Peppermint Purple SAL update

 So it's been about 6 months since I last updated about this piece. That is not because I kept forgetting to post about it ... it was honestly because I caught up one week and then put it down for half a week waiting for the next pattern and then started stitching something else and that is where I went wrong. As with a lot of long term SALs it's very easy to just not pick it back up when the next part is published. I was really good for about 16 weeks or so. Then other projects took precidence and I forgot about it entirely. 

 Then in the last few weeks I started catching the train to work each day. I really really love this extra time I have. On top of the exercise I'm getting, that is just makes me happier, I am managing to stitch or knit each day. 

It truly is the small things that help. I've also started working on the gnomemkal which will be so much fun. I've never done a mystery knitalong and this is great fun. 

Here are the pretty colours I'm using. They are going to look so nice together 😊

Happy stitching,

Caitlin 

Easter Update

Nothing has gone to plan over the last month or so, but then again, I think that has been the case for everyone.

Fresh roasted marshmallow!

 I actually lost track of time and didn't even realise this weekend was the Easter weekend until it was almost upon us. This means that I forgot to say anything about my Easter patterns to anyone until Sunday. When I got bored and started stitching one up. I also didn't realise I had no model photos of these designs because... I really don't know. I'm sure I stitched them at some point...  or maybe not. Oh well I've fixed that now.

I will just have to get some really good photos once they are finished as little pillows.

I still had the gorgeous blue flower fabric sitting beside the ironing board and these two little bits were sitting there... well I know how I'm going to finish these! It is just perfect!! I just need to find the time somewhere in between uni and work to use the sewing machine.
 

 This little bunny is so cute!!! I just love how it turned out!

 And the little chick is just as cute!

I changed a few of the colours when I was doing this. I just picked two yellows out which turned out not to be as far apart as I thought they would be. And I also changed the black of the eyes to be a dark grey. I really like how it makes it just a little softer. As the pastel green background just needed something softer and now I've chosen the dark blue fabric I'm grateful it isn't black.

I've also managed to catch up with the peppermint purple SAL. I love how it is going so far and it's just stunning to see it come together. It is one of the few times I have ever managed to keep up with a SAL so I appreciate the awesomeness that is this piece. It's extremely small bite sized pieces that can be easily finished in a session or 2 if I don't have a huge amount of time. Also the patterns are repeating so once I get the gist of what is happening it goes smoothly.

I hope you had a Happy Easter and you are safe.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Craft Every Day week 9

Uni has started back so time has flown away! I have been stitching, but not knitting this week. Too hot and haven't quite been in the mood. I posted last week about my promise to publish 7 new patterns by the 21st of March :D well I have been working towards that with a few test stitches happening so I can actually make it happen! 

 Can you guess what pattern this thread is for?

 Did you guess the pattern right? I have to make a few changes to the pattern itself I found a couple of issues when I was stitching this up (which is why I test stitch these kinds of patterns) but overall I am sooo excited about this one. I will be doing a big launch with this pattern and a few others all at once when I have them ready. Maybe even on the 21st?

I did get a bit of stitching done on the peppermint purple SAL I'm not focusing on this one much at the moment because I'm focusing on my patterns but I still love picking it up and doing a little bit more in between other projects. But I'm not behind with this SAL. I think it is the first ever SAL that I have not fallen behind on... partially because it's such a small weekly commitment that it is easy just to work on.

Happy Stitching :D I hope you enjoy!
Caitlin

Craft Every Day week 6&7&8

It's been a bit of crazy 3 weeks and with going back to university I have kinda been avoiding my computer a little bit and have been delayed in posting this update. I go back tonight so I figured I had better get this update up ASAP!

I have been really good though I did have a couple of days off between James feeling sick and then I got sick and honestly just enjoying reading instead of anything else I enjoyed a couple of days without putting pressure on myself. But I came back out of that more energised and feeling better about creating. It wasn't that I didn't want to create I just think being sick meant I was worn down and just needed to not do at all. BUT the thing I find really interesting is although I wasn't creating I turned to books instead of my phone and I didn't just zone out into the TV which is kinda one of the things I'm trying to encourage in myself with this challenge so I count it as a win.

I'm just going to sum up my projects over the last 3 weeks as there are a lot of repeat photos of projects and some thoughts on new projects.

It's been three weeks with the peppermint purple SAL and I've made some great progress! I'm loving how it's turning out!

My shawl is coming along nicely and I am constantly drawn to it at the moment. Depending on timing I think it will only be a couple more weeks and I will get this one done. I think I have only another repeat or two of the pattern before I run out of yarn anyway!

You can see my book obsession coming out in this post... I've read this one Georgette Heyer book These Old Shades many times over the years and I still love it. Then I moved on to Stephanie Laurens, it appears I was in the mood for a lot of historical romance styles.

Each repeat of the pattern is 12 rows but each row is longer than the one before because of an increase on one end.

I'm working on the game board for my tic tac toe game and if I can get the stitching done ASAP I hope to have the pattern out in the next week. But as I mentioned earlier University goes back tonight so we shall see how I go with that one!

 Also got a few of my old patterns out to show off when I went to a cross stitch meeting over the weekend and realised that I had never released the norwegian girl. So I'm going to have to do some work and get this one ready to release. Hopefully *fingers crossed* in the next couple of days.

I also had a mild request for more jungle animals /faeries in this style of character.... so I may have to fiddle a little bit and make that happen. Again time and mood pending!

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

p.s. I intend to make these posts weekly again but please understand that uni gets kinda crazy. If you do want to see more regular posts you can follow me over on instagram as @naughtscrossstitches.

Craft Every Day Week 4

We're already on week 4 :D but not sure how much crafting I will do today as I managed to burn my fingers doing something really idiotic! Who would have thunk that a pan out of the oven is hot? Yeah apparently not me!!!

Anyway this week I've done a lot of knitting and blackwork and some random drawing.

 

 To break up the tonne of photos of my knitting day after day I took a photo in black and white.

 Where is the weirdest place you have crafted? I was waiting for the uniform shop to open to get the kids new uniforms.

I drew myself a little witch to go with my new book :D This little girl is so cute :D

It took a couple of days but I managed to finish this week's square from the peppermint purple SAL.
 

 There is a drawing challenge going around instagram at the moment called Toonme ... I would recommend looking it up! The artwork is really awesome. But here is my bad rendition of it. Basically you draw a line across your face and turn half of your face into a toon. I hope you like mine. It's not perfect but for an hour playing on my computer it was really fun to do!

 And lastly I made this little book. You can see the video of it on instagram, but it is a little mini paper book. I found a video on youtube and had to make my own version. I don't know what exactly I'll do with it but I love it anyway!

 So,
A lot of random crafts this week but it's been so much fun :D

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Craft Every Day Week 3

I have been having such an awesome time with this week :D I have been enjoying seeing everyone's posts on instagram and it's sooo awesome to see so many great projects. This week has been a big one as I released my latest pattern. Just a cute little sloth to make, not the deadlift girl yet. I spend all day on computers at work I am kinda avoiding them at home when I can.

I'm a day late this week as I didn't want to double post yesterday with my new pattern. I meant to post that on Saturday but realised when I came in to write this post that I hadn't so I'm a little late for my self imposed timeline.

I didn't touch Baroque this week but I have done quite a lot of stitching. I have a couple of little finishes, one of which is WELL over due!

I finished this little bird a few weeks ago but didn't show him before, but I started stitching the second of the little ornaments in this collection. It's a tree. 

I have also been drawing a little bit. Trying out a different style for the lips. I'm not sure I like it but meh ... it's cute!

I set up my frame to work on my Peppermint Purple SAL piece on Wednesday. I love how easy it is to work with the frame. 

This blanket got a bit of stitching done on it.... it really needs to be completed. I will get there eventually.

 Then I managed to finish this little sloth in time to release the pattern 

And finish the stitching on week 3 of the peppermint purple SAL

The detail in each week is beautiful and I love how this thread shows it off.

I also have an AWESOME finish to showcase for you. This one is long in coming. When I crazily decided to do the Crazy January Challenge in 2013 this is one of the 15 pieces I managed to start before giving up. So it has been a long 7 years to say the least, and it shouldn't have taken this long but.... it's easy to put things in a box and forget they're there. All it took was one day with it out and it's all done.

So hard to try and capture the beauty of this piece with the sparkles and everything.

 And lastly I have been knitting a little. The hope is I will get this shawl done for when it gets cold but we shall see...

How is your own Craft Every Day challenge going?

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Craft Every Day 2020 Week 2

I am loving this challenge. It is so fun to make sure that I do SOMETHING each day. I will find that it gets harder once university starts but it is making me happier. I also did a fair amount of cleaning and sorting of my threads and projects but I haven't got any photos of it. I feel very good about the progress I've made.

If you want to see the photos as they appear they are all on instagram.
I've done some drawing this week :D While sitting at work this was fun to draw.

I also finished a little more on Baroque ... I really need to finish this square!

I also FINALLY finished this little owl :D I love the difference between before and after backstitching.

Week 2 was released in the peppermint purple SAL and I love the way this is turning out.

 I also finally made my life a little bit easier by setting my frame up. It is so much easier to stitch quickly set up properly.

I've also been test stitching a new pattern. I have a couple of things to finalise but this little one will be out this week.

Then I finally finished the snow white biscornu. I have had this one on the go for WAAAY too long for a little piece.
  

So I have been really productive this week and I feel so awesome. There have been times tired after a day at work that I wanted to just sit and do nothing but picking up my stitching made me feel great. I have something to show for each day.

You can still join me in #crafteveryday2020 I would love to see more of you on instagram sharing with me. Or comment below and link to your blog posts where you are sharing this.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin