Happy New Year 2013.................

Happy New Year 2013 dearest friends......

I am so elated to be sharing some great news. 
I put the last stitches in of "And they Sinned" right after midnight.  My first finish of the year.  That green grass at the bottom seems like it takes forever and I stitched the grass right along with the motifs.  But after 6 1/2 years of having this project on the drawing board.  It is DONE!!  I stitched ATS on 30ct. over 2 on Oaten Scone linen by Legacy with the Sampler threads that it was called for.  I really love this color of linen and the colors of the sampler threads just really popped on this linen.

My last finish of 2012 was "Halloweenies".  I have ordered a frame for it and hopefully will have it framed shortly.  It was a cute piece to stitch up.  This was done on 32ct. Lambswool over 2 with the threads that it called for.  (Sorry about the wrinkles.)

Well lets just jump right into my version of the "Crazy January Challenge".
Usually stitchers gather 15 projects, and for the first 15 days of January they start a new project each day.  My take is that I usually don't get a good enough start on a project with just one day, so I take two days.  Below is my list for the "Crazy January Challenge".  I hope to take a before and after picture and post daily to keep me focused on what I am doing.

Jan. 1-2   PSS Brother's Keeper

Jan. 3-4   MC Victorian Carrier I Accessory

Jan. 5-6   MC Victorian Carrier II Accessory

Jan. 7-8   MC Victorian Carrier III Accessory

Jan. 9-10   MC Victorian Carrier IV Accessory 

Jan. 11-12   MC Victorian Carrier V Accessory

Jan. 13-14   SB Far Away

Jan. 15-16   WB Americana

Jan. 17-18   SB Blackberrie Sampler

Jan. 19-20   TT What Lies Within

Jan. 21-22   SB The Orchard

Jan. 23-24   SB Winter Hearts

Jan. 25-26   SB Advent Sampler

Jan. 27-28   SB Sophies Roses

Jan. 29-30   SB Halloween Treat Bag

The only project that I hope to complete from this list in 2013 is Brother's Keeper.  I doubt the rest of the projects will get finished in 2013 (but you never know, one can be hopeful right).

Here is a list that I complied at the first of December that I wanted to get done for 2013.

1.   And they Sinned Finished 1/1/2013

2. Halloweenies Finished 12/11/2012

3. Billy Goats Gruff (small pic.) Finished 01/27/2013

4. Billy Goats Gruff (large pic.)

5. My Son('s)

6. Sail Away Finished 05/06/2013

7. Souviner Book

8. Sampler in a Year

9. Winter Moon

10. Carried Away

11. Brother's Keeper

Looks like I am off to a great start with a couple of projects already done for the new year. As the year goes by I might add a project or two to the list.  There is two on my list above that I am only going to be doing the stitching part and the final finishing will have to wait til later as I have a list of projects that needs to be finished as well.  You can take a look at my side bar for a list of those.  I plan on doing the finishing on one project a month (hopefully).  I am a slow finisher as I still have kids at home and I don't ever have a moment of piece with out one of them calling "Mom".   So "Slow and Steady wins the race" is my motto these days. 

I am once again going to join the 2013 WIPocalypse "Revenge".  You can click here and it will take you Measi's Musings.  She is hosting this SAL.  She has added a theme a month for this year.  I don't know if I will stick with the theme or go out on my own.  I guess it depends on what I want to work on at that moment. 

I hope everyone has a safe New Year and look forward to all the stitching I will be getting done.
Thank you for visiting.

Crazy January is Over.........

I am so happy that the CJC is over.  Last year I got bored with my new starts that half way through the month..."I said to heck with this" and just stitched on what I wanted.  But this year I persevered to the end.  So I have 15 new starts for the year.  Not that I will get back to them any time soon.
So here are the last few starts for January.
25-26 of January I started SB Friends.  I stitched the Friends on the start dates, but have stitched on this since then as my work project.  This is stitching up fast, so I hope to be done by this weekend.

27-28th of January I started Merry Cox's Sampler Band Shaker Box and Accessories.
I have to tell you a little about this one.  I am a big fan of Merry Cox.  (As you can tell by the list projects of hers below that I need to do the finishing on).  My husband and I were in the southern part of Missouri, around the Branson, Table Rock area.  If you come to our part of the states...it seems like there are antique shops everywhere in the boonies. Well there was one shop that we would pass all the time and I told my husband if we have time I would like to stop.   We stopped and as I was looking around I spied a little shaker box that had $20 on it.  I thought was a steal.  So as I was picking it up I noticed this chart that went with it.  My heart was beating fast.  I could not believe it.  Was I actually looking at a kit for a Merry Cox project.  Why yes I was.  This is dated back to 1995.  WOW.  I couldn't let this little shaker box be alone any more and I was happy to give it a loving home.

Then last but not least (I was so happy that this was the end), 29-30th new start was VS Silk Wisteria.  I only stitched on this one day as I was tired of new starts and wanted to get to work on my WIPs.

I was excited as I received my kit for Amy Mitten's new on-line class, Friesland Winder Keeper.  I love the blues and greens of this project.  I will be starting this maybe sometime this weekend.  This will be a work at my own pace project.

Well my WIP's are calling me, come stitch on me.  I hope to have a couple of projects done by this weekend.

Thank you for all the kind comments.  It sure makes me want to stitch, and keep up my blog.  Til next time.  Happy stitching.

A time for Celebration..............

It's time to CELEBRATE.  I have reached a milestone with this blog.  I have posted 6 times this year.  Needless to say if you look at my archives over the past 5 years...yes 5 years, the most I have posted in one year is 5 times and in 2009 I did not post anything.  So this is a time to celebrate.
I did just that this past weekend with the International Hermit and Stitch weekend.
It started out real well on Friday night.  I stitched on SB Charmed Hearts which was one of my CJC projects and then stitched on WMN Quaker Needlework Treasures.  Saturday was not all that productive....11 yr. old has swim practice and then that afternoon we sold some wood, which the people wanted it delivered and after that went out to dinner, did not get much stitching accomplished.  Then Sunday was the day......I was able to get WMN's Quaker Needlework Treasures done.   This is the WIP on my list that I wanted to get done this year. The finishing will have to wait til next year as I got my list all lined up on what finishing I want to do for this year.

So I am still plugging away on the CJC.  Only a few more days and then I will be stitching on my WIPS.

On the 13-14 of January I stitched on SB Come Terry.  Not much is done as we had a swim meet.  I only got part of the shoe done.  At least it is a start. Sorry the picture is so dark.  (I am using my Handycam for pics and just getting the hang of the lighting.)

Next for the 15-16 I started DT Acorn Sampler.  This was a fun one to start.  Love the queen stitches already.  Might have to add this one to my pile for this year.

Next on the list for the 17-18 was WMN My Treasures.

Then the 19-20 I stitched on SB Charmed Hearts.  I started sorting out the color's on the color card that SB gives in each kit and come to find out....I was short 4 colors.  I bought this kit about 10 years ago...so I looked in my stash of Au Ver Soie d'alger and needless to say I had every color around the colors that I needed.  Oh well...instead of contacting SB I am just going to go out an buy me the skeins that I need.  But I did start on the vine part as I did have both the light and dark greens.

I guess I was in a SB mood as the 21-22 was Snowy Morn.  I don't know if I like the fabric of this one.  It is dark but as I am stitching on it, the piece of linen seems to be lighting up.  So I think it will be ok.

And the last one for now is the DT Toccatta II 23-24.  I don't know if I will get a chance to stitch on this one tonight or not.  Helping my oldest with his homework.  

So there is only a few days left of January.  WOW can't believe 2012 is trucking right along.  I had on my list that the 25-26 was going to be Amy Mitten's online class (as this was the start date) Friesland but when I got to reading the info again, it said she would be mailing out the kits on the 25th.  So I better put something in it's place as I don't know how fast we will receive our kits from Canada.  So I will be stitching on SB Friends.  

Thank you for visiting.

I have pics of my CJC.

I am on a roll. I do my Crazy January Challenge a little different. I take 15 new projects and instead of stitching the first 15 days of January I extend the project for two days. This makes the whole month of January the challenge.

I got off to a good start even though I have not been able to stitch both days on some of these projects. So it might be a good thing that I extend it for two days a project just in case I can't get to to it.

So the 1-2 of January I started Merry Cox's Flower Pin Cushion. This was one of the projects that I only stitched one day on due to us driving back home from Wyoming. I can not stitch in a car. I will definitely make me sick.

On the 3-4 I stitched on Betsy Morgan's This One's for Betty Etui. I just love the colors of this. I can't wait to stitch on this piece a little bit more. I was able to stitch both days on

this project.

The 5-6 was Marcia Brown's Sailor's Accessories. I only got to stitch a little bit on this project. Wish I could have stitched more. Oh well....at least it is a start.

7-8 of January was spent stitching on Merry Cox's Spring Flower Pin Cushion. I only stitched on this one on the 8th. My oldest son swims competitively for Razorback Aquatic Club and he had a swim meet on the 7th. We hosted this meet and when we do...parents have to work if their kid is swimming. So not much stitching done.

9-10 I stitched on Box Cube 1...not much stitching on this one either.

11-12 was the Christmas Pin Cube...I only stitched on this project one day. Running between school, swim practice and the farm...I don't get much time.

This is the pictures so far for this Crazy January Challenge.

I did work on one of my WIP's for the WIPocalypse 2012 challenge that I am also participating in. It is Quaker Needlework Treasures. I hope to have this done in the next week or so.

Thanks for visiting.

Happy stitching.

WIPocalypse (Jan. 9) and January Challenge Update

I am not doing a good job at keeping up. My boys and work are keeping me busy. But I think a lot of it had to do we were on vacation during the holidays and I am now just getting things back to normal around here.


First I was supposed to update my blog on the 9th of January with my stitching for the WIPocalypse 2012 that I am currently in. But this did not happend. I really have not stitched on any of my WIPS as I am adding to them by doing the Crazy January Challenge. Is that not really crazy or what. It is kinda defeating the purpose of getting WIP's out of the way. Oh well.....there is always next year or....not by the WIPocalypse that I am in. I shall wait and see.

Next to let you know about my CJC....I am on task with my starts for January. I will post pics hopefully this weekend. We have a swim meet but it should be short and sweet and not last the whole weekend.

Happy stitching.

Day 3-4 of the Crazy January Challenge

Just a quick update on the 1-2 days of the CJC. Since we were driving back from Wyoming yesterday....I was not able to stitch on the pin cushion for a second day. I still only have the flower done. It is a good start for the project. I will post pictures soon.

On to day 3-4 which I will be stitching on This One's for Betty by Betsy Morgan. I just love this little etui and accessories.

Off to stitch for about an hour then to settle in to bed.

Good night stitchers.

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year.

I have started the Crazy January Challenge today.

The project that I am stitching on for Jan 1-2 is Merry Cox's Flower Pin Cushion.

A lot of stitchers only stitch one project a day for the first 15 days of January. I put a little spin on it and stitch 2 days on 15 projects. It lasts the whole month of January and with two days I get a good start stitching on the project. So I have the flower stitched and will start on the border this evening. I will try to post a picture tomorrow of the pin cushion as I am not home.

I am actually in Wyoming for the holidays, so I was a little worried about my starts for the new year. But I managed. I did not get as much stitching as I wanted to over the holidays. It seems I never do if I am visiting family in Wyoming. I guess I visit too much with my Mom, Aunt, Brother and his family. Oh Well, I don't get to see my Family often. They are 900 miles away. Too far for an over nighter.

We are heading home tomorrow morning around 3am. Will get back to Arkansas around 3-4pm. That's ok....kids head back to school on Thursday, so we have a few days to recuperate. More like wash laundry.

I wish everyone good health, happiness, peace and lots and lots of stitching for 2012.

I am off to a good start with stitching for 2012.

Thanks for visiting.

WIPocalypse 2012 and Crazy January Challenge

I have decided to join the WIPocalypse 2012 Challenge. Since the "world" will be coming to an "end" in 2012, Melissa has organized this stitch along.
The WIPocalypse is a stitch-a-long playing up on the joke that the world will end in 2012. It's short for Works In Progress Apocalypse. The goal for the WIPocalypse is to make progress on our projects. On each full moon I will post an update of my progress. I am hoping I can get somethings done.
You can read more about this at Melissa blog up above.

Here is my list for WIPocalypse:
I have tons of stuff that I have done the stitching on but need to do the finishing. I can do my own finishing but I need time as I do a little at a time. So I have devised a plan to get things finished.

I will finish one project a month. So here is my list for that:

January: Swan Lake Mending Bag and Accessories by Merry Cox Finished 2/21/2012
February: Flowers in the Fall by Merry Cox
March: Souvenir Book by Merry Cox
April: Diminutive Sewing Set by Merry Cox
May: French Bon Bon Box by Merry Cox
June: Petite Treasures by Merry Cox
July: Americana Sewing Set by Merry Cox
August: Birds and Berries Set by Merry Cox
September: Shepherds Sewing Case by Merry Cox
October: Strawberry Sewing Set by Hillside Samplings
November: Chatelaine by Drawn Thread
December: Milady's Petite Treasures/Grateful to Thee by Merry Cox

These are the projects that I want to get done this year:
And They Sinned
Sampler in a Year
Something Blue - Finished 2/12/2012
Winter Moon
My Son
Alpine Garden - Finished 3/21/2012
SANQ House Sampler
Sail Away
Friends - Finished 2/2/2012

These projects I want to get the stitching done but the finishing will have to wait:
The Courtship
Beautiful Day in Williamsburg
Flower's from thy Garden
Quaker Needlework Treasures - Finished the stitching. 1/22/2012


List of WIP's that I may stitch on through the year:
First Stitches
And a Forest Grew
Carried Away
O Come Emanuel
May Your Hands/Shady Bower
Folkart Needlwork Tray and Accessories
The Cornwall Sampler
Unfinished Bellpull
Afghan Wandering Vine
Folkart Thread Keep
Folkart Needleroll
Victorian Carrier
Things that go Bump in the Night
French Mongram
Lady Sampler and Slipper
Heirloom Christmas
A Gatherer
Sailor's Blessing
Elizabethan Purse and Accessories


I am taking classes with Merry Cox this year at the Attic and there will be prestitching for the kits.
I will have the stitching done but I take good notes and will do the finishing in the comfort of my own home.

I am also taking online classes with Amy Mitten that starts January 25th and I am so excited to be doing Tricia Wilson Ngyuen's online class of the Cabinet of Curisioity. How exciting to make a 17th century casket. This starts in May and will be an 18 months course. I can not wait.

I am also going to be doing the "Crazy January Challenge" for 2012 but I put my own spin on it. Instead of starting 15 projects the first 15 days of January, I stitch 15 projects for two days. That way I get a great start on them.
Here is my list for the challenge:
Jan 1-2 Flower Pin Cushion
Jan 3-4 This One's for Betty
Jan 5-6 Nantucket 1800's House Workbox Accessories
Jan 7-8 Spring Flower Pin Cushion
Jan 9-10 Box Cube 1
Jan 11-12 Christmas Pin Cube
Jan 13-14 Come Terry
Jan 15-16 Acorn Sampler
Jan 17-18 My Treasures Sewing Case
Jan 19-20 Charmed Hearts
Jan 21-22 Snowy Morn
Jan 23-24 Tocatta II
Jan 25-26 Friesland Amy Mitten Online Class
Jan 27-28 Band Sampler Accessories
Jan 29-30 Silk Wisteria


I hope with this WIPocalypse and Crazy January Challenge I will be stitching a lot more and also be updating my blog.

I hope the New Year brings health, happiness, peace and lots of stitching to each of you.
Thomasina