DESIGN Post for October

I am participating in DESIGN which stands for Designer Everybody Should Instantly Get to Notice.  I found this through a facebook post, and it looks like it should be fun.  If nothing else, perhaps I will be more likely to post with a little more regularity than I have in the past.

I do a lot of kits, mostly because I am a little unsure about choosing fabrics and threads.  Since I discovered facebook I have been exposed to many  more options and am challenging myself.  I am also enjoying it quite a bit.  I have learned that there are a plethora of folks out there who design some incredible things for cross stitch.   This posting groups will definitely help me be more aware of the designers of the things that I do.

For this designer focused post I will one of my current WIPs.  It is a kit entitled Bay Dunes and is by StitchWorld.  The artist is Paul Brent. 

He has a website that shows some of his work:  http://www.paulbrent.com/

The kit I s dated 1998 and I am not sure where I got it. (knowing me I picked it up at a thrift store!)
 I notice that this piece is not listed on his site, but he does have some needlepoint designs listed.  When I opened this kit I was surprised to find that there is another one of his designs charted.  I like the beach and airy feel of this.  The colors are very soothing and it really has been fun to stitch. 

I have never stitched anything by Paul Brent before and I may do the other design that came with this kit.  Time will tell.   The two design would make a great pairing for a house near the water.  I really like the way it seems to extend beyond the border of the picture.  A little hard to explain, but it enhances the airy feel I think.

This kit has lots and lots of half cross stitches which makes it go pretty fast.  This kit is on 14 ct. white Aida and came with DMC floss.  The finished piece is 9"x13".

I am just about half way finished with it and hope to finish it this month.  I am coming into the more detailed part of the design, so it make take me longer.    Here is my progress so far.

 

Thanks for visiting. 

 

 

October Update

Computer is back home and so far is working (keeping fingers and toes crossed).  So here is an update on my WIPs (works in progress)

I have been trying to set up a rotation on my projects, so my progress the past month has been a little slow.  Seems like I always have something that keeps me busy.  Especially since the weather has cooled off and the weeds have taken over the flower beds!

I am also getting the house ready for us to leave on the 10th and that keeps  me occupied.

 This is my first HAED (Heaven and Earth Designs) project, and I must say it is not going very rapidly.  I am happy with how it is coming along.  I am still winding floss on to bobbins as I go.....47 colors, although so far it is blues and purples.

This is Bay Dunes and it is coming along.  Lots of half stitches.  I decided to do the half stitches the opposite direction than I usually do them.  Making them in the direction of my top thread.  Not sure I like it, but it is a good practice.  I am liking this a lot.

Feasting Frenzy is kind of taking a back seat to the other projects at the moment.  It is my first project on a QSnap.  The jury is still out on whether or not I will use the QSnap again, but I did get an alternative way to put the fabric on the frame from a Utube video which has helped.  This is the project I work on when I am on the patio in the afternoon, so now that it is cooler perhaps I will get a little more done.

And last but not least is Woodland Enchantress.  I am really liking this project a lot even though it is going a little slowly.  It will be interesting to see how long it takes me.

 

 

I did not do anything on the Cranes project or the Santa Stocking during September.  I am trying to keep my works in progress down to 6.  Well, the major projects anyway, I still want to do some small things for cards..................................

 

This month I also purchase two apps for my ipad.  One is a cross stitch application called "X Stitch".  It is really a great way to keep track of projects and future projects.  The good news is that I am almost caught up inputting information.  You list your works in progress, future works, kits, threads and fabric inventories, etc.  The bad news is that I have WAY more projects than I need.  I think it is a sickness! 

 

The other application I added was Good Reader.  It allows you to download PDF charts onto your computer.  Rather than using paper patterns and marking them, it allows you to have the chart on your ipad and mark it using the highlighter function.  I am not sure I am liking it so far.  It is great for enlarging the pattern/chart and is easy to see that way, but so far I still use my paper and highlighter pens for marking the chart.  Habit I guess.  But it is time I move into the new century I suppose.  I am trying it on the HAED project.

 

And I also put Hours Tracker application on my ipad (it was free).  It has a function to record the time I am spending on each project, or job.  I like it a lot as I have always been curious about how long something takes me.  Of course I have to remember to clock in and out, but so far that is not a problem.

 

 That is it for updates. 

 

Thanks for visiting.

Computer Woes

I am wanting to do an update of my projects for October, but my laptop computer is in the shop.  I have not had much luck posting photos from my IPad, but it just updated so perhaps I will try again a little later.

We are scheduled to be on the road on Oct. 10 headed West.  I should be able to post our progress during that trip.

While I am not sure I am looking forward to leaving, I am looking forward to seeing family and friends out West.  And, I must confess, I am looking for the time on the road to get some stitching done!

More as it happens!

Golfer Finished

We have had a good bit of rain lately.  So much that it is too wet to mow. 

Although the temperature has been mild it has been overcast and humid.  It is supposed to start heating up again this week, but so far there has been no sun.  All the better weather for stitching!

Finished the golfer.  It was the smaller of the WIPs (5x7) so it didn't take too long.  The backstitching is the kind that I avoid doing whenever possible.  It is all slanted, does not follow any definite line and just makes me crazy.  But it is done.  Hurray.  Just need to frame him and get him on the wall!

 

I still have several projects in the works to keep me busy.  And I am in the process of organizing two really challenging projects (challenging for me anyway) to stitch in the next couple of months.

 

I am going to attempt my first Heaven and Earth design.  It is one of their freebies off their website.  Their designs are quite complex and use a lot of color (90 to 100 different colors in some cases) and are done on very small count linen.  I have never used linen before. '

 

I will post my progress on the first one soon.  I am still getting it prepared. 

 

More as it happens!  Happy stitching.

Stash Organization

Since you asked for how I organize (and I use that term VERY loosely)....here it is.

Have been working on organizing the way too many projects and stash items that I have.  I cannot say it is working, but I am giving it a good try.

If you know me, you know that I never have ONE of anything.  I always get at least two of whatever it is.  And I tend to pick up things at thrift stores.   I cannot pass up bags of floss, scroll pieces, etc.  I also stock up when needles, thimbles, markers  and other supplies are on sale.   And, of course, there is not a notion out there that I won't try.  It is a sickness.

I am to embarrassed to show you a photo of all the kits I have accumulated that need to be done.  There are many!  I think I may go through a donate a few of them.

I do kits most of the time, so I end up with threads from different companies.  So, I separated the left over thread by manufacturer, Bucilla, Candamar, Dimensions, etc.   I picked up some plastic boxes at the thrift store recently, so I have used them to separate and label the leftover threads from various kits. 

I also recently picked up a sack of Sullivan thread.  I have been wanting to try it, but so far have not used it for a project.  Those threads have their own box so far.

Most of my stash threads are DMC, so I got floss bags and this cardboard box to put them in.  I am sure there is a better way, but this is working for me now.   I am working on an inventory system but that probably won't happen any time soon!








I have several plastic tote bags that I have picked up over the years that I use to throw extra supplies and notion items in them.

This is also very handy to take a project along when we are in the RV.  It zips closed so nothing will spill out of it, and it keep the project nice and clean.  Well, it would if I actually put the project in it...............

I have a DMC over the arm of the couch thing that I have used for years.  I have a smaller plastic tote that it fits in perfectly for traveling.   I have altered it somewhat.  I used a glue gun to attach the thread heaven to it.  I attached the top so it is on upside down.  That way it is handy and it fits perfectly back into its cap.  If I could figure out a way I would glue a magnet to it.  The glue gun did not work......the magnet was too strong, and when the scissors were stuck to it the glue didn't hold up!



And I still end up dropping my scissors on the floor, dropping a needle or two and constantly loosing my markers or pencils.  But, it is better!

Even with all this I never seem to be very organized when I am working on a project.  But, it gives me lots of toys to play with when I need a break from stitching!  And, of course, I am always on the look out for more ways to organize. 

I am working on a post about how I organize each project.  Can't imagine why anyone would be interested in that, but have had requests for it.  So stay tuned and happy stitching.

September WIP

September is proving to be a busy month, so I may not get much stitching done.  However, here are the projects that I have ready to go and/or in progress this month

The Santa Stocking:  I just can't seem to get back to finish this.  I probably need to grid the final portion and perhaps that will make it go a little faster.  Lots of small stitches and outlining.  I will probably frame it rather than make it into a stocking.  Will decide if I ever get it finished.

.

The Cranes:  It is coming along nicely.  I have not yet really started using the metallic threads which I am sure will be a challenge.

The seascape:  This is a new project I just put on the scroll frame and organized the thread.  Have not even gridded the piece yet.

The Sepia Golfer:  Small project (5x7) and only has a few colors so it should go pretty quickly.

The Feasting Frenzy:  This is my test of the QSnap frames.  It is not bad and is really light weight to hold.  I work on it outside so I am also using the floss bags.  It is not as easy as having the thread on bobbins, but the threads should stay a little cleaner.

And one more.  Woodland gal.  It will take many months to complete this one!  It has lots of colors and is more complex than my previous projects.  It also has beadwork that goes on once it is finished.

These should keep me busy for a few weeks!  Since we are going to be back on the road in the RV in October, I will have plenty to work on while traveling.

It should be interesting to see how far along I get this month.

Not a Bad Day

 

Not much to report these days.  It is pretty quiet here.  It does seem to be cooler in the mornings lately and today we are getting a little bit of rain. 

 

Also, finished the Unicorn project.  Whew.  It was actually a fun project and I like all the detail on the unicorn.  

I have so many projects that I want to get done now that this one is finished.    Have a couple that are in progress. 

I would also like to do some seasonal stuff, Halloween, Christmas, etc., but I never seem to get to them, and I don't stitch fast enough...or should I say I don't start them soon enough!