One More Finish and SAL Updates

I wanted to post an update tonight because once again, my computer must go into the shop.  Late last week, the DVD/CD drive stopped working.  The light on it goes on, DVD/CD spins, but won't do anything.  The computer says the drive 'cannot start - Error 10' or some such nonsense.  Tried updating the driver; it tells me that the driver is up-to-date.  I'm at a loss on how to fix whatever it's malfunction is.  Grrr!  So, this will be my last post for at least a few days.

A NEW FINISH IS FRAMED

I finished LHN Heart & Home Sampler last week, but was waiting on the beads for the berries to arrive.  I got those sewn on yesterday and got it framed in a little Mill Hill frame.  Not sure of the final destination of this one yet. 

Also, this LHN project is my January finish for the Bride's Tree SAL. 

SAL UPDATES

HAED Storykeep Dragon Luck SAL

I got started on this one on Friday, January 22.  Boy, stitching 2 over 1 on 25 ct is a bit of a challenge for me.  Now that I'm started, wish I had tried using just one strand of floss instead of two.  This is antique white fabric (must be the fault of the cummy photographer - me!)

25 ct Antique White Lugana, DMC floss 2 over 1

Victorian Christmas Stocking SAL - Stitcher's Studio

I finally got a bit of a start on this one; worked on it last evening and also a while today.  This one has been a fun stitch so far!  I started at the very top left corner of the stocking (that seems to be my current favorite starting point in a chart).

 

25 ct Mushroom Lugana - DMC Floss

Here's what it will look like when it's finished someday.

Totally Useless SAL

As I was browsing blogs today, I came across another SAL I just HAD to join.  This one requires you to find a see-through container.  You then collect all your 'stitching throw aways' - regular ORTS (thread ends), broken needles, stray beads, labels from floss skeins, etc.  Once a month on the date of the New Moon, you post a progress photo of your Totally Useless SAL on your blog.  Check it out for yourself; it's not too late to join.

Here's my barely-started collection of 'stiching throw aways' for this year's SAL:

This an old jar candle container; the black you see in the bottom is the little metal thing that held the end of the wick.  I've done everything I can think of to get that out, but not luck.  I think I'm going to come up with some sort of stitched topper for the jar at some point.

COLORADO QUILTING COUNCIL (CQC) MEETING

I didn't get as much stitching in this weekend as I would have liked.  Saturday was the monthly CQC meeting.  It was in the Denver area this year, so about an hour's drive from us.  We went with a friend from our local quilt guild.  The speaker was Annie Smith.  Her talk was "Help!  My Fabric Stash is Growing and I Can't Make It Stop!' 

This meeting was jammed with people--250 members and 30 guests in attendance!  A fellow quilter/cross stitcher from ILCS, Joan, is also a CQC member.  We had agreed to look for each other during the break.  No such luck.  There were just too many people!  So, next month we'll plan a specific spot to meet and hopefully we'll find each other and can have a chance to talk for at least a few minutes.

THE WEEK AHEAD

It will be a very busy week at work.  Tomorrow is a full day meeting with the insurance managing underwriter who is here from Texas to work on our renewal for the student health insurance I manage.  Tuesday, I'll be staffing a table for an event from 5:00-8:00 pm to talk to prospective students and their parents.  So, I plan to do my Tuesday UFO stitching on Monday this week (Everyone Needs Their Own Space). 

I'm really hoping to get my new glasses early this week.  I am so tired of constantly switching readers for the computer or for reading.  It is a pain!

Think that's it for now.  While I sure hope my computer is not out of commission for long, I will get more stitching done while it's away.  :)

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

Very Stitchy Update

Wow, I'm amazed at how much stitching I accomplished when my computer was in the shop!  Now that it's back home and I have most of my software up and running again, I've been trying madly to catch up with everyone's posts and blogs.  Whew!  You all talk SOO much; how on earth do you get so much stitching accomplished?  It is a total mystery to me.

The other thing I decided, something I should have realized a long time ago, if I don't enjoy what I'm stitching, then why am I stitching it?  The projects I'm working on right now are all so much fun, and that is truly what this hobby should be about.  Artistic expression, no matter the medium, should be about the enjoyment of the process, not about how fast you finish, or even necessarily about the finished project.  This seemed like a revelation to me.

THREE FINISHES!

But, I digress.  Up first, Elvis is finally finished and framed, altho not on the wall as of yet.  It's close to a month late, since it was to be a Christmas gift for DH, but what can I say?  Surgery definitely got in the way.

Normally I don't use glass on my framed items, but with our fur babies, I figured it wouldn't hurt on this one since it is all black stitching.  The photo doesn't do it justice; it is a double mat and a flat black frame.

I finished a long-standing UFO, Ascot Albert Wizzer ornament.  The first photo is how he looked on 8/17/07, when I last worked on him!  I love Rene's idea of having a theme tree during the year, so I'm thinking various snowmen would be great for January.  So, I have one (pretty bare tree)!  :)

Here he is finished.  Yes, our little tabletop tree is still out; I'm waiting on DH to bring up the plastic tubs from downstairs so I can take the Christmas decorations down.

I have one more small finish, actually for a SAL, but won't show it until it is framed.  I'm actually waiting on some beads from 123 Stitch, which should arrive tomorrow.

SAL PROJECTS

Heaven help me, I have joined so many SALS this year, I think I need to give up sleeping to have a prayer at keeping up!

Bouquet for Cheryl

This one is a pure pleasure to stitch!  I could easily keep on stitching and stiching, but I'm trying to do a sort of rotation with the various projects I have going.  I tried photographing this in several different room, and even outside, but the lavendar fabric just refuses to look right on the computer.

My chosen fabric is a Silkweaver Solo, 28 ct. Jobelan. It is a lightly marbled lavender.The threads I'm using are Carrie's Creation 'Lumière de Cheryl.' This floss was dyed by Carrie's Creations especially for Cheryl Miller. I purchased it a while back, with the intention of using it for this free chart, but just hadn't gotten around to stitching it. This SAL makes that possible!

Rose Garden Mandala by Chatelaine - Martina Weber

A very small start on this one.  I admit I'm a bit intimidated with all the beads and directions on this one!  I love how the mandalas look; just hope I'm up to the stitching!  This beautiful design was in the September 2009 issue of the wonderful online stitching magazine, The Gift of Stitching.

Everyone Needs Their Own Space by KustomKrafts

I started on this a couple years ago as a SAL on KustomKrafts list.  This was my progress as of 3/10/07.  I pulled this one out again and am working on it on Tuesdays as my SAL with the ILCS list and also as my UFO SAL on the KustomKrafts list.  It is such a beautiful design; sure would be nice if I could get it finished by the end of 2010!

Silkweaver 28 ct Jobelan - Spring Garden, DMC Floss

This is my progress as of today.  I've finished a section and will soon be ready to work down the left side of the design. Woo Hoo!

This is what the finished product will look like someday.  Isn't is awesome?

Other SALS - HAED

Alas, I have several other SALS for the new year that I have kitted up but have yet to put a stitch in! 

One is my very first try at a HAED design.  You signed up and chose one of four storykeep designs to stitch.  During the SAL, you have to post at least three progress photos.  It doesn't matter how far you get in the project, it is the fact that you do post three and make some progress each time.  At the end of the SAL, you recieve the other three designs.  How cool is that; four HAED storykeep designs for free? 

Since this is my first HAED design, I thought it was good to start with something fairly small.  The one I choose--Dragon Luck, is 50w x 178H.  I'll be using Antique White 25 ct Lugana and DMC floss, and stitching 1 over 1.  I'll post progress photos once I actually get started on this.

Other SALS - Victorian Christmas Stocking

Rae, from one of the lists I'm on, is hosting a SAL to stitch a Victorian Christmas Stocking.  The original designs were from a magazine called Cross Stitch & Country Crafts.  They also appeared in a book compilation.  I was looking for something else a while back and found a pile of these magazines (I'm guessing one of my eBay purchases a while back).  There they were; the issues with the various designs!  I'm planning to stitch the one called 'Stitcher's Studio' from the July/Aug 1989 issue.  This will be on 25 ct Mushroom Lugana.  I hope to get a start on this one in the next couple days as well.

Still Another SAL - LHN Monthly Ornament Stitch-Along Too

I really like the charts by Little House Needleworks, and in the spirit of creating lots and lots of new ornaments, I joined this SAL to stitch the new monthly ornament series they are putting out.  I have the first two charts and that's as far as that has gone so far!

And Still More - Bride's Tree SAL

The Bride's Tree is a German tradition.  It's believed that a couple's Christmas tree needs twelve specific ornaments for happiness in their life yourney together.  This SAL gives you the theme for the month and you choose the design to stitch.  It doesn't have to be finished into an ornament.  January is a house, which symbolizes shelter.  I have the stitching on this one done, but don't want to show it yet because I need to finish it.  This one will not be an ornament. 

Yep, Another One - Mary Wigham USA SAL

This great sampler is available for FREE download from Needleprint. This is an idea of what it will look like when it's finished, although my colors won't be exactly the same.

I've made a VERY small start on this one so far; not enough to post. 

Last One (I Think) - Brooke's Books - Stitcher's Alphabet SAL

These FREE designs are just adorable; each block is 31 x 36 stitches.  Right now, A-O are available for download.  I haven't started this yet, but I just love the possibilities for these cute designs.  At the very least, I will be collecting all of these for stitching at a later date.

Whew!  If you read all the way to the end, I commend you!  And, putting it all down in writing, I know for sure that I need a SERIOUS 12-Step Program for this SAL addiction!!  But, what a lot of great stitching!

Just for staying with me for all of this, I'll leave you with an updated photo of our dumpster rescue kitty---Lucky aka 'Little Squirt.' 

Happy Stitching!!

Vicki in CO

Here's a Great Giveaway!

You need to check this giveaway out if you are a cross stitcher!  I would sure like to win this one myself.  Entries close on January 31, so hurry over and leave a comment. 

Look at all these LHN charts and the awesome wood thread organizer!

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

READY FOR A PIF?

I was the lucky recipient of a PIF on Evalina's blog.  She will be sending me 5 stitchy things, so, it's my turn to Pay It Forward. 

The rules are as follows:

1. Send no less than 5 stitching related items per person within the next 365 days.
   
2. Items can be DMC, other threads, stitching needles, straight pins, buttons, scissors, ribbons, etc. - a combination of items such as 3 threads, 1 pack of straight pins and 1 pack of stitching needles or just 5 threads.
   
3. The items must be new and not used. (Send things you'd be happy to receive.)

If I choose you, you must be willing to post this PIF on your blog and do the same for at least 2 people.

If you would like to join in, leave a comment for this post. Be sure to leave me your e-mail address so I can contact you! I'll be choosing three winners on February 1st, to give everyone who is interested in participating time to comment.

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

2010 Olympic Reading Challenge

I've decided to join the reading challenge hosted on another blog.  Thanks to Vickie for hosting this!  Since I tend to read very long books, I signed up for the Bronze level.  I'll keep track of what I read in the sidebar of my blog.  Right now I'm actually reading two books, "The Fiery Cross" by Diana Gabaldon and "Dead Ringer" by Lisa Scottoline.  I've been reading the Outlander series for a good year, but tend to read other, shorter novels at the same time. 

So, if you like to read, hop on over to Vickie's blog and join in!

Happy Stitching (and Reading!)

Vicki in CO

TGOSM Ornament Exchange

I realized I never posted a photo of the wonderful ornament I received from Cindy D. in the TGOSM exchange.  Isn't it great?!  It's a Prairie Schooler design and I love the way she added sparklies for stars.

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

Goodbye 2009 and Hello 2010!

FIRST FINISH FOR 2010!

I spent a lot of time the past couple days stitching on my quilt block for the SFAC Quilt, and it is my first fiinish for 2010!  My block is in memory of my grandfather who died from bladder cancer way back in 1976.  I'll be sending this off to Donna next week.

GOODBYE TO 2009

December was definitely a busy month at our house. 

Lots of snow--over 16" of the 39.1" we've had so far this winter. 

I had cataract surgery on December 3 and 10.  I'm now seeing 20/20 in my left eye and 20/25 in my right eye!  I have never seen better than 20/40 in my entire life, even with my coke-bottle thick trifocal glasses!  This had been quite a big change for me.  Now I just need the inexpensive readers available from most any store instead of the old $600+ glasses!

December 14th brought back surgery for me--a laminectomy of L-3 to remove bone spurs from my extensive arthritis and two cysts.  The surgery meant a couple days in the hospital and a couple weeks recovery at home.  It's been a challenge to get back to 'normal' activities, and I'm still struggling with  fatigue and lack of energy some days, but I'lll go back to work at least part-time on January 4th.  The good thing is the surgery seems to have resolved the intense pain I've been experiencing down both legs. 

Look at the absolutely gorgeous crocheted afghan one of my staff, Cece, made for me!  That's our year-old Golden Retriever, Murphy on the right.

Pieceable Friends, the local quilt guild I belong to, brought over a comfort quilt and sent me a nice Get Well card.

Because of my back surgery, we weren't able to go to our son's house (250 miles away) for Christmas.  This was the first Christmas since he was born that we haven't all been together on December 24 and 25.  DH and I spent a quiet day watching movies on TV.  Our wonderful next door neighbors brought us a wonderful Christmas dinner.

Our son WAS able to come home the next week for a couple days, so we actually celebrated Christmas with him on December 29th.  Gifts were very small and inexpensive this year, but that's okay, the important thing is, we were together. 

STITCHING UPDATE

I didn't feel up to stitching for quite a while after my surgery, so didn't finish the Elvis cross stitch I'm working on for DH.  But, here's my progress to date.

I'm trying to catch up on the various lists I'm on, and getting stitching organized for 2010, I'm signed up for several SAL's, as well as have a long list of items I want to stitch.  So, I hope I can be productive this year.

Wishing everyone a wonderful, happy and healthy New Year!

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO