February Update - Hummers

Hello all! Squeaking in at the last possible moment. I was hoping to get some more done on Hummers today before I checked in. Well I failed at that attempt.

Honestly there's really not much progress to show this month at all. I'm in the same place I was when I updated around the 15th.

All in all I'm still happy with how far it's gotten this year. This last month I was a little burned out with all the details and zero color in my stitching. Had to switch it up a bit to get rid of some of those winter blues. I'm hoping for much better progress (and hopefully weather) for March!

CaitlinD

February.

I don't have any progress this month.

feb: introduce myself

I stitch to the Love Quilts project and this month of February I had a lot of squares to do. You can know the project here and here. Sorry about my English. I love to speak English but I don´t speak very well! I live in Ribeirão Preto/SP, Brazil.

★ Ana Cristina ★

Wizard of Oz update

Here is the latest update on my Wizard of Oz HAED. I haven't worked much on it but I plan on doing more on it tomorrow. 

Happy stutching!
Trina

stitchy start update

hello, everyone. not a lot of progress on this one but here it is. You can see some of Mary and Baby Jesus. Hope to do more as more daylight hours return. That's when I can see better on this fabric. Dee Holley

Serenity Harbor - February

I finished the second section of Serenity Harbor with plenty of time to spare!

The clouds disappear in some of the pictures, but they're visible in person. It looks like March will have a little more stitching (some seagulls and the top of a tree), and starting around May it will be pretty much solid stitching. These first few months are easy; hopefully I'll be able to keep up when the pattern gets busier!

Since I only get a little bit of the pattern at a time, I worked on a few other WIPs this month. I finished a pin cushion from Shepherd's Bush called "Goodness and Grace" and the bonus pattern from SamSarah's "Something Wicked." A little out of season perhaps, but I'm ahead of the game for next fall ;)

I had a lot of fun this month looking at all the previews for the Nashville market. I tried really hard not to go overboard (my stash is too big as it is!), but all the new pictures on Facebook this morning are really testing my resolve.

Amy

Susan's Introduction and February Update

I am so behind on blog reading this month that I totally missed the introduction posts, but better late than never, I suppose.  I do hope that things settle down enough for me to keep up with everyone's posts and progress. 

I'm Susan and live in central Virginia, about halfway between Richmond and Fredericksburg, with The Hubs and three cats. I work in Washington DC for the US Department of Agriculture assisting rural communities develop or improve their water, sewer or solid waste disposal systems. Prior to moving to Virginia, I lived in New Hampshire for 21 years, before New Hampshire I lived all over as an Army Brat and a then a military spouse.  I'll be 54 in a couple of months and have a 31 year old son that lives in Vermont.  I have done some sort of needlework for as long as I can remember. I found counted cross stitch in 1984 and, as they say, the rest is history.

I tend towards large projects and do not stitch as fast as I think I do, hence I have way too many WIPs. My largest piece is also my New Stitchy Start piece, Shakespearean Fantasy. It isn't the most technically difficult piece I have stitched, but it is by far the largest.

Here is where I was at last month's post:

 And here is where I am today:

I was going to say that I hadn't gotten too much done, but looking at the before and after and considering the last month, I am very pleased with my progress.

Month 2 update--Dede

Slow month.  I didn't get quite as much done as I had hoped.  Finished the large deer and basket and a couple smaller motifs.  Hopefully this weekend I can finish page 1.

I also spent some time working on a couple other projects too and put together a finish.  I had stitched it last fall but just finally got brave enough to put it together.  Love the look and will see if I can find some antique zinc lids to make a few more for gifts. (Liberty Starlet by Summer House--Kit included the zinc lid.  32 ct. Conferderate Gray by WDW, floss GA Freedom & Country Redwood).

Winter is holding on here in Kansas.  We had a week of pretty darn cold weather for this time of year--as in at least 20 degrees lower than our usual Feb..  Currently we had a couple days of" the storm is coming, the storm is coming!"--predicted as much as 9 inches in a 24 hour period.  This morning it is down to 2 -3 inches....sigh.  The bright spot is that we will be having 5o degrees by next weekend. Spring is coming!

February Dark Force - Leonore

Just in time before the end of the month, but I so wanted to get the latest column done and finally did yesterday - so here is Dark Force after one and a half months of stitching:

I finished page one, and the first two columns of page two, for a total of 7200 stitches so far, and therefor made my goal of one column a week. If you take a step back, you can already make out one horn and part of the head of one of the demon like figures in the bottom right :)

February Dark Force - Elaine

So, here it is - the first 7 hours (I do a 7-hour rotation on my projects). This is my first real try at 1 over 1 on 25 ct, and I like it.  After I finished this I went back to one of my 2 over 1 on 22 ct and it seems huge! It's been fun looking at everyone's progress - such a great diversity of projects. Keep up the good work!

February NSS

Hey everyone I'm back.  I'm still far behind on my project but I've resigned myself to the fact it won't be done on time and I've already told the bride she wasn't getting her gift right away.  She doesn't know what it is I just told her didn't know when I'd be able to order it.  That being said I do have a word!

The black looks really dark on the Ls but they will match once I get in the stitching around it.  I think I'm going to finish the row of pages and then start working down.  T-minus 7 days until my cruise!  I should have at least 3 pages finished by my next post with any luck and should have another word done.  Til next time ttyl!

February Pink Lightning

I got some done..but not near as much as I had hoped..got to wrapped up in another project..but have worked out a plan for the most part to work on this in the evenings and other stuff in the daytime..maybe a page finish next month :)

~Kristy~

Tama's February Update

Here is 'Unspoken' last month:

And what I got done this month:

I reached the right edge of the page and the bottom.  Also got to work with some darker colors that actually show up, lol!

Tama

Sarah's February update

Even though I wanted to get all of this page done this month and didn't, I am happy with my progress. I decided to go with the tent stitch and frogged about 600 stitches. I still need to take out the top few rows and redo them but I will save that for another day.

This page is close to being done (frogging excluded). My Husband wants me to leave the full stitches as a sign of my struggle and "growth" as I regain movement and control of my hand. My OCD says no way! LOL

January 31, 2015

February 27, 2015

Castle Progress

February was a better month for working on the castle. I'm stitching it along with Linda so we work on it a little every Sunday.

Here's where I was at the end of January:

And where I am now:

Happy Stitching!
Kate

Snowman Wisdom February update

I finished the snowman.  Then continued working on the words ... 

Don't get too much sun, and the yellow sun.   

Everyone nose carrots are good for you with the orange bunch of carrots.  

Be a jolly happy soul, with the snowman's head and pink hat.

I also did the some snowflakes.  Here is a what I have completed so far.  It has been a busy month at work getting ready for inventory (Feb 27).  Hopefully more stitching time in March.    

Evalina's February update

Finally I'm done with the Super Duper Crazy January Challenge and now I can rest and stitch one piece at the time. Well, maybe not one but just a few in a rotation.

Here is my Alicia the Strawberry Pirate

So long my friends,
Evalina

Linda's February Update

I actually made a tad bit of progress on Cinderella's Castle.

2-25-15

1-31-15

Linda

Leonore's Introduction

Jumping on the mid-month post train just in time before the end-month posts start; here's my introduction :)

Hello, I'm Leonore - I'm live in Germany and I'm currently 25 years old. I just finished my Master's degree in Computer Science and am now starting working full time at university to eventually get my PhD. Until last year, I used to live with my grandparents, but in October my boyfriend of almost five years (Felix) and I moved in together. We still visit them a few times a week, though :)

I started crafting at a rather young age - I think I was about five or six when me grandma taught me how to crochet, and maybe seven when I taught myself cross stitch. I also started working with beads a bit later, mostly weaving bracelets and doing this cute little animals with thread and/or wire. So I always did some kind of crafts, but I only got into it really heavyly about a year and a half ago. These days I do mostly cross stitch, where I started building a fair stash, but I also picked up knitting (tried to learn that several times, but it seems that this time it actually sticks with me) and I got a sewing machine last year with which I need a bit more practice.

I like crafting in the evenings, usually while I'm watching movies or shows with Felix (we love crime shows, comedy, fantasy, a bit of science fiction, we're not really picky on that). I'm kind of working on perfecting the technique of listening and looking up in just the right moments to catch what's going on!

I'm also quite heavily into gaming (mostly console video games, but of PC too, and spread across most genres) and reading. I have an amazon kindle, which I adore, but I really prefer 'analog' books - the look and smell and feel of them!

So I think that's me, mostly. Feel free to ask any other questions you still have, I'm looking forward to spending this year stitching with you!

Rachel's February update

Hello all!

I'm afraid I have absolutely nothing to report this month.

The dyeing of my fabric is still taking place so at the moment I cannot stitch anything. Once the fabric arrives (and please let's hope I'm satisfied with this one) I shall have some catching up to do. All of my 59 pieces for DUSDCJFC will have been started so there is no reason I cannot concentrate fully on poor old Sherlock for at least a few weeks and have some super-duper progress to show you all next month.

In the meantime, I hope you have had more success than me and I shall enjoy looking at your progress.

Happy stitching
Rachel x

Hello my name is Heather...and I'm a cross stitcher...

Hi everyone sorry about the late post I've  been busy stitching.  My name is Heather I'm 28 (29 in April yikes!) and I've been married for going on 4 years with no kids (but we're trying).  I've been stitching  for about 2 years and blogging for I think 6 months.  I love animals which is why I work at SeaWorld but don't have any pets yet.  I have a bachelors in sociology and am going back to school to get my masters in teaching.  Well that's me in a nut shell.  See you in a few days with my stitchy update

Great stuff

Hi Everyone,

Seems like everyone like the theme posts so we will keep them going...I just have to think of some more I guess lol

So usually I open the posts from the 28-31st but Feb I guess we cannot do that right so this month they will count from the 25th to the 28th of February. Yahoo

Tammy

Linda's Introduction

Hi.  My name is Linda and I am 65 years old.  I have been married to the love of my life for 22 years.  He will be 45 in May.  (I know, I robbed the cradle.)  We have 9 cats - 3 Sphynx - Smeegol, Moon Dragon and Midnite - 1 Bengal - Miss Murphy - 3 half Sphynx and Bengal - Sparky, Snowflake and Mocha - 2 Calico's - Sassy and Missy.  We also have 2 (40 lb) Miniature Schnauzers - Max and Rocky (had to let hubby name somebody).

I am self taught in all of my crafts:
1. Started knitting about 1965.  I don't like to knit and only knit dishclothes.
2. In 1970 (first marriage) I learned to do needlepoint and latch hook rugs.  (Don't do either anymore.)
3. I learned to crochet in 1972.  I have made over 300 afghans/lapghans or baby blankets.
4. I learned to cross stitch about 1985.

Now with over 1500 kits, over 1000 charts, at least 500 cross stitch magazines and over 500 skeins of yarn, I guess you could say the rest is history.

The other thing I really enjoy is doing jigsaw puzzles and have over 400 of them.

It's a good thing I don't like to party or buy clothes.  lol

Linda

Another Intro

I have very little idea of what to say here so apologies for the rambling!
I'm Tama, in my 30's, single, no kids.  I have a brother and a sister and three nephews, 12, 5, and almost 2.  I really need a niece but my brother and SIL are dragging their feet for some reason...?  I used to have 4 cats and 2 dogs but all except one cat have gone from old age and my heart can't handle replacing them yet.
I love to cross stitch and my two favorite style/patterns to stitch are Bent Creek and HAEDs.  I also crochet and sometimes do embroidery, kumihimo and crewel work.  I can knit at a very basic level.  I have bought my first punchneedle kit but haven't tried it yet.
I have more stash than I could ever possibly stitch but it doesn't stop me collecting more!
I live in an extremely rural area of West Virginia and get most of my stitching supplies through online and catalog shopping.  A trip to Hobby Lobby is a major life event!
I don't have a full time job but hold down three part-time jobs that fill all seven days of the week.  Hoping to change that soon so I will have more stitching time :D
This is Grizabella, AKA Boo, who is my only furbaby - for now - showing off her teeth :P

Off to stitch!

Tama

A lot of info you don't really want to know!

Name: Sharon but go by Dede since I was born (sister pronounced baby as dede) I have 4 sisters and 1 brother. About 47 on my side of the family.  Hubby has a sister, BIL and his parents still living (88 & 87)

Have lived n rural eastern Kansas all my life except while attending nursing school in Missouri.

Married: 40 years to a high school classmate--didn’t date till after we graduated. 3 sons, 3 DIL, 3 granddaughters (12, 10, 8), 2 grand sons ( 2 ½ years and 7 months). Youngest granddaughter visits most Mondays to stitch with me.  She has the bug so far! Oldest son lives just 2 miles away and the other two live in Kansas City area. So happy to have them all close!

Stitching since 1974.  Learned from a co worker working the evening shift at hospital. My largest piece is BBD Anniversaries of the Heart--which I still need to personalize, Completed

the Randje per Week 2014.  Haven't started the 2015 yet but plan too. I have dabbled a little in hardanger and white work.  A little knitting and crocheting too.

Work--a few years at local hospital and  part time at a nursing home until our second son was born then decided I was raising them and not a baby sitter.  Hubby farmed for a few years then was offered a job at local bank selling insurance to their customers and working with loans.  He now owns the insurance agency, started a real estate agency, manages some properties, and publishes a little town paper that just covers the local news.  I help with publishing and distributing and watch the office when needed.

Other hobbies are photography, flower gardening, birding, genealogy. I joined several yahoo groups and found Kansas Stitchers thru one of the groups.  We meet about every other month in either Wichita at Hearts Desire, Topeka at a members church or Abilene at Picture This Plus.  And a couple times at Old Mill in Liberty, MO.  We have a group now on Face Book too.

Love living in rural Kansas.  We are far enough away from big city (Topeka, Kansas City, or St. Joseph, MO) but close enough to visit occasionally.  We have one dog that was dumped on us 2 years ago.  A yellow dog much like the one we had for many years.  When Ellie died I vowed never to have another as did not want to go thru that again but here we are.  Daisy presently is presenting us with voles she is catching out in the fields when hunting.  3 bodies decorate the patio--easy pickings when there is snow cover evidently!  She loves to go on walks with me in the pasture when we have warm weather.

Rachel's Introduction

Hello all,

So, to tell you a bit about myself.....

I'm Rachel, hubby's Anthony and we've known each other since we were 4. We are both now 44, have been married for 16 years and are the parents of two wonderful children, Heather 13 and Toby 11.

I have a degree in Geography and Development Studies but before becoming a full time mum worked in London as an accountant.

I voluntarily run a local school library and have just been asked to return to a second school to sort out their messy library.

I have been my mum's sole carer for five years. She had a massive brain bleed in 2008 which left her body damaged but her mind and mouth functioning perfectly!

I am very soppy about my pets. The 2 cockatiels will often sit on my head whilst I am stitching or "help" by picking at my needle and thread! The 5 guinea pigs are just loveable rumbling balls of fluff and fur!

I started cross stitching in 1991 but gave it up in 2006 to concentrate on scrapbooking before returning to cross stitching two years ago.

I am extremely OCD when it comes to organizing my cross stitch stash and projects (and there's quite a lot of it to organize!) Everything has to be just so.

Finally, although I'm quite introvert I'm never short of a few words when it comes to writing things down! You'll rarely find a short blog post from me!!

And on that note I'd better stop before I give away any of my deep dark secrets!

Love Rachel x

Trina's Introduction!

Hi there folks. My name is Trina and I have been stitching since I was 21.  I am 43 so that means I have been enjoying stitching for 22 years. My favourite movie of all time is The Wizard of Oz and have quite a collection of collectibles and many copies of the movie. I keep trying to declutter my stash but I keep finding more things that I know I need.  I have been happily married to a wonderful man, Todd for 7 years and I have 2 grown step children - Kimberley and Michael.

My big WIP is Heaven and Earths - Wizard of Oz and although I haven't got too much done I look forward to making a decent dent this weekend.

Happy stitching!

Amy's Introduction

Hello folks, I'm Amy. I'm 26, and I learned how to stitch about 15 years ago. I took it up again on and off towards the end of college, and I got back into it a year and a half ago.

I'm active duty military, currently stationed in California. I've moved five times in as many years, and I've spent some time sailing in the Mediterranean.

My other hobby is parkour, though I'm out of it for the moment thanks to an injured elbow. Once upon a time I used to fence, but there aren't any clubs nearby. I'll read any Stephen King books I can get my hands on.

Not married, but I have two cats to keep me company, Sherlock Holmes and Morty, who love nothing more than sitting on my lap when I'm trying to stitch.

February's Update!

     I'm loving stitching on this piece.  It's Serendipity Harbor and you receive a portion of the chart once each month.  It's by By The Bay Needle Works.  Here it is with the first two parts finished.

     Hello and welcome to everyone who is new here.  Glad you decided to join us!

Sarah's Introduction

Reposted from my reply to Tammy's post....

My name is Sarah and I live in the "home of 2011s famous EF5 tornado". I am married to my best friend and have two boys, one's married and has given me two amazing grandsons. We have three dogs and a sugar glider. I am currently in recovery from an accident that crushed my right arm (making great progress in the last month or so). I work the night shift but am hoping to go back to days soon. I have been stitching since I was five....that's ummmm 40 years LOL. I have long red hair that I am regrowing after catching it on fire and burning off 14 inches. It was down to my knees and is now only at my waist.

Introducing Kate

Hello! Tammy came up with the idea of introducing ourselves this month; I think it's a great idea to get to know each other a little better.

If you follow me on my other blog, you know a lot about me. For the rest of you, here are 15 fast facts:

1. My name is Kate, short for Kathryn.
2. I'm 35.
3. I've been married to my sweet hubby, Tim, for 13 years.
4. We have two beautiful daughters, Hope, age 12, and Alex, age 9 months.
5. We have 5 furbabies and 1 feather baby: Sugar and Smores (dogs), Oreo, Cinnamon, and Marshmallow (cats), and Tweety (bird).
6. We've lived in Texas for just over a year; before that, we lived in Florida.
7. I've been cross stitching for 12 years but only really started working on it seriously in the last year.
8. I also love to crochet and scrapbook.
9. I have no sense of smell.
10. Although I love to take care of my family, deep down I really dislike cleaning and cooking.
11. I'm a stay-at-home mom thanks to my job as a jewelry consultant.
12. I've been selling jewelry for 9 years.
13. I homeschool Hope and plan to homeschool Alex.
14. Things I love: Pizza, chocolate, owls, touching flowers (no sense of smell, remember?), listening to the rain, getting lost in a good book
15. Things I dislike: cold weather, crowds, and spiders

That's me in a nutshell :-)
Thanks for reading.
Happy Stitching!
Kate
 

Introduction - Elaine

Greetings!  I'm Elaine, 50-something, and I've been stitching for at least 20 years.  Not many finishes, and in the past I've gone 2-3 years without even picking up a needle, but I'm back at it.  I tend to prefer large designs, which is one reason I don't finish much.

I live in the Seattle area of Washington state (USA).  I'm a born and raised Washingtonian and can't imagine living anywhere else (except maybe the Oregon Coast).  I work as a project director for a Contract Research Organization - we do data management and statistical support for clinical trials.  I work mainly in cardiology, neurology and ophthalmology.  I'd love to retire soon, but that's not in the cards financially.

I've been married for almost 36 years to my high school sweetheart.  We have three children (aged 33, 30 and 29).  The 33 year old has a 12 year old daughter and the 30 year old lives with us, along with her boyfriend and their 5 month old son. The baby of the family is the security manager at a local casino. I also spend time every day with my 85 year old mother, who lives near us in a senior living facility.

In addition to cross-stitch, I scrapbook, knit, read, and follow Seattle Mariners baseball avidly.  

Enough about me - enjoying reading about everyone else!

Introduction

Introducing... me! Okay so maybe not quite that exciting. The thought has been brought up to have a monthly theme post (I'm all for the 15th-ish, just to have something for us all to look forward to halfway through the month). This month's theme is an introduction. So without further ado...

Hello! My name is Caitlin (I'm sure you've all figured that one out). I am 25 and have been stitching for only about 1.5 years... this time. I did try my hand at this about 4 or so years ago, but life got in the way. As it tends to do from time to time. There has always been some sort of craft I've been into though. I can't ever go too long without something to occupy my mind and hands.

I'm a "mother" of two cute pooches. One Chihuahua and one GSD. Yes, the Chi rules the roost. Lol. I currently work in insurance, which is not always fun, but is mostly rewarding.

I love watching crime shows; CSI, Castle, Rizzoli & Isles, etc., The Big Bang Theory, cooking shows, and the list goes on. I also love reading, but haven't really had much of a chance recently.

That's all the "exciting" things I can think of at the moment. I shall leave you all with my miserable progress on Hummers this month. My mind has been wandering and so I've been rotating more of my WIPs than I was in January. I'm still happy with how it looks so far. :-)

CaitlinD

Hi Everyone

well we are off to a great shape.
My reason for my post...
I am in the middle of studying for upgrading my profession, I am a pharmacy Assistant and upgrading to Technician. (which means I'll be able to check prescriptions) I have been working on this since last spring and it has now all come down to 2 exams I need to take in March (40 days to go!!).
So I just wanted to give to a piece of me and the reason why I might not be active that much until after these exams are done. I have to put studying first. Then after that my tiger will grow and hopefully so will my posting :)
So I challenge all of you, we have a pretty small group, in between posting for the SAL maybe we could could have a theme post for the month, get know each other some more?? What do you guys think?? Open for suggestions too!
I could post the theme or question even at the top of the blog and whenever you want or not (its a choice) you can participate?

* so my idea for this month would be to introduce yourself *
My name is Tammy I am originally from Ontario, Canada and now I live just outside of Calgary Alberta. I am married I have a 3 year old son, a husband, a cranky fil and 3 cats. I work as a Pharmacy Assistant. I have been stitching since I  was 16 so that is umm 20 years and love blogging about it. I am obsessed with stitching tools.

Senior moment...

I can't believe it I completely forgot about this SAL. The Super Duper Crazy January Challenge took all my attention and time. I am so sorry and I promise (cross my heart) that I will not miss February's update. My little strawberry pirate Alicia is out from the basket ready to grow.

So long my friends,
Evalina

Third time lucky?

Hello!

It seems that, for one reason or another, many of us (myself included) did not have a very good start to our New Year projects. Nevertheless I have enjoyed watching them all come to life, no matter how many or few stitches were worked.

I have chosen a new fabric for Scarlet Macaw Preening. It will definitely be aida (yippee!) and custom-dyed based on a colourways suggested by the lady concerned. She understands my requirements and has offered to test-dye small samples and take the time needed to get the colours right before I commit to the purchase. How's that for service? I will let you know who she is once I have received the fabric, after which I shall have a lot of catch-up stitching to do!

In the meantime I hope everybody else's February stitching is going well.

Take care,
Rachel x

Fatema's January Check In.

Hi friends,

Sorry I am so late in posting. I have a very good reason for it. I have been very sick and didnt feel like doing anything. Actually I am still not feeling too good.

I couldnt stitch much on my HAED even though I like it so much. I have a few other projects with tight deadlines to finish first.

Here is my Jan progress from Jan 1 to Jan 31st.

Hope to do a lot more in February!!

Starting month two

Everyone's January progress is amazing! We have so many beautiful charts coming together.

I didn't work on mine this weekend. I did manage to put a few stitches in one of my smalls though. Now that the weekend and the Super Bowl are over I will get back to some sort of normal routine and work on Letting Go.  I'm hoping to make better progress in February.

Happy stitching everyone!

Sarah

I can see strips

Yahoo now it's coming quicker. I see tiger strips.