2014 Smalls SAL - September

I just finished attaching the beads to my Just Nan Holly Bows.  Happy Dance photo.

Last night at Tuesday Night Stitchers Club I worked on Sue Hillis' Yes, I Can Drive a Stick.  I started stitching the broom.  I'm sorry but the lighting is terrible at night.  I'm stitching this on 28ct lilac evenweave.  I'll try and get a photo sometime on the weekend, so you can see how pretty the purple background is.

Yes, I Can Drive a Stick Update #1

Sunday night after I broke my beading needle I decided to start Yes, I Can Drive a Stick.  This is how much I got done on Sunday night.

I continued to work on it last night.  I finished the stitching on the hat, and started to back stitch around the hat.  I like to back stitch as I go ... I don't wait until the whole project is completed.  Here is Monday nights progress as well.

Around The World Blog Hop

Thank you for joining me as I participate in my first Blog Hop.  DeAnna from Georgia-Girl Quilter invited me to join in the blog hop.

1. What am I working on?

I am currently working on 2 Cross Stitch Exchange pieces - Halloween (finished) and I started planning/designing the Christmas one (both are secret projects until later this year).  

I'm also trying to finish several Just Nan 3D Ornaments (2012 & 2013 Gingerbread Mice/Hagatha's Hat/Emily & Eliza's Christmas Hat) before Christmas because I want to display them on my tree.  

I would also like to start/finish Sue Hillis' Yes, I Can drive a Stick before Halloween.  This is more of a joke piece for me because in fact I only drive a stick (standard vehicle).

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I try to personalize every gift that I stitch - I will change the floss colours, add a name & date for a new baby, modifying a chart/design, I want the recipient to know I took the time to make it just for them.

I have discovered that I LOVE doing 3D projects.  

Just Nan's Limited Edition Ornaments and the Cat's Whisker's Garden Chair.  

I also love projects with lots of colours, that is why my blog is called Colourful Cross Stitches.  

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I have a cross stitch photo diary of all the projects I ever stitched, now that I have a blog I can share those projects with other stitchers around the world.

I started blogging in 2012? to join all the other stitchers participating in TUSAL (Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long), IHSW (International Hermit Stitchers Weekend), and it is nice to talk to other creative people.

4. How does my writing/creating process work?
I love designing the exchange projects because all I have to start with is a theme.  I want to make something unique, but at the same time also create an item that is useful.  This gives me a chance to challenge myself by making something unique each time, I want to stitch something that I have never done before. When I stitched the scissor case - someone else designed it, but it was the first time I made one.  

The 3D basket I designed the shape myself, then found patterns from my magazines/books to stitch on it. 

The Halloween project was also a new thing for me, you will have to wait until next month to see what is inside this box for the Halloween exchange.

I was so busy I didn't have time to ask any one to participate, but I would like you to visit a few of my favourite stitching blogs.

Jacquie Morris at My Journey
Kasey at Koehler Kreations
Taffy at Taffy's Treasures
Astrid at Dragon Stitches and Stuff by Astrid

IHSW - September 2014

I completed all the cross stitching on Holly Bows and was sewing on the beads when I broke the beading needle ... it is the only one I have.  I will pick up another pack on Tuesday night at the Cross Stitch Club.  Here is what I got done before the needle broke.

IHSW

Still don't know what this is, click on the icon on the left side bar for more info or to join.

It is the International Hermit Stitching Weekend (IHSW).  I will be working on Holly Bows, as you can see in the photo I am backstitching and adding beads and I'm not done the cross stitching.  I like to be different! :)  I want to finish it so I can start on some Halloween things for myself.  I bought Miss Witchy Mouse by Just Nan and am anxious to start on it.  I also have Sue Hillis' Yes, I Can Drive A Stick, and another Just Nan project Hagatha's Hat.  I'd like to have them all done by the end of October, I hope to be able to start them later this month.  Here is my before IHSW, let's see how much I get done.

Holly Bows update #4

Last night during the Tuesday Night Cross Stitch Club at my LNS (Stitcher's Place) I worked on Holly Bows.  I started backstitching the bottom part of the design.  I hope to finish it this weekend.

Holly Bows update #3

It was a productive weekend ... I finished my Halloween Exchange piece.  :)  One less thing to worry about next month.  I did a little bit of stitching on Holly Bows.  Here is my progress photo.

Holly Bows update #2

I finished the stitching for my Halloween exchange tonight, now to complete the finishing part of the project.  I had some time left so I worked on Holly Bows.  Here is what I got done tonight.

Holly Bows update #1

I am working on 2 projects at the moment (an exchange piece and a Christmas ornament).

I am 1/2 finished stitching my Halloween Exchange piece, this is a surprise - no photos.

I also started Just Nan's Holly Bows a 2 weeks ago.  I needed something to stitch during the Tuesday night Cross Stitch Club.  Here is what it will look like (except for the frame).

This is my progress so far, not much.

September Goals

September Goals

Finish stitching Just Nan's Holly Bows Christmas Ornament

Finish Halloween exchange project

Start Just Nan's Hagatha's Hat

Start Sue Hillis' Yes, I Can Drive a Stick

August Review

Complete all the parts for my Garden Chair.  YES, all the parts are stitched.

If there is time, attempt to assemble it.  YES, I built the chair.