WIPocalypse Update 02/28/18

It is WIPocalypse time!

That means it is time for a monthly recap of your stitching and a chance to participate in a discussion with other stitchers through our blogs. I think that this month I made some good stitching progress.

First I stitched a Valentine for my Grandson

You Have A Pizza My Heart

Designer - CrazzzyStitch

First Stitch 01/29/18

Finished 02/03/18

Then I stitched a little on a WIP

Fun Every Day

Designer - SamSarah Design Studio

I stitched and finished two tags and started another way back in 2016 

Now I finished that one and started another

Next up was a new start, something else for Jacob (he is one lucky kid)

Christmas Penguin

Designer - Gill Cooper

Dimensions Crafts

Progress as of 02/18/18

Then another WIP finished up February. This one had not been touched since 2014.

Rose of Sharon

Design Connection

Progress as of 02/25/18

This month's WIPocalypse discussion is...

Gadgets!  Show us your favorite stitching gadgets! 

I have a few things that I can NOT stitch without but I will only list a few here. LOL

First up I need my LAMP (the more light the better, especially when your eyes are getting older.

Next up is my TEA CUP! I use this to keep all my stuff rounded up in the same place. I used to spend so much time wondering where did I put the needle threader this time, or the bobbin of floss or my magnifying glass and so on and so forth! LOL This helps me a lot!

Next is my q-snaps and the occasional hoop. I HAVE to have my fabric pulled tight when I stitch so these are serious necessities.

Then I LOVE my NEEDLE MINDERS! I always need someplace to put my needle or else they end up on the floor, in my keyboard, chair, clothes and who knows where else... some have just been lost forever!

These are just some of my minders! 

Others are on projects or stuck to other things around the house.

Well now I will be looking around to see what everyone else's gadgets are! If you posted your favorites make sure you let me know so I won't miss seeing yours!

Thanks for stopping by,

see ya next time!

My Sunday Stitchy Update 02/25/18

Hi there!

I hope everyone is well. I know a few of you are recovering from the flu so I hope you are feeling better! Thankfully I missed that.

This week the next piece up in the WIP Box was a piece from 2014! It was easy to pick up right where I was because this piece doesn't have many colors or an intricate design.

This is where I was in March of 2014

Rose of Sharon

Design Connection

 and here is where I am now!

First Stitch 01/10/12

Progress as of 02/25/18

I swear, every piece I stitch becomes my new favorite and this one is no exception!

I will be back in a few days with this month's WIPocalypse! 

It is delayed for a couple of days due to the Olympics. 

If you would like to participate, please follow the link above!

Thanks for taking a peek at my stitching

see ya next week with another faithful update!

2018 WIPocalypse Introduction

I decided to join the 2018 WIPocalypse.

I know I am a little late but better late than never?! ha ha I have participated in this SAL but have been a "drop-out" since 2014.

Anyways in case you don't know what it is all about I will "try" to explain it as I know it.  It is a way for Stitcher's to summarize during the weekend of every full moon what they have stitched since the last full moon. It doesn't matter what you stitch (WIPs, UFOs or new starts) or how much you stitch (one stitch or a million); if you have stitched, you are welcome to make a post and link it on Measi's Musing's WIPocalypse Page! Pretty simple huh?

Also there will be a monthly question or topic to answer and/or talk about so we can all get to know each other better! I am pretty sure answering this is optional though so don't let that scare you off.

So the first topic is...

Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!

My name is Faith and I am the very proud mother of two adult children and one wonderful grandson. We are originally from the Chicago, IL area and moved to Tucson, AZ a couple of years ago and LOVE it! 

Additionally we have four dogs, one turtle and a bird! You can see a couple of pictures of them here.

I have been cross stitching since 1995 and have taken time off here and there whenever my mojo has decided to go on vacation. Luckily it always returns but it brings back more projects (souvenirs?) to stitch! I also like to TRY other crafty things and am currently gaining the courage and collecting advice from friends to make a quilt. I also LOVE to assemble jigsaw puzzles and have really gotten into it over the past year.

As for my "planned" projects

for 2018 this is my list!

(in alphabetical order)

• A-Mazing Friends SAL, Ursula Michael, started March 2016, last stitched April 2016 (will probably toss)
• Beaded Elegance Ornaments, Dimensions Kit, started November 2004, last stitched January 2014
• Christmas Rules, Lizzie*Kate, plan to start in 2018
• Dinosaurs!, Flumpkin X-Stitchers, started January 2012, last stitched August 2016
• The Enchanted Christmas Snowman, HaED, plan to start in 2018
• Flowers of the Month, EMS, started July 2012, last stitched July 2012
• Fractal Bookmark 405, Cross Stitch Collectibles, started June 2015, last stitched June 2015 (will probably toss)
• From My Heart to Yours, Carla Rizzie, started February 2011, last stitched January 2011
• Full Bloom, Cross-Stitch-Art, started January 2012, last stitched January 2016
• Fun Every Day, SamSarah Design Studio, started January 2016, last stitched April 2016
• The Golden Girls, WeeLittleStitches, plan to start in 2018
• Halloween Banner, Stoney Creek, plan to start in 2018
• His Name Is Jesus, Joyful Expressions, started January 2012, last stitched June 2012
• Nintendo SAL, Armada Designs, plan to start in 2018
• Rose of Sharon, Design Connection, started January 2012, last stitched March 2014
• Stained Glass, Love Thy Thread, started June 2014, last stitched August 2014
• Super…docious, Sue Hillis, plan to start in 2018
• Twisted Rainbow Sampler, Northern Expressions Needlework, started January 2016, last stitched March 2016
• Well Hello There! Monthly Series, Hands on Design, 2 more months to do!

The list seems so long to me but I guess it is not that long.  I hope to make some good progress on these this year and hopefully even put one or two in the finished pile!

I think all of the ones that are started already can be seen on my WIPs /UFOs page.

If you would like to find out more
or sign up for the 2018 WIPocalypse

you can go here to Measi's blog!

Thanks for stopping by,

see ya next time!

My Sunday Stitchy Update

It is time for My Sunday Stitchy Update and also time for the June WIPocalypse so I will get to combine everything in one post.

This year with each WIPocalypse we are to post a little something about ourselves and this month's topic is

Have you ever been to a stitch gathering such as

a retreat or a festival? If so, tell us about it!

Lucky me - I have been to a few retreats.  There was a lady who sold Cross Stitch supplies out of her home in Kentucky and we became friends.  She held two weekend retreats at her home and I was fortunate enough to go to both.  I met a lot of my online friends not only from around the United States but also some from Canada and England! It was a wonderful time and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Also this weekend I plan on attending a weekend get-together. in Arlington Heights, IL. They have been having this GTG for many years and this will be my third time attending. I am going to pick up one of my friends and we are only going to go up for the day on Saturday. I am sure we will have great day!!

Now for my stitchy progress ~ 

I finished 

Today is Not Your Day

Jiffy Designs

Finished 06/06/14

and I started

Stained Glass

Love Thy Thread

 

Progress as of 06/15/14

I started Stained Glass 4 different times!  The first time the holes on the fabric were just to small to see with out my magnifier and I didn't feel like bothering with it...so I ripped it out and started again.  That time I didn't like the color of the fabric with the thread...so I decided to start it again.  The third time I was stitching the black lines above with the variegated floss and leaving the other spaces empty and I really did not like how it looked...so I ripped it out and started over for the fourth time.  This time I think I am happy with how it looks.  This is about a quarter of the first page and I am going to continue working on it this week and see how it looks so I can make a final decision.

Thanks for taking a peek at my stitching

see ya next week with another faithful update!

My Sunday Stitchy Update and March WIPocalypse

Hi everyone! We are STILL having crazy weather here. It actually got into the 50s one day and then snowed the next day. Spring is coming up in just a few short days so I am really hoping for warmer weather too.

Today is the day for My Sunday Stitchy Update but it is also the day for the March WIPocalypse so I will get to combine everything in one post.

This year with each WIPocalypse we are to post a little something about ourselves and this month's topic is

Show us your favorite places to stitch.

For me my favorite place is in my living room on the couch in front of the television :)  I did not take any new pictures of my spot but here are a few from a couple of years ago.

My space now has a new laptop and some

other minor changes but it looks pretty much the same.

Now for the stitching since the last WIPocalypse

This is the before picture of

Charmed Teacher Sampler

from DebBee's Designs

and here is the FINISH!

I also stitched on

The Positive Thoughts Sampler

this was my progress on

12/28/13

and here is my finish on

02/24/14

Then I picked up my

Rose of Sharon

progress on 11/18/12

and here it is on

03/09/14

and last but not least

my stitching for this week

Dinosaurs!

here it is on 12/23/13

and here it is on

03/16/14

I decided to take a picture of the entire

thing just so I could see how it looks. 

I am almost finished with the top set of rows.

Not sure what I will stitch on next week; I will

figure that out when I start stitching tomorrow.

Thanks for taking a peek at my stitching

see ya next week with another faithful update!

February WIPocalypse

It is time for the second WIPocalypse of the year and I have been pretty busy since the the last one!

But first things first...this months topic is

How many projects do you generally feel

comfortable having in progress at a time?

Tell us about your one-at-a-time

or rotation habits!

At the current time I have eleven projects in rotation. I know that is not a lot as compared to some people's rotations but for me it is A LOT. I think I would be more comfortable with between five to six in my rotation. That would probably consist of one or two large project, two medium and two small ones. When I have to many big projects in rotation I find myself getting overwhelmed with them and then I don't want to pick them up and work on them anymore! When I am working on a large project I like to work on it every other week and on the week I don't work on it I usually switch off with the other pieces in my rotation - not in any particular order unless I need something finished by a certain date. I love the satisfaction of doing small ones because I LOVE seeing finishes and they work up so quickly!

Now for the stitching since the last check in!

I had FOUR new starts since the last check in and I FINISHED THREE of them!  All of these new starts are teacher gifts that I wanted to get out of the way early so that I wouldn't be trying to frantically finish come June! My grandson has four teachers and this is his last year in this building...so we wanted to thank everyone who helped been with him through this part of his journey as he has really thrived here and is doing work in all areas far above his grade level.  We are very proud of him and all the progress he has achieved and sincerely hope it continues throughout his school years.

Sports Balls

for the gym teacher

Music

for the music teacher

Charmed Teacher

for the computer teacher

Charmed Teacher Sampler

for his classroom teacher

Thanks for checking out my WIPocalypse pieces

and if you want to check out other people's

WIPocalypse check-ins go here

Hope to see you next month

with lots more stitches!

January WIPocalypse

Well here it is the first WIPocalypse of the year!

This year in addition to showing our current list of projects there are monthly topics so that we can get to know all the other stitchers out there that we follow. So with that said this month's topic is:

Introduce yourself, your projects,

and any goals you have for the year!

My name is Faith and I live in the Chicago area (where it is VERY COLD), with my two adult children, the most handsome grandson ever, three dogs and a turtle.

I am a self-taught stitcher. I was going thru a blue period in my life and was browsing the local Michaels, picked up the materials to make a little piece and viola – an addiction was born! I love to craft and cross stitch is by far my favorite but when it comes to cross stitch I am also a CERTIFIED XS HOARDER.  I have a stash pile that is out of control.

This year I would LOVE to get a few of my UFOs finished off and to get a big section finished on Dinosaurs which I have been stitching for two years now! Of course I am always starting something NEW that I just have to do but this year I have promised myself not to buy anything that I do not REALLY need and to help me with that resolution I have joined Stitch from Stash so I can try to get a dent in my humongous stash pile!  So far, so good but…it is only the 2nd week of the New Year with 50 more weeks to go – LOL!

You can see my current list of projects that I am stitching here on my Turtle Trot WIPs page.

Thanks for checking out my WIPocalypse pieces

and if you want to check out other people's

WIPocalypse pieces go here

2014 Stitchy Plans!

I love when the new year comes - everything seems to have a clean slate and a new beginning!

I have quit making resolutions except for one and that is to be the best person I can be!

On the stitchy front though I have made a LONG OVERLY AMBITIOUS list of things I “want” to stitch. I am pretty sure I won't get to all of them but I am determined to try my very best!

Here is my list, some stuff is already started as noted below

• Dimensions; Beaded Elegance Ornaments, Last Stitch-2004
• Carla Rizzie; From My Heart To Yours, Last Stitch-2011
• Joyful Expressions; His Name Is Jesus, Last Stitch-06/17/12
• EMS; Flowers of the Month (June), Last Stitch-07/15/12
• Anna Waite Designs; Easter Eggs, Last Stitch-07/29/12
• Cross-Stitch-Art; Full Bloom, Last Stitch-09/02/12
• Design Connection; Rose of Sharon, Last Stitch-11/18/12
• Stephen Michael Gardner; Dinosaurs!, Last Stitch-10/05/13
• Jardin Prive Positive; Thoughts, Last Stitch-12/28/13
• Not Started   Teachers Gifts x4 - I think I have them all picked out  
• Not Started   Cross Stitch Gold Mag / July 2012 Wizard of Oz.
• Not Started   Penguin Stocking (I can't recall the chart name right now)
• Not Started   Lizzie*Kate One Hundred Years
• Not Started   Dinosaur Clock
• Not Started   Amy Bruecken Designs, Twirl

And the even better part is that ALL of this is in my stash already and I am quite sure I have more than enough fabric to do the ones that are not kitted up already.

I am also planning on participating in a bunch of monthly stitchy group blog SALs that I hope will help me focus on my stitching and blogging.

In 2014 I will continue on with the TUSAL, IHSW, YOTA and the new version of the WIPocalypse.  Every month Measi has listed different themes for us to write about so we can all get to know the stitchers we follow a little better and I am looking forward to this twist!  This year I also plan on starting with the Turtle Trot which encourages stitchers to work on their current UFOs and WIPs. Then there is one more and I am truly excited about this one because we are being encouraged to stitch from the stash pile that we already have in our house! It is called Stitch from Stash and I hope that this one will seriously help me make a dent in my stash pile while saving me a few dollars.

So do you have any plans for your 2014 stitching? Are you joining any of the above monthly stitching groups or another one out there in the cyberspace? Do you have a list of charts you must stitch in 2014?  Let me know - I would love to see what your plans are :)

September WIPocalypse

WOW...it has been a LONG time since I posted a WIPocalypse update!  Seems I have not posted since MAY! So of course...I have updates on a couple of pieces for the September WIPocalypse.

 

The first one is ABCs of Aging Artfully by Lizzie*Kate

This is what it looked like in May

 

and this is what it looks like today

The next one is Dinosaurs! of course

This is the before picture

and this is the now picture!

 

Next up is a banner I won from the Online

Needlework Show from DebBee's Designs.

She charted out my family's last name.

 

This is how it looked in May

 

and here it is FINISHED!

I really love it and the colors are perfect!

 

During this time I also had two

new starts that I also finished

First was an Epilepsy ribbon I designed for my brother

And next is a Black Cat

from the Passion Brode 77 site.

This was stitched up for a friend who is making

a quilt for her granddaughter's upcoming surgery. 

thanks for taking a look at my monthful of stitches

hope to see you next month with even more XS!

May WIPocalypse

It is time for WIPocalypse!

Since the last WIPocalypse I have made progress on quite a few pieces and here they are

First up is Lizzie*Kate's

ABC's of Aging Artfully

This is how it looked last time I worked on it

and this is how it looks today

Next is Community

Here is how it looked

 and here it is

FINISHED!

  Then of course we have Dinosaurs!

Last WIPocalypse it looked like this

and here it is now ;)

and lastly I had a new start

DeeBee's Designs

Nichols Name Banner

thanks for taking a look at my monthful of stitches

hope to see you next month with even more Xs!