February TUSAL

Why yes, I'm late....I wouldn't have it any other way! :)


My February TUSAL:  

Sitting next to my Valentine's gift to my hubby....he loved it!



It's a HERMIT weekend!!  WOO!   Let's see what all we can accomplish in our stitching!




-lesli

January IHSW and TUSAL

I felt like I got a good amount of stitching done this IHSW...and then I realized that I added in an extra day. Since Monday was a holiday from work, I sort of counted Monday into my stitching too! (sorry about that!)

My results:

The Wedding before (this was a new start):

The Wedding after:

Cathedral before (was working on the rest of page 5):

Cathedral after (finished page 5 and 6 and started page 7):

And my ever so late, January TUSAL:

My son made me an adorable "Perler cup" for my ORTs, but they were kind of difficult to see, so I tossed them into a jar for a better view.   (info on how to make a perler cup can be found here)


Thanks for stopping by and checking out my projects!


-lesli

ORTs and Coffee

My first official post for 2013...and it's all over the place! :)


First off....ORTs!!  (Old raggedy threads)   What did everyone do with their ORT jar from 2012?   I took a picture of how full mine was, and I just couldn't bear to toss them...so I put them to good use!

My pretty ORTs in my vase (I put a votive candle next to it so you could tell the size of the vase):

I stitched a little pillow and stuffed it full of all the colorful strands....

And voila....my finished little 2012 ORT pillow!!  I used a scrap of dyed fabric and some DMC variegated floss and searched through various ABC books and this is what I came up with.

Guess I'm starting a new tradition of ORT pillows!!


Now for the....coffee!!  Among all my wonderful Christmas gifts this year, my hubby gave me a Keurig (K-cup) coffee maker.

It's one of those things I'd never get for myself, because I'm the only one that drinks coffee.  But OH MY GOSH....I LOVE THIS THING!!  I can't imagine how I lived without it before!!

It came with a sample of coffee flavors, and hubby gave me another box of samples too.  My new favorite is, Golden French Toast!  The kitchen smells like maple syrup each time I brew it...sooo yummy!!

So, question for any of you that have a K-cup maker...what are your favorite flavors, and why?  I'm on the hunt to try some new ones (because I'm obsessed with coffee now!) and I'd love to hear some suggestions!



Oh right...this is a stitchy blog, isn't it? 
Some of my latest progress pictures, not in any particular order because it's been so long since I posted any updates!


Middle Earth, Day 14:

QS Nostlagy (HAED Bulletin Board SAL), Day 6:

Paradise Found, Day 4:

Think I need to have a giveaway soon....I'm feeling the itch!   :)


-lesli

November EVERYTHING!

Ok..I've seriously become a blogging SLACKER!!   

I'm combining a little of this and a little of that in this post...because I'm late on my postings!  (knowing me, I'll miss the date for WIPocalypse again and post November's in December!)

Warning - Lots of pictures....this is what happens when my lazy butt only posts about once or twice a month!!


November Thanksgiving TUSAL:

November IHSW:

Before the weeekend, my QS Dream of Dahlia by Heaven and Earth Designs

After the weekend:  Finished! :)  This is stitched on Brandied Apple dyed fabric from Silkweaver Fabrics.  Had to get this one done so I had time to have it framed and shipped for a Christmas gift.

Other Updates:

Before IHSW, I was able to finish another one of my pieces, Blue Lanterns.  This is also going to be a Christmas gift:

I am SOOO happy with myself that I made my Christmas gift goals this year!   Now I can focus on ME ME ME stitching!  :)


I also wanted to share my "secret stitching" from last month.

 I stitched and finished this little needlework travel kit for Ewa using the beautiful silk floss she sent me.  Here's some pictures:

the Front

the Back

and the Middle! :) 

I think Ewa and I are in a gifting war...which is WONDERFUL!  And...we shall see who wins! 

She soon followed the receiving of this gift with RAKing me this fantabulous HAED chart, Paradise Found by Janelle Nichol:



I've already purchased all the floss and put  my order in for some Magic Guide.....I plan to start this baby SOON!    It's so different from anything I've stitched and I love love love the colors!!

I was also recently gifted the adorable QS Dragonflies also from HAED by Ching-Chou Kuik.  A generous stitcher from FB, Margo, sent it to me.:

With the stash I've developed from my new found love of dyed fabric, I'm very sure I have something perfect to stitch this piece on!



For those of us in the US....WHO'S READY FOR BLACK FRIDAY!?  I'm ready!! 

I've taken the day off from work and I have my stitching ready for me to sit and enjoy all day while the crazy shopping takes place without me!!    I do plan to do some online shopping, because of some dyed fabric sales <sigh, addict addict addict>  and some stocking stuffers for the family.


As always, a huge thank you to all of you that take the time out of your day to read my LONG posts!! 

This has been a wonderful, wonderful stitching year for me, and I couldn't have enjoyed it like I have without all of your support!


-lesli

Totally Useless......

That's right....it is TUSAL time!  

My October-themed TUSAL jar:

Not too shabby if I say so myself!   I feel like I've been productive!


In other news.... I've been stressing out over my WIPs!   I keep starting new pieces and new SALs.....so my original rotation plans are shot.  A few of the new stitch-a-longs that I'm in run by time versus finishing a page (which I'm used to), so I've taken a shot at coming up with a plan that fits both timed stitching and finishing pages.  I think WIP planning is tougher than rocket science!!

I've also decided to put a few pieces on hold, which you'll see on my On Hold tab.   Once I get caught up on some other items, I'll put these back into rotation (I think!).
I've posted my updated plans in the right side bar (I left what I've finished so far this year and will delete those once 2012 is over). 


Now, I know I mentioned some new pieces I've started.....here's some pics!

QS Seasons 2 - I met a wonderful stitcher, Michelle, on the HAED FB Groups and she RAKd this chart to me a few months ago.  We decided it would be fun to stitch it together as a SAL, which we work on the first week of each month.   Here's my progress from our first week, in October:

Also, I purchased my first hand-dyed fabric from Silkweavers a bit ago, and once I recieved them I just had to get some floss in one of them!   I started QS Dream of Dahlia and here is my progress after 1 day:

I'll take a better picture for her next update...so you can see the gorgeous fabric better!


-lesli

September TUSAL and September IHSW

My September TUSAL:

My jar is actually more full than I had expected!  Mostly within the past few weeks, as I've been sick and haven't done much besides lay around in bed and stitch!  (no complaining on my end...I've been loving it!)

When I went to grab my ORT jar for the picture, my daughter's Lil' Pony was on the same table...she likes to put her own "pretties" in there then bring it to me to see her handi-work.   The fabric everything is sitting on is something I bought to work on a Christmas stitchy gift.  We'll see if I ever get around to it!

And my September IHSW:

I chose to work on my Lanterns piece.   My goal is to have all but the back stitching on this done before the end of this month! (yeah right, lesli!)

Before the weekend

After the weekend

As I shared earlier, I've been sick for the past couple of weeks.  I can't seem to shake this thing!  So it absolutely made my dreary day when I received an email from Kate letting me know I won a $25 gift certificate to 123stitch.com for her Blogaversary!   

Visit her adorable site here:   Momuboocrea Island  and if you scroll through her posts to the one on 09/11/2012 you can listen to her cute audio blog!

This also reminds me...don't forget to enter my Blogaversary contest as well...just click here!  

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend full of family, fun and stitching!  I'm off to check out all your updates!

-lesli

August IHSW and TUSAL...and Giveaway Reminder

What a fantastic weekend I had!   Ran some errands and went shopping most of Saturday, but spent a good amount of my Sunday doing nothing but STITCHING!



For my August IHSW (International Hermit and Stitch Weekend) I was able to finish page 1 of Tamlin:

Before:

And After:

I printed a color copy of the artwork for comparison's sake.  



I'm also a bit late on my TUSAL for August, so I guess it is better late than never!

My TUSAL jar is pretty empty this month.......I'll have to make up for it this month!   This is a picture next to the Olympic Torch my daughter Kella made in her daycare class  :)



Also..just a reminder to everyone that I'm having a giveaway of 3 different Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum charts.....which ends this Sunday (August 26) at noon EST.   Enter enter enter! :)


I can't believe Fall is just around the corner!  Yippee!  My favorite season and time of the year!


-lesli

July TUSAL and Eleven Late Questions

My July TUSAL:

So you're thinking, "what in the world is her ORT jar sitting next to?"

My husband started on this, I LOVE Sweet Potatoes kick.....only he buys more than he eats and they end up sitting in my pantry sprouting leaves.  I've planted two in pots outside and these three are sitting in a bowl of water on my kitchen bar, growing vines all over everything!


Earlier this month the lovely Meari of Meari's Musings posted her 11 questions she was asked and then tagged 11 people with 11 new questions!  She tagged me!!

I've been busy busy and haven't had a chance to post my answers to her questions, so here they are!

1. Do you have a SABLE (stash acquisition beyond life expectancy) situation?  Absolutely, and then some!!  One day I'll move into my dream home where I'll have my own mommy-cave to fit everything into!
2. What is the most favorite vacation you’ve been on?  So it probably sounds boring...but I love when I get to go back home to Utah to visit family and friends.   I get to sit around at my parent's house and relax while they have their time with the kids.  I also get to visit with everyone and just enjoy life.
3. Have you ever entered your stitching in a competition?  I personally have not, but last year my sister in law entered a piece I stitched for my father in law into the fair, and it won the Grand Prize!  It was such a thoughtful act on her part  :)
4. Cat or Dog?  I love both, and I've owned both, but currently we have a cat.  Mr. Fatty Pants.  I'll post a pic of him at the end of the questions!
5. Have you taught anyone how to stitch?  I have!  My son, Sebastian.   He's been watching me for years and kept asking if he could try.  Bought him some 11 count and he made himself a bookmark!
6. What is/are your favorite TV show(s)? Oh I could go on and on and on with this one!  But my top favorites are:  Bones, NCIS, Suits and CSI
7. What is your favorite stitching tool? My "unpicking" tool!  Mostly because, it's super sharp and when I do have to frog, I get it done pretty quickly!  (this doesn't mean I don't love all my tools, because I couldn't get anyting else done without all of them either!)
8. What brands of floss have you used?  I've only ever used DMC, I don't even know that I've seen anything else at the stores I go to!  Of course, any of the charts I finished that were pre-kitted, I have no idea what brand floss they use!
9. Are you adventurous when it comes to trying new foods?  Mostly!?   I draw the line at strange parts of animals    :)
10. Do you like kits or do you like kitting up your own?  Kitting up my own, baby!  I think it's theraputic!
11. If you could do anything for a day, what would it be?   Why....STITCH ALL DAY of course!   Though, spending all day with my family would really come first.......on most days :)

So really I'm supposed to come up with 11 new questions and tag 11 new people...but I can't narrow it down to 11 people, I love so many of you in my blog-world!   So instead (and I'm stealing this shamelessly from Ewa at Cross Stitch and Other Musings)  pick one of the questions I answered above from Meari and post an answer in my comments!

I am so hoping to take part in IHSW this weekend!  My stitching time has really decreased all month due to work......but here's hoping! 


And last but not least......


Mr. Fatty Pants

Happy Stitchy-itching!


-lesli

June IHSW and TUSAL

A quick post before I take off to catch a plane to NC.  :)

My June IHSW from this weekend.

Before:

After the weekend:

I was able to get page 1 done on Moonlight!   Tent stitching really is quick!

And since I'll be traveling all this week, I figured I'd post an early TUSAL for June also:

I snapped a quick picture while I was packing up my toiletries...so this is on the edge of our tub, with my daughter's Hello Kitty bubble bath dispenser!


I'll be gone all week to Charlotte for business...but I'm taking some stitching in the hopes that I have some "me time" in the hotel at night!

Hope everyone has a great week....can't wait to come back and catch up on blogs!



-lesli

May IHSW & TUSAL and other updates

I'm such a slacker!  It has been over 2 weeks since my last post!   I've been busy with work and having to travel, as well as family stuff going on.   I have so much to update on, but I'll really try to keep it short and simple  :)

Here is my May Hermitting update:

I worked on two new pieces over the weekend, one was Moonlight Immersion.  This is my first attempt with 28 count, using tent stitches.  I've been wanting to try all the different ways people work their HAEDs, so here's on of them!

Here is the before the weekend pic:

And my after shot:

I also started working on QS Blue Butterly by HAED this weekend.  A good friend of mine chose this chart as her first HAED and I thought it would be fun to stitch together, to keep her motivated and help her through getting adjusted to HAEDs

My progress from the weekend:

I also did some gridding for other new starts, but I didn't take any pictures of those...kinda boring! :)

In other news.......

My QS Motherhood by HAED came back from the framers....I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out!

The piece itself has some light hues of purple floss used in it...so the purple matting really brings that out.

The outer matting is a linen fabric, which I thought looked great with the stitching.  Here's a close up, you can sort of see it:

I sat down and updated my rotation/task list (located on my right sidebar).  The list is long, and I'll probably change it as I go...but my mind needed to lay out all my current goals.  I'll be working on two pieces just a few hours per week (SK Blue Moon and QS Blue Butterfly) as those are stitch alongs and then I'll be working my other pieces a page at a time. 

Eventually I'll need to add in the SAL from Papillon....Around the World in 80 Stitches, but I'm still waiting on my fabric to get here <sigh>.
I've also listed a "secret stitch" in there....this is something I am stitching as a gift and the recipient sometimes checks my blog...so just to be safe I won't post pictures until it is finished and given.

I was also asked to do a review of one of Yiota's Cross Stitch charts....and it just arrived...so I'll be woking on that this week!

Finally....I just wanted to share how proud I am of my son Sebastian.  Over the past few weeks he tested for his Blue Belt in Karate (Tang Soo Do).  This was a big deal for him, because this is the belt where he had to test and pass on EVERYTHING he's ever learned since he started.  It is also the belt just before Junior Blackbelt. 

HE PASSED! :)  He worked so hard to remember everything and do everything correctly, over the past 3 months....for a 10 year old, that can be asking a lot!  I'm a proud momma!



(edited to add my TUSAL)
After typing this up and posting it, I realized it was also TUSAL time!  <another sigh>  I'm so behind!

I took a quick snapshot of my monthly TUSAL jar and the big vase I'm using to gather everything for the year.  Pardon the Tony Hawk skate toys...my son took over my dining room table!





Whew! Sorry for the long post!   Have a great week!


-lesli

My Late April TUSAL and My On-time IHSW Update

I'm lazy.....so I waited to combine my TUSAL and IHSW update together!

My April TUSAL:

I found the cute birdie material as a remnant...only cost me $0.25 for 1/3 of a yard!   I'll make something with it....eventually...right? :)


What a wonderful weekend I had!  I spent most of Saturday with girlfriends...with the intent of working on my stitching, but of course I spent more time snacking on the yummy goodies everyone brought, watching movies and chit-chatting it up!  I did manage to get a few X's in......but the bulk of my weekend stitching was done on Sunday.  I also did some shopping at some craft stores and  I found an outrageous deal on these Thomas Kinkade Disney kits!

I've seen these before, and they are usually around $40....but I think these 2 were mismarked at $8.99!  Only the Tinkerbell and Pinocchio ones were at this price.....but I had some 50% off coupons....so I got them for $4.50 each!  My niece is working on the Cinderella chart so I'll give these to her to add to her collection.

I worked on 2 pieces for IHSW, my LHN piece Nature's Beauty and also a small HAED piece that I'm doing for someone special that is also in blog-world...so I won't post those updates until I'm done and have given it to her.

Here's my IHSW update for Nature's Beauty:

BEFORE IHSW -

AFTER IHSW -

This means I get to mark off task #6 from my rotation schedule!!  I started into task #12 and just might finish it off today....to finish off the entire piece.  


What else did I do this weekend?  Why.....I took part in the HAED half off coupon sale...of course!!!  

I know some of you out there did too!!  If you did....what did you get?   

I decided to keep my purchase small....I already have so many charts I've purchased and a good handful of them are already kitted up and ready to go!!   So I only purchased 3 ....I'm such a good girl (though, the coupon is good until the 24th!)

I just had to get Middle Earth...my husband glanced over my shoulder one day when I was reading through blogs and he saw the WIPs Ewa has...one of which is Middle Earth.   He then shouted, "I want you to stitch that next!"    He also threw in a, "I'll help you on it, I'll do some pages and you do the rest...it looks like there are only 5 or 6 shades of brown, right"?    Right honey.....5 or 6 .........  I will probably never get to it, at least not anytime soon.  But I bought it just in case it became retired.

Here's a pic of it:

I also purchased 2 charts from SPML's tarot series.   I've always wanted to finish a piece for mine and my husband's zodiac signs, but I haven't found one that I liked for both of us that were from the same artist.   But...I ran across a tarot site that tells you your tarot card based on your date of birth, so I entered ours in and mine is the Queen of Swords and my hubby's is the Knight of Swords....and you know what...I LOVE both of these charts by SPML, so ka-ching....I bought them!

Knight of Swords:

Queen of Swords:

This of course gave me the opportunity to let my husband know that I'm the QUEEN and he's just the Knight :)

If anyone is interested in looking their tarot card up, here's the site I went to:  Raven's Tarot Site


I'm starting to get a non-cross stitchy itch....so I'm thinking after I finish Nature's Beauty I'll work on a quilt for my son, or some knitting/crocheting.... then come back to my cross stitch rotation plan.    This doesn't help me get more of my HAED's done, but it will help me make a dent in my crafting stash!

Sorry for such a long post.....hopefully I didn't put anyone to sleep for the start of the week!! 


Can't wait to play catch up today on everyone's blogs!



-lesli