Tiny Treasures: Embroidery Completed On Hexies no.4 and no.5

 

Sneaking in an update on these two completed embroidery designs from Kathy Schmitz's most recent book. I've completely forgotten that I had finished them. When opening the bag/organizer that holds the project this past Sunday... surprise! It is amazing when you get really busy with more weighty responsibilities some things get filed away in your brain. I have even started the design for hexie no.6. Of course, once seeing the project, my recollection of working on these immediately came back. 

Was able to complete this one on Sunday, but by the time I was done the natural lighting was not the best so no picture taken. Will post it on my next Tiny Treasures project update.

Tiny Treasures: Sheep

The stitching was completed on hexagon no.3, the sheep, few days ago. Lots of French Knots!

Notes:

Design from Tiny Treasures: Miniature Hand Embroidery Designs book by Kathy Schmitz.

Tiny Treasures: English Paper Piecing and Hand Embroidered Hexies

 

Started stitching the designs for the center of the 1" hexagons. Was able to complete 1 and 2, and working on 3.

A progress shot of the 1st while in the midst of it ;-), and below the 2nd hexie design completed. 

Above picture... currently half way of the 3rd hexagon design. Lots of French Knots! This weekend is a busy one, not sure yet if I'll have time to stitch a bit. Until next time!

Notes:

Project is Tiny Treasures design by Kathy Schmitz.

All Set To Begin Working On Tiny Treasures Project

The Valdani threads arrived! There are 12 called for colors. Ordered 9, had 2 in my stash, and substituted 1 for another Valdani color I had on hand. Still waiting for my triangular paper pieces.

Also that travel make up bag is super convenient, it is very sturdy and has adjustable compartment. It is suppose to be water repellent, but haven't test that yet. Already removed two of the dividers and adjusted the others to my needs. It accommodates everything perfectly for me! Found it on Amazon, just in case you want to check it out.

It was hard to choose, so many options plus prices vary between brand/sellers/listings. 

I'm excited to begin stitching these cute tiny embroidery designs that fit 1 inch hexagons. Must admit that I printed mine at 85% scale. My personal preference is having a bit more margin between the centered stitcheries and the edges of the 1" hexies. 

Would love to start today, but not sure if that will be possible. We are having pizza night so I do not have to worry about cooking or too much cleaning in the kitchen. However, I have a couple of grocery deliveries on the way that need to be cared for (you know what that entails during a pandemic). Also an upcoming Zoom meeting with an old family friend that we have not seen in a very long time, we are so looking forward to catching up!

Perhaps in the evening I could squeeze embroidering at least one of the designs, and basting my first hexie. We shall see!

"Tiny Treasures: miniature hand embroidery designs" by Kathy Schmitz

Have you seen Kathy's Schmitz latest book release? So much cuteness! She self-published this one, and right now (in my understanding) you are only able to find it on her website or Etsy shop (depending on which version you prefer). 

Already getting ready! I had in my stash the fabric, sewing and basting threads, the hexagon paper pieces, and some other basic notions. Decided to order Jeana Kimball's Foxglove Cottage straw needles in sizes 9 and 10 from Amazon because was having a bit of difficulty with the size 11 that I had on hand. Also placed an order on Etsy for triangular paper pieces, didn't feel like doing them myself.

My husband treated me with the called for Valdani threads. Can't wait for them to arrive in a couple of days, and on my triangular paper pieces that are supposed to be here tomorrow! Kathy also gives DMC alternatives for the threads, and you could also draw and cut your own paper templates for the hexies and triangles. 

Sometimes February can be a difficult month for me, this year even more so. Hoping this new project, along with other work in progress projects will help keep me distracted on those rough days.

Non-affiliated link:

Kathy Schmitz' Tiny Treasures. Info on both formats given on her web-shop here.

Updated: From Give Thanks to Always Rejoice... Finished!

Didn't take a picture of it after I finished embroidering the words,

Updated this post to add picture of it with the words completely embroidered ;-). It is done! I modified the sentiment in the banner. 

This is one of the designs found in the book Stitches from the Harvest by Kathys Schmitz. By the way Kathy has a Youtube channel, perhaps you may want to check it out.

Coffee, Stitcheries, Life

Pour over morning coffee: 1tsp Cafe Bustelo mixed with 1 1/2 tbsps Decaf Cafe Bustelo, plus warm (yes, my creamer must be warm) Coffee Mate Natural Bliss Vanilla Almond creamer to taste. Mmmm, better than in any coffee shop!!! Pour over coffee taste much much better than using a coffee maker.
Trying to work on these 3 projects above this week. On the left, a Little House Needleworks design that was started couple of days ago, will be a gift for one my daughters. Center, Kathy Schmitz's "Garden Sampler", will be redoing the bees. On the right, a pre-printed cross stick kit from Amazon, only a few cross-stitches left on the bear's face and need to finish the back stitch... will be a gift for my other daughter. 
Homeschooling is in full swing. We went on a couple of fun outings, and there are a few others planned. Fibromyalgia flaring a bit more often due to cooler weather, but manageable so far. Autumnal days are so beautiful, some occasional rain, but mainly lovely days. The beauty of this season helps with keeping a positive attitude thru flares.
May you all be doing well! Until next time!

Garden Sampler Stitchery

Briefly stopping by to post my start on this Kathy Schmitz's design.
It is the Garden Sampler. Being stitched onto an Aunt Martha's flour sack tea towel 18"x28". Using Valdani Perle Cotton size 12 in color "Dried Leaves" O574. Transferred onto towel by using a Fine Tip Sublime Stitching transfer pen, traced the design with the transfer pen then ironed on towel.
Hand embroidery in itself is very relaxing, however not having to use multiple strands of thread at once, and using only one color through out the project takes the relaxing part to a higher level.
Kids are doing great with their curriculums,... so glad about that!
Not sure if I'll touch my cross stitch work in progress projects this week. I think this one got my full attention for now ;-).
Be well! Until next time!

Summer Mini Getaway and Stitchy Progress

Our usual getaway, right before our 2019-2020 homeschooling journey begins. It was windy out in the balcony, so had to take the pictures super fast... didn't want my stitchy goodies flying away. LOL

Bit by bit, here and there, whenever I got the chance and/or desire to stitch. Already made a few mistakes some needed fixing, some will stay.

On our last road trip, few months ago, cross stitching in the car was a smooth ride. This time around motion sickness took over. So on our way to our vacation didn't stitch, cause of dizziness.  However, on our way back, I was ready and had with me my most recent hand embroidery WIP... that went well. 

It was a very nice week! We were ocean front and it was such a treat to see the breathtaking sunrise each morning. 
Now to have fun embracing another homeschooling year! (Germs and all, sadly.) Little one caught an adenovirus, it has not been that fun yet for her. Hoping it'll past soon!

May you all be doing well and enjoy whichever season you may be in on your corner of the world!

Notes: 
Take Me to the Sea hand embroidery pdf design by Kathy Schmitz.
August Cottage cross stitch design by Country Cottage Needleworks.

To The Sea and Count Your Blessings

To The Sea

Pattern: To the Sea by Kathy Schmitz (link at the end of post)
Fabric: Aunt Martha's Flour sack towel from Colonial Patterns
Threads: Valdani Perle Cotton size12, M68 and size 8, O126
Transfer Method: Printer, Sticky Fabri-Solvy

Rainy days... perfect for stitching. Especially when in these past few days many have experienced the devastating effects of a hurricane. Hoping you are all well! Stitching helps me unwind and destress, keep anxieties at bay, focus and meditate on what's really important, and see how to be helpful to others on whatever possible way. 

I've been wanting to get and stitch the design above by Kathy Schmitz, and yesterday was the day. Got it on Kathy's Etsy shop, downloaded it, printed it on Sticky Fabri-Solvy (by Sulky), took a plain Aunt Martha's kitchen flour sack towel and a couple of Valdani Perle Cottons from my stash and started on it. Maybe I'll finish it today! Maybe, because we are getting ready for a nice spiritually enriching day tomorrow and today we need to prep all we need in order to be there on time.

Count Your Blessings
Remember this below?

Pattern: Count Your Blessings by Country Cottage Needleworks
Fabric: Oatmeal Aida 14 count
Threads: Call for in this design
Started: August, 2018
Finished: August 29. 2019

Guess what?!?! I finished stitching it!!! Made so many mistakes, but I love it just the same! Learned a lot with this project. Left the fruits on the trees out, and the chimneys (or whatever that might be on the roof). The trees are not even, modified the sheep at both ends and letter "b". Not sure how to fully finished it, perhaps in a store-bought frame and will gift it to my older child, hmm? We'll see.
Have made progress on two of the other cross stitch projects, and haven't touch of of them. My other hand embroidery projects have not seen the day of light in some time, must do something about that! On my stitchy bag I have a line up of a few cross stitch projects all kitted up, ready for when I finished at least one more of my current cross stitch WIPs. Pssst... Summer Splendor is halfway done ;-). 
Until next time! Have a nice weekend!

Non-affiliated links:

To The Sea by Kathy Schmitz on her Web Store 

Count Your Blessings by CCN on 1-2-3 Stitch Website

Stitches From The Harvest: Give Thanks (Progress)

We had a mini getaway, brought my embroidery with me. Our schedule was a bit packed so not much time to stitch. However, I made progress nonetheless. 
Below is a close up Stem Stitch in progress.

If you like to see the difference in progress since my last post on this project, you'll find that blog post here. 

Also brought some cross stitch projects. The Count Your Blessings work in progress one, but didn't even touch it, and a new start: Summer Splendor by Little House Needleworks. This one I will like to try to stitch it on hand instead of mounted in a q-snap frame or embroidery hoop. Started the border but didn't make much progress, hopefully soon I'll pick it up again... such a cute design!

Below is a small collage of some of our outings while away.

Until next time!

Home Sampler Finished!

So happy to have finished stitching the Home Sampler! Last night I was putting in the last few stitches. Modified the placement of suggested stitches and incorporated the Back Stitch in some of the elements.

I added French Knots to the cherry in the bird's beak to make mine a blackberry.

Added the Feather Stitch inside the bee's wings, really like the effect it gives!

This section with the nest is so cute, I think is my favorite area in this sampler.
Below, a "just because" peak at the left side of my "stitchy chair" while the Home Sampler was in progress. As you can see my clear bag is full of pending projects, waiting to be started.

Now I think I am going to focus on finish cross stitching "Count Your Blessings", and maybe my "Give Thanks" design from the book Stitches from the Harvest by Kathy Schmitz. Also need to finish embroidering the latest block on my on going lap quilt project. Trying no to start anything new, until at least I get two of the aforementioned projects completed... but not sure if I'll be able to resist myself ;-). Oh, and I have some stash enhancements to blog about too!
May you have a great week ahead!
Until next time!

Home Sampler Progress

Current progress (kind of 'cause I made a bit more progress after this picture was taken) on my Home Sampler by Kathy Schmitz embroidery pattern. I will like to complete stitching this sampler by next week. I'm about to start working on the bee, already did the two branches in that section. Hmmm, maybe it'll get done tomorrow?!?! 
Hope y'all are well! 
Until next time!

Home Sampler Progress

Really enjoying stitching on this sampler! Home Sampler by Kathy Schmitz.

Not following the Stitch Along order of stitches. My brain likes starting and ending an area before moving to the next. Even though I could do the stabbing method while doing the Stem Stitch using an embroidery hoop, I'm finding it easier to do the sewing method even with the hoop. 

The three top rectangles are done, also did the H in the center,  sorry forgot to take pictures before putting it away for the day. Being familiar with all the stitches used, and the fact that I'm using perle cotton in one color (no having to divide threads or having to choose colors) makes this pretty easy to embroider. Will post another update soon! 

Non-affiliated link:
Kathy Schmitz Home Sampler on her Etsy shop.

"Give Thanks" Stitchery Update

Hoping y'all are doing well! I haven't been able to stitch lately, but here is the last progress made on "Give Thanks" few weeks ago. This design can be found in the book Stitches from the Harvest by Kathy Schmitz.  Initially posted about this project midway this post, then on this other post, and previous update before this one here.

Here is the back of the bird. Do you see those thick lines in the curve of the wing and a couple on the tail? That is where I used the alternative stem stitch, although it may be simpler to learn and stitch for some,  personally I still prefer the traditional way of doing  the stem stitch (outline of the bird, green stem and brown stem) it gives a more cleaner/tidier look on the back. 
Which is your most favorite hand embroidery stitch?
Switching subject... the pollen here is giving some of us hard time. Even when we started taking our allergy meds a couple of weeks before everything started blooming. Perhaps it is time to switch allergy meds once again. Hopefully pollen is not a problem for you!
Until next time!

Spring is Here!

We are in full bloom! Most days are still a bit chilly, but there have been a few really warm ones, great for visiting local parks! 

The red tulips were gorgeous, this Weeping Willow too!

We are keeping busy with: homeschooling, volunteer work, Dr. appointments, our spiritual routine, spending time with friends, the usual everyday chores/errands,...

and a little bit of stitching (pattern is K. Schmitz's Home Sampler). Thinking about restarting it; tracing it instead of using the printed sulky and using a different thread. Will see.

Although soon the pollen will be hitting us hard, it is still very cheerful to see nature's colors popping up everywhere!

Until next time!

Anniversary!

My husband took me for Afternoon Tea as an early wedding anniversary celebration. Becoming his wife has been one of the best decisions I've made in my life, my husband is my best friend! We were actually supposed to go for an anniversary dinner on the actual date, but I wasn't feeling good so it was nice to have made it to Tea a couple of days earlier. Picture below was of the last course... desserts! I drank Oolong my husband choice was Darjeeling.
My older daughter gifted us a few things, she made me the embroidered squirrel in the picture above (pattern by Kathy Schmitz), gave my husband wine glasses, wrote us an original poem that made me shed a few tears, gifted us with a home cook dinner and a couple individual size cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes... they were so good! We are so proud of her!

Our younger gave us some hand made cards, flowers, and coffee mug for my husband.  We are also proud of her ;-), we loved her drawings! Below is my card. On my husband's card she drew my husband taking me to a picnic.

Everything is in bloom around here, but we are getting a blast of arctic air these days.... (sigh). Perhaps some of you are starting your gardens, what are you planting this year? We add peppers to quite a few of our recipes. I do not have a green thumb so maybe will grow mine with needle and thread ;-). Here is vintage transfer in case you like to give it a go! Adding a few extra daisies around the peppers will give them a nice touch, I think.

Our family will have a busy month for volunteer work, we enjoy it so much! May y'all have a great week ahead!

Until next time!

Brief Project Update

Today I took the Give Thanks project out and added a few stitches to it. Was debating what color to stitch the bird (blue or black), black won! After finishing with the acorns caps, started the bird.

Above is how my organized mess was looking while I stitched. I love seeing pictures of others' creative messes, especially if they are related to hand embroidery! So post away people, let's see what you got! ;-)

Back Stitches for the lines inside the wing, and Stem Stitch for the outline of it. This close up above is of the Stem Stitch. I like to stitch the Stem Stitch the traditional way, instead of using a very popular shortcut for it. Why? Because it creates a neater back ;-). In  fact, the lower outlined of this wind was stitched with the shortcut version, will show you the back later so you can see what I mean. 

Picture above was posted (on a previous post, second picture), when I was getting ready to start. Stitches from the Harvest is a book by Kathy Schmitz. Honestly Kathy creates so many cute designs that it is hard to choose which ones to work on! 

In other news... One of the kiddos got a clean bill from the dentist, the other one not. So we'll be working on that soon. I have a couple of medical tests this week, hoping all goes well!
May you all have a great week ahead!
Until next time!