End of August: WIP update, September plans and a little haul

 

photo credit

Happy Sunday all! We finally got some rain last night and relief from the 50+ days of 110F temps. I'm dreaming of Fall right around the corner, which most likely won't be until October, but I can still dream of crisp fall mornings and snuggling up in a cozy blanket with a hot beverage. Until then here are some of my WIP updates and plans for September, with a little haul I picked up last month.

First, are two projects I am close to finishing and hope to have done by the end of September. The first is Mirabilia's 'Orchid'. This was my first attempt at 1x1 and I did not like it at all with cotton DMC. I watched a video on youtube about using silk floss, which I will try on my next flower pixie, 'TigerLily' which I might start next month, if I'm able to gather fabric and floss for it. I still need to rip out some of 1x1 but I started beading to just get motivated for that last push to finish her. 

Second, is my oldest WIP from Jeremiah Junction, 'O Little Town of Bethlehem'.

A couple other finishes to add for next month will be 'Honey Bee'.

 and I finished, 'Season of Plenty' by Little House Needleworks, in 2019,

 and ran out of time to make it a FFO, which is my plan for next week.

 and ran out of time to make it a FFO, which is my plan for next week.

Other focus pieces for next month, will be Mirabilia's Princess Elliana, 

Chatelaine's 'Misty Morning Vineyard', 

Nora Corbett's '3 French Hens'

 

and Prairie Schooler, 'When Witches Go Riding'.

With 3 finishes, and one possible planned start is Tigerlily, I'm also planning on starting

  Joan Elliot's Fantasy SAL, 

Owl Forest '100 Owl' SAL,

 and Santa of the Forest by Lavender and Lace  if I don't start one of the three.

As for Haul, I'm obsessed with Honey Bee's so I picked up 

CCN's 'A Bee Sampler' 

and Black Bird designs 'Sweet Land of Liberty'.

Until next time: 

Happy Stitching :)

Christine xxxx

March Update, Finish #7 and Plans for April

Happy Spring! Hope you enjoyed your Easter! It was a beautiful Spring day here in Arizona. I enjoyed the warm sunshine as I watched my girls hunt for eggs, and then enjoyed a nice family dinner. The girls and I made lemon cupcakes with strawberry filling and white chocolate buttercream! With a honey ham and asparagus, it was the end to the perfect day!

It's hard to believe it's the end of March already! I had several blog posts ready to go, but I got a little behind in my stitching thanks to the brilliant Martina Weber and her Chatelaine designs. After I finish her Tiny Rose Garden Mandala freebie, I do have the urge to start another one of her smaller designs.

First here is my WIP that I am so close to finish. I'm halfway through with the blackwork, half stitches and tiny Algerian eyelet roses, that are truly very dainty and lovely, and then I'll save the beadwork for last.

Here's a little more detail!

Continuing with Country Cottage Needlework's 'Gingerbread Village' SAL, is 'Gingerbread House 2'.

I ran out of 3 Crescent Colors at the same time, and took a little time off, until I found my way down to my LNS. I should have it finished tomorrow.

I saved the best for last, this weekend, finish #7 Brooke's Books 'Dorthy'. I tried to finish her Friday night, with just a row and a half left, but couldn't keep my eyes open! I did do Ruby slippers, with their red sparkle, and I used DMCs black S310. Once you get used to working with it, I love how it gives Toto a silky sheen. I wasn't too thrilled with the DMC metallic gold. For the next ones I'll be using treasure braid. This was a joy to stitch. It did take me a few rows to get used to stitching on 32 ct. again with the one arm and the middle of the apron, but I'm happy how pretty she looks.

For next month, I am going to do a rotation with my 

Chatelaine 'Desert Landscape' on the weekends, 

Mirabilia's 'Queen Mermaid' on Wednesday, 

one week will be 'Gingerbread Village', 

for April's Brooke's Books I'll be working on one of her Bride's Tree ornaments

and one week, I'm going to start a little late, but I think

these designs are absolutely adorable, 

I'd been seeing them around, and then I saw April's design and I was 

hooked, from the Sunflower Diaries SAL 'Joyful World'

That leaves one week, to work on a WIP.

Then we'll see how this rotation goes.

Until next time!

I hope you have a lovely stitching week!

xo, Christine

Finish CCN's Gingerbread House 1 and 4 New Small Starts

Happy Weekend! Hope you are enjoying the lovely spring weather! It's been rather warm here pushing 90Fs already! Remember when I said I wasn't planning on catching a cold or virus or any annoying bug, well I did just that. Last Thursday I started not feeling too well, and by Friday, I spent the next three days in bed with a terrible cough, and head cold, sore throat and fever. I'm feeling much better know, but still having a hard time kicking this.

I did finish Country Cottage Needleworks, Gingerbread House #1 by the end of February. Thank goodness for Leap Years!

and here is my small start on the next Gingerbread Village, Gingerbread House #2

For this month for the Brooke's Books SAL, I started 'Dorthy'! Love this design. 

It's really cute and fun to stitch!

I didn't get too much stitching done on her, because I started 3 other small designs.

Two St. Patrick's desgins, and one old Freebie design from 

Chatelaine 'Tiny Rose Garden Mandala', that I can't find anymore.

This first St. Patrick's design is a Freebie from Blue Ribbon Designs, 

'Leprechaun Lodge'

I'm having fun with all the shamrocks. 

A new obsession of mine are cottages.

and the other one is a New Shepard's Bush design from

St. Patrick's Day Trifles, called

'Shamrock House'. 

I actually hand dyed this fabric.

I love the color! It's a light violet, and the colors of the over dyed floss look 

absolutely lovely!

One last thing, here is my WIP Wednesday of Mirabilia's Queen Mermaid!

Her hair is almost all stitched up! 

This week I'll be working on her shoulder and arms, leading to her treasure box!

Until next time!

Have an amazing stitching weekend!

xo, Christine

WIP CCN Gingerbread House 1 a Winner and LNS New Stash

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a lovely weekend! Ours was filled with beautiful Spring like weather, even though I know the last of winter is yet to come. My youngest daughter and I enjoyed a road trip up North to visit my family, unfortunately my mother the first night caught a cold, and I told her not to worry, as my daughter had already had a cold, and I have no plans on catching one any time soon. I was pleasantly surprised to see her lilac bush had new buds on it already, which she said may or may not freeze, since up north they haven't seen their last frost date yet. So hopefully it won't freeze. This Spring my mother is going to give me a cutting or two from this bush, which I'm curious to see how it will survive down her in the Valley of the Sun. There is one spot on the side of the house, out side of my kitchen widow that is shaded by some very tall Palo Verde trees, that are growing on a green belt beside our house, and it will get about 2-3 hours of early morning sun, and be shaded the rest of the very hot day. Other than that I stitched a little and watched Disney movies and National Geographic Wildlife documentaries with my daughter, and did a little Antique shopping later on Saturday morning.

This month has just flown by, my goal is to finish Country Cottage Needlworks Gingerbread Series #3, Gingerbread House 1 by the end of the month. Since I didn't stitch hardly the second week of February, and hardly this weekend of last, I'm pretty sure I can finish this before the weekend. I really want to work on my Chatelaine Deseret Landscape and finish the Octagon center.

I just have the one tree left, the rest of the gingerbread house, and the top border, and *ugh* the snow at the bottom. I really don't like stitching white. I don't know why, I just do!

On Friday I had a couple stash missions, of which I only got 1 of 3 accomplished. I went to my LNS to pick up some Krenik for my Brooke's Books 'Dorthy', and my 13 year is stitching her first chart from Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery, it's Pen Pal's #204 'St. Patrick's Day'. I asked her if she wanted to try stitching the Krenik, and see how she does, if not, I'll save it for something else. She stitched up the face in an hour. She's a fast learner!! My LNS didn't have the ones I needed, so I'll need to check another not so LNS in Phoenix which is a little further away. But I did pick up a couple of Rosewood Manor charts, one was 50% off, and I couldn't help picking the other up as I loved the color combination. They are 'Spanish Proverb', and 'Arise My Soul'.

 After following the progress of  Dani's 'Spring Quakers', I was looking to pick up that chart, but my LNS didn't have this one.

The third mission, was to browse through Barnes and Nobles to find a Cross Stitch Magazine that had this design. It's supposedly in the New Cross Stitch Collection Magazine, but I didn't find it. I found the magazine, just not the chart. *sigh* I'll just keep looking! This would look perfect in our bedroom!

So, instead I ordered, Shepard's Bush 'St. Patrick's Day Trifles'.

Onto the winner of my Instagram Giveaway!

is Crafty Kara

Youtube and Instagram

So Congratulations, and

 Thank you so much to everyone for following me!

Wishing you all a wonderful stitching week!

Until next time!

xo, Christine

WIP Wednesday Mirabilia's Queen Mermaid and Gingerbread House1 Update and some New Stash

It's hard to believe we are coming to the end of February. Last week just flew by and this week is going just as fast. The beginning of March I have a baby shower and a 50th Birthday party to attend, I was thinking about doing a birth sampler for her, but I won't have it ready in time for the baby shower, I might be able to get it done for her before the baby is born.

Yesterday I worked on Queen Mermaid, and I was able to stitch most of her lovely face.

This coming week, I am going to work a little on her hair, and her shoulder.

Not stitching hardly last week, but me a little behind on my Country Cottage NeedleWorks

Gingerbread House 1. With 11 days to finish I am thinking I should be able to get it done by next week.

I got stash in the mail yesterday from Brooke's Books. I recieved my Bride's Tree Ornaments.

Here are the 4 I am going to stitch this year!

April I will start with 'Faithfulness' for my Mother as a Mother's Day present! She loves Roses, and I know she is just going to love this!

Be sure if you haven't already, check out my first Giveaway on Instagram.

You can find me on Instagram @atthecrossrhodes , or click HERE.

Wishing you all a wonderful rest of your week!

Until next time!

xo, Christine

WIP Wedndesday 'Queen Mermaid' and Update

Happy Friday! Whoa!! Where did the week go! I meant to post yesterday, but it seems that there is this cold bug that is being shared around our house. Thankfully, I haven't caught it yet, but my dear husband, son and daughters each in turn have got it all week. On top of that my youngest felt she needed glasses, when actually the optometrist said she most likely only needs visual exercises to strengthen her eye muscles, so we have an appointment tomorrow for her.

Last week I mentioned that my husband and I were going to try and eat heathier. I'm taking a 30 day challenge to give up refined sugar. I already sweeten my cuppa hot tea with honey, so I'll just add it to my coffee as well. Also, I am only using 1/2 tsp for a daily total of 4 tsp. Over the course of my day I drink 4 cups of coffee 2 in the morning and 2 in the early evening, and then 2 cups of tea in the afternoon and at night. For last night's dinner, I tried something new, and I was pleasantly surprised. One of the foods, {which aren't many} that I have a strong dislike for is cauliflower. The last couple of years, I've seen it as a replacement for rice, so I gave it a go, and grated a cauliflower to make a stir fry. I have to say it was absolutely delicious.

Here is what I've been stitching on for 

\WIP Wednesday Mirabilias 'Queen Mermaid'.

I stitched more of her skin for her neck, arm, and back. For next week, I hope to work on her face.

Here is more progress on the Country Cottage Needlework's Gingerbread Cottage #1, and

Brooke's Books 'Merry Christmas Grumpy Kitty'. 

Today I'm working more on the center octagon in Chatelaine's Desert Mandala!

Oh, and I am beyond thrilled and excited to find out the Nora Corbett has a new Pixie Fairy for the New Just Cross Stich Magazine. 

If you haven't already seen her, 'Queen Anne's Lace' it's a Free download pattern Here. I've got some fabric that I want to try my hand at dyeing. And even though last month I started 8 new starts, I'm adding this as my +1. The colors are gorgeous and fun I just can't wait to get started on her!

Until next time!

Have a lovely stitching weekend!

xo, Christine

February 1st New Starts

Happy Monday! I hope you had a relaxing weekend! This week there isn't too much going on around here, but next week, I have two birthday girls, that are 12 years and 4 days apart, my oldest and my youngest!

Today, continuing on with both Stitch Alongs, Country Cottage Needlework's Gingerbread Village, with Gingerbread House 1, 

and Brooke's Books with 'Merry Christmas Grumpy Cat' for my tween daughter! 

Brooke's also added another 

freebie Advent Animal #20, 'Odette Owl'

 a Beautiful Fluffy Snow Owl with the prettiest red bow!

Looking at the rotation for my other projects, for the month of February, I am going to focus on 

Teresa Wentzler's 'Heart Sampler'

Kustom Krafts Ocean Unicorns for two weeks

&

HAEDs Peacock and Doves in a Garden for the other two

&

Chatelaine's Desert Mandala

&

on Wednesdays I'll be working on Mirabilia's Queen Mermaid,

 until she is finished

Depending on how the day is going and if I hit a spot where I need to put the project on time out, 

I'll pick up one of my other WIPs for a short break.

Wishing you all a fun stitching day!
Until next time!
xo, Christine

New Years Days 10 & 11/15 and Finish #3 'Gingerbread Girl and Peppermint Tree'

Happy Tuesday! I hope you all had a relaxing stitching weekend! Friday night we got together with my husband's sister, BIL and the cousins. Just a fun night with Pizza and Wings! I'm loving this stitch maynia challenge to start or work on 15 or 31 new starts for the New year. It gives me that push to start projects I've been meaning to stitch in my stash or that I've had my eye on, that really called to me.

Finish #3, CCN 'Gingerbread Girl and Peppermint Tree'. I started her on the 1st, and I would have had her finished sooner, if I had finished 'Gingerbread Train' before January, but with Christmas and New Years, I was working to finish them both. Now I'm back on track to start #3, 'Gingerbread House 1' on February 1. I also bought to stitch for my husband's client who loves 'Fleur de Lis',  Ink Circles "Fleur de Orleans' to give her and if I have time stitch for myself too! Aren't the colors gorgeous??

Continuing on with 15 days in January for New Starts. Here is Day 8

from Country Cottage Needleworks 'Beach Cottage'.

It was ages ago that I tea stained my first fabric, and I thought I'd give it a go again.

I took 28 ct. White Monaco, and covered it in a stock pot with a pot of freshly brewed coffee.

Let the fabric soak in it for 10 minutes and pulled it out. Wrapped it in a towl to dry.

I ironed as much of the wrinkles out as I could, and I absolutely love the color!

Here is Day 9

from The Praire Schooler 'When Witches Go Riding'

I'm no where near Finishing Ink Circles 'Mistletoe Stained Glass Ornament' by the end of Januar, but I'm going to give it a go tonight and see how far I can get!

Until Next time!

Have a Happy Stitching Day!

xo, Christine

Day 9/15 Finish #2 and a WIP for Queen Mermaid

Happy Day before Friday! Sorry, I've been lax on finishing up posting New Years Days, I'll be back to those shortly before the end of January. My last 4 for the month are Country Cottage 'Beach Cottage', Prairie Schooler 'When Witches Go Riding', I finally found my Lavender and Lace 'Forest Santa', and I'm thinking a small Chatelaine mandala! Any suggestions? Are you working on one, and which one??

I finally put the last stitches on Gingerbread Train, earlier this week. I am so excited to see how seriously cute it turned out! My husband is making me a custom frame for it. So hopefully I'll have it framed before the end of the month as well. Gingerbread Girl is almost finished. She should be done by Saturday!

This weekend, I am going to get ready for my daughter and her boyfriend to come and visit for a few days. Not sure how much stitching I will be getting done, but I've been making some great progress on Three French Hens, and Stardust Fairy, I'll have WIP pics of them at the end of the month.

On Thursdays, I'll have WIP pictures of Queen Mermaid. I was surprised to find out that she has been discontinued. Right now I'm stitching the Peacock/Emerald green sparkly area of her bodice, working my way up to her face. I like to look at a face while I'm stitching away! Sounds a little odd, but it gives me a smile!

Until next time,

Have a fun stitching day!

xo, Christine

New Year's Day 7&8/15 First Finish

Happy Tuesday! I hope your weeks are off to a great start! I noticed yesterday, that the day seemed a little warmer, and the sun was out a little longer. Between now and the end of April, I'll be out in the garden. This year I've got plans to start a rose and herb gardens. I'll update more on that is going and what I've got planned!

Yesterday I finished my first finish of 2016!!

'Pierre Penguin' by Brooke's Books her Advent Animal freebies 

He's stitched on 28ct. Ice Blue Cashel, and I switched out the DMC 321 (red) in the border

for 'Red Ribbon' by Classic Colorworks!

Cheers!

After finishing all the white of the Penguin, now I can focus on the snowflakes in Gingerbread Train, and Gingerbread Girl and Peppermint Tree, which I hope to have both of them finished by the end of the week!

More of Ink Circles, Stained Glass Mistletoe

Yesterday's start is Teresa Wentzler's 'Futurecast' for my son! I've always loved her blended floss color combination, which are absolutely gorgeous!

Wishing you all a fun stitching day!

Until next time!

xo, Christine

New Years Day 6/15

Happy Monday! I hope you all had an amazingly fun stitching weekend! On Friday, I picked up some overdyed floss for my Chatalaine Desert Landscape, one of them happened to be called 'Stormy Sky', reminded me of how dreary and rainy the week had been. Then later today, I looked up and all I could see was never ending blue sky!

I'm hoping to finish both, Gingerbread Train and Gingerbread Girl and Peppermint Tree, this week!

I'm this close to finishing 'Pierre Penguin'.

Even my husband commented on how pretty a design Ink Circles Stained Glass Mistletoe is. I've been thinking about picking up Ink Circles 'Get Kraken' for him for a Christmas Gift, since he says I haven't stitched anything for him. 

This weekend, I also started stitching Stoney Creek's Paradise Banner. I'm stitching it on 14ct Aida, which I haven't stitched on in ages. It's a nice break from linens and evenweaves. I'm loving these tropical colors, and such fun to stitch!!

Here's to a great stitching week!

 Until next time, 

Christine