Belated WIP Wednesday

For some strange reason this week my days were just all mixed up!  Its not as if I've been on vacation or doing anything so awesome that I've lost track of time.  When I realized yesterday was Wednesday, not Tuesday it was pretty late in the evening, and I was quite engrossed in my stitching.

Since last week's post I've done the finishing on one piece, happy danced another piece, and I've been working on my BAP!  So here we go...

Batty Boris

Just Nan

Stitched on: 32ct Natural Linen

Stitched with: DMC, Kreinik #4 braid

Batty Boris was finished up just in time for Halloween, he took his place next to Miss Witchy Mouse.  They were a charming couple on Halloween!

Hats Off To Halloween 2

Lizzie*Kate

Stitched on: 28ct Burnt Papyrus from Sugar Maple Fabrics

Stitched with: DMC & WDW

Next I started Lizzie*Kate's Hats Off To Halloween 2 and it stitched up super quick!  I really enjoyed the colours on this piece which is what made me buy it.  I also adore the fabric I've used, its too bad the company is out of business because I'd sure buy more in a heartbeat!

The rest of my stitching week has been spent working on The Accolade, I'm getting close to the bottom of my current page!

WIP Wednesday

If you were looking forward to my WIP Wednesday post last week, I'm sorry it didn't happen.  Due to some fairly tragic events (it made International news) in the city I live in, Ottawa I just wasn't in the mood to blog. 

So let's get caught up!

First up I had a visitor for the weekend of October 17th!  Bonnie and her husband came for the weekend.  We had hoped to do this in the summer, but life got in the way and it just never happened.  Bonnie and her husband are HUGE Ottawa Senators Fans, my local NHL hockey team.  Its become an annual tradition for them to come up for a visit and the first home game of the season.  This year since the first home game was on Thrusday followed by another game on Saturday they stayed for the weekend, and we made plans for all of us to go to Saturday's game.  We had a blast!

 Blackwork Monthly Blocks

San Man Originals

That weekend I had a week Happy Dance!  Last time I blogged I showed you my start on Kathy's SanMan RR.  I managed to finish that up, and even passed it onto Bonnie to do a block!

For the next week I was quite disciplined and I pulled out and exclusively worked on The Accolade.  With something this big its always so hard to see what progress has been made.

Miss Witchy Mouse

Just Nan

Stitched on 32ct Natural Linen

Stitched with DMC & Mill Hill Beads

Since Halloween was just around the corner I next pulled out one of those adorable Just Nan critter ornament kits.  Miss Witchy Mouse has just was begging to be stitched, which I did last week and I managed to do the finishing on Sunday.  I love her!

This led to me deciding Boris the Bat also needs to be done in time for this Halloween!  I wrapped up the stitching on him yesterday.  My plan was to do the finishing tonight, but blogging needed to be done!

Since I still had some time before bed last night I had another new start!  I know this isn't going to be finished in time for this Halloween, but I started Lizzie*Kate's Hats Off to Halloween 2.  I figure this way I'm done with this chart and its not going to sit and collect dust until I feel like Halloween stitching again.

Another WIPless Wednesday

Its Wednesday, and yet again, I don't have a WIP to share with you!

Be Scary - Hats Off To Halloween - 2

Lizzie*Kate

Stitched on 28ct Burnt Papyrus Jubilee from Sugar Maple Fabrics

Stitched with GAST, WDW & DMC

I have another small HD to share with you this week.  Funny enough this little Lizzie*Kate took me all week to stitch up!  I don't know what it is besides the fact that I've just been exhausted and not stayed up late or stitched too much in the evenings.  I also had an on again-off again migraine Friday-Monday (such joy).

The Accolade only got two thread lengths in it this week, so I have really nothing to show you there.

Byzantine Ornaments

Teresa Wentzler

I've got another ornament to share with you from this summer's finishing spree.  This piece I stitched a few years ago, but I finished it up for a Teresa Wentzler smalls exchange on a TW Facebook group.  Its now been received so I can safely share it.  On the disappointing side whoever was assigned as my partner (we were not receiving from the person we were sending to) never followed through.  I have nothing cool to show you that I received.  Exchanges are great, and so much fun, but when someone craps out it just sucks.  It also leaves one feeling a little bitter and not so excited to do another exchange.

This past Friday I packed up my car and headed down for a stitchy-weekend!  I visited with Kathy for probably the last time this year before she heads South for the winter.  On Saturday we got together with Rebecca, Bonnie, Lianne, Lynn, and Trista to first check out the Cataraqui Guild's Merchant Market.  Some shopping was definitely done.  I just bought two charts.

Kathy & Rebecca

Bonnie

After shopping we spent the rest of the day stitching and chatting at Rebecca's.  We were treated to "Garbage Can Turkey" by Curtis, Rebecca's husband.  It is always so nice to spend a day with like-minded friends.

Trista

Happy WIP Wednesday

Its Wednesday!  Aren't you excited its Wednesday?  I am because that means its WIP Wednesday and I can show you what I've been up to!

Stitching Forever

Lizzie*Kate

Stitched on: Goldspinner 28ct Linen from Silkweavers

Stitched with a combination of recommended threads and DMC cotton

First of all I had a Happy Dance on late Monday night.  Since I had just posted some ornaments I wasn't going to overwhelm you with another post.  This chart was a travelling pattern on one of the Facebook groups I'm part of.  It was a super quick stitch, I started it on Saturday but I didn't reallly stitch much all weekend.  I slept a lot and I even asked Todd to take me out fishing!  If I had put my mind to it and got my stitch on, I probably could of stitched this in a day!  This LK was a little tough to photograph for some reason, just imagine the yellow fabric being richer and deeper.

Now onto what I'm stitching NOW!  I didn't really have the heart to pick up something big just yet, so I pulled out an ornament I had started at the end of July.  When I got my copy of the Just Cross Stitch Ornament Preview Issue I just had to start Stained Glass Holly by Ink Circles.  I had stitched their Tree a few years ago for an exchange... I'm thinking I need to stitch it again, for myself.

Here's a few pictures from my day out fishing with Todd...

Todd was teaching me a little fineness fishing, learning how to "wacky rig"

Bass fishing!

If you'd like to see more of my stitching pictures as I work on pieces, start following me on Instagram @tkd_chick I'm having a lot of fun with it!

Lizzie*Kate Travelling Pattern, The Next Stitcher Is...

Sorry its been a longer break than I intended after my holidays!  I've just been so into my stitching lately that I haven't wanted to put it down to blog and get you folks all caught up on my summer happenings!

First of all I did a giveaway for this chart just before my holidays...

Only three people indicated they'd like to stitch it.  The next stitcher is Bonnie!  As it happens I'll be seeing Bonnie this upcoming weekend in person so I'll pass it to her by hand!

Travelling Pattern Ready For Its New Home... Travelling Pattern Ready To Give Away!

Remember this great finish from last week?  Little House Needleworks Summer Garden, which is a travelling pattern!

Its Monday and it was time to pick the next stitcher.  Many thanks to my friends at random.org, that choice was made!  The next blogging stitcher is: Sally of Stitchyangel's Treasures!  I know this chart is sooo Sally's style as I've been reading her blog for a few years now.  I'm very happy to be sending it off to her!  This chart that came from France will be making its way back across the pond shortly this time to England!

A few days ago I finished up the other travelling pattern that I had in my possession!  This one came from Mouse in England!

Friends are Like Angels

Lizzie*Kate

Stitched on: 28ct Dried Thyme Joblean

Stitched with : GAST and NPI, Mill Hill Beads

This one was a joy to stitch!  Though I love complicated designs, I enjoy the colourful, fun designs from Lizzie*Kate as well!  I used a combination of the threads called for, and when I didn't have them I subbed from my stash.

So this travelling pattern is now ready to move on!!!  Leave a comment here stating that you'd like to be the next stitcher and I'll randomly select someone to be the next stitcher!  The only thing is you must be an active blogger, and that if your e-mail account isn't linked to your Blogger profile please leave an e-mail address so I can contact you.  The deadline to throw your name in the hat is Tuesday July 29th.  I'll be posting the winner on my return from Charleston on Wednesday July 30th!

Travelling Pattern Ready to Move On and New One Ready to Start

This afternoon I put the final stitches in Summer Garden, a travelling pattern I received in the spring from Valerie.

Summer Garden

Little House Needleworks

Stitched on 40ct Tanzanite Linen with Crescent Colours

This piece proved to be quite a slog for me, as I previously mentioned Little House Needleworks is not my usual cup of tea.  I'm not sure if it was Karma getting back at me for putting down designs like this.  If you've followed me over my many years of blogging you know that the more complicated the piece is the happier I am!  Needless to say I had to frog half of the border and until I actually got to the flowers this piece was just a chore!

One thing that did surprise me was this one little group of flowers!  To me they look like dadelions that have gone all fluffy!  I've done some searching online, and no one seems to have put those little knots in that I did.  They were dots on the charts, but no instructions so I decided to put in some colonial knots.  I think this was my favorite part of the chart.

So this travelling pattern is now ready to move on!!!  Leave a comment here and I'll randomly select someone to be the next stitcher!  The only thing is you must be an active blogger, and that if your e-mail account isn't linked to your Blogger profile please leave an e-mail address so I can contact you.  The deadline to throw your name in the hat is Monday July 21st, I'd like to get it out in the mail before I head to Charleston, S.C. on the 23rd!

A few weeks ago in the mail I received another travelling pattern, this time from Mouse!  As you can see from the back of the envelope there was no secret who this was from if you read her blog, she always tells you the kettle is on and its time to settle in for a cuppa.  She was so kind to include a skein of floss called Steaming Needles which was so appropriate because I had just finished Birth Announcement!

This sweet Lizzie*Kate will be a quick stitch, and here's my floss toss.  A few of the colours the chart called for I had on hand, some others I improvised with from my stash.  Keep an eye out this chart will be moving on soon!

Catching Up Post - Smalls SAL

I'm horribly behind on posting updates for a few of my SALs, I'll get them taken care of over the next few days.  Why did I get behind, because I've just been so engrossed in my stitching the last little while that I haven't wanted to take time away from it for blogging.  Things are also fairly busy because I'm getting ready to head out on my annual Dominican Experience trip (we take off on February 21st).

For the month of January I stitched quite a few smalls!  Nothing new you haven't seen before but here they all are.

 Lizzie*Kate

A Little Christmas

 Prarie Schooler

Christmas Favorites

  Prarie Schooler

Christmas Favorites

  Prarie Schooler

Christmas Favorites

 Heart In Hand

Tall Snowman

Just Nan

Cardinal Tweet

Crazy January Challenge - Day 5

Today's start is a little chart/fabric kit I bought last fall.  The colours caught my eye and I thought, boy am I going to enjoy stitching this!  I'm glad it was a one day start/finish!

A Little Christmas

c2012 Lizzie*Kate

Stitched on provided fabric with DMC, WDW and GAST

Sadly that wasn't the case, I really didn't enjoy this stitch at all.  I'm pretty sure its the floss colours, the picture on the cover was much more vibrant.  I know that the recommended flosses were overdyed, I used the colours I had on hand and substituted for DMC when I didn't.  I'm not sure if that's what made the difference, why I didn't like it.  I think at some point I'll finish this as a little pillow and gift it to someone.

Alas, my holidays are over and I'm up early back to work, and back to the gym tomorrow!

January Crazy Challenge Day 3

I must say I've had very good third day of the January Crazy Challenge.  Actually I had a very productive day!

 Cardinal Tweet

c2013 Just Nan

I had a bad case of insomnia so I had my first finish of 2014, not only a finish but a finished finish! If I had realized I had so little left to do, I would of finished this cutie sooner!

Wear a Smile

Lizzie*Kate

Stitched on 28ct African Daisy Joblean

Stitched with: Carrie's Creation Wildberry Breeze and Sassy & GAST Mediterranean Sea

Today's start also turned into my second finish of 2014!  Though I actually stitched this on the recommended fabric, I totally changed the floss 100% and added some beads from my Mum's stash that I inherited.  The colours in this picture are not quite true due to the light I took it under.

Somehow today my finishative mojo kicked in and I did the finishing on quite a few ornamehts I had waiting to be ornamentified.

Bent Creek's Glad Tidings

Daffycat's Reindeer

Rudolph Cross Stitcher Magazine Feebie

Busy, busy, busy!

Christmas is almost here and I think each and every one of us can agree, we're VERY busy right now. Friday night I very gladly turned off my 6AM alarm until January 6th!

I didn't realize it's been about two weeks since I last posted. I've done a little stitching, a little more finishing, out for lunches, breakfasts, parties, and getting ready for Christmas.

In the last two weeks I stitched and/or finished a few more ornaments.



I did the finishing on this last Lizzie Kate, just a simple beaded edge on this one.







I stitched up this ornament and finished it for my friend Tracey's sister. It's double sided from Rosewood Manor's Red Threads. This is stitched on mystery fabric using Carrie's Hearts on Fire. Again, finished with a simple beaded edge.



I stitched up this little piece at my Sister's request. She keeps asking me for a rude cross stitch. I thought this fit the bill nicely. This little pattern is from the book Subversive Cross Stitch, which is full of all kinds of not so nice sayings but with pretty flowers and what not. I've stitched this on 28ct white lugana using DMC and using Carrie's Hearts on Fire, Blue Dreams and Sassy.



I just finished up Dragon Dreams 2013 Holiday Treat! This chart can be found on the Dragon Dreams Facebook page. It is so cute and I'm very happy with the fabric I picked, 28ct Bedazzled Blur Lugana. I've stitched it with the recommended threads.













Last weekend I finally put up our Christmas tree! It's been a few years... I always find it best to put it up in stages.... First just the tree, so that the cats can check it out/climb/chew on it.



After an hour or two I'll decorate it. I've decided it was best not to put anything breakable on it as Zeus likes to chew on our fake tree!



I know I've mentioned in the past I work in a school. This last week we had spirit week, each day is a different dress-up theme. I think I totally rocked ugly sweater day! I stole Todd's Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, I got a lot of great reactions. To help you understand if you're not into NHL hockey, out local team is the Ottawa Senators and one of our biggest rivals is the Leafs! I've found you either love or hate them.

I'm now into the final preparations for having my family over on Christmas Eve, the first without our Mum. I've not changed anything from what we've done in the past. Hopefully we'll still enjoy the evening.


- thanks for reading!