Episode 316 Wrapping Up Christmas in July SD 480p

FO: Santa's House by Cottage Garden Samplings
New Start: Fur-ever Friends by Mill Hill
Wips:
December Quilt by Paula Vaughn
Fur-Ever Friends by Mill Hill
Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings
Coastal Holiday by Hands on Designs
Miss Christmas Eve by Mirabilia
Email: [e-mail].
Instagram: Halfstitch2017

[@lindaskinner5887]

Your creativity with Hawk Run Hollow. The piece that was framed at Hobby Lobby looks amazing. Santa’s house is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your amazing stitching. Congratulations on your finishes and stitches (2thousand plus). Happy stitching Dena.❤

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Linda, thanks so much for the compliments on my finishes, fully finished items and my stitching. I hope you have a wonderful month of stitching in August. Dena

[@kathyault7563]

Dena .. you are so right! That 'wonky' frame looks perfect! It puts you right inside that cozy cabin looking outside on the snowy scene. It's beautiful! Have a great week & Happy Stitching! 😊

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thanks so much for the kind compliment on my frame choice. Dena

[@ninahobbysite]

So many stitches, amazing. Santa's house is beautiful. happy stitching

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Nina, thanks so much for the encouragement. I hope you are having a great month of stitching. I am assuming you might have more stitching time if your children are back in school. Dena

[@becky2684]

Your wonky frame is beautiful and gives it a rustic feel. Your stitching as always is beautiful ✂️🪡

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thank you so much 🙂 Happy Stitching to you this month. Dena

[@lindacraig5056]

Wow Dena the progress you make on your stitching is unbelievable. You are awesome. I love your wonky frame and your framer did a great job. Thanks for sharing all of those beautiful pieces. Cocoa against the broom. So cute. Happy stitching.

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thank you so much, Linda! I do get to stitch many. hours a day if I don't have committee meetings at church or social obligations, so I am blessed to be able to stitch as much as I do. I went so many years working so many hours I only stitched when on vacation (once or twice a year). This is much better! Dena

[@OnceUponAStitch]

Hi Dena! It was fun watching your journey stitching Christmas in July. Loved your finish on Santa's house! So glad we had the opportunity to plan together and looking forward to our stitching meet up! Happy stitching! Lori

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Lori, sorry I couldn't do the online finishing with you and Dee and Donna (and all). But while JT was working with his Dad on business items, I did fully finish some things as well on Saturday. I felt a part anyway. I will share of course. Dena

[@OnceUponAStitch]

@@halfstitchcrossstitch2456 I didn't make it at all and I didn't finish. I've been so busy with Sal's recovery, I just didn't have the time. Looking forward to seeing what you've accomplished

[@donnalawrence3725]

Don't forget alpine garden, chanting, love to see work on this one, a special whip for a special person and that you are 😊

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Donna, I just heard Julie from Stitching at the Cabin say she was waiting on me to start with her. I will reach out to her about Alpine Garden. Dena

[@susanradford9503]

Thank you Dena. Your stitching in July was phenomenal. Congratulations - you are right to be delighted. Cocoa was so funny with the broomstick x

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Susan, this July was a wonderful month of progress on my stitching! I am hopeful that August will be a steady month before the crazy September with ABCingo. Dena

[@PeeDeeStitcher]

Dean - I love the frame for that piece; it looks like a window in a rustic cabin. You really knocked out those Christmas projects in July! Happy stitching! - TaMara

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

TaMara, thanks so much for visiting again. I was very pleased with the progress I achieved during July. August will be a little less in the finishes category as I don't have that many close enough to complete in one month. However, progress still can be attained. LOL. Happy Stitching to you. Dena

[@StitchinMommy]

It’s been so fun to see you finish things this year! I’m looking forward to following along with what you work on in the coming months! 🥰

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Sarah, I love watching your progress on your pieces and love that you plan (as much as I do). LOL. Are you planning for 2025 already? I am.... no surprise. Dena

[@StitchinMommy]

@@halfstitchcrossstitch2456 Yes, ma’am! At this point, I’m planning to not do WIPGO, but still spend intentional time on family pieces and a short list of “try to finish” pieces. The rest of each month, I’ll either choose things based on Magazine Monthly challenges or themes that I (or friends) come up with - like Full Coverage February, Mirabilia May, etc. I think it would be nice to make more of an effort to touch everything this year. The last couple years, there were some things I skipped in order to focus more on others. It’s hard having so many large projects sometimes! 😆

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@StitchinMommy i get that! I am trying to decide how I want to focus my WIPs next year as well.

[@lorettahenderson8979]

Beautiful stitching...congratulations on all you shared and accomplishments...best wishes ❤

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@lorettahenderson8979 Hello Loretta. Hope you are doing well. I thank you for the congratulations!

[@CrystalSypolt-pi2tb]

Hi Dena. Congratulations on all of your beautiful Christmas in July stitching. I absolutely love Santa's House. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thanks so much Crystal! I really loved stitching Santa's House. Now on to catching up with other stitching. Dena

[@michelleboggs8336]

Your snowy mountains is beautiful in that frame❤️

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@michelleboggs8336 thank you Michelle! I really think it compliments the piece too.

[@kaylinfrancis8751]

It's wonderful to start catching up with you Dena. Congratulations on all your finishes. The frame that you chose for Snow on Mountain is perfect. It does look like window frames. Hawk Run Hollow and Miss Christmas Eve are also looking great. It was great to see Cocoa too. Hugs to Cocoa and Happy Stitching!

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Kaylin, welcome back! So happy to hear from you again. Dena

[@lindaryan4148]

Omword! Love your framed piece!!! It is so beautiful. And I’m pretty sure you have flame fingers on Santa’s house. It feels like you just started it. Great month of stitching!!

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Linda, thanks so much for the kind compliment! Once I got going on Santa's House, it did seem to fly. It was an easy stitch and the colors are so lovely. Happy Stitching to you. Dena

[@lynnetteminturn7226]

Dena your framer at Hobby Lobby did a fantastic job and I love the frame. It looks like it was made for that cross stitched piece. Awesome piece.

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@lynnetteminturn7226 thank you Lynette! Mindy does such a good job!

[@Elaine_Jim_McGuire]

Wow, the mountain piece in the frame is gorgeous!!!!

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

I think so too! Thanks for the kind compliment! Hug your sweet grandson for me. Dena

[@lindaklinedinst9236]

Hi Dena Love All of your Projects. They are so very Pretty. Making great progress on them. Take Care & Happy Stitching ❤️🤗🧵🪡🧵❤️

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@lindaklinedinst9236 thanks so much for the kind comments. Hope you have gotten off to a great month of stitching.

[@barbarawallin6162]

Your Santa House is beautiful! I wish my Hobby Lobby framed like yours, She did a great job!

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Well, Barbara, I framed the Santa's House myself, but you might be referring to Snow and Mountains (Neige et Montagne) that I had framed in the wonky frame at Hobby Lobby. It was a challenge for them, but Mindy and I were able to make it work. Dena

[@laurakelly492]

Congratulations Denq!! You are doing so amazing well. So happy for you. God bless. 💜💛🦚

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thanks so much Laura! Hope your month has gotten off to a wonderful start as well. Dena

[@korhay21]

I love your frame. It does look like a window. It is perfect !

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thanks so much for the compliment on my wonky frame choice. I am so glad you like it! Dena

[@judystone3645]

You've had a busy but productive month! Snow and Mountains turned out absolutely gorgeous! Love the frame! I'm glad you had so many finishes. Santa's House is beautiful. What a lot of stitches in one day. Take care, happy stitching. ❤

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Judy, I am about to get very busy with the Emporium at church for the next two months, but this year I am only responsible for two projects for it, so that should be manageable. So, I am hoping to continue with the heavy stitching! Dena

[@cathleensullivan7621]

HI Dena, your stitching is Beautiful!!! I also enjoyed stitching Christmas all of July. This month my plans are to work on trying to get my wips down. Have a good week.😊🪡

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Cathleen, I am with you. I have already finished Santa's House and have started and finished my monthly berry from Erica Michaels. Now I am working to finish Stitchers' 12 Days. Should finish it sometime this month. Feels good to get these finishes. Dena

[@karlalaplante7244]

So many beautiful FFO's this month!

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thanks Karla, it was an exceptional month for me. Dena

[@sharonwilliamson2279]

Wow Dena what a month you had in July. I so enjoyed watching the excellent progress you made. I like this Christmas in July, I changed what I said I would stitch to you but took up another project that I have had kitted for so many years and it’s 75% done. I will complete this year. I was doing WIPGO too so pleased for that boost. Snow and mountains framing is lovely. I knew you had done a good few pieces this year but starts finishes and still to go is ….off the charts. I look forward to round up at the end of the year and plans for next year😂😂

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thanks Sharon! I am still rolling ideas around in my head for next year. Dena

[@donnalawrence3725]

Chantline😊

[@joanmorris7135]

Cocoa is so cute. My dog, Bailey, is a Chihuahua. I’m not sure he’d protect me against an armed robber, but he’d rip apart a vacuum that was forcing me to sweep the rug.

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Joan, Cocoa is a great guard dog as far as barking and letting us know that there is an intruder. I have seen her get between my husband and a dog that was barking at us when we walked past his house. I told Tommy that I do believe Cocoa would protect him with her life. But I think he would do the same. LOL. Dena

[@angelawest5125]

Congratulations on all your Christmas finishes and FFOs too!

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thank you so much! Wishing you a wonderful month of stitching! Dena

[@jennharts1]

You have done A LOT of stitching so far this year girl!!!! What do you do with all your completed ones? You've shown a couple that I've seen fully finished, Do you FFO all of the completed ones or are they in a drawer? Christmas House is awesome!!!! Good job for sure! You must not have to frog anything!! I watch all you accomplish and just think how well you must have done in school and in you job career.(I think I remember you saying you had a job before) I bet your teachers and bosses really admired you, as we all do!!!

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Jenn, I have done a lot of stitching so far this year and I don't have them all fully finished, but I have begun working on that. I fully finished three projects this weekend (one of which had 10 parts). Look for that in the next video. Well, I do frog at times, but I try to catch it early so it is a small amount when I do. My most epic frog was a border that was off and I frogged over 700 stitches. That was painful. LOL. I did have a long career in Human Resources Management. Over 32 years in fact. Mainly in healthcare systems. And, yes, I was a high achiever in both school and work. I am truly goal driven and turn almost anything I do into a project time line. It is just ingrained. lol. Dena

[@neilstephen6761]

Hello Dena the Mill Hill kit is adorable cannot wait to see the finish. I agree goals are more inspiring than stitch’s. I am working on a Hawk Run Hollow the one with the pumpkins. I purchased All creatures great and small and kitted it up for my birthday start, absolute madness as I am also working on SAGA which is gigantic. Love the wonky frame adds so much character. Your work is so beautiful. Happy stitching

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@neilstephen6761 Neil thanks so much for visiting again. What a great project fir your birthday start. So glad you liked the frame too!

[@linwheeler4295]

Yes Dena the frame is perfect

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@linwheeler4295 oh thank you Lin!

[@empm1330]

Hi Dena I loved seeing all your WIP's and finishes. I loved you FFO on Snow in the Mountain and the frame is perfect. I don't have that pattern but I have it on my wishlist.I loved the finish on Sant's House by Cottage Garden Samplings. I just bought that patterns and the castle and the seaside and I would like to start on one of them but I want to go back to my WIP's and see if I can finish one or two (will see). I went to Stitchery X-Press and I am only 5 minutes away from my house and all I can say is WOW!!!! They have a room alone full of material and patterns from a to z. Guess where I will be shopping. I know Brenda from Handworkmanic has been there and loves the shop so I emailed her and asked her when she comes again to Stitchery X-Press that I want to meet her there and she said she give me heads up when she does. I also talked to Cindy the owner there that every Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm to come and stitch. I have never had anyone stitch with me and now I have an opportunity to meet people that have the same hobby of stitching. So I will be taking advantage of this. Thank you for the kind remarks of what I did in July. I really loved doing them so much. I got a kick out of Cocoa not liking housework who does but Cocoa doesn't have to do housework but we are not that fortunate. LOL In the meantime Happy Stitching and be safe and kind. God bless Pat

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Pat, I am so happy you will have a group to stitch with at Stitchery X-Press! Everyone Saturday is a blessing. I have the library group once a month, but now that we have several groups meeting around the state, a couple are close enough that I can drive to their meet ups as well. Enjoy getting to know your fellow stitchers. Dena

[@ginmol53]

I wish I had a "MINDY" to help with my finishes, LOL!!!! 🙂

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Everyone needs a Mindy in their lives to help with their framing needs! Dena

[@iriscope6798]

Dena, Snow and Mountains is super beautiful. I just want to let you know I worked von 4 Christmas projects in July and finished all 4 of tgem.

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Iris what a wonderful month of stitching you have had! 4 finishes! You are 100% on achieving your goals. Way to go! Dena

[@carlenehall2979]

Hello Dena! The framed piece looks great, I think the mat wouldn’t have been a good choice. I have finished 3 of my Christmas in July ornaments and have 3 to go. I rotated each day working on them. Take care.❤

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Carlene, wonderful that you completed half of your Christmas ornaments already and you still have several months to go to finish the other three if you choose to do so. I hope you will. You are so right, the mat covered up the broken lined border and part of the solid outer border and I didn't like it at all. But Mindy wasn't pleased either and called me so we collaborated and I love the results. Dena

[@emjaymckarney7972]

Neige et Montagnes looks perfect in that frame! You've done an amazing amount of stitching in July. So great to have finishes, isn't it? I enjoy hearing your planning thoughts. I have a big birthday next year - one of those that end in 0. Hint: I think I am a few months older than you. That's far too big a number to new start my age, so I will have a new start on the 4th of the first 9 months to reach my bday. I'll work 70 hours on each new start - another hint.

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Emjay, I am not that far behind you my friend. I will probably have enough starts this year to hit my birth year so that will be fun. I like your plan of stitching the number of hours of your new age on all your "birthday" starts. Dena

[@cindygaudet1390]

Hi ! Omg lol ‘I can’t do that’ yea I immediately thought 56 I as well can’t, but I have been monogamous since Feb1 so no way will I start 56. Lol I have finished 1 and that was in Jan!😂 but a page and half left of my full coverage.oh your neige a montange is beautiful!❤ oh cool a new stitchy friend close by! I am off to bed,have a fun stitchy week.

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@cindygaudet1390 Cindy so good to hear about your progress on Totem. You are getting closer every week! I admire that you can be so dedicated!

[@cindygaudet1390]

@@halfstitchcrossstitch2456 ha only cos it’s forMurray and eventually my son. And I admire your organization and sticking to doing what’s called. Lol other than totem when normally stitching I stitch what I want when I want.lol

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@cindygaudet1390 we do make sacrifices for our loved ones.

[@itchingforstitching]

That's too bad about the Elan floorstands. I thought about getting one some time but money is often a bit tight. Also, I am on the fence about the lapstand; I don't like that I have to use adaptors which can be easily lost. Also, the height can't be changed (I am tall and I have a long torso.)

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@itchingforstitching I find the lap stand very convenient when I travel but I love the floor stand because it is more adjustable.

[@JoanStrosnider]

Love your finishing. I feel your planning is a productive way to get so much stitching done. You were talking about using your thread to the end, do you have any tips for being able to stitch with very short lengths or thread? Thank you.

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Well, I have actually had thread so short that I take the thread out of the needle and place the needle in the fabric then rethread it so I can complete that last stitch! A star detailer is also handy for short threads, but I just use my needle most of the time. Dena

[@kathyn4267]

I was curious what your friend thought of the floor stand? Was she able to stitch on it? Your Santa's house is beautiful. The frame piece is beautiful also. I saw where Georgia was getting a lot of rain. Do you usually get a lot of rain in the summer? Have a great week!

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@kathyn4267 Betsy loved the floor stand. She said she was going right home and place her order. Lol. I would not say we get a lot of rain. But we like getting rain to keep the lakes full.

[@linwheeler4295]

Hi Dena. On your gift a question . If you have started on the cheeks are you using the correct colour on the front picture they look purple and it looks like you are stitching with blue. It maybe how it shows on TV screen, but I wouldn't want you to be using wrong colour. Congratulations on the amount of finishes so far, brilliant . Thank you for sharing as always

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

@@linwheeler4295 Yes i thought so too but I checked. The picture is just more purple.

[@linwheeler4295]

@@halfstitchcrossstitch2456 that's good news.

[@jeantruckey1502]

🪡🪡🪡

[@halfstitchcrossstitch2456]

Thanks for stopping by Jean! Happy Stitching. Dena