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

What have I done in the past YEAR?

Has it really been a year since I posted?  I really don't have an excuse.  I should have been posting the whole time.  But, I have really slow internet at home, and forget to post at work.  So here is what I have finished and/or the stage I am at the moment.

First up, the Mississippi State Fair results.  I entered the Ink Circles Mystery Stitch along, The Silver Needle 2013 Pumpkin with buttons we made at the retreat, The Bent Creek Summer Snapperville, Barbara Ana's Owlscornu, Shakespeare's Peddler's Passport Pincushion, and an scarf that I created using double crochets and front post stitching.
I got blue ribbons on everything.  I am so proud!

Tiramisu Complete

 I finally finished the Tiramisu.  It is gorgeous!  I haven't framed it yet but will soon.  I used DMC floss on beautiful yellow fabric from Silkweaver.

Girl's Christmas Ornament Exchange

 Every year the girls in our family create an ornament to exchange.  My mother says that every Christmas tree should have a bird in it.  So this year I crocheted these cute little birds for everyone.  I used different color combinations for everyone.











My cousin Liz's daughter Michelle wanted a purple and green afghan.  So I crocheted 9 different granny squares.  Well, actually 8.  Katie, my sister-in-law crocheted the round one that is at the beginning of the top row.  Michelle picked the colors.  I finished this during spring break.  Michelle loved it.

Michelle's Afghan

Also, during spring break I started a new craft/art.  I found a book on Zentangles. I truly enjoy drawing these min-art projects.  They are so relaxing.

Zentangled Owl

My Zentangle Art

For my Mom for Bridget

My mother started this Irish Coffee for my sister Bridget in 1995.  It was almost complete (just lacked the "coffee" section and the border.)  So I finished it for her.  I dated it 1995 2015 and put both of our initials on it.















Other Cross Stitch Projects I have completed this year are: Raven Bewitch, Pumpkin Kitty, and Chicken Love (which is suppose to be a pin keep but is too large for a pin keep)

Raven Bewitch

Pumpkin Kitty

Chicken Love

I had to make mushrooms for Liz, Patrick, Theron, Tucker, and Jennifer.  Theron, Tucker, and Patrick got the blue mushrooms.  Jennifer's dog Sally loved the mushrooms.  Now I have to make her a new red one.  :)  They turned out really cute.

a troop of mushrooms: Grow up (red) and get a life (green)

This summer I decided that I was going to complete as many of my craft projects as I could.  So here are a couple of the things I completed.  I finished 3 sets of bead ornaments, a crystal angel, these two snowmen (for my brother Pete), and Raggedy Andy.  I still have several crystal angels to complete.

Better late than never

Raggedy Anne now has an Andy

Crystal Angel

This year we didn't go to the Silver Needle Retreat.  Rather we created our own retreat.  My sisters (Jennifer & Bridget), Katie, Lisha, Theresa, Maddi, and I went to Birmingham for a week.  We each brought a craft to teach each night (a different person each night) and crafts for us to complete.

Katie's chain maile earrings

Katie's Chain maile earrings

Theresa's Paper Mache Craft

Jennifer's Basket weaving

Lisha's Christmas Ornaments

I completed three project and made a major dent in the other project.  I finished Panel 1 of the Halloween Pudgy, a hot pad, and some crocheted containers.  I have nearly finished Jennifer's LaLaLoopsy doll.  I only have to add the hair.

Panel 1 of Halloween Pudgy

crocheted containers

hot pad

95% complete LaLaLoopsy Doll

Jennifer found a sewing pattern to create a cover for your notebook.  Well of course we all wanted one.  Here is mine.

Sewn by Sharon

Mari, Jennifer and I also became interested in stained glass crafts.  We took a class at the Craftsman's Guild in Jackson with Jane Mullins.  We made the star sun catcher.  Then Mari and I took the intermediate class (Jennifer had a prior engagement) and made the bird.  Mine was horrible.  I had a bad day (cut myself 3 times).  So I will probably take the class again.  The bird looks good here but when I put it together the gaps were too big.

And last but not least.  The Rose of Sharon.  I am nearing completion of this project.  This week has been very busy (preparing for school).  Next week will also be very busy (first week of school).  I plan to have this finished before the end of the year.

I have decided not to make plans with definite deadlines.  Every time I do things go awry.  So I just plan on working.  I have started several projects that I hope to post as I go rather than one large post like this.  I have also started using up my small amounts of yarn.  I am crocheting afghan squares for "Warm Up America!"  I have decided that when I finish a project that I will get rid of the pattern rather than keep it.  I am trying the KonMari method of cleaning and decluttering my house.  Let's see what happens.

Thank you for sticking with me all this time.  Hopefully I will post more often.

Sharon

It is FINALLY complete

Well I finally finished it.  I have been working on this project since 2008.  I have been seriously working on it since February of this year.  It is beautiful.  I stitched using DMC floss on 28ct Jobelan Fabric from Silkweaver.  The color of the fabric is Karma.  The pattern is the Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long from Ink Circles.  I can't wait to frame it.  My sister Jennifer is out of town until tomorrow night plus it is Memorial Day Weekend.  So, I will have to wait a few day to go to Neblett's to order the frame.  I am extremely happy that I have completed this project.  One down, two to go.

Completed

Completed, Washed, & Ironed

Bent Creek's "lil p + Snowman"

I used this Bent Creek as a palette cleanser before I start the next big UFO. It was a quick and easy stitch.  It took a couple of days to complete.  I stitched it on the included fabric with the included pearl coton thread.  It turned out really cute.  My nephew Leif kept informing me that the had was missing the button and that the diamonds were incomplete when I was stitching it.  What a Clark (bossy).













My next big UFO project is Mirabillia's Rose of Sharon that I started in February of 2009 (I think).  I have complete the upper body of the women but I have a long ways to go.  I have one other major project the EGA course Tiramisu that I have to finish.  Since it is twelve bands, I am going to complete one band a month.  I decided this today and I am 1-1/12 bands behind.  I am going to work on it tomorrow and see if I can at least complete the 2nd half of band 4.

Well got to go.  Supper is ready.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Talk About Avoidance

Ink Circle Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long
so far (with 2 blocks left)

Well I have been working on the Ink Circles Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long as the main project since around February 10th.  So, you would think that I would want to finish it up quickly; especially since I only have 2 blocks left.  Well you would be wrong.  I don't know why.  I really want to finish it (and should be completely finished) but I have been sidetracked.

3 Goombas with the Mario I made for Patrick

 My nephew Theron has asked me several times when I was going to crochet a Mario Goomba for him.  So this Saturday I spent time working on the Goombas (one for Theron, Tucker, and Patrick) and the Yoshi Eggs (one for Theron, Michelle, and Tucker).  The pattern for the Goombas I got from the website Nerdigurumi.   The author of the site is Emjay Bailey and I love her work.  The Yoshi Egg pattern I got from Sprite Stitch Forum 

The Yoshi Eggs with the Yoshi I made
for Michelle last year.

 I need to buy the blue yarn from Theron's Yoshi and his egg (the white one). 

I was also delayed more (because the above post was started two weeks ago) by the internet and finals.  I couldn't get the pictures to upload to the website.  Then final exams and end of semester activities along with graduation.  Well as of today I am on vacation until June.  If my class makes then I will teach in June but it doesn't look good.  Now that Pell Grants only pay for two semester, many of my students can't afford to pay for the summer semester out of their own pockets.  Right now, I have one student registered for my Calculus II class.  I will not be upset if my class makes or if it doesn't make.  Either way I will be happy. 

Well got to go my nephew Leif requested a Nutella sandwich and has counted to 10.  I guess I am in trouble (wink, wink).  So, I should go fix the sandwich.

Thanks for stopping by

Sharon

Spring Break

So I started Spring Break at a Conference in Biloxi, MS at the Beau Rivage Casino.  I had a great time but I took my Geography content quiz using a coworker's tablet (because mine was dead).  Well, her tablet died in the middle of the quiz but I got to finish it on my iPhone.  I missed one because I was hurrying to finish (the quiz was only 15 minutes long).  I said that China had 1.3 MILLION people when I knew it was BILLION.  Next time I will double check before I submit.  I no longer have a 100 average.

Saturday & Sunday I spent taking out and putting back in (twice) the Celtic knot on the right side.  We stitched at Jennifer's on Sunday.  We celebrated Theresa's birthday with her friend Sue from up north.  We had a great time visiting and stitching.





Then for the rest of the week I have spent cleaning my house and cleaning out my office during the day and stitching on the Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long.  I haven't made as much progress as I would have liked.  I have finished the frames for the next two patterns and 1/2 of the Celtic knot on the left.  Today I have almost completed my house cleaning.  I have half of my desk (which is an L-shaped desk with a bookshelf built in) to finish cleaning.  Then I plan on spending the rest of Spring Break stitching. Oh yeah, I have a wedding to go to on Saturday but the rest of the time I will be stitching.

Well got to go watch Teen Titans with Leif and hold him.  He's ready for bed and wants all of my attention.  Typical of a 5 year old.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sharon

Week 9 - Progress on Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long

Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long
lacking green in the 3 patterns

I got busy this last week on the Ink Circle's Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long.  I started working on 3 of the patterns.  I was originally working on the upper right corner, but decided to work on the other two below.  So, I stitched one color at a time in each of the patterns.  I have two colors left, purple in the upper left corner, and green in all 3 pattern.









As for Michelle's afghan, I decided to do a basic granny square.  On Wednesday at bowling I finished 6-1/2 squares.  So when I got home I finished the last one.  Now I have 3 patterns left to stitch.  I think I will submit this afghan for the Mississippi State Fair in October.  I think it is going to be a beautiful afghan.  I can't wait to put it together.

Well, I got to go.  I need to finish the 3 patterns I have left.

Sharon

Stitching deja vue

Ink Circle's Celtic Mystery-Stitch-along
Stitched on Silkweaver - Karma
28 ct. Jobelan
using DMC floss

So as I posted last time, I had to pull out almost all of the right fish looking corner because I can't add.  Funny thing... I had to do it twice.  But I finally got it straighten out.  Also, since I was ripping out thread, I decide to redo the blue on the upper left corner.  The original blue that is suppose to go there is an lighter blue but it faded into the fabric.  So I decide to use only one blue since the pictures don't look like there is a difference in the blues.  I have completed 4-1/2 of the 18 different charts that make up this piece.  I am loving the work and the colors.  I hope to post more progress by the end of this week.


Also, I completed two patterns on Michelle's afghan.  The first was the Nooks and Crannies Square by Sally Ives and the second was the Apple Blossom Time pattern designed by Bonnie Pierce.  The Nooks and Crannies Square was fun to crochet.  I kept having to redo because I would lose track of where I was in the pattern but it was a fun pattern to do.  It turned out beautiful.  The I decided to try the Apple Blossom Time again.  At first I didn't want to do the apple blossom time because it called for E, F, & G hook; I was using K.  But, then I moved to the I hook for several of the patterns because the K was too large.  So, I tried again.  The Apple Blossom Time turned out beautiful. I now have 4 more squares to do for this afghan: (1) the Fisherman's Ring, (2) Early Harvest Square, (3) Basic Granny Square, and (4) Picots, Picots, Picots!  When I finish these squares, I will start on the squares for the Sunflower Afghan.  I can't wait to put Michelle's afghan together.  I am thinking of entering it into the Mississippi State fair this year.  We will see.

Nooks & Crannies

Apple Blossom Time

Well, got to hit the road.  Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed the read.

Sharon

Plastic Canvas complete (well almost)

Welcome.  I finally finished all of my plastic canvas (well almost all) on February 10th.  First up is the Reindeer.  I finished him on the 6th.  He is very cute but has a funny nose.

Large Santa

On Sunday the 9th, we had two birthday parties.  My nephew Tyler who is 4+1 (5 but not 5) had a present opening party.  (He doesn't want to turn 5 because he doesn't want to go to school).  Then our friend Theresa had a stitching party for my sister Jennifer's birthday.  At the party, I finished the big Santa, the small snowman, the pilgrim, and the angel.  Then I realized that I didn't have a small Santa.  So, I created my own small Santa using others (like the witch and leprechaun) as my guide.  On Monday, I colored the fabric covered wire black and made all of the smiles.  The almost part is I need to get an orange marker to color the fabric to make the smiles & whiskers for the cat and the spider.  Also, I am waiting on Bridget to finish cutting out the Uncle Sam so I can stitch it.

The Snowman, Pilgrim, & my Santa

all of the Holiday Magnets

Ink Circles Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long
DMC Floss on

Since all of the current projects were finished, I pulled out another project from the box.  And the winner is ... Ink Circles Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long.  I actually started this project in March 2008 (when they release the first piece).  But, I didn't get very far.  When I picked it up this time it looked like the picture here.  Well, I worked on it all week last week and this weekend.  Then I spent all of Sunday and Monday pulling out what I had put in for the upper right hand corner.  I started stitching on it last night and redid all that I had pulled out.  I will post again on Saturday what I have completed then.  Also, I am still working on squares that are for Michelle's afghan.  My sister-in-law, Katie, helped me figure out the Fisherman's Ring Square so I will work on it this week.  Tonight "we bowl".  So I am going to work on the granny squares.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed the visit.

Sharon

Stitching Weekend and Finished Projects

Well, I finished my dad's afghan at the end of November. The pattern had rows that repeated. It looks like it would not be warm but it is very warm. I think he will love it. I also bought him the movie "The Pathfinder" with Karl Urban. As far as the other afghans are going. I should finish Tim's afghan by Christmas, but Ricky and Hobbie's afghans will be boxes of yarn under the tree.

Now this weekend, Lisha, Teresa, Jennifer, Bridget, and I got together at a different home each day to stitch. Friday, the first day, we stitched at Jennifer's house. I crocheted on Tim's afghan for a couple of hours. Then I worked on my ornament for the ornament exchange we had today. I stitched "Gift" from Lizzie Kate, then I stitched on the border for Bent Creek's Red Thread Series. When I got home, my nephews Theron and Tucker wanted to spend the night. So I let them. I thought they would want to help decorate the tree. Well, they didn't rather they wanted to play Pikmin on the Wii.

Saturday we started at 1:00 at Teresa's. Again, I worked on the afghan and finished what you see above on the border. Now I have the right side of the border and the words. I decided to do the words in a dark red. Then I worked on another Round Robin that needed finishing. The pattern is "Victorian Bear Stocking" a part of Designs for the Needle's Christmas Tradition. The pattern was completed in the round robin but the back-stitching is the thing that needs to be finished. The pattern is hard to follow for the back-stitching because they use two very similar reds to show back-stitching with different color thread. I didn't stitch a lot of back-stitching.

When I got home, my brother Ricky asked me to keep Leif, his son. Leif is 10-months old and fighting the urge to sleep. He is adorable and we finally got to bed at 11:30.
Today, I worked on "Fall Crazy" by Lizzie Kate. I had already stitched the body of the turkey. I stitched on the is one a long time. Then I switched to the Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long by Ink Circles. I worked on the border and one of the squares.

Fall Crazy

We did an ornament exchange. As I said, I stitched "Gifts" from Lizzie Kate. I got in the exchange the snowman. Which is perfect since snowmen are my favorite.

Jennifer stitched "Cookies" which Teresa got, Lisha stitched the snowman which I got, Teresa stitched the Noel which Bridget got, and Bridget brought the wreath of bells which Lisha got and Jennifer got my ornament.

Tonight I am home alone. No one is spending the night (other than the dog). I am ready for bed. My mother and I are going "combat" Christmas shopping in the morning.

Well thanks for stopping by,


Sharon