WIPocalypse April update

This month's topic for this SAL is:

April 4 – Which specialty stitches do you love doing on projects?  Which do you dread?

Many moon ago when I first started decorative stitching (as opposed to dressmaking which had been my main stitching activity) I stitched a few pieces of what is called Needlepoint in the USA and Tapestry in the UK.   Basically wool stitching completing covering the canvas fabric.   Without calling them specialty stitches I learned how to stitch quite a lot of the stitches I started using when I moved onto cross stitch and specifically cross stitch samplers.

I am a huge fan of Just Nan, The Victoria Sampler, The Drawn Thread, Shepherd's Bush and Patricia Ann designs, all of whom use some specialty stitches in some of their designs.

I enjoy pulled stitches as I like the lacy effect they create and my least favourite are probably bullion and colonial knots.   I enjoy drawn thread and hardanger but with both I still find the cutting of the fabric very nerve racking.

I don't mind doing French knots but I have a dread of bullion knots as they never seem to look right.  I am sure the answer is practice as it is with most things   

This month's WIP activity has been focused on trying to keep up with the 2 monthly SALs

I'm happy with progress on the Story Time Sampler by The Frosted Pumpkin as I finished the March frame just before the end of the month and also stitched a length on the banner.   Sherlock is my favourite so far. 

I've made some progress on the Zodiac sampler by CloudsFactory though I am behind and have been stitching Aquarius which was February's instalment.  I love the look of this piece but still don't enjoy using the satin floss. Thread Heaven helps but doesn't solve all the issues.  On the other hand I really love the colours of the WDW threads that have been used.

I managed to complete a small piece for Easter which I will show in my Smalls SAL update and also made progress on a wedding piece which is my Stitch from Stash project.

The Way to Happiness received a tiny bit of attention this month.

As usual I don't have enough stitching time to do all the things I want to do.  Such a common complaint amongst us stitchers but at least we're rarely bored.