2019: My year in review

What a productive year this was for me! I thought I'd run through all the things I tried and learned this year, stitching and otherwise!

January
Kit: I began my first Septemberhouse calendar- Corinne creates beautiful printed fabric calendars, and it was a treat to stitch one.

Online class: I also purchased the beautiful Color Theory class by Karen Barbe on Domestika and began assembling all my materials.

Online class: As if that was not enough to keep me busy, I purchased a monthly Creativebug membership, and started filling along with Lisa Congdon's Creative Bootcamp class.

February
I finished my calendar, and began stitching samples for the Karen Barbe Color Theory class.

I bought a new DMC color card to help in my stitching projects and completed my collection of every shade of DMC embroidery floss!

March
I finished my final project for the Karen Barbe Color Theory class, and arranged all my threads in color order!

Pattern: I began the One Meaningful Word pattern by Lolli and Grace and really refined my satin stitch.

April
Pattern: I finished my One Meaningful Word project and began stitching 3 versions of the Lolli and Grace Beginner Rose pattern- 2 in blanket stitch and 1 in chain stitch.

Pattern: I began the Wisdom and Kindness Stitchalong with Beth Colletti.

Books: I discovered the beautiful world of Swedish embroidery and disappeared down a retro Swedish rabbithole, tracing dozens of patterns and buying books.

May
I finished my Beginner Roses and the Wisdom and Kindness stitchalong pattern.

Pattern: I stitched a Home pattern from the Cutesy Crafts ebook Home Sweet Home, which is filled with lovely patterns.

On a whim, I taught myself to finally use a sewing machine and learned how to quilt with hexagons.

June
Online class: I embraced my hexie quilt obsession, learning all I could with the Liza Lucy class on English Paper Piecing on Creativebug.

Books: I became quilt obsessed, putting together a small library of vintage quilting books, and discovering the beautiful All Points Patchwork book by Diane Gilleland.

Free patterns: I also discovered Mollie Johanson's wonderful EPP Jam A Month stitchalong, and stitched the first 6 little patterns.

I completed my first sewing project - 2 aprons upcycled from men's dress shirts!

July
Kit: I stitched the vintage linen kit by Linladan.

Book review: I reviewed Stunning Stitches for Crazy Quilts by Kathy Seaman Shaw and stitched some seam examples.

Online class: I discovered basic weaving with a Creativebug class.

August
This was a tough month for me in many ways and I took solace in quiet weaving projects.

Online class: I began the Stem Stitch class with Gimena Romero on Domestika.

September
I got my pattern transferred and began stitching the stem stitch project.

I became fountain pen and ink obsessed.

October
Stitched the stem stitch project and continued my ink and pen obsession.

November
Finished the stem stitch project.

Kit: I started the Owl Embroidery Kit by Jenny Blair.

Online class: Became calligraphy obsessed, thanks to the wonderful class by Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls on Creativebug.

December
Finished the Owl Embroidery Kit by Jenny Blair.

Pattern: Finished some last minute stitching with the Noel embroidery pattern by Slow Evenings.

Completed a stumpwork monogram pattern from my unfinished archives.

Continued in my calligraphy obsession with books: The Gift of Calligraphy by Maybelle Imasa Stukuls, Mastering Modern Calligraphy by Molly Suber Thorpe and an online class with The Postman's Knock.

Project a Month: Monogram on Cork Fabric

This project is one from the archives - let's travel way, way back to October 2017 - I had just been happily married and was busy working at a project that ultimately didn't see the light of day. It was a seasonal monogram, stitched on DMC gold flecked cork fabric, with DMC perle cotton.

The season was winter, and the letter was "D" simply because I'd stitched A for Spring, B for Summer, and C for Fall - the letter meant nothing to me personally.

I was happier than I'd ever been, married to the man of my dreams, the one I thought would never arrive, and we were just settling into our new life and new apartment together.

That is why, in this photo you see nothing hanging on the walls, things in quiet disarray, as if recently unpacked. I'd just gotten a shiny new desk, all white, and set to work on this project.

I might have never found these photos again, had I not been looking for photos of my sweet cat Dot, after she passed away in October.

All at once, the quiet, happy scene came back to me, and these photos were a time capsule of calm and our beautiful happiness before the storm set in - before either of us were sick and I stitched, and Dot supervised me from her sunlit slumber on our bed - she lay just where she could see me stitching.

I pulled out the project as I was grieving for Dot, and found it languishing in my bin of unfinished business, and all at once I saw the letter "D." D for Dot.

What this project meant to me is this - there is so much beauty in what is happening in this very moment, right now. All around us are lights and treasures, and beauty to be taken in and seen.

We never realize how lucky we are until we have these moments to look back and discern our utter blessedness.

Project a Month: Noel Pattern by Slow Evenings

Stitching this lovely Noel Pattern is how I will close out my year of Projects a Month! Slow Evenings is the Etsy shop of Miriam Polak who you might know from Instagram as @slow_evenings_embroidery.

Although there were MANY patterns I'd have loved to stitch this month, I chose this pattern because it was downloadable, and with an eye for speed, frankly, as I'd love to finish before the year is done!

About the Pattern

Having a look at this pattern, I must say I am thoroughly impressed! This PDF is 23 pages - filled with all the information you could ever need, plus the pattern, a beautifully illustrated stitch guide, and 2 color guides - light and dark. There are step by step instructions for every stitch! I was very pleasantly surprised at the detail included in this pattern.

This pattern will give me one last time this year to work on my long and short stitch, on those big, beautiful block letters. I can't wait!

Again, this is the Noel Pattern by Slow Evenings, if you'd like to get in one last stitch before Christmas!

Project a Month: Jenny Blair Kit finish

I've finished my lovely Jenny Blair Owl kit in record time! When I last left you, I was about to stitch the final full moon in padded satin stitch...

Here's how I began, scattering seed stitch across the moon. I then followed up with 2 strands of thread satin stitch, at times doubling up where the fabric peeked through.

Next I started on the owl details, once again using stem stitch for the top of the owl's wing...

Then I did satin stitch for the curved upper part of the wing - I loved the smooth texture...

Then more satin stitch in the opposite direction, on the lower parts of the wing.

Here's how it stood before adding the french knots... admittedly my satin stitch was a bit clumsy, I always struggle with satin stitch on perfectly circular shapes. I also thought the owl wing needed something more...

So I added a few metallic highlights on the bottom of the wing, like so...

And here it is, finished - all in all, it's a lovely kit, and I'm glad I was able to fit this into my end of year stitching! I love the texture effect of the stem stitch, I'll have to remember to revisit stem stitch often in the future.

I had plenty of thread left over when I was finished! The only thread that I almost used up was the metallic thread (seen in the lower part of the photo), so do be careful with that if you order this kit, there isn't enough to make mistakes. :) I used 3 strands throughout, except for satin stitch, where I used 2 strands. I used the needle Jenny provided in the kit for my stitching - it was thin and very sharp - I did poke myself a few times, so be careful of that as well!

This kit is just wonderful for the price - the materials and design are just beautiful, I'm so glad I stitched it, and highly recommend Jenny's Etsy store, Jenny Blair Kits. I hope you enjoyed my quick progress on this project as much as I did!

Previous Posts

First post: http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2019/12/project-month-jenny-blair-owl-kit.html
Second post: http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2019/12/project-month-jenny-blair-kit-progress.html

Project a Month: Jenny Blair Kit progress

My little Jenny Blair Owl Kit is coming along so well! This is indeed a quicker stitch than my last project, and I'm enjoying the increased pace.

As I mentioned last time, I'm stitching this a bit differently from the stitches Jenny specifies - I've used stem stitch on all the branches and leaves, and the "dark" parts of the moon phases...

I used satin stitch on the little owl face as Jenny suggests, and added a chain stitch border using 2 strands of thread.

I forgot to do padded satin stitch on the light portions of the moon phases, but I do plan to try padded satin stitch on the last full moon...

I really love the subtle gradations of blue in this kit...

I think these colors are looking just beautiful together - what do you think?

Can't wait to finish this soon! :)

Project a Month: Jenny Blair Owl Kit

I've had my eye on this Jenny Blair Owl Kit ever since I first saw it on Jenny's Instagram account - it is just lovely! I am quite behind on my monthly projects - this should have been October's - so I am hoping for a quick stitch on this one.

There are two versions of this kit, one with black fabric, and one with gray fabric (as above). After much deliberation, I chose the black, as it looked quite dramatic and unique compared to anything I'd done yet this year...

There is something so lovely about this design, isn't there? My reason for choosing this pattern was a wonderful, vivid memory of joy I had from last year, in October when I was on chemotherapy. It was a cold night, and I was having trouble sleeping - I heard a strange barking sound high up in a nearby tree - I stepped out into the cool night air to see the large, mysterious shape of an owl, hooting back at me! It was truly magical, and such a comforting moment of beauty in a difficult time, so I chose this pattern to remember that moment forever. :)

About the kit

This is a lovely, well-designed kit - the hoop is nice and sturdy, and the screen printed fabric is very nice to work with, as it is so difficult to do a good transfer on dark fabric. The included needle is small and very sharp - I'll be using it for my stitching!

The directions are very thorough - with suggestions for stitches to use in each area, and a nice, clear photo of the finished project. If you stitch the kit as Jenny suggests, you'll have a nice sampler of stitches done by the end.

As for myself, I am still on a stem stitching high after finishing my Gimena Romero class pattern, so I chose to do all the branches and leaves in stem stitch...

I love that the threads are already cut in perfect lengths for stitching, so you don't have to fuss with tangling skeins or winding them onto bobbins - this would be a good, small travel project for a plane.

Here is my stitching so far!

If you would like to stitch along (or get this wonderful kit for a friend), this is the Owl Kit by Jenny Blair. More progress soon!

Project a Month: Gimena Romero stem stitch class

And I'm finished with the Gimena Romero final project! Believe me, there were times I never thought this days would come - it was very slow going for me at 2 months, but the result was very satisfying! As I mentioned previously, this was the Técnica de bordado con paso atrás class by Gimena Romero on Domestika - the class and site are in Spanish, but there are English subtitles.

I cannot recommend this class enough! I thought I knew how to stem stitch (and that I didn't enjoy it) but there is something so informative about plunging into all the variations on the construction of this stitch that Gimena provides. I found myself enjoying this stitch so much more as I practiced it, and came to understand its architecture.

Threads I used

DMC perle cotton size 8: Ecru, 315, 503, 704, 754, 817, 922, 930, 950

I also thought I didn't enjoy stitching with perle cotton threads - I've used them pretty sparingly over the years - but experimenting with size 8 perle cotton threads completely changed my perspective! They offer a marvelous sheen and texture that builds and builds...

When I last left you a month ago, I was about halfway through...

I added a couple more shades to my original palette as I went along...

When I came to the hand, I stitched the outline in backstitch, just as Gimena had prescribed in her directions...

I loved the ghostly effect of the outline, unfilled, and could very well have left it like that...

But I chose to fill the shape with stem stitch, and I think I like both effects. I actually used a lighter peach shade for the hand than I did for the peach roses - 950 - but the colors read almost exactly the same in the finished project.

Thank you for following along in the snail paced progress on this one! Stay tuned for my next project later this week!

Previous posts:
Stem stitch class progress
Stem stitch class first post

Project a Month: Stem Stitch class progress

Well, I am finally making headway with my Gimena Romero stem stitch class! As I mentioned in my previous post, this is a Domestika online class in Spanish (English subtitles are available).

It was great fun filling in the largest colored section in this piece - the greenery, even if it was quite time-consuming.

What drew me to this piece was the lovely texture that carefully layered stem stitch provides, added to the wonderful sheen and texture the size 8 pearl cotton already has...

My next favorite section in this pattern is that large, central rose. I was captivated by Gimena's red rose, so I decided not to stray too far, using DMC 817 for mine.

Instead of outlining with a lighter shade as Gimena did, I outlined with a wine color - I wasn't sure I liked it until I finished the entire rose. It's subtle, but definitely adds something to it, I think.

The central 3 petals of the rose, I used a new technique Gimena demonstrates in the class, a stem stitch that is worked on the surface, with a raised texture - I worked mine too tightly, so you don't see much contrast in mine...

Next I tackled the leaves underneath the large rose... I experimented with a light teal (left) and a very pale blue, which reads as white (right). I added a dark blue outline to add some further contrast and interest... I like how it came out.

One thing I am enjoying about this piece is seeing how the light blue of my fabric "changes" the colors of my threads.

I'm enjoying experimenting and finding color combinations I wouldn't ordinarily use...

Another thing that fascinates me is how different colors look from daytime to night time...

Here it is in dayight:

It is neither easy nor fast to stitch in concentric lines of stem stitch, but so satisfying to look at, I think!

I am running quite behind, although I LOVE this class. I am debating starting another project, to keep to my one project a month schedule... we shall see!

Project a Month: Stem Stitch Class with Gimena Romero

Folks, I apologize for my lateness this month, but I am excited to report that I am finally stitching on this month's Project a Month! This month, I am stitching along with the Domestika class by Gimena Romero called Técnica de bordado con paso atrás, in Spanish.

Paso Atrás are the Spanish words for Stem stitch. I mentioned Gimena's class previously, and how much I enjoyed it, and how it taught me that I was doing the stem stitch "wrong" before.

I was fascinated by Gimena's beautiful, unique embroidery pattern, the vibrant colors she chose, the rich texture of her stitches, her fabric choice of wool, and just everything about this gorgeous class. If you are not a Spanish speaker, Domestika does provide English subtitles on this class, and I highly recommend it!

I purchased this Domestika class on my own, this is not a sponsored post.

Choosing My Materials

Light blue quilting cotton

First, I picked my thread - Gimena uses size 8 perle cotton in her stitching, and it adds such a lovely finish, so I knew I wanted to try that. I ordered a small batch on Ebay, then chose 7 colors that spoke to me.

Next, was fabric - I didn't have that beautiful dove gray wool Gimena used, but regardless, I would have wanted to try something different. The problem was, I liked just about every fabric option I found!

Mustard linen

Heather gray linen

Chestnut brown

Navy / dark gray linen

Teal linen

Pink linen

They all had something going for them and I just could not decide!

Then, there's lighting - under fluorescent light that chestnut brown looked yellower and the mustard looked olive:

But I finally decided! Heather gray linen, was my choice. I liked that it was neutral and looked good under fluorescent and natural lighting.

Transferring the Pattern

I whipped out my trusty Aunt Martha's transfer pencil, it's never failed me yet...

But folks, it failed me for the first time! I have been using this pencil forever, but I guess I've never tried it on linen before. I had a travel iron, but although it was small, it was very hot. I could not get the darn thing to transfer, as you see above. I tried another linen and got an even worse result.

So, light blue quilting cotton it was! As you can see, the image transferred very lightly, but at least I could make it out.

Thank you all for the MANY helpful suggestions of transferring methods you gave me on Instagram!

Stitching the Design

I started my stitching, and have been working at it, bit by bit. I love Gimena's technique of side by side layers of stem stitches - it looks so sleek and beautiful...

Here is my progress so far:

I'm loving this project, and as you can see, I'll have to continue it into next month, to finish it.

Why I took so long to start

Why did this project take so long to get going? I've been stitching so consistently all year! I began taking Tamoxifen, as prescribed to prevent a recurrence of breast cancer, and the side effects were debilitating. I've put the medication on pause while I consult with my doctor - looking back I can see I wasn't myself, I was miserable, and I was totally unproductive. Sorry for this aside, but I wanted to be upfront with why I was so quiet.

Stitch along on Domestika

I'm really looking forward to seeing what I'll do with this design. As always, feel free to stitch along with me, by taking Gimena's class Técnica de bordado con paso atrás on Domestika. More updates on my stitching progress soon!