Stitching!

Heather's Theme-a-Licous theme for September was all about smalls.  I decided to go rogue and work on big projects instead.  Since I was on vacation at the beginning of September, I actually got a lot done compared to my typical progress.  I finished another block on Anniversaries of the Heart.  No personalization is being done on this until the end.  I have things sketched out in my head but need to do some planning before I start adding it.  As you can see, I also just started the border on the next block.  I've enjoyed this project so far and hope to finish it up next year.

In my last post, I gave you a sneak peek of a new project I was starting.  Actually, the sneak peek was just a picture of the linen and threads.  I started Shores of Hawk Run Hollow on our last day of vacation and was able to complete my first block.  I haven't touched it since but do hope to start the next block in November.  Block one was fun!

I'm often asked how I have the patience for stitching.  For me, stitching (as does knitting and quilting) gives me patience.  It soothes my mind and chases the stress away and obviously brings me much enjoyment.   I do wish it was just as easy to turn to exercise but ... ummm, that hasn't happened yet!  

Is This Thing On?

I hadn't intended to be gone so long.  Blogging seems to be one of those activities that once you stop, it's hard to get the ball rolling again.  So where have I been?  Well, I traveled for work for two weeks with a week of vacation in between.  Vacation was spent in the mountains.  The two days it didn't rain, we spent a lot of time in a couple of parks.  Having picnics, chatting, and enjoying each others company.  For me, a bit of stitching.  For Greg, a bit of jogging.  Perfect.

Our Picnic Spot

The other couple of weeks I missed was just life and getting caught up after being out of my site at work for three weeks.  Things are returning to normal.  I'm tired though and hope that my work travel is over for the year.  At this point, it looks like it is!

I missed the August Theme-a-Licious update.  Better late than never.  The theme for August was :

Embrace the Olympic motto--Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger)--by elevating your mind. It's the perfect time to learn something new! Or maybe achieve some goals.. 

My goal was to get a knitting project on the needles and to make some progress on it.  The pattern called for a cashmere blend yarn but I wanted something "curl up on the couch cozy and warm" so I went with a bulky yarn.  Here is where I am at just less than 1 ball knit up.  This was really moving along until after vacation.  Not much has happened since then.    Septembers theme is about smalls - I'm going rogue and working on BAPs....more to come at the end of the month!

 On our last day in the mountains, I started a new stitching project.  Here's a peek.  I hope to show you more at the end of the month. 

Wishing you all a good week and happy stitches!

Cotton Club

Two Saturdays back, I came home from my Cotton Club BOM meeting and immediately sat down at the sewing machine and got busy. Unusual for me. I finished all of the 5 blocks I had left to piece. It went well, it didn't seem to matter that it took hours to get these last 5 blocks finished.

I put all my blocks in number order and stacked them in their Cotton Club box. Then I grabbed my finishing fabrics and got busy.

I first went through my blocks and found the blocks (they're not assembled in numerical order) I needed for my first row. I wanted to put them on the design wall to keep me focused.

First row up on the design wall. I can never seem to get good pictures in my sewing room.

I also cut out my finishing fabrics with the exception of two of the borders. I tend to label everything as I've learned it's in my best interest to do so. I didn't do the sub-cutting for the triangles yet.

Sunday I started making half square triangles and setting out the first row. My sewing machine then insisted that I had delayed her annual maintenance long enough. So I stopped and packed her up. I had really wanted to get the setting triangles for this row pieced but it was not to be.

See that block third from the bottom? I realized upon looking at this photo that it needed to be rotated to be positioned correctly. I did that right away so I wouldn't forget. Funny how something not so obvious in person is so obvious in a pic.

As luck would have it, my sewing machine repair guy was out of town. It felt weird not to sew this weekend. We were busy with putting our house back together (which went well thanks to the tremendous efforts of my husband). But I still really missed my sewing machine!

Wishing you all happy stitches!

Off the Needles!

I finished the hat I was knitting for Jake! It needs to be blocked. I'm pretty happy with the way it came out and better yet, I know he'll use it.

Skull Hat by Gina Doherty - Pattern is Free

Ravelry Page

Yarn Cascade Superwash

Needle Size 7 or 8 (I can't remember!)

I haven't started another knitting project as yet but I have one in mind. We had the carpet in our bedrooms replaced today and the house looks like a bomb went off. We had to empty closets. Including my sewing room closet. I don't think I'll be doing much with any kind of needle this weekend as a result. The men in my life also now think I have a "lot of stuff" because it's all been sitting in the living room. If they only knew I was an amateur!

Jolly July

To recap:

Jolly July

It's a jolly holiday with your WIPs...you can concentrate on Christmas designs, ornaments, or even pick a different holiday to render in stitchy goodness.

I'm not sure how Jolly July was but it did end with a small stitching finish. I finished one of the Blackbird Designs stockings. I had started this one during March Madness.

Blackbird Designs

Merry Christmas

30 Count R&R Iced Cappuccino

Called for thread

I purchased this BBD booklet with a kit and I'm finding I don't care for the linen. When I get to stitching the other stockings, I'm going to change the linen to something else.

That's my Theme-a-licous update for July!

To see how everyone else did for Jolly July, see Heather's blog. I'm sure most had a better showing than I did!