It’s Done!

Dear Constant Reader,

I enjoy a number of handcrafts, but my first love is counted cross-stitch. 

Last spring Sarah at Slightly Sinister created cross-stitch patterns for the emblems of each of guilds in the Slightly Sinister Academy of Crafts and gave the Secret Society first crack at them, before they were released to the greater Academy. I jumped right on the Hissenskratch* one. I did not know what I was getting into…

Although the color pallet is relatively limited and there are no blended threads or partial cross-stitches (I’m looking at you, Teresa Wentzler), it was still a challenge. The design is pretty large and there’s quite a bit of shading. I had a lot of fun with it, planning stitching strategies and celebrating little victories. It was my constant companion and I stitched whenever I had a free moment, at least a little almost every day. You have no idea how unusual this is for me — I’ve got cross-stitch pieces that have been sitting in the UFO box for years.

How long did it take? I didn’t track my time, which I think would have hindered my productivity, so I don’t know how many hours I spent on it. However, I took the first stitch on May 13, 2024 and the last on September 10, 2025.

Ta-da!Hissenskratch cross-stitch

If you want to see more of my embroidery, check out my Project Portfolio. It’s not complete by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m working on it.

Originally Sarah made the patterns only to the members of her Academy, but I think she’s going to offer them for sale. I’ll add the link if she does.

M2

*Hissenskratch is my guild. Are you shocked that I was put in the cat group?

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 29 September 2025 at 5:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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A Botanical Experiment

Dear Constant Reader,

You know I enjoy gardening. I grow herbs and vegetables and fruit and wild flowers in a rather laissez-faire fashion. You also know I am a member of the Slightly Sinister Secret Society. Periodically we get odd little extras, called Wildcards.
Seed packaging
In March I received a mailing from The Slightly Sinister Botanical Supply Co. with these materials with which to participate in Project Veilroot.

I carefully opened the packet of seeds and read the experiment’s instructions carefully. There was still a danger of frost at that point, so I started the seeds indoors, hoping the cats would be merciful to them. To my great surprise, all four seeds sprouted about a week after I planted them.
indoor sprouts
I tended them in pots until I thought it was finally safe to plant them outdoors.

To plant them, I chose a location well away from my regular gardens… just in case.
Outdoor seedlings
The four specimens grew nicely, although one disappeared and then another. I believe it was our resident bunny, who is too cute to blame.

Eventually I noticed the taller of the two surviving specimens (Alpha) appeared to be budding — or planning to release an alien creature.
Bud or alien
I watched it carefully for days, until…
Alpha Blossom
Isn’t it glorious!

As of this writing, that initial bloom has faded, but several more appeared on Specimen Alpha and then Beta had one of its own.
Beta flower
It’s so different! I wish Gamma and Delta has survived so I could have more data points.

This may be my favorite of all the Wildcards — and we’ve had some good ones over the years.

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 18 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 4 September 2025 at 8:36 pm  Leave a Comment  
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