Sunday Slow Stitching

After spending the week painting the lower part of the stair well, I've been too tired in the evenings to even think about quilting. Instead, I'm enjoying counted cross-stitching. 

I made progress on 'Simply Santa'. 

I'm out of WDW-Cocoa for the reindeer and Santa's sack. I didn't have enough WDW-Fawn for Santa's coat either, I had to order more. I should get the parcel delivered at the end of the week (together with a few other yummy stuff I couldn't resist! lol) 

The colors on the original photo (above) looks washed out, it's more beautiful in real.

Stitching on 28 count Cashel Linen Zweigart - Vintage Country Mocha, using DMC, WDW and Wisper. The latter is a pain, but the effect is worth the pain! lol 

Christmas is approaching with record speed! I realized that when I turned the calendar to November this morning! I have a few handmade Christmas gifts to make and ship before it's too late for Christmas! 

Last night I started stitching 

'But first... Coffee' - Stitching with the Housewives

Stitching on 28 count Cashel Linen Zweigart - Vintage Country Mocha' 

using DMC since I didn't have any of the suggested CCW colors 

It's already Sunday afternoon this side of the globe (9 hours ahead of NYC). I didn't feel for doing much today, just be lazy and stitch

I'm almost done with this one, left to stitch the mug and a few flowers.

It's a fun little project and perfect as a gift to a coffee lover.

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Linking to:

Kathy's Quilts - Sunday Slow Stitching

BOM 2025 - UFO Under the Needle

UFO #27 is currently under the needle. (2026 UFO list)  

It became a flimsy and was thread basted in August. 

While I thread baste big quilts, I try to come up with a quilting design. I didn't come up with anything for this one! lol 

Eventually I did a search and ended up with this design, straight lines. Since the center of each block is different, I have yet to come up with a design, they all (12 blocks) have to be quilted differently. 

Not much sewing has happened the last week. I decided to paint the walls in the stairway to the lower ground floor. 

The color was yellow, painted 20 years ago! YIKES!!! It looked horrible! I'm soooo done with yellow! LOL I painted the walls in light grey, almost white, (NCR S 0500 N, as in the other rooms). I love that color, so light and airy. I'll say it is 99.9% done. I have left to do some 'make-up' here and there. 

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Linking up with 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

Small Quilts & Doll Quilts - Design Wall

Stories from the Sewing Room - OMG

Witch Hazel McPunkin's Cottage

When I first saw 'Witch Hazel's Cottage', I knew I had to stitch it right away! 

It is such a fun design! I love every detail. ...and who doesn't love the huge scary black cat on the side of the house?!

It will be a mini-pillow, eventually. 

This is a free pattern by talented Melisa at  pinkernpunkinquilting

Do check out her freebees, I'm sure you will find something to stitch. 

Stitched on 28 ct Zweigart Cashel Linen, Vintage Country Mocha

Next up to stitch is

Cinnamon Stick Santa XXVIIII

Designed by Sandra Sullivan - Homespun Elegance

Originally stitched on 20 count 'Putty', hand-dyed linen from Weeks Dye Works. 

I'm stitching on 28 count Zweigart Cashel Linen, Vintage Country Mocha, since I don't have any 20 ct linen.  

I started it yesterday with a few stitches only, not much to show. 

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Linking up with 

Kathy's Quilts - Slow Sunday Stitching

 

Hagatha - the Wicked Witch

 I don't know if I should do a post about the beginning of making Hagatha... What if it turns out a disaster and she has to be tossed?! How embarrassing would that be?! lol

Well, I have made dolls earlier, it shouldn't be that difficult. The 'problem' that arises is; are the items I need available here? 

I purchased the Hagatha pattern from Homespun from the Heart years ago. It may have been in 2006? Why haven't I made her earlier?? I don't know! 

She doesn't look that scary, does she? 

Cindy kindly added the Spell Book, spiderweb fabric, two spiders and a bat as scary stuff.

The pattern calls for unbleached muslin, which I think is equal to unbleached ecru (cotton) available here. 

I stained two pieces for the body. To the left is tea stained (black tea), to the right is instant coffee stained. I think the tea stained looks a bit too red, I'm more for the coffee stained. ...and it smells good too!  I'm trying green tea too, still soaking. It may be yellow-ish, it looks like that, but I'll have to wait until the fabric is dry to see the color.

Update: Here is the Green tea stained, compared to Black tea and Coffee

Green tea on ecru/cream fabric

I don't know if you can see it, it has a slight yellow-ish/green-ish tint. 

Now I'm not sure which one to choose for her body; either coffee or green tea? I don't like the Black tea stain, it looks too red to me. Any opinion? 

Pattern pieces are cut

There are a few items I need to purchase. I have an errand in Port Louis today, hopefully the craft store stocks what I need!

Update: Bummer! 'Of course' I didn't get what I need! I did get a few items but not all. Oh well, I'll try the craft store located in the neighbor town. Not a big deal if I don't get all the items, I'll work with what I have. 

 

 

Cross Stitching Projects, WIPs and Waiting List

 I don't think I've ever showed you my never-ending cross stitching projects? 

Now that I have several finishes (need to take photos!!!), I'm going to show you my current and next projects. 

I'm currently stitching: 

"The Tea Room" - Country Cottage Needleworks

Stitching on 28 count Natural Raw linen Zweigart

The pattern came in black & white, see it in colors here.

Correction: I WAS stitching this one, until I saw 

Melisa's 'Witch Hazel's Cottage'! 

It's too cute not to stitch! 

Thank you for the free pattern, Melisa! 

Other projects on 'Waiting' list

"Chocolate Shoppe" - Little House Needleworks

"Summer Iris" - Blackbird Designs

"But First Coffee" - Stitching Housewives

"Therapy" - Cherry Blossoms

"The Little Bunny" - Crocette a Gogo, Italy

"Holiday Samplings" - Plum Pudding Needleart

"Merry December" - Blackbird Designs

"Cinnamon Stick Santa XXV1111" - Homespun Elegance

"Miss Pittypat Pumpkin" - Kim Diehl

"Witch Stitcher" - Little Stitcher Shop, Italy

Isn't this one cute?!

"All Hallow's Eve" - Teresa Kogut (soon to order!) 

Now that Kris Kringle and the Basket Quilt are almost done (left to stitch down the binding), I may take some days break from UFOs and enjoy some cross stitching. It feels relaxing working on small projects after finishing big quilts. 

I also have a few Christmas gifts to make. It should keep me busy for some days! 

Linking up with:

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts and Baby Quilts

Secret Sewing Lap Quilt - Finished and Delivered

As the title says; Secret Sewing Lap Quilt is well received! 

Earlier this year, when I was going through a huge box with non-quilting quality fabrics (and all sort of other things) saved. For what?! In that box, I found

flannel - can be used

jeans - some can be used

other materials - some can be used for grocery bags

the rest - tossed / donation

Some years ago, I got jeans and flannel shirts from my DF in Norway. The idea was to make a quilt out of the 'old' flannel shirts and rugs from the denim. Did that happen? No! 

Going through and sorting out that box, I came up with the idea to make a lap quilt using the flannel shirts and jeans.

 I also had a flannel duvet cover (used, from my DF too) I could use for the back. 

I chose a simple log cabin block and alternated between flannel and denim as other border on the blocks. Each block is 12" finished. 

I didn't have any suitable flannel for the binding. I purchased just enough Dark Green Woolies flannel, because green is his favorite color! 

Measures: 61 inches / 155 cm square

 

Denim is thick, hence some of the seams I had to press open. 

This quilt was the first one I've made from flannel shirts and jeans. I've kept what was left, until further notice! LOL 

Confession: Even if I had fun making the quilt, I did not like working with denim! I don't like the thickness. I have a rag quilt in mind for the pieces I have left, but that won't happen until next year - IF EVER! 

My DF loves the quilt. Some of the flannel pieces are from shirts he was wearing at work (he's retired now). The center square/block even has his name. I cut that from the side pocket of the shirt. The flannel duvet cover (backing) belonged to one of his acquaintances. Not exactly his choice of color, but it worked out as backing! 

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Linking to: 

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts 

Fall Happiness in the mail today

I did not intend to purchase anything new, right?! But then.... suddenly the famous squirrel was sitting just in front of me and demanded me to purchase something! Does it sound familiar? I'm sure it does!

As much as I love fall, I don't have any decor I would like to display. Can you believe that?! I have been smitten by so many of you, for your lovely fall decors. 

...and of course, there is no fall here. However, I have noticed there are a few trees in the Black River Gorges that turn leaves. That's the nearest I can get to fall in nature on this island.

When FQS announced Pumpkin Hollow Row Along (A Quilting Life), I knew I had to grab the F8 bundle, fabric for the border & binding as well as the pattern! I didn't purchase any background fabric, I have a Moda Marbles that can be used. 

Birch and Willow F8s

Border and binding

I want to do some fall cross-stitching too. Another purchase happened today; 

Kim Diehl's Miss Pittypat Pumpkin

I'm in love with Teresa Kogut Designs! 

I had to purchase the 'Hello Winter' booklet! It features 9 wintery cross stitch designs. All so cute!

I don't think I will start any Christmas cross-stitching at this point. I have a few mini-pillows - Melisa's Designs - to finish before I start anything new for Christmas. 

(Note: I'm not affiliated with FQS, except for purchases) 

 

Kris Kringle Panel Kit - Progress / Card Holder

Happy October!

How is it we are into October already?! I'm not sure how that happened?!

This week I've been working on the Kris Kringle Panel Kit

UFO #19 on my 2026 UFO list

I usually don't buy kits, but I couldn't resist this cute guy! 

I love Teresa Kogut designs. I haven't done any of her cross stitching designs, not yet, but I have a few I really want to purchase. Maybe a Christmas gift to myself?!

The top is done

The pattern is well written and very easy to follow. I was a bit worried about the panel, they can be quite distorted and difficult to cut to size. Fortunate, it was only about half an inch off at the top, so there wasn't any problem getting it straight. The top came together without any problem. 

I thought I had to purchase backing. I knew I had more yardage in a box, but I had totally forgotten I had purchased backing too, 

...as well as a FQ bundle! Yippee! 

Why I bought the yardage & bundle?? I can't remember what I bought it for! I may have had a pattern in mind? Or 'just because' I love the fabrics so much? Hm...

Today I must check if I have batting enough. I really want to finish it, and that is my goal for October! 

After struggling with the pattern, I'm happy to say the Card Holder is 99.9% completed! I'll do a post when it is done. 

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Linking up with:

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

OMG - Stories from my Sewing Room

  

 

182 Day Solstice Challenge - UFO#15 FINISHED!

Pat Sloan's '182 Day Solstice Challenge' is FINISHED! 

This is UFO #15 on my UFO list 2026

I'm so glad I did this quilt in RSC colors. 

I really love how it turned out.

Layout direction

https://patsloanquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/pat-sloan-asymmetrical-layout-directions-solstice-challenge-1.pdf

I changed the layout a little bit, for not to get blocks with the same colors next to each other. Two (the turquoise blocks at the top) are a bit close, but that's OK.

Here are some of the blocks

Block #9 - Among the Stars

Block #8 - Never ending love

Block #5 - Gramma Anna's Basket

Block #10 - The Coffee Shop

Block #22 - Weather Vane

Block # 19 - Board Games

Block #12 - Jacob's Ladder

Block #11 - Quilt Math (top right)

Block #23 - Eureka! (bottom right)

Some other blocks

Pieced backing

I have used squares and rectangles in brown and red.

Size: Approximately 85 inches / 215 cm square

All fabrics and thread used are from my stash

Batting was purchased

All blocks are custom quilted on my domestic sewing machine

First block: May 2024

Last block: April 2026

Flimsy: April 2026

Thread basted: August 2026

Quilted: September 2026

FINISHED: September 23, 2026

Thread used: 

King Tut: 926, 956, 958, 962, 963, 977, 997, 982, 1017, 1020

Masterpiece: 118, 134, 149, 159, 160, 162, 168, 176,  180, 183

Mettler: 0611, 0667, 0732

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Linking to:

 

So Scrappy

Melva Loves Scraps

Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

OMG - Stories from my Sewing Room