Stitching Goals for May and May 3rd PhotoHunt

The month is about half over, and I haven't shared my stitching goals for this month nor have I reviewed how things went in April.  First up, the April review.

April Stitching Goals
Work on TW's Birth Announcement - Sure did!
Stitch an ornament - Several
Do some finishing - Not as much as I would of liked

May Stitching Goals
Work on TW's Birht Announcement\
Stitch an ornament

The PhotoHunt theme on May 3rd was Jiffy

If I wanted to get around in a jiffy one of these would fit the bill nicely!

April Goals, WIPocalypse, IHSW... oh my!

Well we're half way into the month of April and I'm finally getting to my stitching goals.  I'll have to do better in May!

March Stitching Goal - Recap
Finish Page 8 on The Accolade - No
Start Page 9 on The Accolade - No
Finish PS Ornaments - Yes
Have a new start - Yes!
Do a little finishing - Nope!

April Stitching Goals
Work on TW's Birth Announcement
Stitch an ornament
Do some finishing

This month's WIPocalypse post is a pretty easy one, as since the last report I've been working on only one thing, and that's Teresa Wentzler's Birth Announcement.  So here it is since I don't have a before photo for you, since I started it a few weeks ago and since the last report.  I'm stitching this for my best friend from high school who had a son in early March.

Red Threads - Rosewood Manor

Last weekend I needed a wee break from gold, gold and more gold so I stitched and finished these two little ornaments.

This upcoming weekend is a four day weekend for me and its the IHSW so we'll see how much I'll get done on Birth Announcement!!!!

Belated TUSAL and March Goals

Both of these reports were due back on March 1st which was my first day back home from my annual DR Experience Trip.  It always takes time to get back to real like, get caught up on laundry, groceries, and so on.  So here are my reports over a week late!

First up is this past month's TUSAL (Totally Useless Stitch A Long), really its just an excuse to show off all of our pretty orts.

My orts really aren't that pretty so far this year, they're quite dull and not so substantial.  Not so pretty because there are no bright, lovely colours in my jar.  The Accolade is full of earth tones, and so are my Prarie Schooler ornaments the two main things I've been working on.  Also over one stitching just doesn't produce lots of orts!

Now its time to talk about my goals!

February Stitching Goals - Review
Work on the Accolade - yes
Stitch one ornament - did three!

March Stitching Goals
Finish Page 8 on The Accolade
Start Page 9 on The Accolade
Finish PS Ornaments
Have a new start
Do a little finishing

Wipocalypse 2014

Besides getting caught up on my PhotoHunts you really haven't heard from me at all this month!  January is almost over and its been an exhausting month physically and psychologically!  I've alternated between not being able to sleep/sleep through the night the first few weeks of the month to now barely being able to stay awake!  Friday night I laid down for a bit at about 5PM I didn't get up until 7:30AM!

I have been stitching when I've had the energy to, but lets get caught up on all of the blogging activities I decided to take part in this year!  The first thing I've missed is the first Wipocalypse of the year!  This month it took place on January 16th!

With this first Wipocalypse we are to introduce ourselves, our projects and our goals for the year.

The Stitcher:

Most recent picture of myself

I'm know by my friends and the stitching community as Dani, I'm in my late 30's.  I am a Library Technician in a High School which I've been working at for 12 years now.  I live with my partner Todd and our two cats Hunter and Zeus, no kids.

My first finish - started in grade 8 (1988ish) finished 1997

My Mum first taught me how to cross stitch when I was around 12-13 years old when "Santa" left a little cross stitch kit in my stocking.  That first project, was a disaster!  I started another project as a teen in middle school but I never finished it until I was an adult, when I was unemployed for a few months in 1997.  Since that time, I've never stopped.  I've been stitching for 17 years now... wow!

I started blogging in September of 2003, that's 11 years now.  I like to think that I'm one of the early Stitching Bloggers.  I'm hoping to keep blogging for many years as long as the ability exists and the audience is still there.

Through stitching and blogging many wonderful people have come into my life.  I am very grateful for what stitching and the online communities have brought into my life.

The Projects:

 The Accolade (NOT a HEAD)

Started in 2006 most of the work has been done in 2012/13

Almost done pages 1-7 of 12

Stitched one over one on 25ct lugana

 Arabian Woman - Lanarte Kit

Started November 2013

 Prarie Schooler - Christmas Favorites

Started January 2014

 Camelot Mini Samper - Teresa Wentzler

Started January 2014

 Mini River Cottage - Michael Powell Kit

Started January 2014

 The Big Red - The Sivler Lining

Started January 2012 - barely touched since

One over one on 25ct Lugana

 The Fortunate Traveller - Teresa Wentzler

Started May 1 2014

Combination of over two and over one on 28ct

 Stitching Row - Bent Creek

Started January 2014

Three Little Miads - Heritage Stitchcraft

Started January 2014

Goals for 2014:

• Finish all of my January Crazy Challenge Starts
• Finish The Accolade
• Finish borders and story on Fortunate Traveller
• Make progress on Big Red
• Stitch and finish a minimum of 12 ornaments

And there you have it... the first WIPocalypse of 2014

First Stitches of 2014, Special Gifts, TUSAL and Stitching Goals

As I mentioned a few days ago I was looking forward to my first stitches of 2014.  My annual tradition of a new start as soon as the clock hits 12:01 on New Year's Day!

We spent New Year's Eve and most of the day at my friend Rebecca's with her family.  This year Beatrice joined us as well which was lovely!

Here's my first stitch of 2014 on Bent Creek's Stitching Row!  Beatrice and I both started it after midnight.  I didn't get in too many more before we were heading to bed!

Also as I've done the last few years I'll be doing the Crazy January challenge where I start a new project a day for the first 15 days of the year!  I am not as planned or organized as I have been in past years so I won't give you a nice long list of new starts, but I'll surprise you each day with what I've started!

Since I'll be starting a new project tomorrow (today technically) here's where I got with Stitching Row today.  I would of liked to have gotten further, but I was tired, took a nap and we had a 2 hour drive home.  The suspension in the truck is a little stiff so the drive was too bumpy for stitching on the way home.

Beatrice surprised both me and Rebecca with a lovely gift!  She gave each of us one of her Mom's ornaments.  I am so touched to be given something that was stitched by Adriana!  Also that Beatrice was willing to part with some of her amazing Mom's work.

Today is the start of this year's TUSAL, the Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long.  Really there's no point to this besides the fact that we show off our orts on the New Moon of the month.  Daffycat so graciously hosts this each year!

Here was my ort jar on December 31, 2013 a full year of orts and I've finally come across an ort jar I didn't have to stuff down to get more orts in!

As is my annual tradition, my ort jar was emptied today!  I always start fresh on New Year's Day!

Also I'm going to get back to goal setting!  So here are my stitching goals for the month of January.

January Stitching Goals
Start 15 new projects
Stitch one ornament
Work on the Accolade

G.S.T.

G.S.T, and I don't mean the Goods and Services Tax that the Canadian Federal Government charges us on almost everything.  I'm referring to Goals, Stitching, and Tea!

First, G - Goals
We're now four days into June and I haven't shared with you what I'd like to get done this month.  I didn't set any goals last month so there's no review from May.

June Stitching Goals

• Finish ABC Christmas Sampler
• Stitch one ornament
• Maybe work on The Accolade

Next, S - Stitching
As you all know I've been plugging away at ABC Christmas Sampler and over the weekend I completed two more letters!  "T" for Tree, and "U" for Unwrap, now U was pretty darned small.

Here's the whole sampler at a glance, as you can see I've started "V" for Voice, one of the larger blocks.

Finally, T - Tea

On Sunday I went to one of Ottawa's landmark buildings, the Chateau Laurier... a swanky hotel!  The office girls at work and I have our own little lotto pool.  We've not won anything big, but throughout the year, instead of reinvesting our smaller winnings into more tickets, we put it into an envelope.  This year its allowed us to go out for brunch at Christmas time, and this past Sunday, we went for High Tea at "The Chateau".  Its not a cheap outing, but it was so lovely going for High Tea, something I've never done before.  The food was so good, and the tea fantastic!  Its something I'd love to do again.

Goals, Accolade Rotation, and a Little Thistle Info

We are about good week into the month of April now and time to update you on yow I did with my March stitching goals and what I'd like to get done this month.

March Stitching Goals - Reviewed

• Stitch one ornament - I stitched 6!
• Stitch Just Nan Gingerbread Mouse - Done and oh so cute!
• Finish D is for Dove - I actually finished D-G!
• Work on the Accolade - Yup

April Stitching Goals

• Stitch an ornament
• Complete at least 3 rows on page 6 of The Accolade
• Finish J for Baby Jesus on Christmas ABC Sampler
• Finish Winter Cottage by Michael Powell

I finished my latest rotation on the Accolade mid week and this is where it stands right now.  I'm enjoying the witnesses of this knighting appear out of the shadows!

I'm now onto my smalls rotation, as much as I enjoy my other pieces, this part is fun because I find I get so much done moving from one little piece to the next over a couple of days!

A number of you have shown interest in the Tartan Thistle Scissor Keep I finished up in my last blog entry.  There was so much stitching to share in that last entry that I didn't give all the details that I normally would!  So here's the details : 

 Tartan Thistles Scissor Keep - Kit

Textle Heritage c2002

Kit contains everything needed to stitch and complete scissor keep except stuffing

How About Some Stitching & Goals?

Its been a little while since I've given you folks a "true" stitching post.  First of all lets cover those stitching goals for the month of March and review how I did with February's goals!

February Stitching Goals

• Stitch one ornament - I stitched two!
• Stitch two rows on page 5 on The Accolade - Finished Page 5!
• Finish C for Candy Cane and start D for Dove on Kathy's ABC Christmas Sampler - Yes

March Stitching Goals

• Stitch one ornament
• Stitch Just Nan Gingerbread Mouse
• Finish D is for Dove
• Work on the Accolade

Okay, time for some stitching!  

During my flights to and from the Dominican Republic I worked on Ink Circles Cirque des Circles.  This piece will be tucked away now until another occasion comes around where its in my best interest to work on something that's just one colour.

Since I've gotten home its been a little challenging to settle down to any of my stitching properly!  Also it has been tough getting back into the sweet rotation I had going before I left.  Four stitching days on each : ABC Christmas Sampler, The Accolade, and Smalls.

Dove of Birds - Christmas Doves II

c2012 JBW Designs

Stitched on 28ct Black Lugana with DMC B5200

Before I picked up anything I decided to finish off one of the Doves I've had on the go for awhile now.  I've now got four out of the six I need to stitch done.  Since there are only four doves in the series, I'll have to stitch two of them twice.  I ran out of black fabric but a day trip to Knowledge and Needles in Brighton this past Saturday cured that problem!

Next I picked up Kathy's Christmas ABC Sampler with the intention of finishing up the Dove during its four day rotation.  Well of best laid plans... I had a hard time getting settled/focused the latter half of last week so I spent two of those evenings with stitching in my had staring at the TV... not much was going on on the fabric.  I should of wrapped up the rotation on Friday, but I just couldn't leave this dove almost done.  So it took me until Sunday to finish it up.  I'm looking forward to the next block, Evergreen.

Gingerbread Mouse - Limited Edition Kit

c2012 Just Nan

Stitched on 32ct Natural Linen

Stitched with DMC, Kreinik Braid & Mill Hill Beads

Back in January Kathy was a real sweetie and helped me source one of the Just Nan Limited Edition Gingerbread Mouse!  For my work on her Christmas ABC Sampler she gifted me with the little fellow.  With the DR trip looming, and not having enough fabric on hand I figured he was best left until I got back from the DR, ultimately March Break!  Saturday's trip to Knowledge & Needle also got me the fabric I needed.  He stitched up really quickly and the finishing wasn't as painful as I thought it might have been!  Tracey has managed to secure me one of the new Bunny kits I'm looking forward to getting and stitching that cutie pie!!!!

I've mentioned twice now a road trip down to Knowledge and Needles on Saturday, you're probably wondering what I got???  We went down to check out what Ann had picked up in Nashville.  Sad to say I'm not much of a fan of what came out in terms of charts.  I still made enough damage in the fabric department! 

Well I think that's it for now.  I'm looking forward to the end of the week (not the end of March Break though) once again its another Knowledge and Needles Retreat Weekend!!!!

November Stitching Goals

October Goals - Recap
Stitch two exchange ornaments - Done!
Finish Delightful Dragon Fob - Done!
Work on The Accolade - A little
Work on Cirque des Cercles - A little

November Goals
Stitch two more exchanges one ornament and one Christmas "something"
Work on The Accolade, finish page 3
Work on Cirque des Cirques, finish another circle

Gosh I don't know where time is going lately, October went by so fast I was so sure I would get so much done on my bigger projects (Accolade & CDC).  I only made a little, sigh.  I promise I'm going to try to work on them more this month... once I get my two more exchange pieces done!  We'll see there's a very busy month ahead!!!!

I can't leave a post WITHOUT a picture for you!  So here's one of the many "fall colours" pictures I took a few weeks ago.

Crazy Happy Dance! October Stitching Goals

Well when I finally sat down to work on it, it didn't take me long to finish up yet another Crazy Challenge piece.  Actually most things never take that long when you actually work on them!

Sun Dragon

c2005 Teresa Wentzler

Stitched on 28ct Natural Linen

Stitched with DMC & Kreinik #4 Braid

With this latest finish that just leaves me one Crazy Challenge piece I will actually finish this year, and one I won't.

Yesterday saw the start of a new month, its October and fall is now here!  Its a beautiful time of year here in the Ottawa Valley.  I should take some time this upcoming long weekend to get some pictures and share our beautiful part of the world with you.  Its also time to recap what I've gotten done stitching-wise in the last month and what I hope to do this month.

September Goals - Recap
Stitch One Ornament - Yes
Finish Seasonal Mandalas - Yes
Stitch Autumn Exchange - Yes
Work on The Accolade - Yes
Start Cirque des Cercles - Yes
Work on Crazy Challenge Pieces - Yes

October Goals
Stitch two exchange ornaments
Finish Delightful Dragon Fob
Work on The Accolade
Work on Cirque des Cercles

Goals and TUSAL

OMG I am so remiss in my blogging commitments lately!  Since I had posted my IHSW entry yesterday I figured I could do my TUSAL post today.  I realized I also haven't talked about my September stitching goals!

First off, lets get those goals out of the way, since I usually do that on the 1st of the month!

August Goal Recap
Stitch One Ornament - Yup
Finish Summer Mandala - Done
Work on Fall Mandala (maybe finish it?) - Not Quite
Work on The Accolade - Yup

September Goals
Stitch One Ornament
Finish Seasonal Mandalas
Stitch Autumn Exchange
Work on The Accolade
Start Cirque des Cercles
Work on Crazy Challenge Pieces

Here's my TUSAL for this month!  I had Zeus help me out with the modelling, those lovely oranges and browns you see on top are for my Autumn exchange piece.

August Stitching Gaols, Oranment HD and Lots of 310!!

Goodness, my new goals and my review of last month's goals is over a week past due!  Where has the time gone?  At this rate my summer holidays will be over before I know it!!!

Here are July's Stitching Goals

July Goals
Stitch One Ornament - Stitched 4!
Finish Spring Mandala - Yes!
Finish Show White - Yes
Work on The Accolade - Yes!

I also finished French Country Scardey Cats which wasn't on the stitching agenda.

August Goals
Stitch One Ornament
Finish Summer Mandala
Work on Fall Mandala (maybe finish it?)
Work on The Accolade

Noel Letters - French Country Hearts II

c2011 JBW Designs

Stitched on 28ct Antique White Jubilee with SNC "Texas Bluebonnet"

On Friday I stared my ornament for this month, and I took the time on Sunday to finish it off!

 All Seasons on one piece of 40ct

 Summer Mandala

 Fall Mandala

In the last week I have been stitching with almost nothing but 310!  Oh my goodness I was starting to get sick of it.  I've taken this week to finish putting in all the black on both the Summer AND Fall Mandalas.  Tonight I can start putting in colour on the Summer Mandala.

July Stitching Goals

Boy my stitching drive has certainly taken a nose dive over the last weeks.  I had obtainable stitching goals for June and I didn't make them all because I just haven't really wanted to stitch... actually I haven't wanted to do much at all.

June Goals - Recap
Stitch one ornament - Done
Finish Spring Manala - No
Work on The Accolade - Yes
Work on Snow White - Yes

July Goals
Stitch One Ornament
Finish Spring Mandala
Finish Show White
Work on The Accolade

June Stitching Goals

I'm a little behind in talking about what I've done stitching wise in the month of May, and what I'd like to get done in June... which is shaping up to be a busy month so far!

May Goal Review

Stitch one ornament - Yes!
Finish Outlining on Spring Mandala - Almost, finished outline on June 3rd
Finish Page 2 on The Accolade - YES!!!


June Stitching Goals


Stitch one ornament
Finish Spring Mandala (would be nice...)
Work on The Accolade
Work on Snow White

May Stitching Goals and Helping Out

Its taken me a few days to get around to doing this... well a week actually.  Its the start of a new month so its time to talk about what I hoped to accomplish and what I actually accomplished in the last stitching month.

April Stitching Goal Review

Stitch one ornament - Yes
Work on The Accolade - Yes
Finish Winter Mandala - Yes


May Stitching Goals

Stitch one ornament
Finish Outlining on Spring Mandala
Finish Page 2 on The Accolade

Earthdancer when I received her

I think it was about 2 years ago Christin and I started talking about the retirement of one of her co-workers, who is a former co-work of mine.  She is such a great person that we BOTH wanted to do something for her.  Finally Christin came up with the idea to stitch up Butternut Road's Earthdancer.  I immediately offered if she would do all the cross stitch that I would do the beading and the ultra suede fringe and dream catcher.  Oh I cursed and cursed for many hours but she is now done and looks magnificent!  Bonus... there's still some time (months) before the retirement!

 Earthdancer all finished!

I'm a little late with the WIPocalypse update as well that will be coming this week.  I doubt it'll be tomorrow... tomorrow evening I'm receiving a BIG award from my employer that goes to one support staff employee each year.  Hopefully someone will take some pictures for me, the awards are being given after mass at the Notre Dame Basilica downtown.