2017 Stitch Alongs

As always the beginning of the year brings with it many new stitch alongs. In the past I have done stitch alongs at my own pace, and plan to do that again this year.
There are three that I think are just awesome this year. One I will definitely be doing, one I'm considering doing, and another I just want to at least collect all the pretty patterns for!
I personally think all three SALs are reasonably priced given the difficulty of the pattern and profile of the designer. I was not asked to or paid to endorse these SALs; I'm just sharing what I plan to do this year. :)

1) Canadian Patriotic Series - by Jeannette Douglas

As many of you know I kind of love Jeannette, both her designs and as a lovely person (she lives in my hometown). This year is the 150th anniversary of Canada becoming an independent nation (although we are still part of the British Commonwealth). Lots of big things happening across the country this year and of course major celebrations in the nation's capital Ottawa on Canada Day (July 1). While you may not think Canadians have a lot of patriotism, both myself and most of my friends are very proud to be from and live in Canada. So this is a big deal to us.
I plan to actually stitch this up as one large sampler piece this year. I just need to figure out my plan for linen and threads.
My link is to local shop that has Jeannette's work. You can get the patterns from your LNS, but the fancy boxes may not be available everywhere.
Check it out at: http://www.traditionalstitches.com/p_JDDCPS+CP.html

2) Birthstone Dragons - by Ingleside Imaginarium

This is a new designer who sells on Etsy. I love dragons, and even if they end up being similar but different colours in this monthly SAL I won't mind one bit. lol.
The first one has been released. See a photo to the right of January's dragon. I'm not sure if I will actually kit these up right away or not... but as they look nice and easy and use DMC they might be a good little quicky one to work on.
There is a facebook group to chat about this SAL here: https://www.facebook.com/InglesideImaginarium/
And here is where to purchase the pattern: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/498195209/birthstone-dragon-mystery-stitch-a-long?ref=listing-shop-header-0

3) Fairy Tale Princess Dress-Up Collection - by Brookes Books Publishing

I've done many of Brooke's lovely patterns as most of them are on perforated paper! They are like an experienced stitchers version of the Mill Hill kits I like. Lots of breads, usually metallic thread and sometimes a speciality stitch here or there.
While I don't know what I would do with these patterns... I just think they are crazy gorgeous! So this SAL (first two are out) is more about collecting the patterns and not about stitching them this year. I might do these up as one large sampler but won't be deciding until they are all out.
You can buy the patterns from your LNS or order direct from Brooke on Etsy here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/484393654/50-off-presale-for-all-12-accessory?ref=shop_home_active_4 

Bonus: I still have the Calendar Girls by Little House Needleworks kitted up with a wonderful Gingham Checkered Linen. This was a SAL from a couple years ago that was monthly. My plan is still to do all the girls in a row without the calendar names. As it's kitted (as it uses DMC) and ready to go. It's also in my pile of top projects to start next. So it maybe that I will have the patriotic one and calendar girls on the go this year. Like I said before SAL's are great and all but I rarely follow the timeline as I find that too stressful and just don't have time for it.
These patterns are available at any major online stitching shop or your local LNS.

In other news: I had to delay ordering my fabric and missing threads for my HAED as there was a bead show this weekend and I might have spent the money for the HAED on beads for the store (lol!) but I will be getting that HAED going in the next few weeks. So stay tuned for the surprise!

My husband is finally starting to walk! Only been walking with a limb or one crutch for 4 days. He is now at physio, has daily exercises and is in a lot of pain again (boo). But we were prepared and he is very motivated to get back to sports and climbing as soon as possible. We're hoping in 6 weeks he will be back up on the wall. For me, everyday gets a little easier as he can now help out a lot more. Plus the snow gave me a reprieve this past week, so no shovelling.

Hope everyone is staying warm and finding lots of stitching time! 

New Mill Hill Kits

First, let me just say WOW! You have all blown me away at how supportive you are of me expanding this blog to have a new area about books. So thank you so much to all of you for your support and being so amazing!!! I'll be launching the new book tab in the next week or so.

New Mill Hill Kits! 
As many of you know I am absolutely obsessed with Mill Hill kits that have perforated paper. So I was beyond excited to see the new Spring line of MH! My absolute favourite is the cute little lizard (seen on the right). He's just adorable. I know they will likely never have a snake one that I can make to honour my own pets (we currently have four snakes) but a lizard is darn close. :)

Even though I am terrified of the ocean and water I can appreciate the colours and design of the Lighthouse pattern (to the left) another of the new Mill Hill kits for spring.

In other stitching news I'm super excited to share with you all, closer to the end of the month, that I will be starting a new HAED. I'm just getting supplies and things sorted out for it. I have realized that I haven't been working any of my current HAEDs even though they are all kitted up and ready to go on scroll rods. Over holidays I saw a new pattern that my husband loves more than any other and so I'm hoping my desire to actual pick up this HAED will be stronger than the others have been.

My mermaid is still coming along as well and I'll have some new pics for you all soon.

For those interested my husband is doing okay. No new news but hey no news is often good news right? It's snowy and super cold here so I'm still working hard at keeping up with all the chores and outdoor stuff (like shoveling). I'm getting faster at it so I'm going to take that as improvement in my ability to move snow. LOL!

The Beading & Another Question

For those that popped in before holiday time you'll know that I was trying to decide if I was going to bead up as I went on my scroll rods my Mirabilia Mermaid. In the end I decided to bead a small section and scroll it up with some fabric. I also beaded anything that was a size 15 bead (because they are so itty bitty). What this really means is that I moved back into stitching with thread and krenik fairly quickly and am going to do the remaining 95% of beading at the end. ;)

Here is the beading being folded underneath my scrolls (look in the far right area):

A question, your opinions wanted! I'm considering having a new tab added to this blog that will be where I post book reviews of books I've just read. Most my of my favourite people to follow on GoodReads are fellow stitchers who blog!
If you're wondering why it's so that I can post reviews of books, have book giveaways and do things that I can't do on GoodReads but are not appropriate for this main stitching blog.
You would still come to this blog first if you come to EpicStitching.blogspot.ca. However it might be that my book review posts will show in your news feed because you subscribe to the stitching part of this blog. So honest answers please! Would you be okay if a book tab was added to this blog?


Thanks to everyone for good wishes for my husband. We made it through the holidays. He is on crutches still until Jan 18 but we're hoping for good news to start weight bearing that day. We're both ready to get 2016 behind us and start 2017 off a lot better!