October Roundup and November Goals

I wanted to Drop a line on Progress from my October Goals and layout my goals for November.
At the beginning of the month I planned to:

October 2016 Monthly Goals:

1. No craft stash shopping - SUCCESS
2. Blog once per week - FAIL - I should have known as I went to Las Vegas for Vacation from the 21-26.
3. Finish a dish rag a week - SUCCESS - See Below
4. Complete Pretty Little Italy - SUCCESS
5. Finish Purple Zig Zag Quilt top - FAIL - I decided it was more important to get my cross stitch pumpkin done. (see Below)
6. Start ornaments for the holidays. - SUCCESS - but I forgot Pictures :(

Dish Rags:

I am now up to 8 for the year but I have not even begun to make a dent in my dishrag yarn. I have decided that this will be a goal of my upcoming year. I think I may make it a yardage goal but more to come.

Cross-Eyed Cricket Patterned Pumpkin:

I used the called for DMC and a lighter 28ct which all came from my stash. Evenweave than the model on the chart and the one in my LNS. It was a delightful stitch and went much faster than I thought it would.

I was also able to take 3 quilts to the longarmers and 3 pieces to my LNS to get framed (they were having one of their twice yearly sales).

As for November, here is what I have on tap:

November 2016 Monthly Goals:

1. No Stash or Fabric Shopping
2. Blog once per Week
3. Finish 4 more dishrags
4. Complete 4 ornaments
5. Bind quilts for Niece and Nephew.

Hopefully not too stretching.

Happy Stitching everyone!!!!!

Our House

I have a finish! I was working on Lizzie & Kate's "Our House" as my travel stitch and I finished it a week ago. I haven't been able to take a pic until now.

I can't remember the Fabric except that it is Weeks Dye Works (I think?). For some reason, on this stitch, I frogged a lot. I kept getting off on the placement of some of the letters. I do really like how it turned out and I will be taking it to the framers soon. I have just the place to hang this one. :) I am also almost done with Pretty Little Italy. Hopefully I will have a pic to post by Monday.

I also finished a baby blanket this past week but gave it away before I took a pic. I need to get ahead of the baby blankets in the next few months or I am not setting myself up for success for next year.

Happy Stitching Everyone!

September WIPocalypse Check-in

Well, I spaced totally on the August Check-in but am not on a plane for this one! The topic is to talk about a Journey with a stitching Piece. And of course to show progress on projects from my list. I haven't really worked on anything from my project list. So nothing to show in that respect.

The piece I want to talk about from my Journey of Stitching is the one as follows:

It was the first significant one project that I completed for a gift and the first with a lot color shading. It also had a lot of personal significance due to the subject matter. The work was a gift for my Father-in-Law that did 2 tours of duty in Vietnam as a medic for the 101st Airborne. It gave me a range of emotions in both my proficiency in stitching and subject matter.

Pretty Little Paris Complete!

So I have been stitching even if I haven't been so great about posting.  I finished another Pretty Little City ---- PARIS!

I used the called for DMC and Tarnished silver Evenweave from Under The Sea Fabrics!

I am taking the next month to organize myself (including inventory all patterns and fabric, yarn, floss, etc.) I am also evaluating all of my Goals for the year as I am not sure I have set myself up well.

More to come on Quilting finishes as I have a top complete and A quilting weekend with my aunt coming up.!

Happy Stitching Everyone!

June 2016 WIPocalypse Check-in

I realize that it has been a very long time since I checked in for WIPocalypse. As a matter a fact, January was the last Check-in for me. In that time, I realize how important monthly goals and check-in's like these keep me on task and productive. So I am going to use this time to get caught up on what I have done stitching wise and the always delightful questions:

February 2016
Question: If you have any of your pieces on display in your home which attracts the most plaudits?
Answer: I do have a few things hanging in my house. The one that always attracts attention is the ABC's of Food.

ABC's of Food

I think it captures the attention because it is in my Kitchen which is always where people come first.
February Stitching: Completed Pretty Little Washington DC

March 2016
Question:  Do you use hoops, stretcher bars, lap stands or Q snap frames and why?
Answer: I typically use Q-snaps unless they are small ornaments pieces where I use a small Hoop. The Q-snaps are light and easy to hold. The hoops are as well. I tried a lap stand in the past and I felt very hunched over while using is.

March stitching: Completed Pretty Little Chicago

April 2016
Question: What do you listen to while stitching?
Answer: This is a funny one. It is rare that I listen to any music or any books. If I do Listen to music it is typically musical theater casts albums, rock or country music so I can sing along. My favorite thing to do while stitching is to catch up on my TV shows that are recorded on my DVR - in the summer that is usually reruns of Criminal minds, CSI New York, NCIS franchises or Law and Order Franchises. I think I have seen everyone so I don't watch I just listen for background noise.  I also watch movies I have DVR-ed. 

April Stitching: Completed Pretty Little New York

May 2016
Question: What were you stitching this time last year and have you finished it?
Answer: I was working on a cross stitch stocking for a friend and it is definitely completed. I finished 2 of them last year.

May Stitching: A big Fat Nothing.

June 2016
Question: Do you find yourself more productive with stitching in summer or winter?
Answer: In General, I am more productive in the winter. This spring and summer are especially rough as I am traveling a lot for my day job and have not found to balance quite yet to be crafting a lot. There are some changes in the day job that I hope will help but they will not be happening until August 1st. I am going to just keep trucking until told otherwise on my crafting.

June Stitching: I am currently working on the last 33 bottles for Ink Circles "99". My hope is to have it completed by the end of the week. The rest of my finishes can be seen here and here.

January 2016 WIPocalypse Check-in

I am also a few days late for the WIPocalypse (sponsored by the wonderful Measi) Check-in but I do have a finish to show: ONE NATION is complete!!!!!!!

There is an interesting story to go along with this one. My Dear husband chose this pattern for me when we stopped at a stitching store in Osage, IA on the way to MN for his grandfather's funeral called The Stitchery Nook. It was our anniversary and my husband wanted to make sure that I had a special experience as we both knew the week was going to painful. the pattern choice was easy because with the military history of both of our respective families we tend to gravitate to something patriotic like this. I used the called for DMC and some linen from Picture this Plus. I would have probably chosen a different color than Ecru but It does have a great antique feeling.

I started stitching on this pattern at a stitching day sponsored by my local needlework store Keepsakes in July. They are also the sponsor of the stitching retreat that I took part in over Martin Luther King weekend which is where I finished the pattern.  It was very fitting to have that happen for me. Also, I was one of three women who were working on this pattern at the retreat. In july, there was a women who kept commenting on my working on this and she was one of the others working on it at the retreat. But the cool part is that a few groups are going to start it as a stitchalong which was fun. I can say I was a trendsetter.

Now for the WIPocalypse question of the month!
Topic: Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!
 HI! My Name is Katie. I am 35 and live in Cincinnati, OH. I am an engineer where I have my Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. I am married with no children as of yet. I refer to myself as crafty and creative as I love to Crosscstitch, knit, Quilt, and Crochet.

I tend to collect somewhere between 5-10 WIPs over each year but my goal is to get more things stitched this year. My projects for this stitchalong are at the left. With One Nation down, I am thinking "99" may be the next one on the frame. I do plan on working what I want and not be kept to specific goals. I do have the cities pattern by Satsuma street that are also calling to me. We shall see.

My yearly goals for all crafts are in the tab at the top!

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!

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!

Brick Quilt in Progress

Just a quick of a Quilt that is in Progress for my cousin Andy. The risk has been the fabric and pattern choice being masculine enough.

Brick Quilt in progress - Batik Layer Cake (RJR Fabrics)

Hopefully he likes it.

Happy stitching everyone!

Cross Stitch update

In between traveling and family visits I was bale to finish Santa's office as I mentioned in a previous post:

Santa's office by Joan Elliot - Floss and fabric as designed

I was also able to finish the outline of the 2 Christmas ornaments that I have been working on:

NOEL ornaments

I am now working on one of 2 stockings for a friend that have been interesting.

I should have some progress pics in the next few days.

Happy Stitching!

WIPocalypse Check-in: February 2015

Happy Wednesday everyone! It's time for the next check-in for WIPocalypse. I was able to work on three of the projects that are on the list on the left side of this page.

1.) Santa's Office - This was a new start for me over the holidays that I had kitted up for over a year.  Between the initial check-in and now, I added some more stitching to his bag(about 100 stitches) but of Course I forgot to take an updated picture :( here is where he was on the January check-in.

 

2.) 99 - this was a new start since the January Check-in. I took 2 progress pics:

99 - After 1 hour of stitching

99 - progress as of January 16th

I still have this one on the frames and will continue to work it until the first three shelves are completed.

3.) Flower cards - These have been a WIP for going on 2 years. I have decided that this is the year that they get completed as I am tired of knowing they are 3/4's completed. When I checked-in for January, they were here:

Flower cards - Susan Bates  - January Check-in

I have spent some solid time on these and finished the 4 that were almost completely stitched (including Backstitch) and continued working on the other 2.

I feel like I made some great progress on some WIPs.

Happy Stitching Everyone!

 

January Finishes!

I figured it would be nice for me to summarize the finishes I completed in January!

Baby Blanket

Hitchiker Shawlette

I also finished 11 dishrags! Since they are all pictured separately, you will need to look at older posts for that. I also completed 2 new ornaments and finished the NOEL ornament.

Finally, I finished 1 Christmas Table Runner:

All in all, a great month!
February will be all about finishing my craft room! posts will be forthcoming!

Happy Stitching Everyone!

Smalls SAL - January 2015 Check-in

I am taking part in the Smalls Stitch-A-Long hosted by Stitching Lotus. This month I worked on 2 Christmas ornaments. They are the same pattern - St. Charles by Ink Circles I tried a few variations in Linen and Floss. I love how quick this stitch is and how every single time it looks a little different.

Purple & Teal - St. Charles by Ink Circles

Candy Cane - St. Charles by Ink Circles

This weekend I have a few things to finish and hopefully some work on my Turtle Trot Pieces.

Happy Stitching everyone!

30 days of "Starts" - Final Check in

I have come to the end of my 30 Days of "Starts" in honor of Debbie Faris Bryant (SoCal Debbie). Many members of Blog Land are taking part in the Crazy January Challenge where they start some new cross stitch every day for 30 days starting January 1. I knew that I had a work trip planned for later this week so I wanted to start my 30 days on Christmas this year. I was also was allowing myself to work on WIPs in any crafting genre that I take part in whether it be Knitting, Crochet, Cross Stitch, and/or quilting.

1/13: Snowman w/sleigh - again from the Herrschners kit.

Snowman w/sleigh
Herrschners Ornament Kit

1/14: Snowman w/Dog - again from the Herrschners kit.

Snowman w/dog
Herrschners Ornament Kit

1/15: Dish Rag - Block #6 - Pointed Arrow

Pointed Arrow Block - Lily's Sugar and Cream Yarn

1/16: "99" by Ink Circles - I realized late in the game the pictures I took of this one disappeared from the first day so I only have a progress pic from last night. That means this is progress from about 7 days...not just one. This one is for my DH's man cave so I am trying to get it dome sometime this year.

99 - Ink Circles
Called for DMC on Cream Linen

1/17: Bear Ornament - This is great traveling stitching. I got 5 of these small kits a few years ago and am finally taking the time to stitch them. The Bear is first and he is going to be Cute. The finishing on this one will be interesting as I need to make it into a 3D tube. (insert face palm here) I will make sure to take pictures as I finish them.

Bear ornament - Dimensions Kit

1/18 : NOEL ornament Finish - This one needed a few cross stitches and all of the back stitch. I think it came out Amazing!

NOEL ornament
Scrap Piece of fabric
My choice in DMC floss

1/19: Purple Zig Zag Quilt Blocks - It started with the table runner and now I want nothing but to make more quilts in this pattern. I started making a quilt with white strips paired with a purple/blue Batik jelly roll from my stash. The pattern is sitting on top of some of the block below.

Purple Zig Zag Quilt blocks

I also have all the strips sewn together. Some are waiting to be ironed before they can be cut.

Rest of the Strips

1/20: Binding for Barcelona Quilt - This should have been completed so long ago but at least I am making some progress on it. I used white thread to sew the binding together because I didn't even pay attention when I started and I didn't feel like tearing it out as it won't be seen.

Barcelona Quilt Binding

1/21: Apron - Fabric Cut for an apron for myself.  The muslin on top is what I used as a template.

Apron Fabric cut

1/22: Dishrag - Block #7 - King's Crown

King's Crown - Lily's Sugar and Cream Yarn

1/23: Dish Rag - Block # 8 - Bachelor's Puzzle

Bachelor's Puzzle - Lily's Sugar and Cream Yarn

1/24 (and Final): Batik Squares Cut and Ironed: I gave my male cousin who just graduated from college a choice of a quilt or cash as a present and he chose a QUILT!!! I couldn't believe it but I am really happy. I cut some of the below fabric from scraps and some came from layer cake pieces I had left over from a project a while back.

Batik Squares - AB's Quilt.

Well here are my Thirty Days complete. I am going to post a later this week for some finishes etc.

Happy stitching everyone!