2008: Stitching from My Stash

2008 will be my second year of WIP slaying--and this year, I'm concentrating on stitching from my stash and rather than obtaining more supplies for my stash. With some effort, I'd like to finish more big projects and finish more than ten wips, ufos and swips. I plan to keep the Ornaments SAL and the HAED Challenge SAL plus I hope to do at least two HAED QS SALs each month. I will also be running a Lenten SAL and the Chatelaine Summer Olympics at the Chatelaine BB. I may try to convince Janet to do a Taj SAL with me, but I probably should finish Japanese Gardens first, before Taj lures me away.


I would like to do another Love Quilt Square and would like to stitch a butterfly project for the Houston Holocaust Museum. In my perfect world, I'd love to do an RR, but my stitching time is inconsistent at present and that wouldn't be fair to anyone else. Maybe participating in an RR will be a goal in 2009, but how about I just focus on 2008 and not get ahead of myself?

So once again, from my current WIP and UFO lists, I hope to finish:

Chatelaines:
Japanese Garden
Water Garden
Tree of Hope
Amethyst Mystery
Christmas Tree Mandala

HAED:
QS Frog Prince
QS Buttercup Kitty Fae
2 pages of Bedtime Story
3 pages of HAED Challenge

Teresa Wentzler:
Diamonds in Squares
Tempest

Others:
Santorini
Japanese Angel
Antique Airplane
Stealing Oats

I'm hoping to start the following designs:

Chatelaine:
Midi Mystery 2
Midi Mystery 3
Polar Lights
Japanese Octagon Box
Leporello
St Petersburg White Nights
MXI
Autumn

HAED:
Bedtime Tales (Lisa Victoria)

Teresa Wentzler:
Millennium (Planets only)
Tapestry Dog (taking out the cat, inserting a black lab)
You Were Hatched

Others:
Graceful Lady
Long Dog Paradigm Lost
Ornaments for each monthly SAL
Sampler for a friend
Hope Perches

I know this post is a bit dull, but I'm going to put a list of musts too.

I must finish:
2 Chatelaine Mandalas
Amethyst Mystery
QS Frog Prince
Santorini
Japanese Angel
Antique Airplane
Stealing Oats
Love Quilt Square
Butterfly project

I must start:
Sampler for a friend
1 new Chatelaine
Graceful Lady
Millennium (Planets only)
Tapestry Dog

I will:
Stitch at least one ornament each month
Stitch at least one Pickmachinchose each month
Stitch 5 pendibules during the year
Do a 50 project Challenge when the 25 project Challenge is done
Assemble finished ornaments

I'd like to throw in a motif a week project, which would either be Paradigm Lost or Polar Lights. I may start Midi 4 in July, but we'll see if I can finish either 2 or 3 first.

2008 will definitely be a Stitch from My Stash year. But now, I'm wondering, do I dare indulge in a guilt free January?

Done and Dusted.

I am pleased to announce that Midi 1 is complete as of December 25, 2007. My beloved husband allowed me roughly 42 minutes of stitching time last night to finish the final jessica windows, bottom border beads and all the bi cones.

I wish I could say that I am thrilled at the moment but it feels a bit anticlimactic at the moment. Maybe because I've been struggling to finish her for the last three months. I just have an overwhelming sense of, "Finally!" and a deep sigh of relief that at least one of my big projects will not be carrying over into 2008.

No photos right now. I didn't take a picture at work today (it's usually too dark when I return home in the evening for a decent picture so I take photos on my lunch break. She is lovely and I am looking forward to showing her to you.

I'm working on a few ornaments at the moment (well obviously I'm typing now but your get the idea). They are for Angie's teachers--how tacky is it that I didn't finish them before the break (be honest, I'm actually soliciting your opinions). We did contribute to the group gift for the teachers so we didn't completely ignore them, but I just wanted to make them something as well to show how much I appreciate their work with my daughter. I'm also trying to stitch ornaments for Kian and Angie. Right now I feel that I'm in ornament purgatory and stitching is losing my love at present.

I would have liked to have completed my twenty five project challenge this year, but I suppose I will endure if I don't finish the last few projects until the new year. Poor Amethyst is languishing for the want of a few crystals. Perhaps she'll be the first finish of the new year. With Midi complete I am pondering a new start, or should I just focus on another WIP and knock it out as well?

It's the end of one year and the start of another so I'm contemplating goal setting very soon. 2007 was very successful as I can see many finishes in the sidebar--especially when compared to my paltry three finishes in 2006. The goal setting and this blog have been enormously helpful in motivating me. I'll try to maintain both in the coming year.

I'm wondering if I should add other tricks to my stitching repertoire to fool myself into finishing more projects:

Should I use some variation of Nicki's one motif per week?
Should I have a focus piece?
Should I try a regular SAL on one project (yes Nicki is a huge inspiration to me)?
Should my next challenge be larger or smaller?
Should make 2008 my Stitch from my stash year?
Do I craft a new rotation? (and can my serial starting ways allow me to stick to it?)

I have lots of ideas tumbling around in my brain, we'll see where I land in a few days. I might try to mix it up a little bit to maintain my excitement about stitching.

July's Random Stitchery

I finished another ornament for the Ornie SAL--the prettiest of my ornaments so far. Now I think I'm at 12 for the 25 Project challenge, unless I've forgotten something again.

I set some July goals at the Chatelaine BB after Kian's procedure, but forgot to post them here.

1. Finish Tina's book.
2. Stitch a bit on Midi 1
3. Stitch a bit on WG
4. Acquire supplies for Midi 3
5. Finish HAED QS Ballet Pigs
6. Maybe stitch a bit on JG
7. Stitch a bit on Stealing Oats.
8. Stitch a bit on a Love Quilt square.

The only goals not reached so far are finishing Tina's book (I need the supplies including fabric and ribbons) and stitching on JG and Stealing Oats. I still have a few days though so I might still manage a few stitches. I haven't gathered all the supplies yet for Midi 3, but I've pulled most of the fibers. I need a few more and a fabric decision before I can start it.

An item stitched, but not listed is Santorini--It's been nearly a year since I touched it. We saw my Dad on his birthday and I'm struck by how frail he's getting. My Mom too, so I think that means that both Santorini and the Japanese Lady will appear on my goals for August.

I made excellent progress on WG. I think that it and Midi will be dual (or should that be dueling?) Chatelaine focus projects until I've finished them. I recall that one stitcher actually started and finished WG while she was home on maternity leave with her newborn. That woman is my idol. I can't even begin to fathom how she accomplished that. The best I can do is an ornament or my Love Quilt square while Kian rests on me. When he's not in my arms, Angie is vying for my attention.

And I think I've solved my Amethyst Mystery dilemma. This was the first Chatelaine Mystery I joined, but I still need to finish beading and adding the crystal treasures. I don't like the treasures that came with the kit. Additionally, because I changed the gold Petite Treasure Braid to silver, one of the beads just doesn't suit my stitching. However, I've found what I think will be the perfect Swarovski crystals, and I've identified some Delicas which might work. Now I just need to purchase them. It won't be this month, but maybe next. It's nice to think I might actually finish this one soon though.

I apologize for the horrible scan. The greens are not grey, they are nice, fresh, minty greens. The blackish bits are actually pretty metallic purples. The large octagon is a beautifully-shaded, rich, purple silk, carefully stitched to suggest light sparkling on a gemstone. And there are lovely purple-aqua delicas and tanzanite bi-cones that the scan fails entirely to reveal. However, I wanted to show off this gorgeous piece. Trust me. If you could see the actual colors, you'd be swooning. Or something.

In anticipation of crossing the midway point, I allowed myself to purchase a few charts from some designers being retired at HAED. I don't consider this falling off the challenge (others may disagree) because I had intended to reward myself with some limited edition charts once I completed 13 projects. I just received the reward a little early. Now when I reach number 13, I'll just have a little happy dance and smile at my new charts.

It's a little frustrating because I keep thinking I'm closer to being finished with several of my WIPs. Then I actually look at them and realize I have a lot more work to do. I don't think I'll manage to finish 13 more projects by the end of August so I guess that unless I completely fall off the Challenge, I'll have to wait for Martina to release the Pompeii Garden as a full chart in a year or two. Sigh. Well, I wouldn't be starting it anytime soon anyway.

Truthfully, I'm not sure I'll finish 13 more projects by the end of the year. But when I finish #25, I will go on such a shopping spree!

I'm such a goof

I completly forgot that I finished another ornament last month during the SAL. I also failed to show you the ornies done in April and May. (Do you see a theme?) That makes my 25 project challenge total 11 instead of 10. So I need to finish two more designs and I can purchase a limited edition chart. I'm debating whether it will be Chatelaine's Castle Sampler, Chatelaine's Hertage Sampler or Nora Corbett's Thanksgiving Fairy (she seems unpopular on the boards, but being a November baby, I kind of like her).

In other stitching news, I stitched a tiny bit on Midi 1 Sunday night. I only have a bit more regular cross stitching to do (the lady and the greenery in her basket). Then I'll do the remaining special stitches and beading. In revising my goals, I hope to have it done by the end of September.

I'm hoping that I can finish three Chatelaines this year: Midi 1, Tree of Hope
and Water Garden. I would love to finish the Japanese Garden too, but I think that stitching the crane medallions entirely over one will slow me down quite a bit.

Finally, I signed up to stitch for Love Quilts (thus maintaining my serial starter status). My friend Cathy does lots of good work with her crocheting and I feel bad that my primary hobby, while lovely, creates nothing useful or practical (needlebooks are great, but few people really need them the way they require a decent blanket or baby hat). I'm very excited to make something to brighten a child's day. It's due in October so I'm reasonably certain that I can make that deadline.

May Stitching Goals

Just a quick re-cap on the April Goals:

1. Finish Midi 1. Nope
2. Finish the cross stitching in Parts 2 and 3 of MX. Nope
3. Finish another set of bridges in JG or a crane area. Nope
4. Finish another set of grey columns on WG. Nope
5. Make progress on the Tree of Hope. A little progress.
6. Stitch two ornaments for the Christmas Ornament SAL. Only managed one
7. Finish the page of my HAED SAL design. Nope
8. Finish ten to fifteen ten by ten squares on Santorini. Nope
9. Finish Stealing Oats. Nope
10. Make progress on the Chatelaine Christmas Mandala. Nope
11. Finish Ballet Pigs QS. Very, nearly, truly done

Technically, the ornament was finished today, but it was mostly stitched during the SAL. By golly, I'm going to count it anyway!

For obvious reasons (it is way too difficult to stitch while holding and feeding a newborn--and we won't even think about it whilst changing a diaper), my stitching goals are much shorter this month. Though, as is typical, they are probably all unrealistic as usual.

1. Finish Midi 1.
2. Stitch on at least one other Chatelaine.
3. Finish QS Ballet Pigs.
4. Finish two ornaments at the Ornie SAL.
5. Stitch HAED challenge SAL.
6. Finish Stealing Oats.
7. Finish the Baby Sling.

Busy, busy, busy...

First, here is the scan of Snow Crystal by Chatelaine Designs. I couldn't wait to take a proper picture of it. You'll need to tilt your head to the right at a 49 degree angle to see it as charted.

Very pretty isn't it? I'm so in love with this design. It is supposed to be a giftie, however, I am fighting the almost overwhelming desire to keep it for myself. I keep comforting myself with the notion that I've had lots of personalization ideas while stitching it and that I'll keep a later stitched version.

We'll see whether good Holley or bad Holley wins out in the end.

The details:

It is stitched on 28 count jazlyn Meditation by Picture this Plus. I think this is the best fabric for this design as charted. I used Hi Luster PTB in Silver (PH02) instead of regular silver because it is my favorite silver PTB--it has wonderful shine in real life. I also used Thread Gatherer Silk'n Colours # 081 in Forget Me Not for the Rhodes stitches. And I confess. I tried to use Mill Hill beads, really I did. I have oodles of them and I decided to use a lavender MH rather than the recommended mauve. I did one section of Mill Hills and hated the color and the way they laid next to each other. Then I tried Delica beads in #249 and fell in love, then promptly frogged the stitched Mill Hills. They look fantastic. I received the Delicas in one of my Bead Collector shipments from ECC so that has made that little club completely worthwhile to me. A note about the beading: I know that the PTP site lists DMC 211 as a close match to Meditation. I must say a hearty "no way" to that. DMC 211 is far to pinkish to match. I used DMC 3747 to attach the beads instead.

In other stitching news, I completed stitching two more ornaments during this month's Christmas Ornament SAL and you can see them here. I'm still a bit astounded that I, little old me, completed the star. I'm still not sure how I managed that blackwork and I am even more impressed with the people who stitch the Leon Conrad Designs. I started a third ornament but put it aside in order to pull out one of my UFO's.

I started TW's Stretch when it was released (err, yes it was six and a half years ago--my head is bowed). I'm still very fond of it and I am ashamed that it is still on my list to complete because I have a ridiculously small amount of work to do on it: add a claw and finish the backstitching. That's it. I found it while searching for some Caron Watercolours (which I didn't find) from the stash I have in the garage. I'm missing a few of the DMC needed to finish it but I'm sure if I look around what I have here at home, I'll be able to find them too. I'd hate to buy new DMC for this tiny bit of stitching.

I've also done a bit more on Midi 1, WG and tonight I may stitch a teensy bit on JG. I think I am back in love with WG at the moment--WG and I have a fickle relationship since I finished the blue silken pool in the center. However, since it is for my SIL and BIL (husband's sister), and they have been so good to us, and I have been working on it since the Fall of 2004, I would really, really, like to finish it this year. Maybe I can actually complete a few goals this month.

Why am I so motivated? I really want to be able to order Tuscany Mandala Garden when it is released.

In other non stitching news, we looked at some houses this weekend, exteriors only. Out of seven, we found two that we liked. I suppose we are too fussy. No we do not want to live a block away from the humongous chemical plant. We're funny that way. A nice one is a bit over priced at the moment, but the location is great and it has wood floors. We'll see how things go. We have much to do in the house hunting arena. I'm hoping we'll manage to move this year. Our current home is cozy and okay for the three of us. Once Kian needs to be in something other than the co-sleeper next to our bed, we will have out grown this place.

Angie is feeling better after having battled a gastro-intestinal virus last week. Her pediatrician said that it was running rampant through the area and that kids were definitely hit harder, but the adults would feel it too. Yup. Last week was a bit uncomfortable in the household. Angie has clearly lost some weight. Tonight, she devoured her dinner though. Thank Goodness.

I saw the Doctor today and everything still seems fine. The co-sleeper we ordered should be here either tomorrow or Wednesday (that has been a month long adventure as I have tried to order it from three or four different places only to discover they didn't actually have it). However, contrary to what my co-workers say, the Doctor says that my body isn't ready yet to have the baby.

My co-workers also tell me lovely things like how big my bottom is getting. I didn't really need to hear that. I wouldn't mind so much, except that the person who is saying to me seems to be trying to be mean, rather than just teasing (other people tell me that you can't tell I'm pregnant unless you actually see my giant belly). Then again, maybe there is really no good way to hear that your backside is spreading.

Kian has started exhibiting his personality. He does not like it when anything rests against my belly (unless it is Angie). He immediately kicks or push the weight away. I'm not sure what this means, except that maybe he isn't a snuggler. Also, he kicks me when I am hungry as if to say, "Hey lady, stop what you are doing and feed me!" He must be very concerned that we'll forget to feed him once he is out.

So that is life right now. Busy, busy, busy. I'm going to hop off the computer now so that Angie can play for a bit before bathtime.

Good night.

Yes, It's Monday.

I posted my finished ornaments at the SAL blog. I have two more started and have planned to start four or five more at the next SAL. I will not stitch on the ornaments until the next SAL rolls around so that I can focus on my other wips. There are a couple ornaments calling to me, beckoning me to stitch them now, but I can be strong. I'm curious to see how many ornaments I can complete if I stitck to just the SAL.

To Angi and anyone else who is curious. I will happily share my dress "conversion" for Midi 1:

Instead of the Rusty Amber, I used the Cerise Noir.
Instead of the Crimson Wood, I used the Rosewood.

I still haven't decided if I will change the Frosted Auburn to something else, but I'm thinking I will.

Tonight, if I can, I plan to stitch on the Snow Crystal. I'm still optimistic that I can complete it by Wednesday night, but considering I worked through lunch (although I did stop to eat), I'm not sure if that is realistic. The metallic bits can be very tricky and that is most of what I have left. Ah well, life will go on if I don't finish it until next month.

I haven't upgraded this blog to beta, but I've seen a few bloggers posting that they were finally forced to change. I wonder how that will go for me. I actually post this blog with a secret identity because at the time, blogger wouldn't let me use my regular identity. I've upgraded my regular identity for the Christmas SAL, but I haven't bothered with this one yet.

I'm grabbing the six weird things about me from Faye, since it seems to be the meme going around at the moment. For me the difficulty is limiting myself to only six. I'm sure Chas would have several examples of my weirdness, but here is what I could identify:

1. I love Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich with cheese and pickles even when I'm not pregnant. Add cheese and dill pickles to most sandwiches and I'm a happy camper.

2. I love stitching with perle cotton or silk.

3. I once traveled from Cleveland, Ohio to Austin Texas in a rented SUV with four other women to see Russell Crowe perform with his band TOFOG. We were completely exhausted, but we had a great time.

4. I don't like to be late, I must be early, for live performances of any kind because I consider being late for a concert or theater performance to be very rude. I'm completely comfortable with being on time or on the edge of late for most other things in life.

5. I don't believe in "soul mates." I do think that I am incredibly lucky to have my husband and I have serious doubts about the likelihood of finding someone else who would be as good to and for me and who I could love in return. However, I do not believe we were "destined" to be together. I just think that we made very good choices in deciding to build a life with one another.

6. Even a sip of wine can trigger an immediate asthma attack for me. Therefore, although I enjoy the taste of wine, I don't drink it. Champagne is fine. MMMMMMMMM. Better than fine actually. ;oD

Anyone not already tagged can be tagged by me if you so desire.

And in other weirdness, my latest inhaler came with the following warning printed in red upon the box: "IMPORTANT Inhalers like this one are being discontinued due to environmental impact." Seriously? We can't do anything about the pollution from the factories or cars or trucks, and we don't do much to make alternative fuels practical, but my itty-bitty inhaler is being changed to save the environment?

Ummm. Okay. Sure.

Full of Sugar and Stitchery

Today was the fun glucose test. It was much more complicated than when I did the three hour test with Angie. They drew blood five times between 8:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. By the fourth draw I was feeling a bit lightheaded, but I wasn't allowed to drink or eat anything until after the test was over. We were supposed to run errands afterwards, but neither Angie (who was sleepy and fully prepared to leave Mommy at the hospital rather than pick her up) and I were up for it so home we came.

Between blood collections, I stitched my first ornament and have maybe ten or fifteen minutes left before the stitching is completed. I'll post it on the SAL board when it is done. I've started two other ornaments and want to start another one so we'll see how many I can stitch this weekend. Finishing the designs into ornaments will wait until one of my Finish it or Figures Fridays rolls around. Even if I don't complete Snow Crystal, I'll at least have an ornament finished this month. Hubby isn't reading my blog as often as I thought (or feared) because he didn't realize that I had joined this SAL.

This week's SBQ is one I have been thinking about a lot lately:

What company produces your favorite hand-dyed fabric? Are there any
companies whose hand-dyed fabric you do not like? If so, why?

My favorite is Sugar Maple Fabrics because Mindy has such a nice variety of colors and she is so helpful when I'm trying to select a fabric for a specific project. It's hard for me to pick a favorite color.

Running a close second is Picture This Plus. Their fabrics are lovely but at the moment, they have a much smaller selection than SMF.

In third place is Silkweavers because they at least have Jobelan, my favorite fabric upon which to stitch (Lugana and Jazlyn are nice but they don't compare to Jobelan in my opinion).

Wichelt's hand dyed Jobelans are great. My Tree of Hope is on Blueberry and I have a few other pieces. The color range isn't very wide though. I wish they would put more colors out and I also wish they would put more colors on 32 count while I can still see to stitch upon them.

My least favorite is R & R Reproductions. I used their Heirloom Wisteria for my Grape Threadkeeper and just love it! The drawback is that they use linen which is my least favorite fabric (it feels so scratchy compared to Jobelan).

So I guess the short answer is that I have yet to meet a hand dyed fabric that I didn't like.

January Randomness

Tough day at work. I've had lots of cases during the last few days and that means lots of orders to write. They'll all be done by Friday but I will be working very hard to finish them.

And this was one of those days during which I made someone cry. Howl actually. The Mom in me finds it heart-rending, but I hope that we actually reached this young Mom. A lot of times I just hope and pray it works out for the kids.

The pregnancy seems to be okay. The kid jumps around quite a bit and occasionally pushes down, which can be disconcerting. It's almost as if the kid wants out now. I keep telling him/her that it is too early to come out. She/he stops punching down for a few days to humor me and then it happens again. Like Angie, the kid seems to have quite a personality already.

I'm also (TMI warning)having constant nose bleeds. It drives me crazy. It also makes me a little nervous while stitching (blood is so hard to remove in the first place and I don't pre-rinse my silks). I wonder how I would look if I wore a mask while stitching.... Um. Fairly Silly I would guess.

We are still struggling with the Name Game. We've had lots of great suggestions, but nothing has really grabbed us as the perfect name yet. We've tried a few names out for a week or so, then ended up rejecting them for various reasons. I'll try to update the website soon--there aren't nearly enough hours in the day.

I have been working on JG this week in the evenings. I've almost finished cross stitching the top bridge area. Only three sides left, most of the metallics and the four bonsai trees before I can switch to the special stitches and beading. Yay!!!!! I hesitate to say it, but I stand a small chance of finishing JG before the baby is born.

Friday is the first HAED Challenge SAL. I have gathered all the supplies to start stitching. I do need to put the chart parts in protective sleeves and grid the fabric. I will stitch on it while we travel to see Chas's parents and grandparents this weekend. If stitching over one becomes too difficult in the car, I'm also bringing Snow Crystal to stitch as well. I just have three sections of the silver and a bit more cross stitching to do, then I can bead. Maybe I can finish it before the baby arrives too.

I posted links to some Christmas Ornament Freebies at the SAL blog. I'm certain there are more on the net to be found.

That's my little update. We'll be packing tomorrow so I don't know if I will post anything again until Monday. If not, have a great weekend.