Stitch from Stash Update: March

Hello my friends! Here we are at another update. The months are rolling by so far, it won't be long until I move out of my current home into a new one. Scary stuff! At least I always have my stitching to keep me grounded :)

There hasn't been loads of stitching recently. I've been concentrating mainly on my assignments and other University work. So, I only have one piece to share for this update:

Current WIPs:

I've made quite a lot of progress with White Magic. Although stitched on black aida, it really has been enjoyable. There are a lot of blended threads and half stitches, but it's good fun. I think I'm a long way off from a finish, although the journey is always the best bit :)

I've had little time for stitching, and even less time for shopping, so this month's budget is once again:

£0!

I haven't had to spend a single penny yet. Everything I've stitched so far this year was already in my possession. It feels good to know I've saved a few pound by not rushing to the shops every time I think I need a new thread. I keep finding alternatives so far. I wonder if I could go the whole year only stitching from stash? We'll have to wait and see!

Best wishes to you all, 

And the winner is . . .

I'm a few days late posting the results for who will be stitching the travelling pattern next. That's what fast approaching deadlines does to a girl! Thank you all for your wonderful comments :)

I can now reveal, the person who will be receiving the pattern is . . .

Karoline from Karoline's Corner!!

Congratulations to Karoline, just email me with your posting details and I'll get the chart to you ASAP.

I have been stitching up a storm lately, I'll have a fair amount to show for my next SFS post.

Best wishes,

 

On The Road Again

Good morning all! I hope you've all enjoyed a brilliant week. I've been very lazy this week. After finishing my dissertation, I took full advantage of a few days off to spend time with friends, chill out and spend lots of time stitching! I spent so much time stitching, I have a finish to share. Here is my version of Shakespeare's Peddler's Count Your Blessings . . .

I used a range of threads from my stash and the most suitable fabric I could find. The colours in the picture aren't great I'm afraid, it's too sunny outside to be accurate! I love the sentiment of this little design, so I'm hoping to finish it to display soon.

So, the travelling pattern must travel once more. If you would like to be in with a chance of stitching this pattern, please leave a comment on this post. I am number 38 to stitch this design, how amazing would it be to get to 50? Or beyond! I will be choosing a reliable blogger who I know will honour the code of this travelling pattern. I will be drawing a name next Wednesday, 19th March. 

Good luck everyone!

 

Travelling Pattern

Hello everyone! There isn't a cloud in the sky as I type this post. It's so wonderful to see the sun after so long! Spring is one of my favourite times of the year, birdsong and daffodils and crisp cool breezes. I hope you're enjoying Spring delights wherever you are :)

I was very lucky to be chosen by Elisa to be the next person to stitch an amazing travelling pattern. Thank you so much Elisa! I will be the 38th person to stitch this gorgeous design. As soon as I'm finished with it, I'll pass it on to the next person. Look out for a post about this soon. 

The pattern arrived at the most perfect time. I had just arrived home from handing in my dissertation. Yes, it's all finished! Woohoo! The whole thing came to nearly 12,800 words in the end. Phew, I'm glad to have got it handed in nice and early. So I was free to start my new pattern straight away. Here's where I'm up to . . .

Whilst I was still working on my dissertation, my stitching was my therapy in the evenings. I've made a fair amount of progress on White Magic, I love the look of this one so far. 

I plan on chilling for the rest of this weekend, I think I deserve a bit of downtime! Me and my housemates will be tuning into Crufts later on, is anybody else watching? I adore dogs and cannot wait to have my own puppy. One day maybe :P

Best wishes to all,

 

Stitch From Stash Update: February

Hello everyone! I'm back with another SFS update. I've loved rummaging through my stash this month to find new projects. I've been using threads leftover from kits to make up some quick cards. Nothing is wasted here!

Money spent in February: £0!

I can't believe I've managed this two months in a row. I've got so many lovely kits and charts and fabric and threads that I don't need to buy anything just yet. I'm trying to keep spending low in other areas of my life too, so I'll only be purchasing items that I really need.

Finished WIPs:

Two little cards made from spare threads and offcuts of fabric.

Dolly's Stroll is all finished up and waiting for a frame.

Current WIPs:

I haven't managed to move forward on Solo since your last saw him. The backstitching is very intricate, so I'm saving it for a time where I don't have as much Uni work to do. I'm hoping he'll be a March finish though :)

New Starts:

I could resist no longer! I had a little break from big projects after finishing Farmhouse, but this one was calling out to me last week. I've got a fair few stitches in. It's not easy, as the colours used are all very similar, with lots of blended threads too. But I know it's going to be beautiful when it's finished. My new start is Dimensions, White Magic. 

That's all from me today. I'm now going to spend the rest of the day writing for my dissertation. I find doing a little bit every day really helps me - slow and steady wins the race :) I hope you've all had a brilliant start to the week.

Best wishes,

 

Keeping Calm

I have to hand in my big, final year assessment in just under a month. I'm making slow and steady progress on my story and the accompanying essay. When I finally set down my pen, or save my latest draft, I instinctively reach for my stitching. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, spending time with needle and thread calms me like nothing else. I think it's the sense of achievement, that you can see how each tiny stitch makes a bigger picture. That's a good lesson to keep in mind this close to the end of Uni. 

In the last week, my Solo the Cat hanger has gone from this . . .

. . . to this!

I've only got another row of hearts to complete, and all of the backstitching. I love adding the backstitching on these designs, it really makes them come alive. I look forward to finishing it as a hanger when it's finally done. 

I know for the next four weeks, this is going to be my motto!

I hope you are all well and not being hindered by the weather. It's ghastly here today, grey and rainy. But still, it's Valentines Day and I'm celebrating with Lawrence later on today. I hope you have a wonderful day, however you choose to spend it.

Best wishes,

 

PS: I've reached 150 followers! Thanks must go to each and every one of you, I'm so grateful. I think this calls for a giveaway, don't you? :)

February Finishes

There's nothing like being inside when the rain is pouring. You pull a snuggly blanket over your legs, set up a good TV show and stitch away. It's one of my favourite things to do. There has been an awful lot of rain recently, so plenty of time for stitching! I have some finishes to share.

First up, I added the finishing touches to my cards. These were both made from various scraps and threads from my stash. I have a huge stock of blank cards too. I'm hoping to actually use some of them this year. 

And next up, another finished piece. I put the final backstitching into Dolly's Stroll this morning. It makes such a difference to the design.

As soon as I find a suitable frame in one of the charity shops, this little lovely will be pressed and framed. I'm actually quite sad that I've finished this piece. It was such a pleasant stitch. But that does mean I get to go stash diving in the near future! I'm not sure if I want to spend my stitching time making up a few more cards, or starting a larger project straight away. I'll have a rummage and see what takes my fancy. 

I have some Uni reading to be getting on with this afternoon, but you can bet I'll be picking up my needle later on this evening :)

Best wishes to all,