Wordpress and stash

I have another blog. I'm sure i'm not the only one. It's a non-stitching blog. I recently moved it to wordpress. I love it there.  It's different of course as I've been at blogger for years.  Today I moved my stitching blog. I'm currently keeping both. Here and at wordpress. At some point I may delete this one and move totally to wordpress.

You can find me here- Patchworkstitches-Wordpress. 

I hope you'll visit.

In other news- I have recently acquired some stash.

The first is what my mom bought for me while I was visiting her in oklahoma.  I got some more expensive things that I normally wouldn't buy myself, which is perfect. I am so excited to start something. I got oldfield orchard- victoria sampler, Passione Ricamo-Fairyland dreams, Cricket collection-Master and the Macabre (a tribute to edgar allen Poe) and a mill hill bead kit. I am unsure whether I will purchase the oldfield orchard thread pack or do some converting.  

Oklahoma stash

The mirabilia are Cottage Garden fairy.  Then Penny was nice enough for free to include the other pattern- Deco Spirits.

bought from a yahoo group friend

Bought from a facebook group

And finally up some stash that I got for such a great price on a facebook group I just couldn't help myself.  Spring snapperland hive- Bent creek, LHN- 6 little cardinals, LHN- garden pleasures, CCN- beach cottage, snappers easter- bent creek.

cute story- While I was in the LHN in Oklahoma with my mom; we were talking to the shop clerk as I checked out. My mom said how she wasn't a stitcher, then asked me if this would give me something to stitch next year. To which I replied that I had enough stash to keep me busy for several years. My mom then in a perplexed manner- why I was buying more.  The shop owner said to me, "wow your mom is obviously really not a stitcher if she doesn't understand the art of stash."

Got a few finished and my birthday

I have been on a finishing streak the past few days- I was able to get Knock Knock finished and I gave it as a gift to my sis in law who had been admiring it every time she saw me work on it.  This is my eldest niece, posing with the finished piece

 

Today I finished something I stitched last year-  a Christmas Sock monkey from a JCS ornament issue.   Just a simple finish but I like it

I thought my sewing machine was broke- hubby fixed it though, so YAY.  I have a few other things I want to finish- Most notably a pillow.  

I also as I hinted at in my last post- I finished another WIPocalypse piece as well as a Crazy January Challenge piece-

Coffee Crazy- Lizzy Kate. This was such a fun, simple piece. I really enjoyed it.  I did change the color in the mug to the blue that you see.  

Also yesterday was my birthday-  Here is a picture of the stash I got from the birthday club I am in-

I also have some Gift certificates from 123stitch, and some gifts still on the way

Stash and a Teapot

I finished the teapot after having to frog it twice! Never have I had such a
Problem with a chart before. Not sure what my issue was. Maybe I shouldn't have been gawking at the guys on the tv show I was watching.... I got the envelope today and will mail it out soon as I can. Mary said she is finished with my RR I can't wait to get it back.

I finally used 2 123 stitch gift certificates I had been saving. I got the remaining charts for 2 pieces in my stitch pile for next year. The first ones I can't recall it's a lizzy Kate. The other one is 6 fat snowmen.

I took this picture from my iPod as my camera is having battery issues hope it is ok. I have a hand shake and the iPod has no stabilizer sooo... No telling what you can or can't see.

RR piece done, cheap stash

I finished my RR piece last night. I wrote out the directions to enclose today. I just have to package it up and send it out. I will do so later this week.

I won't be showing what the other persons will be stitching. They are seasonal charts similar to the one I did. 

I have in the past few weeks found a few pattern books very cheap.   I got the Pooh book at Goodwill.  The Happy Holidays in Cross-stitch I got at a flea market while  in Hocking Hills, oh.

Today at Half Price books I found these- for 50 cents a piece. 

I got these at JoAnn's-

I couldn't resist the world of Cross stitching with the free Joan Elliott Oriental collection. Not only do I love Joan Elliott, but my bedroom is decorated in an oriental theme. 

Isn't the Lily Fairy adorable?? I have 3 of the fairies I think. I am hoping the others will be for sale somewhere other than the magazine as I was unable to find the others. I am thinking they would make a nice quilt. The best part?  The magazines were on sale at Joann's. They are all 10% off this week. 

Another Border and Stash

I finished the third border in Garden Party.  It stitched up quickly since I didn't need to use the pattern.  I am getting tired of stitching the borders, but I've only one left to do- YAY.    Anyways..... Here is a picture. 

Had a really hard therapy session this week. Really needed retail therapy. So....  

 mmmm.........  Aren't the ornaments lovely??? I am looking forward to stitching them.  I'm not one for christmas decorations- for reasons that belong in the other blog not this one. At any rate.  I am tired of avoiding things that trigger, so this year I will have a christmas tree. I plan to put ornaments on it.   

I have most of the Lizzy Kate Living With Charm Double Flips.  I think I need 2 more. It may replace Garden Party when I am finished with it. Right now it is between Living With Charm, and something by Joan Elliott. That may change by the time I am finished. 

The other one is a needlebook. I have seen a stitched one at the LNS but until this visit never saw the chart. 

 Look what I found in the bookstore this week........ It has some awesome charts in it.   The seasonal fairies, the first two elemental fairies and a buddha are what I find most interesting. 

Sierra

stash and another one finished

Few months back I learned there is a LNS about 20 minutes away. This was after years of believing the nearest one was 2 hrs away.  This LNS happens to be on my way home from therapy. Needless to say it is hard to stay away. 

Here is my stash acquisition since learning of it's existence.

  I have so far managed to stay away from the more pricey things on my wishlist.  I do *have* to get the rest of the flip-its however. After all what good are just two of them??

This week I stitched on CCN- garden party. I am so very pleased with how this is turning out. I finished the second bug- the ladybug. Just wait until you see it. It is beyond lovely.  I am thinking I will have to stitch this piece again sometime.

 

CCN- Garden bug

Isn't it lovely?? 


As this is the half way point of the piece, I have begun to think about what will take it's place in my rotation when I am finished. So many to choose from.  Really, i'm just enjoying looking through my options. I'll change my mind a 1000 times between now and then.

I am thinking about changing my focus piece for a bit. I just don't know.  I love JG, but I want the bugs done. It is taking forever with stitching them only once a month. If i stitched them twice a month, instead of JG twice a month- I could have them done in two months instead of four.  But then I am adoring JG right now. And i'm so wanting to finish it so I can start chinese.  Of course nobody said I have to finish one before I start the other.  Really I just need the money to buy the kit for chinese. 


Then if I toss out the HAED for a bit I could stitch two weeks on each. But then I don't want to do that, because I do enjoy the HAED, and it is a meaningful piece to me.   Decisions, decisions.  


On another note I am working on a how-to for how I dye fabric.  I decided to do it spur of the moment when I was dyeing a piece of fabric for an exchange.   I can't share it though until said exchange is received.

Next weeks goal-  Finish the last two branches of Japanese Garden, maybe start the corner ornaments?  Oh and order the bead pack for JG.  I've determined it is cheaper than buying them separate. 

Sierra

Stash and HAED

Boy was I surprised when someone in an online group told me there is a stitching store right in my area. It is on my way back from therapy each week.   Of course on Saturday I had to stop in.  I got only a few small things, though I had many more in my hands.

The CC floss is for Garden Bugs, It's the Blooming Crocus I ran out of. The WDW is for a small I have yet to start.

Usually when I post a HAED it is Mistress, but I have put Mistress aside for now.  I am just burnt out on her I guess.  It's all the confetti stitching perhaps. Or I don't know. It's this I think---  I I stitched Mistress at a time in life when I was dealing with some painful things. Now though I am moving on, living life instead of watching it. I no longer feel the need to complete Mistress. I am thinking of just finishing the last top page part and calling that done.

If you are a Jessica Galbreth fan, you are aware she has a new direction. It really seems to fit me well, as I hadn't been connecting with her work.   Two pieces I just had to have, and one of them is my current HAED.  She really to me is just moving on. That is what I see when I look at it.  Here is what it will look like someday-

Here is what it looks like currently-

Vision Jessica Galbreth

 Stats- Vision- Jessica Galbreth/HAED,  28 ct off white evenweave. 2x1 tent stitching.

Impromptu Stash

I was at the giant JoAnn's today. It is unlike any JoAnn's I have ever seen. Mostly they are small stores, but this one is HUGE. It rivals the size of Michaels.

Though I don't need anything, of course I went down the cross-stitch aisle. One never knows when a sudden need might come about.........

I got all of the above, including the 12$ uk magazine for 23$.  I would have got a 9$ charles craft afhgan, but the magazine was more important. Look closely, see that fairy? It's a Joan Elliot. Part of a new flower fairy collection.  If you like Joan Elliott you will want this.  

None of the fabric is my usual size but that's okay. If I don't use it myself it will be perfect for exchanges. 





Now i'm off to stitch--- Garden Bug Party- CCN this week.

Wonderful hubby

I knew just what to say when hubby asked what I wanted for Valentine's day this year--- Chinese mandala of course!   It is now official. I am so excited. I can't wait until the materials list comes out. 

He also bought me the Jessica Galbreth- Release chart. Though he doesn't know that yet. 

I haven't stitched at all since last post. Troy's birthday party went well. He will officially be 1- tomorrow.

Sierra

How did that happen?

You can never imagine it. The strangest thing happened today.   Two HAED charts jumped into my cart and then saved on my computer/printed out the beginning of.   I have no idea how it happened I swear........

Then the remaining GAS, WDW, CC threads I need for a few projects i'm hoping to get to this year (it's not looking too promising) found there way onto my ebay account- I love a store there- I get them for 1.40 a skein.  They just jumped their way into my paypal- imagine that right???

I have this strange feeling it is possible that with the 25% off Michaels total purchase in tomorrows paper- the DMC I need still to kit up Jessica Galbreth- Visions may just find their way to my house. I swear I have initiated NONE of this. I have no idea how it is happening. No really I promise. 

Pictures of JG in the next few days...........
.

I decided to pick up Japanese Garden. Someone in one of my groups is stitching it as well. I like the idea of stitching the same thing as someone else.  I worked on it a bit last night. I may have made a mistake though, I have to look at it closely and see if it is something that will require frogging. I am stitching the rock gardens right now. If it is not going to be noticeable I will leave it, as I usually do with mistakes.   I changed some of the called for materials on this. Actually I changed all of the NPI for a more affordable option. I left the other threads the same as I had never stitched with variegated and wanted to know what they were about and all that stuff.  I like them, but I am not sure I will do the same again. I will likely change some of the threads out to cotton variegated.  I like the silk and all, but not enough to spend that much again.  I joke that JG is my million dollar cross-stitch project but really it is. It is definitely my most expensive one.  I got hand dyed fabric, and all those threads. I haven't even bought the beads yet.  

I already have my next chatelaine project, but I won't start it until I finish this one.  No budging on that one.  I am going to convert as much of it as I can, as I feel comfortable with.  Make it more affordable. Plus I dye my own fabric now, so that will help as well, a lot.    Speaking of which I priced dylon dye today. It wasn't bad at all.   A dollar or so more than rit dye. I will try it next time.  


I have been unhappy with my current floss organization.  I have DMC on bobbins in the smaller drawers on the top. That is where the problem is. When I slide the drawer out, they get stuck. It annoys me for sure.  I have specialty floss in floss-away bags in the larger bins on the bottom. I really like that. I love those bags.  Especially being able to keep my thread bits. 

So I am switching to floss-away bags for all of it. I won't need that bin anymore. I will repurpose it with art stuff I think.   I am in the process of switching all my floss to the bags. It's a lengthy process.   My plan is to put the DMC onto rings.  A ring for each 100 series.  For specialty floss I will keep that on rings too- a ring for each brand- until I have enough to separate it further. For now I will keep the rings in large ziploc bags. 

I also started using the rings for projects. I pull all the floss for project and put it all into bags on the rings. I love it. Makes it easy to find as opposed to keeping it just loose in the project bag.  I have been pulling lengths of floss and putting it onto floss cards. You know those ones that come in kits?  I hate it.  


I found some bags and rings at Hobby lobby today. They are having a 30% sale as well, on the bags and fabric, and other cross stitch things (not floss or kits).  Of course you know where this is leading right????  I picked up some fabric as well.  Never can have enough fabric stash right?

I finished up my valentine's exchange shopping as well today.   I have to see if I have a mailer here or if I need to pick one up.   Then I want to go ahead and get that out.   I just love exchanges. My goals for the year is to participate in 4 this year.   This is one down.  

Sierra

BINGO prize, stash, ornament finish, Christmas

I won bingo in one of my groups. First time! I was so excited. I went away for christmas. Upon my return my prize was waiting for me.  Thanks Carein

After new years, I will start the next game.

I was in NC to visit my mother-in-law. I thought there was a cross-stitch store there, and was so excited to see it. The LNS is 2 hours away from my house. I was quite disappointed to find out that shop in NC was closed- had been for 2 years.  *sigh*  Worked out in the end. I went by myself yesterday to the LNS. I had a great day. Best of all- aside from the stash- I didn't feel rushed because of hubby and baby being there. I have a new yearly tradition!

The floss is for a few projects I got last trip there.  They were out of a few so I have an order to do for 123stitch.   They had the ladybug from the  CCN  Garden Party. Glad because I have already started it.  Not far enough to take a photo though.




I finished Nickedemus. Well the stitching anyways.

                                                                  Nickedemus
                                                                  Raise the roof designs
                                                                   2010 JCS ornament issue
                                                                  

I have been after hubby to make me a cross-stitch stand for years now. I finally gave up and decided to order one after christmas. Imagine my surprise when hubby made me one!  It's a lap stand and all metal. I love it. It's just what I wanted.

Sierra

Recent stash

This is stuff I hope to start soon. My next projects. The one on the left I got in a secret sister on a cross-stitch group. The one on the right I bought for my secret sister but liked so much I had to keep it. The one in the middle is for halloween from a cross-stitch ornament.
The rest of my new stash.

Recently when we were on vacation I got some stash. Here it is. I need to order the ladybug to finish the CCN set. Not sure if I will stitch them all together or separate.

Latest Stash

A few weeks back, I bought somethings online. The last of that stuff came in finally. Here they are- 2 charts and some floss for a project. The Bothy Threads chart was half off! Yay to sales.




This weeks dye works floss I got for a project from 3 issues of cross-stitcher-






That isn't a color scan, so you'll have to wait for that unless you have those issues of Cross-stitcher Magazine. One is red, one blue, the other green.

Stash!

When I went to Michaels this weekend to use a coupon, they had sale on kits, I couldn't resist!




My Vikki Clayton silks came in the mail end of last week. I can't wait to start the Chatelaine they will be for!




Couldn't resist a sale at an ONS last week- Lovely charts don't you think? I especially love the Angel Virtue series. I plan to collect and stitch them all.

Shopping-New Stuff!

Went shopping over the weekend, I now have nearly all of the DMC line. I am quite pleased about that, I am slowly bobbinating them all, what a pain that is, yet somehow it is enjoyable as well.

I currently have floss in containers in a larger container, It is driving me nuts- so I bought 2 of these-

My plan is to move all my bobbinated thread to the top drawers, While saving the larger bottom ones for storing silks, and other things, like Kreinik, needles, scissors, etc.

Hubby is going to modify them so they are stuck together back to back and put a handle at the top so I can move them easily.







Today I ran out of bobbins so we ran to Jo-ann's where they had some charles craft Monaco cloth on clearance ( .97 cents a piece) They are great size to cut for small projects or for HAED quick stitches.

I have other things coming soon in the mail, You'll have to wait until they get here, to learn what they are.