A Very BFF RAL

 BFF once more a journeying so as planned a RAL. Although not quite as originally planned for either of us .

Roni had intended to sew (on what she may or may not tell you in her blog) but the call of the wool overtook her instead.

I thought to try the wool option myself, but two rows in and it was squeaky and annoying, so it went back into its bag, sans picture and will have to wait once more for Fidgety Fingers and TV loud enough to counter the squeak.

Hmm so then what to do. 

Card up some kits ready to start when I feel like it. This kit has one design in it.

This kit has two 

Both are seasonal and I think this will be the last I share of them until that season is upon up, all of a sudden and quite a surprise as usual.

Not sure at what point my BFF will be able to blog so this is a blog link rather than a post one, until I spot that she has posted her update. CLICK HERE. 

Sunday Stitchings 8.3.2026

 If you saw the last update on this project you will notice a lot of progress. That is not due to a super fast session of stitching today,

Nope, there has been some during the week on the basis of not wanting to start something new until the Dragons are completed and they are waiting on the backstitch.

So more shades of grey 

BF SAL 23

 On to the next part and this went very quickly. This time I remembered to pause and take a picture before starting the backstitch.

This is one of those designs that the backstitching has a massive impact.

Both stitching parts completed.

We will fully finish the project later, next week will be a RAL 

So hopefully, all going well we will be onto our planned "bigger" SAL three weeks from now.

CLICK HERE to see how my BFF's project is going.

Dragons..a finish of sorts

 and a pause.

Let me explain. All of the cross stitch is I think finished. There may be some ninjas hiding on the edges that will make themselves known when I am Backstitching.

Ah and that is the reason for the pause the backstitching, I am contemplating what to use.

The pattern of course recommends one strand of 310. However, it also recommended two strands on 14 count Aida and I have not done that. My Dragons are one over one on linen. So small stitches. 

I think backstitching with one strand of DMC might be too wide and impact on the detail.  I am not sure if my usual solution to this issue is going to work. Both on the basis of darkness and availability. I don't think mid to dark brown will do.  I do know someone with the right shade and a decent length but I have only met her a few times, and I am not sure how comfortable I would feel about asking?

So a ? raised on Facebook cross stitching  groups to see if anyone has any ideas of what would be suitable. I little space from it might be good anyways.

It does look quite nice as it is in the photograph, but in reality its a bit like looking at something just slightly out of focus and I expect the backstitching will sharpen it all up.

I have recieved some suggestions and then been trying to find somewhere on line to get them, but if anyone visiting has any thoughts please leave a comment.

Sunday Stitching 1.03.2026

Stake conference, so  more stitching time than a normal Sunday but not quite as much as a General Conference. Watching via You Tube this week and nit via Zoom,  I do prefer the former but being able to "attend " remotely via either remains a blessing.

Still stitching with the light grey. I think there will be a change in shade if not in colour for next week.

There is still a paw on the left kitten to do in both white and grey but it just does not feel like a good jumping off point at the moment.

Dragons, so near

 and yet so far!

I have not forgotten the dragons. I have been on a ninja hunt, here a stitch there a stitch, two the same shade at the same time bliss.

I think I have under thirty stitches to go, all on the wing struts.

I hope I have spotted all the stitches around the edges. If not well backstitching will no doubt serve its dual purpose and not only add clarity to the design but flush out any lingering ninja stitches.

BFF SAL 23 part one week two

 and the stitching is completed.

I am happy with the variegated thread replacing the intended thread from the cover kit.

I am also happy with the result of my initial error. You can play spot the difference between my BFF's version (she followed the pattern except for the variegated swop)

next week we move to the stitching on SAL 23 part two.

Oh Click Here for my BFF's blog and that spot the difference game.

A thought and a framing tease

 I have been framing today, after the Sunday stitching and before ninja hunting on the dragons.

As the framed items are gifts can't post them just yet. However, when holding finished stitches up for my BFF to see over Messenger she oft asks me to put something behind to stop the light coming through and distorting the image she can see.

That reminded me of the unplanned result of adding yellow paper behind the design on a birth sampler because there were cut out Ducks in the mount I wanted to emphasise. The result was a subtle warming of the cross stitched piece.

So  in this instance I thought something much more intentional and reflective of the colours I would want as the subtle shade.

So it does not look like much but here it is.

It is for three finishes , one bigger than the other two. In person, I can see the difference it makes and on pieces that are not full coverage I think I may well do variations on this as a framing technique in future.

I didn't think it would show much on the photographs but it does come through and  I am quite pleased with the result. So now to arrange getting them to the recipients.

Then once I can post the full pictures perhaps you will tell me if you can see the difference the back sheet makes or if I am seeing it because I know it is there?

Sunday Stitching 22.2.2026

I was going to say it was a bit like the weather, more grey but today there is actually some Sunshine.

The kitten however still with the grey stuff.

Blogger stats tell me a lot of views this past week or so are from Germany so Hallo und willkommen, bitte hinterlassen Sie einen Kommentar, wenn Sie eine Person sind. Eigentlich können Sie einen hinterlassen, wenn Sie ein Roboter sind, beides wäre interessant.

A little something

for a wedding.

I will decide to do these things at the last moment.  In this instance inspired by hearing two days before that the decorations for the wedding would include balloons.

It is from a cover kit, but I made some modifications in particular adding the gold blending filament, to the cross stitched balloon hearts and adding the backstitched gold hearts.

I have a little bit of gold blending thread as regular visitors will be aware.

A quick trip to the loft the morning of the wedding and it was all ready to go.

I have crossed out part of the details for the couples privacy.

I rather like how it turned out.

Little bit of tissue paper and some wool and all set.