New start Progress

I started Pretty little Washington DC by Satsuma Street on 32 Ct. Lugana in Tarnished Silver by Under the Sea Fabrics. I love this Fabric as it mimics a sky on a Cloudy day.

Pretty Little Washington, DC by Satsuma Street on 32 ct. Lugana in Tarnished Silver by Under The Sea Fabrics

It is a total easy stitch and Super Cute. I already have New York, Chicago, and San Francisco kitted up and ready to go. My Plan is to stay on this one until I finish her. Should be by the end of this week.

Happy Stitching Everyone!

My First Stitching Retreat...

...But not my last!

The weekend of the Martin Luther King Holiday in the US I went to my first stitching retreat sponsored by Keepsakes at the Lodge at Hueston Woods north of Cincinnati, OH. There were options for attendance but I drove up to the lodge on wednesday afternoon and stayed through early Sunday morning. There were many options for places to stitch...a fireplace, in front of a TV, and a conference room.

I wasn't sure what to expect at a retreat but what I found was a new group of friends and I was able to rededicate myself to my stitching more than I already have. Here are my highlights:

• Time: I always have struggles to dedicate time to something that gives me a lot of happiness. It was amazing to take time for me. I finished One Nation and inspired a few stitch-a-longs. I also started my First HAED - Brigid's Shamrock.
• Friends: New friends are amazing. They can help you stay motivated and be inspired.
• Local needlework shops: The support that Keepsakes gives to the local community of stitchers is amazing. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have Barbara, her husband Joe, and Lynnie there for help.
• Trunk shows: WOW....I love trunk shows and the ability to see new things. They also cause me to lighten my wallet but I do love them.
• Under the Sea Fabrics: LOVE LOVE LOVE this company. 

I cannot wait for next year and have already blocked off my calendar for that weekend at work.

Happy stitching everyone!

The First sock

So I finished a sock....only one though. The other is still on the needles. We shall see if it comes out the same size as the first one. I keep finding myself having issued where I joined the stitches in the round showing up in my stitching. This is something I need to figure out. I also need to figure out kitchener stitch. Hopefully the second sock will help me practice. Here is my lonely single sock.

I also finished a dishrag for January :)

So at least some of the goals for the year are on track!

Happy stitching!

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!

Smalls Stichalong Check - In

I am a few days late for this check-in as I had a work trip after a my FIRST EVER stitching retreat which was amazing. The two smalls I finished were Jar topper patterns for a Just Cross Stitching Issue. I stitched them on a scrap piece of Linen with the called for DMC.

My thoughts and memories from the stitchaway retreat will be in a future posting.

Happy stitching everyone!

Word for the Year - LEARN!!!

I have seen a few posts over the weekend talking about a word for the year and I think this is an absolutely wonderful idea. The word I have chosen is: LEARN. I have always loved to learn new things but I have also learned that I need to learn from my mistakes, new experiences, and just everyday life in general. I have started a log for a few things that I have learned this year already (i know...it's been 4 days)!

I wanted to highlight one: I use Microsoft Excel everyday is my job. I can even program the cells to do amazing things but for some reason in all my years I never learned how to insert a line break while within a cell. It was easy to Google it which is what I did when my dear mother asked for help on something. But then I thought...Oh No...I use a MAC at work and not all functionality is in the office Suite for MAC. Hence, another round of Google and the command was ingrained in my brain. I have already used it twice today :)

Here's to a learn-y and crafty year everyone!

Tie Pillow Part 2

And for the second and final installment of the Tie pillows:

Father-in-Law: My father-in-law chose to have the brown tie's for his pillow. We had facetimed with him and he asked if I could do a light to dark like theme. I decided on Diagonal Stripes and a brown pocket back from my stash.

FIL Front

FIL Back

Mother-in-Law: My MIL was VERY SPECIFIC on the ties she wanted in her pillow and she also wanted a pheasant she had stitched on one of his shirts in her pillow. I am glad it came out as well as it did. She also wanted some of the labels on the ties because her father was color blind and they specified the color to wear the ties with.

MIL front

MIL front w/label

MIL Back w/label

Dear husband: I made my husband's pillow first as a test case. I kept it to the red family. I really love this one.

DH front

DH back

I will have a few more projects I finished on the next few updates I hope.

Happy stitching!