Jan 13th Monday Update

 Brr it's cold outside. Stitching inside and huddling under warm blankets is the way to go. Let's see what I worked on last week.

Monday and Tuesday I worked on Along the Nesting Boxes. I wanted to finish up the part I sectioned for January. Looks like each part will be basically two fence boards and whatever extra fits in that space to break this pattern down into monthly sections for the year. After 1,436 stitches I finally finished the first part...

It's a fun stitch. This section took 5 days so that's doable for the monthly parts. I look forward to each new section now. This worked for the Monthly Magazine Brringo prompts too. Monday needed a bird and Tuesday was something that Intimidates you. I admit I'm worried I won't keep up but I'm sure going to enjoy trying. 

Wednesday the 2nd part of the Peppermint Purple SAL was released so I stitched up Part 1 and 2...

I'm glad I joined this. I really enjoy blackwork. So relaxing. I decided to do just the blackwork. She has two options one with little touches of cross stitch thrown in. I personally like just the blackwork. I think I will try to do these two weeks at a time. We'll see haha. I know I'm already excited to see what Wednesday's release looks like haha.

After getting that done I had time to work on the Brringo prompt Something that makes you want to bundle up. Faith and I both grabbed same WIP haha. Winter SAL 2024 from Stitchonomy...

The outline of COLD and the little start for Fuzzy sweaters was done.

Thursday the prompt was Something with a border. So Irish Blessing came out to play...

I reached the bottom of the border so the end is very near for this one. Love it! I'm nervous about trying to make my first bell pull but I really love the idea of learning how to do it.

Friday the prompt was More Than 10 Colors. So Mason Jar Lineup came out. I keep it out Saturday as well...

The first two jars are finished and I moved on to the next flower.

Saturday's prompt was Something I was Inspired to Stitch. Sunday's was Something with words. So these worked perfect for The Mandalorian. Janet from Janet Jabber floss tube had done The Mandalorian and Jeremiah said Oh that's cute...which translates to Will you stitch that haha. Plus the words on it. I had a wonderful 600 stitch day since it was a cold lazy Sunday...

The words are finished now and I am working on the outline of Mando. Another close finish. Maybe February will be a finishing frenzy haha.

Life: Last week our second little electric heater started making a lot of extra noise. Fred tried to take it all apart but the fan part was starting to lock into place. So he stopped Friday to get a replacement. We looked into it and we replaced it 2 years ago so really that's not bad for a little $100 electric heater than runs all winter haha. Works great for our tiny home. The first one we got at the beginning of building our cabin is still running like a champ but we keep it lower and let the 2nd one do the most work since it's not a digital display so hard to know what temp we have it set to. Good thing we got the replacement listening to the weather. This week we won't go above freezing temps till Friday. Next week we have 3 days with single digits and possible below zero lows.

Thursday or some day (they all run into each other) I came down with the plague. Horrible coughing. Whole body pain. Jeremiah caught it Friday evening and spent two days in one spot being miserable. We are both slowly getting better. I think Fred said this morning when he was getting ready for work he has it now. Fun. 

So I will hide from the world with my stitching haha. Love yourself. Find all the reasons to smile. STITCH ALL THE THINGS haha.

Jan 6th Monday Update

 First Monday of 2025. Watch in a few seconds we will be talking about the whole year. I wish it wasn't true but I bet it will be. My biggest wish for 2025....for it to SLOW down! So let's see what I've been up to last week.

Monday Fred went back to work for the day. I worked on Creepy Christmas Village by Lola Crow but not very much I had a busy day catching up on computer work, recapping last year progress, and setting up 2025 challenges. Only added 71 to the Creepy Tree...

Jeremiah had a fun day. He left with my Dad and Bev to go gambling. Just a quick day trip but he sure had fun. Bev is still doing okay. They tested her bone marrow and nothing is showing up right now but she is having difficulty with her vision still and her strength is definitely not returning like we all hoped. Just hard. She is a year out since diagnosis beginning of December. 

Tuesday Fred was off again. We ran into town and got my birth control injection some groceries and hurried back home. It was a very rainy day which we still really need. I think we are 5 inches down in rainfall and labeled a severe drought in our county now. 

I decided on a New Years Eve start this year...

This is a 4 part series that was in 2023 Just Cross Stitch magazine. I was glancing through and just fell in love with them and had to hunt down the issues. The 4 part series ended up having 6 because they did Halloween and Christmas as well so we enjoy the laugh at the 6 part series of 4 charts. Jeremiah picked Winter first which I guess is appropriate for when I started it. I'm using a fabric from my friend the gorgeous 40ct Mystic Fabric - Illusion Verdal for this one. I added 400 for the first day on it while relaxing and watching Netflix for our countdown to 2025...

Wednesday it was cold. So another day watching Netflix and stitching all day. Perfect if you ask me. Another planned new start. New Year New Start. I grabbed everything to get ready and went looking for the floss box. Weird. I couldn't find it. Guess what I forgot to do? Yep pull the threads haha. So I got busy pulling them. Luckily I had them all. Fred said he was waiting for the Honey we need to run to the store haha. Finally got to start Along the Nesting Boxes...

I saw this on Instagram awhile ago and added it to my wishlist. When I was placing a Jardin Prive order earlier this year I figured this one might as well come to right? I am going to break it into monthly sections and do in 2025 each month. I love the seasonal feel to each section. Using a 32ct Platinum Lugana and stitching 2 over 2 with suggested DMC threads.

300 added for Day 1...

Thursday was Day 2. I added 300 again...

Friday I put it down for a prompt challenge for Represents Strength. Yggdrasil has to be used for that. So I added 331...

I also added a quick 69 more Saturday so I could stop at 400 before putting it away.

Saturday we ran into town to get a week worth of groceries. There was hype about a possible snow storm and it's supposed to be single digit temps a lot this week. After all that shopping and the quick 69 in Yggdrasil I pulled out Heart & Compass for Favorite designer prompt since I love Erica Michaels. Added 200 Saturday and 200 Sunday it before putting it away again...

Along the Nesting Boxes came back out Sunday for the prompts Flowers and Birds. Since it has both of those. I added 224 more...

We got totally missed by the snow storm after all. Now we just get the lovely cold all week. Poor Spike. He wants to go for walks and he just looks at me and sadly comes back inside. 

I hope everyone has a great rest of January. Love yourself. Find all the reasons to smile!

Dec 30th Update

 So Christmas time won over computer time. But I'm back. Let's see what I've been up to...

Last Monday update I was working on the Mystery Advent SAL that I stumbled onto on Facebook. I finished that beautiful piece for finish #34 ** Have 4 extra this way because for instance Peppermint Sleds is 3 diff designs in the same pattern. Also like Patriotic Gnome Littles it really 6 individual designs yet 1 overall pattern. **

I really love how it turned out on the black fabric with that beautiful Caron Waterlily thread. 

I worked on Christmas Truck...

Lady Liberty got to play for a day...

Beer Dragon got his 500 monthly...

Two new starts...

When I think of Winter from Puntini Puntini didn't get started on the 21st for the first day of winter because we were busy but on the 26th...

Also Peppermint Purple 2025 Blackwork SAL. I finally joined one of these SALs. I decided to get the border ready for the weekly sections. Took me 3 days but it's done now...

I did get some cross stitch for Christmas goodies but not as much as normal because I already have too much haha. 

Christmas Lantern Mill Hill Kit

Seasonal Samplings from Primrose Cottage. I only see Winter and Spring available right now.

A Type of Christmas from Erin Elizabeth has been on my wishlist for a long time. 

Conjuring Winter by Lola Crow traveled along because it's too cute. I got some threads I needed for upcoming starts and some more plastic bobbins. I also received a giveaway from a Floss Tube video I follow...

A fun Tatty Teddy calendar with 6 patterns. Plus Trust the Universe from The Sunflower Diaries. I just love Trust the Universe and already have it planned for 2025. 

I organized my WIP tote and have a wonderful 60. Yes I had to add 3 more plans to make it the rounded 60 but whatever excuse I need haha. Pop over to my WIP Tote tab to check it out. I'm off to enjoy bringing in the new years. Have a great one. Just plans to celebrate with my stitching and jammies haha. Let's see what we can do in 2025!!

2024 Recap

In place of WIPocalypse this month. Let's have a fun look back at 2024...

I worked on 62 Different WIPs.

I had 39 New Starts.

I had 30 Finishes.

123,525 Total Stitches!

Finishes...

1.  Wee Bit Irish - Erin Elizabeth (Finished Jan 6th)
2.  Owl Gnome - MH Jim Shore (Finished Jan 12th)
3.  Country Life - Just Cross Stitch June 23 (Finished Jan 17th)
4.  Snowman Heart - Sekas (Finished Jan 19th)
5. Peppermint Sleds - Lizzie Kate (Finished Jan 24th)
6.  Winter Line Up - The Trilogy (Finished Feb 27th)
7. Acorn Gnome - Jim Shore Mill Hill Kit (Finished Mar 17th) 
8.  Rules for Life - Kincavel Krosses (Finished March 27th)
9. Evergreen Gnome - Jim Shore MH Kit (Finished Apr 19th)
10. Spring Line Up - The Trilogy (Finished May 2nd) 
11. Harvest Wagon - MH Kit (Finished May 9th)
12. All American - Primrose Cottage Stitches (Finished June 10th)
13. Love Beer - Hinzeit (Finished June 11th)
14. Taurus - MH Kit (Finished June 12th)
15. Thanks to the Brave - Erica Michaels (Finished June 30th)
16.  Mini Block America - Hinzeit (Finished July 2nd)
    
17.  Pisces - MH Kit (Finished July 11th)
18. The Witch is In - The Witchy Stitcher (Finished July 24th)
    
19.  Gathering Berries - Luminous Fiber Arts (Finished August 16th)
20.  Summer Line Up - The Trilogy (Finished August 18th) 
21.  Autumn Time - New York Dreamer (Finished Sep 12th)
22. Mini Block Freedom - Hinzeit (Finished Sept 29th)
23. Owe Them All - Erica Michaels (Finished Oct 8th)
24. Halloween Sampler -- Les Petites Croix De Lucie (Finished Oct 29th)
25. Autumn Line Up - The Trilogy (Finished Nov 5th)
26. Halloween Quaker - Primrose Cottage (Finished Nov 6th)
27. Christmas Celebration Sampler - Frosted Pumpkin (Finished Nov 10th)
28. Love USA - Hinzeit (Finished Nov 20th)
29. Hedgehogs in the Snow - Stoney Creek (Finished December 15th)
30. Advent Mystery SAL - Artmishka (Finished December 24th)

 I loved each one!!! I've really had a wonderful time with my stitching this last year and joining all the challenges haha. Facebook groups have definitely made this all fun and I love being a part of the community of people I've stumbled upon.

I am having so much fun planning for 2025. Getting all my crazy challenges lined up. 

So Far...

Semi Sane 2025 Goals

1. 500 a month on Beer Dragon

2. 250 a month on Yggdrasil

3. 4 Puntini Puntini Seasons (Seasonal Set)

4. Along the Nesting Boxes - Jardin Prive (Monthly section)

5. 4 Quaker Seasons - Primrose Cottage (2nd Seasonal Set)

6. Mother Nature Series from Just Cross Stitch (Keep Making Progress)

7. Peppermint Purple 2025 SAL (Try to Stay Current)

8. Mill Progress (2 times a month)

 

I joined YOW (Year of WIPs) again this year. 

25 Projects for 2025

Goal: Finish Least 13 by Dec 18th

4 Puntini Puntini Seasons

Mother Nature: Winter

In the Land of the Gnomes - Jardin Prive

Christmas Among the Gnomes - Jardin Prive

Along the Nesting Boxes - Jardin Prive

The Mandalorian - Forbidden Fiber Co

4 Quaker Seasons - Primrose Cottage

Mason Jar Lineup - Dimensions

Colorful Eagle - Kitty & Me

Irish Blessing - Herrschners

Forever in Peace - Sweet Wing Studio

The Pirate - Cottage Garden

Creepy Christmas Village - Lola Crow

Patriotic Gnome Littles - Waxing Moon

Enchanted Pumpkin - Mill Hill

Summer Time - New York Dreamer

Christmas Truck - Vervaco

Halloween Among the Gnomes - Jardin Prive

Easter Among the Gnomes - Jardin Prive

 

 

Now to see what 2025 brings. I would love to try to make a Floss Tube. Let's see if I get the courage to do that.

Dec 16th Monday Update

Hello another Monday. Just one more Monday till Christmas!!! Wow! So much to do. First let's see what stitching I got done last week.

Monday was Day 4 on Creepy Christmas Village Spooky Christmas Tree. I added 125 and then 8 more Tuesday morning haha...

I needed to hit a challenge goal. Then I sit it down. Tuesday was Noel Gnomes Day 4. Wednesday was Day 5. I added 325 Tue and 75 Wed...

After hitting my goal it was time for a new start. A friend told me about this fun Advent Mystery SAL on FB and Instagram. The designer was releasing one part a day with about 70 stitches. She was stitching it with a pretty thread on black and I thought that would be fun. When I was at the LNS in Northern Indiana I grabbed a pretty Caron Waterlilies called Holiday. Here is the info on the SAL...

Here is my Day 3 progress now...

I just love the way it's turning out. Day 1 Wednesday I added 600 trying to catch up. Thursday I caught up with 236 more added. 

After catching up I pulled out Hedgehogs in the Snow Stoney Creek...

Here is where I was with it. I started this one in Dec 2022. Worked on it 3 days in 2022, 6 days in 2023, and only 1 day in Feb this year.

Thursday I added 264. Friday I added 411. Sunday after adding 406 more. It was done!

Love the way it turned out. My 33rd finish for this year! I had a quick glance. That's the most finished since 2019. 2019 I finished 45 though a lot was small that year. 19 - 2020, 11 - 2021, 14 - 2022, 24 - 2023. So I'm happy happy with my progress this year. Wonder what next year will bring?

Saturday we went to Kokomo for more Christmas shopping. We had a lot of fun but we made a ton of stops and I was exhausted by the time we got home. But I can't wait for Christmas. Jeremiah is being spoiled rotten as always haha. I did find one thing he doesn't know about which made me really excited. He's old enough that he helps find his video games so I love finding something secret for him.

We have so much to do between now and Christmas but I am planning on taking my time and enjoying life as well. I will get it done.....somehow haha. I do hope you are finding everything you need and figuring out what to do when to get ready.

Dec 9th Monday Update

 Another Monday so time for another Monday update. Let's see what I worked on last week.

Monday Twas the Night Before Christmas prompt I did was Something Hanging. I used Luck of the Irish because the IRISH part could be made into a wall hanging like banner. Plus the piece was on my acrostic list...

Needed 200 for my goals and added 351. 

Tuesday the prompt was several things I didn't have on the piece YELLING for attention so I needed 300 for a penalty pick as long as Christmas themed...

So I finally got to start this one...

My first Lola Crow design and definitely not my last. Jeremiah picked the Creepy Christmas Tree for the first one to do. So I got started. Added 501 so that worked for needing 300 for the penalty. Stay tuned for pic.

Wednesday the prompt had an option for any type of head covering. So out came Noel Gnomes by Jardin Prive...

There are a lot of little gnome hats in this one.

Thursday a prompt was Outdoors and another piece on my acrostic goals for the month is a perfect fit. Grow Together HAED...

I added 250 so goals met for both things.

Friday we loaded up early morning and went away on our mini vacation to start Christmas shopping. We started this several years ago and we love continuing the tradition. Fred took Friday off and we go up to Michigan City, Indiana area. This year we decided to try a new to us hotel we had heard a lot of good things about. It was lovely and dog friendly which is a must. My bestie Daryl met us at a huge discount place we love stopping at on the way. We got a good start on shopping and had a great time. We went to a 2nd discount type of place and found a few things. Then decided it was time to head to our hotel. Right by our hotel was a nice brewery that served food according to my phone so Daryl followed us and we had a lovely meal and enjoyed our time catching up with him. Our hotel was right across the road so we got our room and settled in. I was really tired so I laid down to see how comfortable Jeremiah's bed was and fell asleep for a bit haha. I'm so old haha.

 Spike helping me watch the water since we were lake front.

Saturday we loaded up. First stop my fav stitching store. I must admit I was sad. I didn't find the arm full like I normally do. The owner did say she was behind on getting things ordered. I did get the thread I needed for a piece coming up. Also another thread for a fun SAL I just decided to join. I grabbed two things for Christmas. I really looked hard at the charts and nothing was calling me plus I needed new Qsnap snaps and they didn't have any. So hubby said well I see an order from 123 being placed haha. Which made me feel bad. I love supporting a brick and mortar store when I can. I really hope this isn't a sign of bad things to come for this LNS. Next stop was a used game store for Jeremiah's addiction. I was really worried because you just never know what this type of store will have. Especially when Jeremiah is really spoiled and owns every game that has been released haha. Well luckily I was wrong and Santa found a stack of hypothetical presents. We were able to get Spike's nail trimmed at the pet store. I found a cute present at Five Below. Then we met up with Daryl again at a new to us brewery. It was delicious and we had a great time. Back to the hotel and I did manage to get 150 stitches in...

I worked on Creepy Christmas Village again for Friday's prompt Things that can fly because the piece has crows in it. I finished up the needed 50 to hit 200 when I got home last night. Plus added 67 more for Saturday's prompt which was snow since this one again works for that...

So 768 added so far to the Creepy Christmas Tree. 

So we had a great time away and got a lot of Christmas presents waiting. Oh I did place an order from 123stitch. But Santa will bring that stuff. I never have a problem finding charts to buy on there haha. Problem with there is not buying too much haha. Have a great week. Love yourself. Smile as often as possible.

Dec 2nd Monday Update

 Well Hello December. I knew you were coming but you still surprised me! I guess we just can't figure out how to slow down time and life can we? No matter how hard we all try. Actually I did have a really nice long week which was needed. So let's look back and see what I worked on.

Monday and Tuesday I kept working on The Pirate by Cottage Garden that I worked on Sunday. I added 200 both days so 600 total. I enjoyed making progress on this one...

Just love that 36ct Mirage Edinburgh Linen I'm stitching it on. Really helps the design pop.

Wednesday I pulled out Lady Liberty by Keslyn's which hadn't been out in awhile. Added 400...

Thursday I marked off my last acrostic goal for the month with Enchanted Pumpkin Mill Hill kit...

400 more orange background stitches done. Slowly but surely the background is getting filled in. I will be glad to more to the next symbol haha.

Friday and Saturday I pulled out the Stitchonomy Winter 2024 SAL. Added 800...

Getting closer every stitch. Just one more section that says Fuzzy Sweaters.

Sunday I pulled out Yggdrasil after Jeremiah did a spin of my December acrostic picks. I added 200...

So talking about November. I stitched 14 different projects. 11,055 total stitches. 3 Starts. 4 Finishes. Completed my goals and had a lot of fun. Found more groups and more challenges haha. I'm insane. Now my 2025 plans are flying and I'm joining all the things so I can STITCH all the things. I will go over my planned starts for 2025 sometime soon I promise. December plans. Play all the games haha. Semi Sane is doing one with the Twas the Night Before Christmas poem. We get a prompt each day from the poem so yesterday we could stitch night, a house, or a creature. So Yggdrasil worked for creatures and the house on the design. Today the prompt is stockings/socks, something hanging, or a chimney, and of course Santa Claus. I think I have my pick ready to go. 200 for something with at least 1 item and 300 on something without as a penalty. Fun challenge. I also have two new acrostic lists...

I know I really want to work on Creepy Christmas Village but I might have to wait till after this weekend trip to make sure I have the right amount of fabric for it. Then it will be started. I have my monthly planned start another Erica Michael's...

Liberty Squared is what this one is called. 

Fred's week off went nice. Actually slow and we got everything done we wanted done which is surprising haha. He got his deer on the coldest day of the year of course haha. We have 4 processed in the freezer now. We went to a new to us grocery store. It was nice. Higher price than Walmart but a lot of different variety then Walmart. We got everything done at the laundry that could be washed haha. We even relaxed and watched some shows/movies we were wanting to have time for. Thanksgiving at Grandma's was lovely. It was great to see my cousins and family. Now we are getting excited about Christmas. Have the stuff ready to put out tomorrow. A fun trip planned this weekend with lots of shopping stops we look forward to this time of year. 

Have a great week. Happy December. Love yourself. Find all the reasons to smile. Stitch all the things!