StarMaiden after SAL

I worked on her for the HAED SAL over the weekend. Or at least I did work on her a little bit. I would have liked to get a bit more done. She just seems to be moving so slowly. Maybe I just fee that way because I really wanted to get her done this year and I know I won't. *sigh* I am getting somewhere. heh. I WILL get her done next year... no matter what. really... honestly... and for true.

Now for a picture. This may be as far as she gets this year... but if I get anymore done I'll post another.

Now it is back to my HAED RR. I hope to get it finished this week and mailed off. Then I need to get my next Mira RR planned and started. I am not sure what I want to stitch on this one... hmmm.. need to think. After that it will be all StarMaiden!

Doing some more stitching

I've been slowing working on some more stitching. I did get some more work done on Tranquility Mystery Sampler. I am now on page 3.... ooooo... shock... awe.... heh. I am just flying on this one. It is really pretty. All lacy and stuff.


I also got a little Christmassy piece done. Before Christmas. I know! Before Christmas! I couldn't believe it myself! Now... if it were framed too I'd have to pass out. But, no worries about that.

It was a fun little piece. Kinda neat with sewing on the stocking. But, now back to my HAED RR and StarMaiden. I am near half way on the HAED rr... which isn't nearly where I want to be... and as for StarMaiden... sigh.... she just seems to be going so slow. I'd really love to be done with this page. Then the bird would be done and that will feel like a real success. Then it will be on to the shield. Gulp.

After looking at StarMaiden again... I need to do part of the next page as well to get that dratted bird done... sigh. It will never be done! Stupid bird!

A finish or two

Another RR down. This one is a Mira RR. #7 to be exact. I did My Lady's Garden. I love the colours in that piece.

All in all it was a really easy piece to do. And fast. A nice change from my last Mira RR. No frogging this time!

I also got another little piece done. This one I mainly worked on during Monday night TV. It was a quick one. I started it in October.

Now I need to work on another Monday Small... I think I will start back on my Tranquility Mystery Sampler... after all I am only just finishing up page 2 of something like 35 pages. Yeah, I am just a little bit behind. *blush* That or I will work on a small chritmas piece. I would be neat to work on something small and christmas-y during the season. I don't know if I have ever done that! Heh. It would be something new!

HAED RR

Finally finished up my HAED RR. Sorry Wendy that it is mailed out late. Only two days late. I ended up having to frog about 3/4 of it. *kicks self* But it is done and on it's way.

This the the whole RR. My piece is the one on the far right. I like it but the charting seems a little darker than the original art to me. Either way it is really really pretty... and my picture did come out alot darker than the true stitching. Mainly on the left side.

Now I am going to take a week off of RR stitching and just stitch on my StarMaiden. I'd like to see if I can get this page I am on done. Then it will be back to another RR, this time another Mira RR. Hopefully the frogs are well gone from my house and will leave me alone and this one will be done in short order. If not... I see weedwackers and blenders in their future. I mean it. I am getting serious.

Mira RR

I finished up that Mira RR. I'll try and get a picture up.

Yippie! It worked. I've been having a dratted time with pictures lately. Sorry it is so dark. Grrr. She is bead-less. And looks frightfully bare. But, I love the colours.

I have gone back to working on my HAED RR. Now it is in the right spot... sigh. Lord... I have only a week! I may have to contact my next in line and tell her I'll be late, and I hate to do that. Hmmm... I may just pull some really late nights. I can't mail late. Stupid migraines... and meds... and frogs. Triple damn them.

Looks like I will be a busy stitcher... may my needles smoke.

StarMaiden

Worked on StarMaiden over the weekend. Getting up to the 2 year mark on her. But this is what she is looking like now.

Well... I'll try and add a picture later. Blogger is being a pain. I am still hoping I can finish her this year, but we will just have to see.

I have been stitching away on my Mira RR. After having to rip out most of it after finding myself a half stitch off. Grrrrr. But, I am back on track. And will get it out on time. Mail date is the 29th. Then back to my HAED RR... which I also had to frog. They were horrid in this house. After that I will be back to StarMaiden. I really want to finish her up. She will be something else.

I plan to get a few small things finished up after that, and then I will restart Peacock Tapestry... again. I am a glutton for punishment! That, Crystal Ball, Nova, Houses of Hawk Run Hollow...not to mention a few other WIPs sitting in the wings... and a few RRs and exchanges.... I think I will be kept well out of trouble next year!

stash

My secret stitcher sent me Dead Man's Chess and all the stuff to stitch it this month! Squee! That will be such a fun one. I can't wait to get to it. When it is done I plan to get it "framed" so that we can play chess on it. Don't quite know how that will work, but it should be great.

joined a new exchange group

Yup. I jumped in. I joined the I Think I Can exchange. I is an exchange group where you get to learn how to do new finishing things. And I really need that! hehe. Ever since I started reading BBs and then started reading blogs and started to see how everyone did all this beautiful work I have just been amazed. Becky does some wonderful stuff and everytime I go over and read her blog not only is her stitching fantastic, but she is always finishing it into these amazing things! Well, this little exchange group will teach people like me who have NO skills! I think it will be fun.
I just hope my migraines hold off and I can enjoy my stitching. My last two RRs have had to be frogged multiple times so that they will be right. It is just so frustrating. But, I am determind that they will both get out ON TIME. It just might make for some long nights.

Halloween exchange

I recieved my Halloween exchange from Jo yesterday. I sent here a little pumpkin scissor fob and this is what she sent me! Nifty! She made the pattern from the artwork that a friend of hers does.

Here is a picture of the scissor fob I sent to her.

I just love exchanges... stitching for others is the best fun.

sigh

Migraines have been keeping me from any kind of real stitching... or really any kind of real life. They just tear me up and wear me out so much. My doctor has me on a new drug treatment to see if we can stop this new never-ending cycle. And I will be going into see a neurologist.
No one likes my idea of treatment--- chop off the head *poof* no more headache! Too bad, it would actually work. pthpthpth. Better than what I've been dealing with lately.

Model done!

Yup... the model is done. I just have to secure some threads on the back, take a picture, and it will be out the door today. Just one day later than I wanted. *sigh* But, I guess that isn't too bad. Then I get to work on the HAED RR. It is one picture so I don't even have to try and figure out what I am stitching, just what piece. I think I will work on the right side. I have all the threads pulled so I am ready to start.

I signed my son up for a drawing class. He is always making comic books, or doodling, or drawing something. I have no talent in that area, so I hope this class can teach him the basics... and beyond. Or at the very least I hope he can have a whole lot of fun and get messy while he draws! It should have started today, but the teacher had to take over another class at a different school so for the first two weeks the class was moved to Fridays.

Another Sunday with no Nova

I have just been so dratted busy. First with my sister here, and now with all this other stitching. hehe.

Right now I am working on a model. I'd really like to get it done with and out the door by Tuesday. Then I need to get cracking on my HAED RR. I'd love to get some stitches into my own HAED too. I was aiming to get 8000 into her this month. I don't see that happening now. Maybe I can try for 4000. That would at least get me though about a little more than half this page. I am still aiming to try and get StarMaiden done my the end of the year.

My Halloween exchange partner just sent off my part of the exchange. Can't wait to see what she will send. She liked what I made her. So, I am happy with that. I like stitching for others... especially when they are stitchers as well... they tend to enjoy it more!

Anyway... I have to teach my son tomorrow. So, I'd best be off to bed.

September goals

My sister is in town for the next week or so, and so I didn't get to Nova this past Sunday. Ah, well, visiting with my sister was time better spent.

I have laid down some goals for September... may I reach them.

1. 8000 Stitches in StarMaiden (this is my main focus piece for the month)
2. Big Zipper Garden trellis part
3. Nova - 4 Sundays
4. Mira RR

We will see how I do.

Nova Sunday

Another Sunday and more work on Nova. I really like seeing the different blocks, how they play off each other. The light plays on the thread in such different ways due to the differnt stitches. This is such a new project for me and I love it.



And here is a closer picture of some of the blocks...




The block tally now stands at 361.

OMG!!!!WTFBBQ

Since my hubby is out of town I figured last night would be a good time to pull out all my WIPs..., just to see how many I really have. I guess I wanted to give myself I good heart-attack! So, out of all the cupboards and nooks and crannies I start pulling. WOWZA! I knew I had a few, alright, I knew a had lot. But, this is really crazy. I think I got all of them. It really is more than I can handle... so I need to get cracking and either rotate until they start shrinking down, or go OAATer. And be sever with myself with NO NEW STARTS. Really. I love all these pieces. I'd love to see them done. Then they can sit in boxes with all their finished friends until I find the time to get them on my walls! hahahaha.
Now... to shame me into sticking to my no-new-start-need-to-be-good-and-finish-things (this does not include RRs, gifts, or exchanges) I will list these WIPs.

1.StarMaiden
2. Crystal Ball
3. Boreas
4. Autumn Winds
5. StoryKeeper SK
6. Nova
7. Fairy Moon
8. The Token
9. Halloween Fairy--for some reason I have more frogs with this one... gah!
10. The Big Zipper
11. French Flower Shop
12. Mother's Heart
13. Hope
14. Don't Bug Me
15. Scardy Cat
16. Cirqure de Cercles
17. Tranquility Mystery Sampler
18. PIG
19. Lady Scarlet Box
20. Bee Garden
21. Peacock Tapestry


If I find more... oh please no, I will add them. I think I would like to be at around 5-6 WIPs. That should show the amount of work I really have to do.

Help help I'm drowning in WIPs! Ah well, I'm sure I'll find a way out. glug.

How many?

I was asked how many squares are there in Nova?

Well... it goes from A-V and numbers from 1-18. So, that's 396! Minus the tiny 20 I've done and I only have 376 left to go hahahaha.

I'll have to keep a running tally.... that will be amusing.

The Start of Nova!

Sunday came and yes... I did start Nova. It seems that the curse has lifted. (may it stay gone)


I am really enjoying this one. I think working on it one day a week will be quite fun. Not sure if I will always get as much done as I did this time, but I will at least get a bit done each week.

Working on each square is so neat. All the different types of stitches and all the colours that are in it so far... it is quite amazing. The texture is really something else.

exchanges

Biscornu exchange sent and received. It was fun. It was also the first time I made a biscornu... I don't think it will be the last though. hehe. I can see them being... addicting. The top picture is the one I sent, the bottom is what I recieved.

As for Nova, sigh. I finally do have all the threads. It took going to my not so LNS to pick up the last 2. But, have them I do. And, a kind kind soul on one of the BBs did scan and e-mail me the missing page so I have that as well. I will start it on Sunday. I can only hope all my misfortune is behind me. Cross your fingers.

cursed project, part 2

And yes, the saga continues!

Today I get in the missing Nova threads... sorta. First, they charged me for them. I had already paid for them, but, they charged me for the missing threads anyway. Sigh. So, I send off an e-mail asking for them to reverse the second billing for the missing threads.
And to top it off... I am still missing two threads! HAHAHAHA! It is funny. Really. I am just going to order those two.

This really is a cursed project. I am almost afraid to start it now. I will wait until I have those last two threads ordered and in my hands. Then, gulp, I will start. And I will hope that there will be no more problems! After all I am just setting aside one day a week to work on it. I am hoping the curse will not continue. I am already thinking of this as the Cursed Nova.

cursed project

Early last week I was getting everything together so I could start Nova... hopefully Sunday, but maybe Monday at the latest. I get the canvas all ready. I start looking over the chart again. Problem 1. I am missing the first page of the actual chart. The stitch diagrams for the first blocks! I try and contact the company. Nothing. I get on one of the boards... lucky me! Someone takes pity and scans the missing page and sends it to me! Hurrah! After this I do hear back from the company, they are just on their way on vacation... and they will be happy to send me the missing page when they get back. I may do this as that will be clearer than a scaned page. But, either way. I thought... yippie I can start now because I have my page. So, I start getting all my threads just right. Organize in just the ways I like. I had ordered the Anchor threads from a company as the anchor threads for Nova... as a group... not individual. And herein lies Problem 2. When I take out the threads to organize them, I am missing a handful of them. *sigh* I sent a note to the company, but they will still need to be sent, so I must wait. This project is cursed... I am not meant to start it!

HAED RR---finished

My RR came back last week or so. And it is so wonderful. My jaw hit the floor when I saw it. I can't wait to get it framed... granted I don't know when I'll get to that... but it is such I beauty. I have it all unfolded next to my stitching chair so I can look at it.

update

My exchange is now all finished up. I'll take a picture, but won't put it up until after it is sent and received. I also finished up my model... and sent it off, but I forgot to take a pitcture of that. Duh! It was little and cute. And quick... good thing! Now I am working on my RR. Need to get that finished up before the mailing on the 6th. Then on the 31st I'll be finding out who I'll be stitching for in the Halloween/Fall exchange. That one I'll have to be quick on since it has such an early mail date. I also hope to get back to stitching on StarMaiden... in more than just the SALs. I'd really like to get that one finished this year and that won't happen if I only stitch on her one weekend a month. And then there is my poor languishing Fairy Moon. I've not touched her in something like two months! One of these days I will get more organized with my stitching... really... lol. Maybe I'll stop buying new stash and just stitch all the lovelies I own... nah.

stuff and such

Here is a picture of all my new stash. grin.

I also bought a few charts from HAED... what with all sorts of artist going bye-bye. I figure this will be the last time I can ever get those charts... so it really isn't a fall. Right? lol.

I have all of the stitching done now for my exchange. All I need to do now is the finishing. Yippie. So, I have put it aside for a little to work on my model. I need to get that done and then I will get to the finishing. Then I will get to my RR. Whew. I am tired just reading that. Maybe at some point I will get to my own stitching again! Except I signed up for another exchange! heh. Silly me. But, they are fun.

stash

sigh. I just can't help myself.

I went out to my not-so-LNS. I needed to get some thread for things. And while there... I picked up Nova. I have been eyeing this for ages. I guess I just couldn't wait any longer. I have no clue when I will get it started. But, I have it now. I really do need to stop buying new things! But, I have the threads I need. And my exchange is started. Tomorrow I get to clean out all of last years school stuff and put up this years. That is the extent of my plans. Then stitching.

BACK!

I am back from Hong Kong.

I had a blast. It was hot, muggy, and more fun than I ever expected.

Now, I have a ton of stitching I need to get to! lol I have an exchange that is due on the 31. An RR that needs to be mailed on the 6th. And some model stitching that should get done asap. Not to mention all those WIPs.

But, I am all unpacked... my laundry is done. And I have gotten some sleep. Maybe today I can run out and get some threads for that exchange and get to work on it. *grin*

wanting new stash

I've been looking at Little House Needlework's stuff. I really want to get their Dear Diary series. It just looks like such fun to stitch up. I won't though. At least not now. heh. See I can be good. It will just have to go on my wish list. I do have enough other things to stitch. In fact I should be doing that instead of pining over other charts. But, it is such fun looking at all the other things I could be stitching instead!

Off with me... to my stitching!

witch ball

After six months of it sitting in a box I finally got it hung up. And no... it has nothing to do with stitching... but it is so pretty I had to put a picture of it here.

It is supposed to keep ward of witch's spells and ill will. Hmmmm? I wonder if it will ward off those dratted frogs as well?

HAED RR

I finished my bit for Michelle's RR. It is Fenech's Mermaid "Air". These are pretty quick to stitch up.

And here she is!

I took a picture of the whole RR as well... it looks really nifty!

All these picese for the RRs are coming together so amazing now. I can't wait to see how each of them look at the end. So many talented stitchers. It has been so wonderful to be able to stich for them.

you can't trust me!

Or more... I can't trust myself.

I went to my not so LNS to get fabbie for my Cirque des Cercles that I got in the mail the other day. I decided to go with black. That will be nice and easy to work on in the plane... heh. Anyway... I decided to pick up a few other things too...

My cat decided he needed to be in the picture as well. Sigh. The black fabric is for Cirque. The charts just had to be gotten. I can't wait to get the floss for my Cirque to do see just how well it will work with the black fabric, and to see just how crazy I am to be trying it that way. Ah, well... it will be fun.

RR's and new stash

I have both my RR's in now. I am about half finished with the HAED RR. I am stitching the Air mermaid. She is pretty. I think I should have put her a bit lower down to balance her with the Fire mermy that was already there, but... we will just have to see how it looks when done. *sigh*

As for the Mira RR... it is another do what ya like. And I don't know what to do on this one. *gah* I have another week or so to think, while I finish up the HAED RR. But, the I want to have this one planned and ready.

I need to have both these done early as I am flying out to Hong Kong on June 26 and want to mail these both out before I go. The Mira mailing is the day before my flight and the HAED mailing is the monday after.

I ordered Ink Circles Cirque des Cercles... bad me. But I wanted something to stitch on for my flight... hehe. And a monochromatic chart was just the ticket! I am planing on using Dragon Hoard from HDF. I got the chart in the mail today... and ordered the floss yesterday. I should be all set for the flight!

Mira RR done!

Well. I got her done... beads and all. She looks pretty darn good too.

I really loved the fabric on this piece. It had such great colours.

April goals update and May goals.

1. Mira RR- still stitching away on her. She is mostly done. But I am missing a bead colour. So, she may end up going out without that bead on her. Which I would hate to do. But, when I went to my LNS she didn't have any of those beads. GAH! Well... what's a girl to do. I may try again later... and get everything else done on her except that bead... and hope!

2. HAED SAL- got a bit done this time. Almost finished the page I am on. If I get as much done on the next SAL I may even reach the bottom of the chart! That will feel like quite the accomplishment. I will dance all over the house and dh and ds will think I have gone completly mad.

3. Fairy Moon--wings-- didn't even get to her. Nope. Not even a peak, let alone stitching. Ah well... maybe next month.
Speaking of which... next months goals!

May goals!

1. Mira RR- finish and mail... hopefully with all the beads!
2. HAED SAL- maybe get to the bottom of the chart *gasp*
3. Fairy Moon--- wings!
4. HAED RR-- plan part to stitch

updating

I did the HAED SAL. Got a lot done on my StarMaiden. Over halfway done on the page I am working on. She is really getting somewhere. I may even get her done this year!

My goal during the May SAL will be to finish this page and continue with the page under it and also finish that one... which will get me to the bottom edge. That will feel like such a success. When I do that I will take a full picture.

I have also been working on my Mira RR. She is coming along. I am missing one bead colour. I'll need to get that one because I'd like to put the beads on her... she looks so... dull without them. I think I'll take a picutre before beads and after beads just to show the difference. It should be interesting. The fabric that I am working on is so pretty too... I wish I knew what it was. It's lovely. Like I need anymore fabby right now... heh.

I am a bad bad stitcher

or at least very bad when it comes to reducing my stash and sticking with the challange.

I bought two new charts... and one new kit. The kit is ok as it is on my exemption list. The New Year's Fairy from Mirabilia. So, that one is allowed.
But the two charts... sigh. I joined the Tranquility Mystery Sampler Group. It just looked so fun. And to have a bit of a chart showing up every week. Weeee. So neat. The other was "And they sinned". I have been wanted to get this one for ages. And haven't done it. It would be on my wish list... then in my cart... then back on my wish list so very many times. Now, however, I caved and bought it.

Not sure how I will adjust my challange now. Do I do nothing... do I add two charts to the end... hmmmmmm. Do I just enjoy my new charts? heh.

I will buckle down again now. No new charts... stick to my exemptions!

baby thing!

I finished the baby stitching... All but the baby stuff, as they baby is not here yet.

tada!

Now I just need to figure out what I need to get done this month. hmmmm.

1. Mira RR.

2. HAED SAL

3. Fairy Moon--wings

That should be good as a minimum.

And when the baby is born... put his info on the announcement.

March goals are going well... In fact, I have done all but the last of them. And that one is getting, or actually has gotten, bumped.

I good friend of mine is having a baby... and I decided I needed to stitch a baby thing for her. Now, she is due on April 24, but this has been a difficult time for her... and the baby may be early. So, all other stitching is on hold now while I try and get this thing whipped out. Needles need to smoke! I am nearing half-way done... but, that isn't good enough... I want it to be done before the baby gets here!

We can only see if I will make it. And then it will be back to work on my other things... hopefully the Mira RR... can't wait to see what it'll be. *squee* And then maybe I'll put some seriouse time into Fairy Moon... I'd love to get her wings done... and then onto the white dress. *sigh* But, she will be so lovely. I want Fairy Moon done so that I can start Stargazer... hehehe.

March Goals

I must make goals. I am getting overwhelmed with my stiching so I need to get somethings set down... if not is stone then at least in the world of blogs.

1. Set up for Mira RR. all the planning and lay out... maybe even some of the stitching on Middy.

2. HAED SAL--stitch on StarMaiden

3. HAED RR-- plan what to stitch... maybe even start

4. Work on The Token

Finish number 25!

I finished my RR. That means I have reached the half way point in my challenge. WOOT! Go me.



And now the reveal!!!



It took me long enough to do! *sigh* I am not even sure why. But now she is done and I can send her off to the next in line. And I can work on my next piece. PIG. I am only on part 4... and what, part 11 is coming out next month? I am only a bit behind.... heh. Ah, well.... It is still beautiful. All those silks. mmmmm.

RR work

Been working on Nikki's RR. For some reason this one seems to be taking a long time. I really like this chart, too. So, I can't figure out why... heh. I guess life keeps getting in the way. Silly life... doesn't it know I have stitching to do!

And I won't be able to stitching this weekend as I have the Chocolate Party this weekend... but that is a good reason not to stitch... a house full of friends and chocolate. Yum!

As soon as the RR is done though I'll put up a picture.

rotation changes

That is it! I am changing my rotation habits. I must just be a screamer at heart. So, why fight it. I will still try to keep to the original list. But, now I will just change when ever I want. Except for SALs... and RRs.

pain

Been working on StarMaiden with a migraine lately. Been really hard to get much done on her that way. But I am almost done with this page. Just in time to start the next page for the HAED SAL... heh... ah well. At least I am making some decent progress on her. I would like to move on to something else though and make progress on it, but, progress is progress and with this migraine any progress on my pieces should be counted as a blessing.

I am still going decent on the 50 project challenge countdown it now stands at 27/50. 27 projects done! Now that I am working on larger pieces that number will slow down... but at least it will still be moving. Any way to lower my stash! I may have to do this again... after I finish!

Rotation

To help me with my goal for 2007... that of having less WIPs than I have now... I am starting up a rotation again. When I have done them before they have really helped me to get a lot done, and to stay pretty good on not getting to start-happy with my charts.

So...without further ado... my Rotation list for 2007! dumdumdum

1. StarMaiden*---1 page and SAL
2. Storykeeper SK*---1 page
3. Crystal Ball*---1 page
4. Fairy Moon*---10 hours...or a section
5. Persian Iris Garden*---1 months section
6. The Token*---10 hours

When I finish things I will replace them from the following list... and I know there is no way I will get to all of these this year... and I have others that are just charts... a few things that are really small that will just jump in when I need a break... and still others that I didn't even put on the list because it was starting to daunt me.

1. French Flower Shop*
2. Don't Bug Me*
3. Halloween Fairy*
4. Hope*
5. Autumn Winds*---when both HAEDs are done
6. Scarlet Unspoken
7. Stargazer---when Fairy Moon is done
8. Meeting on the Turret Stair---when Crytal Ball is done
9. Peacock Tapestry*
10. Maidens of the Seasons I&II---when Stargazer is done
11. Sleeping Beauty---when Maidens are done
12. Galic Banner
13. N.O. Tree of Hope---when PIG is done
14. Medieval Tiles
15. Yaquina Head Lighthouse
16. Toy Gatherer
17. Santa's Magic---when Sleeping Beauty is done
18. Boreas*

* donotes already started
SNNs will be worked on as on the road projects
RRs will be worked on when the arrive.

I also think I will keep a HAED spot, a GK spot, a Chatlaine spot, and a Mira spot in my rotation.

So basically....
1. HAED
2. ????
3. GK
4. Mira
5. Chatlaine
6. ????

The two open spots will let me work on all those others... and the four filled in spots will let me work on all those charts I have from those people. *sigh* I'd better get stitching or these will never get done. hahaha

Sugar Maple Contest

I won! Me! I never win anything and then I win this. Such pretty fabrics. So very nifty! I could just fall over. I sent in a list of colours she will try to pick from , but really so many pretty fabrics that it almost doesn't matter if she picks from it or not... I'll be happy with just about any colour!

Happy start to 2007!