End of 2016 Wrap Up....

Posted by Jan
Back in May I lost my stitchy bug and it still hasn't fully returned.  I've kept the stitchy embers alive by working  a few stitches here and there over the last 7 months on "Now I Lay Me..." by Paragon Needlecraft  (a stamped cross stitch) I finally finished it Nov. 26.

 
I've also been binge watching FlossTube and have discovered that I really like watching the male stitchers and their perspective on stitching.

As for the SALs, WIPocalypse and TUSAL, I'm undecided if I'm going to continue with them in 2017, it all depends on how I feel (mentally) at the end of January.

I'm also undecided if I'm going to keep "My BAP Blog" as I haven't really posted anything to it and what's the point of having two blogs when I can barely keep up with one.

I suppose I should answer the WIPocalypse questions I missed and show a snap of my Orts for the year 2016.
 
June 20 – Topic:  Do you find yourself more productive with stitching in summer or winter?  Neither really, I stitch incredibly slow no matter what time of the year it is.
 
July 19 – Topic: (two options) If you are participating in the Olympic Challenge, tell us about your plans – which type of challenge you’ve selected, the pieces you’ll be stitching on, etc.  If you are not participating in the challenge, tell us how this year’s stitching is going for you so far, and if you’re meeting your stitching goals so far for the year.  I didn't participate in the challenge and I didn't have any goals this year to meet.
 
August 18 – Topic:  Have you ever read any fictional books that involve embroidery?  If so, give us some recommendations?
Yes! - A needlecraft mystery series by Monica Ferris.  It's about a woman who owns a LNS that's an amateur detective.
 
September 16 – Topic:  Tell us a story about the journey you took through one of your completed pieces.   It's the piece that's pictured above.  I started it sometime between 1966 and 1970 (12 yrs. old).  After losing interest in it after the lettering was done I put it away and ended up losing the instructions and the thread.  In June 2004 I found it again on Ebay in unopened condition and purchased it for $4.99.  I started it again Sept. 4, 2015 and finished it Nov. 26, 2016.
 
October 16 – Topic:  What online stitching communities do you enjoy? 
Facebook's Teresa Wentzler and Heaven and Earth Designs Communities, and FlossTube.
 
November 14 – Topic:  What pattern (or designer) is on your must-try-to-stitch bucket list? HAED's A Stitch In Time by Aimee Stewart
 
December 14 – Theme: Recap your accomplishments for the year! (Your finishes, your final before/after photos, etc).   Only one finish (see above).
 
 
And last but not least....  My Orts for 2016.
 
 
Here's hoping that everyone has a Happy New Year and a better 2017.....

Jan
Slow as a snail stitcher....

 A Stitch In Thyme Website
My BAP Blog
Category: , , 0 comments

Windy Rainy May WIPocalypse

Posted by Jan



Greetings fellow WIP stitchers!  I'm afraid to say I haven't accomplished much this last month when it comes to stitching.  My health issues keep annoying me (read as... so fatigued I can't get out of bed for days).   Anyway I hunted around for something small from my WIP pile to work on and pulled out my "Bikers Vest Patch".  It's been a choke! 1year 5months long time since it's seen the light of day.  I managed some more green and got as far as the gray in the tapestry needle this time around.  Speaking of "around" I really must get a rotational schedule printed out and stick to it.

[Before]

 
[After]
 

And now for our favorite part of the show --- this month's topic question.

May 21 – Topic:  What were you stitching this time last year and have you finished it? (via Jo)
 
The short answer is: I haven't a clue and probably not.
 
So I went to my trusty blog archive list and checked the date one year ago.  And the answer is...... Mother Skunk and Babies, and no it's still a WIP.

 
I will be scheduling this to auto post at 6am Saturday as I will be gutting this computer for its 3 year cleaning Thursday night.  If everything goes as planned I should be up and running by Saturday evening.

That's it for this blog blurb. 

Jan
Slow as a snail stitcher....
A Stitch In Thyme Website
My BAP Blog
Category: , , 0 comments

A Very Short Book Review

Posted by Jan
The Truth About Leo (Noble, #4)The Truth About Leo by Katie MacAlister
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If you need a book to help you fall asleep this book will do it. That's about all it has going for it.

View all my reviews
Category: 1 comments

Rainy May TUSAL

Posted by Jan


What you see in the beaker is from several weeks ago.  I haven't stitched anymore on Pegasus and Butterflies since my Wipocalypse post last month.  Let's just say my chronic fatigue and other health issues have gotten worse. 

On a brighter note HAED started their 20% off Mother's Day Sale today.  I put in my order for max color floss kit for "A Stitch in Time" by Aimee Stewart
 along with a mouse pad of the same image and a package of John James petite size 28 needles.  I was rather disappointed in the percentage off; usually it's at least 30%.  I think what really bummed me out was that any kind of savings was eaten up in the kitting fee they charged ($18.00us).  From now on I'm going to be using Michaels store coupons for floss. As for my order, I have no idea when my stuff will get here, I'm still waiting on the "The Addicts Box - Evenweave" package I bought in the middle of last month.

Thanks for stopping by.....
Category: , 1 comments

April WIPocalypse

Posted by Jan
Greetings all, I took a look at the WIP list on my website and picked this project to work on. "Pegasus and Butterflies" a Crewel / Embroidery project that I haven't touched since Jan. 27, 2007.  I find I really don't care to work with wool so the poor thing gets neglected a lot.

[before]

 
[after]

 

Now for this month's topic question.

April  22 – Topic: What do you listen to while stitching? (via Jo)
 
Usually I listen to the radio either a pop/country or 70's/80's music station.  I tried listening to audio books while stitching, but I'd get so wrapped up in the story that I'd catch myself - hands motionless not stitching.  So I stick to the radio if I want to get some serious progress done.  I can binge watch Dark Shadows on DVD.  That old soap opera progressed so slowly in its story arc that I can easily listen and not look; one disk has roughly nine 30 minute episodes.  I'm at episode 74 of 2,225.

Well that's it for this blog post.  Thanks for stopping by.......
Category: , 11 comments

OOPs I Did It Again.. Drat You HAED!!!!

Posted by Jan
I had every intention of saving my money to buy the floss kit for HAED's "A Stitch in Time" by Aimee Stewart.  Well that's been put on hold thanks to Michele's 50% off charts - National Tax Day Sale! Which runs until midnight Friday the 22nd.

Since I love Linda Ravenscroft's charts, I'm going to start collecting her Tarot Card Series starting with the first 6 of 14 charts. Justice, Strength, Death, Temperance, The Emperor, & The Empress.
 



I'll see everyone again this Friday for WIPocalypse. Thanks for stopping by my blog!!!!
Category: , 2 comments

Root'n Toot'n TUSAL

Posted by Jan
Another new moon has come around again and with it my TUSAL beaker and Duck Collage update.

[Now]

[Before]

 I am thoroughly sick of looking at this duck project, so it's coming off the q-snaps to be buried on the bottom of the WIP pile until hell freezes over some time later this year.  I don't know what I want to work on next; I really don't have anything small that I could finish really quickly.  And goddess knows I'd like to finish something soon just to give me a little "well done" pat on the back.  What I really want to do is start my new HAED chart "A Stitch In Time".  But that's not going to happen until they have another sale and I can buy the fabric and floss kit for it.

Well that's it for this post, I'll see you again later this month for WIPocalypse and you can see what I picked out of the WIP pile to work on.

Thanks for stopping by..........
Category: , 4 comments

Procrastination -My Middle Name-

Posted by Jan
You would think after a week I could get myself to do some stitching, even a little back-stitching, nope!  Instead I spent most the evening creating a new blog for my HAED project.  Yeah, I know, smack me up side the head with a wet noodle - like I need another blog.  Any way if you're curious here's the link..... My BAP Blog ....Yeah I know not very original.


Category: 2 comments

Yea it's FRIDAY!!!!

Posted by Jan

Category: 0 comments

Off the Deep End.....

Posted by Jan
I went a little crazy today over at HAED's 30% off sale (which ends on the 31st) and got me 6 new charts and another needle minder. I've now completed my collection of Linda Ravenscroft's Zodiac Series; I also got her "The Emerald Heart" chart.  The last two items are Lisa Parker's "The Witching Hour" chart along with the needle minder of the same picture.

 

 
 
 

 
I'll have an update this Sunday on "Duck Collage" and then I'm putting it away and picking another WiP to work on.  I figure new month, new WiP.

Thanks for dropping by my blog!!!
Category: , 1 comments

Happy Easter!!!

Posted by Jan

Wishing everyone lots of chocolate bunnies and eggs... And Stitching too!!!!!
Category: 1 comments

March Madness a.k.a. WIPocalypse

Posted by Jan

Well since I just posted an update on Sunday of Duck Collage there's not much progress to show today. But here it is anyway.....
Sorry for the darkness of the snap, all I had was my stitching light to light it.
 
Now for this month's topic question: 

March  23 - Topic: Do you use hoops, stretcher bars, lap stands or Q snap frames and why? (via CathieJ)
 
I first started stitching with hoops because at the time that's all I knew of.  Back in the late 1960's there wasn't that much available around here at the time.  We had department and fabric stores, but I can't remember any (strictly speaking) craft stores.  I still use hoops but very rarely.

Now days as my projects have gotten bigger I needed something to accommodate the larger sizes of fabric and not leave hoop rings so I moved on to scroll frames (or stretcher bars).

With my home made 36" wide scroll frames came the problem of how to hold them. Answer...  Make my own scroll frame table and cradle (or lap stand).   Scroll Frame Cradle & Table

 Q-Snap frames were kind of a happy accident.  I needed something to start Duck Collage on but everything I had was in use and I didn't want to deal with hoop rings; so I decided to buy a 17x17 set to see what it was like. I was surprised at how drum tight the Aida fabric is using it.  I'm not very happy about how the fabric is distorted in the corners, but as I'm using Aida I don't mind; in fact I think I'll keep this Q-snap frame strictly for aida kit projects.
 

Happy Stitching everyone and Thanks for stopping by.....
Category: , 12 comments

Duck Collage Week 6 + New Needle-Minders!!!!

Posted by Jan


Well it's sort of week 6, technically I've only been working on D.C. for 3 days.  After I lost my stitching mojo for 3 1/2 weeks; my manic depression seems to hit me more frequently nowadays.  Anyway here's the before and after snaps with my new HAED needle minders that came in the mail yesterday.

Before:


After:
 
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Category: , 2 comments

Happy St. Patty's Day & More SEX!!!

Posted by Jan

Greetings fellow Bloggers and new followers!!!!  I don't have any update posts for today, that will have to wait until this coming Sunday.  What I would like to pass along is a "Happy St. Patrick's Day" to you all and to show you the new HAED stash I've added to my bulging collection.  This week HAED had it's St. Patty's Day 25% off sale and I couldn't resisted - again!

First are two more charts by Linda Ravenscroft.  Zodiac signs - Aries and Taurus.  I need 4 more to complete my collection of 12.



Next is Aimee Stewart's "A Stitch in Time".


I noticed when I was on Face Book this morning there's a SAL Group for this chart, and when I start it I plan to join the group.  And last but not least I purchased a couple of needle minders from HAED for when I work on my WIPs.

HAED
Bewitched
That's all for this Blog post... Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you on Sunday!!!
Category: , 0 comments

February WIPocalypse

Posted by Jan

First off I have a couple of disappointments to relay.  Duck Collage didn't get any attention this last week so no updates; and my 100 ml glass TUSAL beaker that I've had ever since college chemistry (32 years) class is broken. Putting my micro highlighter pens in it caused the bottom to shatter and over the weekend I noticed tiny shards of glass on my TV tray/ table.  Thankfully I still have my 50 ml glass beaker for floss orts.


February 22 - Topic: If you have any of your pieces on display in your home which attracts the most plaudits? (Via Hazel)
I only have two pieces on the wall and they are.....

 
Sorry for the reflection of the curtains.



Two reasons: 1) I don't have the money right now to frame and hang all my pieces. 2) I live alone and have no boyfriend/friends that visit me. So there is no one to admire my work.
 
Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully I'll have an update on Duck Collage to post next Sunday.
Category: , 3 comments

SEX!!! + Duck Collage - Week 5

Posted by Jan

Ha!  I thought that title would catch your eye.  For those not in the know SEX stands for Stash Enhancement eXperience.

This week Heaven and Earth Designs had their Valentine's Day Sale.  And I added to my collection of zodiac patterns by Linda Ravenscroft.
Zodiac Patterns Link



In the past I've only purchased charts from HAED when their sales reached 50% off.  But it seems that hasn't happened in quite a while, so I just bit the bullet and purchased two more from the set. Here's what I've got and need so far...




Since I don't have a significant other I got this as a Valentine's gift to myself. 

Now on to Duck Collage progress.....

I have come to the conclusion that even if I worked on this 8 hours a day for the next 3 weeks; I don't think it is going to be finished by the 5th of March.  That and the fact that right now I can only handle stitching about 2 - 4 hours a day until my shoulder gives out.  Anyway here's this weeks progress.

 
Happy Valentine's Day and thanks for stopping by my blog.


To Dima (D1-D2), Jo, and Angie...  Thanks for commenting on my last post.  For some odd reason the comment notifications didn't get forwarded to me.
Category: , 5 comments