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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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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pokemon Gyarados update #9

I worked on Gyarados again tonight.  Here is what I got done.

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.

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 – YES, still working on them.

 

Pokemon Gyarados update #7

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

Pokemon Gyarados update #6

I finished my Christmas ornament today.  It is for the Cross Stitch Exchange at my LNS (Dec 16th). I stitched on Gyarados today.

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Inquiring minds wants to know?

I thought I would share with everyone, how to get gum out of your dryer.  My oldest son Jaspar likes to chew gum.  Borrowed a photo of the type of gum he likes (it is called 5).

He just happen to have a pack of purple gum in his pants pocket when I did laundry last week ... yes, I'm a nice mom and do both my son's laundry.  I stopped checking their pockets before throwing them in the washer.   I didn't notice the gum until I took the pants out of the dryer.  The gum was in balls still in the foil wrappers, but the gum had been rolling around in the hot dryer making dark marks on the sides and back of the dryer.

So before starting my laundry today, I had to clean my dryer.  I'm lucky that I have my washer and dryer on pedestals, so they raise them up higher (not as much bending when doing laundry).  I sat a chair in front of the dryer and used a "magic eraser" with a bowl of water and lots of elbow grease scrubbing the sides and back inside my dryer.  It looks brand new again.

Ice Skate update #1

I finished the blade of the ice skate ornament from the finishing class I attended last night.  Here  is a progress photo.

Cross Stitch Finishing Class

I made it to the class tonight at Stitcher's Place (LNS).  I started stitching my ornament.  I chose the JBW Designs A Winter Collection.  The patterns we got to choose from are not my style, but one of our regular Tuesday night stitcher's Deborah said she liked the skate ornament.   So I'm stitching it for her.  Sorry Deborah but I decided that even though the sparkly fabric we chose would look fabulous I have had such a stressful week at work (and last night with my car) I don't want my love of stitching to be without stress, no sparkly fabric.

As you can see not much progress, I was learning the stuff I missed from last night.  Wilma taught us how to make a tassle from DMC floss, and a ribbon bow.  We also played with the Kreinik corder. I bought one from Wilma earlier this year.  Here is what the Kreinik corder looks like.  I made the cording for my one of my projects in the spring.

Wilma also taught us how to make a cube that stands up (forgot to take a photo of this).  Here is a photo of Leigh's ornament (red fabric is on the back) without the cording and finishing touches (hanger, bow, etc).

Cross Stitch Finishing class

I was looking forward to stitching tonight ... but I don't think I was meant to take this class.  I was supposed to be attending a finishing class at Stitcher's Place (my LNS).  I think Wilma originally planned it for the summer but no one seemed interested so she rescheduled it for the fall.  It was cancelled last week due to the snow storm we had in our area.

I was on my way to the class, listening to music on my iPad.  I was unaware of the accident on Hwy 401 but I noticed traffic had come to a dead stop, so I decided to pull a "U" turn, that's when I hit the curb.  My car started pulling to the right as I'm driving.  I pull over in the Costco parking lot and then realize I have a flat tire.   

I never did show you a photo of my new 2014 Toyota Yaris Hatchback when I bought it in March.

I have roadside assistance, but with traffic being busy (and it isn't cold out tonight) I figure it would be faster if I can try to change the tire myself.  I helped my husband a few months ago change another tire on my new car.  I know where to find the jack, the locking nut for the tire, the spare tire, etc.

It took me at least 15 minutes to remove the jack from under the driver's seat (stupid place to store it in the Toyota Yaris).  Then I fought with the jack to elevate the car.  I was using the locking nut, but for some reason it wouldn't unlock the tires.  By now I'm very frustrated.  I was dialing roadside assistance when a man stops to ask if I need help.  I gladly accepted his help.  I will be calling the company where he works tomorrow to tell them how nice and helpful he was.

I was at Toyota about an hour.  They have to order a new tire, so I will have to go back tomorrow night and get it replaced.  Of course this all happens a week before I get new winter tires put on my car.

This is an image from the Yaris manual showing where they store the jack (under the driver's seat).

I love my new car (I waited 4 years to buy it) but I think it has an invisible target painted on it.  Someone at work was throwing out my old desk during renovations and it hit the front of my car.  I had to have the hood replaced (it was only 2 months old), and now this is my 2nd flat tire (the car is only 8 months old). 

Pokemon Gyarados update #5

It is Tuesday night so I went to the Stitcher's Club at my LNS (Stitcher's Place).  I stitched on my Pokemon project which needs to be completed for Christmas.  It might go faster if I stop talking or watching TV while I'm trying to count.  I have pulled out so many stitches.  It is hard to stitch on black at night.

Christmas is coming way too fast

I worked on my Christmas Exchange project (no photos until Dec 16th).  Even though it has been cold, and we had some snow, I am still finding it hard to get into the Christmas spirit.  Dave & I have done 60-70% of the gift shopping. It is hard to believe in exactly one month it will be Christmas Eve.  Stitching wise I'm not ready.  I will leave you with a few Christmas items I have bought this year.  This is my new holiday mug for work.

And this adorable snowman tin can from the Dollar Store.

 

TUSAL November 2014

I'm a little late with TUSAL (Totally Useless Stitch A Long).  If you want to join in the fun, click on the TUSAL icon on the right side bar.  Here is a photo of my ORTS so far this year.  My jar is getting full.

Door frames

No stitching again today, busy doing grocery shopping.  Then decided to add the trim in our basement patio door.  We started our walkout basement renovations 2 years ago.  The basement has the laundry room, and L shaped family room.  We didn't put in a bathroom because we used the space for an indoor turtle pond for our family pet.  We have a female Red-Eared Slider turtle named Frodo.

The framing, electical, spray insulation, drywall, and painting was all done the first year.  Last year we did the dricore (subfloor tiles on concrete basement walkout and a floating tile floor on top).  We never got around to doing the door frames and baseboards.  Those were supposed to get done this year, of course it is now the middle of November and we are racing to finish everything before the end of the year.   Here is a photo showing the moulding I selected to go around the door frames in the laundry room and the outside patio door.  I take some photos tomorrow of Frodo's area, and the door frames in the daylight.

No Stitching tonight

I worked late (busy catching up after taking yesterday off) tonight.  We ordered pizza and watched TV, but I didn't feel like stitching.

Christmas Shopping

Dave & I had the day off today.  I had a doctor's appointment first thing in the morning, and then we went Christmas shopping.   We stopped for lunch at East Side Mario's.  In the afternoon we did some more Christmas Shopping and groceries at Costco.   We were expecting 5-10 more cm of snow tonight so we stayed home.   I wrapped everything that we bought so far.  Still have some clothes to buy, and stocking stuffers.  Here is a photo of my Christmas wrapping paper.   I love these double sided rolls, last year I bought the one on the right (Silver with blue and white snowflakes / blue with white dots).  I loved it so much that I bought another roll this year.  Jordyn's gifts are the red paper, his girlfriend Sarah is the reverse light blue with white snowflakes, Jaspar has the dark blue with white dots, and Dave & I will share the same paper Silver with snowflakes.  My sons love that they can see their presents right away by colour.  I have done this since they were teens.

Christmas

Is anyone else thinking about Christmas?  It is hard not to think about it with all the snow that we have had in the last few days.  I just drove my oldest son Jaspar to work for 11pm.  The roads are still a little messy.  I was able to see the road now that it has stopped snowing.   Here is a photo looking outside my front livingroom window.   It looks so peaceful.

Tonight I continued to stitch on my Christmas Exchange project.  The deadline is December 16th, so I won't be able to show any photos until then.  I hope to finish all the stitching by the end of the weekend.

Pokemon Gyarados update #4

I didn't go to the Tuesday Night Stitchers Club, because I left work late and the roads were not very nice driving home and it was -10 outside, so I didn't feel like going out after supper.  I did stitch at home.  I worked on the Pokemon Gyarados project for my youngest son Jordyn's girlfriend.  It will be one of her Christmas presents.  Here is what it looked like before and after I frogged the white and blue sections at the top.  It is hard to see, but I did fill in all the black areas in between the body at the bottom right.