Finally February

January was not bad as far as productivity.

Stitch From Stash 2017A

I was able to get through the entire month without any stash purchases, and I got $26.00 credit for finishes.  So I begin February with $46.00 and my February budget of $20.00 for a grand total of $66.00.  Go Me.  Hoping I can have another month of no purchases and making progress on some old projects.




MONTHLY NEW STARTS

 Breath of Spring by BlackBird Designs

28 Count Woodvine Jobelan (very definitely a lilac color) using Gentle Arts and Weeks Dye Works cotton threads 2 over 2.

Sampler Excursion #1 Scotland from Amy Mitten.

32 Count Linen, "Fibers to Dye For" silk threads 1 over 2.

I got this kit last year and it comes with everything.....linen, silks, even a needle.  My only issue is all the initials called for in the pattern.  It will take some thought on my part about how to actually do the initials.

WsIP

I am still enjoying the Mystery SAL from Linens & Threads.  Will be making the color choices as each band is released (monthly) using threads from my stash that I have in multiple skeins.  It looks like it is going to be basically a green, gold and brown piece.  This month's band is quite a bit smaller and more manageable so it did not take me too long.

I am caught up on the Under the Sea SAL by Ship's Manor.

FINISHES

Books Reading Books, HAED

Completed Page 15 which is just abouth half way.  I am in year to of this project and my goal is to give it a little more love this year.



Dancing Deer, Cherished Stitches

I thoroughly enjoyed this.  The colors are just fantstic.  I left off the wording at the bottom and hope that by the time I get ready to fully finish it I will have some idea what I want to put there.

I also made a pillow out of a December 2016 finish, Reindeer Games.  It need some emblishment, but I am going to wait until next Christmas when I am more inspired as I think is really needs something.

I am not all that thrilled with how it turned out.  I think I left too much of the linen fabric on the sides.   I used a pillow form .   By the time next Christmas rolls around I may be in the mood to re-finish it.


Completed a couple of ornaments so far this month.  I think because the two releases on the SALs were small I was a little out of sorts at the beginning of the month.  I found myself wanting to do some February/Valentine themed projects, but new purchases are not in the budget, so I got a freebie and did a small ornament.

That is it so far this month.

I am finding that the Stitch From Stash is carrying over to other parts of my life also.  I am a little more conscious about what I am putting in my Amazon basket these days.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching.

April Almost Over Already!

It has been a whirlwind of chores since we got back.  I did have some stitching time.  The weather has been too beautiful to be inside during the day so I need to come up with an outdoor project.  It is good to be back on the bend.

Orchid Intrigue by Summer House Stitch Works

I wanted to do something with varigated threads.  I purchased a grab bag from Mo's Sale (they sell hand dyed threads) and simply have not been able to find any place to use them.  So, I used the pattern from Just Cross Stitch Magazine.  I used a 35 count linen in Watermelon and one strand of Mo's Pretty Bird.  It was an interesting stitch, and I have no clue what I will do with it.

I still want to do some other things with varigated threads, but it may be a while.

Mini Mandala IIC, Chatelaine

I framed the second of the set of three Mandalas

Mini Mandala IIB

I used the wrong thread for the algerian eyelets in the center, but I am not sure I am going to re-do them at this point.  They would be the dark green color and for some reason I had a brain face and used the variegated silk.

Books Reading Books, Heaven and Earth Designs

Also finished the second "row" of pages on Books Reading Books.  It is coming along and I am doing a version of parking that is making it a little bit easier.  I am working in columns by color and it seems to be helping.  I am just a little under half way done.  It amazes me how it looks when I step back from it.

That will about wrap up this month.  I am looking forward to some new starts for May.  I am kind of in a rut, but I do want to get some of these older projects finished this year.  One can always hope!

Thanks for visiting.

February Update and a Finish

Mini Mandata IIC  Chatelaine

Finished this one at least.  Took about 40 hours total beading and all.  I used the recommended NPI silks and other recommended silks.  The frame for it is in Texas so I will be taking it back with me to frame it.  I used the suggested belfast linen in antique white because it is practically full coverage.

I really enjoyed this project.  It was just enough variety with specialty stitching and beading that it seemed to go really fast.  There is one more mini in this series of three.  Not sure if I will choose it for my next project,  but hope to do it this year.

Lavender Fields by John Clayton

Going along well.  As I thought, I am a little bored with it, but I am going to keep going.  There is considerable tweeting but not too bad.  I know there is quite a bit of confetti coming up!

It photographs well as the tweeding really shows up well.

Books Reading Books  Heaven and Earth Designs

Just an update.  Lots and lots of confetti and I get a little frustrated at how slowly it is going.  But I keep plugging away.  I am trying to put in about 4-6 hours a week.  This is when I wish I could find a class on parking threads.  I see people doing it all the time but I just cannot seem to get the hang of it.  

I am still putting in time on the Knotgarden and Gardens of London both by Chatelaine.  These two are taking quite a bit longer than I had originally figured.

On Knot Garden I left the birds off of the top of the gates.  I was not happy with how they came out.  I like it fine without them.  This is the project I have to wash before I start the specialty stitches and beading so it is just cross stitch for now. and I am not keeping "time" on this project.    

 The buildings full of confetti and the backstitching on the Gardens of London are a real pain.    I am also finding working on the top of this project on the 15x15 qsnap is a little difficult.  I am thinking of using a smaller frame but what to do with all that extra fabric!   I do not want to give up as all four sides have extensive work on buildings.   I tried putting this project on a scroll frame, but it was so big (3 feet across) that it was really difficult to handle.

I have not done any work on the new needlepoint projects as I am "saving" them until we are on the road.  

I am looking forward to a new beginning in March, but I have not decided what I am going start.  I am so tempted to start another Chatelaine.  I have more than a few kitted and ready to go.  I feel like I should be doing some spring theme but have not found anything that grabs me so far.

That is it until March

Thanks for visiting.

Halloween Finish and Christmas Plans

Here is Wicked Wanda all done.  I made a couple of minor changes to the pattern.  I did not want to do the wording, so I added the bat, and I changed the border.  Using a Cosmo variegated thread I did some stitches I learned doing my Chatelaines; Rhodes stitches I believe they are called.   I am really happy with the finished product.

The materials and patterns for the Nora Corbett alphabet came.

I am not aure about the fabric.  The suggested fabric is 32 count Water Lily linen.  It is extremely stiff.

Depending on timing and how things go I may do the "H" for their last name.  Have not decided if I will do it for Christmas or later.

For the 'R' I am using 32 count linen in Silver Moon which is a very pale grey.  It is a really fun stitch that is working up really fast.  Of course it has lots of beading that will take some time.  I will be doing an "A" also.

In the suggested supplies from 123 Stitch they included a spool of thread for beading,  here it is.

It is awful stuff.  It shreads like crazy and  is impossible to thread on a needle.  I am trashing this and using the nymo thread I prefer.

I have also made some good progress on Pumpkin Patch Quilt Shop.  I think I will finish it before October.  That is the plan anyway.  I made some changes to the pattern.  I did not think the ghost on the left side of the roof needed a heart; and I replaced the heart on the shop to the State of Texas since I plan to give this to the local quilt shop.  I will also change the wording on the sign so it meets the local shop a little better.  It is going pretty fast and I am about half way through the project.  This project has a lot of outlining but I am doing it as I go so it is not too bad.

I have made more progress on the Ink Circles project.  I have not decided if I will finish all the black outline work for the whole piece before I add the color, or if I will put the color in as I go from page to page.  So far, I am not yet sick of the black. Photo is a little blurry but you get the idea.

The good news is that I got a new laptop ....actually an Apple Airbook...and so far it is working like a charm.   There is a really large learning curve (especially in the photo portion of the program) but since it is so much like an IPad it is not too bad.  Not nearly as frustrating as the Windows 10 so far....

That is it for this week.  Thanks for visiting.

Working and Stitching

I have had so little time to stitch that it is really frustrating if I let myself think about it.

It has been a busy summer of cleaning.

The worst part is that I do not pace myself very well so I end up getting hurt and over tired so that stitching at night is not an option.  I would love to blame my age, but the truth is I am just in lousy physical shape!  I think I heard about some exercise program somewhere that takes every day tasks and makes them a work out.  It is probably a California thing.  I can claim that is what I am doing!

Since I killed my regular camera during the flood (note to self:  do not take photos during torrential rain) I am struggling with getting pictures.  It is hard to find a camera these days that takes a decent picture and does not require a computer science degree to operate.

The weather is hot so afternoons are perfect for sitting with iced tea and stitching.  I have also started refinishing a door I got for free from my brother.  What a score.  Am sanding it down to re-stain and varnish it.

 This is the glass in the door.  I have it covered in the photo above to protect it while I am working on it.  Cannot wait to finish and have it installed.

And in the meantime, I am working on Pumpkin Swirl by Glendon Place.   Enjoying it, but it is not going as rapidly as I would like.  I am almost finished with the top half. 

 

 



I have done some work on Gardens of London..  It is interesting to me that the lamp is in greens.  One of the best things about this huge Chatelaine project is that it has so many different areas that have different stitches and threads.  Am enjoying it a lot.  My biggest concern is that it is going to take me so long it will need washing and I won't be able to launder it because of all the threads that are not color fast.  I guess I will have to frame it dirty if it comes to that. 

 

And have done some work on Books Reading Book.  This is my HAED (Heaven and earth Designs) project.  I hope to finish page 8 this week. 

 And a Chatelaine I am working on called Knot Garden.  I work on this when I travel or when I sit outside because it is mostly DMC threads and I will be able to wash it once it is done.  This is just the middle section.  There are many more parts to it!

And here is a little baby bunny that has taken up residence in one of the rosemary bushes.  Obviously, the dogs have not found it yet!

That is all for this post.

Thanks for visiting.

A Finish and a Flood

I have been working on this post for what feels like months!  It is a little rambling, but here it goes.  The camera I was so used to using got too wet during the flood while I was trying to take photos.  Unfortunately, the photos on this posting are not as good as they could be. 

We survived the flood in Blanco, but have quite a bit of work and clean up to do.  There are many who lost everything and some lost their lives.  We are living in a new normal now. The riverbank has changed dramatically and many of the old springs are flowing again.

It has been busy around here with clean up and reworking some water flow.  In addition, there is a layer of sand covering the back yard.  Good for the grass in most areas, but there are many areas that have too much sand for the grass to get through, so it needs to be moved.   I have learned that shoveling, raking and hauling dirt and rock is not for someone my age! All this work has really put a damper on my stitching time! 

Just one of the many collections of debris to be cleaned up.



Back to Needlework!

I finish the mini mandala IIA by Chatelaine.  It was great fun.

Photos jus do not do justice to the special threads, stitches and beads.


Have been far too busy to stitch for more than a few minutes at a time, but things should slow down after this week.

It is raining most of the time so I am getting a little more done at last.

I have been working on Books Reading Books by Heaven and Earth Designs.  I am just finishing page 7 at last and am looking forward to getting into page 8 (of 35!)

I have done a bit of work on Pumpkin Swirl by Glendon Place but not too much.  It is becoming a little more fun as I get into it.  I think I am going to bead as I go since it have it on my millennium frame.

I am making progress on Gardens of London by Chatelaine.  Am working on the third "garden" and am still enjoying this project. 

I also started Knot Garden by Chatelaine.  I am doing this project because it is mostly DMC, which means than I can work on it outside and on the patio because I will be able to wash it before I add the specialty stitches in silks and the beads.

I have not done any work on the Buddha project.  Oh well. 

I have kitted a few new projects so I really want to get going on the ones that are in progress right now.  All of the projects are large and intricate so I may start something smaller next week.  Who knows.

I hope my posts improve in the next few months. 

Thanks for looking

Stitching in Texas at last

We are safe and sound in Texas.  Have not done much stitching since we got here because the house sorely needed a good cleaning.   Now that some of the cleaning is done I am setting up my stitching spots and trying to get organized so I can get to work!

We have had a lot of rain which has given me some time to stitch.  I started a couple of new projects just for the heck of it.

First is Pumpkin Swirl.  It is going well so far, but I am not enjoying it as much as I thought I would.  I will finish it, but I  may use a different frame for it. 

I also started Mini Mandala IIA by Chatelaine.  I am loving it.  It is going well.  I decided to use all the NPI silk threads that were recommended.  They are lovely threads, but a little pricey.  I think I would use DMC in place of these for other projects.  I do like the colors, but on a large project I think the cost would be a consideration.  As far as the Caron and other specialty threads, I would not substitute them.  They are so lovely and really make a difference in the overall look of the project.

I am hoping to finish this little project this weekend so I will have a finish to show next time!  Hurray.

I did some work on Garden of London (another Chatelaine).  Still have a long way to go but I am loving it.  I have not done any of the beading yet. 

I am still working on Books Reading Books, the large Heaven and Earth Design.  I set it up next to the window since I do not need magnification for it.  It has, however been so overcast lately that the light is not quite bright enough to make it comfortable.  When the sun is out, it is perfect!

As I mentioned we have had quite a bit of rain.  No severe weather though.  We are just far enough into the Hill Country that tornadoes don't like it.   Here are some photos of the creek that appears in our yard when we get a lot of rain.  I am loving it.

This dries up pretty quickly once the rain stops.  It is going to be quite the mosquito heaven I am afraid! 

There was a lot to do.  The patio and front of the house needed a good power wash.  We got a little break yesterday so I got that done.  There is still a lot of work to do on the rental cottages, but they are booked this weekend so I will wait until next weekend to work on them.   Hopefully it will dry enough to paint, mow and get them into better shape before the peak of the season.

That is all for the time being.  The days go by so fast here!  It amazes me how busy I can be. 

Thanks for visiting.

April Arrives

Have been working diligently on my projects so let's get to it.

I have been working on my Chatelaine designs and am enjoying them more than I could have imagined.  They are complex and take concentration, but I love the designs and the threads.  I am even enjoying the beading.

First is Mandala 06.  The colors on this piece are so amazing.

I work a little on Mini Mandala 11b.  I am looking forward to reworking this piece on a better fabric and with the special threads that are specified.  This one, remember, I used all DMC substitutions and while I like it, I miss the variations with the different threads and the textures.  I may or may not finish this piece

Gardens of London is also coming along.  I hit a snag with a particularly challenging portion of the design, but I plan to knuckle down and work on it this week.  Thanks to some postings on this project I am a little less frightened of it.

I did work on Books Reading Books.  I am pleased with the way it is going which is a good thing since this piece is going to take a year or more at the rate I am going.

I have not touched the Buddha piece this month so no progress there.

I finished the bell pull I am doing for a friend.  This is a design by Ink Circles and it worked up rapidly.  Finishing this finish was a big of a challenge.  I would like to have better (or craftier) finishing skills. 

I have also started to put together the projects that I will take with me when we travel in a few months.  I have kitted up several of the Glendon Place dessert series designs.  I am planning on doing Pumpkin Swirl as a gift so will not post it until it is completed and gifted.  I also have others that are ready to go.  I think the Chatelaine Mandalas sort of got me into the symmetrical designs.  I am kind of stuck on them at this point.

I started a small piece just for a change of pace since my WIPs are pretty much all Chatelaines.  Well, the pieces I want to work on that is!  It is "Good Things Come to Those who Stitch" by Lizzie Kate.  Just a quick, small project.  I am using a piece of fabric that I dyed.  I will probably change out the pink on the right side for a gold/brown color as well as make some other changes to the pattern. 

 



 

Last but not least I did some more adventures in dying fabric.  I sure to love doing it.  I also dyed some thread for a tooth fairy pillow for my grand daughter.  Perfect timing as she lost her first tooth just after her 6th birthday.

 

 

That is it for this month's update.  We may be on the road in the next couple of months --- probably late May--so there WILL be road adventures!

Thanks for visiting

Have a great April!