More finishes!

I have some more finishes! The last 2 pieces of the nativity pieces have backstitch completed. They were the last pieces of a Janlynn Kit.

 

I also finished the last 2 pieces of the Flower Cards :

 

Happy Stitching Everyone!

Another finish ?!?!?!?!?!?!

I was able to Finish a Small Lizzie and Kate Design this week as well:

Lizzie and Kate - Forgive quickly, Kiss Slowly - scrap evenweave and gentle arts floss from my stash in claret.

I love love love this one.

Happy stitching everyone!

Some more finishes

I was able to finish a few more small stitching things over this holiday weekend as well:

mug ornament - number 5

mug ornament - number 6

Happy stitching!

An Early Christmas Gift

So every year I make my grandmother something hand made for her birthday and Christmas. Most of the time the gifts are combined as they are both in the month of December. Last year I made her a Quilt and a shawl. This year it was a little smaller in that I made her a tote bag and a key fob. To be honest, I was panicking this year. I had this great plan for a tote bag and an infinity scarf but time totally got away from me. Here is the tote bag.

 Americana tote bag back

Americana Tote bag front

Americana tote bag internal  - 2 pocket side

Americana tote bag internal - 3 pocket side.

This is the first bag I have made myself and I am quite proud. The pattern I used was the Twister tote by Around the Bobbin. This was the easy tote secondary pattern. I will try the twister one of these days. I used some fabrics I had in my stash. The cream was a random fat quarter. The solid navy was left over from the plus sign quilt. The 2 batik's were from a shopping excursion some time last year to the Fabric Shack in Waynesville, OH. I love that store.

Happy stitching everyone!

A finish?

So in the middle of work and Thankgiving prep madness I was able to finish a few small items:

Fabric Box - Scrap fabric and interfacing

 I was also able to finish a few Christmas ornaments from a JanLynn Kit. I had started the one mug as a part of the January challenge that I took part in and they spoke to me to finish this month. 4 of the 6 are completed as you can see below and I only have backstitching to complete on the other 2.

Now I just need to find time to make them all into ornaments for a tree. Hopefully, I can find time between now and the holidays.

Happy Stitching everyone!

Yearly goals check-in:

Every year I try to set yearly goals for myself. Here is where I stand on the goals I set for 2015:

Overall: 
1.) Stitch from my stash on all types of crafting - Complete
2.) Complete my craft room - Complete
3.) inventory patterns and kits 
4.) Work on something new (either a start or a WIP) on any crafting every day from Christmas to january 25th - (i had to adjust the days due to a work trip) - to honor Deborah Faris Bryant - Complete



Yarn: 
1.) Complete 4 baby blankets - 1 is spoken for and 3 more (boy, girl, and neutral) to have in reserve. - 3/4 complete -Purple, Fruit salad and Sand are complete.
2.) Learn to knit socks
3.) knit a pair of socks for my hubby
4.) Complete 2 hats for friends
5.) Complete 4 ft on my brothers blanket - 1/2 complete - 2 feet complete
6.) Complete 18 dishrags ( I need to get my reserve of this type of yarn down) - Complete
7.) Complete hitchhiker and 2 more shawls/wraps - 2/3 - hitchhiker and Trillain complete
Stitching:
1.) Complete ABC's of Family
2.) Start Brigid's Shamrock and Noah's submarine
3.) Complete 12 ornaments - 6/12 complete - 2 noel, 2 st. charles, 1 ink circles, and 1 Let it snow 
4.) Complete 4 other larger projects including the Santa from H*ll - 3/4 - Santa's Office Complete, Snowman Stocking #1, and Snowman Stocking #2
Sewing/Quilting:
1.) Learn Free Motion Quilting
2.) Complete 3 quilt tops - (1 is already spoken for) - 2/3 - Completed Batik Bricks, Plus quilt
3.) Bind my first quilt - Complete
4.) Complete purple quilt for my aunt. - Complete

As we are getting closer to the end of 2015 I try to take stock in accomplishments and plan for the upcoming year. I can see from the untouched items on the list...I may need to focus on taking a few classes in the upcoming year - knitting socks and free motion quilting.

I can also see that I want to take some targeted time every day to do something crafty. I am totally energized after my weekend in Phoenix but also very aware that planning is needed to get things done. I am going to spend the rest of this year finishing some Christmas gifts and a few other to do items.

Happy stitching everyone!  

Early Nov. Finishes

So I have been spending time on the Cover picture from the Just Cross Stitch Issue from December 2015.

                                                      

This is my starting pic:

I also spent some time with my aunt in Phoenix, AZ. She is an Experienced quilter and sewer. We made a few things so I will shares those pics over the next 2 posts.

Key Fobs - Scrap Fabric

Christmas Wall Hanging - Scraps

Autumn Star Quilt my aunt had in her stash

We also went to a few stores in the Phoenix area including the 3 Dudes Quilting shop. I saw one of the more entertaining figures outside of their shop:

I made sure to send it to my father and Dear husband as my mom was also on the trip. Their response..."oh Heck no...we would be with you all the way!" Nothing like support.

Happy Stitching everyone!

SFS 2015B Check-in - October

It's that time again:

Month: October
Carryover from September: $85.00
Budget from this month: $25.00
Spent: $45.00 -- 1 half yard piece of Under the sea fabrics color - Marauder's Map
Earned: $40.00
Carryover to November: $105.00



Earned Calculation:
Stocking - 150W X 224H
5 ornies:
   Let it Snow - $2.00,
   Log cabin Quilt Block - $6.00,
   Star ornie - $2.00,
   2 gingerbread people - $12.00

Materials consumed this month:
1.) All ornies were left over floss from other project and scrap fabric.
2.) Completed the Cowl so that consumed 3 skiens of yarn ~ 450 yds.
3.) The stocking was for a friend so those materials were all bought for me.

All in all it was a productive month.

This month's goal is to enjoy my trip to see my quilting Aunt and get caught up on some larger projects.

Happy stiching everyone!

Another ornament finish!

Here is another finish from the Just Crossstich Ornament special from 2015

Ornament - Gracewood studios - leftover linen and DMC

Happy stitching everyone!

2 ornie finishes!

I was able to complete 1 ornaments from the Just Cross Stitch ornament special issue for 2015. you can see it below:

Ornie #6 - Just Cross Stitch - Scrap floss and Linen

Now back to my work trip! Happy stitching everyone!

Finally a Finish! or Two!

I finally had some solid stitching time recently and had a finish...or two...or three! First, I finished a small Christmas ornament from the Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue.

"Let it Snow" ornament - scrap Linen & Floss

I also finished an infinity scarf using some Knit Picks Galileo yarn I got for my birthday over a year ago. I made the pattern up as I went but really love how it turned out.

Infinity Scarf - Knit Picks Galileo yarn - Size 7 needles

Finally, the BIG finish. I completed the Christmas Stocking I had been working on for a friend. It was the partner for the one I finished earlier this year.

I really love this design and it was a rather large finish for me (150W x 224H). I am now working on more Christmas ornaments. Hopefully I can finish 5 or 6 more this month.

Happy Stitching!

SFS 2015B Check-in - September

It's that time of year again for Stitch from my Stash - Part B Check-in:

Month: September
Carryover from August: $60.00
Budget: $25.00
Spent: $0.00
Earned: $0.00
Carryover to October: $85.00

The only purchase I made this month was to buy another leather thimble for my fingers. I spent time on three main projects this month:
1.) The stocking for a friend
2.) The cowl for myself
3.) The back stitching on some ornaments stiched on plastic.

The impromptu work trips are causing some issues with time but I am trying to find projects that I can travel with on planes.

I will have a check-in on things in the next day or two.

Happy stitching everyone!

So More Progress!

Just wanted to drop a quick note to show progress on the other stocking and cowl I have been working on.

Cowl - Galileo yarn by Knitpicks- pattern is my design

Stocking

The goal is to have both completed soon but I am really getting the hankering to start something new too. :(

Happy stitching everyone!

Progress!

Well...I had hoped to have more to show but with three impromptu work trips back to back, I am just glad I took pics.

First, the Batik Bricks quilt is complete.

I love the full backing I splurged for at the long armer as well has how great the square quilting pattern plays off the bricks top.

I also have been working on another stocking.

This picture was from about 10 days ago so I will take another pic after this weekend to show progress.

the plans for this weekend are the work on the stocking!

Happy stitching!

Monthly Goals: September 2015

My goals for the MOnth of August were as follows -

August 2015 Goals:
1.) Craft from my stash - COMPLETE
2.) Finish 2 other dish rags - COMPLETE - pics to come when I get my camera situation figured out.
3.) complete baby quilt for my best friend - COMPLETE and sent to her

4.) Complete knitting baby blanket for her baby as well - FAIL - didn't even start. I had an impromptu work trip that came up in the middle of the week that
5.) Finish 4 full pages of "one Nation" - completed 3.5, then I got bored in the stars section so I moved onto a new project.

September 2015 Goals:
1.) Blog more
2.) Start my craft inventory
3.) Complete my new project
4.) Complete the binding on the Batik Bricks quilt and give to my cousin
5.) Work on "99"
6.) Finish at least 4 Christmas Ornaments.


I also hemmed some curtains for my mom.

Now I am actually off of work today through Monday (which is a holiday for most companies in teh US) so this will be a Big week for crafting for me.

Happy stitching everyone!

Stitch from my Stash 2015 part B - August 2015

It's time for Stitch from my Stash Check-in for August 2015. I wish I had pictures but my camera and phone died within 24 hours of one another and I am working to get that solved. But here is my progress for the month:

Month: August Spent: $0.00 Earned: $0.00 
Carryover from July: $35.00
Carryover to September: $60.00

I should be able to post pics too.

Happy stitching everyone!

 

August 2015 Crafting Goals

So I finally got my travel schedule defined and could finalize by Crafting goals:

August 2015 Goals:
1.) Craft from my stash
2.) Finish 2 other dish rags
3.) complete baby quilt for my best friend
4.) Complete knitting baby blanket for her baby as well
5.) Finish 4 full pages of "one Nation"

Happy stitching everyone!

July Goals check-in

So this is most likely going to be a catch all post to make sure that I have covered the progress that I have made in July 2015. My goals for July can be found below with my progress following them:

July 2015 Goals 1.) Stitch from My Stash: really craft from my stash period - COMPLETE - spent zero 2.) Blog at least 5 times - COMPLETE - by the skin of my teeth 3.) Complete Batik Brick quilt top and get it to the longarmer - COMPLETE 4.) Get fabric picked for A&P wedding quilt and ET baby Quilt 5.) Complete in progress shawl and Cowl - Shawl COMPLETE - Cowl In Progress 6.) Complete 4 ornaments - completed 1/4 - FAIL 7.) Complete Stocking and give to Friend - COMPLETE 8.) Work on 2 other stitching WIP - I am not sure how to categorize this one as I have pics to show of 99 and of a new start but I don't have proof of the 100 or so stitches that I put in Naomi's Blackwork at the all day Stitch-in. I am going to call this COMPLETE for now.

As for August Goals - I am still working through those as I am finalizing my travel schedule from my day job.

So here is where 99 ended up - 3 more completed shelves for a total of 6 and only 3 more to go.

I have also been working on the following pattern that I started at the Stitch-in:

And here is the progress thus far:

The Ecru color is very hard to see in the light and it leading me to think that I may want to change it out for another color. White did not look any better. But of the 8 pages of pattern I have completed 1.5.

Happy stitching everyone!

 

Stitch from Stash-B Check-in

I have decided to take part in Stitch from my Stash Part B for 2015. July is the first month posted for the 2nd half of the year.

Month: July
Spent: $0.00
Earned: $10.00 (completed 1 stocking and christmas ornament)

Stash Used this month:

• Whole kit for the stocking
• scrap piece of linen
• scrap DMC
• 400 yds of yarn - trillian shawlette
• 1 whole layer cake - Batik Bricks top

I just realized that I have not kept as great of track of that as I should have for the first half of the year but I am going to give it a go now:

Stash Used during SFS 2015A
Yarn:

• 400 yds - trillian shawlette
• 4344 yds - 3 baby blankets (sand, Fruit Salad, Purple)
• 2100 yds - 21 dishrags
• 350 yds - Hitchhiker shawletter

Fabric

• Batik Bricks - 1 layer cake
• Bee's Purple Quilt - 6 yds - all stash
• Trivets - 1 charm pack and 1 fat quarter
• Christmas Table Runner - 1 Charm pack and 0.5 yds backing
• Zig Zag table runner - 1.5 yds
• Barcelona Quilt - 1 layer cake and 4 yds

Cross Stitch:

• Stocking - 1 full kit (14x 16 Aida, floss)
• Santa's Office - 15x18 AIDA and DMC floss
• 4 ornaments - 4 scrap pieces of fabric and scrap floss

Not bad for half a year!!! Now to get back to it. Happy stitching Everyone!

Ink Circles "99" Progress Update

I have been spending a lot of time on Ink Circles - "99" recently. I realized that my picture was slightly blurry but decided to post the picture anyways.

Ink Circles - "99", 36 ct. Cream linen called for DMC

I work on this one in three shelf increments so these are the middle three shelves. The hope is that I can get through them in the next few nights.

I also went to my first stitch-in sponsored by my local stitching store "Keepsakes." It was a single day and a great event. I met a lot of great women with common interests. There is a weekend event that happens in January that I hope to attend.

Happy Stitching Everyone!

Batik Quilt Top Complete!

Seems like this week has been a banner one for finishes! I have completed the Batik Bricks Quilt  top for my cousin. My intent is to take it to the long armer as soon as possible.

Batik Brick Quilt top - Completed 7/8/2015

I can't wait to call this one complete. I can also count the fabric as used as soon as I take it to the long armer.

I also decided to make a pillow or two to match the Barcelona quilt top that I made last year. Here is my start to that.

Barcelona pillow starts

Well ...It's time to determine my plan for the weekend.

Happy Stitching Everyone!

Christmas Stocking Complete!

I was asked by a close friend to make Christmas Stockings for her and her husband. Below you can see the completed stocking. I have to finish hers as well. She provided all the materials. I just need to stitch them.

 

 

 

Snowman Stocking - completed 7/5/2015

After I completed this stocking, I made a Christmas ornament. Since I am crazy I have an in process pic but not a finished one.

Ink Circles Christmas Ornament Pattern - Just Cross Stitch Christmas Issue preview July 2015

I used DMC floss scraps and changed the colors to be more vibrant as this is a gift for someone who loves those type of colors. I now decided to put "99" back on the Q-Snaps. I am going to concentrate on that for the next 2 weeks at least.

Happy Stitching!

Trillian Shawlette complete!

I have a finish to share of the knitting kind! I completed the Trillian Shawlette, pattern by Martina Behm, on July 4th. I still need to weave in the ends and block the whole thing but its still a finish. I have been using this as my car knitting project. I finished it in about 40 hours as that is how long I spent on it in the car.

The shawl is about 4.5 feet long and about 18 inches wide on its widest. I made it on size 6 needles and used a colorway of yarn by Interlacements. I can't remember the colorway as I misplaced the card after I wound the skien into a yarn cake.

Happy Stitching everyone!

Monthly Goals Check-in: June 2015

Here were my monthly goals for June 2015 and where I netted out:

June 2015 Goals:
1.) Post at least 4 times this month - FAIL
2.) Get caught up on posts of finishes- COMPLETE
3.) Complete Cross- stitch of Stocking for a friend - FAIL
4.) Get Batik Bricks quilt to Long armer prior to vacation (That means finishing piecing the top too) - FAIL
5.) Complete 4 Christmas ornaments (These are great car trip tasks) - FAIL
6.) Finish gender neutral baby blanket and post about it- COMPLETE
7.) Tuck in all the ends on knitting projects (It is my least favorite thing to do so I need to make it a goal to get it done.- COMPLETE

With the impromptu out of state Funeral, I am considering the ~43% completion rate a success. I am about an hour or 2 away from completing the Christmas Stocking for my friend and will complete the Batik bricks quilt this weekend. So where do I go from here...

July 2015 Goals:
1.) Stitch from My Stash: really craft from my stash period
2.) Blog at least 5 times
3.) Complete Batik Brick quilt top and get it to the longarmer
4.) Get fabric picked for A&P wedding quilt and ET baby Quilt
5.) Complete in progress shawl and Cowl
6.) Complete 4 ornaments
7.) Complete Stocking and give to Friend
8.) Work on 2 other stitching WIP

Happy Stitching Everyone! 

SFS A Check-in June 2015

Here is my Check in for June for SFS 2015-A:

Month: June
Spent: $0.00
Earned: $0.00
Complete Budget saved for part A: $170.00 (May Carryover 145 + 25 from this months budget)

I am actually extremely proud of myself from a budget perspective this year. 

Concerns: I am not necessarily stitching at the rate that I have in the past. Possible causes could be stress from the daily Job, More travel than was expected due to that Job, a death in DH family and a vacation but I have high hopes for the tail end of this year.

There was a glimmer of hope this past month: While I was not planning on having a week long road trip for an out of state funeral in the middle of it, I made progress on a new shawl and am about an hour of backstitching away from completing the Christmas Stocking for a friend. I hope to have pics by the beginning of next week.

I also signed up for SFS 2015-B. The budget has really kept me in check with goals and helped me explore the beauty of my stash in general.

Happy stitching everyone!

Knitting Finishes!

Due to an unexpected death in the DH's family, I was out of town for most of last week and couldn't post. Luckily enough, I was able to craft while I was in the car and I wanted to post about them before I left on vacation tomorrow in the early morning. I completed 2 baby blankets: one "Fruit salad" that I referenced in an earlier post and one Neutrals "sand" for a baby of unknown gender. The colors of "sand" match the baby's room perfectly.

 

 

 

Completed "Fruit Salad"

Completed "Sand"

Fruit Salad was completed in late May 2015 and Sand was completed yesterday 6/10/2015. I also finally tucked in all the ends of my dishrags. Here they are all folded up:

There were 21 total but we took 3 of them when we traveled for the funeral. My DH's family loves them. Well I am off to pack, decide what crafty items I am taking for the road trip.

Happy stitching everyone!