Download Stitchy Project -- Update

Happy Hump Day Guys!!!!

Over the last week or so, it seems that I have become determined to finish the stitching projects that have been lingering on my frame for numerous months (and even years in the case of 'Gettysberg')!  I just feel I have too many unfinished projects and that I should really get these out of the way before I start new ones.

Remember at the start of the year I referred to a list of projects that I wanted to get finished?

Well the only one still outstanding is the one I started back in 2011!  I shall be making it my priority to finish that over the next month, but first...

My Download Sampler (if you can call it that), that I charted in March and started stitching at the end of June, is almost complete! Here is what I have done since the last update:

I expect this to be finished within the next day or so.  It's been a relatively straight forward design to stitch this one, but the amount of black has been quite trying. I expect that I have gone through several skeins on this!!!

So that's all I have for today.  However you spend your 'hump day' (at work, school or chilling out at home), have a good one!

Till next time ... keep Kalm and cross stitch! xxx

Download Stitchy Project -- Work In Progress!!!

Greeting guys, hope you all had a great weekend.

Apologies again for my tardiness in posting.  As always, life is getting in the way.  You would think that not working would mean I have all the time in the world to spend on here, but you would be wrong.  The last week or so has been pretty hectic, and I still have this wretched cough :(

Anyway, following on from my previous post and the Download patterns I posted, I have started stitching my own Download project:

I combined the Download logo and Download Dawg and added the date and venue at the bottom.  I had wanted to add the names of the three headline bands too, but I was worried about space so I left them off.

I had initially planned to start and finish this prior to Download, but a delay with an internet order I had placed meant that I didn't get chance to start it in time.  In the end, I decided to wait until after I had got back before starting it.

The upside to that is that I can stitch it at a leisurely pace now.

I haven't done much stitching lately, as the heat has been making it difficult to do so (sweaty fingers make gripping needles awkward).  Crochet hasn't been affected the same way so I have been focusing more on that, but here is a snippet of what I have managed to do so far:

It stitches up quite fast and you can see it starting to take shape now.  According to my charting software, this should use no more that 2 skeins of black thread.  I suspect it will actually use more than this.  I'll keep you posted!

So that's all I have for today.  Hopefully, I'll have some new patterns for you tomorrow.

Till then ... keep Kalm and cross-stitch! :) xxx

Stitchy Update!

Happy Tuesday Guys!!

Well after Sunday's mega-post, I thought it was time to share the work in progress on some of my current stitchy projects!  As you all know, lately I've had the hooky bug, so I've been doing more crochet than stitching, but that doesn't mean I'm abandoning my favourite pastime -- sometimes it's nice to sit at the frame and chip away at my stitching.

First up, Deoxys....

I'm slowly building this one up. I've found a few errors in the chart and it'll probably need a complete re-work before I can post it!

No update for Victreebell, I may have mentioned last time that I was having a few issues with regards the colours I had picked for the leaves and the body.  The concern arises because I am using vintage-green aida which conflicts slightly with the colours I had chosen.  I have come up with alternatives and hopefully (if these look okay), I should be able to get this finished soon!!!

Turning away from Pokemon ... I have recently started charting some of my Stargate patterns to work in blackwork.  Here's what I've stitched so far:

Goa'uld System Lord - Sokar (worked in DMC color variation  #4130 and Light effects E3852)

Stargate Glyph - Earth (worked in DMC color Variation #4025)

If you guys like the idea of working these in blackwork as opposed to cross-stitch, let me know.  If enough interest is shown, I'll make the patterns available.

So that's all I have for now.  Hopefully, I'll have some new patterns for you soon!

Till next time .... keep Kalm and Cross-stitch

Stitchy Update

Happy Easter Guys!!!

Apologies that this post is slightly later than planned. As you all know by now, work have increased my hours which means I have less time to design, chart, stitch, crochet and update my blog!

Still, here in the UK we have a 4-day weekend so I'm planning on doing as much as the aforementioned as possible over the next few days :D

On the stitchy front, here is the latest:

Kudos must go to Missy-Tannenbaum of Dork Stitch fame who correctly guessed that both the Pokemon I'm working on are "Victreebell" (as shown above) and "Dexoys", the later she referred to as having "noodly" arms (which I thought was quite amusing)!

I want to try and get these patterns finished as soon as I can (so that I can share them with you guys), and also so that I can start working on new patterns!

Turning back to my Easter crochet, I finished my chicken today:

I'm not sure that I'm overly happy with the way it turned out (the shaping isn't as defined as it is in the reference image - I reckon it would work better if the pattern was worked back to front).  I may do this one again, but at least it gave me a chance to practice making french knot eyes!

I've put some more pictures from my work in progress on my Facebook page and you can view them HERE.

Well that's probably me done posting now until after the Easter weekend,  To all my followers who celebrate Easter, I hope you have a wonderful time -- but don't overdo it on the chocolate!

Till next time ... keep Kalm and cross-stitch :) xxx

POKEMON BLACKWORK - Another Sneaky Peek!!!

Hello guys!!!

Well I'm having the week from hell -- I have a stinking cold which has made work really hard this week.  Thank god it's almost weekend!!!

Firstly, I just wanted to say thank you to those of you who left kind comments to my previous post -- it certainly cheered me up reading them :)

Back to the Pokemon, I was surprised that no one managed to guess what Pokemon I was working on. I had thought that the Pokemanics amongst you would know which one it was.  Anyway, I've stitched some more of it, so here are the latest images which should make it's identity a little clearer:

A few evenings ago, I started working on another Pokemon:

Any guesses?

The latter project has been frustrating.  I've had to contend with a lot of unpicking and un-knotting of threads -- in one night!!!  I'm blaming my cold, it's been making me feel pretty miserable all week :(

I hope I can shake it off over the weekend so I can get these projects finished!

Finally, one of my followers asked recently if I had plans to do Mudkip!  At the moment I don't really want to say a definite "yes", but I never say never.  I'm finding with this mammoth project that I change my mind all the time!!!  Mudkip and his evolutions are certainly generation III favourites of mine so ... watch this space ;)

Well I think I'm done for today.

Till next time ... keep Kalm and cross-stitch :) xx

POKEMON BLACKWORK - A New Pattern, and a Sneaky Peek at What I'm Working on at the Moment!

Greetings guys!

Firstly, today is Mother's Day here in the UK so may I just wish all the yummy mummy's out there "Happy Mother's Day!"  If you are celebrating today, hope you have a super fabby day and get spoilt rotten!!!

The other day I promised a new Pokemon pattern, and here it is:

Togetic was really quick to chart and stitch and you guys should have no problems with this one either.  If you haven't had a chance to try out any of my patterns yet, then this one would be idea for beginners.  His coloured shapes are worked in DMC light effects to give it a little bit of sparkle.

The pattern is up on BOX.net if you want a go :)

Despite the lack of updates on here recently, I have been stitching new designs.  Some are staying under wraps until they are complete, but I do have one that I can share the work in progress with you now:

No prizes for correctly guessing which Pokemon it is apart from a pat on the back for being a bit smug when it comes to knowing your Pokemon!!!  If I get a correct guess to this post, then I'll post some more WIP pictures later in the week and you guys can watch it coming together!!!

As you may or may not know, for the last six months I have been working two days a week for a local law firm.  Last week, things took an interesting turn and it looks like I am going to be doing five days a week (starting this week), for the foreseeable future.  It's a good thing for me as it means I am one step nearer to overcoming the trials and tribulations of the last three years.  

The locality of the firm I'm working for is close to my home so there is very little commute (I can walk to the office) and so this means I can still get plenty of stitching done during the day (usually first thing in the morning and at lunchtimes).  The only downside is that I won't have as much time to chart new patterns and blog updates may suffer as a result.  We shall see how things go over the following weeks -- hopefully I can implement a timetable for charting, uploading new patterns etc... that can work round work!

Finally, I note that both the blog and the Facebook page have lost a few followers recently and that saddens me.  The continued support and encouragement from you guys is very much appreciated and it makes running the blog worth while.  To those who continue to follow me "thank you", it means a lot!

So that's all I have for today!

Till next time ... keep Kalm and cross-stitch! :) xxx