SFS 2015 March Update

Hi all,

It is times like these that I am very happy that I joined Mel from Epic Stitching for Stitch from Stash 2015. It makes sure that I come visit with all of you at least once a month. I have been finding it hard to find the time to actually come online and post.

Let's get the numbers out of the way...

Month: March

Carry Forward: $44.54 (I realized that I didn't add the $25 budget allowance in February)

Spent: $7.00 ($60 gift card minus $67.00)
-Nashville Market purchases $42.12
-WDW Floss Bundle, Classic Color Works Floss Bundle, L*K Buzz kit and and Aury TM Quaker Halloween chart
-Fabric.com $18.96 2 yards of 14ct aida fabric (to be used in my charity stitching)
-123Stich $5.92 28ct Jazlyn fabric

Earned: $14.00
Spooky Tree by Breanne Jackson in the 2013 Just Cross Stitch Halloween Issue
Music Note free pattern
Mini Heart - designed by baby girl


Carry Forward into April: $76.54

My co-worker and I were both given a gift card as a bonus in early February for going above and beyond what our normal year end duties required. It was a surprise but I knew exactly what I wanted to spend it on Nashville Market. lol So I saved and was able to spend a little more than I would have been able to otherwise.

For some reason I am on a real Halloween kick here lately and I am loving it. So until I get bored I will continue with the patterns that have caught my eye. I do have a couple of stitches that I promised I would complete that are not Halloween but that is good cause I don't want to get burned out too quick. There are so many patterns that are just calling my name to do.

This month has also proven to be quite busy. We to see my brother and attend a niece's birthday party at the beginning of the month, then two weeks later on baby girl's spring break we took a trip to the coast and then went to my brother's for the weekend.

The first weekend after the birthday party of course, we had a very relaxing time and I was able to get quite a bit of stitching done.

First to be completed was the first bonus pattern that came with L*K Things Unseen Mystery Sampler. I think I used a 20 ct white mystery fabric that I had in my stash. I didn't count this in my earnings. I love how the threads in this pattern pop on a bright white fabric. Not sure how I am going to finish this one but until then, into the finishing drawer this one goes.

Next to be worked on and completed is the second free pattern with L*K's Things Unseen Mystery Sampler. This time I went with a scrap piece of 25 ct Dark Red Lugana that I had in my fabric bin. Again I am surprised that this came out so cute. Surprisingly the colors also stand out on this fabric. Again I did not count this in my earnings total. Now I just need to finish it as a pin pillow. Until then, into the finishing drawer it will go.

Once those were done I started looking around for what to do next. I found this cute little music note with a heart and just fell in love with it. It was stitched on 14 ct white aida for Q4OC. I joined them on Yahoo, but they are now on Facebook. This is the group that I purchased the 2 yards of fabric for. I was searching and searching in the stores for 14 ct white that would produce more than one square at a time and couldn't find any. So I did a quick search and found Fabric.com. They sell this count by the yard and each yard is 60" wide (for only $9.48 per yard). I figured at that price I would go ahead and stock up.

Since that one stitched up so quick (one day) I had to find something else. Baby girl had designed a little heart some time ago and had asked then if I would stitch it for her. Well...she saw me digging around for another project and brought it back out. She even went in my stash and picked her own colors to be used. I think we might have a budding designer in the house. lol

Once that was done, I decided to give a little love to a name tree "Peace". I can't remember where I found this pattern but I am enjoying how this looks.

But after a day of stitching on this piece I was in the mood for something different so on the hunt I went again. This time I went looking in my project basket (the one for kitted but not started projects) and found Spooky Tree from the 2013 Just Cross Stitch Halloween issue. I used a 28 ct Misty Blue Cashel and stitched with the recommended DMC 310. This was a fun stitch. The only problem I had was the 2 over 1 for the bats. OMG was this difficult. I don't know if you can tell but there may be a couple of stitches that I crossed over two instead of one when making my second stitch.

Last week was baby girl's spring break and we went to Galveston then popped over to my brother's for part of the weekend. We originally planned on staying the whole weekend but he forgot we were coming by and he made "Guy's Weekend" plans. Of course I had to rib him a bit over the mix up, but in the end it all worked out because we were able to relax at home on Sunday before work and school started. I couldn't believe how foggy it was. Here is a couple of pics of the two of us. :)

On the jetty (only about 50' from shore)

Foggy look at the Pier

While gone, I didn't do very much stitching but I did make a new start. It is called Welcome Spring by LHN and the pattern came free with the purchase of Classic Color Works Floss Bundle at Market. I am making a few thread changes but I will get into that when I finish. I am stitching on 28 ct Lt Gray Lugana. Not sure if I am really liking how the colors look on this fabric yet, but I am going to give it some time. I have only used one color so far.

I am sorry for the long post. I will try to make an interim
post to show off some of what I get done in April.

Ta Ta for Now,
Angela

Update

This week has been a roller coaster. I completed my first Scarlet Letter sampler and was trying to decide which project to pick back up or to start. I just couldn't make up my mind. I wanted to start AW 1662 but got scared of the different stitches involved. I thought about picking up An Acrostic Sampler, but didn't like the linen provided. I decided to work on another snowflake for WOCS for a little while until I could make a decision. I worked on it for a night an then this wonderful pink and white variegated yarn caught my eye. I started working on a small blanket with it until I could make a decision. I was still going back and forth when I decided to get out of the house one afternoon and when to my LNS. I figured since I didn't care for the linen sent with either sampler I would look for something else and maybe that would help me decide. I looked at my charts and wrote down what sized pieces I would need. So armed I figured I could go in and look/feel for a fabric I would fall in love with an be able to walk out. How wrong I was thinking that I could walk out without picking up anything else. I walked into the shop and the first thing I saw was all the lovely charts set out. I think I spent a good 1/2 hour looking at the different charts I didn't get a chance to look at the last time I went in. I have to admit that some of the charts were quite old (the plastic that they placed the charts in disintegrated upon touch). But there were others that were new. I figured since I had the time I would look thru them all OK, most of them (wasn't at all interested in the animal charts). I was in heaven. My wish list grew and grew but my wallet was reminding me that I did not have enough for all of them and my head was reminding me that I would still have to pack them all. :( Did that stop me from dreaming and drooling over them? Of course not!!! I picked up a couple charts/kits and carried them around with me for a while. I finally decided on...

Cat Lessons for People

As I was checking out the gentleman helping me stated that a customer came in earlier and said that they were not going to use a piece of fabric and gave it to him. He then asked me if I could use it. For about 30 seconds I was speechless then said yes, I would be able to use the piece. He then placed the fabric in my bag with no charge. I am so glad I went in and supported my local store. The second chart I picked up is...

ABC Lessons

This one I decided to use a piece of linen I received in one of my SL kits. I settled on a Mocha 32ct Lugana for AW 1662

and a 28ct Royal Linen in Spun Silver for my Acrostic Sampler.

I got home put my wonderful additions away and finally overcame my fear and started AW 1662. I am so glad I did. I am loving every stitch.

Just one more note...Parsley from Seasons of my Mind and I participated in a Valentine exchange. I posted what she sent me in an earlier post. I still love it and keep it near me in my stitching chair. My DD still asks me if she can have it. I hate disappointing her, but in this I must. I will NOT give it up. :) Now that I know Parsley has received my gift I can show you what I sent her.

Front (with the card I made)

Back

 

I found the cutest heart buttons to put on the top of the little biscornu.

Ta Ta for now,
Angela the crazy cat lady (as my daughter calls me)