We now interrupt our regularly scheduled programing

As everyone who reads this blog is aware, I love to cross-stitch.  It is not my only hobby though, or even my first love.  That would be reading.  I remember getting caught often in school for reading under my desk.  I always used my allowance to buy books.  So---- with that in mind- I have decided to undertake a few reading challenges for next year.

One of them is Chunkster Reading Challenge.   I will be specifically doing the Chubby Chunkster- where I commit to reading  4  chunksters.   Feel free to skip these reading posts  if you feel the need. I will mark them as well as keep them separate from the cross stitch posts. 

As one of my 35 goals in 35 years- see my other blog for a complete list- is to read 10 books from my To Be Read pile........ I have decided to participate in the Mount TBR reading challenge.   I will be climbing Pikes Peak by reading 12 books.


Sierra

Preparing for next year

With it being days before Christmas, I have not gotten much stitching done. I have about a quarter of the border of Japanese garden done. The Jessica stitches look wonderful. I can't wait to get beads there.

I just finished serving and cutting fabric for next years projects. Not a difficult thing, just time consuming. It is a done though which is good. It occurred toe today that 2012 is not far off. I have a few pieces of fabric to dye. Not sure I will do that today.

Sierra

Japanese Garden update-and an RR

I think I will make you all wait until the end of the post to see the picture. Honestly how many of you just scrolled down without reading first???

In my last posts comments Meari asked about how I  post pictures from my ipod to my blog.  The photos won't ever be the best so if you have another way to do it, I would suggest it. The ipod doesn't take the best photos.  I downloaded the free blogger app to my ipod.  It is very easy. I just take the picture and then create a post using the app and add it in. Very very easy. I also sometimes take a picture with my phone- which takes better pictures- then email it to myself and add it to my blog using my ipod.  Reason being my phone doesn't have blogger app and my ipod does. 

I got the border started on JG.  I didn't get too much done though. I mostly stitch on the week days not the weekend.  I plan to work on this exclusively through the end of the year. Maybe I can get the border nearly done. I will have to get some more rainbow gallery PTB gold.  I only ever bought one for some reason. Definitely going to need another.  I have a few other things I need threadwise.   I will see if michigandoctor on ebay has any. I order thread from her when possible- it is cheap, and the service is great.

In other news- I got my RR back today. It looks wonderful. Thanks to all who stitched on it.  I got the chart online free from a blog. I have the info but it is upstairs so I will edit this post to add that info and a link to that blog tomorrow.   I plan to finish this as a pillow.  

I can't think of anything else to say- so I guess I will post the picture you all want to see.........

Sierra

Stash and a Teapot

I finished the teapot after having to frog it twice! Never have I had such a
Problem with a chart before. Not sure what my issue was. Maybe I shouldn't have been gawking at the guys on the tv show I was watching.... I got the envelope today and will mail it out soon as I can. Mary said she is finished with my RR I can't wait to get it back.

I finally used 2 123 stitch gift certificates I had been saving. I got the remaining charts for 2 pieces in my stitch pile for next year. The first ones I can't recall it's a lizzy Kate. The other one is 6 fat snowmen.

I took this picture from my iPod as my camera is having battery issues hope it is ok. I have a hand shake and the iPod has no stabilizer sooo... No telling what you can or can't see.

Sorry

That post for anyone who read it was meant for a different blog, I am sorry

Sierra

Stash, frogs, and HAED layaway

I just realized it has been a few weeks since I updated, sorry about that.

I have had a frustrating time stitch wise
I am working on a RR, the final rotation actually. It is a cute
Crow teapot that apparently thinks it is a frog or something. I have had to frog it twice now, the second time I had to take out about half of it. I was nearly finished when I realized the face was off. I had to put it down a few days which worked out ok with turkey day.

I have it nearly done again and soft so good. Tara, the owner said it is okay if I don't back stitch it not sure yet what I will do. I will see when I am finished. That should be Thursday. Maybe tomorrow depending.

I have been hanging onto a few 123 stitch gift certificates. I finally spent them. The remaining living with charm Kizzy kate charts and the remaining 6 fat snowmen charts. Both are on my lists to do for next year so I need the charts. I got word they are on their way.

How many of you have used the HAED layaway??? I have. Lol. No wait I have a valid reason. My favorite artists old work is going to be retired and I had to have some of the charts. I narrowed it down from 30 charts......I did say favorite right???

So no pictures this week bummer right?

Down

Feeling down tonight. I will do an update tomorrow

Sierra

Strawberry House Finish

My weekly update is late this week. I have a good reason though I promise.... A Finish! 
Yup that's right. I finished Strawberry House by LHN.  It took a bit over a week to finish it.  It was a fun, easy, quick stitch. 

It is stitched on coffee/tea dyed 28 ct. evenweave.  You can't see the fabric very well which is a bummer because it is a nice color.  I stitched with the recommended colors, I didn't use the buttons, I stitched it instead.   Not sure how I will finish it. I am thinking I will frame this one.  I will be putting this chart up for sale. Check my stash for sale page for more information.

I picked up the floss I need for the RR that came in the mail.  It is the last one, i can't wait to get my piece in the mail.  I already know how I am going to finish it.   It is a cute teapot. Shouldn't take too long to finish.  Then I will go back to Japanese Garden until I get some good progress on it. 

Sierra

Round Robin

This is late I know.  Feels like I have been super busy, though I'm not sure I have been.

Last week I didn't stitch much.  I did manage to get the next RR rotation done.   It is all ready to mail.  I'll mail it out tomorrow.  I really like the pattern, I may have to see if I can find it. I do still have gift certificate money left on 123 stitch, maybe I will use it for that. It is Spooky Time by 4 my boys- I don't know the fabric count as it isn't my piece.  I did the bat and the witch.   I just don't know. I may use it for a piece of fabby for my next years HAED start.  I'm doing that on 22 ct, which I can't get big enough here. So I will have to order it somewhere and then hand dye it. 

In other stitching news........ I picked up Strawberry House this week. I know I am so close to a part finish on Japanese Garden. That last corner ornament is so close, but I just needed to stitch something else.  I'm not sure I will finish Strawberry house this week, but it should be close.  I really like how it is stitching up so far. I chose a tea/coffee dyed piece of fabric I did, and i'm loving how it looks.

The final part of the Round robin came in the mail  yesterday. So next week I will stitch that up and get it sent home to its owner.  I can't wait to see how my piece turned out. I already know how I will finish it as well. 

Cincinnati chili for dinner tonight. It is in the crockpot so I've not much to do other than fix the toppings and make the spaghetti.  YUM!

Sierra

WIPocalypse and crazy January 15

Mmm well I was just upstairs picking projects out. So much to stitch and so little time. Thing is I can never stitch just small things. Oh no I like bigger ones too. So the question I'm wondering is how many have stuff picked for either/both of these that they can REALISTICALLY get done?

Sierra

Two projects to show

As I said last time, i had a sick toddler.  I'm sure you can gather I had no stitching time while he was sick. Then the week before that was my birthday, hubby's birthday and our anniversary.  (what an expensive week that always is)  So I haven't gotten a lot of stitching done lately.

First up is Mistress of Wolves-HAED. I have a page finish- YAY- my 5th page finish out of 16. 

I so wish I could say that I got the corner ornament done, and as you will see I am so close!!!! 

I also noticed that on ornament 3 I forgot the bit around the outside oops.   Least I see it now and not when I think I am done with them! 

I have to break with my rotation to stitch a RR. But then I will be right back to JG. 

Sierra

Flu

I've got a toddler and a husband sick with the flu on the heels of healing my sis move, two birthdays, and an anniversary. Proper update when I can. If I don't stitch soon I may harm someone.

Sierra

Japanese Garden

I didn't get the entire corner ornament finished, but I got most of it done. I will have it done next time for sure. If I push and stitch extra I may even get the last corner ornament finished.  Wouldn't that be great?

So this week......... Up is Mistress, the HAED.   I honestly don't know if I will stitch it or not. I would like to get the final row done, but i'm just not motivated. I want to finish it, but......... I also hate doing the full crosses, with a passion.

Weekly update and exchange oh and a finish

I stitched on a halloween small last week.  I know, I know it was supposed to be a Mistress week, but halloween is coming, so...................

This is from the Halloween book from JCS.   It's Knock Knock by blackberry Lane Designs.

I stitched this on some unknown piece of fabric that I dyed myself.  It was to be stitched over one on 40 ct. But I am stitching over 2 on whatever that is, i'm guessing 28ct.  

I got an exchange in the mail Saturday, a chart exchange.   I just love what I got, both charts I love and have wanted for awhile.

I can't seem to get the photo to turn, sorry everyone. You'll have to turn your head or your computer.

So next week I am stitching on JG again.  I hope will get this corner ornament finished!

Few weeks back I finished a pirate monkey from this years JCS halloween ornament issue. Last week I finished it.  I made it into a cube.  My first ever, it doesn't look too bad, though I will do a few things different next time.

Sierra

facebook- no wait this isn't a complaint

Seriously it isn't. I only use facebook from my phone. I have hated the computer version for awhile. So confusing.  I don't download updates automatically for it on my phone, so nothing has changed.

This means, I have no idea what people are talking about, and i'm okay with that.

Japanese Garden

I worked JG this week. Not as much as I would have hoped though. I just had a long week. Tired, napped one day instead. Then today we ended up with coney at the vet. She ripped a nail totally out.  What a mess.   The vet wanted to knock her out to check it which would have been 365$. But since they put her on antibiotics anyways, we decided to not go that route. We just had them clean it, and bandage it $75.  She is okay. Worked off the bandage which is to stay on til tomorrow. So we put one of Troy's old socks on it intead. That seems to be working better.  Needless to say no stitching today.

I am officially tired of the corner ornaments, though the specialty stitches are quite fun.   I have started the third one, though the picture doesn't reflect that, I have the lanterns and the underneath part done.  

Next week I am stitching on either Mistress or a halloween ornament. I am leaning towards the ornament, though I will decide for sure tomorrow.  

Sierra

Two finishes

I'm back. I've been back for a week actually, but since I didn't stitch at all while away, I didn't have anything to post.  I won't bother with the trip, it was as terrible as going back to a city of great pain is, and cleaning out your beloved grandparents house can be.    Anyone truly curious can read more at my other blog.

Now onto the real reason you read- stitching.  Okay it's not Japanese Garden which is the real reason you read this, but hey it is stitching, and there are pictures so.............

I have two finishes that's right two. The first I am counting though it is only sort of a finish-   Mary's RR for the krafterskorner rr2011.  I really had a great time stitching this up and it stitched up really quick.   Normally I don't stitch christmas trees (long story I'll spare you)  but I decided to go ahead and stitch the tree, it was fun. I enjoyed it.

I believe this is from a UK magazine, though I can't recall which one.

I started strawberry house......... then got decided part through the week to start a halloween ornament (quickly becoming my favorite holiday to stitch). I managed to start it and finish it.   I am hoping to get to finish it later this week, or the weekend. I know how I am going to finish it, but have to go get some stuff first.

Pirate Sock Monkey-Raise the roof Designs

JCS Halloween 2011 issue

18 ct pink aida

no floss changes.

I normally don't use aida, but I had a piece the perfect size and color, and soooo........ It was actually an enjoyable stitch.  I still don't like aida for bigger pieces, but for ornaments I would use it again.  Those of you who have been long time readers may remember I did the christmas sock monkey last christmas from JCS ornament issue.  Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE sock monkeys??? I have two.

In other news- I was at the LNS shopping for an exchange partner when I came across---- LK's new 6 fat men.  I picked up 2 charts, and of course the halloween JCS book. I already have 2 picked out to stitch. This week is JG but next week I will stitch on them.  I hope to have them both done before halloween, since they are small that shouldn't be an issue. 

I do have a photo of my stash trip but since it included the charts that are for the exchange--- I can't show it.

Up this week----   JG. I am getting so close. Time to order the bead pack. I have priced it and ordering the bead kit is cheaper.  I have the specialty stitches on the 3 o'clock corner ornament to do, then onto the next one I go.   

Sierra

Japanese Garden- Corner ornaments

I have two pictures.  First the corner ornament that I finished up-

The next corner ornament that I worked on. I got all the cross stitching done on this one. Next time I will do the specialty stitches.

I will be out of town the next two weeks. Going to my hometown to help pack up my nana and pap's house. I will not have internet so I will not have any update for the next three weeks.  

I am taking stitching with me though- a few smalls, including Strawberry house.  

Sierra

up next and charts for sale

I told everyone they had to wait to find out what will take the place of Garden Party now that it is finished- Although I won't start this for a few weeks- --------- It is nearly all ready to go. I just have to dye and cut the fabric.

Strawberry house by Little House Needleworks

Next week I am stitching on Japanese Garden. I am hoping to get most of the next corner ornament finished.   It's a goal at any rate.

For anyone who is interested I posted some charts for sale.  I hope you will take a look.  Included for sale are all four of the Garden Party charts. Contact info is on the page with the charts. 

Garden Party FINISHED

I simply couldn't wait until my weekly sunday update. So here it is, just finished this morning.   I'm so excited by how it looks.   It was a fun stitch, though the border did get tiring by the fourth time.


I still like the dragonfly best, but then I do have a thing for dragonflies so......

The ladybug is my next favorite. So cute!

I love the blue flowers around the bumblebee

I had to frog twice on the butterfly. Those antenna, what a pain. Beginner mistake! 

Are you out of patience yet??

Garden Party- CCN- 28ct white evenweave.

1/1/11-8/5/11

I already have a spot picked out for it. I will start shopping goodwill for a frame. 

Now to decide what to put in it's spot................... you will have to wait until sunday to find out.

Sierra

Weekly update- cleaning advice

I didn't get my goal last week. I wanted to get the page done, but I fell short.   Not too short, but still short. That's okay there is always next time.  Here is an update.  I know hard to tell I did anything right?  

If you look you can see that it needs washed.  So anyone have advice? I'm thinking of putting it in a small pan of water with a few drops of dawn.  It's all DMC so that should be okay right??

This week I am stitching on Garden Party. In fact I plan on stitching every spare moment this week. If I do that, I should be able to get it finished. YAY. I am so excited.   You'll have to excuse my lack of participation in groups this week.

Sierra

I'm Just a Doe....: Juliet: My Greatest Life Lesson

This is repost for my sis-in-law. I feel it is really an important message to get out there. Please take the time to read this.

I'm Just a Doe....: Juliet: My Greatest Life Lesson: "Seven years ago this morning, Juliet Pearl, my 4th daughter, died at our home. For those of you who dont know the circumstance, she suffer..."

Japanese Garden- Corner ornament

I nearly finished the first corner ornament. I have a bit left to do on the very outside. I decided to hold off until next week for that.

As per the previous post- the urge to get Mistress out was strong so I did.  I spent part of my stitching time today moving the thread from the floss card thing- like come in kits- to floss bags, so that took up some time. I am much happier with stitching that way though so it was time well spent.  I did manage to finish a row- yay me.

Julie I wish I had finished the 3 page HAED goal for the year but I haven't. I do have 1/2 page done- which is better than nothing, but that's okay.

On another note here is a cute picture of Troy playing a computer game- basically a bash the keys and animals and letters pop up, but he loves it-

Sierra

thanks everyone and blah blah

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and well wishes.  After therapy today I do feel somewhat better. I do need to keep my focus on rest and whatnot, and away from emails, so I am staying no mail in my groups for a bit longer. Well maybe on all groups but one. Haven't decided yet.   Carolyn (Therapist) told me to sit on that thought overnight. 

On the stitching front--- I worked some on JG this past week. I have the stitching on the corner ornament finished, still have the specialty stitches to go.   Looks good though.

Those of you who have been reading awhile, may recall Mistress....


a reminder of the finished project

 

Page wise I have more than half of the full size ones done-  6 1/2 full pages complete, 4 1/2 full pages to do. Then I have 7 part pages to do.   I had put this away as I got burnt out on it. But the urge is back.  I'm thinking of getting her back out.   I got so tired of all the grays and browns, not to mention the confetti. OOOYY! The entire piece is confetti stitching. Anyways, back out she comes.  I may stitch her right away, I may do the specialty stitches on JG for a bit. Just don't know.

  What I do know is that I won't meet my goal on JG for the year.   It is a HAED goal, but it was 3 full pages. With it being nearly august, I would have to stitch solely on Mistress to get that goal accomplished and I do enjoy my rotation. So I will........... I dunno what I will do.   What I need to do is just finish the Garden Party. If I work on it a week and a half It will be finished. Then I could alternate mistress and JG for the rest of the year. Course I want to do a few christmas ornaments and what about halloween, and there you see my problem, I think it is the problem of every stitcher.   Oh plus there is the RR, so ya. Guess I'll play it by ear, see what happens.   

Sierra

i am having some personal things I have to deal with right now. I am stitching when I can but that's it.  

Be back when I can.

First non-pillow finish-Cherish

Today I completed my first non-pillow finish. It is far from perfect, but I am proud and pleased with it. 

This has been sitting awaiting finishing for over a year now.  *hangs head in shame* 

I was so nervous that I would ruin the stitched piece, but I didn't. Is it perfect no. But then neither was the stitched piece and that was okay and is still okay. 

I for the most part followed these instructions

Cherish-Lizzy Kate

RR piece done, cheap stash

I finished my RR piece last night. I wrote out the directions to enclose today. I just have to package it up and send it out. I will do so later this week.

I won't be showing what the other persons will be stitching. They are seasonal charts similar to the one I did. 

I have in the past few weeks found a few pattern books very cheap.   I got the Pooh book at Goodwill.  The Happy Holidays in Cross-stitch I got at a flea market while  in Hocking Hills, oh.

Today at Half Price books I found these- for 50 cents a piece. 

I got these at JoAnn's-

I couldn't resist the world of Cross stitching with the free Joan Elliott Oriental collection. Not only do I love Joan Elliott, but my bedroom is decorated in an oriental theme. 

Isn't the Lily Fairy adorable?? I have 3 of the fairies I think. I am hoping the others will be for sale somewhere other than the magazine as I was unable to find the others. I am thinking they would make a nice quilt. The best part?  The magazines were on sale at Joann's. They are all 10% off this week. 

RR piece

Mylene- That is not a new Cathy Kelly book- it was published back in '06.
Rhonda- I don't know what I will stitch next. I have a few in the running but time only will tell.
Julie- you win the knowledge that you guessed correctly. What better prize could there be??

Julie guessed correctly, the last bug is a butterfly. 

For anyone curious to see my RR choice--- Here is the chart I am stitching.   It is a freebie chart from www.mankaminta.blogspot.com.  While you can see what the other charts look like if you browse that site, I hope you will wait to be surprised for those of you who are on the recieving end of this RR.  I will be letting everyone choose the colors they use, as the chart came with no key.   I only will be sending the color for the birdhouse as I want that to look consistent throughout the piece. The remainder will be up to each stitcher. I don't even care if they follow the color suggestion in the chart.   Ignore that scissor fob chart. It is only the bigger chart.

I am all ready to start stitching tomorrow. I can't wait to start.  

Sierra

Third Garden Party Bug Done

It's so close now, I can taste it.  I have the third bug done- a bumblebee. While he is cute, the dragonfly is still my favorite.  One more bug to go- any guess on what it is?? 

Anyways here is the third bug- Sorry about the shadow it was a cloudy day-

A picture of all three.   Apologies for the wrinkles I haven't had a chance to iron it yet. 

You think i'm going to say next week is JG, and it is technically but.......................

I joined a RR so--- I am stitching that next week.  I think I will wait until my part is done before I share it.   Until then you will just have to wait.

Small Japanese Garden update

Althought I didn't get done nearly what I wanted to last week, I did get some done- And i love how it is looking.

I only stitched 2 days, then spent 1/2 another afternoon frogging a lantern. 

This week I should finish the third Garden Party bug-  A bumblebee.  

I also have an update on my decisions for the wedding sampler- Look for that later this week.

Need thoughts

I am going to stitch this for a good friends wedding.   I am wanting to change the colors though.  They are two shades of pink, which you can't see very clearly.   I am going to change one to a purple, the darker pink, but I don't know what to do about the second  color.  Should it be a lighter purple? Another color?  Anyone thoughts?? I was thinking a lighter purple since the original chart has two shades of pink. What do you think?

Another Border and Stash

I finished the third border in Garden Party.  It stitched up quickly since I didn't need to use the pattern.  I am getting tired of stitching the borders, but I've only one left to do- YAY.    Anyways..... Here is a picture. 

Had a really hard therapy session this week. Really needed retail therapy. So....  

 mmmm.........  Aren't the ornaments lovely??? I am looking forward to stitching them.  I'm not one for christmas decorations- for reasons that belong in the other blog not this one. At any rate.  I am tired of avoiding things that trigger, so this year I will have a christmas tree. I plan to put ornaments on it.   

I have most of the Lizzy Kate Living With Charm Double Flips.  I think I need 2 more. It may replace Garden Party when I am finished with it. Right now it is between Living With Charm, and something by Joan Elliott. That may change by the time I am finished. 

The other one is a needlebook. I have seen a stitched one at the LNS but until this visit never saw the chart. 

 Look what I found in the bookstore this week........ It has some awesome charts in it.   The seasonal fairies, the first two elemental fairies and a buddha are what I find most interesting. 

Sierra

exchange Recieved

I received my exchange today.  I am so pleased with the colors.  Thanks Georgena.

Japanese Garden- Branches finished

I finished the branches on Japanese Garden today. It is a day late, but that is okay. 

I am taking my HAED out of rotation for a bit. I want to get both JG and Garden party finished. So next up Garden party. 

Sierra

stash and another one finished

Few months back I learned there is a LNS about 20 minutes away. This was after years of believing the nearest one was 2 hrs away.  This LNS happens to be on my way home from therapy. Needless to say it is hard to stay away. 

Here is my stash acquisition since learning of it's existence.

  I have so far managed to stay away from the more pricey things on my wishlist.  I do *have* to get the rest of the flip-its however. After all what good are just two of them??

This week I stitched on CCN- garden party. I am so very pleased with how this is turning out. I finished the second bug- the ladybug. Just wait until you see it. It is beyond lovely.  I am thinking I will have to stitch this piece again sometime.

 

CCN- Garden bug

Isn't it lovely?? 


As this is the half way point of the piece, I have begun to think about what will take it's place in my rotation when I am finished. So many to choose from.  Really, i'm just enjoying looking through my options. I'll change my mind a 1000 times between now and then.

I am thinking about changing my focus piece for a bit. I just don't know.  I love JG, but I want the bugs done. It is taking forever with stitching them only once a month. If i stitched them twice a month, instead of JG twice a month- I could have them done in two months instead of four.  But then I am adoring JG right now. And i'm so wanting to finish it so I can start chinese.  Of course nobody said I have to finish one before I start the other.  Really I just need the money to buy the kit for chinese. 


Then if I toss out the HAED for a bit I could stitch two weeks on each. But then I don't want to do that, because I do enjoy the HAED, and it is a meaningful piece to me.   Decisions, decisions.  


On another note I am working on a how-to for how I dye fabric.  I decided to do it spur of the moment when I was dyeing a piece of fabric for an exchange.   I can't share it though until said exchange is received.

Next weeks goal-  Finish the last two branches of Japanese Garden, maybe start the corner ornaments?  Oh and order the bead pack for JG.  I've determined it is cheaper than buying them separate. 

Sierra

2 Branches done- Japanese Garden

Wow- those branches are stitching up fast. They are fun as well.

close up of the 12 O'clock branch-

Close up of 3'Oclock branch-

Next up is Garden Party. If I get a good amount of stitching time this week- I should be able to finish the ladybug.