Debbie Challenges Revisted

Jo had a fun idea to have a flash back post. Back in 2014 the blog world lost a beautiful person Debbie from California. She always had a wonderful comment on every post I made. I loved seeing her projects. She was always working on something that I would enjoy too. We had very similar tastes. It was a joy to read her blog and read my comments section each day. She loved new starts. In her honor we had some January challenges. We were talking about how many of those challenge pieces we finished on Rachel's FFG check in post last time. Saturday the 13th Jo said was Debbie's birthday so we thought a recap post in her honor would be nice. I'm a little late but here it is. Here is Jo's post. She has finished up all but 2 of her 2015 starts. Rachel has a post here celebrating she has completely finished her 2016 new starts and finished finished them as well. So now they got me curious. I have a feeling I will be really sad when I finish pulling this post together haha.

Jo's explained it perfect so here is her explanation of what the challenges were:

CJC = Crazy January Challenge, one new start for the first 15 days of January

UCJC = Ultimate Crazy January Challenge, one new start for all 31 days of January

DUCJC = Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge, stitch 31 projects one per day for January

SDUCJC = Super Duper Ultimate Crazy January Challenge, 60 starts throughout January and February

 

2015 I did CJC. Just 15 new starts in January.

 

Day 1 -- First of the set of 6 called Christmas Pals Ornaments from Dimensions. I finished the stitching and also finished these as a set of cubes when I finished them all through that year...

 

Day 2 -- I started Think Big by Heritage Crafts. I finished it up in May but it's still in my finished bin waiting to be made into something so it can be displayed. 

Day 3 -- Wish Upon a Starfish by Designs by Lisa. Still a WIP. Really want to finish it this year. We'll see...

Day 4 -- Summer Breeze a Mill Hill Kit. Still a WIP. I don't think I've picked this one up again honestly so it barely has anything on it. This is what it will look like though...

Day 5 -- Spring from Seasonal Wordplay booklet. I finished it in June but it is still waiting to be finished up and on display...

Day 6 -- Let's Be Jolly from Imaginating. Finished up in December still waiting in my box of shame...

Day 7 -- Blackwork Dragon from Dragon Dreams. I finished this one before the end of January that year. This one is hanging proudly on my wall. Loved working on it...

Day 8 -- Winter Wordplay another by Imaginating. Finished the stitching in February that year. This is another finish waiting in my box of shame...

Day 9 -- Family Blessing by Needle Bling Designs. Another one that has never been back out. I made a mistake on it when I started and then didn't pick it back up. Here is what it will look like...

Day 10 -- Inner Tube by Mill Hill.

Last time I worked on it was 2016. I haven't made much progress on it...

Day 11 -- Fall Wordplay. Finished it in November that year and it sits waiting to be finished with the others...

Day 12 --  Impronta D'Amore by Alessandra Adelaide (AAN) I nicknamed this one Paw Print. It has been out only a few times and the last time was in December 2015...

Day 13 -- Life Without Snow from Stoney Creek. Finished in December that year. Still waiting in box of shame. At least it has really good company to wait with doesn't it?

Day 14 -- Let's Be Wicked another word play design. Finished in October that year. Yep it's waiting in the box of shame with the others.

Day 15 -- Summer the last seasonal wordplay design from the Seasonal wordplay book. Finished in September that year.

So I have only 2 finished and able to be displayed. How sad! But there are 8 waiting to be finished for Rachel's FFG SAL. 2 are still WIPs. Only 3 have never been back out. So about what I figured haha.

Then in 2016 I joined in the DUCJC and started a new project every day for all of January. I didn't care about finishes as much then obliviously haha. I won't post pictures of all them but give me a second to tally the list up...

Fully Finished Off -- 9

Need Finished Off -- 9

WIP Status -- 4

Never Back Out -- 9

Not bad really. Still a lot waiting to be finished......I know I know Rachel haha.

I could do a year full of starting new pieces I'm sure with my stash of waiting to be started patterns but I am really trying hard to finish the pieces I have in my two tubs of WIPs. Plus this year you can tell by my counts on the side. I'm trying to FULLY finish my stitching instead of hiding it away. So I'm doing better in my opinion. Honestly stitching is about the process for me. I love the joy of stitching. Not so much having to show off my finishes. Of course that part is nice too though. I'm sure I will always be the kind of person to have a bunch of things going at the same time. I love being about switch out projects if I get bored.

More so than anything by doing this recap I realized how long some of us have been friends. Jo, Rachel and several others posted on those new starts then and still comment now. How fun to think how long we've known each other. Just random strangers with the same hobby. I can't say enough how much I love blogging and the people I have met because of it. I really enjoyed this look back. I always wonder what the next blog game/SAL/challenge will be.

Older WIPs

I decided to work on older WIPs this week to build up to my new start this weekend for IHSW. Last year for CJC 2015 I started a cute Mill Hill piece. This is what it will look like when finished...

I hadn't worked on it since May. I put another day of work into this one. Here is where I am now after 4 days of progress...

Then she stopped calling to be stitched on so she went back into my tub of WIPs. I was having a hard time hearing which one was yelling loudest and out popped another old WIP...

Justine RAKed me with this gorgeous HAED last year. I had totally forgotten about her. She quickly jumped onto my Q-Snaps. I only had 6 days of work into her last March! Here is my 7th day added in...

My white and Kreinik blob haha. It goes so fast though! I almost finished the next set of columns last night. I'm using 32ct taupe lugana on this one. She's still stuck on my Q-Snaps for now.

Let's Be Jolly Finish

Finish # 24 December 28th, 2015

Let's Be Jolly by Ursula Michael

Started for CJC Jan 6, 2015

Fabric 28ct Antique White Jobelan

Used Suggested DMC 666, 796, 970, 995. Took 8 Days.

I decided to pick up my needle and thread today finally after goofing off since Christmas haha. I was able to finish off Let's Be Jolly so I just had to pop in and show him off. Another CJC piece marked off the list. So that makes 10 of 15 now. I'm sure it will be my last finish for the year. Can't wait for my new starts coming Friday since I'm joining in the 31 new starts for DUCJC this year.

So my Christmas started interesting this year. We were packing up to head down to my Dad's house and I tripped and fell down the steps. Not just a few steps. All of them. I hit every step on the way down with my neck and back. Ouch. But luckily I didn't do near as much damage as we had all thought I did. My mom was watching from the top of the steps and I scared her near to death. I was bruised and sore but I luckily didn't break anything. What a dork. I've definitely been more careful on the steps since. We had a very nice visit with my Dad and family. We were spoiled and shared a lot of laughs. We got home safe and sound Christmas Eve evening and hurried to bed. Christmas morning we were spoiled rotten and then some. 

Jeremiah got the Xbox games he wanted, new computer chair for gaming, several Walking Dead building sets (like Lego but a different company), new shelf to display his new sets on, and lots of other stuff. Fred got some metal Star Wars models, some coloring books for adults, lots of clothes, and some new movies. I got coloring books for adults and new colored pencils, new pair of gingher scissors, several cross stitch patterns that have been added to my new 2016 UCJC list of course, and some movies. Fred and I also got one another a new camera and it's a million times better than our old one. We have enjoyed learning everything it can do. I'm sure I'm missing stuff but like I said we were all spoiled rotten so I know I can't list everything. 

So we've been building, coloring, sorting, watching new movies, laughing, playing, and just plain having a great time. Fred finally (haha) goes back to work tomorrow. He only has a 3 day work week though since he gets Friday off for New Years Day. We are already planning on a movie marathon and I will finally get to start a new DUCJC piece haha. The torture of waiting for that fun is agonizing. Oh I also got a new printer and I've been able to make my own copies of my patterns instead of having to pay for them at the copy store. Tomorrow I will make the final organization of my new starts for January. I can't wait. Well that's a quick glimpse at what I've been up to. Now back to being lazy.

Monday Update

One of my CJC starts the beginning of the year was Let's Be Jolly by Ursula Michael shown above. I had only worked on it one day. I'm pretty sure it is the last of the word play designs I started in 2015. I pulled him back out and have 6 days into it now. Here is where I am now...

I'm hoping to finish it before the end of the year but we'll see. I'm also going to link up to Stitchery Link Party. If you do anything with needle and thread you can join in. She also has beautiful embroidery patterns for free each week.

Now I have to get off this computer. Lots to do. Laundry. Packing for our trip to Dad's. Hopefully there will be time for X's. If I don't post before...

December Turtle Trot and a Finish

Today is the 10th so it's time for another Turtle Trot check in. I've really enjoyed this SAL. I really hope it's going to continue. We have kept track of 10 projects and posted updates on the 10th. Some projects crawl at a turtle pace but they do eventually get finished. According to my records I have finished 6 (now 7) of my TT picks this year! Love that!! I hope you have enjoyed crawling along with me.




I also have a new finish to report...

 (Finish #23) Dec 9th

Life Without Snow?! out of Snow Drifters by Stoney Creek Leaflet

Fabric 28ct Summer Sky Evenweave

Took 17 Days. Used suggested threads and 2 Stoney Creek Buttons.

I started this one during the Crazy January Challenge this year. I already finished another one out of the leaflet last year...

So another project to mark off my Turtle Trot list! Another CJC finish! That makes 9 of the 15 finished.

Christmas Pals Ornaments Finished

(21)  November 19th
Part 6 of 6 Christmas Pals Ornaments by Dimensions
Used kit threads and 14ct Aida
Changed French Knots to Beads of Similar Color
Started kit for CJC Day 1. Took 4 Days.

All 6 Together. Took 25 Days total for all of them.

 

Wohoo I got them finished!!! This means another project marked off my 2015 CJC list. I guess I should have done them individually instead of as 1 project. Still they are done! Tomorrow starts IHSW or International Hermit Stitch Weekend. It's a great excuse to get some X's in. I'm going to bring out HAED Hope and start another page on her. Come and join in with me!

Monday Update

I got the 5th ornament from Christmas Pals Ornaments by Dimensions finished yesterday. I really like this one. Now I just have one left to finish. I'm pretty sure he will jump onto my Q-snaps as soon as I take this one off.

I'm going to link up to the Monday Stitchery Party again. I just love seeing what beautiful pieces each person who checks in has been working on. She has opened it up to anyone that does any type of hobby with needle and thread. She also gives a beautiful embroidery type pattern each week. Something I wouldn't know how to do but I know a lot of people who do.

Saturday we started Christmas shopping. Mom and me hit the stores and shopped till we dropped. Our whole bodies hurt after we were done. So yesterday we took a day to recover. Fred (hubby) volunteered at a Ham Radio event both weekend days. So I settled on my couch and finished up the ornament while watching TV. When I got it all finished I started something new but not stitching related. I'm sure you've heard of them or you live under a rock haha.....the new fad....adult coloring books. I always loved to color as a kid. Now it's "cool" to do it again. Santa Claus is bringing me a few coloring books but Saturday I found one while we were out shopping and somehow it followed me home for now haha. (I hate waiting for Christmas!!) So after finishing up my ornament I decided to try it out...

How fun!! I know it's not "perfect" but I had a blast. Just what I need....another hobby to scream at me to Come Play! Today Fred had the day off work to use up leftover vacation days. So he had a long honey do list and also put up the Christmas lights (which we won't turn on till the day after Thanksgiving). So Mom, Jeremiah, and me loaded up and went to do more Christmas shopping. So now I really really can't wait till Christmas. We have just a few more things to get but we are mostly done. Feels great because we found some fantastic things. I can't wait for Jeremiah to open his gifts now. He's so spoiled haha. Yeah like I'm not haha. Well now I have to go rest. Shopping till you drop.....hurts!

Christmas Pals Ornaments

I've put 3 days into the 5th ornament in the Christmas Pals Ornaments by Dimensions set. It's slowly coming along haha. When I have so many things yelling for me to stitch on them it's hard to have something go slow haha. I've been busy though so I'm not stealing as much stitching time. I've been getting things ready for the Crazy January Challenge. I have 16 pieces all kitted up and ready to go. Of course now I want to work on all them too haha. It's torture to have such a wonderful stash to pick projects from I tell ya haha.

Let's Be Wicked Finish

(18) October 28th

Let's Be Wicked by Ursula Michael

Fabric 28ct Lavender Evenweave

Used Suggested DMC Threads

Started for CJC Jan 14, 2015. Took 7 Days.

Another CJC start finished. That makes 6 of the 15 now. I should have known better to pick so many large projects haha. I'm already throwing around ideas for the 2016 CJC and I'm even considering doing 31 instead of 15 since I'm totally insane. I just keep thinking about how much fun I had starting the new 15. We'll see though. There is still time to reconsider.

Since I have this finished I'm allowing myself to start something new (like I need another project on the go haha). I said something in my last post about being nervous to stitch on 40ct. I'm going to do just that. Here is the project...

It's called Always Thankful from Erica Michaels. I've had it in my stash forever since I have no idea where it came from. I was just nervous to start. After hearing advice from the designer and several ladies at PALs I can't wait to try it. So cross your fingers (or your stitches) for me please. I bought two more 40ct patterns so hopefully I don't hate it haha.

Day #16 thru #19 What I Stitched On

Wow what a blast the retreat was!!! So much catching up I have to do with you guys. I don't have much time tonight so I will just focus on what I worked on for this update.

Thursday I finished the page I was working on HAED Hope...

I have 3 pages left now. Just LOVE working on her. I will definitely have to bring her back out soon. Friday and Saturday I worked on Let's Be Wicked by Ursula Michael. Here is where I was after starting the piece for CJC. Only had 1 day of progress on it...

Here is where I got after Friday working on it...

I don't have a picture of after Saturday's progress so I will share that later. I did a lot of chatting and shopping so I was really happy with the progress I made on it haha.

I will have a lot more to share about my fun at PALs Retreat. Have to go watch Walking Dead. Can't miss that haha.

Christmas Pals Ornament Finish

Part 4 of 6 Christmas Pals Ornaments by Dimensions
Used kit threads and 14ct Aida
Changed French Knots to Beads of Similar Color
Started kit for CJC Day 1. Took 5 Days.

Just in time. Got him finished up last night. We hit the road tomorrow so it's the last day scramble. I have lots and lots to do but wanted to pop in and show off my finish. I love how the backstitching changed the drab design to an adorable snowman. See ya from the road. Hope you travel along with us.

Monday Update

Here's what I've been working on. I started the #4 ornament in the Christmas Pals Ornament kit. All I have left to do is white and backstitching. Just have to steal some time.

Linking up to Stitchery Link Party. Stop on over and see what it's all about and what the participants have been working on.

It was another crazy blur of a weekend. Saturday we went to a geocaching meal with friends. It was really fun to visit with everyone. Then two of our close friends came over to the house to visit for a bit. It was very nice! Sunday Mom, Jeremiah, and me went down to our hometown (Wabash, Indiana) to see Mary Poppins play. One of my mom's cousin's daughters was Mary Poppins. I LOVE musicals so it was a great excuse to attend. Jeremiah really enjoyed it and I just loved it. I hadn't seen Mary Poppins as a play. It was very well done. It was very well done for a very small community theater too. Now we have two days to get done since we leave Wednesday. So much to do! But hopefully I'll find some time to finish up this snowman in there too.

Summer WordPlay Finish

Summer from the Seasonal Wordplay book by Leisure Arts.

Fabric 28ct Antique White Jobelan

Used Suggested DMC threads

Started for CJC Jan 15, 2015. Took 6 Days to Finish.

 

Wohoo a finish to report. Now I only have Autumn to finish from the Seasonal Wordplay booklet. This makes 5 of the 15 CJC starts now finished. That's my fault for picking mostly big pieces haha. I think I'll pick more small ones for 2016.  Wonder what will jump into my Qsnaps next?!

Busy IHSW

I had a very busy weekend but I still stole some stitching time. Here is where I got on my Summer WordPlay...

I got all the blue done. I agree with a lot of the comments on my last post. I love DMC 995 too! Now I just have the boat part which is done in 321. I'm going to stick with it since it shouldn't take me much longer to finish. Just need stitching time haha.

Now on to my busy weekend. Friday we went down in the evening to my mom's old church. They were having a 100 yr old celebration. It was really nice because they had a lot of old photos, including several of my grandparents. It was really nice and we got to see some old friends too. Saturday Fred and me went truck shopping. If you remember his truck quit working and wasn't worth fixing unfortunately. We had been out shopping for trucks and it was sure a wake up call. We wasn't able to find anything we wanted and could afford. So Saturday we went to several more lots and looked high and low. A lot of nope we can't afford those either. We were worried we would have to settle with not being able to get a truck and that's what my hubby really really wanted. One last stop before heading home and guess what?!?!?

We found our new truck!!! It's a beautiful 2004 Dodge Ram. Fred is a happy little boy haha. Everything we wanted except for more miles but at this point we couldn't find anything better that's for sure. So we very excitedly signed the millions of papers and we are now the proud new owners. We traded in my van since I gave up driving. Now we just need to find a home for his old truck. He has a guy looking into it so hopefully he'll get it. Then Sunday we went down to visit my family. We hadn't seen them for awhile but we also of course couldn't wait to show off our new truck. They were very happy for us. So it was a busy weekend indeed.

IHSW

According to my calendar this weekend is IHSW (International Hermit Stitch Weekend). I have some things to do this weekend so I'm starting my IHSW after this update. I'm going to see what progress I can make on the Summer WordPlay. Here is where I am now...

It was one of my CJC starts. Here is a reminder of what it will look like when finished...

So let's see what I can get done in between the other things I have planned.

IHSW

Saturday was a busy day but I found time here and there to work on Life without Snow by Stoney Creek. I had the song These boots are made for walking....stuck in my head the whole time wonder why haha.

I'm linking up to the Stitchery Link Party. Stop on over and see what lovely pieces have been worked on this check in.

Life Update: Friday when Fred was on the way to work the truck broke down yet again. He was able to fix the part no problem. Then he went to start the truck and it wouldn't start. We got it towed to the mechanic. Mom and me woke up early Saturday to go shopping. She needed new shoes so we went to Meijer cause around here they have a lot better shoe selection than Walmart. I even found me a bright bright new pair of shoes. We also got our groceries for the week since I'll be gone. Fred got the yard trimming done before the heat advisory went into effect. After noon our heat index was 105 to 110 which for around here is not normal. After Mom and me got home Fred and me ran out. We needed to go the pet store to get Izzy (our dog) some treats and we went to Best Buy. We were hoping to make the move to smart phones. We were all ready to sign the bottom line and she said we would get a gift certificate if we came back the next day. Of course it was worth waiting. After I stood up and thought more about our decision I was like wait a minute. We were going to pay more than double a month to have a smart phone. Yeah we could afford it but here we are with a vehicle in the shop. Fred dropped me off at the movie theater and Mom came and met me. We went to see Jurassic World. It was really good. Finally after all that we were done running around and I got more stitching time.

Sunday we all decided it would be a lazy day. It was so needed. Then today was a whirl wind day. I started writing this entry this morning.....yet here I am at almost 10pm trying to finish it. First we were really getting stressed about our truck. No word. Still in the shop. Then the call. It was going to be $875 and no promise it would work. Our truck is a 98 and has 218,000 miles. It's barely been holding together. Is it really worth it?? So it's been a long stressful day. We made the decision to call it done. Good thing we didn't get those smart phones right? So we loaded all our camping gear into my van and we will sit off tomorrow with it. When we get home....we will start truck shopping. Sorry for rambling. Thanks for sticking with me this long. I'm really looking forward to my upcoming relaxing camping trip to just relax and breath for a bit.

Life without Snow

During CJC (Crazy January Challenge) I started Life without Snow. It's the one in the upper left of this pattern booklet. I already finished the one in the upper right last year. I started it on Day 13. So when I put Embers down I figured might as well pick up this cute snowman. We are supposed to have high heat warnings this coming weekend and he hopefully will help me feel cool. So I might just have to keep him out for IHSW this weekend.










Here is my 1st day progress on him...

Here is where I got after working on him yesterday...

Now to get back to work.

Spring Finished and IHSW

 Spring from the Seasonal Wordplay book by Leisure Arts.

Fabric 28ct Antique White Jobelan

Used Suggested DMC threads

Started for CJC Jan 5, 2015. Took 7 Days to Finish.

I was finally able to get it finished up today. Just couldn't steal more time the past two days or it would have been done sooner. I really enjoyed this piece. Now I have 2 seasons done and 2 to go. Plus this is another finish off my CJC list. So 4 out of 15 are complete.

Starting tomorrow is IHSW (International Hermit Stitch Weekend). So get out those pieces and stitch stitch stitch. I'm going to work on the endless blue of Selkie for the weekend. What are you going to work on?