New Photo! Caring Wings

I got a photo of Caring Wings. This shows the progress I have made. I worked on it 3 more hours after the picture was taken. The spaces that are open on the dress and wings are for beads and gold floss.

Making Progress on Caring Wings

This pic was from June of last year. You can see what I had finished and just imagine the wings coming out from the back. Sadly, I do not have an updated pic of Mirabilia's Caring Wings yet. (dead camara) I am hoping to get my daughters camara and get one later and I will post as soon as I do. I have been working on it all week. The only part left to finish on the bottom half of her dress is the beads and the gold thread. I also have more of the leaves finished around the bottom of her dress. I have over half of her wings finished and then I will move on to her arms, head and the rest of the leaves. Then I will stitch the dove. Last, I will do the gold thread, beads and back stitch. There is not really too much back stitching so that is good. I really want her to be a finish for this year. I am not rotating any of my other pieces since I want to get her finished and framed and hung on my DD's wall.

Been Crocheting

I have crocheted a scarf for each of my two granddaugthers and one for my youngest daughter. The two little ones are red and fuzzy, the one for my teen is pink. I am working on another one and it is purple and fuzzy. These will be for Christmas. I finihsed the stitching on my Partridge in a Pear Tree but I never got the beads ordered so its not stuffed and on my tree. Life is pretty busy around here so I have not had alot of stitching time. Getting the Christmas scarfs finished was a hugh goal for me. After the purple one is done I have a blue one to make. I'm running out of time! lol I know I will get the purple one done and the blue one is going to be cutting it close. Schools closed 2 hours early Monday and we were home Tuesday and today because of icy roads. We are suppose to get some freezing rain/snow mix today. The high is suppose to be 31 so I don't think we will be going tomorrow either. That's fine with me, I love snow days! Unfortunately, I can't take a pic of the scarfs because my camara has bit the dust. Maybe I'll get a new one for Christmas! "Hey Santa! I need a new camera!!"

Stitching News and More

I have been working on my Partridge in a Pear Tree and my Little House Neighborhood. My rotation stitching has flown out the window so I need to update my blog. I did stick to it some when I first started but I guess I'm just not a rotator. I did buy some fabric and I have the materials I need to turn my Holiday Snapper into a pillow. I have been organizing my charts and fabric and preparing for some snowy stitching weather! Just waiting on snow now! I have not started my Christmas shopping and I don't usually get in the mood to do that until after Thanksgiving. I did buy 2 new snowman potholders. lol My dear grandson has turned 7 last week and lost his first tooth the other day. He looks so cute! Plans for today: Laundry, grocery shopping and then stitching!

Stitching Update, This & That

I have worked on my rotation pieces some the past few weeks. I can see progress on all of them and that is encouraging. I am working on the Halloween chart of the Holiday Snapper. When it is finished all I like is the Thanksgiving chart and the boarder. I am having a really hard time not starting another one! I have all my new charts from my last stash shopping at Cross Country Stitching and they are begging me to come play! School has started back so the end of summer vacation has arrived. It has cooled off the past couple of days and the hot, humid weather is taking a break. We could use some rain, the ground is very dry. I have been watching some of the Olympics and the opening ceremony by the host country China was so awesome I could not put it into words! I can not imagine how many total hours were spent working on that ceremony!! It was all very amazing and breath-taking! Thanks China!!!

A New Finish

I have a new finish to add to my 2008 Finishes! Can't post a pic. until it is with its new owner. It is a bookmark. I used a pattern from one of my Cross Country Stitching magazines. After a few of my own alterations, it is completed. This is my favorite magazine. I love the colors and the charts. I did not follow my rotation yesterday so no update on the Traveler. I have worked on my small UFO's, Holiday Snapper and Rocky Mt. Christmas, also the bookmark this past week. I was going to work on The Traveler yesterday but I had such a bad headache I was afraid I would have to frog out everything I put in. So I worked on Holiday Snapper and just like about an hour having the July square finished. I do plan on working on The Traveler today if all goes well. For the most part, I have stuck to my rotation. I know it has helped keep me motivated and 'on task'.

Stitching Rotation Update

My rotation has really helped keep me motivated. I am off on my days, which is really no surprise to me, but I am working on my projects that I listed. Friday I tried to work on Star Light, but ended up frogging instead. Saturday I worked on my Bent Creek which I added to my 'small UFO' catagory. I finished the Christmas square and started on the 4th of July square. I might continue working on that today even though I'm not really suppose to. For me, my rotation is working because I have my 3 large projects in their respective small storage tubs and stored in the corner beside the couch. That keeps them close at hand and organized where they are easy to pull out and work on. I have my small UFO's in a tote bag which I put away when I'm not working on it. The storage tubs keep my stitching safe from the #1 chi but the tote bag would be considered fair game if I left it sitting on the floor.

The Fortunate Traveler

This is not a very good picture but it does show the progress of my Traveler. The last picture is in my side bar so you can compare the progress. I am a slow stitcher and there are alot of blended threads and color changes. Some progress is better than none. :) After spending the week-end on it, I really don't want to leave it. According to my new rotation, today I will work on Caring Wings.

New Rotation

I have decided to begin rotation stitching. I have thought of this an even attempted it in the past then did not stick to the plan. This time, I'm sticking to my rotation to the best of my ability. If I don't, I will never get my larger pieces finished! After consideration I have decided to do my rotation as follows:
Saturday: The Fortunate Traveler
Sunday: The Fortunate Traveler
Monday: Rocky Mountain Christmas
Tuesday: Rocky Mountain Christmas
Wednesday: Caring Wings
Thursday: Caring Wings
Friday: Small UFO until finished (I have alot of these and will stick with one until its finished and then begin another)

Once I begin working on a piece I usually keep working on it until I get bored. That is when the trouble begins because I then start looking for something new. I can't start anything else!! Maybe if I force myself to stitck to my rotation, I won't get bored....especially when I begin to see the progress. I also have several other larger ones I want to stitch so I must finish some of these I have already started.

Today I worked on my Fortunate Traveler and I was really happy getting him back out. I plan on working on him again tomorrow and Sunday. Then follow through with the rotation next week.
Wish me luck!!

UFO'S, WIP'S & SOME STASH - LISTS

I have added 2 lists on the sidebar. I need motivation to have more finishes this year. Maybe by seeing the lists, as long as they are, I will be more in a stitching mood! I also have a stitching partner in this adventure. Dawn is trying to finish up some of her WIP's so we are working together. Several of my pieces are BAPs so I need to stay motivated to put in more stitching time. The Stash list is only part of my stash. It does not included the magazines or all of the charts. I still have another tub full of charts! A very kind stitching friend cleaned out her stash and gave me alot of the ones I have! All of the Heart In Hand charts are kits with speciality floss! All I have to do is add the material, which I have. Some of my WIP's I started without having all the floss I need so I will have to order some DMC to finish them. That would be another list.

Summer Sampler

Summer Sampler by Sisters and Best Friends!



I organized my stitching bags (I have several) the other day. I decided to finish up some of my ufo's before I start any more. We will see how long this last....I almost had the Summer Sampler finished. I have everything done except the word 'summer' and the bottom border. I started this on aida and I think it must be 18 ct. I am using 3 strands of DMC floss. I plan on finishing it today. I already have a frame that I think will work. I will give it to my grandson. He really likes the crow..

Making Pillows!

I have started making the bears into pillows for the grand babies. I finished stitching them in 2006. Boy and I a slow 'finisher' . I got the material on Saturday and I have one pillow finished except for the cording that will go around the stitching area. I will get the other 2 finished today. I hope, and get the cording on all three. I added black bead eyes which are not in these pics. I will post a pic. of the pillows when they are all finished. I used a 'real' needle to attach the stitching and sew up the pillow. I forgot how bad those things hurt! I stuck my finger every other stitch.

I Am Stitching!!!

Back to stitching! I have not finished my spring cleaning but I needed a break. I started back on Caring Wings the past few days. I have almost all of the lower part of her dress finished. I have done some of the leaves that go around the bottom. I still have the golden floss and the beads left but I will do that all last. After I finished the bottom I will start on her arms and head. Then I will finish the leaves. The colors are beautiful. DD's favorite color is purple so she loves the dyed material. I plan on getting a few more stitches in today. It is really hot and humid. Perfect for staying in and stitching. I did move some ribbon grass to the front garden yesterday morning and watered all my flowers. They are already looking stressed and its not even the middle of June!

Stitching & Reading

I stitiched on Bent Creek and finished the Easter square. I have started on the Christmas square now. I decided to do it next. I have Halloween and Thanksgiving left when it is finished. I watched 'It' while I stitched. I started reading The Gunslinger by Stephen King. It is the first book in the Dark Tower Series.

Snow day!

We are out of school again for an ice storm. Some people in our area did not get power until this past Sunday, nearly a week after the last storm. They are predicting 1/4 - 1" of ice before this system is out tomorrow evening. We are staying in and staying warm. I plan on stitching on Bent Creek holiday snapper series again today. I worked on it some the other evening. I have almost finished the Easter square, about 30 more minutes. I think Halloween is next. I am going to watch 'It' while I stitch. I finished reading 'Duma Key' by Stephen King the other day. It was really good. Not sure what I will read next. Link, the #1 Chi is asleep on my right foot. He has played all morning and has decided to nap on my foot so if I get up, he will know. He follows my every step. He's a sweetie.

I have had a good stitching week. I worked on Caring Wings, LK-And to all a good night, Holiday Snapper and started a bear for charity stitching. Today I am going to work on my Traveler. My Abby cloth and the Stoney Creek book-Snow Buddies is in the mail and will be here this week. Thanks Amy at Down Sunshine Lane! I will have to get some more floss before I start the afghan. I also need more floss before I start the 12 Days of Christmas. I think my rotation will have to be expanded...alot! I also searched through my stash this weekto see what Christmas ornaments I have. I will be in an ornament exchange and I am going to have to buy something new to stitch. That will have to stay a secret for now. I will have to wait and see what my new partner would like. I also have a new stitching area, again. I have my chair, table and lamp near the door and I really like it there. My daughter bought me a new organizer this week and I have used it to list the floss I have and the ones I need. Just have to remember to take it with me when I go shopping. It is a light blue leather and very nice of her to get it for me.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy week!

Stash List

Bent Creek-
1. The Weathered Garden
2. The Littles-Snowman
3. Waxing Moon Desings- Bring On The Snow
4. The Trilogy-Secret Birdhouse
5. Celtic Cross
6. Bookmark-Composers -Finished 6/5/07
7. Dragon Dreams-Spot of Tea
8. Cross Country Stitching-Ladybug Garden
9. Sisters & Best Friends-Summer Sampler
10. Dames of the needle-Alphabet Sampler
11. Just Nan-Summer Stroll
Lizzie Kate
12. November Flip-It
13. Friendship
14. Treat Time
15. Life's A Stitch - Finished 05/25/07
16. Horray for the USA
Teresa Wentzler
17. Noah's Ark
18. Unicorn
19. Peacock
The Stitch Works
20 Star of Wonder
21. Starlight Snowman
Heart In Hand
22. Easter Bird
23 Be Nice
24. Dog Sampler
25. Wee Rooster
26. Little Snowman in Drifts
27. Spring Alphabet Sampler - Finished 05/07
28. Summer Alphabet Sampler
29. Fall Alphabet Sampler
30. Winter Alphabet Sampler

Stitching My Stash

Since I have admitted to you (and myself) that I have plenty of stash, I realize the need to get some of it stitched up. I am going make a list of the charts I hope to complete this year. I will work on the list as I go thru my stash this week-end. School is almost over for the year so I should have alot more stitching time. Baseball season is in full swing and I like to stitch as I watch the Cincinnati Reds. Hopefully we will have a wonderful season! I also plan on sitting in both DD's yards and stitch while the grandbabies play.