Crazy January Challenge Day 28

On Day 28 I chose to start Pines in the Snow Ornament by Handblessings Designs.  It is done on canvas and is all one stitch, the Oriental Variation Stitch.  I forgot how much I dislike this stitch.  It is a pain...so it is going much more slowly than I would like.  But I am half finished with it....

Crazy Janaury Challenge Day 27

Day 27 start was the last of the Exotic Places stitches project the our ANG chapter is doing.  We were given a book of 19 different stitches, and are to complete at least 12 of them by the beginning of March.  This is my 12th!  I am finished with this project

Crazy January Challenge Day 26

On Day 26 I started Home of a Needleworker by Little House Needleworks.  This chart is from 2003, and I probably purchased it and kitted it up that same year, but it sat in the 'to do mountain' for all this time, just waiting.  I pulled it out in the morning, and discovered I had kitted it with 25 count lugana, to be stitched over 1!  So that's what I am doing!  I don't know why I had planned to stitch this over 1, but I must have had a reason.  

Crazy January Challenge Day 25

By this time, I bet you thought I would run out of things to start.....I keep finding more things that are kitted up and ready to go, so I might as well start on them, then they are sure to be finished this year!   Day 25's start is Snowflake Serenade of Country Cottage Needleworks.  I am stitching it on 28 count lambswool jobelin with the recommended fibres. 

Crazy January Challenge Day 24

On Day 24 I started the February Flower of the Month by Ellen Maurer-Stroh.  This is a monthly flower series that was released as a freebie series a few years ago and is still available on her website.   I had originally planned to stitch one block each month, but I may have to rethink that, as this first block is taking much longer than originally anticipated. 

Crazy January Challange Day 23

On Day 23 I started and finished this piece of canvas work, The Red Tulip by Handblessings Designs.  It is done with a Hungarian 5 point bargello stitch and was fun to stitch except for my very sore wrist and hand by the time it was done. 

Crazy January Challenge Day 22

On Day 22 I started Birds, Flowers and Patches Quilt.  This is the 2013 free promotional block of the month design by Handblessings Designs.  I had planned to do one block each month, but I got 2 blocks done.  It is stitched on 32 count Lambswool Jobelin, with Weeks Dye Works floss.

Crazy January Challenge Day 21

On Day 21 I started Around the World in 80 Days by Little House Needleworks.  It is an enjoyable piece to stitch.  Can't wait to get back to it.

Crazy January Challenge Day 20

On Day 20 I started Secret Garden by Hinzeit.  It is a cute enough chart, but the real reason I am stitching is that the frame it will go in is really too cute.  It has a gnome on it!  I made good progress today, so this one should be finished up soon after I am done with these crazy January starts....

Crazy January Challenge Day 19

On Day 19 I started and finished another Hinzeit Mini Block, this time it was Camping.  My sister-in-law started stitching this one many years ago, and found the evenweave fabric too difficult, and then restarted it on aida, but had trouble with her eyes so she gave it to me to finish.  I detest stitching on aida, and there was enough of the evenweave after cutting off the part that was stitched, so I chose to use that.  There weren't enough threads to do the project, and I didn't want to go out and buy more, so I found some in my stash that would work and started stitching.  Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, the charms were lost, so I call my LNS and ordered another chart with the charms and will attach those once they get here.  I already have the frame for it, so we are good to go!

Crazy January Challenge Day 18

Day 18, I started and managed to finish Golden Threads, stitched on 32 count fabric with Caron Waterlilies, just love stitching with silks!  32 count fabric wonderful to stitch on, and might be my favorite fabric for stitching over 2, but it seems especially tiny after doing a few days on 11 count fabric!   This chart was found among cross stitch supplies that my oldest daughter brought me when she was moving to Italy many years ago.  She decided she didn't have time to stitch any more.  It was all kitted up and I put it on the shelf thinking I would get to it someday, stitch it and give it back to her to give to whoever she intended it for.  Now that I finally  stitched it, she doesn't remember who it was meant for, so she asked me to find a home for it.....so once it is  'finished' I will do so.

Crazy January Challange Day 17

...and the starts continue....this time it's a runner from another Rico booklet.  The prefinished runner was another piece given to me from the stash of the same stitcher where I got the table topper I was working on two days ago.   This one wasn't started at all, and had no chart or fibres with it, but I had a pattern and most of the fibres, so I started stitching.  This one will also be donated once it is finished, just don't know which charity will get it yet.

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 16

So the Crazy 15 Challenge has become the Crazy January Challenge, because I can't seem to stop at 15.....  Day 16's start is Northwoods Bear, from the Northwoods Afghan chart.  I did the afghan for my favorite son-in-law a few years ago, and this pillow on the same fabric is for him once it is stitched.  Seems a bit weird to be stitching on 11 count fabric over 2 the last two days, when I was stitching 25 ct. over 1 a few days ago.....but it certainly keeps life interesting

Crazy 15 Challenge - Day 15

On Day 15 I started stitching on the Rico Table Topper.....but I should mention that it was a UFO inherited when another stitcher passed away.   Although I didn't put the first stitch into this piece, I am still counting it as a start because I hadn't worked on it before.  There isn't actually a lot left to stitch.  Two "squares" were more than half done, and I finished both of them.  The third and final square was just started but I had to pull all the stitches out and redo it because the design wasn't centered properly. 

I should mention that I inherited the UFO but not the chart or the fibres.  Luckily, I had the chart in a Rico booklet, but it took awhile to track it down.  Then I had to figure out if the original stitcher had used Anchor threads (as listed on the charts) or had converted everything to DMC.  After lots of comparisons, I decided that Anchor floss was used.  Luckily I had all the colors!  Then I had to figure out if she used the recommended amount of strands (4 for cross stitches and 1 for back stitch) or if she changed that.   After more comparisons, I looked to me that she used 2 strands for cross stitches and 2 strands for back stitches.  So that is what I am doing.  It probably only needs one more day of stitching before its finished.  I will be donating the finished piece to charity, just haven't decided which one yet

Crazy 15 Challenge Day 14

Day 14's start is Liberty Bells by Little House.  I am using the recommended fibres and fabric (30 ct. Parchment Linen by Weeks Dye Works.  This piece is linen is much nicer the work with then the one I was using a few days ago.  I am fairly close to finishing it.

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 13

On Day 13 I started Embroidery Guild by Little House Needleworks.  Progress on this one is going to be slow, the fabric is giving me problems.  It is 30 count linen by R & R Reproductions, the recommended fabric, but it is extremely stiff and really hard to work with. 

Crazy 15 Challenge Day 12

On Day 12 I started and finished this Hinzeit Mini Block piece called Stitch.  I picked it up a number of years ago at our EGA chapter's annual garage sale, complete with floss and charms.  I added some fabric and it has been sitting patiently waiting to be stitch ever since. It is now finished!

Crazy 15 Challenge Day 11

Day 11's start is the Santa Train Stocking from the Summer 2014 Stoney Creek Magazine.  I am stitching this on 28 count white Jubilee with the recommended fibres.   I have been wanting to start this one for quite awhile, but misplaced the magazine.  I finally gave up and posted that I would like to purchase a used magazine on a cross stitch message board, and then immediately found my copy!  I only need to order two of the glissen gloss colors and the charms and beads, but I won't need those right away. 

Crazy 15 Challenge Day 10

On Day 10 I started this French Alphabet Sampler.  It was a free chart that I kitted up a few years ago, don't remember where I got.  I am stitching it on 25 Count antique white Lugana over one fabric thread with one strand of Gloria silk.  The entire sampler is done with one color, except for an accent done in metallic thread.  I haven't decided if I will use gold or silver... 

Crazy January Challenge Day 9

Day 9's start is from the Bent Creek Photo Booth series, Easter Surprise.  I have stitched some of this series already, and eventually want to stitch all of them.

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 8

On Day 8 I started and finished this cute little wreath ornament.  I received it a few years ago at our ANG chapter Christmas party, and finally got around to stitching it.  It is done on congress cloth with 1 strand of floss over one canvas thread.  It is embellished with gold petite beads, but they are hard to see in the picture.  It will be ornamentified at a later date.

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 7

On Day 7, I started The Breath of Autumn by Chessie and Me.  I am stitching this on 32 ct. Sand Lugana, with the suggested silk fibres.  I haven't stitched with silk in awhile, I had forgotten how lovely it is to stitch with silk....can't wait to get back to this one.

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 6

On Day 6 I started Silent Night by Country Cottage Needleworks and made some good progress.  I think I will re-chart the words to the German text.....

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 5

On the fifth day, I picked up Dream Big again, but this time, stitch on 25 count Lugana over 1 to make it smaller.  It will be an ornament when the stitching is finished.

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 4

On the 4th Day a stitched Stitching Happy Hearts, by Little House Needleworks.  It was a free chart that I found in my to do pile, all kitted up, so I decided to just get started and I managed to finish is before I went to bed!   It will be an ornament someday......

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 3

On the 3rd day of this challenge, I started The House That Love Built by Ursula Michaels.  This will be presented to the Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis, where we stayed before and after Justin's birth.  It is stitching up very quickly, this is my progress at the end of the day.  I should mention it was a Sunday and I stitched all day.....

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 2

On Day 2, I started Justin's Birth Sampler, which is a Superheroes Alphabet.  You might recall that I have stitching this same piece for Peter on blue fabric.  Justin is my newest grandson, and his parents have requested the same sampler, but on green fabric.  I got the entire first letter stitched!  

Crazy 15 Challenge, Day 1

In Day 1 of this crazy challenge, I started Dream Big by Country Cottage Needleworks.  It will end up being a flat fold, I think, for an Easter exchange.  I am stitching it on some mystery 32 count fabric, with the suggested threads.  I was hard to put it down at the end of the day, I enjoyed stitching on it.         

December Progress, January Goals and the Year in Review

December produced some finishes!  You might remember my goal of completing the remaining 8 Little House Needleworks 2012 ornaments, well, I didn't quite reach that goal, but I am quite happy with my progress.  Despite lots of family visiting, and being in a crazy house...I managed to get all but one of the ornaments finished, and that last one is already my first finish of 2016!  Yay me!

I had a total of 43 finishes for 2015, and considering there were a number of large pieces, I am quite happy with that number.

I will need to unpack the new iron, and press them before I can show you some pictures.

For 2016, I will be doing my own version of Crazy 15 challenge.  This is where you start a new project each day for 15 days, and then complete them during the year.  Not sure what I will actually start, I will just choose whatever strikes my fancy each day.  Visit again to see what I am up to!

December 2015

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

Ding Dong Merrily on High  finished

Future New starts

afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
4 person RR Marguerite’s
Carnival
Landon’s Stocking
Justin’s Birth Sampler
6 Cardinals  finished
Hot Cocoa  finished
Snow Cold  finished
Country Christmas  finished
Gingerbread Cookie  finished
Season of Love  finished
Saltbox Village  worked on it

January 2016

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 
 
In Progress
Saltbox Village  finished

Future New starts
afghan pillow bear
afghan pillow moose
Crystal Violets
French Alphabet block sampler
Silent Night (CCN)
Around the World in 80 Days
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
4 person RR Marguerite’s
Carnival
Landon’s Stocking
Justin’s Birth Sampler