Cross-stitch projects update

Tree Frog is nearly complete, but I have gotten distracted and it has been put off to the side for awhile.  First I did a small owl pattern that I found a picture of on google images, that I charted out from the picture.  Here is how he turned out:

I plan on framing it using one on my old hoops and gluing a ruffle type ribbon, in the same color as the heart, around the outer edge.  It will be a gift for one of my crafting friends.

Next, I pulled this out of my UFO stash.

Actually, it was someone else's unfinished project that I bought at a thrift sale some years ago.  I'd put it away, because I'd only worked on Aida and the even-weave fabric intimidated me.  Now that I have experience with even-weave, I decided to pull it out and give it a try. I took a look at the stitching that had been done, to see if I should frog it or just pick up where they left off.  The answer to that question is definitely frog it.  Take a look at the back, pre-frog:

It was obviously someone's first attempt at cross-stitch. They'd used knots to anchor the threads, and there was mid strand snarls left in place.  The stitching did not follow any real discernible pattern.  And as I was picking out the stitches, I discovered not all the crossing stitches leaned the same direction.  Oh, the horror.  Once I finished frogging, I put the fabric into my q-snap.  At first I couldn't get the q-snap c-clamps to go on because it kept getting caught on the 7 count Klostern fabric.  So I cut some strips of fabric from an old t-shirt to cover the fabric and the c-clamps went on easy after that.  And yes, I said 7 count fabric.  It uses all 6 strands of floss at once.  With such big stitches, the stitching has come along quite quickly.  I am about 90% complete. 

Happy Stitching!

Batman cake

Here is how Alex's Batman birthday cake turned out:

Alex's Batman Birthday Cake

As I said before, the cake pan was discontinued in the late 1980's, so I had to get one from Ebay.  I found the instructions on the Wilton website, which were fairly easy to follow.  I've made buttercream icing before, and it is quite easy using the Kitchenaid Stand Mixer.  Hardest part was mixing all the colors.  The one I had the most trouble with was black.  I used about 3/4 of the gel coloring, and it still wasn't black, so I resorted to using a pre-mixed black frosting I had on hand.  I just squirted it into a piping bag and it was all set.  The frosting went pretty well, but it did take quite a while.  All those little stars weren't all that bad.  It is a pretty neat way to cover a cake, and it uses much less icing than I thought it would.  The batman symbol on his chest was half tracing and half free-hand.  I was very nervous, and quite happy when it was done.

Alex loved it!  I was thrilled that it came out so well.  He had an awesome Birthday.  We drove to Las Cruces and took him to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and some games.  Then we went to the Bouncy Place in the main part of the mall.  Let him run himself tired.  Then back to home for cake and presents.