Saturday, January 31, 2009

Review of January Goals and List of February Goals

Well, I can't believe it, but I actually accomplished all of my January goals. Of course, the list was short, but the projects weren't necessarily small. I completed parts 3 and 4 of the Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler earlier this month and posted a picture. It is so pretty. I can't wait to get the final installment and finish the whole thing.



I also finished one part of Quaker Turtles. At first, I thought I would count just one medallion as a part. But that would take me 8 months to complete the whole thing. So I decided that one complete turtle would be more appropriate. I can't wait to finish these as the little turtles. They seem so cute.

(His stocking is the one on the left)

Also, I started on Nicholas's stocking. During November and December of last year I completed a stocking for Patrick. He was able to use it at Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn't finish Nicholas's. So my goal is to have this done well before Christmas. As you can see, it was a small start but a start none the less. It should be pretty quick once I finish all of these leaves with the constant floss changes.

Now, on to February. This is such a big month for my family. It is my and Patrick's birthday month. And, February will soon be the birthday month for two nephews and a niece. My younger sister and my sister-in-law are both due in February. Both are having boys!!! Bridget is scheduled to deliver on the 3rd. Mari is not due until later in the month, but she has had some complications and may deliver as soon as next week also. To make the month even better, Patrick and I are going to Disney World. Though Patrick is only in the 8th grade, he is a member of the high school marching and concert band. The band is performing at Disney and I am going as a chaperone. I LOVE DISNEY!!! We are both so excited. (Don't worry about Nicholas, he actually hates to travel. He would rather go camping somewhere close to the house.)

My goals for February:
  1. Second part of Quaker Turtle
  2. Work on Nicholas's stocking
  3. Complete 1/3 of the bald eagle pattern for Pete (my brother)
  4. F&S Round #11 Square
  5. F&S Round #12 Square
  6. F&S Winter Round Square
  7. HOE Biscornu
Not too bad, since most are fairly small projects. Wish me luck. And thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Quaker Turtles Progress and Things to Trade


I am moving slowly but surely on Quaker Turtles. Stitching one over one is hard for me. One of my goals this month was to finish one part of this pattern. Well, I am almost there. Tonight, hopefully, I will finish the bottom shell of the needlebook. This is so pretty! I can't wait to do the finishing.

By the way, I have cleaned out my stitching stash and have lots of patterns for trade or sale on my Wishlist page. The link is at the top of the sidebar if you are interested.

Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

More Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Progress


Well, I finished the 4th part of the Mystery Sampler. I am so pleased with this piece. I can't wait until the last part is available. Stephanie had asked about the patterns, these are patterns 30 - 34.

My next project will be a part of the Quaker Turtles. I want to complete one of these this month.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Progress


Well, I am moving right along with this piece. The house seemed to take forever. Actually, the side seemed to take forever. The front of the house went really quickly and so did the roof. I love the clusters of grapes. I just need to finish the vines and birds above the house to complete the third part of the sampler. The fourth part looks like it will be a very fast stitch. I hope so since one of my goals for January was to complete both the 3rd and 4th part of this sampler.

I did finish stitching the piece for the HoE Lizzie Kate exchange. I just need to complete the project and it will be ready for mailing. I hope to have that done by Wednesday.

Thanks for stopping by. Oh, by the way, Marie, that is a great idea for all of the thread. I will need to remember that next year since I threw away the thread already.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Silly Project...


A while back I saw someone post about her "ort jar". She kept all of her thread clippings for the year and started over each January. Well, I thought that would be fun, so I started my own "ort tin". Here are the results, with a few threads from the past few days. I really packed the thread down into the tin over the year to make everything fit. It is amazing how much thread is in that little mass. Well, the tin is empty and ready for a new year.

By the way, all but the Christmas fairy pattern are still available. Check out my last post for a picture of some patterns I have up for trade. If you don't have anything to trade, e-mail me anyway.

Happy Stitching!!!

Jen

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We certainly did. I truly enjoyed the past two weeks. And I am actually looking forward to starting a new semester. This is mainly because I have a new job. Well, actually, it's my old job. In 2006, I left my instructor position at the University of Southern Mississippi to take a similar position at a local community college. I loved working at USM, but the community college offered me a substantial increase in salary. Well, money isn't everything. To say the least, I wasn't happy. The atmosphere was very different. So, fortunately for me an opportunity became available and I was rehired at USM. I am very happy and look forward to this next semester.

Well, enough about work, now to the important stuff... stitching. I know I have been horrible this Fall about posting, but I have been stitching. These are some of my finishes.



The first is the LK FlipIt. This was really cute and very easy to stitch. I plan to frame it. The second is Pere Noel Charmant by Tournicoton. This was a present from my older son for Christmas. I think it is really cute. This was a bit of challenge at first because the pattern is French and I am not bilingual. There are lots of specialty stitches, but everything is in the instructions and with a little bit of focus, I was able to translate. I am finishing this as a pinkeep.


Currently, I am stitching on the Blackbird Designs mystery sampler. I have completed the first two sections and have a nice start on the third. I picked up the pattern with the fourth section today. I love all of the blackbirds. This will be framed and hung in my dining room, most likely.



Finally, I have several patterns that are up for grabs. If you see anything you like and would like to trade, just e-mail me at jlregan @ bellsouth dot net. My wishlist is in the sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by!!