Getting back on that horse: new project & first USA fabrics

Well if it hasn't been the longest time! This quarantine is doing things to me, y'all. We haven't been allowed to leave our homes for nearly 6 weeks now and the anxiety's running wild and rampant, as I'm sure you know from personal experience. I really need to take a walk and just move! But I don't want to ramble on about the topic, so A  N Y W A Y...

... I have started a new project! Yes, again. Apparently 2020 is the year of running around aimlessly in cross stitch and I'm going to have to be OK with that. Flowers & Hummingbird was seriously burning me out by the end so I've decided to put it down for a little while, but it's still in my WIPs.  In the meantime I've started the beautiful Medieval Maiden by Joan Elliott and oh my goodness you guys, just look at her:

She is so beautiful! I love Joan's attention to detail and all the delicate backstitching that goes on to make the piece pop. I mean, just look at her shirt:

Absolutely stunning. I used plain golden metallic thread instead of the Kreinik called for, because it's enough that I had this piece all kitted out before quarantine hit and actual Aida lying around. But I think it looks fine.

USA Fabrics

Now this is a big deal for me, because this is my first cross stitch purchase from the US. I usually get my materials from Spain, Italy, the UK and China for the convenience. But I really wanted to try out this super famous Picture This Plus fabric that everyone's talking about, so here we are:

The dark blue fabric you see in the picture is Mystic by Picture This Plus, and I could not love it more. I can't believe how soft and smooth it is, how rich in color. I'm going to use it for Mirabilia's Stargazer one day.

The other fabric is Twilight Blue by Zweigart I believe, and it is greyer than I'd imagined and very stiff, so I'm not too impressed with that one.

I also snagged the adorable little Dimensions kit you see in the picture, because it reminds me of my own two cats, so it really called out to me and I think it will be a beautiful piece to make. I mean... They're identical:

So, how are you all doing lately? I'm trying to get around to everybody's blogs (those of you that have them) so excuse me if I've been missing lately. Like I mentioned, this quarantine is affecting me, and I haven't been able to focus very much on anything. I hope you're all keeping safe and happy... Until next time, happy stitching :)

Flowers & Hummingbird... And Easter Staycation

Hello world! I have some progress to show you all:

We have a wee little hummingbird! Isn't he the cutest thing?

I'm very excited with how this project is coming along. It's slow going with all that confetti, but seeing it come together is so worth it. I think that of all the pieces I have worked on so far, this is one of the most visually stunning for me, with the pop of colors and the play of shadows. And just look at that clapboard house! Very nice.

It's actually a depressive funny date to post this entry, because today we were supposed to fly over to Belgium, to visit my parents and enjoy our easter holidays out walking in the woods, visiting historical gardens, and of course driving over to Holland for its beautiful tulip season.

Big theatrical sigh. Needles to say, our flight was cancelled and we can't leave the apartment for another three at least. So I've been settling into my epic staycation, which looks like this:

Easter Quarantine Staycation Activities

First off, I've dug into this series of books that has me literally obsessed:

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas has me tearing through the sequels like there's no tomorrow. It's a complete guilty pleasure, as it's a young adult book with faerie folk and lots of fantasy, but I'm really enjoying it (shh!)

I've also been (gasp!) gaming. My husband got me the incredibly famous gave Stardew Valley and oh, my goodness. The hours I've spent on it! But it's ok because quarantine... right? (at least that's what I keep telling myself).

And of course, I've been thinking about my cross stitching! For my next project I think I'll be working on Sleeping Beauty by Joan Elliott:

Sleeping Beauty by Joan Elliott

She's been one of my favorites for a long time, I actually have her all kitted out in my stash, and I feel like stitching a Joan Elliott piece.

How is everbody doing this week? It's nice to hear that most of you are ok and trying to keep occupied with different things. I've stopped watching the news for the most part and I'm living in my own fantasy world, as you can see. My friends and family and we ourselves are doing ok, so we are feeling extremely lucky, and are trying to keep focused on positive things and doing what we can, which is stay at home. I hope you are all well and safe and happy wherever you are! Until next time... Happy stitching :)