July WIPocalypse, Turtle Trot, and a finish!

This is my belated WIPocalypse update!  The topic this time is:  "It's halfway to Christmas.  Do you start your holiday stitching this early?  If so, what do you hope to accomplish this year?"  Yes, I stitch holiday designs all year long!  I hope to finish Stained Glass Nativity and Santa's 12 Days of Christmas in time to display them this year for Christmas!  I would also love to stitch gifts for my family but if I don't finish, there is always next year, or their birthday instead.

Since the last WIPocalypse update, I have had 3 more finishes, and now the list of WIPs on my WIPocalypse page is down to 90.  I finished The Sorceress, Leo, and Alice from Resident Evil.

Alice from Resident Evil - FINISHED!

"Alice from Resident Evil"
Designed by Pau
MyPhotoStitch.com
18 ct tan Aida
Started 1/11/2014, Finished 7/13/2014

Speaking of Christmas stitching, I stitched the hat and legs and feet on Santa Hang-Up.

Santa Hang-Up update #9

I missed the Turtle Trot posting for July 10, since I was away on vacation, but here is my progress on two of them.  I finished all the blue stained glass windows on Stained Glass Nativity.

Stained Glass Nativity update #9

I stitched one more bottle on "99" by Ink Circles.

"99" - update #12

Bottle #17 is Stella Artois, Stella Artois, Leuven, Belgium.

Now that I finished the birthday gifts in time, I can get back to my SALs and stitching anything else I feel like!

Theme-A-Licious March Madness (week 3)

The theme for this month is March Madness, "Work on something different every day... it's madness... of the funnest possible kind."  I used the Random Number Generator to pick a number from 1-95 for a WIP from my WIPocalypse list to stitch on each day.  I'll post an update every weekend with the choices for the prior week.

March 15 - #74, The Wizard of Oz: I started stitching the wicked witch. When I have big blocks of one color, I do the half stitches first when following the pattern, then it's easy to go back and cross the X's without looking at the chart.  Do you stitch this way or prefer one X or one row at a time?

The Wizard of Oz update #1

March 16 - #82, Trick or Treat Greeting:  I stitched the purple letter E and some backstitching.

Trick or Treat Greeting update #1

March 17 - #6, The Sorcerer:  I stitched more purple in his cloak.

The Sorcerer update #11

March 18 - #70, Snow Bear and Sleigh:  I stitched more blue half-stitches for the background.

Snow Bear and Sleigh update #1

March 19 - #50, Santa Hang-Up:  I did some backstitching and started his hat.

Santa Hang-Up update #8

March 20 - #86, Boo-gie Fever:  The skeleton has a hat now.

Boo-gie Fever update #1

March 21 - #11, Star Wars:  I finished stitching C3P0.

Star Wars update #3

I roll up the extra fabric and tuck it into the Q-Snap covers which I buy from Christine's Q-Snap Huggies.  Only 10 more days to go for March Madness!  Happy Stitching, everyone!

Theme-A-Licious February/March

Heather of It's Geek to Me is hosting Theme-A-Licious and the theme for last month was Fantastical Fiction February, "Stitch on Fantasy Creatures or Fictional Characters."

I don't have any Fantasy Creatures like dragons or unicorns, but I have plenty of Fictional Characters to choose from!  How about Santa Claus?

I stitched half of Santa's coat on Santa's 12 Days of Christmas by The Prairie Schooler.

Santa's 12 Days of Christmas (Day 5) update #3

On Santa Hang-Up, I finished his beard and face, but he needs a lot of backstitching.

Santa Hang-Up update #7

The theme for next month is March Madness, "Work on something different every day... it's madness... of the funnest possible kind."  This will be so much fun!  I'll use the Random Number Generator to choose which of my 96 WIPs to stitch on each day!  You can see them all on my WIPocalypse list.

I just clicked on the Random Number Generator in the side bar of my blog and it chose #3, Thai Dancer from PINN Stitch!  Can you believe this is the first one I started for the Crazy January Challenge of 2011!  I'll stitch on her tonight after work. This is how she looks now:

Thai Dancer update #2

For Theme-A-Licious this month, I'll post pics once a week on Saturday to show what the Random Number Generator selected for me each day.

Guess what!  It's finally raining in Southern California!  Did you see the little weather widget in the side bar of my blog?  We've only had 1 inch of rain in the last year, so I guess it's about time.

Raining!  March 1, 2014

November WIPocalypse update

Another full moon and time for another WIPocalypse update!  Check in on Measi's blog with your November update, too!

I won't have this one ready to hang up for Autumn this year, but definitely next!  This is Fall Welcome, a Saturday SAL with Linda and Kaye.  I stitched the post of the scarecrow, the stems of the pumpkins, and most of the squash.  I am using 14 ct Aida Lambswool and it will be about 4" x 15" when it's finished.

Fall Welcome update #3

Here's another one that I haven't touched in a few months.  This is Santa's 12 Days of Christmas by The Prairie Schooler, a Sunday SAL with Linda and Kaye.  I started Day 5 with the backstitched border and part of Santa's hat.  I should have this done by Christmas 2014.  I'm stitching them all together on one piece of 28 ct Mushroom evenweave and the finished size will be about 12" x 22".

Santa's 12 Days of Christmas (Day 5)

I finished parts 5 and 6 of Mary's Sampler II, a free Mystery SAL from Plum Street Samplers.  I added 6 more stars and 2 angels for part 5.

Mary's Sampler II (part 5)

Then a shepherd and another star for part 6.

Mary's Sampler II (part 6)

I was missing DMC 611, the color for the shepherd, so I went to my brand new JoAnn's which is only a mile from my front door, and bought just ONE skein!  It was on sale for 35 cents so I couldn't use a coupon.  Next time I'm sure I'll have a bigger purchase.  LOL!

Another Christmas design is Santa Hang-Up, which Linda already finished.  I stitched a lot of white for his beard, trying to get up to his face!  This is stitched over 2 on 20 ct sparkly Valerie fabric and the finished size will be 5" x 12".

Santa Hang-Up update #6

I stitched more yellow walls on Cut Thru' North Pole House.  I'm going to backstitch the elf next, so we can see him more clearly.  Check out all the great Cut Thru' designs everyone is stitching on the Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Monday SAL page.  I just bought another Cut Thru' kit from the UK for the Vintage Car!

Cut Thru' North Pole House update #4

I had already finished the Cut Thru' Igloo, but it didn't have the stars yet.  Now I've added the 12 sequin stars.  I found a frame for it at a thrift store and will get it framed soon.

Cut Thru' Igloo - FINISHED!

Thank you so much to Ingrid of Mii Stitch blog!  I was a winner in her giveaway of this great chart. It flew very quickly from the UK to my California doorstep in only a week!

Late October WIPocalypse update

I saw a beautiful full moon a few nights ago, and knew it was time for the WIPocalypse SAL update!  You can see current pics of all of my WIPs on my WIPocalypse page.  Check in on Measi's blog with your WIPocalypse update, too!

Here are a few Christmas design updates!  Santa Hang-Up is a Saturday SAL with Linda.  She is almost done with hers!  I haven't had an update since August on this one.  Santa is patiently waiting for his head.

Santa Hang-Up update #5

I stitched a little bit more on Rudolph Wreath, but got stuck since the white wasn't showing up at all on this fabric.  There are actually three little snowflakes around the heart.  I might add gray or light blue to the white for all the snowflakes.  Do you have any suggestions?

Rudolph Wreath update #1

These are both stitched on the same fabric, 20 ct Valerie fabric in cream with gold threads, but Santa is stitched over 2, and Rudolph is stitched over 1.  Rudolph Wreath was a monthly challenge from Needlecraft Haven, a Yuku forum.  They find a new small design to stitch each month.

Since I finished the Cut Thru' Igloo, now I'm stitching the Cut Thru' North Pole House in the Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Monday SAL.  We also have a Bothy Threads Cut Thru Monday SAL Facebook group.

Cut Thru' North Pole House update #2

I bought the Q-snap covers from Christine's Q-Snap Huggies.  She sews them all herself and also has a tutorial on her website with instructions to sew your own!

August WIPocalypse update

It's time for the WIPocalypse SAL update!  I really do want to finish all my starts (some day), but I'm still enjoying stitching everything.  You can see current pics of all of my WIPs on my WIPocalypse page.  Check in on Measi's blog with your WIPocalypse update, too!  This month the theme is Designer - Long Dog, Project Theme - Smalls, and Focus Colors - Blue and Red.

I don't have any charts by Long Dog, but I have some smalls to work on, and some blue and red stitching, too.

Here's a brand new start and finish!  I made this bookmark for my daughter, who knows some French but wants to learn more.  "J'aime lire" means "I love to read." This is a freebie from a French blog, Les petits bonheurs de Miss T (The Simple Pleasures of Miss T).

J'aime Lire bookmark - FINISHED!

"J'aime Lire" bookmark
Designed by Malile
Les petits bonheurs de Miss T
Started 8/16/2013, Finished 8/19/2013

I stitched more blue on Red Cat, a freebie from Cross-Stitchers-Club (I think the website died), using Victoria Clayton silk HDF on 28 ct antique white Jobelan.  I think the color is Aquamarine.  This is for a cat quilt by World of Charity Stitching.

Red Cat update #2

I stitched more dark red on Santa Hang-Up.  This is a SAL with Linda.

Santa Hang-Up update #4

Picnic Area by The Prairie Schooler has more border stitched.

Picnic Area update #4

I started stitching the spooky tree on Halloween House.  You can also buy this chart in PDF download HERE on Crosstitch.com, so you can have it instantly and not have to worry about postage!  Linda finished hers and Joyce and I are close behind!

Halloween House update #39

I posted a pic of my Cut Thru' Igloo progress on the Cut Thru' SAL page and the Facebook group last week but not in a blog post.  I finished the snow on the left side under the penguin and more water.  I think this will be done in a few more weeks. Then I'll start stitching on my Cut Thru' North Pole House or Pirate Ship next.

Cut Thru' Igloo update #19

Happy Happy Stitching, everyone!

August TUSAL and Stitching Santas!

Oh fun!  It's time for another themed blog post!  Here is my progress on my WIPs of Santa designs!

On Sundays, I stitch on Santa's 12 Days of Christmas by The Prairie Schooler, a SAL with Linda and Kaye.  I work on Sundays and it used to be slow so I could stitch at my desk, but now we're busy every Sunday, so no more stitching on company time!  I stitched the four calling birds.

Santa's 12 Days of Christmas (Day 4) FINISHED!

Santa's 12 Days of Christmas (Day 4) FINISHED!

"Santa's 12 Days of Christmas" (Day 4)

Book No. 125
Designed by Pamela Byrd Smith
The Prairie Schooler
Started 1/21/2013, Finished 8/5/2013

I also stitch Santa Hang-Up by Diane Arthurs for an every other weekend SAL with Linda.  These X's are so huge, because I'm stitching over 2 on sparkly 20 ct Valerie fabric.

Santa Hang-Up update #3

I started Yo Ho Ho Ho by Sue Hillis Designs in January for the Ultimate Crazy January Challenge, but haven't touched it since the first day.  Now I started stitching some red of Santa's coat and pants.  This is on 14 ct gold-dusted Stardust Aida.

Yo Ho Ho Ho update #1

I also started Out for a Ride, an Imaginating chart by Diane Arthurs, in January, but only stitched the carrot nose on the snowman.  This time I stitched the red trim on the snowman's hat and his face.  This is also on 14 ct gold-dusted Stardust Aida.

Out for a Ride update #1

The next WIP with a Santa is Christmas Sampler by The Prairie Schooler.  This is the smaller design in booklet #167, And to All a Good Night.  Linda and I extended the UCJC 2012 last year into February and started something new everyday.  I've only touched it once since the first day until now.  Today I stitched another reindeer.  This is on 28 ct Antique White Jobelan, stitched over 2.

Christmas Sampler update #2

It's also time for the Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long (TUSAL) where we share a picture of our ORT (Old Ratty Threads) jar each month.  Check in on Daffycat's blog with your August blog post, too!

TUSAL 2013 #8

I bought the Christmas Q-snap cover from Christine's Q-Snap Huggies!

Now I think I'll get back to stitching Halloween designs and beer bottles!  LOL

July WIPocalypse update and a new start!

It's time again for the WIPocalypse SAL update!  I want to finish ALL my WIPs (and start new ones, of course).  You can see current pics of all of my WIPs on my WIPocalypse page.  This month the theme is Designer - Glendon Place, Project Theme - Animals, and Focus Colors - Red and Yellow.  Check in on Measi's blog with your WIPocalypse update, too!

I have one chart by Glendon Place, All Hallows Eve, which I started in January for the Ultimate Crazy January Challenge (starting something new each day).  I started stitching the ghost.

All Hallows Eve update #1

For the Focus Colors, I stitched more red on Santa Hang-Up.  This is a SAL with Linda.

Santa Hang-Up update #2

Another tombstone and ghost are done, and I started stitching the yellow moon on Halloween House.

Halloween House update #37

I also have a new start!  This is "99" by Ink Circles.  I'm in a SAL with some other ladies in the SoCal Cross Stitchers Yahoo group.  One bottle finished, and only 98 more to go!

"99" 

The first bottle is Blue Moon, Coors Brewing Co., Golden, Colorado.  Doesn't it look like the real thing?

June WIPocalypse update and a finish!

It's another full moon (did you see the super moon?) and time for the WIPocalypse SAL update!  The focus colors this month are black and green. You can see current pics of all my WIPs on my WIPocalypse page.

I finished Quaker Moon during the GTG (get-together) on Saturday with seven women in the SoCal Cross Stitchers Yahoo group.  We stitched at the food court in the mall for almost 8 hours!

Quaker Moon - FINISHED!

"Quaker Moon"
Bent Creek
Started 1/28/2013, Finished 6/22/2013

I'll pass this chart onto another stitcher (worldwide) and hopefully the winner will give it away when she's finished, too!  Just mention in the comment if you're interested.  I'll draw a name on Sunday, June 30.

I started the next part (7 of 12) of Boo! Club by Lizzie Kate by stitching the word Pumpkin in green.

Boo! Club (Pumpkin)

I stitched the black jaw line on the Day of the Dead skull from the Twisted Stitches book.

Day of the Dead update #7

I stitched the black letter P and some of the border on Picnic Area by The Prairie Schooler.

Picnic Area update #3

I finally started stitching again on Santa Hang-Up, which I started for the Ultimate Crazy January Challenge and haven't touched it since the first day.  I'm stitching on sparkly 20 ct Valerie fabric, 2 over 2, so the X's are pretty big (10 ct size).  This is an every other weekend SAL with Linda.

Santa Hang-Up update #1

Remember to check in on Measi's blog with a link to your WIPocalypse update, too!  Next month's theme is Designer - Glendon Place, Project Theme - Animals, and Focus Colors - Red and Yellow.  I'll try to do some stitching in those categories, too!