Fa La La - Take Two!

I finished up Fa La La by Little House Needleworks this evening, for the second time!

I am really enjoying stitching the Little House Needleworks ornaments, I hope to get all of the 2010 ornaments stitching in 2011, and then get to the 2011 ornaments in 2012....I always seem to be a year behind!

A Finish for Love Quilts

I made a committment to stitch one square for Love Quilts each year. Love Quilts is a great organization that makes quilts for sick children. This is the 2011 contribution. The design come from Stoney Creek's Sea Babies booklet.

It is stitched on 14 count aida (did I mention I hate stitching on aida?) with DMC floss. If it wasn't required to stitch on aida, I would probably stitch more each year, but after finishing one on aida, I am done for the year!

A Cup of Tea!

I finally had a chance to get back to my tea cups!

I finished the December Cup 'O Tea by Just Another Button Company late last night (actually it was very early this morning.....)

Now I only have one left to finish....November....it's on brown fabric....it's hard to see....someday I WILL finish the last tea cup!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Since my family doesn't get me any stitchy things, I treated myself!

EMS Rose Sampler Part 8

I had a chance to stitch another part of this design this week. I was able to finish part 8. It really is a joy to stitch, even though my eyes get blurry after a few hours of stitching over one!

Here is the entire piece so far. I can't wait until next month when I can work on part 9.

Piecemakers Quilt Square #3

I finished square #3 on this project this week. Since the squares are a quick stitch, I may just double up and do two squares each month, just to get the project done a bit faster.

Here are all three squares that have been stitch so far.

TUSAL - March

Here is the picture of the ort jar at the March new moon.

Lots of stitching this past month and lots of orts.

February Progess and March Goals

I wish I would have had more time to stitch in February! I didn't ackomplish as much as I had hoped, but there was good progress none the less.

February Progress
Work on Bavarian Table Topper worked on it
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas no
work on Logan’s stocking no
Christmas heart canvas ornament no
Work on Cloister garden no
Work on Crystal Iris no
Piece maker’s quilt project square #2 finished
LHN Fa La La ornament no
afghan square #11 no
kit up Logan's birth sampler and perhaps put in a few stitches got the new kit!
Mystery Sampler part 7 no
Quilted wreath ornament no
LHN Snow White finished
Sue’s Biscornu finished
Start 15 in January challenge:
November cup ‘o Tea no
December cup ‘tea no
Bent Creek photo booth snowmen finished
Strawberry ornament #1 finished
Strawberry ornament #2 worked on it
January stocking project for ANG worked on it
Sue Hillis 2009 JCS ornament no
Sue Hillis 2008 Ornament Preview ornament finished

March 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
Piece maker’s quilt project square #3
LHN Fa La La ornament
afghan square #11
Logan's birth sampler
Mystery Sampler part 7
Quilted wreath ornament
Start 15 in January challenge:
November cup ‘o Tea
December cup ‘tea
Strawberry ornament #2
January stocking project for ANG
Sue Hillis 2009 JCS ornament

Sad News for the Stitching Community

From the Norwalk Reflector:
The body of Lisa Roswell was discovered this morning in the water inside her car.
Lt. John Soisson of the Norwalk Fire Department confirmed her death.
The discovery of her body came about 26 hours after her car was washed off South Norwalk Road.
More details will follow.

Lisa Roswell designed under the name The Primitive Needle

She will be missed, may she rest in peace.

Market Party at Welcome Stitchery!

Last Friday afternoon, I found myself in Crystal Lake, IL at the flag store on an errand from work. I got all the flags ordered by 5 pm, and then walked across the street to Finn McCool's where I was meeting Debbie and Renae for dinner.

After dinner, we walked around the corner to Welcome Stitchery for their Market Party. Lots of new things to look through, making the decision of what to buy very difficult. I ran into Ilona at the shop, it was great to see her again too!

After making my own purchase and making sure that Debbie and Renae filled their baskets, too, Debbie and I headed across the street to Starbuck's to have some hot chocolate and inspect each other's purchases. It was a very enjoyable evening!

A Biscornu Model

I was asked to stitch a model for Sue Hillis. She will be teaching this class at and EGA chapter in her area.

I finished the stitching and assembly last evening, and my sister, Trudi, was kind enough to take some photographs of the assembly process that Sue wanted. It is now winging it's way to Sue's for some final touches. I eventually want to stitch this for myself, someday.....

Snow White

Here my latest finish, Snow White by Little House Needleworks, started during Super Bowl weekend and finished less than a week later.

It is stitched on 28 count antique blue lugana with Cresent Colours Belle Soie in the color, Icing.

It was a quick and enjoyable stitch, especially because the silks are so wonderful to stitch with.

2nd square of Piece/Peace maker's Quilt

I finished the 2nd square of the Piece / Peacemaker's quilt by Handblessings Designs the other day. So, it's 2 down and 10 to go on this project.

Another Ornament Finish!

I started this one during the Crazy January Challenge. It is by Sue Hillis and is found in the 2008 Just Cross Stitch Ornament Preview issue.

It is stitched on 28 count victorian red (I think) fabric over on fabric thread with one strand of Gentle Arts Sampler Thread Chalk.

This is a companion piece to the ornament in the Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue 2008, and like the original ornament I have stitched it before for Sue, and now have stitched it for myself.

Finishing....well, that is another adventure.

Photobooth Snowmen Finish!

Another Crazy January Challenge finish!

I just love this series by Bent Creek! The snowmen are just too cute! I plan to stitch the entire series...but I have no idea how I will "finish" them...perhaps lots of little bellpulls?

I am open to suggestions!

And Yet Another Crazy January Challenge Finish

Finished this Lizzie Kate design! It is stitched with the recommended fibres, but I swapped out the fabric to an evenweave, the linen that came with the chart was just way too thin.

Another Crazy Janaury Challenge Finish!

I was able to finish this ornament that was started as part of the Crazy January Challenge. It is a Sue Hillis design from the 2008 Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue.

It is stitched with one strand of floss over one fabric thread on 28 count white lugana.

He's a Flake is finished (twice)

Two more Crazy January Challenge start are now finished! Here is a photo of one of the He's a Flake ornaments, the second one looks just like the first.

This was a fun one to stitch, and they both only need to be ornamentified.

Spool Tree Finish

I recently finished the spool tree ornament that I started during the Crazy January Challenge. It still needs to be ornimentified, but the stitching is done!

TUSAL - February

Here is my Ort Jar as of February 3rd. It has been a good month for stitching, as you can see by the amount of orts in the jar, which was just about empty at the beginning of January!

Public Service Announcement

As the midwest digs out from all the snow, please remember to clear the area around your fire hydrants. Your local firefighters will be very appreciative.

Made it in to work today, most of the roads were quite good, except for Wolf Road in Wheeling, Illinois. Let's just say it wasn't a fun drive......

Snow Day!

We had a snow day today! The office was closed yearly Tuesday afternoon, and remained closed all day on Wednesday. I couldn't have gotten out of the garage anyway, so it was a good day to stay inside and hybernate!

Here is my freshly shoveled sidewake taken from the front door. Officially the snowfall in the Chicago Area was 20.2 inches, but there were some very high drifts in the area. Once the wind let up, it was a sunny, crisp day.

The kids in the neighborhood had fun sliding down the large piles of snow, but I was warm and toasty inside and had no desire to join them.

Stay warm, everyone!

January Progress and February Goals

January was a good month as far as stitching goes. I managed to stitch for 96.75 hours. I had 19 starts for the Crazy January Challenge and finished 11 of those! The other 8 will be finished during this year.

January Progress
Work on Bavarian Table Topper no
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas no
work on Logan’s stocking no
Christmas heart canvas ornament no
Work on Cloister garden no
Work on Crystal Iris no
Crazy January challenge:
November cup ‘o Tea started
December cup ‘tea started
afghan square #11 no
afghan square #12 finished
Mystery sampler part 8 no
part7 EMS Rose Sampler finished
Stitcher’s bellpull part 8 finished!
kit up Logan's birth samper and perhaps put in a few stitches - a different one is being ordered
start on Third LHN monthly ornament finished
Third LHN ornament #2 finished
start on one Bent Creek photo booth started
Mystery Sampler part 7 no
Strawberry ornament #1 started
Strawberry ornament #2 started
Whimzie Rose ornament #1 finished!
Whimzie Rose ornament #2 finished!
Sue Hillis spool tree ornament finished
Quilted wreath ornament no
January stocking project for ANG started
1st square on piece makers quilt project finished!
Sue Hillis 2009 JCS ornament started
Sue Hillis 2008 Ornament Preview ornament started
Sue Hillis 2008 JCS Ornament finished
Lizzie Kate Did You Ever Stop to Think finished


February 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
Afghan square #11 (last square)
Mystery Sampler part 7
EMS Rose Sampler part 8
Logan's Birth Sampler
Quilted Wreath ornament
Peacemakers quilt square #2
Model piece for Sue Hillis
Crazy January challenge:
November cup ‘o Tea
December cup ‘tea
Bent Creek photo booth snowmen
Strawberry ornament #1
Strawberry ornament #2
January stocking project for ANG
Sue Hillis 2009 JCS ornament
Sue Hillis 2008 Ornament Preview ornament

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!)