My 2nd SAL ....

Yes, I have become a bit of a Stitch-a-Long addict. I didn't expect that. But they have been so beneficial to both me and my love for cross stitch, that all I can say is "When is the next one!"

This is my update from the HAED Freebie SAL, I have chosen to do the Masquerade SK, the full picture is featured in my sidebar, and this is my progress after one week. I thought I might have finished the eye, but, not quite, that will have to be next time. The blue thread that you can see in the "centre" of the eye, isn't really supposed to be there, so just pretend it shouldn't be there, I meant to trim this before taking the picture, but I forgot.

Everytime I start one of these designs I realise that I have learnt a little bit more about the do's and don't's of working a HAED picture. Anybody would think with the way I'm going on that I had completed many of these pieces, but I have only stumbled upon these designs in the past two months and in that time I have started 3 pieces, and I have plans for many more. But I can say, these designs are going to take a lot of patience, but also give a lot of enjoyment.

Until next time, happy stitching

Half year challenge ....

Okay, as I am a fairly new member of the Heaven and Earth Designs Bulletin Board I decided that I would become much more involved in the group and join the Half Year Challenge. So to keep myself honest and so that it is in plain site for ME to see, I will make a note of my list here -

• Polar Bear Fun - Finish pages 1, 8 and 15
• Poppy Night Adventure - Finish page 1
• Masquerade SK - Finish page 1
• QS Dragon Luck - (New start) - Finish 1/2 of page 1

I needed to include a new start because I knew that I would need it, probably as an incentive, or maybe to feel as though I was achieving something, even if it is increasing my WIP pile.

Until next time, happy stitching

Here it is ....

Here is the photo for the Fairy Stitch-a-Long. I ended up not getting around to working anymore on this today, life always gets in the way.

Never mind, but I think I will continue to work on this until the SK Stitch-a-Long begins later in the week.

Until next time, happy stitching

All things must come to an end ...

Normally when you are beginning to really enjoy them. Today is the final day of the Fairy Stitch-a-Long. So I am just stopping by to make a short note. Things went slowly at first. I was trying to make a plan of attack, but after I had put in the first few stitches, it got better so I persevered. Then the most wonderful thing happened... my Q-Snaps arrived. I quickly unpacked them and put them to work and all I can say is WOW!!

In one afternoon I managed to complete 3x the amount of stitching I had done previously using a hoop, not only that I learnt about a previously unknown phenomenon called "parking", and I like that too. An old dog can be taught new tricks

I am off to do some more stitching before I have to take "that photo". Catch up with you later.

Until next time, happy stitching

Two days later....

I have just about gathered up all my floss and I even managed to find a piece of fabric in my stash exactly the right size. I've gridded my fabric by page and basically I'm ready to go. Even though I need to get a couple of threads, and I'm waiting on my 8" Q-Snaps, I'm not going to let trivial things like that hold me back. Here goes. See you in a few days when its time to post my photo at the end of the stitch-a-long, I do need all the time I can get to work at this you know.

Until next time, happy stitching

My First Stitch-a-Long ...

Around the middle of this month, I decided to take on the challenge of joining the annual fairy day stitch-a-long on the HAED bulletin board. The challenge is for roughly 10 days and you must be working on a project fairy related. At the end of the stitch-a-long you are able to submit a photo of your progress. OMG, OMG, OMG!!! I would so love to do this but.... yeah the but's have started

1) I don't have a fairy project or pattern... That's okay, I can buy a pattern - solved
2) I won't have much time to do a lot... That's okay, it's about the participation really
3) I don't think I'm ready to do this yet... If not now WHEN!

So after a lot of thought I brought two patterns. One that I absolutely LOVE and the other that would be loved very much by someone else I know. Can you guess which one I picked. You will have to visit in a few days to find out.

Fairy Ball

Poppy Night Adventure

Until next time, happy stitching

You've got to start somewhere...

Rotation is the plan. Now I need to make the list. Boy was that scary. I found out that I have the same amount of quilting projects as cross stitch projects that are in various stages of completion, or should I say just begun. I haven't even begun to count the projects that are all kitted up, just waiting to be given there chance in the limelight. So I pulled out my current favourite quilting project and a small cross stitch design.

I have already run through the rotation once with two projects and the 10 hours progressed so quickly I just had to add two more projects. The upside was I completed my 4th block in my Baltimore type quilt. Next rotation I will be starting on block 5. Fairly straight forward, I should be able to keep this going.

Until next time, happy stitching

Rotations could be a good thing...

Years ago when I first started cross stitching I had a rotation for my projects. It was a fairly loose one, but it had bones. I've looked around at a few blogs, and it still seems like a really good idea.

So, first things first. I need a reality check, so its time to make a list of all those WIP's / UFO's  / PhD's that I know I have in my bookshelves. It's time to get the pile under control and that's where the rotation comes in. I decided that a 10 hour rotation with four projects is a good start. I figure that I need to work it, before I can make a choice about adding other projects.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say "Happy Mother's Day" to all those mothers out there, and a great big hug to both my own mother and mother in law. Thanks Mum.

Until next time, happy stitching

Visiting with old friends...

Recently I have been visiting some bulletin boards that I haven’t been anywhere near in absolutely ages to get myself motivated. I have been so blah about wanting to work on any kind of project (that this the excuse I’m using today). So motivation of any kind is what is required.

It’s time to make myself accountable and blog about it.

I have actually done so many things and yet I haven’t documented them here or anywhere. So, I will drop photo’s of these accomplishments in here and there (even if it is just to keep the ego happy), when there isn’t much of anything going on.

Until next time, happy stitching

I'm late for a very important date...

Well, the winter sports season is well and truly under way, and we all know what that means. More time for stitching. I have one quilt that I pieced and appliqued two winter seasons ago, it has it’s batting and backing and is waiting for me to decide it is cool enough for quilting. But before that can happen I still have to finish my daughters quilt for her 21st birthday.

Her birthday actually came and went back in February. She knew that it wasn’t going to be finished, no matter how had I pushed it. Anyway, she said to me, “Look Mum, I know that you can only work on my quilt, when you are feeling good, so it doesn’t matter if it’s not ready on time. I know I will get it one day. Probably because her brothers don’t like pink.” I thought that was really wonderful of her to say something like that. Sob, sob…

So before anything else can be quilted, THE BIRTHDAY QUILT takes priority.

Until next time, happy stitching