2011 Stitching Update as of Jan 27

I know quite a few of you will remember that I signed up for the 2011 stitching challenge where we were to start a new project on each of the first 15 days of January. I changed the challenge somewhat so that I could incorporate some UFOs that are lying around here. I've had to modify it even more.

I did okay the first couple days, but around the 4th or 5th, my back was hurting so bad I just didn't feel up to pulling the required threads and fabric so I just kept stitching on the newest project.  I actually stitched on it until it was completed.  I started this on Jan 4 and completed it on Jan 16 (I think).

I still didn't feel like pulling threads so I picked up the piece I started Jan 3rd and finished it.  I don't know why but I can get a good shot of this one; every shot is just a bit blurry.

Then I picked up the piece I started Jan 2 - The Witches Wheel.  Here's what it looks like after 3 1/2 skeins of black and 7 days of stitching.  Ignore the wrinkles and hoop marks as the ironing board isn't out and I didn't want to ask M to set it up for me.

I'm not giving up on the challenge list I posted; just revising it a bit as I hate to keep asking M to put these threads away and pull these threads for me.  He's been a complete angel since this started and I know he doesn't mind, but we all know how we love to play in the fibers ourselves.  Saw the surgeon Jan 18 and he told me again no bending, lifting or twisting until my next visit which if Feb 15; then we get to start that wonderful thing called physical therapy.  But hey, if it gets me back to playing in my thread boxes again I'll be one happy camper.

D

For some of you, these pictures won't mean much as this is a little snowfall to you, but here in Atlanta GA USA this is unusual weather indeed.  The snow started falling at our house around 5:30 PM and within an hour we had 3 inches on the ground; before it stopped snowing we had 5 1/2 inches and then the sleet started.  Along with governors from Alabama, Louisiana, and several other southern states, one of the last acts of Georgia's outgoing governor was to declare most of the state to be in "a state of emergency."

In most areas, school was closed for the entire week while drivers sat in their semis on interstate roads for 24 to 48 hours while they waited for the roads to clear up some.  I saw videos on the news of people using cross country skis to get to stores and work, but I think the best one I saw was of one young gentleman who laced up his ice skates and took of down the middle of Peachtree Street during the height of what is normally the afternoon rush hour traffic.  He was having a grand time as he was the only commuter on the entire road.

Here are a few pictures from around our home.

2011 Stitching Challenge - Day 3

I worked on Life Lived For Others by Glendon Place today.  This was the first of twelve designs issued for the 2010 Stitch Your Heart Out Campaign.  Although I purchased each chart, I never seemed to find the time to stitch along with everyone else so I'm getting started a little more than a year late.

Here's a photo of the design:

And this is how my piece looks. I'm using a 32-count fabric called Lupine by Picture This Plus.  As you can see I think I changed everything but the actual design. LOL

I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

D

2011 Stitching Challenge - Day 2

Here's my start on The Witches Wheel by Glendon Place.  If you look close enough, you can see where the left hand cat was stitched.  Unfortunately, I miscounted and put it 1 row too high so I had to rip it out. 

Here's what the design will look like when complete:

and here is what's left after the frogs paid me a visit:

Not much of a start, but I'm hoping to have this one completed for Halloween. 

Not sure what I'm going to stitch for Day 3 - maybe a square for Patrick's quilt or one of the SYHO pieces.

D

2011 Stitching Challenge - Day 1

For my first piece, I decided to stitch a LHN ornament.  I didn't get it all stitched, but did get a good start on it.  This isn't one of the monthly pieces though, but I think I said that LHN ornaments would be one of my challenges so I'm hoping this fits the bill.

Here is Joy by Little House Needleworks; stitched 1 over 2 on 40-count Vintage Examplar by Lakeside Linen.

My piece for Day 2 is The Witches Wheel by Glendon Place; check back later for a photo.

D

2011 Stitching Goals

In no particular order, here are the new starts planned for January 1-16:

1. SYHO pieces - all of them
2. LHN Ornament series - all of them
3. The Witches Wheel by Glendon Place
4. A Christmas Spirit by Passione Ricamo
5. Cheaper Than Therapy by My Big Toe
6. The Work of Christmas by My Big Toe
7. The Lord's Prayer by My Big Toe
8. Enough quilt blocks to complete twin quilt for newest grandson Patrick due in March
9. Santa's Magic by Mirabillia
10. Merry Gingerbread Christmas by Sue Hillis Designs
11. Fairy Xmas Greetings by Passione Ricamo
12. Earthdancer by Butternut Road
13. Angels on High Christmas Ornaments by Dimensions
14. Christmas Treasure Collection by Victoria Sampler
15. The Snow Day (Snow Globes) by Blackberry Lane Designs
16. The Three Wise Men Ornament by Blackberry Lane Designs
    

For January 17-31, here are the UFOs I'd like to work on throughout the year (again in no particular order):

1. Angelic Snowmen Ornaments by American School of Needlework
2. Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings
3. Queen of the Needle by Just Nan (for Deborah Markham)
4. 2008 Snowmen Series by The Vermillion Stitchery
5. Heavenly Afternoon Ride by Kustom Krafts
6. Tapestry of My Life by Leisure Arts
7. Mates by Dimensions
8. Opening His Pack Christmas Stocking in The Stockings Were Hung by Leisure Arts
9. Bent Creek Snapper SAL started in 2008
10. Noah's Ark by Teresa Wentzler
11. Aleyna's Name Ornament by M Designs
12. More Cancer Ribbon Squares to complete a lap quilt
13. Monopoly by Dimensions
14. The "Brrr-"muda Triangle by Stoney Creek
15. Ball in December 2010 Just Cross Stitch Magazine by Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks

Who knows how much progress I'll make on these, but it will be more than I have right now.

D