Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Ornament Finish & October Stitch From Stash

Whew! Thank you so much to everyone for all your wonderful comments and excitement surrounding my inclusion in CSN Magazine. I realized only a few days ago that it was the edition that has Joan Elliott's Cinderella piece(s) in it and am overjoyed that everyone who gets the magazine will have such a gorgeous pattern in their hands!! 

It's that time for October Stitch From Stash.
I can't believe we're down to only 2 months to go in the year, and therefore less than 2 months until Christmas *gasp* better get on some gift making and purchasing!
I spent $19.96 on a couple sale patterns this month and NOTHING on EBAY!!! I'm most proud of my avoidance of eBay. :)
My hubby decided on a Halloween/Year End bonus for everyone in the group of $50 to spend anytime between now and Dec. 31. I think he was feeling bad when he saw the spreadsheet and that many ladies, including myself, were down to almost no budget left (lol). So I have that "cushion" but darn does it go away fast. I'm going to try and hold onto the bonus as long as possible until I really *need* to spend it. (need might not be the right word...)

Joy Ornament
I decided to print out some of the patterns from the latest edition of Just Cross Stitch Ornament Magazine (2014) as I now get my mags from them digitally and seem to forget about the great things I want to stitch from them.
So I had about 5 printed for a couple weeks and kept thinking I should at least stitch one or two new holiday ornaments before December. In the end I chose this tiny cutie "Joy" from My Big Toe Designs.



I changed the threads to over-dyed I had on hand from stash. The brown is a Weeks Dye Works and the blue/green is a Carrie's Creations thread (all cotton). The fabric is as a leftover ornament sized piece. I believe it's a 32ct linen.
I stitched this little joy up in only a few hours which was wonderful!

Dragons update: The head is sooo close to being done... I want to get all the colors done around it before the giant blocks of white start for the background before showing it. By the end of the weekend I should have it all done up. Watch for a post next week!

Friday, October 17, 2014

Exciting News! - As Featured in Cross Stitch Collection

I have exciting news today for everyone. I mentioned it briefly in early Summer but it's officially been published and completed!

This blog, Epic Stitching, and myself (Mel) have been featured in the latest edition of Cross Stitch Collection (CSC) that hits news stands today! Some of you may have received it this week via subscription services with CSC.
CSC approached me back in June and asked me if I'd like to be featured and I could not have been more excited or flattered!!!

If you're visiting me for the first time because of Cross Stitch Collection I just want to say thank you for your interest!!! Have a peek at the previous posts for past stitching, current WIPs and my recent finish. 

I encourage everyone to pick up a copy and enjoy the wonderful patterns and articles in CSC; including their feature about me, my stitching and this blog.
Let me also say that; without all of my followers, stitchers, cheerleaders and visitors this blog would be nothing. This is really a display of your support to myself and this blog. Thank you to all of you!!! 

I was lucky enough to be sent a preview copy of the article so you get a sense for how big this exposure is and the weight they gave to me (it's a double page spread!). Check it out!

Error: There is an embarrassing error you might have caught in the article. It is 100% my fault and not the fault of CSC. I mention "In Memory of" piece that I'm sure many of my long time followers may remember. It was made in Memory of Rene, not Meari as the article indicates. Those familiar with the blogging community likely know that Meari is alive and well and an amazing blogger herself! My apologies for this extreme oversight on my part... I by no means meant to insult Rene's memory or Meari's current contribution to the community.

Upcoming: I've almost got a Dragon head!!! The second last page of Dragons is slowly progressing. I will share it ASAP when the second Dragons head is filled in as that is the "important" part of the page. I'm halfway through it so won't be long now (I hope!).

Monday, October 13, 2014

Counting Bats Finished (Finally!!)

Happy dance!!
The unusually stiff fabric and over one on 32ct drama is finally over!
For some unknown reason I did not really enjoy this piece. Even though I love Halloween and Just Nan. Even though I had the gorgeous silk pack to stitch with and perfect purple fabric.
It just wasn't the joy I expected. So some 3-4 years after starting it I finally have finished it!

Here it is:





Just Nan "Counting Bats"
32ct Purple Weeks Dye Works fabric
Designs 2 threads over 2
Letters & numbers 1 thread over 1
Silk pack of Au Soie from Just Nan used; charms and beads as in pack


Thanks to everyone for their cheering and push for me to finish this piece. I'm quite pleased with how it looks but mostly just happy it's finally done and off the WIP list.

Off to put some stitches into Dragons!! And just ordered a couple gift pieces that you will see soon. One is a baby piece; two are Xmas gifts. Should be fun and quick stitches (or so I hope, otherwise I'm in trouble, lol)