At 10:55pm on Saturday night, this happened…
Yep..I put my last stitch into my current cross stitch project, Seeking Refuge, by Scarlett House. 
I can’t begin to tell you how proud of myself that I am.
I never thought I could do this!! But here it’s done being stitched and time for this girl to find a new project.
I’ve been collecting new projects. Yes, cross stitch can be like quilting and one can acquire more projects than they could possibly stitch in a lifetime. I’m not quite there but I do have to work to keep myself in check.
Here are some of the projects I’m considering starting. I really think I want to do this….
I first saw this at a cross stitch shop. I was going to buy the pattern but they the shop was out of them. I blogged about it and a blog reader gifted me the pattern. It was so sweet of them. I’ve worked to collect the threads and fabric. I went to sit down to stitch and darn it. The fabric I have is the wrong count. I guess I accidently put the wrong fabric in the kit…but then looking a the pattern I realized I don’t have any fabric that will work…so back to the beginning on picking a project to start.
You might remember that I was going to start this and stitch it when I was going to may appointments. My plan was to outline areas and then when I was in the waiting room at doctor appointments, to pop it out and fill in the outline area with stitches. That way I wouldn’t have to count so much and could just stitch. Well, that was a good idea….but…
You
after all the stitching I’ve done on 40 count linen…I really just like 40 count linen. This is 28 count and it feels incredibly chunky and primitive. I don’t know if I like it.
I’m debating on stitching it on other fabric. We’ll see. For now, it’s in a bit of a time out.
I LOVE this one…I’d really love to stitch it. I have everything for it. Check out the intense border. This is a little bigger than what I just finished stitching. I’m a little intimidated about that border and making it all match up…I’m sure willing to try though.
I love this one…it is by Teresa Kogut too. This one is similar in size to what I just finished. I love that it says “Pet all the Dogs”. I’d really like to do this one. I have everything kitted to make it.
But then there’s this one. UGH. How do I choose?? I love them all. This one is the biggest…this one is technically Christmas but I think I’d leave it out all year long.
I’m a “Christmas should be celebrated every day kind of girl”. So it wouldn’t bother me to leave it out. Besides, it doesn’t scream Christmas.
So what would you stitch?
I think I am going to start New Castle Bouquet. That’s the one with the intense border….but I think I’m only going to stitch on it for the rest of June…then switch to Heaven and Nature on July 1st. So many people are stitching Christmas things for July. Then when August comes around, I’ll stitch whichever one is calling my name. How’s that for a plan?
I know I’ll only get but a few stitches in before I switch to the other project but just like quilting, cross stitchers have UFOs. Oh my. Do I really want to go there? Who knows, maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll just keep stitching on Newcastle Bouquet.
One fun aside, I’ve been listening to the audiobook, The Secret Letter. The book takes place during WWII in Europe. The characters in the book keep going to or mentioning Newcastle. It’s a silly aside but just hearing the name as I’m listening has gotten me thinking about New Castle Bouquet more and more and I think that’s why I picked it.
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have finished my other project. I’m not going to let it sit though. I’m getting two frames painted and will be auditioning them soon.
I say if Newcastle is speaking to you, then go with it! I’m glad you have so many choices! (even if the one I gifted you isn’t in the running) –Just kidding! Happy stitching! I envy you your good eyes for 40 count.
That project is really lovely. I love the look of the 40 count linen and I can see why you like working on it. If you start the Newcastle Bouquet it will be a good project to work on in the doctors office.
Wow! Your work is lovely. Very inspiring. I’m wondering if you can share how you frame these.
You could do something similar to the “Dirty Dozen” for your cross-stitch. Put numbers in a “hat” and at random choose one.
Beautiful projects, Jo! Tough choice you’ve got there. Starting one then switching out to work on “Christmas in July” sounds like a good plan. Enjoy!
Hi Jo–I too have the “Pet all the Dogs” sampler and want to get started on it. I retired in February and now have the time for more projects. It has been about 15 years since I last did any cross stitch–so am a little rusty. What size fabric are you using on the this project? Where did you get the fabric? I have quite a bit of DMC floss in my stash. Is it okay to use that type of thread for the sampler? Many thanks for your input. I read your blogs every morning and every evening before I go to bed. Sort of feel like I know the whole family. Thanks for keeping us all inspired in so many ways!
Betty…On the “Pet all the Dogs”, I ordered called for linen from my cross stitch shop in Osage Iowa. I got exactly what the pattern suggested. DMC floss is just fine to use. Again, I’m using exactly what the pattern calls for, some “fancy floss” and some DMC. I’m a bit of a rule follower so try as often as possible to follow the suggestions if I like the look of the original.
Congrats on your needlework finish. It looks great! I was going to say start on the Newcastle one, but I really like the Christmas themed piece, too. Decisions, decisions!
Hi, Jo. In the Newcastle Bouquet, would you consider starting the border by doing that wavy line all the way around your Piece? If it didn’t match up, there wouldn’t be so much stitching to adjust (or rip out).
Congratulations on a beautiful finish! Isn’t it funny how, when we finish one project, we immediately think of the next one?
I stitch Christmas all year long as I make ornaments for family – I kind of like being “that kind of girl” too!
Love and prayers
I’m glad you got your stitching finished on this one. Watching your pictures it was intriguing how some colored thread and a piece of linen could come to life that way. I think with your choices put them in a large bag then shake it good close your eyes and pull one out. I think I would vote for Heaven and nature though . Enjoy which ever one you choose.1
On my goodness you’re getting me to thinking about pulling of a n X -stitch project I started 19 & 1/2yrs ago! I started it when my daughter was pregnant with my granddaughter, I took her to her appointments and only worked on it while waiting for her to come out. My granddaughter just finished her 1st year of college so maybe I should get back to work on that before I start on a Lori Holt X-stitch I recently purchased. Thanks for the nudge.
Jeri