August Achievements & September Goals

Goals for August:
1. Finish Minx Done. Yay! Yay! Yay!
2. Stitch two scissor fobs Done. A seahorse and a Christmas Tree.

Other things I did that were unplanned:
1. Signed up for a UFO RR
2. Started a 15 sided blackwork biscornu as a travel piece
3. Started Glendon Place's Sleepy Hollow

Goals for September:
1. Finish Sleepy Hollow

Join me for a drink

to celebrate a late night finish!


Minx
When I started her, I thought it would take maybe 70 hours. I can hear the laughter from here. (It took double that). With her blocks of colour, she was a piece for those days when you just want brainless and uncomplicated stitching.

I won the chart in a white elephant/dutch auction thing many Christmases ago. (And I have my suspicions that it's not an entirely kosher chart). The text is presumably Chinese and I have no skills in that department.

Since I had no idea what the chart is actually called (beyond the catalogue number) and because she's in a bar clearly getting sloshed and most terms used to describe her are rude at best I dug through my vocab and named her Minx (a flirtatious/impudent young woman)

Start date October 20, 2009
Finish date August 29, 2010
Fabric 18 ct white aida
Total time 142.5 hours

Edited to add: The lady who wanted the seahorse didn't show up for work on Friday, so it's sitting on her desk. Miss Christmas Tree admired her fob in a manner most gratifying. Then she told me that it was most definitely not going on her lunch bag since it was way too nice. She's going to put it on her Christmas tree. It totally made my weekend.

Christmas already?

Fear not. I haven't begun Christmas stitching before Halloween stitching. In fact I think I'll made September Halloween month. Unlike last year where the last two weeks of October were for Halloween stitching.

Back to Christmas. I mentioned that the other fob request was for a Christmas tree. After hunting I threw my hands up and went with one of the motifs from Just Nan's Merry 15.



Start date August 26, 2010
Finish date August 26, 2010
Fabric 28ct antique white lugana
Total time 2 hours

This one is a square and a bit bigger than the seahorse. Also the pot/tree bucket is a very odd red colour.


Tomorrow these will be with two lovely ladies who've made this summer job a pleasure.

Seaside fun

I've been hanging my Jack o'Lantern fob on my lunchbag at work and had 2 requests for a "hanging item." Work ends with this Friday, so it's about time I get cracking. Request #1 was for a seahorse, and it took me quite a while to find one.


This is a seahorse in Joan Elliot's Sea Goddess. I only had two of the required colours but improvised. I also found a button that I thought would go well.

Start date August 22, 2010
Finish date August 22, 2010
Fabric 28ct antique white lugana
Total time 2 hours

Post assembly it ended up being quite quite tiny, so I'm not sure if I should go ahead and give it, or stitch one of the other bigger seahorses.



The second request is for a Christmas tree, and I have to go hunting for that one now.

Well Planned

I had a finish way back in July and I forgot to post it. This, it turns out, was a good thing, since I have something to blog about. The last week has passed with exactly seven (count 'em seven) minutes of stitching. One a day when I pick up Minx, put in five stitches, stare at her, put her back down and wander away.

I blame the fall weather, the ending of my co-op work term, and impending school. My woes aside, here's what you're here to see:

Alexandrina's Fall Dreams Biscornu




Start date July 4, 2010
Finish date July 25, 2010
Fabric 28 ct black lugana
Floss GAST Daffodil, GAST Tuttifrutti
Total time 11.75 hours

I had to leave off the border. Why had to? Because I thought the fabric was 32 ct, and the size I cut would have been perfect. It wasn't so perfect since it was actually 28 ct.

My brother's immediate reaction upon seeing it was to tell me that I had "a bad yellow" since "it's all faded in parts" and "you should get a refund". Tuttifrutti isn't as varigated so he couldn't tell.

TUSAL August

Why does every website give a different day for the new moon? My dad insisted it was Monday, assorted websites disagree.


All the pink is from Minx's skin.

The end is in sight

It's not a very close end, but it's definitely visible.


Minx
18 ct white aida

The path to a new start

is lined with other new starts.


Why Hoard Gold?
28 ct white lugana
Dragon Dreams' Why Hoard Gold


Butterfly Bellfpull
18ct white aida (over 2)
From Lesley Teare's book Oriental Cross Stitch. Haven't been able to find a picture online, so I'll take one tomorrow eventually.


Cirque des Cercles
14 ct Khaki aida
Dimension's Palm. I think this is out of print since I can't a picture of this either. Photo of the model tomorrow eventually.


How Does Your Garden Grow (in the Dark)?
28 ct black lugana
This is Papillon Creations' SAL from 2008. I already stitched it over 1, but decided that I had to have the specialty version as well.

And after this frenzy of new starts I put them all away and went back to Minx. *Sigh* I think I have a problem.

And the Randomizer picked...

Now, I was planning on posting the results of the giveaway last night, but sheer exhausting and too much reading got in the way.

No screencap, but the winner of the kit and biscornu is
.
.
.
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D@isy who is a pro at biscornus so I'm sure I can expect to see Spring Blossoms finished soon *hint, hint*

and the biscornu is
.
.
.
Mel (who doesn't appear to have a blog).


Ladies send me your mailing address and I'll have your prizes in the mail soon-ish. (I'm not promising Tuesday because I know better!)

A big thanks to everyone that played along and enabled me with a lot of great designers. A hearty welcome to my new followers, y bienvenidos a mis amigas quien habla espanol. Siempre es agradable encontrar a nuevo bloggers. (Como se dice blogger en espanol?)

July Achievements & August Goals

Goals for July:
1. Stitch Bent Creek's Shamrock Row No.
2. Finish another part of the Hardanger Bag No.
3. Finish at least two colours from Runekeeper's Saga Done.
4. Finish Minx's skin No, but I did get a good chunk done.
5. Work on Cirque des Cercles, if I can squeeze it in A couple of hours

Other things I did that were unplanned:
1. Started and finished 3 Heart Biscornus
2. Started and finished Fall Dreams Biscornu
3. Started and finished All You Need is Love
4. Started Palm

Goals for August:
1. Stitch two scissor fobs
2. Finish Minx

I did quite a few things not on my lists. And I still haven't posted pictures because I just can't seem to take even semi-decent snaps.

Stitch by Colours

Begin with a border:


Add a pink


Then a flesh tone


I guess I should have mentioned that the Bunnicula is from Missy's Halloween giveaway last year (I was very lucky to win it, and Missy's promised one this year...) The squirrel was a gift I received over 10 years ago. I have no idea who the designer is, and I've lost touch with my friend that made it. It was the very first piece I received that wasn't stitched by me and I remember being so happy because I knew how much time it would have taken and I can't think of very many 12 year old girls who'd do something like that.

The "S" is from the SALexandre hosted by Anne. The hardanger is just something I came up with while fooling around with a scrap of fabric.

If you haven't put your name in (and why not? it's free stuff) don't forget that my giveaway ends tomorrow at 10 pm local time.

Bah, Humbug!

Due to various and sundry reasons I'm currently a very crabby, unpleasant, confrontational, and lazy person to be around. Ironically while suffering from all this and making everyone around me suffer even more, I stitched up The Drawn Thread freebie All You Need is Love. Except for the Rhodes stitch (and Satin stitch), I'd never done any of the specialty ones, but the instructions are excellent and it was very easy!



The design calls for Gloriana silks which I've never seen in person, so I went with my trusty DMC. I wanted the hearts in shades of pink but ended up with more reds and purples. My favourite stitch is the Sprat Heart Stitch which is the one in the "V".

Start date: July 22 ,2010
Finish date: July 23, 2010
Fabric: 28 ct white lugana
Total time: 5 hours

My pinkeeps to date:



Edited to id: Bunnicula the Vampire Bunny is a giveaway win from Missy, the squirrel is a gift from a now out of touch friend, the hardanger is from my lazy puttering and the "S" is from the SALexandre hosted by Anne.

TUSAL July

I knew that the new moon was the 11th. Unfortunately moving and camera damage meant that I'd late. Again.


The new red addition is from the Heart Biscornus.

I will be on time for August!

Giveaway~

As promised: To celebrate 100 (now 103) followers, a giveaway.

I've already gushed about this, so I'll spare you the blatherings ;) Now, I know there are a lot of biscornu makers out there, but I also see people who have yet to embrace it for varied reasons. This is for folks who want to increase their collection, folks who want a biscornu without the work ;), folks who just want a stamp from Canada, etc.

Details here, but this is Lenka's Heart Biscornu that I modified the tiniest (ok, a lot). They are both exactly the same, but this way you get to see both sides.


To make this a bit more fun, there will be two winners. The first will win one of the above biscornu & The Sweetheart Tree's "Spring Blossoms" biscornu kit. The kit comes with everything except the stuffing.
The second will get the other biscornu.

Old friends, chronic commenters, silent lurkers, curious newcomers, all and sundry are welcome to enter.

So.

The Facts:
First place winner: Heart biscornu & The Sweetheart Tree's Spring Blossoms kit
Second place winner: Heart biscornu

The Rules:
The following two statements must be present for your entry to count:
I wish to enter (or something to that effect)
I have never stitched a biscornu, but I will soon. OR I have stitch ___ biscornus and my favourite is ____. (Hey, I'm always on the lookout for more patterns)

The Small Print:
You do not have to be a follower to enter. You do not have to blog about this to count (however I would appreciate it~)
I can and will ship anywhere. (Although if you're from somewhere I think is exotic I may beg a postcard in return~)
I will announce the winner here and send an email (if possible). You have a week to respond after which I'll pick someone else.

Deadline:
July 31, 2010. 10:00 PM Winnipeg Time

If you're still here after that wall of text: Good luck and may the Randomizer be on your side!

All Hearts

Turns out my brother had a camera buried in one of his bags... so pictures! Unfortunately it will leave with him in September, so I still have to get a new one.

I went on a biscornu kick and decided to stitch these:



Start date: July 5, 2010
Finish date: July 17, 2010
Fabric: 28 ct black lugana, 28 ct white lugana
Time: 13 hours for all three, from start to finish.

The design is Lenocka's Heart Biscornu which I modified and went overboard with.
I left off the little bits around the hearts since I couldn't figure out what they were.
I made the white side with whole hearts, and the black with broken hearts.

Side 1

Side 2

And since I find this kind of thing funny, one with a black heart!


One guess as to what the plan is regarding two of them.

100

I'll admit it: I've spent the last few weeks checking to see if I hit 100 followers. And I did this afternoon-ish! Squeals of joy and general happiness all around.

No, really. I started looking every morning and evening when I hit 98. And then one disappeared and I moped for a bit. And then it went up again, and then stayed for the longest time. And now it's a 100. Did/does anyone else do this? Check obsessively, I mean.

This will be celebrated with a giveaway. I started something, but moving put a halt to that. As declared last time, the giveaway won't be opened up until it's ready for a stamp, so hang around for a bit more...

In less joyous news, the camera has somehow been damaged in the move. Since I've managed to avoid getting a cellphone this long, there is no device in the house capable of taking a picture.

Exhaustion, Drama & No Stitching.

Well, almost no stitching this week, since we were busy packing up and moving 20 minutes away. Moving day was ok, but unpacking was filled with drama, yelling, screaming, hissy fits, damaged hardwood and sulking. (Why yes, it was the guys).

I did have a morning of just sitting around and when I looked for my WIPs, I realized that I'd packed all my floss. Just my floss. My WIPs were in a basket beside me, my floss was in a sealed cardboard box. So I grabbed the only kit I had and started it. Pictures of Dimension's Palm when I find the camera.

My feet still hurt like crazy and I have to put away my clothes. Possibly there will be more stitching time this week, or I may still be unpacking.

Ciorcail

Now while working on CdC has been fun, I'm getting tired of it. I might do a couple of hours a month, but the Saturday updates are done. A big thanks for all the encouragement! And I'm glad that people have enjoyed seeing it so much.


Cirque des Cercles
32 ct Lemon Whip Lugana, DMC 115
I think that my stitching will be a bit slower. I stitched less than an hour a day this week. During the winter freeze I easily do 3 hours. But the hot summer weather makes me just want to go outside and lie in the sun and read.

Title: Gaelic

June Achievements & July Goals

Goals for June:
1. Finish Bluebeard's Princess Done!
2. Get caught up on the Hardanger Bag SAL No. Got up to part 3, and then put it away.
3. Start Runekeeper Saga Done.
4. Work on whichever piece wins the poll Done. Quite a bit of progress too.
5. And now that I've discovered the poll options, go crazy with the power!!! No. Completely slipped my mind

Other things I did that were unplanned:
1. Started and finished the stitching on The Pink Bag. Now I just need to assemble it.

Goals for July:
1. Stitch Bent Creek's Shamrock Row
2. Finish another part of the Hardanger Bag
3. Finish at least two colours from Runekeeper's Saga
4. Finish Minx's skin
5. Work on Cirque des Cercles, if I can squeeze it in

Cerchio

I had some comments about how this was a piece unforgiving of errors, and I thought "Well, it's not like I make mistakes" and "I'm a careful counter"

Do you see where this is going?


Cirque des Cercles
32 ct Lemon Whip Lugana, DMC 115

The leftmost motif in the uppermost row is in the wrong place. It's should be the next left motif. Not a problem since I'll just switch motifs.
Then I stitched the "fixed" motif one row too low. Frog and redo. One row too high.

Two hours since last week and into the pile.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. - KJV

Title: Italian