A Quick but Happy Finish

I wasn't expecting to be blogging again so soon, but I couldn't resist a quick update.

I finished this on Saturday:

This was such a quick finish, no where near the 15 hours the magazine suggests. I really enjoyed it, even though I found an error I'd made and left it in there.

I expect to make it into a cushion, though you never know, it may end up framed. I'm really happy with this one.

I'm planning on going watermelon hunting later this week. Who knows, I may try a watermelon milkshake this year! I'm working on the actual day so we will celebrate on Friday.

Happy Holiday this week to those in the USA! I'm wishing everyone a great time this week even if it isn't a holiday for you.

Happy Stitching!

Here In The Real (stitching) World

There are only so many hours in the day.
After being a bit injured I'm able to stitch again this last week or so, but having less time and still working on recovering I realized I just didn't want to work on some huge project with 100 colors. Wow, did I say that?
The smaller projects I've done in recent months have been satisfying my stitching urge without overwhelming me with detail, and I've come to a place to realize that is ok, for the moment. Not that there isn't a part of me that misses and longs for confetti galore, but at the moment I'm really enjoying my lazy stitching and seeing some completions of things for the home.

In that vein when I was able to begin stitching again I didn't pick up anything major. In fact I did a few stitches on my new kit, just to put my hand in. This is the little I've done.

A bit of umbrella, nothing too exciting.

But then last week-end I was able to pick up only my second issue ever of The World of Cross Stitching. You just can't hardly find them here.

It was issue number 201 and I found a little chart I couldn't resist.

Not the best pictures but it is rainy and cloudy so the best I could do.
I'm loving stitching this up all in one color, though I picked a different color of red than that in the magazine.  I can see this as a pillow much like in the magazine, and I may add our names at the bottom, also a suggestion in the magazine that I like.

So I'm busy, and tired a bit 'till I get used to working full time again. It is a good feeling and I'm feeling mostly satisfied with the little bits of stitching I am having time for. I feel like I should feel guilty about all of this but I really don't. It is just too good and relaxing at the moment. Very freeing to change things up.

What about you? Are you enjoying your stitching? Having fun with your present projects, or do you need to shake it up for a little while? Summer brings so much in the way of change and shaking up routine, have you done anything different? Do you want to?

Happy Stitching my friends! Have a great weekend!

First Day of Summer Update!

But not much in the way of stitching!
I hurt my wrist and arm shortly after my last post. It is nothing bad or serious but has taken a little time to start to feel better.
I began my new job full time on Monday and was in training for the two weeks before that so there would have been little stitching anyway. I am happy to say I'm feeling better now and will hopefully have a more interesting update about stitchy things soon.
I plan to work on my new kit that I showed you in my last post. Hopefully I'll do some stitching on the 2013 HAED SAL since I am feeling it needs the attention. I also plan to begin Fantasy Blue. After that we will see. I have too many WIP's and I don't know what will come back.
Meanwhile I've been enjoying everyone's WIP pics on the HAED BB, on Facebook and on their blogs. If you haven't checked out my links you've been missing out!

Happy First Day of Summer!
Karen

Only a Little Bit of Stitching, and Stash Enhancement!

Wow! Lots of tired after my first full week of 8 hour work days in years (My last job had cut us to 32 hours a week several years before the cut backs). I am in training for my new job so hopefully things will settle down in another 2 weeks. Also still doing home repairs with the DH so crazy busy. But I'm at home, which is my favorite place always so I'm thrilled and happy about it.

The few minutes I have found time to stitch I've put in on the HAED BB(Bulletin Board) SAL(Stitch a Long) piece and in a week I doubt if it has been more than 150 stitches. Still, progress is progress and I'm content enough with it for the moment while life is demanding more of my attention elsewhere.

Today I made the mistake of going into Hobby Lobby since it is right across the street from another store I need to visit. I don't go there often since it is a good 30 minute drive. I bought some 18 ct. aida I've been in terrible need of. And then, as a treat for myself for getting a job and working hard all week DH and I picked out a kit. They were on sale of course, this is me after all! I'll try to find a pic or link for you.

  Here is a pic of the chart from the Design Works website.

She is a pretty little thing and I love the lavenders and blues and soft greens. More importantly it is a kit and I don't have to go and buy a thing, it is all there, which is kind of giving her a lead in the new start category.

The 18 count I bought is for starting Fantasy Blue, when time allows, as it was all kitted up except fabric. Since it is a Tilton Crafts chart I will probably join the SAL they have going on facebook. I think it will be fun and the group there is full of amazing stitchers.

Now the other SAL I really wanted to join this month is for a HAED chart (well, charts actually) I was gifted and would also be with a facebook group. The stitchers there are great and fun to chat with, and it is beyond doubt my favorite group. No, I didn't mention the name of that one. Yes, the home body here actually gets social with the stitchy folk, who are a great bunch of people. That one I now have enough 18 ct. (I used the famous 40% off coupon) to start but it isn't kitted with floss because A. I haven't had the time. B. Haven't had the money really, and C. I haven't decided which one to do yet! I mean, if you saw my last post then you know my dilemma here.

So there you have it, not the most exciting of stitching times but I love my new kit and I'm pretty pleased with myself for managing to get any stitching done this week.


I hope all of you are having lots of stitching time, or at least some fun stash enhancement and day dreaming about stitching!

Happy stitching everyone!

Karen