Wednesday 31 December 2014

Review for 2014 ... Happy Dances!

I had 18 Happy Dances in 2014, I think it was a successful stitching year!!
January
Friendship Exchange - Scissor case
Barnaby in Bloom - Just Nan
February
Porch Garden Mice Humbug - Just Nan
March
Cardinal Tweet - Just Nan
April
Easter & Spring exchange - Easter basket
Oakley Owlet - Just Nan
Little Princess Snow - Just Nan
Lorelei Lamb - Just Nan
May
no finishes
June
Handprints Poem (Purple)
July
Handprints Poem (Jungle)
2012 Gingerbread Mouse - Just Nan
August
Garden Chair - Cat's Whiskers
September
Holly Bows - Just Nan
October
Yes, I Can Drive a Stick - Sue Hillis
Halloween Exchange - Pumpkin (15 sided biscornu)
November
Hagatha's Hat - Just Nan
December
Pokemon Gyarados (fabric lined wooden box)
Christmas Exchange - Quadrielle ornament

What shall I stitch in 2015?
Here is my list for now, but it will probably change through the year.


Paradise - Stoney Creek



Snowman Wisdom - Sue Hillis



Mouth of the Flower - Stitching Studio



Family of Birds - Stitching Studio

Floral Fifteen  (15 sided biscornu) - Just Nan

Exchanges - Friendship/Spring/Halloween/Christmas
Gingerbread Mice - Just Nan Limited Edition 3D ornaments

Stitch-A-Longs for 2015

I tried to make a separate page for the 2015 Stitch-A-Longs, but cannot get blogger to add the page, so I decided to just post the information here instead.  I have added the badges to the left sidebar if you want to visit or join.

I have borrowed all the information below from the hosts of the 2015 SAL rules/sign up pages.  Please visit each of the SAL home pages for more information or to join.

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2015 Smalls SAL - hosted by Heather at The Stitching Lotus (sign up to join).
Smalls: pin cushions, needlebooks, book marks, biscornus, ornaments, etc.
I will continue to stitch Just Nan small 3D ornaments through the year.
Rules:  Stitch a small every month. You get to decide what a small is for you. 50×50 stitches? 100×100 stitches? It’s up to you. You just need to be able to get it done by the check-in day. (WIPs that you complete in time for the check-in are great too!)
  1. Post a picture of your completed small (stitching done, but the actual finishing is optional) on the last Wednesday of every month.
  2. Hop over here to my blog and add a comment to the current month’s check in post to get an entry into the end of the year draw.
The dates for check in are as follows:
January 28 ** February 25 ** March 25 ** April 29 ** May 27 
June 24 ** July 29 ** August 26 ** September 30 
October 28 ** November 25 ** December 30
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2015 A Stitch from Stash is hosted by Mel (sign ups are closed).
This is my first time joining so not sure of all the rules (too many to list here ... see Mel's complete list of rules.  Also checked the 2014 rules looking for when to post each month see below in red text.  I will have to see when other participants are posting.


There are two parts to the challenge this year each lasting for a 6 month time-period. 
A) 2015-A from Jan 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015. (I signed up for this one).

B) 2015-B from July 1, 2015 to Dec 31, 2015.


$25 a month budget in place for each month. This is a total of $150 over the 6 months that you can buy guilt free on any stash you choose.

From 2014 rule (couldn't find on 2015)  All posts & emails need to be completed by the 28th of each month to be eligible. I don't care when you post during the month (because life is busy) but you must do it in the month (ie: February's post must be posted between Feb. 1 and 28).


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TUSAL 2014 is hosted by Daffycat (sign ups soon for 2015).
Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long.  You collect your Old Ratty Threads in a jar - post photo of your ORTS each month on the new moon.

The 2015 New Moon dates to post your progress photos:
January ? ** February ? ** March ? ** March ? ** April ?

May ? ** June ? ** July ? ** August ? ** September ?
October ? ** November ? ** December ?
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A New Stitchy Start 2015 is hosted by Tammy (sign ups are closed). 

Please post a picture of your design in your first post that you will start on January 1st and stitch along with me. Then at the end of the month 28-31st post your update. Don't forget to sign your posts!!!
I have decided that at the end of next year for incentive I will do a prize for posting. If you post every month and show your update then you will be entered into the draw at the end of the year. If you happen to complete your stitchy piece keep updating with a wip piece until the end of year.  
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Grow Your Blog 2015 is hosted by Vicki (sign up to join).

I will be participating in Grow Your Blog again this year on January 25, 2015.   This is a way for bloggers to get more readers and/or followers to discover our blogs.
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2015 IHSW - is hosted by Joysze.  I don't have the 2015 link yet, but it will be held the weekend of January 16 -18 2015.  It is held on the 3rd weekend of every month. Post a before photo on Friday and after on Sunday or Monday.
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Several exchanges throughout the year hosted by Wilma at Stitcher's Place (my Local Needlework Shop).
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Monday 22 December 2014

Finishing mood

I don't feel like starting a huge project because it is almost the end of the year.  I'm trying to finish up any unfinished projects.  Planning all my projects and Stitch-A-Longs for 2015.

1.  The wooden box, my part is done.  Here is a photo of the lid with the stitched Pokemon Gyarados and some blue & white cording around it.  


I think the blue fabric for the inside is perfect, since this is a water Pokemon.


As you can see Jordyn is still painting the waves on the side of the box.  He paints one colour, then has to wait for it to dry before adding more coats or another colour.  Plus he is a procrastinator ... he could have been painting while I was stitching for the past few months.  He thinks he has lots of time ... Christmas Eve is not until Wednesday night.







2.  2012 Gingerbread Mouse has been stitched for months but still needed to be assembled.  Tonight after working on the wooden box lid I assembled the mouse.  I think he is adorable.  







We will see what else I can finish by the end of December 2014.




Sunday 21 December 2014

Skate ornament Happy Dance

I finished the skate into an ornament and forgot to take a photo before giving it away.   Deborah was not able to attend the Christmas Exchange, so I left the ornament with Wilma at Stitcher's Place.  Deborah was supposed to pick it up yesterday.  Here is my finished pillow ornament photos courtesy of Wilma.



I haven't stitched a thing in over a week.  Too busy baking and shopping.  Today I started assembling the Pokemon Gyarados wooden box project for Sarah; my son Jordyn's girlfriend.  I lined the box (base and lid) with blue fabric.  I have the cross stitch part stuffed and mounted on cardstock.  I also made the blue & white cording to go around the stitched project.  Jordyn sprayed the lid with a clear "gloss" finish.  

Tomorrow night I will attach the cross stitch to the lid and Jordyn will finish painting waves on the sides of the box.  I hope to be able to spray the base with a clear "gloss" finish tomorrow night as well.   After  that it is just adding the brass hinges and front clasp.   I will show photos when it is all finished.


Tuesday 16 December 2014

Christmas Cross Stitch Exchange

Tonight at my LNS (Stitcher's Place) we did our 1st Annual Christmas Exchange.  I received a beautiful NOEL picture from Heather.


Donna was the recipient of my quadrielle "snowflake" ornament.  Here are some photos of my ornament that I stitched.  I always put my exchange piece in a tin can or box.


Here is a photo of the finished quadrielle ornament hanging on my tree (for the photo).  I used the Kreinik corder to make the hanging cord.  I also made a tassle for the bottom from matching DMC floss.


There is a snowflake same one on all 4 sides.


On the top I stitched each triangle with a quarter of the snowflake, so when it was sewn together it created a snowflake.


The bottom triangles have 3 simple snowflakes and the words "Christmas Exchange 2014".



I have already signed up for the Friendship Exchange in February 2015.  I will have to start thinking about what to stitch for the exchanges throughout the year.


Sunday 14 December 2014

Happy Dance ... Pokemon Gyarados!!

I finished Pokemon Gyarados this afternoon.  Now I just have to attach it onto a wooden box.


Here is the link to find the free cross stitch pattern.  http://www.birdiestitching.com/?p=731




Saturday 13 December 2014

Pokemon Gyarados update #14

I'm getting closer to a finish, working on the head and tail at the same time.  My son Jordyn finally put a base coat of black paint on the wooden box today.  He will be painting waves on the sides of the box.  I will attached Gyarados to the top with matching cording around to cover any edges.  Jordyn will  pick out a fabric pattern to line the inside of the box.  Hopefully it turns out as well as we are envisioning it.  I will post photos of the finished box after it is completed.


Thursday 11 December 2014

Pokemon Gyarados update #13

I had some time today to work on his mouth.  I will be stitching all day Saturday, hope to get a lot done.  I just have the head and tail to do then it will be completed.  My son Jordyn needs to start painting the wooden box that this project will be attached to.


Tuesday 9 December 2014

Pokemon Gyarados update #12

I stitched a bit tonight at the Tuesday Night Stitching Club, unfortunately I forgot my portable magnifier and pulled the same stitches out several times before they looked correct.  Here is my progress.


Monday 8 December 2014

Pokemon Gyarados update #11

I didn't stitch at all over the weekend, but I had a few hours tonight while I watched Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (one of our family's favourite Christmas movies).   Here is a progress photo.




Friday 5 December 2014

Pokemon Gyarados update #10

Not a lot of stitching time tonight back to Toyota tonight to pick up my car with my new snow tires on it.  Then Dave & I walked around the mall picking up some more Christmas presents.  Here is my progress for tonight.  Sorry about the lousy lighting, it really is on black evenweave.




Thursday 4 December 2014

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Pokemon Gyarados update #8

After Dave & I dropped off his car to Toyota (getting his winter tires on tomorrow), went to Costco (groceries and more Christmas shopping) and then had supper I found a few hours to stitch.  I worked on Gyarados tonight.  I think I got quite a bit done.  It looks so vibrant on black.


Last night I finished stitching the ice skate.  I don't think I'm going to stitch the words "Ice Skate" at the bottom.  It is cute, and a very fast stitch ... still not my style.  I will finish it into an ornament before giving it to Deborah; she is one of the ladies from our Tuesday Night Stitching Club.


Tuesday 2 December 2014

Goals and Reviews

December Goals

Finish Pokemon Gyarados project before Christmas

Finish Ice Skate ornament

Assemble Just Nan’s 2012 Gingerbread Mouse so I can hang it on my tree

Assemble Just Nan’s Hagatha’s Hat so I can hang it on my tree

Plan projects and SAL’s for 2015


November Review

Blog every day in November - NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) - YES

Finish Just Nan's Hagatha's Hat – YES, the stitching is done.  Still need to assemble it.

Plan Christmas Ornament Project -YES and DONE

Work on Christmas cross stitch gifts for family & friends – YESstill working on them.

 

Monday 1 December 2014

Pokemon Gyarados update #7

I stitched on two projects tonight.  I got a little bit more done on Gyarados and the ice skate ornament.