Fractal White Tiger June 2016 Update

This June I added 1,185 stitches to my Charting Creations Fractal White Tiger cross stitch based on artwork by Ricky Barnard. 

The project is now 5.29% complete.

This is how it looked last month.

My goal is to add 900 stitches per month. To be on track, I would need 5,400 stitches. That goal has been surpassed by 3,827 stitches.

I began this project on January 1st as a part of A Stitchy New Start. I do hope you will visit to see what everyone else is working on!

CQJP 2016 February Block Motif 4

If you have wondered about my lack of Crazy Quilt Journal Project updates, I have to admit that I was stuck.

The problem with just stitching a tree without planning it out first is that I don't always like the shape...

It took me a while to figure out the best way to fix this one. In the end, I added some lower branches and was much happier. 

I used 2 shades of size 8 brown pearl cotton to stem stitch the tree and the branches.

3 shades of green size 8 pearl cotton detached chain stitches were added to create leaves. 

Next, I added 3 green straight stitches to create leaves and a flower stem. A red French knot flower topped each stem.

My next challenge was filling in the upper section of this large triangular piece of the block. I attempted a bird in flight, but was really not happy with it. (Even my boys agreed it just did not work.) Since there are so many flowers on the block, I stem-stitched "Bloom" with a strand of size 5 white pearl cotton.

I have 5 more motifs to finish on this block. At least one of them will be created with the templates I received to review from Sharon B. at Pintangle. 

If you have been considering purchasing a set of these templates, Sharon announced a 6 day sale from June 18th - June 24th. The shop to purchase them will be closed until December after this sale. You may find more details here. Please note: I am not affiliated with her website or her templates. I really like Set 2 of the templates and have finally ordered Set 1. 

CQJP 2016 is a personal stitching challenge to complete a block a month. You may learn more about it here. If you are interested in joining next year, sign ups for CQJP generally open up in November and close in December.

I am linking up with Stitchery Link Party #63 at Super Mom - No Cape! I encourage you to visit to see the free embroidery pattern and to discover what other bloggers have been working on this week. 

Thank you for stopping by! -Renee

Twilight Duel Update #10 June 2016

Wow! The 2nd Monday of June is here already. Can you believe this year is almost half over already?!

It is time for an update on my Heaven and Earth Designs Twilight Duel cross stitch, based upon artwork by Ruth Thompson.  

This is how it looked on May 8th - just after completing the 22nd color on page 4 for the challenge on the New Official Heaven and Earth Designs Facebook Group. (Please pretend the text on this photo reads August 30, 2015 - not 2016.)

I finished the challenge on May 16th. For the Cross Country/Confetti Challenge we were required to stitch a full page completing one full color before beginning another. Unless I forgot to record a color, there were 49 colors on page 4.

I don't know about you, but I LOVE the way the sky looks around the black dragon's wing!

This is also my 9 month photo, as I did not add more stitches before the 30th.

I've only added a few hundred stitches since then, so it's a bit hard to see the difference. However, 2,439 stitches have been added since the last update. 

For those that like the statistics:

Percent complete:
Project: 14.26%           (It was 12.61%)
Page 1: 100% - Done!
Page 2: 58.84%            (It was 58.15%)
Page 3: 11.4%              (It was 8.53%)
Page 4: 100% - Done! (It was 71.47%)
Page 5: 1.83%             (It was 1.62%)
Page 7: 2.7%               (Same)
Page 10: 0.25%           (It was 0.22%)

I am linking up with Stitchery Link Party #62 at Super Mom - No Cape! I encourage you to visit to see the free embroidery pattern and to discover what other bloggers have been working on this week. 

Of the finishes shared last week I fell completely in love with the nativity shared by NeedledMom. I hope to find time someday to stitch myself. I believe the chart is "Oh Holy Night Nativity" by Stoney Creek. If you missed the post, I encourage you to check it out. 

If you do any hand embroidery and have a blog, I encourage you to link up and join the fun!

Thank you for stopping by!  -Renee

HAED QS Red Hearts Update - June 2016

I am a little late to the party! I meant to share this update on Monday.

This is how my progress looked in April on my Heaven and Earth Designs QS Red Hearts chart based on artwork by Ching-Chou Kuik.

I skipped the May update because I had only stitched on her about half an hour.

Now, I have some progress to share!

Last month, I added over 2,500 stitches.

The full project is now 33.94% complete. Over one-third of the way there! 

Page 1 - 100% complete
Page 2 - 83.18% complete
Page 3 - 26.68% complete
Page 4 - 13.63% complete
Page 5 - 0.86% complete

I hope to have progress to share next month. Life has been so busy, I have not picked up a needle yet this month - so, we'll see!

Although it is Wednesday, I am still linking up with the Monday Stitchery Link Party #61 at Super Mom - No Cape! There are vintage embroidery patterns that may be used for a Father's Day gift featured this week. I do hope you'll stop and see some of the other fun projects that have been linked up!