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

Long overdue update

 I just love looking at all the different fabric choices offered at 44th Street Fabric who is having a wonderful giveaway this month. Stop by for a visit.

Absolutely no update on any of my Scarlet Letter pieces.

My Garden Journal has January complete and February almost completed. I will post another picture when I complete February. I received the chart for March and will start on that soon.

WOCS - two snowflakes are complete and just need to be sent. I am working on a butterfly

Q4OC - Mystery Heart almost complete but had to stop for a little bit because it was becoming one of those "Have To" stitches that just didn't want to get done. Need to complete my butterfly and cross pieces.

Still no job yet. The last interview I went on was perfect. The interviewers were very impressed but was then told that they are going to wait a while before the job becomes available. Just received a call and have another interview set up for Friday. I liked being at home but now I am ready to be around people (sorry to say that baby girl is not quite old enough to count right now). I need to have conversations with other adults.

During this time I was picked as the second winner from CraftyCat's Grow Your Blog Party Giveaway. When I found out that I won my daughter happened to be in the room. She said "Aw Mom, you are always winning stuff. I really like those colors". I kinda had to laugh at this and mentioned it in my email to Cathy. My plan was to give her the bracelet when I received it. To my surprise there was a second bracelet made just for my little girl. She was soooo happy to receive it. Thank you so much Cathy.

Here they are together. It wasn't until I was getting the pictures ready

 for posting that I realized we were photo bombed by our eldest Tigerlily.

I have been reading every one's blogs but have not had the energy, will, desire whatever, to make comments. I will not boor anyone with all the details but I am having a hard time trying to keep it together lately. Not quite sure what to do but I do know that somehow things will all work out. Hopefully before too much longer.

As far as this whole Google Reader going away I don't seem to have a problem with Bloglovin. When I signed up I wasn't required to post anything about people following me (maybe I didn't do something right?). I tend not to read the snippets on the front page and just go straight to the blogs. What I find nice is that when I click on the name of the post I can go to that post and on the top of the screen is a place that I can go to the next blog I like to read without having to exit from that screen and then there is to counter up there as well so that I can know how many new posts I have not yet read. I find that I like this method because I enjoy seeing the original post. I guess I am simple that way.

Ta Ta for now,
Angela