WIPocalypse Check-In: March

Hi all!

We got 3" of snow and ice yesterday and today, which in TN means everything shut down, so I got a welcome break from school, and some extra stitchy time! : )  Here is my progress on my WIPs for the month (I made myself some needleminders this month too, and left them on so you can see!)

Winter Friend

Before:

After:

Beauty and the Beast Falling in Love
Before:

After:

Aurora Cabin
Before:

After:

Sleigh Ride at Dusk Stocking
Before:

After:

The Wave
Before:

After:

Quiet Time
Before:

After:

The question for this month is:
If money – and time – were not limiters, what projects would be on your stitching bucket list?

Oh, so many projects, I would be stitching for hundreds of years. : ) 
I definitely want to stitch at least one of the Chatelaine mandalas in my lifetime, my favorite being the Hummingbird Sparkly Garden Mandala.  There are also several HAED patterns I would stitch, especially those by Josephine Wall (Psyche's Dream, Fly Me to the Moon) and Aimee Stewart (Dance like a Dervish, Butterfly Ball), and a whole bunch of Mirabilias!

Happy Stitching!

Stitch from Stash: February

Month: February
Total Spent: $24.97
($18.90 on "Indian Peacock", $5.99 for "Tree Frog Trio" and 8 cents (!), for Carousel Horses in Cross Stitch)
Earned: $0
Total Carry-Over to March: $14.38 ($14.35 carry over from January + $0.03 carry over from February)

Yes, this month, I spent almost my entire budget. :P  But I spent it on pretty patterns! 
At the start of the year, I was determined not to buy any more patterns/kit stash, and keep my spending to fabric and floss for the patterns I already own. I don't have as many patterns as some of you wonderful stitchers, but I do have enough to last me at least the next 4-5 years, so I've been trying not to accumulate too much more. I lasted a month haha.
I had a sort-of excuse: I just passed my big comprehensive exam for my master's program (whew!), so I decided to celebrate by purchasing a kit.  But then I got to the store and they were having a sale!  So I got two.  I know, I'm terrible. : )

The first kit I got is one I have been eyeing for about six months now.  It is "Indian Peacock" by Dimensions:

I love peacocks: mostly because of the colors, I think!   I really like the blues on this one.

The second kit I got is for my bf: he went shopping with me, and liked the design. He is very supportive of my hobbies (the other day he asked me how my WIPs were going... he actually said "WIPs", and I about melted), but it is not often that he says he would like me to stitch a certain pattern.  So of course once he said he'd like to see me stitch it, I had to get it!  It is called "Tree Frog Trio," and should be a pretty quick stitch compared to what I've been working on so far this year:

I'm planning to give it to him either framed, or as a small pillow: what do you all think?

I also found a cross stitch book on Amazon used for under $2, which, after using the remaining $1 and some change that I had on a gift card, ended up at a total of 8 cents!  It is Carousel Horses in Cross Stitch (Linda Gillium, Kooler Design Studio), and it has a carousel horse for each month of the year. Once it arrives, I will post a picture, and then try to decide which one I want to stitch first!

I will update you on my WIP progress in my WIPocalypse post next week!
Happy Stitching!

WIPocalypse: February Check-In

Hi all,

I can't believe we're already into February!  Things are starting to get hectic again now that we're into the third week of the semester, and I'm trying to readjust myself after the relative peacefulness of winter break. : ) 

I had quite a bit of progress on my WIPS in the first half of the month when I was still on break, but haven't had as much time now that school is started, so my progress is pretty much on pace with what I am usually able to get done in a month.  I am hoping to have at least a couple of my WIPs completed by June so that I will have some artwork for the new place!
So, here are my before and after photos for the month of January:

Aurora Cabin Before:



After:

Winter Friend Before:

After:

Beauty and the Beast Before:

 

After:

Sleigh Ride at Dusk Stocking Before:

 

After:

The Wave Before:

 

After:

Quiet Time Before:

 

After:

The topic for this month is: How do you overcome that feeling that you’re in a rut with a particular project?

My rotation has really helped me stay focused and interested in my projects.  Prior to 2014, I was a one-at-a-time stitcher for the most part, and would get bored.  Now, I have 6 WIPs going at all times, so if I'm having difficulty working with one, I can put it aside for awhile and work on another. 

 

Happy Stitching! : )

Stitch from Stash 2015: January Check-In

Month: January
Spent: $10.65 (all on floss for my Mirabilia Stargazer, 25 skeins at $0.39 ea + tax)
Earned: $0 (no finishes this month)

Hi all,

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this year I joined Stitch from Stash, hosted by Mel at Epic Stitching:


With lots of big life changes coming up mid-year, I am trying to be careful about my finances.  The goal is to spend under $25/month on cross stitch supplies, and for each finish from stash, you get extra funds to spend.  Whatever you don't spend carries over each month until June.

For a WIP/finish to count as a stitch-from-stash, it has to be at least six months since you purchased the pattern.  Because of this, I believe 3 of my 6 WIPs count as Stitches from Stash: "Quiet Time," "Aurora Cabin," and "The Wave." 
I was gifted "Beauty and the Beast" and purchased "Winter Friend" in October and "Sleigh Ride at Dusk Stocking" in early December, so none of them count (yet...I'm pretty sure I'll still be working on both Beauty and the Beast and the stocking past the six-month mark!)

I will share pictures of my progress in my WIPocalypse post on Feb 4! : )

Also, for some reason the reply function on my account isn't working, but please know that I read and appreciate your comments, and as soon as I can get it working again, I will respond to you!

Happy Stitching!

Happy New Year! 2015 WIPocalypse

Hi all,

Happy New Year!  Lots to be excited about for this coming year, and lots of resolutions to follow!  Cross stitch resolutions are my favorite, because they are always fun to work towards, and (almost) always stress-free.  To that end, I have again joined the WIPocalypse SAL, hosted by Melissa at Measi's Musings.

I'm excited to do this SAL properly this time around, and participate for the full year (since last year I didn't join until May!)

For the initial post, we introduce our projects and establish our cross stitch goals for year.  I discovered last year that I get a little overly ambitious when coming up with goals (to adapt a cliché, my eyes are faster than my hands), but at least this gives me plenty to work towards!

The first six goals deal with my current WIPs (yes, I added one more to my rotation...I found I liked that number working on Christmas presents earlier in the month!), and the rest will be new starts from my stash (also joined Stitch from Stash this year, which I will be posting about in the second half of each month.) 

2015 Goals:

1: Finish "Aurora Cabin" (Dimensions kit, WIP):

I've had a bit of progress on it in the last week: hopefully it will continue to progress at this rate, for a mid-year finish! :)

2: Complete 5 out of 25 pages on "Quiet Time" (HAED, WIP):

I've currently completed one full page, and part of page 2.

3: Complete 1/2 of "Beauty and the Beast Falling in Love" (Disney Dreams kit, WIP):

4: Finish "The Wave" (Dimensions kit, WIP):

5: Finish "Winter Friend" (Bothy Threads kit, WIP):

 

I am loving the Lana for the snowflakes!

6. Finish "Sleigh Ride at Dusk" stocking (Dimensions kit, WIP):

I started this one on Dec. 29, and I hope to have it finished for Christmas 2015!

7: Start "The Balloon" (Gorjuss - Bothy Threads)
This is what it will look like:

 

8: Start "Stargazer" (Mirabilia)
It will look like:

 

Only I will be stitching it on a dark blue hand-dyed opalescent fabric.  I think her dress (and the stars)  will really pop on a dark blue background, but I am a bit concerned that all the sparkles on such a dark fabric will overwhelm her: I was hoping for a night-sky effect, but I think I will have to stitch her face and see how it looks.  If it seems like too much, I may end up purchasing a similar fabric minus the sparkles.

 

9: Start set of nativity ornaments.
These will be the same as the four I made for my mom last year, but for my tree! : )

10. Start "Snowfall"



It will look like:

 

11: In June, create organized space(s) for stash and crafting in new home!

This year has a lot of unknowns for me because I graduate in May and will be moving in June, so the amount of free time I will have the second half of the year will depend on the job I am able to land (yikes!)  Mid-year I may have to adjust my goals a little, depending on how much I am able to get done in the spring.  But here's hoping I can get these goals completed! : )

Happy New Year to all of you! May 2015 be full of stitching!

2014 in Cross Stitch

Hi all,

A big thank you to those of you who have left such encouraging and helpful comments! 
With 2015 only days away, I thought this would be a good time to look back at my goals for cross stitching this year, and see which I can cross off (no pun intended) my list.

For the initial post of our WIPocalypse SAL (hosted by Melissa at Measi's Musings), we were asked to come up with a list of cross stitch goals for 2014.  I didn't join the SAL until the end of May, so my goals were for June-December 2014.

These were the goals from that initial post (quite ambitious for me, but I made a dent in them: 4 out of 6 reached!) I have marked those I was able to accomplish, and shown where I am with the rest.  Just a warning, this is a very pic-heavy post! :P

Goal #1: finish "Checking His List" stocking: complete!  Gave to my bf for Christmas. : )
                Here's what it looks like all sewn up:

        

 And for the back, a Christmas plaid:

Goal #2: finish "Aurora Cabin": not so much, but I did make a big dent in it. This should be a finish for 2015 (knock on wood.)

I started here in May:

And this is what it looks like right now:
    

Goal #3: complete 4 out of 25 pages for "Quiet Time": nope.  1/25 pages complete. Oh well, better luck next year. I started it in March, and this was my progress for the year:

Goal #4: start and finish four nativity ornaments: Complete! I gave these to my mom for Christmas.
All finished up, this is what they looked like:

 

Goal #5: start and finish "Napping Kitten": Complete! Gave to my sister for Christmas.
Here it is framed:

Goal #6: start "The Wave," any amount!: Complete! I started this on Nov 16, and this is my progress:

 

In addition to these goals, I started and finished one additional design, and started two other designs:

I started and finished "The Lonely Mountain: The Hobbit" from Quirkorium on Etsy as a Christmas present for my dad.  This is what it looked like finished and framed:

I also started two more patterns.  First, a kit that was a birthday present from my bf, "Beauty and the Beast Falling in Love" (Disney Dreams, MCG Textiles).  I started it on Oct 4, and this has been my progress so far:

I also started "Winter Friend," (Gorjuss, Bothy Threads kit) on Nov 18.  My progress so far:


I will post in a week or so with my goals for 2015!  May your holidays be filled with stitching! :)

Winter Stitching: Dec. WIPocalypse Check-In

Hi all,

I've decided to save my summary of my yearly progress on my WIPocalypse goals until the end of December, but for this check-in, I thought I'd update you on my finishes and starts since my last post.

I had 2 finishes: I finished the stitching for the final ornament in the set of 4 I am making, and finished the stocking.  I also finish-finished (so far) the stocking, and 2 of the 4 ornaments. I will upload photos of these after Christmas...just in case. : )

With all my Christmas stitching completed so early (still can't believe it!), I decided to try to tackle one more stitchy Christmas present, which I will be starting once the fabric arrives on Monday! It is a pattern by Quirkorium on etsy: "The Lonely Mountain- The Hobbit."  I am making it for my dad (who I think I can safely say will never read this blog, so I can share), who is a big LOTR (and Hobbit) fan, and who loves the "Misty Mountain Song" the dwarves sing (and this cross stitch has the first verse!)

I am going to stitch it on a mottled brown Aida that (I hope) will look like old parchment, instead of plain white.  Hopefully, I will finish it in time (if not, he's got a January birthday), and I will upload a pic of it at the end of the month!

Additionally, all these finishes meant I got to start two of the charts that have been calling to me from my craft shelf, yay!  I do a rotation of 5 WIPs, and I don't allow myself any projects beyond these 5 slots (except for this new Christmas present I just mentioned, which was a last minute decision to stitch, and therefore will technically be a 6th WIP for about a week until it's done), so with each finish, I get to start something new.  I've found this helps me to finish my WIPs more quickly towards the end, because I get excited about the upcoming start!

My two starts are both from kits, mainly because I am trying to save for Christmas presents and have therefore sworn not to buy any more stitchy supplies except for those needed for gifts until 2015.   But they are two patterns that I am very excited about getting to finally stitch!

The first is "The Wave" by Dimensions. This is my progress over the past two weeks:

(My apologies for the dim lighting...it's a rainy day here!)
And this is what it will look like when finished:

 I got this kit back when I was in middle school, but it turned out to be too daunting a project for me at the time.  I rediscovered it when I was organizing my stash earlier this year, and my bf saw it and really liked it, so I decided it would be first in line after I finished this year's presents!

The second is "Winter Friend," a Gorjuss design.  I recently purchased this kit, which I think is so cute!  I love the effect of all of the different threads used in it, especially the fuzzy Lana for the snowflakes!

 

This is two weeks progress on it:

I will post pics of all my finished Christmas presents, and my updates on the bigger WIPs I've been stitching on this year, on or around Dec. 31!  Until then, happy stitching!