Let Us Begin Anew

This post has been a long time coming but work and life seems to have gotten in the way of posting online. I have not even been able to keep up with any of the blogs I have been following. I am still having some hard times but I am going to concentrate on what I already have and what is currently good in my life rather than things that I can not control. That means going back to the beginning and remembering what I have loved about my craft and my life. This will be a picture heavy post so if you have the time please continue, but if not that is okay too.

There have been quite a few small finishes for the charity groups I belong to...which of course I don't have any pictures of with me today. I have had to made the hard decision to stop stitching for them for a while (not forever, but just until I can get myself back on track both financially and emotionally). I tend to try to bite off more than I can chew (both money and time wise) and my sewing skills do not seem to be up to par. The last time I tried to make some bags, I messed up my fabric twice. Good thing that I did not yet try to sew the stitched pieces onto the fabric. So I have sent off (or am sending off soon) those pieces I have already completed and going to concentrate on the things that I already have in the house.

I do have some pictures of my recent finishes.

I participated in a SAL with one of the Facebook groups I belong to. I sorta enjoyed the stitching, but love the result. I still need to figure out how I am going to finish this little piece.

I actually tea stained the fabric (using a berry tea). I really like the pink of the fabric. It helps the variegated threads stand out.

Next up is the newest STNA October Ornament. This one was completed on 28 ct Christmas Green Jobelan that was in my stash. I don't remember where I received it, I am just thankful that it was there. Well...I was going to add, but for some reason this one picture will not upload. Maybe next time.

 

 

Next is a quick Christmas ornament from JCS Christmas 2011 issue also stitched on the Christmas Green Jobelan. Plan on making both of these up into pillows to display in a bowl on the counter.

I finally finished my Oriental Butterfly. To remind you where I was at last time I picked this up...

 

And where I finished. I decided that the characters on the side would make the piece too busy. I have not decided how I will finish this so into the finish pile it goes. :(

 

 

 





 

I won an autographed chart of Rosine's Sampler by C Street Sampler works from Norden Crafts Ltd on Facebook. This was stitched on 18 ct Aida that I dyed myself using The Gentle Art Sampler Threads Deep Sea. I decided that I wanted a more personal sampler so I added the current year in the center and used my initials instead of Rosine's. I plan on framing this piece eventually, but until I get the courage and or money to get it done, it will have to wait.

 

 

 

After this I picked up what I call "Cats Collage". This is where I left off last time....

 

 

 

I finished the cat that is in the empty square but forgot to take a picture before I moved the hoop to start another cat. I will get a picture of the two of them together once I finish this one.

 

Just one last note...

 

Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shop is hosting another wonderful giveaway. Please stop by and let her know I sent you.

 

Hope you have a wonderful stitch filled day.

 

Ta Ta for now,

Angela