Free Heaven and Earth Design Pattern Earned

Heaven and Earth Design (HAED) has a challenge going in their Facebook group to earn a free chart. They are currently on their fourth challenge of six. There is still time to participate. This challenge does not end until April 7th. I discussed the rules for this challenge on my February 1 post. You can find it here. Now, I am happy to say that I have completed challenge #4.

She has an eye. Chart is Glowing Dreams by Selina Fenech charted by Heaven and Earth Designs. Now comes the hard part of the challenge. Waiting until it is over to see what chart they will be giving us.

Earn Free HAED Chart

Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) has several ways to earn free charts. Today I am going to touch on one of them. For this way you need to be a part of their facebook group. If you are not already you can join here. Currently HAED is running challenge #4. Each challenge has a set of requirements that must be followed. The first one I did not know, but you had to work in 10X10 squares in a checkerboard pattern. The second one was going on when I joined HAED's facebook page. For it you had to do cross country. Unfortunately I came in at the end of it and didn't have time to participate. The third one was parking. Although I was working on a Heaven and Earth Designs piece at the time it did not have a full clean page for me to participate. Now they are on challenge #4 and I am taking part. the requirements are simple.

• Choose a clean page- Minimum 7300 stitches (must equate to a full page if you are doing an SK, Large Format, etc.), no min number of colors
• Runs January 1st and ends April 7th (midnight PST)
• Post your Email in the Sign up thread
• Take a photo Jan 1st of your blank fabric space and blank chart page(s) (Do not post until finished)
• Take a photo of your work at about the halfway mark (Do not post until finished)
• When you are complete - Post your blank fabric pic, blank chart pic, your halfway pic and finish pic in the Finish thread
• You may use ANY type of technique that you like
• Tenting is allowed
• Participants that complete the challenge will receive a prize chart!

It is that easy. One page with 7300 stitches anyway you want to stitch them. You don't even have to purchase a chart you can use one of their free download charts off the Heaven and Earth Designs website. Catch. Always a catch isn't there. You don't know what chart is the prize. It is a surprise. It has taken a bit but I have moved over to a clean page. All signed up in the correct thread, and I am finally there and ready to start. Here is the piece I am working on:

Glowing Dreams by Selina Fenech

Of course I am doing the no background. This saves months of stitching. While some will not look right with no background when it comes to water, sky, or solid type using a nice hand dyed fabric looks just as good if not better.

This is my starting point for challenge #4

My page will starts to the right of the dark purple.

Finished?

Well here it is November 2. Am I done yet? No. Life just wouldn't cooperate. Kept getting notions of being able to complete it in time. Then something would happen. Monday my husband asked me to go do a few errands that should of only taken an hour. Four hours later, made it back home. Yesterday I knew I wasn't going to have much stitching time. Our 12 year old had two doctor appointments and they are both between 30-45 minutes away. That took most of my day. However I did manage to finish two colors. Hoping to finish by the end of the week. I will keep you updated on my progress.

 

What's next? and Storage System

The need to do math has gotten the better of me. Just had to figure out how many more stitches I had left, and how many hours per day I need to stitch in order to finish on time. Estimation is 16,200 stitches left until completion. Only have 21 days left instead of 22 because I have to go to court one day. Boooo court. My best guesstimation is about 7.75 hours per day. This is great down from the 9 hours per day I guesstimated last week. That means I am probably stitching faster than 100 stitches per hour that I was stitching when I started on Snow. Today I completed the ninth page, almost done with the tenth but my back needed a break, have partials on another five pages and one lone page that I have not touched yet. Darn mathematician brain that needs to do math. That's a lot of numbers in there. Here she is....

Snow by Maxine Gadd charted by HAED

 Already trying to pick out which pattern to do next.

Star Wars II charted by Mystic Stitch

Star Wars 23

The two above my husband and our youngest son would love for me to do.

Glowing Dreams by Selina Fenech charted by HAED

This one I have all the materials and hand dyed fabric for. Worried about how monochromatic it is. I am so tired of stitching grey.

Man of War by Ciro Marchetti charted by HAED

This one I have fabric, but only some of the tread for. This was a RAK generously given to me, so I don't have all the pages printed out. It is very colorful and don't have to worry about it being monochromatic and getting tired of just one or two colors in different shades.

Sacred Hour by Christophe Vacher charted by HAED

Ok, I really want this one on my wall. I absolutely love it. I have all the materials for it, but it is huge and also very monochromatic.

Lets talk about how I store all of my projects in waiting. Depending on what stage of kiting they are at depends on how they are stored. All patterns I have nothing for just sit in a pile of patterns organized by who published the chart. Next level of storage would be if I have purchased fabric for the pattern. Most of these patterns are stored in a gallon sized ziplock bag with the fabric. This makes it easy for me to remember which pattern I purchased what fabric for. For some of them either the pattern is too big or the fabric is too bulky for a ziplock bag. For these I use old salad containers. After my husband is finished eating all the salad I clean the container. Then I print out the design picture and tape it to the top of the box. 

Salad storage box

From here I can start adding thread to the kit as it goes on sale and I can afford it. Finally stage is to add a bobbin box to it.

bobbin box

A completed kit out of its container looks like this. Includes: Pattern, Fabric, Bobbin Box with thread, and bag of duplicate threads need in pattern.

Then they all stack together nicely in my craft closet. Where I hope my husband doesn't really know how may patterns actually have accumulated. Although he has seen them all individually.

How do you store your projects?

7 Pages down 8 to go

Woot Woot! Another page finished. That makes 7 pages done, another 5 pages I have worked on, and 3 pages untouched. Hoping to have another page finished by Friday. Starting to feel like I may actually be able to pull this off and finish by November 1. But, not if I sit here at the computer; back to stitching.

Lower wing is done

Finally the lower wing is finished. It seemed to just keep going and going. Only ended up having about 10 ninja stitches on the page furthest out, which is pretty darn good for me. With that wing finished and a pretty good start into the next page I may actually be able to pull off finishing her by November 1. Now if only my shoulder would cooperate. Doctor confirmed it is a strained muscle and gave me some medication to help it heal faster. Today I had much better range of motion with it. Hopefully tomorrow will be even better.

Snow by Maxine Gadd charted by Heaven and Earth Designs

Snow Update

With less than 2 months left until the deadline for Snow by Maxine Gadd, charted by Heaven and Earth Designs, I need to be over half way. It would be a close call. Things are settling down in our new house, so, I am hoping to have more time to stitch during the day.

I am going to pull down the Snow tab from the page. Trying to get her finished before the deadline I just don't have the time to dedicate to keeping it update, what day I am on, and taking photos each day. Trying to determine what to stitch after I am finished with her. It will be another gift for someone near and dear to our hearts.

Until the next update, happy stitching.

Finished Green Bike in Red

Finally finished and framed Green Bike in Red by Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks. Sewn on silvermist opal in Kreinik red. It takes four spools of Kreinik for each bike. It is all ready for my oldest sister for Christmas. That makes two sisters and my parents down; one sister and my mother in law to go.

I have started on Summer Butterfly by Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks for the remaining sister. Hopes are high that this one wont take long. The fabric for my mother in laws has shipped. I calculated if I started on July 1 and stitched 450 stitches a day I could have it finished to be framed October 31. Shipping usually takes a good 10 days coming from overseas so each day adds more stitches to that and I want to start as soon as the fabric gets in.

Oak tree was casting a shadow on the fabric. Babbling Brook by Wichelt

My other two WIPs are becoming UFO. I just don't have time to dedicate to them with trying to get these finished and framed for Christmas. Spent last week volunteering at VBS. The week before that we (me and the two youngest) drove to Colorado to help out little sister with her new baby. So, I have not stitched on them in at least two weeks.

Queen Mariposa by Mirabilia on Quiescence by Chromatic Alchemy

The Heir by Terrence Nolan on Jaded

Finished TEXAS

I have finished TEXAS. Took longer than expected but it is done. Just needs to be washed, and ironed. Then off to the frame shop when Green Bike in Turquoise is ready to be picked up.

 

Texas Panorama by Bestitched designs by Bev

on Smokey White Zweigart 18ct Aida

Two new starts since this one is finished. First Green Bike by Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks. This time in red Kreinik thread. Also, a Christmas gift for the other twin. So far I have not messed up this one, and everything is lining up correctly. Fabric is Silvermist Opal 18ct.

Second is Queen Mariposa by Mirabilia. I couldn't stand not working on a Mirabilia. Only two days progress, with limited thread supplies. Next week I will swing by the LNS and get the remaining supplies need for her. I am not sure which is worse having three WIPs or not having a Mirabilia. Everyday I feel each one needs some love. Currently I am doing 1-2 threads then switching. It seems to be working well.

Finished First AAN

It has been just over two weeks since my last post and I was hoping to get my Mum's Christmas gift finished in one. It is taking way longer than I was wanting. The X just had so much confetti. Here is what it looks like as of this morning.

While we were at swim practice last week a puppy found us. It had no owner at the park. So, the kids convinced me to bring it home. We have posted looking for his owner with no luck. Over all he is a good dog. But, one day during the week it was raining. No big deal right. I left the dogs inside while we went to town. Our female knows not to get on my stuff on the bed. She only lays in open spots. Well the new pup did not. And, I left my stitching out so I could just pick it back up when we got back. His muddy paw ended up on my whitish stitching. He also tore up some paperwork I left on the bed. Thank God it was not my original stitching charts. Here is a pick of most of the fabric.

 

I washed it twice and tried to get everything out. Can you tell there was mud on it?

On Wednesday I dropped by the LNS and they had the thread in I needed to finish Green Bike by Alessandra Adelaide. Only took one day to finish it up. This makes my fourth finish this year. Off to the frame shop this weekend with it.

I really think she is going to love it.

With both of these going on I haven't had much time to work on The Heir. And I wont be able to work on it at least until Monday due to the deal with my youngest son. He did not do what he was supposed to on Tuesday and we wont be able to go back until Monday. So, it must sit and wait. This is how far I have gotten.

Coral Charms by Nora Corbett

Last night I finished Coral Charms. I was so delighted to finish my third cross stitching this year. My goal was five this year; may have to revisit and increase my goal. The conversion on this one was simple and manageable. I added simple eye lines and lips to give her more of a face. Coral Charms is stitched on Monet 16 count Aida by Picture this Plus fabric. The conversion can be found on the Conversions Tab at the top of the page or click here.

I finally received my fabric from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie. I am not fond of writing bad reviews. So, I will start with the good. Stephanie is very quick to respond to questions. I sent an email after three weeks of no update to ask when my fabric would be ready, and received a response with in a few hours. Here is the pictures of what I ordered from her website.

Jaded                                                       Silvermist

Both of these look to be pictured on some sort of linen fabric. The Silvermist is on opalescents.

The fabric was ordered in Adia on March 15; shipping notice was received on April 12. It took a month to get the fabric. When the fabric arrived the envelope was in pretty bad shape. The corner was ripped up and I was concerned that the fabric was damaged. (If I was shipping I would have put it in the padded envelope which is the same shipping cost.) Open the package and nothing was damaged. Thank goodness. I had been waiting a month and needed to get started on the Silvermist fabric for Christmas gifts this year, and did not want to wait another month. All of the fabric was in one bag. My personal preference is separate bags for storage with their project. That is neither here nor their. Just cost a little extra for me to get big ziplock bags for each. The fabric is very stiff. At first I thought maybe it is just the Silvermist because it is opalescents, but the Jaded was stiff as well. Not as ridged as the Silvermist but stiffer than my other hand dyed fabrics I have received recently. Finally here is what my fabric looks like:

What are your thoughts of how what I received compares to the online pictures?

Finished Mediterranean Mermaid

Woohoo! Second finish of the year, and it is only the beginning of April. Mediterranean Mermaid by Nora Corbett was a fast stitch. She is very Shinny with all the Kreinik thread and Mill Hill Beads and Treasures. The major conversion on her was her skin and hair.

We have two children that are adopted with darker skin. All of the beautiful pieces by Nora Corbett are fair skinned. I want our adopted children to be able to look at the pieces I have done and see that their skin is beautiful as well. Our daughter really loves this one. I might have to hang it in her room after it is framed. You can find the conversion for her on the Conversion Tab at the top of the page.

Other news: I ordered needle minders for the first time from Gina's Unique Boutique on Etsy. Even though I free stitch, with out a hoop or q-snaps, I am loving these. Instead of holding my needle in my mouth, sticking it in my pants/shorts, or stabbing it into the bead I attach this to my pattern holder and when I need to change thread color it keeps my needle safe. No more coming back going where did I put that needle now?

Mermaid Undine is back from the frame shop. :)

Already found her a home on the wall.

Fabric I need to start Christmas gifts still hasn't come in. So, next project will be a Coral Charms by Nora Corbett. I am going to do the same skin conversion on this one. I think the darker skin will be radiant against the bright colors of her tail.

Not just Diamonds and Gold

Whoever said that all that shines is diamonds and gold never saw the Mediterranean Mermaid in person. I have completed most of the Kreinik metallic thread. I ran out of the lighter green and need to run by the LNS to get more. So far she is only stitched in Kreinik I have not put any DMC or beads in to her tail. She is stitching fairly fast now so hopefully I will be finished soon and can start something on the new fabrics I received. Now I have fabric for four designs.

Speaking of new fabrics I got my package from Chromatic Alchemy. It felt like for ever to get in, even though it was only two weeks. Definitely will be ordering more fabric from them. Worth the wait to come from Europe. Now I really can't decide which one to do next. Might have to toss a coin or let one of the kids pick.

Frost (aida)

Mermaids of the Deep Blue by Mirabilia

Going to change mermaid colors

Antares (aida)

Peacock by Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks

Quiescence (aida)

Queen Mariposa by Mirabilia

Finished Skin Mediterranean Mermaid

I didn't get a whole lot of stitching done on Mirabilia Mediterranean Mermaid while the kids were on spring break last week. Go figure. I did manage to sneak in a few minutes here and there and finished her skin and hair. Also, managed to take a good picture of her and the fabric too.

She is stitched on 14 count Zweigart Frenzy.

I am hoping this week to get the file up on my conversion page for this project.

The hair has the dreaded 2 strand blend in it. (You know where you take one strand of one color and one strand of another color and put them together.) On top of being my least favorite thing to do; they are small stitch areas with only 1-4 stitches, then a huge gap. So, you have to end and start again. I save blends until they are the last thing in that area. Sometimes, I will even move to a new area and skip the blends. What is your least favorite part? Comment below.