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. 

First Finish For August!

I have a number of quick stitches that I keep around in case I am either not feeling well, or I am working the overnight shift. These are easy stitches that I can zone out on and just enjoy the process. Tonight's finish is part of the number of projects that I have kitted up and ready to go. I am happy that this is another one out of the Kit Bin and this makes #2 out of the four projects that came in the kit. Woohoo!

Well, at any rate, here it is: 

Design: Cats For All Seasons Summer Cat (2 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 #42014 Petite Black seed beads

Stitcher's Notes: Substituted beads for cat's eyes and nose. Left off wording at the bottom. Left off backstitching of flowers as I didn't think they needed it. Substituted  DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 610 and 3866 for colors used on cat as I felt the original yellows did not look ok. 

I have #3, Autumn cat, all kitted up and ready to go for when September rolls around. I cannot believe that fall is almost here! It's mild here for Lost Vegas this summer and I am *not* complaining at ALL! It's been in the low 100's for most of the summer, with occasional one or two days of 110+ days. Those days are no bueno. In just a few short weeks it will be Pumpkin ALL THE THINGS! 'Ray! I better get on the stick and finish up the Bin O'Shame projects that I have lined up to try and make it to 30 this year. Wouldn't that be a hoot?! :)

Well, I had best be off. Time to clean up the stitching area and get back to it. I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. I wish you all a happy and prosperous week ahead! 

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Greased Lighting Finish!

Well! That went quick! I don't remember the last time that I picked this project up that it went that fast, but there you have it, sports fans. I *love* the way this turned out and was sharply reminded of why I purchased the kit to start with. I have left the other three projects in my desk for when I need something easy to stitch. This way they will get stitched eventually, perhaps during one of my overnight shifts. 

Design: Cats For All Seasons Winter Cat (1 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 in #03049 Rich Red and #42014 Petite Black seed beads

Stitcher's Notes: Substituted beads for cat's eyes and nose. Substituted beads for the confetti stitching of red in greenery. Left off wording at the bottom.

As of Wednesday, July 15, 2015, early morning:

As of Wednesday, July 15, 2015, early evening:

I have also picked out #25 from the Bin O'Shame. It is already in the Q-Snaps awaiting my presence. I think it's fitting. 

Design: Faded Glory from Portrait of the Civil War (an OOP booklet)

Designer: Jeanette Crews Designs

Fabric: 26 count undyed natural dirty linen

Fibers: DMC 347, 415, 762, 930, 931, and 3328

As of Thursday, July 16, 2015:

Well, I had best be off. Tons to do today. Hope everyone has a great weekend! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday With #24

Say hello to #24 from the Almighty Bin O'Shame .  I purchased this kit way back in 2003, however, I have no clue where I purchased it. I know it was online, as it was not available in shops at that time. I began the project and it just didn't grab me at the time. So it sat. And sat. And sat some more. After (almost) finishing up the Summer Basket by Blackbird Designs, I was putting things up and came across this piece. I decided to get this one out and just hammer away at it until it was done. It's actually stitching up quite rapidly, which gives me hope of finishing the other three projects in the kit!

Well, here it is, #24:

Design: Cats For All Seasons Winter Cat

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

As of Tuesday, July 14, 2015:

As of Wednesday, July 15, 2015:

Well, I had best be off. Hope everyone is having a great week! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C.