Friday, October 16, 2015

Just Cross Stitch - Bird Seed WIP

Hello lovely readers, I hope you are all squeezing in lots of crafty relaxation into your schedule. Today I have a new cross stitch to share. A few years ago I was delighted to discover that I could get a CD with Just Cross Stitch issues from 2001-2010.  I love this CD and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Just Cross Stitch magazines. I spent many a happy hour scrolling through all the options and possibilities. During my exploration, I came across a chart called Bird Seed, which I fell love with and printed out right away. After I finished the Poppy Cupcake I settled on this as another relatively easy project.

A quick search through my fabric stash yielded a gorgeous, hand dyed 28ct Brittney evenweave from Sparklies, called Rainforest. I thought the beautiful green mottled effect would work really well with this design. I am using DMC equivalents of the charted Weeks Dye Works threads. I had very little idea of how the DMC would look but figured I could change it as I went if I was unhappy with the result. However I'm in love with the gorgeous earthtone, muted colours. This is being stitching 2 over 2.

Bird Seed Cross Stitch WIP Work in Progress Just Cross Stitch
Bird Seed - Bent Creed - Just Cross Stitch Apr 2002
So far this has been a really nice, simple project to work on. It mostly consists of full cross stitches with some backstitching. The majority of it is charted in blocks of colour, using fairly simple shapes but I can't deny that they are used extremely effectively, to create a lovely project. I'm finding the Brittney evenweave relatively easy to work with and the chart is of a nice size that I can use a small\medium sized embroidery hoop, happily stitching on the couch for hours.

I’m looking forward to playing with a few different ideas for finishing this off. Its size means that there are a number of interesting possibilities, other than my standard ‘frame it or ornament it’ approach. I thought that this might make a really nice cube, which would be technique I haven’t tried before. I’m really enjoying this, so hopefully will have another update next week.

This is turning out to be really great 'break' project. When I take a 5-10 min time out from other tasks I can pick this up and make some progress on it. Does anyone else use a cross stitch project in the same way, or do you only pick it up when you know you have a decent stretch of time? Let me know in the comment section below.
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28 comments:

  1. BeccaOctober 16, 2015 at 7:43 PM

    Oh, how cute! I tend to have big blocks of time, so I only stitch on giant projects. I do, however, have simple, moderate, and full of confetti projects depending on my mood and energy level.

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:42 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. I only work on my larger projects when I have a good bit of time to get into the flow with them but I really enjoy having a piece like this to pick up and put a few rows into when I have a few minutes.

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  2. HeatherOctober 16, 2015 at 8:03 PM

    Very cute! I do both. I only work on my large WIP if I have a large stretch of time. If not I'll work on my small piece with lots of solid colors for when I either don't have time or I can't concentrate on a lot of confetti.

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. Good to hear that others use a similar method for working on large and smaller pieces.

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  3. VickieOctober 16, 2015 at 8:39 PM

    I stitch any time, all the time. Except this week. :( My wrist is still hurting bad. I go to the doctor Wednesday.

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:44 AM

      Thanks for your comment. I am so sorry to hear that your wrist is still troubling you. I hope that the doctor can do something to help.

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  4. SusanOctober 16, 2015 at 9:11 PM

    Very cute start. I've got the CDs on my wish list and keep reminding The Hubs and other family members of it! I do wish that they would put them out as a digital download as it is getting harder and harder to find computers with disc drives. I used to have "waiting" pieces that I carried around for when I had a few spare minutes (waiting at the doctor's office, waiting for DSon to get out of school, etc) but haven't had one in years.

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:51 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. The one I have is really great and I'm delighted I got it. I hope that your hints get picked up eventually. It would be great if they did them digitally.

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  5. AnonymousOctober 17, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    Beautiful start, love the colors

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:52 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. I am really happy with how the DMC equivalents, as I really wasn't at all sure how they would look.

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  6. The Knitting Cross StitcherOctober 17, 2015 at 8:57 PM

    A pretty design,love the fabric too.

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:53 AM

      Thanks so much Lesley. I really love this colour of fabric, and have been trying to find the perfect piece for it.

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  7. Lauren MOctober 18, 2015 at 2:29 AM

    Great start! I love the fabric and colours :)

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:54 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. I'm glad you like this piece. I have some more done so will have another post for you all this week.

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  8. gominamOctober 18, 2015 at 4:49 AM

    That is a lovely design you started:) Would be interesting to see what you turn it into.

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:55 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. I have been mulling over some ideas for the finish but will wait until it's stitched to make the final decision.

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  9. TiffstitchOctober 18, 2015 at 7:11 PM

    I love that fabric and very nice to pick up an easy project like that when you have a few minutes. I generally don't stitch at home unless I have at least 1/2 hour, but I've been down to take a small project in the car for a 10-15 minute drive, as a passenger naturally. :)

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:55 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. Goodness I don't know how you stitch in the car, I would feel so sick if I did that :D

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  10. ThoeriaOctober 18, 2015 at 7:55 PM

    A lovely start :) I'm curious to see how you'll finish it!
    Your cupcake is a sweet stitch too! I know it's an obvious choice...but I'd use it to make a birthday card :)

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:56 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment and your finishing suggestion. A card is a nice idea, it would make a really special card.

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  11. Jo who can't think of a clever nicknameOctober 18, 2015 at 7:57 PM

    I love the JCS CDs, I have both of them but the later issues are my favourites.
    I stitch whenever I can, stitching in hand makes it easier to pick up a piece and pop a couple of stitches in. The only thing I save for when I have an extended period of time is beading. I really need to spread out all my things and not move for an hour or so!

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:57 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. I have been thinking about the 1991-2000 CD, what's it like? I have to admit that I do find more things that really catch my eye in the later issues of the CD I have as well.

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  12. Sarah in StitchesOctober 18, 2015 at 9:20 PM

    This is such a great start! I can't wait to see your experiments with different finishes :D

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:58 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. I think this is such a nice piece and it fabric is so pretty that it deserves a special finish, something I haven't done before. Will have fun or tears depending on well it goes :D

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  13. Mama DogOctober 18, 2015 at 10:20 PM

    A really cut start. I hope someone pays attention and gets you your CD's!

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 19, 2015 at 9:59 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment. I am really enjoying this project and it's really stitching up nice and quickly.

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  14. VickieOctober 20, 2015 at 4:39 PM

    very pretty start....I love the fabric.

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    1. Pull the other threadOctober 21, 2015 at 10:08 AM

      Thanks so much for your comment Vickie. I'm really happy with my fabric choice for this one. I love the colour of it so much, I didn't want to stitch on it :D

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Would love to read any comments you would like to leave. Thanks for brightening my day :)

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