Sunday, December 21, 2014

Stitch From Stash 2014 - December Update

I cannot believe that SFS 2014 is at an end. Where did the time go?

My year of SFS is ending rather quietly, with me only having spent $1.79 this month, on a single card of DMC Color Infusions Memory Thread (it's for an ornament on my list for next year). For the year, I only spent $91.19, although my official total might be a bit less, thanks to the various bonuses granted by Mel's husband.

I've been stitching on a Christmas gift for my mom. The chart has been in my stash for several years and I finally decided on how I want to finish it. No further details until after Christmas, as my mom sometimes reads my blog. The Calico Crossroads ornament has been set aside, as my mom's gift definitely takes priority.

In other news, we're preparing to move! We won't be moving too far; "just" 90 miles away, give or take a few miles. We're still looking for the right rental property. In the meantime, almost all of our time has been spent purging, packing & planning ahead of listing for sale our home of 18 years. When we built this house, it was just the two of us. Moving in took the smallest of rental trucks and a couple carloads of miscellaneous stuff. Now we have 3 teenagers and have spent nearly half my life in this house. Until we started going through closets & cabinets, I didn't realize how much stuff we had accumulated. Unreal! If all goes well, we'll be reloacted no later than the beginning of March, but hopefully early February.

I'm keeping select group of projects in my stitching bag, so that I won't go into withdrawals while the rest of my stash is packed away. Oh, the sacrifices a stitcher must make to stage her home for sale.

Money spent: $1.79

DMC Color Infusions Memory Thread - Silver

Saturday, November 29, 2014

25 Days of Christmas at The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

I must admit to being very late in discovering Nancy & The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe. I've seen her mentioned on countless blogs, but just never got around to clicking any provided links. Although, now that I've looked & read & looked some more, I think my wallet is thanking me!

Nancy has so many wonderful goodies available (charts, floss, trims, etc.) and is also hosting 25 incredibly generous giveaways! On her blog, she refers to herself as "Santa Nancy"; too cute and so very appropriate!

So, head on over to The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe for some wonderful Christmas fun!

Friday, November 28, 2014

Stitch From Stash 2014 - November Update

I didn't spend anything this month, but I did stitch!

My daughter absolutely loves the peacock necklace I stitched for her as a birthday gift. It was a fun stitch, although I'm not a fan of the floss Dimensions uses in their kits. It tends to fuzz/fray rather easily.

I also started a project from stash. The chart, Snow by Calico Crossroads, came from my not-so-LNS' bucket of free things. The model picture caught my eye and, upon further reading of the supply list, I felt certain I had everything to stitch it in my stash. I was right!

I'll post the finished piece along with December update next month.

For now, here's the picture of the peacock necklace! Click for a larger image...

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Last, but not least, here's a picture of the exchange piece I mentioned in September's update, but forgot to post with October's update. The craft foam leaf was provided by the coordinator of the exchange, and was ours to embellish as we pleased. The design is a complimentary chart from La-D-Da, the floss is DMC Color Variations and the grommet, ribbon & button were in my stash. I'm thrilled with how it turned out! As always, click for a larger image...

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Money spent: $0

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Stitch From Stash 2014 - October Update

It's been another busy month, including a number of big changes for our family (positive changes, definitely deserving of their own post), but I did manage one quick trip to Hobby Lobby early in the month.

Might I add that I love getting coupons on my phone, through the Hobby Lobby app. 40% off one item is always nice!

Money spent: $7.78

Dimensions - Large Circle Peacock Necklace kit - $4.79 (after the 40% off coupon)
Yarnology - 14ct Perforated Plastic - Clear - $2.99

The peacock necklace kit will be stitched & wrapped up ahead of my older daughter's 15th birthday late next month. She's chosen a peacock theme for her party and she loves fun accessories and jewelry, so the kit couldn't be more perfect for her.

The perforated plastic will be used to make some fun hair accessories I spotted in a British stitching magazine. I was pleased to discover that Hobby Lobby carries the plastic in both clear and white.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Stitch From Stash 2014 - September Update

September was another very busy month, but I did manage both a little bit of stitching AND shopping.

The stitching was for another exchange, so no pictures until next month's update. I seem to be on an over-one-on-22ct kick.

As for the shopping, I picked up this year's JCS Ornament Issue and a LoRan Magnetic Needle Case, for my favorite size 26 gold needles. The fact that it has a purple cap doesn't hurt.

Money spent: $11.78

JCS 2014 Christmas Ornaments Issue
LoRan Magnetic Needle Case

Monday, September 01, 2014

Oliver & Company ~ Our Story

From the moment I first saw the animated movie, Oliver & Company (1988; I was 12), it became a favorite of mine. When it was finally made available on DVD, I had to have it. I've watched it with my kids and they love it, too.

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In January 2007, my husband and older daughter went to Petsmart to get more supplies for our hermit crabs...and came home with a 10-month-old kitten whom a local shelter had named "Gabe".

We bonded very quickly & he was immediately renamed, Oliver.

For nearly 8 years, he was our incredibly predictable morning alarm, our lap & foot warmer, hunter of geckos & moths, chaser of toys & treats and connoisseur of tuna.

I knew very early on that Oliver was unwell. Our vet diagnosed feline IBS. We modified his diet and saw amazing improvement. He was nearly symptom-free until a few months ago. He began refusing his wonderful dry food. We switched to wet food, he loved it and his symptoms appeared to subside. I chalked it up to him being a finicky feline.

At the start of this Labor Day weekend, he stopped eating again, and I just somehow knew that this time it was different.

Of course, our vet's office was closed for the long weekend. Through Friday night and Saturday morning, I held onto a shred of hope that he'd rally and prove me wrong. He was still using his litter box, still "talking" to me, still trying to make certain I was okay.

Sunday morning, we all realized he couldn't wait until our vet reopened on Tuesday. I had to work most of the day, unfortunately, but my husband & kids spent the time sitting with Oliver, loving on him and talking to him.

That evening, the wonderful staff at our animal emergency hospital helped him to cross the rainbow bridge. We were able to stay with him the entire time. The doctor and both assistants were so compassionate and gentle. For that, I will be forever grateful.

We brought Oliver home and laid him to rest in the backyard. We plan to make a memorial stone to mark his spot.

The house feels empty. His food and water bowls, his litter box, his bed & toys are all still in their spots. His treats are sitting on the kitchen counter. I keep waiting for him to just appear.

Goodbye sweet Oliver. You were a wonderful addition to the family and we will always remember you.

Friday, August 29, 2014

Stitching From Stash 2014 - August Update

What a long day! I left at 9 AM and walked back in the door at 11:30 PM. Outside of wanting something to eat, all I could think was that I needed to post my SFS update! It's times like these when having two jobs really stinks.

Here's the picture of the stitched piece I referenced in my July update. My exchange partner was delighted with it, which of course made me very happy!

Click for a larger image...

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My stash acquisition this month, even with market, is ZERO! I'm rather proud of myself! I didn't get any stitching in, but I did sign up for another exchange and have selected a really cute freebie to stitch. Pictures to come in my September update, since that will be after the exchange mailing date.

Money spent: $0

Monday, July 28, 2014

Stitching From Stash 2014 - July Update

Guess what?!?! I actually stitched! Woohoo! I can't show any pictures until my August update, as the stitched piece is for an exchange, but I did indeed take needle & floss to fabric. It felt amazingly good!

As for stash enhancement, I picked up a copy of the Just CrossStitch Halloween 2014 Special Collector's Issue. Work has kept me busy, I haven't even looked through it yet.

Money spent: $9.99


Just CrossStitch Halloween 2014 Special Collector's Issue

Saturday, July 05, 2014

Giveaway at Seasons Of My Mind

Parsley, of Seasons Of My Mind, is having a giveaway to celebrate officially becoming an EMT and her return to stitching & blogging.

I love Parsley's blog and am happy to see her posting again. While you might just visit for the giveaway, I'm willing to bet you'll end up staying for lots of great reading!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Stitching From Stash 2014 - June Update

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record! Work, work, work, no time or energy for stitching, yada, yada, yada. I desperately need some creative time just for myself.

I had plans to go to a stitching get together in the Houston area today, but work interfered with that. I'm still sulking.

To make up for not getting to splurge at two awesome needlework shops (3 Stitches & ABC Stitch Therapy), I placed a small online order. Had I had more time and had my list handy, the order probably would've been much larger.

Laurel's Stitchery is having a sale on Caron Collection fibers (40% off!) through the end of the month. I took the opportunity to order a skein of Waterlilies I knew I needed. The current issue of Cross Stitch & Needlework magazine jumped into my cart, as well.

Money spent: $9.60

Caron Waterlilies ~ Distant Hills
Cross Stitch & Needlework ~ July 2014

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Stitching From Stash 2014 - May Update

I managed to not spend any money on stash this month, although it wasn't due to a lack of effort!

The pre-Memorial Day sales flyer from Jo~Ann had a mystery-scratch-off-discount spot on it. Mine was for 60% off the regular price of an item. I walked the entire store, but nothing jumped out at me. I left, unexpired discount still in hand.

AFTER I got home, I remembered what I had originally wanted to purchase...a Dritz Tailor's Marking Set to use for gridding my first HAED project.

Would you believe that I never made it back to the store before the discount coupon expired?!?! I was so mad at myself, yet I couldn't keep from laughing at my forgetfulness.

Money spent: $0

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Stitching from Stash 2014 - April Update

My posting is late this month, by 90 minutes or so. Ah well, such is life.

I actually had a chance to stop by my not-so-LNS and was able to purchase two charts. It was so nice to visit with the ladies and not think about work, even if only for a little while.

As for stitching, I put in a few stitches on a small dragonfly, with the chart coming from an in-stash magazine. I'll have to look up the particulars tomorrow.

Money spent: $20.57

Keslyn's ~ Dragonfly in Memory
Sue Hillis Designs ~ Hangin With My Peeps

Friday, March 28, 2014

Stitching from Stash 2014 - March Update

I only managed one afternoon of stitching this month, but that's better than no stitching at all, right?

Eventually, this will be a shamrock. The design is rather simplistic, having been converted from a charted crochet pattern. The burlap "canvas" is 6" square and I have two of them in my stash. I know they were purchased locally; either at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo~Ann or Walmart. I'm using a dark green #5 perle for the stitching.

If I like how this turns out, I'm considering stitching a series of 12 single motifs and displaying one each month, on a little easel.

Click for a larger image...


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Money spent: $0

My birthday is coming up soon (April 4th), so maybe, just maybe, I'll end up with some free stash money!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Stitching from Stash 2014 - February Update

It was a busy month for me, with very little stitching, but I managed a finish!

This is Amber from Fern Ridge Collections. I had an unexpected Saturday off from work, so I parked myself in a chair and beaded up this fob in an afternoon. I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

Click for a larger image...

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I haven't made it to my not-quite-LNS to see what they brought home from Market, but I have a call in to check on 2 items (Eat. Sleep. Stitch. mug & Keslyn's Dragonfly in Memory). I might end up having to amend this post...LOL

Money spent: $18.94 (technically $0, with the extra allowance this month), after taking advantage of a sale through a shop that is, sadly, closing its doors. I don't have a picture, as I haven't received my package yet, but I ordered the following...

RK Portfolio ~ Dragonfly Show & JABC button
Finger Step Designs ~ Bug Off ~ Dragonfly's View
Dreams of Stitches ~ Damselfly
Stitchin'spiration ~ Albemarle
Trolley Needle

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Stitching from Stash 2014 - January Update

I'm squeaking in under the wire with my Stitch from Stash update for January. I just started a second job and the days have been flying by! 

During the month of January, I managed to finish a big project and work on 2 WsIP from my stash.
 

As always, click the thumbnail for a larger image. Photobucket's thumbnail images used to be so clear, but now they appear blurred. I hope they fix that soon!
 

My finish is "just the shoes" from Nora Corbett's Pretty Little Things I, II & III. This will be turned into a pillow for my niece, Lindsay's, Sweet Sixteen. Lindsay loves shoes, and when I realized there were sixteen shoes between the three charts, I knew it was meant to be. I love how it turned out! The fabric you see in the picture will be used for the back of the pillow.


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My WsIP for the month include the Over the River Sampler by Carole Rodgers (1998 BH&G Cross-Stitch Christmas magazine) and Dragonfly by Kindred Spirits Designs.My stash purchases for this month were very minimal.

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Money spent: $10.74, including tax, for a skein of DMC #5 perle cotton, Chocolate Moose (Designs by Lisa) and "Micro" Minis (an old Sweetheart Tree design card)

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All About Katrina

    Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos
    I'm 46-years-old, happily married for 28 years to my high school sweetheart and a proud mom of three awesome young adults.
    In addition to being obsessed with cross stitch, I also enjoy reading, logic puzzles, baking and gaming.
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