This project is coming along slowly, but it’s still coming along. When I feel more up to it, I’ll be doing a great deal more. I’m still on the lower part of the head/face of the unicorn, but it’s starting to actually look like something.
Here is where I was last week:
I’m using Red Heart size 20 crochet thread and a steel hook size 2.5mm. These are both smaller than what is called for in the pattern as I wanted to make something smaller. As it is, this is still going to be quite large.
Here is where I am now:
As you can see, I didn’t add that many rows to it. Still, using this darker background, you can actually see how pretty it’s going to be once it’s done.
Extras
Since the beginning of the year I’ve been working on small projects that are fairly quick to make, and I’ve been saying I’ll show them to you. Here are some of them:
I have more than this which I’ll show you next week.
I hope you enjoyed this post, and I hope you have a wondeful day.
See you on the flipside and don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!
I’m not writing this to get any sympathy or attention from anyone. I’m writing this in memory of the two beings I’ve lost recently. One was my father whom I loved, but who didn’t share my feelings in return. It never mattered, he was still my daddy. The other is my beloved Mimi, my cat. Yes, she’s an animal but for the past 4 years she was my companion, the one who kept me going no matter what.
Daddy
Dad passed away 2 February 2023. He had diabetes which he had stopped taking care of when he was forced to retire about 10 yrs ago. He has his ups and downs, but the job had been his life – his identity. The thing I remember most was how he took me in, got me out of a bad situation with my abusive mother and her even more abusive girlfriend. There were other things, little things, and these I will remember more than anything else from our time together. He was a very good man. I will miss him.
Mimi
I got her when she was 3. She’s be in a so called shelter with lots of other cats. The owner made fun of her for staying in her litter box all the time rather than socializing with the other cats. I was mad about this because this behavior shows the cat’s high level of distress and anxiety. I never knew for sure who her original owner was, I was told she was an elderly woman who hoarded cat and dogs, and she was brought in when the lady passed away.
Regardless, Mimi became my companion. She had trust issues at first, but we learned together until she fell in love with me. She was my whole reason for getting up in the morning and for coming home after work. She kept me out of the bars and out of trouble. We loved each other. She even learned how to say “Ma” from hearing my son call me it so much. Cats like her can, and do, vocalize beyond simple meows, and she was no exception. She even had a warble sound that sounded like Mama.
She passed away on 6 March 2023 rather suddenly. The vet told me she had lymphoma and a viral disease they hadn’t had time to identify before she passed while they were trying to stabilize her for overnight treatment. While my heart is broken, I know the lymphoma would have taken her anyway and in a much more painful way. I am grateful she will never feel that pain and that she was in caring hands when she passed.
I will miss both of these wonderful beings, always grateful and forever changed by the time I got to spend with them. I wish them all the best in the next world, knowing I will see them again one day.
Miniatures aren’t just for dollhouses and role playing games. It has become an artform. Big companies use machines to mass produce minis of all kinds. Regular folks use whatever they can – from every day household items to 3d printers and everything in between.
I just got some flooring from the Ukraine that’s phenomenal, but I’m not talking about that today. Today, I want to introduce you all to Queen City Minis, a YouTube channel run by a lady named Shyra. She has a voice a lot like Ara from Bentley House Minis – soothing, even toned and easy to listen to.
I found her quite by accident looking up a video on making plaster, and I am really enjoying her work. I don’t have a favorite to share so, I’ll share one that I thought you might like to see as an intro to her channel:
When it comes time to decorate my dollhouse’s kitchen, I’ll be using some of the techniques in this video and its related videos. She does some awesome work!
If you do like what you see, hit the Like button at the very least and leave a comment for her. We all love getting feedback of one form or another. If you want to follow her channel, please Subscribe. 🙂
I’ll see you on the flipside and don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!!
I have quite a few items to show you today!! I hope you have time to at least look at all the pretty pictures!!
Let’s get right into it!
Peppermint Purple SAL
This is a black work project, and it’s the first I’ve been involved in. I’m having lots of fun!
Here is where it was last week:
It’s one block of filler a week after the borders are done. I’ve done the middle portion, and I’m going to do most of the fillers before I resume work on the outside border. I want to make sure everything matches as well as it can be. I’ve already made one miscount which I’m having to do a bit of finagling on, and I can only hope it’s not that noticeable.
Here is where I am now:
Sorry, it’s not laying completely flat. I shorted myself one row on the right and bottom of the inside border so now, I’m having to make adjustments…
The Land Baby
This is my oldest WIP, and I’m still loving working on it.
Here is what it’s supposed to look like:
Here is where I was last week:
Here is where I am this week:
You can see the top part of the baby’s head. Well, she’s a toddler, not a baby but still. Isn’t that background just amazing!! All done without backstitching!
Stitchinati: The All Sewing Eye
This piece is a challenge because of the black fabric, but it’s still fun as well. I’m actually pleased with my progress!
Here is where I was last week:
Here is where I am now:
I’m almost to the bottom right corner of the triangle. 🙂 I hope to be close to the bottom left corner by next week.
Witch
This project is one I’ve found to be my go to when I travel, have to wait somewhere and when I need a break from sitting at my computer. It’s an easy stitch as well so once I get going, I tend to just go! 🙂
Here is what it’s supposed to look like:
I think she’s gorgeous!
Here is where I was last week:
Here is where I am this week:
I’m going to wait to do the beading until the very end, I have some more flowers to add before finishing her torso, head and hat. Then, I can move on to the next section of the piece.
Those are all my WIPs, and I hope you enjoyed this update! If anyone would like the chart of the Witch above, let me know in the comments below. I don’t mark on my patterns so it’s still very pristine in that regard. I’m a one and done person so I won’t be keeping the pattern.
See you on the flipside and don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!!
Here’s another update on the filet crochet project I’m working on. I did forget to measure it so, forgive me for that. I’ll have measurements on my next update.
Here is what it’s supposed to look like:
This photo is courtesy of Annie’s Attic where the booklet with this pattern in it is available.
Here is what it looked like last time you saw it:
Not really much to see. The bottom is 24 inches wide as you see, for now. The orientation on this piece is going to change slightly when I get back to that section. It’s not actually the bottom of the piece but an upper portion.
Here is where I am now so you can see what I mean:
It was hard to tell, before, which side was which, but it’s now clear. I’m actually working towards the head of the unicorn. The upper left is its jaw.
The tail you see on the bottom is a marker indicating where I’ll attach on to begin the rest of the unicorn’s body and legs. The upper legs will be done in smaller sections, and you can already see where they’re going to go.
This piece is not as big as the first one of these I made(this is only the second time I’ve made this), but it’s still going to be a good size. I think I should have gone with a much smaller hook. If I ever make another one of these, I’ll be going smaller with the hook. I’m using size 20 mercerized cotton thread which is small enough to me.
See you on the flipside and don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!
Yes, I made my first ever video. It’s not very good, but I’m a raw recruit when it comes to this sort of thing. I’m only able to upload 15 minute videos right now so you won’t have to suffer long should you choose to watch the following video:
The Griffin’s Nest is the name of my channel – duh! 😀
I do plan to make some more videos, and I hope you’ll come along with me on what is sure to be a learning experience for at least one of us!
See you on the flipside and don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!
The new start is a project I’d planned to start at a much later date but ended up starting just recently due to issues with my back. There are days when I strain it a bit too much, and I can’t sit at my computer, or lay down, for long periods of time. It’s like having back labor – hurts too much to sit, to stand or to lie down for long periods of time. I had back labor with both boys after carrying them mainly on my bladder – ucks!
We’ll start with the Peppermint Purple SAL since it’s one of my two main foci.
Here is where I was last week:
This is being worked on 25ct Lugana Natural using the called for DMC colors. Cross stitching is 2 over 1 and blackwork is done in 1 over 1. A new box comes out every week, and that’s what I’m mainly working on as well as adding the outlines for more boxes. My stitch count is up to 7620 now.
Here is where I am this week:
Just the one box this week, but I’ll be adding outlines this week too. I really love this layout because it does look so delicate and lacy!
Next, we have The Land Baby which is my second main focus. I’ve been working on this for just over a year now, and I’m confident I’ll get it done this year. Here is where I was last week:
I’m using the mermaid to help give you perspective on how much is being done. I’m working this on 18ct white Aida using the called for DMC floss. All stitches are being done 2 over 2. My stitch count for the right side is up to 3400. I did the left part last year – 2022 – and I didn’t keep count.
Here is where I am this week:
I know right!! I have actually hit the right hand corner of the piece! I’m now working my way down to complete the top portion of the piece. I’ll be entering serious confetti with the next section, and the top was pretty heavy with it already. Still, I can see this piece coming to life with every little section I add to it so I’m happy to keep going.
Next is a wonderful piece created by a YouTuber, Mad Morti, and if you want to know where to get this pattern, ask me in the comments below. This is called Stitchinati: The All SewingEye. Here is where I was last week:
I’m working this lovely on 25ct black Lugana using the called for threads, I think. So far I am, but I think I’ll be substituting on some others. I’ll let you know when I do. I’m doing cross stitch 2 over 2. My stitch count is up to 534.
Here is where I am this week:
I didn’t take it out of its hoop because I plan on working on it some more tonight.
**New Start**
I mentioned this a bit ago as something I’d gotten and was planning on working on after one of the three above was done, but as I said, back issues forced me away from the computer so I had to use something with a paper pattern.
This is called Halloween Wizard G – according to the package. I love it because she’s green! Here is what it’s supposed to look like when it’s done:
I tried to find out if this was a knock off, and I couldn’t. If you know this under a different name, please let me know! I just started this, and I totally forgot to keep track of my stitch count so, I’m not going to worry about it with this one. It’s being stitched on the provided fabric which is 18 count Aida in a coffee color- the package doesn’t really say what it is beyond 18ct. The floss is provided as well and is just marked as being cotton. They are very soft.
Here is where I am today:
The blank spaces are where beads are supposed to go. So far, this is a quick stitch, but the beading is going to slow me up a bit I’m sure.
And that’s all my stitching for this week. I had a lot of fun with each one, and I’m looking forward to working on them some more this coming week.
See you on the flipside and don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!
Since Spring will be here before you know it, and many people say it’s time to start planting, I thought I’d share this very interesting – and helpful – video I found on YouTube. You really can find just about anything on there.
While I found this video very helpful, I’ll have to research how to grow them in a small yard/containers before I do anything. I’m also not planting radishes – uck!
If you’d like me to share any videos I find on container gardening, let me know. I’m hoping the Epic Gardener has some so I don’t fall down any rabbit holes. It happens more often than I like.
If you like the video, please let video creator know. We all could use some positive feedback on our efforts.
I’ll see you on the flipside and don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!
Let me start this week off with the one I did the most work on:
Peppermint Purple SAL
Last week, it looked like this:
This week, it looks like this:
Look at how pretty it is!! I’m so glad I chose Layout2 with thus border! It’s a lot of work, but it’s way worth it! I did 1100 stitches this week bringing my overall total to 7319.! The count will be lower for a bit since I will only be filling in the squares and outlining new ones until the row of squares going around the inner border are done. Then, I’ll be working on the outside border as well as filling in/outlining squares.
Next up is my 1 yr old project, I think it’s a year old now anyway:
The Land Baby
Thus top part is pretty uniform looking in spite of all the color changes so it’s a bit hard to see what progress has been made, Here is last week:
Once again, I didn’t have a lot of time to work on it, but I did what I could. Now that the SAL will be taking less tine, I’ll have more for this one.
Here it is this week:
It’s only 300 stitches, but it does bring me one square closer to being done. The next grouping will bring me to the right edge of the piece and then, I can move down to the next section. We’ll finally be able to see the baby. 🙂
My grand total for this piece – for the right side – is not 3000 stitches.
I decided since I had more time, and I was only going to be doing about 150 stitches a day on Land Baby this coming week, I’d bring back another project into the lineup.
Stitchinati
I had just enough time before the end of the week to get all the lettering done and move back to the triangle where I’ll begin work in the new week.
Here is where I was last time I showed it to you:
This is where I am now:
I’m sorry the piece in the picture isn’t flatter. I keep forgetting to take it off the hoop before putting it up for the night so it won’t leave marks. I need the hoop because I’m using blended thread, and it helps keep my tension better.
I did only 116 stitches this week, and my grand total is only 407 stitches. I plan to have a great deal more by the end of this coming week.
I don’t have plans to restart Girl With the Pearl Earring this month at all. I may wait until Stitchinati is nearly done before I start it again so I have time.
Plans
Once Stitchinati and Girl are both done, I have plans to begin two more projects that are full coverage. One is a SAL happening on Facebook and is of the One Ring. My son and I are big fans of the movie, and I’ll be stitching that one for him. The other is a Map of Middle Earth by Ankicoleman Designs. I’ll be stitching that for my son as well, and I plan to do another one next year for me.
That’s it for this week. I’ll see you all on the flipside and don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!
In my first Big Crochet Project post, I talked about this unicorn I’m crocheting. It’s a filet crochet piece by Ferosa Harold. I’m using size 20 Red Heart Crochet Thread and a steel hook size 2.5mm The original pattern states it’s 38inches by 23 inches using size 10 thread and a steel hook size 6 which is 1.10mm roughly. I’m thinking I should’ve gone with the smaller hook as well as smaller thread….
That’s what it’s supposed to look like when it’s complete. Picture is courtesy of Alene’s Attic where I bought the pattern.
Here is where I’m at, and I’m not even really sure where it’s at – the belly maybe??
The part I started on is 24 inches long and is now moving about fluidly. I’m enjoying this pattern because it’s actually quite simple. It’s still going to take me a bit to get done, but I’ll have fun in the process.
I didn’t have time to get pictures of all the smalls I’ve been crocheting but when I do, I’ll have a FFO parade of crocheted items. Most of these, if not all, will be going into my Amazon shop, and I’d love to get feedback on what you all think of them when the time comes.
I hope this post finds you and yours well, and I’ll see you on the flipside, don’t forget your towel and sonic screwdriver!!!
Dedicated to discussing the craft & industry of dramatic writing, maintaining mental health, and the unsurprisingly large overlap between the two. Oh, and maybe some Beatles trivia.
Griffin's Nest 