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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
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.
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.
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...
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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!
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