Sunday, November 20, 2016

Disappeared...

Good Morning!
I apologize for disappearing again.
My computers (yep, both of them) decided to stop working. (One won't even turn on anymore.)  I tried installing a blogger app on my phone, but it kept crashing, so I am now using my tablet (not the easiest option when it comes to typing).

Despite my computer issues, I have been stitching (pretty much every night) and I've also been reading through blogs (just haven't commented).
So, let's see if I can post a couple pictures of my current projects...

Up first, Sherlock...
Pattern designed by Glazovpattern on Etsy.

And, a cute holiday finish...
Pattern designed by Fuzzy Fox Designs on Etsy.

So, that is a little of what I've been up to...
I hope everyone is having a great weekend.
I will try to update as much as I can, but no promises. (Working from my tablet is not very easy.)

Saturday, October 8, 2016

It's been awhile...

Long time no see...
I apologize for disappearing...
...things got a bit crazy.

But, I am back, with lots (and lots) of pictures and stitching progress.

First, my in-laws received their gifts and everything was a huge hit...
...including the bubble wrap. (The older kids had a lot of fun popping all the bubbles.)

Next, some progress photos...
The 2nd National Parks SAL clue (run by the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery) was released...
(where I left off)

(and now)

(close up of my progress on the 2nd clue)

Not a lot of progress...
...I really do need to put in some more stitches, but just haven't felt the desire to work on this piece.  I'm sure it will call to me eventually.

Next, more progress on my Halloween Typography piece...
(where I left off)

(and now)
I really love this piece!  It is very relaxing to work on.
(Pattern from the Halloween (2016) issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine.)

And, my green mermaid...
(where I left off)

(and now)
Finally, we have a complete tail!
(Pattern from Fuzzy Fox Designs on Etsy)

Lastly, some progress on my winter snowman...
(where I left off)

(and now)
 He's coming along...
...rather slowly, though.
(Pattern by B is for Bumblebee on Etsy)

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And now, on to the new starts...
My hubby asked me to make him a special piece, so once I had the fabric, I started working on it...
This piece shows just how much I love my husband...
...it is being stitched on bright yellow fabric (I really dislike the color yellow) and it will eventually be a snake (I am terrified of snakes). 
So, you can see how much I love him.  ;)

Next, I started another mermaid piece...
This piece is a bit of different style for me and the 16ct. Aida gives me a bit of headache, but I am looking forward to having it finished. (I all ready have a framed picked out!)
(Pattern is by Little Stitcher Shop on Etsy)

With all the Doctor Who that my son and I have been watching (we are almost through season 5), I couldn't resist starting a Doctor Who themed piece...
 "Don't Blink..."
(One of my favorite episodes, so far...)
(Pattern from Clouds Factory)

And yet another mermaid...
(I don't know why, but I've been obsessed with stitching mermaids lately.)
I fell in love with this pattern a year ago, but waited to purchase it...
...my birthday was at the end of September and this pattern was my present to myself.
(Pattern by Stunning Cross Stitch on Etsy)

Thanks to Instagram, I found this adorable Halloween witch design, that I just had to purchase and start...
This piece has some really fun colors...
...I adore working with all the different shades of purple.
(Pattern by The Compass Needle on Etsy)

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This last month, I've spent quite a bit of time in waiting rooms...
...nothing serious, just regular appointments...
But of course, I needed to something to stitch...
So, I started working on a cute pair of deer...
I've miscounted somewhere...
...not exactly sure where, so I will have some fixing to do.
(Pattern by Patterns Cross Stitch on Etsy)

Then I just started working on a polar bear ornament...
Not much to see yet, but every piece has to start somewhere.
(Pattern is from the Christmas 2016 issue of Cross Stitch Crazy magazine)

So, with all these new starts, have I finished anything?
Yep, I actually did manage a couple of small finishes...
Another quote from the Princess Bride movie...
(Pattern by Unexpected Hobby on Etsy)

And lastly, a completely finished ornament...

And the back...
I am very proud of this little ornament...
It was the first time I had stitched with beads and it was first time I hand sewed anything.
The ornament is far from perfect, but I love it!
(Pattern by Suiren Designs on Etsy)

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Phew...that was a lot of pictures and typing!
I hope I didn't bore everyone too much...
...I will definitely try to be better about updating my progress.

Well, I am off to finish laundry and then sit down with my son, to watch Doctor Who and stitch...
...hope everyone has a great weekend!


Sunday, September 4, 2016

September Update....

Happy Labor Weekend everyone!
I hope everybody is having a great holiday weekend.

So, it has been a little while since my last update...
...and I do have lots of stitching to share...

First, I finally finished all the pieces that I made for my niece and nephews...
...they are all framed and ready to be sent to my brother-in-law this week.

Up first, the pieces for my niece...
Love the pretty butterflies!

A look at both pieces my niece will be receiving...

And, for my older nephew...
I wasn't sure how Mr. Dinosaur would look in a hoop, but I think he is adorable!

Minion Kevin all finished!

I can't decided which one I like better...

And, one last look at the pieces for my newest nephew...

Last thing I have to do, is add ribbon for hanging to each one...

----

With the Olympic stitching challenge done, I went back and worked more on some of the new pieces I had started...
Mermaid (from Fuzzy Fox Designs on Etsy)
-where I left off-

-where I am now-
Really love working on this piece!

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Halloween Typography...
-where I left off-

-where I am now-
This is one of those pieces that I have hard time putting down...
...I just love stitching it!

---

Kawaii style Macaroons (pattern by Plato Squirrel on Etsy)
-where I left off-


-where I am now-
It is starting to come together...

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Lastly, I did start a new piece...
...it is a mystery stitch along by the Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery...
It is the National Park stitch along...
...I still have bit left to stitch from clue #1, but I'm just happy to have the middle portion finished.  Can't wait for the next clue!

---

So, other than stitching, I have started watching Doctor Who...
...I know, shocking, I had never seen the show before.
I actually started watching part way through season 3 (at least that is what was replaying on my BBC America channel) and I really loved it.
The best part though, my son loves the show, too!
So, we got an Amazon Prime account and now are watching season 1...
...very fun to share something with my son and I'm sure I will be stitching lots of Doctor Who themed projects soon!

Well, I am off...
...I hope everyone has a great weekend, filled with lots of stitching!
Edited:  I completely forgot to show another piece that I finished this week...

A cute little butterfly, that I made for my neighbor. (She just lost her mother and I hoped this little stitching would bring a small smile.)

Well, I do believe that is all...for now...

Monday, August 22, 2016

Final Olympic Stitching Update and WIPocalypse...

Happy Monday!

First, I want to say a huge "Thank You" to everyone that commented on my previous post, about the loss of my kitty Dahlia...
...all the comments and warm thoughts were greatly appreciate.  It has been a bit of a rough week, but I've been keeping busy with work and stitching. 

Speaking of stitching...
...the Olympic Stitching Challenge is complete!
And, here is a look at what I have been working on the last couple of days...
DAY FIFTEEN 
Another "Follow-Up Friday"...
I decided to put in some more stitches on the Pokemon piece for my son...
(where I left off)

And now...
Another character finished and a new one starting to make an appearance.

Close up of the newly finished Pokemon...
...a shiny Flareon. (At least that is what my son tells me.)

And, a quick peek at the next character...

DAY SIXTEEN
I decided to start another large project...
...this one is a DoNaStitch pattern, called "Sweet Peacocks". (It is part of the love bird series.)

Not a huge start, but I'm happy with the progress I made...

There may be some wondering why I haven't started a DoNa fairy tale pattern, since I did mention starting one when I was planning this challenge.
Well, I had every intentions of starting the Frozen fairy tale piece, but I've had trouble getting all the floss I need.
I've been trying to buy a lot of it locally, but there just never seems to be enough in stock.  I will be placing an order to 123stitch soon, for some fabric, so I'll purchase my missing threads at that time.
Hopefully I'll get some new starts finished and I can add a fairy tale pattern to my rotation.

And the last day...
DAY SEVENTEEN 
I actually found the pattern, purchased it and started it on the same day...

This is the newest pattern from Fuzzy Fox Design, called "Bella, the Pretty Coral Mermaid"...

Obviously, my mermaid is not going to be coral...
...I changed the color on her tail and seashells, since I like more green/blue tones and I thought it would look better on the lavender fabric I am stitching the piece on...
Really looking forward to finishing this piece!

So that has been my Olympic Stitching....
...lots of great projects started and one finish!
I think I would call this a successful challenge.

The WIPocalypse question for this month...
Have you ever read any fictional books that involve embroidery?  If so, give us some recommendations?
I have not read any books that involve embroidery.
At one time, I did find some mystery series that had a knitting or stitching theme, but I never did purchase the book(s).
I'm afraid I don't read as much as I should (or used to)...
I just never seem to have the time anymore. 


Well, I must be off...
...getting to be dinner time.
Hope everyone has a terrific week!

Friday, August 19, 2016

Olympic Stitching Challenge - Update #3

Good afternoon everyone!
It has been quite the eventful week here, with lots of stitching progress to share and a bit of sad news...

but, lets start with the stitching...
I am still hard at work with my Olympic Stitching Challenge...
DAY EIGHT
Today was a Friday, which means it was time for a "follow-up" project...
I decided to pull out my Princess Bride movie quote piece and I finished it!
Seriously love this piece!  Can't wait to frame it and hang it.

(Pattern designed by Unexpected Hobby on Etsy)

DAY NINE
Decided to start Halloween Typography from 2016 Halloween issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine...


I am really loving these typography pieces!

DAY TEN
 I picked PlatoSquirrel's Kawaii Macaroons to work on...

Not a ton of progress...
...I was quite busy that day, packing my son up for a last minute summer trip.
I am looking forward to getting back to work on this piece...it is going to be adorable when finished.

DAY ELEVEN
Worked on another cactus from the October 2016 issue of Cross Stitch Crazy magazine.

Love all of the cacti featured and hope to have them all stitched soon.

DAY TWELVE
I picked something small to work on...
...the next tiny spaceship, designed by dinosaurspaceshop on Etsy...

I didn't get as far as I wanted, but my hands were a bit sore that day, so I stopped stitching early.

DAY THIRTEEN
Today was "Work in Progress Wednesday"...
...time to work on any project, as long as it wasn't started during this challenge...

I pulled out my dream-catcher owl...
(where I left off)

And, where I am now...
Quite a bit of progress...

(The pattern came from an Etsy shop, but I'm afraid the shop is no longer available.)

DAY FOURTEEN
Decided to start a much larger piece than I normally work on...
Working on the background for now...

(Pattern designed by Fuzzy Fox Designs on Etsy.)

So, that is my stitching progress for the last week...
...I think I am doing quite well!

Lastly, some sad news...
On Tuesday, we had to put down our oldest cat, Dahlia.
I'm afraid her health had been fading over the last 6 months and reached a point of no return this past weekend.
It was very hard to say goodbye to her as she had been my faithful companion for the last 11 years...
...but, she had a good, long life (she was 17 years old) and I know we did what was best for her...
I will certainly miss her, though.



Anyway, I do hope that everyone has a good weekend, full of stitching...