The Potting Shed / The Stitchery: Nicki Franklin

 The first few days in August were a physically exhausting roller coaster due to the flaring of chronic health issues I have briefly mentioned through out by blogging history.

It was such a nice treat from my older daughter and husband to get me an online class: The Potting Shed by Nicki Franklin from The Stitchery! With a bit of encouragement and help, went to Hobby Lobby with my younger daughter to purchase all the DMC threads required in the class. She helped me in finding the numbers and reaching out for them (something both of my daughters used to help me do when they were younger for the fun of competing with each other... LOL, who will find the called for DMC number first).  

After that I was ready to head back home, honestly, chronic health issues and aging are the bomb... in the literal way. I was a bit concern of driving back if I took longer out and about. Still, on our way home not far from where we live, we did a brief stop. I wanted her to grab some treats for being such a good sport in encouraging me to get my threads, accompanying me, helping me with the task while at the store, and saying how happy it made her to see me cheered up. 

So slowly but surely everything was gathered and came together nicely. An inexpensive 3 ring binder, some pocket folders, and trading card sleeves, from Amazon. The rest of the materials and supplies from my stash, all lying either on my bed or on the top of my stash cabinet. While I sat on a chair reaching out for this and that until everything was in its place. It took me a few days to get it ready because I was moving at a snail pace, but it got done and it felt good!

I have printed only 6 of the designs. Those 6 are my most favorites. As you can see, the Sunflower was my chosen one to start with. Why? Because it is almost Fall y'all ;-D! 

In fact I already started working on it, but will show you once I have made more progress. I hope those of you out there living with chronic health issues are finding ways to cope not only with the physical pain, but also with all the emotional fluctuations that can affect our mental health. Take it one hour at a time, and work on seeing your glass half full instead of half empty. 

I look forward to the day when the words in Isaiah 35:5,6 will be a reality! Stay strong and may you have inner peace and joy!

Until next time!

Non-affiliated link: Nicki Franklin's website.

Might Put These Down For A Nap; Current Cross Stitch WIPs

It has been a couple of months. I've been stitching, but not as much since there are always other more things that take precedence. There have been stash enhancements as well, more on that later. 

These below are about to go for a autumnal nap... or are they?

The King of Flowers / Luca-S Kit

The Mysterious Magnolias / Luca-S Kit

Birds and Wildflowers (Ornamental Birds) / Etsy: Nadiia Nagorna

Arctic Animals Club / TFPS

The Great Outdoors / Book: Cross Stitch for the Earth by Emma Congdon

Blooming Tiny Town / Heart in Hand

Flea Market Flowers / Lori Holt

Summer Mountain / Filigram 

Little Brown Sparrows / Lone Elm Lane

Seaside Tiny Town / Heart in Hand

I say "might" because after seeing the pictures now I want to work on them... LOL. Even if I do wake them up from their naps it might be just for a little bit. However, there is one more cross stitch WIP that I am not pausing. Will share that one on a future post. Here is a big hint: Animal Cracker. 

Autumn is in the air, and with the crisp mornings and delightful golden sun light my attention is on non-counted hand embroidery... my first crafty love.

PS: I thought stitching a full coverage cross stitch was daunting, but thanks to my Crafty-Sisters they don't seem as daunting any longer. ;-)

Finished Cross Stitch Smalls

August Cottage of the Month by Country Cottage Needleworks

Finished: April 2nd, 2025

Materials: Aida fabric and DMC threads

Notes: left "August" out, rearranged the sun and clouds

Reading by Little House Needleworks

Finished: April 12th, 2025

Materials: PTP Aida fabric / Called for and a couple of subs. threads

Notes: minor design modifications 

These two projects were started a few years ago, so glad to have them done. Thanks to the encouragement and motivation of a very special group of friends! 

In April, thanks to the sweet enabling of my new group of friends, I started on my first ever full coverage project! A kit from Luca-s : The King of Flowers (link to their website here). Did changed the fabric to a light grey Aida instead of the white that came in the kit. 

Have not made much progress yet.

PS: Was missing for a couple of months... March and April are always busy around here with celebrating wedding anniversary in March and increase time on volunteer work in March and April.  In April we experienced the unexpected loss of a loved one. 

Stash Enhancements: Printed Fabric and Embroidery/Sewing Pattern

 

  In the last couple of weeks these, in the picture above, made it to my stash!  

  The Spoonflower printed fabrics are by Kathy Schmitz. I have both of her booklets; Simply Sweets and Tiny Treasures. Now I will not have to spend time tracing all the cute little designs in the booklets. When I first got Tiny Treasures (blogged here), I was tracing by hand. However, life gets busy and I prefer to stitch rather than trace. Maybe will prewash the fabrics to reduce shrinking. In that way if I need to  wash the final product then the embroidery will not pucker. 

  The "Wildflower Eyeglass Case" pattern is designed by Alice Makabe sold by Zakka Workshop. It comes with one clasp, and the embroidery design already printed onto water soluble stabilizer ready to be applied on your choice of fabric. The embroidery design drawing is also provided in the pattern. I also ordered an extra clasp.

  Not sure when I'll get to these, but is nice to have them within reach!

Notes: Non-affiliated links. Kathy Schmitz's booklets on her Etsy shop, and her printed fabrics on her Spoonflower site.  Alice Makabe pattern on Zakka Workshop Store on Etsy.   

Hand Embroidery Threads Organized... Finally!

 

Yes, it took me FOREVER to get this done! Why? Not sure. Maybe because the task seemed daunting and boring? Perhaps. However once I started, it was hard to stop. Very satisfying! Got it done the last week of December 2024.  It made me so happy to finally have most of my embroidery threads in one place, and organized in groups by number. 

Much easier to find and was able to make lists of those I'm missing. 

The threads that are in project bags I still need to take inventory of. There should be enough room for those once I'm done with them, and for the ones that I'm missing. Of course, there were a few double or triple skeins or bobbins of the same color. However, from now on I do not think that will be a problem.

I could have gotten more containers so each color could have its own place, but I rather have one unit. Much easier for me to keep up with.

This organizer also comes with the drawers arranged in a couple other styles and sizes.

Notes: I used this spreadsheet here, and the container is from Amazon.

Flowers; Works of Art

Hand embroidered flowers are so beautiful! Of course, nothing compares to the exquisite magnificence of living flowers, however, even a handmade representation makes my heart sing. 

(Notes: book author is マカベアリス  Alice Makabe a designer/artist from Japan. You may find her here: @alice_makabe)

The Only 2024 Finished Cross Stitch

 

Lizzie Kate Pattern: Inspiration Boxer B41

Threads: DMC / Fabric:14count aida, color ?

Started: June 20th, 2024

Finished: June 22nd, 2024

Modified the chart a bit. First time ever stitching for hours at a time in order to complete this as a gift for my older daughter on her last day of PSS June 2024. Below are a couple other pics; before starting, and in progress.