IHSW Update - A New Start

Happy Monday Friends:

I hope your day has started better than mine. I walked into work at 8:30am this morning to find out our computer network was not up and working. Needless to say, I spent 3 1/2 hours this morning doing NOTHING. So can you guess what I wish I COULD be doing now? :)

I had a wonderful weekend. It was spent with family mostly. I received a most wonderful surprise from my parents. It was my birthday on the 9th and my parents decided to surprise me on Saturday with a belated birthday present...a 47" LCD TV! They said it was a dual present, for both my birthday and a house warming present for my boyfriend and I. He was thrilled! His face lit up like a Christmas tree and his eyes nearly popped out of his head when he saw the box come into the house from the garage. That was such a nice surprise. We love it! Got to watch our first basketball game on it yesterday. GO HEAT!

I was able to do some stitching for International Hermit and Stitch Weekend. I started a new one...(like I need another WIP)...BUT I couldn't help it. And to surprise you even more...it is a HAED (Heaven and Earth Design). I never thought I would stitch one of these charts, but many of the charts are just so pretty I couldn't help myself but give one a try.

Check it out..I'm stitching this little beauty: "Bookworm Fairy" by Hannah Lynn

Besides her being blonde, blue eyes and a bookworm (like me), I just fell in love with the colors. Aren't they gorgeous?!  All of my favorites in one. I did choose the Mini chart, however it is a decent size...around 9 x 12" I believe when done. A good first choice I think.

Here is my start...all 300 stitches:

 

I'm stitching her on 18ct white aida. The thought of stitching over 1 on 25 ct Lugana did not appeal to me in the least. I am actually really enjoying this. I like how the chart is gridded in 10 x 10 squares so you can focus on a square at a time. It makes the project feel much less daunting. The only thing I find that makes me a little nuts is how a block could be full of one color and then you have one stitch that's another color. Mind you, not even a color that is really different from the first either. Get what I'm saying? Anyways, that's my only gripe.

That is all for today. Thank you for stopping by! Oh BTW...for all of you Lizzie Kate lovers, you have to check this out. She is coming out with a new mystery Halloween Sampler piece. I can't wait! 

http://www.wasatchneedlecraft.com/Lizzie-Kate-Summer-Mystery-Sampler_p_5297.html

Enjoy your weeks. :)

Jen

March IHSW and an Award!

Hello Friends:

I hope you all had a great weekend. Not sure what kind of weather everyone else is having, but ours in Miami has been strange this year. For one, it was an abnormally warm winter and now the rain has kicked in early. It almost feels as if our yearly wet summer is already upon us. No fun at all I tell you.

Anyways, this weekend was International Hermit and Stitch weekend. I definitely did my share of stitching today. I actually started a new chart last weekend which I am enjoying very much. I just love Country Cottage Needlework designs. I'm just drawn to the vibrant colors in many of the charts because they are so cheerful and colorful. I think I've also developed a new love for stitched cottages too!

I am now stitching "Sunflowers in Summer" by Country Cottage Needleworks.

(Photo was borrowed from CCN's site)

My Progress as of March 19:

I'm stitching this design on 30Ct Cocoa Linen by Weeks Dye Works and using the recommended DMC and Over Dyed Threads. I really love the happy sunflowers in the design. So pretty. :D 

In other news, I got a surprise this week and was awarded the Liebster Blog Award by Linda at Stitchin with my Furbabies.

Some background: Liebster is a German word, meaning favorite, dearest or beloved and the Liebster is awarded by bloggers to other, newer bloggers, who have fewer than 200 followers, to spread the word and help the new(er)bies gain wider recognition. The award comes with four conditions that each recipient must satisfy when accepting.

1.  Choose five up-and-coming blogs (with fewer than 200 followers) to award the Liebster to. 

2.  Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.  

3.  Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their sites. Leave comments on their blogs so they know about the award.  

4.  Share 5 random facts about yourself that people don't know about you.
 

**Unfortunately, I'm gonna be a rule breaker with this one. My problem is that most of the blogs I read have more than 200 followers and the ones that are under 200 followers have already received this award. Some bloggers have gotten it more than once it seems. So! I will just have to enlighten you all with 5 random facts about me and call it a day. :D Some of these I have mentioned before in other posts.

1) I am a competitive bowler. I bowl in two leagues a week and at least one tournament a month. My son and boyfriend are bowlers also. My son who is only 7 is really good and I always get a kick out of watching adults bowlers Oooo and Ahhhh over his skills.

2) I love Disney and take 2 vacations a year to Walt Disney World. 

3) I live in Miami but I hate the beaches here. I think our beaches are crappy. Not kidding!

4) I am addicted to coffee especially from Starbucks.

5) I absolutely adore the Harry Potter series. I have watched all of the movies (except the last) at least a million times and never get bored of them.

Thanks for stopping by everyone. I hope you all have a lovely week. The count down is on for me as I will be moving in about 3 weeks. My boyfriend and I are moving into a bigger apartment within the same complex. I am excited about that, but not excited about having to pack all my things. Believe me when I say, I have a lot of stuff. I think I could open a craft store with all my stash. If only genies and fairy godmothers were true I tell ya. I know what my wish would be right about now!

Take care friends. :)

Jen

A Most Productive Stitchy Weekend

Hello All!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and got some much needed creative time in. I had a great weekend that consisted of three different Christmas parties. Yes...three of them. My office one was Friday afternoon. I took my son to a children's Christmas party on Saturday afternoon and I attended my parent's yearly Christmas party last night. Today (Sunday), I was a hermit and stitched as part of International Hermit and Stitch Weekend. I spent nine hours stitching today. I know this for sure cause I watched three Star Wars movies on TV today back to back. All of those movies are super long, but phenomenal to watch.

Did I mention I finished my "J" fairy by Nora Corbett yet? No? Well I did! In fact, I finished it today!
Happy dance time! (Click picture for a prettier view)

Letters From Nora by Nora Corbett

"Letter J" - Jordan

Stitched on 32ct Jobelan Evenweave by Wichlet - "Waterlily"

Threads: Crescent Colours and Kreinik as called for in Pattern

Embellishments: Mill Hill Beads and Crystal Treasurers

Started: July 2011 - December 2011

Now, if any of you are thinking that mine looks different than the model on the chart cover then you are right to be assuming so. The stitched model is missing some back stitching on the fairy. Also some areas on the fairy's dress had colors changed also. I can only assume the designer made those changes to the chart at the last minute.

Thanks for looking friends. I hope you all are prepared for Christmas. Only one week left! It will be here before we blink an eye.

Enjoy your week. :)

Jen

IHSW and Other Project Finishes

So who is ready for Thanksgiving? I know I am. I love Thanksgiving and all of the yummy food that comes with it. And of course, the wonderful time spent with family. This year will actually be the first time I am traveling away for Thanksgiving. I have never had to deal with airports around the holidays so I am sure traveling this week will be mighty interesting.

Today was a very productive crafty Sunday. So productive in fact that I completely forgot I needed to go to the mall today to pick up some new clothes for some picture day at my office this week. Not sure why they are doing that, but professional (not business casual) attire is required. As luck would have it, I can't seem to find my black blazer jacket. Yippee for me! So a trip to the mall is in order....unfortunately. I hate the mall.

This weekend was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend, hosted by the lovely Joyce. Yesterday, my crafting mojo was just completely non-existent. I tried to do some stitching and the little bit I did, I ended up having to take out. That was it for Saturday. Today on the other hand, I did some stitching, hand quilting and some french beading.

Nora Corbett "J" Fairy - I did the beading at the top of her dress and finished her left arm. ( Click for clearer close up )

I also worked on my exchange piece for the Winter Wonderland Exchange over at the Stitched with Love Exchanges blog. This one is a secret so I can't show it yet.

I started the quilting on my quilt this week. Here is the quilt in case you missed my last post.

I decided to hand quilt this instead of machine quilting it. I have machine quilted my quilts in the past, but I wanted to do something extra special for this one. This is my first time hand quilting at all, and I'm teaching myself. I've pretty much got the motion down. Although would you believe I have tried four different thimbles and can't STAND the things. I'm not kidding....They get in the way! I just keep one nearby in case my needle gets stuck, but other than that, I don't wear them. The metal one falls off cause my finger sweats...the plastic one is too tight...the fingertip ones don't stay stuck on my finger...the leather one works okay unless the needle slips and goes through the slit to jab me underneath my fingernail! So...yes I have a love/hate relationship with thimbles. I use them when I absolutely have to, but I hate the things.

I've created my own quilting patterns for the patch blocks and the blue blocks. I'm using two different color threads; white for the patch blocks and blue for the blue blocks. Since you can't see the stitching on the top of the quilt in a picture, here is a picture of the back so you can see the pattern I made on the patch blocks. I would show you the blue block pattern, but the stitches don't show in the picture.

I'm really not going for the smallest stitches award or most consistent length award. I'm just going with the "Do I like it award?" The answer is Yes...Yes I do. :) I love feeling the texture (puffiness) I am creating with the stitching. That is really the effect I am going for. I don't want to take away from the pretty pattern of fabrics on the front. I find that hand quilting is truly rewarding. I love having the quilt in my lap. I feel all cozy in it while I work on it. I hope my step mom loves it too. I'm actually hoping her 4 cats don't mess it up.

My last project I finished today was my step mom's overdue birthday present. A little arrangement of French Beaded Roses I made.

I made two roses out of glass seed beads and wire. Each rose bloom has 25 petals (except the small one). I also made leaves as well. I used a pattern from the book French Beaded Flowers by Dalene Kelly. Originally, I had planned to make a bigger arrangement, but my fingertips just can not take the abuse anymore. Working with floral wire is tiring on the hands not to mention you stab yourself over a dozen times in the process. These flowers are actually quite top heavy too. I had to add stones at the bottom of the vase to give it some weight. I hope they are enough to keep it from toppling over.

That is all for me now. My fingers are achy so that is my cue to end my night of craftiness today.

To all my sweet followers and new comers (in the US), I wish you a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving Day with your family and friends.

Happy Crafting,
Jen

IHSW Update and Other News

Hey Everyone! and O Look! I have new follower friends. **Hugs** and Welcome to my crafty blog space. Feel free to drop me a line anytime. :)

So! I guess you are all wondering about my stitching for International Hermit and Stitch Weekend huh? Well, I will be honest and tell you that I didn't do much. I did a little work on my Nora Corbett "J" Fairy. I stitched a part of her left wing, and added the beads on her head and around the outside of the other wing. That is about it unfortunately. Here's a closeup.

Here is a big shot:

Working on this design has started to become a struggle for me and I know why that is too. The lighting in my house is the problem. My eyes have a hard time adjusting when I stitch with the lighter colors. After about 30 minutes, I start getting a headache and I have to put the project down. I do have an OttLite, but I tend to get so hot stitching next to it. I know that is a common complaint with those things.

In brighter news, I did finish my Exchange piece for the Rotating Designers Exchange. Seriously...I actually "finished" the stitching into something and it looks great! I'm dying to show it off to you all, but I can't yet. I am really proud of myself because it is my first stitching project that was not finished with just a frame. I really hope my recipient likes it (and that it makes it to her). It has a long way to travel.

Oh and before I forget, look what I won today....

Okay, I know you are thinking "Mhmmm, it's a blue iron"...No friends, this is like the Jaguar of Irons! It is an Oliso Iron that retails for like $129 and I won it at Sew We Quilt. It was a great surprise to my day. The crazy thing is I just bought a new iron recently (a cheapie from Target) and opened it on Sunday. Crap! Anyways...If you have any inkling or desire to be a quilter or you actually do quilt, you have to go over to this blog. There are tutorials and prize giveaways everyday until the end of October. It is quite impressive.

That's it for me today...Happy Crafting and Stitching Everyone!

Jen

Progress Pics - A "J" is Made

I sooooo wish this weekend would not end. It was awesome. The perfect lazy weekend....well almost. Since school begins today for my son, I had to leave my couch to pick up some essential items **cough** school supplies**cough**.  Procrastination much?? Yea very much so. ;)

Besides that my weekend was great. I stayed inside with my boys and we ordered in food on both days. God bless those restaurants that deliver. Now enough babbling... on to the fun part of my post!

This weekend was International Hermit and Stitch Weekend hosted by Joysze at Random Ramblings, and Boy Oh Boy did I do that. I worked on three projects this weekend. Yes, 3! The first is my Nora Corbett "J" Fairy. It is so fun knowing that so many of you are a fan of this design and are enjoying my posts about it. I have a lot of followers whose name starts with "J".

 

(click pick for detail)

My goal this weekend for this design was to finish the "J" part of the design. Not only did I finish the stitching, I finished all of the beading and even re-beaded the very top where the flower is. Now all of my beading is correct. I'm really loving the earth tone colors of this design especially the predominant green colors. It reminds me of my birthstone. I am a May baby which makes my birthstone Emerald. The next part of the design is the fairy sitting on the "J". I will start on her this week...or at least try. Lately work has been dragging me down. All I want to do when I come home is just veg out in front of the TV and do nothing.

I also started stitching my Exchange piece for the Rotating Designers Exchange. I can't show or give any details yet except that it is a design by The Prairie Schooler. That is our chosen designer for this rotation. It is a cute design and I already know how I'm going to finish it. My sewing machine will be really grateful that it will finally get used after so long of being ignored. Actually the sewing machine will be thanking me more than that soon since I plan on working on a quilt or two in my near future. I love having a variety of projects going on. This way I don't burn out on one project.

I also began stitching the Tree of Stitches design by Abi at The Stitch Specialists Yahoo Group. I started stitching the tree trunk, but I haven't quite finished it yet. I'll make sure to post pictures of it on my next update.

Thank you for stopping by and an even bigger THANK YOU for your lovely comments. The encouragement from you wonderful bloggers is what keeps me motivated to keep creating.

Happy Stitching!
Jen

Weekend Stitching Progress

Hello Everyone:

I can't believe this weekend is over. They just never seem to last long enough I tell ya. Well this weekend I devoted some time to stitching. Joyce over at Random Ramblings hosts the International Hermit and Stitch weekend on the 3rd weekend of every month. Everyone that signs up commits to working on their stitching projects over the weekend and posts their progress pics on Monday to share with the group. There is no set amount of hours you have to stitch which is great, although I did my fair share.

I'm currently working on two projects. I switch off so I don't burn out on doing just one. The first is this coaster and trivet set of Flip-Flop motifs I bought from The Stitchery.com right here. Now I bought this kit to make these as a gift for my aunt and her friends. They are from Phoenix, AZ and just came down to Key West, FL for a vacation. Since I live in Miami, it was just a hop, skip, and jump to go join them. They had such an amazing time I wanted to make them something with a beach/laid back island theme to remind them of their wonderful vacation. I thought this little set of flip flop coasters with the trivet were very cute. Plus they are a quick stitch which was a plus. I finished my first coaster this weekend and here it is.

 

The acrylic coasters came with the kit which was great too. The designs are stitched on 18ct White Aida using DMC floss.

My second project I worked on was my Nora Corbett "J" Fairy. I am finding that this design is not going to be as quick to stitch as I initially thought. The bead work is definitely a slow go and there are many color changes in the design. I'm very fickle about keeping my back neat so I'm always stopping and turning it over to look. However, I don't mind the slow speed because I'm loving the colors in this piece. It uses Crescent Colors Hand Dyed Floss with Mill Hill Beads. This is my first piece with beads and I love it. Too pretty! Watching this come to life is going to be exciting.

I hope everyone has a good and fast week. I know my week is going to be crazy at work. We are missing a worker in our department so the rest of us have to pick up the slack till she comes back. :/  I'll be back with a Christmas Card creation this week so stay tuned. There are so many card challenges this week with Christmas in July as a theme. I can't pass up not entering those. :)

Happy Crafting!
Jen