Feeling Stitchy this year? Giveaway!

Progress on my Project a Month feature

I've been giving a lot of thought to what I would like to do on Feeling Stitchy this year. Last year, cancer and chemotherapy slowed my schedule, but I realized, not in a bad way. Everything I've been through made me re-evaluate the direction of all my time, including this blog.

As you know, I volunteer my time here, along with our other volunteer bloggers, and aside from receiving free items, Amazon Associates credits, or books for review, I am not paid for any of the writing and crafting I do.

Removing our Facebook Page
Evaluating the focus of my time helped me decide to delete our Facebook Feeling Stitchy page - mainly because I was deleting my personal FB account, but also because I want to cut back on our social presence so that the areas where we are present, can be a richer, more community-filled experience.

Shifting Focus to Instagram
I've been very inspired by the wonderful community on Instagram, and as Flickr goes to a paid format this year, (there are few of you who may remember we began our crafting community on Flickr) I'd like to shift our focus to Instagram rather than Flickr or Facebook.

I've decided that the best thing about Feeling Stitchy all along, and what I most want to promote, is our shared community as stitchers. This year, I want to slow my focus, and work on projects that engage me, and hopefully all of you as well.

In the past, I did features like "Wonderful Wednesday" at a fast pace - featuring a different Etsy shop or pattern every week at times. What was missing was my own stitching element, as I rarely had time to stitch the patterns I featured.

Project a Month Feature
My new feature for the year will be called Project a Month, and in it I will feature a pattern from an Etsy shop or online store, and share my stitching experience with you. I want to engage with the seller and each pattern in a more in-depth way, my main goal is to explore what sets this pattern and shop apart, and to encourage and promote small business designers who work on Etsy and elsewhere.

I'd love for you to stitch along with me but that's not required! In the end, if I inspire you to stitch, buy from a small business, leave a comment, or just get inspired period, I'll have done what I set out to do.

Thinking Small vs. Big
My main goal this year is this idea of thinking SMALL instead of big. In my hometown, we have very few craft and yarn stores left, and we are down to 2 bookstores that sell new books, and very few used bookstores as well.

So this year, another goal of mine is to think small - to try my best to buy items in person rather than online- if I can, I'll buy at a small business, local business, or a local store. I'd also like to buy more patterns from small businesses with Etsy shops or online stores. This year, I'd really like to explore this idea of thinking small, as a way to enrich our communities.

Giveaway!
Okay, now for the giveaway! Please leave feedback on this post on any of the things I mentioned above, and tell me what you would like to see on Feeling Stitchy this year? Is there a book, pattern, or seller you'd like us to feature?

The winner of this giveaway will receive the craft or embroidery-themed book of their choice on Amazon OR the Etsy pattern of their choice - you choose!

Please tell me in the comments which prize you would prefer, and what Amazon book or Etsy pattern you would like as your prize! Leave a comment on this post by February 7, 2019, when I will choose 1 random winner.

Project a Month: SeptemberHouse Calendar WIP

Hello all! I'm here to report my progress on the SeptemberHouse Calendar...

As I mentioned in my update last week, the calendar kit has sold out. If you like this design I recommend a browse through Corinne's shop - she has many lovely patterns for sale! My personal favorites are her Solar Flare kit, Circus designs, Butterfly patterns and Modern Monograms. She has a beautiful sense of color, and unique color palettes in her designs, which I believe set her apart from other designers.

Up above, you'll see I added 2 new colors to the calendar, DMC 504 and DMC 832, in addition the the two I began with. I chose colors that would echo what Corinne had done in her example photo. I'm not reproducing all of her elements, but I did want to include some, as they are stitched so beautifully.

So, I used chain stitch and satin stitch where she did on this flower, and here I did buttonhole stitch as she did:

One thing I love about this project is the chance to try out stitches and colors I might not have chosen on my own, and see how it looks.

Next, I added a lovely cherry red shade, DMC 150 which called out to me from my pile of threads. I like the contrast, and I decided I was enjoying incorporating more satin stitch into this piece...

Next I tried the Circular Rhodes stitch, in the same spot Corinne did hers - but I'm sure I didn't get it quite right (although I started off well). No matter, I just kept going!

Then I added this bright teal, DMC 943 to the leaves, and loved how it looked (although my satin stitch is FAR from exemplary here).

I love that bright pop of color and the contrast with the other colors I've used!

I used a buttonhole stitch on the bigger leaves in the same DMC 943...

Really enjoying how that looks! So, there is my progress so far, hope you are enjoying it, if you're on Instagram, feel free to follow my (somewhat) daily progress at @nyfloresita.

ALL SEPTEMBERHOUSE CALENDAR POSTS

#1 - Calendar Kit Started

#3 - Calendar Kit Finished

Project a Month: SeptemberHouse 2019 Fabric Calendar

Hello stitchers! I'm excited to be beginning a new year, and a new series on Feeling Stitchy called Project a Month! In it, my goal is to to stitch one embroidery project a month, and share my progress here on the blog (and on Instagram).

With the Project a Month feature I would like to highlight small businesses on Etsy or elsewhere, my goal is to think SMALL and focus on small businesses this year!

First up, is this beautiful 2019 Calendar Embroidery Kit by SeptemberHouse! At last look, it was still available for purchase in her store, but I have a feeling they may sell out soon... Edit 1/18/19 - The kit does appear to have sold out. I hope you'll enjoy following along with my progress nevertheless, and explore her patterns and get very excited about next year's calendar!

I have long admired Corinne's beautiful patterns and fabric calendars, but this is the first one I have ever attempted.

My first impressions of the kit:
The kit came with preprinted fabic, basic directions, and two skeins of matching floss, in this case DMC 3809. There were 4 colorways to choose from: Midnight, Juniper, Lemongrass, and Smoke, but I settled on Juniper because I'm a sucker for teal.

I love the fabric - it's a perfect weight for stitching, in my opinion. The edges are unfinished, so you will need to finish the edges with either machine or hand stitching. I also love that the kit includes 2 skeins of floss - for the price, I think it's a great deal. The bag the kit comes in is resealable - something I love since I usually keep my WIPs in plastic baggies - perfect size to tuck in my tiny pink scissors and threads, as you see here.

You can stitch this design as simply or as in depth as you like - either use the 2 skeins to stitch up just the outlines, or fill in the lines however you see fit! Corinne provides a list of suggested colors to inspire you.

I decided I wanted to stitch something like the example photo - which looks so lovely, but I was curious about the colors Corinne used and the stitches:

When I wrote to her to ask about her colors and stitches Corinne was kind enough to send me a PDF including all the DMC colors she used in her example photo, and the stitches! She also included suggested DMC shades for all of the calendars.

My stitching progress so far:

I used the included floss for most of the outlines and a nice greyish blue - DMC 926 for some contrast. I would like to stitch something like the example photo, we'll see which colors I choose!

I'm loving this calendar so far!

What are you stitching this month?

Have you stitched a SeptemberHouse calendar?

All Septemberhouse  Calendar Posts

#2 - Calendar Kit In Progress

#3 - Calendar Kit Finished

Feeling Random Friday #5 with Mia Winston

I can hardly believe it's already 2019!! As someone born at the tail end of 1969, I've gotta tell you I honestly thought we'd have flying cars by now, and everyone would have a robot butler. Joking aside, I've been thinking about 2019 a lot in terms of my life, relationships, career - everything. For over a year and a half I've only been partially living. I've been getting by day by day without really enjoying life. I've had a lot of obstacles to overcome that were emotional, mental, and physical. I'm tired of being tired, and I'm tired of not living my life to the fullest!

I L O V E New Year's Resolutions. Do I always keep them? No. Do I even remember the goal I set in January in December? Goodness no! But the ritual of thinking about my life, making an outline of where I'd like to go, and thinking about the possibilities for my life recharge me. I have been sick with bronchitis for over a week. Besides the time I had mono when I was 16, I cannot ever remember being this sick for this long. I took a full week of antibiotics, didn't start to feel better for three days, and still don't feel near being 100% well.

On thing I can be certain of in my future is that my soul will be uplifted by the stitching community, and I will do my part to uplift others. That's why I like writing this segment each week - it gives me an opportunity to lift up the art of others, and share their work with the world.

First up for 2019 is Mia of @winstonsart_ ! Mia combines mixed media elements to create texturally and visually beautiful hoops. She uses touches of sparkle with beads and sequins amongst the stitches. The hoop above reminds me of either an underwater reef, or a little pond with lily pads, tadpoles, and grasses. What does it remind you of?

You can find Mia on Instagram and Etsy. Here are some of my favorites from Mia's Instagram feed. I encourage you to check her out!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @winstonsart_ on Dec 19, 2018 at 7:13am PST

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @winstonsart_ on Nov 25, 2018 at 3:09am PST

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @winstonsart_ on Nov 11, 2018 at 3:38am PST

Final post: the Twelve Days of Christmas

It took me long enough, but I couldn't help sharing one final photo of all of my completed ornaments!

What took me so long? Just that I am a recovering perfectionist... :)

I love the phrase "recovering perfectionist" because it describes my crafting nature perfectly (pun intended). :) I waited for days to get good light (artificial light just isn't the same). I moved each ornament around, futzed with little gold hanging strings (which would always tangle and bend the wrong way. In the end, I was NEVER HAPPY, I just had to suck it up and post a photo.

As luck would have it, I just happened to post the photo to our Instagram page on the actual 12th Day of Christmas, yesterday. :) It occurred to me that I had never known when the days of Christmas really are - my Google search confirmed that they actually begin on the 25th and continue through Jan 6, celebrated by some as the Feast of the Epiphany.

I really like this idea - because I don't know about you, but I always have this uncomfortable feeling of loss the day after Christmas - that strange time between Christmas and early January, I always want to continue to be filled with Christmas joy, so I leave my tree up - this year I even left my opened gifts under the tree, so I could see them and be thankful. I mailed late Christmas cards, because, chemo, but I enjoyed extending my observance of the holiday season. I think I'll use this definition of the days of Christmas from now on, to celebrate and appreciate the season more deeply.

I wanted to thank everyone who has sent me their own versions via email - they've been so lovely to see!

#twelvedaysornaments on Instagram

I was so inspired throughout my process by Larissa's hashtag #twelvedaysornaments on Instagram - there are SO MANY beautiful versions there, I thought I'd share a few of my (many) favorites here:

View this post on Instagram

I love all the 12 days of Christmas hand-sewn ornament patterns by @mmmcrafts. I put this little turtle dove together last night, and she's ready to go to her new home for Christmas! #twelvedaysornaments

A post shared by A Happy Carrot Dolls // Kim (@ahappycarrot) on Dec 12, 2016 at 1:16pm PST

View this post on Instagram

Won’t get through all twelve days this year, but am having the best time making these wool felt lovelies 💕 #twelvedaysornaments by @mmmcrafts #feltonthefly

A post shared by Annette (@stitchbot) on Dec 8, 2018 at 10:38am PST

View this post on Instagram

Flock. #twelvedaysornaments #yearofmaking2018 #turtledoves

A post shared by Cindy Cameron (@cindy_makes_things) on Sep 26, 2018 at 6:22am PDT

View this post on Instagram

First set of Twelve Days ornaments, done and dusted. My daily commute on the train to London gives me plenty of time to work on these #mmmcrafts #twelvedaysornaments #handsewing #pinkchristmas #embroidery #homemade #christmasinmarch #feltchristmasornaments #trainstitching

A post shared by hulaflorence (@hulaflorence) on Mar 4, 2018 at 3:17am PST

Hope you enjoyed this feature, as I plan for the new year! Did you know about the history of the days of Christmas?

And just out of curiosity - do you have a favorite, out of all the ornaments I stitched this year? :)

12 Months of Christmas: Lord a Leaping

Last up is my final finish, #12 in Mmmcraft's 12 Days of Christmas patterns, Lord a Leaping. Yes, I made it! If you follow me on Instagram (@nyfloresita), you'll see I finished on Christmas morning, in my pajamas, meaning I completed 3 of the more complex final ornaments (Piper Piping, Lady Dancing and Lord a Leaping + complimentary Heart) all in 1 month, nothing short of a miracle for me, being that it was December and my last 2 weeks on chemotherapy.

All that said, in my final rush to complete Lord a Leaping, I'll admit there were elements I would do differently in the future, but I am just happy I finished!

Here is the mess that is typical of my ornaments in progress - actually I am being kind, and if I zoomed out a bit further you'd see even MORE mess on our sad coffee table, with threads, stuffing, scissors, and needles galore.

Remember the mod I did because I didn't have a black pipe cleaner for Lady Dancing? Well I did it again with Lord a Leaping's Elvis-like front curl - I wrapped the same black crochet thread around my green pipe cleaner. Making his hat was tricky, because his head was bigger than the pattern due to my larger wooden bead. I had to improvise making the hat a bit bigger, but not too big. I did ok, but I wasn't a huge fan of the burgundy color I chose, it might have been better to tie in the color of his pants again... Minor self criticisms for next time!

I once again used most of the same threads as I used on Lady Dancing, including the DMC Etoile floss in C915 and C471, and regular DMC floss in an Ecru shade for the vest and heart detail. All felt was again Benzie Design, and again a mix of a few different palettes I purchased from them.

All in all though I was quite charmed by all the little details in this pattern, particularly those tiny boots and the movable legs! One thing I love about Larissa's patterns is that I find myself sewing things I never thought I'd be able to, because she gives such excellent instructions.

I love how simple and pretty the additional heart was to stitch - I can see myself making lots more of these when I need a lovely quick finish ornament for gifts.

I can't believe it is a wrap on all of the ornaments, and that I finished them ALL before Christmas!

What a wonderful journey it has been, and as I did on Instagram, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who tagged along on this quest, left a kind comment, or shared a word of support. This project helped keep me going in a time of intense physical struggle - it kept me hopeful, focused, and calm in the eye of the storm. Thank you for coming along with me in this stitchalong and through every week of my chemotherapy - you all meant so much to me! I'm so thankful to God for bringing me through to the finish line, healthy, happy, and well.

Thank you of course to Larissa Holland of Mmmcrafts for designing such beautiful patterns which inspired me and gave me purpose throughout this year. Her 12 Days patterns are available to purchase in her Etsy store, and she has discounted bundles of some or all of the patterns as well.

Previous Stitchalong Posts

#1-2: Partridge and Pear; Turtle Dove

#3: French Hen

#4: Colly Bird

#5: Gold Ring

#6: Goose-a-laying

#7: Swan-a-swimming

#8: Maid-a-milking

#9: Drummer Drumming

#10: Piper Piping

#11: Lady Dancing

12 Months of Christmas: Lady Dancing

Here is Lady Dancing, #11 in the 12 Days series of patterns by Mmmcrafts - and I couldn't be happier with how I stitched her! Sometimes, not always, I was very happy with the colors I chose, and this was certainly a happy moment in my choices.

I did a few thing differently in my stitching of the pattern, if I don't remember something and you have a question, please point it out in the comments! First up, I couched the lines at the bottom of the skirt and on the edges of the shawl, because I couldn't stitch a straight line for some reason! I blame chemo. I also used felt pieces for the "leaves" under the flower on the skirt - thought that looked a bit bolder and more graphic (and neater, since I stink at straight lines). :)

You may also notice that in the overskirt above, I have the position reversed! I noticed my mistake too late, tried to make it work, and ended up having to re-stitch it. Chemo brain struck here, too. Be careful to check the alignment of your pieces, don't be like me! :)

I didn't have a black pipe cleaner for the hair, so I got creative:

I braided black crochet thread and glued it over a green pipe cleaner - I like the way it turned out!

You may also recall that the wooden beads I am using are larger - no reason other than wanting to use what I have rather than buy more. I didn't enlarge the hairpiece any, so it fits a bit smaller, but I didn't mind the look.

Here was my partially finished lady - I rather liked the color contrast here:

Here is my finished lady, with a few of the threads I used:

You'll see I once again used DMC Etoile floss in C915 and C471, and a few other shades of regular DMC floss. All felt used was Benzie Design, I mixed and matched from a few different palettes.

So it's a wrap on Lady Dancing - stay tuned for Lord A Leaping next!

Previous Stitchalong Posts

#1-2: Partridge and Pear; Turtle Dove

#3: French Hen

#4: Colly Bird

#5: Gold Ring

#6: Goose-a-laying

#7: Swan-a-swimming

#8: Maid-a-milking

#9: Drummer Drumming

#10: Piper Piping