Sunday, March 15, 2015

Beware the Ides of March/Gifted Gorgeousness

Is it the 15th of March already?  Time is flying by!!  And where do I begin this month?

I'll start off with my items for the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL.  Well I actually finished two items gifted to me this month.  And....I started a third!  I'm pretty sure I won't be able to keep up this pace, I had lots of time to stitch because of my recovery...we'll see how well I do next month!  Anyway, without further ado...

My first finish was Mary, a Mill Hill kit my husband had given to me for Christmas.  I am stitching these on fabric instead of the included perforated paper which I have liked better.  I'm always afraid I'm going to crease the paper or something, and I think it looks much better when finished.  Here is Mary...



My second finish is March's Daffodils, the third in a series called My Garden Journal Series by Garden Samplings.  This is a chart that was loaned to me by my pal, Astrid.  These designs are fun to stitch and I've been stitching from stash as I go along.  This was stitched on 32 ct over one on a mint green fabric.



Last is a pattern I was given in a Secret Santa exchange.  I had 40 ct. fabric stashed away but had to buy the hand dyed threads.  I love this pattern, called Noble, Right, and Pure by Abby Rose Designs.  I am not finished, and am not sure when I will be, but when I need a break from one of my other larger designs I work on this.  It's a joy to stitch!!




It's been fun participating in this challenge.  It's given me a chance to look through patterns I have had for ages, ones I've been putting off stitching for far too long.

What else have I been stitching?  Well...

My Aurora Cabin is coming along nicely.  I am working on this as my "Get it Done SAL" piece, hoping to finish by the end of December.  I happened to think, while stitching on it this week, that I should mark goals so I know if I'm staying on track.  By the end of this month I should have a quarter of the pattern finished.  I think I'm at that mark already!  I hope I can keep up this pace, but I was spoiled by all the half stitches in the sky.  The confetti stitches in the tree were a challenge.  Wish me luck!




So....there you have it!  Thanks for stopping by!  I leave you with a little shot of my silly Thomas, sneaking a peek at our dinner...

 

Friday, March 6, 2015

Wild weather stitching...

Well....what a week we have had!!  First an ice storm...




Then a snow storm...





And in between we had 40+ degree weather!  The weather was good on the day I had my surgery, and good on the day I had my check up, thank heavens!  But in between it's been a bit bi-polar!!  My husband surprised me with a lovely bouquet of flowers to brighten up the dreary days, isn't he sweet?




Because I've been "shut up" in my house because of recovery and weather, I've been getting a LOT of stitching done!  I even took before and after pictures yesterday to show you how much I was able to get done yesterday during our snowstorm (the boys were home so there isn't as much progress as I had hoped).  They are still home right now, but will be going soon.  There was a delay while they clear the roads and parking lots where they work.

So far I've finished two Christmas themed projects this month.  Baby Jesus (a Mill Hill kit) 



and Mary (also a Mill Hill kit)  I finished both of these on fabric instead of the perforated paper they included in the kit because I hope to make stand ups with these!  



I finished the next Garden Journal Series piece for March, March's Daffodils.  It's hard to see in this picture, it's stitched on 32 ct over one, a nice mint green.  Sometimes the color is a wee bit off in pictures!  



I've worked on The Red Thread and finished two more of the twelve individual little squares.  They way I'm going I'll be done in a couple more months!  I'm more than half way!



Yesterday I pulled out Aurora Cabin.  I made a disheartening discovery when I realized I wasn't centered on the fabric.  I still have enough left on the right hand side to finish, but I may not be able to use the q snaps to finish.  Oh well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.  Here are before...



and after pictures.






I know it's hard to see here, but there are a few little portions here where I used some sparkly blending filament.  It sure makes it pretty...I wish the pictures showed it better.  Oh well, there's more to stitch so hopefully it will show up then!


So...I could use Mary as my gifted gorgeousness entry this month, or I could use March's Daffodils, but I have another one I'm itching to start...I'll have to decide soon.  I'll see you back here on the 15th!

And that's all the news for now.  I'm healing well so far, but found out I will still have six weeks of "care" before I'm through.  The Doc was pleased with my progress though, and that's all that matters!  Off to enjoy the peace and quiet as soon as my boys trudge off to work!  Have a great day!