TUSAL - March

Well folks here we are again, it's time for the March 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 what's been happening this past month?

This month's contributor was:

"Chocolate Box" by Little House Needleworks (In Progress)

Still in WIP stage:

"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)

I really have no excuse for not getting the scissor fob done.  I guess I just wasn't feeling it or something.  I don't have any idea what's my deal is with the Nora mermaid either.  So....

Since I only worked on "Chocolate Box" this past month, I thought you might like to see a progress picture.  I'm planning to put some beads on this instead of knots and confetti stitches.  I think the bling will give it some pizazz.  I've got the cream colored beads I want to use for the outer border (yet to be stitched) and will look for some pink ones (for the tops of a couple chocolate pieces) at a new-to-me shop I'll visit the end of the week.  More on that next time.

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So what has captured my attention if it isn't stitching?  Yep, you guessed it...knitting! I know this is a disappointment to the non-knitters in the crowd.  What can I say, I'm obsessed right now!  I've been learning so many new things, it's wonderful.  Anyone who knows me knows I have a thing for learning.  So I've really been having a lot of fun lately.

I finished my first sock ever!  I'm still in awe of that and I've started its mate.  I've also started another "pair," actually just one but it will be a pair eventually, using some interesting self-striping yarn.  I also started another cowl and some finger-less mitts.  Yes, my hands have been quite busy.

I need to get one of these finished because I'm not comfortable having this many things going at once.  Yes, that's the same way I feel about my stitching.  It's my own brand of crazy and I'm okay with it.  It works for me!

So, it's a short and sweet TUSAL this month.  I can hardly believe the end of March is here already.  I hope whatever you are working on you are enjoying.  I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to spend a few minutes with me here. Hope your week is good!

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

TUSAL - January

For several years I participated in Daffycat's Totally Useless Stitch A Long.  Last year I didn't do it.  But I've found it was really helpful when I was doing it.  It's basically a round up of what you worked on from one new moon to the next which amounts to about a month's time.  Here's last year's link if you aren't familiar.  I've decided I'm going to try to do this again even if Daffycat doesn't have one this year.

The benefits for me have been that I can keep myself accountable to the things I've got in progress and to remind myself to post pictures of the things I've finished.  I can't tell you how many times I've referred back to previous TUSAL posts to see when I worked on something.  So without further waffling, here's the report for January 2017!

This months contributors to the ORT pile were:

"I Sigh Not for Beauty" by C Street Samplerworkes (In Progress)
"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 (In Progress)
"Chocolate Box" by Little House Needleworks (In Progress)
"Flag Maker freebie" by Notforgotten Farm (In Progress)
"Watermelon" charted by me (Bagged until summer)

I feel like I've made some significant progress on "Beauty."  I thought I was closer to finished last weekend until I realized there was the yard to put in.  Drat!  I need to work the bargello grass under the house and the satin stitch saw tooth border.  Oh well, I'll keep plugging away. 

I haven't really touched the others since the Louisville trip.  I've mainly been concentrating on "Beauty."  I've made it a personal goal this year to get this one done.  Besides, I've already given it a 2017 date so this thing is getting done this year!  I'm going to do this Christie!  Keep cheering me on!

I also decided to bag the "Watermelon" for now.  I'm just not feeling the watermelon vibe in January.  It will be there waiting for me when I feel more like summer stitching.  Are you a seasonal stitcher too?

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I've also decided I'm going to include my knitting progress and finishes in my TUSAL reports too.  I want to keep a record of them as well.  So for the non-knitters in the crowd you can skip to the end at this point, it's okay I understand.

"Liberty Cowl" by Lambikins Hideaway (DONE!)
"Garter Stitch Dishcloth #3" by Interweave Press (DONE!)

Yep, I've finished two knitting projects this month.  I'll do a separate post with the details. 

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In other news, the Tiara Club is getting together tomorrow for the first time this year.  I'm planning to take "Beauty" with me and make some more progress.  I'm also thinking I'll start a new knitting project this weekend too.  I'm really enjoying the return of my creative mojo!  Thanks for stopping by today.  Hope you are all well!

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Louisville Weekend

This past weekend some friends and I decided we would beat the winter doldrums and getaway to Louisville, Kentucky for a few days.  We always have a good time when we do things like this and this time was no exception.  Just a little side note, I forgot to get pictures of the places we visited so I'll be inserting links instead for your viewing pleasure.  Okay, back to the trip!

We started our trip with lunch at Cafe Classico.  I had the panini Italiano that was just wonderful.  After we were all refueled and satisfied, we ventured up the street to see our friends, Saundra and Carol at The Finishing Touch.  We just love those two girls!  Needless to say, nobody left empty handed!

I had a list this time and most of it was fabric and threads.  Of course a couple charts just jumped into my hands as they do dontcha know.  Here's a peek at the stash!

First up, fabric!  I don't usually buy this much fabric at once but I wanted to kit up a couple things.  Not like I don't have enough to stitch for the rest of my life already.  So yeah, the upper left is for "Things Unseen" buy Lizzie Kate it's 32ct. Pecan Butter.  Going clockwise, is 36ct. Dapple.  At the time I was thinking of using it on "Mermaid Fraktur" by Plum Street but I'm thinking I might want some sparkle.  The bottom two are 32ct. Creme Brulee and 30ct. Tiger Eye both for "Thyme to Gather" by Hands on Designs.  The beads are for a Nora Corbet design I can't remember the name of at the moment.

Here are some random flosses that go with the above projects.  It's always nice to see the floss in person.

These are the two charts that jumped into my hands.  I really like the "Little Sheep Virtues" series and have seen several stitched up that are just darling.  I was fortunate to receive one from one of my lovely blog friends a few years ago.  You know who you are.  :-)

We ventured on to the hotel after that and settled in for the evening.  I decided I would stitch on a different project each day.  Since I'd already started "Chocolate Box" I decided that would be my Thursday night/Friday afternoon stitch.  Here's were I got on it.

Progress as of 1/14/17

I managed to get two more pieces added and a third started since you saw it last.  I need to do some embroidery on the blank one on the bottom.  This chart is just so much fun!  One of the girls that was with me had stitched this one before and showed me a picture of her finish.  I'm definitely doing a cube finish after seeing hers.  It's going to be so stinkin' cute!

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Friday morning we got up, headed out to visit quilt shops and had breakfast at Krispy Kreme!  I can only eat a couple of those scrumptious things before I start getting the sugar shakes but oh are they worth it!

The first shop we visited was Among Friends Quilt Shop.  It's in the same parking lot as Krispy Kreme.  How convenient!  I ended up getting a couple pieces of fabric for another "Vonna Bag" and maybe a project bag for my knitting.

I couldn't resist that Downton Fabric!  I "killed the bolt" on it and the pink was also in the same clearance section.  I love that it looks like a knitting pattern.  The two grey pieces are for the linings.

Next we ventured up the street to pop into Barnes & Noble.  I love me a good bookstore!  The closest big bookstore to me is about an hour away so I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to poke around.  I couldn't make up my mind on what to get so I finally decided on this cute little pocket size coloring book.  Yes, it was the bees that got me.  You all know I love me some bees!

About this time we were all getting hungry so we found a Chipotle for lunch.  I do love their burrito bowls and those chips...oh yes, please!  I like pretty much any Mexican food really.

One of the peeps has a Sonic addiction.  She goes twice a day for her special drink.  On the way that morning she noticed a new-to-us quilt shop called The Cozy Quilter.  So while we were out, we decided to stop in and poke around.  It's a cute place.  It's small compared to the first place we visited.  I couldn't resist these two fat quarters.  Who knows what they'll end up being...maybe another project bag since I'm on a roll right now.

We made it back to the hotel mid afternoon and settled in for some stitching.  I started out working on the "Chocolate Box" and then I switched to "I Sigh Not for Beauty."  Here's where I got on it.  I ended up working on it both Friday and Saturday.

Progress as of 1/14/17

When I got to the over one word section, I decided to bag it until I got home.  The light I brought really wasn't bright enough to do over one on that dark fabric.  I feel good about what I accomplished though.  I only have the words to do and satin stitch the saw-tooth border now!  I'm feelin' a finish coming on.  I just need to buckle down!

Progress as of 1/14/17

After I bagged "Beauty" Saturday night, I got this one out.  It's my second new start of the year.  It's a freebie by Notforgotten Farm called "Flag Maker."  I'm stitching it with the called for DMC on 32ct. Vintage Cedar Plank.  I got all that done in one sitting.  It's an easy stitch!  Pop over to Lori's blog and get yourself one.

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Progress as of 1/15/17

I also can't resist sharing my knitting progress.  My husband said I can't wip out knitting when I'm with the stitching peeps but I did it anyway.  I'm a rebel like that dontcha know.  I've learned I can knit really easily in the car, as a passenger of course!  The bridges and overpasses don't cause you to stab your fingers like stitching on 40ct does.  Just sayin'!

For the knitters among us, I'm using #7 (4.5mm) Knitter's Pride Nova Platina tips with a 24" cord.  The yarn is Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool in the "Magic Carpet" colorway.  I've knit a lot more on it since this picture and I'm almost ready to bind off!  Squeals!

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As an aside, while we were stitching Saturday night, I saw someone go out the door with a puppy.  One of our peeps, was out smoking when she saw it too.  She told the owner there was a whole room of dog loving ladies that would love to see him.  So she brought him in so we could gush over him.  He was a little hard to get a good picture of since he was wiggly and on the move but look at that sweet face!

He's an 11 week old English bulldog and oh so sweet!  There's nothing like that sweet puppy smell and puppy kisses.  Needless to say we were all smitten!

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Well that brings me to the end of our weekend away.  We packed up Sunday morning and headed back to reality.  I had such a nice time.  It's always fun to spend time with the stitchy peeps.  It was also nice that Monday was Martin Luther King Day and I had the day off.  Miss Shelby was my Velcro pup all day long.  I think she missed me.

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I hope everyone is has had a good week.  Thank you so much for stopping by and for all your sweet comments.

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher