Sunday, January 22, 2023

Part II - Cross Stitch and Bucilla Felt

I hope breaking my update into two posts works for readers. I always have my blog printed into a book annually so I don't want to post daily or weekly as it would get redundant when printing. 

But I do want to post a lot of photos of these projects so it will be a biggie post.

I finished two Bucilla kits this month.

The first was a recent purchase on eBay, "Snowman Door Draft," from 2005. It was a great deal and I thought it would be fun to make. 


Instead of helping with door drafts, he's going to help with window drafts.


I enjoy putting 3D kits together. This was a pretty simple kit with just a few pieces. Kind of nice to be working with such big pieces for a change.




He absolutely looks like a pleasant fellow. I always smile back at him.



My second finish is this adorable Easter kit, "Easter Egg Friends," from 2021. Readily available from Plaid Bucilla online or Merry Stockings. 


It took me a couple of nights to finish each of the eggs


I knew they would be displayed in a bowl type situation so I did not add a hanging cord to any of the ornaments. 


Not much to say about each egg...


they are all adorable. 


Cute feet.


Cute tails.


Baby Chick



More cute feet.


The Fox...sooo cute!




The second trio.







A cute baby duck.



 
Possibly my favorite.


No racoons in my part of Alaska.




As usual...all the little details on these kits make them so complete.

I finished up a couple of cross stitch projects I started in 2022.

I bought Stitchy Stars as a kit from the Fat Quarter shop. The kit came with the pattern and the Weeks Dye Works Floss called for in the pattern. I used the called for fabric, 25 count Lugana in Oatmeal. I had never stitched with Weeks Dye Works floss so this was a good opportunity to try it. 


It's nice floss but more expensive than good old DMC. I would only splurge for the floss if I was stitching a large area where the variegation in the thread would make a difference in the design.

I managed to finish the eighth chart in the 12 Days of Christmas series from Heartstrings.


I had a goal of finishing all twelve when I started it in March.
It's nice to have goals. I think it is realistic for me to get the last four charts done in 2023.


My most current new start with cross stitch is this pattern I found on eBay that also included the buttons. It's Sandra Cozzolino's design, Spring Garden. She designs the Mill Hill annual Santa series that I collect every year.


The blue background is a little washed out in both photos. When I saw this pattern I knew I had a great piece of blue fabric in my stash that would work. I switched to DMC's brighter white, B5200.


White floss is my least favorite to stitch as it seams to be the most finicky to lay nice. Onto the fun colors.

And yet another moose encounter. 
I saw this fellow on my way to the grocery store a few days ago. I live in the valley of Eagle River and the guy is just about 25 feet from the river. 


A new grandchild is due any day!!! Actual due date is the 23rd but we all know that's just a guess! 

Feels like there will be so much happening the next few weeks. I'm so glad we are almost done with January...it is the toughest month for me in the dark Alaska winter season. We usually go to Hawaii or somewhere warmer in January but the prices at the place we always stay on Kauai did a big jump...along with car rental rates. And grocery prices in Hawaii are even higher than Alaska. We've tried a lot of places in Hawaii over the past 30 years and had our favorite dialed in. I guess we were a little spoiled with our corner of paradise. 

4 comments:

Ramona said...

These Easter eggs are so stinking cute! I just may have to get that kit and make some for myself. I have some smocked eggs from years past that I could add them to. How exciting that you'll have another grandchild!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

so many vacation spots have gotten so expensive and groceries all over but yes I would think with having to ship so much to Hawaii and Alaska prices are double or more what we pay here in the lower 48. Hope the sun will be coming your way soon and that the new grandbaby arrives safely and healthy.
cute ornaments

Mary said...

Lots of new found kits to keep you busy. I love seeing pics of wildlife in action. Exciting times with another grandchild arriving soon.

Anonymous said...

Those kits are lovely, I can't afford them (I suppose for 6 chicks the price is Ok but these days funds are needed elsewhere) it's rather like your change of holiday area - sensible choices have to be made these days. Thanks for sharing such lovely photos - glad I don't see anything the size of a moose on my way to the shop - come to think of it, I'm glad I don't see that amount of snow and ice too....Elaine (southern England)