Monday Update

I have a lot to share so pull up a chair and let's go.

Saturday I picked up my framing. Are you ready for these beautiful pieces?!?!

First up is the Pine Mountain Snapshots. I did these monthly in 2017. I wasn't able to finish them that year and got a few finished up in 2018. I got them all stretched and my framer made a frame to pop them in and out each month. I need to go back now and update my Box of Shame finishes because these 12 are in that count.

Next up is Ocean in a Bottle from 2019. So happy this one can finally be on display. Now to find the right spot to hang it.

Last is You are Loved from 2018. This was designed by Hinzeit and hubby got it for me for a Christmas gift. I think it will go to the cabin to be displayed. The frame is a light green and I really love how it pulls the green out of the design.

I love the way each one turned out. Professional framing is something I get for special pieces that really deserve that extra touch. I'm so thankful to have these framed and ready to be displayed. I'm lucky to have a LNS (local needlework store) that does framing and their prices are fantastic.

Two more things to share. Sunday I had my first finish of 2020...

This marks off I for the Year Long Alphabet challenge because January is Ice Cold or maybe there's Ice in her drink haha. Also marks off ! on the monthly acrostic because I was really really looking forward to working on this one.

She took me 11 hours and 56 minutes total. I'm happy with that time for these adorable fairies. Again I'm stitching them on 32ct Lambswool Evenweave Suggested DMC 2 threads over 2.

Sunday I also pulled out another piece from my acrostic. My cute random number generator or AKA Jeremiah picked a number which represented Merry Noel. I started this Hinzeit last year for the Longest Day Marathon...

I had set the goal of finishing the top Merry part before putting it aside. Here it is now after last night's work on it...

I hope everyone has a great week.

March Smalls and WIPocalypse Posts

Two updates in one since I was so busy over the weekend at the Fancy Works Retreat (Update coming soon too don't worry!)

March Smalls Post was the 29th. The idea is to stitch up some small things for each month. I like to use this SAL as an excuse to do up some year long monthly pieces. This year I'm doing a set for mom and a set for me. I finished up both March pieces...

 Mom's is the top one from Sand, Sea, and Cross Stitch booklet a Nautical Year long set. The bottom one is Lizzie Kate Flip-It Stamps set for me. I also had time to get a cute little Saint Patrick's Day piece done...

So there are 3 smalls for the Smalls Check in.

Also yesterday was the March WIPocalypse check in. The idea of this fun blog SAL is to finish all our WIPs before the end of the world. Don't worry I will hold it off forever because I will never finish all my WIPs since I keep adding to them all the time haha. I use this SAL as an excuse to keep track of how many days I've spent on my projects. So let's see what I've been working on since the last time which was February 24th.

Ocean in a Bottle -- 10 Days. Here is where I was before this time...

It's finished now...

Nautical Year -- 4 Days. Started and Finished this one. Shared above for the Smalls Post.

Lizzie Kate Stamp -- 4 Days. Started and Finished. Shared above for the Smalls Post.

Kiss Me Freebie -- 1 Day. Started and Finished. Shared above for the Smalls Post.

4 Seasons Winter -- 3 Days. Was here before...

Made it to here...

Snowy Owl Snowman -- 5 Days. I had only one day on this one...

I finished it in this time frame...

Other projects are coming with my retreat update next. I only had 4 days of No Stitching so that's great for me too.

We also get a neat question from Measi to discuss Question of the Month: What newer designers and product creators (fabric or floss dyeing, etc) out there have you discovered and recommend?

Oh so many. I love adding new designers and items to my stash. Hence why I will never be caught up haha. I love it all though. So many new designs came out this year at the market. I look forward to stitching as many as I can of course. As far as recommending....keep your eyes open. How can you not find things you want to stitch? I wish I had that problem haha. See ya next check in. April 28th. 

Monday Update Big Finish

My IHSW (International Hermit Stitch Weekend) was busy busy and I ended up being gone more than I hermitted after all. But guess what happened last night...

(Finish #10) March 17th

Ocean in a Bottle from CutePatternsByMaria Etsy Shop

Stitched on 32ct Lambswool Lugana Evenweave

Threads are Suggested DMC

Started Mar 22nd, 2018. Took 34 Days. 

I started this one in March 2018. It was all Tiff's fault. She had posted a link to this Etsy shop and I fell in love with this pattern. I'm so glad she posted it because I'm still in love with this one. I really love how it turned out. I can't wait to take it to have it framed. It's marked off my YOW list now and boy that makes me so happy. 

We knew we had some plans Saturday. We loaded up into the truck and went to our local mall. It used to be the place to hang out. Now it just can't keep stores open. It still has JCPenney's though and we wanted to check out the clothes. We went to several stores (JCPenney, Lane Bryant, Torrid, and a few others) and I got more and more depressed. I decided I would like to have some "pretty" clothes for when we are in Vegas for Jeremiah's birthday celebration. I don't do pretty. I do comfortable. So I tried and tried and just in case you don't know clothes are EXPENSIVE when you aren't used to buying name brand clothes. I'm used to the Walmart kind of prices haha. I did end up finding 4 nice shirts and 1 pair of cute shorts. I tried on a dress and we laughed at how awkward it made me look. Just not me. I'm going to keep looking. Few more stores on our shopping list next week. We all ended up finding some new clothes though. So it was a good trip just took a lot longer than we thought it would. We ate a meal at a nice restaurant that moved into our mall called P.F. Changs. It's a delicious Asian restaurant.

When we got home our roommate told us our washing machine was broke. We got to looking and it was bought in 2003 so that's a pretty long time to last we weren't too upset. Mom and me went back out to Lowe's to look at a new set since we figured the dryer was the same age if you replace one might as well replace both. What a pain. We found the set we wanted though and went home to make the final decisions before placing the order. Hubby was looking at the washing machine to find some information on what capacity it was. He was looking on the internet for the model number and seen a YouTube video on a common problem. Guess what....he fixed it with a zip tie!! A lot cheaper than a new set. Worked like a charm. So at least we get a little longer out of them. The lady at the store said they typically last 6 to 7 years. We are sure doing good with our set. Whirlpool is the way to go.

I also got a text that my dad's side was getting together Sunday for my Grandpa's 83rd birthday at a Mexican restaurant that we really like. So hey let's go eat out again right? It was a great surprise since they didn't tell my grandparents we were coming. It was a great meal and fun conversation. We sat and talked forever so it was another long day not hermitting haha.

Last night though I finally got the final backstitch lines in. I swear the backstitching was annoying on this one. I'm used to just one color for the backstitch. This one changes and used several different ones to make a neat finished product but what a pain to follow and get it right. But guess what.....IT'S FINISHED!!! I'm so happy. Now I have no idea what's calling my attention. I hear a lot of whispers coming from my WIP totes. Just need to see which one becomes a scream.

March Gifted Gorgeousness / IHSW

It's the 15th of the month which means it's time for a Gifted Gorgeousness Update. Another wonderful Jo SAL that has a beautiful purpose. For us to share things we are stitching as a gift or things we have received as a gift. Stop over here to see what others have posted about.

So let's see what I have that fits for this post this time.









The lovely Astrid had posted this cute hedgehog pattern. I commented on how much I love hedgehogs and she offered to send me the pattern...

The wonderful Carol from Stitching Dreams hosted a Giveaway and I was the lucky winner of this pattern...

It will be my first Just Nan pattern.

So I was very lucky indeed this past month. As far as stitching gifts I finished my mom's March pillow and she has it proudly on display...

Other than that I've been busy working on Ocean in a Bottle trying to finish it up.

This weekend is IHSW (International Hermit Stitch Weekend). It's the perfect excuse to warn the family, grab the stitching, and spend the weekend doing nothing but stitching. Chores can wait till Monday. They will unfortunately still be there. Look at where I am now on Ocean in a Bottle...

SooooOOOOoooo Close!!!! Just a bit more stitching and that last page of backstitching to finish up. I'm so excited. We do have some shopping plans on Saturday but other than that I will be stitching, stitching, stitching. Have a great weekend and I hope you find crafting time.

Update on Ocean in a Bottle

I finished the backstitching on the 3rd page. Look at the difference it made...

Now on to the last page.

Monday Update

Since the FFG post was yesterday I really already shared what I did last week stitching wise. 3 finishes. Definitely a good week in my book. We started to unwinter the house but it's not finished yet. Tuesday I was walking out of my living room and I ran 3 of my little toes right into my door. The toe right beside my pinkie toe looked HORRIBLE. It turned purple and was so swollen. It wasn't broken at least. But I did a good job. Mom was picking on me for just trying to get out of work haha. It's finally back to mostly normal. Still has some purple to it. At least purple is my favorite color right? It definitely hurt when I was doing a lot so the work slowed down quite a bit.

Saturday we went out to a delicious meal for hubby's birthday. It's a hibachi place where they make the food on the table in front of you. It's always a good show and excellent food.

Sunday after the FFG post I pulled out Ocean in a Bottle again. I finished the stitching on the 3rd page...

I'll work on the backstitching and then head on to the last page. I'll stick with it and hopefully be celebrating a big finish soon with you guys.

I hope everyone has a great week. Don't run into any doors haha. Maybe I'm the one that needs that reminder.

Organizing my Box of Shame

I took a few steps to get better organized today. First I emptied my box of shame where all my finishes from the past have been hiding. I needed to get them organized better so I had a real idea of what I wanted to do with them and what I might need to do just that...

Here they are all laid out and organized by year I finished the stitching...

Let's break it down...

2007 -- 1

2011 -- 1

2013 -- 6

2014 -- 4

2015 -- 9

2016 -- 7

These make up the progress bar for Prior to 2017 on my goals list with 28 things to finish.

2017 -- 10

2 more that I will finish later after the whole set is finished. Which is why the progress bar says 12.

2018 -- 12

1 more that I will finish after the set is finished. Which is why the progress bar says 13. 

So I have 50 things that need finished right now. Mom came over and said Oh Katie these are beautiful. Why have they been just shoved in a box. I said exactly why this FFO challenge was created. They deserve to be out and displayed. You can't remember them hiding in a drawer. In this pile of 50 I do have 13 that I want to take to get framed. The You are Loved piece and the 12 Pine Mountain Snapshots. I want the Snapshot pieces to have 1 frame that I pop the months into to display. My framing store did that with my Cricket Collection Seasons and it works perfect. They deserve it too. I love the whole set so much. So other than those I need to get working on pillows or other fun finishes. 

I've been working on getting a backing fabric stash now that I can actually sew. Here is a few that I had before hand...

I have more here and there just need to gather it into one place. I've also been checking at Walmart. Our Walmart's have these cute fat quarters already cut and they are only 97cents! Here are the ones I've collected so far...

The mermaid piece was too cute so I bought extra rolls of it of course haha.

I also got out my tub of little charms and goodies to see if I had everything I wanted for these tiny finishes that I'm mounting on burlap frames. Here is a glance at the table of goodies to play with...

Can't wait to put these together....Hopefully before the 10th for the next FFG check in. I had everything I wanted just need crafting time. I look forward to doing these. I have the idea in mind just need to create it.

Yesterday while out running errands we did a quick stop at Hobby Lobby. I behaved actually which we all know is really really hard in that store. I did a get some ideas on things I want to do in the future. This is all that followed me home for this time...

The piece of fabric above was a remnant they had pre-cut in a bargain bin for 81cents. Plus I bought 26 floss that were on my shopping list that I was running low on. By the way If you use an Android device have you checked out the Xstitch app? I use it to keep track of my floss. It has an awesome shopping list too for when you are running low. Then when you get to the store you just pull up the list and you know what you need. Fantastic. You can also journal information about projects and things like that. Which ones you have from the designers. It takes a bit to setup but after that it helps so much to keep track of what you have so you don't buy what you don't need. There is so much out there we do need instead.

I definitely need more finishing fabrics now that I seen what I want to make but I'll add to my stash slowly here and there. Plus I need to look around for all the fabric I've hidden from the past I thought I could sew times haha. 

Hey I also figured I would give those of you who love the Ocean in a Bottle an update...

I got the top of the bottle completed last night. LOVE how it is turning out. Today since it's the first of March though I'm going to work on the two monthly sets I'm doing this year. So this will go away. I think after I finish up the two pieces I will get this one back out until it's finished. Then I can take it to frame with my other pieces I have set aside.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. We had some plans come up. A close family friend lost her dad. It was peaceful and expected but still losing a parent is hard. We are going to the calling tomorrow and then the funeral Sunday to be there for her.

2nd Page Finished Ocean in a Bottle

I finished stitching up the ship sails yesterday and got started on the backstitching for the 2nd page. Got it finished before bedtime. So I can share with you now the 2nd page is complete. Fred voted for me to continue over to the top of the bottle now. Working on it today and tomorrow. Friday I will put it down and start the March pillows. Have a great rest of your week!

Monday Update

Last week I devoted to Ocean in a Bottle. I worked on it Monday through Thursday so put 4 more days of work into it. Here was the piece when I posted my progress last Monday morning...

I had just finished up the stitching on the first page. It took me two days to do the backstitching...what a pain but so worth it. Then I asked Jeremiah up or over and he said up. So I worked my way up the pattern. Here I am now...

The rest of the pattern should go really fast. That first page was really full of stitching as you can see. Plus the bottle in the upper page has a lot of half stitches and those go fast. Love the shaded look it creates.

Friday we ran out to get Jeremiah's hair cut. He needed it so bad. Then we grabbed some snacks for our weekend trip. When hubby got off work we hit the road. We went up to New Buffalo, Michigan. It was a 2 hour ride. We arrived safe and our hotel was very nice. Our room was adjoining to Mom and Jeremiah's that worked fantastic. The purpose of the trip was Damein's birthday celebration. He is the one that I talked about that just lost his lovely mother the beginning of the year. He is Jeremiah's best friend. We just love him. We are also best friends with his dad. So we were so happy to be with them all weekend. They got a room too. Friday evening we relaxed in the pool. Saturday we drove over to Four Winds which is a HUGE casino. We met up with my dad and Bev, 2 family friends, and 2 other close friends for a fantastic buffet meal. The boys then played in a huge arcade together and all us adults did some gambling. We all had mixed luck. One friend won over $100. I lost $60 haha. Mom had a lot of fun. It was her first time gambling in a long long time. We didn't waste too much money. The boys had a BLAST playing in the arcade having boy time. It was just a fantastic time. Then we all went back to the hotel. We visited and told stories until we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer. Perfect.

Sunday we were under a high wind warning. Normally we only get wind advisories so this was interesting. We had 60 to 70 mph wind gusts. It was crazy. But we made it home safely. Luckily we were going with the wind so we got blown home haha. Which equaled really good gas mileage actually. Dad and Bev didn't have power till 4:30pm from early that morning according to other family who live nearby. Everything was okay though. The hard part of having a great weekend is waking up today and not seeing all my friends. I want my hugs that I got all weekend. It's like withdrawal. I'm so thankful for those people we've grown so close to they have become family.

Time now for a new week. I think Ocean in a Bottle will stay out. Normally I get bored with a piece after so many days but right now this one is still being the loudest so I'll stick with it.

Have a great week!! Friday is the new month. So that means I can work on the March pillow pieces. I can't wait.

Monday Update

Here we are another Monday. Today is a Monday after IHSW (International Hermit Stitch Weekend). Most the time I have a lot of progress to share. I do have some but Saturday I was busy. It was a wonderful reason to be busy though. Fred and I went down to our cabin just the two of us to celebrate Valentine's Day together. It was a much needed break and it was wonderful. Dad and Bev came and picked us up for dinner and we went into town to a brewery that is pretty new. It was delicious. Not only the drinks but the food. Since Bev was being the designated driver we really could enjoy ourselves. Fred was like a kid in a candy store haha. It was nice to have an adult meal with my dad and step mom. Fred and I had also rented 3 scary movies...the new Halloween, Happy Death Day, and The Quiet Place. We had a really nice time relaxing and watching movies together. When we woke up it was snowy so we laughed about how now we have been to our cabin during all the possible weather events...sun, rain, tornado warnings, heavy wind, and now snow. It was chilly but our little heater did a great job. If Jeremiah would have been with us we would have used a 2nd heater to just give it that much more help. Being 20 degrees for the high didn't help to warm up the cabin. We were fine though. Perfect excuse to cuddle up a bit haha.

Anyway like I said in my last post. I got Ocean in a Bottle back out of hiding. I hadn't worked on it since August 3rd 2018. It's on my YOW list so hopefully it will be finished this year. Here is where I was when I got it back out...

I was getting close to a page finish. I worked on it Thursday, Friday and last night for a little bit after getting home. Here it is now...

I finished the stitching on the page! Wohoo. I'm going to put in the backstitching before moving to the next page. It's complicated so I'm sure it will take a bit but it will be so worth it I'm sure. I'm going to keep this one out for now. Everyone seems to enjoy it as much as I do.

Hope everyone reading this has a great week. We have a weekend of fun to look forward to. We are going away for the weekend with friends. So let's get this week over with haha. Now I'm off to catch up on emails and blogs. 

February Gifted Gorgeousness

Today is the 15th of the month which means it's time for a Gifted Gorgeousness Post. The idea of this blog event is to share things we have received as a gift or are stitching as a gift. It's always wonderful to see how fortunate we all are. Also how giving the stitching community is. I love the blogging/stitching community. Look at the fun Blog Hop yesterday for example. So much fun.

So let's look back till January 15th and see what fits for this post.






Salt Water Taffy by Joan Elliott is a piece that my mom got me for Christmas in 2016. I really hope to have it finished this year. Here is where I got on it after January's IHSW...

Beer Dragon by Paine Free Crafts is a gift for my hubby. This is where it was for the December Gifted Gorgeousness update on it since I forgot to update in January...

Here I am now with this one...

Bad photo with how cloudy it is today but it will have to do for now.

I have also finished up the February pillow for my Mom from the Sand, Sea & Cross Stitch book Nautical set...

I was lucky enough to have won a giveaway on Maggee's blog for this adorable biscornu chart...

I can't wait to stitch it up. Hopefully I will have it on display for Springtime this year. Need to get some lime fabric for it. I don't think I have any the right count.

This weekend is IHSW (International Hermit Stitch Weekend). The idea is to warn your family. Get out your stitching and stitch the weekend away. I have some plans but hopefully I will also get some stitching time. I'm going to work on Ocean in a Bottle for the weekend...

I haven't worked on it since August 2018 so time to get back at it. Here is where it was when I picked it back up...

Getting close to a page finish. So we'll see how much time I can squeeze in. Have a great weekend. See ya Monday with an update.

August WIPocalypse

Today is time for a WIPocalypse check in. The purpose of this blog SAL is to finish all our WIPs before the end of the world. I know I have no hope what so ever haha. Only if all the designers stopped putting out new and beautiful things. Plus if my WIP basket and tub somehow got finished. See like I said....Never Going To Happen! So every month the world doesn't end we share our progress on this endless task. I personally like to use this SAL to keep track of what I work on and for how many days each. So let's see what I've been working on since the last check in...

Durene Jones Calendar -- 5 Days
I got July finished up right after my last check in...

I was also able to start and finish August...

Ocean in a Bottle -- 2 Days
Here it was before...

Here it is now...

You Are Loved -- 3 Days
Here it was before...

The after will be posted tomorrow for my Monday update because I worked on it over the weekend at the cabin. I've took this one to the cabin twice now and had two great progress days while there. It's getting close to a finish and I think I'll keep it out till I can mark it off my list. So come back tomorrow to see the new progress photo.

Frosted Pumpkin Halloween Spooky Sampler -- 6 Days
I finally got started on this fun design and am happy with my progress on it so far...

Halloween Mini Skeleton Face -- 5 Days
I had this one just barely started before...

Now the skeleton face is finished up and ready to be finished off and on display for this Halloween hopefully....

Spring Bell Pull -- 1 Day
I'm working on the N block still. Here it was before...

Here it is now. I got the top part finished up...

I only had 6 days of no stitching this time around so that's good. 5 of those were days we were busy at the cabin so that's at least a good excuse to miss stitching. The other day I was busy catching up reading blogs and emails so still an okay reason if you ask me.

Also with the WIPocalypse we get fun questions to answer so we can get to know each other. Question of the Month:Which is more satisfying to you and why – the process of stitching a piece, or the finish? Hmm I like them both equally. I just love being in love with the process of stitching a piece. When a piece is calling my name my needles just seem to fly. This month I've enjoyed each piece I've worked on. I love working on several different pieces and as you can see I did just that from the above photos. But when I get close to a finish it's really exciting too. It's always nice to know you are going to marking one off that long WIP list. So I guess I enjoy both for different reasons. I'm excited about finishing up You are Loved and getting it framed. I think I will hang it in the cabin. I was looking around for the perfect spot while we were there this weekend.

I'll be back tomorrow with my weekend update. Thanks for stopping by.