Potions Progress

Hi, again :) It's been a while since I posted on my Friday Frolicking on my Potions, Brews, and Spells pattern. I wanted to have a few Friday's worth of stitching before I posted about it again. So here is my progress since the last time :)

I ended up with my initials and date after last week's frolicking. There is a few more cross stitch bits below this section, but a majority of it is backstitching, specialty stitches, and cross stitching over one. After I get the regular cross stitching done in this section, I plan on moving back up and leaving the bottom section until last.

I was able to get a close up photograph of the thread color. Isn't it pretty? I love the variegated purples. It has been a while since I've worked with colored silks and I don't think I've ever worked with a variegated one before. I love how it stitches up.

Maybe some day I'll be able to get a photograph of the fabric that shows its true color. My cell phone camera does whatever it wants with this fabric depending on the time of day and lighting......ugh!

Until next time ^____^

Shy Fairy Embroidery and Potions, Brews, and Spells

Hi, everyone! I hope you are enjoying the week so far. In Alabama, at least in the Mobile and Baldwin counties, we are enjoying a break from work for Mardi Gras. I have been crocheting and stitching on my break :)

I started my Shy Fairy embroidery project last Friday as my Frolicking Friday project. The kit came with some lovely soft DMC colors. Last Friday I was able to finish stitching the little fairy.

Yesterday was my 'Frolicking Friday' since I wanted a full day of stitching on my day off instead of my normal Friday of maybe two hours of stitching total.

I was able to finish up my Shy Fairy embroidery. She turned out quite cute :) I need to go by the craft store and buy a wooden hoop to display her in.

I'm sorely tempted to buy the other kits by Tamar Nahir-Yanai, but I know I have some small cross stitch patterns that I could kit up to work on when I can't see to work on my main WIP, Potions, Brews, and Spells.

After finishing up my Shy Fairy embroidery project, I stitched a bit on Potions, Brews, and Spells. I finished another row of the letters, stitched up a row of specialty stitches, and started on the motif around the word 'Halloween'.

I tried to practice the queen stitch to no avail. I just can't wrap my brain around it for some reason. It just looks wonky no matter how many times I stitch it.

So my plan is leave that stitch alone until the end......if I still can't get it, I'll just think of some other stitch to put in its place.

I hope everyone is having a good time Frolicking this week on their projects :)

Until next time ^____^

Bohemian Finish and a Halloween Start

Hi, everyone! I finished my Bohemian Paisley embroidery last Saturday. I tried to wash the fabric to get rid of the ink, but alas it is permanent. My next project is Potions, Brews, and Spells by Cherished Stitches. On Sunday I had ironed my fabric and stitched two numbers to get started so when Friday rolled around I wouldn't have to fuss with getting the fabric ready.

By the end of last night's stitching, I had stitched an entire row and was hoping to complete the queen stitch between the 'T' and 'Z' row, but I'm hopelessly confused on how to stitch the queen stitch despite the diagram at the back of the Just Cross Stitch magazine that has this pattern in it.

I think two factors are aiding one another to thwart me: the high stitch count (35ct....which is high for me as I usual stitch on 32ct or less) and the dark color of the fabric. Neither of the photos show the color exactly. It's 35ct dolphin by Week's Dye Works.

How do ladies/gents work on higher stitch counts than 35?!?!? It boggles my mind!

After stitching yesterday I realized that despite my Ott light, I need to invest in a magnifier because I am having a hard time seeing the stitches. Also in order for me to figure out the queen stitch, I need to pull out a scrap of linen with a lower stitch count and practice......a linen I can actually see! LOL

Anyway, I hope you guys had a good Friday Frolic :)

Until next time ^___^

Serendipitous Jo's Thirty-Eighth Frolic of the Year

It was IHSW starting last Friday, and as is traditional I went out for a rare day out and didn't stitch much on the Saturday!  I was also rather busy with my Big Birthday Blog Hop.  Follow the link and check that out if you haven't already done so.

On Friday I continued working on the Sugar Skulls which will be for my niece and her fiance:

These are from Brooke's Books and are available from her Etsy store.

Having finished Ghostly Mandala on the Thursday I continued with a new evening piece - Potions and Brews by Cherished Stitches from the most recent JCS Hallowe'en Special:

stitched on 28 count Moondust from Crafty Kitten

I am only stitching the top part of this design on this fabric, it's coming up huge as it was charted for 36 count.  I don't have enough Moondust for the whole piece and it's lighter than I want anyway.  This is just an excuse to try out some different shades of black and dark grey!

I did finish another Hallowe'en Cube on the Sunday, the one with the purple fabric:

I'm using the same backing fabric in three different colours for these cubes.