Stitches in Time

Christmas beginnings...

2011-11-17T20:09:00.000-08:00

Two projects from Just Cross Stitch's ornament issue. First is a Britty Kitty. I did it one over one so it would be small enough for an ornament:

This one came out too big for an ornament. I turned it into a jewelry gift box:

I'm also stitching this one one over one to make it ornament sized. If I have time, I'll make a big version of the Britty Kitty.

Boo Whooooo, 2!

2011-10-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

Finished another Halloween piece from Just Cross Stitch. This one is from the special book:

I'm working on the Britty Kitty from the book now.

The Christmas ornament issue is out. I've already picked the ones I'm going to do (plus one from the preview issue). Of course, the first one I stitch will be the Britty Kitty.

Another Halloween chart!

2011-09-25T15:04:00.000-07:00

Boo Whoooooo? Whoooooo?

Another one from Just Cross Stitch's Halloween issue.

Back to stitching...

2011-09-09T21:37:00.000-07:00

And all it took was the release of Just Cross Stitch's Halloween issue! I finished the Britty Kitty ornament:

I used a different fabric and button.

I'm going to do one or two more designs. I also have the Just Cross Stitch Halloween special book, which has another Britty Kitty design that I want to do. By the time I'm finished with Halloween, their Christmas ornament issue will be out!

Better late than never...

2011-07-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

I finished a piece for my sister's 25th wedding anniversary:

It's a Bent Creek design. I changed the color scheme a bit- putting in silver instead of white everywhere but the bride's dress.

I finished it two days after the actual anniversary. My sister loved it! I'm having it framed.

The first shall be last. :p

2011-06-14T16:19:00.001-07:00

I finished The Eleven Doctors last night- the first three Doctors were the last to be stitched.

Now I'm going to frame them and my other two Doctor Who pieces, and put them on my bedroom wall.

More little Doctors...

2011-06-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

I haven't had as much time to stitch this past month as I thought I would...but my Eleven Doctors is nearly finished. Eight down, three to go!

I should finish in about a week.

Two Doctors down!

2011-05-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

Eleven is finished, and I've started the Tardis.

I love Eleven's little fez!

Eleven little Doctors!

2011-05-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

A new chart I'm working on:

This is the Tenth Doctor:

He took about two hours to stitch. Next, I'll do Eleven and the Tardis, and work my way back from Nine to One. Eventually, I'll do some Doctors by themselves as ornaments and bookmarks.

The chart came from this etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/68425110/pixel-people-the-eleven-doctors-pdf?ref=sr_list_4&ga_search_query=doctor+who+&ga_noautofacet=1&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet==

More Who stitching!

2011-04-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

Tardis, sweet Tardis. So cute. I got the pattern here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62127223/tardis-sweet-tardis-doctor-who-inspired?ref=sr_list_2&ga_search_query=doctor+who+cross+stitch&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

It took about five hours to stitch.

Next, I've designed my own (sort of) chart- yet another Doctor Who. "Keep Calm and Don't Blink"- based on a popular T-shirt.

Finished Dalek!

2011-04-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

Took ten hours, just like it said in the magazine.

Up next, a Tardis chart I found at etsy!

Exterminate! Exterminate!

2011-04-02T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is the Dalek from Doctor Who chart that was in Cross Stitcher (UK) in August 2008. It's been in my to-stitch pile ever since...I just started it this weekend. Two hours so far: It shouldn't take more than a week to finish.

Finally, another finish.

2011-03-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

Books. It took around 15 hours, I lost count.

I can't believe it's almost April and I've only finished two tiny projects. :(

Feeling bookish...

2011-03-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

Four hours of work on "Books" by Hinzeit.

I've done a lot more since I took the photo yesterday!

What it will look like:

The last two letters are finished. Lots of satin and straight stitching! This should be done by this weekend.

I just didn't know how to finish this one...

2011-03-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

The Russian doll tote bag. I was going to stitch smaller dolls around the border, but that would have taken forever. So instead, I glued (will sew later) little cloth and "gem" flowers, originally designed as scrapbook embellishments.

It's very girly.

I can't believe it's March and I've only finished one project. I have three small things to work on now- "Books", a kit from Henzeit, "Fabulous", a Mary Englebreit kit, and a baby bib for a family friend's new baby. Plus I really want to get back to work on Shakespeare's Fairies...

Slow going...

2011-02-16T17:39:00.000-08:00

The doll tote is now about half finished. The main doll in the center is done!

I'm going to add tiny dolls and hearts around the stitching area border.

Week 2, Doll tote.

2011-01-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

The head is finished. Now comes the boring part- outlining and filling in the body. :p

Should take another week to finish.

New year, new project!

2011-01-11T10:35:00.000-08:00

2011 is off to a bit of a slow start, because I've been busy with cooking and jewelry making. But I've started a cute tote bag- a Matryoshka doll chart from Cross Stitcher (UK):

That's five hours of work. It will look like this, but not red:

I'm not making my own tote- I'm using a stitchable tote from Charles Craft.

There are smaller doll charts in the same issue- I may use some of them for a border, because there will be a lot of space around the big doll.

Mouse #2!

2010-12-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

This one was easier than the first. It took just two and a half hours.

So cute!

Not a creature was stirring...

2010-12-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

This is one of three Margaret Sherry mice from last month's Cross Stitcher. It took just three and a half hours to do! So cute.

I'm going to do the other two...I have just enough time to finish both before Christmas!

Another present finished!

2010-12-04T19:31:00.000-08:00

Here is the Daimler, all stitched and framed:

I hope Dad likes it!

Next, I'm going to stitch two Margaret Sherry mice ornaments from UK's Cross Stitcher. Then I'll be done with Christmas stuff!

Another present started...

2010-12-01T16:48:00.000-08:00

This is an old Jeanette Crews design, a 1914 Daimler. Five hours of work on it:

I'm using a smaller count Aida so the design will fit in the frame I'm using.

Tea Tray- Complete!

2010-11-26T19:57:00.000-08:00

It took a total of about 32 hours. It seemed to go faster than that!

The last teacup:

The finished tray:

I hope Mom likes it.

So that's one big Christmas present done! :)

Teacup #3!

2010-11-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

It took eight and a half hours to do.

I've started work on the final cup, and the tray has been ordered. Mom's big present from me is going to be done a full month before Christmas. Go me!

Teacup #2!

2010-11-12T20:49:00.000-08:00

Another eight hours of stitching. The piece is half finished!

I'm glad this one is moving fast!

A Christmas finish!

2010-11-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

This is another ornament from Just Cross Stitch's Christmas preview:

I used a larger count linen, so it's too big for an ornament. Instead, it's going to be the cover of a small Christmas memory/recipe book! It took 8 hours to do.

This teacup design is from Cross Stitcher (UK), by Lesley Teare. This is the first of four teacups, and it took just over 8 hours to do.

It's designed as a tea cozy, but I'm going to finish it as a tray. I found a nice wood and glass tray from Sudberry House that's perfect for it.

I usually stitch teapots for my mom, but I think teacups are a nice change! There is a matching set of napkins. I won't have time to do them for Christmas, but I plan on doing them someday!

FINALLY!

2010-10-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

Peony is finished! She took 35 hours total...but that was spread over six months!

I never thought I'd finish her!

This week I was on a mini-vacation, so I had plenty of extra stitching time. I started and finished the 2010 Britty Kitty ornament from Just Cross Stitch:

It took just over six hours.

I also started a teacup piece by Lesley Teare, from last month's Cross Stitcher (U.K.). It will be the insert for a tea tray (from Suddberry House), and I'm going to make the matching napkins from that issue as well.

Boo!

2010-10-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

A quick project for Halloween:

This was in Just Cross Stitch's Halloween issue. It took around seven hours to stitch- but some of that was frogging and cursing! I had trouble with the trees on the left. I kept counting wrong, so the trees don't quite match. The moon took a long time to fill in. But the end result is so cute! I'll try to find a little frame for it.

Peony has legs!

2010-09-27T17:38:00.000-07:00

She's almost finished. :)

I keep having to put her away. I think I'll have time this week to finish her!

Mini cars!

2010-09-23T20:04:00.000-07:00

I stitched four classic cars for my dad's birthday present:

I turned them into coasters:

Petals a-plenty!

2010-09-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

Another twelve hours of work on Peony! I should finish her in another week.

I'll probably stitch the legs tonight. The other half of the skirt shouldn't take too long to finish.

The best laid plans of mice and cross stitchers...

2010-08-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

I really haven't stuck to the plans I made at the beginning of the year- new projects keep popping up! I'm finally back to work on Peony, though I haven't done much.

I have two new simple projects that I need to do before the end of the year. When I took my New England trip last month, I picked up a cross stitch kit- the Orchard House.

My mom wants me to stitch this one for her soon- she wants to make a pillow out of it!

My sister's niece had a baby girl this month, so I finally have an excuse to stitch this design:

It's from the book Cross Stitch Fairies, and the designer is Lucie Heaton. I love this book, but have never done anything from it! This is a very simple design, and I love the quote (from Peter Pan).

I'm going to be SO busy over the next four months!

Cherub finished!

2010-08-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Here is the free Mirabilia chart from '98- it took 40 hours to do!

A cherub with a harp-

I framed it myself- I found a 10x10 inch frame, and I sponged gold and silver ink around the matte.

I hope my sister likes it! The cherub with the violin (the freebie from 2007) may have to wait until her next birthday, because I don't think I can get it done in time for Christmas! I didn't realize how long this little piece would take.

Time to get back to work on Peony. :)

Cherub progress!

2010-08-01T17:50:00.000-07:00

A lot of it! I was house sitting for my sister last week, and I had no internet connection. I had nothing else to do (besides feed and walk the dogs), so I spent most of my time on the '98 Mirabilia Cherub! I got about 24 hours of work done. It's more than half finished!

So that's about 30 hours total. This one is more complicated than it looks, because it has a nearly solid background.

I'll probably finish it this week while I'm on vacation!

Wings are done!

2010-07-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

I had to order the Kreinik braid online, but it came in quickly! I finished Peony's wings last week:

I also started the free Mirabila chart from 1998- the cherub with the harp. This is my first five hours of work on it:

Should be done in time for my sister's birthday!

Aaarrrrrgh!

2010-07-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

I finally got the Kreinik braids I needed for Peony last week. So I started filling the wings in right away. Last night I ran out of the purple braid! Here is where I had to leave off...after another twelve hours:

I hope my supplier ordered more than one spool of the braid. If not, well, it's time for me to start my sister's birthday present anyway. I downloaded two of Mirabilia's free charts.

The harp will be for her birthday, the violin for Christmas.

Belated Father's Day present...

2010-06-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

I stitched this apron:

I designed it by adapting charts found in several books. Took me about eight hours to do. Dad loved it.

This week, I'll get back on schedule with Peony.

Peony is moving fast!

2010-06-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

Another five and a half hours of work. The wings are outlined and beaded, and I'll fill them in with the Kreinik braids as soon as I get them!

I don't normally bead as I go on a chart- but this one is somewhat small and I don't have to move the hoop much. No worries about crushing or losing beads!

Peony Pixie!

2010-06-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

I couldn't wait to start this one, even though I'm missing two Kreinik threads.

That's five hours of work. Unfortunately, the missing threads are for the wings, so I really can't do much more until they arrive.

Finished!

2010-05-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the Sunflower Fairy, which took about 22 hours to finish.

I think Nora Corbett is my favorite designer! I'm going to start her Peony Pixie next, and will also keep working on Shakespeare's Fairies.

Still working...

2010-05-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

Four more hours on Sunflower Fairy.

I'd like to finish her in another week.

Lovely fairy...

2010-04-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

Sunflower is moving fast. Here's my latest progress:

A total of seven and a half hours of work. This one is so easy!

I love the colors on this piece. Normally I don't like using varigated floss, but they work really well with this design.

One finish, one new chart...

2010-04-17T12:18:00.001-07:00

I started and finished the "Graduate" piece in one week. It took about eight hours to do:

I now have all of the Valdani threads for the Sunflower Fairy (abcstitch.com was fast!), so I've started it. First hour and a half:

I've already done more work on it. The wings are done. This one is going to be quick and easy!

Shopping Day.

2010-04-07T18:06:00.000-07:00

I finally decided to go ahead and order the Valdani threads needed for the Sunflower Fairy. I'm going to substitute two of the colors with my own threads, though- plain DMC for the fairy's skin (probably 948), because I hate using varigated floss for skin. It always looks blotchy to me! The other color will be a similar thread from Crescent Colors. The chart needs so little of the color (the magenta/purple) that it's not worth $3 for a skein of thread I'll never use again!

Here is the Fairy:

It will be at least 2 weeks before the threads arrive. When they do, I'll start stitching right away!

I also picked up the Peony Pixie. It will be a while before I get to it, but I just wanted to have it in my stash!

This week I'm going to start and hopefully finish the "Graduation" chart. I want to be sure to get it framed before my nephew's graduation in June!

I'll still be working on my teapots and Shakespeare's Fairies bit by bit, as well...

Still busy with the Fairies...

2010-04-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

This is pretty much all I did in March- another 12 hours. The first of Shakespeare's Fairies is starting to look like something! A total of 23 hours of work...this one is looking more and more like it will take a year and a half to finish. I'll do another 10 hours this month...but I want to work on my teapot sampler, too.

A new project for March.

2010-03-12T20:52:00.001-08:00

Joan Elliott's teapots- what it looks like:

First three hours of work!

Elliott's designs are usually pretty simple. This one shouldn't take long, but I'm putting it away to do some work on Shakespeare's Fairies. Really. I mean it this time. :p I've missed working on that one.

All done!

2010-03-03T13:37:00.000-08:00

Trick or Treat is finished. She took a total of around 40 hours (I lost count somewhere!).

Details:

It was hard to get the cobwebs on camera. The thread was very light.

I loved doing this one!

Next, it's back to Shakespeare's Fairies. Also, I need to start a teapot sampler for my parents' anniversary in June.

I also just received the back issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework with Nora Corbett's Sunflower Fairy. I can't do it yet because I don't have the threads (they're Valdani), and my local shop doesn't carry them. No luck in finding a conversion chart, either. :(

Getting there...

2010-02-23T18:17:00.000-08:00

Nine more hours on Trick or Treat.

It's almost done- I've finished the main stitching, and now I'm just waiting for the last beads and Kreinik thread (shop said they'll be in this week). It shouldn't take too long to finish the beading and backstitching!

This one has taken longer to finish than I thought it would. It's been fun working on it, though!

Even more progress!

2010-02-08T16:32:00.000-08:00

Eight more hours on Trick or Treat.

The skirt is almost done. After that, the only big stiching area is the pumpkins!

Once again, I was snowed in all weekend, so I had nothing to do but stitch. I think I'll go ahead and finish the stitching on this, and then just put it aside until the missing beads arrive.

More Treats!

2010-02-02T17:43:00.000-08:00

Another seven hours on Trick or Treat!

Seventeen hours total. I think I'll finish it before the end of February!

Project switch!

2010-01-30T08:38:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a short break from Shakespeare's Fairies. I wanted to start Trick or Treat. This one is going amazingly fast- it will probably be finished by the end of February:

That's six hours of work! The hardest part of this chart will be the skirt- only because stitching big solid blocks of color can be boring.

I'm missing one Kreinik thread and one package of beads. I ordered them a week ago, and my local shop is great at getting supplies in fast!

I'm snowed in today, and probably tomorrow as well, so I'm going to get a lot of work done on both pieces. :)

My copy of Sunflower Fairies should arrive in a week. When it does, that will be my third rotation piece.

Uh-oh!

2010-01-26T19:17:00.000-08:00

Nora Corbett has some new Pixie Couture designs!

This one is Peony:

She is just adorable. I love the colors and the little wand! I definitely want this chart for my birthday!

I just ordered a back issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework, because I missed the one with Nora's Sunflower Fairy. It's lovely- I can't believe I missed that issue! This will be a great one to stitch for my mom! I just started the Cross Stitch and Needlework exclusive "Trick or Treat" Fairy from last year. I'm rotating projects- next week I'll go back to Shakespeare's Fairies.

Another new chart!

2010-01-25T19:52:00.000-08:00

My nephew is graduating from high school in June, so I picked out this chart with charms:

I'll use his school colors, and add his name and the school at the bottom. These charts are easy, so I should have no trouble getting it stitched and framed in time for his graduation!

Progress on Fairies!

2010-01-23T20:48:00.000-08:00

After just ten hours, Shakespeare's Fairies is already starting to look like something!

This is the spot I'm working on:

Baby steps!

2010-01-16T14:58:00.001-08:00

First little bits on Shakespeare's Fairies- an hour and a half.

The white circle is where I am- I have a long, long way to go!

At last, Holly is done!!!

2010-01-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

Took a total of 30 hours.

Now I can start Shakespeare's Fairies!

Getting there!

2010-01-06T19:24:00.000-08:00

Another six and a half hours on Holly. She's coming along nicely!

First project of 2010 will be...

2010-01-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Holly. I'm still working on her. I should get her done in another week- then I'll start Shakespeare's Fairies!

Latest progress- eight hours of work since my last photo update:

Well, at least her wings are done! The rest shouldn't be too hard.

The Other White Meat!

2009-12-19T19:24:00.000-08:00

It's finished! It only took about 8 hours total.

All my Christmas stuff is done! Except for Holly...but that's not a gift, so I'll just do the best I can to finish her in the next week.

Yay for fast projects!

2009-12-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

This is just over three hours of work on "The Other White Meat". I should get it done tomorrow night! I think Dad will like it.

It's mostly backstitch and straight stitch, but it's not that hard.

I should finally get back to Holly this week...and maybe finish her by Christmas Eve, at least.

grumble

2009-12-08T17:46:00.001-08:00

I've gotten so frustrated with my dad's present- I've put it away for Father's Day and now I'm going to do something easier. I was going to do an antique car, but it was more complicated than I thought it would be. I'm going to do the "Other White Meat" BBQ picture instead. That should be quick, and he'll love it!

Another Britty finish!

2009-12-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

Impatience is done. Took longer than I thought- around 16 hours.

I still have to go back and trim the threads on the back of the piece.

The only cross stitch item I want for Christmas...

2009-12-02T19:59:00.001-08:00

Shakespeare's Fairies by Mirabilia. Mom's already ordered it- chart, cloth, beads...everything but the DMC floss, which I have. I can't wait to stitch this one. Of course, I'll have to wait until Christmas Day at least!

Impatient Kitty is almost done!

2009-11-28T18:54:00.000-08:00

Another five hours. It should only take another two or three to finish!

My sister's cat is a lot like this one. He will dig into his stocking, and grab his catnip toys- then get stoned. *lol*

Getting impatient...

2009-11-22T17:46:00.001-08:00

:p Nah, I'm not. But Impatience is a Virtue is coming along nicely. I've done four hours total on it:

I should finish it this week. Then, I'll finish Holly, and get started on Dad's Christmas present. I keep changing plans on that one.

Another Britty finish and a Britty beginning!

2009-11-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

Caught up in lights is done. It took just three hours!

I started Impatience is a Virtue on Sunday. I've only managed to do 45 minutes (it's been a busy week). Here's what I have so far:

My stitchery group had a chart/kit exchange yesterday. I gave away a lot of stuff I'm never going to use, and scored some great stuff, too. I don't know when I'll get to it, but I chose a Mirabilia chart- Deepest Love.

I've always wanted to do one of those mermaids.

Other good stuff I picked up- a leaflet with gingerbread houses (for Christmas next year), a book with antique cars (for my dad), and a teapot kit designed by Joan Elliott.

I'll do the teapots for Mom and Dad's anniversary next year, and I think I'll have time to do one of the cars for Christmas for Dad.

Busy with Britty!

2009-11-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

I've been busy this week! I did the Britty Kitty ornament from the 2009 Just Cross Stitch ornament special, and also started another Kitty.

Spirit Kitty took five hours to do. The "light bulbs" I glued to the edges aren't lit, BTW- that was just the camera flash.

This is another Christmas piece I just picked up- "Caught up in lights". I've done two hours on it- I should finish it tonight.

Dad had to chaperone the youth bell choir at a festival this weekend- he bought me this chart:

Most of my family rings bells, so I'm going to make several.

A quick break from Holly.

2009-11-10T18:28:00.001-08:00

This is the Britty Kitty from the Just Cross Stitch 2009 ornament special. The first two and a half hours of work. It should only take another two to four hours.

I picked these charts up at my local shop today. I'm hooked on Britty Kitties! The shop owner agrees with me that they are addictive- because they're cute and quick. I hope to at least do the kitty tangled in lights before Christmas- and maybe the impatient kitty too.

A Kats by Kelly design- I think this will be great for my dad. He loves my cat, Eddie- who is always bringing him mice! And since he does all the grilling, I thought this would be a great joke present.

Progress on Holly, at last!

2009-11-06T19:05:00.000-08:00

I did some while I was on vacation, but a lot in the last two days. A total of nine and a half hours since my last update.

I love the wreath on her head!

I should finish the wings this weekend. The skirt and legs shouldn't be too much trouble, so I think this should be done in about two more weeks!

Aw, crap.

2009-11-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

:( Teresa Wentzler is shutting down TW Designworks.

http://twdesignworks.com/blog/?p=24

I love her designs- even if most are too complicated for me to stitch. I finished her "Needle Guardian" a couple of years ago...

Long car trips...

2009-10-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

...mean lots of stitching time. I finished "Save the Earth". It took a grand total of 8 1/2 hours!

This little thing took me three hours to do:

It will be an ornament pillow. I don't sew, so my mom will finish it for me. This isn't for my own tree. It will be sold at the Kenmore Plantation gift shop.

Speaking of Christmas tree ornaments, I picked up the Christmas ornament issue of Just Cross Stitch. I've already picked out three to do (if I have time)- one is a Britty Kitty.

But first, I intend to finish Nora Corbett's Holly. I probably have 15 hours of work to do...and with all these long drives (I have three more to look forward to!), I should make a great deal of progress! And my dad's Christmas present shouldn't take long. I'm almost all set for Christmas already! :) Maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to do some work on Royal Holiday and Fairy Roses before 2009 is over.

More new goodies to stitch!

2009-10-20T18:36:00.001-07:00

I took a tour of Mount Vernon today, and picked up these kits from the gift shop.

I don't know when I'll get to them. I haven't even had time to work on the Mount Vernon chart Mom gave me after she went this summer!

Another present finished!

2009-10-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

It took a total of ten and a half hours.

I made a slight mistake in centering the chart on the Aida section. There's a little bit of extra space on one side. I might sew on some cute buttons on that side to even it out a bit.

I've finished both of my mom's Christmas presents already! I love the designs from Naughty but Nice Cross Stitch. They're great for quick gifts.

More fast work!

2009-10-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

Another three hours on the shoe tote.

The first three hours on "Save the Earth..."

What it will look like.

New project!

2009-10-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

I found this stitchable tote at Jo-Ann Fabric (made by Charles Craft). The shoe chart I'd planned to stitch next was perfect for it! Here is the first 3 1/2 hours of work:

The design, yet another piece from Naughty but Nice Cross Stitch:

It should only take a week to complete. I think it's perfect for a shopping tote! My mom should love it.

I've also started another Naughty piece:

All I've done is sort thread and prepare the fabric, but this one looks like another quickie. I'm going to make it for my sister, but I may also have to do it for me!

I'm so fast!

2009-10-03T20:06:00.001-07:00

It only took seven hours to stitch. I have two more pieces from Naughty but Nice Cross Stitch in my to-do list for gifts. I hope to get presents done early so I'll have time to stitch cards and ornaments.

Nina framed!

2009-10-02T18:57:00.003-07:00

It looks good!

New project!

2009-10-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

"If the shoe fits, buy it in every colour" from the Naughty but Nice Cross Stitch book.

Four hours of work. I'll get it done by the weekend! This is for my mom's Christmas present. I'm doing another chart from that series to go with it.

Beer is finished.

2009-09-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

It took a little longer to do than I thought it would- around 12 hours. I decided not to use the beads that came with the chart. I'll use them for something else.

I've started one of Mom's Christmas presents- another shoe piece. It's an easy one. I'll continue work on Holly as well.

Not quite done yet...

2009-09-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Ice Cold Beer needs a few more hours of work. This is the latest three:

I still have some filling in to do. Hopefully I'll get it done in a couple of days.

Nina is finished!

2009-09-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

She took a total of 25 hours.

I really enjoyed working on this one. The colors are gorgeous!

Now I'm going to finish Ice Cold Beer- then I'll go back to Holly.

Bit by bit...

2009-09-05T19:05:00.000-07:00

Two and a half hours on Nina. The fairy is almost done. Just the legs left!

After that, it's just beading and backstitching.

Another two and half hours on Ice Cold Beer. The outline of the mug and snacks is finished. Now I have to fill them in!

More work on Nina, and a new beginning!

2009-08-30T16:56:00.001-07:00

Two and a half hours on Nina:

It's almost done!

I needed to start my dad's birthday present, Ice Cold Beer. First three hours...

It shouldn't be too hard to finish this one.

"Nina" moving along!

2009-08-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

Six more hours!

I did make a mistake, but I'd done too much to frog it and start over. The left half of the N is one row higher than the right. It's only noticable if you actually count the rows. :p

I'll start the fairy tonight. I might get the piece done by the weekend!

Letters from Nora- N

2009-08-19T15:27:00.000-07:00

N for "Nina"...that's the fairy's name. I have this week pretty much to myself, so I decided to concentrate on just one piece, and Nina seemed like a good one. It's zipping along! This is seven hours of work:

It's not quite as easy as J because there's more to it. Pretty colors! The fairy is cute, too. I probably won't get it done this week, but it's still moving along fast.

A quick piece and Holly progress.

2009-08-12T20:14:00.001-07:00

A finish- my first piece from "Naughty but Nice Cross Stitch":

It took eight hours to do. I'll do the whole shopping/shoes series. There's six of them.

I haven't done a lot on Holly because I've been very sick. But I've done a little bit-

I'm going to have a lot of time to work on Holly and "N" over the next week.

New project and new books!

2009-08-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

Just started Holly by Nora Corbett:

One hour of work. Here's what it will look like:

My birthday presents- two great books. Pretty alphabets and funny mottos.

There are a lot of pieces in the Naughty book I want to do.

Play ball!

2009-07-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

Baseball is finished!

I'm sure my sister will love it.

It only took six hours to finish!

7th inning stretch. :p

2009-07-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

I started Baseball two nights ago- four hours of work total.

I think I'll get it done tomorrow!

Finally finished Chocolate.

2009-07-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

*sighs* I haven't had time to stitch much in the last two weeks. I could only squeeze in a half hour or an hour at a time on anything. I finally made time to finish this piece last night:

Don't worry about that blackish smudge on the bottom- it was chocolate. I didn't realize I had chocolate on my hand when I took the picture! It washed out fine.

This one was so frustrating! I had to frog sereral rows after mis-counting on the border. It took about a half an hour to fix, and then I just didn't want to work on it for a while. It took me about 20 hours to complete, including the frogging.

Next up is the Baseball blocks- this one should be much easier! It's more like the shoe blocks.

My mom picked up this kit for me when she went to Mount Vernon (George Washington's family estate) last week:

I couldn't go on the tour because I was sick, so it was nice of Mom to get this for me! I'll end up giving it to her once I've stitched it. ;) But it will have to wait- after Baseball and continued work on Fairy Roses, I have to work on Letters from Nora: N, and the Ice Cold Beer piece.

Chocolate progress!

2009-07-09T20:18:00.001-07:00

All the mistakes on the border are fixed, and now I'm working on the inside!

Here's two hours of work (border and pictures):

A close-up:

I've done the third panel since the photo was taken- another hour.

Each panel takes a little less than an hour to do...so I figure I have another six hours to go.

A Britty Kitty finish!

2009-07-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

It took four and a half hours to finish.

It was a perfect fit for the trivet! My sister loved it.

Bad kitty!

2009-07-02T17:35:00.000-07:00

Two hours of work on Bad Cat!, which I will finish tomorrow night. It will fit perfectly into a trivet.

Six more hours on Fairy Roses. Six hours a week is about all I can do! I probably will NOT finish her this year! I can only do a little bit at a time before I get bored. But I will finish her someday!

The stash, it keeps on growing...

2009-06-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

I bought a new chart leaflet yesterday. It's a Brittercup design- another in a series of kitties.

I wanted this one because it has a punchneedle pattern, too.

I also have this one:

I need to do a very quick gift for my sister's wedding anniversary (SUNDAY!), and Britty Kitties are usually quick. I think I'll do the Bad Cat! on a trivet. That will be a nice little present!

I haven't neglected my other projects. I did some more work on Fairy Roses last night, and will do more tonight.

Getting back in the swing of things...

2009-06-27T10:47:00.000-07:00

No pictures yet, but I've been working hard on Fairy Roses and Chocolate. The Fairy is progressing nicely! And I should finish Chocolate in another week.

After that, I need to do the Baseball piece for my sister. Her birthday is in mid August, and that's coming faster than I'd like!

A quick gift!

2009-06-22T18:06:00.000-07:00

This is what I gave my dad for Father's Day:

I got the clock kit at Christmas. I decided that Dad would like a little antique car instead of the chart that came with it (which I will stitch later). He loved his present! The stitching took a little over three hours, then another hour to assemble the clock.

Tonight, I'll work on Fairy Roses, finally!

Life is good- finished!

2009-06-19T10:21:00.001-07:00

It took about twelve hours to do.

Here it is in the shelf:

I may add a ribbon or something to the top. It looks a little bare.

Now I have a quick present to finish for Father's Day...then I can get back to Fairy Roses!

Holy crap I'm fast!

2009-06-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the first six hours on Life is Good:

It's almost finished! It should only take another five or six hours. And it will fit perfectly in the shelf's frame.

I love Joan Elliott designs. They're so cute and usually simple.

New project.

2009-06-07T18:15:00.000-07:00

This will be for my parents' anniversary this month. I'm only doing the bottom half without the border:

It's yet another chart from Joan Elliott's A Woman's World in Cross Stitch. This will be my fifth project from it!

It will be put in this shelf:

It shouldn't take more than a week to finish. The hard part will be assembling the shelf!

Weekly update...

2009-06-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Haven't had a lot of time to stitch this week.

Three and a half hours on Fairy Roses:

I'll do a little more work this week, then I'll have to put her aside so I can work on presents.

After an hour of frogging and restitching, I've fixed Chocolate:

Now I shouldn't have trouble finishing it!

Stitches in Time

Christmas beginnings...

Boo Whooooo, 2!

Another Halloween chart!

Back to stitching...

Better late than never...

The first shall be last. :p

More little Doctors...

Two Doctors down!

Eleven little Doctors!

More Who stitching!

Finished Dalek!

Exterminate! Exterminate!

Finally, another finish.

Feeling bookish...

I just didn't know how to finish this one...

Slow going...

Week 2, Doll tote.

New year, new project!

Mouse #2!

Not a creature was stirring...

Another present finished!

Another present started...

Tea Tray- Complete!

Teacup #3!

Teacup #2!

A Christmas finish!

FINALLY!

Boo!

Peony has legs!

Mini cars!

Petals a-plenty!

The best laid plans of mice and cross stitchers...

Cherub finished!

Cherub progress!

Wings are done!

Aaarrrrrgh!

Belated Father's Day present...

Peony is moving fast!

Peony Pixie!

Finished!

Still working...

Lovely fairy...

One finish, one new chart...

Shopping Day.

Still busy with the Fairies...

A new project for March.

All done!

Getting there...

Even more progress!

More Treats!

Project switch!

Uh-oh!

Another new chart!

Progress on Fairies!

Baby steps!

At last, Holly is done!!!

Getting there!

First project of 2010 will be...

The Other White Meat!

Yay for fast projects!

*grumble*

Another Britty finish!

The only cross stitch item I want for Christmas...

Impatient Kitty is almost done!

Getting impatient...

Another Britty finish and a Britty beginning!

Busy with Britty!

A quick break from Holly.

Progress on Holly, at last!

Aw, crap.

Long car trips...

More new goodies to stitch!

Another present finished!

More fast work!

New project!

I'm so fast!

Nina framed!

New project!

Beer is finished.

grumble