January 2018 WIPocalypse Introduction

Hello, All,

I've participated (loosely) in the WIPocalypse since the world was going to end in 2012.

Needless to say, there was no kaboom (sorry Marvin) and I've been stitching on.  I've been pretty bad about updating because it always seems that my stitching year is spent doing some Super Secret Project (SSP) for either my sister's wedding or my now year old niece.  I'm sure as she gets older and can ask for things to be done I will be side tracked, but until then, I stitch....FOR ME!!!!

This year I have five goals for the 2018 WIPocalypse.

1.  Stitch From Stash

     I took count of my stash and it is scary.  I won't give actual numbers here, but let's just say that I am on my way to opening up a stitching store.  Sigh.  Anyway, to keep the beast in check, I've joined the Facebook group and am going to keep a budget.  However, any items bought for gifts (patterns mostly) do not count against my SFS budget.  I will try to use fabric and floss from my stash for gifts as much as I can.

2.  Work Towards Finshing WIPS

      Again, I took count of my stash and I have twenty-one patterns STARTED and fourteen kitted up and ready to go.  I have created a page showing these thirty-five (sigh, 35) projects but will also list them below.  My plan is to work on each project for 20 hours and then move on.  I think I will set the rule of working on each project, with the exception of our wedding sampler, for 20 hours before touching it again in the course of the year.

Started:

Bent Creek:

      Photobooth Frank N Boo

      The Haunted House

Dimensions:

     Siberian Snuggle

Heaven and Earth Designs:

      Christmas Animals

      Mishra

      Peacock Garden

Lizzie Kate:

      Spooked

Mirabilia:

      Dressmaker's Daughter

      September Sapphire Fairy

Needle Bling Designs:

      Countdown to Christmas

Nouveau Encore Designs:

      S Wedding Sampler

Pine Mountain Designs:

      Fang Tastic

      Jingle Typography

      Spring Typography

      Spring Typography Pillow

      Summer Typography

Stoney Creek Collection:

      Autumn Bell Pull

      Halloween Village Afghan

      Pattern of the Month Series - Halloween (PM901-904)

      Rest in Pieces - Current piece being worked

Victoria Sampler:

     Stitching Witches

  

Kitted:

Amy Bruecken Designs:

     Got Candy

     Winifred

     Witchy Poo

     Woneta

Bent Creek:

     Snow Globe Mantle

Gigi R Designs:

     Les Belles Lettres de Gigi - K

Janlynn:

      Family Reunion

Ink Circles:

     Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

     Wings and Things Mandala

Lizzie Kate:

       Very Scary

Nora Corbett:

       Faerie Summer Love

Sam Sarah Studio:

      Something Wicked

Stoney Creek Collection:

      Christmas Village Afghan

      Happy Hootin' Halloween

Here is where I am after about 12 hours on Rest in Pieces.  Keep in mind that this is a WIP and had been worked on before.

3.  Finish Our Wedding Sampler

     I have already put in a week of a thread a day and twenty hours on our wedding sampler.  The design is from Nouveau Encore Designs and has been personalized with our initials and wedding date.  I am fortunate that six of the lovely ladies I stitch with on Thursday and Saturday are each doing one motif in the design.  I've also convinced my husband to put in at least two stiches on the wedding ring motifs.  :)  My goal is to have it finished for our first anniversary.  Here is the status of our sampler.

4.  Keep Up On My Thread A Day

     I never thought that doing one thread a day would make any progress on a project but I've discovered that I was very wrong.  Here are the projects that I have finished as a thread a day.  Rosewood Manor's Season of the Trees, started 09.01.14 and finished 06.09.15. (Sorry for the wrinkles).

Ink Circle's Cirque des Carreaux, started 08.31.16 and finished 11.18.17

That brings us to my current thread a day project.  It is the Temperature Block Sampler by Stitchnmomma.  I am creating a pillow with a single block with the high temperature of every day of 2017 being a square of stitches.  January 1, 2017 is a single stitch in the middle of the block.  I ma stitching this with half crosses on 36 ct white evenweave over one.  I started on 11.29.17 and am slightly behind but will catch up.

5.  Keep Up With my Cut a Bitch SAL
     I was gifted a copy of Jack the Stitcher (can be found on Etsy) Please Grant me the Serenity and a few of my Thursday night stitchers and I created a SAL.  We all were allowed to work the border before we officially started on January 4th and we'll only work on it on Thursday nights.  My progress after the border and the first night, along with the design are below.  If you are on Instagram, you can follow all three of our progress at #cutabitchsal.

I am going to try and be better about updates and posting.  I've put the posting dates in my dayrunner so I'm hoping my Virgo mind will be pushed into updating.  Until the end of the month, thanks for stopping by and happy stitching!!!!

December 2017 WIPocalypse Update

Hello All!!!!

I know that I haven't posted in almost 18 months but that doesn't mean that I wasn't stitching.  I think it was shortly after my last post that I found out I was going to be an AUNT!!!!  Needless to say, I went into baby gift stitching mode since she is the first grandbaby on my side of the family.  I stitched the Just Nan Baby Celebration pattern for my niece.  No photo to show for this unfortunately.

I also stitched Forest Friends from Cross Stitch Crazy.  It only six different animals that I stitched multiple times to create a cute afghan.  Here is the finished project:

Then because she was going to need a stocking for Christmas, but she will also celebrate Hanukkah, I needed to find a stocking that merged both holidays.  I found the perfect stocking but it wasn't cross stitch it was needlepoint.  I've never needlepointed before, but that didn't stop me at all.  I started on 5/20/17 and finished on 11/18/17.  Here is the finished project for my sweet Hazel.

In the last 18 months, I did get some stitching done for myself.  As a thread a day, I finished Ink Circles, A Spirited Mandala with the suggested floss on 32ct overdyed linen in Voodoo.

I also finished a second thread a day, Ink Circles, Cirque des Carreaux on 32ct linen in Vintage Cedar Plank with Threadworx Black Forest.  I started it on 8/31/16 and finished on 11/18/17.

In addition to the stitching, I got engaged, planned a wedding, got married, honeymooned and, oh yeah, started my wedding sampler.  The picture is after one week of thread a day and twenty hours of work.  More on the twenty hours in the next post. :)

I will post my WIPocalypse 2018 opening post later this weekend.  Happy stitching!!!!

I know that this is a non-stitching post, but not really since you can buy stitchy stuff using this program.  


I have been using Ebates for a little while and have already gotten $150 in cash back rewards from them.  Stores pay Ebates to bring them customers and when you shop at over 2,000 stores through Ebates you earn cash back rewards that are paid out quarterly. 

I introduced my friend at Stitchnmomma and she discovered that Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's and Michael's are all listed on their site!!  My response when she told me this...WHAT?!?!?!  How did I not know this????  I guess it falls into how I didn't know there was a Lion Habitat where you could see and feed lions in Las Vegas, but  that is another story.  

Anyway, to earn cash back, you go to Ebates  and go to the crafty store of your choosing, purchase items and use any coupons you may have like you normally do and cash back rewards will be deposited in your account.  The rewards are paid out on a quarterly basis and you can choose to have the rewards deposited into your Paypal account or you can receive a check.

If you're interested in trying Ebates and earning cash back on purchases you would be making anyway, I've put a button on the right side of my page that will take you to the Ebates site where you can sign up.

Until the next time...happy stitching!!

WIPocalypse Check-in May 2016

Sorry I haven't posted in a while but things have been crazy busy.  Good but busy.  I have been stitching so yay for that

First, to answer this month's question: What were you stitching this time last year and have you finished it? (via Jo).  I believe that I did finish what I was stitching on this time last year but then there are other projects like Mishra that were being stitched on then and are still being stitched on now. Sigh.

Sorry for blurry pictures and wrinkles.  I need a really good camera.  One of these days.

First up is Egg of Eggs by Bent Creek.  This came as a kit and I stitched it on the 18 count linen with the pearl cotton that was provided.  It stitched up really quickly and was a lot of fun to do.

This is Give Thanks by Plum Street Samplers.  I don't remember the count or name of the fabric but I used the called for DMCs for the light colored fabric.  And, yes, if you look through my blog I have indeed done this before.  Don't ask. :)

This is Ghost Inn from Chessie & Me.  This was a kit and I used the provided 36 count Vintage Cedar Plank Linen and the provided Gloriana threads.

This is Spring by Glory Bee.  It is done on even weave and uses DMCs.  The charms are very sweet. 

This is I love to Cross Stitch Sampler by Yiota's Xstitch.  It is done on an evenweave with Jelly Bean floss.

This is a portion of the K mermaid from the Letters from Mermaids by Nora Corbett.  This piece was added to several other mermaids to create a quilt for Leslie who puts on the best Mirabilia Minion retreat ever!!!

This is the Ink Circles' Ghostly Mandala.  I did it on 32 count overdyed linen in Attic Lace with Thread Gather silk in Pumpkins and Black Cats.  It was a lot of fun to stitch.  I am currently working on the second of the four Halloween inspired mandalas.  Hopefully there will be more progress to report soon.

These are two cards that I finished from World of Cross Stitching magazine.  They were quick stitches and exactly what was needed to take a break from big projects that I've been working on.

This is Letters from Nora - M that was stitched on 32 count overdyed linen in Whimsey with the called for Crescent Color overdyed flosses.  This will be going to a very special girl in Southern California this September.

This is Letters from Nora - C that was stitched on 32 count overdyed linen in Whimsey with the called for Crescent Color overdyed flosses.  This will be going to a very special girl in Southern California this August.

This is Letters from Nora - C that was stitched on 32 count overdyed linen in Whimsey with the called for Crescent Color overdyed flosses.  This will be going to a very special girl in Northern California this June.

This is Tribal Baby Feet done on 18 count white Aida for a friend of my boyfriend's.  It is a very quick stitch and I hope they like it.

Finally, while I have waaaaay too many projects started and waiting to be finished and even more kitted up and ready to be started, I'm working mostly on my thread a day Witches Night Out by Blackberry Lane Designs. I'm stitching it with 1 strand over 1 on 28 count Stormy Gray over dyed Jobelan.  I am so close to being finished.  I started this on June 10, 2015.  I want to be finished by June 30, 2016.  

 And here is where I am on Mishra. I'm almost done with the 11th page.  Only 19 more to go.  I would be happy to finish him by 2050. :)

See, I have been stitching, just not posting.  Maybe if I keep up on the posting, I won't have so many pictures and could actually remember fabrics and floss.  Here's to hoping.  Until next month, happy stitching.

July 2015 Update - Photo intensive

Hello again Internet!  It's been too long. I'm sorry that I've been away but it has taken me a while to get back in the game. The past year  and five months have been crazy.  It sort of went like this...fine...vacation..fine...What the?!?!..surviving...good...great...sad...great.  And tah-dah,  here we are.  There is no need to go into all the gory details, so I'll just say that everything with the exception of my darling Max passing away was for the best and I am much happier now that I could have ever been if things hadn't gone haywire.  Although if someone could fill me in on June, July and August of 2014, I would appreciate it.  I have no clue what happened those months.  I do know that I stitched and I stitched A LOT!!!

First, to answer this month's question: Reality or Fantasy. Which do you prefer to stitch? Figures or Abstract?  I guess it depends on the pattern.  I've done both reality and fantasy.  When it comes to figures or abstract, I think I tend to stay with figures.  I can't think of any abstract designs that I've done.  Although, I'm sure if the right pattern came along I wouldn't be opposed to trying an abstract design.

Anyway, in no particular order here are the things that I finished and am currently working on.  Sorry for blurry pictures and wrinkles.  I need a really good camera.  One of these days.

First up, a few cards that I've finished.  The first three are obviously Christmas cards and the last I think would be cute for Mother's Day.  The penguins were from Cross Stitch Gold and the other two are from World of Cross Stitching.  Both are British cross stitch magazines I receive.  They were super fast to stitch up and I switched the Aida that was provided with even weave.

Here are a couple of ornaments that need to be finished and a sweet little penguin.

Here is the Ursula Michaels "Let's Have Tea" completed with 2 strands over 2 on 28 count Coffee Jobelan. "Let's Cross Stitch" is on 18 count Silkweaver Summer Breeze completed with 2 strands over 2.  "Let's Purr" was completed with 2 or 1 strand(s) over 2 on 28 count Coffee Jobelan.

Halloween designs completed are the Fat Bat Cat by The Victoria Sampler with 2 strands over 2 on 28 count Summer Khaki Lugana, Under the Harvest Moon by Lavender Wings is stitched on 16 count Crystal Haunted Aida and Hallowee House by Chessie and Me.

Christmas designs completed are Holly and Hearts mystery sampler by Lizzie Kate, stitched with 2 strands over 2 on 32 count Belfast Doubloon, and a Santa stocking for my boyfriend stitched with 2 strands over 2 on 28 count Denim Blue Jobelan.

Easter and Spring designs completed are The Busy Easter Bunny by The Sweetheart Tree and Chicks by Lizzie Kate.

Miscellaneous finished include this little pillow.  It was a free pattern given to me at a retreat that I attended.  I'm not sure who the designer is but it was easy and fast to stitch.  My friend Pat actually finished it into the pillow.  My sewing skills are still lacking.

And this sewing machine cover that I stitched for my sister and then sneakily had her stitch together (she thought it was for our mother).  It is Ursula Michaels Let's Sew on count 18 ct Silkweaver Tutti Fruiti

Here is a golf design called "Tee Time" by Hinzet that I stitched on 18 count Silkweaver Days Gone by with 2 strands over 1.

Here is Season of the Trees by Rosewood Manor.  I stitched this with 2 strands over 2 on 32 count Lambswool Linen. This was my thread a day, started on 9/1/14 and finished on 6/9/15.

I've stitched a few baby gifts shown here.  I've blurred out the last name if applicable.

First there is Countdown to Christmas by Needle Bling Designs.  It will look like this when finished. I'm stitching this with 1 strand over 1 on 28 count Lava Jazlyn.

And here is where I am.

My new thread a day project is Witches Night Out by Blackberry Lane Designs.  It will look like this when finished.  I'm stitching it with 1 strand over 1 on 28 count Stormy Gray over dyed Jobelan.

And currently looks like this.

I've also started Mirabilia's Dressmaker's Daughter with 2 strands over 2 on XX count XXX.  This is what it will look like when finished.

And here is where I am.

Finally there is Mishra.  He's on white 28 count evenweave, tent stitched with 2 strands over 1.  I've finished nine pages and have started on the tenth.  The seventh page took 30 days to complete but pages eight and nine took me 119 days to complete.  Here's hoping page ten is closer to 30 than 119.  I would like to have at least fifteen pages done by the end of the year.  Fingers crossed.

I have many, many, many more WIPs and if I were to give Mishra 7 days a month, I would need a 40+ day to give each of my other projects one day.  I won't photograph all of them now, but as I pick a few to work on each month, I will post them.  I'll try to take clearer wrinkle free pictures in the future and to also be better about remember what fabric I do everything on.

Happy stitching everyone and thanks for stopping by.