Happy New Year!

Hello, again.  I know, I know, it's been a long, long time.  I will try to do better.

Since I last wrote I have been doing stitchy related stuff.  Probably the biggest thing I did was get all of my charts, kit, partial kits, WIPs and UFOs into one spreadsheet.  It it's stitching related at my house, I have probably touched and recorded it in the last few months.  Yep, months!  This was a massive project for me and at times felt a lot like my job but I needed to do that accounting to see just how much I have and what state it's in.  

Because I have such a huge huge case of shiny object syndrome  I look through one box, bin, or bag and decide to work on whatever my hand lands on.  And forget about the bigger picture.  So, I am hoping to stay more focused in the coming year and get some stuff done already!

After doing all that recording I came up with the following numbers:  

                         WIPs 170 (things I've started)
                         UFOs 186 (these are stitched but not fully finished.)

On the upside I did finish or have finished seven - pretty pitiful, I know - projects last year.

      

Fraktur Flowers by La-D-Da

Holly & Hearts by Lizzie Kate

The Winter Woods by Hands On Design

Winter Berry by Summer House Stitche Workes

Ok,  I think this is going to work.  I went to my laptop to try to fix something and it looked like I had wiped out this entire post.

I'm not so sure I would have started over again.

Aaargh!!! I had written a bunch of stuff and It's gone.

To recap.  I plan to work in getting my WIPs to a more manageable number.  And to dedicate some time every day to my UFOs.

I will continue to watch Flosstube.  Some of my favorites are Priscilla and Chelsea,  The Primitive Stitcher, Cathy Haberman, and Paulette from Plum Street.  I do have to be careful -  there is a lot of enabling that can happen when watching Flosstube.  A lot more than in my normal stitching groups.

I have joined two groups on Facebook Stitch From Stash 2017-2018 to keep me on track.  I also joined 100 Days of Cross Stitch.  The challenge there is to stitch every day for the next 100 days.  I think I can do that one.

That's all for today.  The Christmas stuff needs to be put away, my home cleaned, and some stitching is calling.  Maybe a new start for the new year?  Yep, another WIP to add to the list!

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy your day!

Wednesday

I found this post while doing my blog reading today.  Priscilla and Cathy Haberman have collaborated to do Seasons in Chalk and they will be published in Just Cross Stitch.  The link will take you to Priscilla's site to get a peek at winter.  I'm gonna get a subscription to Just Cross Stitch so I don't miss a season.

And I want to share a link to a SAL that Ma, Herself has organized for 2016.  She has purchased 10 of the Crazy Socks charts from Rosewood Manor.  Ma, Herself is offering to give away nine of the charts - one per person - if you want to stitch it but cannot afford the chart.  You can read more about it here.  I'm in - are you?  I bought my chart when I first became aware of the story behind it. Now I'm trying to figure out how large or small I want it to be.  I'm thinking I might like to stitch it on burlap, of all things, but need to investigate that a bit before I commit.  Or maybe I'll stitch it over one so that it's itty bitty.  I've got a couple of weeks to make up my mind.  Stay tuned.  That fun will begin on January 1.

Now a little finishing for today.

A Year in Chalk: August by Hands On Design

I haven't made much progress on On Redware Road.  I hope to stitch an hour or so tonight and hope to have some noticeable progress to share with you tomorrow.

I'm off to finish up my chores for today so I can play with my needle and thread.

Keep on Stitching!

Tuesday

Another work day today and this was a full one.  I'm tired again tonight but I think that is to be expected.

I have made a little progress on On Redware Road.  I have almost completed the roof.  I may go back and complete the flower on the left so that I can begin the bottom border.

And I finished the next piece in A Year in Chalk - this one is for July.  

A Year in Chalk: July by Hands on Design

Only a few more of these to finish and then I think I'm moving to some things that require a sewing machine or some hand finishing.  I have lots of choices from the 'bin of shame' and the area surrounding it. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!

Monday

It was back to work for me today and then physical therapy.  I am one tired girl tonight.  I do want to share my finish.

A Year in Chalk:  June by Hands On Design

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!

Sofa Sunday, Kind of

My intent was to spend most of the day in my little stitchy nest stitching.  And I did get in a few hours that were interrupted by cleaning, laundry, and the all important exercising.  I have  a few things to show.

First, I put the last stitches in Winter Solstice - Serenity by Hands On Design and realized when I went to press it that I had neglected to stitch the bottom border - the part that looks like wool pennies. The chart did come with wool pennies but I opted not to use those and to stitch them instead.

And a finish is followed by a new project or a WIP.  Today I chose a new project - On Redware Road by The Scarlett House.  This was the latest kit sent by Dyeing to Stitch for the Colonial Gatherings Club.  I'm really liking this one.  It came with a bright green - like a yellowish green chenille to use along the edge in the finishing.

And my meager start.  But it's a start nonetheless.  Sometimes the hardest part is placing those first few stitches and then the rest flies right along.  Here's hoping.

And as has been tradition for the last few days I have a finish finish to show.   A Year in Chalk: May by Hands On Design.

That's about it for today.  I off to give myself a manicure and put in a few more stitches before I turn in for the night.

Keep on Stitching!

Thursday the Third

Today is December 3rd.  Here's how I know

I made Pepperoni Chicken for dinner last night and it looked like this and was delicious.
The recipe came from The Pioneer Woman. This the second time I've made this and we really enjoyed it. 

I don't have any real progress to show on Winter Solstice - Serenity.  But I had been wondering about one of the color names - Tatanka by Weeks Dye Works.  What the heck does tatanka mean?  I asked Googled it.  It means buffalo and is a good name for this deep dark brown color.  

I did have a little finish last night.  Here is A Year in Chalk: January shown in the frame I got at Hobby Lobby.

That's all for today.

Keep on Stitching!

WhatchaWorkinOn Wednesday

Whenever I get together with other stitchers we always ask this question.  So today I'm asking you.  Whatcha Workin' On?

Me?  Oh, I'm working on these

Winter Solstice by Hands on Design.  As you can see i have Solitude stitched and I'm working on Serenity.  This is what they will look like when they are finished.

Keep on Stitching!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ... December

I've spent some time this evening getting the November monthly pieces put away and the December pieces out and set around.  And I actually have a finish to show you today!

First up - Fun Every Day switched over to December with the appropriate symbol on the right.

I put out these guys -

I flipped the page on this one

And I brought the Advent calendar down from the attic and hung it in the dining room.  I put on the one little ornament for the 1st.  It looks pretty lonely.  I also sent the kids a text letting them know that I had their backs and would be taking good care of the calendar this year.

And my finish - A Year in Chalk: December by Hands On Design.  I found this cute frame at Hobby Lobby in the Spring, on sale, thankyouverymuch.  And knew it would be perfect for these little pieces.  I ironed some fusible batting to the back and ta-done!  Easy peasy! I can switch these every month - of course, I need to do the magic ironing thing to the other 11 first.

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!

Thursday Update

Yikes!  I can't believe it's been a whole week since my last post.  And, since I'm home most of the time, one would think I could keep on top of this posting business.

So, first of all, here is today's calendar view

Fun Every Day by Sam Sarah Designs

And the pieces I finished stitching since our last visit

October: A Year in Chalk by Hands On Design

And,

November:  A Year in Chalk by Hands On Design

And,

December:  A Year in Chalk by Hands On Design

I think I finished up December on Sunday morning.  The color used in this is red  although on my monitor it appear to kind of a rusty red.  Honestly, I don't know how to fix that!

If all goes as planned,  I will be finishing those this weekend and will have lots of pictures to share of them in their new home.  If all goes as planned.

So, with that series complete I had a decision to make.  What to stitch next.  I decided to dig into the tote of WIP's and pick out any old thing without putting too much thought into it. I came up with this.

Traveling Stitcher by Little House Needleworks

It was not in this state when I saved it from the tote of WIP's. I have been steadily plodding along on it this week.  And this is how it looks today.  At one point this week I went and looked for the lovely piece made by Impie, Hattie, and Bea to finish this.  It's not where I looked.  I did think of another place to look and will try that over the weekend.  I seem to remember without looking in the closet in the stitching room that the bin where said item may be residing is a bit difficult (meaning I have to move other stuff) to retrieve.

It's rainy and cool here today.  A good day for the blanket, some stitching, and binge watching something on Netflix,  It is a work day so that won't happen until this evening.

Keep on Stitching!

Thursday

I've made a little progress on October:  A  Year in Chalk.   I really like the BOO banner and wish I could think of something else to use it on.  I'll keep thinking about that. Maybe an ornament for a Halloween tree stitched on perforated paper?

And today's calendar view

Fun Every Day by Sam Sarah Designs

Have a great evening.

Keep on Stitching!

Happy Wednesday

Mid-week.  Gotta love it.  As a working woman I am always happy to have a big chunk of the work week behind me.  

Today's calendar view with a little different piece on the right hand side for Veteran's Day.  I think I'll leave that one up for a while.  

Fun Every Day by Sam Sarah Designs

And I finally finished stitching September:  A Year in Chalk by Hands On Design.  This one was a battle.  I think I have stitched it at least twice with all the frogging I had to do.  Each and every section had a little problem and had to be re-done.  I am happy with the results and ready to start the next one before I turn in for the night. 

Keep on Stitching!

Tuesday

I missed posting yesterday.  I was a bit tired after work yesterday and didn't do much except veg out on the sofa.

Here are the calendar views from yesterday and today

Fun Every Day by Sam Sarah Designs

I did finish stitching August:  A Year in Chalk by Hands On Design on Sunday night.

And a bit of start on September: A Year in Chalk also by Hands On Design.  I had a little problem with this - I was off by one thread when I tried to finish the border.  I did find my goof after about an hour.  Probably the reason I didn't want to work on this much more last night.  Tonight I should be able to finish this off.

Keep on Stitching!

Lazy Sunday

Hi,  thanks for stopping by again.

Today's calendar looks like this

Fun Every Day by Sam Sarah Designs

I managed to put the final stitches in July:  A Year in Chalk by Hands On Design

And to make a start on August:  A Year in Chalk also by Hands On Design.  I hope to finish this one tonight before I turn in.

This morning I was toying with the idea of having a jammie day but decided against that.  Instead, I showered and dressed in some nice warm fleece perfect for a day of stitching and Netflix.  I didn't cook today opting to get Chinese instead.  And I had hoped to do a little finishing today but took a nap instead and then was all finished with the idea of finishing something.  Maybe one day this coming week.

Keep on Stitching!

Saturday

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.  It's been cloudy here today with a few little rain showers.

My priorities for today were to drive my car for the first time post surgery. And to go for a walk.  I did both.  I didn't have much trouble driving, getting in and out of the car is more painful than actually driving.  I did manage a  bit of a walk - maybe a half mile to one of my favorite places along the Lehigh River.  You can look across the waterfall to a Locktender's house which is located in another park across the river.

On the stitching front I finished stitching June:  A Year in Chalk by Hands on Designs.

I love the whimsy of these designs.  And how quick they are to stitch provided I use a higher magnification in my glasses.

I made a start on July:  A Year in Chalk also by Hands on Designs - I hope to finish stitching this one tonight.   And maybe, just maybe get a little start on August.

I found this picture of a wreath I made earlier this Fall on my phone.  My daughter was able to pick up the mini Indian corn on one of her weekends home with friends.  I think she found these the day they went apple picking.  I found this idea on Pinterest and am totally pleased with the outcome.  Quick and easy.

One final picture - today's calendar view.

Fun Every Day by Sam Sarah Designs

Have a great evening.

Keep on Stitching!

Thursday

Back again.  I did finish the birthday project I alluded to yesterday.  But can't show it just yet. Tomorrow, I hope.

Today's calendar view

Fun Every Day by Sam Sarah Design Studio

I did manage to put a few more stitches in June:  A Year in Chalk by Hands on Design.

And a view of my stitching station set up near my love seat - my current perch for stitching on a daily basis.   The pumpkin is holding my orts for the past couple of weeks.  I don't think this will be permanent arrangement but it's working for me while I recuperate.

Have a great evening!

Keep on Stitching!