'Tis a Finish

While I was away at PALS in Myrtle Beach I got tons of stitching time.  The whole time I worked on only one project because I felt like I was on such a roll.  I had other projects with me, but this particular project just kept tugging on my needle. 

By the time the retreat was over I was about 85% done so I kept the focus on this piece all week long.  Now all I have to do is find a frame and I will have a wonderful piece to display this Holiday Season.

I am thrilled to present to you 'Tis the Season by Blackbird Designs (from the Joyeux Noel booklet).

'Tis the Season by Blackbird Designs
Stitched on 40ct Vintage Pear by Lakeside Linen

I just love this Cardinal!

I've been trying to expand my skills with my camera, so I took this fun little shot.

Looks like I have another Crazy January Finish!  I hope that I may have inspired someone today.

Happy Stitches!

Non Stitching Weekend

Just a fly by Monday posting for me....... 

Except for the couple of hours that I spent with my Stitching Sisters on Saturday, I didn't stitch at all over the weekend.  So, there really isn't anything for me to show you.

I did stitch while I watched my Diamondbacks lose Game 5 on Friday. (Boo!!!!)  And, if I was a good girl, I would be showing you another Crazy January Finish.  However, it turns out that I didn't have nearly enough floss to finish.  You see, "To Light the Way" was part of a kit (two special edition stockings from Blackbird Designs) that I purchased while at a retreat in October of 2009.  I was told by some other ladies to watch how I used the thread because it was a tight stitch.  Lets just say that "tight stitch" wasn't even close to correct.  I ran out of three different colors and the third color is also supposed to be used in the other stocking.  Normally I wouldn't complain, but I'm a pretty stingy stitcher and my excess floss is usually anywhere from a quarter inch to a half inch in length by the time I'm done with a needle.  This time I couldn't even finish the motifs without running out.  So, now I will have frog two of the three colors and replace them with something else.  How frustrating!

My stitching is also going to slow down this week because I need to get into finishing mode.  I only have eight more days until "Girls Retreat Weekend" and my exchanges are nowhere near ready.  So, don't worry if I'm quiet.  I'm just busy working!

Happy Stitches!

Crazy Update

There are only 84 more days to finish all fifteen of my Crazy January Challenge pieces.  I don't know about others who have participated, but I just don't see myself finishing all fifteen pieces.  Maybe in 2012 I will have to create the "What the @*$^ Was I Thinking in 2011?" Challenge so that I can finish up my works in progress.

Here's what's left:

1. Mouline Rouge (Long Dog) ~ When I actually have a calm moment to stitch this is my "go to" piece.  I'm much further than I thought I would be and I've actually finished page 3 of the pattern (upper right side).  Page 6 and page 12 still have some work to be done, but page 9 is 80% done.  Here's where she stands as of a few days ago:
2. Sheltering Tree (With Thy Needle) ~ It still looks like it did on January 3rd.......sigh......
3. Tis The Season (BBD) ~ This one also looks exactly like it did on January 4th.  I guess I should put down Mouline Rouge and make this my "go to" piece so that I have slim chance of having it ready in time for the holidays.
4. To Light the Way (BBD) ~ This has a few more stitches in it than it did on the 6th, but I'm having a hard time determining which color is which in this retreat kit.  I just need to make an educated guess and I could have this one finished in no time.
5. Letter "H" (Mirabilia/Nora Corbett) ~ I typically stitch on this project when the lighting isn't so good because this piece is on 32ct.  When you are used to stitching on 40ct, 32ct is enormous!  I'll probably work on this piece when I meet with my stitching sisters tomorrow.  The light doesn't always work in my favor and this will be the perfect project to work on.
6. Mermaids (CCN) ~ This one is a disaster!  I started it on one color fabric on January 14th and promptly decided to change it.  When I went back to it recently, I grabbed the fabric that was sitting next to the pattern in my wip basket and went to work even though I wasn't real pleased with the color.  I stitched the left side of the seaweed and then moved onto the right side of the seaweed because I was missing some DMC in the middle.  After getting to the bottom of the right side I realized that I was off by one stitch near the top of the right side.  Then, while looking through some older blog posts for a picture, I realized the reason I wasn't happy with the fabric that I was stitching on.  I PICKED UP THE WRONG COLOR FABRIC!  So, this "easy" stitch has really become a bear.  Looks like I will be starting this one over.  Third time is a charm, right?
7. Beyond My Heart (BBD) ~  I've worked on this piece several times in the last few months.  I have all of the border done as well as the words in the top of the piece.  I was able to get a few of the flowers done, but I've become bored with them.  I'm also coming up to the eyelet and satin stitches.  I definitely have to be in the mood for those and I haven't been.  If I could just get my rear in gear I could have this finished by the end of the year.
 

Looking on the bright side, I have finished over half of what I started.  I guess that is an accomplishment in itself!

Happy Stitches!

Oh What a Beautiful Day

It is the third beautiful day in a row in the Serial Starter household!  The "damn dog" remains with his owner and I'm still a happy girl.  I'm so happy that I didn't even balk when Hubby didn't come home from work on time last night.  He was almost two hours late, but he made another sale and that is what's important.

So on with the post from Sunday:

Even though things have been crazy with the damn dog, I'm still trying to get a little bit of stitching done.  Unfortunately for the dog Fortunately for me, I can stitch while the dog remains in the kennel.  After all, I can't have his slobber all over my precious Belle Soie, can I?

I finished this Crazy January Challenge piece way back on September 5th.  If I remember correctly, that was Labor Day weekend and Hubby was working all day while I spent my time with needle and thread.

This Heart of Mine by Ink Circles

I've also been trying to work on some exchange stitching.  I had originally stitched up this freebie from The Stitcherhood for my "Friends Stitching Through the Seasons" exchange for Faye.  Then one day I decided to look through her blog and I saw it in the background of one of her posts.  UGH!  Well, it was back to the drawing board for me!  I have managed to stitch something else up for her, which I can't show yet. I just need to find the time to finish it.  I'd better hurry, as I'm going to meet her in person in a few weeks and I'm going to give her the exchange then.

Autumn Freebie by The Stitcherhood
I guess this one is staying home with me now!

On Saturday I spent a lovely afternoon with my Stitching Sisters.  (**Waving madly** Hi Maggee!  Hi Darlene!  Hi Sheryl!)  Lately it has only been three of us instead of four of us because of an illness in the family.  We miss our fourth stitching sister, but the three of us understand and support the other sister however we can.

Anyway, while I was there I was able to finish up another one of my Crazy January Challenge pieces.

Winter Heart by La-D-Da

I absolutely love it!  I used Belle Soie's Attic Tea and it just popped on this fabric.  I'm not sure if I'm going to make this into a hanging heart or if I'm going to attempt to put in on the top of a heart shaped box.  Either way it will be fabulous.  I'm pretty sure that this will be one that I may even stitch again.


Well, time has run out for this morning.  I will try and continue my update again tomorrow morning.

Happy Stitches!

Vacation/Staycation Part 1

I can't believe it!  I actually managed to get some sort of a vacation after all.  It was by no means long enough, as vacations typically aren't.

I thought it was going to be a really great vacation since I started it off by finishing my Lizzie*Kate fifteen minute piece.

ABC's of Aging Artfully by Lizzie*Kate

Unfortunately, the beginning wasn't as good as I had hoped because we spent it with my FIL and he bombarded us with "downers" about 10 minutes after we arrived.  (Now you know the reason for this post.)  I'm just glad that my days were filled with "quality time with DH" and my evenings with FIL were short since we spent most of our time out of the house.  Plus, FIL decided to leave early which gave DH & I some serious alone time even if it was for only one day.

DH & I spent lots of time on the beach in the OBX.  The OBX is our favorite "go to" spot.  (For those of you who don't know, OBX is the abbreviation for the Outer Banks of North Carolina.)  Our favorite beach is the 4x4 beach in Corolla where you can drive on the beach.  It is only about a 20 minute drive from where we stay.  Plus, on the way to/from Corolla, you have to pass through the town of Duck.  In Duck there is lots of great shopping.  The main reason it is our "go to" spot is that both MIL and FIL each have a week's time share down there.  DH & I hope to be able to get our own week sometime in the future.

We did a bit of shopping in between beach days and we came home with some really great things including this which I found at The Cotton Gin......

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love mermaids.  I love them so much that I have purchased all of the Nora Corbett/Mirabilia Mermaids.  I have completed four of them and I have two in progress.  All of the others are fully kitted and someday will be stitched.  I think this piece will be a great addition to my collection.  In addition, it will actually serve a purpose for us and will enable us to hang a few items so that they will be up off the floor.

When we returned from our first beach day we were treated to a breathtaking sight later that evening.....

On our last beach day before we left, we decided to drive down the beach a little further than we normally do since we didn't manage to see any of the wild horses that are native to the island. Many times they will come down to the shoreline to bask in the sea air. (Remember my pictures from last year?) Well, this time we decided to walk along one of the roads that access the other side of the dunes. As I crested the rise I saw this......

Amazing, right?  Just another reason that I love the OBX!

I hope you enjoyed my little trip to OBX.  Next time a few staycation pics!

Things Are Looking Up

Whew!  I finally made it to Friday.  It has been one heck of a week.  I think that I have cried more this week than I have in a whole year! 

At least there is some good news out of this week.  My husband has made a move to a new career and has landed himself a brand spanking new job.  And while it is scary, I know that it is a good move for him.  (Of course, that hasn't helped with my tears this week.  He can attest to that!)  He will finally be out of the restaurant business and I couldn't be happier.  Now he has a chance to really make a career for himself.  He could end up in management!  It will be so nice to not have to be the "bread winner" of the household.  Maybe, just maybe (once he really gets himself grounded in this job) I could move to a part time status at work.  It would still mean full time during tax season, but it would mean three day weeks during the summer.  I could really get used to that!

In the middle of all of this I tried to keep my sanity by running my needle through my fifteen minute project.  I made it past the point of contention on that L*K piece:

And here it is as of this morning:

I'm getting closer and closer to that happy dance!

Speaking of closer, I also managed to get my needle into another one of my Crazy January Challenges.  Normally I've been stitching on "Beyond My Heart" while with my Stitching Sisters.  But, this week I was able to get a couple of hours in on it while I waited at the car dealership.  (Yes, I was there again.......long story, more crying.....sigh.....)  Now it looks like this:

Just a few more letters and then I will be on to the design at the bottom.  I'm hoping that I may be able to finish this one before I go on vacation later this month.  Guess I'll have to stop crying and get stitching!

Don't worry......I really am ok.  I think I just needed to cry it all out.  Sometimes a good cry is exactly what you need.  Oh, I had that chocolate that I was mentioning.  It was in the form of mint chocolate chip ice cream.  Ahhhhhh.............

Have a wonderful weekend and keep your stitches happy!

It's Progress None the Less

The last two weeks really hasn't afforded me the progress that I've been hoping for.  However, I guess some is better than none, right?

Here's where I stand with the ABC's of Aging by L*K.  Only eight more letters to go!  I've tried to keep up with at least fifteen minutes a day.  And, for those days where the fifteen minutes wasn't possible, I made up for it with a double session the next day.  I didn't get this finished before the end of the month like I was hoping I would, but I think that I will be able to finish it up before I go on vacation this month.  (Please forgive the wrinkled state, I'm not one to iron until I've come to the end of the project.)

I have also made great progress on another one of my challenge pieces, "Beyond My Heart" by Blackbird Designs.  I'm about halfway done with the words and the design in the upper right hand corner.  I apologize for not taking a picture to show you.  I was running late this morning and I didn't have a chance to pull it out of my bag.

As for quilting, my newest class has really kept me busy.  My homework for this week was to finish cutting 51 strips (2 and 1/2" each), sew them together in sets of three and then sub cut them into squares (6 and 1/2" each).  It was more homework than I was supposed to have at this point, but I started the class much later than the others and I had some major catch up to do.  With all of the sewing and cutting that I did over the weekend I managed to get myself to the same point as the others.


Would you believe that my stack of squares ended up over 2" high?  I don't think I've ever cut that much fabric in my whole life!  I guess I shouldn't really complain....this is just the beginning, isn't it?



It is not just on the stitching and quilting front that I'm progressing slowly.  As of today, we are still trying to conceive our first child.  This month will mark one year since the conception that resulted in the miscarriage.  Things haven't been easy.  I didn't think that this would end up being so hard and I didn't think that I would become so emotional about it all.  I've even resorted to doing things that I said I would never do (ie: charting, over the counter kits, etc.)  I wasn't able to get an appointment with the doctor until the end of the month.  That means that we have to wait that much longer before we can start to explore the reasons why nothing has happened these last nine months.  That having been said, if you are so inclined, please pray for us.  We are doing all we can at the moment and now it is just a waiting game.

In the meantime, try to keep your stitches happy.  I know I'm trying!

The Heat Made Me Do It

At least the heat was my excuse yesterday!  It was in the upper 90's here.  Combine that with 60% or more humidity and the heat index made it into the lower 100's.  Today isn't going to be any better.  The temperature is supposed to climb into the low 100's which will push the heat index to 115 degrees or more.  All you have to do is step outside and you immediately become soaking wet.   It was/is like a sauna!  Even the air conditioner can't cut through all that humidity, which makes it miserable inside as well.  So, I'm attributing yesterday's antics to the heat.

I started my morning with what I thought would be a quick trip to the car dealership for some minor warranty work.  Well, an hour and a half later they told me that I had a problem with my front brakes and it would require another two hours.  They told me I could come back since they had to order parts for another issue and they would fix them both at the same time.  Seeing that these were my brakes and I need my brakes to work properly to stop the car, I opted to have them fixed.  Of course that meat that I wouldn't get to work until after lunch.  And, what's the point in going in that late???  So..........of course I had to call into work and take the whole day off.  *Snicker*

The good thing about being stuck at the car dealership was that I got to spend some quality time with my stitching.  Remember this piece from January?

I managed to turn it from that to this........

I know it doesn't look like much, but there are lots of little stitches there!  Hopefully the words will go pretty quick.  I may even make this my next fifteen minute project.

Speaking of fifteen minute projects, I worked on that one yesterday (and this morning) too.  I guess you could say that the heat gave me a little bit of ADD.  My attention was so limited yesterday, so maybe it was a good thing that I had the day off.  I couldn't really stick with any one thing yesterday.

After I had it with stitching I went to a LQS that is a few blocks from my house.  (I'm lucky with the quilting......there are three shops close by!)  You see, the other day I purchased a Groupon for $34 that would allow me $69 worth of classes and/or supplies and it was burning a hole in my pocket.  I've been thinking about taking another class and I felt that this Groupon gave me the perfect opportunity to do so.  I started off asking about the one session binding class and instead I was talked into a six session Quilting 101 class.  Since the class was already well on their way to part three, the owner of the shop offered to catch me up on the classes so that I didn't have to wait until next quarter.  So, I spent the afternoon with her yesterday.  Once I'm done I will have a 60" x 60" rail step quilt.  All I have to do is cut 17 strips from each of these three fabrics.

Oh, my!  Looks like I'm in trouble now!  See......I told you the heat made me do it!


Happy Stitches!

Big Progress , Small Finish and the Traveling Pattern

Happy Monday All!  I hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.  I divided my Saturday between stitching and a little bit of quilting.  My Sunday on the other hand was pure "Hubby Time". 

We spent the morning catching up on HBO's True Blood series.  Hubby just got interested this year, but I've been reading the books for sometime.  We are currently on the last half of season three and I've got season four saved on the DVR.  Only one more marathon session and we will be all caught up.

As for my stitching I thought I'd catch you up on some of my Crazy January Challenge pieces.  First up is the Letter H.  I've been working on this during my "Saturday Stitch Time" with my stitching buddies.

Letter H by Nora Corbett

I also spent a great deal of time on this project a couple of Fridays ago.  That Friday was "Forgiveness Friday".  An old stitching friend and I met at the local Barnes & Noble.  We talked and let many old "issues" go.  As as result of the forgiveness, I'm really looking forward to stitching with my friend again.  (Forgive the picture......the fabby looks grey, but it is a really great shade of purple in real life.)

This Heart of Mine by Ink Circles

I'm also keeping up with my fifteen minute piece.  Here's it is as of this morning.  At the rate I'm going, I may be able to finish this one up by month's end.

Saturday evening also brought me closer to my sewing machine.  I had such wonderful compliments on my color choices for my pillow that I decided to use the same fabric for these two little pincushions.  I learned so much while sewing these up.  They aren't too bad for my first try, but I'll be sure to change things up a bit for future pincushions like these.  (They came out much smaller than I expected.)

Last, but not least let's talk about the Traveling Pattern, "ABCD" by La-D-Da.

Remember this post?  It seems that we have had quite a bit of interest and that excites me so very much!  Originally I was just going to send this pattern off and let flit from place to place.  However, I want to be sure that Peggy Lee gets it back someday.  So, in that vein, I'm going to switch things up a bit.  I'm going to limit the number of people so that the last person can send the pattern back to Peggy along with the autograph book that I have purchased so that she will know where her pattern has been. 

Based on the original post there were about 30 interested people.  If you are still interested, please drop me an email (it's in my profile) and let me know.  Also let me know if you are willing to mail to an overseas/foreign address.  That way I can make up a mailing list.  You will know who you are receiving the pattern from and who you are sending it to.  As for stitching this timely, it took me a weekend to finish this up, so I feel like three weeks should be plenty of time to finish this pattern.

I can't wait to hear from everyone!

Happy Stitches!

The Letter "F" (Picutre Heavy)

Today's post is brought to you by the letter "F". (Oh yes.....I'm still stuck on Sesame Street for some reason.)

Our first "F" is for FINISHES.  I was a good girl this week and put my finishing skills into overdrive.  I managed to finish two pieces.  (Which is pretty darn good in my book!) 

ABCD by La-D-Da
on 40ct Lakeside Linen Vintage Dark Ltd Run

Up first is "ABCD" by La-D-Da.  My first intention was to make this into a cube rectangle finish.  I found the perfect ribbon at my local Michael's.  It was wired and would have made the perfect bow.  But, by the time I got home I changed my mind and decided that I would rather turn this project into a pincushion.  It is a mighty long one, but it is a cute one!  I had the perfect fabric in my stash for backing this one which is always a plus.  The dragonflies have all the same hues as the Belle Soie Peacock.  I currently have this one sitting on the arm of the couch and it is holding all my pre-threaded needles for my fifteen minute project.

Delivering Fleurs
by
Homespun Elegance

Next up is "Delivering Fleurs" by Homespun Elegance.  You may remember that I put a poll up on my side bar asking how you thought I should finish it.  Only 43 of you voted, but the clear hands down winner with 22 votes was a flatfold finish.  While I like the flatfold finish, I wanted to go with something different, so I went with the third place winner, a "cube" finish.

I just knew that this design would lend itself perfectly to this type of finish.  I would like to thank Vonna of The Twisted Stitcher for her wonderful tutorial.  It was so easy to follow!  However, I did make one change.  She has fabric wrapped around her piece while I chose to wrap mine with coordinating ribbons.  I really love how this came out and I know that I will be using this finish again.  Here is a close up of the front and another of the back.

The letter "F" is also for FIRSTS.  In fact, it is for my first quilting project finish!  WOO-HOO!!!

 While I am very pleased with how this came out, I know that I still have much to learn.  Practice makes progress don't you know.  I'm just hoping that next time I can line up my triangles a little better than this:

Our third "F" is for FIFTEEN.  I've been making lots of progress in my self imposed fifteen minute challenge.  I've been able to stitch on "ABC's of Aging Artfully" by Lizzie*Kate all week.  Each morning, after a wake up cup of coffee, I spend at least fifteen minutes stitching while I watch the news.  Sometimes I get lucky and I can stitch for almost a half hour.  I even managed to get a second fifteen minute session in last night.  I even plan on keeping my fifteen minutes on this project over the holiday weekend even though I will be giving most of my attentions to other projects.  So, here's my progress as of this morning. (Sorry for the bad picture, it was hazy this morning so I didn't have good light.)

Finally for my last "F", I would like to wish all my fellow Americans a Happy Fourth of July!  Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  Stay safe and enjoy some fireworks!

Happy Stitches!

Minute Madness and a Quick Finish

I'm quite proud of myself these last few days.  I've managed to keep up with my fifteen minute a day promise for the time being.  While it doesn't look like much to me, I know that every little bit helps.  This "E" shot is the result of three days of fifteen minute (or sometimes half hour) stitching.

ABC's of Aging by L*K

When I finish my daily fifteen, I make myself ready for the next day's fifteen.  In today's case it meant that my needle is ready to continue with the "ate" in chocolate.  I find that the simple act of starting the needle makes the next fifteen minute session so much easier. 

Speaking of quick and easy, I'm so excited to say that my "ABCD" by La-D-Da was a quick, easy and extremely fun piece.  In fact, I finished it last week, but this was the first chance that I have had to post a good picture.  Too bad it wasn't part of my Crazy January Challenge!

ABCD by La-D-Da
Stitched on 40ct Vintage Dark Ltd. Run
using Peacock and Petunia Belle Soie

I also spent some time "finishing" over the weekend, but that will have to wait for another day.

Happy Stitches!