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Sunday, November 3, 2019

Japanese Stitch-a-Long, part 5

Hi everyone!

Here's a little reminder of where I was last time... essentially not much farther along than the time before that!


Not much progress was happening... but on the 19th of October I was reading a friend's blog and heard about the Witchy Stitchy challenge -- to stitch for at least an hour for 13 days straight, leading up to Halloween. I decided to buckle down and stitch... here's where I started on the 19th:



And here's where I was just over 90 minutes later (and my cat decided to make an appearance):


And on day 6, I finished the stitching on the bag!


So then I picked up the cherry blossoms cross stitch kit -- the weird one with the luridly printed aida.


And thanks to the challenge I got really far on the project:


I have two colors left, so I plan to finish this up before moving on to my next project.

But I do want to share a special finish -- I got my sewing machine out yesterday to make up the sashiko bag. I had bought some very cute Mount Fuji fabric in Tokyo which I decided to use as the lining. I should point out that I first thought "No, I should save it for something special." But then I realized that "saving it for something special" really meant "Put it with the other fabric in the basement and never using it..."

So I used it! And the bag turned out really cute!


don't worry, I still have nearly 24" of this fabric to use ... someday ...
So what's next? Besides finishing up the cherry blossoms in the next coupleof days, I'm going to turn to a couple of odd Christmassy projects. My first one is a vintage kit from Edna Looney. I have made several of her designs, and pick up old kits on eBay when I find them.


If you can't have kitschy decorations at Christmas, when can you???

Now, I'm sure my fellow stitchers have been just as busy on their projects. Check out their work on the links below:

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, and welcome back to Connie!

See you on November 24th for our next check-in!

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22 comments:

  1. Sewing Beside the SeaNovember 3, 2019 at 3:12 AM

    Wow! You were doubly sure to make loads of progress this time :-) The bag is beautiful, so simple yet so effective. Love it!

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    1. SunnyNovember 3, 2019 at 6:58 AM

      Thanks Avis! It's nice to really finish off a project ... too many of mine are stitched but then just put aside to finish later.

      Delete
  2. Pyros & PatchNovember 3, 2019 at 7:27 AM

    How beautiful your bag! The embroidery is really cute...like your lovely cat! I have two..Interesting your next project.Hugs
    Carmela

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    1. SunnyNovember 3, 2019 at 7:41 AM

      Thanks Carmela! I'm enjoying working on smaller projects -- probably procrastinating before kicking off my next big needlepoint project!

      Delete
  3. K ReevesNovember 3, 2019 at 7:46 AM

    Well done Sunny! You definitely found your stitching mojo in that Halloween challenge, and now you have an extra special reminder of your glorious trip to Japan! The cherry blossoms banner is turning out great!

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    1. SunnyNovember 3, 2019 at 8:45 AM

      Thanks Kathy! The longer nights should mean I make more time to stitch, so hopefully I can keep it up -- maybe not every day, but most days?

      Delete
  4. AnonymousNovember 3, 2019 at 10:23 AM

    Wow, that really is amazing progress and I just love your bag - the lining is lovely too!

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    Replies
    1. SunnyNovember 3, 2019 at 1:21 PM

      Thanks Deborah! It's been really satisfying to get so much done.

      Delete
  5. jenny Ginger Ninja CraftsNovember 3, 2019 at 12:08 PM

    Wow, amazing how much you can do with an hour at a time! Your bag looks amazing and totally the right choice to use that gorgeous fabric, Every time you open your bag you will love seeing Mount Fuji and all the happy memories of your trip. Love your cherry blossoms too, stunning! Jenny xx

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    1. SunnyNovember 3, 2019 at 1:22 PM

      Thanks Jenny! I had thought of keeping my stitching supplies in it; I'll either have to keep stitching or use it for something I'll see more frequently!

      Delete
  6. Mary Margaret RipleyNovember 3, 2019 at 3:21 PM

    I agree with everyone wow!! You were busy! The bag is stunning and the liner is definitely something special. Amazing what you can get done with just an hour a day.

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    1. SunnyNovember 3, 2019 at 9:00 PM

      Thanks Mary Margaret! Of course, some days I got more than an hour in -- it was getting the start that I think was the most useful. It's like how I feel about exercising ... sometimes I feel like I don't have time, or don't feel like it. But if I just get out and make myself go for 5 or 10 minutes, I keep going.

      Delete
  7. stitchingirlblog.wordpress.comNovember 3, 2019 at 4:36 PM

    Thanks so much for the warm welcome back! I can't believe how much you were able to get done! That's really amazing and your bag turned out beautifully.

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    1. SunnyNovember 3, 2019 at 9:10 PM

      Thanks Connie! My bag is sitting next to me as I stitch and it makes me smile every time I see it -- especially the lining. :)

      Delete
  8. AnonymousNovember 4, 2019 at 1:06 AM

    the bag looks great!
    claire93

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  9. GunNovember 4, 2019 at 5:59 AM

    Love your bag!!! The Japanese fabric is so right and so gorgeous!!! Good luck with your Christmas embroideries!!!

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    1. SunnyNovember 4, 2019 at 5:59 PM

      Thank you! One is just an idea in my mind at this point, so hopefully it will come together before Christmas!!!!

      Delete
  10. Jocelyn is Canadian Needle NanaNovember 4, 2019 at 6:59 AM

    Oh, the power of the challenge! You did amazing work,Sunny. Love, love, love your bag with that very special fabric from your travels. Also Cherry tree benefitted greatly from your attention too. A wonderful update!

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    1. SunnyNovember 4, 2019 at 5:58 PM

      Thanks Jocelyn! It's satisfying to have made a "thing" with a use other than just to be pretty.

      Delete
  11. Magpie SueNovember 6, 2019 at 2:04 PM

    Wow, that stitchery challenge really helped you along! Your bag turned out beautifully. The Mt. Fuji print is perfect for the lining. Have fun making your kitschy Christmas decorations!

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    Replies
    1. SunnyNovember 10, 2019 at 12:45 PM

      Thanks Sue! The Santa Banner is coming along nicely -- it's fun to work with felt, sequins, feathers, gold braid, jewels, and pom poms!

      Delete