WIPocalypse wrap up and some 2014 SAL plans

Another Christmas has come and gone and the little guy and I are taking an afternoon to recover at home before we get back to the normal work schedule so I thought I'd catch up on blogging and I owe a WIPocalypse post so here I am. It was a lovely Christmas by the way, lots of family and friends and presents and general happiness though not many pictures. Too much time enjoying the holiday I guess:) Anyway, my goal this year was pretty open, mostly to work on the WIPs and not increase their number. Oh and finish the Pirate Dragon which I did so that's one goal made. I did pretty well on the other one, didn't get around to as many WIPs as I'd have liked but I didn't make any more BAP starts either so that's good. For the most part I finished all the smalls I started too so I'm pretty happy with my stitching basket as we get ready to leave 2013 behind. Here's where I stand on WIPs (at least the ones that got a little love this year)...

















There was no progress made on Nativity, Polar Lights Sampler, QS Pegasus and Castle Bubble, Fish City, Watergarden, Garden of Wishes, or The Storyteller but I'm going to try hard to hit each one next year.

So outside of the WIP work there were some finishes too...















I will be signing up for the WIPocalypse SAL again in 2014 along with TUSAL, IHSW whenever I can, and I was contemplating the Turtle Trot as it seems fitting for the amount of BAPs I've got! As we're still in baby waiting mode (though we might have some exciting and probably unexpected by you news by Spring) I think I'm going to stick to working on the WIPs for the most part with some smalls thrown in here and there. I do have one, maybe two, planned starts for New Years and I'll show that off when I get it all kitted up as well as one more birth announcement so finishing #3 and stitching #4 will be my first priority in the new year then it's freedom for whatever so I'm going to try to dig out the neglected WIPs from last year. I do have my eye on some smalls as well, particularly some more of the LHN sheep virtues and one of everything from Country Cottage Needleworks (they're my new favorite) but especially that Frosty Forest series. We'll see how it goes, I try but somehow plans seem to go out the window around here after awhile.

August IHSW/WIPocalypse

Everyone get a bunch of stitching in this weekend? I got a fair amount done, I'm definitely over the halfway point now on A Spirited Mandala...



And since I'm a day late this post also will include my pitiful WIPocalypse update. What is this WIPocalypse, you ask? Well, it's a fun SAL hosted by Measi to motivate us to work on those WIPs we really want to finish (since we're all still here and the world didn't end last December:) ) Anyway, most of my stitching last round was on the mandala but I did manage to make a headless lady appear in my Fantasy Triptych...





Besides stitching we actually got a jump on camping prep for our upcoming trip in September. I grew up with camping as our family vacation so I'm pretty excited to introduce that to Josh for the first time. Erich is a more recent convert but he's already wanting to plan a big trip for next year if this goes well. Josh has been out to visit Grandma and Grandpa's campsite before but this will be the first time he's stayed overnight so hopefully all will go well. At the very least he liked the tent when we popped it up to air out...







Thats about it for the moment. Lots on my plate this week-extra work hours, haircuts for the little guy and me, all the normal housework. Better get to it. And don't forget- I'm still looking for feedback on the Nordic Needle retreats past and anyone planning on attending next year. Have a great week!

Hi there! So weekly blogging is starting to be a normal thing for me again and I'm loving it. I've been trying to fit in a little blog reading and commenting time too which is definitely inspiring. Hope everyone has had a good week so far. Had to work last weekend so not much stitching time but I got some in yesterday and hope to get some more in this weekend with IHSW. Been bad about participating this year but I'm getting back in track. Going to stick with the Halloween piece since its about at the halfway point now...



In other news, made it to the LNS for fabric for 4 (yes, 4!) birth announcements that I owe to my cousins for 2 kids already here and 2 more coming between now and February. The two brothers already here are going to get the same design and if I like it the others might too. I'll share info on that when I get going on those.

Outside the stitchy world, bike riding is going very well and I think Josh will be all set for our camping trip next month. The reusable lunch bags I mentioned last post seem to be working well so far though I have yet to test them in the dishwasher.

One last stitchy thing- the 2014 Nordic Needle retreat. I'm going. Don't know anyone else going but I don't think I really care. Sounds like an awesome experience and opportunity to learn some new techniques and the equally awesome husband says do it so I did. Been wanting to do something like this for awhile so I'm pretty excited about the chance to go. If you are planning on going or have been to past retreats I'd love to hear about it and/or try to meet up with you in April. Let me know in comments or shoot me an email at justanotherflamingo@yahoo.com. Oh and if you haven't heard about it or want to register you can download the official registration packet here.

IHSW Results

So the Errand Saturday and Hermit Sunday idea worked out pretty well this weekend. On Saturday we saw my parents, Erich's parents, all the grandparents at various parts of the day, went to church and then out to dinner with my Dad's family. Then we rewarded ourselves with a pajama day Sunday- we all stayed home, slept in, hung around in our jammies, watched movies, and I got some good stitching time in. Probably would have been a little more productive if I'd left the iPad upstairs in the bedroom but I got quite a few stitches done in between games/surfing.

Here's the before/after...





Wanna see what everyone else stitched this weekend? Click on the cute crab at the top of the post to see the whole list of last weekend's hermits and don't forget to mark your calendar for the next SAL weekend too (every third weekend of the month).

March TUSAL, IHSW, and everything else I've been neglecting

How did it get to be the middle of March already? This year has been going by way too fast! So I've done it again and managed to miss TUSAL. I'm not too late, only a few days this time...



Not that you would know by my orts or lack of but I don't think I've put any more in since the actual TUSAL date. I think all the orts from this year are from QS Pirate Dragon which probably isn't helping my pile grow much since its all over 1 stitching.

The dragon has grown some since last time though, he's really starting to have a pretty filled in body now. I suppose it would be nice if he had a head too but that will be coming soon.



So since I haven't been stitching, just what is it I have been doing you ask? Well, most if it isn't really all that interesting but Josh and I did help my mother put together a family dinner for my grandfather. Josh even helped Great Grandpa blow out his candles...



So that's about it for now. Normal weekend plans for my weekend off- some visiting family, a few errands, church and pajama Sunday. We've started attending the Saturday night service instead of Sunday and it we really like it. Since all our running is done by Saturday night Sunday has become a sleep late, nice family breakfast, play/craft/watch movies kind of day. It's a nice start to our week and I think it's here to stay. It's pretty good for my stitching too, fits right in with IHSW which is this weekend too so don't forget to click and join or at least see what everyone else stitched this weekend.

IHSW Results

So this past weekend was IHSW and I'm 2 for 2 in participation this year. The calendar has been on my side in 2013 as I've been off work both rounds this year so far so I actually have been able to get enough stitching time in to show some visible progress. Once again, QS Pirate Dragon was my focus and here's how I did...





Not too bad, the dragon is really starting to take shape now though I'd forgotten how dense the confetti is on the dragon himself. His tail looks great but it took me forever to muscle though all the confetti and his legs are proving to be quite a challenge as well. I think I might switch back to filling in the sky to the right of the boat for awhile to switch things up a bit. Still hoping to be able to mark at least one more page as done before the end of the month, we'll see how close I get.

In sort of related news, found out this weekend that I've been picked to be part of a conversion team at work to help out while some companies my company has bought are trained and converted to our computer system. That means a two week trip to Tulsa, OK and some pretty good stash opportunities. So far my friend Google has helped me find Stitchworks and The Silver Needle which I'm told are right across the street from each other and will keep me occupied in my off time. If anyone knows of any other stitchy places I should visit while in the area please by all means point them out to me. My credit card and husband may not thank you but I will:)

January IHSW

So I actually remembered and was off work to participate this month, quite an accomplishment as this SAL has just not worked out for me the past couple months. Being that winter has finally hit us in northern Indiana we actually did pretty much stay home and hide for most of the weekend except for a quick trip out for church and soup-making supplies late Saturday afternoon. Outside of that we kept busy with movies, Legos and puzzles for Josh, modeling for Erich (military tanks and figures not fashion:) ) and plenty of time for QS Pirate Dragon for me. Here's the before/after...





And while we're at it, the other accomplishment for our weekend of hermiting was some homemade split pea soup. Not a favorite with the little guy yet but Erich and I love it on a cold, winter day...



I'll post the recipe next time in case we're not actually the only ones who like this. It's super easy and was even better for lunch today.

Before I go, just wanted to say thanks to all the new (and returning!) visitors and followers from the Grow Your Blog party. I really appreciate your interest in my corner of the world and all the kind things you have said and fully intend to visit everyone I haven't gotten to yet, sometimes it just takes me awhile as my iPad time occasionally gets interrupted by a certain 4 year old who also wants a turn.

IHSW Results

I promised IHSW results and I'm back to deliver them.  They are pretty pathetic but I hope to somewhat rectify that by giving you a happy dance later today or tomorrow.  I ended up choosing Skeleton Crew to work on because it is only a few hours from being done and I really intended to finish it off over the weekend but work and Father's Day got in the way so not too much stitching for me.  Today, however, I'm hoping to get a few good hours in since Josh is home sick with a bug that has apparently been making its way around daycare.  He's not feeling too bad judging by the amount of running around he's doing but has a bit of a fever so we have an unexpected day off.  Anyway, here's what I did manage to accomplish this weekend...

See that tiny white sail at the top of the left mast, that's it!  That's all I've got for now.  But more is coming soon:)

Stitchy update and IHSW

What a week- my insurance called and wanted to dispute medical bills from our car accident (all ok now and I think the PT figured out what's wrong with my shoulder too, yay!), my father in law had emergency surgery as a follow up to his planned back procedure a couple weeks ago, and my mother spent the night in the ER with what turned out to be an infection and gallstones. And that was just Sunday night/Monday! As of tonight everyone seems to be recovering so hopefully next week will be much quieter.

Despite all that, I have actually managed some stitching time. Look, it's a horse...



Well, a horse's legs anyway. Even with all the confetti, Fantasy Triptych seems to be stitching up rather quickly. I think I will take a break from it and work on something else for the weekend because this is IHSW.  Don't forget to click below to sign up.


I know I've forgotten about the last few and I'm not sure how much I'll actually accomplish with working this weekend and Father's Day on Sunday but I really would like to start participating again so I promise I'll post Minday even if it is only a few stitches. I'd give you a before today but I still haven't decided which WIP I'm picking up yet. Hope you all have a great weekend!

IHSW results

Sorry for being late but yesterday was not the best day. Work did not go well. It was better today but it will take some time to get used to some changes the company is going through.

Anyway, I did manage to get a little stitching time in despite spending much of the weekend outside playing with Josh and working in the yard. He is really enjoying the summery weather we've had for the last week or so. Poor kid is going to be really disappointed when we get back to the cooler weather we're supposed to be having this time of year. Oh well, summer will get here eventually.

My piece for the weekend was Skeleton Crew. I haven't done an update picture in a little while so I don't have a good before shot but my progress for the weekend is most of the work on the upper sail. Not a lot but better than nothing...

Sorry for the shadows, this was about the best light I could get tonight without totally washing out the fabric. Much as I've liked this piece I am tired of the white sails so this one has gone back in the pile and I'll have a new WIP to show you next time. I know, so close to a finish but I just can't do anymore white right now. Until next time, hope you are enjoying some nice spring/summer weather too:)

March IHSW

First of all, thanks for all of the compliments on Titania. She is currently resting in my drawer of finished pieces but will hopefully someday be up on a yet to be determined wall of my house.

Also, someone asked what fabric I'm stitching Skeleton Crew on- it's Silkweaver's Shadowbrook lugana and I love it. I wanted kind of an old map feel and it's got that and some of the green tones of the recommended fabric too. Very happy with the results on that one.

And one more thing from the comment section- I'll tell you my secret to lots of finishes. I know it looks impressive at the moment (for me at least) but it really and truly is the result of starting a bunch of projects and getting bored with them somewhere between half to three-quarters of the way through:) Problem is, I'm almost out of easily finished projects so enjoy the finishes this year as it's probably going to be a couple boring years until I cycle round again!

Internet is back up and running even faster than before so I will once again be participating in International Hermit and Stitch weekend.

Click, sign up, stitch away the weekend and post progress on Monday. Not sure how much stitching I'll get done this weekend as we're supposed to have some nice weather so outside yard work is on my to-do list but the evenings are free so we'll see. I'll save pics for Monday so at least I'll have the little progress I've made on Skeleton Crew's sail to show if the weather is too nice to come inside. Have a great weekend!

When TUSAL and IHSW collide

I didn't quite get around to a Monday post. Work called and I ended up going in early so not quite enough time for posting but tonight is much calmer. Here we go with a few updates...

First up, the weekend's progress- I took Witch's Pantry out of town with me and got some backstitch done as well as another jar of goodies...







I also spent a little time with Titania on Sunday night. No before pic since not all of my progress is from the weekend but I worked on the left wing and some of the backstitch for the skin/face while watching the last episode of Downton Abbey for awhile.




She's so close, mostly the rest of the left wing and beading left! I really love that she has a finished face now. I think another finish will be coming up soon though now I'm really itching for some new starts as well as a round on Watergarden especially since I've seen this contest over at the Chatelaine BB. Decisions, decisions.

Today is also TUSAL day so let's look at some orts next...




I can see mostly orts from Titania's wings but also some TW Celtic Cross greens/browns and birth announcement browns peeking out from beneath them this round.

And finally, since I haven't had a picture of him in awhile...




Leland's big pillow got ruined when we had some water leaking into the basement before Christmas so he has taken over Josh's little foam chair. Most of the time it's unfolded into a little bed so he has somewhere to lay but someone must have folded it back up. He doesn't seem to mind too much but then again this is the dog that curls up into the seats of recliners and wing back chairs any time he gets the chance. Not sure why but he seems to love to curl up in tight places.

TUSAL and IHSW

So today will be the collision of two SAL's- TUSAL and IHSW. Click the links to find out about either if you haven't heard of them. This is going to be a quick post because I've got to get going on my grocery list for tomorrow morning. I'm going to be making a huge pot of spaghetti and homemade meatballs on Thursday for my brother's birthday dinner. That and I'd like to get a little stitching in tonight too:)

So here we go...

Sorry about the blurry pic, camera was not behaving tonight. I emptied my ort cup on January 1 so these are all 2012 orts. Hopefully you can see the pinks of Titania slowly being covered up by the whites and beiges of my newest start, Sleeping Baby.




Yes, I know I said I was going to try to finish some things and here I go starting them already but this is one of those things that really can't wait. I started this on Friday for International Hermit and Stitch Weekend and got pretty far for me. This is a kit from Vervaco, Sleeping Baby and it will be for my cousin's baby. Hopefully they'll delay his baptism long enough for me to finish it:) I wasn't so sure about the fabric at first but I'm really liking it so far.