May 2025 Statistics

 There was a lot of stitching going on, but not a lot of numbers in the statistics.  Many were larger projects and took more time.  By the end of the month I was doing better and actually got some things done!

Starts:  7

Finishes:  7

FFO's:  Boo!  Only 2

I'll be finishing a bunch in May

God Bless the USA - Teresa Kogut (Finish)

 I wanted a third stitch to compliment the Patriotic Tweet and the USA Star ornament, so I used the same floss conversion to stitch God Bless the USA for my patriotic Americana display.  

This was stitched on a small piece of 28 ct. tea dyed Monaco from my stash.

Patriotic Biscornu - Siren Stitchworks (New Start)

I started this Patriotic Biscornu with a few of the people on the Stitching N Friends discord group.  

I kitted it up from my stash.

Fabric:  32 ct. taupe lugana

Flosses:  (my conversion)

321, 498, 823, 826 & Blanc

This piece will accompany our patriotic stitching for Dot Dot Goose's 250th Birthday SAL that starts on June 4th, 2025 and runs until July 4th, 2026.

Come join us on Discord!  Get the app, create an account, then click this invitation link.  Look for us in the 250th Bday SAL channel on the 4th, 14th, and 24th of every month.  

 Here is the special invite link to our server.  https://discord.gg/zcc8A5AxPA

USA Star - Teresa Kogut (Finish)

 I loved the way Patriotic Tweet came out, so I decided to use the same floss conversion to stitch the USA Star ornament.  This was stitched on the same 32 ct. light taupe lugana as the Patriotic Tweet in the previous post.

Patriotic Tweet by Teresa Kogut (Finish)

 Love, Love, Love this pattern!  I've been stalking it in my stash since getting it in Teresa's Patreon a while ago.  I decided to kit it up from stash and am very pleased with the results.

Fabric:  32 ct. light taupe lugana

While pulling the flosses, I was surprised that the floss for the body of the bird was grey.  I had my heart set on a blue bird, so I substituted a blue.  

I also substituted some of the other flosses for a few variegated flosses I had left over from another project.  The conversion is listed below.

I did change one part of the pattern.  I changed the center of the flowers on the bowl to the dark blue.

Here is my floss conversion:  

Summer: Cricket Collection (New Start)

 I finally got to start the Summer pattern from the Cricket Collection.  I have completed all the others and am anxious to FFO them at the same time.

These have been among my favorite stitches.  Complicated enough to keep you interested, but each motif finishes so quickly you just want to keep going.

One of the only downfalls is that they typically use a lot of different floss colors, but they don't use very much so it's a great project to kit up from your stash.

I hand dyed the fabric myself.  My fist time, I might add!  LOL!  I dyed 28 ct. Brittney Lugana that I purchased from Herrschner's.  I used RIT dye and mixed my own color combinations.  I think I got pretty close to the color on the chart picture!

 

Hometown - Mystery SAL - Teresa Kogut (Page finish)

 I finished the latest installment of the Hometown SAL. I'm still keeping up!  Love all the little pine trees and bee skeps.

This is how far we are.  I can't wait to finish this piece!  (I know, it's a terrible photo.  I get a clearer one next time.)

Fabric:  36 ct. Vintage Country Mocha

Floss:  Called for flosses in this section.

Irish Kisses - Primrose Cottage (FFO)

I finally FFO'd some of the St. Patrick's Day stitches I didn't get a chance to finish. 

This is Irish Kisses by Lindsey Weight of Primrose Cottage.   I stitched it on 32 ct. platiinum lugana, with the called for flosses.  

I finished it as a flat finish and put an acrylic stand from on the back for display purposes. The rick rack was Wright's-Lime from my stash and the backing fabric was from (sigh) JoAnns.

 (TIP:  I use painter's tape to attach the stand, then remove it for storage.)

I also finished the March Monthly Mini into a biscornu, but forgot to get a photo.  I'll update this post when I get one.

Finished, but still to FFO are:  Luck of the Irish & St. Patrick's Day... COMING SOON!

 

Stitching Rules by Primrose Cottage (Finish)

I finished the Stitching Rules today.  As usual, I enjoyed the pattern.  

This one seemed to be more dense than some of Lindsey's other designs, with less spacing between motifs and less white space.  It took a lot longer to stitch than the other "Rules" I've done even though it was on 28 ct. fabric.  I would have preferred the more open look that her other "rules" patterns have.  

Fabric:  Called for 28 ct.  Lugana, light ash grey

Floss:  Called for  - purchased floss pack from Primrose.

Sorry, I took the photo before I pressed it.  It's a little wrinkly.

Suggested Tutorial: How to Pin Stitch (Caterpillar Cross Stitch)

 How to Pin Stitch - Quick and Easy Tutorial 

From Caterpillar Cross Stitch [39:32] 

This tutorial several ways to perform a pin stitch.  The magnification on the examples is very good.

She shows Aida first, and gives several different options: center start, corner start, “naughty” pin stitch with a single quilters knot, then she shows the hidden vertical and horizontal pin stitches that split the weave (only in Aida).  She also shows a confetti stitch. She finishes off by running under threads in back.

Linen/Evenweave (over 2) Starts at [31:30]

 Shows options for starting and ending with a pin stitch - Working only from the top.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctWqv6RTbw8

The Flag Thief - Plum Street Samplers

 I stitched The Flag Thief for the Hobby House Retreat in April 2025.  I finished it at the Spring Mingle virtual Retreat.  My needle was flying!  I loved the stitch so much.  

Fabric:  36 ct. Affogato

Floss:  Called for

I did make a slight change.  I added a backstitch around the windows and the door.  

Just love that fox!!

Spring Mingle Virtual Retreat May 2025

 If you didn't attend the Lindy Stitches Spring Mingle virtual retreat in May 2025, you missed out.  We had so much fun!  

We enjoyed all the designer exclusives, the Shop, the meet and greets with Lindsey of Counting Puddles and Amity from Boomerang Stitches, WIP speed dating and the Stitching tables.  

It was wonderful they extended the Stitching Lounge for a week!!

I took a class with Cathy Habermann of Hands on Design.  We learned how to do a dimensional finish.  Here's a video showing what we made. (NO SOUND.)

I got to hang out with Dot Dot Goose Denise too!