Update on Contest piece

Been stitching while it is slow at work. Here is a progress pic :) I actually have a little more done but took the pic before I changed the position of the qsnaps. Stay tuned.....

Been Stitchin'!

My friend Gina and I have been sitting out on the back deck and watching Stargate on my laptop since last week. This is a good thing cause if my laptop is playing movies I can't be stuck on facebook apps LOL I decided to pull out some stitching! Here are some progress pics.


This is Velcome by Lizzie Kate. Until the movie marathon only the head and bow of the ghost was done.












This is Picasso's Rooster by Lady Bug Lane. I'm doing this for my mom. I thought it was going to be a quick stitch but I think my confidence got the better of me on this one cause I keep on miscounting! Now I have to get some tape to get that faint blue line out because it was supposed to be yellow!







Have an orange or tangarine started on Lemons Limes and More by Vermillion! Also worked a bunch on the leaves.













Almost done Christmas Word Tree by M Designs. Just a few more letters to go.

A Stiching tip......Beeswax works better on Rayon, Thread Heaven works better on silk.



I also have been stitching on my Contest Sampler but have to take a pic at work tonight.

A small update

I haven't done alot of stitching over the past few months but I finally got a little done in the past couple of weeks and even some tonight. I took pics so I can prove it :)



This is for a sampler contest by Wiehenburg Designs and is also affiliated with Bush Mountain Stichery. This is the center flower so far. The contest wants the piece to be finished by November and they give you the design and you get to choose the fabric and fibers to give it you own flare. I have decided to use Vikki Clayton Silks for the flowers and GAST for the stems. So far I like how it is turning out.








This is my progress on Christmas by M Designs. Before tonight I only had most of the S done and then sort of lost steam. I had the S all done and didn't like it because I used two strands of rayon and didn't like the way it looked bunched so I had to frog it gently (I can still see where some of the stitches were and will have to try to push the fabric back in to place later). I changed to 1 strand and instead of Thread Heaven I'm using a beeswax block that I bought from Bush Mountain Stitchery. I like the way the rayon is controlled with the beeswax. Thread Heaven was not working so well. I finished up the S, did the entire T and started the M, all while watching a "instant view" movie on Netflix. Movie was called Lightspeed and had Lee Majors in it. Don't bother it sort of sucked.

Winter Buddy is finished.

I finished Winter Buddy by Waxing Moon. I stitched him on 28ct Permin Linen from Silkweaver.

In the spirit of the Spring that has begun to show here and there, I'm going to start Checkered Bunnies by M Designs. I bought the kit during my shopping spree at Bush Mountain last month.

Olympic Finish!

I joined an Olympic Challenge going on at one of my yahoo groups. The goal was to start a project during the opening ceremonies and finish it before the closing ceremonies. I finished a few days early! I can't believe it lol

I chose Margarita by Glory Bee. I used a 32ct linen, mill hill beads and a worm button from Just Another Button Company (just wasn't in the mood to make one LOL)

I think I need one of these drinks right now!

A Blogversary Give Away!!

Sarah aka Craftymoo is holding a blogversary giveaway at the link below. check it out!

http://craftymoo-sarah.blogspot.com/

Update

Haven't stitched too much this week. I joined an Olympic Challenge with one of my groups. The challenge is to start a project during the Opening Ceremonies and finish before the Closing. I chose to do Margarita by Glory Bee. I have the glass finished except for the beads and started on the border. No update pic yet.

I did however take an update pic on another challenge that I joined. It was the New Year's Challenge. Just had to start a new project on New Year Day. I decided on Seasons by Vals Stitchin Stuff and here is a progress pic.

Finally received my laptop after UPS took an extra week to deliver and loving it so far!

Thought I would post some pics of my Saturday view.

After the snow storm:

My back deck was blanketed with over 18 inches...there is a grill under there somewhere! There is also a mini van under all of that crap LOL

I forgot a couple!

This is 4 Seasons Square by Sandman Originals. I finished this back in 2003 and it called for buttons but I decided to use charms instead.

I did this freebie to practice different stitches. It called for a frosted Dove treasure but I opted for the dragonfly charm instead :)

And this last one is just for Eye Candy!

For all of us that are huddling "under the desk". I brought some entertainment!

Oh but I have more!

Wise Men Came by Shepherd's Bush. I couldn't see putting out $10 for a charm so I found another that was comparable.





















This tree came to me as a result of a defunct round robin exchange (the last one I ever joined). It was plain so I jazzed it up with some charms.

And some more stitching pics.

Here is Halloween by M Designs. I used fabric from Silkweaver and thread from Six Strand Sweets. The witch hat, candy corns and jack o lantern pumpkins were made by me. The bats, cat and stars are from Just Another Button Company and the others are plastic that I picked up along my travels. Now to get it framed.

And now for some stitchy photos!

Here are the Lizzie Kate Boxers from her 2006 series. I'm thinking a quilted wall hanging maybe?

Always into something!

Can't leave the cabinet open for a minute! This is Cali and I think she was looking for the catnip (it was on the other side) You should have seen the fight she gave me to get out of there LOL

Some updates

Even if I haven't been blogging I have been stitching a bit. I finished my boxer set by Lizzie Kate but need to iron them so I can take a pic. I also finished the Shepherd's Bush ornament "Wisemen Came" but need to iron and add the charm so I can take a pic. I have two update pictures to post. I have been working on Lemons Limes and More and also on Midi! I don't have anything pressing to do today so I'm going to putz around the house and am trying to talk myself into daring the freezing cold to go buy some thread heaven. I can't find mine and went to the Micheal's near work last week but they didn't have it. I really need it to do Midi's wings and have some other projects that use rayon and I won't even touch rayon without the Thread Heaven....I'm just not into self torture LOL

I started Seasons by Val's Stitchin Stuff for my New Years project thru 2MuchXS and also started Winter by Waxing Moon.

I also made and sold some buttons so that prompted me to update my clay on webshots and make a "For Sale" folder. All the sizes and prices are in the description.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/576488672fovoqg

Oh and for those that didn't hear...... I WON A CRUISE!

I work for Rite Aid and they have a contest going on right now called The Game of Life. I entered the game pieces (about 7 of them) and they drew my name in the weekly drawing! I couldn't believe it. It is a 7 day Carnival cruise for 2. They provide $1200 for airfare to my port of choice and cover the taxes and gratuities. I have decided to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico and take the Eastern Carribean cruise. I want to go in the winter and don't have a passport yet. Since it takes about 2 months to get a passport I have decided to wait until Jan/Feb 2011. This way I can save money, lose weight and shop for clothes. :)

Blogoversary Giveaway!

Robin is having a Blogoversary giveaway.

Check out her blog: Stitchingwitch

I'm on a roll!

Have another quick finish. This one is called Oct 31 by Oakhaven designs. I used buttons from some place like Micheals or AC Moore. I bought the charm at http://www.acharmingplace.com/

I used 14ct charcoal adia and used fibers by Stellar Fibers http://home.earthlink.net/~stellarfibers/fibers.html

A quick finish - Design by Oakhaven

This is a design by Tonia of Oakhaven Designs (you can look her up on yahoo groups). This is called Fall 2. I stitched it on 14ct charcoal aida then added the acorn put it in the tuck pillow then added the leaf buttons. I think it turned out pretty cute. Thanks for the freebie Tonia!

Finished a model stitch

I stitch this one for http://www.veeandco.com/

Isn't she just too cute!

I have a resin frame with flowers and wanted to mount it in there before the pic but unfortunately that frame is down in my shed buried and I won't be able to get to it until we dig thru for the Christmas decorations.

Last minute note and might be too late!

Shirley is closing her site tomorrow (well I guess today Nov 4th) so if you want to get some great deals on charts check it out... there are alot for only $1.00 each!

http://www.countrycottageneedleart.com/catalog/default.php

Another finish while on hold at work

Finished Happy 4th Hobb Nobb at work the other day while on hold..... Now to finish the 3 ornies that have been sitting there waiting on hold for me. LOL I like to keep small projects at my desk for those "gotta stitch" moments. I'm also crocheting a scarf for myself.

A Givaway that expires tomorrow - hurry up

Kathy is offering a wonderful giveaway (actually two) it expires 10/31 so hurry up!

http://kathystitchcomments.blogspot.com/2009/10/to-thank-you-with-special-giveaway.html

Have two small finishes!

I finally have a couple of finishes. The snowman was done at work while sitting on hold. The other I did while watching tv.

Here is the Winter Hobb Nobb.

Here is Black Hatter by Sue Hillis. I used a purple opalescent fabric (pic looks more pink). I also used a witch on broom charm instead of the candy corn button.

Hi all

Haven't posted for awhile but found this and thought it was cool. A friend made it for me a couple of years ago.

Got to meet AJ Feely again

Went to the Rite Aid Corporate fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network and got to meet AJ Feely. I had him sign an Eagles flag that I have and took a pic. He is just too cute!

Some pics of what I've been stitching

I added the charm and washed him all up. Now have to find a frame.












Worked on this a lot and finished the center grapfruit and started on the leaves.













It has been awhile but I finally pulled this one out and made some progress.

This what is done on Morning Wizard by Dragon Dreams. I decided to use some Rainbow Gallery fibers for the bunny slippers and beard. Instead of doing cross stitches on the beard I'm doing some long stitches to give it a better texture.

Great find alert!

Recently went on a needle hunt. I bought a couple of needle organizers for some of my bigger projects with alot of color changes (Lemons Limes and More is one of them).

Well, you really can't find any good needles at the local shops like Michaels and AC Moore. I had the DMC needles because the eyes seem to rip up the floss. I can buy John James online but paying over $2 for a few needles gets expensive especially if I'm looking for about 20 or so!

I decided to go on a bulk needle sale hunt. I found a great site. www.busylizziecrafts.co.uk or www.crossstitchneedleshop.co.uk both links are for the same site. I love size 26 needles. I bought 100 gold plated needles in size 26 for only $25! It was 14 and some change in Euros but after the rate exchange to US dollars it came up to about $25 with the shipping. I couldn't believe it. I was worried about how long it would take but I only waited about a week from the time I placed the order until it arrived.

I know they had other sizes and I'm not sure if they have petites but I really didn't look to hard either. I have since used the needles and they are great. The floss glides right through the eye and it isn't fraying at all.

Go take a peek. Let me know how it goes!

Lemons Limes and More update pic

Here is a progress pic of Lemons Limes and More. I love the Vermillion pillows and this is the first one I decided to stitch. I have collected all of the patterns so far. Haven't worked on this one in over a year. It was nice to stitch on it again. (you can see the progress from the beginning here http://community.webshots.com/user/qnvik )

I also put a few stitches in on Midi but not enough for an update pic.

Been promising an update pic of Midi....

Wanted to take a progress pic and got this.......


Wanted to take another pic in case the last one was blurry and got this......

Stitching will never be sacred to cats! You can see all the progress pics on my weshots, the link is to the left.

Yet another small finish.

Last night I went thru all of the projects that I started so I could list them on my blog (see the left side). Well I found 2 that were started a few years ago but then I messed up and threw them to the side.

Well, one of them was Honey Bee by Dimensions. It is a small Cherished Charms kit and will be finished as a small hanging pillow (the pillow parts came with the kit, minus the stuffing). Finish him today at work.

I also found Christmas Angel 1989 by Told In A Garden (http://www.tiag.com/). It is a freebie. I started her back in 2006, thought I lost her then found her again and found a mistake. I pulled her out tonight after stitching a bit on Ewe are Special by Cross My Heart and frogged the mistake so she is ready to stitch again!

I'm really making progress. I have been pretty good about not starting new projects. Doesn't mean they haven't been kitted! Just means that when I finish one I'm trying not to start another one. I did make a couple exceptions. I consider them continuations. One is Christmas by M Designs that I started after I finished Halloween also by M Designs. And then I started one of the wizards that go with Morning and Evening Fairies designed by Dragon Dreams. There is one more wizard after this one.

Update

I was looking at Tempest and found that I missed a few backstitches. I also spilled a drop of coffee on it UGH. The drop is small and not on the stitching part so I should be able to get it out. I also put in the missed bs.

I then went thru all the projects that I have started and updated my list on the side. I decided to pull out Ewe Are Special by Cross My Heart. This is a little kit that I bought when I attended my first XS show. I stitched a bit on it and put it away when I made a mistake, pulled it back out and made another mistake. This time I pulled it back out and pulled out the mistake (actually all the light stitches that I put in) Then I saw that I probably wouldn't have enough of the floss they provided so I pulled out some from my stash (they listed and use DMC anyhow so it made it easy). I am stitching on it tonight and already did more than I pulled out so this is good. I was so frustrated with myself because it is a small design (maybe 4 X 4) and I made mistakes on it. I have a habit of throwing those in the bottom of my to do pile when I find a mistake. I stitch because I enjoy it and don't want to be frustrated by it. So anyhow, I should be ok with this one now. And I won't have to worry about running out of floss since I changed to full skeins. I will have to post a pic from the packaging and possibly a progress pic soon.

Finished Tempest in a Teacup by TW

Took me a while but I'm finally finished Tempest by Teresa Wentzler. I decided that I didn't want the lettering on the cup but may still add a teabag charm.

I also stitched a bit on Midsummer Nights Fairy but haven't taken a progress pic yet.

Some Babbling

Sorry, Just love that pic! LOL

Ok so I signed in and finally noticed that I had unmoderated comments! ROFL NO, I don't pay attention much. Needless to say I finally approved them all. And thanks for all the great comments.

I also wanted to let you all know that I have been stitching since finishing Halloween. I started Christmas by M Designs. Just did about 10 stitches on it. It will be done with Rayon and I will have to do that in spurts since it doesn't want to lay right for me. The thread heaven helps alot.

I also pulled out Tempest in a Teacup by Teresa Wentzler and I'm almost finished the wings and head. Will have a few more stitches on the cup and then less than half the border before finishing up with the back stitching.

Tonight I also pulled out Midsummer Nights Fairy and made a small amount of progress on her. I will keep her out atleast this weekend and get more done then post progress pics.

Finished the stitching, now need to make buttons

Just finished the stitching on Halloween by M Designs. Did this as an SAL with a friend Shelleen. I am going to make my buttons and will add some seed beads. I used hand dyed fabric from silkweaver and Halloween Treat by Six Strand Sweets. (the fabric is slightly lighter than the pic shows). Stay tuned....

This is just ridiculous!

OMG! I went to go stitch on Halloween by M Designs and this is what I found!

Cats and Stitching

So I was trying to stitch today and I was ambushed! They tried to sit on me first.

See that purple piece on the qsnaps. After I took this pic I ended up spilling coffee on it UGH. Rinsed it quick and put it in front of a small fan to dry. While I was waiting for it to dry I finished Pray for Peace by R&R Reproductions.

This is from the Just Cross Stitch 2003 Ornament Issue. I used 32 count Latte Ligonier Linen, GAST Blue Spruce and Maple Syrup, Whitewash and Moonglow by WDW. The design called for little bows at the tops of the trees. I opted for the small snowflake charm that I recently bought from http://www.acharmingplace.com/

Just Updated by WIP & UFO list

I updated the list and figured I should explain some of the omissions.

I had a bunch of my projects at work in a box under my desk. The cleaning lady threw it out. I almost choked her to death. I was furious! Because of her stupidity I lost:

January Carousel by Donna Kooler - along with the evenweave, floss, kreinik and beads
Endangered Youngin's - chart, fabric and floss
Animal Magnetism by Dimensions - fabric, floss, and hours upon hours of hard work.
Eagle in Moonlight - Dimensions - sort of ticked off about this one but was thinking about starting it over anyhow. But now that I lost the entire kit I will have to buy it again or find just the chart somewhere.

I know there were other things in that box and the total estimate of $$$ was about $200. That doesn't count the hours put into them. So, have a moment of silence for those that were lost and lets move on. (easier said over a year later, trust me).

Wow, I can't believe it has been that long!

I haven't touched this blog in over a year and I can't believe it flew like it did!

I'm doing good though and finally started stitching again. I actually have a finish to post! I finished this one just a couple of days ago. Started her a looooong time ago. I think right after I finished her sister Morning Fairy. I now have one of the "brothers" kitted. Just hope I can find the other brother in my statsh since Dragon Dreams doesn't have it posted anymore.