October WIPocalypse

Unfortunately, I didn't get as much done this month as I had hoped.  Poor Adriana, which I wanted to have done by this update, didn't get anymore stitches added.  Nor did the Sticklounge Advent Calender or the Old European Sampler.  Sigh.

Instead, I spent an enjoyable month on Halloween and Exchanges (one of which is still a secret):

I did finally finish Something Wicked by La-D-Da.  It only needed the spiders added but had fallen to the bottom of my pile and was hidden -- until now:

I can't remember when I started this one but it was at least a year ago, maybe more (time flies when you're having fun).  I doubt it'll get 'ornamentized' before tomorrow but at least it's ready for the process.

 
The last piece I stitched on was the Christmas SAL from Carole and I'm happy to report it is up to date:

Carole's original design called for lots of white thread but the white doesn't show up well on my tea stained fabric (at least not stitched 1 over 1, it doesn't).  So I picked a light brown for the snow instead -- hmmm, better than yellow, don't you think?

I'm not signing up for any more exchanges or SAL's until after the new year.  I need to get more Christmas gifts stitched and will be spending most of my stitching time getting them done. 

And I really want to get Adriana finished before the world ends.

October IHSW

I don't have much to show for IHSW -- though I wanted to get lots done, it just didn't happen.  I did go the my LNS on Saturday for her sale and bought some stuff.  It wasn't actually stitching, but it's stitching related. 

And then on Sunday, I finished my nephews' Halloween ornies into the actual ornaments:

I'm pleased with the results and hope the boys will be also.

I used to be so organized . . .

sigh . . . not any more . . . sigh.

I participated in a Stitched with Love exchange called 'Animal Antics'.  My partner-to-stitch-for was Loretta and her favorite animal is the bear -- not a teddy bear -- a bear.  Hmmmm, easy enough.  So off  I went in search of a bear pattern.  I didn't actually remember such a pattern but surely amongst my stash I could find one.  Nope.  Nary a bear.

Well, perhaps I could find a log cabin and a bear charm or button to attach?  Yup, found a cute log cabin in the woods . . .  found a really nice log cabin quilt block . . .  found a charm? a button?  Nope.  Nary a one.  And I really liked the log cabin quilt block with a bear charm idea -- bummer.

Hmmmm, not so easy after all.

I guess I'll have to settle for a teddy bear.  Mind you, there were 2 other animals that were Loretta's 2nd and 3rd choice (easy ones, too, dogs and cats --I have tons of dog and cat patterns because they are some of my favs also.).  But no, I was determined to go with her first choice.  So back to my patterns I went in search of the Christmas teddy bear pattern book I knew was there (but never did find).  And in searching for that book, I came across this:

Check it out -- a BEAR!

And a suggestion for the BEAR sans forest friends -- perfect!

(Okay, now here's the lack of organization part.  I forgot to get the designer's name but if you check out your old "Cross Stitch and Country Crafts" Mar/Apr 1992 issue you can find it yourself.  Sorry.)

And here he is, made into a cute little pillow (a new-to-me finish and, yes, I'm very proud of it):

And the rest of the exchange (also please note the black, brown, white color combo -- the color of bears):

This was such a fun project because I really had to do some thinking and searching for bear things.

My partner-who-stitched-for-me in this exchange was Lainey who combined some of my favorite things into one package:

Check out all the butterflies!  And some in pink, no less.  Thank you Lainey!  I love it. The butterfly ornament she stitched hangs on my dresser mirror looking so pretty.  I'm very lucky :)

I hit a wall

Unfortunately, I came down with a cold last week that put a serious halt to my stitching fervor since my last post.  Luckily, it remains a simple cold and didn't develop into something epic . . . and is going away in record time.

(knock on wood)

I did manage to do a little stitching in the last couple days on the nephews' Halloween ornies.

EEEK!  

Spiders!

 All 8 legs (in black perle cotton) have been added to Along Came A Spider.   

And little black spider buttons crawl along the bottom of Eek!






And that's about all I can show for the past week.  That and an empty box of tissues.

Here's hoping next week is better ...... and healthier!

Sept WIPocalypse

I am happy to report that I've been a busy little stitcher this past month, albeit a little erratic -- hopping around from project to project like a honey bee bounces among the clover.  And it was FUN!

I'll begin with Adriana -- I am almost finished with this lovely (still more backstitching to go).  I should be able to have this finished by the next WIPocalypse update:

And since I was doing Christmas ornies for my nephews, I decided to pick up the Advent Calender, a Sticklounge SAL from December.  I stitched the lower, right two ornies this past week.  This one I want to have done in time for Christmas this year:

I found this next little cutie recently and just had to stitch it before the world ends.  I'll probably make it into a Christmas ornie.  I found it on the Freebie Gallery blog (great place):

And then another new start that just has to get done before the world obliterates itself is the Christmas SAL by Carole:

I also managed to get some finish-finishing in:

Wee Three

A Brittercup kitty

And some framing (though I didn't do it myself):

And to All A Good Night

Lily Pond

Sudoku

Rose Wreath Santa

I hope your month was just as productive.

My IHSW was a good one

I got bunches of great quality stitching time in (hurray!) amongst household chores (blecchht!).

The first thing I worked on had lots and lots and lots (and omg! lots) of little black cross stitches that looked something like this:

Unfortunately, since it's a surprise for a friend, I can't show you the whole shapely thing but suffice it to say, there is lots (and lots and lots) more blackness than pictured above.  By the time I finished all the black -- I needed some

 * C O L O R *

sooo, I switched to the Tulip Sampler and finished all the green blocks (granted, most of the time I was stitching with one color, ie, green -- but at least it was a change from black --  it's the little things that make life exciting, don't you agree?)

And then my last IHSW piece for the weekend was a new start -- the Christmas SAL from Carole.  I didn't get much finished on it and I'm already behind (because I just found out about it last week) but I think it's going to be a fun little sampler (as her SAL's usually are):

I switched out the colors and am going for a different look than the traditional Christmas one.  So far, so good.  If you want to participate in Carole's SAL, I think you have until the end of the month to join.

Have a good one! 


Oh . . . .  and thanks for all the comments on Eek!  Those guys really crack me up!  I may have to stitch them for myself as well.

Eeeek!

 It's another Halloween ornament!

This one is designed by Stitch Kitty.  Isn't it adorable?  I love the looks of horror on those pumpkins -- they are too funny.

Unfortunately, that's about it for stitching so far this month (except for another little piece that's a surprise and can't be revealed yet).  The dogs have been keeping me busy busy busy with agility classes and trials and keeping stitching at a minimum.  However, I'm very excited about this coming weekend because it's IHSW (woohoo!) and I don't have any plans!!!!  (double woohoo!)  Looks like a mostly-stitching weekend to me.  

Can't wait .......

Have a good weekend in your neck of the woods.

A Blue WIPocalypse

For the second August WIPocalypse update I pulled out Adriana -- something that hasn't seen the light of day for a few months.   I started the final part of this SAL and want to get it finished.  There isn't much more to do in the way of x's but there is a bit of bs-ing yet.  It shouldn't be a problem because the bs-ing is mostly outlining -- kind of mindless.

Another piece I worked on (though not very much) was the Old European Sampler.

Actually, I got a bit disgusted with it and that's why I pulled out Adriana to work on.  For some reason, I don't enjoy working on this piece.  Maybe it's the colors? (though I did a Santa in the same colors and had a blast with him)  Or maybe the tightness?  (it is driving me a bit bonkers)  Maybe the fabric? (normally I like lugana)  Maybe the size? (I seem to want to stitch smaller things right now, go figure)  Maybe the repetition? (it does seem to go on forever)  Whatever the reason, when I went to bed Saturday night, I decided I was done with it.  Finished!  No more.  I would put it away and just forget about it.  I have lots of other projects I enjoy doing so why bother.  The end!

But after working on Adriana on Sunday, I cooled down and will give it another go.

I also managed to do a little more on the Tulip Sampler.  I thought I would get more of the big square done but only the border is completed.  I decided to do the border in rice stitches instead of cross stitches just to be a little different.  This is such a pretty pattern and I just love the colors.  And when I finish with tulips I'm going to start Halloween Quilt Sampler another Rosewood Manor piece with lots of bs-ing in it.  I already bought the pattern :) 

I have another update that isn't WIPocalpyse related -- I'm almost finished with Along Came a Spider.  Madame Spider just needs her legs.  The pattern calls for 4 -- egads! that will not do!  My nephew would never let me hear the last of it if I didn't give her the proper number of legs.  And the proper number she shall have -- 8 black hairy ones!  EEK!

Have a good weekend!

And Happy Labor Day!

It's a Garden Party

I participated in a new-to-me exchange group called Stitched with Love.  The exchange was called Tea in the Garden.  I received a wonderful package of garden-related items from Lisa which included the most delightful little purse stitched by her.  Thank you, Lisa, I love it!

And here's the package I sent out to Kim:

If you are interested, please check out the link above.  There is a new exchange just getting set up for Halloween/Autumn.  Should be a fun time!

Halloween came early

I received the most adorable squares from my partner Milly in the Fair and Square Halloween exchange.  This scary witch and her cat are from Prairie Schooler and I love them!

And since Milly is a big fan of pumpkins (and who in their right mind isn't??), I sent her a couple plump ones:

This was a fun exchange.  Halloween and Autumn are two of my favorite times of the year.  The colors are so warm and cheerful and the images so full of fun and smiles.  When I was little we would go pick out the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween.  It was such fun, searching for just the right one.  And then my brothers and I (with parental assistance, of course) would make a royal mess on the kitchen table scooping out pumpkin guts & carving goofy faces into our poor pumpkins.  Afterward we would dress up in costumes and go trick or treating among the neighborhood -- in the dark!  What spooooky fun we had . . . . and the candy!!  LOL -- it makes my teeth hurt thinking about all that sugar :)


But I digress . . . . back to the exchange.  I really enjoy the Fair and Square group.  It's fun to give and receive handmade items and this group makes it simple.  That appeals to me and makes me smile.

I hope  *you*  have a happy, smile-filled day!

 

More Jack O'Lanterns

One more Christmas Friday post

I remembered to take a picture of the Christmas ornies for my nephews:

I bought some tiny black buttons to put on the Candy Sock over the stitched black buttons.  I think that will make a cute addition to it.  These 2 patterns are so cute -- I may need to stitch a pair for myself in my spare time.

I also got another square done on Rosewood Manor's Tulip sampler (the tall skinny one on the bottom).  For some reason or other, this one made me nervous -- all that backstitching just wasn't relaxing this time.  I was sooo glad when it was finished!  I hope this doesn't happen again -  there's still tons of bs-ing to do on this piece.  The square under this one is big and has lots of cross stitching in it so I'm planning on doing it next.  Hopefully that will be more fun and then I can go on to another session of bs-ing with a fresh, happy attitude.

That's the plan.

 My weekend is going to be spent grooming dogs, doing laundry and stitching.  Should be fun!  I hope your weekend is just as fun.

IHSW for August

I'm not getting much stitching done this month because the dogs and I are very busy with agility trials and training.  Though I did manage to squeeze in a little this weekend for IHSW while I was at a trial.  It's not much but it's a start:

This is to be a gift for one of my nephews for Halloween.  It's a fun little pattern.

That's it for now .... good stitching everyone.

The first August WIPocalypse update

I've been busy the last couple weeks stitching surprises for friends so the only updates I have for this WIPocalypse update are things I've already posted, mainly finishing ornaments and the Old European Sampler.  If you want to see them, look back a couple posts.  Sorry ...  I don't have any new pictures to post.


Unless you count this one of Missy Meadow when she was a puppy:

Have a great day!

More Christmas in July

Well, I finished my first Christmas ornament last night.  How cool is that? And started the second one to boot.  These socks by Fresh Threads Studio are so cute and festive, I'm sure my nephews will  like them.

One down . . . . lots more to go.

Have a good weekend!

IHSW update

For this hermitting weekend,  I decided to take some of my unfinished raw ornies and finish-finish them -- does that make any sense??

The first ornament -- the sugar shocked reindeer -- was done before and I changed it a bit.  Originally, there were red beads throughout the surrounding cording but I didn't like that.  So I removed the beads and reattached them inside the cording -- making a red bead frame around the reindeer.  Much better.  The other three were assembled from scratch.  I also finished another ornament but you cannot see it just yet -- it's a surprise.  And that's it for hermitting.  It doesn't look like much but I'm pleased as punch with myself for getting them done.

Have you ever felt like you know you should be remembering something but can't for the life of you remember what needed remembering??  Well, I knew there was something I was supposed to do last Friday but didn't remember what it was until a little bit ago.  I forgot I was supposed to do Christmas in July updates on Fridays last Friday - duh.  There are only 4 Fridays in July, you would think I could remember this 4 times, wouldn't you.  Oh well, half a week later, here's my update (such that it is):

Sigh .... at this rate, it'll take me all of July just to do the one ornament.

In addition to the ornie stitching, I managed to get some of the Old European Sampler done last week (nothing so far this week):

Hopefully, I can get some stitching done on it tonight and tomorrow night.


Until Friday's Christmas in July update ....... have a good rest of the week.

A small Christmas update on Friday the 13th

I actually got more stitching done on my first Christsmas ornie of the year:

There is now a complete sock and trees growing out of it.  Of course, I made some adjustments to the original pattern.  I didn't have the colors the pattern called for so I improvised a little.  Plus you may (or may not) notice that the green band on the sock is larger than the original.  I'm going to add my nephew's name there.  Oh, and the diagonal band on the sock has some specialty stitches instead of all cross stitches.    Just a few changes ....

The majority of my stitching time went to the Old Eurpoean Sampler and I'm happy to announce that it's finished!

 -- NOT --   I did , however, round the corner:

I'm unhappy with the light blue horizontal borders in the first row.  As I was stitching over the weekend, I think I figured out why.  Everything is so cramped -- there's no breathing room -- no white space.  When I started this row, I used ecru thread and didn't like it, so out it came for the pale blue, and I still don't like it.  Maybe I should have left the ecru in?  Or at least given it more of a chance.  But, looking at the following picture, I still don't like it.

I think what I'm going to do is nothing right now. 

No, I'm going to continue stitching the next row and instead of putting the thin blue border in below it, I'll couch metallic gold (or maybe white) in that space instead.  And if I like it, I'm going to rip out the 2 claustrophobic causing light blue borders and couch more gold/white.  If I don't like the couching, I'll try to think of something else.  Any suggestions?

Enjoy your weekend!

Christmas In July

While surfing the blogosphere the other day I came across a couple geniuses (but being a non-genius myself, I forgot to copy their blog addresses) who are starting their Chrsitmas stitching in July.  I thought it a brilliant idea, so I'm going to do the same.  I believe they will be posting their updates on Sunday but I'm going to do mine on Friday. 

Last year I got such a late start with my Christmas stitching that it almost wasn't fun and I don't want the same to happen this year.  I have picked 3 ornies to make.  The Sock Hops are for my young nephews and the Santa drummer is for my brother:

TaDaa!  the beginning of Christmas Tree Sock Hop and my first 2012 Christmas stitching:

And since I was picking the Christmas ornies for my nephews, I also picked out their Halloween ones (aren't they cute?):

Wednesday was a momentous day for The Old Eurpoean Sampler -- yippeee! -- I turned the corner with the dark brown line and have been turning the corner with the other layers also:

Since it's going to be another scorcher this weekend I'll be staying in the A/C again and stitching, so with luck, the whole corner will be finished by Monday (and maybe a Christmas ornament).


Enjoy your weekend!