Time to Put Seeking Refuge Aside

 Yesterday was the last day I'll be working on Seeking Refuge for a while. I'm not even sure when I'll pick it up again but today I'll get back on G. Leger.

Look at that! Yesterday I stitched 826 stitches. That's twice my daily goal. Those green squares were quick to stitch.

I got enough of the green squares stitched that I was able to start on the house.

According to Markup, I've now stitched 10.13%.

This is a project I could stitch on until it's finished but there are other projects to stitch too!

Progress on Seeking Refuge

 I'm going to work today (Sunday) on Seeking Refuge, then switch back to G. Leger. I'm going to again post the cover of this chart.

When you see the weird way I'm stitching this chart, you'll know where I'm headed. I love working on big houses. My plan for today is to work that green border til I reach the house and then start on it. Each of those green squares on point, has 41 stitches and there are 16 more to stitch before I get to the edge of the house. That's 656 stitches so I doubt I get them all finished so I probably won't get to start the house for a while.

Also, since this is a Zwiegart linen and not a hand dyed linen, it's a bit thinner and I had to stop and tie off at the end of each word. I didn't want to risk having black show through, even when there was only one space between the words.

Since I'll just be working on the green band beneath the house today, I'll probably not show another photo and the next thing you see from me will hopefully be some good progress on G. Leger.

Seeking Refuge Started

On September 15, I started Seeking Refuge by The Scarlett House. I think there were a number of stitchers who started this in the last week or so. I already had it kitted so I went with the floss (all called for) and the linen (40 count cream by Zwiegart) that was in the bag.

I'm going to love stitching all of this - nothing that's confetti like or frustrating for me. The black on the bottom and the green above it will get a bit boring so I started this at the bottom, instead of at the top right where I normally start.

My plans are:

1. Outline the black area, stitch the leaves and some flowers that are in the black area, then I can go back and fill it in without having to count.
2. Do the same with the green that's above the black.
3. Stitch the verse/letters.
4. Stitch the green design below the house.
5. Outline the house, roof and windows. Then I can go back and fill in without having to do much counting.
6. Stitch the trees.

There will be some things I leave off. As much as I would love to have Oscar and Cooper on there, I don't think I'll stitch the dogs. I'm not sure I'll stitch the birds at the top of the two trees.

Not at all sure but at this point, I think I'll leave off initials, year, flowers, birds . . we'll see when I get there.

I have a goal to have this finished by the end of this year . . you know how those goals go!

Bit of a Change to Stitching Plans

 This is not meant to be a political post so please don't make political comments!

As soon as I heard about Charlie Kirk's shooting, on September 10, I knew I wanted to make something that would mean something to me. Not something specifically "Charlie Kirk" but I guess as a stitcher, making something and praying for his family as I stitch on it and as I see the piece of the wall . . that's what I wanted to do. I had no idea what I wanted to stitch but my mind kept going back to Seeking Refuge by The Scarlett House.

I've had the chart for several years, just haven't stitched it yet. I got it out and had it already kitted with linen and floss. I didn't have any empty stitching frames and I didn't want to ask Vince to make more. I figured I would look at some of the things I have on frames and see if I could take something off to empty a frame. Yesterday afternoon, Vince came downstairs and had two frames in his hand. He said "I will make more as soon as I find the oak for the side pieces. I already had side pieces for these two made." I thanked him and told him I had really wanted more but hadn't wanted to ask! Perfect timing, huh?

I was tired last night so I didn't get it loaded on the frame. When there's a new frame, I cut fabric (cotton fabric) the length of the bars and about 8" wide, serge it, staple it to the bars, then I machine baste the linen to the leaders and I'm ready to go. Doesn't sound like a lot of trouble BUT we re-arranged everything in the sewing room about a month ago. We moved some things out; moved some things in and I had never set up the cutting table, ironing table or the serger or sewing machine so there was a bit of work to be done before I could get a new project on the frame.

My plan was to get this done before noon today.  While sitting and getting ready to get my day going, I looked at Facebook and saw that Tanya from The Scarlett House had posted a photo of this chart cover and had a little blurb about it. I said "OK . . that's my sign!" I got up and got everything done, including getting the linen on the frame. The linen is on the frame. There are only two skeins of DMC floss so I got those on floss tags (everything else is Weeks, with one Gentle Arts skein).

I will get a few stitches on this tonight.

I'll try to stay on track with my September stitching plans . . adding another project may mean I have to spend more time stitching and less time cooking! Think that would work?  :)