Summer Exchange 2015

Tonight was our Summer Exchange at my LNS (Stitcher's Place).  There were 6 participants.   I made a Summer Welcome pillow / pincushion for Heather.

Heather got my name and gave me a beautiful Just Nan Summer Humbug.

Xmas gift and June Goals

June Goals

continue working on the Summer Exchange project

Finish Just Nan's Bluebird Tweet

Assemble Ribbon Candy Ornament

Assemble Just Nan's Hagatha's Hat 3D Miniature Witch's hat

May Review

Start Just Nan's Floral Fifteen Biscornu - NO
Stitch the front yard scene (next section) on Snowman Wisdom - NO
Assemble Ribbon Candy ornament - NO

Assemble Shamrock ornament - YES

Assemble Just Nan's Hagatha's Hat 3D Miniature Witch's hat - NO

Didn't get what I had originally planned, but I did get 2 new projects completed.

Garden Welcome

JBW Alphabet Snowman Ornament

Then I started the following projects.

Summer Exchange (due in August) for the Stitcher's Club at my LNS (Stitcher's Place).

Started Just Nan's Bluebird Tweet

I bought myself 2 cross stitch licence plate holders for my car (instead of personalized licence plates) .  They are metal frames, but the words are just stickers.   I wanted to waterproof them with some clear waterbase varnis before putting them on my car.  I have removed my licence plate numbers in the photo.  I have different ones for the front and the back.

Front licence plate holder looks like this.  Cross Stitching My Hobby ... My passion

More people will see the back of my car when I'm driving, so this is what it says.  I'd Rather Be Cross Stitching

2015 Friendship Exchange

It is time for our 2nd annual Friendship Exchange at my LNS (Stitcher's Place).  There were several of us participating.  I searched the web for Friendship quotes and found about 10 that I liked.  Then I asked my husband for his opinion to help narrow it down.  We decided on this one found at  http://thedailyquotes.com/post/7534 .

Here is my version of the quote.

I have always used Pattern Maker Professional for Cross Stitch by HobbyWare to create/modify my cross stitch charts.  

I typed the words, then searched through several books and magazines to find the perfect picture to represent each line of the poem.  I also like to personalize it so I stitched words in the tea cups.

This is my first attempt at making a flat-fold for my partner Tammy.  The Twisted Stitcher makes it look a lot easier.

I received a beautiful pillow from my stitching friend Rita.

IHSW update

Sunday I started stitching on my Friendship Exchange project.  Sorry no photos until February 17th.

Review for 2014 ... Happy Dances!

I had 18 Happy Dances in 2014, I think it was a successful stitching year!!
January
Friendship Exchange - Scissor case
Barnaby in Bloom - Just Nan
February
Porch Garden Mice Humbug - Just Nan
March
Cardinal Tweet - Just Nan
April
Easter & Spring exchange - Easter basket
Oakley Owlet - Just Nan
Little Princess Snow - Just Nan
Lorelei Lamb - Just Nan
May
no finishes
June
Handprints Poem (Purple)
July
Handprints Poem (Jungle)
2012 Gingerbread Mouse - Just Nan
August
Garden Chair - Cat's Whiskers
September
Holly Bows - Just Nan
October
Yes, I Can Drive a Stick - Sue Hillis
Halloween Exchange - Pumpkin (15 sided biscornu)
November
Hagatha's Hat - Just Nan
December
Pokemon Gyarados (fabric lined wooden box)
Christmas Exchange - Quadrielle ornament

What shall I stitch in 2015?
Here is my list for now, but it will probably change through the year.

Paradise - Stoney Creek

Snowman Wisdom - Sue Hillis

Mouth of the Flower - Stitching Studio

Family of Birds - Stitching Studio

Floral Fifteen  (15 sided biscornu) - Just Nan

Exchanges - Friendship/Spring/Halloween/Christmas
Gingerbread Mice - Just Nan Limited Edition 3D ornaments

Stitch-A-Longs for 2015

I tried to make a separate page for the 2015 Stitch-A-Longs, but cannot get blogger to add the page, so I decided to just post the information here instead.  I have added the badges to the left sidebar if you want to visit or join.

I have borrowed all the information below from the hosts of the 2015 SAL rules/sign up pages.  Please visit each of the SAL home pages for more information or to join.

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2015 Smalls SAL - hosted by Heather at The Stitching Lotus (sign up to join).
Smalls: pin cushions, needlebooks, book marks, biscornus, ornaments, etc.

I will continue to stitch Just Nan small 3D ornaments through the year.
Rules:  Stitch a small every month. You get to decide what a small is for you. 50×50 stitches? 100×100 stitches? It’s up to you. You just need to be able to get it done by the check-in day. (WIPs that you complete in time for the check-in are great too!)

1. Post a picture of your completed small (stitching done, but the actual finishing is optional) on the last Wednesday of every month.
2. Hop over here to my blog and add a comment to the current month’s check in post to get an entry into the end of the year draw.

The dates for check in are as follows:
January 28 ** February 25 ** March 25 ** April 29 ** May 27 
June 24 ** July 29 ** August 26 ** September 30 
October 28 ** November 25 ** December 30

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2015 A Stitch from Stash is hosted by Mel (sign ups are closed).
This is my first time joining so not sure of all the rules (too many to list here ... see Mel's complete list of rules.  Also checked the 2014 rules looking for when to post each month see below in red text.  I will have to see when other participants are posting.


There are two parts to the challenge this year each lasting for a 6 month time-period. 

A) 2015-A from Jan 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015. (I signed up for this one).

B) 2015-B from July 1, 2015 to Dec 31, 2015.

$25 a month budget in place for each month. This is a total of $150 over the 6 months that you can buy guilt free on any stash you choose.

From 2014 rule (couldn't find on 2015)  All posts & emails need to be completed by the 28th of each month to be eligible. I don't care when you post during the month (because life is busy) but you must do it in the month (ie: February's post must be posted between Feb. 1 and 28).

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TUSAL 2014 is hosted by Daffycat (sign ups soon for 2015).
Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long.  You collect your Old Ratty Threads in a jar - post photo of your ORTS each month on the new moon.

The 2015 New Moon dates to post your progress photos:
January ? ** February ? ** March ? ** March ? ** April ?
May ? ** June ? ** July ? ** August ? ** September ?
October ? ** November ? ** December ?

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A New Stitchy Start 2015 is hosted by Tammy (sign ups are closed). 

Please post a picture of your design in your first post that you will start on January 1st and stitch along with me. Then at the end of the month 28-31st post your update. Don't forget to sign your posts!!!
I have decided that at the end of next year for incentive I will do a prize for posting. If you post every month and show your update then you will be entered into the draw at the end of the year. If you happen to complete your stitchy piece keep updating with a wip piece until the end of year.  

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Grow Your Blog 2015 is hosted by Vicki (sign up to join).

I will be participating in Grow Your Blog again this year on January 25, 2015.   This is a way for bloggers to get more readers and/or followers to discover our blogs.

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2015 IHSW - is hosted by Joysze.  I don't have the 2015 link yet, but it will be held the weekend of January 16 -18 2015.  It is held on the 3rd weekend of every month. Post a before photo on Friday and after on Sunday or Monday.

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Several exchanges throughout the year hosted by Wilma at Stitcher's Place (my Local Needlework Shop).

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Christmas Cross Stitch Exchange

Tonight at my LNS (Stitcher's Place) we did our 1st Annual Christmas Exchange.  I received a beautiful NOEL picture from Heather.

Donna was the recipient of my quadrielle "snowflake" ornament.  Here are some photos of my ornament that I stitched.  I always put my exchange piece in a tin can or box.

Here is a photo of the finished quadrielle ornament hanging on my tree (for the photo).  I used the Kreinik corder to make the hanging cord.  I also made a tassle for the bottom from matching DMC floss.

There is a snowflake same one on all 4 sides.

On the top I stitched each triangle with a quarter of the snowflake, so when it was sewn together it created a snowflake.

The bottom triangles have 3 simple snowflakes and the words "Christmas Exchange 2014".

I have already signed up for the Friendship Exchange in February 2015.  I will have to start thinking about what to stitch for the exchanges throughout the year.

Pokemon Gyarados update #6

I finished my Christmas ornament today.  It is for the Cross Stitch Exchange at my LNS (Dec 16th). I stitched on Gyarados today.

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Christmas is coming way too fast

I worked on my Christmas Exchange project (no photos until Dec 16th).  Even though it has been cold, and we had some snow, I am still finding it hard to get into the Christmas spirit.  Dave & I have done 60-70% of the gift shopping. It is hard to believe in exactly one month it will be Christmas Eve.  Stitching wise I'm not ready.  I will leave you with a few Christmas items I have bought this year.  This is my new holiday mug for work.

And this adorable snowman tin can from the Dollar Store.

 

Christmas

Is anyone else thinking about Christmas?  It is hard not to think about it with all the snow that we have had in the last few days.  I just drove my oldest son Jaspar to work for 11pm.  The roads are still a little messy.  I was able to see the road now that it has stopped snowing.   Here is a photo looking outside my front livingroom window.   It looks so peaceful.

Tonight I continued to stitch on my Christmas Exchange project.  The deadline is December 16th, so I won't be able to show any photos until then.  I hope to finish all the stitching by the end of the weekend.

IHSW

Saturday I finalized the design for my Christmas Exchange project and Sunday I started stitching it.  The deadline is Tuesday December 16th.  Here is a photo of what we woke up to on Sunday morning

IHSW

I will be participating in the IHSW (International Hermit & Stitch Weekend).  I will be working on my Christmas exchange piece.  

Halloween Cross Stitch Exchange

Tuesday night is Stitcher's Club at my LNS Stitcher's Place (www.stitcherplace.com).  Tonight was our Cross Stitch Halloween Exchange so I can finally show you what I stitched back in August/September. I did a pumpkin - 15 sided biscornu (my first one).  The fabric is 28ct Lugana evenweave colour is called Fizzle by Picture this Plus.  I used my Just Nan Floral Fifteen for the shapes (15 squares).  The top 5 squares I used the flower from one of Elizabeth Almond's  (Blackwork Journey) free designs from her website.  The middle and bottom squares I just started backstitching lines into a pattern.  I wanted something simple to stitch, but busy enough when it was done to fill in the orange because the orange Fizzle fabric is very light.  I personalized it with a Jack O'Lantern face and on the bottom Halloween Exchange 2014.  Here are some photos of my pumpkin.   Remember the box, this is what I presented my pumpkin in.

Here are 4 of the 5 exchange pieces that were traded tonight in person.  There was 1 online stitcher who participated, she stitched the white biscornu in the middle.  It is always interesting to see what everyone stitches.  What are the chances out of the 5 stitchers to have 3 biscornus and we all chose a different Halloween pattern and fabric.  I love participating in the exchanges.  

Leigh received my pumpkin, I received her beautiful framed picture (thanks Leigh, I love it!), Deborah (not sure if this is the correct spelling of her name) received the biscornu in the middle from the online stitcher, and Wilma (LNS owner who hosted the exchange) received the beautiful biscornu on the right from Deborah.  Wilma's item (I forgot to ask what she stitched) was mailed to the online stitcher.   

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

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.

August Goals

August Goals

Dave & I have 2 weeks holidays this month.  I invited my Mother-In-Law to visit from New Brunswick from the 7th to the 24th.  Not sure how much stitching time I will have so I am only giving myself one stitching goal.  Complete all the parts for my Garden Chair.  If there is time, attempt to assemble it.

I have joined 2 more cross stitch exchanges through my LNS (Stitcher's Place).  I want to plan my Halloween & Christmas exchange pieces.

July Review

I need to get back to my Just Nan 3D Limited Edition kits.  I have several that I want to complete this year (and the year is already half over).  I think I will work on the Gingerbread Mice from 2012 & 2013.  YES, I stitched the 2012 Gingerbread Mouse

If I get them done maybe I will work on my Garden chair.  YES, I stitched 2 full blocks and part of another one.

May Goals & 2014 Smalls SAL April

April Review
Finish Oakley Owlet (Just Nan) - YES
Start & Finish 2 Baby projects - both will be the Handprint poem (I like to make them unique by personalizing the project) - NO (didn't start either of them yet)
- A family friend is having their 2nd baby girl (I did the first one in pink, this time I will stitch it in purple)
- my sister's friend is also having a baby but they don't want to know if it is a girl or boy (their theme is Jungle)

Finished Just Nan's Limited Edition Oranaments - Little Princess Snow & Lorelei Lamb instead of the baby projects.

May Goals

Start & Finish 2 Baby projects - both babies are due this month.

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April was a very productive month for small projects.  I finished sewing 3 of my Just Nan Limited Edition ornaments together this month.

Oakley Owlet

Little Princess Snow

Lorelei Lamb 

Also in April was the Spring/Easter exchange, here is another photo of my basket.

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