Art Journal Week 8 & 9

Week 8's question, "If I could do it again, would I change anything?"  My answer was YES.  I would rethink getting my Ph.D.  I want to finish it but it has been a long haul and a lot of marching in place.  I love to learn but I haven't enjoyed this trip.

Week 9's question, "Count them (Your blessings).  So I did.  Here they are for all to see.


Thanks for stopping by,

Sharon

Finishes this month

 Here is the ninja that I crocheted for Michelle out of the Creepy Cute Crochet book I got for Christmas.  He was very easy to complete.  All one color.  I crocheted the face rather than use felt.  I also used buttons for the eyes.  Michelle loved it.  She put the ninja and the vampire queen on top of the TV.








Here are two of the twelve pieces for the Lizzie Kate Christmas Spirit Double Flip.  I finished one each month.  I have almost completed Cookies for March.  I am using DMC floss on specialty fabric.

Lizzie Kate's Flora McSample Farm Sampler Snippet.  I stitched this on regular linen with DMC flosses.  I loved this pattern.  The sheep and pig are really cute.  Besides it has a sunflower (my favorite). 








This is the afghan I crocheted for Hobbie.  I used zebra print yarn.  The pattern was a single cluster pattern that repeated.  The original pattern had fringe.  But, since I made it for a guy, I didn't think he would like it.  So I made up the border.  I did an single crochet for the first round.  Round two was a double crochet in the first single crochet, single crochet, skip stitch, then double crochet around.  The third round I did a front post double crochet, chain 1 for the next row.  Then the last row was a single crochet in every double crochet and chain 1 spot.  I finished it today at 5 pm.  I sent it home with Jennifer.  I hope Hobbie likes it.








Finally, my art project # 8.  The question is what is your current obsession.  Mine at the moment is Amigurumi.  I love crocheting animals for my friends and family.   I have actually sold a few of them.  I am making myself a lime green hippo  right now.  I still have to crochet for Tucker and Patrick.






My main focus at the moment is trying to finish my dissertation.  I have to finish this year.  I spent all spring break working on it .  I went to the coast and stayed at the condo by myself.  I did this so I wouldn't be disturbed or I wouldn't find a distraction.

I hope to post soon.  Thanks for stopping by,

Sharon

Projects since last post

I crocheted this "Vampire Queen" for Liz's daughter Michelle out of the Creepy Cute Crochet book I got for Christmas.  I think she turned out great.  I had to make two sets of hair (the first hadn't been enough).





This is another hippo from Easy Crochet Critters book.  A Mississippi State hippo.  I crocheted it with white and maroon yarn.  It turned out thicker and bigger than the previous hippos.  I think I've become a hippo maker.  I have made an entire herd of hippos: purple, pink, red, varigated: Blue-yellow-green, blue-pink-green, & yellow-green-red.

I have more but the pictures didn't turn out.  I will post them later today.

Thank you for stopping by.

Sharon

Another Hippo & other amigurumi

Here is a hippo, from the Easy Crochet Critters book, that my cousin Liz wanted.  I almost finished him in one evening.  I ran out of stuffing, so I had to finish him the next day on February 4th.  I think he is cute.  Now she has me doing 2 more for her coworkers.  I will post pictures when I finish them.

Also, I had finished these on Finished August 5, 2011 but didn't post them. 

 This puppy was for my nephew Nicholas.  He like it but he was too cool to acknowledge that he liked it.

This penguin (free pattern from Lions Brand) was for my nephew Theron.  He was so excited about this one.  He carried it around all day.


Thanks for stopping by

Sharon

Week 6 & 7 Art Journal

Welcome,

Here is week 6 and 7.  Week 6's question was "Your Initial".  I found a very pretty S and, of course, a cute owl for this one.  I then wrote all the positive words that I could think of that began with the letter S.  I had fun with this one; and it was quick.








Week 7's question was "Love, Love, Love".  At the moment the loves of my life are my nephews and niece.  So, I made this card with 7 flowers (one for each child) and then decorated them differently.  I think it is beautiful.

Well, thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Quaker Bat & Orange Sunflowers

Whoo Hoo!! I have finished another project on my list.  I finished the Quaker Bat on Thursday night and Friday morning.  I should have finished it sooner but I ran out of thread.  I started stitching this pattern using Olde Willow Stitchery's Dracula's Cape.  But, I had two skeins from different dye lots.  So, I used a strand from each to stitch the pattern.  I finished the head and the wings before I ran out of one skein.  I started on the lower body and ran out of the 2nd skein.  I have to go to Shakespeare's Peddler and ask Theresa to help me find a close match to finish it.  Well, we choose Galvanized from Weeks Dye Works.  I think we did a great job of matching the previous thread.  The pattern was stitched on Silkweaker's Rock Quarry 28-ct.

Now I want to finish the pattern as  a standup.  I will have to do a little research before I start.

On February 10th, Jennifer, Bridget, Theresa, Mari, Ricky, Dr. Jones, Joree and I went to painting with a Twist to do the Orange sunflowers.  We had a great time except for the fact that our supper- Mexican - took over 2-1/2 hours to eat & pay.  I really didn't like my stems but I like them okay now.  I hope we do this again soon.


For the rest of today I will be crocheting on Hobbie, Michelle, Patrick, and Tucker's projects.  I hope to finish all of them this weekend (my 4-day weekend).

Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Week 4 & 5 Art Attempts

 Sorry for the delay in posting.  I am truly trying to post weekly but as you know life tends to get in the way. Week 4's question is "What are you proud of?"  Well at the moment I am most proud of my artwork.  I drew Grumpy while at Disney World in October.  I finally got it framed and hung it in my living room.  The other was my painting of the Metal Chicken: Rhinna from Painting with a Twist.  It now hangs on the wall in my kitchen.

Week 5's question is "What is powerful to you?".  I decided to do a computer generated collage.  The background is a clipart picture of the Bible, a cross, and an Easter Lily.  I then used a picture of my mother and me, a picture of Liz and me, and a clipart of praying hands.  I then used text boxes to insert the words: Love, Prayer, Friendship, and Faith.

I am having a great time with these art projects.  Sometimes it feels more like scrapbooking but I am having fun.

Well, thanks for dropping by.

Sharon

Boo Club Complete

 Well I finally finished the Boo Club by Lizzie Kate.  I started it last year or the year before.  I can't remember now but I finished it.  Whoo hoo!!  I stitched on 28 count linen with DMC floss.  I decided not to cross-stitch the white boxes between the black boxes.  I love it even if I have a few boo boos.

As, for the Quaker Bat.  I have completed one wing and am working on the other.  This is my purse project.  I usually only work on it when I am waiting somewhere but I think I am going to try to finish it in the next week or two.

On another note, I bought this owl fabric fleece last year and made a throw for my couch.  You know the one; where you cut strips in the edges then tie knots in them.  Well I had left overs and my mother made a pillowcase to match.  Then I found the same pattern in cotton fabric.  I asked my sister Bridget to make me a bag.  It's a tulip bag that she and Jennifer took a class.  Well she finished it and gave it to me Monday.  I was so glad because I was about to buy a new purse.  I can never find one with the right amount of depth that opened enough to find things.  I was always emptying my purse just to find what I was looking for.  Well, this bag is perfect.  Just deep enough and the top is wide enough that I can find what I want.  Thank you Bridget for my purse.  I love it.

Well I want to go stitch and watch more of the "Leverage" and "CSI: NY" shows that I have recorded.  Also, Patrick, my nephew, wants the laptop.  So, thanks for dropping by.  I hope you enjoyed the postings.

Sharon

Painting with a Twist: Rhianna

Hey,  well I just got in from participating at Painting with a Twist.  My sisters, Jennifer & Bridget, and our friends Lisha and Theresa went to eat before at the Mellow Mushroom.  The girls had Lemon drops with their meals.  I, of course, had a taste and when not the DD I will have one of my own.  We met my sister-in-law Mari at the place at 7pm.  We had a great time painting.   I had trouble with my chicken's waddle and his rear end.  My sister Jennifer says that my chicken looks like has a fake comb; and I agree.  I really like the tail  it looks like a lot of feathers.  I am really happy with the rooster and have decided to hang him in my kitchen.  So I need to go buy a frame tomorrow.  Afterwards we went to a wine bar called the Cork in town.  They each got a different martini (well not me or Lisha).  Which were all good.  I've decided that I like the lemon drop and the grasshopper the best.  We've decided that we want to do this again.  I might actually take a painting class next fall at USM through continuing education, just for fun. Well I am off to bed.  Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Week 2 & 3 Art Journal attempts

Welcome,I started my art journal a little late.  So, I have been catching up.  Week 2's question is "I am..."  I tried my hand at decoupage.  I used words cut out of magazines. I used words that I felt described me and a couple of words that I wanted to describe me.  As usual, it didn't go like I planned it. I'll have to think about how to improve it.  If I figure something out then I will post another picture.


Week 3's question was "Do you believe in fairies?  So I went to the internet to find pictures of fairies and came across this 1970's looking fairy.  So I decided I was going to color it with my crayons.  But of course, I couldn't find my crayons.  So I used my chalks from scrapbooking.  I think she turned out great.  I also planned on writing the words with a glitter pen but it came out goopy so I used my silver pen over regular black ink.  Since the glitter pen didn't work, and I wanted glitter on it, I put glitter on the wings instead. 


On the stitching frontier, I finished Monster on the Lizzie Kate Boo Club.  I have also added the other ear to the Quaker bat.  I will wait a little longer before I post pictures because it takes so long to load the pictures.

The weekend is coming up and I can't wait to do Painting with a Twist.  I am ready to try something new.  I hope it turns out ok.  But if my art is ugly, that is okay because I tried.  At least, I will enjoy spending time with my sisters and our friends.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I need to go stitch.  Starting Monday I will be back on the grad student wheel.  I WILL finish this year!

Thanks again,

Sharon

Art Journal & Boo Progress

 Welcome,

So I wrote in my previous blog that I wanted to start doing things that are not my normal activities.  I said I was going to do an art journal where I got the questions from  Em's blog.  So here is my first attempt.  The question on the back is "What do I wish for this year to bring?".  Well I want to finish period.  I want to finish my degree.  I want to finish all of my WIPs.  I want to actually relax and take a vacation.  And of course, love and marriage. I think I did a good job on my first attempt.  I made my own tassel but the rest are scrapbook cutouts.  I didn't even think about the background paper.  I just liked the colors, then I realized they were stars, wishing stars that is.  I am a week late but I think I will continue this for a little while longer.  Maybe even 51 more weeks.

To continue in this "stepping outside my comfort zone", my sisters and I have signed up at Painting with a Twist.  We have signed up for Rhianna, The Metal Chicken.  I think we are going to have fun.  I will post a picture of my masterpiece (ha ha ha) this weekend.

On a different note,  I have been working on Lizzie Kate's Boo Club.  I have finished fright and brew.  I am in the middle of monster.  I have two more words, ghost and halloween, left to stitch and the border to finish.  I may actually finish this project this month. I think this is turning out pretty.

Monday, I made October, November, and December into magnets.  It took me all day because someone (Leif and Theron) kept wanting my attention.  It is funny that when you are doing absolutely nothing they don't want anything to do with you.  But, the minute you start working on something, they call your name constantly.  Well, any way,  I have completed the Monthly magnets.  Hip Hip Hooray!

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  I have to go to bed.  Work in the morning.

Sharon

First Finishes for the Year

Woo hoo!!     I finished two projects this year.  The first was the December pattern (Winter Village) that was a free pattern on Rainbow Gallery's site, designed by Erica Michaels.  I should have finished this series in December of 2010 but my mother got sick in October and I fell behind.  I am making the series into magnets.  I still have 3 more to make into magnets.  I like this one best.

Erica Michaels 2004 Cross Stitcher's Surprise Series from Rainbow Gallery

 Here is a picture of all of the patterns.  I stitched with DMC floss on Aida Fabric.  I changed the color for December since the pattern was mostly in white.  I use them as magnets to hold up my monthly calendar on the refrigerator.

 

The other finish was the afghan I was working on for my brother Ricky.  It has been 2 years for me to finish it but I finally did.  I stitched in Red Heart's Dark Orchid.  Once I finished it, I noticed that I stitched the pattern wrong. between each 2 double crochets there is suppose to be a bubble but I did a chain 3 only.  I misunderstood the pattern and only did a chain 3.   Now I will be working on Hobbie's afghan.

Thank you for stopping by.

Sharon

WIPs to be completed this year

So, I decided to take pictures of the WIP that I have planned to finish this year.  I wanted to see the progress that I make as I work on each pattern.

Rose of Sharon - Mirabilia

The first pattern is the Rose of Sharon by Mirabilia.  I bought this pattern back in 1992 or 1993 from Stitch and Frame in Lafayette, LA when I moved to town to go to college.  I have wanted to stitch this for years but never got around to it.  Well last year I started it but I don't remember when.  So this year when I start a project, I am going to write the date down in my planner.  I have stitched most of the girl but still have the archway and flowers to go.  I wish I was the type of person who could modify the pattern because I would like to add beads to the dress like Nora Corbett did on her mermaid patterns.  I am stitching it on a 28 ct. blue linen that I had leftover from when I stitched the Precious Moments Noah's Ark for my nephew approximately 16 years ago.  I am using DMC floss.

Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long - Ink Circle

The second pattern is the Celtic Mystery Stitch-a-long by Ink Circle.  I have completed two of the monthly squares and part of two others.  I am stitching it on Silkweaver's Karma - 28 ct. Jobelan with DMC floss.  I started this in August 2008 but as usual got sidetracked when working on it.  I hope to finish it in 2012.
 

Tiramisu - EGA GCC

The 3rd pattern is Tiramisu by Dakota Rogers.  I have signed up twice for this EGA Group Correspondence Course but, as usual, I was sidetracked and missed the evaluation process.  The pattern is being stitched on Silkweaver's Banana Splash - 28 ct. Lugana with shades of orange DMC floss.  The pattern is "A reversible Spanish Stitch Sampler from 16th and 1th centuries Italy" blackwork.  I love blackwork!!

Quaker Halloween Bat - Workbasket

 The 4th pattern in the Quaker Halloween Bat by Workbasket.  I am not really into Quaker Patterns but I did the Owl in this pattern last year and wanted to do the bat.  I am stitching it on Silkweaver's Rock Quarry - 28 ct. Lugana.  The thread I am using is Olde Willow Stitchery Hand-dyed Threads #110 - Dracula's Cape.  The funny thing is that I had two different dye lots so the threads are really different.  One is a silvery, purple color and the other is a silvery, gray color.  So I an using one thread from each dye lot; it's looking kinda cool.

Wild West

The 5th pattern is a kit from Janlynn called Treasure Map.  The pattern is on Aida and come with the thread.  My sister Bridget volunteered me to stitch it for my sister-in-law Mari about 5 years ago.  So I want to get it done before Theron gets too old to appreciate it.  This one has two large pictures (one of which I have finished) then lots of little pictures and words.

Ricky's Afghan

The 6th project is Ricky's Afghan.  I am crocheting the August pattern from "A Year of Afghans: Book 14" from Leisure Arts.  The yarn that I am using is Red Heart's Dark Orchid.  I am almost finished with it.  I hope to finish it tonight.  But probably not since I need another skein of yarn.  My brother loves the color and the length since he is 6'2".

Hobbie's Afghan

Last but not least is the afghan for my brother-in-law, Hobbie.  I am stitching June from "Birthstone Afghans" from Leisure Arts.  I am using Red Heart's Zebra Yarn.  This pattern is one row pattern repeated.


Well got to go.  Thanks for looking at my projects.  I will post updates more often this year.

Thanks
Sharon

Welcome 2012

I had a wonderful time last night.  My sister Bridget had a board game party at her house for New Years Eve.  There were 8 people there (mostly family).  We snacked and played about 7 games.  Then today after church and lunch, my sisters, Jennifer and Bridget, with my brother-in-law Tim and I played SmartAlec (It goes by a different name) and Phase 10.  We had a great time.

I had hoped to start my new year with a very clean house and all of my decorations put away.  Well, I didn't quite make it there.  On the other hand, I did complete a major feat.  I completely cleaned my office (it looked like a hoarder lived there, had to step on things to get in).  It is so clean, the floor is clear, my desk is actually a desk again, not a junk holder.  My goal this year is to keep the house clean using the Fly Lady's cleaning system while trying to minimize my possessions.

Another of my goals this year is to be healthier.  I plan on cooking breakfast every morning rather than getting a breakfast burrito meal from McDonald's.  My boss gave me this pretty lunch bag for Christmas which I plan on using on regular basis by taking my lunch to work rather than not eating or going out (which is what I did last year).  I also plan on starting to exercise.  I borrowed Jennifer's Wii Fit and will start using it on Monday.

Finally, I want to enjoy life more.  Reading for pleasure, stitch more, crochet more.  I want to do something new each week that I have never done but wanted to do.  I think I am going to do the art journal that Em will be starting soon.  This will be a big deal to me because I don't think I am artistically inclined but I am going to spread my wings.


Thank you for stopping by.  I will posted again during the week.

Sharon

Amigurumi again

Hippo

Leif and his Hippo

Bunny for Jessica

Leif and I went shopping one afternoon.  We were in Hobby Lobby looking at yarn when he choose the multicolored yarn.  I tried to put it back on the shelf but he said "No! Hippo. Hippo for me."  So I made him another Hippo.  As you can see he loves it.

As for the bunny, my friend Vercher's daughter loves bunnies and is pregnant due this month.  So I crocheted this bunny (from Stephanie Jessica Lau) for her and her daughter-to-be.  I decided not to do the nose and mouth.  While I was making the bunny, my mother made a baby blanket with rick-rack for the fringe.

 Thanks for stopping by

Sharon

Isn't it Beautiful? Aren't They Cute?

This is the Lollipop Quilt wall hanging that my sisters and our friend Lisha decided to work on as a group.  I really like the idea of the project.  But, I spent most of my time cursing the sewing machine or being very aggravated.  Jennifer did the Halloween one and this one.  Her's turned out beautifully.  Mine looks good but I don't think I will do a big one like this again.  I have two small wall hangs that are from the fall.  I finished this one a couple of weeks ago but have only been able to post tonight.

Monkey & Hippo

Owl (my sister say Vulture) and a red Hippo

I have started crocheting animals (aka amigurumi).  I have completed two hippos, one for Leif (the purple one) and one for Tyler (the red one), an alligator for Liz, and the owl/vulture for me.  I am working on a pink hippo and a green walrus for my sisters Bridget and Jennifer respectively.  The hippos, aligator, and monkey are from the Easy Crochet Critters book.  The owl is from a Coats & Clark freebie pattern.

The other project that I have finished is the Turkey Dressing by Raise the Roof Designs.  I have to put the buttons on it tomorrow.  So, I will post a picture of it then.  I am making progress in my 22 project challenge.

About a month ago, Jennifer and I went to Michael's and bought these beautiful storage boxes.  I used mine to store most of my 22 projects.  Well I went back and found another box that I loved that was bigger.  So I got it; justifying the purchase as needing a place to store my finished stitching in until framing.  I had to clean out my cabinets and my mother's drawers to find my finished projects.  I just about filled it up with completed stitch projects.  Now I'm having to decide how to finish these projects.

Well got to go.  Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon

Two Year Project!?!

Side view of the Original Ottoman

top view

I bought this from a friend who was moving back in 2004 or 2005. I decided to recover it about a year later.  So, I bought the fabric with a 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby.  Then I finally decided to recover it in March 2009.  I took it apart with the plan of covering it the next weekend.  

Well this year with my mother and father's help, I finally finished it.  Daddy and I finished it today.  I think it turned out great.  But next time I will just buy a new one.  The cost of the supplies was almost as much as a brand new ottoman.

side view of the recovered ottoman

top view of the recovered ottoman

Well thanks for stopping by.

Sharon Clark

2011 - Goals

Well I know I am starting late with posting.  Every time I say "I am going to do ______".  You can bet that it will not happen.  I planned on posting each week this year but here we are in the 3rd month and this is the first post of the year.


Jennifer challenged us to complete 11 UFO's and 11 new projects this year.  So I accepted the challenge.  I have already posted the 22 projects to be completed this year.  I have completed one of the projects.  The second one I ran out of thread.  I need to pick up some thread to finish it.  I was hoping to be through with 4 projects by now.  (See, I plan it but it didn't happen.)  I really hope to finish all of them this year.


Also, I have been watching way too much "Hoarders".  So, on January 1st  I started cleaning out my house.  I took every thing out of each room, furniture and all, then washed the room - walls, floor, curtains, etc.  Then I only put back the bare essentials.  I finished half the house in January, but work and other obligations has gotten in the way of finishing the living room and kitchen.  My goal (which I shouldn't write) is to finish the cleaning today.  I have packed up 3 to 4 boxes for the garage sale we are having this month.

I begin spring break today.  I want to just relax (yeah right).  Maybe I will.

The End of 2010....THANK GOD!

I was on the phone with my friend Sharon tonight discussing what's happened in our life since we last talked (about a week).  We both concluded that 2010 was the worst year ever and that 2011 will be much better.  Between sick parents (and nearly losing one of them for both of us), nephews, daughters getting married (hers), no dating, very little stitching or reading, and a lot of work, 2010 was a rough year. But there were some good notes.

I finished the Seasons Series from Kick Back & Stitch.  I started this series in 2007 and finished receiving the patterns in 2008.  Well I finished the last of the series December 30th.  It seemed like I would never finish Maple Trees before the end of the new year but I did it.  I finally finished the 16th needlepoint patterns.  I only gave two of them away Crocuses to my Mother and Frozen Pond to Michelle.  The rest I have trimmed then I frame 4 on the wall then switch them out every few months.