Flosstube #99 Show Notes

Happy Saturady!!! It's March!! and it's my birthday month!!

I'm pretty bummed that I'm not at Market... but that leads me right into my best new thing!

Best New Thing: 

• SO MANY PEOPLE ARE AT MARKET!!!! 
• Would you LOOK at this Instagram feed?!?! LOOK!
• And there are AMAZING Flosstube videos up already, not least of which are provided by Gary Parr of FiberTalk Fame!!
• Check out his Kathy Barrick preview!

• AND with Karen Kluba of Rosewood Manor!! 

So we can be there without BEING there! Thank you SO much to everyone who is posting.

FFO

• None this week, but I should, SHOULD, have one next week! 

Finishes: 

• Are you ready for this?! Wacky Witches in Stitches is DONE!!

I made that picture EXTRA LARGE because I EXTRA love this. I only made a few changes, mostly to the witches' skin tones to diversify the piece a bit. I also used DMC e940 glow in the dark white in place of B5200 and used Gentle Arts Blackboard in place of DMC 310.

I'm SO proud of myself!!! 

WIPs (Works in Progress): 

The big finish on Wacky Witches left me with only two WIPs this week:

• My first WIP for this week was Barbara Ana's I Give You My Heart: 
  

Here is where I was last time:

And here I am now: 

It didn't get a whole lot of love due to Snowpocalypse, but I did decide on a name for her: Rose Weasley. She's a FLAMING gorgeous redhead and (get ready for controversy...) I ship Hermione as a POC. So, CLEARLY, Rose Weasley will be a POC redhead!!! I'm stitching her in DMC 436 and I LEGIT cannot wait. 

1. I love this project
2. Use code BENDY10 at https://www.loveyoumorestudios.com/ to get 10% off of a sleeve
3. The needleminder is from MadForMinders on Etsy
4. I copied Abby TopKnot Stitcher's idea of turning a beautiful postcard into a threadkeep.

• Next, of course, my evening project, Contessa with Squid from Heaven and Earth Designs:  
  

Or, as I affectionately call them, Josephine and Humphrey. Here is where I was last week:

And here is some more AMAZING progress for this week: 

I totally hit my February goal of a page 2 page finish even though I missed one day of stitching on her. So I'm out for the OFFICIAL Full Coverage Fanatics 90 Day Challenge, but I'm going to keep going on #TheYearofJosephine, because really, what is ONE missed day!?

• Last but not least, I've picked up Alice in Wonderland from XStitchEu on Etsy (click here to shop): 

Here is where I am with it: 

This project has ALL of the blended threads and ALL of the half vs full crosses and THAT is what is gong to make it AMAZING.

I'm stitching it on 16 ct Aida that I dyed with Navy Rit. I love, love, LOVE this chart. I love it so much that when Hanna contacted me for a review of one of her charts last month (review and chart are coming!) I asked her if I could rep for her!! 

And I CAN!! Use code BENDY10 at Hanna's Etsy store, XStitchEu, for 10% off everything! 

Thrifting:

• We hit an estate sale last weekend! It was almost completely bought out, but I did score two vintage (1975!) Crewel kits for Michelle, Romantic Tangle: 

• And I also scored a really cool 1941 Childrens' Dictionary:

Purchases: Just a few....

• First up is my OwlForest Whale kit from 1884 Stitchery:

This is currently sold out on 1884 Stitchery but keep an eye on the site and especially on McKenna's @1884stitchery Instagram (set your post notifications!) to know when they come back in stock. 

Flosstube Shoutouts: 

• Hillary, Rustic Threads: she's on Flosstube #2. She maaaaay be in California, but I'm STILL not totally sure. She's stitching the CCN Houses of the Month AND dyeing her own GORGEOUS flosses. I can't wait to see more. 

Books:

• This week I finished reading The Wishsong of Shannara by Terry Brooks: 

I chose this book to fulfill the February Reading Extra Credit in the School of Magical Stitches & Literature group on Facebook of "Read a book with an elf in it"

I didn't finish the book until March 1, so it didn't count for the February Magical Stitches Extra Credit, but it did count for the yearly reading challenge. So, win.

I really enjoyed it. Gave it 3.5/5 stars. I liked the story, despite how derivative it is of Tolkein (you just can't help that). I was a little annoyed that every time a dangerous creature opened its mouth "it's jaw split to expose a gaping maw filled with [sharp teeth]". Mr Brooks could have used a thesaurus for that phrase. 

Instagram Auction Items!!

• Auction will take place soon through Saturday, March 9 at 6am PST on @michellebendy on Instagram. Here's an amazing diagram describing how to bid: 
  

Under the picture of the item that you'd like to purchase, you put your bid in $1 increments AND you tag the person who bid above you. Only the person who bid DIRECTLY above you!

There are more detailed pictures on my Instagram, but for now, here's a peek at this week's items:

• First up is another needleminder from House of Meng on Instagram, this week it's Wonder Woman!! 
  
  
  

• Second we have a full EXCLUSIVE Dyeing to Stitch retreat kit called The Celebrate Collection by The Purple Thread: 
  
  
  
• Third is an exclusive set of Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe flosses, the Bewitching Spells set: 
  
  
  

• Next we have a set of three Nora Corbett charts that I've NEVER seen before: The Silver Dragonfly, Butterflies of Gold, and Butterflies of the Meadow: 
  
  
  

• Last but not least is full brand new, unopened Bothy Threads Gorjuss Kit called New Heights: 
  
  
  

Outside Links:

• School of Magical Stitches & Literature on Facebook
• Full Coverage Fanatics on Facebook
• XStitchEu on Etsy (use code BENDY10 for a discount)
• That's So Kelly Co on Etsy for Bitzy Bobs
• Acorns & Threads
• @HouseofMeng on Instagram (for needleminders)
• Gulf Coast Stitches
• BagzPlus by Corina
• Love You More Studio Co for book/project sleeves (use code BENDY10 for 10% off)
• 1884 Stitchery

I know I trick you guys into coming here now, but I hope you enjoy. I love having this format to look back on my progress as well! 

Flosstube #70 Show Notes

Happy Flosstubesday!!! It's August 14, 2018 (WHAT!)

Best New Thing: 

• Steotchalong 6 --or-- 6otchalong is ON LIKE DONKEY KONG!! (click on the pic to join the FB group)
  

This is an EPIC event hosted by Steotch that is a TRUE mystery SAL. We have NO idea what it can be or what it will be or even what the real theme is till the VERY END. Sounds like a blast? Don't mind swearing? Join us!! 

Here is mine from last year:

FFOs: TWO!! Neither of which I finished! 

• I traded use of my Quaker Garden (Blackbird Designs and out of print) for a finish from Terri, The Olde Needle Shop on Etsy. She finished my Pineberry Lane Fancy Blackett By the Light of the Moon: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• I have a VONNA FINISH!!! I sent my Bird Study from Kathy Barrick to Vonna Pfeiffer, the Twisted Stitcher HERSELF, and this is what happened: 
  
  

CAN YOU EVEN!?!?!?

Finishes: 

• The first room in the TinyModernist Haunted Mansion SAL came out and it's SO KAWAII!!! It's Dracula and you can TOTALLY see a monster face in the fireplace. I love it. the next part hits on August 22, WHY SO LONG!??!!?
  

  

How CUTE is Dracula?!?! I. Love. Him. I'm stitching this in all of the called for DMCs on a piece of fabric that a friend dyed for me. 

WIPs (Works in Progress) SO MANY this week!! Thanks #ArbitraryAugust! 

• August 7: October 31 from Kathy Barrick, a WIP gift from Darlene Baumgardner: 

Here is the before:

And here is my after: 

Not much progress on this one because it was Tuesday and I did all of the editing and filming and pricing of stuff for the Alzheimer's Sale, but I love it. It's stitched 1/2 on 40 count linen in the called for fancy flosses. 

• August 8: I finished my room from TinyModernist and started Birds to the Boughs from Lindy Stitches: 
  
  
  

And here is my progress:

I'm stitching this in all of the called for DMCs on a mystery 20 count Aida WHICH I LOVE! The colors are too rich and amazing to change one bit. 

• August 9: Pretty Little Hawaii from Satsuma Street: 
  
  
  

This is another new start, so there is no before picture, here it is:

This is on 28 count Auld Lang Sine from Joydiri Designs in all of the called for DMCs and IT SPARKLES.

• August 10: Halloween Quaker from Lila's Studio: 
  

This was my first #ArbitraryAugust repeat and I was STOKED to see it come up again!:

And here it is now: 

I'm obsessed with this fabric. I dyed it for myself and Heather, the Imperfectly Perfect Stitcher, and it came out more wonderfully than I could have hoped. I also want a tattoo of this blue motif. <3 <3 

• August 11: Eliza Bell Cox from Hands Across the Sea Samplers: 
  
  
  

Here is it is after one or two days of working on it before:

I put a LOT of time in on this yesterday, and here it is: 

This design is everything I thought it would be. And more. I'm using the special Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe flosses and fabric, which is a 46 count. I'm stitching 1/2. 

• August 12: Alice Under the Dreaming Tree from HAED:
  

Here is what it looked like last time: 

And here it is now:

If this comes up one more time this month I may be able to finish page 3!! And it will come up at least once more when Kellianne and I do a stitch with me video. 

• August 13: Lady of the Flag (Moe) from Mirabilia:
  

I had a LOT of work done on her prior to this week, about half of which was WRONG and needed to come out, so there's where I started:

And here's where I finished after all of the frogging:

If you're looking at that thinking, hmm, there is LESS now than there was, you would be correct. HOEVER. I. Love. It. AND!!! Per my TinyDecisions App spin, I get to work on her AGAIN TODAY!!! YAS!!

• My bonus travel WIP this week is Here Lie My Needles from Shakespeare's Peddler: 

Here is what it looked like last week: 

And here is what it looks like now:

I'm TOTALLY obsessed with this piece, the dark colors are just making everything better. This will continue to be my travel WIP this month until it's finished. 

Thrifting: (none this week!) 0_0

Purchases: 

• ONE purchase. ONE. WHO AM I!?!?! Parking threads and only having ONE purchase, WHO AM I!? I had to have this though: 
  

She's Rachel Howell  1856 from The Scarlett Letter and the only place I could find her was from Anita's Little Stitches. Shipping was CRAZY fast. Order minimum is $25 so I just grabbed some Christmas Red Valdani for the birds. Done. I HIGHLY recommend Antia's shop!

Happy Mail/Gifts: 

• From Jeanne, three charts for YOU for the Alzheimer's Live Sale: 
  

•  My ornaments from the Christmas in July ornament swap stitched by Robert from Robert's Palace of Stitches: 
  

HOW CUTE ARE THOSE!!!!???!

• THIS amazing Pin Up bag from Faye's Crafty Creations with STAR WARS PIN UPS!!! 
  
  
  
  

• From Jill, a few charts for y'all for the Live Sale and THIS AMAZING BAG FOR ME!!! 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• From Christine, Prairie Schooler Weather Wise!!! 
  

This was on my #stitchywishlist and #stitchingwishlist on Instagram and she sent it to me!! And I'm sending it to Heather, Linkismyhomeboy next. 

Flosstube Shoutouts: 

• Cross Stitch with Luda (don't just watch the English language videos!)
• Nikki, Kaniki's Prims & Whims
• Melissa Neely, Neely's Needle Nest

Books: (none this week)

Instagram Auction Items!!

• Auction will take place today through Tuesday, July 24 at 0600 PST on @michellebendy on Instagram. Here's an amazing diagram describing how to bid: 
  

Under the picture of the item that you'd like to purchase, you put your bid in $1 increments AND you tag the person who bid above you. Only the person who bid DIRECTLY above you!

• Here are the winners of last week's auctions: 
• Plum Street Samplers Heritage Sampler kit, with all of the called for flosses and 32 count Olde Town Blend Linen from R&R, donated by Darleen B and won by Trish. 
  

• Next up is The Jane Coates Sampler from The Essamplaire, full kit with 30 count linen and DMC, donated by Barbara and won by Bekah
  
  
  
  
  

• Next is a FULL kit with finishing items of Basket of Red, White, and Blue by Shakespeare's Peddler, including the called for linen, flosses, button, and the Hobby Lobby drawer to finish it in. All donated by Theresa Vennett and won by Michele!

• Finally, a FULL kit and finishing necessities from Nikki at Kanicki's Prims and Whims of her Winter Wonderland Belsnickle Santa design! You'll get a gorgeous piece of her Sepia Trees printed linen, all of the flosses you need, foam core for mounting, AND the wood slat mounting board that Nikki's husband makes, all won by Kirsten!
  
  
  

• And the new auctions: These will end on Tuesday, August 14 at 0600 PST. This week's theme is FFOs and bags and all of the donations go to Rose's Walk!! 
• First up is an FFO pillow of a grumpy cat. This was stitched and donated by Theresa Vennett, Kitten Stitcher, and it's filled with Walnuts, SO cool! 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Next is a Twisted Stitcher finish from Vonna, it's a flat of one of the LHN/CCN Frosty Forest patterns: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Another Twisted Stitcher finish from Vonna, this time it's the one that broke the internet, her Snow Globe finish!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• FINALLY! It's Vonna's featured piece from this Fall's Punch Needle and Primitive Stitcher Magazine: HOW AMAZING!!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Outside Links:

• Acorns & Threads
• Reflections Framing & Stitching
• Gulf Coast Stitches
• Starlight Stitchery
• The Olde Needle Shop on Etsy
• Vonna Pfeiffer, The Twisted Stitcher
• Made by Mama Joan on Etsy
• Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe
• QnVikki, Vikki, Stitch N Button on Etsy
• The Imperfectly Perfect Stitcher on Etsy
• BagzPlus by Corina
• Anita's Little Stitches
• Kay's Crafty Creations
• Kaniki's Prims & Whims

Flosstubers Mentioned

• Vonna, the Twisted Stitcher
• Drew & Phil, Weasley Studios
• Lolly, LollypopStitches
• Diana, itiskismet stitches
• Heather the Imperfectly Perfect Stitcher
• Caroline, Off the Grid Needlearts
• Gary & Christine, Fiber Talk
• Joan & Kelly Show
• Vikki, StitchNButton
• Jessie Marie Does Stuff
• Carol, Saltbox Stitcher
• Theresa, KittenStitcher
• Liz & Deb, Country Stitchers

And don't forget about the Alzheimer's Live Sale on my YouTube!! Mark your Calendars!!! And please, please, click on the picture to fill out a Google form to pre-register for the sale; this will help me a BUNCH!