While I Wait For Perfection

I'll make do with average.

I am currently working on a new bag*. A really nice green and black one with yoyos and trim. The key word there is working. The outside is done. I just have to make the lining and then assemble it. However I've come to realize that I have issues attaching outer shells to linings. Somehow that's where it all goes wrong.

So while I dither on that, I made this:


This is what happens when you take an old sweater that's too big and cut it up. I think it was supposed to be red, but now it's more of a really faded pink. Not something I want to carry anywhere I'm trying to impress someone, but perfectly fine for when I want to hit the drugstore.


The top of the bag (originally the bottom of the sweater) folds over and widens the bag out, but I probably will keep it unfolded. Since all that pink was boring I tacked on a flower. (Thanks Nima!)


The inside is this yellow/gold that I quite like. Sadly I didn't have much of it so there's only one pocket. This is a bit of an issue since I carry a lot of smallish junk and I like to put them in pockets and this pocket is too small to hold everything.


As a bonus, I finally learnt how to use the fancy stitches on my machine! Woohoo. I remember reading that it's better to stitch stretchy fabric with a zigzag stitch...


There's no closure, since I couldn't figure out what kind I wanted and was too interested in finishing to put it off. I initially hadn't planned on boxing the corners but once finished the bag really needed it, hence the outside. And yes, the flower and the triangles are attached with white thread. I really wanted to take it out today and couldn't find my red thread. That will be fixed eventually.

While I very cunningly remembered the zigzag stitch for stretchy fabric, I seriously underestimated how much the stuff I carry weighs. The result is that the strap stretched out to a ridiculous degree, hence the knot. There's no way I'm undoing anything, but if anyone has any creative suggestions to shorten the strap that'd be appreciated!

*Technically I think I have 4 bags on the go...

Rejoice!

For I have returned! I have battled demons and monsters and persevered and am back!

This one is Lindsay's Beguiling Tiger. I got a bit of a shock when I received it since (keep up with me here) I'd seen a picture of it the previous stitcher had posted and since it looks so detailed I'd assumed that it was a bigger piece. Not so. It's 5x7 on 18 ct. The second shock was when I realized how tiny the holes looked. Apparently I'd gotten used to the 14 ct of the previous designs...

As it arrived:


As it goes out



Now this isn't anything near how much I usually stitch on a round but I was running horribly late so I just sucked it up and sent it on.

And then I pulled out the next RR and somehow it was "click". I may have a picture by the end of the week...

...

[Tumbleweed rolls by]

Just In Case

If there's someone out there who's trying to get a hold of the Joan Elliot Bookazine, pre-orders for the second printing are being taken here.

Pretty bad but clickable pictures of everything in the book:

TUSAL July

Four posts in three days! Talk about your freak occurrences.


I like this view of the jar. The colours are quite varied.
And that dark blue is from Smoky Mountain Cats.

June Achievements & July Goals

Goals for June:
1. Stitch, finish and send out Denise's winnings. Stitched but not finished. I blame the postal strike for not forcing the deadline.
2. Stitch on both UFO RRs. Done and mailed out.
3. Finish something. Anything! Ahahahahahaha. No.
4. Leave comments (since I don't think I left a single one in May). Can't remember, so we'll say no.

Goals for July:
1. Finish and send out Denise's winnings.
2. Stitch on both UFO RRs.
3. Work on Namaste.

A Clowder of Cats

Yes, you read that right. A group of cats is properly a clowder. And here I thought nothing could beat a congregation of crocodiles.

This is Measi's Smoky Mountain Cats. I think it's by Sherry Vintson for Pegasus Originals Inc, but it isn't on their website.

As it arrived:


As it goes out


I added the top row of cats. I'm rather ambivalent about this piece. The monochrome blue was fun until it stopped being fun and then I just wanted to randomly stitch one of the cats in red.

On an unrelated note: every now and then I look at all the amazing photos that people stage and think "I should do that. Make it look nice." And then I try for about 3 photos, quit and post whatever looks semi-decent. Hopefully people are here for the stitching (and maybe my brilliant wit) and not for my artistic abilities ;)

Shamble On

You know those old fashioned zombies? The ones that shuffle along wailing for brains? They move faster than my stitching.

But it turns out that if you stitch a bit every day eventually you reach those brains have progress.

This is Kris' Spring Sampler designed by Sandy Orton for Janlynn.

This isn't as much as I usually stitch on a UFORR, but with my mojo? I'm sobbing tears of pride.

As it arrived:


As it goes out



Tomorrow will be the other UFORR, which had even less progress. sigh

PS. If anyone has been wondering why I haven't been leaving any comments, my commenting-mojo (if there is such a thing) is dead. But if I've ever left you a comment, if you've ever left me a comment, if I'm a Follower then rest assured that I'm visiting, drooling and coveting your stitching! (just not admitting it)

Ghoulish Behaviour

My other LNS is closing. (If you're in Winnipeg that's Kathryn's Stitching Studio. I think she does mail orders too. Last day June 29).

Everything is 40% off.

This was the first dash through accomplished without a shopping list:



Looking at the charts and my bill, I've come to a realization about why I don't stitch many smalls. I don't think they're worth it. Now before I get lynched let me explain:

See those four Lizzie*Kates? They each cost ~10. And I can probably finish one in less than 5 hours. So that's $2/hr.

See that Mira? That cost ~25. And may take about 85 hours. So about $0.30/hr.

Now what about a Teresa Wentzler? The last one I bought cost ~25. And that will take at least 145 hrs.

See where I'm going with this? I'm more likely to buy and stitch larger charts (even if they stay in my drawers waiting to be framed) because some subconsicous part of me feels that I'm getting more "value for money".

Admittedly HAEDs would be "worth" more on my scale, but I don't think a steady diet of them works for me.

So what about you? Any strange and twisty thoughts influencing what charts you buy/stitch?

Black and White

There's a slug outside that's moving faster than Namaste, but any progress is good progress. Except for the part where I somehow managed to combine two motifs into an unholy union and had to frog the whole thing...


Namaste
32ct white Lugana

TUSAL June

Since I was under the impression that the new moon was on the 3rd, I was very very puzzled at the number of TUSAL posts today. A quick check online and it still seemed to be the 3rd (um, no. That was last month). When I realized that it's now June the lightbulb finally gave a feeble flicker.


All that blue is from a UFO RR. And yes, my jar is posed on the Joan Elliot Ultimate Collection Bookazine. It arrived yesterday and I'm still smug about it. A ton of charts, 5 that I'm definitely going to stitch, for the price of 1.5 charts? Oh, yes. I'm so pleased with myself for grabbing it. *smirks and wants to pet a long-haired white cat*

May Achievements & June Goals

Goals for May:
1. Start something new. Yes, Sapphire and Namaste
2. Stitch on both UFO RRs. Well, I stitched a bit on one and not at all on the other

Goals for June:
1. Stitch, finish and send out Denise's winnings.
2. Stitch on both UFO RRs.
3. Finish something. Anything!
4. Leave comments (since I don't think I left a single one in May).

Well, at least I met one goal.

Mission Complete

We at the Organization would like to congratulate the 28 agents that completed the previous mission. (A special acknowledgment of Agent Jo who submitted her paperwork 2 minutes before the deadline)

TSCESR (The Sub-Committee for Evaluating the Submitted Reports) was unable to reach a consensus on the most suitable candidate for AWMSCTM ("Agent Who Most Successfully Completed The Mission"), and the final decision was determined by TR (The Randomizer).

Agent Denise please contact your HRR (Human Resources Representative) in order to fill out the requisite paperwork in triplicate.

We, the management, wish to congratulate all agents who completed the mission and would like to remind each and every one of you that you are a valuable member of the Organization and that there is no "I" in "TEAM"*

*Note: Management has no comment regarding the fact that there is a "ME" in "TEAM".

Conflict

I refer to my posts this month where I'm either wailing about the disappearance of my mojo or showing off something new.

I'd make claims about stopping, but today's post featuring my 9 hours of stitching over the last 3 days that make up the May Long Weekend showcase both:
I have a new start
And considering that I've previously stitched ~ 30 hours in 4 days, 9 in 4 is a bit of a fall.

I'm not a September baby. I don't think I know anyone who's one. I don't care for my fairy (May), however I think that Mirabilia's newest fairy makes for a pretty good Emerald May.


She's actually titled September's Sapphire Fairy, but I don't see how that fits since (to me) sapphires are blue (except maybe the obi but that's black-blue not sapphire-blue).

I love that green kimono and the blue-black obi. I'm leaving out the wings and haven't made up my mind about the trailing vines/fronds/things.


September's Sapphire Fairy
32 ct Waterlily Jobelan
Since the green kimono is the main attraction I thought I'd get some of the black-blue out of way first. Imagine my shock when it turns out that one of the major colours is 3371, Nora's favourite brown! Not a colour I was expecting! If you squint at the model you can tell that there's brown, but at first glance? No way!


PS. I'm glad so many people are enjoying my giveaway. And if you haven't entered why not?

A Mission

As hinted at previously, I present my 200 followers giveaway. And since I'm in a bit of a silly/funny mood it comes with a mission...

Your mission should you choose to accept it:

1). Go online and find a picture of Prairie Schooler's "Sweeping Cobwebs". Alternatively, check your stash!
2). Look at the rightmost frame and pick your favourite of the six motifs
3). Decide whether you prefer a pincushion, pinkeep/scissors holder, or a small bag
4). Let me know in the comments
5). Feel free to tell anyone you think is interested in playing along

This message will be locked on the 25th of May at 4:37 pm Central Time.

Good luck!

Ponderous Ponderings

Rebekah very generously RAK'd me with "No Late Knight Snacking" a few weeks ago. This is such a cute chart (like all Dragon Dreams) and I can't say enough how much I love this new addition to my stash!


Ages and ages ago Nancy held a giveaway where everyone was a winner. Fast forward to last week(?) where I received these two lovelies in the mail! I just love the one with the birds.


My brief bit of stitching mojo has faded again. This is somewhat worrisome since I have two UFORR pieces that haven't seen a stitch. One's due to go out at the end of the month. That's still two weeks, but the way my stitching's been going?

This hasn't stopped me from planning a few more projects...As of now I have the following fully kitted and ready to start:
Egyptian Sampler - TWDesignworks
Deco Spirits - Mirabilia
Lily of the Valley - Nora Corbett
Cinderella - Mirabilia
Celtic Autumn - Lavender and Lace
Cirque des Triangles - Ink Circles
Cirque des Carreaux - Ink Circles

And when the charts arrive I'll have "Sweeping Cobwebs" by Prairie Schooler and "September's Sapphire Fairy" by Mirabilia ready to go as well.

Anyone up for a SAL? A semi-serious one with a prize for the winner? We can try to mutually inspire each other. Any of the kitted ones (except Celtic Autumn) or if we've got a WIP in common? I need some sort of boot to prod me...

New Things

On the day that I feel like grabbing a needle and starting something new Blogger goes down. There's some sort of lesson in that.


Namaste
32ct white Lugana
Originally I was planning on stitching this on a linen band so that finishing would be easy. Then I realized that I had to special order in the linen, or that I could just use part of a fat quarter and sew it finished.The quicker way won.

The plan is to stitch all the black first and then finish off motif by motif.

It's About Time

No, the mojo is still MIA. I'm talking about my last giveaway (that one in January), which I finally assembled and sent out last month.

Add in that Kathy had completely forgotten that she'd won, and my note had gotten buried...


That's actually the first pincushion I've ever made. It's dead easy and I'll definitely be making more.


You can't really tell but the back has a pocket.


Making this was an interesting experience and I'm very glad Kathy likes it (she has a ton more pictures on her blog) and I definitely learned a lot which will be useful, since I see that I have 200 followers.

TUSAL May

When the mojo is slow and you aren't really looking at any blogs it's just a lucky chance if you remember the New Moon;)

April Achievements & May Goals

Goals for April:
1. Finish and mail out Kathy's winnings. Done, now if CP would only deliver...
2. Stitch on the UFO RR Done.
3. Finish Compassion Done.
4. Finish Cool Christmas Done.
5. Stitch a themed small for my pinkeep collection Considering I've only finished 1 of 12, maybe this plan isn't working out so well...
6. Stitch Butterfly Bellpull Technically I did stitch for about 15 minutes before I scrapped it.

Unplanned things:
1. Undid Butterfly Bellpull since it didn't interest me anymore
2. Started Crimson Cross 2

Goals for May:
1. Start something new.
2. Stitch on both UFO RRs

This month started out very well, and then I lost my blogging/commenting mojo last week. My stitching mojo has slowed down, but it is still alive.

Fewer goals for next month since I'm waffling about exactly what I want to do.

A Way That Works

Since finishing Something Wicked I've felt like working on just about all my WIPs. So a quick touch-everything rotation may in order.

I started Autumn Winds last February, but didn't get too much done. As it can out:

When I put it away:


Autumn Winds
28ct antique white Lugana
I think the main problem was trying to figure out how to tackle her. I know lots of folks go block by block for HAEDs. I though about doing that but I find that there's always one or two stitches in the next block and the block after and it seems silly not to just finish those off too and within a few symbols I'm wandering all over the place.

But I've come up with a strategy that works:
I pick one 10x10 square.
I pick one symbol.
I highlight every instance of that symbol I think I can reach without making a counting mistake regardless of how many blocks this traverses.
After I've stitched that symbol I colour it in with a different colour highlighter.
Then I go back to my original block and pick another symbol.
Repeat until all the symbols in that block are done.
Then I look for the next block that has an unstitched symbol and go on.

This way I get to wander all over and still finish things off block by block. As of right now I have 4 blocks done, and since there's only so much over one I can do without going crazy it's time for something else.

I think I'm going to grab How Does Your Garden Grow (in the Dark)? and see if I can figure out what blues I want to use...

Wicked Enjoyment

A brief frustration with symbol confusion drove me away from Spring Queen. Let's just say that the symbol key has an upside down triangle and a right side up triangle and leave it at that.

I switched over to Something Wicked with the vague idea of finishing off the text...and just finished the whole thing.


While I think this spiderweb is adorable, I wonder how a shoe that is being worn can gather it! I guess it's just magic.


I'd like to once more express my love for these cool stripy socks! IRL all my socks are the exact same black one. I bought out every pack in the store. No need to match and it doesn't matter if the laundry monster eats one ;)


In the real world spiders give me a start and while I don't head for the nearest weapon, I prefer to keep my distance. However I adore cartoon spiders and enjoy looking at spiders that are separated from me by glass/cage/etc. I am also very pleased that they have the correct number of limbs!

Title	Something Wicked
Designer	La D Da
Start date	March 19, 2011
Finish date	April 21, 2011
Total time	18.25 hours
Fabric	32 ct Peach Whisper Belfast lugana
Floss	I used the provided DMC conversion

How Things Change

First off let me just say that I am shocked, shocked that it's already the third weekend of the fourth month of the year! Seems like it was Christmas just yesterday.

I initially pulled out Butterfly Bellpull since I was planning on finishing it this month, but two hours of struggling with the too-stiff fabric and the realization that I can live without this design later, I frogged the whole thing. This is a momentous occasion since this is the first piece that I've started and then unstarted. Previously I just hoarded everything by saying "The right time will come". Perhaps there is hope for me yet!

I decided to put a few stitches into Spring Queen...which turned into several hours with her. For some unknown reason I really feel like working on her so the plan is to keep on going.


Spring Queen
32 ct White Lugana
In what can only be the universe's absurd sense of humour, we has snowfall yesterday.

Pale Colours

Another UFO RR piece :)

This is Arthenice's (not sure if she has a blog, I haven't managed to find it...) Angel of Spring by Lavender & Lace.

This was an interesting experience, since before I got it I was really looking forward to it. And then I got it and didn't want to stitch on it. Mostly because I had Apache Wedding Blessing arrive almost the same day and it was so much more colourful.

I struggled with the wings. Even though they have lovely venation from afar, close up it just looks all white, so I kept putting it aside. I eventually buckled down and once I got to the ribbon I didn't want to put it down!

Lesson learned: stitch the colours since I enjoy them a lot more!

Other lesson: The L&L angels are not for me. Way too pale. Admittedly only Grace and Hope were vaguely on the list, but since they're mostly white they're departing said list.

As it arrived:


As it goes out:

Questions for More Experience Hands

Having spent a great deal of time coveting round pincushions I decided that since the universe had not mysteriously gifted me with one, I should make it myself. Despite never having seen one in real life I read some tutorials, looked at some pictures and went ahead.


The result is somewhat dubious and raises some questions I'm hoping someone out there can answer:

1. How do I get the seam to be the same size? I'm having trouble since it's not a straight line but a curve.

2. How do I get the arc of the circle to be smoother? So that it actually looks round instead of having bits that stick out?

3. Is there any way to get rid of those puckers or do all round pincushions have them?

Any other tips to make it look better?

I've already learnt that I need a much longer piece of thread to wind around if I want the pincushion to be divided into sixths.