Groovy Chicks Stitch-a-Long, part 5

Hi everyone! As always in the summer, I can't believe 3 weeks have gone by. 

Last time I had started the Groovy Chicks series, and finished the stitching on the green chick:

This time I started on the blue chick, and I think I'm about halfway done: 

I keep feeling surprised at how the paisley patterns are taking longer to stitch than the simpler patterns on the chickens, but I really love the colors on these. Hopefully I'll finish the stitching on the blue bird by our next check-in and be ready to take on the pink one!

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens -- and Groovy Chicks -- Stitch-a-Long, part 4

Hi everyone! Determined to post ON TIME this time. :) 

Last time I had actually stitched up all three of the Funky Chickens: 

So this time I decided to start in on the Groovy Chicks pattern, also by Satsuma Street. 

I love the colors and patterns on these, and decided to stitch them as designed -- on pale green, pink, and blue fabric. I started in on the pale green one and finished the stitching: 

The paisley patterns are fun, but more detailed to stitch and a little more complicated. Still, I like how they look and I feel like these birds will have more personality than their chicken pals. 

I'm now going to start working on the blue bird, and hope to be halfway done by our next check-in. 

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 3

Hi everyone! Somehow I got my weeks messed up and forgot to post an update on time. Summer does that to me...

Last time I had gotten the stitching done on the rooster and chicken #1: 

I had two cross-country flights and got a LOT of stitching done. How much? Well, I stitched all three of the chickens: 

And then, well, I stitched them up: 

It was surprisingly challenging to stitch them together, but I'm still pleased by how they turned out. I stuffed them with a mix of fiberfill and, for weight, dried soybeans. They sit with a satisfying solidity, though I don't know what I'll ever do with them. 

Next up, I'm excited to say, is the Groovy Chicks pattern, also by Satsuma Street. I thought the chickens had personality, but these birds are verrrrry vibrant!

I hope by our next check in ... which I will actually do ON TIME ;) ... I'll have one of the birds stitched and possibly start on a second one. 

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 2

Hi everyone! It's Mother's Day in the US so I am already running behind. But I wanted to post a quick update and encourage everyone to check out the other bloggers in this stitch-a-long! Last time I posted my wip: Funky Chickens by Satsuma Street.

And now, three weeks later, I've completed stitching on the rooster (bottom) and made really good progress on chicken #1 (top): 

Still loving how much these colors pop against the black fabric -- worth the extra challenge of stitching!

I have another trip with a pair of long flights before our next check in, so I am hoping to finish the stitching on all three. Of course, last time I had a work trip scheduled it was cancelled three days before, so maybe I won't be flying to the east coast!

I'm going to head back into the kitchen and prep the Indonesian dishes I'm making for Mother's Day dinner. Once I have things simmering I'll head over to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

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.