Last day of 2007

I can't believe that today is the last day of 2007. When looking back it has been a great year for all of us. Mark and I celebrated our first year of marriage and have had some very good times this year. We were able to take several small trips and see different things.

I had a very good stitching year. I need to go count how many finishes I had this year...maybe I will do that tomorrow. Plus I just finished page 6 of my Tiger...only 10 more pages to go!!!! Picture on the Right!!

For 2008, I have set the following stitching goals:
I want to finish: Eye of Tiger, Cherokee Child, Augusta 13th hole, Inspirations. Plus I would like to stitch at least 12 of my disney ornamnets and finish my 2006 Kats by Kelly that was started in a Round Robin in one of my groups. I hope to stitch other small projects as the year goes on too. Maybe I will finish one of my 10 UFOS!! My percentages is for the Huge projects not the smaller ones...since those are so quick to do...I really don't put those on my list.

Stitches left to stitch: 205, 386
Percentage complete: 18.9%

overdue update

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone already. It was very busy time for Mark and I. We had to drive to OK. to visit my grandparents and dad. We spent Christmas eve there where we recieved this wonderful Breadmaker from my uncle for christmas.

Christmas morning we exchanged gifts and my husband spoiled me. He ordered me a stitching light that sits on my lap because I am always complaining I cant see the holes! LOL! He aslo got me a massage, stitching calendar from myLNS which has coupons for each month.

That night we went to my moms and I got the coolest gift. Igot a HUGE tiger!!! Our school's mascot is the tigers...so I got one!! I was so excited.

I had to spend the day after christmas talking care of my grandmother who had her pacemaker replaced. It gave me lots of time to stitch. If you take a look on the right you will see the very first page of Cherokee Child finished!!! YES!!!

I am currently stitching on 4 BAP....and I have a lot to go on them. I have set a goal to do one Disney ornamnt a month. Plus a few small projects. I will pick up one of my UFO projects when I finish one of my BAP's...so hopefully by summer I will have finished one or two of them. That is my goal for now.

Stitches left to stitch: 207,598

Percentage complete: 18.1%

2008 ILCS Retreat Nametag

Here it is!! Patty did a wonderful job on the design. It represents the state of Arkansas wonderfully!!! Here we go:

Fabric: 18 count Red Aida using White thread or 18 count White aida using Red Thread
Arkansas colors are red and white.


Embellishments: 4 Crystals placed in each corner. The state Gem of Arkansas is Diamonds so this is represented by the crystals.

1 Arkansas Razorback charm to be placed somewhere near the stitchers name.

Once you pay your deposit and Debra lets me know....I will send you 4 crystals and a razorback head for you to stitch up your nametag!!!

LHN finish

Today I finished my friends christmas present. She asked me to make her a wedding sampler. We looked and looked at samplers and she couldn't find one that she just "loved" until we looked at the Dear Diary Series from LHN. She loved the design of the Lucy Fairchild design. So I made a few changes and this is the final result.

Stitches left to stitch: 222,054
Percentage complete: 30.5%

Diabetes Tree

On Saturday before our 1/2 an inch of snow I stopped by my LNS- The Busy Needle to check out the Diabetes Tree. Each year, Sara has a fundraiser for Diabetes. IF you make a cash donation then you get to pick an ornament off the tree and your get a set of ornament patterns from designers. This year, X's and Oh's offered a contest to help raise money for this good cause. I took some pictures of it for everyone to see. I even found Karin from NV ornament. The pink checkered ornament came in first place.

On my stitching note, I had a small finish from Heinzeit. I finished Dogs. It was stitched on 18 count chocolate aida with spearment Six Sweet Strands. I plan to put it in my guest bathroom.

I also started on my LHN design for my friends weeding sampler. I also worked a bit on my Augusta piece. I updated a picture on the right. I actually have 3.7% but my percent bars are only 5% at a time. I would love to say that I am half finished with the first page...but nope not yet...I hope that on the next rotation I can finish at least 1/2 the page.

Stitches left to complete:228,821

Percentage completed:28.4%

Tiger Update

If you look to the right you will see my tiger update. He is actually starting to look kinda scary. It is tough working on an eyeball...but I am starting to see the tiger reflections starting to take place.

Last night I was so tired I went to bed at 9:30....that is way early for me....but it was a good thing. I got up this morning at 5:30 and made artichoke and spinach dip for the christmas party I have to attend tonight. I was gathering my things to make cheese dip when I realized I was out of rotel tomatoes....so I have to stop by walmart to get them. I also wrapped a christmas present. Right now I am waiting on my space heater to heat up my bathroom. It is currently 58 degrees in there and too cold for me. So I get up let the heater warm it up and then get ready for work!!!

stitches left :222,554
percentage complete: 28.8%

Coaster Exchange

I went to buy a coaster for my coaster exchange I was in earlier this month and couldn't find one. I was so worried because I had to mail it to my friend Viv in the UK....so I emailed her and asked if I could make her something else for the coaster exchange. She was so gracious to let me stitch something else...this is what I made her!!! She was so happy since she was going to have to go get a snowglobe for herself.





What do you think???

Fun Weekend!!

Mark and I had a wonderful weekend!!!! We went to Branson, MO with some friends for the weekend. On Friday, we went to Silver Dollar City to see the fesitval of lights. It was so pretty!! The park wasn't full at all and we just walked around and looked at the hundreds of lights. We had dinner in the old mine on metal plates and metal cups like you would eat off on the wild west trail.

Saturday, we did some Christmas shopping at the outlet malls. I got several great deals. My friend bought me 2 new charts for christmas. I got 2 Dutch Treat Designs ...they are table toppers. ONce is Santa's midnight Ride and the other is Ice and Bo tabletopper (polar bears). They are very cute!!! The fog was so thick that we could have cut it with a knife. You couldn't see 2 feet in front of you...it was terrible. That night we just stayed in and watched Christmas shows and played board games.

We got up Sunday morning with the weather threatening freezing rain so we packed everything up and headed home!!!! That was a trip to remember....I stitched the whole way home and poor Mark had to drive in the rain. It poured the whole way home. We had to make one stop to pick up the boys at the puppy kennel. They were so happy to see us.

When we got home, there was a wonderful package from my SS,...who by the way is Pam k, She sent me:

1. several Christmas freebies
2) dmc floss
3) pluto kit
4) snow white kit
5) foam princess door hanger kit
6) small stitchers kit

On the stitching note...I finished page 4 of Inspirations. I updated the picture on the right side of my blog...

Stitches left to stitch: 224,508

Percentage complete: 28.2%

Bird in my House

A bird flew into my house last night and it was the funniest thing that I have ever seen!!! We didn't realize he was there for a bit but the animals sure did!! Jag was meowing and jumping at the ceiling fan...Tusk and Brigen were running around barking. Finally, Mark looked up and saw him. We tried and tried to catch him..he flew onto the fireplace mantle, bookshelf, both Christmas trees..we were laughing so hard because the dogs and cat just kept chasing it!!!!!
Finally, Mark put the boys outside and the next thing we knew Jag had him in his mouth! He dropped the bird and it looked dead....as I approached it with a towel it flew off and the chase began again!!!!

Jag ran off....caught the bird again! He started running through the house with the bird in his mouth...I finally picked up Jag, who started that cat growling thing, made him drop the bird. The poor thing had to be dead...he just lay there...Mark picked him up in a towel and took him outside. He just lay there...I shook the towel...the bird flew away!!! The dogs and cat were looking and lookkng for him!!! It was just too funny!!!

Now if you look to the right you will see the progress I have made on my Cherokee child. The goal is to have 3 pages stitched by March 1st. I am about 1/2 way through the first page.

Stitches left to stitch:227,308
Percentage complete: 27.3%
projects working on: 5

Prize in the mail

I got the coolest prize in the mail this weekend!!!! My Stitch it Quick group had a coaster exchange and this is what she sent me:



1) coaster (since this was the exchange) -snowman on lime green fabric...which is very pretty
2)28 count carnation pink fabric
3) Lizzie Kate Boxer - Summer cottage
4) Mill Hill Button Beads - Christmas village
5) Down sunhine lane Gold wreath and hearts
6) Hinzeit -Santa Claus

I LOVED everything!!! I was so shocked when I opened this package.....I was showing Mark and all he just laughed. He doesn't understand us stitching girls!!!! Aren't I a lucky stitcher!!!!

new project

I started my Cherokee child last night. It is part of he Mystic Stitch group...my goal is to have the first 3 pages stitched by March 1st. I am not sure if it will happen but that is my goal.

Tonight, Mom and I went to a Christmas service at my Uncles church. it was very nice..different but nice.We are not used to such rituals in church. I did enjoy it though. Then we went to the old pizza joint we love!!!! It was so good...home of buy 1 get 1 free!! so we bought 2 pizzas...She got one to take home and so did I!! I am so excited...pizza for breakfast.

There really isn't much progress to show on my cherokee child...I only did about 300 stitches...so no picture for that. If you look to the right you can see progress on my Augusat #13!!

Stitches left:228,408
percentage complete: 26.9%

Scary Movie and Funny Hubby

Mark and I watched a very scary movie tonight. I screamed my head off...it wasn't bloody or anything......but it was just creepy. We watched 1408 with John Cusack and Samuel Jackson. It was about a writer who wrote books about haunted hotels and he went to stay in this hotel in New York. The legend says that no one survives and hour in the room. I am telling you, weird things happened...lots of unexplained events. He kept trying to escape but the room wouldn't let him!!!! I really recommend this movie.....it will make you scream.

Also, it was suggested that people wanted to see my DH's happy dance for when I am finished with a cross stitch piece....so I asked him if he would do it again...what do you think???

HUGE HAPPY DANCE!!!

I did it!! I did it!!! I finished Eeyore!!! Yes you read that right. Eeyore is finished!!!! I worked on him all weekend and set a goal to finish him. I did it!!!!!

This year I held Thanksgiving at my house like usual. I had about 15 people come and it was so much fun. On Friday, I put up my Disney tree and it looks fabulous!!!! I actually put up all my ornaments that I crossed stitched last year. This next year I plan on stitching the rest of them.

Saturday, I went shopping with mom. I stopped by my LNS and there was a trunk show going on from Follow the Leader. I bought the cutest chart called Be True. It is a patriotic design. Then I came home and decorated the Red/White tree. We plan on getting one more...this year Mark wants a real one....so we will use all the homemade ornaments his mother has made him over the years. I know it is crazy to have 3 trees...but I actually have enough ornaments for 3 trees!!! That is the sad truth.


Tomorrow it is back to the grindstone. I have 3 weeks until Christmas break!!!


Stitching update:
Stitches left to stitch: 229,648
Percentage complete:26.5%

Inspiration and Augusta progress

I worked on my Inspirations and Augusta #13 this week. I am about 1/2 finished with the first page of Mystic and I finished page 3 of Inspirations. Inspirations is stitching up very quickly....there is lots of backstitching in this piece. Mystic is stitching up more slowly than my other pieces. This weekend I worked on my new model for X's and Oh's which is stitching up very quickly.

My new rotation system is going nicely. I am even planning on what I am going to stitch next!!! LOL!!

New stitch count:

Stitches left to be stitched: 240,586

progress percentage completed: 23%

Completed Model

My new model for Debbie Draper has just been released. The title is Stocking Stuffers. I stitched this in 18 days...it was a rush job because the stitcher who had it previous couldn't finish it due to persoal reasons.

I love the colors and I think it turned out really great!!!!

Stitchy Mail today

I had a great surprise when I went out to the mailbox today. My Mystic Stitch patterns arrived!!! I was so excited. I ordered them on Tuesday night and they came on Saturday. Talk about great service!!! They were having a sale Buy 4 patterns for $34.00. Which is great because usually each pattern isw $15.00 each.

I got the following items:
Cherokee Child - which I am starting in Dec. for a contest:


Old Bridge to #9 - Augusta Golf Pattern:

Bridge to #9: -Augusta Golf Pattern


Evening Carriage Ride:

I made a Stitching Decistion Tonight

Yes I did...I made a huge stitching decision. I was talking to my friend Kim tonight about my 16 projects I have in my rotation. If I wanted to stitch on each one every month then I would only be stitching on them for 2 days at a time....so I picked 6 projects that I definitely want to stitch and decided to work on them. Once I finish one then I will go get another one to work on. I will have about 10 UFO"s which is shocking...but if I am not happy with what I am working on then why stitch? Stitching is supposed to be fun!!!!

The projects I have chosen are:
Mystic Stitch - Augusta 13
Mystic Stitch - Cherokee Child
X's and Oh's model
Eye of the Tiger
Inspirations
Eeyore

These are the ones I will work on..plus I will add small projects along the way. I am very excited about this!!!! I do have progress to show on Eeyore. I worked on him this week. His future owner was born on Tuesday so I really need to finish him!!! LOL!!! Off to check emails

Big Finish!

I actually finished a huge project this weekend!!! I finished my Harvest Crops piece! I was so excited to do this...I worked all Saturday and Sunday on it....I think it looks fabulous! Plus, I finished my model and got it back in the mail to the designer.

I stopped by the little thrift store on Saturday and did I make a HUGE find!!! Someone was a stitcher...I found an 11 inch set of q-snap huggers for $2.00! I as so excited...I can't wait to break them out and see what I can stitch with them!!

Off to work on Eeyoure...planning on finishing him this week....that is the plan..we will see what happens.

Stitching progress:

left to stitch: 565,710

percentage completed: 17%

Projects left to stitch: 12 projects

prize in the mail

Yesterday, I recieved a beautiful surprise in the mail in the mail from Mare. She sent me an ornament that she stitched and made for me. It is just beautiful! Today was spent grading papers, reading and some stitching. I worked more on my model. I am enjoying stitching it but I am at that point in the design where I can taste finishing it and I want it to be finished. I guess every stitching has that point in a project. I won't get to stitch much tomorrow because it is parent teacher conferences Monday and Tuesday nights. Which means I have to work until 7:00 pm each night....

Stitching progress:

stitches left to stitch: 574,044

percentage complete: 15.8%

Not a lot of percentage complete...maybe after my model I can do lots more!!!!

small update

Very busy girl last night. I cut up 12 6x6 pieces of evenweave to dye, then basted them so they won't ravel. Afer that I I worked on my model. I am over the 1/2 way mark!!!! This is so excited. Got a big day planned ......taking my tree to the Busy Needle, then stopping by Hobby lobby to pick up some fall decorations. After that, I am going to work in my dungeon....gotta dye those dye cuts...then finally Iam going to stitch!!
Stitching update:
575, 444 stitches left
15.6% finished for all projects

Prizes in the mail

I got 2 wonderful surpises in the mail. First, I got my small finish exchange from Debra. She sent me a coaster of a black cat with a christmas tree. Then, my friend Kim sent me a small finish exchange of a snowman with painted snowflakes!!!! I just loved it!!!!

I hate to say this...but I don't think I have much projress to report on my model....so no updates on stitching progress or percentage.

X's and Oh's ornament finish

I finished my X's and OH's ornament today. I decided since it was breast cancer awareness month I would make a breast cancer tree using the ribbons as ornaments.

Mom and I went to the craft fair today. It was interesting. I didn't purchase anything at this one, just didn't see anything that says ME ME!! Take me home.

I did accomplish something else today. A friend wanted me to dye some fabric the color of DMC 524...took a couple of tries but I did it!!!! I am so proud of this!!!

Off to work on my model.

Stitching Update:578,331 left to stitch

Percentage complete: 15.2%

HAED update

I finally was able to work on my HAED Project. I didn't work long simply because I had a model arrive on Saturday that needs to be finished ASAP! I just laugh...because I have 0.6% complete on it...not even a full percent!!! Talk about funny or depressing whichever one you think.


I also dyed some fabric today....several pieces. I am actually going to try and sell them. Not too high...just some ornament cuts.


I am off to bed...it has been a long day.
Stitches left -579,911
percentage complete - 14.9%
15 projects in my rotation

Tiger Update

Yesterday and today I worked on my Eye of the Tiger piece. I finished my 5th page tonight. It is looking fabulous!!! Very life like. If you look closely at the picture you can see Tusk's tail sticking out of it. I had to put it on him while taking my picture.


Not much more to update....


Stitches left to stitch: 572,284


percentage complete: 14.9%

Exciting Day!!!!

I had a fabulous day yesterday! I would have posted last night but I was way too tired. Yesterday, I attended a class given by Mary from Ozark Samplers. It was a fun fiber class. We had the option of stitching pilgrims or Indians. We stitched on 10 count fabric using different threads. I did find out that I do not like VINTAGE old threads. I used them but they kept breaking. I chose to stitch the Indians which aren't out yet. I do have the pilgrims but they will be stitched later. I also will be stitching the Indians over 1 once Mary gets them ready. I asked and she said that they will not be released to the public. They maybe a chart just for my LNS - "The Busy Needle". She also told me I could show off the other model I stitched for her at the beginning of the year. That is the Welcome piece at the top. It has stained glass effect which I had to learn to do. You take 1 color thread , matched w/ 1 white thread and start stitching away. It will give you look like stained glass.

I also carved pumpkins last night with my niece and nephew. We had fun doing that. Mine looks really strange. I will take a picture of it later.

I also worked on Dog Bone Wisdom this week. It is looking so much better. I am making progress on all my pieces. I hope to finish several by Christmas.

Stitches left to stitch: 574,816

percentage complete: 14.5%

Unfortuantely this is about to change since I have just agreed to stitch 2 models plus my new Pilgrim and Indian projects!!! OH my a stitcher always has something on their to do list.

Inspirations Page 1

Yes!!! Page one is finally complete!!! I worked on it this evening and I found a stitching mistake. I had to frog some of the vines but I figured it out and fixed the mistake. Tomorrow I start another project in my rotation. Dog Bone Wisdom. I am almost half way through that one.

I found out today that X's and Oh's Cross Stitch designer Jo is hosting a wonderful contest:

http://www.xs-and-ohs.com/xo3contest.html

The best part about this contest is that it is for my LNS Diabetes Tree. I hope all you stitcher enter.

Stitches left to stitch: 580,166

percentage complete: 13.7%

Inspiration

I started my Inspiration piece last night. I have about half of the first page finished and I just wanted to show off my work. I think it is going to look fabulous with the fabric I chose.

I am also showing off my two SFE (Small finish exchange) pieces that I stitched for Kim and Debra. Debra's theme was fourth of July and Kim was quaker. So Debra recieved stitched towel with a flag symbol. I found the pattern in an old stitching magazine. For Kim I stitched a Debbie Draper design and I finished it by gluing it to a small box that I painted green. I added some ribbon and wooden buttons to finish it off.

Tomorrow I am giving my first test so it is a time to see how good of a job I did teaching this first unit. I am off to work on EEyore and to watch General Hospital.

Stitches left to stitch: 581,366

percent complete: 13.5%

Eeyore Update

Just wanted to show off my EEyore. and of course Jag had to get right in the middle of things. So I included him too. I have been working on him for sometime. I don't think I will have him finished in time though. My friend's due date is Nov 7. As you can see, I still have a lot to stitch on him. I also decided not to start any new projects until I have the ones in my rotation cut in half. I have 13 projects going so I need to finish at least 7 projects before I start a new one. Considering that most pieces are BAP's it is going to be a while before I start something new!!

I started my Inspiration piece tonight. It is looking good. I only worked on it for a couple hours. I was watching a movie I had saved on my DVR from Lifetime. I was watching girl positive. It is an excellent movie about HIV. It shows how one person can infect numerous people at a high school.

I am off to bed now...very tired. Last night, Tusk decided to bark all night and keep us awake.

Stitches: 89,714 stitched out of 672,380

Percentage: 13.3%

Down Main Street

This weekend was a busy one. I dug out my Down Main Street to work on it. It has been forever since I stitched on it and the progress I made in 3 days was amazing. If I do say so myself. I love this piece. I can't wait to finish it and hang it in my dining room. I did go over to my friend Jammi's house and painted chairs tonight. I managed to get black paint all over me but that is ok.


I said yesterday that I made myself a spreadsheet telling me the percentage I have on each of my projects. Here is what I have so far:


Number of total stitches: 699,572 - left in 13 projects


Percentage stitched: 12.7%


Not a lot..but I do have several LARGE pieces.

Harvest Sampler

I spent last week working on my Harvest Sampler piece. I finished the garden scene and that was my goal. Just have the checkerboard to go!!


Today, I spent cleaning my sewing room. I organized my patterns. I even put away all the thread I had bought when Hancocks ran the sale 20 for a $1.00. It took me 3 hours to finally get everything organized. I also kitted up my Inspiration piece that I am starting on the 1st of October with my friend Kim. I am very excited about this!!


Tonight was a Razorback game ....I got there with Mark and realized 5 minutes in the 1st quarter that I didn't want to be there. So I left! I went to Hobby Lobby, then to Barnes and Noble. It was nice evening. I went back and picked him up after the game. I don't know why...but I just wasn't in the mood for a game.


I am off to stitch on my Down Main Street Piece. It is a huge piece that I am very happy to say I think I have almost reached the halfway point.

Fire Dragon Model

YEA!!! The model I worked on all summer has now been released so I can show him off!!!
This is Fire Dragon. I stitched him for X's and Oh's cross stitch. I have to say he is beautiful!!!!! I usually don't go for dragons but I LOVED him!! I enjoyed stitching him. He does have full, half and quarter stitches. His coloring is amazing though.

HIlda's Pumpkin

Here is the model I just finished for Debbie Draper Designs. It turned out really cute. She told me Hoffmans' will be showing it Friday on the what's new.
Mark and I got a new laptop this weekend. I am so excited..all it want to do it play on it. I have tons of stitching to do but I just want to surf the net and play!!!!

Tea Cup finish

Here is one small finish I can show.. It is my teacup for the coloring contest (I think that is the contest) for my ILCS group. The contest was - take a teacup pattern and make it your own. So I found some 14 count sparkly fabric....used blueberry thread to stitch the cup...and a little lighter blue (can't remember the color) for the middle...then added a teapot for the button finish. I have several other finishes but they can't be shown yet.

BEST IN SHOW!!

Yes, you read it here. I won best in show at the fair!!!!! You can see the pretty purple ribbon on the frame...I have a strange smile because they didnt' put my name on the tag as the winning stitcher...they put someone elses!!!! So I have to call down there today to make sure I get the credit!!!! But I did win!!!

Here's the funny thing...I was calling it the 9th hole....but my husband and his best friend readily corrected me....it is acutally the 12th hole in Augusta!!!!! I guess you have to be a golfer!!!

I am pretty proud of myself to say the least!!!