Full Moon - Sixth Moon

Wow this is late! I really don't have much in the way of excuses. I was out of town the first weekend of the month, but other than that it's just been the normal busyness. I have written blog entries in my mind, but they are not getting out into the blogosphere. But for now, here is the update.

Finished
1. Nephew's T-Shirts - This is a bit of a cheat because I started them June 16th so they are stealing a finish from next month's update. As you can see I could only find grey t-shirts not blue ones. Hopefully next year the colour I want will be available and I can buy a few years supplies.

2. Lego - The Robie House - I know this isn't stitching, but one weekend after I finished frogging the dove out of Once Upon a Time I took a break from stitching and finished this.

In Progress
1. Once Upon a Time - as you can see, the dove is back in and the castle is reaching for the sky again. Now I think it's realistic to finish this by the beginning of August.
 Last Time:

 Today:

2. Lily of the Valley - a small start and the beginning of slow progress. At this time I'm only committing to working on this Thursday evenings. This marks one evening of work.
Today:

No Progress
1. My Way -  I think I took it out of the bag once this past month. Will not see serious attention until Once Upon a Time is completed.

New Starts
1. "M" is for Mother -  no change
2. Fairy Moon -  no change
3. Lost in the Garden - hope to have canvas ready for this soon
4. Victorian Blooms - hope to have canvas ready for this soon
5. Stars of the New Millennium - hope to have canvas ready for this soon, also have ordered some overdyed thread and am thinking about colour choices.

Oh Look Shiny...
1. Happy Go Lucky Sampler - I've signed up for an online workshop taught by Amy Powers at Big Picture Classes and it starts tomorrow. I hope this is going to be a fast easy stitch, especially since the nephews are here visiting starting on Friday for the next two weeks.

So until my next hopefully more timely update - happy stitching!

Supermoon - Fifth Month

It was super moon this month! I didn't get to see it as it was overcast and raining/snowing in Medicine Hat where I was for the weekend for a cousin's wedding. It was a blast, but it meant that this entry is laaaaaaate.

Enough with the prologue and on to the important part - what got done and where are the pictures?

Finished
1. Newborn Joy
Once again, I met the deadline of having it done in April - it was completed on April 28th. Since this piece is for a little boy, I changed the pink roses to yellow (some of the roses were yellow originally, but now all are). The yellow was a suggestion from the mother - also a cross stitcher. I was campaigning for purple, like I did for my nephew's Rosebud Lullaby. I have to say, I'm really happy with the yellow. Now this is added to the list of HD posts I need to do. I dropped this and the blackwork pansy off at my framer's today.
 Last Month

  This Month

In Progress
1. Once Upon a Time
The first thing I did when I picked this up again (best estimate is I put this down in the summer of 2010) was to put in a couple of stitches. Then I ripped out those stitches and did some counting. Then I've spent the last two weeks taking out the dove that was almost completely stitched that was stitched OVER ONE. For other people who cross stitch, you will understand my horror. Instead of one stitch, I had to take out 4 tiny teeny stitches. I was using a beading needle instead of a tapestry needle so I could get between the thread and the fabric. As of last night the nightmare was over. Here is the backwards progress as it stands right now.
Last time

Today

In my fantasy world this would be under the finished category next month.

No Progress
1. My Way - can you believe that on my original WIPocalypse list that this is the only one so far that hasn't gotten anything done on it? I keep talking about it - there were 14 of us that took the workshop in the fall of 2010 and there are 4-7 of us that aren't done yet. One of these days....

New Starts
1. Nephew's T-Shirts - no progress on this because I still haven't found the right shirts. Anyone know where I can find light blue T-shirts in size 3 and 6? I am willing to order them online.
2. "M" is for Mother - fabric is purchased
3. Fairy Moon - no news
4. Lost in the Garden - no news
5. Victorian Garden - no news

Oh Look Shiny...
Remember way back in the past (the first WIPocalypse entry) I left a line for anything new that caught my eye that wasn't on the original list. I think it's time to give it a separate section after this month. I'm committing to new projects all over the place - mostly canvas.
1. Stars for the New Millennium -  my favourite online stitching group (hi Wagoneers) is starting a SAL (stitch-a-long) for this project in October. I held out as long as I could because of the unfinished My Way that is similar to this project, but on March 28th my resolve weakened and I ordered the pattern. For those who are curious - here is the best place to see pictures of this pattern - Pinterest Board. The designer is Anthony Minieri. I'm in the process of deciding on colours and thread. This should be a fun adventure.
2. Lily of the Valley Collage by Laura J. Perin - I meet with my local stitching friends every Thursday evening for a stitch in. A few weeks ago one of the ladies started bringing in this project, but was getting frustrated with it since she was having trouble with miscounting it. One of the other ladies mentioned that she would love to do it as well as a SAL. I chimed in that I love the piece as well (it's my "birth flower") and would be interested in joining as well. Another lady has it all kitted up so it looks like there will be four of us working on it together. We will start as soon as the canvas arrives. For those who are curious, you can find it on the Secret Garden Collection page - scroll down to Lily of the Valley Collage. By the way, this isn't the only piece in this collection that I love.

So there you go, the latest and greatest update. I hope you all good stitching this month (and no frogging).

Full Moon - Fourth Month

Another month has past and it is time to update y'all on my progress this last month. Overall I have to say I made good progress, but I would have loved to see more.

Finished 
1. Blackwork Pansy
Yay - it's done and pretty much by the deadline I set for it. Once again, I'm overdue on the Happy Dance post for this one. This one is special because I designed it myself. More details will be available on the happy dance post. But enough talk - let's see some pictures!
Last Month

This Month (excuse the wrinkles, I've washed and pressed it, but I'm still carting it around to show off so until I frame it sometime next month, the wrinkles will stay.

In Progress
1. Newborn Joy
Last Month

 

This Month

All that is left is the beading, personalization, ribbon and button (which I have to buy). 

I have to say, while these are not the most crisp pictures I've ever taken, the colours look great. Maybe there is something to the northern light on an overcast day.

No Progress

1. My Way Canvas Work

2. Once Upon A Time

New Starts

1. "M" is for Mother - Hope to buy the fabric tomorrow
2. Fairy Moon - no news
3. Lost in the Garden - no news
4. Victorian Garden - no news
5. This month 2 of my nephews turn 2 and the oldest nephew turns 5 in May. I started a tradition of stitching their names on T-shirts every year for their birthday.

So as soon as I can find appropriate size T-shirts that don't have printing on them I will stitch these (I also prefer the colour to be light blue, but I've used grey in the past). These have higher priority then any of my No Progress or other New Start pieces.

So I'm going to make some predictions for the next month. I will not be stitching much this next week. Part of today's plans is going to meet my nephew's aunt and uncle to bring the boys back to spend Easter break with my parents. So I will be with them whenever I'm not at work (or the dentist). I have craft and baking projects planned to do with them, but they are not conducive to stitching time. So at the next Full Moon update, I want Newborn Joy and the T-shirts done. Anything I get done over and above that will be bonus.

And That's All Folks! see you next month.
  

Long Overdue Happy Dance

This title is apropos for a couple of reasons. First of all, like all good birth samplers, it was seriously late. It arrived before their second birthday, but usually I'm done and have them delivered in one year. (I only do birth samplers for my nephews/nieces, CSB's children or BFF children.)

Second of all, these have been done since the end of January and were delivered mid-February so this happy dance should have been posted then.

These are for my nephews - twin boys born April of 2010. I did 2 Mirabilia Little Stitches designs - On Grandmother's Quilt and Rosebud Lullaby. On Grandmother's Quilt is done with no modifications. I did modify Rosebud Lullaby, 'cause like I joked, I want my youngest nephew to speak to me when he's fourteen. I changed the colours of the roses from pink to purple and I also removed some of the bling and bows. (Original design can be found on the designer's homepage.)

My parents did the framing for me and the mat colours coordinate with Crescent Dreams (also Mirabilia Litlle Stitches) I did for their older brother in 2007. All three of them have the same yellow inner mat board.

But enough of the talking - on the the pretty pictures.

Full Moon - Third Month

As I was driving to work this morning, the full moon was large, beautiful and just going down past the horizon. It made me think that this is one the last mornings I will see the full moon on my way to work in the morning until next winter. Full moons mean one thing around here - it's time for another WIPocalypse update. This month hasn't been as exciting as last month. (I still need to do happy dance posts for my nephews pieces.) I haven't even framed Swirly Sampler yet, but taking advantage of a sale at a local frame shop, I have the frame ready to go. I just need to stretch the piece and it's ready to go.

Not as much in the way of happy dances this month, but I can't only have months with three pieces that are days away from happy dances. So what has been worked on this month?

In Progress
1.  Newborn Joy

I haven't worked on since the last update. So much for my fantasy of finishing it. However, the plan is to finish it in the month of March

2. Blackwork Sampler
Very pleased with the progress on this one. I have only one section left to complete. A couple of good stitching sessions (and the Brier - curling - is on, so lots of good stitching time) and it should be done.
Last Month:

This Month:

No Progress
1. My Way Canvas Work
2. Once Upon a Time - have decided that this is the next one to get worked on after Newborn Joy is done.

New Starts
1. "M" is for Mother - no news
2. Fairy Moon - no news
3. Lost in the Garden - no news
4. Victorian Garden - no news
5. Nothing new has caught my eye and demanded to be started this month. I did on Leap Day buy 10 new patterns from Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) and Patterns On Line.

That's all folks and have a wonderfully stitchy month.

I Knit on Fridays

Last week I stopped at my local yarn store (aka lys) which is also the closest thing to a needlework store we have in this city (lns). The owner was surprised to hear that I was there to buy yarn. I told her it was Friday and "I knit in Fridays."

So it is Friday again and tonight I knit. I knit with a group that meets at a local coffee shop. I thought I would tell you a little bit about my current prices and future plans.

While I have avoided the whole "oh look, shiny"distraction with my needlework, it struck with my knitting last week. I have decided to knit a dog.

Month of Crafts

Apparently March is the Month of Crafts. While I'm primarily a needleworker, I do like my crafts. I haven't done any projects for awhile, but I stockpile project ideas like they are about to disappear from the face of the earth soon and if I don't save them, I won't have any projects or ideas. So it's time to take some of those ideas and turn them into reality.

Given the success I've been having with WIPoclypse, I thought I would apply some of the same logic. So the first step is to create a list.

1. I think I need to make some stars: Lucky Stars
2. In the spirit of trying things: Baking Soda Clay
3. Under the thinking big category: Craft Suitcase (I have my Great-Grandpa's old suitcases in my closet, this would be fun to do with them)
4. Playing with colours: Spring Wreath

I think that is enough for now. There is no time schedule for these, but I would like to try to do them in the next 2 months. I'm also taking a needle felting class in April. That should be fun.

Full Moon - Second Month

As I drove to work this morning under the light of the full moon I thought of all I accomplished this month. I'm happy about the progress I made this month. So here is my WIPocalypse update.

Finished
1. Swirly Sampler 
Yes, it's done - the HD post is here but to summarize
Last month

This month

I have the frame picked out and am just waiting for the framer to assemble it. I took advantage of a annual sale offered by one of the local framers so it'll be at least 2 weeks until I see the frame and get all the parts put together.

2. On Grandmother's Quilt
I haven't done a Happy Dance post for this, but it is complete and framed
Last Month

This Month

3. Rosebud Lullaby
Yep - same scenario as On Grandmother's Quilt, complete and framed, but have to do the Happy Dance post.
Last Month

This Month

In Progress
1. Newborn Joy 
I'm happy with the progress on this one. I would love for this to be done this month, but that might be ambitious.
Last month

This Month

2. Blackwork Sampler
Also pleased with the progress on this one. I started to work on it February 2nd so in a little less than a week this is the progress I've made.
Last Month

This Month

Ideally I would like to complete the stitching by March 7th. At this time this looks doable.

No Progress
1. My Way Canvas Work
2. Once Upon A Time

New Starts
1. "M" is for Mother - I have now purchased the pattern and the accessory pack and still need to pick and buy fabric.
2. Fairy Moon - no news
3. Lost in the Garden - no news
4. Victorian Garden - no news
5. Nothing new has caught my eye and demanded to be started this month. However this is a new month.

I'm quite pleased with the progress I've made this month and hope to continue it. I've been thinking about why I think this is working for me. Creating the list has given me focus. Having no expectations means that I'm not rebelling. Then I also like the fact that I'm reaching my goals so hopefully that will be a high that will spur me on the continue with the progress I've been making.

Cue the Machines!

I'm doing it again, writing blog entries in my head instead of, you know, on my blog. Here's one that has been simmering since Tuesday.

I'm well known in my lack of affection for housewrok. If I have to scrub something I tend to get bored and wander off. I do like the whole putting things away aspect - I can putz away at that for quite sometime. It's just the actual scrubbing of surfaces that I do not enjoy.

On Tuesday I did the kind of housework that I enjoy - 3 loads of laundry and 1 dishwasher run. At the end of the evening I had clean clothes, clean towels, clean dishes and a nice chunk of stitching done. It reminded me of the other machines I would like in order to take over more of the housecleaning responsibilities.

First of all is the Roomba - a vacuuming robot. I don't actually mind vacuuming, but it's possible that this thing could go under my furniture more than once a year which is my current rate.

But the one that has me really excited is the Scooba which WASHES floors.  That is the task that needs to be done way more often than I have a desire to do so. My floors are old and crappy in the bathroom and kitchen and my really poor mopping skills and motivation are not helping them at all.

(The best part of the product description is where it says "all you have to do is sweep" and all I can think is "not if I also have a Roomba.)

So CUE THE MACHINES and let them clean!

Somewhat an Obsession

So I started with Pioneer Woman and the perfect iced coffee and last summer I made my own.

Oh Wow! was it ever good. But now I know why I don't drink coffee - if I added as much sugar and cream/milk to regular coffee as I do to my iced coffee, the results would not be good. So this stays as a special treat.

I turn this

into this

(In the tupperware container is sweetened condensed milk and the glass jar holds simple syrup)

A lovely treat!

(Oh, I will have an occasional cup of coffee, but only if my sister-in-law doctors it - she is a fellow sugar addict.)

Swirly Sampler Happy Dance

I actually finished the stitching last Tuesday (10th) but only got it washed and ironed last night. The only reason I own an iron and ironing board is for my stitching.

Swirly Sampler designed by Bent Creek. I stitched it on 32 Count Belfast Linen in Vintage Country Mocha with the recommended floss. I haven't added the charm 'cause I don't have it and haven't decided if I'm going to get it.

I bought the pattern, fabric and thread probably more than five years ago at Stitchers' Heaven in Edmonton AB.

At the beginning of October I was going through my stash looking for some old working copies to see if I had written myself any notes so that I could match with some projects I'm currently working on. I never did find the old working copies, but I did run across the Swirly Sampler all kitted up.

I threw it into my stitching bag since I was heading to my weekly stitch in night with other members of the needlearts guild I belong to. I asked them if I should work on a piece already in progress or start this one that I had found in my stash.

Everyone agreed, start the new project.

This marks the first finish of my WIPocalypse list.

Solution to Your Problems

In Stinker's quest to understand why unlike most adults in his life, some don't come in pairs (like the question about the uncle that should be traveling life's path with me) he questioned Grandma (Gma) about the Grandpa that should be with her. My grandpa died several years ago and this was explained to Stinker.

He thought that Gma should go out and get another one and when that one died, she could get another, and then another if that one died too.

If only all of our problems could be solved that easily.

Uncle

I love my nephew, Stinker, he's funny, smart and good looking. Since I've last spoke of him he's been joined by twin brothers (now 20 months old) Easy and Down Low (or Curly, haven't yet decided what his Internet nickname will be). But back to Stinker -

The one thing you need to know about him is he pays attention and he wants to know and understand what is going on. We just spent close to a week with him over Christmas so there were lots of opportunities for us to talk. At one point we were doing something together (probably playing with all of his new Lego) and he asks me "Where is the uncle that comes with you?"

He really makes me laugh. Also, just to prove that the good looking part isn't just a bias on my part...

Full Moon - Month One

It's time for WIPocalypse check in and since it's also the first time I've posted pictures, these will serve as my "beginning" post as well. I've only worked on one piece since the New Year so it truly is where these pieces were at the beginning of the year.

In Progress
1. Swirly Sampler
This one is the closest to completion and just may be done this week.

 2. On Grandmother's Quilt
All I have to do is stitch my nephew's name and birth date on it, wash it, iron it and sew on the crystals, buttons and ribbon.

 3. Rosebud Lullaby
I'm proud of this one since I changed the colour of the roses from pink to purple. All that is left is the same list as for On Grandmother's Quilt.

 
4. Newborn Joy
It's hard to see the progress on this one since it's mostly the white on white stitching. This is for my CSB's youngest son - must remember to e-mail her and ask if she wants the colour of the roses changed on this one. I believe they are yellow.

 
5. Blackwork Pansy
Am teaching this as a workshop in April, would like it done by the beginning of March.

6. My Way Canvas Work
This is from the workshop in November 2010. I was told by my guild mates I may be the last person to complete it. But I can think of at least 3 other people who aren't done either. I can't start on any of my other kitted up canvas work pieces until this one is done.

7. Once Upon A Time
The oldest one on the list. Also very close to completion, but keeps being pushed aside for "obligation" pieces.

New Starts
1. "M" is for Mother - it's a surprise for the recipient.
2. Fairy Moon - I have had this kitted up since I started Once Upon a Time
3. Lost in the Garden - canvas work
4. Victorian Garden - canvas work
5. Whatever else catches my eye - oh look, shiny!

Test, testy, testing, test

Let's see how posting from my phone works. Including a picture now.
The picture is of Easy on Christmas Day. At some point he didn't want to wear his shirt anymore.
edit: hmm not sure I'm happy with the picture quality. Maybe I won't be posting that many pics from my phone.

New Year's Resolutions

Yes, this year I'm declaring what they are - resolutions, not just intentions. I only have two.

1. Do something about the needlework drawer in my coffee table.

My coffee table is fabulous, I designed it and my dad built it. It's a large chest on wheels and it has four large drawers. The upper right drawer is where I keep my stitching stuff and in the last year I've only added stuff to it and not taken anything out. So my intention is to finish things this year and have that drawer be neat and tidy - not a dumping ground when company comes.

This has been brewing for a while - I've already refused to do the fall workshop last November from my guild or sign up for a correspondence course for this winter/spring with my guild. These two activities took a lot of my stitching time the last 18 months so I'm trying to redirect my focus.

The plan at the moment is to finish three pieces quickly that are really close to being done. Then focus on the piece I'm stitching for my CSB's youngest son - he'll be one in a few days so I'm seriously late with this one. After that I'm hoping to finish the large canvaswork piece that was my guild's workshop piece from November 2010.

I'm sure there will be interruptions along the way, but that's okay as long as something is done about the needlework drawer in my coffee table.

2. "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing twice expecting a different result." What am I doing where I don't like the outcome?

I play a lot of Angry Birds and quite often I find myself doing the same thing over and over again - using the birds the same way and the outcome doesn't change. So I remind myself that I'd repeating myself expecting a different result. What else am I doing the same thing?

So this resolution is about being aware of when I'm unhappy with the results I'm getting and asking myself what I need to change to get a different result. I hope with this one what will happen is that at the end of the year I will be doing things where I'm happy with the result I get.

A bit of a side bar to this one - I sometime get into the thought pattern of when I get all these ducks in a row I can do/have what I want. Once again I want to rethink some of these. Is there another way to accomplish my goal?

There you go - actual resolutions even if they don't meet the SMART objective rule. (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) However I think this will work better for me. Let's see.

Bandwagon Hopping

So there is a movement online called the WIPocalypse started by Measi at Measi Blog and I've known about it since she started talking about it, but kept filing in the back of my mind as interesting. The momentum built and built and I was still thinking about it. I would have to post regularly for an entire year and for those who have followed this blog faithfully (why would you, when I don't faithfully blog) know that I wander off frequently for long periods of time.

But now, the deadline is days away and I think about it more and more. I hate "pressure" with my stitching - it seems to make me stitch less. However the rules for this one is simple - 1. Make a list 2. Post what you've done each month. Okay that sounds doable especially since you don't even have to stitch what's on the list in order to post.

The potentially challenging part is posting pictures since I've been taking most of my pictures with my phone lately. My phone and my computer are currently not talking to each other. So I have a few options to deal with this 1. Convince my phone and computer to talk to each other - I need to do this for more than this. 2. Post directly from my phone. Maybe this would be the secret to getting me to post more often.

So in conclusion, there is nothing stopping me from doing this other than me. So I guess I'm jumping on the bandwagon. Watch for a post, hopefully soon of my current WIPs and the LIST.

Return from the dead

With a post of what made me laugh.

Namely a comment from this article: How the Canadian Provinces and Territories Got Their Names

There was talk of changing the name, possibly to a term from a native language. Among the popular proposals were “Denendeh,” an Athabaskan word meaning “our land,” and “Bob.”

Failure and Accomplishment

Failure is the result of experimentation. Failure happens when the results don't meet the expectations. Failure is when you try something new and it doesn't work. I made ganache today and instead of getting a nice smooth chocolate sauce, I got lumpy stuff with oil on top (now that's it's in the fridge, the oil looks like butter). I'm pretty sure it's because of the chocolate I used, but have no idea. If anyone out there has any suggestions I'm all ears.

I also experimented with the cheesecake I made today. Basically I looked at the recipes I had for cheesecake and said none of them will do, so I'll try something else. I have no idea if the cheesecake turned out, but I know it won't be covered in ganache. (I really hope I'm spelling that right - Firefox doesn't think so, but it's suggestions aren't what I want either.) I'm going to have to try the cheesecake in the next couple of days because I'm planning on serving it to other people on Tuesday and if it didn't work, I'll need to move to plan B.

The accomplishment part of the title up there is one of my good intentions. I wanted to clean up my RSS subscriptions this year. In the process of catching up on my blog reading after being gone for 2 weeks (which incidentally is taking me 2 weeks) I've been working on this. I've done a first pass and any blogs that changed location, I made sure I was subscribed to the new location and then unsubscribed to the old one. I also put all the blogs that haven't been updated in a couple of months in an archive folder. Sometime in the next few weeks I want to go through the archive folder and any blogs that I don't know why I subscribed and am pretty sure I wouldn't miss reading them if new material showed up.

The trip to Mexico was great. Here's one of my favourite pictures.



The little boy is my nephew, who I've decided his Internet name will be Stinker. He pays more attention when I call him that then his real name. There may be more stories about Mexico in the next few days, but don't put money on it. Stories that could include the fact that one of my closest friends was only miles away one day when we were there and we should have completely hooked up, but neither one of us knew how close we would be to each other. Of course there is another story about how difficult it is for my family to get home from Mexico. Second year in a row we spent a night in a hotel in a city we had no intention of going to. But for now - good night all.