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..

February WIPocalypse Check In

Where has February gone to?  I know its the shortest month but I feel it went way to fast!

The beginning of my month was spent in Alaska with my family welcoming our first Grand baby into the world.

I call him Prince Declan

The beginning of the month also welcomed a cold that was relentless and I didn't feel like stitching much even on the airplane the trip home was about 30 hours and then we had to drive 3 hours.  The trip home was hectic and the first few days home were laid up in bed.. YUCK

I did pick back up my Candy Cane Santa Stocking from Dimension Gold Collection.  I had a goal in mind and that was to finish his face and I did that and a bit of back stitching too.. I can't wait to see more details come out when I return to this.  Great Progress for a week!

The debut for the month seemed to be Trick or Treat from Heaven and Earth Design.  A page finish just a day ago made this a huge treat for me.  I have lofty goals for this piece and I'm onto a great start.  Page three is complete and I felt elated to get it done.  For some reason when I have a page almost finished I get the dread of it will never get done.  I did get a page finish and some extra for February but for now here she is when I started and finished for February.

Question of the Month: What do you listen to while stitching?

I love this question because I do many things.  Sometimes watching TV with my husband because anytime spent together is good.  When I am home alone while stitching I listen to some floss tube or I should say catch up on some floss tube.  I seriously have an issue because when I find a person I really like I tend to watch ALL of them and some of them have lets just say 200+ I feel like I'll never catch up.  I also listen to books from the library I really enjoy that.    I've also gotten into podcast because they are fun to enjoy.  Some stitching ones and of course if its about Bigfoot I have to hear whats happening.  What should I read next is another one of my favorite Podcasts that really help me find new authors.  

Can't wait to see whats up next month with my stitching.  I don't have a rotation as of yet because I've not been able to sit down long enough to go through and see what I want to get done.  I do have Donner on my radar as I've gotten all of the rest of the threads to finish so I just might have to do that and get more credit for my Stitch from Stash.  

Have a wonderful Stitchy time everyone. Until next time 

Felt Like Ground Hog Week

Have you ever had that week that when it was over it was like Deja Vu well that is how my week went.  We had another snow day this past week and it came with Ice also and then of course rain.  The great thing about snow days are they make great stitching days too.

I've found this past week that managing time can be such a hard thing to do.  I love my work and love my family and of course I love all things crafts.. When things hit hard at home like your daughter being picked on because of acne it really makes my heart sink.  We've been struggling a bit and she is a tough young lady but soooo loves her makeup and refuses to wear that now too because she believes that's the problem (but its not).  I wished she didn't have to deal with turmoil and hard knocks of high school because kids can be so cruel.  When I got home she told me about it and I suggested we watch a movie and eat some ice cream and she refused.  She wanted to finish her homework and just not talk about it anymore.  I told my husband what happened and he was sweet and stopped by the local Sheetz and got her favorite drink and brought it home to surprise her.  He is a very sweet man and isn't given enough credit sometimes.  We've dealt with the emotions and work thought the issues but in the end the girls are still going to be mean no matter who it is they want to talk about.

But you didn't come here for my drama you came for some stitching updates right 😁

The beginning of the week I started a new project for a friend of mine. She has her second child and wanted a stocking done.  I told her I would work on it because she was already let down by another and I know how that feels.  I finally pulled it out after being so sick I didn't stitch that much and wanted to put as much effort as I could into it.  Welcome my new start Dimension Gold  Sleigh Ride at Dusk.  I felt great about how far I got this week even though the evening hours really don't give a lot of time to stitch.

As everyone knows I also try hard to work on my Trick or Treat Heaven and Earth Design and I am proud to say I have a page finish.  The excitement that comes from that task is unbelievable.  It makes me feel like my goal for getting all the way across is possible for 2019 but I'm not going to hold my breath.  But I do believe having a goal gives me something more to try to accomplish.

I've enjoyed my stitch week I hope you did also.

Week with no name

This week has started out amazing to me.  Most don't know this but I've been wanting to go to school for many years for Meteorology, I'm still not there just yet but I did put in my application for Penn State University for the weather program that you can get online.  While I am working on other classes I need I figured I might as well do whatever I can before I get accepted and maybe I'll be one step ahead of the game.  Waiting is always the worst aspect of anything and I didn't know how long before I would know if I was accepted.  Well, Valentine's Day was amazing not only because it's the day of LOVE but I got my acceptance for the program I applied for.  I needed to wait a few days while the process took place but by the end of the week I was already enrolled for summer 2019.  Good by stitches and hello homework.  The only good news is I don't work summers so I think I can balance both.

Tuesday gave us all a snow day.  We received a good 8 inches of snow and a good 1/4 inch of ice on top of that.  I don't have any photos to give you but I think we all know what it looks like and I agree I believe the ground hog was way wrong.  I loved the snow day because I really got to enjoy almost a full day of stitching minus the normal things like housework and making dinner.

The rest of the week went quickly and I enjoyed stitching time and really enjoyed how far I got on my Trick or Treat.  I went with a huge goal this week but knew I couldn't make it but I love to try.

My goal was a page finish this week but I did have a lot of work that needed to be done.  However; I am impressed with the work that did get done and I know a page finish is on the books before the end of February.

I think I'll put in some stitches in the morning before work and work on my next project after work.

So here is my before and after.

A little something to brighten your week because he sure brightens mine.  Prince Declan is now two weeks old.  I can't wait for them to visit this summer so I can get as many snuggles as humanly possible.

I really hope you all enjoy your week.

Happy Stitching Everyone
Carey

Little Things make us all happy

Made it back to Pennsylvania with loads of laundry and one nasty cold and some tired people.  I have traveled a ton in my time but for some reason this trip took it out of all of us.  I started a new job (one I've been doing 😉) but I officially was supposed to start on the fourth, little did I know this cold was worse than before and I was sent home for two days to recover.  As I type I am still not sure where I am with this nastiness but I hope I'm on the mend.  Monday proved no stitching what so ever, I didn't even feel like picking anything up and slept the day away.  I am unsure how I did this because the weather was AMAZING!!  Tuesday I did finally feel a bit better but then of course the house was a wreck to my standards.. I am unsure also how a 1000 sq ft home gets so dirty so fast, so I started in on my cleaning.. I think I wore myself out but I did get some great stitching in tonight while watching the State of the Union Address and watching many people sleeping while on national television.  I don't get into politics at all but my family knows where I stand and united would be amazing but I am not sure that will ever happen.

The rest of the week proved to be very tasking, taxes and getting this together for the week.  Children needed a bit more attention to get caught up on school work because they missed about a week of school.  I have not really gotten caught up on life in general but hopefully next week proves to be more normal (my normal) as much as we can get.

So this week my focus was on Candy Cane Santa Stocking that I started I believe during Maynia 2018.  I am unsure and will have to look back on progress but I have not put as much time into this piece as I would like to.  I have a feeling it will be back again very soon.  My goal was to finish his face and then whatever I did extra I would be super happy with.  I finished his face on Sunday and did some back stitching because I really wanted to see his face pop.  I only got one color into his eye brows so there is much more to do. As you can tell by the before photos he really got some great progress and I am so pleased with where he ended.

I was unsure what I was going to do this week coming up so I think I'll work on my Trick or Treat Heaven and Earth Design because its already set up and I don't feel good still and have no desire to work on anything else at this time.  So next week hopefully you will see some major progress on this project.  

Next week is a new week!  I hope its wonderful for everyone.  Tell me what you're stitching on this week! 

Carey

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