Saturday, April 4, 2020

Sheltering & Stitching

It's hard to believe how much everything has changed since my last post. Just like all of you, we're doing everything we need to do to stay safe. The only place I've been to in the past two weeks is the grocery store. Because I qualify for the "senior hour" at our Kroger, I'm taking advantage of it. It's like that show Supermarket Sweep except I'm not knocking stuff off the shelves. I go in there armed with a good list of what I need and then I go through the store as efficiently and quickly as I can. No more leisurely shopping, looking at what's new, and accepting a sample of something delicious. It's a whole different world.

I feel lucky to have our hobby of cross stitch. I never get tired of it because I have different projects to work on. So as you can imagine, I've put in quite a few stitches in the past weeks!

I worked on "Holiday Cheer" by Sugar Stitches (on Etsy). It's the first chart in the 2019 Christmas Club.
I'm stitching it on the called-for fabric, 32 count linen in the color Gingerbread which looks a little more gingerbread-y in real life. These charts are going to make cute little ornaments.

"Tulip's Praise" by Gracewood Stitches got a few stitches.
It's always nice to see more progress on this big project. The fabric is 18 count Jobelan in off white.

Given the weird circumstances, I've given myself the license to start anything I want. I figure that would be a good treat. So I started "Easter Parade" by Blackbird Designs.
This was my "unicorn chart" for a long time and I was delighted when Blackbird Designs re-released it! I'm stitching it in the called-for colors, but the fabric is a bit of a departure. It's 28 count Jubilee fabric in the color Northern Skies. When I saw the fabric for the first time, I immediately thought "Easter!". 

"Barn Cats" by Prairie Schooler was the next project I worked on. I started a SAL, but didn't have many takers to join me. I do understand that Barn Cats isn't everyone's cup of tea! But I love it and started and finished it in record time.
He's so cute! I stitched it on 28 count mystery linen in a beige color and used all Victorian Motto threads. Today I found a frame in my framing supplies that is going to be perfect for him. So the next time I post, I should have an FFO to show.

I had another start and finish in March!
This sweet little free chart came from the blog La Comtesse & Le Point De Croix and you can find it HERE. While you're there, take some time to look at the beautiful work she does, both in her stitching and her finishing. There are a lot more cute free charts in her blog too. I stitched this one on 25 count natural linen one over one using Victorian Motto floss.

I plan to keep stitching away for the duration of our shelter in place. I am so optimistic that this will be over before we know it and slowly, slowly we will get back to normal. I hope that you are well and stay well. See you soon!