Linen and Threads

Sad News....

2011-03-01T10:48:00.000-08:00

I was deeply sadden today when a stitching friend let me know of the passing of designer Lisa Roswell - http://morningjournal.com/articles/2011/03/01/news/doc4d6cf04830ff6655864007.txt. I always enjoyed receiving photo Christmas cards from Lisa, that showed a wonderful happy family.

My stitching friend and I were members of an on-line stitching group, going back to 2000, that Lisa was also a member of. We were a small group that all shared the love of stitching. We are a much smaller group today, and we keep in contact through Facebook now.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa in person, before she was a designer, at a market day event held at a cross stitch shop in Ohio. I'm so thankful that I was able to meet Lisa, and I'll treasure our get together even more after today.

I'm feeling the desire to pull out one of Lisa's designs and starting it today.

My thoughts and prayers are with Lisa's family.

A Crazy January Finish

2011-01-17T12:07:00.001-08:00

I knew the project that I started on Saturday would be a quick, easy finish. I did all of the stitching on Saturday, but didn't sew the buttons on until Sunday.

Here's Gobble + Wobble by Bent Creek:

I've been working on Lizzie Kate's Jolly Holiday today. I tried to post a picture of my progress, but blogger wasn't cooperating for that one.

Off to stitch more on my LK!

Day 15...

2011-01-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

The last day of starting new projects. Today's project, Bent Creek's Gobble + Wobble is a quick, easy project. I'm sure this will end up being my first finish of the challenge.

Off to stitch!!

Day 14...

2011-01-14T18:58:00.000-08:00

Today's project is another that I hadn't planned on stitching for the challenge. I came across it when I was getting yesterday's project out. This is It's Here We Go A Haunting by Shepherd's Bush. I bought it last fall during the annual Shop Hop in September. I loved the box, but thought it was a little pricey, but I couldn't pass it up with the discount that each shop gives during the event. The picture really doesn't do the box justice. The fabric is a fabulous "blotchy" (for lack of a better term) linen too.
If I had planned on stitching this when I was pulling out projects, I would have sorted the threads then. I'm not sure how much stitching I will get done, because figuring out the colors will probably take most of my stitching time today. I love the fall colors though!

I can't believe that tomorrow is the last day of new starts. I'm going to stick with one of the projects that I had planned on for tomorrow. I have a pretty free day tomorrow, so I should get quite a bit done on my Day 15 project.

Day 13...

2011-01-13T13:18:00.001-08:00

And, today's projects isn't one that I had planned on starting during the challenge. It's a freebie pattern, that goes with the book The Mitten by Jan Brett. Pam, had sent this to me for Christmas a couple years ago. My daughter loves the book, but I never got around to stitching the chart. The photo doesn't show the fabulous sparkle on the linen.

I help in my daughter's Kindergarten class on Wednesdays. Yesterday, while I was there, the teacher read The Mitten to the class for the third day in a row. The class is learning how to "retell a story, without having to read the book to someone", and they're learning the difference between a fiction and a non-fiction book. Kindergarten is so different than when I was in Kindergarten. I know that I didn't learn the difference between fiction and non-fiction when I was five-years-old. Jan Brett happens to be the favorite author of daughter's teacher. The month of February, the class is having an author study on Jan Brett. Again, I know that I didn't have an author study in Kindergarten. I'd like to have the project finished, so my daughter can share it with the class when they read The Mitten again next month.

I did find my skein of Weeks Dye Works Monkey Grass yesterday. I'd given up hope, and had planned on picking another up at my LNS later this week, if I could find the time to run into that side of town, so I was glad to find it.

It's hard for me to believe that it's already day 13 out of 15. I'm looking forward to next week, when I might actually have a couple of finishes to show!

Day 12...

2011-01-12T04:40:00.000-08:00

I wish that I had today as a "me" day. I know if I did, then this would be a start and a finish today. With everything that I have going on, it's not going to get much stitching time on it. Another Lizzie Kate project, C is For Cure. I saw this finished at my LNS, and had to kit it up including the Stitch-A-Gift banner. The threads, beautiful springy colors, match the banner perfectly.

Off to start my day!

Day 11....

2011-01-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today's project is another winter project but it's stitched with such bright colors, it almost feels like spring. This is also the project that I've wanted to stitch for a while, but for some reason, am always short one thread. And, it's always the same thread each time. Has anyone seen a skein of Weeks Dye Works Monkey Grass laying around? I know that I've specifically bought a skein of it on my last two trips to my LNS, but somehow, they're disappearing. I'm not sure how far I'll get on this today, if I'm not able to find a skein in my stitching bag or basket.

I didn't realize how many Lizzie Kate projects are in my 15 until today. Definitely one of my favorite designers.

Day 10...and some progress pics...

2011-01-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

Today's project is Lizzie Kate's It's a Jingle Out There! Way too cute! I can't wait to have this one finished, because the colors are just popping off the fabric. And, it's another one that I can finish-finish when the stitching is done since I'd bought the Stitch-A-Gift banner for it when I bought the chart. I didn't realize how many of the banners that I'd bought until I started picking projects out for this challenge.

I took a couple pictures of the projects that I started at the end of last week - which are some of my favorites. First, is Lizzie Kate's Jolly Holiday.

Not the best photo. The white lines going through the design don't show up the best.

My next project is Country Cottage Needleworks' Joyful Summer. I really should have stitched this one sooner. I can't wait to get back to this one. I'd like to get all of the leaves and stems stitched before my monthly craft club meets next week, since it would be easy to fill in the leaves while talking. More talking goes on each month than stitching, but it's a great "girls night out".

Be back tomorrow with another start!

Day 9...

2011-01-09T07:26:00.001-08:00

More than half way there. While this challenge has been fun, it's starting to get to me having so many projects started. There have been a few that I just wanted to continue working on, but needed to start something new. I'm planning on posting a couple progress pictures tomorrow, on some of my favorites from last week.

Continuing with my spring thing, here's today's project - Lizzie Kate's Chicks Rule.

The fabric color is really washed out, but the yellow is so pale there really isn't much color to it to begin with.

I think the project for tomorrow will be back to winter and/or Christmas. Only a handful more new starts, and then I can get back to finishing something.

Happy Stitching everyone!!

Day 8...

2011-01-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

My project for today is another spring design, Just Nan's Dewdrop. Another day to stitch spring colors!

We have Saturday things planned for today - a family baby shower luncheon and a shopping trip afterward. Not sure how much time I'll have to stitch, but I think this one will move right along.

Day 7...

2011-01-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Today is a "me" day! My darling daughter is off to school and my husband is at a farm outing with friends. I ran all the errands that I had planned to do today, yesterday afternoon. So, I have the day to stitch. My project for today is Country Cottage Needleworks Joyful Summer. With all the snow on the ground, it's time to stitch some pretty, spring colors.

Day 6....

2011-01-06T14:05:00.001-08:00

Today's project is a fun one - Lizzie Kate's Jolly Holiday. I love the colors. The colors aren't traditional Christmas, but so fun to stitch. I'm also loving that as soon as this one is stitched, it will be finished-finished because I bought the Stitch-A-Gift banner that it's shown in.

Here's the photo that wouldn't upload yesterday. Bent Creek's Giving Thanks Zipper before I started it.

This afternoon included a trip to my LNS. I needed a thread for today's project and the threads for a couple later projects.

We're getting snow today and it's suppose to continue to snow through the weekend. Perfect weather to stay inside with a cup of tea and stitch.

Day 5...

2011-01-05T17:08:00.001-08:00

Sorry, this is going to be a picture-less post. Blogger isn't cooperating, and I've had a headache all day, and my computer isn't helping the situation. I started an older Bent Creek Zipper - Giving Thanks today. I love the autumn colors, and I've "planned" on stitching this one for years. I'm thinking that this will make a cute Thanksgiving decoration this year. It won't take too long to stitch, so there's plenty of time for it to be actually finished-finished by then.

I'll be back tomorrow with photos for day 5 and 6.

Happy Stitching!!

Day 4....

2011-01-04T12:03:00.001-08:00

Before I share a photo of my day 4 project, here is a picture of yesterday's project. I really wanted to keep working on this one. It's still calling my name from my stitching basket.

My project for today is one that I've had for way too long. It was a special release (at least at that time) from Bent Creek. I don't know if it's still available or if it's been re-released. Here's Bent Creek's Noel.

It's the perfect day to work on Noel. We're getting snow today. The snow that we had all melted over the weekend, so it's looking more like winter than spring again.

Happy Stitching!

Day 3...

2011-01-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

The project for today is a Christmas gift that I received from a dear friend. Heart In Hand's Wonderful Time of the Year. I love the pinks and greens in the design and the buttons are just too cute. It will look fabulous with my Christmas display.

Blogger isn't uploading pictures the greatest, once again, so I'll try later to post progress pictures of the first two days projects.

Today is a "me" day, so time to stitch before the school bus reappears at my house this afternoon.

Crazy January 2011 Challenge...Day 2...

2011-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

My start for today is the first of 12 ornaments that I plan on stitching during this challenge. A few years ago, I stitched at least 12 ornaments during the year, but somehow I fell off that wagon. I'm planning on having 12 new ornaments hanging on my Christmas year in 2011. My first ornament was an easy choice - Lizzie Kate's Last Minute December Kit. I had to resist stitching it last month, it's so cute!

Not much time for posting today. It's my birthday!!

Crazy January 2011 Challenge...Day 1...

2011-01-01T15:39:00.000-08:00

Here is my pile of projects for the challenge. The stack on the right hand side are just some of the supplies for #2 of my challenge - 12 Christmas ornaments. I went through my stash and chose mainly kits, so I wouldn't need to buy a lot for the projects. I had the fabric for all of the charts that didn't have it included, and I just needed to buy a few threads for those projects. Two of the projects I'd already bought the hanging banners for, but never got around to stitch.
My project for today is one that I've had for a number of years - And To All A Good Night by Blackbird Designs. A good friend sent it to me, and even though I've loved it since the first time I saw it on-line, I never started it. This challenge will rectify that! I already can't wait to have this finished and hanging in my home. (I tried uploading a photo of it, but blogger keeps rotating it, and it's driving me crazy! Maybe blogger will play nicer tomorrow.)

Check back tomorrow to see what project Day 2 will be...

January 2011 Challenge....

2010-11-29T18:46:00.000-08:00

It's official. I'm one of the crazy stitchers that have signed up for the challenge. 15 new projects to stitch..what could be better....or crazier?!?! I've been making a list of which 15 projects will make the cut. I've decided on the one big project that I will start on January 1st. It's one that I've had for years, and have loved since the first (and only) time that I saw it stitched up. There are only about 257 projects vying for the other 14 project spots.

I'll be back with pictures of my two latest finishes tomorrow.

Happy Stitching!!!

October Check-In

2010-10-30T07:40:00.001-07:00

Since the month is almost over, I figured it was a good time to post an update to the list of books on my challenge list. I've been doing much more cross stitching this month than reading, so my list of finished books is rather small.

Books read:

A Toast to Murder by Michele Scott
The Quick and the Thread by Amanda Lee
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

I've been reading Dirty Rotten Tendrils by Kate Collins while my daughter is in dance class, so even though I love the book it's taking longer than normal to finish. I think I'm going to make a push to finish it in the next couple of days, just so I can cross it off my list.

Fall Into Reading 2010

2010-09-22T04:39:00.000-07:00

Crisp air, apple cider, hayrides, pumpkins, scarecrows, and reading. All things that mean fall to me! I've joined Fall Into Reading 2010 hosted by Callapidder Days. I'm so excited! I'm always up to a challenge, and one that involves books is even better. I love the adult summer reading program my library offers each year, and this seems like the perfect way to spend the fall. My fall challenge lists consists of the books that I didn't get to this summer and books that have just been published or will be soon.

My list of books for the challenge:

Cozy Mysteries:

A Toast to Murder - Michele Scott
Stirring Up Strife - Jennifer Stanley
Maid of Murder - Amanda Flower
The Quick and the Thread - Amanda Lee
Candy Apple Dead - Sammi Carter
Tressed to Kill - Lila Dare
A Killer Plot - Ellery Adams
Dead Air - Mary Kennedy
I Scream, You Scream - Wendy Lyn Watson
Murder with All the Trimmings - Elaine Viets
The Fashion Hounds Murder - Elaine Viets
The Diva Cooks a Goose - Krista Davis (pre-ordered)
Dirty Rotten Tendrils - Kate Collins (pre-ordered)

Other:

Here Today, Gone to Maui - Carol Snow
Wicked Appetite - Janet Evanovich
The Quilter's Legacy - Jennifer Chiaverini
Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks
Naked Heat - Richard Castle (pre-ordered, comes out next week)
Every Last One - Anna Quindlen

My Kindle is ready to go!!

The only other challenge that I'm going to make is to not purchase any more books until I've read five off this list. My book buying has been quite rampant the last few months, and I really need to cross a few off my TBR pile before I add more to it. That will probably be the hardest part of the challenge for me.

The End Of Summer....

2010-09-05T10:56:00.001-07:00

Labor Day weekend...the end of summer. Major changes will be happening at our house this week. My darling daughter will be starting school on Tuesday. I'm use to having a little shadow all day long. I'm sure it will take longer for me to adjust to school than it does for her.

I'm choosing to look on the bright side. My day will start earlier and since it will be just me around the house, I'll have much more time to stitch and read. I'm really hoping to get my stitching mojo back - big time. I use to stitch 10-12 projects every month, and that hasn't happened since my daughter was born.

I'm going to be taking a look at the projects that I have listed on my sidebar. I'm thinking that there will be some changes. Even though I haven't been stitching a lot the last few years, I've still been making purchases as though I was. My stitching room is overflowing with projects just waiting to be next in line.

My first project(s) will be a few Christmas ornaments. I picked up the latest JCS ornament issue on Friday. Not much jumped out at me, but there are a few that have been added to my stitching list.

Here's to a busy, fun filled fall season!!!

March Finish/April Goals/Major Catching Up

2010-04-02T06:16:00.001-07:00

March Finish:

Life's A Picnic - Lizzie Kate

Goals for April:

Finish Green Eggs - Lizzie Kate
Continue working on The Library - LHN
Stitch a Christmas ornament
Read 4 books

I joined a reading challenge of reading at least 6 cozy mysteries between April 1 and September 30. I shouldn't have any problem at all with finishing the challenge. I'm already thinking of the list of books that I want to read during the summer already. I'm hoping that our district library offers the adult summer reading program again. I was thrilled with the number of books that I read last summer, and I'm hoping for another summer just like that.

February Progress

2010-02-09T12:43:00.000-08:00

I'm continuing my new year start of Little House Needleworks' The Library. This is one of my favorite pieces to work on. I just wish that I was able to work on it for longer periods of time. 2010 is also the year that I get back to finishing 12 ornaments in time to hang on the Christmas tree. So far, so good!

Next post, I'm planning on it being much sooner than the last, and with an update of The Library.

Stitching & Shopping

2009-11-06T19:12:00.000-08:00

I spent the afternoon shopping. I picked up a birthday gift and new clothes for DD. Can't resist the Gymboree store, even when I try. Too many cute things!

This evening, I spent some time stitching. I'm 1/3 done with the ornament that I started. Should be an easy finish for tomorrow. It's a kit that I bought last week. I ordered fabric to stitch the rest of the series, but it hasn't arrived yet. I'm hoping that it's in the mail tomorrow. I think they're going to stitch up fast, so it would be nice to get a couple more stitched this month. I'm sure there won't be time for a finisher to get them in, so they can hang on the tree this year but there's always next year.

Looking forward to some major stitching time tomorrow!!!

Thursday...

2009-11-05T18:14:00.000-08:00

We spent the majority of today in Ohio at a funeral. Not the best way to spend the day. DH and I had a nice drive there and back though. I took my stitching with me, but stitching at six o'clock in the morning didn't have much appeal to me.

Maybe some stitching will happen tomorrow. A girl can always hope!

Another post...

2009-11-04T18:24:00.000-08:00

with not much to say. The UPS man made a nice delivery this afternoon. The newest book in the Friday Night Knitting Club arrived, and book number 5 in the Josie Marcus mystery shopper series arrived. We're starting to get colder weather, perfect for curling up with a book and a mug of tea.

Until tomorrow...

A Trip to the LNS....

2009-11-03T17:30:00.000-08:00

How could a day not be good, when it includes a shopping trip to my LNS. I'll post a picture of my goodies tomorrow. I bought a little of everything except fabric. I went through the 2009 JCS ornament issue and picked out two ornaments to stitch. I bought the floss to stitch them, but I know that I already have fabric in my stash that they use. Now to just spend some time stitching, instead of just talking about it.

Until tomorrow....

The start of a new week....

2009-11-02T18:51:00.000-08:00

Today didn't work out as I thought, so I didn't get any stitching in or a photo taken of Fright Night either. Tomorrow, is one of my free days this week, so I'm really hoping to get some stitching done.

The weather here has been unbelievable. All we've gotten for weeks is rain and more rain. Perfect weather for staying inside with a book or stitching.

More tomorrow....

November Goals

2009-11-01T13:34:00.000-08:00

Here's my first post for the month...let's just see if I can keep this up for the entire month.

My October Finishes:

Fright Night - Pine Mountain Designs

Books Read:

Sew Deadly - Elizabeth Lynn Casey

Goals for November:

Stitch one Christmas ornament
Finish one UFO

I have three or four projects that I really want to start, and had planned on starting this past week. But, I'm making myself finish at least one UFO before starting anything new. The only exception is my goal of stitching a Christmas ornament this month. I ordered (it arrived in the mail yesterday)JBW Designs' Christmas Tree Kit. I'm planning on stitching the entire series, but for this month, I'm going to have the goal of stitching the kit that they released at market this past fall. I also received the charts for the entire series, and have the fabric on order. I'm planning on making a trip to my LNS to pick up the fibers that I need for them at some point this week.

This is my first week of having actual free time while my DD is at preschool. The past month and a half, I've had physical and/or occupational therapy during the time she's at school. I'm looking forward to having a couple hours of having a quiet house to myself. Hopefully, it will prove to be great stitching time for me!

Tomorrow, I'm planning on posting a picture of my one lone finish for last month. I figured it would be better to wait, since I'll probably need something to talk about.

Until tomorrow...

Long time no post....

2009-10-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems that I took the summer and most of the fall off from blogging. My blog is about stitching, and I did very little stitching all summer long. It was definitely the summer of the book. It's been years since I've read so many books, but it felt wonderful. I think I got more into reading because I received a Kindle for a Mother's Day gift from my wonderful DH and DD.

Anyway, now that fall is here, I'm back to stitching. I have a few things on the go. I started Ida Mae Crow, and love every stitch of it. And, since I can't stitch on just one project at a time, I'm going to start a new one. I'd planned on starting the first in the Little House Needleworks' Once Upon A Time series, Dream, but my fabric isn't big enough to stitch the three designs separately like I plan on doing. I ordered new fabric, along with a few other things last night. In the mean time, I think I'll start LHN's Pumpkins that a dear friend sent to me all kitted up. The colors are such yummy fall colors.

I'm thinking of joining NaBloPoMo for the month of November. Since I'm stitching again, I think I might even have something to talk about.

Stay tuned for the month of November...I think it's going to be a great stitching month!!!

The Summer of the Book

2009-07-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

This summer is shaping up to be a reading summer instead of a stitching summer. I haven't picked up a needle much at all the last couple of months. But, I've read a ton of books. My district library is sponsoring an Adult Summer Reading Program, and I joined on the opening day, June 1st. I read 11 books in June and I'm up to 9 for July, at this point. Needless to say, I won the June drawing for my library branch. I'm really hoping that other adults joined this summer, but in our little town, that might be wishful thinking.

Here's the list of books that I read in June:

Murder She Wrote: Gin and Daggers - Jessica Fletcher/Donald Bain
A Rose from the Dead - Kate Collins
Shoots to Kill - Kate Collins
Evil in Carnations - Kate Collins
Foul Play - Janet Evanovich
The Cracked Pot - Melissa Glazer
Eggs in Purgatory - Laura Childs
Thanksgiving - Janet Evanovich
Sisters - Danielle Steel
Death in Daytime - Eileen Davidson
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen - Janet Evanovich
Dial Emmy for Murder - Eileen Davidson

I loved the books in the Flower Shop series (Kate Collins), I'm not sure why I got behind in reading them. I really enjoyed the Soap Opera series (Eileen Davidson), and I'm already looking forward to the next release. I was a little disappointed in the Melissa Glazer book (2nd in the series) and the Murder, She Wrote book. The MSW book is the first in the series, so I'm planning on giving another book in the series a chance, but it will be a later one this time around. I've read all of the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, so I've been reading some of her earlier books. They're fast reads, with a lot more romance than mystery to them, but I've liked all of them.

Hopefully, I'll be back with a stitching finish or two before the summer is over.

April Finishes...May Goals...

2009-05-01T06:18:00.001-07:00

April was much more of a reading month than a stitching month. I'm starting to see a pattern for 2009.

My stitching finishes:

Little Women Series: Gardening - Little House Needleworks

Books read:

Murder of a Pink Elephant - Denise Swanson
Murder of a Smart Cookie - Denise Swanson
Murder of a Real Bad Boy - Denise Swanson
Murder of a Botoxed Blonde - Denise Swanson
Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry - Denise Swanson

Goals for May:

Stitch 1 project from the list on the right
Start CCN's Bayside Bungalows
Read 2 book

My goals for May are pretty small, but this time of year it seems like we have more going on that really cuts into my stitching time.

March Finishes and April Goals

2009-04-01T08:31:00.001-07:00

March wasn't the stellar month that I had hoped for in the stitching arena, but I did manage to finish a few things.

My Stitching Finishes:

A Very Merry Spring - JBW Designs
Photobooth Snowmen - Bent Creek
Summer Fling - Heart In Hand

Books Read:

Murder of a Barbie and Ken - Denise Swanson
Starvation Lake - Bryan Gruley

I didn't accomplish many of my goals from last month, but I did a few. I did stitch something off my project list on the left hand side - Summer Fling and I finished the Bent Creek piece that I started in February. I also read 2 books during the month.

My April Goals:

Read 2 books
Stitch 1 project from the list on the left hand side of my blog
Stitch 2 other projects that are calling my name from my stash room

I currently don't have a current stitching project, so I need to figure out what I'm going to start next. Maybe I'll take a look at my project list, and pick one from those.

The end of the month is fast approaching....

2009-03-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure where the month of March went. It feels like it just started a few days ago, but in truth it's ending in just a couple short days. I don't feel like I've gotten much accomplished. I spent close to two weeks following doctor's orders of doing "nothing", so I'm sure that is the cause.

I do have a couple of finishes for this month that I'll post tomorrow. Lately, we've been losing power on a regular basis (thunderstorms), so I've put off doing too much with uploading pictures.

I'll be back at some point tomorrow...with pictures!!

February Finishes & March Goals

2009-03-03T18:38:00.000-08:00

My February finishes:

Little Women Series: Baking - Little House Needleworks
Seasonal Sampler Zipper - Bent Creek
A Chicky Easter - Lizzie Kate

WIP:

Photobooth Snowmen - Bent Creek

Books Read:

Murder of a Snake in the Grass - Denise Swanson

Goals for March:

Finish Photobooth Snowmen
Stitch two Christmas ornaments
Stitch one project from my list on the sidebar
Read two books

Looking over my goals for February, I did 3 of the 4. I stitched LHN's Baking, and stitched an older Bent Creek Zipper from my stash. I have all of the Zippers, from years ago, but haven't stitched very many of them. And, I did read the fourth book in the Scumble River series.

I haven't bought much of the new market releases, at least compared to previous years. But, of what I bought, I was able to stitch one of the kits, the Lizzie Kate project, the week after it arrived and have started Photobooth Snowmen. Usually, at least it seems like it, I buy a ton of new market releases and then only stitch a few of them - months later.

January Finishes...February Goals...

2009-02-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

My stitching finishes for January:

Be Jolly/Be Blox - Lizzie Kate
Thanksgiving Sampler - Heart In Hand

Books read during January:

Thai Die - Monica Ferris
Plum Spooky - Janet Evanovich
Murder of a Small-Town Honey - Denise Swanson
Murder of a Sweet Old Lady - Denise Swanson
Murder of a Sleeping Beauty - Denise Swanson

My goals for February:

Stitch Little Women Series: Baking - Little House Needleworks
Stitch Be Merry/Be Blox - Lizzie Kate
Anything from my stitching stash
Continue reading the Scumble River mystery series by Denise Swanson

As my lists show, January was much more a reading month than it was stitching month. We've been getting such cold, snowy days that it makes me want to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and a good cozy mystery.

Pictures of my finishes will be posted later this week, when I have a little more time than I do today.

Winter Wonderland...

2009-01-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

That's what it has felt like for the past week. We're experiencing single digit temperatures and below zero wind chills this week. The perfect weather to curl up on the couch with a cup of hot tea and a book. I've been reading more this week than stitching. I finished Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich this evening. It was, in my opinion, the best of the between the number books. Now, to just wait for number fifteen to be released this summer.

I'm working on an older Heart In Hand kit. I don't have that much left to stitch, but I'm not sure if I'll work on it tomorrow or start a new book. Decisions, decisions...

New Year...New Goals

2009-01-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful holiday season. As much as I love the Christmas decorations, it's always nice to have a clean house at the beginning of the year.

With the new year, comes new goals. My goals are pretty simple this year. I want to stitch more from my stash, and try to keep the new purchases to a minimum. I'm sure this will only last until market in February, but at least I have a couple gift certificates to my LNS to use when the new things arrive.

As far as stitching project totals go, my goal is 30 projects this year including 12 Christmas ornaments. I also have some reading goals this year too. I have a huge pile of books just waiting to be read. My goal is to read 24 books during 2009. That's only 2 books a month, which should be doable. As far as knitting goals go, I'm going to keep it small this year. I'd love to have 3 new pair of socks to wear by the time fall rolls around. As much as I enjoy knitting socks, I really love to cross stitch. My craft room is packed with stitching projects, many of which are already kitted up and ready to go. 2009 is the year to start making a dent in them.

I also plan on getting back to posting on the Let's Stitch Blog on Friday nights. Even if I only have a few hours to stitching, instead of the six that it runs for, it will help with my yearly goals.

Until next time...hopefully with the first 2009 finish to show!

Friday Night WIP

2008-11-14T15:14:00.000-08:00

I'm working on Little House Needleworks' The Sampler Lady. I love working on this one! Here's a progress photo.

I'd love to finish this one over the weekend, but I'm not sure if I'll have as much stitching time as I'd like.

November Goals

2008-11-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

Somehow, I missed the beginning of November. The first week has just flown by.

My goals for November:

Finish The Sampler Lady (Little House Needleworks)
3 Christmas ornaments
Anything else that screams my name from my stitching room

I've been working on re-organizing my stitching room, but I'm not getting very far. I keep finding projects that I want to stitch "next", so it slows the organizing process.

Big Stitching Week

2008-10-15T15:12:00.000-07:00

I've had my best stitching week since June. In less than a week, I finished 3 projects. Yeah, me! I finished Heart In Hand's Thanksgiving, Lizzie Kate's Fall Squared and Little House Needleworks' Strawberry House. I still need to take pictures of them, but that's on the agenda for later this week.

Yesterday, I started Little House Needleworks' The Sampler Lady. I only had a couple of hours of stitching time last night, but was pleased with what I accomplished. I stitched the alphabet, the flowers and leaves that are on her skirt. I started filling in the skirt this morning. I love how this piece is turning out. I'm picturing this finished as a flat-fold, so it can sit on a shelf in my stitching room.

I don't have much on my schedule for the rest of the week, so I'm hoping for a lot of progress on it. It's suppose to cool off and be rainy, so it's perfect stitching weather!!!

October Goals

2008-10-05T16:35:00.000-07:00

My goals for October:

Finish Heart In Hand's Thanksgiving
Finish Little House Needleworks' Strawberry House
Continue working on LHN SAL - Little House Neighborhood
Stitch 2 Christmas ornaments

The month of September totally got away from me, and I didn't finish a single project. I have so many things that I want to stitch "next", that I really need to make some goals and stick with them.

So, hopefully, I'll have a finish to post in a few days. I don't have much left on Thanksgiving or Strawberry House, and I'd love to finish at least one of them by next weekend.