First HAED page complete!

I've finally completed 1 full page of one of my HAED pieces! 

Page 1 of Cathedral:

It still resembles camouflage to me, but when I compare it to the real picture I can see the right images coming through.  So excited!!

I've never rotated so many projects in one month before....I'm so used to focusing on one piece at a time, but I have so many different things I want to work on!!   I've actually enjoyed the rotation, but I'm looking forward to finishing some items and focusing on just 2-3 instead.

Another project I've made some headway on is my Cathedral Windows Quilt.  My last update had me with all my circles cut out and ready to sew.  I've sewn them all, turned them all out and ironed them.   I've finally started sewing them together and hope to have a finish to post soon!!

My quilting progress:

Piles of my completed circles!

I taped my circles to my wall to figure out the best patterns to put them in.  Was trying to avoid having duplicate material too close together.  This took more time than I could have imagined!

And finally.....some rows of sewn circles!

This weekend is my first IHSW!!  I'm happy to finally participate  :)     


I'll be working on my Blue Moon piece.  I haven't touched it since my January WIPocalypse update, so hoping to make a good chunk of progress.

Here's my before picture:

I can't believe January only has about a week left!   I swear it was just Christmas!!!  
Work has kept me busy for this new year, so time has just been flying by!!   Hopefully things slow down in February and I can visit my blog-world more often.  I feel so disconnected from everyone's blogs because I haven't been reading them for a week or so! :(   I need to find an hour this weekend and play some catch up.

My quick weightloss update:  32 pounds lost so far!  It's been 9 weeks since I started my journey.  I'm hoping to lose 75 pounds in total....so I'm almost halfway there!  I have baggy clothes that sort of fit, but I don't want to go out spending money on new clothes if I'm going to lose more!  Guess I'll be using my box of safety pins for the next months!  :)

I hope everyone is having a wonderful 2012 so far....I'll catch up on all your blogs this weekend!  I'm sorry I've missed out on your updates!


-lesli

Is it a HAED or a block of camouflage?

I finished my first half-page of Cathedral:

It looks like a block of camo!!  Looking at if farther away helps me see the leaves in the upper left corner, but up close I was getting worried about what I was stitching!  Hoping to finish the other half of the page in the next few weeks.

I also dabbled a little in my 2012 SAL from the HAED BB - SK Blue Moon (and when I say a little, I mean barely 200 stitches!)

My phone camera doesn't take the best shots, or maybe it's my lighting....sorry about that.  My last few posts have had some bad pics!

I decided to update my WIPocalypse list, knowing that my time will also be spent on my new sewing machine.  I moved a bunch to a "delete" list for now...possibly adding them back in mid-year if things are looking good.   I also updated the ones I'm going to work on with specific goals (since they're mostly all HAED pieces, I made page goals).   Has everyone finished putting their list together?

In my last blog post, I had begun my adventure of making a quilt with my new sewing machine.  After searching on the internet for various patterns, I decided  to make a Cathedral Window quilt.....and of course I decided to make it big!  Here's a link to the tutorial for the baby version:  Cathedral Window Baby Playmat.   My big version had me cut out 420 circles of fabric and 210 circles of batting!  Who knew circles would be so difficult and time consuming to cut?

Circles, circles, everywhere!

Now I just need to pair up the fabrics (trying not to get any duplicates) and pin the batting on....then I get to start sewing!

I'm loving how much stitching everyone is doing already!!  I think it's the Crazy January challenge that folks are participating in.   Maybe I should have signed up for that one!

*diet update* - 25 lbs lost so far...... hoping 2012 adds to that number!  :)


"I keep my end tables full of needlework and quilting so I don't have to dust them"- Author Unknown  (this is so me!)



-lesli

She's Done!

I completed Angel of Hope just before Christmas....though I've held off in giving her as a gift until I finish Coral, so I can give them at the same time.

Isn't she purty?  :)

Other than her finish, I haven't done any other stitching over the holidays.  I did spend a good chunk of time yesterday cleaning up my floss disaster (I had 2-3 pieces I finished but never put the floss away).  I like to stitch with my floss pre-cut and layed out for me, instead of pulling the floss from the floss cards.  This way I can travel or sit in different places without having to lug around those plastic bins with all my floss cards in them.  Here's a picture of my accomplished clean up:

I may have to buy a 4th bin, as it's starting to get tight in there!

Let's see...what else did I accomplish..... oh yes, I finally finished gridding up the first vertical section and first horizontal section of Cathedral.  I can't decide if I should finish gridding up the entire piece or just start doing some stitching!!   I also spent some time and got all the floss sorted and pre-cut, so everything is ready to go!

Sooooo...what did Santa bring everyone!?    Santa brought me a brand new sewing machine!!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!  I already have some grand plans in my mind on what I want to create!!   How will I ever accomplish all my stitchy goals AND my new sewing goals in one year?   Here's a picture of my new baby:

Let's see....I also got some gift cards to Joann's (can never go wrong with gift cards!) and daddy helped Kella get me a new HAED chart that I'd been vying for:  A Princess is Born   She's definitely getting added to my 2012 WIPocalypse list, which I'll need to shorten due to adding some sewing projects into my goals.

I survived the main holiday without gaining too many pounds....I'm back on track on my diet and I'm excited to kick off the new year with my weight-loss goals.   What New Year resolutions is everyone making?  Besides the diet goals, I'm resolving to clean up my old craft projects and get them done (to make room for new ones!).  I have so much yarn that I definitely need to knit or crochet something!!   Cleaning up my crafty stashes will probably mean some giveaways....I have so much stuff!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and that Santa spoiled each and every one of you!!


-lesli

A quick update...before the Holiday is here!

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be." ~ Douglas Adams

Yes, I had some grand plans to complete 2 of my WIPs before Christmas.....alas, I'm not even close.  But, I'm not going to dwell on it...instead I'm going to change the course of my plans :)   Stressing about deadlines won't help me enjoy the holiday spirit, so I've extended my goals to ...whenever! 

All of that being said, I did make some progress on my Angel of Hope:

The white frilly section of her dress is on its way to being complete, then I'll have just a bit more of dark blue colors and I'm done. 

This past week I spent on business in Charlotte, NC...with plans to stitch in the hotel in the evenings.  Yeah right, Lesli!   Let's just say, the needle never saw the light of day.  I did have a wonderful time with friends from work that I rarely get to see in person.  Definitely worth giving up some stitch time for!

**Diet update**  I was so worried that the fun I had in NC would ruin the diet plan I'm on, but to my surprise, I came home and actually lost 3 pounds that week!!  I'm now down 22 pounds and LOVING it!! 

After returning home, I took my kiddos to do some pottery painting.  We have this cute little pottery store that allows you choose the item you want to paint and they supply all the paint, brushes and fun items for you to use.  When you're done painting, they fire it in their kiln in the next few days and you pick up your item in about a week or so.   Here's some pictures of my babies working hard on their pottery:


Ok, though not a baby anymore....this is my youngest, Kella



And this is my oldest baby, Sebastian

Sebastian painted a cute little Santa mug and Kella painted a little cup for her "choc milk", as she put it.


My weekend was spent making some blankets for Kella's daycare teachers.  I've done this the past 2 years for her teachers (she moves to a new class each year) and everyone has loved them, so this is starting to become a tradition!   Here's a picture of the finished products:

I used 2 yards of fleece fabric, one with a pattern and one as a solid color and I crochet the two pieces together and crochet a cute little border on them.  I think they turn out pretty nice and they make a great, home-made gift.

I've also spent a little time catching up on everyone's blogs, but I know I didn't get to everyone.  But, I have some vacation from working coming up in a few days, and I'm off the rest of the year, so I'll have plenty of time to catch up then!!

Most likely, I won't post again until after the Christmas Holiday so I'd like to take a quick moment to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas.  Hoping everyone has plans to spend with friends and family while relaxing and enjoying the Christmas spirit!! 


-lesli

A Giveaway Update and some Diet info (odd combo?) :)

November has FLOWN past me.  I swear it feels like just a bit ago I was looking at everyone's cute Halloween stitchy items and sending my kids off for trick or treating!!   Can it already be December?  <sigh>

On the bright side.....my Christmas shopping is officially complete!!  Mostly due to the fact that I shopped throughout the year to get a jump start, especially when I found great deals.  What I need to finish now are the 2 WIPs I'm working on that I'd planned to give as gifts.  I did buy some back up gifts just in case I don't finish...here's hoping I don't have to use them!!

I don't have any WIP updates today..... the times I set aside to stitch were filled up with other activities :(   How in the world will I finish them at this rate, right? 

I wanted to post a quick update on my Giveaway!  I currently have 88 followers!  How fantabulous is that?  This brings us to new items to add to both drawings!   I wonder ifI can hit 100 before the deadline?  If I do, I know I'll have to find a way to celebrate!!

New item for my main drawing:

Adorable Santa chart from Stoney Creek

And the new item for my second drawing:

DMC Cotton Perle floss - colors 3041 and 762 (a med purple and a silvery color)

I'm so excited to draw my winning names!!   Just 3 more days!


Since my last post about losing 12 pounds, I had a few followers ask me how I've been losing it.   I'm using a product called Body By Vi, which is a shake you drink in place of 1 or 2 meals a day.  You can click on the link and watch some videos on how it works if you like!  As of today, I've lost another pound this week!   I'm doing a 90 day challenge that the company is running (you can start your 90 days at any time).  They give prizes throughout the year to participants....it's not just about who loses the most pounds, so anyone can win!

Wishing you all a great day!


-lesli

Is it Monday already?

Where did my weekend go?  I set out on Friday with this grand plan of getting so much stitching done...and I failed! :(

I did get some stitching time in...so I guess all is not lost.   I was able to spend some time on Coral.  I wanted to finish page 1 by today, but alas........ just not enough hours in the day!

Here's what Coral looked like before the weekend:

And here's what she looks like Monday morning (sorry it's so blurry, the lighting was bad!):

I did however, get most of my Christmas shopping done (just 2 gifts left to get!)......and I did it all online!!  What did people do before the internet? 

At this rate, I'll have to delete some of those items on my list for the 2012 WIPocalypse....knowing I won't get to them!   I won't delete just yet (I'll probably just keep adding!)

I know I mentioned a week or so ago that I started a new diet.  Thanksgiving celebrations steered me a little of course, but I'm back in line.  I've lost about 12 pounds so far, so I'm happy!!  Here's hoping I can keep on track through the holiday!

My oh my.....my giveaway just puts a huge grin on my face!  I love that I keep seeing new followers and new sign-ups!  I've updated the list on the thread and I'm officially over the next addition mark (85)....I just haven't taken any pics of the new items.  I'll get those taken and uploaded as soon as possible!!   I wonder if I can hit 100 followers before the giveaway is over!

Anyhoooo.....just a quick post on my weekend work....I'm off to stitch!   Happy Monday to everyone!


-lesli