My Stitching

Saturday, October 1, 2011 12:05 PM Posted by Eileen , 2 comments

I've been quite busy the last two months, it's been hard to find time to post. I gave birth to my daughter, Aivleen, on August 30, 2011 at 5:30pm. She was 7lbs. 8oz. and 20 inches long. Before I had her I was able to finish Mermaids, the second of the set of three Country Cottage Needlework designs I am stitching for her room. I finished that on August 7th. After I had her I was able to finish her birth record on September 10th. All I had left to do was the date and birth info which couldn't be done until she was born of course. I finished everything else, including her name, a couple weeks before she was born. I never thought I was going to get it done in time but I am so happy I did. I would have been really disappointed in myself, not being able to get my own daughter's birth record completed. And just yesterday I finished stitching a UFO from a couple years ago, Simply Halloween. It's very difficult to find free time now with the baby, and when I do, it alternates between sleeping and stitching. I'm not sure what I want to work on next. I did start the third stitch of that set, the ballerinas. I could work on that or... I thought about pulling out one of my larger stitches, maybe one of the tigers or the wolves. Or I could work on another fall/halloween stitch since it is that time of the season and I do have quite a few. I need to make a decision quickly and get going before the baby wakes up ;P.

Simply Halloween - Waxing Moon Designs

2x2 on 28ct. Monster Mash Cashel Linen

Bumblebee Birth Record - Donna Giampa

1x1 on 14ct. White Aida

Mermaids - Country Cottage Needleworks

2x2 on 28ct. Blue Opal Metallic Cashel Linen

Monday, August 1, 2011 11:42 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I haven't been on here in over a year, so much has changed. I got a new job which I just recently got laid off from lol, I met my now fiancee Ron, we're having a baby girl, and we just recently moved to Nashua, NH. Throughout the past year I have been stitching but not consistently up until recently when I got laid off. Working six days a week, over time everyday was a little much while being pregnant, I was too tired to do anything else. I went on maternity leave two weeks ago and while on leave my job laid me off. I wasn't really planning on going back so I don't feel too badly. So now I'm just waiting out the last couple weeks until my due date, August 20th, keeping busy with stitching things for the baby's room. I have a couple finishes and a couple things I am in the process of working on now for her. Here are the finishes waiting to be framed.

A Popcorn Kit - Blueberry by Vervaco

1x1 on 16 ct. Ivory Aida

Princess Parade - Country Cottage Needleworks

Stitched 2x2 on 28 ct. Opal Metallic Yellow Cashel Linen

And here are the projects I am working on now. The baby's birth sampler which I found in a magazine a few years ago and saved. And another stitch by Country Cottage Needleworks, Mermaids, that is the 2nd of three that I am making to be a kind of set to go together. The third is Ballerinas which I have all kitted up ready to go when Mermaids is done.

Bee Birth Sampler - Donna Vermillion Giampa

Stitched 1x1 on 14 ct. White Aida

Mermaids - Country Cottage Needleworks

Stiched 2x2 on Opal Metallic Blue Cashel Linen

Saturday, June 19, 2010 8:32 PM Posted by Eileen , 2 comments

An update picture of Dawn of a New Day. I actually haven't stitched at all this week, this picture is from last week. Work has picked up a lot and I haven't really had time. Also since my lamp burnt out again I haven't wanted to stitch at night. I hate using the over head light in my room, it bothers my eyes. I'm going to try to work on something a little tonight and tomorrow because we have work every day this week so no real time to stitch again :(. I bought the prettiest frames the other day at a craft store and I have two popcorn stitches that match them perfectly. I almost want to start them, but I know I shouldn't :P.

Dawn of a New Day - Dimensions
1x1 on 14ct. White Aida

Thursday, May 27, 2010 10:06 PM Posted by Eileen , 2 comments

I got a visit from the frog tonight :(. I stitched over 100 stitches in the wrong colors, ugh. It was not fun to rip out because it was 6 strands of floss (3 each of two different colors). I was not happy when I realized the mistake. But I ripped it all out and restitched it in the correct colors and even got a couple rows further with the dark brown and black portion of the background. It's weird, I've been making some real silly mistakes on this the last couple days. The other day I kept miscounting by one stitch, I must have done that about a half dozen times right in a row. My eyes are playing tricks on me o.0

Regal Tiger - Dimensions
1x1 on 14ct. Beige Aida

Tuesday, May 25, 2010 7:59 AM Posted by Eileen , 4 comments

I'm probably going to jinx myself here but I'm really enjoying stitching this and it's coming along quite fast. Maybe it's just because I'm coming up to stitching the eye which may be a weird thing to say but, for me, it's one of my favorite things. When you get to the eyes the face really starts to take form. Unless you stitch them first and in that case you just have an eye(s) :P. But I never do that. I like to start from the top left corner and work my way across and down. So there's always a bit of face before you get there. Hopefully the motivation and progress continues. It would be nice to get one of these large projects done, I need to stop starting new ones first..

Regal Tiger - Dimensions
1x1 on 14ct. Beige Aida

Friday, May 21, 2010 8:45 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Haven't been on here in awhile. I've been skipping around with my stitching a bit. I was working on Dawn of a New Day up until I got Regal Tiger. I think I'm done with trying to MAKE myself work on a certain something, it's not all that fun and it never works out anyway, although Regal Tiger is going to be my main focus for now. But if I feel like working on something else I will :). It's too boring just to stitch on one thing when the projects are large. It's nice to have a change in colors, could be true with other things in life as well..

Regal Tiger - Dimensions
1x1on 14ct. Beige Aida

Dawn of a New Day - Dimensions

1x1 on 14ct. White Aida

Tuesday, April 27, 2010 11:15 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

An update picture of TG. I've worked on it eveyday since my last post although only a little bit yesterday. I might take a break from it today and stitch on something else. I don't want to get burned out on it again. Something with much different colors would be nice.

The Guardian - Dimensions
1x1 on 18ct. Ivory Aida

10:51 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Last night I finished stitching the Salem Inn I made for my ma for Mother's Day. I already stitched one for myself but the picture I posted of it was unframed. This morning I framed hers. Both are identical except her fabric is a little different, just a little darker. Kind of the wrong theme for a Mother's Day present but we both love Halloween. Salem, Massachusetts is also one of our favorite places, I think that's why she really likes this one. She saw me stitching this a couple months ago and really really liked it so I figured I would make her one and Mother's Day is the closest holiday atm. I want to get her something else too, maybe something for the garden, we'll see. I also put a picture of my TUSAL jar that I started at the end of March. I probably should have taken an earlier picture or two but I didn't. I've squished it down a few times so it doesn't look like much for a month's work :P. Lots of oranges and browns from The Guardian and Bathing Tiger but there is also the projects Moonshine, Sunshine, Salem Inn, Dawn of a New Day, Humble Home, Twilight Angel, and Blueberry in there. A couple finishes and a few WIPS.

Salem Inn - Plum Pudding Needleart
1x1 on 14ct. Oatmeal Aida

TUSAL Jar

Saturday, April 24, 2010 11:36 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Progress picture of TG.

The Guardian - Dimensions
1x1 on 18ct. Ivory Aida

Friday, April 23, 2010 1:15 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Progress picture of The Guardian.

The Guardian - Dimensions
1x1 on 18ct. Ivory Aida

9:53 AM Posted by Eileen , 1 comments

Just another update picture of Bathing Tiger. I had work the last two days so I haven't stitched much. I started a new project from the Popcorn series from Vervaco, Blueberry. I just got the kits Wednesday, it took almost a month to get them but worth the wait. Right now it's just a bunch of purple squares so not really worth putting a picture up. When it starts looking more like a teddy bear I will :). I'm not really sure what I want to work on today, I have all day to stitch. I really should pick up The Guardian, I haven't worked on it in a couple weeks. But I really want to stitch on the tiger. And Blueberry would be a faster finish. We'll see what happens.

Bathing Tiger - Janlynn
1x1 on 16ct. White Aida

Saturday, April 17, 2010 10:22 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Progress as of 10:30 p.m.

Bathing Tiger - Janlynn
1x1 on 16 ct. White Aida

5:30 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Update picture as of 5:30 p.m.

Bathing Tiger - Janlynn
1x1 on 16ct. White Aida

2:04 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I haven't been stitching all too much lately. We've had a bit more work and I've been in a stitching slump. I have worked on Dawn of A New Day a little and I started a new/old project a couple days ago. It's new because it had never been opened, yet old because I bought it 10 years ago. They don't even make it anymore, I tried to look it up online and can't find anything about it anywhere. A picture of my progress on Bathing Tiger by Janlynn. It's quite big, finished size is 23x15.

Bathing Tiger - Janlynn
1x1 on 16ct. White Aida

Friday, April 2, 2010 3:34 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

So the reason I've been taking a break from TG is because I have been having trouble finding a way to stitch it. I had taken it off the Q-snaps because although the tension is great I didn't like the way the stitches were getting smooshed. So I put it back on a scroll frame which had horrible tension and was a bit of a pain to hold. Today I went and bought stretcher bars which I have never used before and it seems to be better. Much better than the scroll frame for sure. The tacs kind of make big holes in the fabric. I know I am okay on three sides, I just hope I am on the fourth, not too sure though. Too bad the Q-snaps smooshed my stitches, the Q-snaps are my favorite. Hopefully I can get in some stitching time on it today.

The Guardian - Dimensions
1x1 on 18ct. Ivory Aida

3:27 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I took a little break from TG the last two days. I started something new, Humble Home, one of the patterns I recently bought from the LNS. And then yesterday I decided to pick up an old UFO and I worked on that, Dawn of a New Day.

Dawn of a New Day - Dimensions
1x1 on 14ct. White Aida

Humble Home - The Design Connection Inc.

2x2 on 32ct. Antique White Jobelan

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 11:28 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I didn't stitch all that much yesterday. I only worked a couple hours on TG but I did finish stitching moonshine. I did the finishing this morning.

Moonshine - Dimensions

Monday, March 29, 2010 8:47 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Yesterday I had quite the visit with the frog. I'm glad I caught the mistake when I did because if I had continued counting from that spot (which I almost did but decided on another color which caught the mistake) I would have had a ton to rip out. So all the grey and black on the right side of the wolf's face had to be ripped out. I restitched everything and even with the frog still got a good amount done. I was up until midnight though.

The Guardian - Dimensions
1x1 on 18ct. Ivory Aida

Sunday, March 28, 2010 8:29 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I've been being really good and working on TG a lot. I stitched on it all day yesterday but last night around 8:00 p.m. my arm and elbow really started hurting, I think from working with the long strands and larger Q-snap. I still wanted to stitch so I switched to Moonshine and got a good amount done on that. I just have to fill in the background and then do all the backstitching and french knots and it will be ready for finishing. Hopefully my arm holds out today :). I can't wait to get these wolves done, there are soo many things I would rather be stitching. I don't like HAVING to work on a certain something. I like to work on what I feel like stitching at the moment.

Moonshine - Dimensions

The Guardian - Dimensions

1x1 on 18 ct. Ivory Aida

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 11:58 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Last night I started the moon. I didn't get too much done on it because I ended up switching to The Guardian because my dad saw me working on the moon and reminded me that I only have two months to get these wolves finished. I'm hoping to get TG done in time to give to Mike for his birthday. So I watched a dvd on Frank L. Baum and some of his silent films and got a bit more done on TG. We'll see how far I get today. First I have to stop looking at stitching blogs and pictures :P

The Guardian - Dimensions
1x1 on 18ct. Ivory Aida

Monday, March 22, 2010 4:35 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I haven't gotten to any stitching yet today but I did manage to do the finishing on that small piece and hang it on the wall. I wasn't going to hang it because until I get the other one done it's going to look funny but I figured it was better to get it up and out of the way so nothing would happen to it. I'm just glad it's done. I might skip out on TG today and start the moon, putting the nail up for it already is making me want to get it done. Stitching these is also making me want to start my Sheperd's Bush project, Harvest Moon. There are so many things I want to start :P.

11:37 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

So, I was good, I resisted. I didn't buy anything from HAED the other day even though there were a few charts I really really wanted. But I figure it will be better to wait until the summer when hopefully work picks up and I have a little bit more money. It's not like I would stitch them right now anyway. I've been working on TG pretty steadily but yesterday I took a bit of a break and stitched a small project, Sunshine. All I have left to do is the finishing on it which is not my favorite thing in the world to do. I like these little kits that come with the glass and everything to finish, I think I'm just too nit picky with it. I have a second one that is a moon that matches the color scheme of this one. I put off making these for awhile because even though they are small, they have gold metallic in them, you can't really tell in the picture. Again I'm just too picky about it, I'll sit there and just keep messing with the strands until they are straight enough and drive myself crazy. This one wasn't so bad though, I didn't even have a hard time with the french knots done in 4 strands of metallic which I was dreading. But all turned out well. When I get tired of TG again I will start the moon :).

Sunshine - Dimensions

The Guardian - Dimensions

1x1 on 18ct. Ivory Aida

Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:28 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Some progress pictures of the Guardian. HAED is having a St. Patrick's Day sale, 30% off their charts, it ends tonight at midnight. I'm tempted to buy some, maybe just one. I really shouldn't because I really don't have the money and I already have four with only one started but it's such a good deal. I'm sure they'll have the sale again for Easter which would just give me an excuse to buy more... :P

The Guardian - Dimensions
1x1 on 18ct. Ivory Aida

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 2:35 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I've been working on The Guardian a bit this week in between working on applique on an old quilt I owe someone.

The Guardian - Dimensions
1x1 on 18ct. Ivory Aida

Saturday, March 13, 2010 10:01 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Yesterday morning I worked some more on the Salem Inn for my ma. Then for the rest of the afternoon I worked on AR which I'm going to work on today until I get tired of it. Again I worked on it for hours and it's as if I did nothing, there's just so many color changes and that takes time. And I'm really trying to be careful and triple check the chart, I don't want to make a mistake, that would be bad, really bad. I took a look at some of my other HAED designs and all three of those look easier. They have lots of areas where you stitch the same color for awhile so you would get more done faster. Wouldn't you know I would pick the hardest one to do first : /

Salem Inn - Plum Pudding Needleart
1x1 on 14ct. Oatmeal Aida

Alternative Reality - HAED
1x1 on 25ct. Beige Evenweave

Thursday, March 11, 2010 4:52 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Right after my last post I started on Alternative Reality. Even though I worked on it for hours it's as if I've got nothing done. Three or four stitches and you have to change colors. It is very pretty though, you can't tell in the picture below, it's so blurry. I'm going to put it down for now, my fingers were starting to hurt, it's so tough to pull the floss through because I'm using two strands and working one over one. I'm going to start another Salem Inn and work on that for the rest of the night. My mother saw me stitching it and liked it so much I'm going to make one for her. I have plenty of floss left over, I just had to buy the fabric. If I get it done in time I might give it to her for Mother's Day.

Alternative Reality - Heaven and Earth Designs
1x1 on 25 ct. Beige Evenweave

9:42 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I was kind of bad yesterday... I went to the LNS in Walpole and bought 2 new charts and kitted them up :P. I was also able to get the 17x17 Q-snap, I had to buy two extenders and put them together but it came out to be the same price as if I had bought it online because of shipping and now I don't have to wait for it. I finished Cherry Hill this morning and now that I have the new Q-snap I am going to finally work on Alternative Reality by HAED. We'll see how far I get before I get frustrated and put it down.

Cherry Hill - Country Cottage Needleworks
2x2 on 28 ct. Linen

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 10:30 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I worked on Cherry Hill yesterday and this morning. I might put this one down for a bit to work on a HAED. I've been looking at their site and it's making me want to pull mine out again :). I might go to the craft store today to get the larger Q-snap, I wish they sold the 17x17 but the largest they have is the 11x17, will have to do for now. I was thinking of stopping in the LNS in Walpole too but that always gets me into trouble... :P

Cherry Hill - Country Cottage Needleworks
2x2 on 28 ct. Linen

Monday, March 8, 2010 8:42 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

After work today I went to A.C. Moore and bought two different size Q-snaps, 8x8 and 11x11. I'm so glad I did, I love them. The Q-snap holds the fabric so much tighter and it makes it much easier to stitch on linen. So far I've only tried it on Cherry Hill but I can already tell the Q-snap is probably what I'm going to use from now on, the only exception being my very large projects which I'll probably still use the scroll frame for because I have the stand that holds them. I've been stitching since I got home, I got a good amount done. I don't think I would have got this much done without the Q-snap.

Cherry Hill - Country Cottage Needleworks
2x2 on 28 ct. Linen

Sunday, March 7, 2010 9:40 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

The birthday party was nice. We had Chinese food and cake and I got a good start on Cherry Hill. I'd like to keep stitching but I have to go to bed, work tomorrow. I hate stopping when I'm having fun stitching :(.

Cherry Hill - Country Cottage Needleworks
2x2 on 28ct. Linen

10:52 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Season's Greetings is another UFO I pulled out last night that I'm going to start working on. Today I'm going to my mother's house for a little birthday party she's having for me and I'm going to bring this along with Cherry Hill (just started this morning) to work on. I was thinking about bringing my afghan but that's kind of a pain. Cross stitch is much easier to travel with :). I'll see whether I feel like stitching on 14ct. or 28ct. :P.

Cherry Hill - Country Cottage Needleworks
2x2 on 28 ct. Linen

Season's Greetings Banner - Dimensions
1x1 on 14 ct. Beige Aida

10:34 AM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I haven't been doing much stitching lately, just a little here and there. I went through my stash and picked out a couple UFOs that I'm going to try and do a rotation with. The Witching Hour I put on a scroll frame and Simply Halloween I am going to buy a Q-snap for and see how that goes. I've never used a Q-snap before, I either use a scroll frame or stich in hand but neither of those is working for this project. The fabric is too slippery and it's too hard to hold so hopefully the Q-snap works :). The awkward size of the fabric might be an issue though...

Happiness is a Matching Pair of Socks - Janlynn
1x1 on 14ct. White Aida

The Witching Hour - Waxing Moon Designs

2x2 on 28 ct. Goldneedle Country French Linen

Simply Halloween - Waxing Moon Designs

2x2 on 28 ct. Monster Mash Cashel

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 6:35 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

Some small Needle Magic Halloween Stitches I just found. I used to stitch them in the truck on long drives to moving jobs. The third one is unfinished.. will have to get that done some time.

Halloween Hangers - Needle Magic

6:09 PM Posted by Eileen , 0 comments

I had work Monday and today so I haven't gotten too much stitching done on TG. I did work on it a bit today though when I got home, I figure an hour or so is better than nothing. I did do a lot of crochet last night and I finished Evil Protection today when I got home :). Two finishes in less than a week.. Kind of small projects but it is still nice to get something done :P

Evil Protection - Pinn