Wednesday 22 January 2014

Shush starts stitching

Hello everyone. I have been so distracted the last little while, I haven't got around to blogging. But this time, I can't blame work. Nope. I have been sucked into the vortex of vanished time that is caused by cross stitch. But before I go into the gory details, I will show you at least something quilty that I have managed to progress.

This is my appliqué for one of my Citrus Sweet Love blocks. I haven't put the remainder of the block together, but that doesn't take long, so I'm waiting until I have all three done and then will do all of them together. I suspect that won't be done before next month's blocks arrive in the post, but we can all imagine how exciting that would be. *fantasy*

Citrus Sweet Love:  appliqué block 2

This appliqué isn't quite as tidy as my first attempt, but I still think it doesn't look too bad. I'm certainly not inclined to unpick it and do it again.  After the block is put together, there is some hand quilting to mark in the stem and to detail the flower.  That will be something else to learn ...

And this is what has been taking up all my spare time since. Cross stitch from Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.  This is the Once Upon a Time monthly sampler and overall cuteness extravaganza.

That would be the dwarves doing the washing while Snow White supervises.

I think I should explain further.  I did some cross stitch many years ago - 20 at least. I gave it up because I thought it was dumb. I couldn't understand why you would do anything that required two stitches per square, when you could do needlepoint, which only took one stitch and therefore half the time. So then I moved on to Jennifer Pudney postcard sized needlepoint, which I enjoyed very much. In fact I still have a kit lurking around in the spare room somewhere which I can get out once I've finished my quilting to-do list *laugh at the futility of that comment* *snort*.

But Lucy had been doing the Woodland Sampler last year and showing her progress every once in a while.  When she posted it completed, I completely caved and went to buy it.  It was just too cute to resist.  That's when I discovered Once Upon a Time and the rest is history.  The final deciding moment was realising that the recommended linen has an opalescent thread in it so it sparkles in the light, just like little crystals. *uh-mazing*.  Oh, but expensive.  I nearly had to sell Princess and the wee man, but it was so worth it.

I am a total convert.  But it turns out I am really rubbish at cross stitch.  However Megan is a closet stitching guru and has given me a couple of great hints which I will share with you next time.  It turns out that cross stitch is a bit of an art.  Not as much as quilting, of course!  So every spare moment has been spent trying to get January finished and doing NO sewing.  My cross stitch is improving pretty quickly though, so that's good.

As further evidence of the lack of sewingness, here is my EPP kit.  It was a pleasant surprise to open it and remember I had some more diamonds basted, but no sewing has happened!  I was intending to write a post to link up with Hydeeann's monthly party, but the cross stitch intervened.  Sorry Hydee!

Liberty and Heather Ross and other diamond treats

In all the rush, I have forgotten the ABC quilt weekly link up.  Given we are half way through the week, I figure we can do Q and R this Sunday.  I won't forget *fingers crossed*.  I hope you are still enjoying it.

Linking up with Freshly Pieced, Needle and Thread Thursday and Show and Tell.  Howdy visitors!

15 comments:

DeborahGun said...

Oh shame on you for neglecting your hexies!! It is nice to try something new for a while though. I tried cross stitch again last year - and remembered why I just don't enjoy it! So embroidery it is for me - maybe I can get 5 done this week and catch up!!

Tiffany said...

Oh my goodness! The Once Upon a Time pattern is adorable!! I haven't cross stitched in some time. I agree with you, once I started embroidery with the S is for Stitch stuff, it seems like going backwards! However, it is so cute and would look so nice on a certain 2 year old's wall... Oh decisions!!

Juliet @ Tartankiwi said...

Ok, ok! You've convinced me!!! I'm in! I've just bought the pattern, now to buy the supplies :-)

Leonie said...

noooooo!!! it's too cute!! must resist to join and get some! Love cross stitch and embroidery - find it super relaxing... mmmm what to do what to do....

Leonie said...

And now I've seen the other samplers...BIG problem!! :)

hydeeannsews said...

explosion of cuteness and adorableness here! you almost make me want to get on the citrus love train. the fabrics are always fabulous.

once upon a time is right to take up your time! very, very cute. looking forward to seeing it completed!

your epp box looks so tidy and purty. I knew you were busy elsewhere this month and figured that's why you didn't link. oh, well. now you will have more to show next month than just one really pretty photo of your basties in the box. (did I just make up a word?)you are completely forgiven. =)the fabrics you have done are marvelous.

Sammy said...

I have learned so much about craftiness reading this post. And I LOVE that cross stitch! The once upon a time sampler looks amazing...I need more hours in my day!

Megan said...

I'll own up to being a closet stitcher but 'guru'?? More like self-taught cowgirl!!
Your applique looks lovely - I can't wait to see all the blocks together.

Paula said...

I think your cross stitch looks great. It's one of my many hobbies but i find I really need to be in the mood for it so while I can easily pick up and do smaller projects anytime the larger ones are less often undertaken.

Anonymous said...

Cross-stitch is my first love even though I haven't picked it up in a while so I understand the fever you're under. It's a very cute sampler. I've been doing cross-stitch for over 35 years so I've got some tips and tricks as well. I'll definitely follow your progress to see how it's coming. :-)

knottygnome said...

i like your applique! it's one technique i am hoping to try this year.

and that X-stitch sampler is so cute. i was very tempted by it but i'm forcing myself to work on just one cross-stitch project at a time.

Tanyia said...

My friend loves Frosted Pumpkin, I know she did the sampler last year with the woodland creatures, that fairytale one is adorable though!

Stopping by from Lee's hop
http://www.domesticdeficitdisorder.blogspot.com/2014/01/wip-wednesday-jan-22nd.html

Tilkunviilaaja said...

The start of your cross-stitching project looks uh-mazing! The pattern combined with the lovely linen, I can totally relate how you had to get it!

The polka dot fabric in your EPP kit is so darling too.

Jenny said...

Love the vibrant colors of your applique.
And the cross stitch sampler is too cute! I may not be able to resist the Frosted Pumpkin patterns much longer!

Unknown said...

Hi..I absolutely love your work. I am a quilter too (and an old cross-sticher) and have just seen your cross-stitch and have purchased the Once Upon a Time pattern. Ohh..it's delicious!!! Just a quick question about the link to the Crystal Doubloon fabric....which one did you buy. I know not to buy aida as I usually use linen....but wasn't sure which fabric you used??? Can you please enlighten me. It's so expensive and I don't want to purchase the wrong stuff. Thanks