1K Sunday

This weekend was a two project weekend. I wanted to 'touch base' with another project that has fallen by the wayside and attempt to get caught up with the challenge that Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs had issued on the official Heaven and Earth Designs Facebook group. Or at least put a dent into it :). 

The first WIP was picked up on Friday and continued on into Saturday. It is a monochrome that I had started back last year after my poor Ozzy had left me. I had set it aside as I wasn't 'into' it. I figured almost 6 months in the Bin O'Shame was probably long enough. I will probably have to get more Gloriana Threads  12 strand French silk floss in #079 Monet's Pond (Lot: T17/12148) for this project as I am rapidly running low. I have a great deal more to stitch and I do not think I will have enough. 


Sunday's project was the challenged thatMichelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs had issued on the official Heaven and Earth Designs Facebook group. This particular challenge was 1000 stitches in stair step stitching. 

I chose QS Maleficent/Evil Queen as my project as I wanted to get more stitching time put in on her. I love the colors that are used in this project and she really is a fun project. 

Yesterday, I managed to finally get around to the challenge. I also managed to get all 1000 stitches in during the afternoon. It helped that there were large blocks of one color. Had these sections been all confetti stitching, I probably would not have gotten so far :). 


Well, here they are. My two projects for the weekend:

WIP #1:

Design: Jardin Mythique

Designer: Danielle Chevallier of Danybrod

Fabric Used: 36 count Edinburgh linen in White

Fibers Used: Gloriana Threads  12 strand French silk floss in #079 Monet's Pond (Lot: T17/12148)

Stitcher's Notes: Began Friday, September 11, 2015. Will not be stitching the alphabet and outer border. 

As of Wednesday, September 16, 2015:

As of Monday, February 22, 2016:

WIP #2:

Design: QS Maleficent/Evil Queen 

Designer: Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs. Based on the original artwork of Annya Kai. 

Fabric: 22 count Antique White aida by Wichelt

Fibers: DMC as called for in the chart

Stitcher's Notes: Began Saturday, January 24, 2015. The Quick Stitch for this design is no longer available for purchase at this time. The chart was originally called Maleficent, however, this was changed at some point. 

As of Monday, November 23, 2015:

As of Monday, February 22, 2016:

Time for me to bolt for the door. I hope everyone had a great weekend. 

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Vist From Maleficent

While I had started hd-30 February: a year in chalk by Cathy Habermann of Hands on Designs, I did not get too far into it from the last post as I did not sleep very well this past weekend. The darker fabric was not cooperating with lack of sleep, so the QS Evil Queen decided to pay me a visit instead. Which is good. Because I managed to get a LOT more stitching in. A guesstimate is another 800 stitches this past weekend. All in DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117  310, naturally. It's exciting to see it come together like this. 

Here is what I managed over the weekend:

Design: QS Evil Queen 

Designer: Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs. Based on the original artwork of Annya Kai. 

Fabric: 22 count Antique White aida by Wichelt

Fibers: DMC as called for in the chart

Stitcher's Notes: Began Saturday, January 24, 2015. The Quick Stitch for this design is no longer available for purchase at this time. The chart was originally called Maleficent, however, this was changed at some point. 


As of Monday, November 2, 2015:

As of Monday, November 23, 2015:

The rest of the week will be devoted to hd-30 February: a year in chalk by Cathy Habermann of Hands on Designs in order to get that one wrapped up soonest. I will probably go back to Evil Queen until the Thanksgiving Day. The day after Thanksgiving, I have a special Christmas project that DH picked out for this years' Christmas festivities. I've pulled some floss for it already and I cannot wait to get started. This one will be the most outrageously blingy project yet! 

Well, I had best be off. It's lunch time here in the desert and I'm hungry. :)

I wish everyone a great Thanksgiving week! 

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Challenge Met!

I didn't think I was going to make it, but I managed to get my 400 stitches stitched in one weekend! It wasn't necessary, however, I wanted to push myself a bit. I think I will extend this challenge a bit and attempt a minimum of 400 stitches every week until November 30. I really do want to see how far I can get before I have to put her away for my Christmas start this year. DH picked that one out and it's a doozy! 

Well, at any rate, here are my 400 stitches:

Design: QS Evil Queen 

Designer: Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs. Based on the original artwork of Annya Kai. 

Fabric: 22 count Antique White aida by Wichelt

Fibers: DMC as called for in the chart

Stitcher's Notes: Began Saturday, January 24, 2015. The Quick Stitch for this design is no longer available for purchase at this time. The chart was originally called Maleficent, however, this was changed at some point. 

As of Friday, October 30, 2015:

As of Monday, November 2, 2015:

I had best be off. Time for chores. I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween! :)

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

The 400 Stitch Challenge

In my last post, I had spoken about Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs issuing a stitching challenge for her Facebook group. You would choose one HAED piece for the challenge (either in process or a new start) and the goal is to complete 100 stitches per week for a 4 week time frame. I chose my current HAED, QS Evil Queen, and have marked 400 stitches on the chart. And honestly, it really does not look all that bad. I am hoping to get at least half of that stitched by the end of the weekend. I am not sure how much will actually be accomplished as DH and I have a fair amount of running around we need to do this weekend. Monday will tell the tale! :)

At any rate, here is where I am after two days of stitching off and on. The trailing thread marks the start of my 400 stitches for the challenge. 

Design: QS Evil Queen 

Designer: Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs. Based on the original artwork of Annya Kai. 

Fabric: 22 count Antique White aida by Wichelt

Fibers: DMC as called for in the chart

Stitcher's Notes: Began Saturday, January 24, 2015. The Quick Stitch for this design is no longer available for purchase at this time. The chart was originally called Maleficent, however, this was changed at some point. 

As of Wednesday, October 28, 2015:

As of Friday, October 30, 2015:

I had best be off. Chores are calling. No rest for the wicked and all. Happy Halloween and blessed Samhain to those of you out there! :)

---

Respectfully submitted, 

C.

WIP Wednesday Dragging Of The Feet

Yep, I said it. It's out there now and make no mistake, mind. I have been doing nothing but reading and indulging in series via Netflix and Amazon Prime. I have stitched hardly a thing. Burnout has well and truly set in. 

This situation may be a temporary thing, as Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs announced on the official Heaven and Earth Designs Facebook page that there is a stitching challenge for November. You must choose one HAED piece for this challenge (either in process or a new start) and the goal is to complete 100 stitches per week for a 4 week time frame. You will post a pic of your WIP on the group with the name of the design (It must be posted on the group within the next 48 hours) and then November 28th post a side by side image showing your progress. At the end of November each person that has completed the challenge will receive a very special chart just for this event and only for the group. I have decided that, naturally, my QS Evil Queen will be the subject. 100 stitches per week is not that many, and is a goal that is easily completed. This also means that for the first time ever in my years of stitching, I am actually going to have to count out my stitches! I have never felt the need to do so. In fact, I lose all track of time and space when I stitch, so counting out stitches would just throw me off and harsh the stitching buzz, man ;). I think what I am going to do to combat this is to count out 400 stitches on QS Evil Queen and then 'start' from there. I am attempting to finish up the left hand side with the 3766 that I am stitching with at the moment. I do love pieces with blocks of some colors and confetti in others. I think constant confetti would drive me insane, but who knows?

Well, enough of my blathering. On with the show! 

Design: QS Evil Queen 

Designer: Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs. Based on the original artwork of Annya Kai. 

Fabric: 22 count Antique White aida by Wichelt

Fibers: DMC as called for in the chart

Stitcher's Notes: Began Saturday, January 24, 2015. The Quick Stitch for this design is no longer available for purchase at this time. The chart was originally called Maleficent, however, this was changed at some point. 

As of Sunday, October 25, 2015:

As of Wednesday, October 28, 2015:

Well, I had best be off. Lots to do today. Happy Hump Day everyone! :)

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Sunday Visiting

Am I the only one that remembers doing this? After you slept in on a Sunday or went to the church of your choosing or whatever it was you did in the morning, you had a big lunch. And during that big lunch or even after, you sat and visited with old friends and/or family. I miss doing that. As I have moved around a great deal, it makes it hard to commune with old friends on a Sunday afternoon. 

This past weekend was my overnight shift and after finishing up (for the most part!) Creepy Cocktails, I went casting about for something else to keep me occupied. Only nothing was calling my name. I tried stitching on about half a dozen projects and everything just felt flat and uninspired. I got up very late today and remembered this one. I picked it back up and it's been going so smoothly. So, this is the one I am supposed to be working on. I am not sure how long I will be 'visiting' this old friend, but I am enjoying it while it lasts. Back when I first started, I had stitched the wrong color in one spot, and I am so happy I had the foresight to pick that out so that when I picked this one up again, I would not be faced with ripping out hours of previous work. That to me is the equivalent to opening the fridge to get some milk, only to find out its' all been expired. And who needs that on a Sunday? Not this gal!

Well, at any rate, here is what I have so far:

Design: QS Evil Queen 

Designer: Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs. Based on the original artwork of Annya Kai. 

Fabric: 22 count Antique White aida by Wichelt

Fibers: DMC as called for in the chart

Stitcher's Notes: Began Saturday, January 24, 2015. The Quick Stitch for this design is no longer available for purchase at this time. The chart was originally called Maleficent, however, this was changed at some point. 


As of Saturday, January 24, 2015:




As of Sunday, October 25, 2015:

For anyone that is interested, this is how I store my Heaven and Earth Designs that have been kitted up and/or started. I purchase the big scrapbooking containers (always at half off or more!). I find the plastic bags with the three inch metal book rings work the best for me. I tried winding floss on bobbins, but the floss winds up getting kinks in them that refuse to come out and I just can't be bothered with all that. Besides, the rings may be purchased at various places, including Amazon, for around six bucks for ten of them. Which is not bad at all. The symbol chart I have laminated as I use that a lot and I would prefer that it last for awhile, rather than having to repeatedly print out the same sheet over and over again. I keep clear rulers nearby so that I may keep track of the chart. As I purchase the .pdf formats of the charts, I always get the large print, as I have learned the hard way that confetti stitches get confusing with all the symbols look jumbled up in the regular size charts. I mark off the symbols that I have stitched with pencil so that if I make a mistake, I can easily correct it. All in all, this is what works best for me.

Well, I had best be off. I need to finish up some chores before a very early night for my person. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

---

Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Quick Stitch Maleficent Start

Yes, I caved and no, I don't care! I had made a 'deal' to myself that I wouldn't start this one until I had finished a third piece from the Bin O' Shame. Well, I didn't want to wait, so I didn't. She is a LOT of fun to stitch and I do not know if I will be able to put her down at all. 

Design: QS Maleficent

Designer: Michelle Sayetta of Heaven and Earth Designs. Based on the original artwork of Annya Kai. 

Fabric: 22 count Antique White aida by Wichelt

Fibers: DMC as called for in the chart.

Began Stitching: Saturday, January 24, 2015

I would love to find a Maleficent bag to keep her in, as well as a blinged out raven needle minder and a scissor leash to go along with this. Now if I can only find some fabric for the appropriate Q-snap grime guard. Time to go hunting, I suppose! :)

Well, I best be off. She's calling my name again. Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend! :)

---

Respectfully submitted, 

C. 

Quick Christmas Finish

There are some designs that you just go back to over and over. I know there are some folks who can stitch a design once and that's it, but for me, I love stitching some projects over and over again. In this instance, I keep going back to the Joyeux Noel book from Blackbird Designs:

I just absolutely adore this book. Yes, it was 26.00 US when I purchased it, and no, I don't really care! This is the second design I have stitched out of this book. The first was Merry Christmas that I finished up back last July. There are a LOT more projects that I wish to finish, however, I need more supplies and I *kinda* wanted to get back to my WIP/UFO Bin O' Shame. 


At any rate, here's my 2 day start and finish:



Design: Souvenir of Paris from the Joyeux Noel book


Designer: Barb Adams of Blackbird Designs


Fabric: 40 count Newcastle linen in French Vanilla by R and R Reproductions


Fibers Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Collard Greens, Cupid, Fern Frond and Old Crow

I am truly loving working on the 36 and 40 count fabrics. Now that I have stitched on them and gotten used to it, I want to stitch EVERYTHING on those counts, LOL! :)



Well, I must be off. I have a TON of stuff I have to do today and time's a wasting! :) Hope everyone is having a fantastic week! :)



---



Respectfully submitted,


C. 

And yet even more organizing...

On Monday of this week, I managed to injure myself at work by burning my thumbs, a tiny portion of the palm of my left hand and the middle finger of my left hand on a hot towel cabinet that someone had left on overnight. Massage therapy is not without its hazards, it seems. As consequence, I did go to the doctor and get some prescription burn cream and my hands are doing a lot better. I had yesterday and now today off, as the doctor was worried about an increased risk of infection, due to my middle finger not healing up as fast as the other sites did. I have not been able to stitch much, however, this bump in the road has given me a chance to get my HAED's organized and kit up a few more. Before I burned myself, I managed to get a bit more done on Rhiannon and start a new one.


Here's what I have so far:

Rhiannon:

Design: All Hallow's Eve


Designer: Heaven and Earth Designs for Jessica Galbreath


Fabric 18 count aida in Antique White


Fibers: DMC


Here is what I have so far:

WIP #2 Shimmering Night:


Design: Shimmering Night


Designer: Heaven and Earth Designs for Ching-Chou Kuik


Fabric: 18 count aida in Antique White


Fibers: DMC


Here is what it's supposed to look like, fifteen pages of solid stitching later:

Here is what I managed to get in, prior to hurting myself:

I am loving the colors in this one and it's providing a nice contrast to Rhiannon. I also need to come up with a name for her, but I will let her choose, the same way my first one did :P~. This downtime will also allow me to get Silver Moon Storykeep kitted up. There was a member only coupon on the HAED message board over the Memorial Day weekend and I snagged this one as a small treat. She's really, really pretty and only has about 25 colors, LOL! :)


Well, I best be off. I need to study for my CEC test and get some breakfast. Hope everyone is having a good week! :)


---


Respectfully submitted,


C.