Cat Pillow Design is Finished

I was finally able to work on and complete the second half of the two-part stitching project needed to make the cat pillow for the WOCS stitching group.  I finished the first part, the cat face, in mid-June.  I just completed the "Hug Me" tag earlier this week.  I had picked out matching fabric back in mid-June that will be sewn into the body of the cat.  Since I myself cannot sew a single stitch, I'll be sending both cross-stitched parts and the fabric to someone from the WOCS Yahoo group who will turn the design into a cat pillow for charity.  Although, I won't get to the see the finished pillow in person, I'm looking very forward to seeing a photo of it before it gets sent out to someone to enjoy!

WIPocalypse 2013 - June Update

I'm back in school.  That's my excuse for this month.  *wink*  I haven't been cross-stitching a lot lately or doing anything crafty for that matter.  I started back to school about 3 weeks ago, summer classes that last for about 9 weeks.  I'm a Horticulture student and identifying plants and creating a project notebook of 100 plants, as well as taking care of my husband after surgery has been taking a lot of my free time.

I did manage to work on one project, however.  I finished the cat face for World of Charity Stitching and I am just starting on the "Hug Me" tag that will go on the finished cat pillow.  I even picked out some pretty cool fabric to go with the colors I chose for the face and tag.  I've posted the cat face and I'll add a photo of the fabric once I've completed the tag that goes with it.


Last stopping point

Just an in-progress photo

The finished kitty face

Happy stitching until the July update on the 22nd!

Charity Stitching - Cat Pillow

So today I signed up for a really cute cat pillow through the World of Charity Stitching (WOCS) Yahoo group.  You cross-stitch the face and a small message that says "Hug Me" and it gets sewn into a cat-shaped pillow body.  I started on it right away as I'm excited to see how it turns out!

Previous pillows made by WOCS' members in 2012

My Starting Point

The pattern was created by one of the group members and we're currently working on several to hand out at a retirement facility.  I am not normally one that enjoys stitching on Aida cloth as I find it way too stiff but it is a requirement for this particular project.  I chose a 14 count fabric from Charles Craft called "Platinum".  I went back and forth on what color to make the eyes but I chose a seafoam green/blue.  I chose a pretty pink for the ears and I have another, lighter pink picked out for the nose.  The design includes two flowers just outside of the design that almost look like cheeks.  I'm still trying to decide on what color to make the flowers but I'm leaning toward a peachy/coral.  The matching message will be in the same colors and I'll have to find a coordinating fabric for the body.  Unfortunately, I cannot sew at all (one talent I never acquired) so my cat will be put together by one of the ladies in the group.  I'm even thinking about doing a second one!  I can't wait to see what they look like when finished!  I'll keep you posted.

Stitching for Charity

Several weeks ago, I was sitting around at home trying to decide what I should cross-stitch next.  I have several WIPs (work in progress) but didn't really feel like working on any of them.  Hence, why they are still WIPs.  ;-)  I get the distinct impression that my family is getting a little tired of receiving cross-stitch items from me every year for Christmas so I needed an outlet for my craft.  I did a little searching on the wide, wide web and found a Yahoo! group that makes quilts, tote bags, bookmarks, and cards out of small cross-stitch pieces.  These are usually made for seniors at a care facility or for sick or disabled kids.  I decided, after very little thought, that I would sign up!

World of Charity Stitching!  The group welcomed me with open arms.  Everyone has been so friendly and helpful in getting me started on my first project.  I signed up to stitch the "Brush Stroke Butterfly", a pattern designed by the ladies at StitchingtheNightAway.com.  The pattern was to be stitched on white aida cloth or evenweave and I could choose any color combination that I liked.  My favorite color is blue, of any tone or variety, so of course, my butterfly had to be blue.  I complimented the blues with orange and brown, adding a bit of green for the foliage.  I think it came out pretty cool.  The pattern is easy with only whole stitches and no backstitching at all.  It was a great pattern and I'm thinking of stitching another one in pinks and purples for a friend's 4-year old daughter.

Needless to say, I have finished the butterfly and have moved on to the next pattern.  I signed up yesterday for a wild animal theme that will be for a child's quilt.  I found a cute porcupine pattern that I started working on.  I'll post a photo of it later once I get a little more work completed.

If you decide that you too would like to join a charity cross-stitching group, I recommend that you check out the World of Charity Stitching Blog at http://www.worldofcharitystitching.blogspot.com/ or search for their page on Facebook.  I'd love to see you in the group!