And Part 4 is finished

I got part 4 this morning of our Needle's Nest Anniversary Band Sampler.  So I sat down to start stitching this evening and finished it in the wee hours of the morning......

And We Have a Finish.......

Hot off the hoop...Pumpkin Harvest by Rocking Horse Designs.

And now there are only 9 WIPs left......

WIP Wednesday

Well, I am a day late, forgot to post this yesterday.  This is Pumpkin Harvest by Rocking Horse Designs.  Another kit I have had forever!  (The Rocking Horse was sold and is now closed, that should give you some sense of how long!)

This is another from my list of WIP that will be finished soon!

March Progress, April Goals

You would think that with this sheltering in place I would get more stitching done.  Sadly, even though I am stitching, I am not stitching more.  I guess I am just a bit too anxious and worrying....
I did have 5 finishes, 3 of them being WIP from last year's Maynia starts.  I should get another one done in the next few days, so I may just do Maynia this year after all!  My WIP list is down to 10, and will be 9 in a few days.....and I do have a number of small things to start....so we will see.

April 2020

WISPS:

Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Walking on Water’s Edge 

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Fine Wine 
3.       Pumpkin Harvest
4.       Hope of Spring 

Future New starts

Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
               Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Marnee Ritter Gold Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol 

Sweet Watermelon Finish

Finished stitching this one up last night.  It is Sweet Watermelon by Rocking Horse Designs.  It came with the frame.  I have just set the frame on top of it, I still need to do the actual framing.  Can't do that until I go get some foam core to cut down.

Another WIP finished!  only 10 more to go now.....

Happy Sunday!

WIP Wednesday 3-25-2020

Working my way through the pile of WIPs, this one is Sweet Watermelon, from the Rocking Horse.  Should be finished soon.

Snow Sampler Finish

Finished the stitching on Snow Sampler by Country Cottage Needleworks!

Another one from my WIP list is done.  I am now down to 11 on my list, so it is almost time to start a few new ones!

Happy Sunday!

Part 3 is finished

Even though our EGA Chapter isn't meeting now due to the Covid-19 outbreak, we were sent the next installment of the chart electronically, and I got it all stitched up right away!   Here it is and below is the entire piece to date!

WIP Wednesday 3-18-2020

It's Wednesday again, and time to show you what I am stitching today.

I had started Country Cottage Needleworks' Snow Sampler last May, but I was not happy with it.  I restarted it last weekend on different fabric, and you can see that the white floss is much more visible.  I am much happier with the way it looks, so I will continue on and take out the stitches on the paler fabric.  I am sure I can find something else to stitch on this fabric someday.

Happy Sunday!

Late Night Finish

Just finished It's Fall Friends from the Bent Creek Photobooth Series.  

This series is really fun!  I have three more in the series to stitch and then comes the task of framing them all!

Ornamentified!

This evening, at our ANG Chapter meeting, we ornamentified an ornament!  The technique we did was different from the way I had learned, but it works, and it is good to know more than one way to ornamentify and ornament!

Happy Sunday!

WIP Wednesday 3-4-2020

This is my current WIP.  This is It's Fall Friends from the Photobooth series by Bent Creek.

It was started last May, and I had so much else going on, I didn't get back to it to finish like I had planned.

I picked it up again this past weekend, and have made good progress.  Hope to have it finished soon.

Part 2 is Added

Part 2 of the Needle's Nest Anniversary Sampler has now been added.  Took much longer than it should have, had visit from the green aphibian….

February Progress, March Goals

I am quite happy with my progress for February.  I had 10 finishes, 2 were from the WIP list.  Here's to more stitching time in March!

February 2020

WISPS:

Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Walking on Water’s Edge 

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Fine Wine 
3.       Pumpkin Harvest 
4.       Sweet Watermelon 
5.       Photobooth worked on it
6.       Foxy Fob finished
7.       May flower of the month finished
8.       Snow Sampler
9.       Hope of Spring 

Future New starts
Part 1 25^th Anniversary sampler finished
Part 2 25^th Anniversary Sampler worked on it
Eileen’s new ornament finished
Hospice Heart #2  finished
Circle of Hearts finished
Hospice Heart 2 finished
Texas Star Quilt Pattern Ornament finished
Beading sampler  finished
Crochet hat finished
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Marnee Ritter Gold Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol 

One More February Finish

I finished Circle of Hearts by Margaret Bendig this evening.  It truly was a fun stitch!  I just loved doin those hearts!

This will be an ornament some day.

A Gift

John, my gentleman friend, recently returned from the Holy Land and Egypt.

He has traveled before, but never brought me a gift.  And I didn't expect one.  But this time he did!  He has also never given me jewelry before.

The necklace is an olive tree.  He found a local artesian that was highly recommended, and picked this one because it was patterned after a specific tree in the garden of Gethsemane, and he saw the tree.

The bracelet is Garnet and he got it in a Bedouin village from another local craftsman.

He seemed really excited to give it to me.  I don't know if this a new development in our relationship or if he is just being his nerdy little self.  Either way, I won't look a gift John in the mouth, I said thank you and will wear them often!  

First Crochet Finish since 1982!

I made a hat!  I think it needs a pompom or something on the top, but I am not sure yet.

The crochet class instructor said the stitches were very even, and she was impressed with my finish!  This evening was the last class.  We were to come with all the crocheting finished so we could put the hat together.

I must tell you that over the course of the week, I took all the stitches out and started over twice!  And many other rows were taken out as I went along because I didn't like how it looked.  But I got it done!  And I was the only one who completed the assignment!  I think the stitches are a little tight, though.  Must work on that.

There is a Beyond Basics in Crochet class being planned in the near future.  I think I will take that class to learn some other stitches besides the basics.

My Oma would be so proud!

WIP Wednesday 2-26-2020

I am working on a crochet project for the crochet class I am taking.  I started this ribbed hat on Thursday, and I want to have the crocheting done by tomorrow, so that we can crochet it together on the last class.  Actually, I could have had it finished already, but I keep taking it out and starting over because I didn't like how it looked or I dropped some stitches, but I will keep going!

Happy Sunday!

Another Stitching Finish

This is the beaded sampler I was working on, but I ran out of beads, so I had to wait until I picked up some more....then I spilled them all....then I had to gather them up off the floor....and it is finally stitched.

Our ANG Chapter is giving incentive point and a charm for doing some beading.  I needed 5 more stitches to earn the charm so I finished them in the knick of time.

This will become an ornament someday.....

Finally finished

When you lasts saw this piece I was waiting for the fibres to finish the stitching.....that was Sunday.  I ordered the fibres on Monday morning and asked that they be mailed out to me right away.  I should have them by Wednesday at the latest...right?   Well, I found out Wednesday that they hadn't been mailed yet.  I don't know why.  I jumped in the car and drove the 45 minutes in each direction to pick them up myself.

And when I got home, I saw down and finished the stitching.

Ornamentification will happen at a later date.

WIP Wednesday 2-19-2020

I am working on a beaded project today.  This is a sampler of beaded stitches for my ANG Chapter.  Almost done!

Stitching Happily and then.......

I ran out of fibres!   I suppose I shouldn't complain as I won this kit at our ANG meeting a few months ago.....but darn it!

I really wanted to just start and complete it in one day, but as you can see, there weren't nearly enough fibres in the kit.  I did have the white and red ribbon at home, but not the blue and all the shops were closed since it was late afternoon on a Sunday.  And I have too much going on to take a run to any shop on Monday or Tuesday!

I have ordered the fibre and it will be here in a few days.....but darn, I hate waiting!

Happy Sunday!

Another Hospice Heart Finish

I finished my second Hospice Heart for this year.  I committed to 2, and now have them both finished.....but if the guild is short, I will stitch one or two more....

A shout out to Marguerite Harrington who designed this one!

WIP Wednesday 2-12-2020

Just started Circle of Hearts by Margaret Bendig.  I am doing the red hearts.  Didn't get too far, but it is a fun stitch!

Beaded Christmas Present Ornament Finish

Finished this beaded and stitched ornament late last night.  It was given to us at our Needlepoint guild Holiday Party, and we get credit for two beaded stitches for our yearly challenge.   It was designed by Handblessings Designs.  Ornamentification will happen at a later date.

First Hospice Heart of the Year

Our ANG Chapter (American Needlepoint Guild) is again doing this Hospice Heart project this year.  We stitch the hearts and they are distributed at a camp for children that have lost a parent or sibling to cancer.

I committed to at least 2 hearts this year, and this is the first one stitched.

Trying to Remember

Many, many years ago, my Oma taught me to crochet.  But she taught me in German, and never taught me to read a pattern.

I used to crochet a lot, when I was in high school, I made vests and hats, and sold them.  When the kids were little, I crochet them scarves every year to match their winter jackets.  Over time, I stopped crocheting.  Oma was gone, and I couldn't ask her questions anymore.

I was determined to try it again.  I tried picking up a pattern and some yarn, but I didn't get very far.  The pattern might as well have been written in Greek.....it was all Greek to me.  You Tube didn't help because I didn't know what to look up!

The local yarn shop had beginner classes, but they weren't offered when I was available, and the classes were rather expensive.  I saw an e-mail from 2 Needle Chicks that offered beginner crochet classes at a time that worked for me and they were rather inexpensive, too!  I had met the crochet teacher at the county fair last summer and liked her, so I thought I would give it a try.  I called and was told I was the first person to register, and they needed a minimum of 3 to hold the class.  I wasn't hopeful that two more people would sign up in the next day or two, but they did!  The class was now set!  I had my first class a few days ago, and my fingers remembered what to do once I saw Susan doing the stitches, and now I know what they are called in English!  

I sat down last night to practice, and my brain forgot!  But I read the notes, and looked at You tube and tried it again, and it worked.  I do find that I will have to practice a bit each day, and now the You Tube videos even made sense!   Another class later this week...…….

My New Roommates

House sitting for my son for a few days....the house comes with these two exciting fellows....

Murphy   and JoJo

Foxy Fob Finish!

And another WIP bites the dust!  (down to 13 now)   A beaded piece by Nancy Cucci that was taught at our Guild about a year ago, I think....could be longer.....

Final finishing will happen at a later date, once I figure out what I want to do with it.....ornament, scissors fob, something else?

This one is all beaded and was hard to work on holding the stretcher bars and picking up the beads, but since I got my Lowrey stand, stitching on canvas has been much easier!

WIP Wednesday 2-5-2020

It's Wednesday again, blogging buddies!  Today I am working on a beading project:  Foxy Fob by Nancy Cucci.  I started this one last May and it is high time it gets completed!

Second Finish of the Evening!

 Here is the square I finished last evening.  This makes the 5th finish of the year, and brings the number of WIPs down to 14!

Here are the 5 flowers that I have done so far.  Only 7 more to go!

A New Start and a Finish!

Our Chapter of EGA (Needle's Nest) is celebrating our 25th Anniversary this year.  We are stitching this band sampler, and will be receiving 1 part each month all year long.  Here is my part 1.

Super Bowl Sale Stash Shopping 02-02-2020

Today, I went to Welcome Stitchery with my friend Marguerite, for their annual Super Bowl Sale.  Met lots of friends and fellow stitchers at the shop and got a bag full of goodies!

If you have never been to Welcome Stitchery, you really should stop in!  Monica and her staff are very welcoming and will help you find lots of goodies you just can't live without!

oh...and Monica and her husband are hoping to retire so the shop is for sale.....we need someone to buy it so it stays open....

January Progress, February Goals

Three finishes last month!  and another WIP that is very nearly finished!  So right now, it brings the WIP count down to 15.  Hopefully, after the eye doctor appointment later this month, my eyes will be better, and I can stitch longer each day!  Stay tuned!

January 2020

WISPS:
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Butterfly banner   finished
Walking on Water’s Edge 
One Nation finished

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Fine Wine 
3.       Pumpkin Harvest 
4.       Sweet Watermelon 
5.       Photobooth 
6.       Candy Corn #2 finished
7.       Foxy Fob 
8.       May flower of the month worked on it
9.       Snow Sampler
10.   Hope of Spring 

Future New starts
Eileen’s new ornament
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Marnee Ritter Gold Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol 

WIP Wednesday 1-29-2020

Pulled out this WIP a few weeks ago, and want to continue stitching it until this square is done.  This is a free series by Ellen Maurer-Stroh, the flowers of the month.  I am currently working on May, Lilies of the Valley.

Royal Visitors at German School and a New Medal

This year, the Chicago Mardi Gras Organization has no Prinz or Princess, but....the national group; GAMGA (German American Mardi Gras Association) crowned a 
Prinz and Prinzessin last weekend in Las Vegas, and they happen to be local to us!   So they came for a visit to German School today!  The students love these visits and love to have this type of visit every year.

The Prinz and Princess passed out beads and Gummi Baerchen to every student!

I was honored to receive an Orden from the Prinz this year!  

And We Have a Finish.....

This evening I finished the Butterfly Banner by Nancy Cucci.  The final finishing will come at a later date.  I have done a number of her banners, and I know I will be doing at least one more next year, or maybe even later this year.  Once that one in finished, I will do the finishing on all of them at the same time.

WIP Wednesday 1-22-2020

Hi there blogging buddies!  I haven't done a WIP Wednesday in quite awhile, but I hope to rectify that and do regular Wednesday posts.

I did not do the Crazy January Challenge this year.  It is not that I didn't have things I wanted to start, but that I had a number of WIPs left from the last Maynia Challenge.  In total, I had 18 WIPs on January 1st, and I decided that was just a bit much for my comfort.

So....I am trying hard to reduce that number.  I finished two already and this one is near completion.

This is the Butterfly Banner by Nancy Cucci.  I just have the top square to complete as of today.  Look for a finish soon!

Another Finish

Tonight I finished the stitching on this Candy Corn ornament.  It is the second one I have done.  Ornamentifying will commence at a later date.  I am now down to 16 works in progress.

First Finish of the Year

One Nation by ByGone Stitches, stitched on 25 count blue Lugana over one fabric thread with one strand of floss.  Started July 4, 2019, finished January 6, 2020, 204 hours of stitching.  

January Goals and December Progress

December is always such a busy time of year, but I managed to get some stitching done too!  I finished all 54 of the snowflake ornaments!  I finished the Gingerbread Person Ornaments for the Grandchildren.  I made really good progress on One Nation...it is almost finished.

I decided not to do the Crazy January Challenge this year....I still have 10 starts from Maynia that I haven't finished, and having 18 works in progress is a bit out of my comfort zone at the moment.  I never had an issue with that before but in my old age it is making me twitch!

That is not to say I won't have any new starts...on the contrary, I have a number of them I want to start soon, but I feel I need to put in some on my WIPs.

Edited to add:  I have managed to stitch every single day of 2019!   Every. single. day.   That makes 682 days in a row!  (since February 18, 2018)

January 2020 Goals

WISPS:
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Merry Bells #1 
Diamond City Lights
Butterfly banner  
Walking on Water’s Edge 
One Nation

Maynia Starts
1.       Stocking for Eleanor
2.       Fine Wine 
3.       Pumpkin Harvest 
4.       Sweet Watermelon 
5.       Photobooth 
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Foxy Fob 
8.       May flower of the month
9.       Snow Sampler
10.   Hope of Spring 

Future New starts
Eileen’s new ornament
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Ambrosia Honey
Scissors case
June flower of the month
July flower of the month
French alphabet page
Hardanger ornament
Snowman Heart
Marnee Ritter Heart
Marnee Ritter Gold Heart
Gingerbread heart
Pretty Little Chicago
A Stitcher by Cherrywood designs
Twisted Band Sampler
Tree of Ornaments
Redwork heart
Flower patch
Hex Symbol 

Happy New Year!