Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Quilting Progress!

I finished the Following Quilt Tops over a sewing weekend with my Aunt:
Jelly Roll Race v1
 This was the first jelly roll Race Quilt Top I ever finished. It was fun but very hard to keep the initial first few seams straight. I think I am going to try another one in the future as I got an extension table for my sewing machine that I LOVE LOVE LOVE.
NOEL -
I actually completed 2 of these Tops. One will be for my Grandmother in Law and one will be for my Mother in Law. Never never again will I make 2 of something.

All in all a productive weekend as I was able to cross 2 things off my to do list!

Happy Stitching!

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

August and September Stitching Updates

Well it has been a long time since I last Updated but I do Have a lot to share! My plan is to get caught up in a few posts. I am going to recommit to my Crafting Blog as I really need it to help me stay on task.

Cross-Stitching:
I have been working heavily on 2 projects:
Brigid's Shamrock
This is a HAED pattern that uses DMC threads and I chose to put it on 18CT AIDA as it is 100% Coverage. The Pciture above was the starting point in July. I worked on this project on 2 summer stitch days sponsored by my LNS and got to this point:
Then I spent concentrated time on the project in August and some of September am at this point currently:
My plan is to get to 1/4 complete before I move to another Focus project for awhile. I have already consumed 5 Skiens of DMC (2 black, 1 each of white, 906 and 907). I also made the grime guard on my Qsnap as well :)

I also worked on Tapestry by Ink Circles.

This is using the called for threads on Autumn by Under the Sea Fabrics on 32ct lugana. this was a true joy to work on but decided to take a break to focus on Brigid's Above.

Finally, I completed the following that was my travel stitching:
I used the called for DMC and a piece of 28ct. evenweave from my stash. It's a Cute Pattern from Lizzie and Kate Called Live Well

The plan for October is to get to the 1/4 point on Brigid'd and move to a Halloween pattern of some sort.

Happy Stitching everyone!







Thursday, August 3, 2017

July Finishes!

So I have completed 2 of the to do items from my last post!
Purple Zig Zag Quilt - Completed June 2017

Pretty Little Barcelona - Satsuma Street with called for DMC on Tarnished Silver by Under the Sea Fabrics
The Purple Zig Zag Quilt just needed the borders added on so I took a Sunday and added a batik from my stash and some Purple Grunge as the borders. I love love love the way it turned out.

Pretty Little Barcelona took longer to stitch than I really wanted it to but I am happy with how it all came out. I had 2 summer stitch days that were sponsored by my LNS Keepsakes and I contemplated bringing this to that but decided to work on a few other projects. I worked on Brigid's Shamrock, some of Cirque des Cercles and started Tapestry by Ink Circles. Tapestry has become my new favorite. I may be replacing it as my goal finish by August 31st.

This weekend is going to be a great one as I am packing up and going to my Aunts for a sewing weekend. I am going to try to finish up some works in Progress including the 2 NOEL projects and maybe even kick out the jelly roll Race if I can. Who Knows what will strike my fancy?

Happy stitching everyone!

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

June Finish

Another finish to Share...Broderie a Paris by Sue Hillis. It was designed as a giveaway for the Stitching Retreat that is organized by my LNS  - Keepsakes in Sharonville, OH.

The Pattern calls for Cranberry and a cream overdyed floss. I am not a huge fan of red so I decided to do mine in my favorite blue color. I love how it turned out.

I am currently working on Pretty Little Barcelona by Satsuma Street. I began it on the plan ride to Seattle for our recent cruise to Alaska. I am getting somewhat bored with it so I may change it up depending on how I feel. My work life has gotten super busy and I am struggling to find the time I want to for crafting. I finally decided to take some days off at the beginning of July to get some control over things. I am also going to use goals to get back on track.

Summer Goals - completed by Aug. 31st
Complete Pretty Little Barcelona
Complete Cirque Des Cercles
Put borders on Purple Zig Zag Quilt
Finish Both NOEL Quilt tops
Finish one Jelly Roll Race Quilt Top
Finish shawl on the needles
Complete 10 Dish Rags
Finish sock pair on the needles
No stash Shopping
Blog once per week

The list is long but I think it is feasible.
Happy Stitching Everyone!



Tuesday, May 2, 2017

No Excuses...but I do have finishes!

I have two finishes from the month of April:
Pretty Little Amsterdam by Satsuma Street on Tarnished Silver by Under the Sea Fabrics with DMC

Happy Stitching by Sue Hillis on Lakeside Buttercream with DMC
Both stitches were a delight!

Happy Stitching Everyone!

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Brief update

Just a quick note to let anyone who reads this blog know I am ok...just hard at work on a variety of crafts that are gifts so I cannot take any pictures quite yet. Currently...I am working on Pillows, a tree skirt update for the holidays, knitting a baby blanket, a pair of socks, and some small stitching. Hopefully I can take pics in the coming week of a few things.

Happy Stitching everyone!

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

WIPocalypse Check-in

The WIPocalypse check-in for February was on the 26th but I am still within the Timeframe in my eyes.  This month I finished Pretty Little Toronto by Satsuma Street.
Other than that, I didn't work on any of my projects. I was able to have 2 other finishes - Celtic Twizzle and Paris.

My Hope for March is that I will have time to work on some other projects and make some noticeable progress :)

The Question for this month is : What is your favorite Stitch besides the standard cross stitch?
Answer: This one was funny for me as I haven't done a lot of Specialty stitches. But I have done variations on the Algerian Eyelet and loved it. This link will take you to the Krenik Website that has some nice diagrams in their How-To Section.

I was going to say half cross stitch as I love the variations in color/texture it gives to a piece but that seemed to be a cop-out.

Happy Stitching Everyone!


Monday, February 27, 2017

Final Feb Finish

I was able to finally finish Pretty Little Toronto by Satsuma Street this past weekend.
I used the called for DMC and Tarnished Silver Fabric from Under the Sea Fabrics. I love all of the Cities patterns but for some reason this one was harder for me finish. It could be because i was in the middle of it when my surgery happened and the recovery has been a pain, Who knows? I haven't decided what my next project will be but I am thinking about working on a WIP.

Happy Stitching Everyone!

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

First Feb Finish!

Since my emergency surgery, I have been sleeping a lot which is an unfortunate side effect of the blood loss I had. I say unfortunate in that it has severely limited my stitching time this month. That being said, I am coming along like gang busters now as things are getting slowly back to normal.

I have my first 2 finishes for February:
1.) Celtic Twizzle by Liz Almond from Just Cross Stitch's Marcc/April 2012 Issue. I used the called for DMC and a scrap piece of evenweave from my stash in 32ct.

2.) I also finished one of the Freebies from my retreat in January: The Theme of the Retreat was April in Paris leaning heavily on Red as the accent color. I decided to change it to Blue as I LOVE blue and that is the color of the Eifel Tower in the finish below. It is 2 over 1 on 25ct. scrap even weave.
From my stitch from my stash - These will help my budget.

Otherwise, I am working on a gender neutral baby blanket for a friend who is pregnant. She wants to be surprised so I am knitting another one in a beige and cream color variety.

More to come in the next few days.

Happy Stitching!

Thursday, February 2, 2017

WIPocalypse Jan Check-in!

The January Check-in for the WIPocalypse SAL check-in was on January 29th. I was unable to check-in that day as I was just released from the hospital after emergency surgery. Needless to say, I was super tired and really didn't have the gumption to get online. That being said I am on the mend and Checking in only a few days late.

The topic for this month is: What Stitch-a-Longs (SALs) are you participating in this year?
The only SALs that I am participating in this year is this one and the Smalls SAL where we stitch 1 thing that is small every month. I am intrigued with other SAL's but have not jumped into that pool yet.

Now for the Progress on my list thus far (I do not have very many WIPs so some of these are will be new starts):
Cirque Des Cercles - Started but not pic
Cirque Des Carreaux - not started
Pretty Little Toronto - Focus piece. Here was my start after the stitching retreat weekend.


Pretty Little Toronto - Called for DMC on 32ct. Tarnished Silver UTS
Noah's Submarine - not started
Pinocchio - Did not work on but here is where I left it the last time I worked on it
Santa and Westie Stocking - did not work on it.
The ABC's of Family -  did not work on it but here is it's progress

 Snowman ornaments - did not work on these but I think I am going to use them for the Smalls SAL to get them done this year and finally off this list for good.
Brigid's Shamrock - Worked a little on this. Need some good downtime to work on this as it is a large project. - over a yard of fabric.
All in all, with the surgery involved, a lot of good stitching was done.

The focus for the rest of this month is Toronto and a small.

Happy Stitching Everyone!


Friday, January 27, 2017

Stitch from Stash 2017A - Jan

Here is my Stitch from Stash record for January 2017!
 
 
January 2017
Budget: $10.00
Purchases: minus the Christmas money I used at the retreat $22.34
Credits for Finishes: 
     Football (2.00 size + 1.00 beading) $3.00 + 
     Metamorphosis $17.00 + 
     I Love MN and OH $4.00 = $24.00
Carryover to Feb Budget: 
     $10.00 + $24.00 - $22.34 = $11.64
 
Happy Stitching Everyone!

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Finish #4

As the last few football games were on last weekend I decided to work on a kit that had been in my stash.

It's a small Mill Hill Kit of a Football. The Project was super easy once I got the hang of beading again. I will make it into a magnet once I get some glue to put the magnet provided on the back.

I will check back in tomorrow with my Stitch from Stash update.

Happy Stitching Everyone!

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Finish #2 missing.

I just realized I never posted my second finish on here. It is the pair to "I love MN" - "I Love OH".
Happy Stitching!!!

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Finish #3

This past weekend was the Stitching retreat sponsored by my LNS. It was held at a local state park Lodge from Wednesday through Sunday. The Theme this year was a weekend in Paris. Sue Hillis of Sue Hillis Designs was the designer in residence for the retreat. She spoke of her start, designing process, and some of the issues she sees today impacting pattern design.  There were over 90 women in attendance.

I did get a lot accomplished during my time there. First, I worked some on Brigid's Shamrock from HAED.
I have almost completed a page. it is hard to see but the White section between the Right most Black vertical line and the knot is filled in with White. So That took some time.

I also worked on "Metamorphosis" by Ink Circles. This is where I stopped at the retreat.
I am using Picture this Plus 32 count Linen in the color Wren. I am using the called for Gentle Arts Sampler Threads And Simply Shaker Threads except I swapped out the Uniform Blue with Midnight and the Picnic Basket with Onyx. I continued to work on it when I got home on Sunday and finished it on Monday.
I also worked on Ink Circles - Cirque Des Cercles but only finished about 300 stitches. I also forgot to take a Picture of my Progress.
My Final Start this weekend was Pretty Little Toronto by Satsuma Street on Tarnished Silver from Under the Sea Fabrics.

All in All a very Productive weekend. Now it is back to the daily grind of Work :(

Happy Stitching Everyone!


Friday, January 6, 2017

I finished 2 dishrags since the start of the year. They were completed on my road trip to see my inlaws as they were for my MIL. They were made with Knitpicks - Dishie Yarn and the called for needles for guage but the pattern is something I made up as I was knitting.


The Colors are ones that she requested as she redecorated her kitchen. She is also the one who taught me how to knit and can't knit right now herself due to arthritis.

Happy Stitching everyone!

Thursday, January 5, 2017

First Finish - 2017

First finish of 2017 - I Love MN
All of the Floss (Dinky Dyes and WDW), Pattern, and Evenweave came from my stash. The pattern is a Lindy Jane Design's Inc pattern from 1998 and I think I got it at least 10 years ago. I have one for Ohio too that I am stitching up as well. It is interesting that the pattern is stamped with Erica Michaels as well. Not sure the story behind that but I noted it in my journal for records.

I have also started "Happy Stitching" by Sue Hillis Designs - she is the designer attending my retreat next week :) Here is my progress pic thus far.


All in All a good stitching start to the year. I also haven't spent anything in 5 days so that is good as well.

Happy Stitching everyone

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

2017 - WIPocalypse Check-in

This is the initial 2017 WIPocalypse Check-in. Each month we are to check-in with our progress on certain stitchy projects. I will be updating the Side bar to the left with my projects as I work through them. The prompt for this month is to introduce ourselves, our projects, and any goals we have for ourselves.

My Name is Katie. I am a mechanical engineer by training with a Ph.D. in my field. I continue to work as an engineer by day and craft when I get the chance at night. I am married but have not been blessed with children at this time so that does give me more time to craft :). My dear husband is very good at putting up with my crafting addiction and loves to see what I can create.

As for my Stitchy goals for this year, I would like to be better at check-ins for WIPocalypse 2017. The projects that I want to work on are half new starts and half WIPs.

New starts:
Cirque des Cercles
Cirque Des Carreaux
Toronto of the Pretty little Cities series
Noah's Submarine
USA - Thea Gouverneur

WIPs:
Pinocchio - When you wish upon a star
Santa and Westie Stocking
The ABC's of Family
Snowman Ornaments
Brigid's Shamrock - HAED - 3 pages for the year or more complete

I also have goals of only stitching from my stash except for the 10.00 budget I have given myself.

Let's hope this works out to accomplishing a lot!

Happy Stitching!

Plans for 2017

I spent the New Year in MN with my dear husbands family and while I was relaxing I spent some time thinking about my plans for 2017. I put my overall crafting goals on a Tab in the top toolbar labeled 2017 goals. They can also be found below:

2017 Crafting Goals
Stash:

  • Spend no more than $10.00 US per month on Stash of any kind
  • Catalog all yarn on Ravelry
Overall:
  • Make a catalog of completed Projects
  • Keep track of time spent on Crafting
  • Start Christmas gifts early
Yarn:
  • Complete 2 hats
  • Complete 3 pairs of socks
  • Complete 2 shawls
  • Make 2 more feet of progress on my Brother's Blanket
  • knit 20 dishrags
  • Baby Quilts as Needed
Cross Stitch:
  • Complete 3 total pages on Brigid's Shamrock
  • Complete 4 cities
  • Start Noah's Submarine
  • Ornaments for the Family
  • Stockings for the husband And I
Quilt
  • 2 quilting weekends with my Aunts
  • 5 quilt tops
  • Finish aprons
I also wanted to think through the plans for Stitch-a-long's, Quilt-a-alongs, etc.
My plan is to keep up with the Small's SAL and do my best to keep up with the WIPocalypse SAL as well. I was not the best at these in 2016 but I plan to do better in 2017.