Stitch, Snow, Stitch, Sleep - oh yeah - Eat Now and Then

I have been busy.  In between snow flakes and critter visits, I have been stitching up a storm.  I finished up the Chalk series for February.  I believe that was project number 14 for the month for me.  That is some busy stitching hands.

The addition of the Tea Rose pick really perked it up.  Then I decided that I was tired of small projects and constantly having to kit things up..... So I pulled out my Christmas Village afghan project.  It is huge.  30 blocks?  It was originally found in the Stoney Creek from 2012.  (The good news is that these charts should be released as a single project soon.)  Gee Darn - I have to spend time under the afghan and the temperatures are dropping like a rock.

This is work on block #3.  I believe this is the seventh block that I have worked on.  I was a bit bored with it last night while watching TV.  So I picked up the first project from the new Nordic Needle Hardanger Club.  It will be a needle book some day soon?

Chalk Series #2 - - Almost done

All the chalk/white is done.  It is ready for a touch of pink (Tea Rose). 

Juniper Santa AND Winter Pals done!

Here he is!! Juniper Santa from Mill Hill. 

Beads and beard were put on this morning.  Then it started to snow.  I wasn't exactly sure what to stitch next.  I was sitting in my craft room and this little kit was just sitting there.  So I picked it up and started.  Then I was finished!  This is done now until I do the finishing with beaded hanger and tassel.  They go together quickly but not today.

The big storm went east and south of me.  It only started snowing around noon today.  We might have 2 or 3 inches out there and it appears to be done.  How appropriate?  To stitch a snowman on a snowy afternoon?  I will remember that.

Santa is ready for beads!

This one has more cross stitch than most.  He is ready for beads.  What to do next?

Santa's Progress

A bit headless right now.  I spent most of the afternoon stitching and watching Downton Abbey.  Ohhh it is so fun to have the whole new season to watch before it appears on TV.  I won't tell a thing.  Mum is the word. 

One done and another started......

So the January - Hands On Design - A Year in Chalk is done.....

Then I had to find a new project.  What about another Santa?  So I started Juniper Santa.....

I put the checkerboard duct tape on the top and bottom of the perforated paper and I experimented with my old scroll bars.... it works out just fine. 

A Return to XS

I left the hardanger scarf project and returned to cross stitch.  It is my first love and my favorite.  It feels good to be cross stitching again.  It has been a down week with dentist troubles and perhaps some cabin fever setting in.  I just want to sleep.  Between naps I put a few stitches in......

This is done.  Silent Night by Little House Needleworks.  It looks large but it is actually quite small and will make a cute ornament - - for next year.

Then I started this one.  January from a Year in Chalk series from Hands On Designs.  All that is left is two borders and this one will be done.  I am zipping right along.

Another part is done

This next section took quite a bit of time.  I have been working on it every day and today I get to discover what comes next.

Meet Williamsburg Santa and a few other projects

Well, he is done.  Ready for cutting and some felt on back with a hanger and he is ready for the Christmas tree.  I am quite proud of him.

Next up was part 5? of the hardanger piece.  This was putting eyelet stitches all around the outside edge of the piece.

Just a few moments ago, I finished part 6? of the same project.  This time they called for cable stitches surrounding various parts of the piece.  I do love the cable stitch.

For comic relief, I started another Christmas piece.  This is the beginning of Little House Needleworks' Silent Night.  This has quite a bit of solid stitching to get through.

As you can see I have been busy with stitching.  Life does continue.  I was called to Grand Jury duty and I was very lucky to be dismissed with full credit and no other visits from me.  Between that and several other things going on at the house, I have certainly been busy.  Today I even shoveled as we had quite a bit of 'no snow' to clear off the walk.  The turkeys and deer keep me company. 

Williamsburg Santa and a Thank You

 I was cleaning up my craft room and I discovered this very nice bunch of fabric.  This was a very special present from a very nice friend.  I need to send her a thank you email as I believe I failed to do that just at the holiday time.  This will be added to my stash and used for who knows what.  I love the fall colors.  Hummmm - it does get my thoughts churning.

Mill Hill's Williamsburg Santa is ready for beads and beard.  Very cute.  Stitching on perforated paper is a bit different.  I like these as ornaments.  I trim the excess paper away and then I glue it to some felt with a hanger.  Easy to do and it looks impressive.

Progress Has Been Made and duct tape to the rescue

I have been busy with the new hardanger piece.  I did have to take a break and start something new.  The weather has been bitter cold and we have had some snow.  Perfect for stitching.  Here is the latest photo.  Parts one, two, three and four are now complete.

 There is a lot of work represented there.  Mostly kloster blocks.  I do wonder why a tailored buttonhole stitch was called for.  I seem to run into this new buttonhole stitch more lately.  (that was in the darker color).  If anyone knows why one buttonhole stitch would be better than another, I would love to hear from you.

I took a break and started Williamsburg Santa.  I have his vest, pants, legs and shoes done.  This is a Mill Hill kit so there are empty spaces for the beads that will be added last.  In order to work on this, I had to do some creative stuff.  I purchased a special frame for doing paper projects.  The frame is made for working on a desk top.  I really didn't care for it as I stitch in my recliner.  So I adapted by using my regular scroll frame parts and my lap stand.  The paper had to be lengthened in order to work.  Checkered duct tape to the rescue!! 

New Year, New Start

Well, here I go again.  I finished that hardanger tablecloth after ten years and I have picked up another huge piece and I can't seem to stop working on it.  So far I have completed the outside kloster blocks and I am working on the tailored buttonhole stitch that goes on the outside.  Tans and browns are a nice change from white on white.  I have a Christmas ornament ready to work on but so far it has been ignored.

The mail man brought me my 'end of year' sale items.  Lots of ornaments and a table runner.  Time, where do I find the time?

Downton Abbey and my first finish of 2015

 Drum roll please!!! It is done!  It is done!  I did a marathon of Downton Abbey (the next season starts tomorrow night) and finished this.  I also took a photo of the middle which is what I did today.

I can't believe it is done.  After all these years.  What to do next?  It is snowing tonight and that makes me want to snuggle in and start something new.

The Life Long Tablecloth

What to do?  What to do?  I have been very busy.  Family, Friends and activities.  The holidays will soon be over.  Bad weather is coming and I have jury duty for two months.  ARGH!!!  I have a new ton of fabric to consider.  (I will get photos soon.)  So much to do and so little time.

Meanwhile I have been working on the hardanger table cloth that I have been working on for ten years?  Ten years?  I am not sure but I do know that it has been an extremely long time.  I have completed most of it.  I have the center to do.  I have been cutting and doing filling stitches all around the outside.  Here is a photo.  Great progress but I really think it might be time to move to something else.