Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 1

Hi everyone! Last time I decided to start working on some smaller pieces -- easier to manage in the busy summer time. First up, Funky Chickens by Satsuma Street:

I went on a trip over the past three weeks (more on that later), but I still got a very good start on the first of three: the rooster. 

I love how the colors pop on the black Aida. I'm using Cosmo floss and, well, I don't see much of a difference from good 'ol DMC. But I'll see how I feel as I finish each of these pieces. 

By our next check in I hope to have finished the stitching on the rooster and be well on my first chicken. 

Now, about that trip....

We just got back from 10 days in Hawaii where I was running the final race in my 50 State Half Marathon project. The race itself was fun, and I took it as a "victory lap" -- high-fiving kids along the course, thanking volunteers and police officers, cheering for other runners, and enjoying the time. 

One of my all-time favorite craft projects is a jacket that I embroidered for myself, filling in the states as I went along. I used different colors of floss per year, and finally got to fill in my last state. I very rarely wear it, but it makes me smile to look at the map and think about each of the races I ran. 

I'm now going to run over and check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- it's always inspiring to see! Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 10: Happy Dance Time!!!

Let's cut right to the end -- I finished the Redwork Noel piece!

I even did the backstitching, which I think I like but -- as always -- hated doing. Avis (who heroically organizes this stitch-a-long!) is so smart about this. She does her work in organized chunks and completes the backstitching each time. SO SMART. 

I realized that when I finished the piece I wasn't exactly sure what I planned to do with it. I think it will become a Christmas pillow cover, but I'm going to put it to the side for a little while and percolate on that. (Of course, just typing that I'm thinking exactly how it will look. Ha!)

Now I know what you're thinking... what's next?

I have a biggish full-coverage kit that I really want to work on, but I also want a break. Summer is always a difficult time to work on big projects because there's so much going on. I have a bunch of small kits / patterns that I'd like to work on, so I think I'll cycle through those. 

First up is this weirdly wonderful pattern from Satsuma Street. I love her use of color and for whatever reason was unable to stop myself buying this: 

FUNKY CHICKENS!!! 

I'm going to stitch them on black Aida rather than cream linen, but I can't wait to stitch all three (two chickens, one rooster). 

The designer recommended Cosmo floss rather than DMC, and I've been noticing Cosmo in a lot of places lately. I've never stitched with it, so I'm looking forward to giving that a try. 

(While looking up the link to this pattern I discovered that she's about to release another set of feathered friends in April: Groovy Chicks. Do not be surprised if they come up soon...) 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long have been the key to keeping me working on my projects. I am absolutely sure I wouldn't complete most of these projects without the check-in we do every three weeks, and celebrating our completed projects with happy dances. It's always so amazing to see what everyone else is working on. Go check out their blogs and get inspired too : Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 9

Hi everyone! Here's where I was at our last check in: I had finished 100 out of 120 rows: 

And here's where I am now: 

That's 110 out of 120 rows done! The stitches at the top left show the height of the design, so I'm really close now. I should be able to get the stitching done by our next check in, and as a stretch I will also get the backstitching done. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen. We're also saying farewell to Gun -- we'll miss your updates!

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 8

Hi everyone! Life remains crazy, but I'm making myself carve out time to stitch. 

Here's where I was at our last check in: I had finished 90 out of 120 rows: 

And here's where I am now: 

That's 100 out of 120 rows done! Still a ways to go, but I see light at the end of the tunnel -- and am already pondering what to take on next!

Last time I teased a project I was working on for a friend's birthday. Happy to report that it was finished in plenty of time and Suz loved her gift. 

It's a Mill Hill kit called Into the Woods. It's a tribute to her black cats, current and those who have crossed the rainbow bridge. 

I'm going to keep working on "Noel", and hopefully will have 10 more rows done by our next check-in in three weeks. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 7

Hi everyone! In dark times, there's always stitching to be done. 

At our last check in I had finished a full 10 rows, or 80 out of 120, thanks to a weirdly delayed flight. 

And thanks to a long weekend (the last one for MONTHS, unfortunately) I got another 10 rows completed--so I'm at 90 out of 120. 

Exciting! 

I also promised to show pictures of two projects I wrapped up just in time for Christmas. Of course, I didn't take pictures of one of them "made up", but you will get the idea. 

First I made this for my friend Inga, who just moved from New York City to Miami. It's called Autumn in New York, by Embroidery and Sage. 

All those French knots were REALLY DIFFICULT, but I loved the outlines of the buildings. I know Inga was going to miss NYC and especially changing seasons, so it seemed perfect. 

Then I made this for my friend Rebecca who adores Paris. It's called "Rooftops of Paris", also by Embroidery and Sage. 

I really enjoyed stitching this -- so many tiny lines!

I have another project I'm working on right now that's for an upcoming birthday, and I'll share it after it is gifted. I'll also keep working on "Noel", and hopefully will have 10 more rows done by our next check-in in three weeks. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 6

Hi everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and that 2025 is starting off well. 

At our last check in I had only stitched a single line -- the missing bottom line of this piece: 

In the last three weeks I hoped to get a lot of stitching done, but of the four long flights, only one really allowed for stitching. The first one I was in the middle seat with a stranger on my left side (doesn't seem right to keep pulling a needle at a stranger!). The second one I was so tired I actually slept a little (hooray!). I didn't even unpack my stitching while we were in Rio, but was excited to stitch on the long flight from Rio to New York. Somehow, however, I was in a section with no reading light at the seat... so on the overnight flight they turned off the cabin lights and I was in total darkness. 

Finally, on the flight from New York to Seattle was had a strange incident -- a passenger left a bag in the terminal but didn't realize it until we had pulled away from the gate. I can only assume this set off something worse INSIDE the terminal, but we had a 3-hour delay while authorities were called, paperwork was filled out, and the passenger was escorted back into the terminal to identify the bag. 

I, however, used the extra time (and the 5+ hour flight) to stitch. As a result, I stitched 10 more rows, so I have completed 80 out of 120 rows. 

Next time I'll share pictures of the Christmas projects -- and hopefully have another 10 rows completed.

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 5

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is having a great December and either a peaceful or a festive season -- whichever you prefer. 

I want to come straight out and say that very little stitching has been done. Here's where I was last time, with 70 of the 120 rows done. OR SO I THOUGHT!

Here's where I am now, three weeks later: 

I've just realized there's a stray black thread on there!

The only stitching I have done on this piece is the row at the very bottom of the piece -- somehow I hadn't stitched that yet. Actually, now that I think of it, I didn't stitch it at the beginning because it's easier for me to count stitches with spaces. And I never went back to it. But that means that NOW I have 70 of the 120 rows stitched. 

I have been busily stitching Christmas gifts, and have just one left to finish. Luckily it doesn't need to be shipped anywhere so I have until December 24 to get it done. 

Between now and our next check-in in January I should be able to get a lot done on this piece -- I have some very long-haul flights coming up and look forward to being able to have dedicated stitching time. If, magically, I sleep on those flights, I still hope to get at least 10 rows done in the next three weeks. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

See you in 2025 -- and until then, best wishes and happy holidays!

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 4

Hello everybody! Another three weeks, more weirdness at work. But let's focus on the fun stuff! 

Here's where I was last time, a little shy of being halfway done.  

And after three weeks, here's where I am: 

I have 70 of the 120 rows done (!!!) and I still love it. I'm going to slow down a bit as I am finally admitting to myself that, well, Christmas is around the corner and I need to get some gifts stitched! So it will get some attention, but not as much as I've given it the last few weeks. I'm hoping to get half of the next 10 rows stitched. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

See you in three weeks!

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 3

Hello everybody. It's been quite a weird three weeks. 

Here's where I was last time:  

I was meant to go to a team offsite on the far side of the country which would have allowed for a lot of stitching on the plane. But on Friday we got news that the event (that I was supposed to fly to on Sunday morning) was cancelled. A few hours later we were told that my boss and her peer on the sales team had been abruptly let go. 

That has led to a couple of weeks of uncertainty and confusion at work, and we're still trying to figure everything out. A new executive joined the company in the interim and everyone is just trying to get their work done. Strange times. 

So, sadly, my opportunity to meet my colleagues and plan our projects for 2025 has been cancelled. And on a personal note, I DIDN'T HAVE HOURS TO STITCH!!!

But comparing the two photos, I guess I did get some stitching done: 

I have over 50 of the 120  rows done, and I'm happy to say that I still like the way it looks. No thought or hope of getting this stitched by this Christmas, but I think I might be halfway done with the stitching by our next check in. We'll see. 

I love seeing what the other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on. Go check out their blogs and get inspired by their amazingly beautiful and diverse projects: Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

See you in three weeks!

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 2

Hello everybody! 

I'm afraid I didn't make as much progress on Redwork Noel as I had hoped, but I did finish another set of ten rows and just barely started the next set. Yep, it's those adorable kittens again...

Here's where I was last time: 

Now I've stitched just over 30 of the 120 rows. 

Between now and our next check-in I have a work trip. Normally that wouldn't mean I could get much stitching in, but in this case I have two verrrry long flights, all on my own, so I'm hoping to get some good stitching done on the plane!

I love checking out what the other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on. Go check out their blogs and get inspired by their amazingly beautiful and diverse projects: Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

See you in three weeks!