WIPWednesday, Small Finishes and What's Next?

Happy Wednesday fair readers!  Which means its WIPWednesday and one of my blogging days!

As usual I like to start with the happy stuff, and I've had two small Happy Dances since my last post.

Red Threads

Rosewood Manor

Stitched with NPI Silk

Stitched on 32ct Natural Linen

This first little guy, was already well under way, so there wasn't much left to do.  This has been my "purse project" and I've been dragging it around with me most places but not really working on it.  So I finally put the last stitches into it.

French Country Star

JBW Designs

Just Cross Stitch - Ornament Issue 2010

Stitched with WDW Garnet

Stitched Over One on 25ct Sand/Gold Lugana

Next up is this month's ornament, I had a hard time settling on which one I wanted to stitch.  I finally picked up this sweet little stitch by JBW which was in one of my Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issues.  If I can, and it may be rather ambitious I'd like to finish this star-shaped!

I haven't settled on a new focus project yet, and really that's okay.  This week I've picked away at two different projects.

I kind of have it in my mind to finish up my January 1st start from this year, Peacock by Alessandra Adelaide.  Christin and I started them together, but she's been done hers for awhile now. Usually I'm the first to finish!  I've had a hard time getting "into" this project.

When I haven't been able to get "into" Peacock I've pulled out an oldie, but goodie Arabian Woman a kit from Lanarte.  I fell in love with and bought this project a long time ago, and it cost me a fair bit.  A few years ago I put some stitches in it to make myself get back to it.  I've enjoyed working on it this week.  The fabric on this piece comes painted and there's a little "+" where to start so I've slowly worked my way from that start point, to my happy place, the top left hand corner.

As promised last week here are the other projects I have started in my stitching basket... Which project would you like to watch come to life?  Leave me a comment!

Mini River Cottage - Michael Powell

The Big Red - The Silver Lining

 Cirque des Carreaux - Ink Circles

Fortunate Traveller - Teresa Wentzler

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

Teresa Wentzler's Birth Announcement - The REAL Pictures

As you know I Happy Danced TW's Birth Announcement on Tuesday evening!  I was too excited to take proper pictures and do a proper blog entry.  Also we were heading out shortly to have a BBQ with friends.  So you got a bunch of iPhone pictures and a post thrown together on the Blogger App.  Not pretty, but it got the job done!

Finally I took the time to take some PROPER pictures with my REAL camera.  Enjoy!!!!

Birth Announcement

The Best of Teresa Wentzler Sampler Collection

c2001 Leisure Arts

Stitched on 28ct Ivory Jubilee

Stitched with DMC cotton, Kreinik BF & Mill Hill beads

Hopefully I'll be doing more "proper" blogging now that this project is off of my plate!

Huge Happy Dance!!!

Almost 13 weeks to the day later I have finished Teresa Wentzler's Birth Announcement for Zachary, my friend Claire's first child. This wee guy who I'm looking forward to meeting the last week of July (I'll be in the Charleston area) is VERY special! So he deserves the most labour intensive birth sampler out there!!!!




These are just quick iPhone pictures. I'll wow you with some high quality pictures tomorrow!!!!




















- thanks for reading!

The Next Birth Announcement Milestone.

I have been the worst blogger ever!  If I've not been busy with end of school year stuff I've been madly stitching to have this done before I head down to the Charleston, S.C. area the last week of July!  I look forward to meeting Zachary. 

As usual I severely underestimate how long something is going to take me to stitch... Especially as this is a Teresa Wentzler!

Just this morning, I finished the border, except for the beads!  Those come last of course!

Today I move onto the center of the design, all just straight backstitching. Well for a TW it is.

Birth Announcement Milestones

I've not had much blogging mojo lately. I have been stitching though. 

A week ago, I finished all the cross stitch on Birth Announcement.

Last night I finished the las of the 116 eyelets in the border!  There are still a lot of backstitch to go, name and date to add, beads and lazy daisies to go. 

Belated April TUSAL

Oh boy, I've let the ball drop again!  I owe you a TUSAL report for April 29th.

So here's my jar... see all that gold?  That's from TW's Birth Announcement!

Speaking of, here's my progress pre-weekend!  Its moving along now, but I've got so much backstitching I'm going to have to get caught up on!!!

IHSW Wrap-Up

Over the Easter four day weekend, which was this month's IHSW I didn't get in as much stitching as I had hoped/wished!  I did manage to enjoy some time with some great friends!

Here is my progress from the weekend, and what progress I could make over the last few evenings when I wasn't trying to sleep off the migraine I've been battling all week.  Teresa Wentzler's Birth Announcement is moving along beautifully AND I'm almost done all of the cross stitch in the border and I can't wait to hit the middle section!

I also stitched up two more ornaments from the Rosewood Manor Red Threads chart that I've done a few from lately.  A little while ago I've put a bunch of smaller off-cuts of fabric that weren't of much use for bigger projects aside.  So I've been using these up to make these ornaments with whatever overdyed threads I happen to come across... especially partially used skeins that were not bought for particular projects.  I've been also trying to use some of my Mum's beads in the finishing as well.  Of course I've not even put a dent in those!  I thought I had downloaded these off of my camera but I haven't so they'll have to wait for my next post.  I know, such a tease!

To top off this post, here's a super cute picture of Todd and Zeus chillaxing on the couch this past weekend!  These two are always as thick as thieves!  Todd dotes on her and she purrs like crazy the moment the two of them get together!  Its disgusting!

April Goals, WIPocalypse, IHSW... oh my!

Well we're half way into the month of April and I'm finally getting to my stitching goals.  I'll have to do better in May!

March Stitching Goal - Recap
Finish Page 8 on The Accolade - No
Start Page 9 on The Accolade - No
Finish PS Ornaments - Yes
Have a new start - Yes!
Do a little finishing - Nope!

April Stitching Goals
Work on TW's Birth Announcement
Stitch an ornament
Do some finishing

This month's WIPocalypse post is a pretty easy one, as since the last report I've been working on only one thing, and that's Teresa Wentzler's Birth Announcement.  So here it is since I don't have a before photo for you, since I started it a few weeks ago and since the last report.  I'm stitching this for my best friend from high school who had a son in early March.

Red Threads - Rosewood Manor

Last weekend I needed a wee break from gold, gold and more gold so I stitched and finished these two little ornaments.

This upcoming weekend is a four day weekend for me and its the IHSW so we'll see how much I'll get done on Birth Announcement!!!!

Post IHSW Wrap Up (Several Weeks Late)

Procrastinating to blog has certainly been my theme lately.  I can at least say I'm often just stitching, cause I want to stitch and I don't want to stop to blog.  I want to keep ontop of blogging but for some reason I just keep slacking off!  I have a few things to catch you up on but I will do that over the next few posts.  I've missed the Smalls SAL, TUSAL, and April Goals.  So stay tuned...

Now lets recap what I accomplished during March's IHSW which was March 21-23.

First of all I finished Heart In Hand's Snow Woes, this cutie is stitched on 40ct linen.

Next up I started Heart In Hand's Tall Snowman a second time.  I wasn't happy with his overall size the first time I stitched him, so a second stitch was necessary, this time on 40ct.  He looks much better on 40!

Earlier in March I got the most wonderful news, my best friend Claire had a little boy!  She's had the hardest time over the years trying to start a family, and I can't think of anyone else who DESERVES to be a Mother.  I knew exactly what I wanted to stitch for wee Zachary, since I stitched his Mom and Dad Teresa Wentzler's Wedding Sampler they of course deserve TW's Birth Announcement!!!  Here's my progress at the end of March's IHSW.  I am now focusing solely on this project.  I've got to get it stitched and framed by the end of July when I'm going to fly down to the Charleston area to meet wee Zachary!!!!

Wipocalypse 2014

Besides getting caught up on my PhotoHunts you really haven't heard from me at all this month!  January is almost over and its been an exhausting month physically and psychologically!  I've alternated between not being able to sleep/sleep through the night the first few weeks of the month to now barely being able to stay awake!  Friday night I laid down for a bit at about 5PM I didn't get up until 7:30AM!

I have been stitching when I've had the energy to, but lets get caught up on all of the blogging activities I decided to take part in this year!  The first thing I've missed is the first Wipocalypse of the year!  This month it took place on January 16th!

With this first Wipocalypse we are to introduce ourselves, our projects and our goals for the year.

The Stitcher:

Most recent picture of myself

I'm know by my friends and the stitching community as Dani, I'm in my late 30's.  I am a Library Technician in a High School which I've been working at for 12 years now.  I live with my partner Todd and our two cats Hunter and Zeus, no kids.

My first finish - started in grade 8 (1988ish) finished 1997

My Mum first taught me how to cross stitch when I was around 12-13 years old when "Santa" left a little cross stitch kit in my stocking.  That first project, was a disaster!  I started another project as a teen in middle school but I never finished it until I was an adult, when I was unemployed for a few months in 1997.  Since that time, I've never stopped.  I've been stitching for 17 years now... wow!

I started blogging in September of 2003, that's 11 years now.  I like to think that I'm one of the early Stitching Bloggers.  I'm hoping to keep blogging for many years as long as the ability exists and the audience is still there.

Through stitching and blogging many wonderful people have come into my life.  I am very grateful for what stitching and the online communities have brought into my life.

The Projects:

 The Accolade (NOT a HEAD)

Started in 2006 most of the work has been done in 2012/13

Almost done pages 1-7 of 12

Stitched one over one on 25ct lugana

 Arabian Woman - Lanarte Kit

Started November 2013

 Prarie Schooler - Christmas Favorites

Started January 2014

 Camelot Mini Samper - Teresa Wentzler

Started January 2014

 Mini River Cottage - Michael Powell Kit

Started January 2014

 The Big Red - The Sivler Lining

Started January 2012 - barely touched since

One over one on 25ct Lugana

 The Fortunate Traveller - Teresa Wentzler

Started May 1 2014

Combination of over two and over one on 28ct

 Stitching Row - Bent Creek

Started January 2014

Three Little Miads - Heritage Stitchcraft

Started January 2014

Goals for 2014:

• Finish all of my January Crazy Challenge Starts
• Finish The Accolade
• Finish borders and story on Fortunate Traveller
• Make progress on Big Red
• Stitch and finish a minimum of 12 ornaments

And there you have it... the first WIPocalypse of 2014