July Starts with a Bang

I really got in the Americana mood from watching some floss tube videos.  I realized I do not have anything in this subject, so what did I do......went to 123 Stitch and went crazy

This is Red White and Blue by Lizzie Kate (not sure I will make it as the kid comes, but we will see.
Freedome House by Little House Needleworks
All Dolled Up (I call it Liberty) by Little House Needleworks

I have also changed the way I keep my projects like this (smallish) organized.  Rather than have one entire 7 compartment box  and a separate bag for them, I decided to put them all in one 10x13 mesh bags (I love the ones with the zipper) and label it "Americana".  Many of the projects for seasons use the same threads so that should make things a little easier.

I also made one for my Halloween projects and will make one for Christmas Projects.

Although it is taking me away from Old World Vinery, I am needing a diversion from that huge project.

That is it for the beginning of July.  I am sure I will have some finishes to post before too long and a travel update as well.

thanks for visiting.

California Update

Have been in California for a little over a week and it has been so busy.  I am STILL unpacking from the painting last year and am making donations to charity.  I decided I no longer need most of the cook books and cooking magazines I have accumulated.  I never open them anymore and everything seems to be on line.  So, off to the used book store they go.

We also discovered that the RV will not fit in our driveway nor in the driveway that Robert had made up the hill.  It is too steep. (laughing uncontrollably).  Guess being in finance and not engineering is showing itself.  Right now the RV is parked in DIL's driveway up the hill, which is somewhat inconvenient, as I always seem to find something else that is in the RV.

I have also been working to consolidate my stitching stash.  What I brought from Texas and what was here in California.  It is overwhelming.  I have enough kits, enough fabric and enough patterns to last me until I am well over 200 years old at my current stitching rate.  And it took me an entire 8 hours to organize and log all the floss (just the DMC).   Crazy.

I am putting myself on a stitching stuff diet.  Well, sort of.  I am determined not to get any more patterns and/or kits until I get some finishes under my belt.  All this organizing and such has left me little stitching time so I have not made much progress for the past couple of weeks. 

I did start organizing the Books Reading Books HAED project and cannot wait to start it.  I am intimidated by the fabric, so I ordered some 18 count aida in case I cannot get the hang of the fabric that came with the kit.  Daunting!  I also had to order two new scrolls because my max length was 20 inches and I need at least 22.  And I put the first 16 colors on bobbins.   This will probably take me several years to finish.

I also kitted up the Welcome Friends in Celtic that I want to do for my nephew and his wife.  I decided to change the  colors over to DMC and some of them are not even close!  So, I may delay starting this project as I need to get some threads for it.  I will post a photo of it once I start it.

I made some progress on Woodland Enchantress.  This project has been my focus this week.  It is kind of slow going although I am liking how it is coming out.  I am using the System 44 stand (I think that is what it is called) to see how it is going to work for me.  Since I had to put the project side ways on the scroll frame, it is a little awkward to stitch.  The floor standing is helping some, but it is still not so comfortable.  Another reason I ordered the longer scroll bars.  This is the second project I have had to put sideways on the frame. It is about 1/4 done at this point. 

 

I put the Santa and Mouse HAED project I am doing on my American Dream lap frame that was here in California and it is going OK.  Still slow progress.  It has not dampened my enthusiasm for the large project from HAED that I will start soon.

 

And Bay Dunes was the project I worked on during the trip.  It is coming along nicely.  I did some of the back stitching while I was listening to Grandgirl nap the other day.  The babysitting is PERFECT as I can stitch without guilt.  Nothing else to do but listen to the little gal sleep!  Loving it.

I have found that my magnifying light that I love is just not working for me here.  It works like a charm in Texas, but the chair I use here in California is wider.  So, I ordered a new light.  Just what I need, right?   It came in yesterday and is still in the box so the jury is out on how well it is going to work.

That is it for now.  I will do another update in November (only 2 days away, yikes) sometime.  Hopefully I will have a finish or two before that.  I wanted to finish Bay Dunes by the end of October, but that isn't going to happen.

Am really enjoying time with the Grand Girls, but I miss the river more than I thought.  It seems there are many more demands on my time here in CA.  The pace if definitely faster and everyone is in a hurry.  We have a lot more going on so perhaps it is my imagination.

More as it happens

Thanks for visiting.

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.