January 2019 update

January is finally over, and hopefully that means the miserable cold goes away too!

STITCHING

• January 1 - Started Shakespeare's fairies with Christin, Becca, Dani, and Dale.

• January 16 - Finished Dark Shards - my first finish of 2019!

• January 27 - Finished my January ornament.  This is Dashing through the snow from JCS 2018 xmas edition

KNITTING

• January 10(ish) - Re-started my next pair of socks, which I have named Red Harbour (for the pattern i'm using, Petty Harbour)

• January 24 - Finished my Sockhead cowl, which I LOVED doing.  I used Lizzie Anne Yarns in Beach Glass for this.

October 2018 plans

As much as I love the fall, I still can't believe that October is here!  Seriously... where has this year gone!

I am going to continue with my reduced plans and updates for October, since it seemed to work for September.

1) ORNAMENT A MONTH

• I really liked how the Durene Jones ornament went last month, so I think I will attempt another one.  I would love to stitch all three... and I might even do an extra one for retreat :O
• I am still behind for July and August, so you never know... I might get an extra one done.

2) YEAR IN CHALK

• November is all ready to go.  I can't believe I'm almost done these! 

3) DUTCH TILE SAL

• I am currently on part 7 and there are only 8 (last part coming out soon)... I am hoping to get this one done!

4) WIP

• With the Dutch Tile SAL (hopefully) done this month, I will need to pick a new focus.
• My choices at the moment are:
• Tapestry (Ink Circles)
• Dragons of Sumatra (Ink Circles)
• Sneek (SAL) (Long Dog)
• Prickly but Cute SAL (Fuzzy Fox)

September 2018 update

I reduced my plans in September to try and get back on track.  I have come to realize the success I had for the first 6 months is just not going to happen at the moment.  I have come to be be okay with it though... as many things have changed.

Lets see how I did do in September:

1) Ornament a month - KINDA

• I wanted to get caught up with ornaments, but that didn't happen
• I did get ONE down however, so I'm happy with that... especially since I even finished it!

Polar Bear Ornament - Durene Jones

2) Year in Chalk - YES

• This is something I have been able to keep up with !  October was done early into the month.  It still needs to be ironed and laced.

Year in Chalk - October
Hands on Design
Fabrics by Stephanie - 32ct linen slate

3) Dutch Tile SAL - YES

• I managed to get the 6th part done, and am working on the first tile on the 7th.  I call this a win

Dutch Tile SAL - Peppermint Purple/Lakeside Needlecraft

4) WIP - NO

• I really only stuck to the items above, so no other WIPS were really worked on.  I did pull out Canada sampler for a bit, but it didn't hold my attention.

KNITTING
I have been doing some knitting as well this month.  I actually finished my first pair of socks on the 30th!  I can't wait to cast on my 2nd pair :)

I also participated in the charity KAL at my local store, and did a knitted knocker.  This was the first time using DPN's.... not a fan.... not a fan.

I also have 2 shawls on the go... the ardent and the hitchhiker beyond.

September 2018 plans

Well hello September!
I am continuing to reduce my plans for the months until my stitchy bug shows that it will stick around.

1) ORNAMENT A MONTH

• I am now behind for July and August... so I am going to try and get caught up by doing at least two this month.  I have started one... I just have to finish it
• I also need to get an ornament ready for November retreat... so I really need to get on these!

2) YEAR IN CHALK

• October is up next

3) DUTCH TILE SAL

• I would like to stay caught up on this SAL.  I am only one part behind as of the 3rd of September.  The 6th part comes out on the 8th and the 7th on the 21st.  While weekends are going to be busy this month, I should be able to manage this. 
• Maybe I will have a finish in October after the 8th part comes out!!

4) WIP

• There are so many things I want to start... but need to keep WIPS at a maximum of 10 (where I find it comfortable).  
• This means getting back to focusing on something during the month.
• My oldest non-UFO wips are Canada Sampler and Tapestry.  I will make one of these my focus until its done... probably Tapestry.

Wishing you all a happy, and productive September!

August 2018 plans update

How crazy is it that it is already September!

As you can tell, I am still behind in my blog posts.  I have been doing a bit of stitching though... so that is good.

Until I get 100% back on track, I will be doing monthly goals plans and then the recap.

Now... lets see how I did in August!

1) Ornament a month - NOPE

• I have started one, but it didn't get finished

2) Year in Chalk - YES

• I did complete September, but it isn't laced yet... hopefully tonight

3) SALS - YES AND NO

•  I have not made any progress on Sneek or the cactus SAL
• I HAVE made progress on the Dutch Tile SAL.  Currently on part 5!

 

 

4) MYSTERY SAL - YES!!!

• If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I stitched my wonderful friend Lianne's second release - Hearts Aflutter.  She is designing under 1897 schoolhouse samplers and you should totally check it out!
• Here is my interpretation as I made a couple of small changes

All in all, still not back to Pre July, but definitely better than July.
Lets see what September brings... and just remember

IT ISN'T FALL UNTIL THE 23RD!!!

August 2018 plans

Well Hello August!

I hope with your arrival, my stitchy bug comes back to hang out!  Since July was so crazy, I am reducing my plans for August.  If I do more... GREAT!

1) ORNAMENT A MONTH

• Not sure what it will be, but I know it will be small and easy.  I also hope to get 2 done this month... so I'm back on track

2) YEAR IN CHALK

• September is up next

3) SALS

• I am currently in 3 SAL's... although only actively in 2... The Dutch Tile SAL and the Long Dog Sal.
• I will try and get a part on each, but will be happy with getting a part on at least one

4) MYSTERY

• I had a goal to finish by a specific date, but I don't' think that is possible now.  I am going to try and focus on this until that date to see how far I can get.  After that... no matter if it is done or not, I will be able to post pics :)

That's it!
Lets hope my update has more to offer than July did!!!

July 2018 plans update

July wasn't a good stitching month for me.  From a horrible cold at the end of June, to the heat, and also including the ornament from hell that ran off with my stitchy bug.

Lets see how I did...

1) ORNAMENT A MONTH - NOPE

• In fact the one I started totally stole my stitchy bug.  I put that little bastard in UFO bin.

2) YEAR IN CHALK - August - YES

• This is did do.  Its not laced as of this morning... but at least it is done

3) LONG DOG SAL - Long Dog Samplers Mystery - Sneek - NOPE

4) FOCUS WIP - Canada Sampler - NOPE

 

5) NEW START - Dutch Tile SAL - YES

• I started and got done Part 1 of the SAL.  I am not behind two parts now, but that is okay!

Dutch Tile SAL - Part 1

6) INK CIRCLES MONDAY - NOPE


Fingers crossed I have a better stitching month in August!

June 2018 plans update

Here is a recap of what my plans for June were, and how they went:


1) ORNAMENT A MONTH - DONE

• This month I decided to do a freebie from Barbara Anna Designs

Let it snow
Called for DMC, mystery 32ct fabric

2) YEAR IN CHALK

• Started June 9, finished on June 11

3) SAL - Long Dog Samplers Mystery - Sneek

• Here is where I was at the beginning of the month

• I finished part 4 of Sneek on June 16th

4) BLACKWORK - Free SAL from Peppermint Purple - DONE +

• I finished the last part on June 1st

Blackwork Tangram - Peppermint Purple
(Free SAL from lakeside Needlecraft)
32ct white lugana
Recommended DMC

• And then I added a border on June 6th

5) FOCUS WIP

• I decided to continue on with Tapestry for this month.  I did make some progress
  

6) NEW START - DONE +

• Finished on June 3rd

  

  Wedding Row from Bent Creek
  32ct white lugana
  Threadworx and DMC

• I also started the SAL from Fuzzy Fox Designs called Prickly but cute

7) INK CIRCLES MONDAY - Completed 1/4 Mondays

• June 4th - NOPE - worked on my ornament instead
• June 11th - NOPE - finished up Year in Chalk for July
• June 18th - NOPE - Worked on Sneek
• June 25th - YES - I actually worked on Tapestry

June 2018 Plans

Can you believe it is already June??

Here are my plans for the month:

1) ORNAMENT A MONTH

• I'm not ready for my next series, so it will be a random ornament this month

2) YEAR IN CHALK

• July is kitted and ready to go

3) SAL - Long Dog Samplers Mystery - Sneek

• Start and finish Part 4 (maybe 5 as well)

4) BLACKWORK - Free SAL from Peppermint Purple

• The 6th and final part will be released on June 1st.

5) FOCUS WIP

• I am going to keep giving Tapestry some attention
• I also want to get caught up on the Long Dog Sal, so I might split focus between Tapestry and it.

6) NEW START

• On May 31st I had a new start.  I would like to finish this the fist week of June as it is a gift for an upcoming wedding.

7) INK CIRCLES MONDAY

• Every Monday give an ink circles pattern at least a little love.
• Use the hashtags #InkCirclesMonday in Instagram
• For more information, see April 2018 plans post

May 2018 plans update

Lets see how May shaped up!

1) ORNAMENT A MONTH - DONE

• Tiny Tidings - Snowy House is the last in the XXII series

Snowy House - Tiny Tidings XXII

• I also did a 2nd of the Merry Christmas.  Much happier with it on the mushroom.

Merry Christmas V2.0- Tiny Tidings XXII

2) YEAR IN CHALK  - DONE

• I finished up June on May 4th

Year in Chalk - June

3) SAL - Long Dog Samplers Mystery - Sneek

• Here is where I was last month

Long Dog Sneek - Parts 1 - 2
 

• Part 3 was finished on May 19

Long Dog Sneek - Parts 1-3

4) NEW SAL - worked on

• Part 2 was finished May 5th

Peppermint Purple - Blackwork Tangram
Parts 1-2
 

• Part 3 was finished on May 12th

Peppermint Purple - Blackwork Tangram
Parts 1-3

• Part 4 was finished on May 19th

Peppermint Purple - Blackwork Tangram
Parts 1-4

• Part 5 was finished on May 27th

5) FOCUS WIP

• After thinking about it, I decided to make Tapestry my focus WIP again.  This is where I am picking up from:

• And here is my progress for the month

6) INK CIRCLES MONDAY - done 2/4 weeks

• May 7th - YES

Dragons of Sumatra - Progress on May 7th

• May 14th - NOPE. 
• May 21st - Yes, Tapestry - no progress pic taken
• May 28th - Yes, Tapestry - no progress pic taken

7) FULL COVERAGE - NOPE

• After thinking again about everything I had in May, I decided that this was best left to another time.

April 2018 Plans Update

Lets see how I made out for April... historically my busiest month at work

1) ORNAMENT A MONTH - YES and done

• I continued with the Tiny Tidings series

Two Houses - Tiny TidingsXXII from Lizzie Kate
Called for weeks, 32ct mushroom lugana

 

2) YEAR IN CHALK - YES and done

• I started Mays YIC on April 1st and finished April 4

Year in Chalk (May) from Hands On Design
32ct Linen in Slate from Fabrics by Stephanie
GAST chalk and mistletoe

3) SAL - Long Dog Samplers Mystery - Sneek - YES and done

• Pulled out part 2 after finishing YIC, and finished on the 15th

4) FOCUS WIP

• After looking over my WIPS, I decided to pull out Tapestry from Ink Circles
  This is where it was when I started

 

• and this is where I was as of Saturday when It went in the WIP pile once again

5) INK CIRCLES MONDAY (#ICM) - participated in 4/5 Mondays

• April 2nd - Worked on Valentina

• April 9th - NOPE.  Work kicked my ass and went to bed early without stitching AT ALL

• April 16th - Started Oscar's Corsage.  This will be my new travel project/ICM project until I can get some more thread for Valentina, and then again after Valentina is finished.

• April 23rd - Kept going with Tapestry, since it was out from the weekend

• April 30th - got home at a decent time and pulled Oscar's Corsage back out

 

 

How did you do in April?  Accomplish your goals?

March 2018 plans update

Lets see how March went!


1) ORNAMENT A MONTH - DONE
Continued on with the Tiny Tidings XXII series and started Mr and Mrs Santa on March 11th
Finished

2) YEAR IN CHALK - April    DONE
I finished this one early in the month as well (March 5)



Year in Chalk (April) - Hands on Design
Fabric by Stephanie - 32ct linen Slate
GAST - Chalk and Ohio Lemon Pie

3) FOCUS WIP - Cirque des Coeur - DONE

Here is where I was at the end of February

 

You have probably already seen, but I had a happy dance on March 4th!

Ink Circles - Cirque des Coeur
32ct white lugana
Carries Creations Silk - Renegade

 

4) SAL - Long Dog Samplers Mystery - Part 1 - YES
Fabric finally arrived on March 6th!

This fabric doesn't photograph well, but this is the most accurate pic I got.


32ct Slate Blue

I got Part 1 done on March 12th

5) NEW START - Death By Cross Stitch - YES
Started March 16th.  DMC 154 on 32ct antique white Lugana

 

Progress to March 17th

6) 2nd FOCUS WIP - Fairy Alighting - YES and DONE

Here is Fairy when I started working on her again

 

I made excellent progress on her in March and had a finish very late on the 31st/very early on the first