tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50982870313187310492024-02-19T02:23:44.591-06:00By Grace and by GumptionMama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-31813432160991756252017-02-28T15:21:00.002-06:002017-02-28T15:21:47.804-06:00Sooooo Sloooow Stitching<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had to take a picture yesterday to update my progress this month for my little stitching group. Let me explain. I am lucky enough to be part of a small private stitching group of friends. We decided to do a stitch along each month this year. A no pressure friendly stitch along.<br />
For instance, January was weather and season's. I didn't have anything that exactly matched. I stitched a bit on Basilisk, but hardly enough to notice.<br />
Mostly because I took part in the new start sal and started Castle, by Teresa Wentzler. I got only a tiny bit done on it. Still on limited stitching time with my hands and arms. I'll post a picture of that when I have more to show. now it is just an inch or so of grayish purple wall.<br />
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February's Theme was The one that you are closest to finishing. So I worked on Celtic Noel again. I started a little early, at the end of January and was able to get a bit extra in.<br />
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Here is the picture I took while moving the Qsnap.<br />
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So very nice progress for a change. It looks like more because, of course, it isn't a full coverage piece. I am really looking forward to finishing the stitching on this and getting on with the beading.<br />
When I began this I had planned about 4 months for it. Then, when I couldn't stitch, she just sat there and waited for me. I do love this piece. It is feeling really good to see progress and I'd be tempted to continue on with her but March is Confetti month and I have several projects that will fit with that theme.<br />
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I am taking part in the stitch from stash 2017 on Facebook and so far haven't spent anything. I will be using my 123Stitch gift money soon for some threads I need. Luckily that doesn't count since I've had it since before the year began.<br />
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Happy stitching everyone! <br />
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<br /></div>
Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-60546645462749237322016-12-13T01:21:00.001-06:002016-12-13T01:21:48.671-06:00Update on Celtic Noel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I nearly forgot!<br />
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I was working my way back up the dress and got bored so I decided to stitch her hands and face. <br />
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She is coming along well on the 25 count 2 over one. So easy to stitch on.<br />
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When I started her in March I had planned to have her finished long before Christmas. Obviously I missed most of the year, so that won't happen. I picked her back up after finishing Christmas Silhouette. She is an easy and fun stitch so far.<br />
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Happy Stitching Everyone!<br />
Peace.</div>
Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-91099036900223918752016-12-09T01:03:00.002-06:002016-12-09T01:03:41.008-06:00So Happy To Be Back And Stitching. After a couple of months of physical therapy I was finally allowed to stitch again, but only for 1/2 to 1 hour a day, about twice a week.<br />
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I'm told I have carpal tunnel on both sides, tennis elbow on both sides and tendonitis that just won't heal up on the right wrist. I'm also told it will never go away so long as I am working my present job. Not exactly what I wanted to hear but I was told about 6 months ago and have come to terms with it. I am better than I was, and am having less pain after months of physical therapy and several doses of steroids.<br />
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I have re-vamped the blog to a lighter feel that I quite like. I've waited a bit to post simply because my lap top died and I really don't enjoy working on this old desktop nearly as much,<br />
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Anywho, you won't be seeing as much progress as before obviously but I have been stitching for about two months, following the medical guidelines I was given. I even have a finish to show you!<br />
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To get things off to a new start I present to you Christmas Silhouette from Charting Creations.<br />
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This was worked on a piece of 25 count DMC Magic Guide, 2 over one, half cross. The half cross saves a lot of stitches obviously and made it work up quite quickly and easily. It was a fun stitch. The chart is available <a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=21" target="_blank">here</a> if you've a mind to stitch one up for yourself.<br />
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I finished this 2 or 3 weeks ago and have gone back to working on Celtic Noel. I'll post some updated pictures of that one soon. Possibly tomorrow when I have a bit more time.<br />
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I'd like to send out a heartfelt thank you to a few people who have been wonderfully supportive. First, my good friend Jessie, always such an amazing friend. Thank you to Laura, Rhonda and Denise, for all of the lovely updates and for checking in with me just to see how I'm getting on. It means a lot to have such a lovely bunch of friends.<br />
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I hope you all have time for stitching in this crazy busy Holiday Season.<br />
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Happy stitching everyone.<br />
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Karen<br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-34678899889878766642016-04-27T15:23:00.002-05:002016-04-27T15:23:45.237-05:00No Stitching, No funI felt I should update everyone.<br />
I haven't done any stitching in over a month and don't expect to in the near future.<br />
I'm seeing a doctor about getting help for what is probably carpal tunnel, or something else nerve related, in both arms. He is sending me to an orthopedic doctor, so hopefully I will know more soon.<br />
I do have a thing or two I want to post about but I will do that another day.<br />
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Until then happy stitching everyone.Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-8308572509774853672016-03-23T16:00:00.000-05:002016-03-23T16:00:50.259-05:00Christmas In MarchYes, my Celtic Christmas from Lavender and Lace arrived.<br />
Thanks to Nikki from Charting Creations for ordering it in special for me and getting it out so quickly. I'd tried to order from another source, who had been out of stock, back in December and was still waiting when Nikki offered to order it for me.<br />
Since I'm doing so little stitching right now this is all I've worked on this month since kit week at the first of the month.<br />
I know many of you are familiar with the chart so all I'll do is describe the fabric, which is 25ct. Lugana in Vintage Country Mocha that I ordered from 123Stitch. The chart calls for 28 ct. so this was an experiment and I'm thrilled with it. I can see it so easily it is making stitching it a real pleasure. The coverage isn't ideal, but it is perfectly acceptable to me. Honestly it has been the only thing I've wanted to work on.<br />
Since I always love seeing how other people's stitching grows I decided to try to remember to take pictures more often, so you can watch it grow along with me.<br />
<br />Here is my start on it. Forgive the glare on the first picture.<br />
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Terrible picture as it looks nothing like this second picture, but the ones after are (mostly) right.<br />
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As I said, with being able to stitch so little right now, I've been working on nothing else.<br />
I am thinking of trying to design a few ornaments for next Christmas. I like the idea of making them personal by making them up myself. I'll let you know if I get around to it, and share any results.<br />
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That is really all for now, I hope everyone is enjoying their stitching as much as I am.<br />
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Happy stitching everyone.<br />
PeaceMama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-9295917007164349222016-03-04T04:45:00.001-06:002016-03-04T04:49:02.295-06:00Because Stitching Just Aint Happening Right Now, but Stash is!!!And yes, that is about to drive me crazy. I'm taking a break from it to see if that helps the ongoing problem with my wrist. Of course the wrist doesn't usually hurt when I stitch, just when I'm doing a certain job at work. Well, work isn't going away, and stitching isn't either, so I'm trying to work it out. With any luck the rest will help that problem and I can go back to being my normal stitching self. Meanwhile:<br />
The start of kit week, and since I didn't want to miss the very first one I did a bit more on Celtic Cross, albeit with one hand again. Yes, that means very little progress, but well, what can you do?<br />
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Yep, those two pictures loaded up in reverse order, and I've no idea why. I'd already started this, after getting the kit, which you saw last time in this picture.<br />
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The kit is from Design Works and is on the nicest 14 ct. aida I've used in literally years. It is a fun easy stitch so far. I'm doing the back stitching as I go along so that I won't just toss it in a drawer to be done 'later'. Yeah, I really don't like doing back stitch. See, I lose track of where it goes and it looks all wonky if I don't work it as I go. I have deep respect for those who finish a massive piece and then go back once the crosses are done and back stitch the whole thing at once. This one is easy back stitch though, and isn't a trial to work at all. So happy I have this kit to start my Kit Week with!<br />
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Now on Valentines day my Sweetie and I went back to the fabric store where those kits were on clearance. I had a coupon, compared my favorite 6 charts and chose two of them. When I got to the counter my husband brought the other 4 up. I convinced him to put two of them back (I know right? But I was being all practical.)<br />
This picture actually has one of the charts from before in the picture above. I must have grabbed it up with the others when I went to take the picture. I <i>did not </i>buy it again!<br />
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The wolf one is stamped, so we will see how that goes.<br />
I made a tiny start on Kitty Litter, the kittens in a basket one, but I needed to wait and get supplies, baggies and a new ring, so put it aside until then. Which I have done, but now, with limited stitching the next few weeks, I will wait to work on it if I can.<br />
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This is what it looked like coming out of the package. I really love the way floss is separated out now. I can remember when it wasn't!<br />
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I told you it was a tiny start! I am following directions and began in the center.<br /><br />
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I had a whole slew of pictures for you, Hearth of Gold saw a little tiny bit of work, and those I promised you from last time, but there was a glitch of some kind on my phone and they didn't send over to the computer like they usually do. I didn't know that and deleted them. Sigh.<br />
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I am anxiously awaiting Celtic Christmas, which should be here any day. I have everything ready for it and am on pins and needles. I kitted up the floss and beads and put everything in bags and on a ring in anticipation.<br />
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Next time, I'll share with you my adventures with my new serger! I am taking the Beginning Serger Class on Craftsy, which I will probably refer back to a 100 times, but it is a great class and I'm not nearly so intimidated as I originally was. It will certainly keep me busy on my off days while I'm not stitching very much.<br />
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Until next time, Happy Stitching!<br />
Peace<br />
Karen<br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-3022417659167711022016-02-10T11:13:00.004-06:002016-02-10T11:16:08.192-06:00Kits And UFO Week!<span style="font-size: large;">Some people love cold weather, or so I'm told. Me? I just want to curl up in a ball and hibernate until Spring. Late Spring. Or early Summer. You'd think I'd be getting more stitching done, I usually do when it is cold. But this year, not so much. Mostly that is due to my schedule. I just don't have the kind of time I used to have for stitching. If I manage 3 hours a week then I've done very well indeed. What goes along with being busy? Getting tired, and I don't stitch when I'm too tired, not as rule, since I don't want to invite the frog for a visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">More limited stitching time is something I've been in denial about for some time. I've decided to face it though and I am working out a scheme to make it work for me. Progress is a relative thing. I could honestly stitch for years without a finish and so long as I'm stitching and seeing bits of progress I am generally a happy stitcher.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the loveliest things about stitching is that it waits for you. I've got so many pieces started, and enough charts and kits in stash to keep me busy for a very long time. I'll just keep plugging away of course, but I've decided I need a boost for my kits. I like every kit I've bought over the years and I just acquired a few more during a clearance sale, so that is where I'm starting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hereby declare the first week of each month this year to be Kit Week! If I can manage only one hour or 10, the first week of each month I am going to work on one of my kits. Feel free to join in with a kit, a UFO, a crochet project, knitting, beading, sewing, quilting etc. Whatever you have that needs attention and doesn't get it very often. Have a new start every day of that week, or work on old favorites. Rediscover the love of your older projects! That is the plan at least. I invite you to join me, or make your own schedule for spending some time with something you enjoy working out. One day a month? Every other Sunday? Whatever works best for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I plan to begin on Tuesday, March 2nd. I've chosen that date because my first day off is always Tuesday and that seems like a good time for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My new kits, less than $20.00 US, were bought during a clearance sale. I had run into the fabric store for a small item and came out having spent my 20 dollars of mad money on these.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was a quick phone picture. I will give you a better picture later, but at the moment it is cold in that room (no heat in there), so it will have to wait.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started the little owl needlepoint one the same day I got it, then had to go to work. I plan to also start the Design Works Celtic Cross very soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A bit of fun on this next one. A dear friend and I decided we would try one of those kits we are always seeing that say the piece is big enough to go the length, or nearly so, of a sofa or couch.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We weren't expecting much and that is what we got, though actually it was more than expected in some ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So this is a really big picture.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">See that floss up there? That is all there is, and it is ample, because I repeat, it is a really big picture with a tiny bit of cross stitching on the boat and the pink flowers. It is on 11 ct. Aida and we both have considered washing the thing and seeing if the colors wash out. My friend got both of these, shipped to us both in different states, for less than 20 dollars. She got them from Amazon and was going to order another and wash it to see if the colors would come out, as we both decided to keep ours and stitch them up, just as a friends thing, but they were no longer available. It is a nice Aida and you could never get a piece even a quarter this size for what she paid. This were ordered before the stash ban.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">About that stash ban, it has obviously failed. I bought those kits at bargain prices. But the day before I bought a new release from<a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/" target="_blank"> Charting Creations</a>, because I thought it would go really well with my other Charting Creations chart <a href="http://bygraceandbygumption.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-after-holiday-holiday-post.html" target="_blank">Family</a>. I bought <a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=1191" target="_blank">Love</a>, just in time for Valentines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Charting Creations has a nice sale going through 2/14/2016 if you are interested, so now is the time to buy. Oh, and Nikki has very kindly ordered me the chart I've been waiting to come back in stock from an order I had made in December, so technically not stash ban breaking. It is Celtic Christmas, and I can't wait for it to come in. I also ordered some needles from Charting Creations, which is how I found out about the chart. They have fabulous prices on 25 packs of needles. I ordered the Permin needles, which I haven't tried before, but at $5.00 US I think I can't go too wrong with testing them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which reminds me. I have now tested 5 or 6 different types of needles and made notes for myself in my stitching notebook, so expect a future blog post on that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did do a bit of stitching, but very little. I decided to work across on White dragon and put in several hundred stitches on it, but once again, failed to take a picture and I'm not willing to go into a frigid room to dig it out just now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I finished the second owl in the sal. I present to you Candy Cane Owl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't he adorable? I guess I haven't quite gotten over my Christmas Spirit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also did a hundred or so stitches on my HAED sal from last year, Hearth of Gold, but again, no picture. I put it aside until those needles come in, since I have gotten really spoiled to having my needles pre-threaded and ready to go. It saves so much time and aggravation in heavy confetti areas!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not feeling my best today, sort of coming down with the cold my husband has shared with me, so I am sure I am forgetting things I meant to share with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I will try to get pictures up of my stitching progress soon. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, and I increased the font size on the blog for easier reading. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anywho, happy stitching until next time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Peace</span>Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-2331922798505670732016-01-19T17:25:00.002-06:002016-01-19T17:25:59.013-06:00The Catching Up Blog Post.Wow, there is so much going on in the stitching world. I've spent a good bit of my afternoon playing with my pets and catching up on Facebook and stitching blogs. I really do enjoy reading what other people are doing and seeing their great pictures.<br />
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Now, to catch up on things I've left out or run out of time for on the last few posts.<br />
First up, I joined the Winter SAL on Facebook several months ago. It is for people who are stitching designs from certain companies, or using specialty floss or fabric from certain companies. They have all banded together. You get to learn about the products from their creators and they also offer discounts, advice and have little mini contests. It is so much fun and I have been introduced to new companies and products. I also won a little chart that I absolutely loved just by posting and I want to share that with you.<br />
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The chart is from KLT Charting, Blackwork Cat, and is available <a href="http://www.kltcharting.co.uk/blackwork-cat-1546-p.asp" target="_blank">here</a><br />
Now I've only done one small piece of blackwork in the past, and I really enjoyed it, but I knew this would be a little more challenging for me. So, this was a few months back, and yes, I started it. I loved it. In fact, I finished it!<br />
I'll post pics below but I have to give the disclaimer that I didn't have the chart in front of me when I finished the tail. I had already frogged it, and knew the stitches to use so I just went ahead since it was the stitching I had with me and I wasn't going to let a little thing like not having the chart with me stop me. It still turned out beautifully, though not quite as charted.<br />
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I had so much fun doing this that I decided to take part in the Owl's sal from the same company. One owl, every two weeks until you have 12 of them. Each filled in differently. There is the option to put them on a branch but I haven't decided about that part yet. Here is a picture of my first started owl. I have to frog one of the eyes since it appears to be off by one stitch, so be warned, and it isn't finished yet. Yes, I am a slow stitcher. I've pulled him out of the qsnap to frog so he is a little wrinkly.<br />
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This is available<a href="http://www.kltcharting.co.uk/2016-owls-sal-3683-p.asp" target="_blank"> here,</a> and yes, there is still plenty of time to join.<br />
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I am still stitching mostly one handed, so all of this is taking mountains of time. Since I'm doing most of my stitching on my 3 off days progress can seem so slow. But it is fun and that is what matters.<br />
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I've had so many comments and posts about the Seasonal Tree's cross stitch kit that I went ahead and tested it out. Too large to stitch comfortably I went ahead and cut off the first panel. I will be framing them in 4 separate frames anyway, and this made it more convenient and just easy.<br />
<br />It stitches up easily, and just fine. The needles that came with it seemed too 'tight' in the 11 count holes so I switched to my usual size 26 and it is a breeze to work. The floss is really nice, no problems there. I did take it out of the qsnap and start stitching it in hand. I'm still a little too sore to do much of that, but again, it stitched up a treat that way. I really like how easy it is. Just pick your color and go. I could cross country on this if I've a mind to. No worries about losing count since there is no counting. You may have to click on the picture to see the actual stitching. I think the business in the heavily stitched areas could be a problem later, with so many color's in front of me like that, but I will let you know. For the moment I am completely happy with the kit.<br />
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But I am missing some of my confetti filled larger projects and plan to get out one of those wips soon.<br />
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I hope you are all having a wonderful time with your stitching. It is in the 20's here, so I am going to end this and go curl up under an afghan and watch tv or possibly even stitch!<br />
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Happy stitching everyone<br />
Peace<br />
Karen Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-60060196191322165602016-01-06T15:54:00.002-06:002016-01-06T15:54:43.015-06:00The After Holiday, Holiday PostBecause I have a lot of pictures of great stash and fun stuff!<br />
First is a surprise RAK I received. Thank you Renee, I love it to pieces. Another Charting Creations chart that I just fell in love with. I can't wait to stitch on this one, but I will wait. I plan to start it around March. I want to find some special threads, or possibly special fabric for it. The chart is available <a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=363" target="_blank">here</a> if you are interested in seeing a much better representation of it than the quick phone picture from my computer screen below.<br />
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I love the swirling lines and the hearts and obviously, Family.<br />
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I had planned, for this blog post, to tell you all about how I'm planning to stitch from my stash and not buy new stash that I really don't need. I still plan all that but it doesn't sound bad at all when you see the rest of the blog post!<br />
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My SS gift. I was overwhelmed with my Secret Santa package. It weighed a ton and my SS, as we said in my youth, went off. I love it. Last year's SS package was the same. I can see I am dealing with some seriously professional Secret Santa shoppers here! Merlin even got a pressie!<br />
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The cloth is 18 count aida, and a whopping big piece of it. I'd show you a pic but it is on my phone, and my husband has it with him right now at work. Whopping Big. Someone knows me very well.<br />
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Husband and I bought each other a gift and had planned to split any money left after our other shopping to each pick out our own 'gift'. But then Dean had to go to the vet and that was the end of that for awhile. We both worked a lot of overtime though, and the week after Christmas found we had enough money to go ahead and have a little fun. Not as much as originally intended but enough to have fun with.<br />
I got myself this. Please note that there was an amazing sale on at Hancock Fabrics that day, and while we were driving out there they sent a 25% off of total purchase to my phone. I promise I only went in to get 2 or 3 skeins of sparkly floss for an idea I have for when I start my crazy quilt.<br />
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So a late Christmas gift that I got to pick out myself. I've been wanting the stocking collection for years. I'd still love to have the first collection, but it isn't as if I need it!<br />
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And lastly, I've had a bunch of these on my Amazon.com wish list for ages. A friend of mine received 5 or 6 of these as a gift from her son and new daughter in law last year and I've been fascinated since then. Hers were brought back from China when her son went there with his bride to spend time with her grandparents. Mine came from Amazon. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Docooler%C2%AE-Needlework-Embroidery-Cross-Stitching-Decoration/dp/B00SH3WFIC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_201_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51oBSnOjZ5L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1RME1VV82E0BJZEWCHKR" target="_blank">Here</a> is a link if you are interested. Be warned that another seller on there has it for twice the price. It is Prime eligible.<br />
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I have been hesitant to buy a Chinese cross stitch kit. I've heard both wonderful and bad things about them. I've also seen for myself that some of them are blatant rip-off's of copyrighted works. I decided that I wouldn't ever try one, until I realized they have a small selection on Amazon. I am thinking and hoping that Amazon would yank anything that was copyright protected as soon as they became aware of it, and that this should make it a reasonably safe place to purchase from.<br />
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It shipped from Amazon, and even with the Holiday was here in about 3 days.<br />
Now for the pictures of the kit that I took.<br />
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This Kit is huge. 120 X 57 cm, or 47.2 X 22.4 in. But isn't nearly as big as some I have seen on Facebook. It is 11 count aida and the cloth is very nice. A little stiff, but not so stiff that you can't stitch on it (Remember Frederick?).<br />
My right wrist is hurting this week so I'm not stitching much, if any this week, but I've played with the floss and it too is really nice. I am going to thread up a needle (it comes with 2) and do a few left handed stitches to test it out, but it feels great in hand and looks lovely. As you can see it also lists the colors in a DMC conversion and they appear to be very close, and even spot on, on the few I checked out. I love the cards by the way, I really dislike the ones with holes but this you can take the hole bunch out and put them back in an instant, no tying off or anything. Really like that.<br />
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I have some stitchy news and pics to share with you next time. This has gotten long and picture heavy so I will save that for a later post.<br />
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Happy Stitching everyone!<br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-86376621447544914802015-12-09T00:13:00.000-06:002015-12-09T00:13:20.983-06:00The Better Late Than Never Blog PostYes, I've deliberately been putting off posting, week after week.<br />
I've been in a lot of pain and only stitching one or if I'm lucky two days per week.<br />
The problem comes from a task I have to do at work since about August and has grown and grown since then. I think I've got a handle on it now, but I'll have to wait and see.<br />
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Anywho here is where I left off last time on Small Early Snowfall:<br />
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And this is where I made it to before stopping:<br />
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<br />He is turning out gorgeous. I'm looking forward to getting back to him soon-ish.<br />
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I've started another project, a private project that I won't be posting about, so between that , and not having very much stitching time I am letting everyone know that my posts may be coming farther apart, as this one did, since I have so little to post about.<br />
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I hate it happened when it did, I was really getting into the embroidery. TAST is wonderful and I'm looking forward to getting back to that too, when I am better.<br />
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Until then I will be avidly reading everyone's stitching blogs, admiring new charts and going my slow poke way of stitching.<br />
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I hope everyone else is enjoying their own stitching.<br />
Peace friends.<br />
KarenMama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-19389773198432742082015-10-16T06:25:00.002-05:002015-10-16T10:25:18.212-05:00Stitching, cross and otherwiseAround the time of my last blog update I was thinking of starting a crazy quilt. One of my reader's had emailed me and we got into an email chat. She was able to introduce me to a number of resources. Unfortunately it also made me realize how out of touch I am with things in that area.<br />
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Thankfully one of those resources she introduced me to was TAST (Take a stitch Tuesday). Here is a link to the faq,<a href="http://pintangle.com/tast-faq/" target="_blank"> Pintangle</a>. A perfect inspiration to start practicing my stitches again, with instructions for what I've forgotten or never knew how to do. I also have several embroidery books, so either way I can get the instructions.<br />
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Now that the cross stitching world no longer feels like a safe place it is pure pleasure to sit down and practice my stitches. They also have a Facebook group especially for this, practicing a different stich each week, or whatever works for you, and posting a picture. A ton of inspiration on there.<br />
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Here is the beginning of mine, weeks 1,2,3 and 11. Possibly another. I forget.<br />
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Nothing too fancy, and I would love to do larger samplers, but I am having trouble finding time to fit everything I want to do in.<br />
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Since my husband Jason was paying to kit up my birthday chart I allowed him to pick which chart he wanted. I love his choice. It is <a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=271" target="_blank">Small Early Snowfall</a> from Charting Creations. I received a gift certificate to Charting Creations from Nikki for my birthday and that is what I chose. Another gift certificate to <a href="http://www.123stitch.com/" target="_blank">123Stitch</a> had me ordering the pretty cat needlminder you will see in the pictures below of my new start on Early Snowfall.<br />
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I couldn't resist starting in the middle!<br />
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Until next time Happy Stitching my friends!<br />
<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-41309723690638928362015-09-23T10:48:00.001-05:002015-09-23T10:48:39.839-05:00The Last of The New Stash, and StitchingSo with the last few dollars of my stash money I decided to order two charts I've been thinking of for some time. I've never ordered from<a href="http://shinysunscrossstitching.com/" target="_blank"> Shinysun's Cross Stitching</a>, though I've been aware of them for quite a long time. I had 3 or 4 charts picked out that I really wanted to do, but never did order them, mainly because I prefer my charts in PDF format and these are hard copy only.<br />
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Long story short, they had a half price sale, and with their charts being so reasonable to begin with I decided to give it a shot with my last 10 dollars. I've seen a good many of her charts being stitched and finish, and they look great, so there were no worries there, and I asked a friend that I know had ordered some what she thought and she wholeheartedly recommended them. Since it was a half price sale I resigned myself to waiting 2 to 3 weeks for my charts to arrive, though of course I started watching for them after just 7 days, 'cause hey, who can resist stalking the mailman when they have something fun coming? But seriously, with a big sale like that I thought there would be extra orders and I would have to wait longer. I ordered on 9/10/2015 and they were in my hands on 9/21/2015, so really quite good.<br />
<br />Enough explanation, here is what I ordered:<br />
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Okay, a poor quality cell phone pic, but I was in a hurry.<br />
Yes, my love of black and white charts got the better of me.<br />
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The low down...The charts look great, obviously I haven't stitched anything on them yet, but they look good. The paper is above average but not the highest quality. I'm good with that since I will have to mark them up as I stitch. Everything looks clear and easy to read with one exception. The floss symbol list is small print, really small. And I really don't like that. On top of which, since it isn't a PDF I will have to scan it in to my computer if I want to enlarge it, then figure out how to enlarge it, then print it off. Not a major big deal, but an annoyance. Don't get me wrong, I can see it, but I have to look, if you know what I mean, and when I'm stitching I want it to be instant, a no brainer that I don't even have to think about. The real test, would I order from them again? Yes, certainly, and probably will!<br />
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I haven't gotten in the stitching time I'd hoped for lately, I've been ill, my husband changed jobs, and we have a new cat to go along with our 3 dogs, plus the usual work on the job.<br />
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I did get to do one thing I'd very much wanted to, which is stitch to the end of the first row on Mini Cheshire Cat. I do love this chart, but when I started it I can't imagine what I was thinking, I started it only about 2 inches from the top of the fabric and it is uncomfortable to stitch that high with my Qsnap on. It needed only the first row to be finished to solve the problem.<br />
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It will now be much more comfortable to stitch. Such a gorgeous chart. Pity I will be putting it away for a bit. I've been setting myself some goals, and this one is probably going to come back out soon for a Halloween SAL. That is the plan at the moment anyway. I would link to the chart at Heaven and Earth Designs but I couldn't find it. The chart may have been retired.<br />
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The other wip I have to show you is <a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=156" target="_blank">Tribal Dragon</a> from <a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/" target="_blank">Charting Creations</a>.<br />
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I was able to squeeze out finishing the page I was working on, which is the center page of the chart.<br />
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I was actually surprised, since it is a 'waiting' or take-along project and I didn't expect to have a page finish for another month or two at least. I guess I did more waiting around than usual! It looks fabulous so far.<br />
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I did say I'd tell you about the pipe insulation. This stuff is really cheap at the hardware store. Less than 2 dollars for a really long piece. It is in the plumping section.<br />
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At first I tried cutting it to the size of my floss list for the White Dragon chart. It worked but it rolled a little too much for me. It did slide right on the top of the qsnap, but that got on my nerves!<br />
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So I asked in my stitching group and found out that one of my friends use them. She is evidently more talented than I am! She draws the symbols onto masking tape and tapes them on. I tried but can't make some of the symbols look right. She also shared a picture showing how she cuts them in half so they lay flat and don't roll. I tried this, and it is briliant. They are light weight, easy to move around and work like a charm. I just kept my taped printed symbol page. I wish the symbols were a little farther apart and will see that they are next time, but it does work. Why didn't I think of that?<br />
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Mine aren't pretty, but they do work. That is 90 color symbols, so yay. Cheap, easier to use than the fancy ones I bought, and readily available. I immediately made up a much smaller one for Mini Cheshire Cat when it came out to be worked on.<br />
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Well, this has gotten long, and I've still things to show you next time. Until then, happy stitching everyone!<br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-4806593777579883712015-09-10T17:58:00.001-05:002015-09-10T17:58:15.412-05:00Stash Enhancement on a Stash Ban and A New Family Member and a page finishFirst things first. Jason brought home a little kitten yesterday morning. He stopped at a gas station near our house that is right on a busy street and found this poor baby in the pouring rain. I am told it came right up to him and snuggled when he picked it up. lol, whatever the case we asked around and no one is claiming him, so we took him to the vet this morning to check for a chip, just to be on the safe side, and no chip. We started his shots and he will be going back to be neutered in a couple of weeks. This is not the best picture but it is hard to take a good one when you are holding a cat!<br />
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The vet gave him a clean bill of health this morning. He is quite the lap baby!<br />
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In stitchy news did you know that it isn't stash if you used a gift card and not your own money? <br />
Yep, I am assured that if you win a gift card then it doesn't count as breaking your stash ban. That only counts if you are spending your own money. So...<br />
From Charting creations came this as a gift.<br />
Tribal Wolf Silhouette available <a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=190" target="_blank">here</a>:<br />
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This is a shot of my pdf download front page picture from my computer screen. I'll be stitching this on 18 ct. black aida with white glow in the dark floss. I was shocked to see how much more difficult it is to work on black cloth for me now. This one is for my husband.<br />
<br />I treated myself to Mischief, since I've been thinking of it since it came out. Link <a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16&products_id=90" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Isn't it marvelous?<br />
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Then there was this from 123 Stitch, partially supplies for Tribal Wolf Silhouette.<br />
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And a Lizzy Kate, and yes, I have a better picture but it won't load!<br />
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Here is the little needle threader. At first I laughed at the size but I have been using it steadily and it is good.<br />
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Now, do I have any actual stitching to show you? I do actually.<br />
A page finish on White Dragon!<br />
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Ta-Da! And I made the Qsnap guard too, so fun all around!<br />
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I also made a little start on Mini The Ghost but this is getting long, so I will post about that next time. I also have some information on trying out pipe insulation as a needleholder, so pics and info on that and on the little ornament kit you see in the picture above.<br />
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Until next time happy stitching everyone.<br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-75801173055185217742015-08-13T12:37:00.000-05:002015-08-13T12:37:25.614-05:00Forgetful Stitchy BloggerBecause, yes, I forgot to come back and post pictures as I said I would.<br />
Sorry you guys. I was convinced I'd done it, then the work weekend started on Friday. I work 10 hour shifts overnight from Friday through Monday, which doesn't leave a lot of time. On top of which I came down with the summer cold from your nightmares on Saturday and have had difficulty looking at the monitor since then. I've Facebooked from the kindle or phone and that is about it.<br />
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But enough excuses, I was a bad blogger.<br />
Phone pictures, but here they are.<br />
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This is Tribal Dragon from Nikki at <a href="http://www.chartingcreations.com/" target="_blank">Charting Creations</a>. You will see that I have started in the middle. I haven't finished that center page yet, but since it is a take along, or waiting piece, only to be worked when I am waiting it isn't bad progress.<br />
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This was progress on it at the time of my last post.<br />
And this is now: <br />
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So, not a lot of waiting this time around!</div>
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A little stitching on it. This one is two over one full crosses on 18 ct. aida. It is being worked in hand. This aida was a gift in my Secret Santa gift package at Christmas, you may remember it. The top picture is more accurate on the colors of the fabric.</div>
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The other picture I have for you is an example of my being very bad indeed. You remember my new start that I am going to have in September? I had planned to work on it three weeks a month? Yes, well. I think I started it in protest against my self imposed stash ban, as I told you last time.</div>
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Here is the first pic of White Dragon. A Heaven and Earth Designs chart that was gifted to me from Nikki:</div>
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This is a terrible picture, and the flash makes it even worse. This is where I had gotten to at the time of my last post. It really looks quite nice but you could never tell it from this picture.<br />
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Anywho, this is how it looks as of this morning.<br />
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The shot is a little blurry, but you can definitely see dragon toes forming. This chart is the large print from HAED and that is the actual width of the page. It is being worked on 25ct Lugana, 2 over one, half cross. My last attempt at that went really bad, but it wasn't Lugana, which seems to not be as stretchy as the DMC gridded fabric was, and so works much better for me. So far anyway.<br />
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I'm only getting 2 or three days a week to stitch right now, so given that I am pretty happy with my progress.<br />
I accidently fell off the wagon and broke my stash ban. The Halloween issue of a certain cross stitch magazine found its way into my basket when grocery shopping. I simply forgot I was on a ban!<br />
I am back on it now though, which is a drag, because I really want to kit up Kindred Spirits, but I am being good, and won't for now.<br />
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As you can see, not a lot of stitching happening, but enough to keep me going for a little while longer.<br />
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Until next time Happy Stitching!<br />
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Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-11550041670765478602015-07-15T23:59:00.000-05:002015-07-15T23:59:00.113-05:00Some Stitching and a Fab Chart RAK!Okay, I can't find the camera! Again!<br />
I'll try to hunt it up tomorrow and get you a few pictures of the little stitching I've managed. I'm actually quite pleased with the bits and pieces I've gotten stitched since our lives have been topsy turvy and crazy busy for a month now.<br />
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I did put myself on a stash ban, so naturally a bunch of amazingly beautiful patterns were charted. I was quite able to resist (Yay me!), but one really bothered me. Anne Stokes' Kindred Spirits, a long time favorite piece of art, was charted over at Heaven and Earth Designs. I have literally waited years for that piece to be charted and had my fingers crossed when she began allowing her art work to be charted by HAED again.<br />
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Long story short a stitchy friend RAK'd this chart to me.Thank you so much S. <br />
Here is a picture of the chart:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3VQJboL3sDDuHNk1lccaRaZ3gHMpCFPECsHMj_KWsPl00sm1py0ZuVCU4-CZe-Kg5HJvqZLTitdgbpuRP6MTctubVc7Rlg-9EXxzpkAuj4rjNOnMyZS-v6fX1VY5v0J8bbBNHZmKMe4I/s1600/c6973dbccbebee0d654a6b0d367aa353.image.308x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3VQJboL3sDDuHNk1lccaRaZ3gHMpCFPECsHMj_KWsPl00sm1py0ZuVCU4-CZe-Kg5HJvqZLTitdgbpuRP6MTctubVc7Rlg-9EXxzpkAuj4rjNOnMyZS-v6fX1VY5v0J8bbBNHZmKMe4I/s320/c6973dbccbebee0d654a6b0d367aa353.image.308x400.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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I realize this isn't for everyone, but I do love them. Just so pretty, and well, dragon.<br />
I hadn't realized I love greens so much, but given this chart, Day Night, and Astranaithes I have to admit a definite trend. Anal Nathrach has quite a bit of green too. Woodland Guardian, Emerald Hawthorn. I'll stop now, lol!<br />
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I was very bad though. I would have kitted this up immediately if I could have, since I simply couldn't I cheated and started White Dragon. Yep, my September start. I promise you I will kit this up and start it as soon as I can.<br />
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I've also had to make a hard decision. No new starts until something is finished, other than this one, naturally. Sigh.<br />
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Our lives are over the top full and busy right now, so I don't think I'll be posting as regularly as I'd like to, but hopefully I'll get in enough stitching to make an interesting post for you.<br />
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Until next time happy stitching my friends. <br />
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Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-4355851515543230102015-06-12T01:48:00.001-05:002015-06-12T01:48:55.829-05:00Page Finishes! New Stash and Temptations!Well, summer is here, and stitching time is, as always, short.<br />
Having said that, I must admit I've had a good time with my stitching.<br />
First up was a page finish on The Lord's Prayer.<br />
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Since I started on the second page, because I enjoy working right to left, this is the second page and the chart is 2 pages wide. This isn't the best picture ever, excuse the wrinkles, but it shows well enough what I have been doing. I love the old fashioned looked of the hand dyed fabric with the brown and the multicolored floss.<br />
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About the time I finished this page <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChartingCreations?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Charting Creations</a> was created and I was immediately stricken with love for some of the charts. I encourage you to stop by and check out some of the charts. She is releasing new ones all the time and they look fabulous. I bought one for myself but on the condition I make myself get a page finish on one of my other projects.<br />
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Which brings me to Anal Nathrach:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Po6Sa1xIUl1YVESk4XOmrTMd9I3wq4XqOyfuKCg_BCgxJCXTyDqRfJSylkhgHbkW62TvTopjTT0LjZPLum8VjJhOdlnCMyFdVggXi0fVsCSSXM1tEb6q22SLrsYy1R29tcxsSzwpaEJS/s1600/June2015Page1+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Po6Sa1xIUl1YVESk4XOmrTMd9I3wq4XqOyfuKCg_BCgxJCXTyDqRfJSylkhgHbkW62TvTopjTT0LjZPLum8VjJhOdlnCMyFdVggXi0fVsCSSXM1tEb6q22SLrsYy1R29tcxsSzwpaEJS/s320/June2015Page1+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You may recall that I began this one, again, some time back. This time I started on the center page. I've really debated about ripping out part of this page, and that was my plan when I sat down with it. In the end I kept the 'sloppy' stitches, because I couldn't bring myself to tear them out. This piece, this one page, was filled with so much struggle. I can see the neat stitches where I began it, I can see where I tried to pick up stitching again after my concussion, when the blurred vision and short term memory loss were such a problem. I can see the improvement, almost like looking at a road map, as I began to recover. So I finished the page, which makes me happy, and the errors, well, they were and are a part of me and my personal history and while I don't love the way they look, they show me, and my struggle, and the eventual victory and recovery. When I look at this I see all of that.<br />
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Back to stash. By the time I finished the page I had at least two more charts I was wanting from Charting Creations. Yeah, so I used the discount code and bought two more.<br />
I won't post a picture yet but you are welcome to go and check out their charts for yourself.<br />
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The first one I got was Unicorn Silhouette.<br />
The two I bought together later were Puppy Love (I'd asked for a dog related chart,) and Tribal Dragon. I made a small start on Tribal Dragon today. My husband really likes it and it will do very well as a take along project.<br />
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I am officially on a stash ban, self imposed, as we have things we need to be saving up for around the house. But I can honestly say there are at least 5 more charts I could easily buy from there, if only I had the time to stitch them up.<br />
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My work weekend is about to start so there won't be much stitching, if any, the next four days. I really hope everyone else is enjoying their stitching time as much as I am.<br />
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Happy Summertime Stitching Everyone!<br />
KarenMama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-61123846780071052772015-05-21T19:24:00.001-05:002015-05-21T19:24:25.140-05:00The Best Laid Stitching PlansAfter all that debate with myself about what would be my big new start this yar, and all that planning how I would choose which chart, in my stash, it would be....<br />
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I got RAK'd this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxjPHC7M7q3mOIsEBzpUGO4w3G3sC1Je8xjOEUTs8MxgnAd_5hATK5EvoymzRy1nGFvXjXW0T6ywEKbLN7GNaibE3LRMbJ3z9w5pOg6HReeZ6zDLgEnbqWbKO9nb8BFpYrrnzD3vw6Mgy/s1600/03ef59ff01c5c410a7da87874d652915.image.400x269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxjPHC7M7q3mOIsEBzpUGO4w3G3sC1Je8xjOEUTs8MxgnAd_5hATK5EvoymzRy1nGFvXjXW0T6ywEKbLN7GNaibE3LRMbJ3z9w5pOg6HReeZ6zDLgEnbqWbKO9nb8BFpYrrnzD3vw6Mgy/s320/03ef59ff01c5c410a7da87874d652915.image.400x269.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Which nicely and firmly decided my next project.<br />
White Dragon. Art work by Kayomi Harai and available as a chart at Heaven and Earth Designs. <a href="http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=160_440&products_id=7329" target="_blank">Here</a> is the link.<br />
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This one will be stitched on 25 ct. Lugana, 2 over 1, except the black which will be 3 over one. This a a chart I love, but wouldnt' buy for myself because I was intimidated by it, by the colors etc. I'm so glad Nikki sent it to me though, because the second I got it I knew I was going to stitch it.<br />
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In other stitchy stuff I actually finished the 3rd row of my haed sal and a bit more, but then had to frog the bit more. Notice last time, when I'd started adding the second page:<br />
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And now, with the second page included and the third row finished:<br />
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Then there is this. I followed a tutorial I'd seen a link to on facebook and made this little lap frame. I used my q-snap clips for the sides:<br />
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The top photo is a little blurry but you get the idea of a lap stand. The second pic shows it in use, and some of the tiny bit of progress that was made on Mini Cheshire Cat.<br />
<a href="https://mommyfang.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/making-your-own-pvc-lapstand/" target="_blank">These</a> are the directions I used for making it. <br />
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It was fun and quick and pretty cheap. As long as you have something on hand to cut the pipe with you can make this for less than 10 dollars!<br />
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Thus inspired I bought 4 more of the corner pieces and used the other pipe to make exactly the right sized frame for my coming project.<br />
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Total cost less than 3 dollars, but I will be buying a set of clamps soon for it, to go with the ones I have which will make it about 6 to 6 and a half dollars. Totally awesome. I am in love with everything but the corners, which if you look closely do bump out. I've found I can live with that with the savings I get from making them myself. Disclaimer, husband did the cutting part, as I wasn't quite strong enough to make the ratcheting clamp cutter work without hurting my hands.<br />
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So, enough. Feeling awefully crafty for someone who is getting so little done lately!<br />
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Happy stitching everyone, hope you have a fun Holiday Weekend if you are in the US.<br />
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Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-84900303818528828862015-04-23T19:06:00.000-05:002015-04-23T19:07:49.816-05:00It's All About That Stitch, 'Bout That Stitch (No Frogging)Long time no blog!<br />
With everything that has been going on, physical therapy, weeks without internet(and more than 20 hours with various AT&T guys at my house!), and a missing in action camera I've been avoiding a blog post for a couple of weeks. Throw a dash of pure lazy and a few doctor's appointments in there for the past two weeks. <br />
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I spent a little over two weeks without picking up a needle. The only time that ever happens is when I physically can't stitch, so I felt weird and a little guilty, like I was shirking my responsibility or something. I think my slow pace, and limited time sent my stitching mojo on a short vacation. Apparently it was much needed if I was feeling guilty! This is supposed to be fun!<br />
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That said, I have been stitching again at my pokey pace, and kept thinking I would find my camera, which I finally did. These are not the greatest pics, they were taken in a bit of a hurry and it is cloudy and sort of dark, but hopefully these will get the idea across.<br />
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First up, a finish! A little kit I liked and picked up on a whim. Live, Love, Laugh. This seems to be a popular one, and I can see why. It is a cheerful little stitch.<br />
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Okay, so it needs washing and ironing, but I'm tickled to have it done, slightly modified to cover the fact that a color went missing half way through when Dean chewed up the paper card the colors were on.<br />
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My HAED BB SAL has suffered the most through this. The second page came in and I decided to start work on it. I'd done a little of the first page since the last pic so you can see there is a teensy bit of progress. This was just before my stitching mojo went on vacation.<br />
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I love this chart and the way it is working up. I have a nose! Well, part of one.<br />
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Finally, progress on The Lord's prayer.<br />
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Excuse the wrinkles, and the bit of sewing pattern to the side. I'm half way through a dress and hustled this piece from it's storage place to the sewing table to take a quick pick. It is being worked in hand, so yeah, the wrinkles will get worse before they get better, though a quick press should take care of that later. I think not being able to give it a bath when it is finished will drive me crazy. Something to think about before deciding if I want to continue using hand-dyed fabrics. It is like kool-aid dying we did as a kid (and smells like it when it first arrives). And I always hated that you couldn't wash it even back then.<br />
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And last of all, test stitching, 2 over 1 on 28ct. Monaco.<br />
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So not satisfied with the coverage of the black, but liking it otherwise. I've sought advice about the black problem and now that I'm stitching again I will probably do more test stitching. I'll let you know how that turns out.<br />
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As usual, clicking on a picture will give you a better view.<br />
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Here is hoping the mojo hangs out for a while. I've pulled out Mini Cheshire cat and will hopefully have a nice update on that one soon.<br />
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Until next time, Happy stitching everyone!Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-75750197372006685812015-02-16T14:22:00.001-06:002015-02-16T14:22:03.715-06:00Hi Stitchers, a quick post to prove I'm still in the Land of the Living!With so much snow and ice these past two weeks I know lots of stitchers who have gotten extra stitchy time. I haven't myself since I work from home anyway, but it has been fun seeing what everyone is doing and admiring all of the progress being made.<br />
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On the stitchy front, still slowed to a crawl with my shoulder, but there is light on the horizon. I started physical therapy for Frozen Shoulder and have high hopes for later this year.<br />
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As is, I've had little progress so not much to show in that area.<br />
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However:<br />
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I had put this on my wish list at HAED when later that day someone in my stitchy group on Facebook did a contest and I won! It was fun and silly, we had to guess what time she would get home from her commute during this nasty weather and who ever guessed closest won a free chart! This was a lot of fun. I've fallen quite in love with this artist and the charts available. This is available <a href="http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=160_440&products_id=7328" target="_blank">here</a>.It is Kayomi Harai, this chart being Four Heavenly Beasts. There are some stunning dragons too, they are on my wish list as well. Why not? I've already got more projects than I will ever finish!<br />
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In truth I have picked some of my very favorite charts and numbered them. I was going to run them through a random number generator to pick my new start for this year. Since that won't be until the end of September I have a little time! Meanwhile, it was pointed out to me that I shouldn't choose too soon since I may buy or receive something I want to add to the list! I like her thinking! So the random generator will be done soon, so that I have lots of time to kit up, but not <i>too</i> soon!<br />
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I will update with pics next time, of whatever progress I will be/have made.<br />
Until then, Happy Stitching!<br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-28961405464130993402015-01-21T17:04:00.000-06:002015-01-21T17:04:05.645-06:00The Lord's Prayer from My Big Toe DesignsSo, with my stitching going so slowly I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the color changes in my usual projects. The haed BB sal didn't have as many as some of my charts but I was most definitely putting pressure on myself. I decided that after I finished the first row I would start something less challenging, color change wise. Since The Lord's prayer has been on my 'I want to work it' list for at least two years, well now seemed like the time.<br />
Here are a few pictures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJE4RwXe-bQDXnz5P52jCS5TFZHqWJrzvYnH2i0UK_e2d3coN34S7HRlhrzgo9wphTyNw3XsD4HtpOMp7IFI-nWY_OGu1-wNVxQyQZtsS25JfIj82MANZv3NUD9jvcVvUaRi2wu6JxnLZ/s1600/2015-01-13+20.02.21+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJE4RwXe-bQDXnz5P52jCS5TFZHqWJrzvYnH2i0UK_e2d3coN34S7HRlhrzgo9wphTyNw3XsD4HtpOMp7IFI-nWY_OGu1-wNVxQyQZtsS25JfIj82MANZv3NUD9jvcVvUaRi2wu6JxnLZ/s1600/2015-01-13+20.02.21+(800x600).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSM0fLygWy0zwie3YrpsNeBL2w_niE6ewGr1avvudEQ94Uz4da48FoxPI7fS6tnhcnXDKBknCo9ihkVjms9D9pG-EwKHS3eMU0H0plMkDAVj4gfm2ciZGvTknDZfCzzH6OLDIHXi643hF/s1600/10911507_10200139685532802_7742430864912879805_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSM0fLygWy0zwie3YrpsNeBL2w_niE6ewGr1avvudEQ94Uz4da48FoxPI7fS6tnhcnXDKBknCo9ihkVjms9D9pG-EwKHS3eMU0H0plMkDAVj4gfm2ciZGvTknDZfCzzH6OLDIHXi643hF/s1600/10911507_10200139685532802_7742430864912879805_o.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
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The second wip picture gives a more accurate view of the colors.<br />
The brown is DMC and the overdyed is Sullivans. I am loving how these look together, though at first I was hesitant and asked for opinions from my stitchy group. So glad to have found the Sullivan's and thought to try it.<br />
By the way, I got this from 123Stitch.com along with Dog Lesson's for people. It was a toss up which I would start, but I decided to go with the fewest color changes! <br />
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In other stitching news, two new charts! Yes, I know. But once again an artist is being retired and for the first time in a good while I had fun money, so:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZCQals_f4BfnYAF6U-FqlBM1vOLT1sBxs1le4gneWhpq6Yrzt_FyCN6zwgyJJDNwz_xbOG7STNABTS1Lk-iIF_mrXRnR5jATnBPSTXbK5x3Zi10txZd1Osh6p0n0xFC_7sLpT69ytZFJ/s1600/31fcc60295bff7831b92bc84df3086db.image.400x290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZCQals_f4BfnYAF6U-FqlBM1vOLT1sBxs1le4gneWhpq6Yrzt_FyCN6zwgyJJDNwz_xbOG7STNABTS1Lk-iIF_mrXRnR5jATnBPSTXbK5x3Zi10txZd1Osh6p0n0xFC_7sLpT69ytZFJ/s1600/31fcc60295bff7831b92bc84df3086db.image.400x290.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
Run with the Big Dogs, by Sandy Brooks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EeEUCmVnDs6uj2wfAnEv7EMDkANVDCYWWCn-Cxa_elqc-nWVQKFzCBYOb0B3-3937yze5hxXmo9TPD1j_zx-xwQyZJWuu3ThFxZ_PEgpuUMfSoZ2pYkzsG8Eswz6kO3InqD68LM0V-nW/s1600/7d9013a7cb2df19010c9d7249e3023af.image.294x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EeEUCmVnDs6uj2wfAnEv7EMDkANVDCYWWCn-Cxa_elqc-nWVQKFzCBYOb0B3-3937yze5hxXmo9TPD1j_zx-xwQyZJWuu3ThFxZ_PEgpuUMfSoZ2pYkzsG8Eswz6kO3InqD68LM0V-nW/s1600/7d9013a7cb2df19010c9d7249e3023af.image.294x400.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
And Moya, also by Brooks.<br />
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Yes, more black and whites! Both are available from Heaven and Earth Designs through 01/26/2015, but the artist is retiring so if you are interested you may need hurry. Luckily there is a half price sale on, and who could resist that?<br />
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Still, I've been amazingly blessed with stash this past year and my plan for 2015 isn't to add to it, but to pass along some of the many kindnesses I've been the recipient of. I've already started and that feels nice for me, and I hope for the people I am giving to. I've been able to forward a few of my old magazines to those looking for a particular chart, and even gift a chart or two. I'm hoping to continue in that vein throughout the year.<br />
I plan to keep on with my turtle pace stitching and will update you when I have something to show.<br />
Just realized I forgot to take a picture of Live, Love, Laugh again.<br />
Next time.<br />
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Happy stitching everyone.<br />
Karen <br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-55183072754058274212015-01-14T18:13:00.002-06:002015-01-14T18:13:49.387-06:00New Year's Bumps and (a very little) StitchingWe are two weeks into the new year and things are a bit up in the air, when are they not? My right shoulder went completely out on New Year's day. I wasn't doing anything special and it has been giving me problems for months, but pooh, just at the beginning of the Heaven and Earth Designs Bulletin Board stitch-a-long. And after having to not make the ornaments and things I'd wanted to do for Christmas gifts, because I was letting the shoulder rest up.<br />
After a doctor's visit, a shot, and a steroid dose pack I have much of the movement back but our hope that it was just inflammation is dashed since the underlying problem is still there, and still extremely painful if I move the 'wrong' way.<br />
My husband had a dental emergency and is still recovering from that. Another thing we'd thought was settled but is having complications.<br />
But...I did get some stitching in! The first page of the SAL arrived late on new year's eve, since the organizer sending it out is in the Australian time zone. I got in the first hundred stitches and was all excited to have the next day off for stitching. Then the shoulder.<br />
So the first 100 stitches:<br />
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And the rest of the row, plus a little, stitched left handed:<br />
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And yes, completely frustrating since this is working up so nicely. It took two weeks to finish that row and work one block and a little of the next. I'm more proud of it than I would like to admit, given what went into stitching it. Stitching two hand and then just one, when it is your off hand, is hard work!<br />
I'll update Live, Love, Laugh soon, since I did get some stitches in on it.<br />
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And that is it!<br />
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I have decided to start My Big Toe's The Lord's Prayer. It is only two colors and that will save me a lot of discomfort in not switching out colors every few stitches. It is a long time favorite of mine and I'm going to start it on the lovely green hand-dyed fabric my secret santa sent me for Christmas, probably within the next week or so. Still waffling over the colors. I can't possibly justify 60 dollars on the recommended silks so I will probably go with DMC. Though I've thought about using the Sullivans, which is really quite lovely to work with. I've done a few ornaments and smalls with it over the past 3 years or so and I really like it.<br />
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I've also got some sewing projects in the works. I've always avoided knits and I have the impetus from 2 sources to give them a try. One, with a gift card from work, was buying Gertie sews Vintage Casual. The sizes come up quite higher than expected, being closer to ready to wear sizes than expected. The other motivator is another gift card that I spent on something I've long wanted to do, which was ordering fabric from Fabricmart. I used the gift card to do a test run and I'm very happy with my order. I included some knit fabrics to play with, and I must say they are much nicer than the ones I looked at locally. At least the pieces I received are. I'll let you know how that comes along.<br />
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Until next time, Happy Stitching<br />
Karen<br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-53278740418285271062014-12-30T20:36:00.000-06:002014-12-30T20:39:00.152-06:00Happy, Merry, Jolly Time of Year! A quick update.I hope everyone is enjoying their Holidays. Christmas and New Year are such fun, exciting, stressful times. I'm hoping you have all had a moment to simply enjoy them.<br />
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Stitching, as always, whenever I can.<br />
I took part in the HAED BB sal again this week with Mini Crossing Spirits:<br />
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As you can see I changed my mind about working a page at a time and started working across the first row of ten blocks. This was a quick picture I took as I was changing the qsnap, scooting the piece over. I'm probably not going to be working on this for a week or two.<br />
Also, that fake animal print in the background is part of a blanket I made my husband for Christmas. After seeing the one I'd been gifted by my secret santa, he wanted one of his own.<br />
Here is a pic of me all wrapped up in it. And look, I took a pic with my eyes open! Sort of.<br />
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Does anyone remember this kit?<br />
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I was having such fun with it back on Halloween of 2013.<br />
While I was posting an update picture here on the blog Dean, who was still a puppy, was busily tearing up the floss card to it. The floss was okay, the card a bunch of little pieces. I'd like to say that he has grown out of this sort of thing, but his paper addiction is still strong.<br />
I shoved it all into a sack to sort out later. Well, it is later. I had a non-stitchy day or two and pulled this out, cleaned up the floss, organized the colors again and made a new card. The light purple is missing but everything else is intact, so I plan to give it some time today and just work on it until the 2015 HAED BB sal starts on Jan. 1. I can't wait to get started on that. Who doesn't love a sal?<br />
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What is everyone else working on? Are you preparing for the New Year? New Starts? New Finishes?<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Happy stitching everyone.<br />
Karen<br />
<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-37328476524414971962014-12-19T02:43:00.001-06:002014-12-19T02:43:32.663-06:00Christmas in.....December?While I can't believe the year is nearly done, it has, as usual, got me thinking about next year. Traditionally for me December is the month I break rotation and work on whatever I like. Since I haven't had a rotation going that is sort of out, but I'm all about the do what I like part.<br />
I've continued on with Mini Crossing Spirits, slowly working my way across the first row of blocks. Still all the same shades of gray so I didn't take an update pic yet.<br />
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Yesterday I also made a small start on my the stocking my husband chose. I know I said in 2015 but it just seemed right so I went with it. I don't have all the floss yet either, but most. unfortunately the pic came out looking gray when it is actually only 2 lines of a pretty blue. Night and the flash I suppose. Instead I'll post a pic of the magazine it came from. 1990!<br />
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This one has a couple of charts I'd always meant to start, namely the collector's plates, but those will have to wait awhile. The stocking on the cover is similar to the one I'll be working for Jason.<br />
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Now the really fun stuff. I have opened my secret Santa gifts. The sender gave me permission (I promise I didn't ask!) and after that there was no resisting it.<br />
I was just blown away. Thank you secret Santa, you went way over the top with this. I've never had so much nice stitching stuff!! The little owl needleminder in the pic above was one of my pressies. I have the pictures I took for my Facebook group for now, but may put up some others later on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTKGMCz36RaL5e_sTBH0PX1-s8ESJ84VP4WqGBmarkvv4eYemloazbMzexfvWizm-JRNO_lmBibbDmeR_tU1sfTQowP557S3vUbjZLl28AfW7dZumzXTlhSRn9V-XovicvOJBmMMnSGRy/s1600/100_2917+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTKGMCz36RaL5e_sTBH0PX1-s8ESJ84VP4WqGBmarkvv4eYemloazbMzexfvWizm-JRNO_lmBibbDmeR_tU1sfTQowP557S3vUbjZLl28AfW7dZumzXTlhSRn9V-XovicvOJBmMMnSGRy/s1600/100_2917+(800x600).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needle threader, needle minder</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One side of the blanket</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other side of the blanket and all my lush presents!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJINTKi6sReIWfSqxLggWKzAfOqqMgiIPKOqHJ85j7T5NpVzIELzc6zRwQCzQrXSxkO-yXiqwVQCd-b1WBnTPTyXaVIFN6UnATem57_M1POYEAbhkE-_0RujE0oWlborweWM97hD8NWIR/s1600/100_2843+(800x600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJINTKi6sReIWfSqxLggWKzAfOqqMgiIPKOqHJ85j7T5NpVzIELzc6zRwQCzQrXSxkO-yXiqwVQCd-b1WBnTPTyXaVIFN6UnATem57_M1POYEAbhkE-_0RujE0oWlborweWM97hD8NWIR/s1600/100_2843+(800x600).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to get a better pic of the beautiful needle minder</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />I confess I've longed for one of the unique needle minder's from HAED but I never thought I would have one. I wish I could take a photo that would show you the depth and richness of that beautiful handmade needle minder. It is seeing heavy use. If I remember I will show a pic of the ones I was using. The little cheapie red ones that come three in a pack.<br />
BTW, the blanket color in the bottom pics is much more accurate!<br />
The tea had the whole house smelling lovely but I couldn't drink it, I had a sinus allergy attack from it. Bright side is my husband loved it with a capitol L and so he got a bit of a present out of it too!<br />
The hand dyed fabrics are two large pieces of 18 count aida and a piece of 28 ct. Jobelan. These are my first ever hand-dyed fabrics and I love them. They are almost too pretty to stitch on and I will try to get a pic of them up next time.<br />
I've done some test stitching on the 28 ct. and it looks wonderful one over one, with excellent coverage, but I confess I didn't enjoy stitching that count very much. I will be giving it another go later, and also trying it over 2.<br />
I've never felt so spoiled and special as when I opened those packages. I feel so elegant and ladylike at my stand now, stitching away surrounded by all the loveliness.<br />
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I hope you are all enjoying a bit of Christmas stitching adventure.<br />
Happy Stitching!<br />
Karen <br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-75059030753713965492014-12-12T02:30:00.000-06:002014-12-12T02:39:35.936-06:00The Futility Of Resistance....I won't quibble about it.<br />
Nikki sent me this:<br />
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Wolf, girl, black and white, just an all around perfect chart for me.It is titled Mini Crossing Spirits by Nielsen.<br />
I found fabric, I had all of the floss colors but 3.<br />
I felt virtuous for deciding it would be my Christmas new start.<br />
Yeah, I caved and started it yesterday.<br />
My only explanation? I was off work and home alone. <br />
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I had a twinge of guilt after announcing I was only having two new starts in the first 6 months of 2015. then I realized it wasn't 2015 yet, I could have a start every day if I liked. Yes, stitchy thinking, totally self involved. lol.<br />
The chart is available <a href="http://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=604_501_509&products_id=12588" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Here is my first progress. There are 4 or 5 shades of gray (grey to our UK and Aussi friends) and a bit of black, though it is hard to tell from this photo. Also I started in the upper left, I don't know why, it was an accident, I much prefer the upper right. No matter, I'll just go with it. And btw, this picture is terrible. It looks perfectly fine in real life, I promise!<br />
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I've filled in the blank spots since this pic and done a little more but you get the idea.<br />
Before that I worked on both Anal Nathrach and one of the Christmas ornaments.<br />
The ornament, which I put away after deciding to do the back stitch as I go along. I'll pick it back up soon but I hate back stitch.<br />
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That isn't all of the cross stitching for this section, I went back and added some more but I'm too lazy to go pull it out for a picture with so little more to show.<br />
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Anal Nathrach, yes, I am the world's slowest stitcher.<br />
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Still on my first page, which is the center page of the chart. I'm sort of wishing I'd started in one of the corners, mainly because I can't decide which direction I want to stitch in.<br />
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Lastly, Mini The Black got fixed up and it only took a short time. I will post an update pic at a later time, because for some reason it won't load for me right now!<br />
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Until next time<br />
Happy stitching my friends!<br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098287031318731049.post-91819521189672031652014-11-27T19:34:00.001-06:002014-11-27T19:34:24.481-06:00Thanksgiving, Making Plans, and StitchingHappy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates it. I hope you are having/have had a lovely day.<br />
Ours has been quiet but enjoyable. I'm sleepy but I need to stay awake, it is only 7pm! A perfect time to catch up this blog.<br />
I've had a problem with my right shoulder/upper arm for about 6 weeks-2months, it has not affected my stitching at all but then I pulled something in my right upper back shoulder area and wasn't able to stitch for about a week. It is better now but I'm still not stitching as much, just sort of building back up to it.<br />
I also changed my hours at work and I'm loving it by it does take a lot more out of me and impact my stitching time, so I'm still working that out.<br />
But enough prelude.<br />
I manged a bit more on Mini The Black, but found an error on a previously stitched section. It doesn't look to be too bad but I've been procrastinating fixing it for a week or two. I won't post the progress since it was minimal.<br />
Mini Cheshire Cat saw some progress though. I do love working on this one.<br />
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It is only another row of 10 down, but I'm pleased to have progress to show.<br />
I had intended to give the lions share of my time to the first page of Anal Nathrach, but it didn't work out that way. I've gone full circle on it and worked my way back to the upper right so that I can work across from right to left, which I find is more comfortable for me.<br />
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As you can see I've tried different methods and the left to right is the one I've decided on. I do love the colors in this one.<br />
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My secret Santa gift was put in the mail this week. I got the gift from my SS a couple of days ago and it is a whopping big box, can't wait to get in there and see what goodies await me!<br />
I decided to wait until Thanksgiving was over to work on my Christmas ornament kit. I just wanted to do one holiday at a time!<br />
I'm already busily making plans for next year's stitching.<br />
I've joined a SAL that will start in January and my DH has finally picked a stocking pattern, so I'll work on that throughout 2015 and hopefully have that finished by next Christmas.<br />
I've been thinking hard about my 2015 stitching, if you read this blog you already know that I've tried several rotation ideas, with only one of them being really successful. I'm not sure I want to go that route again.<br />
There are a number of kits I have that I want to do, and most are already started, so I'm tentatively planning to give them at least one week a month. I want to work on the sal and start my husbands stocking, those are the only two new starts I'm planning for the first 3 months of next year.<br />
Not only because funds for fabric is limited, but because I want to make a little progress on some of my wips. And frankly, I have too many beautiful charts to choose from and am feeling too indecisive to decide on one.<br />
There is a dark horse in the running, so to speak, for a new start next year. I've been longing to work either a sampler type or a blackwork(I only learned it this year, see my first try<a href="http://bygraceandbygumption.blogspot.com/2014/01/first-finish-of-2014.html" target="_blank"> here</a>) piece, contingent on finding the right fabric. That will have to wait though, until I can afford something nice to work it on.<br />
It just isn't possible to stitch all of the lovely charts I'd like to stitch, so I'm hoping to be practical and work through some of what I've started before I plunge into anything other than those I've already mentioned.<br />
What about you? Have you begun making plans for 2015? Are you hankering to try something new, have tons of new starts, work towards what you've already got going? I love seeing what others are working on and hearing about their plans. It is very inspiring sometimes to just look at what others are doing and share their excitement.<br />
Until next time, Happy Stitching!<br />
Karen<br />
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<br />Mama Doghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00612430403837932560noreply@blogger.com1