Friday, March 20, 2015

Stitcher's Meet and Greet Blog Hop

Thank you once again to Madam Samm from Sew We Stitch for hosting another fun blog hop. This time I didn't even have to finish stitching or sewing anything to play along. I have lots and lots of past projects to show off... 
See? I came by learning to cross stitch during my freshman year in high school. I took sewing class and as one of our projects we had to learn some kind of hand stitching. Cross stitch was the most popular in my class so I did it, and really have been ever since.
 
Of course over the years I've learned lots more about cross stitch than what I learned in school, and over the years the craft has changed a bit as well, growing in popularity and there-for giving lots more options for creativity. There are so many sizes and colors of fabric and floss to choose from now, which is lots of fun!! As you can see from above I do tend to stick with tan/brown/neutral colors most of the time and the smaller the weave the better!! I am mostly partial to 36-40 count linen or evenweave, but I will stitch on practically any count.  
 
I tend to have lots of projects going at any time and for a few years I participated in challenges that had you starting a new project every day for the first 15 days of the year. That was a lot of fun, but got a bit overwhelming to me. I also tend to do the stitching, but then don't do anything with the end product:) I just enjoy the process, but I'm trying to get better at doing the finishes. Here is a pic of one of the only projects that ever got framed...
As a birthday present my sister-in-law got this framed for me. This is Autumn Snapperland from Bent Creek. Eventually I will get the other seasons done in this series.

Speaking of my sister-in-law, she is a cross stitch designer!! Marianne Meyer of Midnight Stitching is my sister-in-law, which makes for fun get-togethers, really fun shopping trips and lots of fun stitching for each other at Christmas:)
 
I do a lot of stitching as gifts or exchanges and some for myself as well, but I have also done some stitching for a charity called LoveQuiltsUSA (they have chapters in a few other countries as well). This organization collects stitched panels and makes them into themed quilts for children with various illnesses and disabilities. Here are a couple I have done for them...
The top one was for a little boy who wanted anything with blue in it. Of course the bottom one isn't hard to figure out:) Also for a boy who loved anything fast!! These are a lot of fun to stitch and it's so nice to see the final finished quilt with your well loved project going to a child who needs a little extra love. 

 
Hopefully I have given some inspiration into what is my favorite craft (followed closely by knitting and crocheting:). Please visit all of the bloggers participating in this blog hop:
 




22 comments:

  1. It's so nice to see all your beautiful cross-stitch work!

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  2. what a lovely collection of threads on cloth...it is pretty amazing isn’t It...what brings us to choose a pattern and what stirs us to keep stitching...happy spring.now spring on over and add your link too wink.

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  3. How beautiful! (And how fortunate for you to have a sister-in-law who can keep you inspired!)

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  4. Love your stitcheries. May I ask where the pattern for the little boy fishing with his dog came from. I would love to stitch that for my grandson.

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  5. Your "old stuff" is gorgeous!

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  6. Beautiful work! I love seeing the collection of your completed stitching.
    Cathy
    CraftyCat

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  7. I love the first one you shown. But the little boy and the racer are adorable. You do beautiful work.

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  8. Lots of wonderful projects. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. That is a whole lot of beautiful cross-stitch. Thank you for sharing.

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  10. That little boy fishing is adorable! So enjoyed my visit. :) blessings, marlene

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  11. Love your stitchery! Would love to have seen what you have piled up, lol!

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  12. What a lovely variety of cross stitch - you have done so many and they are lovely. Love the last two especially that went into quilts - great idea.

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  13. You've made some beautiful things. I use to rush through the stitching because I liked the finishing part the best, but now I stitch things and like you, seldom get to the finishing. I enjoyed visiting your blog.

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  14. You have done a lot of stitching. It is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

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  15. Wow.. lots of pretty things here. You have some beautiful pieces, but my favorite would have to be those birds! I know...big surprise...but those birds!!! So cute.

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  16. Oh I love all your stitching. It looks at if we have many in common. All of your stitching could either done by me. I certanily will come back to see how you finished off all those wonderful stitchings in the first pictures, LOL.
    Thank you for sharing.

    Hilda

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  17. I love the Bent Creek design.

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  18. Your pieces are beautiful and I especially love that little boy with a dog! So sweet!

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  19. So many beautifully done projects. I love using the neutral fabrics also but my eyes don't like the tiny linen so much anymore. I love the framed Autumn piece.

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  20. Hello Shannon,
    what a nice idea to meet & greet the cross stitch ladies there!
    Your crafts look all beautiful, especially the little boy with the dog.

    Many greetings from Bavaira
    Gabriele

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  21. Beautiful stitching!!
    You are so busy.
    Greetings from Germany
    Marion

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  22. Dear Shannon,
    You have an amazing collection of stitched projects! That's so great! I like them all!
    Nice to meet you and your blog!
    It's nice to be your next follower!

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