Knitting Update - May and June

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been meaning to update the blog and time just slipped away from me.  My hands have not been idle...oh no!  If you follow me on Ravelry, you know I've had a few finishes since I last posted here.  Let's have a peek for those who haven't already seen them.

Design:  Sweet Bee aka Butterfly & Cocoon

Designer: Susan B. Anderson

Yarn: Lion Brand Bonbons (Cotton)

Colorway:  Beach

Needles:  US 3 & 5 DPN's

Started:  4/23/17

Finished: 5/7/17

This was my contribution to Sew Sweet Violet's MAL (Make A-Long).  The theme for the Make A-Long was "Bee Happy."  Now you all know I love me some bees so this really spoke to me loudly!  The FO (Finished Object) thread in her Ravelry page was full of all kinds of bee goodness and it wasn't all knitting either!

I'd seen this cutie on Susan's podcast and fell in love.  This project had several firsts for me.  It was my first time making a toy and the first time I'd done I-cord as well as the K1 f/b and M1 increases this pattern called for.  I think next time I'd go down a needle size or so just to get a firmer fabric. All in all, I really enjoyed making it.  Plus, just look at the cuteness here...seriously!

Design:  Hyacinthus Armwarmers

Designer: Jen Arnall-Culliford

Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Zauberball®

Colorway:  Bunte Gasse

Needles:  US 1.5 9"circular & DPNs

Started:  3/12/17

Finished: 5/16/17

Back in March I decided to join Arnall-Culliford Knitwear's year-long KAL called A Year of Techniques.  They've partnered with several well known knitwear designers on this project as well as Mason Dixon Knitting, who are the US yarn distributors for the KAL.  The patterns are released during the first week of each month and will be published as an e-book and in print form in the fall of this year.  There's also a Ravelry group that Jen has set up for all the chatter.  It's a very supportive group and a lot of fun!

These mitts were the first project.  The technique we learned was helical stripes!  My stripes didn't turn out quite as defined as some in the group but fun none the less.  Again, there were several firsts in this project for me as well.  I learned how to make finger-less mitts for one thing.  I learned how to do helical stripes and how to pick up and knit a thumb!

It was also the first time I'd used a 9" circular.  I have to say, I am much speedier on the circular than the DPNs.  It did take a bit to get used to the tiny circumference and how to hold the needles.  They are signigicantly shorter than regular interchangeable or fixed needles.  If you are on the fence about trying them, I'd say give it a go on a pair of mitts.  I really like them and I like DPNs too.

As for the yarn, I really enjoyed the colorway of this yarn.  I will say it was really splitty, if that's a word.  It is soft and not the least bit scratchy.  I'd definitely use it again and just be mindful of the splitting.

Design:  Candy Socks aka Vanilla Socks

Designer: Jo-Anne Klim

Yarn: Schachenmayr Regia Pairfect

Colorway:  Candy

Needles:  US 2 - 9"circular & DPNs

Started:  3/18/17

Finished: 5/20/17

These, I'm proud to say are my second pair of socks for the year!  I learned my LYS was going to have a workshop on Knit Night for the Fish Lips Kiss Heel technique.  I was immediately in for that one!  I busted out the cuff and leg of the first sock on a Sunday and Monday I was ready for the heel!  Seriously, those 9" circulars are good for speed.  Again, this heel technique was new for me.  I did enjoy learning it.  I'm not completely sure it works for my foot shape but I'm going to give these socks some more wear and decide.

The yarn on these was super fun to work with.  It is pre-striped so you don't have to break your yarn.  It also comes with a length of yellow starter thread already built in so you know exactly where to begin both socks so they match.  It's genius!  If you get the chance to try this, do it!  It's a lot of fun.  It is a slightly scratchy yarn but I think it will soften.  I haven't washed them yet to know for sure though.  I'm still amazed that wool socks are antimicrobial.  Who knew?!

Design:  Indigo Sea Shawl from Making No. 3

Designer: Carrie Bostick Hoge

Yarn: Quince & Co. Chickadee dyed by A Verb for Keeping Warm

Colorway:  Indigo Light, Indigo Medium and Indigo Deep

Needles:  US 7 with a 32" cord

Started:  5/25/17

Finished: 6/12/17

My most recent finish was inspired by the third issue of Making magazine.   Now mind you, in my opinion this is a pattern book not what I would consider a magazine.  It has nice thick matte paper with beautiful photography and no adds every other page like your traditional magazine.  There are so many things in this book I want to make.  Oh. My. Goodness!  I first heard about this on someone's podcast.  I can't remember who but I'm thankful I did.

Not to talk abut the shawl.  This is squishy garter stitch goodness at it's very best!  The pattern knits up really easily with an easy to remember repeat.  It's what I'd call "comfort knitting."  Kinda like stitching a Prairie Schooler chart.  You just can't go wrong!

Okay, now let's talk about the yarn.  If you've never knit with Chickadee, you need that experience!  It's super soft and has a great squish factor.  I will say if you get the colorways I used, be prepared for the indigo experience.  What do I mean?  You will have crocking on your hands.  Here's a picture.

It's nothing to fear though.  It washed right off with soap and water.  Now, I have yet to wet block this shawl.  I intend to do that this weekend.  The yarn dyer assured me this was natural and just a part of working with indigo dye.  So I'll see how that goes.  LOL!  Not all Quince and Co. yarn is like this... only the specially indigo dyed version I got.

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Well friends, that's it for now.  I hope you enjoyed my natter.  Since getting bitten by the knitting bug, I'm all about learning new things.  It's good for the brain cells, dontcha know!  Seriously, as you can tell I'm thoroughly enjoying myself!  I will always have so much gratitude for Carol Fun and Margaret for their encouragement to try this!

I hope you all have a great weekend!  Go inspire someone and then come tell me about it.

Until next time,
The Inspired Stitcher

Catching up with finishes galore!

I can't believe it's been two months since we've had a visit!  We've got a lot of catching up to do.  I'll start with the cross stitch things first because I know that's the reason most of you visit.  I'll most likely do a separate post of the knitting finishes so the stitcher's don't have to be bored with my knitting natter.  So here we go!  I'll start with the oldest and work up to the most recent.

Design: Happy Hearts freebie

Designer: Little House Needleworks

Fabric:  32 ct. WDW Cocoa

Floss:  DMC as charted

Started:  2/12/17

Finished:  2/23/17

Completed:  3/31/17

You may have seen other versions of this finish floating around blogs and Flosstube.  I was fortunate enough to take a couple finishing classes with the Twisted Stitcher, Her Very Self back in the spring at a retreat in Indiana.  This was our class project.  I really love how it turned out and I am definitely going to do this finish again.  Vonna showed us how to make her lovely bows and the two color twisted cording is the bee's knees.   A fun nugget she shared with us was that she likes to make ornaments "palm sized" so they show up better on the tree.  I'd never thought about that but it does make sense.

Design:  The Flagmaker freebie

Designer:  Notforgotten Farm

Fabric: 32 ct. Vintage Cedar Plank

Floss:  DMC as charted

Started:  1/14/17

Finished:  2/11/17

Completed:  4/1/17

This was my second finishing class with Vonna that weekend.  You can't tell from the picture but it is a flat fold.  I'm sure you've seen this one on Flosstube too. The construction on this was super cool.  Ms.Vonna is a genius...but then again, you all know that by now!  I am now an official graduate of Vonna's Finishing School.  I even have a needle minder to prove it gifted to me by The Master!  LOL!  Vonna knows I'm just messing with her.  She and I spent a lot of time together that weekend and we had a ton of fun.  I'm looking forward to doing it again too.

Design:  Watermelon

Designer:  Charted by me, designer unknown

Fabric:  10 ct. Cream Tula

Floss:  DMC

Started:  6/6/16

Finished:  6/25/17

Completed:  TBD

If you've read my blog for any length of time you know this finish is a long time coming.  I had originally started this one 5/1/11 using Monk's cloth.  Yes, that was a really stupid idea and thus a redo was necessary.  You see, the Monk's cloth began shredding on me midway though.  I put it away for a long while and then it called to me again so I restarted it on the Tula.  Much. Better. Choice!

I charted this from a picture I took of a pillow a friend of mine had in her sun room.  She said it was a gift and didn't know if it was commercially made or not.  If anyone knows who the original designer is for this, please give me a shout. I plan to eventually make it into a pillow like the original.  Now if only I had a sun room!

Design:  Chocolate Box

Designer:  Little House Needleworks

Fabric:  32 ct. Touch of Pink

Floss:  As charted

Started:  1/1/17

Finished:  6/25/17

Completed:  TBD

Last but not least, my Chocolate Box!  As you can see this was my New Year's Day start this year.  I'm so in love with this one.  That pink fabric is just so me.  I love it so much.  I decided to veer off the beaten path with this one and added a little bling.  I couldn't resist adding white beads to the border and pink beads where the designer called for French knots.  I think it really adds some nice sparkle.  I plan to finish this as a cube.  I still need to find some "just right" fabric for the finish.

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Even though I've been missing, I have been stitching (and knitting too).  I started "But First Tea" by Zindagi Designs on 4/16/17.  I'll show that one next time.  I'm making good progress on it.  I'm also tempted to start a couple other ones too.  Hmm...

So folks if you've made it this far, I'm so glad you are still here.  I'll pop back in when I have time or something to share.  I hope everyone has a great July 4th holiday.  I plan to enjoy my holiday away from the rat race, relax and stitch/knit all the things!  Hope you do too.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Knitting Update

I've had a knitting finish since we last visited!  I wanted to share it as well as update you on my other knittiness.  So first up...the finish!

Design: Oats Cowl (Adult Long Version)

Designer: Tin Can Knits

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solids, Heathers & Twists

Colorway: Patchwork Grey

Needles:  Knitter's Pride Nova Platina Interchangeables US 8 (5mm) on a 32" cord

Started:  1/29/17

Finished: 3/3/17

Last Friday night I bound off my Oats Cowl!  I really, really wanted to be able to wear it to my sock class on Saturday morning.  Luckily enough, the weather turned cold again so it was perfect (never thought I'd be wishing for a cold day).  It had been a warm week!

Here's a detail shot so you can see the stitch patterns.  Overall, I'd say this is definitely a good beginner's pattern.  The yarn, I'd rate as just okay.  The colored bits were wrapped around a central grey twist and were pretty "splitty." I do like how the colors distributed though.

If I were to do this one again, I'd also do a stretchier bind off.  There is a definite difference in the cast on side and the bind off side.  The good thing is this is a cowl so it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.  Just something to note.

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Next up, there has been much progress on the sock!  I now have two classes under my belt. I'm still in awe that I'm actually knitting a sock.  Me...a sock knitter!  What?!

This was immediately after Class #1.  As in, I'm in the car taking this picture...in the LYS parking lot.  Yes, I'm a nerd!  No, I really don't care who knows it.  I was all geeked up!  LOL!

This is the stopping point I was to get to before class #2.  I got a bit carried away and knit an 8" leg. I have plenty of yarn and I do like my socks a bit on the taller side so it's all good.  I found that working with four double pointed needles really isn't that hard to do.  I actually really like it a lot.

Here I am last Saturday after Class #2!  OMG, can we just talk about that heel?!  I. DID. THAT!

Here's a close up 'cause y'all just gotta look at this!  I'm still amazed!

We worked a heel flap, turned the heel, picked up stitches and worked the gusset.  I'm sure the veteran sock knitters out there are giggling at me right now.  I can't contain myself.  I learned so much new stuff last Saturday.  Holy smokes!

I had the most patient encouraging teacher too.  The folks at my LYS are so kind and helpful.  I ended up spending the whole day there because I was having so much fun I didn't want to leave and they didn't care one bit.  Isn't that just the coolest?!

So yeah, I'm pretty fired up about my sock.  I can't wait until next Saturday's class when we learn to do the toe.  I've already got my homework done and ready to go.  I really really want to get going on that second sock!  I'm gonna wear these babies proudly!  Woo hoo!!

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Since I finished the cowl and my sock is as far as I can go with it for now, I had to start something new.  One can not be without something to knit dontcha know!  My teacher was pulling yarn for a new start last Saturday and I kinda fell in love with it too.  She kindly wrote the "pattern" down on a post-it for me and set me up with the supplies.  I cast it on yesterday at lunch.  It's another basic cowl. 

I'm using Fyberspates "Cumulus" yarn.  There's no real pattern so I'm going to call it my "Cumulus Cowl." This yarn is the softest thing I've ever touched that wasn't alive.  I'm talking soft as a bunny and light as a cloud...probably why they named it Cumulus.  LOL!  It's 74% Baby Suri Alpaca and 26% Mulberry Silk if you can imagine that.

I haven't gotten more than a few rows in so it doesn't look like anything yet.  I'll post a picture when it's a bit further along.  The sample I saw was scrumptious!

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Well folks, there you have it.  What's been going on in my world lately.  I've stitched a bit on the chocolate box and will work on it again tomorrow since the Guild is having a meeting.  Of course there will be more knitting too!  Thanks for vising with me today.  I hope your weekend is great!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

TUSAL - February

Well folks another month has flown past us!  I'm back for the February TUSAL report.  If you are new here and unsure what that means, go here to see the definition of TUSAL.  I use this as an opportunity to keep track of my progress from month to month.  So let's get on with it, shall we?

This month's contributors were:

"I Sigh Not for Beauty" by C Street Samplers (DONE!!)
"Watermelon" charted by me (Bagged until summer)
"Letters from Mermaids - E" by Nora Corbett to be made into an "L" (Didn't work on it this month)
"Mermaid Scissor Fob freebie" by Cross Stitch Happy (Didn't work on it this month)
"Chocolate Box" by Little House Needleworks (In Progress)
"Flag Maker freebie" by Notforgotten Farm (DONE!)
"Happy Hearts freebie" by Little House Needleworks (DONE!)

I'm really happy about having some finishes this past month.  I'm especially happy to have "Beauty" finally done.  It really is a pretty sampler and it seemed a shame to not finish her up.  I'm hoping to have a couple more finishes soon too.  I worked on "Chocolate Box" all weekend and am seeing some nice progress.  I just love the pink fabric I chose!  I'll have to do a progress post soon.

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On the knitting front, I've had a couple starts and have made some really nice progress on them as well.  Here they are:

"Oats Cowl" by Tin Can Knits (In Progress)
"Adult Basic Sock" by Dierdre Wallace (In Progress)

I started knitting the "Oats Cowl" as my lunchtime knit.  I'm almost halfway done with it maybe more.  You know how Prairie Schooler patterns are comfort stitching, this one feels like a comfort knit.  It's a lot of straight knitting in the round with a bit of garter stitch thrown in for interest.  It's nice and squishy.

Can we just talk about the sock?  THE SOCK!!!  I cannot believe I am actually knitting a sock.  I owe much gratitude to Carol Fun, sock knitting extraordinaire, for her encouragement!  Girlfriend, you rock!  I am so in love with the yarn I picked too.  I'm doing this as a class at the LYS.  I can't wait for our next class session this Saturday.  We are going to work on turning the heel.  Can. Not. Wait!

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I'm finding myself having to choose how I want to split my time now that I've become a knitter too.  It's a good problem to have.  You know why?  It means my creative mojo is in full force and flowing strong.  I haven't felt this creative in a very long time and I'm over the moon about it.

I hope you all are having fun with whatever you choose to do in your creative world.  Thanks for stopping by today.  I appreciate your visits.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

January Knitting Finishes

So as promised for the knitters in the group, I'm back with my January knitting finishes.  I got two projects finished!  Let's have a look.

 Design: "Liberty Cowl"

Designer: Nora, owner of Lambikin's Hideaway

Yarn: Classic Elite Liberty Wool in "Magic Carpet"

Needles: Knitter's Pride#7 (4.5mm)  Nova Platina tips with a 24" cord 

Started:  1/7/17

Finished:  1/18/17

This was a really fun knit.  I especially liked the yarn I picked.  I enjoyed seeing the colors change as I went along.  I found myself wanting to knit "just one more row" to see how they would look together.  This was my first time knitting in the round and I really liked it.  I'm still puzzled how doing the knit stitch on circulars produces a stockinette but using straight needles you have to go every other row with the knit stitch to get stockinette.  Newbie mysteries!

Design: "Garter Stitch Dishcloth" #3

Designer: Interweave Press

Yarn: Lily Sugar and Cream in Hot Green

Needles:  Knitter's Pride#7 (4.5mm)  Nova Platina tips with a 24" cord

Started:  1/18/17

Finished: 1/20/17

After finishing the cowl, I really wanted to start something new but since I don't have a stash, I was at a loss. I know Carol Fun is giggling right now.  Yes, I'll probably end up with a yarn stash too at some point.  It's pretty inevitable.

So anywho, I still had some of the cotton yarn that was gifted to me for my birthday so I cast on another dishcloth.  I decided to try using the same needles as I used for the cowl.  I'd seen folks on YouTube using circulars for straight knitting and I decided to try it for myself.  I liked it!

This dishcloth went pretty fast.  Now that I know what I'm doing with this pattern, it's almost like comfort knitting.  I really like that garter stitch.  I gifted this to the person who gave me the yarn.  She was absolutely thrilled to receive it.

So yeah, I'm now hooked on knitting too.   So much so that I've signed up for a sock knitting class that starts this month.  Yep, I'm going to give it a go!  Can. Not. Wait!

So there you are friends, my knitting update.  It's so fun to learn something new and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.  My funny DH says I'm "cheating" on my stitching peeps.  I hope they don't feel that way.  It's just something I've felt the pull to learn to do and life's short so you gotta roll with it!

Hope you are all well and doing what you love!  Thanks for stopping by today.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

I Sigh Not for Beauty - FINISHED!

People, did you hear it?!  Yep, that was me whooping it up last night about 6:30 when I put the very last stitch in "I Sigh Not for Beauty!"  Yes, a miracle has happened.  It's done!  Let's have a look.

Design: I Sigh Not for Beauty

Designer: C Street Samplers

Fabric: 32 ct. Dirty Linen

Floss: My own conversion of NPI and Hand Dyed Fibers

Started: 3/5/11

Finished:  2/5/17

Completed: To be framed at some point

The linen color isn't showing true to life in this picture since it was dark when I finished.  I also didn't iron it either.  So yes, that's a wrinkle you see there.  It's straight off the q-snaps people!  I was just so dang happy to get this done already that I simply couldn't be bothered.

Ever reach that point with a project where you just want it over already?  Um...yeah, that would be me with this one.  Don't get me wrong...I love the design, love the colors, love the fabric and floss but I was just over it.  It had haunted me for way too long and it needed to be finished.

The bargello grass went really quickly once I got going and the satin stitch border...can we talk about that for a minute?!  I clearly surprised myself with that one.  I guess I haven't done a lot of satin stitch and had no idea how fast it would work up!  I started the green at the guild stitch-in on Saturday and finished it up when I got home.  Yesterday I was bound and determined to bust out the cream side and that's just what I did!

I can't even put into words just how happy I am to have this one done.  Talk about shame stitching, this one has been shaming me for the last couple weeks.  I mean look at those dates, one month shy of six years I've been futzing around with this.  Oh puleeze!  But thanks to the gentle nudging of my peep, Christie and the cheering of several of you...I've finally finished this!

Now I can honestly say that I only have a few WIPs going and some unfinished class pieces.  I guess class pieces don't haunt me as much as WIPs do.  I'm not sure why.  I guess I look at class pieces as a learning experience. If I finish them at some point okay, but my main point was to learn something and I did that in the class.

As for WIPs, I've come to realize that I don't personally feel comfortable having at ton of WIPs going at once.  For my own personal sanity I need to keep it minimal.  I'm not saying there's anything wrong with having a lot going on at once if that's your thing.  It's just not mine.

I've also learned that I don't like having a lot of big projects going at once either.  It just not in my comfort zone.  Right now the WIPs I do have are what I would consider small or medium sized.  That's not to say I won't ever do another big project, but maybe not right away.

So friends, that's a long winded reflection after a really big finish.  I'm happy to have it done and am looking forward to sharing more finishes.  I appreciate all your support and encouragement.  What a nice way to start the week!  I hope yours is off to a good start too.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

First Finish of 2017 and a Start

I hope 2017 is off to a good start for everyone!  Mine came in on a high note.  I tried really hard to finish this before the ball dropped but it wasn't meant to be so it became my first finish of 2017.  I like the sound of "first finish" better anyway.  Has a positive ring to it, doesn't it?!

Design:  Sew Advent 2013 SAL

Designer: iStitch Designs

Fabric: 40ct. Natural Brown

Floss: NPI  503, 644, & 991BB

Started:  12/9/13

Finished:  1/1/17

Completed: TBD

As you can tell from the start date, I didn't start this one on the first day of Advent back in 2013.  I did make it to the 8th day on the chart before I bagged it and it became a UFO.  I figured out why this one got bagged too.  The fabric had some threads that were thin as your hair sitting right next to some fat ones, it was a challenge but I was not deterred!  Nope!  So I decided to buckle down and just get on with it already.

I was really close to getting it done before midnight but it didn't happen. I got tired so I decided to finish it first thing on New Year's Day.  Glad to have it done!  I checked the iStitch website and you can still get this one if you want it.  So there you have it, my first finish of 2017!

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So speaking of New Year's Day, as is the tradition with many stitchers I decided to have a new start.  So what did I pick, you ask?  Well, lets just say it picked me.  I've had this one in the stash for years.  Each year around Valentine's day I go rooting through the stash, pick this one up, and promptly get distracted by something else.  Well, this year I ran across it again at the right time!

It is Little House Needleworks' "Chocolate Box!"  Sorry for the glare in the picture.  I've actually gotten that piece of chocolate done and started the one to the left of it.  I saw this one finished when it first came out as a cube and couldn't shake if from my mind.  I dearly love the pink fabric.  I think it's going to be a fun stitch.  I plan to finish it as a cube too.  My buddy Maggee says cubes aren't hard and she would know!  I'm fortunate enough to have one of her beautiful cubes.

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So there you are a finish and a start for the New Year.  I have a really optimistic feeling about this year.  I can't put into words yet really why that is but I'm going with it.  I'm planning to finish up some WIPs and I may even drag out a UFO or two before the year is over.  We'll have to see how the spirit moves me.

Next time we visit I plan to show you some things I got for my birthday and my latest sewing projects!  Yes, I went on a sewing spree like nobody's business last week.  I turned my dining room into Santa's workshop.  It was awesome!

I also took a knitting class as a birthday present to myself.  I've been drooling over Margaret and Carol's knitting for a while now and decided I wanted to join in the fun too!  Now don't get me wrong, those two are knitting rock stars and I'm just a groupie at this point.  But hey, we all started somewhere, right?!  So I may share a knitting finish now and then this year.  Fingers crossed!

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Well, folks I hope you are having a great week!  The peeps and I are getting together to do the Peep's Christmas on Saturday.  I have more to share but it will have to wait until after the party.  Don't want to spoil the surprises dontcha know!  Thanks for visiting today.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

2016 Year in Review

I thought this year I'd try to do a year in review before the year was over.  Novel concept, I know.  LOL!  This year's stats are way down compared to years past.  I kinda knew they would be.  I lost my stitching mojo for a while and my work life was super stressful for the first six months of the year.  In spite of all that, I'm thankfully ending the year with things looking up and renewed optimism.

Since you all know I'm a numbers gal, here's where I stand for 2016.  I really tried to finish some things from the box o'shame.  I'm pleased to say I did pretty good there.  I also wanted to get some of my BAPs done too and I managed to do that as well.  I currently only have four things in my rotation and I feel like I could whittle that down if I tried real hard.

New Starts: 15

Finishes:  16

UFOs (unfinished objects):  7

WIPs (works in progress):  4

Exchanges:  2

Gifts: 1

SALs:  1

Classes: 0

 

So let's have a look at what made up these numbers.  I think that would be fun! I've put links in so you can find more information if you want to see it.  Here we go!

First finish of the year!

A delayed ornament finish from last year or you could say it was my first for this year.  Depends on how you want to look at it.  LOL!

The gift I stitched for our visit to Westtown School in the spring.

The only SAL I did this year.  It was with my friend, Maggee over at Stitching Devotee.  Whom I got to meet in person this fall.  This was my January 1st start this year!

The first of my two exchange pieces.  This was for the Russellville exchange in the summer.

The first of my BAP finishes.  This was a carryover from last year.  I love it still.

This is one that came out of the box o'shame and finally saw the light of day.

I don't know why it took me so long to finish this cutie.

The second ornament I finished stitching.  Now it's in the box o'shame waiting its turn.  Oh geese!

This sweet set will forever remind me of my first trip to the PALS retreat in Myrtle Beach!  What an awesome weekend that was in spite of that ole hurricane.

Another ornament stitched that's been living in the basket o'joy for literally years!  Love this one.

Yes, it's in the box o'shame now too.

Ah my second BAP finish and what a pretty one she is!  I really miss stitching on this one.  It was just that good.

And last but not least, the last exchange piece I did for the year.

That was fun, wasn't it?!  I guess that's one advantage to not being very prolific, you can see it all in one blog post and it doesn't go on forever.  LOL!

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Now for the WIPs (works in progress).  I'm only carrying forward four this year.  These are the ones I'm actively working on right now.  I could count old class pieces that are still unfinished but let's not get carried away.

This is I Sigh Not for Beauty.  I'm determined to just get on with it already!

Here's the first post I did on this one.  Geesh, way back in 2011!

I've actually stitched more on this one since this picture was taken.  This is on of Nora Corbett's Letters from Mermaids.  This was my second start of 2016!

This one I'm thinking I may put back in the WIP basket for a while.  For some reason I'm just not feeling the watermelon vibe in the winter.  This one is a "do-over."

This is one I've resurrected.  I was rooting around in the stash heap when I came across the bag where this has been hanging out since...ahem, 2013!  Yes, three years soon to be four!  It's the 2013 iStitch Advent SAL.  Apparently I got to day 8 and gave up.  I'm further now but I wanted to document where I started or I guess you'd say restarted this one.  I'm hoping I can get it done really soon!

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As for my New Year's stitching plans.  I'm not actually sure what I'm going to be working on yet.  I know there will be a new start tomorrow.  What it will be remains to be seen.  There are several I'm percolating over.  We shall see! Tell me what you intend to start on New Year's day.  I'd love to know!

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Well all, I hope you have a lovely New Year's Eve whatever you plan to do.  I plan to stay right where I am and probably stitch on something above.  I wish you all a safe evening if you fancy going out.  And I'll see you in 2017!

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Two finishes...Heaven Above & an Ornament!

Dear friends I'm happy to report I've finally finished Heaven Above!  Yes, it's true.  I actually finished it Thanksgiving weekend.  I stitched on this all afternoon on Thanksgiving day and all the next two days to get it finished.  I was determined to get this one done before the end of November.  I was so pleased when I put that last stitch in it.  Let's have a look at it in all its glory!

Design: Heaven Above

Designer: Midsummer Night Designs

Fabric: 40ct. Sand

Floss: As charted

Started: 1/15/15

Finished: 11/25/16

To Be Framed...

Here's a close up picture of the top half.

Here's the bottom half.  There's supposed to be a butterfly in the lower right corner but I wanted to incorporate my initials and date there instead.  I actually added a small purple flower above the signature after this picture was taken.

I'm really pleased with this one.  It's super special to me because my dear friend, Susan gifted the chart to me after she finished stitching it last year.  I plan to keep the chart.  I'm thinking once I frame it I may put it in a pocket on the back along with a note telling its story.  It's just that special to me.  Thank you again, Susan!  You are so dear to me.

I had wanted to post about this sooner but I got really sick the Monday after Thanksgiving.  A trip to the ER diagnosed me with chest pains caused by pleurisy, which was scary enough, and then I came down with the Norovirus.  Yeah, chest pains with violent vomiting is nothing I want to repeat anytime soon.  Needless to say that took the rug out from under me for a week.  I was pretty worn out the whole next week too.  Thankfully, I'm absolutely fine now and feel back to my old self.  Whew, glad to be back in good health!

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Design:  Letter Sleds A to Z "QCSG"

Designer:  Foxwood Crossings

Fabric:  32ct. Belfast White

Floss:  DMC 817 & 699

Started:  12/2/16

Finished:  12/3/16

Completed:  12/4/16

My second finish I want to share today is this ornament I made for the annual guild Christmas party.  I was gifted this chart by Robin in Virginia.  Robin is such a dear sweet friend.  She's been there for me a lot this year.  I really cherish our friendship.  Someday I hope to meet Robin in person!  Waves to Robin.

I changed the original design a wee bit, so this is my adaptation.  The original says "NOEL" and is in more of a tag shape.  I decided to make mine more rectangular and use our guilds initials.  I hope the recipient liked it.  I think she may have gotten my ornament last year too.  I think it's so festive with the holly and berries border.  I can foresee myself using this chart a lot in the coming years.  It's a really versatile set of designs.

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I hope everyone is getting geared up for the big holiday weekend.  I'm as ready as I'm getting.  For some reason this year I've really been in the Christmas mood.  I feel like it's because of my illnesses at the beginning of the season.  I know that sounds odd but I feel like being sick was a reset button kind of thing for me.  It caused me to stop, slow down and really think about what's important in the grand scheme of things.  Anyone who knows me knows I'm full blast all the time, sometimes to my own detriment.  I'm always ten steps ahead of myself in my mind.  It feels good to step back and really be present and in the now.

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I want to thank you all for your friendships, your comments, your emails and just being you!  You bring me joy and I hope I do that for you too.  I hope your holiday is merry and bright!

With much love and hugs,

The Inspired Stitcher

Rose Shield - Finish!

Brace yourselves, I'm back with yet another post and another finish!  I know, right!  Two in a row.  Someone get the smelling salts, I think some of you just passed out.  LOL!

Seriously though, I mentioned last time I had a new start and now it's done.  I just need to ornamentify it.  I had gone stash diving looking for something else and ran across this little cutie in my "basket o'joy."  Let's just say it's been in that basket a really, really long time waiting it's turn for some love.  Here she is!

Design: Rose Shield

(from the Christmas Roses II leaflet)

Designer: Mary Beale

Fabric: 32ct. Natural (2 over 2)

Floss:  Called for DMC

Started: 11/6/16

Finished: 11/13/16

Completed: TBD

I still love this one as much as I did the day I laid eyes on it.  This just hits all the right buttons for me.  I love the colors, I love the pineapple (or that's what it looks like to me), I love the vintage feel of it. Everything is just so me.

Here's the leaflet it came from in case you are wondering.  It's old, like published in 1989 old!  The charts are all hand drawn.  I did a quick search on the "bay of evil" aka eBay and there are several of these leaflets still to be found.

I haven't decided yet how I'm going to ornamentify it.  I need to dig the original leaflet out to see if there are templates in there for the shapes.  I usually make a working copy so I don't mangle the original.  I'm kind of doubting there are templates but you never know.

Several folks at the guild meeting were nostalgic about this one when they saw it.  I guess Mary Beale was pretty big back in the day.  Who knew!  I'm pretty sure I'll do some more of her ornaments.  There were several of her designs in the "free box" at the LNS the day I found this one and yes, they came home with me.  They've been ripening in the stash dontcha know.

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Well friends, it's a quick one today but I just had to share. I hope your week is off to a good start.  Thanks for visiting today.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

To the Beach Freebie - FINISH!

So last time I mentioned a project I'd worked on earlier this summer.  I thought I'd share this finish today and show you all the goodies I made to go with it.

First, a little back story.  I took a Saturday road trip early this summer to The Finishing Touch in Louisville, Kentucky.  I just love Saundra, the owner, and Carol, fabric cutter extraordinaire!  As a parting gift, Saundra gave me the "To The Beach" freebie by Hands on Design.  I have a great affinity for Cathy Habermann designs and I couldn't wait to stitch it.  Let's check it out.

Design:  To the Beach Freebie

Designer:  Hands on Design

Fabric:  40ct. Vintage Pearled Barley

Floss:  GAST as charted

Started:  6/12/16

Finished:  7/4/16

Completed: 10/9/16

I knew from the start I wanted to finish this as a tin topper.  I intended to take it with me as my travel tool box on my trip to Myrtle Beach for the PALs Retreat in October.  I had heard that Hands on Design might be one of the vendors and thought it would be fun to show Cathy in person but she wasn't there.  Want to see the inside?

I decided to put a sheet magnet in the lid for needles and such.  I also padded the bottom and added cording around so the needles wouldn't get lost in the gap.  I also made a matching ORT catcher using the same fabric and some coordinating fabric.  Then I decided those naked scissors needed a fob.  All scissors need fobs, right?!

Design: From the chart On Beach Time

Designer: Hands on Design

Fabric: 40 ct. Vintage Pearled Barley scraps

Floss: GAST and DMC

Started:  10/9/16

Finished: 10/9/16

Completed: 10/12/16

And if you are going to make a fob, why not a two sided fob!  I used the finishing instructions from Jeannette Douglas' chart called "Friendship Sweet Bag."  She suggests using two quarters to give the fob weight.  Now this finish could not be easier and it really gives a nice look and feel.  I also just had to add a couple tiny embellishments too where the twisted cords meet.

These are two things that also live inside the tin.  I love those LoRan threaders and always pick one up when I see them.  I'm pretty certain I have one in every project bag.

Now the other "tool" you might recognize from a trip to ULTA or Sephora!  It is one of those spoolies they give you to test mascara!  It works wonderfully as a "boo boo" stick.  Now I can't claim this as my own brilliant idea.  I heard my blog buddy, Vonna, from The Twisted Stitcher blog/FlossTube mention it.  She's really the brilliant one.  Go get yourself some of these 'cause they are awesome and best of all, free!  You're welcome!

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So there you have it, a fun finish I thought you'd enjoy seeing today.  Every time I use this sweet set I think of being at the beach.  The beach soothes my soul and I absolutely love being there.  Too bad I live in the land locked midwest.  LOL!

I hope everyone has a great weekend.  I'm off to a guild meeting and all day stitch tomorrow.  I'm hoping to make some progress on "Heaven Above" and I couldn't resist a new start last weekend so I'm going to work on that too.  More about that another day!  Thanks for visiting.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher