SFS July Report & Metamorphosis FINISH!

I feel like I've had so few finishes in last couple years and that suddenly there is a giant flood of completions in last couple months. It's a very odd thing for me.  Odd = good. :) 

 

Month = July 2015

Spent = $28

Finishes = $14 (Metamorphosis)

I bought some DMC for my new 'mini epic piece' that I will share in August. As well as did some bad eBay shopping; but kept it all in budget so I'm pleased!

 

Metamorphosis Finish (by Ink Circles) 

This was a project I started in August of last year as I was having a hard time focusing on stitching and the determination was that I was getting bored of dragons and needed to remedy that by a new start. So I hunted through 3 drawers of already kitted up and ready to go projects and selected Metamorphosis by Ink Circles. The nice thing about this pattern is that it's like having 7 little finishes for each motif.

Threads are Gentle Art, exactly the same colors as charted. I think the linen is a 30ct. Not sure on color or company, sorry.

Here's some pics!

 

 

I don't know what I did with the full length picture... *shakes head* but you get the idea. It's all 7 motifs in a row (above two photos show the middle 'yellow' motif twice).

Up Coming:
- I have started a new "epic" piece and will be sharing it shortly!
- The baby sampler from a couple months ago is headed to the framers so I should have it back in August to share
- I started 'Take Time to Read' while on vacation last week (stay-cation) and will share my progress on it as well in August.
Happy Stitching!

July Reporting for SFS2015-B

This is the place to log-in/report for all participating bloggers in SFS2015-A group.
This link list to report for July (for bloggers) will remain open from July 21 - 29.



Please ensure you include the following information at the top of your blog post:
Month: (the month you're reporting in for!)
Spent: (the amount you spent from your budget)
Earned: (put the amount earned from finishes that month!)

Of course we want pictures and more information if you'd like!! This is merely the minimum requirement for reporting. Please ensure you link to the exact SFS post on your blog and not your general blog page.

Email participants please click link to send in your report:
http://rahenna.com/sfs/

Issues, concerns, confused, etc?
Please feel free to leave a comment here and I will respond via email or comment back if you don't have an email connected to your blogger profile.
OR
Email me (Mel) direct at stitchfromstash@gmail.com

D.E.S.I.G.N - Jeannette Douglass

Are you tired of hearing me talk about Jeannette yet?  (lol)

Most of this post is for the D.E.S.I.G.N. series hosted by a number of great ladies I've gotten to know. Check out information about the SAL and the lovely group of ladies at their shared site:
https://sites.google.com/site/nccinternationalheadquarters/design

D.E.S.I.G.N. Series Post

What project are you talking about this month?
I am starting a new project from Jeannette Douglass that is for my personal library and from her very popular "Time Take to" series. After meeting Jeannette in March I have been inspired to stitch her pieces so much more than even before!

Have you stitched a project by this designer before?Yes, I completed Take Time for Friends (see below) as a gift a couple Christmases ago. It was a dream to stitch and the thread pack was invaluable to get the silks and other specialty threads for a reasonable price.

Would you buy/stitch a design by this designer again? Why/Why not?
Definitely! For one, Jeannette is an amazing woman! Two, her designs are so unlike any others. The combination of cross stitch and specialty stitches makes her projects very interesting for intermediate to advanced stitchers.

What made you choose this particular design/designer?
I'm a broken record now, but meeting her really was a huge inspiration.
I've had this pattern for many years now and have a spot for it in my basement library corner. The library is not in it's own room sadly, but still an improvement over the library wall of my childhood bedroom. My Mom wouldn't let me replace my bed with books. :)

Did you notice anything that distinguished this designer from others?
Her thread packs really make affording her designs so much easier. You don't have to buy full skeins of silks, or other specialty threads. I also enjoy that she's not a huge fan of pink or girly colors. I am also not a big fan of the typical color palette many designers use for cross stitch. I swear we are like two peas in a pod when it comes to tastes and likes!


The Previous Finish
For those newer to my blog, to the right, is my previously completed "Take Time for Friends" that was a Christmas gift for a friend. Final finishing was into a little pillow (that I actually finished myself).

As you can see in the "friends" design there are dozens of different types of stitches and different things happening. From one over one; to the standard two over two stitches, to bargello, diamond and long stitches it's really very fun and different. The 'M' and 'L' are my initials as per Jeannette's design to put you own initials in the piece.

Vacation
DH and I are on stay-cation this coming week. Got some house, yard, stuffs to take care of. I am starting Jeannette's piece above; as well as starting another piece that I'm excited to share later this week! The other new start is even DH approved! He always gives input if I ask but usually doesn't care what I'm working on. In this case he helped pick it out and everything!
Happy stitching!

Dragons Framed - No Ribbons

Note: An email has been sent to all SfS2015-B participants. If you do not receive this welcome email please contact me at stitchfromstash@gmail.com

The Framing
Well as requested I have here is the framing that we did on Dragons. Chosen by my Uncle (whom is the recipient of Dragons). Here it is in a simple green with cream matting and brown/black wood frame:

No Ribbons
Well, at the Calgary Stampede Western Arts & Crafts Showcase I got nothing for ribbons or prizes. I'm not too surprised. No one in the local community knows who 'judges' these pieces and so most of us in town just enter to support the exhibition as opposed to win anything. If we all don't know who judges then there is a good chance it's not any of our top crafters in the area. Or so our theory goes on why they select some odd items to win ribbons.
The overall first place in all needlework categories is an amazing embroidery piece that I'm very pleased won the top cash prize. As for the others... well they are no more special than must but glad to still see stitchers entering at least. :)

Like I said, not surprised or upset. I know that my 7.5 years of effort and investment into the piece is a great feat and it doesn't diminish the value of Dragons in my mind at all. And I know my Uncle and his family don't care about the ribbons (though it may have been a slightly more exciting story to tell to their visitors I suppose).

Went on after looking at artwork to walk the midway at the Stampede with my friend that came with me and her 4-month old. Ate some mini-donuts (mmmmm!!!) and that was about that.

Coming Up
It's a weird week as I work all week but no one really 'works' during Stampede week here in town. DH and I are going to two rock shows this week so that will take all my energy away from me I'm sure. However, Monarch is still stitching up nicely, put some beads into it the other night.
Working on dividing threads for new Jeannette Douglass start. Should have that ready to go for next post. :)

Thanks for all your overwhelmingly lovely comments on Dragons last month!!! 
Happy Stitching! 
Mel.