April Smalls SAL

24th was the last Friday of the month which meant it was time for a Smalls SAL check in. The idea of this SAL (Stitch A-Long) is to stitch up something small each month. I joined a few years ago and use this SAL as an excuse to stitch a monthly design all year. I have a shelving unit where I display seasonal pieces each month. I love it! Head over to Mary's blog to see what others have posted this time.

This year I'm working on a Lili of the Valley Calendar that came in Cross Stitcher in 2016...

So this month I finished up April...

She hasn't been FFO'd just yet because I want a different material than what I have on hand. Of course I wanted that after the stores locked down. Other smalls that qualified during this time was the little Easter piece I stitched up for the Easter Blog Hop and an Easter exchange that was postponed till later...

So far I'm staying caught up with my monthly pieces. It helps a lot with the push of this SAL. Thanks Mary!

March Smalls SAL

On the last Friday of every month we have a check in for the Smalls SAL. The idea of this SAL is to push ourselves to do something small each month. Then we will at least have 12 finishes at the end of the year. I joined a few years ago and used this SAL as a perfect excuse to stitch up a monthly design all year long. I love changing my little monthly pieces out each month.

Stop over to Mary's check in post to see what others have posted.

This year I'm doing a fairy Calendar that came from a 2016 Cross Stitcher magazine. This is what the whole thing looks like...

So this month I did March. I was able to finish it but not fully finished just yet...

This is the only thing I've finished in this span that has been small.

I will be back tomorrow for a WIPocalypse update and a Monday Update.

Feb Smalls SAL

Warning we left Friday morning for a weekend away. I have two SALs to post for and update posts on #24HOCS challenges and also a Monday update post coming. I hope I don't annoy you too much haha. They just each deserve their own posts.

Smalls SAL is hosted by Mary now. The idea of this fun SAL is to stitch up something small each month. I started several years ago and I like to use this SAL as an excuse to stitch up a monthly design all year long. This year I'm doing a calendar of fairies that was found in 2016 Cross Stitcher. It's called Lili of the Valley...

Here is my Feb fairy all finished up...

This is the only small finish I've had this month. I've focused on larger projects. Head over to the check in post here to see what others have posted.

January Smalls SAL

Mary is the host of this wonderful blog SAL. For this one we are to stitch up something small each month. I joined several years ago and used this SAL as an excuse to complete a monthly calendar piece each month for the whole year. Head over to January's check in post to see what cuties others have posted.

This year I have picked another full set to do for myself.

These are from a 2016 Cross Stitcher magazine. They are called Lili of the Valley Fairies. My plan to stitch them each month during the month they are called for. Here is January all finished and ready to be on display...

Let's see what other smalls I have finished up this month...

Merry Noel was a cute little Hinzeit piece I finished up.

I'm also stitching the Stitcher's Code pieces as little individual pieces. Love the way it turned out.

See ya in February with hopefully another fairy finished. Thanks Mary for hosting again this year!

2019 Smalls SAL Wrap Up and Next Year Reveal

Today is the last check in for the 2019 Smalls SAL. The idea of this fun SAL was to stitch up something small each month. So at the end of the year we know we will at least have 12 finishes. Even better if they are finished finishes. This is my 4th year participating. Mary is hosting now. Stop over to the check in post here to see what others have posted for the check in.

The first year I thought about this project I had in my stash that was a year long monthly set. I thought how perfect. I've stuck to that theme now and I really enjoy sitting out my monthly pieces the beginning of each month.

This year I found the perfect Nautical set to do for my mom. But I couldn't stop there could I? No, I picked a set of the Lizzie Kate monthly sets too for my side. I'm so happy I finished BOTH sets!

I was looking for something in my hope chest and found this basket my Grandmother made a long time ago. It is the perfect fit for Mom's Nautical set. Here is a photo of the set laid out...

Funny story. I went to use the December fabric and noticed a stain on it. So I switched out fabric. As you can see in the photo I used a smaller count obviously. Of course I didn't notice until it was finished. It looks fine until you sit them all side by side like this haha.  I really enjoyed doing this set for mom. Reminder they are from Sand, Sea & Cross Stitch book.

For my set I used the Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamps...

I really enjoyed this set as well. I really enjoyed how each month had 3 little buttons worked into the design.

I'm glad I did both sets. I'm also very glad they are finished haha. Plus I kept up with them which shocked me and most of you haha.

Next year I picked just one set to do. I will finally reveal them to you now...

This calendar was in a 2016 Cross Stitcher magazine. I seen another blogger stitch up one or two of them and fell in love. I searched and searched and couldn't find the pattern. They are called Lili of the Valley. When I was attending the PA retreat they had a free table and I couldn't believe my eyes when I seen this calendar. I can't wait to stitch them up.