July - Summer Vacation in Full Swing

Since the last time I posted, I officially started summer vacation, went on a stitching retreat, celebrated 4th of July, co-hosted a family reunion, and finished 1 project.

First up, my sister Jennifer, friend Lisha, and I went to Katrina Boyd's retreat in Franklin, TN.  I meet some wonderful ladies, 1 from Mississippi, the 5 local ladies and the 5 from Memphis.  We actually had a local artist stitching with us, Ryanne (sorry if I miss-spelled it).  She was very helpful with my tablet.  I love her highland cow cross stitch pattern.  I also liked her new pattern she was working on. shhh... check out her site to see when she releases her new pattern.  Jennifer and I did our usual, stitch for an hour then switch.  I stitched on 9 things each day.  No finishes though.  I can't wait until August when we go to Georgia; I've never been.

Second, after we came home, my family celebrated the 4th at my Mom's house.  We didn't do the big fireworks show that Uncle Tim usually does because Tucker (his son) was at camp.  But we ate the usual, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage, potato salad, baked beans, and salad.  My sister-in-law, Mari, made a spring roll desert filled with strawberries and blueberries with a cream sauce.  Yummy!

Third, my mom's side of the family usually gets together the first Sunday in July.  Well the last few years we either haven't had it or some people will not come because "its too far to drive".  So my cousin Liz and I decided to host it here in town.  We had about 100 people show up.  Most everyone brought food or drinks.  Everyone seemed to have a great time and enjoyed the food and fellowship.  It seems Liz and I are expected to host it next year.

Now why you really came, my stitching. 

 This month I decided to stitch on one WIP each day.  I have about 30 WIPs left.  I have pretty much stuck to the schedule.  If I missed a day then I stitched on the missed project and the project due that day.  I finished Little House Needlework's Blessed are the Meek using DMC floss on Wandering Ivy by Silkweaver.  It turned out really cute.









 I have also finished Oh Say Can You Sea by Hands On Design.  My sisters (Jennifer & Bridget) and our friend Lisha are stitching on this project as a stitch-a-long.  I'm the 3rd one to finish it.  I used the DMC floss on 32-ct Vintage Stormy Nights Lugana fabric.  We all used the same fabric.

I've made some progress on each project so far.  I hope to knock out most of these WIPs by the end of the year.


Well, got to go.  I plan to post again next week.  I will let you know when I start my FlossTube vlog.

Sharon

June - Mid Year Review

I started the year out with 18 WIPs.  I have added 18 new WIPs with Stitch "May"nia.   I started Amy Bruecken's Snowman Man of the Month, am doing a Stitch-a-long with my sisters and friends (Oh Say Can You Sea), started 2 large monthly projects (Country Cottage Needlework's Main Street Series and Little House Needlwork's Virtues), started and completed 4 new projects (Mill Hill's Owlets).  My finishing list is 23 projects thus far.  I plan on finishing several large projects by the end of the year.  I want to complete any project that is over a year in the WIPs box.  That would be 12 project: Blackwork roses, Blessed are the Meek, Summer Retreat, Curious Owl, 6 Fat Men, Robin Hood, Tuffet's Cupboard, Wicked Patch, Witchy Wash, Vlad's Vash Day, Santa Clothes, & Hang Ten.

The pictures to follow are a Parade of my finished works.  If I bought the patterns separately, then I count each pattern as a finish.  I apologize for the pictures not rotating.  They are right when I click on them in the file but they import sideways or upside down.

1. Be Spooktacular! by Lizzie Kate - Linen

2, 3, 4. Owlets by Mill Hill - Kits - finished Violet, Huey, & Emma this year

5. Snoel - unknown - Kit

6. Christmas Tree - Wire Whimsy - Kit

7. Photo Booth - Frank n' Boo - Bent Creek - Kit included fabric

8. Love Laundry - Raise the Roof - Silkweaver Linen

9. Snow House - 6 Fat Men - Lizzie Kate - Fabric Flair 28-ct. Blue Cloud

10. Sam's Socks n Such - Raise the Roof - Silkweaver 32-ct Cashel Castle View

11. January - Happily Every After - The Frosted Pumpkin - Under the Sea 28-ct. Looking Glass

12, 13. Main Street: Flower Shop & Coffee Shop - Country Cottage Needlework - Hand-dyed 18-ct Aida

14. Curio: Ladybird - Heart in Hand - Hand-dyed 18-ct Aida

15. Broad Stripes & Bright Stars - Cross-eyed Cricket - Millennial Blue Linen

16, 17, 18, 19, 20. Man of the Month - Amy Bruecken - called for fabric

21. Pins & Needles - Raise the Roof - 22-ct Hardanger (over 1)

22. Stoneware Cat - Priscilla's Pocket - kit

23. A Gray Hare - Lizzie Kate -Kit

If you made it this far, I am very excited.  My sister, Jennifer (of Jen's Stitching Niche on Etsy), and our friend Lisha are going to one of Katrina Boyd's Stitching Retreats this weekend in Franklin, TN.  I am excited because as I am typing this, I just finished giving my final to my June class and have submitted their grades.  I am free from campus bound, time set classes for the summer (only teaching 1 online class).  We are leaving tomorrow and taking our time going to Franklin.  We will stop along the way to shop at different needlework shops that Lisha and Jennifer want to visit.  I love going to Katrina's Retreats; everyone is easy going and I get a lot of work done.

So, thanks for stopping by.  I'm off to pack my things and get ready for the trip (gas, tire check, snacks, stitching projects, oh yeah and clothes).

Clarkey

January - What are my goals?

If you haven't already figured it out, I am a planner.  I plan things.  I may not execute them but I do plan them.  My goal this year is to wipe out all of my WIPs (there are only 20 cross-stitch ones).  At the same time I plan on starting a new pattern each month.  So far I am achieving my goal.  As in my previous post, I finished 1 of the 20 WIPs and started a new project. 

Well, I was thinking this weekend about how I was going to accomplish this.  I have one project that is designed to complete a portion of it each month (Frosted Pumpkins - Happily Ever After). As you can see below, I have completed 1-1/2 of the 12 parts to the pattern. 

Frosted Pumpkins - Happily Ever After part 4

Then I was thinking how am I going to break up my kits.  So I decided to work on one of the large projects for the month (i.e. Tigerlily, Our Lady of the Flag, etc.) while trying to knock out the smaller ones (i.e. stained glass window bookmark, Frank 'n Boo, etc.)

Then I got a wild hair and signed up for a Stitch-A-Long of Amy Bruecken's Man of the Month.  I love Amy Bruecken's work and snowmen.  So I get the both in one project.  Of course, I started to do the project; got the pattern, got the fabric, went to get the threads....I don't have any of the colors.  So off to my sisters etsy store for the thread.  Maybe I will get to start it this weekend.

I haven't completed any of my projects this week but I am getting closer on a couple of them.  I will post pictures as soon as I complete them. 

Well I have to go and teach class.  Have a wonderful day and keep stitching.

Sharon