2016 Smalls SAL Final Post

This year I joined a fun SAL and it's time for the final check in for the Smalls SAL. The point was to pick a pattern to work on each month. It could be anything you considered small. The goal was to work on your choice each month and at the end of the year have 12 completed projects. I had this leaflet in my stash for I have no idea how long...

I thought this would be the perfect plan and just hoped I would stick to it. I was doing the DUCJC (Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge) so I started the Jan one in Jan but didn't get to finish it till Feb. I finished all the other ones during the month they were for. So last but not least here is Dec Whimsy just finished up a few minutes ago...

(31) December 30th

A Year of Whimsy by Dimensions (Out of Print)

Stitched on Perforated Paper

Used Suggested DMC

Started whole project for DUCJC Jan 1st, 2016.
Took 6 Days.

 

I have a piece of cork board beside my calendar right by my computer. I use a thumbtack and they can hang where I will see them everyday. I love them!!! Here is the whole set now...

The whole project ended up taking me 57 days to complete. I'm so happy I stuck with them and got them all finished up!! If you follow the link at the top of this post or on my sidebar you can sign up to join in next year. It was a great push for me to stick with these. Plus they are finished finishes even!! I will be announcing soon my patterns for next year but I'll tell ya I have another monthly series picked out.

Smalls SAL and Gift Received

It's Smalls SAL Check in Post Day! Here is where you go to see what wonderful pieces everyone has done this month. I missed a few check ins I think but I've stuck with my plan of finishing a Year of Whimsy piece every month. This is the first SAL that I've stuck with the WHOLE YEAR! I'm so glad she is hosting again next year. I already have a monthly pattern picked out to complete next year and I just can't wait!! Anyway here is my Nov Whimsy all finished up again for those new to my blog...

I guess for those who are new to my blog you need to know these are from a leaflet by Dimensions that is now out of print called Year of Whimsy. I've stitched them on perforated paper and cut them out as ornaments. I have them hanging by my calendar on a cork board display. I can't believe I only have one Whimsy left to do. I've enjoyed these guys so much!! Also I wanted to share that yesterday I received an interesting package in the mail with this marking on the corner...

What?!? Then I saw the address and remembered I was awaiting a package from the lovely Jo at Serendipitous Stitching. I had won a giveaway during one of her AWESOME blog hops that she hosts. So I hurried ripped open the package...

My first ever Prairie Schooler pattern. Plus what better choice for me. Look at the fantastic ocean themed options!! Can't wait to stitch them!! There was also a gorgeous handmade card...

Here is a close up of the beautiful stitching done on the front of the card. The two patterns included also go along with the same color type scheme too. Done by a friend of Jo's. How beautiful! What a wonderful package to receive. Thank you so very very much Jo!!! I feel spoiled rotten.

Sept Whimsy Finished

I'm a day early but tomorrow we hit the road for our vacation. So here's my September Smalls SAL check in. I was able to get the Sept Whimsy all finished up...

 (Finish # 24) September 27th

A Year of Whimsy by Dimensions (Out of Print)

Stitched on Perforated Paper

Used Suggested DMC

Started whole project for DUCJC Jan 1st, 2016.
Took 5 Days.

I love the way he turned out. All ready for back to school. Next post will be from on the road. See ya then!

August Whimsy Finished

 (Finish # 21) August 26th

A Year of Whimsy by Dimensions (Out of Print)

Stitched on Perforated Paper

Used Suggested DMC

Started whole project for DUCJC Jan 1st, 2016.
Started this one August 22nd, 2016. Took 5 Days.

 

I was able to get the August Year of Whimsy finished up. I just LOVE this one. Definitely looks like he's ready for a warm August like what we've had. Right now the heat index is 103!! Crazy. I'm ready for the cool fall air to come any time now please.

Yesterday Mom and me went to a fun festival. It was a refurbished, up-cycled, vintage antique sale. There were probably 100+ vendors setup at this farm type grounds. Jeremiah and Fred went out to eat breakfast and then to our hometown Fort. They were doing a re-enactment type of event. They boys had fun. Now back to us girls. It was a 2 hour drive to get to the area (South Bend for those who know Indiana). We had an hour to go and the clouds let loose. It was pouring. But I said Let's keep going. So we did. When we pulled into the parking lot it was a mud pit. We were both so glad Jeremiah wasn't with us. We sure wouldn't have made it very far without ruining his wheelchair. But we had a blast. Yeah we got dirty. Yeah we go wet. But we laughed and had a blast. We found some Christmas gifts. We found a million ideas of fun crafts to do together with Jeremiah. The prices for most the stuff was just crazy when it's something you can make yourself if you know how to.

When we were finished shopping we got back to the van. We were very close to Laporte, Indiana which is the home to House of Stitches my FAVORITE stitching store. Mom had never been there before so she said Let's Go. I really had fun showing her around the store and she was enjoying being a Santa Claus and shopping. I helped but tried to look away as much as possible haha. Now the torture of waiting till Christmas!! On the way home we stopped at another Antique store that was high priced but we had fun looking around. We grabbed dinner and came home. Wow our legs are tired but what a great time we had.

Monday Update - 3 Finishes!!!

When I get time to actually stitch I get a lot done haha. Friday I was able to finish up the July Whimsy...

 

(Finished 17) July 29th

A Year of Whimsy by Dimensions (Out of Print)

Stitched on Perforated Paper

Used Suggested DMC

Started whole project for DUCJC Jan 1st, 2016.
Started this one July 26th, 2016. Took 4 Days.

 

After that I picked up a DUCJC piece Tour Postcard from Summer House Stitche Workes. It was my #12 start in January. Here it is all finished up...

I finished it on Saturday. Sunday I picked up my last postcard start Beach Postcard from Summer House Stitche Workes. It was my #9 start.

I can't wait to finish these post card designs onto the burlap frames and decorate them. Hopefully I'll find time to do that soon. This week I'm going to work on the Family Crest. Hope everyone has a great week. Welcome to August!!

July Smalls SAL

Today is the check in for the Smalls SAL. As my readers have noticed I'm extremely busy. Just got back from a 5 night camping adventure. So here is my July Year of Whimsy...

Not finished. Since I've only got 2 days worth of work into it. But I have 3 more days to finish it before the month slides away so hopefully I'll reach my deadline.

We had a fantastic time at our camping getaway. Only one complaint. It was HOT!!! We had heat warnings each day. Even though I kept drinking water I think I got really dehydrated by the time we came home. So Sunday I was not feeling well at all. I'm finally feeling better but boy it took a lot out of me. I just LOVE camping but I love fall/spring camping a lot lot more. This year we did a lot more volunteering with the organizers to help out. I really enjoyed being more involved. We also have so many new friends that we enjoyed getting to know better. There were at least 1,500 people who attended the event. I got to meet one lady who flew in from Hawaii just for this event! She took 3 planes to get there. Crazy! But so much fun to be involved. It was a geocaching event called a Mega Event. We didn't do any geocaching since we make it more of a socializing time. I'm glad it's over but so thankful for all the memories.

Okay I'm off to finish July. I'll be back hopefully soon with a finish.

Smalls SAL

It's time for another 2016 Smalls SAL check in. Guess what? Even with all the craziness of going and going I was able to keep up and finish June on my Year of Whimsy pieces.

  Finish 16 -- June 28th

A Year of Whimsy by Dimensions (Out of Print)

Stitched on Perforated Paper

Used Suggested DMC

Started whole project for DUCJC Jan 1st, 2016.
Started this one June 20th, 2016. Took 4 Days.

 

I didn't think I would be able to get it finished up in time. I'm so glad I did. Now to find time to squeeze out July even though the month just started it's a busy one coming up. 

 

I also got 2 days into the Elshire Family Crest restart. Oh my goodness I just LOVE it!! The new pattern is perfect so far. Here is my progress...

Here is a reminder of what it will look like...

I'm starting on the banner at the top if you can't tell. I just hope I can work on it fast and get it finished quickly for my Grandpa. It's detailed like a HAED. Can't wait to see it progress more.

April Smalls Post

Today is time to check in for the April Smalls SAL. For this year's Smalls SAL I picked out this leaflet...

So far I've kept up with doing them in the month they were due. Here is the April one all finished up...

I've really enjoyed doing each one. Here's to keeping up.

March Smalls SAL Post

Today is the last Thursday of the month so it's time for a Smalls SAL check in. I picked out this chart for this year's challenge...

My goal is to stitch each month during the month it's for this year. So far so good. Here is March all finished up...

I'm cutting them out and displaying them on cork board by my calendar. I'm going to start April's tomorrow and work on it. Even though Easter is already over it's a cute little bunny rabbit. These have been a lot of fun to work on. Let's see what other small things I've worked on this month...

This piece is definitely small haha. I finished it up Feb 29th. It's called Seaside Squared from Erica Michael's. It's done on 40ct and I just LOVED working on it.

These designs are from Just Cross Stitch Dec 2015 Issue. I used some Jodyri Threads I had received in a giveaway. There are 4 of these. They are 74x74 so meet my idea of under 100 threads size for this challenge too.

Here is my last one to report. I just finished it right before this post...

Finish # 13

Seas the Day a PALs Retreat 2015 Exclusive

Designed by Silver Creek Samplers

Started for DUCJC 2016 Day 10

Finished March 31st. Took 3 Days.

Used DMC threads. Fabric is 36ct Silkweaver Molo Evenweave.

This makes 9 of my 31 DUCJC projects marked off the list.

Smalls SAL

Today is check in time for the 2016 Smalls SAL. The goal is to post a finished small piece of stitching. I picked out a focus piece for this SAL and hope to finish each one during the month they represent. Here is the project again...

I was worried I wouldn't get this month's finished in time because we went away for a weekend and then I came down with a bad bug. But luckily I was able to stitch finally yesterday. So last night just in time I finished up February!! Here it is...

It's proudly took it's place on the cork board for the last few days of the month. Since Jan 25th I've also finished this small piece...

It's a Foxwood Crossings sled ornament from the Snow Grateful set. Also this one...

This is a retreat exclusive from Noteworthy Needle for the PALs Retreat. I just love how it's finished into a beach chair!

So far so good. Here's hoping March is just as good to me.

January Smalls SAL

Today is my first post ever to the Smalls SAL. I enjoyed seeing people post last year about the Smalls but I don't normally do things that are small. This year I wanted to change that. I'm hoping to work on these guys through the year...

Since I've been starting all the new starts for January I haven't been able to finish the 1st one up just yet. Here is where I am now...

I'm stitching them on perforated paper and then I will hang each one up for the month the are for by my calendar. I have a few other small finishes to report though this month...

These are new starts for the Ultimate Crazy January Challenge that ended up being quick finishes. 3 of the 4 are even finished finishes Wohoo!!! So hopefully I'll be back Feb 25th with even more Small finishes. Thanks for stopping by.

New to Me SAL

Wohoo I've found a new SAL to join. I've enjoyed watching a few ladies join in this year's SAL. The sign up is now open for the 2016 SAL. I don't normally do very many small pieces but I have a project in my stash that I really want to finish...

They might not be considered small for some people but they are for me. I'm going to do each one on perforated paper. A lot of times during those warm summer months I forget to follow through with SALs so I really hope I can stick with this one. We'll see. Just had to share to see if some other people will enjoy joining in too. I just love a fun SAL.