Hello March! I think I can speak for many of us when I say it’s rather exciting to see the beginnings of spring once again. It’s always a beautiful sight to have a walk around and see lots of colour lining popping up around us! For my own personal blooms, I’ve made some progress on my Sydney stitch.
Above is where I’m at now and, honestly, I never thought I’d actually progress on this! To the left is where I started it, back in sunny Australia. Oh, to be back there sipping a Pepsi sat outside Pier One!
It’s the first time I’ve used 16-count aida and I take my hat off to my pals who typically stitch on this count – It. Is. TINY. Although it’s only one ‘step’ different, it feels like quite the leap for me after only using 14 count for so many years.
Since I’ve been working on this again, I’ve saved myself a struggle and grabbed myself some smaller cross stitch needles from the warehouse and have been using those. I’ve never really given needle swapping sizes much thought, but from changing them, I have certainly seen quite the difference.
I’m not sure I’ll do a tonne of projects in smaller counts, but I am loving just how packed together the stitches are. I’m pleased with the progress on this one, but I still have a ways to go.
I’ve got a Las Vegas one to do from the same designer, PatternDesignStudio on Etsy, but that will have to wait sadly! On the right is what it will look like once it’s complete – finally, I can see the finish line on the horizon!
However, I am pleased to say I’ve finally finished the Holly Jolly Kitchen SAL by Caterpillar Cross Stitch! I started strong back when it released, stopped, hammered through a few more parts and then with the chaos of Christmas, ended up stopping with only one small section left. It’s hard to see in this picture, but the aida I’ve used for this was the DMC 3813 Light Green – so pretty! I also changed a fair few of the colours that were listed, mostly for personal preference, yet I also wanted to give mine a little more individuality.
Thankfully, I gave myself a day to get it all finished and I’m super pleased with it! I’ll give it a proper press closer to this Christmas, along with popping it in a frame, but I’m happy with my shade alterations and how it’s turned out.
As always, I’ve been relying on some great audios to keep me company whilst I’ve been stitching away, so without further crafting-related delays, here are my top picks for March. Please make sure to check your content warnings as some of these suggestions may contain adult language, content and/or sensitive topics.
📖 Audiobook – The Flip Side – James Bailey
Josh’s New Year plans are his most lofty ones yet – he’s proposing to his girlfriend at the top of the London Eye. The only issue is he can’t contain his excitement, asks her straight after ‘take off’ and she says NO. It’s safe to say the next half an hour is pretty awkward.
By the time Josh’s feet touch the ground, he’s lost his girlfriend, his flat and his job. Josh’s faith in himself waivers, so he decides to let fate do all the thinking for him by having every decision be made by flipping a coin.
Reckless? Perhaps. But Josh’s driving when he is in the designated seat hasn’t always got him to the right destination anyway. Who knows, perhaps the coin can lead him to the girl of his dreams? Or would it throw a spanner in the works of he calls the wrong side? Flippin’ heck.
Filled with lots of laughs, The Flip Side will have you rooting for Josh every stitch of the way. Fans of Bridgerton and Wicked will enjoy it further as Jonathan Bailey narrates this one.
🎙Podcast – Dark Woods – Endeavour/Wolf Entertainment
I first listened to Dark Woods back when it released, but as I do with most story podcasts, I like a relisten – turns out I’d only listened to three, so it was a great excuse to start over and listen properly this time.
When the body of a young state park volunteer is found in the woods, game warden Mark Ellis is keen to uncover the truth. Working alongside his estranged ex-wife councilwoman Laura Romero, Mark is certain there is more to this apparent accident than meets the eye.
From the people behind Law & Order, Dark Woods offers stellar writing and performances by Corey Stoll, Monica Raymund and Reid Scott.
With only one series (I hope they finally make another!), it’s easy to binge this one as you work away on those WIPs.
💿 Album – Rebirth – Jennifer Lopez
I’ve been feeling some throwbacks again lately, so I’m highlighting Jennifer Lopez’s fifth studio album, Rebirth. Released twenty years ago, Rebirth’s opening track and lead single is Get Right, arguably one of Jennifer’s most notable hits.
There are so many notable names behind the curtain for this album; as a music lover, the album credits will always blow my mind. With Rich Harrison producing the first track, Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins and Timbaland also lend a hand, with Danja and the late, great LaShawn Daniels featured on songwriting, just to name a few!
Rebirth navigates funk, R&B and pop as the topics centre around lust, love and heartbreak. A super tough one for me to say these are permanents, but standout tracks for me over this relisten (yet again) include Timbaland’s moody production in He’ll Be Back, the sensual and captivating Step Into My World and the heartwarming I, Love.
I could wax lyrical about the conceptualisation of this album, the artwork and other tracks, but we’d seriously be here until April at least. I feel very lucky that I was able to snag a very rare pressing of the album sampler on eBay – a prized record in my collection, that’s for sure!
Thanks for joining me for another edition of Vic’s Picks! I hope there’s something from this month you enjoy. What audios have been getting you through your crafting in 2025 so far? Let us know by tagging us in your photos using #WoolWarehouseCrafters and your selections for a great listen.
Catch you next time!