December WIPocalypse

Here we are for the last WIPocalypse of the year. The idea of this fun blog SAL is to finish all our WIPs before the end of the world. I think the more WIPs we all have the longer we hold off the end of time. How could it end when we have so many beautiful things to create? I personally like to use this SAL as an excuse to keep track of what I've worked on each day. So then I can look back and see how long I've worked on each project. Helps me be able to answer the question better How long did that take? Also with the #24HOCS challenges now I keep track of time spent as well. It's been fun to see how long each piece takes to stitch up.

So my last post was November 25th. Let's see what I've been up to since then...

Snowflake SAL -- 22 Days. Got this one all stitched and finished up...

Christmas Jars -- 5 Days. Finished up the 3rd jar in the set of 4...

Nautical Year -- 4 Days. Started and finished the last Nautical year piece for the year...

Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamp -- 5 Days. Started and finished the last Flip It for the year as well...

Boba Fett -- 1 Day. Started this new piece for Jeremiah...
Here is what it will look like...

Here it is now after the 1 day...

It goes really quickly so far. The background is all half stitch.

Winter Time -- 2 Days. Another new start from New York Dreamer. Here is what it will look like...

Here it is now...

Non stitching days were only 10. The snowflake SAL helped me at least get a little time in each day which was a great help. But with Christmas and getting everything ready it stole a few days from me.

It's been a great year indeed. Check out my 2019 tab at the top for all my finishes. 45 in total and 37 are even FFO. Wohoo!!!

I just seen on the check in post here that next year is a go too so make sure to join in the fun. I'll stick with my finish as many as I can motto. Especially the 24 on my A-Z challenge list on the right side. Here's hoping. See ya in January with the next check in post.

2019 Smalls SAL Wrap Up and Next Year Reveal

Today is the last check in for the 2019 Smalls SAL. The idea of this fun SAL was to stitch up something small each month. So at the end of the year we know we will at least have 12 finishes. Even better if they are finished finishes. This is my 4th year participating. Mary is hosting now. Stop over to the check in post here to see what others have posted for the check in.

The first year I thought about this project I had in my stash that was a year long monthly set. I thought how perfect. I've stuck to that theme now and I really enjoy sitting out my monthly pieces the beginning of each month.

This year I found the perfect Nautical set to do for my mom. But I couldn't stop there could I? No, I picked a set of the Lizzie Kate monthly sets too for my side. I'm so happy I finished BOTH sets!

I was looking for something in my hope chest and found this basket my Grandmother made a long time ago. It is the perfect fit for Mom's Nautical set. Here is a photo of the set laid out...

Funny story. I went to use the December fabric and noticed a stain on it. So I switched out fabric. As you can see in the photo I used a smaller count obviously. Of course I didn't notice until it was finished. It looks fine until you sit them all side by side like this haha.  I really enjoyed doing this set for mom. Reminder they are from Sand, Sea & Cross Stitch book.

For my set I used the Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamps...

I really enjoyed this set as well. I really enjoyed how each month had 3 little buttons worked into the design.

I'm glad I did both sets. I'm also very glad they are finished haha. Plus I kept up with them which shocked me and most of you haha.

Next year I picked just one set to do. I will finally reveal them to you now...

This calendar was in a 2016 Cross Stitcher magazine. I seen another blogger stitch up one or two of them and fell in love. I searched and searched and couldn't find the pattern. They are called Lili of the Valley. When I was attending the PA retreat they had a free table and I couldn't believe my eyes when I seen this calendar. I can't wait to stitch them up.

2 Finishes to End the Year

Guess what I have 2 new finishes to show you. My last two finishes of the year and two finished finishes at that. Wohoo!

First is the Snowflake SAL from Stitchonomy...

The last day she gave us an optional part to add the white thread throughout the design. The idea was to make little sparkles throughout the piece. She said you could use metallics or beads instead of course. I decided on beads and just LOVE how it added a little sparkle all over between the snowflakes. To finish it off I did my first hoop finish. I used a 6 inch wooden hoop. Then I wrapped a ribbon around the edge to give it a special touch...

On the back I cut out some white felt and glued it down. This way it would hide the extra fabric and the backside of the threads...

We had this little metal easel and I really LOVE the way it looks on display.

Then I finally put my finishing touches on my last Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamp...

I think since I really wanted it finished it took forever or at least felt like it. I also was squeezing in time here and there since we were in the Christmas rush full force. I'm so happy I stuck with these and finished them each month. I really enjoyed doing them. I just LOVED the touch of the little buttons on each month.

The presents are bought and wrapped. The menu is planned. We have to stop Monday and pick up some things that the deadline would be too quick if we got it today. The excitement has hit us all full force. We are ready to unwrap our goodies!! I can't wait. I love Christmas. I can't wait for everyone to unwrap the stuff I just finished wrapping. I love the look on their eyes when they try to figure out what's inside.

I doubt I will have time Monday for an update. So I will take a moment now and say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays to anyone reading this. Thank you so very much for all the comments. I love my blog friends. I don't care what people say blogging is still my favorite. I love the community and the friends I've made because of my blog. Instagram is great for a quick photo. Flosstube just gets boring to me. I don't know why. I think because it feels one sided. I know this blogging is too but I look at like a letter to a stitching friend. Facebook is great for keeping in touch with all my friends I don't get to see every day. This blog is the journal I've always wanted to keep. I can't wait to see what 2020 brings us all. Wonder what projects will find their way into our hands?

I'll be back after all the Christmas fun. Have a fantastic time however you celebrate. 

Monday Update

I just finally finished my stash sorting/organizing. What a pain but boy I'm glad I did it. I will be updating my Goals and SALs tab at the top. I started 2019 with 71 WIPs in my two totes. Right now I have 63. That's including several new starts that I'm planning in the new year. I will wait and make the official count until after Santa visits though.

I also wanted to update anyone who seen in my last Monday update about my dad's surgery this past Friday. He's doing fantastic. The surgery went quickly. We were able to be at the hospital for it. Jeremiah said it was only fair since my dad has been at all Jeremiah's surgeries. I do have to admit though it was hard to see him like that. My dad is supposed to be tough. This past few years he went from no surgeries to both shoulders worked on and now his back. This time he had a bone spur that would push on a nerve in his side and down his leg. So it would really cause a lot of pain. The doc said he was able to shave it and get it off the nerve. It will take a bit for the nerve to repair itself but he should have a very successful recovery. He is retiring from his factory work in February after 41 years and really can't wait to be out of there. It's hard work and his body just can't do it any more.

Saturday and Sunday was spent doing the rest of our Christmas shopping and BOY I'm tired. The Christmas rush has sure stolen my stitching time but it will be so worth it come Christmas morning.

I got a tiny bit of time on my December Lizzie Kate Stamp...

At this point I will just be happy if I finish it before the month ends. My poor acrostic will definitely not be completed this month. Oh well it's a stress free SAL so that's A-OK.

I have been trying to keep up with the Snowflake SAL each day...

There are only 4 days left of this SAL now. Wow! Stitchonomy has released the info on the next SAL she is hosting too. It's going to be Houseplant SAL. Finally a house plant I don't have to worry about watering or killing haha. I'm all signed up. It doesn't start till February which is okay. I have more than enough to work on till then haha.

This week I will be busy wrapping everything. It's the only time a year it's bad to be spoiled haha. But I love the unwrapping and the excitement involved so it's totally worth it. At least I hope I keep feeling that way haha. Remind my back that so it stops hurting too haha.

We are changing our Christmas tradition this year. Mom is going to join us for our Christmas with my Dad. Let me explain. My parents got a very amicable divorce when I was 10. They knew fighting would only hurt me. So they were amazing instead. So I'm extremely thankful for that. So after talking about it they didn't want her at home alone this year. She is more than welcome to join our traditions and boy do I appreciate that. We are going to stay at our cabin over night on the 23rd and my Dad and Step Mom will come over Tuesday morning to do our presents together on the 24th. Just perfect!

So busy busy getting everything wrapped in time. I really hope to squeeze in some time on my Lizzie Kate to finish that up. Plus I will be finishing up the Snowflake SAL. I will really miss that fun little email every day. I really look forward to them.

Have a great week and Good luck getting everything done. Wish me luck too. We can do this! Just need a little Christmas magic.

#24HOCS December Challenges

#24HoursofCrossStitch Facebook group has these fun monthly challenges. No stress. Just extra motivation to do something fun and pick projects to fit in a theme for the month. The part I enjoy the most is the monthly acrostics. You pick a project for each letter in a word she picks. The name of the project can start with the letter. The designer can start with the letter. Or you can be creative. I've never heard a no sorry that won't work. The group loves creativity. No prizes other than to feel motivated and boy that's sure working for me.  No prizes needed.

For December we have a new acrostic. This one is 12DAYSOFXS. The 2nd goal is to stitch 24 hours throughout the month. So let's see what my acrostic picks are...

1 -- Beer Dragon from Paine Free Crafts

Connection: Over "1"

Goal: At least 200 more stitches

2 -- 99 Bottle of Beer from Ink Circles

Connection: Add "2" more bottles

D -- Christmas Jars from "D"imensions 

Goal: Maybe Finish the Last Jar

The last one I need to do is the one on the left with the deer.

A -- "A"utumn Blessing from Waxing Moon Designs

Goal: At least 1 more leaf added

Y -- December LK Flip It Stamp

Connection: "Y"ear Long Set

Goal: Finish

S -- "S"nowflake SAL from Stitchonomy

Whole bunch of S's in this one.

Goal: Keep up and Finish this SAL

Here it was after Day 8. 19 Snowflakes Left.

O -- Best Friend Santa Mill Hill Kit

Connection: "O"ld Start

Goal: Maybe Finish?

I started this one in June 2017 for the Longest Day SAL and never got back to it.

F -- Christmas Celebration Sampler from "F"rosted Pumpkin

Goal: Make Progress

Another WIP that I haven't worked on in a long time...

X -- December Nautical Year

Connection: "X"stitch23 on Instagram is the reason I bought this set to do for Mom

Goal: Finish

S -- "S"easide Sampler Mill Hill Kit

Goal: Make Progress

Okay there are my plans for December. We'll see what actually gets accomplished. I will be happy with anything really. December is a month full of Christmas shopping, decorating, wrapping, and fun. We also have 1 fun night planned with great friends. Looking forward to that. Let's just hope it's a great month for myself and all my readers. Thanks for keeping me motivated.

Monday Update with FFG and New Finish

So yesterday was the 10th but I was busy so I'm here today with my FFG post. What is FFG you might ask?

It's a fantastic idea from Rachel to push us to have an excuse to FINISH our cross stitching. I know I have a bin of shame. I finish my pieces and then sit them in a drawer out of sight. Why hide those beautiful pieces? No more. (Well I'm trying.) Stop over to Rachel's check in post to see what others have finished for this check in.

Let's see what I have fully finished since my last check in which was October 11th...

The Halloween Biscornu was fully finished on Halloween...

This photo shows the top and bottom. I really enjoyed doing another biscornu and it reminded me why I love them. Even though they are hard to photograph haha.

Mom's Nautical piece has been finished already. I did it on Nov 6th...

Then last night I luckily put the finishing touches on my Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamp for November just in time for this post...

Stitching Finish #39 for the Year November 10th

November from Lizzie Kate Flip-It Stamp

Stitched on 14ct Oatmeal Aida

Threads are Suggested DMC

Started Nov 7th. Took 3 Days.

14 Hours 18 Minutes Start to Finished.

I finished other pieces but my time for fully finishing is still limited. I'm really hoping to get everything out this month to do some more finishing. Plus no older pieces just yet. They are still pouting in their bin of shame.

So a recap of my finishes now because of this SAL:

February -- 5

March -- 6

April -- 5

May --  2

June -- 4

July -- 2 

August -- 6

September -- 2 

October -- 3 

November -- 3

Total of  38 Now!!!!

Don't worry life is slowing down now. So more finishes will be joining in. Or at least we thought life was slowing down. We had a nice weekend of nothing planned. Then I got text messages from my step mother asking us if we would go ahead and come down to the barn. They couldn't imagine a weekend without us. Fred had a meeting Friday after work so we waited and went down Saturday morning. We decided to use the day to put a 2nd ramp on our deck. We had one on the side but thought it would be nice to have another on the front of the deck. I had also earned a gift card for the store and wanted to use it. So we had our list and the gift card. We got $74 worth of wood and screws for $24. Wohoo that's a deal. The boys got busy...

 

 

 

 Perfect. Now Jeremiah can make a complete loop with his power chair...

Bev and me ran to a lovely craft store. They were having a big open house sale. So we both found some things we couldn't live without of course since it was on sale after all haha. We really enjoyed our time together just us girls. We picked up food from a church fundraiser on the way back for the boys and us. We relaxed in our cabin and watched movies together. It was yet another perfect day at the campground.

Sunday before we left Fred helped dad do some cleaning up of brush. It was a wonderful time even though we thought our season was mostly over. We have decided we must do this at least once a month to keep up the fun for the winter months. 

Now we are getting a lovely snow storm. Started this morning. By tomorrow night we might have 3 to 5 inches. We'll see. I sure hope so. I love snow. Plus we are warm and have food planned so no need to go out. Fred is a really good driver so I don't have to worry about him making it home from work. So let it snow let it snow let it snow. Tomorrow we might even break a record for cold temperatures. So perfect weather for hiding under a blanket and stitching right?

Since I have my two monthly pieces done I think I'm going to celebrate with a new start. Waxing Moon Autumn Blessing. I've really been looking forward to starting this one. So it's about time. I hope everyone has a great week. Fred has plans all weekend with his Ham Radio group this coming weekend so sounds like I will have a fantastic IHSW (International Hermit Stitch Weekend) full of LOTS of stitching time.

#24HOCS November Challenges

Now that I've wrapped up October let's see what I plan to do in November.

I'm going to hope for more than 24 hours for the monthly challenge. Normally that one isn't a problem for me. Next up then is the November acrostic which is REWIND TIME which we just did over the weekend. Now it's dark all the time it feels like. I'm going to do this one a little different. Yes I want 4 hours on each one hopefully more. My goal really is just to get the piece out and make progress at all. So I will pick a goal instead. I seem to really love doing that. We'll see. Anyway let's go my acrostic plan...

R -- Christmas Jars from Dimensions

Start on the "R"ed Jar

Remember this one?

I have two finished. Perfect that the red one is next isn't it?

E -- Salt Water Taffy from Joan "E"lliott

W -- Autumn Blessing from "W"axing Moon Designs

New start. With all the beautiful leaves outside this one is begging to be started.

I -- Cabin Fever Mill Hill Kit

Connection: "I" really want this one finished!!

N -- "N"autical Year November from Sand, Sea & Cross Stitch

Have to Finish Mom's Monthly Piece

D -- Beer "D"ragon from Paine Free Crafts

Yep got him back on the list!

T -- Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamp November

Connection: There is "T"urkey on it.

My monthly design.

I -- 99 Bottle from "I"nk Circles

Fred's piece made it back on the list too.

M -- Tree Shopping a "M"ill Hill Kit

New start. I love this one and just have to have it ready by Christmas.

E -- Adjust your Sails from Little Dove Designs

Connection: It's on "E"venweave Fabric

Just had to get this one back on the list too. My SAL partner finished hers.

So we'll see how much I can get done. I know life is slowing down finally. We brought home most of the cabin stuff since the weekends are getting really cold now. We won't be going down every weekend. We do hope to go down some time of course we would just miss it too much. IHSW weekend (the third weekend) my hubby is going to be gone all weekend. I can't decide if I'm going to have a marathon type weekend or just make a lot of progress on these pieces. We'll see what I decide later. I hope everyone has a great month. I'm hoping to start mom's piece today and get it knocked out quickly. I can't believe there are just two months left of 2019! I love hearing the plans and new challenges for the upcoming year. I'm always excited to join in. Please make sure to post details on any new challenges/SALs that you hear about. It's always fun to see what the community is up to.