By the end of last week I’d managed to catch up with both my cross-stitch stitch-a-longs, the patterns are both released fortnightly with just a few days in between…
First to be stitched is always the Zoe box SAL by Faby Reilly. This will be finished by Christmas and we have just two more sections to stitch before we start constructing the box. This time we were stitching the top of the box lid. It’s a gorgeous design of leaves and berries, flowers, cones etc. The cross-stitch was completed the week before, so it looked like this…
This week we added all the back-stitch, spidersweb stitches, woven roses, sequins, beads, all the extra embellishments that make Faby’s designs so special. It’s made a lovely wreath of leaves going through the seasons. I love it…
The next pattern has just been released, we’re stitching the inside of the box lid now, it’s so pretty but you’ll have to wait for that installment!
My Zen cross-stitch is actually called Enlightenment, it’s by Tempting Tangles, it’s a sampler of Quaker images with a Zen saying. This one is being released in strict square order, which I must admit isn’t my usual way of working, I do keep stitching extra bits when I can see what’s coming! Last time it looked like this…
This time we’ve finished the row, so we’re exactly half way through the sampler…
As you can see I have stitched a little bit below the line, mainly to help with counting for things like the letter t. There’s also meant to be the tops of other stitches completed, but it was like one or two stitches only for each letter, so I’ll stitch that when we get the pattern for the rest of the letters. I love the border, it’s stitched with a beautiful variegated thread.
The next pattern will be released on Friday, I think we’ll just reach the letter C on the row below. I think think this one is destined to become a cushion in our guest room – by chance the colours will go perfectly with my Coming Home quilt!
thecraftycreek 
Your Enlightenment is coming on so well. I am way behind because I have had things to do for other people. Also I am doing it on 40 count and have never done that before so it is a challenge for me.
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40 count sounds tiny!! I’m comfortable with 32 count, though I did once accidentally find myself doing a cross-stitch project over one thread, now that was a bit too small!!
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My goodness your coming home quilt came together quickly!
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There’s still quite a bit to go 🙂
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You have been busy – love the little cross stitch.
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Thank you
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The little box is intriguing – can not wait for the next instalment. I also love the colours in the Enlightenment cross stitch.
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Thanks, I’m looking forward to starting to make it up.
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I love how a bit of outlining turns patches of green and gold into a gorgeous border of leaves! I am way behind you on Coming Home…hoping to get some house construction done this week.
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Beautiful work! I’m always amazed by the depth and definition that the backstitch adds to a piece which you show in the difference between photo 1 and photo 2. Thanks for linking up!
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Beautiful stitching. I love seeing your work!
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You have some lovely projects going on and your stitching is beautiful.
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Your Faby design is really gorgeous — I bet it’s fun to stitch on — it would make me smile every time I worked on it!! 🙂
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