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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...
Money spent: $0
My birthday is coming up soon (April 4th), so maybe, just maybe, I'll end up with some free stash money!
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...
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
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.
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.
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)
I'm taking part in the 2012 WIPocalypse, being hosted by Measi (see the link in my lefthand sidebar).
For my initial list, I chose to pull the WIPs out of my stitching bag. Had I gone digging in the "craft corner" in my bedroom, I might have overwhelmed myself and then quit before I started.
That means this list will be in a near-constant state of flux through the first few months of 2012. I'm okay with that.
With further ado, here is my immediate list...
Laura J Perin Designs - Lilac Collage
Laura J Perin Designs - Lilac Time (cyberclass)
Mill Hill (Spring Bouquet Collection) - Dragonfly
Sweetheart Tree - Happiness Is Being...
Sweetheart Tree - Price of Freedom
Joan Elliott (for Charles Craft) - Dragonflies on the Beach
Leisure Arts (Words of Heart) - God Is Love
Cross Stitch & Needlework / Jennifer Mitchell - Cafe Towel
Redbird Designs - Texas Twirl
Little House Needleworks - Gourmet Garden
BH&G Cross Stitch Christmas Magazine (1998) / Carole Rodgers - Over The River Sampler
There are definitely more to be added. I have a slew of dragonfly-themed projects I'd love to finish this year along with some other WsIP/UFOs that I know are hiding in my room.
I think I'll update (eventually) the "My WIPs" list/percentage bars in my lefthand sidebar to reflect my WIPocalypse progress. That just might be a good motivator for me!
Here it is...my final TUSAL 2011 picture. As you can see, this was not a banner stitching year for me. On the plus side, I love my jar/holder and will reuse it for 2012's TUSAL!
The puzzle in the background isn't finished, either. My mom came over for New Year's Eve and our original plan was to get in some serious puzzle time. With all the chatting, eating & general excitement of the evening, we never got around to touching the puzzle. Now I'm aiming to have it done by my birthday (beginning of April).
As always, click for a larger image...
This is by far my largest finish in a long time. I actually finished this early in November, but I just now took the time to upload the photo.
I chose to stitch this on 28ct Country French Cafe Mocha Linen with Weeks Dye Works Dutch Iris floss. I love the combination! The method for final finishing is still undecided, but I'm leaning towards a flat-fold or large pinkeep (displayed on an easel).
Here is my jar for November. It was a busy month, but I did manage to stitch a little. At the top of my very modest ORT jar, you might be able to see some black & lime green floss. Those are the most recent editions, courtesy of a Mill Hill kit.
Curious about the gorgeous dragonflies in the background? They're part of a great reusable shopping tote from my local Jo-Ann fabric store. The bag is only $1.99! I think it's destined to become my counted canvas project bag.
Yes, I'm late again. However, I've been stitching and I've managed to finish three projects. Jar picture first, then I'll talk about my finishes.
Behind my jar, you can see a sweet pillow. It was sent to me in an exchange a couple years ago. I cannot express how much I love the pillow. It has a place of honor on my desk.
Also in the picture are two of my finishes. They're both free gift kits from old issues of Cross Stitch Crazy magazine. I had them finished, except for the backstitching and then they got "lost" in my stash. I came across them on Tuesday morning and decided they needed to be finished.
I started the penguin many years ago, it was probably one of my earliest projects after I took up stitching again. As I was backstitching it, I saw the uneven tension, loose stitches, horrible thread carries, etc., and just had to laugh at myself. The frog, which was started several years later, is much better. It was actually fun to have the projects next to each other as I worked, as they showed me how much I've grown as a stitcher.
The penguin was originally destined to be a Christmas card for my son; I'm not certain what I'll do with it now. It's small enough to fit into a keychain, I think, so that may be what it ends up as. The frog will be made into a card for my husband, just because he deserves it. He's my prince charming, although he skipped the frog part. (I'd have kissed him either way...he's just that cute!)
My third finish will get its own post, as I'm rather proud of it!
That's it for now!
So I'm late with my TUSAL posting...two weeks late, but I refuse to give up...LOL!
The picture has been languishing on my camera. This morning, when I went to get my camera cord, it was not to be found. Someone (probably me, but don't tell me that) put it in the "wrong" drawer.
See the adorable little orts cauldron? That was one of the sweet goodies awaiting those of us who attended last year's 10-10-10 event at Ginger's Needlearts in Austin, TX. The day went from 10am to 10pm, of course, and involved stitching, food, shopping and lots of laughter.
The fabric in the background of the picture is one I'm thinking of using to finish off my iStitch Mystery SAL. In person, the colors are a near perfect match for the WDW Dutch Iris.
So, though it's late, I hope you've enjoyed seeing my jar, my cauldron & my stitching!
Click for a larger image...
Here is my jar for the month of August. Right in the front, on top of the blue ribbon, you can see a bit of WDW Dutch Iris. That's the thread I'm using for the SAL piece (by Carol of iStitch) shown in the picture. The fabric is Country French Cafe Mocha...love it!
My jar still looks anemic in comparison to others. I think I'm too frugal with my floss...ha ha!
The magazine I used for a backdrop was a recent find at Books-A-Million. It's Issue 1 of Cross Stitch Creations, a new magazine out of Spain. It's full of gorgeous photos and charts by mostly French designers. There's also a French version of this magazine, published by the same company. On the back of the magazine, there is information on how to order back issues of the French version. It looks as if there have only been 10 issues so far (8 regular, 2 special edition). If subsequent issues are this beautiful, I'll have found a new magazine addiction (as if I need another one).
Click for a larger image...
I hadn't forgotten that there were two TUSAL rounds for July, I simply haven't had the time to post. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
The project in the picture with my jar is the one that I'd hoped to finish off before it was time to take the picture. It didn't happen (still hasn't), but there are some new ORTs of GAST Raspberry Parfait & Midnight in there.
*Edited to Add: The stitched piece shown in my TUSAL photo is Texas Twirl by Redbird Designs. Lorraine had stopped designing, but recently started up again. As far as I know, she will NOT be re-releasing any of her previous designs, of which, Texas Twirl is one. This saddens me, as I'd love to collect a bunch of hers that I missed the first time around.
Click for a larger image...
I've also been meaning to share my most recent finish. I made this little pillow (my first!) for an exchange. The stitched design is a free chart from The Victoria Sampler. My soon-to-be 14-year-old son chose the finishing fabric and I think he has a good eye for color/pattern! My partner was very pleased with her pillow and I learned alot about what to do/not do for my next one.
Click for a larger image... (and enjoy the pattern of my ironing board cover!)
I love to read blogs and then to click on the links I find in that blog and then to click on more links. You get the idea. It's addictive!
During my most recent link-clicking session, I found the new blog for the new online needlework shop called The Stitcher's Market. They're hosting a special giveaway for Lizzie*Kate's Limited Edition Life's A Beach kit!
Follow the link for details on how to enter. You'll have to hurry, though, as the contest ends tomorrow morning!
The Stitcher's Market - Purls of Wisdom - L*K Giveaway!
Here is my TUSAL jar photo for July. I added a decent amount of blues, mauves & white to jar, while stitching up a patriotic piece from The Victoria Sampler. There was hardanger involved, so there's a bit of perle cotton in there, too.
Also in the photo, you'll see my other current obsession. It's a Springbok puzzle called Yards of Yarn (1500 pieces!). It's a bit of a misnomer, as closer inspection revealed to me that it's really Yards of Embroidery Floss. That meant I had to have it. I love jigsaw puzzles!
My mom and I are working this one together, every chance we get. When it's finished, it will measure 29" x 36"! We'll use Puzzle Saver glue on it, and then frame it for hanging over my desk. Woohoo!
Click for a larger image...
I'm squeaking in here with my TUSAL post for June. Still no stitching to speak of, as I didn't even pick up a needle during our vacation. Instead, I napped and vegged out in front of our cabin's TV, watching endless amounts of Cake Boss and A Baby Story...LOL
My ORTs are in their new home this month. I definitely love this jar and it's a huge improvement over the old one.
Click for a larger image...
Well, I didn't get to add anything to my jar this past month, but I still have some good news!
See the other jar & holder in the picture? That's my new ORT jar! The base is actually meant to hold a jar candle, but this Libbey jar fits perfectly. I can remove the jar from the holder for pictures, which is another plus. I found the holder at Big Lots and the jar at Michael's.
This new jar makes me happy. I can remove it from the holder for monthly pictures, but during the rest of the month it can sit in the holder and "look pretty".
We're going on a short vacation the middle of next week. We'll have nearly 4 days in a cabin on a lake. There's a family reunion happening, too, but we're going down early. I can't wait for some relaxed family time and lots of stitching!
Anyhow, here is my picture for this month. Click for a larger image...
Here is my jar as of today, April 3. Can you see the bright blue & yellow and the mossy greens? Those are from the finish in my previous post. There's even a snippet of blue satin ribbon floating around, for a little added texture.
Click for larger images...
I finished this in February, but just managed to get the photos uploaded.
One of the groups I belong to always has at least one fun exchange going and I couldn't resist joining in on this one. This exchange involved finishing off a blank card with stitching for Valentine's Day.
I chose to stitch a freebie from Industrioushead. Emily is a very talented designer. You should definitely check out her blog!
Here are pictures of the card, inside & out. I'm very pleased with how it turned out! It's hard to see in the picture, but the paper inside the card is pale pink with darker pink fiber flecks. (I will admit to having a bit of a paper stash, too.)
Well, February was not a big month for stitching. I work for Hallmark & Valentine's Day is always a very busy time. Right now, I'm enjoying the lull before the Easter/Mother's Day/Graduation/Father's Day card rush.
I had the pleasure of attending a GTG in February, hosted by the wonderful Jo of Dinky Dyes fame. Jo & her husband are the most gracious of hosts and a fabulous time was had by all. Unfortunately, I had a massive allergy flare-up and only managed a few threads worth of stitching during the GTG.
I also started my first counted canvas piece, which will add some new & interesting fibers to my jar over the next few months.
Okay, on with the picture, poor though it may be...
Here is my very dark picture of my TUSAL jar, for February. I've got to find the "sweet spot" in my house for future photos.
Anyhow, my jar actually has some ORTs in it! Yay! They don't look like much, but they represent a FINISH! Woohoo! I can't show that finish just yet, as it is an exchange piece that hasn't reached it's final destination.
Oh, the jar will also soon be stripped of its pretty, yet annoying, stickers. They're starting to peel up (maybe because they're paper stickers?) and they do inhibit the view of the jar's contents. The March picture should be much clearer.
Click for a larger image...
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