Calico's Whimsy

Video updates to finish the year!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 05:09:00 +0000

Well it seems I'm letting the dust collect on my blog again! My preferred way of sharing my projects these days is via my YouTube channel, so rather than writing everything down that I've done from August through the end of the year, I'll just post my 2 most recent vlogs. I also like to share lots of pictures on Flickr and Instagram (calico_whimsy) Please follow me on either one or both! Thanks for stopping by! I'll see you in 2016!!! Happy New Year!

Nov stitching update!

Dec stitching update!

If you want to keep up with my stitching through YouTube, please subscribe to my channel or check back here to get the links!

July Flower of the Month-Larkspur!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:47:00 +0000

This post will be short and sweet but I promise to be back very soon with the rest of my July progress! Here is my July Flower of the Month...Larkspur! Head on over to Brownie's Chair to join this SAL! See you soon!

New (to me) Techniques!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 06:39:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but I'm terrified of framing my own needlework. I've recently watched a YouTube video ( Part 1 and Part 2) about how to do your own framing and so I gave it a try on this very small (3in x 3in) piece. It wasn't much of a challenge but I've decided I still do not care for doing my own framing. With more practice I hope to get better at it.

Another new-to-me finishing technique is this no-sew cube. Well I used the cube technique and tweaked it a bit to make this little Halloween 'flat cube' ornament all ready for Halloween! If you would like to try this yourself, here is a couple of great videos! Video 1 and Video 2

Last but not least I stitched my first Blackwork design (Pattern here) in preparation for a Blackwork Hummingbird pattern from World of Cross Stitching issue 231! I've joined a Facebook SAL and we will start stitching Sept 1! Come join us if you want!!!!

June Update for Flower of the Month!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 05:56:00 +0000

Just a quick post for the Flower of the Month SAL check in! I finished May-Lily of the Valley in early June and went right to work on....

June-Wild Rose! I finished this up before the end of the month so I'm staying on track. I've got lots more to blog about so I'll try to get some more posts up soon! Thanks for stopping by!

May Progress!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Sun, 31 May 2015 17:55:00 +0000

Progress on the May flower-Lily of the Valley from the Flower of the Month Sal. This is the first month I didn't get my flower done and I blame it on Honey Bear (Dimensions)....

Once I started working on this project, I couldn't pull myself away!

I got nearly half done with it! I love this project and really struggled to pull myself away to work on the flower. My plan for June is to finish the May flower, get a start on the June flower and get back to this and maybe the Blue Jay's Birdhouse. Next blog post will be a Haul post to show my recent purchases!

New Start! Honey Bear Cross-Stitch!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Sat, 09 May 2015 23:13:00 +0000

Here's a new, totally unexpected new start for me! After finishing up the first season of Four Seasons Birds, I was all ready to get back to my two current WIPs, May's Flower-of-the-Month and Blue Jay Birdhouse. That's when I came across two different people on line (can't remember where) that are stitching this design. I, of course had to add it to my stash immediately. I found it very hard to come by because it seems to be discontinued now. I did find (what seems like the last online kit) available on Amazon Prime no less. Needless to say I snatched it right up! I fully intended on filing it away to stitch at a later date but that didn't happen. When it arrived, I had this overwhelming urge to delve right in and start stitching it! It came with 14ct beige Aida which I would normally swap out for 18ct but the stores were closed and I didn't want to wait another minute to get started! (Does that ever happen to you??). So here it is....Honey Bear by Dimensions!

Restart of Four Seasons Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Sun, 03 May 2015 22:58:00 +0000

Way back at the beginning of 2012, I started this project, Four Seasons Birds by Janlynn, on the Aida that came with the kit. I quickly gave up because I had difficulty stitching the fractional stitches. My intention was to restart it on 28ct even-weave at some point. Well...3 years later, I'm finally doing it!

Here is my new start AND finish of the first season...Spring!

I chose to stitch it on 32ct white Lugana. It was still a bit more tedious than I like so I'm going to take a break before I move on to the next season.

Next up......a new (unexpected) start! :)

April Flower Finished!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Fri, 01 May 2015 00:08:00 +0000

I finished the April flower for the Flower of the month SAL - Sweet Pea just a few days before the end of the month!

I had finished up March's flower early so I went ahead and did the frames for the following 3 months before starting April's flower. I'm glad I did that because in the latter part of April, my life got crazy busy and my stitching time decreased quite a bit. I think things will settle down a bit now, hopefully!
I will be back shortly with an update of my other current WIP ( a restart of an old WIP)!

Springtime Joy Progress & Finish!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 16:22:00 +0000

Completed at the end of March! I really enjoyed this pattern and it was just what I needed to get my Spring/Easter stitching fix! It is so colorful and the pictures just don't do it justice! My plan for this is either a pillow, flat-fold or wall hanging! Thanks for looking and Happy Easter!

*Pattern from Just Cross Stitch magazine April 2015 issue
Stitched on 32ct Chalice Belfast Linen from Picture This Plus
Hand dyed floss from Crescent Colors, Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts

March Flower Completed!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 07:19:00 +0000

Just a quick check in to show off my latest completion (sans the flower name underneath) for the Flower of the Month SAL.....the Daffodil (or Jonquil if you prefer!)

Another update coming very soon as I'm so close to finishing Springtime Joy!

Mid-March Cross Stitch Progress!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 21:18:00 +0000

First and foremost is the progress of the project I spent most of Feb working on. Blue Jays Birdhouse!

This is where I left off at the end of Feb. I REALLY love working on this and it was hard to put away to work on this month's flower....

However, once I started working on the Jonquil (Daffodil as I know it), I can't pull myself away from it! I'm so ready for Spring and my Daffodils are poking through the dirt as I type this, yay!!!!

This is my progress as of the middle of March. The last of the second flower, one more shade of green in the stems and the rest of the border to finish it off! I love it! I need to add the flower names before I start next Month's flower.

I WAS going to go back to stitching the Blue Jays after finishing the flower......but......after seeing Springtime Joy in the April 2015 issue of Just Cross stitch.....It moved to the top of my list!

I will be stitching this on 32ct Chalice Belfast linen from Picture This Plus, with these scrumptuous hand dyed floss colors from Weeks Dye Works, Crescent Colors and Gentle Arts! Update coming soon!

Here's my corresponding cross stitching VLOG on YouTube

February Flower of the Month Finish!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 00:21:00 +0000

I finished up February's flower....Violets, with time to spare!

Once again, I'm leaving the bottom border un-stitched until I decide what, how, or if I will put the flower/month names. Looking forward to starting March's flower!

If you would like to join this SAL, head on over to Brownie's Chair for the details!

Blue Jays Birdhouse Cross Stitch Start!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 01:21:00 +0000

Yes, I started ANOTHER project on Feb 7th!!! I just couldn't stop myself when I saw this pattern in the Feb 2015 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine. It's called Blue Jay Birdhouse by Donna Giampa. And if that's not bad enough, it's the first of FOUR in a series this year!! Oh boy, just what I need, lol!

I want all the pieces to match, so I decided to go with a neutral fabric so I chose 18ct Fiddler's Aida by Charles Craft. It's one of my favorite fabrics, I have quite a bit of it in my stash and it's easy for me to get locally.

That being said, after getting it all kitted up and settling down to take my first stitch, what do I see? Fractional stitches! If you've ever stitched fractional stitches, you know they're not easy to do on Aida and especially not 18ct. I was so bummed at the thought of having to find another fabric, so I evaluated how many fractionals there actually are and how difficult it would be to do them on this fabric. The conclusion I came to is the majority of the design is NOT fractionals and most are in the face and outline of the birds. I experimented with one bird head to see if it was doable and with good lighting and a good magnifier, it wasn't too horrible. Actually, I think the result is quite worth it so I'll press on....

Flower of the Month progress!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 22:32:00 +0000

I have completed the Jan flower, Carnation! Well, almost finished....

I left the bottom border un-stitched for now because I'm planning on adding either the month name or flower name there somewhere. I'm just not sure how to go about it yet such as where to put it, how big, what color, etc. Until I work out the details, I'm moving on to the Feb flower, Violets!

This was my progress Feb 6th. I've decided to have them share a border because I'm cutting it close with the width of my fabric.

And finally, my progress on Feb 10th. All the leaves are done!

If you would like to join the SAL, here's the host link!

Holiday Cheer-Finish!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 21:48:00 +0000

I have a finish! I finished it up at the end of Jan and I love the way it turned out! Below I've put lots of pictures to show all the details of the beads and metallic threads.....

You can find this design by Ursula Michael in the 2012 issue of Just Cross Stitch mag or online here
Next up, progress on the Flower-of-the-Month SAL
Thanks for looking and Happy Stitching!

New Stitching Stash!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 18:00:00 +0000

Here are my latest stash acquirements from the latter part of 2014. First, another Mill Hill beaded kit called Nuthatch! I still have not stitched the Chickadee kit but when I do, this will go nicely with it. Oh, and I recently noticed there is a new one just out featuring a Robin with her nest that will be added to my stash in the near future! :)

I fell in love with this pattern by Scattered Seed Samplers, a new designer, and I had to own it! It's called Mary Mustardseed and it is so me!! The quote says "Scattered seeds I sow for thee, Oh gather birds and sing for me". I will stitch this in 2015, guaranteed!

Another MUST to stitch in 2015 is this Colorado sampler by Fireside Originals. It was kindly gifted to me by a stitcher from The Cross Stitch Forum. She also lives in Colorado and has this same pattern. Our plan is to each stitch it by the end of the year.

Front

Another gift from yet a different stitcher from the same forum is this pattern booklet called Majestic Birds of Prey. It only cost me the price of shipping and has some great patterns I hope to stitch one day!

Back

Finally, While browsing Virpi's blog and all her gorgeous projects, I came across this kit and ordered it the very same day! I think it is soooooo adorable!

Happy Stitching!

3 New Starts for 2015!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 16:39:00 +0000

First off....Christmas haul! I received this kit from my 12yo son for Christmas and jumped right into starting it on Jan 2, 2015!

I received this kit from my 10yo son for Christmas and it wouldn't be fair if I didn't start it, too. So I put the first stitches in on Jan 9, 2015!

As if that wasn't enough, I signed up for a free Flower-of-the-Month SAL (stitch-a-long) hosted by
Brownie's Chair
I started this one on Jan 13, 2015. I'm stitching on 28ct Antique White Lugana from Zweigart I had in my stash.

Oh boy! I see a trend happening here and things aren't looking good for my already large pile of WIPs. I need an intervention.....but not until I start just one more ( My Colorado Sampler) in Feb *hangs head in shame*

Holiday Cheer Cross-Stitch

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 23:56:00 +0000

I was all set to dig out Santa's Feathered Friend form last year and finish it up this Christmas. That was the plan UNTIL I saw this Design by Ursula Michael while flipping through old issues of Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine (Jan 2012 issue). I loved how bright and cheerful it looked and I thought it would be a great pattern to stitch on some sparkly fabric.

So.... I started stitching it on Dec 7, 2014 on 28ct Opal Lugana by Zwiegart.

I have to say that I think Ursula Michael makes the most adorable snowmen!!! I think I'm hooked!

As I was stitching I thought this would be a good project to add more bling to, in addition to the Opal fabric. Holiday projects should have lots of bling, don't ya think? I'm talking gold thread and Mill Hill beads!

I have left over beads in my stash from the various Mill Hill kits I've done, but I needed some great sparkly gold thread. I ordered some gold Petite Treasure Braid by Rainbow Gallery. I've heard lots of good things about it and some say it stitches easier than Kreinik.

While waiting for the gold thread, I continued to stitch away through the holiday season loving every minute of this bright and cheery pattern!

Ok, metallic thread arrived early Jan and I couldn't wait to try it out. I experimented using two strands and found it a bit too thick. Then I tried a blend of one strand floss/one strand metallic and the sparkle was too subtle. I ended up with one strand metallic and I really like it!

I've added a bit of the gold metallic to the bells as well. You can see where I've left open stitches for beads to add at the end!

Finally, here is my progress as of Jan 13, 2015. My plan is to continue working on this until it's finished......hopefully by the end of Jan!

Glory of Autumn Cross Stitch

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:36:00 +0000

Ah! The beauty of my favorite season (now only a distant memory)! What better way to celebrate Autumn than with a new project! I guess I can't really call it new because I've had it in my stash for a few years but since I never opened it, it's new, right??? It's called Glory of Autumn by Dimensions. I started stitching it on Sept 6, 2014.

It came with 14ct Ivory Aida but I swapped it for 18ct oatmeal Fiddler's Aida. I LOVE working with this and have quite a bit of it in my stash.

This kit has the most beautiful colors in it!! It looks so much better in real life than any pictures can show.

It does have some stitches that call for 6 strands of floss but I'm keeping them at 4. Six is a little too bulky for 18ct in my opinion.

Finally, here was my progress as of Dec 6, 2014. It was hard to put this one away but a Christmas design was calling my name..... that's up next!

Orchids & Hummingbird Cross Stitch

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 23:37:00 +0000

On August 10, 2014, I started working on this kit that was in my stash. Orchids & Hummingbird by Dimensions. It was a surprise gift from my husband in 2013 and I was inspired to get it going in anticipation of the Hummingbird's arrival to my garden for the second year in a row! They come down from the nearby mountains in mid to late August and stay for only about a month.....not long enough! Here's a photo I took the first time one showed up...

My progress....

This was my progress as of Sept 9, 2014. With the arrival of Fall, my favorite time of year, I decided to put this one away and get out a more 'seasonal appropriate' kit to work on. Up next.....Glory of Autumn!

2014 finishes!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 06:56:00 +0000

As promised, here are my finishes in the last half of 2014! The first one is this adorable little cardinal called Lady In Red by Valerie Pfeiffer. I completed it on August 16, 2014!

Also started and finished in August was this stamped project called Enough Coffee by Dimensions.

It was a quick project with some embroidery stitches mixed in. Stem stitch (I think it was) and satin stitch. I'm not great at doing either of those so this was good practice!

I even framed it without glass and a little quilt batting to give it some puff!

In September, I completed Harvest Basket! I stitched most of it the year before and only had the sunflowers to do to finish it up! It called for quite a bit of backstitching, however I chose to only do some around basket handle and stems! You can see more of this project from this post in 2013.

Then on to some Halloween finishes. Completed in Oct 2014 was Halloween Hoot Owl by Ursula Michael. Found in Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue 2014. I altered the original pattern by leaving out the bow-tie.

Also completed in Oct was Happy Halloween Crow by Jan Fate. Also found in the Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue 2014.

Another Halloween project that I actually stitched on august was Pumpkin Stew by Shepherd's Bush Design (Teri L. Richards).

A closer look at the buttons....

If you look close you can see I used 14ct Aida with gold sparkle.

Last but certainly not least is a finish by my 10yo son! He has a bit of an obsession with mustaches and when he saw this kit, he had to have it. I'm proud of him for completing it in just a few days!

Next up.....some new stash, Wips from late 2014 and some new starts in Jan 2015!

FlossTube!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 05:43:00 +0000

Happy New Year! Yes, It's January (again!) and that means it's time to get serious about updating my blog. There is a reason I let the dust collect here a bit since August. No, I haven't stopped stitching..... I've been doing plenty of that as you will see in the coming days as I bring this little blogspot of mine into the year 2015!
The reason I've neglected the updates here is because I joined the ever growing community of FlossTubers! What are FlossTubers you might ask? Well, in case you haven't had the pleasure of watching cross-stitchers vlog about their finishes, WIPs, stash, tips, tricks, tags and more on YouTube, then you don't know what you're missing! It started with a handful of stitchers making videos, then the word got out and everyone's jumping on the bandwagon now, including me!
Here's a link to
My Videos
in which you will hear me babble on about all things stitching and a little bit of my life sprinkled in.

Just in case you happen to find it interesting and want more, here is a (constantly updated) playlist of all the FlossTube videos starting with the most current and working back. Be forewarned, they can be addicting to watch and highly enabling (in other words, your stash may grow by leaps and bounds if you start watching!) Enjoy!

FlossTube Playlist

See you soon with some 2014 finishes and some current WIPs!

New Cross-Stitch Kits!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 22:23:00 +0000

I've been shopping and here's my haul!!

First, my most exciting finds! I just returned from a road trip to South Dakota and Wyoming at the end of July. We Visited 3 National Monuments and I was so excited to see that at each of the gift shops, I found a coordinating cross stitch kit by The Posy Collection! Can't wait to collect more on future trips!

Before going on vacation, I came across these adorable kits by Bent Creek! Quaker Moon and Halloween Branch! Too Cute!

I think it was in June when I was doing a lot of gardening, I came across these two floral-related kits on Amazon and well, now I own them. Mason Jar Lineup and Roses on White Chair, both by Dimensions. Not sure when I'll stitch them but I do love them!

This final one was purchased on e-bay. Sunflower Snowman by Dimensions. I saw it stitched up online somewhere and remembered I wanted it a while back. I found it has been discontinued so I grabbed one off e-bay while there are still some (not many) available! I liked it because......it has birds of course :)
See you soon with some updates on a few small projects and a new start! Hint: It's not any of these shown but an older one from my stash.

Butterfly Forest Finished!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 21:51:00 +0000

I finished this on July 24th, 2014!!! It is even more beautiful in real life! Here are some more close-ups.....

If you look at the photo above, you can see there is a single gold thread couched on as a delicate frame!

And here are some progress photos I took and never posted....

Thanks for looking!! For previous work on this projects, click here:

Butterfly Forest

Free as a Bird Finish!

noreply@blogger.com (Calico) — Tue, 27 May 2014 21:54:00 +0000

A cute little bird I just had to stitch....

Called Free As A Bird from Cross Stitcher magazine!