Are You In Stitches?

My Totally Out-of-Reach Goals for 2012... :D

2012-01-22T20:49:00.000-08:00

So, I want to try to get some of these things done this year... I know, I am not the most constant of stitchers... I work, and study, and play, and my life sometimes cannot keep up with my hobby aspirations... But, I do get some projects done from time to time... This year, I want to get at least two of these things done... I have motivations for a couple of them, and others are purely for me...

"Cardinals on Sled" is a kit I currently have twice... This one is on comission from a co-worker... It has to be done by August or September so she has time to get it framed for her mother for Christmas...

"Chickadees and Lilacs" is what I have come to believe is the prettiest of kits I own... I really want to start on it this year...

"Faith Ornament" is already started, but I probably won't be working on it anytime soon...

"Leopard Cub" is adorable... I don't own this kit, yet... It just came out, and I haven't had a chance to buy it... I know I have a ton of things in my stash already, but I really can't resist... I just have this thing for big cat-kittens...

"Love Birds" is a beauty... I don't own this one either... I am hoping to get it soon, and then stitch it for my parent's anniversary in May...

"Sled Dogs" just looks like fun... :D

So there's my list... I have no real hopes of getting all these done... I have exams in March that I'm somewhat furiously studying for, and that takes up all my spare time... In the meantime I am working and trying to etch out a small life of fun times... And take care of two cats... And not neglect my friends or family... Balancing acts are my specialty, you know...

And has anybody else noticed my complete love affair with Dimensions Cross-Stitch Kits yet? Sheesh... I stitch almost exclusively from them... I just think they're awesome...

Goals for the Month of January, 2012...

2012-01-04T22:35:00.000-08:00

1. Finish "Faith Ornament"... I know it's small, but it's 18-count, which for me is tiny... I have exams in March for my regulation in my profession, so I doubt I'll be starting anything new until those are done... At least not working hard at anything new... I'm sure dabbling at something won't hurt too bad, and may cause me to stop going insane from Pharmacology lessons...

I think I'll post a list of my WIPs and new things to start for the year... I want to get some old kits out of the way, and there are a couple of things that will probably be a requirement for this year... I'm going to have to get organized...

Merry Christmas!!!

2011-12-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

Guess who got new stash? Yes! Me!!!!!!

This is "Mother's Love" from Dimensions...

And this is "Aurora Cabin", also from Dimensions...

Both of these fantastic kits came from my Best Friend, all the way from Newfoundland!!! I got to open all my presents last night, seeing as how I worked an 8 hour shift today... Pharmacy waits for no person, apparently... :D I then had supper at my brother's apartment... So, all-in-all, today was pretty good... I know I won't be stitching these any time soon, but I'm sure I can find a spot for them in my stash in the meantime... Right between all of my other crazy projects...

I'm Bored-ish...

2011-12-22T20:58:00.000-08:00

"Nova Scotia Tartan Map"

From Foxberry Cottage Crafts

Finished November 15th, 2011

"Nova Scotia Tartan Map"

From Foxberry Cottage Crafts

Finished December 20th, 2011

So, do you see why I'm bored? And here's the thing... I'm thinking about doing this pattern again twice more for the coming year... Gah! I'm bonkers!!! In the meantime, I'm working on this beauty...

"Faith Ornament"

From Dimensions, The Gold Collection Petites

As of December 22nd, 2011

Goals for the Month of December, 2011...

2011-12-07T20:26:00.001-08:00

Well, I did finish one of the tartan maps, but I'm still working on the other... That's really my only goal at the moment... :D Finished December 20th, 2011... Which is a good thing, seeing as how it's left for the relatives in Ottawa today... The 'Rents are training it up there and packed it with their things...

Goals for the Month of November, 2011...

2011-11-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

1. Finish 2 Noca Scotia Tartan Maps as Christmas presents... Started 1 already... this might be a dull month for cross stitch... November 15th, 2011 - Finished 1 of 2...
2. A co-worker wants me to look at a kit she purchased... She means it as a present for her mother for Christmas... I am not guaranteeing anything, of course... I mean, what if it's huge??? We'll see... November 4th, 2011 - She bought the "Cardinals on Sled" kit from Dimensions, which I just got from my brother last month... I saw it and started laughing... Then told her approximately three months, give or take... And apparently, I'm getting paid... Does that make me a professional? Scary! I'll start it after Christmas... She can give it to her mom for her birthday or next Christmas or something... PAID!!!! :D

Yup... Boring month...

Finished Panda Delight!

2011-10-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

"Panda Delight"

From Dimensions

Finished October 25th, 2011

There's no designer listed on this pattern... Did they not think the designers deserved recognition back in 1998??? Sheesh!

Adventures in Another Country! (This is Probably Only Exciting to Me)...

2011-10-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so, that "other country" is the USA, specifically, Michigan... Not even a highly populated area either, like Detroit... More like Port Huron... Or, for the more name-picky of you, Fort Gratiot...

My brother and I went shopping on the other side of the bridge today... We do that about every 2 to 3 weeks... It's easier then driving the car an hour to London, and to be honest, there's just more stuff to buy and it's cheaper, regardless of the dollar these days...

Well, a few days ago, I was hanging out with an over-due pregnant friend of mine, drinking several cups of tea, and admiring some artwork on her kitchen wall... It looked quilted, but she told me it was covered foam pieces and the fabric was just tucked around into the creases... I asked where she found something like that, and she said Mary Maxim... And then went to go pee... Multiple cups of tea + overdue = small bladder apparently...

So, today, I wanted to find this Mary Maxim place... I have heard of it in passing, but I've never gone there... Nobody would really give me specific directions... So, I looked it up online... And it's on the way to the freaking mall!!! Literally, we pass right by it!!! Argh!

Which means there's now three craft stores I have to pilgrimage to...

And my brother bought this for me today for my birthday...

I have a great brother, don't you think? And there were so many things to choose from, and he was in awe of the sample pieces that were stitched up and framed... He thought they were paintings... It was fantastic seeing the look on his face...

I'm still working on Panda Delight... The panda part is almost done... Then just the greenery in the background...

"Beguiling Tiger" Finished!!!

2011-09-29T18:44:00.001-07:00

"Beguiling Tiger"

From Dimensions, The Gold Collection Petites

Finished September 29th, 2011

Goals for the Month of October, 2011...

2011-09-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

1. Finish "Beguiling Tiger"... I'm working on the backstitching now, so, almost done... If I can get over this headache I have today, I may be done tonight... Finished September 29th, 2011...

2. Work on "Delightful Panda"... (Edit: It's called Panda Delight and it was designed back in 1998, so, is that considered vintage for crafting?) I think that's what its name is... Started that last month when I ran out of gold threads for the tiger... It's turning out really cute... Finished October 25th, 2011...
3. Finish 1 of 2 Nova Scotian Tartans for lucky relatives... Started October 26th, 2011...

4. Enjoy my birthday... I am actually working on my birthday (October 1st!) this year for a few hours, but seeing as how I am coming down with a cold or something, again, I think that's alright... Here's to turning 29 for the first time!!! Cheers! :) Done...

Totally Useless Stitch-a-Long...

2011-02-09T16:06:00.000-08:00

I fail... lol... Two new moons, and both of the pictures are late!!!! I am making a great start on this activity, aren't I?

Ahem...

2011-01-28T20:06:00.000-08:00

I bought a sewing machine tonight...

*Shifty eyes*...

Updates to follow later...

Goals for the Month of January, 2011...

2011-01-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

Do I have goals this month? Not really... I've been fiddling with "Light at Sea" from the Dimensions Matted Accents collection... Only, it's losing the flag... I'm Canadian, so I don't think an American flag is gonna work out so well here... And I really don't feel like switching to a Canadian flag, so, I'm just gonna leave it out and fill in the area with appropriate cloud-like stitches... Then it can be multi-national!!!

Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long...

2011-01-06T08:29:00.000-08:00

I... completely forgot to post this... Whoops! :)

Yes, I play Guitar Hero... In fact, my recent obsession of that is why my ORT jar has not changed contents in the past few weeks... Also, it was the holidays, and I had family down... Hoping for some new ORTs soon-ish!

"Flakes Unite" and "Joy Kitty"...

2010-12-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

"Flakes Unite"

From Dimensions
Designed by Brian Jackins

Finished December 11th, 2008 approximately

"Joy Kitty"

From Dimensions

I totally didn't plan on the dates being similar...

ORT Jar...

2010-12-10T10:24:00.001-08:00

I figured I should post a before picture of the ORT jar of doom... Look at that thing!!!! It's enormous!!!!! And look at all the ORTs! I think I've been collecting since this whole silly ORT thing started, because I sure didn't add much to the jar in the past twelve months, seeing as how I was in school from September to April, and then had a relatively stitch free summer where I worked and played back home for four months... All in all though, I think I had more finishes then I give myself credit for... There were two of "Nova Scotia Tartan Map", two free kits from Cross-Stitcher Magazine, "Cut Roses", "Tabby's Friend", something I stole from the internets to do for Jenn for Christmas last year (I know, bad stitcher!)... That's seven things I can recall during a time when I swear I didn't do much stitching...

Maybe it wasn't as much of a stitchy slump as I thought... :)

"Nova Scotia Tartan Map"...

2010-12-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

"Nova Scotia Tartan Map"

From Foxberry Cottage Crafts

Finished December 9th, 2010

Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long!!!

2010-12-07T19:02:00.000-08:00

I've joined up in the Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long for 2011 (Check out Sharon's blog for details: http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/)... I've been saving my ORT's for awhile, and have quite a large container for them to live in... I didn't sign-up for last year's, but I played along anyway... I'll have to start taking some pictures of my jar!

Goals for the Month of December, 2010...

2010-12-02T20:33:00.000-08:00

1. Finish the "Nova Scotian Tartan Map"... It's a gift for my aunt for Christmas (she also received another cross-stitch for Christmas a couple of years ago, the "Winter Hideaway" Dimensions piece)... I feel the need to explain something about this piece... I gave my parents a finished cross-stitch of this while they were visiting me in Newfoundland... When I came home to Ontario at the beginning of September, it took me a couple of days to ask where they put it... Apparently, when they were cleaning the rental car in Newfoundland, they accidently threw it out with some bags... I've since had them purchace the chart packs for this and the "Cape Breton Tartan Map" (Dad liked them both a lot), and all the threads required to stitch them, and sometime in the near future I will stitch it for them again... Until then, this piece is for my father's sister, who took me in for a whole month back in 2008 and put up with my crazy ways... Finished December 9th, 2010...

2. Finish "Beguiling Tiger"... This has traveled with me across the country several times, but I just haven't felt like working on it, so it has languished in the 3/4's done state...

3. Finish "Joy Kitty"... I did some work on this in October, but I got distracted by the roses... Finished December 11th, 2010...

I work very near an up-scale coffee shop, which is managed by my mother actually... I tend to show up there at scarily early hours, to have breakfast and wake up properly... I have been making it a habit to take a cross-stitch with me to work on, because I'm usually there several hours before my shift starts... For instance, tonight I started work at 5pm, and I showed up at 2pm for coffee... I'm finding that this is really helping the progress of my stitching... And that there are lots of people in my community who think what I'm doing is awesome... Instant ego boost... :)

"Rose Cuttings"...

2010-11-21T11:49:00.000-08:00

"Rose Cuttings"

From Dimensions
Designed by Christie Repasy

Finished November 18th, 2010

Goals for the Month of November, 2010...

2010-11-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

1. Finish "Rose Cuttings" from Dimensions... I'm currently working on the half-stitch, so, I'm almost there... Finished November 18th, 2010...

2. Start and finish "Nova Scotia Tartan"... Again... *shakes head and sighs in the direction of the parental figures*... Started November 19th, 2010...

3. Try to get a couple of those free kits from Cross Stitcher magazine done... They've been building up over the years...

I'm sure there's more on this list to do, but really, it's 12:17 am... My brain is boggled...

Wandering...

2010-04-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

So, I'm in another city again... Well, town anyway... Visiting friend for Easter... The bunny found me and everything...

Exams are in less then two weeks now... I am nervous as all get out... Why they torture students this way, I will never know...

I am going back to Ontario two weeks from yesterday... Visiting my family... I miss my family very much... And then I'll be back to Newfoundland for work on May 1st... Probably won't see them again for about 8 months then... Probably not until Christmas... The choices one must make...

However, when I'm back in my own bedroom, I will once again be surrounded by a puzzle... What cross-stitch kits am I gonna bring back with me for the summer? Four whole months of not having to study or do homework... I will have to have some serious thought on this...

2010-03-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Finished March 14th, 2010...

Progress as of March 27th, 2010...
Finals are soon... Haven't had time to do anything on it...

Weekend Plans...

2010-03-11T07:16:00.000-08:00

Not going anywhere... Not doing any studying... I am pulling out my stitching and getting in some good quality time with my needle... I suddenly find myself without work this weekend, due to a switched shift... So, from Friday at around 5pm until Sunday evening expect for me to be peeking at a chart and highlighting and swearing at sparkly thread... I am having my own personal stitch-a-long dammit...

I have gotten some more done on the butterfly montage since I last posted... I'm almost finished the first one, just the pink and sparkly to go... Then to do some greenery and figure out which pretty butterfly to do next...

WoooooooooooHoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

2010-03-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

"Butterfly Scene" designed by Lori Turosey... Creative Accents... Dimensions... As of March 5th. 2010...

I finally did some cross-stitch done!!!! Woot woot!!! And it has some sparkle too... Sooooooo happy...

Fail...

2010-02-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

*jumps up and down on school notes*... Evil!!!!!!

Goals For The Month Of January 2010...

2010-01-21T18:07:00.001-08:00

1. Stitch something... Anything!!!

*glares at textbooks and notes piled around the room*... It's all your fault, dammit...

No Crafting and All School Makes Alanda Go "Something Something"...

2010-01-19T17:52:00.000-08:00

"Go crazy? Don't mind if I do!!!!"

Three weeks into term and already I'm a basketcase... I can't really blame it all on the school... I always was a basketcase; school just combines that with a chronic lack of sleep and a super caffeinated physique... That and constantly listening to "How It's Made" on Discovery while doing homework... Well... You can see how I might not be the most sane person on the planet, right?

And right now they're describing how coffee is made...

I keep planning on doing some crafty goodness... But, I took all (most) of my charts back to Sarnia, where they will collect dust for the next three months... It's amazing how much stash a girl can collect in a place where there's really no good craft stores... I have access to a Wal-Mart and a small craft store in a mall... Neither of which has anything I currently want to stitch...

So, I have two projects here... Dimensions "Bless This Home", Designed by Angela Staehling, and Dimensions "Butterfly Scene", Designed by Lori Turosey...

I'm hoping I can get at least one of these done this term... My fingers are itching...

Oh look... They're showing something about a tornado now...

Apparently Posting Doesn't Happen Around Here...

2010-01-01T21:24:00.001-08:00

Been in school... Christmas was great... Will post more this weekend, and then possibly not for another 4 months... :)

Goodbye Cross Stitch...

2009-08-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

Hello Punch Needle!!!!

I bought these all in the past week and am currently on the poppies... Fun fun fun!!!! :)

Let's Do The Time Warp!!!

2009-07-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

I have been lacking in writing... I find when I'm stressed beyond all belief I avoid doing things that other people can see and appreciate... My writing and my stitching being two of those things... Until last Saturday I had not done any stitching on my Brguiling Tiger since the last time I posted... Now I'll remind you all why...

I told my boss my plans for school sometime in early June... I then told her she was not to tell anybody about these plans until July... For some reason, having this a secret just felt right for awhile... July 1st the cat was out of the bag... I am done at my job on the 19th of August... I fly to NL on the 22nd of August... I move into my boarding house room on the 1st of September... I start school on the 9th of September... For the past week, I have been stressed about my school schedule, because for one reason or another I could not get into the classes I need for the Pre-Pharmacy... That has finally been settled to my extreme relief... I have about three weeks of employment left, and yes, that does scare the crap out of me...

Wish me luck...

Beguiling Tiger # 3...

2009-05-17T18:33:00.001-07:00

"Beguiling Tiger" designed by Tracy Somerville... The Gold Collection Petites... Dimensions... As of May 17th, 2009...

Beguiling Tiger # 2...

2009-05-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

"Beguiling Tiger" designed by Tracy Somerville... The Gold Collection Petites... Dimensions... As of May 11th, 2009...

"Call of the Wilderness" designed by Michael Adams... Dimensions... As of May 11th, 2009...

I didn't actually do any stitching on this lately, but I did fix it up a little... This has been a WIP for about... um... five years... I washed it and ironed it to get rid of the filth and (some of the) skew and the wrinkles... I starting working on this before I understood that a hoop (bars) was (were) a must... Also, that washing my hands before touching the cloth was a good idea... Seriously, the wash water was this cloudy murky gross mess...

Goals for the Month of May...

2009-05-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

1. Work on "Beguiling Tiger"...
2. (If I finish the previous) Start "Unicorn Mystique"...
3. Start one of my Peonies designs...

A Finish (Coffee Addict) And A WIP (Beguiling Tiger # 1)...

2009-05-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

"Coffee Addict"... From the Margaret Sherry CrossStitcher 2009 Calendar, August Pattern... Finished May 3rd, 2009...

"Beguiling Tiger" designed by Tracy Somerville... The Gold Collection Petites... Dimensions... As of May 3rd, 2009...

I found this in Wal-Mart yesterday... My "SQUUUEEEEEEEE!" of happiness was loud and amusing to many who heard it... It will go nicely with this which I picked up in Port Huron a couple of months ago... I sense a theme...

Exotic Orchid Finished...

2009-04-15T19:14:00.001-07:00

I have a story to tell... It's mostly a tale of frustration... Not much action, unless you call me glowering at things action...

I started this piece in January... Well, really it was December... I had decided after a false-start to stitch it with three strands instead of two because there were major coverage issues with two... I had the same threads I had previously bought, which was approximately a year before... They were Anchor... They were purchased so far in advance because I had always planned on doing this as a companion piece for the Stargazer flower I had stitched... I got so far, and ran out of thread... The second darkest purple... I ran to the local Wal-Mart to pick up some more, and they didn't have any!!! Well, okay, I had other stuff to stitch on it, and hopefully they would restock it soon... Well, no... Over a month after I finished everything else, they finally got the colour I needed... And it was the wrong dye lot!!! Seriously, I was going to cry... I was expecting this pretty blue-purple thread and it was this pink-tinged thing... So, I gave up... I put the cross stitch away for awhile, because I didn't know what I was going to do... Yesterday, I was looking for new threads for a new project, and I looked, and there were two different colours in the slot for 109... One, the unneeded pink-tinged thing, and the other my pretty blue-purple thread...

I bought three skiens...

I think I'm gonna switch to DMC...

April Showers...

2009-04-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

I have been sadly negligent (sp?) in my blogging duties... Sorry... Here's what I've been up to... Which isn't much, to be truthful... My activities have not included stitching lately...

"Rudbeckia"...From CrossStitch Collection # 161...Finished April 11th, 2009...

"Agapanthus"...From CrossStitch Collection # 163...Finished April 12th, 2009...

Spring Break # 1...

2009-01-29T20:05:00.000-08:00

Sunday I was helping my brother move... Well, it was more like helping his girlfriend... Don't get me wrong... I love the girl to death, but she has way too much shit... I am not kidding... There were two storage units worth of boxes, and we moved the vast majority of them into the basement of a townhouse on the south side of the city that day... As well as a heavy-ass sectional couch, the kitchen table (*CRIES!!!!!*), and various large bookcases... Not fun!

So, safe to say I was sleepy Sunday night... And of course, I ignored the fact that I had an early shift at work the next day... What did I then do at 10 pm-ish? Pull out Summer Break, organize the whole bloody thing and stitch a quick 10 X 10 block to see what it looked like on the fabric... Yes, I never said I was smart...

This is not that 10 x 10 block... This is more like 1200 stitches... It's sad to say that so much work produces such a little thing... And to think I still have about 41,000 stitches to go? At least there's no backstitch or specialties... I think that would break me... Much like many boxes broke my back on Sunday... But I do like it's smudgy quality... Like watercolouring painting...

By the way... "Teardrop" by Massive Attack... Yes, it's the House theme song, but it's a bloody good track... Go download it now...

A Star Danced...

2009-01-24T19:10:00.001-08:00

I stitched this today... It's going to be for Jenn for her birthday, which is the Ides of March... Figured I would get a headstart on her presents this year...

It's called "A Star Danced" and it's designed by Sharon (Daffycat)... She offered it as a free chart on her blog (http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/) and it was quite lovely to stitch... Well, I ended up frogging the 'you' because I messed up the placement... But other then that it was great... A very good afternoon stitch... This was also my first attempt on an evenweave fabric and I quite liked it... I used a piece of 28-count tea coloured monaco... My picture taking skills could use a bit of practice though, because this shot does not do the stitching any justice...

Exotic Orchid # 4...

2009-01-21T17:50:00.001-08:00

Still waiting for that one colour of thread... But it's the last thing I need to do with this... Until then I'm just gonna wait... Well, and start something else that is... Heh heh heh...

Exotic Orchid # 3...

2009-01-18T18:20:00.001-08:00

So, here is my orchid as of today, January 18th, 2009... It's getting there, but there really isn't much hope of it actually being done this month... That one colour of thread is still MIA... You can see in the bottom left petal where it should be... I have other projects to be done if I end up having to wait for the thread to come in... I will not be detered from my objectives...

I sent in my passport application... I don't know why I felt like mentioning it, but I do...

My knee feels like something is catching in my kneecap... I'll be walking around, and it's like my kneecap comes out of joint and back into joint within a step... When I kneel there is great pain... I've spent this past weekend avoiding doing anything to irritate my knee... I hope that this helps... Rest may be all that it needs... *crosses fingers*...

And, to end on a good note... Below is a picture of Archie... No, he does not live in a box on a regular basis... But this was just too cute of a picture to pass up... He's usually orange, but I changed the settings on my camera...

Sea Kittens?

2009-01-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

PETA, why are you mocking yourself? Sea Kittens? Seriously? Be ashamed... Really... Hang your head...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay, now that's out of my system, on to stitchy news... I've been unable to find a specific colour of the threads I need to finish my Exotic Orchid... Not that I'm waiting on that thread alone to work on this thing... I still have other stitching to do on it... But I'm depressed that I can't get the thread, and that the DMC equivalent doesn't match at all... It's more a pink-purple then the blue-purple that I need... *pout*...

However, I did get about a thousand stitches put in today... And we'll see how much I get done tomorrow... I'll post a picture then... Nite... :)

Exotic Orchid # 2...

2009-01-08T19:31:00.001-08:00

I'm more then half-way done this thing! Yay me! Isn't it just so purty? ;)

Exotic Orchid # 1...

2009-01-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

Well, here's a picture of what I did a few months ago... I frogged the whole thing in a snit because I didn't like the way the coverage was in two strands...

And here's what I started a couple of days ago... It looks so much better... But it's using so much thread with the three strands... I've already gone through one skein of white, and I know I'm going to need another couple of the lightest purple... A trip to the Wal-Mart craft section will be required tomorrow or Saturday...

And here's something that was finished a few years ago and is dragged out at Christmas on an annual basis... Okay, it's not quite finished... Technically, it should be pointed, and tasseled, but I was too lazy at the time, and I quite like it this way, anyway...

Little Things...

2008-12-30T22:27:00.000-08:00

Started "Exotic Orchid" today... About half-way to where I frogged it before... It does look so much better in three strands then two... I'm glad I made that decision... I'll post when I have more progress...

I sorted the threads for "Beguiling Tiger" last night... Took forever... Damn my organizational skills...

Alright, I Has A List!!

2008-12-23T11:51:00.001-08:00

No, not a Christmas list, though that would be appropriate... A cross-stitching list, which is just as awesome... I think I've picked out my large projects for 2009... We'll just have to see if I actually get even half of what I intend to do done... It'll be fun trying!

1. "Exotic Orchid" designed by Sheila Hudson... This was featured in CrossStitcher magazine issue # 194...

2. "Spring Break" designed by Dyan Allaine... Kustom Krafts Inc...

3. "Regal Tiger" designed by Linda Rossin... The Gold Collection... Dimensions...

4. "Beguiling Tiger" designed by Tracy Somerville... The Gold Collection Petites... Dimensions...

5. "Unicorn Mystique" designed by Stephen Read... Sunset... Dimensions...

6. "Woodland Enchantress" designed by Ruth Sanderson... The Gold Collection... Dimensions...

Wow... What a list, right? And seeing as how I figure I'm possibly going back to school in September, it's gonna be a heck of a challenge...

Pondering New Year's Resolutions While Eating Cookies...

2008-12-20T19:39:00.000-08:00

Whoops... I guess a diet isn't gonna make the list this year... My best friend shipped me some cookies with the Christmas presents she sent this year... Chocolate chip... Nummy...

Actually, it probably will, because I'm talking about my stitching resolutions, not my moral/get my ass in shape kinda ones...

There are so many things in my stash... I've been collecting projects for years... It's going to be hard to choose ones, especially with so many beautiful things... I think I'll try to limit it to between five and ten major projects, with little ones in between/during to keep me from getting too bored...

I'm making a list... And you can bet, I'll be checking it twice...

Probably more...

Freaking Out? Oh Yeah, I Was...

2008-12-16T19:45:00.000-08:00

So, I thought I had thrown out my current project... In the trash... Already in the dumpster... Horrors...

Fortunately, I found it... Under a bunch of stuff...

It is now properly put away... Until the next time I almost lose it...

Do you notice I have a nasty habit of misplacing things? First, a pattern, now an actual WIP... I need an anti-anxiety medication...

In other news, finished "Flakes Unite", and now back on to "Joy Kitty"... Unless I lose it again...

*Sigh*...

Just Have To Say...

2008-12-11T22:03:00.000-08:00

Why is it that stabbing a piece of cloth with a needle feels like the best way to deal after a long day of handling drug addicts?

It's been a long night, working the back-shift... I am tired of humanity for the moment...

I'm Adding Pictures!!!!

2008-12-09T08:25:00.001-08:00

I said I would add some pictures, so here they are... The outlined mouse is from one of the ornaments I'm working on... It's the one where the plastic canvas isn't wide enough... The moose has been turned into a tree decoration for my best friend... I know she'll get a kick out of it... I framed the poinsetta today... There's no glass in the frame... I decided it looked better without it... Now I have a spare mat that I can play with and a pane of glass... And there's my progress with the "Flakes Unite!" plastic canvas ornament that replaced the one causing me issues... That long expanse of white is driving me slightly bonkers...

Drat and Darnation!

2008-12-06T17:46:00.000-08:00

So, I have no pictures... Well, I do have pictures, but they're on my camera, and that's upstairs, and I'm being a lazy ass tonight by not going to get it... I worked all day, I'm entitled! (I'll post pics next time, promise!)

Finished an ornament for my best friend... It is from a cross-stitcher magazine... It's a moose... All that's required is the lazer-beam's shooting out of its eyes and it would very much resemble the road signs back home... The person in the magazine who said that it looked Scandinavian (sp) has apparently never been to Newfoundland...

I have a set of three Christmas ornaments... Purchased last year... All on 14-count plastic canvas... I started the first, and the canvas was not wide enough... I sent off an e-mail to dimensions to get new canvas earlier this week... The second ornament is progressing nicely...

I have a small cardinal square, which is from the daydreams collection... Purchased last year... I opened the box to sort the threads to start it and a pile of glass fell out onto my bed and knees... I spent the night vacuuming, changing already clean sheets, and carefully cleaning myself off... The threads are all full of glass slivers too, so, I'm not sure what I'm going to do now... This is the second time I've had the glass broken from these kits... And sadly, both from Christmas projects...

My snowman piece... Purchased last month... (There was no roll to be on, only coincidence)... Have not had time to start it yet... :)

I have relatives coming for Christmas this year... Yay! Aunt, Uncle, and cousins... I look forward to this season...

Goals for the Month of December...

2008-12-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

1. Finish all three plastic canvas cross-stitch ornaments...
Flakes Unite - Finished...
Joy Kitty - In transit...
2. Stitch the daydreams cardinal...
3. Start the snowman from the petit gold collection...

Finished Another!

2008-11-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

Well, here's the Christmas present for my best friend's family... I nearly went wacko stitching on the beads today though... Note to self, when beading, choose a needle with a bigger eye... I ended up having to split the thread in half... Seeing as how it was a light effects thread, it didn't like that too much...

I think the near insanity causingness of it was worth it in the end... I wish I could see their faces when they get it... :)

Continuation of Poinsetta...

2008-11-18T18:55:00.000-08:00

Here's progress...

One Finish...

2008-11-14T19:56:00.001-08:00

I ended up ripping out an area of this one because it was one column over and unsymetrical... I was very annoyed when I figured it out... But, all's well that ends well, I guess... It's finished now, and only need to be washed, pressed, and framed...

We'll see how long that takes...

Goals for the Month of November...

2008-11-10T15:32:00.001-08:00

I need to list what my goals are for the month, or I may never get anything done... This hopefully will keep me honest in my day to day stitching...

1. Poinsetta on green aida... Finished November 25th...
2. Needlework of blocks...
3. Quotation... Finished November 14th...

Now, let's see how far I get... I'm hoping to finish the poinsetta at the very least, seeing as how it's a Christmas present for my best friend's mom and dad...

Progress... Or, Who Said You Can't Work On Many Things At Once?

2008-10-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

Here's the baby sampler all framed and everything... This thing took me forever, just because I started not liking it... This is why I think I'll restrict myself to things I would give myself from now on... One's that I would never like to keep will just drag on into eternity...

I told myself, no... No more projects until I got what I had on my plate done... Will Power! Thy name is not "Carolyn" apparently... Here's progress on one that I started the other night... Maybe tonight I'll finish the saying... I love that quote...

And here's the beginning of the second of my Christmas Projects... There's some Light Effects threads worked in there too, but they're not all that noticeable in this picture... Look! Green Aida!

Distractions, Accidents, and Sickness...

2008-09-30T18:23:00.001-07:00

So, I've been procrastinating lately... The baby sampler has been sitting there, about 7/10's done... I've been glaring at it... It needs to be done... I know it needs to be done... I have many other things that I wish I could do before finishing it though... There are no pictures of this at the moment...

Lately, I've been plotting my annual foray into carving... Yup... It's Hallowe'en pumpkin carving time... There's so much out there, and I can't wait until I actually get to carve my pieces... Pieces, plural... I've been making two disposable artworks a year lately... Pictures will follow once they're carved... At the very end of the month, that is... First I have to choose my pumpkins... That's an art in itself...

I've been sick with a cold for the past few days... My co-workers have been avoiding me like the plague, or cringing when I sneeze near them... Hopefully it will pass soon... I am feeling better... I just have a hacking cough now, with none of the phlem that I've been producing lately...

Friday night, I took a flying leap at work (read... I tripped over a chair and fell on boxes), and landed on my arm... Nothing hurt but my pride really... Well, I have a carpet burn on my arm and an evil looking bruise, and I was a little stiff and sore for the following two days, but am generally okay now... WSIB was informed, just in case something crops up later... Doubt it will... Two seconds after I made an ass out of my questionable walking ability, I was cracking up laughing at myself...

Baby Samplers Are Boring...

2008-09-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

Clouds and Balloons and Bears... Oh My! Seriously... I am bored with this... I can't wait until it's over, which should hopefully be this weekend... (The bear on the yellow balloon is cute though)... Then all I have to do is wait for the rug-rat to be spawned and do the details...

Then onto my other Christmas project... Then the purple flower for mum... Then, finally something for me! I have no idea what it'll be, but I promise it'll be something damn cool, peeps!

Done Like Dinner...

2008-09-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

Finished today! It looks very pretty, if I do say so myself... The cabin looks warm and inviting, and the birds are cute...

Next on the schedule... A friend is having a baby on the 25th (or so they think), so I need to motor through a birth announcement... I was at the baby shower for her yesterday... She is an avid cross-stitcher... So is one of her friends who is now my friend as of the first friend's wedding... We three had some lovely conversation regarding our craft... It was nice talking about needle and thread and not boring someone... Also, another friend is getting married in October, so I might do something for her... I was at her Stag & Doe yesterday, getting drunk off of cheap wine and smoking cheap cigarettes... Okay, not really with the wine and the smokes... But it makes an amusing thought for me... Yesterday was a busy day, with the many of social gatherings...

Which begs the question, really, of when am I supposed to have time for my other Chrismas project? *Pulling hair out in frustration*...

It's Been Awhile...

2008-08-31T19:06:00.000-07:00

So, the last time I updated, I had lost a chart and I had been attempting to hand paint a piece of fabric for another design... Well, I scraped the painted fabric for now... It wasn't coming out even coloured at all, and I actually found the colour I was looking for at the local craft store... So, props to me... Also, I received the new chart from Dimensions on the 17th... Well, I guess it was technically the 15th, but it was sitting in the mail box for a couple of days... I took a long weekend up to Ottawa, where I got to experience Ikea and Michael's for the first time... Seriously, they were right next to each other! And there was a Chapter's across the street... ACROSS THE STREET!!!!! I must move there... Immediately... There is no arguement against this...

Ahem... So, progress...

Here's what's done as of today... It's filling out nicely... Probably won't be too long now until it's done...

Annoyances and New Things To Try...

2008-08-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

I managed to get this far and then lost the pattern... It must have been thrown out with the millions of newspapers that use the kitchen table as a rest-stop... Good news: I'm literate... Bad news: This effectively puts a stop to working on this particular Christmas present...

Not that I was working on it a lot anyway... I have discovered House and have spent the past two weeks holed up in my basement, when not at work, drooling over a massive amount of sardonic and caustic Hugh Laurie characterization...

So, today I painted canvas for a new cross-stitch... Yes... I painted aida cloth... I have read that this is actually a good technique for getting the colours that you want... It's not like I'm going to find this green in stores anywhere, and the amount of fabric dye around these parts is horribly lacking... It's 14 count white aida washed in diluted green acrylic paint (it turned a minty colour, very pretty), and then overlaid with a generous coating of concentrated paint... It was then dabbed with paper towels because this kind of paint can appear plastic-like if too much is used... And the best thing about this paint? I don't have to worry about it running, because acrylic is permanent... Buahahahahaha...

I used to get top marks in art class for my blending techniques... This will make an interesting addition to my cross-stitch catalogue...

In other news, I have issued a challenge to my best friend... We have to make christmas presents for each over this year... She whined at that, mainly because she's not crafty in the least... (Mainly she tries and doesn't stick with it because she gets discouraged when it doesn't look right at first... She doesn't believe in practice makes perfect)... But she did accept the challenge... I am glad, because it gives me the excuse to make her a giant crochet octopus... Either that, or the box full of tiny crochet chickens... I didn't really need an excuse for this... But it does amuse me...

Time To Start On X-Mas Things...

2008-07-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my day off... I woke up with such a sense of get-it-doneness and purpose that I grabbed one of my Christmas projects out of my craft box and started it... And what a start! The entire front of the cabin and the Cardinal... I didn't think I'd get that far...

This is called "Winter Hideaway" from the Dimensions Gold Collection... The finished piece will look like so... http://www.dimensions-crafts.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=2280#details

More Stuff!

2008-07-21T17:46:00.000-07:00

I know... I know... I know... I've posted this before, however, I never did get around to posting it with the adapted eye... I like this version much much better then the previous pictures... It just looks cleaner... And the picture is just a better picture in general anyway...

And then, onto my princess project... Okay... It's not really a princess... But it is a funky letter with a crown of golden beads... And it has the distinction of being the first piece I've made which features beads... I think it came out well...

Here's An Update...

2008-07-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

The large purple orchid I started ended up being frogged, because I've decided that I need to do it in three threads and not the standard two... And while I love the idea of doing it, I've been focused on smaller projects, because ripping out that many stitches made me very unhappy...

So, here's the two I've finished in the past couple of weeks... I actually took these on the bus with me a few days, and received some of the strangest looks from people... I've also been working on my Johnny Depp monochromatic, and another project designed to make me feel like a princess... Because I deserve to feel that way, dammit... Pictures will follow on those eventually... ;)

In addition to these, I have my next few projects planned out, including several for christmas that I have to begin soon, as well as a pair of geishas and the purple orchid, culminating with the beginning of "The Fortunate Traveler" in the new year... I already have the evenweave, which makes me nervous, because I have never used that fabric before... However, I understand the over-one and -two threads concept, so hopefully that will go relatively smoothly...

So, here's my "Wish Upon A Star" bear, from a CrossStitcher magazine... It was a free kit that came with the magazine last year, I think... As well as a DayDream's kit I picked up from the Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago... It is currently hanging on my wall... I am quite pleased with how they've both turned out...

Finished! Onto The Next Thing!

2008-06-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

Well, we'll see if it's done... Not too fond of the second horse's eye... I will have to see if it's correct or not now...

Regardless, onto the purple flower!

Eyes Tired... Too Many Stitches...

2008-06-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

So, now I have only the back-stitch to do... I look forward to this being done... Seriously...

Squeals With Excitement...

2008-06-11T19:37:00.000-07:00

I have finally made it to the other side of the pattern... I am relieved that it did not continue into infinity like I had feared...

I hope to finish the horses tomorrow... The sky will probably take me another month... And then the back stitch... Let's hope that I underestimate myself... I wish to get on with my next project soon...

Actually, I think I really am exaggerating the time-line here... A lot of the sky is halfcross stitches... And as far as I know, it's all one colour of blue...

Updating "Sweethearts"...

2008-06-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

Job Prospect: Unknown...

Because of lack of actual news, here's an updated picture of my project de jour...

And here's what I saw where I woke up this morning...

It stormed last night... Which caused 'that'... And we had tornado warnings this evening... That is one of the only things I do not like about southwestern Ontario... The bloody tornado warnings...

I Should Be Sleeping...

2008-06-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

I have an interview tomorrow... It's for a job I'm really interested in... I want to do well...

I'm very nervous...

Please wish me luck...

Updates and Past Projects...

2008-05-21T16:40:00.001-07:00

Here's an update on my latest...

Here's one I finished about four years ago...

And here's another I finished about five years ago...

Progress...

2008-05-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a new picture of my cross stitch de jour... I think I've done quite a bit today...

Projects...

2008-05-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I said I would post some of my past projects, and here they are...

My current project... "Sweethearts"...

The lovely Stargazer that I just finished today...

And that's all I've got for now... My Facebook account has more pictures...

A New Beginning...

2008-05-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

This is a new blog for me... I already have two others... Both of them are on LiveJournal... If you ever have any interest in them, then you can search them out using my real name... This I have decided to start because I just finished school... I am now a Pharmacy Technician (though what I've been called for the last year I don't know)... I am also somewhat obsessed with crafting, namely cross stitching... So, I am going to combine these things... Thus, this blog...

You will find that I use a lot of '...'s in my paragraphs... They don't mean that I'm trailing off my sentences... I finish what I say... It's just my writing style... Which is kind of silly, I know...

I will post some pictures of my current and past projects sometime soon...

Are You In Stitches?

My Totally Out-of-Reach Goals for 2012... :D

Goals for the Month of January, 2012...

Merry Christmas!!!

I'm Bored-ish...

Goals for the Month of December, 2011...

Goals for the Month of November, 2011...

Finished Panda Delight!

Adventures in Another Country! (This is Probably Only Exciting to Me)...

"Beguiling Tiger" Finished!!!

Goals for the Month of October, 2011...

Totally Useless Stitch-a-Long...

Ahem...

Goals for the Month of January, 2011...

Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long...

"Flakes Unite" and "Joy Kitty"...

ORT Jar...

"Nova Scotia Tartan Map"...

Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long!!!

Goals for the Month of December, 2010...

"Rose Cuttings"...

Goals for the Month of November, 2010...

Wandering...

Weekend Plans...

WoooooooooooHoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Fail...

Goals For The Month Of January 2010...

No Crafting and All School Makes Alanda Go "Something Something"...

Apparently Posting Doesn't Happen Around Here...

Goodbye Cross Stitch...

Let's Do The Time Warp!!!

Beguiling Tiger # 3...

Beguiling Tiger # 2...

Goals for the Month of May...

A Finish (Coffee Addict) And A WIP (Beguiling Tiger # 1)...

Exotic Orchid Finished...

April Showers...

Spring Break # 1...

A Star Danced...

Exotic Orchid # 4...

Exotic Orchid # 3...

Sea Kittens?

Exotic Orchid # 2...

Exotic Orchid # 1...

Little Things...

Alright, I Has A List!!

Pondering New Year's Resolutions While Eating Cookies...

Freaking Out? Oh Yeah, I Was...

Just Have To Say...

I'm Adding Pictures!!!!

Drat and Darnation!

Goals for the Month of December...

Finished Another!

Continuation of Poinsetta...

One Finish...

Goals for the Month of November...

Progress... Or, Who Said You Can't Work On Many Things At Once?

Distractions, Accidents, and Sickness...

Baby Samplers Are Boring...

Done Like Dinner...

It's Been Awhile...

Annoyances and New Things To Try...

Time To Start On X-Mas Things...

More Stuff!

Here's An Update...

Finished! Onto The Next Thing!

*Eyes Tired*... *Too Many Stitches*...

*Squeals With Excitement*...

Updating "Sweethearts"...

I Should Be Sleeping...

Updates and Past Projects...

Progress...

Projects...

A New Beginning...

Eyes Tired... Too Many Stitches...

Squeals With Excitement...