It’s a Mystery #10

Happy new Year!

It’s time for another SAL update . This project is inspired by the 2025 Mystery SAL called Cloister Garden from the Fox and Rabbit website. They’ve got a new free mystery SAL for 2026. Use the link to their web site if you’re interested.

This is where I was up to last time.

This is where I’m up to now.

I finished the rest of the outer borders that I’d started last time and decided on the next part of the layout. The side you can’t see is scrolled around the frame but I have stitched that as well. There will be something plant/flower related in the diamonds but I haven’t decided exactly what yet. I’ll also be filling the gaps at the corners and under the diamonds.

Please visit the other blogs that are also taking part in this SAL. There are so many different projects to enjoy. The participants live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences. We’re posting today at local time. Click the links to their blogs below and see what they’re up to.

Our next updates will be published on 8th February 2026.

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

About the SAL

Please note this SAL is not accepting any more new members until further notice but this is what it’s all about anyway. This SAL (Stitch Along) is slightly different to other SALs in that we don’t all stitch the same design at the same rate. We choose ONE unfinished project, or ONE new one, and show progress of its completion over a series of three weekly updates. There are no deadlines and no set amount to stitch. The result is that the space in our drawers full of WIPs (works in progress) is gradually being freed up to store lots of new crafty goodness. It’s surprising how much motivation I’ve gained from being in this SAL.

13 Comments

by Sewing Beside the Sea on January 18, 2026 • Permalink

Posted in Cloister Garden, Cross stitch, Uncategorized

Tagged cross stitch, embroidery, Fox and Rabbit Mystery SAL 2025, SAL

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on January 18, 2026

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2026/01/18/its-a-mystery-10/

It’s a Mystery #9

Hello everyone!

It’s time for another SAL update . This project is the 2025 Mystery SAL from the Fox and Rabbit website called Cloister Garden with some of my own changes. The pattern is free until the end of the year (I think).

This is where I was up to last time.

This is where I’m up to now.

I didn’t get as much done for this update as I’d hoped but I made a start on the next border.

We are taking a break from our usual posting schedule so there’ll be no SAL posts on 28th December. Our next updates will be published on 18th January 2026. In the meantime, have a Happy Christmas if you celebrate and best wishes to all for the new year.

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Our next updates will be posted on the 18th January 2026.

About the SAL

22 Comments

by Sewing Beside the Sea on December 7, 2025 • Permalink

Posted in Cloister Garden, Cross stitch

Tagged Cloister Garden, cross stitch, embroidery, Fox and Rabbit SAL, SAL

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on December 7, 2025

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2025/12/07/its-a-mystery-9/

It’s a Mystery #8

Hello everyone!

It’s time for another SAL update . This project is the 2025 Mystery SAL from the Fox and Rabbit website called Cloister Garden with some of my own changes. The first few monthly charts have already been published and I’m stitching at my own pace.

This is where I was up to last time.

This is where I’m up to now. I’ve finished the diamonds border, unless I choose to continue across the gaps. I still haven’t decided what to do but I have lots of options swimming around in my head. The latest stage of the pattern which was published a couple of weeks ago shows the outer extremities of the design so I know what space I’ve got to work with. Some of the stitching is rolling into the frame now so you’ll have to wait until it’s completely finished to see it all together again.

There’s another border coming up next. It’s the same as the one inside the diamonds.

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Our next updates will be posted on the 7th December 2025.

About the SAL

19 Comments

by Sewing Beside the Sea on November 16, 2025 • Permalink

Posted in Cloister Garden, Cross stitch

Tagged cross stitch, embroidery, Fox and Rabit SAL, SAL

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on November 16, 2025

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/its-a-mystery-8/

It’s a mystery #7

Hello everyone!

This is where I was up to last time.

This is where I’m up to now, except I’ve frogged a little bit since the photo was taken.

I had a bit of a nightmare with the latest part as I mentioned last time. I loved the original design but it didn’t work the way I wanted it to with my thread choices. You can see the original by clicking the Fox and Rabbit link above. There are two intertwining zig-zagging lines and I stitched part of the first line in variegated thread and then started the other one in the solid colour, expecting it to look like it was going under and over the first line. After I’d done almost a quarter, the variegated and the solid were both the same colour at an intersection. The solid is the same shade as a colour in the variegated thread so it didn’t look like they were going under and over at all. I should’ve realised that long before doing so much stitching but I didn’t so had to unpick. Now that I’m writing this I’ve realised that I also should’ve taken photos so you could see why it wasn’t working……but I didn’t LOL. Anyway, I’m happy with what I eventually decided to do. There’s an error in the photo above that I’ve already unpicked. Thankfully, there were only a few stitches to undo this time. Just to the left of the top centre, the two little diamonds shouldn’t be there. They’re gone now.

Next, I’ll be working on the rest of the border and then I should be able to decide what to do with the gap on each side because the November stage will be published soon.

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Our next updates will be posted on the 16th November 2025.

About the SAL

22 Comments

by Sewing Beside the Sea on October 26, 2025 • Permalink

Posted in Cloister Garden, Cross stitch

Tagged cross stitch, embroidery, SAL

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on October 26, 2025

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/its-a-mystery-7/

It’s a Mystery #6

Hello everyone!

This is where I was up to last time.

I added the pretty border which is the same as the original design for May. A gap has been left in the middle of each side for another pot of flowers. I’ll be doing something different but I’m waiting to see what comes later before making a decision. I might end up with no gaps. Not sure yet.

A much wider border is coming up next. I’m going to have to change that as well because I’ve tried it and my thread choices don’t work at all. That’s why this update shows a lot less stitching than usual. I’ve been unpicking. Oh well, I’m getting used to mixing it up!

Christina has decided to take a break from the SAL for a while. Hopefully, she’ll be back soon.

Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Our next updates will be posted on the 26th October 2025.

About the SAL

16 Comments

by Sewing Beside the Sea on October 5, 2025 • Permalink

Posted in Cloister Garden, Cross stitch

Tagged Cloister Garden, cross stitch, embroidery, fox and rabbit, Mystery SAL

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on October 5, 2025

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2025/10/05/its-a-mystery-6/

It’s a Mystery #5

Hello everyone!

This is where I was up to last time.

I’ve now added the four corners (slightly different from the original design) and that completes the stage for April. It’s about 7 inches square now.

There’s a very pretty border coming up next. I should get that done for next time.

Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Our next updates will be posted on the 5th October 2025.

About the SAL

26 Comments

by Sewing Beside the Sea on September 14, 2025 • Permalink

Posted in Cloister Garden, Cross stitch

Tagged Cloister Garden, cross stitch, embroidery, SAL

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on September 14, 2025

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2025/09/14/its-a-mystery-5/

It’s a Mystery #4

Hello everyone!

It’s time for another SAL update . This project is the 2025 Mystery SAL from the Fox and Rabbit website called Cloister Garden with some changes. The first few monthly charts have already been published and I’m stitching at my own pace.

This is where I was up to last time.

I added the rectangle to the 4th side which completed the part for March.

The next chart for April completes the four empty corners so it’s not a huge amount of stitching. I plan to make a small change because there are plant pots on the four inner corners and I’d prefer more flowers. It’s no extra work to swap them.

Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Our next updates will be posted on the 14th September 2025.

About the SAL

24 Comments

by Sewing Beside the Sea on August 24, 2025 • Permalink

Posted in Cloister Garden, Cross stitch

Tagged Cloister Garden, cross stitch, embroidery, fox and rabbit, SAL

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on August 24, 2025

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2025/08/24/its-a-mystery-4/

It’s a Mystery #3

Hello everyone!

You saw that I’d started the March chart last time. I changed the flower a bit.

After a lot of head scratching, drawing and re-drawing, I settled on the following design for the rest of the rectangle. It’s partly mine, partly Ink Circles and probably part Pinterest inspired. I messed about with it for so long that I can’t remember which bits I found where or what changes and additions were mine. March isn’t a lot like the original.

This is where I’m up to now.

Just one more rectangle to complete and that will be the March stage finished.

Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Our next updates will be posted on the 24th August 2025.

About the SAL

8 Comments

by Sewing Beside the Sea on August 3, 2025 • Permalink

Posted in Cloister Garden, Cross stitch

Tagged Cloister Garden, cross stitch, embroidery, fox and rabbit, Mystery, SAL

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on August 3, 2025

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2025/08/03/its-a-mystery-3/

It’s a Mystery #2

Hello everyone!

It’s time for another SAL update . This project is the 2025 Mystery SAL from the Fox and Rabbit website called Cloister Garden. The first few parts have already been published so I started from the January chart and I’m stitching at my own pace.

I’d stitched the January stage last time.

I got straight on with February and finished that.

This is where I’m up to now. The fabric is actually white.

I did less filling on the flower petals than there is on the SAL chart and I’ve completely changed what was in the rest of the box but haven’t stitched any of that yet. Hopefully I’ll get some done soon and like what I end up with. The same box will be on all four sides of the centre square.

Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret,

Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie,

Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy, Helen

Our next updates will be posted on the 3rd August 2025.

About the SAL

16 Comments

by Sewing Beside the Sea on July 13, 2025 • Permalink

Posted in Cloister Garden, Cross stitch

Tagged Cloister Garden, cross stitch, embroidery, SAL

Posted by Sewing Beside the Sea on July 13, 2025

https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/2025/07/13/its-a-mystery-2/

It’s a Mystery #1

Hello everyone!

It’s time for another SAL update and this time I’m starting something new. I found a free Mystery cross stitch SAL ages ago and it kept screaming at me. It’s the 2025 Mystery SAL from the Fox and Rabbit website called Cloister Garden. The first six stages have been published but I’ll be starting from the January chart and stitching at my own pace. Some of the stages are small and others will take a lot of time to complete so I won’t be attempting to catch up or keep up.

This is where I’m up to now. I’m stitching with variegated and solid threads on white, 20 count aida fabric. Who would’ve guessed I’d go with purple and green?

Choosing to stitch this piece means my stash drawer won’t be shrinking for a while. I didn’t have either fabric or threads in the size or colours that I wanted but I did have some birthday vouchers to spend Winking smile .