2021.03.31 WIPs Wednesday

 

2021.03.24 WIPs Wednesday

 

The completed test stitch for the pattern "BioShock Choices" by Knotty Hag on Etsy is now showing in her shop.

March 2021 I.H.S.W.

IHSW or International Hermit and Stitch Weekend begins on the third Friday of the month.  It's a chance to lock yourself away and focus on your stitching for the weekend.  You can take part on your blog or via the Facebook page - IHSW on Facebook.

As I work weekends, I don't get to lock myself away to stitch for three days but catch some time each evening before bed.  This month I'm trying to finish up the test stitch I've been working on that I've named "Test Stitch Bio" as it's based on a video game series called "BioShock".

Here is the starting point on Friday, March 19, 2021...

And here is the stopping point late Sunday, March 21, 2021...900 stitches later.  

I know the image on the right side of the words is difficult to decipher, especially if you don't know the video game (like myself), but my son reliably informs me this is a character from the video game series called "Big Daddies" which are:

"Big Daddies (Mr. Bubbles to the Little Sisters) are 

heavily spliced (genetically mutated and altered) human 

beings whose skin and organs have been grafted into 

antiqued, heavily armored atmospheric diving suits." 

[According to Wikipedia] 

 

Hopefully, I can finish it this week and we'll be on to another pattern for next month's IHSW!!

Slainte Mhuth!!  Cheers! 

 

2021.03.17 WIPs Wednesday

 

Gifted Gorgeousness March 2021

The Gifted Gorgeousness SAL 2021 is hosted by Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching where you can find all the links to participating blog posts. The format is basically anything connected to the word "gift" is allowed, whether it was a gift TO you or is a gift FROM you.  As this is the first month of my participation, I thought I'd share some of my WIPs (Work In Progress) that meet the criteria.

Bubbly Magic SAL by Highland Murr Blackwork

This lovely blackwork (but done in shades of green) is a gift to my daughter, Avalon.  She is a huge Harry Potter fan and claims membership in House Slytherin, hence the shades of green floss.  I began stitching this on a pre-stretched 6"x 6" 14 ct Aida on April 26, 2020.  

Bumblebee by Gentle Feather on Etsy

This beautifully detailed Bumblebee is stitched on 18 ct Aida named "Opal" by Mystic Fabrics and is a gift to a long time friend of 30+ years.  We met while working together at a credit union in the mid 1980s when we were both in our mid 20's.  We've kept in touch off and on throughout the years, but have reconnected through texting during the pandemic lockdown of 2020.  She resides a couple hours north of Portland out in the country of western Washington.  Stitching started on June 23, 2020.

Simplicity Vintage kit by Dimensions

The classic fashion style of this kit is why I added it to my Amazon wish list.  This is where my bestie and my Prince found it and had it sent to me for my birthday a couple years ago.  I chose to switch out the 14 ct white Aida that came with it and stitch instead on 18 ct Aida named "Veteris" by Mystic Fabrics so I won't need to stitch the background shading in the pattern.  I began stitching on October 6, 2020.

A Lady Named Ella by Ingleside Imaginarium

I haven't started this amazing pattern yet, but I always think of it in the gift category as I contacted a friend who does beading and makes jewelry to assist me in finding the perfect beads.  After discussing it and making decisions on colors, my friend wouldn't let me pay for the beads and gifted them to me instead!!  My plan is to clear a few of my WIPs this year and then begin on this stunning lady!!

So what do you think of my first post for Gifted Gorgeousness 2021?  Leave any comments or suggestions below and share any pics or a link to your post!

Until next month GG2021...Be Well!!

Slainte Mhuth (Much health)

2021.03.10 WIPs Wednesday

 

Gifted Gorgeousness 2021

 

Many have benefited from the generosity of our fellow bloggers and needed a chance to show our appreciation for that generousness by doing what we do best - stitching and blogging about it!

a few FAQs -

Q: What is eligible for the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL?

A:

• Any chart/kit which was given to you
• Any chart/kit which you won in a giveaway
• Any chart/kit which you bought using a voucher given to you/won by you
• Anything stitched on fabric received in the above ways
• Anything stitched with floss received in the above ways
• Anything embellished or finished with items received in the above ways
• Anything which is intended as a gift or prize for another person
• Anything else you can somehow shoehorn with word "gift" into!

Q: When do we post?
A: On the 15th of each month. Because (a) there are plenty of end of months SALs already and (b) that's what we did in the first year.


Q: What if I miss a month because I'm busy or don't stitch anything gifted that month?
A; Just pick it up the next month, or the one after, or whenever


Q: How do I join in?
A: Sign up here:  https://serendipitousstitching.blogspot.com/p/gifted-gorgeousness-2021-sign-up-page.html

Or just stitch a long with me and post your update as a comment on the current month's post.

Slainte Muth!!  Cheers!  

IHSW--International Hermit & Stitch Weekend

"HERMIE"  Line Art by Heidi Brass     Color Art by Andi Whitmer

From Dictionary.com
her·mit (noun)
1. a person who has withdrawn to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion.
2. any person living in seclusion; recluse.
3. Zoology: an animal of solitary habits. (ex. hermit crab)
4. Ornithology: any of numerous hummingbirds of the genera Glaucis and Phaethornis.
5. a spiced molasses cookie often containing raisins or nuts.

 

AND...

6. a person, who for one weekend a month, puts aside time to stitch in seclusion, with the knowledge that elsewhere in the world, others are doing the same.

International Hermit and Stitch Weekend (IHSW) takes place every 3rd full weekend of each month, from Friday till Sunday. In our very busy and hectic lives, IHSW is a chance for us to squirrel some time away for ourselves and "Hermit and Stitch." It is a time set aside to take care of us and our love for stitching.

Imagine this scenario:

You, in your favorite stitching spot, set up with your current WIP or a new start, with some music, tv, audible book, or a podcast in the background, stitching without a care in the world. You feel the excitement grow as stitches begin to take the shape of a leaf, a waving flag, the folds of a skirt, the wing of a bumblebee, the windows of a building … (LOL!!!)

The rules are simple:

1.  Due to international time zones, the weekend is loosely set to start on your Friday and end on your Sunday night.

2. You can stitch as much or as little as your time permits, on whatever you like, and however you like.

3. You can stitch on as many different projects as you like or just one all weekend.

4. Post pictures of your weekend on your blog the following Monday (or Tuesday) and/or in the FaceBook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/757401391130415

5. Visit other blogs and if you're so inclined, leave a comment. These are always appreciated. Here's the original post where I got the info:  https://joysze.blogspot.com/p/international-hermit-and-stitch-weekend.html


Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there a set amount of time I have to stitch to take part?
No. You can stitch as little or as much as you want.

Do I have to kick my significant other and kids out of the house?
No... unless you want to. In that case, you can tell them it’s part of your IHSW rules. 

I'm not sure if I'll be able to stitch much, if at all, this weekend. Should I join in?
A resounding "YES!!" Even if you only get a few stitches in, that's a few stitches closer to your finish. Furthermore, it gives other stitchers and new hermitters a chance to check out your blog. :)

Can I invite other people to join IHSW?
Of course! The more the merrier. :D It would be great if you'd like to promote this on your blogs. Just direct them to the FB group. Also, feel free to display the IHSW button on your blogs. 

Does joining IHSW mean I can't blog that weekend?
No. By all means, blog as much or as little as you'd like. If you blogged over the weekend, it just means that fellow hermitters and other visitors will have more to read, and that's always a good thing. :)

What if I don't have a blog? Can I still join?
Of course you can. Just go to the FB group. Of course, we'd love for you to start a blog... it makes stalking following you that much easier.

Do I need to stay in all weekend?
No, you don't. In fact, if you had to go out every day of the weekend, that's ok too. 

Slainte Muth!  Cheers!!

2021.03.03 WIPs Wednesday