Crazy January Challenge Day 19

On day 19 I started this Boxer chart by Lizzie Kate. I purchased it when it first came out and have been wanted to stitch it ever since. The chart came with the fabric and two tiny buttons. I didn't like the fabric it came with, so I switched that out for an evenweave.

Crazy January Challenge Day 18

I am using the Crazy January Challenge to start on a bunch of things that I have kitted up and haven't been able to get to! I startd Photobooth Snowmen by Bent Creek the other day. I just love this series and hope to stitch them all some day!

Crazy January Challenge Day 17

On the 17th day of this challenge, I chose part 7 of the EMS Rose Sampler, which was a free stitch-a-long in 2008.

I managed to finish part 7, so here is a look at the sampler so far.

Crazy January Challenge Day 15 & 16

Day 15's start was the Sue Hillis ornament from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue. This one is stitched on 28 count white lugana over 1 fabric thread with 1 strand of WDW Garnet.

Even though the Crazy January Challenge was for 15 new starts, but since I was on a roll, I kept going. Day 16's start was the Sue Hillis ornament from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch ornament preview magazine. It is stitched on 28 count dark red lugana (I don't remember the exact name of the color) over 1 fabric thread with 1 strand of Gentle Arts Chalk.

I have stitched both of these ornaments as models for Sue, but really wanted them on my own tree.

Crazy January Challenge Day 14

Here is the start of another ornament! This from the 2009 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue and is designed by Sue Hillis.

I am not too fond of the fabric I am using, but it is just an ornament so I will put up with it.

Crazy January Challenge Day 12 & 13

On Day 12 I started the November Cup O' Tea by Just Another Button Company. I have been putting off starting it because of the dark brown 30 count fabric. I guess the old eyes aren't what they used to be!

On Day 13 I started the December Cup O' Tea chart. The red fabric is a bit easier to work on than the brown. These are the last two charts in this series and I want them done, soon!

Crazy January Challenge Day 10 & 11

On days 10 & 11 I started a He's a Flake ornament by Little House Needleworks each day. This chart is a quick stitch and both ornaments will be finished soon.

Crazy January Challenge Day 8 & 9

On day 8 and 9 I started a Prairie Schooler strawberry ornament on each day. Here is the first one.

Here is the second one. I made about 7 of these last year, but ended up giving most of them away, so now I am making them for myself.

Crazy January Challenge Day 7

On the seventh day of this challenge I started and finished the 12th square of the Northwoods Afghan.

Here are all 11 squares that are stitched to date. One more square to go!

Crazy January Challenge Day 6

On Day 6 I started the Holiday Fun Stocking, a counted canvas piece that was taught at this month's ANG meeting.

I spent the entire evening doing the outline of the stocking, but the rest of the piece should go very quickly

Crazy January Challenge Day 5

Day 5 was spent stitching on a Spool Tree ornament by Sue Hillis. This chart is in the 2007 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue.

You may be able to tell from the photo that the piece is almost finished! Just needs more backstitching and the buttons need to be attached. Once all 15 Crazy January Starts are started, I think this one will be the first one I pick up and finish!

Crazy January Challenge Day 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4 of the Crazy January challenge were spent stitching these two pieces. This is a Just Nan freebie, called Whimzie Rose, and I finished stitching both of them!

Once I get around to the ornamentation process they will be ornaments!

Crazy January Challenge Day 2 and another finish!

I know I am a bit behind in posting, I had a few days dealing with Vertigo, and wasn't as productive as I would have liked.

Day 2 found me stitching the first square on "Blessed are the Piece / Peace Makers" design from Handblessings Designs.

I also finished the square on Day 2!

Crazy January Challenge Day 1, and the First Finish of 2011

On January 1st, and began the 1st of the Crazy January Challenge. This challenge is to have 15 starts in 15 days, and then go on to complete the pieces sometime in 2011.

My first piece is the 8th, and final part of the Stitcher's Bellpull, and because I was able to finish the part, and complete the entire piece, it becomes my first finish of 2011!

I did make some changes to this part. Since I didn't care for the turkey stitches above the words, I took the stitches at the bottom and moved them to the top, and then repeated the specialty stitches from the very top of the bellpull in reverse order. I am very happy with the way it turned out.

Last finish of 2010

I finished part 7 of the Stitcher's Bellpull by Handblessings Designs on New Year's Eve. I had hoped to finish the entire piece by then, but it didn't happen.

TUSAL

Yes, it's an empty jar! But it won't be empty for long. You will be seeing this jar every month at the new moon. Daffycat is hosting the TUSAL this year on her blog. It stands for "totally uselss stitch-a-long".

I will be posting a picture of this jar with the orts from the previous months stitching at every new moon. Silly, I know, but I gotta do something to have fun.

Last Finish of 2010

Before the New Year began, I was able to finish up the December square of Sylvia's My Little Hearts Stitch-a-long.

And here is the entire piece! Ta da!

I am thinking of finishing it as a pillow....

Some 2010 December finishes

Although I am doing the Crazy January 15 Challenge, before I can show you that progress, I have some finishes from 2010 that I still haven't had a chance to post, so please bear with me as I catch up.

Today I am showing you part six of the Stitcher's Bellpull by Handblessings Designs. It is a piece we have been working on at our EGA chapter as a stitch-a-long, and has not yet been released for sale, but the designer tells us she will be releasing it soon.

Two more parts to stitch and it will be done!

Happy New Year!

Now that I have watched the New Year's concert from Vienna, I feel like 2011 has actually begun.

The first of the month usually has me looking at the stitching progress I have made during the last month, and setting goals for the new month. Since it is also the end of one year and the beginning of another, statistics for the past year should also be reviewed.

In 2010 I logged 601 hours of stitching time, and completed 55 projects. Due to arthritis in my stitching hand, I didn't get as much stitching done as I would have liked, but I did have some good progress none the less. For the coming year, not only will I be tracking stitching time and projects completed, but also how much is spent on stash and stitching related events. I don't see alot of new charts in my future as I have quite a few kitted up and lots more waiting in the wings. I think most of what I spend will be on assorted threads and fabrics for EGA and ANG projects that are coming up, and on finishing and framing.

December 2010 Progress
Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
10 hours on Logan’s stocking restarted with 2 ½ hours stitching
November cup ‘o Tea
afghan square #11
Mystery sampler part 8
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
December Little Hearts SAL finished
part 6 EMS Rose Sampler finished
Stitcher’s bellpull part 6 finished
Stitcher’s bellpull part 7 finished
kit up Logan's birth samper and perhaps put in a few stitches
EMS monthly flowers SAL
start on Third LHN monthly ornament
start on one Bent Creek photobooth
Christmas heart canvas ornament - started it and made good progress


January 2011 Goals
Work on Bavarian Table Topper
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas
work on Logan’s stocking
Christmas heart canvas ornament
Work on Cloister garden
Work on Crystal Iris
Keep up with TUSAL

Start 15 Crazy January challenge:
November cup ‘o Tea
December cup ‘tea
afghan square #11
afghan square #12
Mystery sampler part 8
part7 EMS Rose Sampler
Stitcher’s bellpull part 8
kit up Logan's birth samper and perhaps put in a few stitches
start on Third LHN monthly ornament
start on one Bent Creek photo booth
Mystery Sampler part 7
Strawberry ornament
Whimzie Rose ornament
Sue Hillis spool tree ornament
Quilted wreath ornament
January stocking project for ANG
1st square on piece makers quilt project
Sue Hillis 2009 JCS ornament
Sue Hillis 2009 Ornament Preview ornament
Lizzie Kate Did You Ever Stop to Think
(yes, there are more than 15 starts, but I just couldn't narrow it down any more than that!)