I am terrible at this

Well, it has been more than a few days and I don't have much to show, but I will try to post more often.
This is one of my current projects, a granny square throw that I am making to use up some of my accumulated yarn.  Who knew yarn could pile up so quickly?  I have been crocheting for less than a year and I already have bags of the stuff sitting around the house, to the delight of the kitten.  She is under the blanket, by the way, which is one reason why the picture is...not good.

This is the kitten herself, Poe.  We adopted her at about 8 weeks of age and she is now almost 9 months, so she has been here for a while.  Can't tell from her not-so-great photo but she is a Siamese mix and quite the character.

Doing some actual stitching now so hopefully will be able to show off a completed project soon. :)

Hi folks

I have been away from this blog for ages but I wanted to pop in and say hello...I am amazed that I still have followers after all this time.  I know I always wonder what has happened when a fellow blogger does not post for several weeks or months.  Sadly my stitching mojo has been mostly gone and blogging mojo nonexistent--I debated just deleting this blog but kept thinking I might come back to it some day .

 Finished a few small projects (pictures next time) and  started a few others but I find myself losing interest pretty quickly.  I have been crocheting a bit but mostly just busy with work and trying to keep up with my very busy kids.  I will do my best to come back later this week with pics of my few projects...and of my new kitty who also likes to play with floss and yarn :)

WIPocalypse #7: still no WIPs as I am now a hooker :)

I hope everyone in the States had a safe and happy July 4...it's another holiday I have to prop open my eyes for, as I was never a late-night person, even less so in my old age.

Anyway, stitching has taken a back seat at the moment, because thanks to some terrific YouTube videos I can now do this...









Not well, mind you.  But I do enjoy it.  Very addictive.











I still do enjoy stitching.  Not enough to work on my WIPS, but I did participate in another two exchanges, one of which at least I am able to show, and did a few small patriotic pieces.  This one was part of a freebie from Liberty Primitives.  Every once in a while I get the urge to do something with performated paper.  I think this one turned out well.

This is from the "My Favourite Things" round of the Stitched With Love exchanges.  The top photo is what I received from Dawn.  The cute pillow is from a design by Homespun Elegance, and Dawn included some homemade counting pins and dishcloth, which I think contributed to my current crochet obsession.  Thank you Dawn!

The design I sent to my partner Cherise was from a web freebie which I had in my stash for a long time.  Unfortunately I could not find the name of the designer.  This was not something that I would ordinarily stitch but I think it came out well.

That's about all for now.  I am off to embark on a baby blanket project for my new niece, and maybe pick up my neglected stitching one of these days...

WIPocalypse 6: no WIPS

I don't know what happened to the last month and a half.  The end of the school year is always a blur but at least the kids are done, finals are over and we can all relax a bit, finally :)   I have (almost) nothing to show for being gone so long.  Two exchanges I can't show yet, and a third I forgot to photograph before it was sent. This is what I received from Mare for the BBD #9 exchange.  I love these little stockings but I can't manage this finish myself--anything oddly shaped is just beyond my skill level--and this one is just adorable, I think!  Mare said the pattern was one the BBD girls produced for a retreat, so I don't know the name or if it even has one.  I forgot to take a picture of what I sent (a box with a pattern from the Honeysuckle Manor booklet) but perhaps Mare will post a photo if she has time.

I have been very, very bad and not touched any WIPs at all for ages but I will get back to them as I am starting to feel guilty.  I think Kindred Spirits will be first--I will finish it this year!  In the meantime, I have been indulging my Supernatural obsession in a new way.   This one is based in part on a freebie from The Primitive Hare, and n part my own design.  Until next time!

I'm back already

I realized that I neglected to show goodies sent and received during the latest Stitched with Love exchange.

I received lots of Easter goodies from Lisa V in Australia including the sweet pinkeep.  The kids of course were quick to claim the stickers and bunny pen!





And this is what I sent to June.  The stitched pillow is by JBW, a limited edition kit from a few years back.

Thank you Lisa and Lainey for another great exchange!

I am off to find my mojo, which has been missing for a while.  Actually I have  recently become addicted to the CW show Supernatural -- DD and I watched 5 seasons in the course of about two weeks, so I haven't been doing much else.  The eye candy in that show is quite addicting.

Well, I must get going on some exchanges and dig out another old WIP so I have something to show for next month's WIPocalypse report--see you all next full moon :)

Giveaway winner

Sorry, I know I am a few days late with this... been a bit down and out lately, haven't put needle and thread together for at least a week.  The winner of my little giveaway is #6, Barbara.  Thanks all who participated.

Stuff: Wipocalypse update #4

Well I actually  do have four finishes for this month's update...they are all small, but at least I can put one more old WIP in the pile of finished pieces.  I bored with the unsullied white fabric and recently acquired some walnut crystals, so this is the finished result. When I took this out of the hoop I noticed that the border was off a bit on one side and I pondered frogging (for about a fraction of a second) but *&*^ that, I'll just call it "primitive" instead.

It's been another busy month--a rough month, as we lost a family friend to cancer at age 44.  Between that ordeal and the usual work-kids-school nonsense, stitching smalls has been all I have had the time or energy to do.  This was a freebie from the Ravenelle blog.







And another Christmas ornie--Ho Ho Ho in a Row by Lizzie Kate.  I may actually be ready for Christmas this year.









My last small finish.  I have no idea why Blogger does this...I have tried a dozen times to get this to load correctly!  Anyhow this is May Love by Primitive Hare, one of my new favorite designers.  I made this piece for a contest she held (which I didn't win) but it was fun anyway!

As I am close to 200 followers and I have not done anything like this for a long time, I thought I would have a slightly premature 200-follower giveaway for the sideways pillow here and a few other items as well.  Just leave a comment on this post.  No need to advertise on  your blog, I would just as soon have one of my regular visitors win.




And finally, here is the one slightly larger piece that
has been occupying my time--Raven Bewitched
by Blackbird Designs.  I love the colors in this one,
and the ravens too of course :)

Carol of Carol's Stitching very kindly chose my blog
for the Liebster award which has been making the rounds lately, but as it is about time to rouse the kiddies for school I will have to post about that next time..

**Yikes.  forgot to mention that I will draw a winner for the giveway in about a week on the 21st.  Thanks!***

Three finishes for WIPocalypse update #3

Yes, three finishes.  This is does not mean there will be four finishes for my fourth WIPocalypse update :)  I am still running around like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off during the week, but I do my best to give myself a good case of stitchass on the weekends.  So without further ado, here they are--

Sophie's Sheep (Plum Street Samplers), The Mustard Door (The Goode Huswife) and one actual old WIP, Photobooth Snowmen (Bent Creek).   Please pardon the poor photos.  I took them outside in the garden where the light was better but of course as soon as I picked up the camera the wind started whipping things around. 

The next on the WIP list is Four Diamonds by Chartmakers.  The blurry photo below shows my current progress.  I am hoping to have it done this month but I have to get going on a couple of exchanges.  Thank you all for visiting!

Love & Friendship & Farm Animals

Hello all.  I am trying to post more than my once-a month Wipocalypse report--not an easy task! I envy those of you who manage to do so on a weekly basis...

So here is the farm animal mentioned in the post title--Sophie's Sheep by Plum Street samplers on willow green cashel.  Wrinkled of course, but at least pretty close to being done.  I changed the colors a little to what I had on hand since a run to the LNS to pick up floss was Mission Impossible.

I took part in Lainey's Stitched with Love Exchange--Love and Friendship this round.  A lot of fun as usual.  This is what I sent to Bronwyn in Australia.  The pinkeep is The Trilogy's Happy Heart Heart Day.  Bronwyn says she really enjoyed the Moose Munch!

This is what I received from Fiona.  The adorable pin pillow is by Primitive Betty and the lace is from my favorite, The Victorian Motto Sampler shop.  Thank you Fiona!

This will have to be another short one--gotta run kid #1 to school already.  Until next time...

WIPocalypse Part Two

This will be a very short post.  Now that I actually WANT to stitch, it seems that I have no time. Work. School. Swim team. Scouts. Etc.  I made my wrinkly Photobooth Snowmen my second WIP of the year, but wasn't able to finish in time for the full moon post.  It's disheartening that it takes me so long just to finish teeny pieces.

I did make good on my vow to get cracking on charts that have been sitting untouched in a bin for years--Pink Hill Manor here being one of those.  I love stitching little houses and I (usually) love BBD, so I'm not quite sure why I can't get into the Anniversaries of the Heart series.  Sadly I stalled out on this one, I just got so bored with it .

 I did stitch something for an exchange...which I can't show yet.  And something for a contest...which I don't think I can show yet.  So...a short post but kind of a downer!  I'm blaming my blah mood on winter.  Hopefully I will have more energy next month!

Catching up and my first WIPocalypse 2012 update

Well, I will get the WIPocalypse out of the way first since that will be a quickie.  I started and finished In the Sweet over the weekend--my first WIP success (hopefully not the last, but..).  Here is the before and after.

I am re-starting Secret Pumpkin Patch next.   I have no "before" pics of that one (I am blogging at work again--I am a bad person) but that should also be a quick finish.

Now for the catch-up.  Some time ago (in November of 2011) a Yahoo group to which I belonged announced a fall stitching competition.  No one was supposed to post pictures online prior to the voting on the pieces since voting was to be anonymous.  After several weeks this process finally got off the ground and--my entry was not there.  All that patience expended for nothing, lol.  So here it is--my own semi-original design (with motifs supplied by Jennie Lynn (hope I am spelling her name correctly)  from the Samplermakers group for her Autumn Stitching Challenge.

And here are the promised exchange pictures.  The first I received from Tatyana from the last Blackbird Designs exchange round.

This is the stitched piece from my partner Colleen from the Stitched with Love Winter Wonderland exchange.  Colleen sent tons of other goodies as well (most of which have already been put to use).  Oddly enough, this was the very same pattern that I stitched for my partner in this exchange.   Unfortunately, the pictures of what I sent for both exchanges are on my home computer--the dangers of blogging at work!   I will try to remember them for my next update.  Thank you again Tatyana and Colleen--sorry it has taken me so long to post pictures!

Any finally, some recent stitching that I have not gotten around to showing off.   I won a fantastic de-stash giveaway not too long ago from Danielle of Peace Love and Stitching--many charts that I been eyeing, and some even kitted up!
Danielle had gotten a start on this cute little Shepherd's Bush pincushion so it was a quick finish for me.  Sorry for the blurry picture, this is a teeny thing and I have a difficult time taking pictures of teeny!

 This guy was also part of the giveaway. I wanted this little LHN sheepie from the first moment I saw him.  I am thinking of doing a simple finish  like this as a pincushion without the borders and snow at the bottom.

I've got a few more finishes but I should probably at least pretend to be working for a while.  Until next time...

The WIPocalypse is coming! (and other stuff)

 
Is anyone still out there?  I have been caught in the avalanche of activity that comes upon me from the beginning of November through the end of the year--daughter's birthday, my birthday friends' birthdays, scouting events, Thanksgiving, the general Christmas shopping/festivities insanity, in addition to the extra school and work obligations...so, in short, not a lot of stitching.  Almost none in fact, aside from Christmas ornaments, most of which didn't even get photographed before going off to new homes.

I hope everyone had a good holiday.  We had a very relaxed Christmas (meaning DH's family did not put in an appearance : )) and I have spent the last few days wearing PJ's well into the afternoon, eating cookies and watching past episodes of Doctor Who and American Horror Story..perfect for Christmas...and now, sadly, reality has set in and am back at work. 

I did receive some lovely exchanges--one from the latest BBD round from Tatyana, and one from the Stitched with Love Winter Wonderland exchange from Colleen--but since I am at work the only pictures I have are the ones on my phone, so I will have to share photos next time.

As have many of you, I joined Measi's 2012 WIPocalypse and spent the better part of last evening going through my stash and compiling my list.  I have about 15 WIPs in progress (I always seem to have around 15 in progress, no matter how many I finish)  and dozens of untouched charts, some decades old.  Of the WIPs I picked nine that I am most likely to get finished:
--In the Sweet (La D Da).   Really only a few stitches left so this should be easy.
--Secret Pumpkin Patch (The Trilogy).  Pretty close on this one too.
--Photobooth Snowmen (Bent Creek).  This was going to be an ornie for my friend.  Maybe next Christmas.
--Santa Claws (The Goode Huswife).  I was going to make this for DD.  Again, maybe next Christmas.
--Kindred Spirits (The Primitive Needle).  This has seriously been languishing forever, and there is not a lot to do.
--Snow Garden (Blackbird Designs).  I started this about two years ago I think.  It's a small design what takes me so long??
--Bertie's Stocking (Shepherd's Bush).  Again, about 2-3 years in the making. And almost done.
--Four Diamonds (Carriage House Samplings).  I started this one recently then got sidetracked by Christmas.
--Alphabet Heart.  I don't know the designer--this was a freebie off the web.

My plan (which will soon go awry I'm sure) is to finish one WIP and  one previously unstitched chart per month.  We will see how long that lasts.    I will post my progress next month, along with pics of the exchanges.  Hope everyone has a great new year!

Over already?!, another exchange and another leg on the journey

I am trying not to slip into post-Halloween depression...another 364 days to wait!  Oh well.  It's not like I will stop stitching Halloween.  Speaking of which, we exchangers in the Stitched with Love Fall into Halloween exchange got word that we could post our goodies on our blogs, so...

here is what I received from Christina..the adorable pin pillow is Halloween Pin Garden by Raise the Roof Designs, and she also sent a Halloween banner (which is still in DD's room and probably will be for quite a while), floss, beads, Steweb scissors (which I had coveted forever), the new BBD Halloween chart, spiderweb napkins and Halloween address labels.  To say the least, a great package, thank you again Christina!

This is what I sent to my partner Heather--the pattern is Babs and Boo by Fresher Threads (I think) from the JCS Halloween book, but instead of stitching the little ghost I substituted a pumpkin button.  I included the Lizzie Kate chart, pumpkin candle mat and stuffed pumpkin, mini holiday cookie cutters and recipe cards and a little DMC magnetized needle case. Hopefully Heather likes everything!  

For those LOTR fans who were following my somewhat leisurely walk, I have finally made it the 458 miles from Hobbiton to Rivendell.  I started out strong on this challenge and did pretty well during summer, but once the kids started school...oh well.  I am now off on the next leg of the journey from Rivendell to Lothlorien, 462 miles.   I am hoping to finish by June 1 next year  but we'll see how that goes :0

By the way, I have made it through this holiday once again without getting a good scare..I don't know if it's because I'm jaded or because real life is so much more horrific than anything an author or screenwriter can come up with, but in any event, I am in search of good scary (suspenseful, not gory) movies or books to get me through my Halloween withdrawal.  Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Happy Boo Day, early

I don't know if time will allow for a post tomorrow, so happy Halloween everyone!  Here is my finish-finished Talking Board which now lives with my friend Olga (who was pretty pleased with it) and a design from the JCS Halloween book, Wicked Night by The Primitive Hare. 

I got the idea for the tray from Jane's blog Mamie Jane...she is not a stitcher but repurposes lots of older items and has some great ideas.

 I fell in love with this design the moment I saw it. I did this for my BFF but will stitch another for myself.  Sleepy Hollow is one of my all-time favorite stories.

This is the design I stitched for my partner Grace  for the Seasonal Exchange. It is another one from the JCS Halloween book (which has some fantastic designs in my opinion) called Pumpkin Tree from Plum Street Samplers, done on natural linen with the recommended threads and finished as a pinkeep.  In turn I received this gorgeous flatfold from Grace--a design from The Gift of Stitching Magazine, done on her own hand-dyed fabric.  Thank you again Grace!

I hope everyone has a great Boo Day and thank you for visiting and for all your lovely comments!

A quickie in which fence cat says "o hai"

I always amaze myself when I am able to post twice in two days, but I had a finish last night and time this morning, and that almost never happens.  I'm sure most of you already know but this is Fence Cat's Halloween by Berit of Jaunty Fox Designs, done on Carved Pumpkin linen from Weeks (?) and finished as a pillow.  I can't believe it's a little over a week until my favoite day!