Thanksgiving, Making Plans, and Stitching

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates it. I hope you are having/have had a lovely day.
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.
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.
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.
But enough prelude.
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.
Mini Cheshire Cat saw some progress though. I do love working on this one.

It is only another row of 10 down, but I'm pleased to have progress to show.
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.

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.

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!
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!
I'm already busily making plans for next year's stitching.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 here) piece, contingent on finding the right fabric. That will have to wait though, until I can afford something nice to work it on.
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.
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.
Until next time, Happy Stitching!
Karen

Progress, Problems and Winter

It seems like a good time to show you my progress.
First is Mini The Black. I am stitching this one between calls late at night when I am working, so I only am stitching the black for now to cut down on confusion. The goal is 100 stitches per work night and I usually make that, though there has been 2 or 3 times when I didn't. It seems to work out though because on a Holiday I worked I got in closer to 300. Anywho, as of 11/01/2014:

A nice bit of progress, now 9.5% worked, so very pleased here.

I also spent some quality time with Mini Cheshire Cat. First with the HAED BB SAL, then continued on with it for a Halloween SAL with my Facebook stitchy friends.

I am falling so in love with this piece again.
It happens every time with a black and white piece.
Oh! I forgot to tell you about the QSnaps! I tried them about a month ago and fell in love. I also love that I can sew huggies/grime guards for them, it just makes it more fun for me.
It was great. I was lucky enough to have just enough money left from another purchase to get these(11X17) at 123Stitch. I loved them instantly but wanted to extend the size for some of my larger projects. My great job sent me a 10 dollar gift the very next day and I applied it to ordering the 3 inch expansions. I want to get an 8" by 8" for smaller things. Just love them.

I got a little holiday happy and decided to begin my Dimensions Christmas Village Ornaments kit. Here is a link to an example of it on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Dimensions-Needlecrafts-Counted-Christmas-Ornaments/dp/B000W5I4OM/ref=sr_1_3?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1415011228&sr=1-3&keywords=dimensions+christmas+cross+stitch
Here is also where the problem came in. The kit is well put together and the floss separated, but the cloth was so tight I could hardly stitch on it! Not too stiff mind you, but the holes too small for the 4 thread half stitches and the 3 thread half stitches. I was in real pain after only 30 minutes of stitching, and had to use a rubber disc to get the needle through the fabric for every stitch.

Dear Lesli took pity on me and sent me a great piece of 18 count to replace it. Thanks Lesli! It was stitching up just lovely when I realized I was one row off and had to frog lots, so no picture today.

The other problem, some creep got our debit information and made 3 withdrawals so we are spending the weekend even more broke than we would have been. Life happens, I just wish it would happen when we weren't already cutting things so close.

The cold weather seems to have arrived with Halloween. I do not like winter. I want to hibernate!

Anal Nathrach is hopefully going to be worked on this week, along with those ornaments, so hopefully there will be progress to be shown next time.

Happy Stitching Everyone
Karen

A New Floor Stand and Way too much Stitchy Goodness (Picture Heavy Post Here)

Well, I've let the time slide by since my last blog update. I've been working and then there is life in general, but fear not, there is lots of stitchy excitement going on around here.
First up, for my birthday in September my husband made me a floor stand. He looked at the two I've had in the past that were pretty much unusable for any large projects, watched some you tube video's of what others have made, and just studied stands in general. He popped this together really quickly, and while he complains that it isn't nice enough, that he will make another, that he is no carpenter....you get the idea. The stand is fabulous and works like a dream! Silly man. I can fit my largest frame on there with no hint of instability or tipping. Love, love, love it.

I added the butterfly's, and later he added a couple of hooks. It has seen heavy use already and is just wonderful to use.
But that was not the end of the birthday fun!
A big thank you to Christy for gifting me QS Winter Rose, a Heaven and Earth Designs chart. I have had the full sized chart on and off my wish list and when the QS came out it was love at first sight. The artwork is by Kinuko Y. Craft. I loved the book that this was used as the cover illustration on and just knew I had to have it when it came out in a QS!

Isn't she a gorgeous beauty? Don't you just love the owl and the rose and the way the branches are growing and part of her gown?
Now, unless you have been hibernating under a rock, or don't shop Heaven and Earth Designs patterns, you have probably heard that Nene Thomas charts will no longer be available after October 15. The artist has her reasons I'm sure, and when there was trouble with the HAED website she graciously extended that time to the 15th so all of her fans would have a chance to buy up their favorites. There was a sale on at the time and I think the site got overwhelmed with people trying to get her charts.

When the fuss died down I went on to the site and sneaked a couple of charts onto my wishlist, I wanted to consider which one I would buy. Funds were low so it would only be one and this required thought. But we took Sam to the vet(which my lovely friends did not know) and I made the decision not to buy any of them. Then the mad enablers from my favorite Facebook group got involved! The word Doom comes to mind for some reason.
Nikki began the morning by gifting me Astranaithes. Yes, the full sized, not the mini, which I had put on my wish list. It has been on there before and taken off, and put on, and taken off....You get the idea. Nikki was so sweet and thoughtful, she even thought to send me the large print version! My goodness, I love this chart!

I was knocked out, and bubbling over with enthusiasm I think. I'm almost embarrassed now to remember it, but I have loved this one for a long time and they are stitchers in that group, so they get it.
But then:

and:

Ashleigh had to do it! You can probably see why I fell in love with these two. QS Emerald Hawthorne actually came minutes after QS Whispers, I don't know why the pics are reversed, but I can work with that. She has the murky sky like background, the gorgeous lace sleeves, the roses, the amazing peacock, and all in the most amazing colors! QS Whispers has it all in another way, subtle and subdued, the wings, the gorgeous dress, the misty background. Ashleigh, Queen of enablers, thank you so very much.
Both also in large print!
The thoughtfulness that went into these lovely gifts had me all teared up. It is lovely to know that a friend is thinking of you, that they went to the trouble to find your favorite charts and took the care to send them large format because your vision has changed and it will help you.

I'm sorry, did you think I was finished?
Having been the recipient of such bounty I confessed in our little group that I'd decided not to by a chart at all, due to the vet and just not having the money to spend. I only mentioned it as I was thanking them for their lovely gifts, so that they would know their thoughtfulness had even more meaning for me than they might have otherwise done.
So Angela and Charlie the cocker spaniel sent me Mini Wings in repose. It seems Charlie has had a lot of vet visits lately too, and his Mom sent me this in harmony. Many thanks to Angela and Charlie, I hope you continue to feel better Charlie!
This is one of those charts that sneak up on you. I liked it the first time I saw it, and each time I see it I like it more. The classic misty background, the lovely bird and it's reflection on the water, the foliage and branches all around and the lights. It is just a beautiful subtle piece of art  both still and full of motion.
Hmm, I should update with a wip picture. Here is Mini the Black, still only seeing bits of work when I am able, and still only working the black for the moment.

I've nearly finished the page of black! Very excited about that.
I'll update Anal Nathrach and whatever else I am working on next time.
I've been doing the HAED BB SAL's again the past 2 or 3 weeks and I find it very motivating.
Until next time
Happy Stitching
Karen

New Start Goodness and an Update

Well, to tell the truth and shame the devil it is a re-start of the first big Heaven and Earth chart I ever bought. The bright and beautiful Anal Nathrach. I had a lot of problems with this one and finally just put it down. Wrong fabric and the wrong stitch was definitely part of the ugliness.
Here is a pic of the chart:

I love fantasy art and this one is so super bright and cheerful it outdoes itself.
So, re-start on 18ct. aida 2 over 1. I was so going to order the kit with 25 ct. but due to recent problems with eye sight I decided 18ct was more practical. And it was a hefty amount cheaper to kit it up myself at 123Stitch. Enough so that I'm going to give the Secret Santa thing a try again this year after all. I'd thought I wouldn't be able to afford it. What a treat, but more on that later.

Mail delivery goodness:

And new start porn:

The first 101 stitches:

The setup, for now:

As you can see I am experimenting with leaving the needles on my parking. I stopped at Wally World and bought a pack of button magnets to keep them on. We will see how that works out. I'm a little nervous about them since Dean ate a pack of cigarettes one week and a watch battery the next. Expensive snacking on his part and these aren't that big and look sort of treat sized.
My stitching speed has been reduced to probably a quarter of what it was and I'm hoping this method will help pick it back up a little. I'll let you know when I know.

Meanwhile, my late night between calls project, Mini The Black, of which I am only working the black right now, is coming along nicely.

I hope everyone is enjoying their stitching as much as I am.
Happy stitching my friends.
Karen

A little of this and a little of that and a (2) new starts

I've been busy, busy, busy.
And I've barely left the house!
I've been stitching Mini Soul Mates. I really need to give this project more time. I was bad and decided to start stitching down the middle page in hopes I'd eventually get to something more interesting. Time will tell. 3 over 1 on 14 ct. aida.

Inspired by Marti, who will be stitching a chart only during the holidays, adding to it each year, I decided to start something for those late nights at work when I sometimes have 10 or 15 minutes between calls.
So, yes, a new start. My goal is to try to get 100 stitches a night in on this on the nights when I have slow times. I've been pleasantly surprised with the progress. I introduce you to Mini The Black, an RAK for my birthday from Teresa back in 2012. I had meant to start him long before now.  2 over 1 on 18 ct. aida.

I will try to remember to update you regularly, though at the moment I haven't technically kitted this up, I'm only working the black bits, of which there are a lot!
Both of these are HAED charts btw.

The other piece I started is a gift for someone so I won't be posting about it for some time to come.
In sewing news I finally got the energy up to try one of those tank top dresses. I had an almost new tank that I'd stained near the bottom and was about to toss out so I pulled out some old fabric from the stash and the elastic thread I bought to play with. It worked up in a flash and made a great maxi. I'd run take a pic for you but I'm wearing it right now. Next time I will make fewer gathers, or maybe do pleats, and it definitely needs a belt of some sort. Not the most flattering garment if you are wide around the waist, but I just threw it together to see if I could. It is uber comfy. I could live in these for the rest of my life, it feels so good. Here is a link to the blog with the tutorial I (mostly) followed. http://asmallsnippet.com/2011/09/wanna-make-dress.html

That is about everything for this time.
Happy Stitching this weekend!

One Step Forward and Two Steps Back; I won a chart!

Or that is what it feels like.
I was sure that I'd have posted 3 or 4 times since my last post on July 16, but life stepped in and slowed me to something less than a crawl.
Let me explain.
I'd had that post planned and went ahead and posted it, even though at the time I'd already had the 'injury' that was slowing me down. I thought the symptoms would pass with time and I'd get on with things.
Well, they haven't, but I am getting on with things.
I'd taken a fall in my hallway and was having some pretty nasty symptoms, I won't describe all of them, just the ones that were majorly affecting my stitching and crafting.
1. Extreme sensitivity to light. (As in, my bright stitching light)
2. Massive headache that would not go away and would only go down to a dull headache with meds.
3. The occasional bout of blurred vision that made seeing stitches and symbols impossible.
There are a host of other symptoms but I these are the ones that most affected my ability to stitch. Oh, and yes, I did finally go to the doctor after some badgering from my husband. It appears I had a concussion. I admit to being alarmed when he sent me straight to the hospital for a stat Cat Scan and then to a neurologist.
But that isn't what I'm posting about today, but merely an explanation of what happened so you can all get the idea of how things have been and so you will understand the following about coping with it.
First, meds for the headache have helped.

Coping:
At first I didn't stitch at all, then I started a needlepoint kit I had in the stash (bigger holes and little counting).
But it wasn't satisfying. I need my stitch therapy!
1. I've learned to adjust my stitching light in such a way that I find it bearable for short periods of time.
2. Use the Nook or Kindle, with EZPDF reader. I can highlight the symbol I'm stitching so I don't forget which one I was stitching if I have a flaring head pain or headache, or have to stop a moment for blurred vision.
3. Use the same ezPDF reader to view my symbols enlarged when said problems make it difficult to see them on my floss key or chart.
4. Shortly I will be adding an enlarged version of the symbols to my floss bags for each project. Just have to get my handy dandy printer hooked up. (First have to find the hand dandy power cord. lol).
5. Stitch only one project for a little while so I don't feel so overwhelmed.
6. Accept that my already slow stitching is going to be even slower.
7. Minimize distractions during stitching time. Dogs, movies, music etc.
8. Don't travel or cross country stitch, a head ache just makes me that much more likely to make an error.
9. When having blurred vision only work on something like 14 ct. The one project I chose above is 14 ct. aida, 3 over 1. Mini Soul Mates.
10. Count it as many times as I deem necessary if I'm just feeling like maybe I didn't count right the first time.
So far these are my solutions. Suggestions are extremely welcome. I am not looking to re-invent the wheel here.
And the chart I won? Jo did a little contest on her anniversary and I was lucky enough to win! I was able to have my pick of a HAED chart and chose mini The Ghost. I love that chart, and it isn't huge so it should be do-able, even if I am slow. Here is the link and a picture. Mini The Ghost .

Isn't she divine?

Until next time, Happy Stitching Everyone.

And Sew On, and sew on, and sew on

As everyday life goes along with all of its little joys and struggles I've rediscovered the simple pleasure and relief from stress I get simply from stitching. Sometimes lately I have a little too much on my mind, and end up having to frog, but even that is a comforting part of stitching, familiar after all these years.
Recently I've put some time into two projects. The first is mostly blue stitches, but yay, now I am having different shades of blue. I am talking about All Dogs Go To Heaven, from Heaven and Earth Designs.
The last time you saw it:

And as it is now:

See those red threads? I had lost count and grabbed some floss to put in a  temporary grid. I'll pull them back out pretty quickly and try to find something else to grid with now that I will no longer use the quilting pen.

Second up is one I haven't worked in a little while. I finished the first page of I Am Half Sick of Shadows, a Golden Kite pattern. This was my third restart and I can't think why I put it down. I am missing a few colors now but am enjoying it again.
Before:

And After:

  

 

So not a huge amount of progress, but a pleasure to be stitching on her none the less. I have picked up a few of the colors I need and have a only a few more to get, hopefully soon, but I'm not sure when it will be.

Just for the fun of comparison, both of these are being stitched on 14 ct. aida. The first is traditional 2 strands over one, the second is 3 strands over.



Until next time, happy stitching my friends.