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Month: May
Spent: $100.72
Earned: $0
I had FUN in May! I squeaked by on budget, with $8.70 remaining, cumulatively, for January through May. I already know I'll be spending that, plus some, in June; there are a few fibers left on my "to buy" list.
My haul from an ONS/not-even-LNS during their anniversary sale included a skein of Thread Gatherer Silk 'n Colors, 14 spools of Kreinik, 2 pieces of linen, 2 pieces of mono canvas & 2 charts from my wish list. The fibers & fabrics are all to kit up charts already in my stash.
Knowing me, it will be a good long while before I spend like this again, but it sure was fun!
Month: April
Spent: $0
Earned: $0
I waited until the last day to post my update, as I was trying diligently to SPEND money this month. My goal was to visit my not-so-LNS, but neither opportunity panned out. Ah well, there's always next month!
I did stitch this month (no finishes, though) AND stitched with friends. That's the best kind of stitching! We're getting together again, along with what looks to be the rest of the "gang", in just a couple weeks time. Two from our group are each making a big overseas move very soon. We're all getting together one more time, for a day of shopping, stitching, snacking & visiting.
Mother's Day is fast approaching here in the USA and I've been dropping not-so-subtle hints to my husband and kids. I'm making it very easy for them; I've asked for GCs to several specific needlework shops. Stash and a day off from cooking & cleaning. That's not too much to ask for, right?
If, worst case, my hints fall on deaf ears, there's always our wedding anniversary in June. Stash is a very romantic gift!
Month: March
Spent: $15.58
Earned: $0
It's been another busy, sometimes fun, sometimes stressful month. My younger daughter turned 14; her birthday party was the first in the new house and it was very much a success. She chose a karaoke theme, we had lots of family & friends attend and the party continued well past the time on the invitation. It was a great day!
The new house is coming together nicely; including preparations to paint the craft room. We (my mom & I) will be taking it from a dark orange to a lovely bright white. All the color will come from our accessories and fun storage containers.
The sale of our previous home has been delayed, due to contractor issues. It's taken far longer than we were promised for the work to be completed, therefore the appraisal couldn't be ordered and we couldn't close this past week, as scheduled. To say we're frustrated would be an understatement. Our hope now is to be able to close on the sale in mid-to-late April. I know our buyers were hoping to be moved in before Easter. I'm just thankful they're sticking it out. I think it helps that we've let them pick colors/finishes as work has progressed.
I did indulge in a little bit of retail therapy this month, while working on a project for our new home. I purchased a Dimensions Large Circle Chevron DIY Stitch Kit ($5.99 after using a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby). I've stitched on these necklace kits for my older daughter and decided my younger daughter needed one, too. I also snagged a Kreinik Signature Series bundle of #8 braids, on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $9.59 (originally $15.99). There are 4 spools in the pack; three of which I needed to kit up some dragonfly-themed charts (what else would I be kitting up? Ha ha!). I'm counting that fourth spool as a fun bonus!
Next month will start off with my birthday, then Easter and then a stitching GTG with some wonderful ladies I haven't seen in far too long. I'm looking forward to a day spent stitching & talking with so many talented stitchers!
Month: February
Spent: $0
Earned: $0
A lot has happened since my January update! We finally closed on and moved into our new home! Valentine's night was our first night in the house. After an exhausting 2-1/2 days of loading & unloading trucks, we celebrated with heart-shaped pizza (Thank you, Papa John's!) and chocolate.
We've been in the house for two weeks now, but very little progress has been made on the craft room. It's currently a very dark orange, but we should have painters in soon to make it a nice bright white. I have managed to unearth the totes containing my "current projects". While we're still busy unpacking, finding homes for everything & hanging things on the walls, the pace is a little less frantic & the possibility of stitching this next month is very real! Yay!
Month: January
Spent: $0
Earned: $0
It's been a very busy month, in every way except for stitching. Right now, 99% of my stash is packed away, in preparation for the big move.
Speaking of the move, we have a house!!! Everything has moved very quickly. We went to our new city on Friday, January 9th, just to get the lay of the land and to see what types of properties were available. We'd done our research online and had a short list of 4 homes that we wanted to look at. We had already decided we'd make a second trip the following weekend, to do more house hunting following our nephew's birthday party. So what happened that first day was definitely a HUGE surprise to us all.
None of the 4 houses were just right, although one did stay on our short list. After lunch, my mom, my older daughter & I decided to keep driving around the area. We even stopped to walk through a model home for a new planned neighborhood. During this time, our realtor texted, saying a home had just come back on the market after the contract had fallen through. He felt it might be perfect for us. When he texted the address, my mom & I realized it was a house we'd looked at online repeatedly!
We waited for my husband to be done with work for the day and then met up with our realtor again. Our realtor is great friends with my sister-in-law, so she, my brother-in-law & one of our nieces tagged along for the showing. That made 10 of us (including our realtor) in one, thankfully, empty house. It was fun!!
Well, we put in an offer the next day and we're on track to close and move before Valentine's Day! Eek! This happened so quickly, but it feels so right! You can click the thumbnail for a larger image.
Of course, we still own our current home, but everything seems to be working out there, too. No details on that, due to protecting the privacy of the potential buyers. I will say this; we really like them and we feel like our home is meant for them.
Hopefully, this time next month, I'll be able to post some interior shots of our new home makeover projects AND some stitching-related photos. I will, after all, finally have a craft room! Woohoo!
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
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!
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...
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...
Money spent: $0
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.
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)
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