Slow Sunday Stitching - July 25, 2026 AND 2026 Rotation #5 Slot #3 (Modern) Changeover

 

Took the bellpull off the side bars so I could show the whole thing.  That's a fair bit of double running!!  Good thing I enjoy doing it since it took all ten hours of this rotation (less the set up time, which wasn't much).  

As I was working the borders, I noticed that the top third (section 1 of 3 by Shepherd's Bush) is all cross stitch besides a little bit more of outline / double running.   And the bottom third (section 3 of 3 by Just Nan) only has three eyelets in each corner and the rest is all cross stitch.  But the center (section 2 of 3 by Charland Designs) has a lot of stitches like satin stitch, long armed cross and so forth that do not like to be smashed onto scroll rods at all.   So, I'm going to stitch the sections in that order = 1, 3, put it on longer side bars and then do 2 and the beading. 

On my other projects, "Santa of the Forest" got 1,180 stitches this week, which takes me to 19,288 or about 55.58%.   I will do a change over and end of month picture as of the 31st and report on that next week.

And look what happened unexpectedly this week!  

Yes, that's the 'swatch hat' (link to my Ravelry page) for the brown pullover sweater that has been long abandoned (well hibernated at least).  I came across the bin that it was in and figured it's on the home stretch, so why not finish it.  Par for the course, I am sitting (in front of a fan in air conditioning) with a lap full of wool in the midst of a heat wave.  I'm sampling three different colorwork patterns and the decrease pattern.   More pictures when I get to the top of the thing. 

Some projects just have to wait their turn for my attention!  In the mean time, linking up with the SSS crew keeps me accountable (current round-up is here).

Slow Sunday Stitching - July 19, 2026

It's been a very productive week on the crafting front this week.  First of all, I did finish the "Muchness Cowl" and it's ready to donate once the weather turns cooler.

color is shaded very orange in this picture, it's really burgundy

And I promised to show the mid-month progress on "Santa of the Forest" if I got over the halfway mark.  I am proud to report that I did hit that milestone.  I put in 1,269 stitches this week, which brings me to 18,108 stitches on this project (or approximately 52.18%).  The outlines of the heads of the remaining three animals are showing up - left to right we have a dove, a bunny, and a wolf (just the ears so far).  Once I bring both sleeves down to row 140, I'll start in on the dove. 

I have also been working on the new piece in the modern slot, "Collaboration Sampler" by Shepherd's Bush, Charland, and Just Nan.  The borders are in that stage of a complex double running pattern where the stitching looks like a random collection of dashes.  So that one will have a photo next week for the changeover.  I don't think I'll get much further than the borders and the lettering in this round of ten hours, but that will give me a solid foundation for the rest of the bell pull.  Stay tuned for that. 

Linking up with the SSS crew for weekly inspiration and accountability.  (Link to current week's roundup is here.) 

Slow Sunday Stitching - July 12, 2026 AND 2026 Rotation #5 Slot #2 (Historic) Changeover

A decent crafting week this time.  I binge watched a couple of floss tube channels and stitched away on the Blackbird designs drum and put in 10 hours!

And where I was at the beginning of the week for comparison:

I'm really liking how it is turning out.  This is now over the halfway point, and I have put 30 hours in so far.  One more basket of flowers with foliage, the initials / date and the other border plus finishing as a drum yet to go.

I'm spending this afternoon doing the Kitchner and other finishing on the Muchness Cowl. (link to my project on Ravelry)

Plus I have put in 1,157 stitches this week on "Santa of the Forest".  Picture next week if I hit the 50% mark; I am at 48.5% currently, so the chances are really good.

Linking up with the SSS round-up (current week is here).

Slow Sunday Stitching - July 5, 2026 AND 2026 Rotation #5 Slot #1 (Not Counted X Stitch) Changeover

First of all, Happy Birthday to both Canada and the USA!  We had the annual big patriotic service at the church, and the handbells played my favorite version of "Amazing Grace" (and the "Finlandia" intro for "God Bless America" - which I also like a lot).  Then we had hours and hours of fireworks all over the neighborhood (Dela is not a fan LOL - but she did better than last year.  She just needed to be under my feet instead of pacing and shaking the entire day.)

But having a dog glued to me meant that I got a lot of stitching done, and I actually finished ten hours on the vintage German needlepoint piece "Alter Bauernholf / Old Farmhouse".   60 hours in it now.  

And the back so you can see the progress without the painted canvas

I had hoped to get more of the yard done, but the house was more fiddley and took longer than I thought it would.  To make matters worse, I ran out of white and the DMC "Blanc" is a bright white instead of the creamy white from the kit.   I was able to at least color block the part of the house facade that is the farthest forward instead of having a diagonal line or some other obvious break, but I wish I'd put some of the bright white into the clouds and mountain snow instead.  Not pulling out those areas - it doesn't bother me that much.  I did notice just now that I forgot to put in the long straight stitches for the wagon wheel spokes; I'll do that the next time I have black on the needle.

And where I was last rotation (end of May) for comparison:

I have also been working on the "Santa of the Forest".  During the last three days of last month, I put in 402 stitches for a June total of 4,701.  Then so far in July, I've managed 645 stitches.  That's a project total of 15,682 or approximately 45.19%.  Total for the week was 1,047.

 

Linking up with the SSS crew (a little later than usual because we slept in after the fireworks went on until almost 3 am!!!) - this week's link party is here.

FINISHED KNITTING PROJECTS - Q2 2026 (April, May, June)

 Bonne Nuit Scarf

Slow Sunday Stitching - June 28, 2026 AND 2026 Rotation #4 Slot #4 (Pictorial) Changeover

Quick life update - Alexis broke her foot again.  They had to put in screws and a plate this time!  Poor kid, she's back on crutches.   It almost makes me wish she'd stop doing gymnastics!

I've been working steadily on "Santa of the Forest" by Lavendar and Lace.  My goal is 110 stitches a day and I exceeded that number every day during this rotation!   I'm now at 14,635 stitches (approximately 42.17%) and put in 6,532 stitches this rotation.   It's close enough to the end of the month that this post can also be my month end check in photo for June.  I'll report on the total stitches for June and the first few days of July next week.

The bear is almost done - just his paws left.   I'm not sure where I'm going next.  I need to bring the cloak down and there's a checkered shirt sleeve showing where Santa's arm is supporting the bear cub in the crook of his elbow.  But there's also a little forest vignette just to the left of the bear's head inside the fold of the cloak that looks interesting.  Decisions, decisions - but bear paws first 😀.  

Here's where I was at the beginning of the rotation for comparison.  Quite a difference since I finished the beard, added some to the sleeves and finished the owl and most of the bear - it's been a productive six weeks!  Getting the bear (pretty much) done got me to 14 completed colors.

This also brings me to the end of Rotation #4.   Time to get out the vintage needlepoint and launch into Rotation #5.   I'm clicking through the projects are a pretty good pace.  It helps that I'm not doing any SAL projects currently, though I am tempted by several, especially a couple of patriotic pieces.

This coming week has a couple of extra bell rehearsals for the annual Fourth of July service at the Cathedral.  Always a lot of fun.  Linking up with the SSS crew (current week is here).

FINISHED NEEDLEWORK: "Made in the USA" patriotic fob by Olde Willow Stitchery

This little project has marinated in the stash since 2004 when it was a SAL on the Legacy Embroiderers Online Guild.  There was also a needlebook, which was released in September 2004, but my husband had just passed away, so I did not get that part downloaded before the SAL ended and the patterns were no longer available. Due to all that, I have linen and threads remaining from the purchased kit to do another patriotic project!

Pattern: "Made in the USA" Fob/Ornament

Designer: Olde Willow Stitchery

Fabric: 28 count "Fawn" linen by Lakeside Linens 

Threads: Olde Willow custom dyed threads as charted 

Stitches:  Cross stitch one over one, outline stitch, Rhodes Stitch heart

Finishing:  twisted cord from the blue thread in the kit

fabric for back from the quilting stash (I think it's an old Debbie Mumm fabric, but I don't have a selvage to check.)

Finished size 1.5 x 1.5 inches / 4 cm x 4 cm

Started 6/9/2026

Needlework completed 6/19/2026

FFO 6/26/2026