WIPocalypse 1

I really enjoyed last year's WIPocalypse even though I didn't stitch for about 7 months of the year.  I accomplished a fair amount when I did stitch.

You will see some of the same pieces I was working on last year (Fire Goddess and Japanese Garden) as well as many new pieces.

 I already have 2 finishes. First up is Forgive Quickly.  This was a really fun and fast stitch.   I changed the charted thread to an unknown HDF. It is one that I got in an exchange and is I believe came from HDF grab bag.  This is Lizzy Kate stitched on an unknown piece of blue fabric, either 28 or 25 ct.  I am in the process of finishing finishing this.  Look for that post in a few days or so.

Next up we have Cowboy Dreams. This is a gift for my mom, who lives in Oklahoma.  It is stitched on a coffee/tea dyed piece of 28ct evenweave. It is from Country Cottage Needleworks.  I stitched it with all the recommended threads. I did substitute seed beads for the french knots. I will do that from now on as it was easy and Ithink it looks nice.  I am in the process of finishing this one as well.   Since my mom doesn't come here I can show it. It's my facebook she looks at so I won't post a photo there until she receives it. (this pattern will be up for sale soon should you be interested) Sorry for the crappy photo.  I'll get a better one when I get it finish finished. 

So that isn't bad I don't think. My list of what I'd like to work on this year can be found on a tab above.  But here is a list for you........


In no particular order here is my list.I know I won't finish the entire list and I'm okay with that.

1.  Japanese Garden- Chatelaine

2.  Dragonflies Whisper-HAED- will count a complete as 1 page

3. A Trio Of Angels-Harmony- Cross stitcher August '08
4.  Fire Goddess- Joan Elliott
5. Cirque De Couers- Ink Circles- Will count a page as complete
6. Retro Owls- Cross-Stitcher 221
7. Sweet Treats- Cross-Stitch Collection October 2012- Will Count a finish as one gingerbread man
8.  6 bats and a black Cat- Blue Ribbon Designs
9.  6 fat men- Lizzy Kate- will count a finish as 3 snowmen
10.Crabby All Year- February- Raise The Roof 
11. Let it snow- CCN
12. Winter Fun- M Designs
13.  Never Ending Stash- 4 My Boys
14.  Snowflake Serenade- CCN
15.  Traveling Stitcher-LHN
16. Snowy Pines- LHN
17. Cowboy Dreams-CCN-started 1/14- finished 1/24
18. Sheep In the Meadow- CCN
19.  Medallion- From Nancy's Needle
20.  Forgive Quickly- Lizzy Kate-started 1/1-finished 1/10

HAEDs

As part of a facebook group I am participating in a HAED stitch a long. I haven't had any of my HAED's out in quite awhile. While I was looking for them and deciding which one I am stitching on this year...... I thought maybe you all would like to see which ones I have.  I'll spare you talk of the upteen hundred charts I have and just stick to the ones I have started.

 

 I thought I would start with my furthest along. This is Mistress of Wolves by Jessica Galbreth (retired pattern), 28ct, 1x1 full crosses.  I have 5 of 16 pages stitched. This was my first HAED. I did most of this stitching at a very dark time in my life. Since leaving that dark period I have lost all interest in stitching this. However I only have 4 1/2 full pages and the rest are partial pages. I may just finish the top half and not stitch the bottom. I haven't decided.  

 This one is one of the 2 I may stitch on this year. I simply love the colors.  This is Robin Blue Mermaid by Nadia Tate. Sky Blue Jobelan, 25 ct. 2x1 tent stitch

 
 

 This is Visions. Also by Jessica Galbreth. I love this pattern.  It's about 1/2 page worth. It's 28 ct 2x1 tent stitch

This is what I will probably stitch. It's Dragonflies Whisper by Ching Chou Kuik. I adore dragonflies and they remind me of someone no longer alive.  This is the only one that I have fully kitted as well. This is about 1/3 a page. It is stitched 2x1 on 22 ct.  Sorry about the photo quality. January in Ohio is not good for taking photos. 

So which is your favorite?  Of course like any HAED collector, I have a million other patterns to start as well as a large wishlist.  

Sierra

First finish

I have my first finish of the year. It was a quick, fun, and and easy stitch. I did change it a bit. It is lizzy Kate forgive quickly. I stitched it on a very pale blue mystery Even weave. I changed the thread color to a mystery hdf I found in my stash. I plan to go to Hancock fabrics later this week to find the perfect fabric to finish it with.

Tusal January 2013

This is my first Tusal post. I wanted to join last year but didn't get to it in time.  I picked a pretty vase, it used to be my nana's so it is a sentimental thing.

What is Tusal you ask?  Basically, you collect your thread ends and save them. Each month you post your growing collection. Sound like fun? Hop here to find out more

I'm afraid I haven't much to show for my first month. My appologies for the crappy photo. It's January in Ohio and sun is hard to come by.

Reading Challenges

My other passion besides Cross-Stitch is reading. This year I am going to try a few reading challenges.   I plan to keep track of them here.  I also post reviews to Goodreads

I love reading new authors. How else does one find new books to read?  I haven't tried as many new authors recently as I would like so.........
 I am joining the New Authors Challenge.  My plan is 15 new authors.


1.The challenge will run from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.

2.Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels. Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.
3. I want this to be an easy challenge, so you can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors. It all depends on how fast you read and how adventurous you want to be.  If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop. Any new author you try can be added to Mr. Linky. We all want to know about your new experience.

4. After reading your new author, write your review and then come back here and add your link to Mr. Linky. Make sure you include your name and the author, but adding the title is completely up to you.
Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome. You don’t have to have a site to participate. You can link up via Facebook, GoodReads or even Amazon if you’d like.                                                      

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I love ebooks. Don't get me wrong- I love handheld books as well. I will always read them, always keep some, but.... it is so convenient to be able to carry around a 100 books in my purse. It is so much neater to have my nook, or my nexus on the table, than a stack of books (especially with a toddler).  Other than library books, and my already collection of books, most of what I read is ebooks, so my goal for the ebook challenge is 50 books.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013.
2. Anyone can join, you don’t need to be a blogger. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
3. Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
4. You can plan your books in advance or as you read them.
5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:
    Floppy disk – 5 ebook
    CD – 10 ebooks
    DVD – 25 ebooks
    Memory stick – 50 ebooks
    Hard drive – 75 ebooks
    Server – 100 ebooks
    Human brain – 150 ebooks

Once you reach your goal, you don’t have to stop. Any new author you try, go ahead and head back here and add it to the list. Introduce us all to whoever you find. Afterall, there’s no reason to stop trying new authors, right?

When you’re signing in with Mr. Linky, please leave either your name or your blog name followed by the author you tried – i.e. Jackie (Melissa Marr) or Literary Escapism (Melissa Marr).  Please do not add wrap-up posts here. If you would like to add a wrap-up post, please leave a link in the comments. (Mr. Linky will be added on January 1st).

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WIPocalypse 2012- Final

Although I didn't get everything done I had on my list I am pleased with what I did get done.   Here is what I was able to get done. 

Hop Squared- Lizzy Kate-Mystery Yellow fabric

Shades Of Autumn- From Nancy's Needle

Springtime Serenade-Country Cottage Needlework

Coffee Crazy- Lizzy Kate

Joy Love Peace- Country Cottage Needleworks

Crabby All Year Long- January- Raise The Roof


Also on my list but not finished yet-

Fire Goddess-Joan Elliott

Dragonflies Whisper-HAED

A Trio Of Angels- Harmony-Cross Stitcher August 08

Japanese Garden- Chatelaine-


I definitely will be joining next year.


Sierra