitching again after a many-year break. I had a thoracic tumor removed, then 2 mos later, my malignant thyroid was removed (found during the first surgery workup.) I found cross-stitching required little decision-making during the recovery and radiation periods. Anyway, I have been looking at sites, hoping to find some patterns for smalls and a few larger samplers. I find it overwhelming, as there are so many pages to sift through. The closest shop is 1.5 hrs away. Any advice on how to order charts online?”

One of the easiest ways to get a project to start is to go to 123Stitch online.  I am suggesting 123Stitch because of all of the online cross-stitch places, this is the easiest to navigate and is the most user-friendly.  You can find a chart you like and then you can simply hit the select all button.  That will allow you to buy the chart, the linen, and the floss all in one click.

Please be sure to read the specifics as they provide the called-for fabric and it might not be a fabric that you want to stitch on.  For example, if you are an Aida stitcher and they are only offering linen.  For example, the above is stitched on 28 count mushroom and I typically don’t stitch on 28 count.

Below you will see that no linen is offered.  They likely can’t keep that linen in stock and aren’t offering if.  You can click the select all button and you will get the chart and the flosses.  This makes ordering easy.

I also want to suggest that you look for a pattern online and then call a needlework shop to order it.  I have seen a chart that I like and then I called Stitchery Nook and asked them to kit it for me.  They are GREAT about doing that and are super helpful.  They ship anywhere so you are welcome to call them and request that service.  They don’t charge any extra money for that service.  The nice thing about ordering this way is that you can say I want the “Caroline Amelia Trowell pattern” kitted.  They will pull the flosses for you and you can ask for whatever type of fabric you want.  Nowadays the exact fabric typically isn’t available so you can ask them to kit with a similar fabric in the count you would like.  They are so helpful and offer such great service.

I hope that helps with your ordering dilemma.

Now to my projects.  Here is where I was last week on my project… We Live in Hope by Blackbird Designs.  I am stitching this on a 40-count Picture this Plus linen called Legacy.

I have to really laugh because last week I told you that I would be working on the upper part and stitch the alphabet.  As you can see, that didn’t happen.

I ended up at the lower part.  I stitched the three bottom baskets and made a good start on the ship.  I am so excited about how this is coming along.  SO EXCITED!!

Here is where I finished for the week.  WOW.  If I could get the same amount done next week, I might be sitting pretty well with this project.

I am getting to the point where I have to start making some decisions.  I’m stitching this for my grandparents who came from Sweden.  I want to personalize it.  Think I will finish the ship, stitch the house and birds, and the words “We Live in Hope”.  Then I will put my grandparents’ names in.  Then I’ll go back and stitch all the do-dads that will fit.

In the original, they put in the words Chesapeake Bay.  In an adaptation, they put in the words “We Walk by Faith”.  I’m thinking about putting the words “Coming to America”.

I have some decisions to make.  I’m hoping I can make them quickly and not hold up the stitching process.

The other project I put time into was Heartstring Samplery Apostle’s Creed.  I am stitching this on 40-count Thornfield by Needle and Flax.  It called for Harvest Basket by Gentle Arts but I am using Trail Dust by Classic Colorworks for the lettering instead.  Here is where I was last week.

I didn’t make a lot of progress but I totally kept my goal.  Each week I am trying to stitch one row each week.  I finished a row of letters and then I stitched a couple more crowns and added a bit more along the top.  So that is more than I needed to stitch.

This was my birthday start. If I only stitch one row a week, it would take 36 weeks but I’m guessing I’ll get it done before the 36 weeks.  So far I’ve only been stitching since December 14th…less than three weeks and I have more than just one row a week done.  YAHOO!!

Plans for next week include starting the Black Dog Sampler.  YAHOO!  It’s finally going to be time to put in a few stitches.  I’ll likely be working mostly on the border.  I’m a gal that likes to stitch the border first.  I don’t plan to race through this.  I’ll only be stitching a quarter of it in each quarter of the year.  Hopefully, by the time I check in again on this, I’ll have part of the border done and will have a motif stitched.  I’m not looking to set any speed records.

If you missed it, I wrote about two little cross-stitch finishes I had.  You can read more about them HERE.

They were so easy and fun to make.  I would definitely do something like this again.

I’ll have to do some thrifting and watch for little frames.

That’s all I have for you in the cross-stitch department.  I am thinking about doing the NYE12x12.  I’ll tell you more about that tonight.