April WIPocalypse Update

                                                                   

                                                       

            WIPocalypse is hosted by Measi's Musings

Each month we have to share projects we want to complete that might just be sitting in our WIP piles for way to long.

The beginning of the month started out working on a few projects.  As everyone knows if I can work on Trick or Treat from Randal Spangler I would be complete.  I can't work on it all the time or I would be burnt out.  Somehow; I do manage to stitch on this piece more than I ever expected and I thinks its because I've seen so much progress on it and its coming to life with every stitch.  I worked on this for 18 Days this month, and when I say 18 days if I put a single stitch in this piece I say I worked on it 😏.  When starting this month I was unsure of where I would be by the end of the month but to my surprise 2200 stitches went into her this month.  I am so happy with the progress I've made.  A page finish was a bit of a stretch but in the end that is exactly what i got and i'm tickled pink.

While I was working on my Trick or Treat I've also been double dipping! I worked on my Sleepy Hollow from Glendon Place.  This as you already know is one of my focus pieces this year to complete.  I will say after this month Sleepy Hollow will be in the finish pile next month and hopefully off to the framers shortly afterwards.  I have enjoyed getting the last little details done on this.  Back stitching took forever and there was a lot of it. I still need to work on beading, back stitching and some krenik but its so close to complete its scary and exciting.  

Another double dipper and sometimes a triple stack for a few days was one of my all time favorites Amid Amish Life.  This has really been one piece that just takes me back to when I first saw this.  I am glad its on my WIP list and also on my focus list this year.  It was really nice to stitch on this again.  I've found the love I have for it.  It's nice to see projects that have not seen the light of day for a long time and then you stitch on them and don't want to put them down at all. 

A WIP I've not taken out in a very long time is the Guardians of Notre Dame.  Its crazy to see such and amazing piece of history go up in flames.  I will keep this on my bucket list but I think its awful to watch such a tragedy.  I started this WIP in 2018 and kept up until month three and then I was packing a house and trying to move so stitching was not on my mind for many months 😒. I wished I would have kept up with this SAL because all finished pieces are so stunning.  When I started this piece I instantly thought of a clock and I've seen finished ones and love them.  Totally still a clock when its finished.   Not a focus piece for 2019 but it will come out again soon.  I did manage at least 800 stitches on this piece because of magical stitches that needed to be completed..

Another piece I decided to pull out for 100 stitches but will see again I think because I enjoyed it again.  It is a piece I started in Maynia 2018 and have not touched it since.  This is how the story goes for a lot of things in my life.  I hope to find more time for it in the future.  This is called Silver Belle Run.  This is my first piece like this and look forward to working on it again.  I did only put 100 stitches but 100 stitches closer to a finish right!

Another piece I did start in Maynia 2018 is Old World Map.  This piece has been speaking to me for a while but the first photo is the Continental Stitch or Tent Stitch.  I did use two threads and did give it a lot of time but the thickness is not my style so I scrapped it and started in the middle of the fabric and works in a different area.  So I am still working on it and is still a WIP! I am also still in love with this one too. 

Question of the Month: Talk to us about your longest-running WIP or UFO.

So far I do have one that is my longest running WIP it is a lighthouse I started in early 2000.  I've been looking through all my things to finally find it and finish it.  I've manage to not loose the book and I've seen it a few things when I've packed and unpacked but living in such a small space and a storage unit its lost again.  I really don't have a huge story about it but when I was in the Coast Guard lighthouses are apart of our history and I thought they were amazing.  Soon I will finish this piece and make me happy to display it.  

I hope this finds your needles speedy and your stitchy bug just going crazy.  I know this is late but April was a great month for me.  I am not sure May will be as prosperous but I hope a few stitches will happen. 

Spring weather and sickness

I was excited for April to begin.  The key word there "was"

Oh my goodness!! Did April start off with a bang..

I decided to start on my health and start eating right and try to figure out what is going on with my body as I am aging.  I started eating good proteins and fruits and veggies.  Trying very hard to get my water intake on a daily (this was a struggle).  I will continue.. but there was MORE!

I also started on Monday my couch to 5k to add some exercise into my schedule and I really enjoyed it on Monday.  The weather was amazing but a bit chilly.  The weather is starting to turn to a wonderful spring temperatures and I am enjoying it so much. This time in Alaska the weather is still windy and a bit cold but you still get outside and enjoy whatever you can. 

Tuesday was a different day all together.. I started feeling not so well by the afternoon and Wednesday was it.. I was down for the count, I couldn't breath and enjoy anything.  I didn't even feel like stitching.. Yes! You heard me correct.. I did manage a few stitches between sleep and medication, but not as much as I would have loved to do. 

So I put a few stitches in my Trick or Treat from Heaven and Earth Design.  I am enjoying it this past week as I can see another page finish now that I'm on the mend I can stitch in the morning before work.   I don't have a current photo so next week I can update that.


My focus piece for the year is my Sleepy Hollow and let me tell you I did get some work done on it when I was awake..  I can see the finish line coming into site.  I am going to miss this piece but I am really excited to actually have a finish this year that I meant to finish.  I believe another great week on this and It will be complete.  The best part is yet to come.. BEADS!!!!

I think the progress on this piece has made my sickness bearable..

I also got out on Sunday and took photos of some birds as the weather here has been so amazing and beautiful.  I got some great walks in on Sat.  I'll post some photos soon as I enjoy taking photos and I also just love nature.. Its about to go insane here with birds coming back and wildlife just roaming.. This excites me so much.. And spring means that all the animals are going to start having little ones... How cool..

Enjoy your stitching time.. I hope you have some wonderful stitching moments and enjoy each day.  Breathe in and out and enjoy the wonderful things that we have.  Until next time...

March WIPocalypse Update

WIPocalypse is hosted by Measi's Musings

Each month we have to share projects we want to complete that might just be sitting in our WIP piles for way to long.

Oh My what a busy month this has been.  I feel extremely productive this month.  First let’s start off with the Question of The Month:

What newer designers and product creators (fabric or floss dyeing, etc) out there have you discovered and recommended?

This is a great question because I am new to fabric dying and floss dyeing.  In only the last year have I jumped feet first into fabric rabbit hole, and oh my have I become the hoarder now.  I will admit I have used most of what I have purchased and tried to keep it to purchase fabric with a purpose.  It's worked well for me.  I have used Picture this Plus and Fiberlious.  I have also subscribed to them because I love that I have no idea what I am going to get but as soon as I get it I find something perfect for it.  I have seen some Etsy stores but I have yet to jump.  I am sure they are wonderful too.  As for floss I again just used my first hand dyed floss in my Sleep Hollow from Glendon Place but it wasn't the last piece that required it.  Oh my how the floss is so soft and amazing.  It makes it almost hard to use DMC after using the beautiful hand dyed floss.  I am excited to use more and start an even larger project with more floss and other wonderful new things to do.  As for Designers I think I discover them like many others, through enabling or from Stitch Maynia which is another enabling force..lol 

Well onto Stitching updates..  I think this was one of the greatest months of stitching that I've had in a long time.  I have some great progress and a few finishes also.  So let the parade begin!!

The first few days of the month I worked on my Trick or Treat Heaven and Earth Design by Randal Spangler.  I really didn't have the urge to get into my WIP pile so I just kept stitching.  Everyone should know this is out all the time so if I get even 15 minutes I put a few stitches in.  I did get a lot done on it this month.  Maybe April will have another page finish?  If you notice the first photo is where I started beginning of the month and yes It's upside down.. Its because this is a very large piece and I have a hard time getting my arm in the center so someone suggested I stitch upside down.  It took a few minutes to get the hang of it.. BUT it works and makes stitching much easier. 

I feel wonderful that I can see a steeple and the next few pages are blue and the bottom are full of confetti and crazy.  It takes a lot of time and concentration for a 100 stitch block to have 25 or more colors in it.. but I will make it through.  Again as I've said before this is one of my 2019 Focal pieces.  It is my goal to get to the end of this row.  I think it is totally possible at the moment.. 

The next in my rotation was Sleepy Hollow from Glendon Place.  This is another focal piece for 2019 and again I feel this will make my complete list before the end of the year.  This is the first piece my husband told me he loved and he gets all up in my stitching space when I have this out.  I also made great progress this month.  It did get seven days, I wished these days were all days but mostly one hour at a time.  Top was before and I posted some of the back stitching because it really brings this piece to life.  Also this is my first piece I used hand dyed floss on and I was in love with it.

The next project I pulled out of my magic box of WIPS was Donner from Nora Corbett.  I remember seeing Mrs. O' So Crafty stitching this on flosstube and was sold.  I have decided to stitch all of them on one piece of fabric and the sleigh and Rudolph separate.  This was not a focal piece this year but ended up being a finish.  One thing everyone should know is I've never stitched beads before and I am in Love.. Thank you to all who have posted how to do it either on floss tube or otherwise.  I can't remember who to thank because I think I watched several.  Another reason why the community is so amazing, sharing knowledge is so awesome and encouraging.  So here is where I left off In January when I was waiting for my Grandson. and of course the finish. I did only work on this for Five days.  This left time for other projects.. I love it!!

My First Bead

After this amazing finish I got finish fever and thought heck I really need to do this again!!.. Well I got my wish.  I started this Lizzy Kate piece over a year ago and should have been done way before now, but it got lost in the WIP pile and never saw daylight until now.  Another finish took me one day but I'm claiming it. 

So I got to stitch on another WIP this month.  I was also going for a finish but I will say if I didn't go to the Lancaster Quilt Show I would have managed another finish.  I am a person who has a hard time working on a project more than seven days.  I get bored and just don't want to stitch on it anymore.  This was hard because Its so close to a finish.  This is Quotes to Live By from Stitchrovia.  I love everything about it including the fabric I purchased from Heaven and Earth Designs.  I didn't think I would like it.  I purchased if or a different piece and hated it.  I didn't know anything about fabric at the time and just bought whatever BIG MISTAKE!!! I will have to look at the tag when I get a chance to remember exactly what it is.  But here is my progress

I did have to change some colors of the back stitching or scroll work because it just blended right in but I think it turned out well.  I can't wait to purchase the rest to get this done.

So Challenge was to stitch everyday in March and I've completed that.  I keep track in my bullet journal and its so nice to see at the end of the month what I've worked on and stitched on.  What I've finished and so on... 

Focusing on April I've already pulled out my Sleepy Hollow again and ready to put some days into that one.  I am also working on giving my sewing some time also.  So each week I am going to do a rotation of  three days of sewing and 4 days of cross stitch and then switch.  I am not sure what else will be on my list for April but I would like to be more organized for next month.. I'm not holding my breathe. 

My Stitch From Stash this month was ok too.. needed some fabric for Maynia and going to learn to dye my own soon so we will see how that goes. 

Stitch From Stash March
Balanced Forwarded			$    33.23
Spending Limit		$    25.00	$    58.23
Finishes
Donner - Nora Corbett		$    12.00	$    70.23
Dear Santa - Lizzy Kate		$       5.00	$    75.23
Purchases
Stoney Creek - Monthly free sampler and fabric		$    14.25	$    60.98
5 Stockings purchased from Facebook		$    40.00	$    20.98
Hobby Lobby Fabric		$    45.97	$  (24.99)

Happy Stitching Everyone.  I hope April brings you tons of Joy and lots of sun too..

January WIPocalypse

I usually have a problem with the few weeks after Christmas.  All decorations get put away and the house seems a bit empty and everyone starts back in the routine of the home.  I don't have a problem with routine but this year I got to spend more time with my family and that was very nice.  I found the somber of regular routine this year.  With that being said I've gotten back into a routine of my stitching and into a great rotation.  I have found myself really the last few months just concentrating on my Trick or Treat Heaven and Earth Design and still enjoying it every day.  With the new year I need to get back on track again.  I miss changing out projects and seeing all the progress a few days can make.

Trick or Treat I found myself finishing another line in Page 3 which makes me so happy.  I am also using this project for Celtic Stitching parade, count those stitches and trying to make great progress. I'm also stitching Halloween all year long and this is a piece I'm using for that. I really wanted to work on my Mira but for some reason she has found a place in my house and is hiding, I'm scared because I can't find her and I really wanted to stitch on her this week but my next focal piece is my Sleepy Hollow from Glendon Place so that went on my scroll instead but progress on any project is progress.  I will have to try again to find my Christmas In London because she will be up next or I'll have to change my rotation all over again.

So here is my Trick or Treat HAED before and after I have felt I made lots of progress on this piece in January mind you I didn't stitch the lat month because I flew home to Alaska to welcome a new addition.  Surprise at the end.

This was my progress by the end of the month or should I say until we left for Alaska.  I did think about this the whole time but I had important things to do. 

While I couldn't find my Christmas in London I did stitch for two weeks on my Sleepy Hollow.  I honestly found myself not being able to put this down and Enjoyed stitching on it.  I can actually see some decent progress and also can see the ending of it.  This is great because this is a focal piece this year and would love to finish it before the end of the year or Halloween and have it hanging up would be a plus.

I did bring three projects with me on my trip to Alaska and I really only work on one while I was here.  Donner from Nora Corbett made its debut again.  This WIP was a 2018 Maynia start and I really have only worked on it a few times since then.  I've made huge strides on this piece and if I would have had a needle to do beading I would have started that too.  Next month I have put it in rotation for a finish in February.

The big celebration (was supposed to be in January) was the arrival of my Grandson Declan Mathew Mackenzie.  He arrived on Feb 2 @ 12:20 in the morning and I will say not a moment to late since Meme is getting on a flight to go home later that day.  My daughter past her due date on baby #1 so we had no idea when Baby D was going to make his appearance.  I did have a one on one conversation with this young man and he didn't disappoint.  The problem with this trip is I got really sick so no kisses only looking at him and I got to hold him.

QOM: This is usually a long winded one I see a SAL someone is doing and I usually jump in feet first but this year I searched and I honestly didn't see anything I really had to do.  So for traditional stitch alongs I have not done any but for motivation I've joined other groups that help keep you motivated like Celtic Stitches they have kept me motivated by doing little contests and have really pushed me to get a lot of work done.   When Maynia has a SAL that works with my WIPS I jump feet first.  I will do Maynia again this year but so far this month has been jam packed with adventure and tons of stitching.  Till next month Happy Stitching

WIPocalypse 2019

It always amazes me how fast a year goes by.  Really where does the time go?  I think it moves faster and faster each year.  I have been working and organizing all my cross stitch WIPS. I started so many in 2018 and only finished one.  I am proud of my one finish for 2018.

A little about myself, I've changed so much over this past year.  I've moved way cross county from Alaska to Pennsylvania.  We moved from a very large home to small apartment, so adjusting has been very important and space is very valuable in our new place.  I have a wonderful husband who takes all my craziness with a grain of salt and still loves me when I go crazy on a new project.  He finds string in his clothes and fabric all over.  I have four wonderful daughters, they are truly a blessing and save my sanity and make me crazy also.  My oldest is about to bless us with our first grand baby who is coming at the end of the month.  I work full time and I try to fit as much me time in as I can.  I am planning on going to school full time towards the end of the year (goals for moving here).  I am a multi crafter and love learning new things.  I am sure I will be posting more of my crafts hence the name, I thought it was perfect for my multi projects.

I have some strong focus this year.

I have my start for 2018 that is Christmas in London by Mirabilia

This is where I left off with her.  This is my first Mira and so far I love her and very excited to see her finished this year.  Maybe before Christmas 2019 (I'm not going to hold my breath but needles will be on fire)

My Sleepy Hollow piece from Glendon Place was a December 31st 2017 start.  I've also enjoyed this very much and would like to get it complete and FFO.  This is my husbands favorite piece at the moment.

Trick or Treat HAED is going to be a focus piece this year but will be a thread or two a day (mornings before work) so I can also work on other pieces during the night.  Unless she is in rotation but I've come a long way but I can't finish 88 pages this year, maybe in five years.

I've had a couple of others that I would like to finish this year but I will have to go through my WIPS.  I am not planning on starting to much this year but Maynia is around the corner and the itch to start a new project is always around the corner and I'm always ready to go and can't stop myself fast enough with reason to even attempt it.

I will be doing a WIPocalypse SAL this year so hopefully that helps with keeping my BLOG going along with regular updates.  I am always on IG and Facebook (maybe i need to do this a bit less so I can concentrate on stitching hmmm...)



Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I do.  I so love the community and enjoy watching everyone's path they take.

As most may have noticed I’ve been gone for a very long time.  I have much to update everyone on but most important we finally moved.  We drove from Alaska to Pennsylvania and not in the ordinary way (straight there) we decided to take six weeks and see some of our beautiful country and visit some family we have not seen in many years. We tented most of the way until we got to the areas where temperatures were way too hot to camp. When we did finally make it to Pennsylvania it was job search time but that is also when I finally got to pick up my stitching again.  I have been super busy with two jobs and not as much stitching time as I would like but I’ve spent at least an hour a day (even if I must wake up super early to get it in).

I have worked on several different projects since I have been here but most important I have put my Trick or Treat – Heaven and Earth Design by Randal Spangler on my Quantum frame and she is going to stay there until the end of 2019.  I have sworn to put two threads in her each day.  I have come to realize this is a lot of time since I am stitching 1/1 full X.  The lengths are not short either, so I might change that up a bit, but I am loving the progress I have made.  I am so close to my first page finish (I am already excited just thinking about it). I could have that page finished as early as this weekend, but I did realize it is 20 separate colors, so this takes time.  Why did I choose a HAED that is so large and so much confetti and my first I’ll never know? Top one is when I decided to put herb back on the frame and the bottom one IS A PAGE FINISH.  Finally something to be so unbelievably happy about.  This piece has so much confetti in it that I honestly never thought it would happen but Page 1 complete.

I have also worked on several others either for challenges or to keep up a weekly rotation.

I worked on Pleasures of Winter about a week or so and a few days on the road.  The road did not provide me with much stitch time.  I honestly was driving a lot and when we stopped it was to either sleep or see something cool.  I’m not complaining. I did get more progress in our new apartment because it was a piece I could easily pick up when we moved here.  I will say stitching in a lawn chair is not the most comfortable way but it's a way 

Our Home which was a focus piece for me end of August.  This was a Stitch Mania start 2018 and I finished it this year.. Yea first piece I’ve completed!!!!  Left where I started and after 8 days I finished her.  Not a huge project but with two jobs I can’t believe I stuck with her and finished it.

Amazing Grace was also a Stitch Maynia Start for 2018.  I didn’t get a lot done with her but she came out for 7 days and I tried each day to at least put a color in.  I am happy where she is, I won't pick this piece up for a very long time but when I do I am sure I will get it done quickly because she is such a Jem to work on and I do enjoy it. 

Hummingbirds I also believe was a Stitch Mania Start for 2018 and I keep this one at work so when Im not planning all my stitch time I sit back and relax and put a few stitches in this piece. I don't have a current photo of where it is now but she is getting slow progress on my lunch breaks.

I picked up quotes to live by from Stitchrovia and I so love doing this piece.  This was also a Stitch Maynia focus for Artist of the month. I wished I had one color I am missing because I would have gotten a bit more done but for now she is coming along.

Sleepy Hollow this was my Dec 31^ststart.. Left 2017 out with a bang.  I so love this piece and can’t wait to see this piece in a frame and on my wall.  This is one of my focus pieces for 2019 if I don’t finish it this year.

Amid Amish Life came out for a few. Stitch Mania has a stitch something outdoorsy so I worked on the walkway driveway piece.  Not to mention I really enjoy this piece even with all the fractional stitches. 

Doner from Mirabilia was also a Stitch Maynia 2018 start and I really enjoyed putting a few stitches in this piece for sure.  Now to just finish some DMC and order the Krenik and I can be onto beading.  This very well could be another finished for 2018. 

I have also come up with a new rotation to kind of play in with Stitch Maynia but I am not sure I’ll be able to do it since Trick or Treat has really captivated me.  This might slow down a bit and keep up with my two threads after this page finish. 

I have also thought of my goals for 2019 and what my focal pieces will be and what I want to finish for in 2019.  I might have a few done before then.  We will see what 2018 still has in its hat.  I have also kinda sorta planned what I will be working on and what I will be starting. I have a had a bit of time during my lunch breaks to figure this out.  I’ll give more detail later as everyone knows SAL’s come up and so many more things and plans change ALL the time.

I believe I might jump on board the WIPocalypse, I know its late but maybe it will help me keep focused on some older pieces (there isn't to much) or just get some finishes in the bucket. 

I will try to keep myself updated on a weekly if not a monthly.  I do have my Instagram which is where i update more frequently but I do love writing about my work I'm doing. 

Until next time, Happy Stitching, Tell your loved ones you love them and give them one huge hug, and keep on stitching. 

Carey