Finally Finished!

Woohoo! I finally have my ninth finish for the year and the very first one from the infamous Bin O'Shame for this year! I am very, very happy with this finish. It is so bright and cheerful and I am so happy that I stuck with it. I began this project in August of 2007, so I am a bit overdue, yea? I would love to find a bright royal blue frame for it. I think it would set the piece off nicely. 

Well, at any rate, here is the current finish and the very first finish from the Bin O'Shame for this year:

Design: Japanese Anemones

Designer: Sheila Hudson 

Fabric: 14 count summer yellow aida by Wichelt 

Fibers Used: As provided in the kit. There are no DMC or Anchor numbers on the floss, so I will have to do a match at some point, as I want to stitch this one again as it's so bright and cheery. This is the cover kit from issue 187, June 2007 UK Cross Stitcher magazine. 

Front Cover Of The Magazine:

As of Thursday, June 7, 2018:

As of Tuesday, June 12, 2018:

Time for me to clean up my stitching area and grab the next project out of the closet. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching! 

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Got The Blues

I have managed to make quite a bit of progress on my current WIP. So much so, that I am down to the last two colors that need stitching. Both of them are two shades of blue. There is quite a bit that needs doing, and it will be a bit tricky to stitch, due to the placement of the colors, but hopefully, by this time next week, I will have a another finish. This will make 9 for the year, which makes me very happy. 

Well, at any rate, here is the current project, #1 from the Bin O'Shame for this year:

Design: Japanese Anemones

Designer: Sheila Hudson 

Fabric: 14 count summer yellow aida by Wichelt 

Fibers Used: As provided in the kit. There are no DMC or Anchor numbers on the floss, so I will have to do a match at some point, as I want to stitch this one again as it's so bright and cheery. This is the cover kit from issue 187, June 2007 UK Cross Stitcher magazine. 

Front Cover Of The Magazine:

As of Monday, June 4, 2018:

As of Thursday, June 7, 2018:

Time for me to bolt for the door. I hope everyone is having a great week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

A Stop And Start Project

It dawned on me the other day that I have put nary a stitch into any of my Bin O'Shame projects this year. I decided to paw through it to see if any were calling to me and I came across this one. Since it was purchased, way back in 2007, I have picked this up off and on and have never completed the piece. I think because there are a lot of colors that are very close together and a metric ton of white that has kept me from making any serious progress.

I have not stitched too much more than the photo from the May 31, 2015 photo. This was actually picked back up in my first year of the Bin O'Shame project clean-out! :O Better late than never I suppose. SMH. 

Well, here is the current project, #1 from the Bin O'Shame for this year:

Design: Japanese Anemones

Designer: Sheila Hudson 

Fabric: 14 count summer yellow aida by Wichelt 

Fibers Used: As provided in the kit. There are no DMC or Anchor numbers on the floss, so I will have to do a match at some point, as I want to stitch this one again as it's so bright and cheery. This is the cover kit from issue 187, June 2007 UK Cross Stitcher magazine. 

Front Cover Of The Magazine:

When picked back up on Friday, May 29, 2015:

As of Sunday, May 31, 2015:

What it will eventually look like:

As of Monday, June 4, 2018:

Given the amount of progress that I have made since I picked this back up on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, I am hoping that this is the year it finally gets finished. It's only been 11 years so far, so I think it is past due! :D

Time for me to bolt for the door. I hope everyone is having a great start to their week. Happy stitching!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Verus Nullus, Omnis Licitus

Nothing is true, everything is permitted. This is the motto of the Assassins' Creed and my current book series. I am loving every page and hope to get more in the future. The books are based upon the video games and are quite the enjoyable read. 

For those who are uninterested, you may skip the following. :)

Often referred to as the Creed, it was the code and guiding philosophy of the Assassin Order, upheld from at least the High Middle Ages until the modern era. It restricted unnecessary slaughter of innocents, preserved the reputation of oneself and of the Order, and was meant to create peace, not only within the world, but within the individual.  The phrase was created during the 11th century by Hassan-i Sabbāh, the first recorded leader of the Assassin Order. Ezio Auditore da Firenze once spoke of the maxim at length with Sofia Sartor, who found it rather cynical. However, he told her that the maxim was not a doctrine to be followed, but merely an observation of the world.

In detail, he explained that "To say that nothing is true, is to realize that the foundations of society are fragile, and that we must be the shepherds of our own civilization. To say that everything is permitted, is to understand that we are the architects of our actions, and that we must live with their consequences, whether glorious or tragic."

This all leads up to one of my latest finishes. It is the Assassins' Creed logo, which I plan on making into a bookmark for the rest of the book series that I plan on purchasing. It took no time at all to stitch up. Indeed, it took all of two episodes of Harlots, Housewives and Heroines: A 17th Century History for Girls Episodes Episode guide. I do love Dr. Lucy Worsley's shows on the BBC. Sometimes, I wish I had her job! :)

At any rate, here is the first of my finishes for this week:

Design: Assassins' Creed Logo

Designer: MacKenzie Rathbub of GeekieCrafts

Fiber Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Cupid

Fabric Used: 36 count smokey white Edinburgh linen by Zweigart

Stitcher's Notes: One day start and finish. Began and ended on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Will be finished as a bookmark. 

My second finish is my part in the 2016 Tiny Round Robin. The stitcher is a fan of Corgi dogs so this is my contribution. The stitcher had asked for personalized touches, however, I could not bring myself to ruin the French inspired lines of this Chateau de Corgi with a gaudy ass 'Welcome To Las Vegas' sign. 

Design: Chateau de Corgi

Designer: Unknown

Fabric Used: 14 count hand dyed by the stitcher

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched the Chateau on the far left side of the piece. Fabric is a lot darker than in the picture. Left out a gaudy ass 'Welcome To Las Vegas' sign as I considered this a wholly bad idea. :)

Well, I had best be off. Stuff to do and there is no (stitching) rest for the wicked. :)

Hope everyone is having a great week! 

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Under The Wire

I have always been fascinated with the origin's of phrases and words. In this case, the expression 'under the wire', is believed to have originated from horse racing, where a wire was hung up over the finish line to help determine a winner. Thus, races that were extremely close could be described as "coming down to the wire," quite literally.

In my case, this means, I have managed to sneak in yet another completed stitched piece before the end of the month. After I had finished up the Easter Fairy, I went through  Kit Mountain,  Leaflet Silo and on with the Bin O'Shame again to see if anything was grabbing me. I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and stitch this one up. I think this series has the distinction of being both in Kit Mountain and in the Bin O'Shame, simultaneously. The kit was purchased around 2003 or 2004 and had left to rot until I managed decided to get off of my duff and finish the stitching on the Winter Cat in July of 2015. This was followed by the Summer Cat in August of 2015 and then the Autumn Cat in September of 2015. I think very much like Christmas At Hawk Run Hollow, it is both UFO and finish at the same time. Schrödinger's projects, if you will. 

The Spring Cat was left to languish until now. I have no idea why. It is quite possible that I was just not 'into' the coloring of this cat. I really should have changed the coloring to that of my beloved and much missed Ozzy. I think it would have popped better on the fabric. Ah, well. As is my custom, a day late and a dollar short (any action that was taken too late and is too feeble to be of any use, for the curious :) ). 

At any rate, this series is now completed in its' entirety. I am thankful for that. Now, I need to find a frame that will show all of them off. I am thinking of just one frame for all four projects. This way, I can pop them in and out of the frame at will. I seem to be one of these stitchers that is more interested in making sure money is spent on stitching projects, rather than using money to complete them. :)

Design: Cats For All Seasons Spring Cat (4 of 4)

Designer: Nancy Javier and Barbara Finwall of Banar Designs

Fabric: 14 count khaki aida of unknown manufacturer

Fibers Used: Unknown as provided in the kit

Bling Used: Mill Hill beads #42014 Petite Black seed beads

Stitcher's Notes: Kits previously purchased around 2003 or 2004. Substituted beads for cat's eyes and nose. Left off wording at the bottom. Seasonal cat number four out of four. Series completed as of Tuesday, March 29, 2016. 

Finished Tuesday, March 29, 2016:

Well, time for me to go. I hope everyone is having a great week so far!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

One For The Money

Well, I did it. I managed to get the first of the Bin O'Shame projects finished for the year. I decided to use my unofficial yearly goal of 12 projects a month as the Bin O'Shame projects. This way I can kill two birds with one stone. This will also serve to get the Bin O'Shame  even further caught up. 

I had picked up the first project from the Bin O'Shame  after I had finished stitching the Peeps from my last post. Then I saw why it had sat for so long. The fabric had not only become stained, but there were large sections that were stitched totally in the wrong color. The project was just too far long to salvage anything, so it was just scrapped. Thankfully, it was stitched in DMC and not in silks. I then went to pick up another one, and the same thing happened! Quelle horreur! So, both of those will now be do overs. *sigh*. Ah, well. These things happen I suppose. 

So, this left me with the following:

Bin O'Shame  total as of Thursday, January 7, 2016: 27

That is an encouraging number. Now, if I can just keep at this, I will be even happier :). Work has gotten really, really busy so there is that. I am hoping to get more stitching time in, but you know how that goes. So, I guess I will just take it easy and just enjoy the journey this year. 

Here is is, the very first Bin O'Shame finish for 2016:

Design: September Dragon taken from the leaflet Gemstone Dragons (DD-69)

Designer: Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

Fabric Used: 14 count white opalescent aida

Fibers Used: DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 796, 798, 799, 800 and 806. Kreinik metallic thread #4 #001 HL Silver, #032 Pearl #4 braid, and #051 HL Sapphire blending filament. 

Stitcher's Notes: Piece picked back up on Thursday, January 7, 2016. Finished Sunday, January 10, 2016. Piece initially started in 2003 or 2004. 

As of Thursday, January 7, 2016:

Finished Sunday, January 2016:

Well, I had best be off. Tons to do today. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Zoom!

Well, I suppose I should find projects that do not take so long to finish. I started this latest one in the morning on Friday, and managed to finish it up as the buzzer was about to ring in early Sunday morning. I should probably dig out another Bin O'Shame project, but today I don't think I am feeling that. I may kit up and start  Plum Pudding Needleart's Blessed Be instead. I have the perfect fabric for it. I just hope I have enough for it, and the Seafarer's Globe by Maria Diaz. I probably will not start the Seafarer's Globe by Maria Diaz as Ozzy is not doing well at all. We took him to the vet yet again yesterday and one of his kidneys has gotten even larger than the last time and he has lost a little over half a pound in a week and a half. The vets are convinced (in theory) at least, that it is cancer, which even with treatment, means a 6 month reprieve and massive expense. My heart is breaking, but we do what we can, when we can do it for our loved ones, yes? Until then, we carry on with the knowledge that we are soon to lose those we love and ask Whoever Is In Charge to make it peaceful and merciful on all of us.  

Well, at any rate. Here it is. Another ridiculously quick finish. 

Design: Cats For All Seasons Autumn Cat (#3 of 4)

Designer: Nancy Javier and Barbara Finwall of Banar Designs for Better Homes and Gardens

Fabric: 14 count khaki aida of unknown manufacturer

Fibers Used: Unknown as provided in the kit

Bling Used:  Mill Hill beads in #02031 Citron

Stitcher's Notes: The Spring Cat is the last in the series to stitch. At this time, I do not know if I will post the charts for sale or not. The Winter Cat is my favorite of them all, and I can see myself stitching that one again and again. And I really do think these need to be sold as a whole set. I will figure it out at some point, I suppose. :)

Began Friday, September 4, 2015:

 Finished Saturday, September 4, 2015:

Well, I had best be off. I need to go get more coffee and figure out which 'coloring with needle and thread' project will be next. I bid you all a peaceful Sunday!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Spoke Too Soon!

This is one of those rare times where a project did not take as long as I had anticipated. I had managed to finish this guy up by late afternoon yesterday. I was grateful for the minimum of backstitching on this one. It did not take nearly as long as Friendship block. I *love* the way this guy turned out. I can see me stitching him in a variety of colors. I know there are a lot of folks who never re-stitch a project, but as for me, I find a variety of projects that can be finagled with to make them totally different from the last time. :)

Well, here is yesterday's WIP Wednesday, that turned into a finish instead. Not that I am complaining, mind you! ;)

Design: Strength (Block #5 from the 2002 Dragon Virtues Series)

Designer: Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

Fabric Used: 14 count White aida

Fibers Used: DMC 208, 209, 210, 211, 550, 740, 742, 743, 744, and 3371.  Kreinik metallic thread #4 VFB in #023 Lilac. Rainbow Gallery Tiara twisted French metallic in #T116 Purple. 

Stitcher's Notes: No notes regarding the start date of this project. Converted to purples from original greens. Resumed stitching on Monday, August 31, 2015.

As of Wednesday, September 2, 2015:

Finished late Wednesday, September 2, 2015:

With this project, I have 34 projects wrapped up from my Bin O'Shame project. I am toying with the idea that after I manage to get #35 out of the way (which is now awaiting me in the Q-Snaps!), I am just going to finish out the year stitching out of the Bin O'Shame. Just to see how far I can go with this. I have set myself a goal of just 10 projects out of the Bin O'Shame for next year, as I have managed to stitch way past my original goal of 25. With a wee bit of luck, I may even get the UFOs/WIPs down to just the HAEDs! I have many, many projects that I wish to start next year, including my much coveted OOP/HTF/Rare three ring binder of projects. I have a good many Prairie Schooler, Goode Huswife, Blackbird Designs, Judith Kirby and many others that I have been wanting to get to stitch. I am kicking some ideas around in my head as to the plotting out of projects, but I may just see where the wind and the sea take me instead :). This has been an interesting stitching journey this year and I do not doubt that next year will be even more interesting! :)

Well, I had best be off. I need to go get more coffee and #35 awaits for the pas de deux that is what I refer to as coloring with fabric and thread. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Until next time! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday Post For September 2, 2015

Another oldie, but a goodie from the Bin O'Shame pile. I have convinced myself that I may as well try and make it to 35 before the end of the year. This one is a bit tough to get through, as I am itching to stitch some fall/Halloween related things, due to the calendar changing over yesterday. However, as I do not wish for this project to get tossed aside again to sit for over 10 years, I will persevere until it is completed. :)

Well, at any rate, here she is. #34 from the Bin O'Shame:

Design: Strength (Block #5 from the 2002 Dragon Virtues Series)

Designer: Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

Fabric Used: 14 count Ivory aida

Fibers Used: DMC 208, 209, 210, 211, 550, 740, 742, 743, 744.  Kreinik metallic thread #4 VFB in #023 Lilac. Rainbow Gallery Tiara twisted French metallic in #T116 Purple. 

Stitcher's Notes: No notes regarding the start date of this project. Converted to purples from original greens. Resumed stitching on Monday, August 31, 2015.

As of Monday, August 31, 2015:

As of Wednesday, September 2, 2015:

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish the happiest of birthdays to Keanu Reeves, who is one of my favorite actors, ever. Happy 51st, Mr. Reeves!

Well, I had best be off. The Bin O'Shame won't stitch itself, haha! Hope everyone is having a fantastic week! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C.