WIPocalypse List

I finally got a list together of the projects I'm planning to work on for Measi's WIPocalypse for 2012:

A Petit Sampling Etui - Collaboration

Working on this as a stitchalong with Nataly and a few others

Blue Ribbon Winner - Paula Vaughn

Started many years ago as a gift.  Guess it's a little late ;-)

Bluebird Tree - Gerda Bengtsson

Not the real name, but not sure what the translation is

C of A's Pyn-Pillow and Scissor Fob - Eileen Bennett

very old Class Project

Embellishments - Cross N Patch

can't find the chart at the moment, but I will

Gone Birding - Crossed Wing Collection

Barely started. Over 1, this is the project that made me realize my eyes were getting old

Grandmas Garden Sewing Kit - Stitching Treasures

Class Project May 2011

Linen Band Sampler Bookmark - Eventide Designs

Found this when looking for my other WIP's.  Nice to have something small to work on

My Stitching Album - Jeannette Douglas Designs

Finished cover, back and first sampler - LONG way to go

Shaker Pincushion - The Victoria Sampler

Retreat Project - October 2011

Take Time To Stitch - Jeannette Douglas Designs

Almost finished with this one, might concentrate on it first and get a finish to brag about

The Butterfly Garden - Needlecrafts Unlimited

VERY old class project, barely started

Wedding Day - Sue Hillis Designs

Not finished in time for the wedding I was going to. Thought I might stitch it up and have it standing by to fill in the name/date for the next wedding I go to :-)

A few of my projects have gone missing since I moved, but I'm sure they'll turn up soon. I'll add these to the list when I find them.  I'll have plenty to work on until then :-)

Everything Under the Sun Heirloom Chatelaine - Moss Creek Designs
Hedgerow Birds - Blackbird Designs
Springtime Carnation Sewing Purse - Tristan Brooks Designs

I'd like to tell you that this is all of my UFO's/WIP's but unfortunately that's not true.  Since I'm very unlikely to finish all of these I'll be happy if I can finish a few and make progress on the rest.

Sewing Finishes

I finished a couple of Christmas gifts late last week, with only moments to spare before delivery! The first is a set of 3 Snap-Its that I made for my little sister. I put them inside of each other with a gift card in the smallest one. She loved them.

The last one is a tote bag I made for my sister. For some reason I kept messing things up and having to redo them, but it came out OK eventually and she was pleased with it.

I don't expect to be sewing again for awhile. I'm looking forward to concentrating on cross stitching for awhile. I'm working on my WIPocalypse list, and expect to post it within the next couple of days.

I had hoped to sign up for the International Hermit & Stitch weekend but had so much going on that I didn't think I'd have time to participate. Then in true hermit fashion I decided to skip my plans for the day Saturday and sit at home and stitch. I realized that I haven't had a chance to spend a whole day at home since I moved in. It felt great. I managed to finish the stitching on Silent Night by Little House Needleworks

Then I pulled out the chart for Noel by Log Cabin Needleworks. This one is a freebie that I saw posted on someone's blog last week (sorry I can't remember who). It's a quick and easy stitch and I finished it in a few hours. I didn't have the suggested floss, so substitued some CC floss I had on hand

Now I have to find time to finish them into ornaments. I have a bunch of ornaments I'd still like to stitch this year. I wonder why I always wait until the week before Christmas to start them?

Giveaway at Feathers in the Nest

Jennifer at Feathers in the Nest is hosting a beautiful and generous giveaway. Check it out here

Secret Santa exchange

On Wednesday I had my first gift exchange of the season. A group of sewing friends does a Secret Santa exchange each year. Although I always promise to get my project done early I always end up scrambling at the last minute to finish it. I finished this bag at 8:30 on the night before the exchange.

I was pleased that I finally seem to be getting the hang of putting in zippers. I only had to redo this one twice :-)

Now that I've finished that bag I only have one more project that I have to make, and I'm planning to work on that Saturday. The pressure is off. The house is decorated and ready for my family to come here for Christmas. My evenings between now and then will now be spent sitting in front of the Christmas tree cross stitching new ornaments and watching sappy Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel. What bliss.

Stitching day and 2012 WIPocalypse

I'm finally settled into my new home and getting the itch to stitch again. Saturday I had a lovely stitching day with my stitching twin Nataly. I'm always excited about stitching after spending any time with her :-) We both worked on the Petit Sampling Etui which we're doing as a stitchalong. After having to put this project on hold for a couple of months, it feels good to finally start making some progress.

There are lots of WIP's and UFO's I had planned to work on in 2011, but it turned out to be a year filled with unexpected major events and I got very little stitching time. To get back on track I just signed up for the 2012 WIPocalypse. I have some really beautiful projects waiting for some attention and I'm really looking forward to making some progress on them. I'll post my list of projects soon.

ABC Stitching Retreat

Oh my, what a fabulous weekend I had at the retreat. Nataly and Marie spoiled us rotten. Goodie bags every night, door prizes, a lovely tea at the shop, and a nice discount to make our shopping even more fun. Here are some of the things I came home with.

The class with Thea Dueck of Victoria Sampler was wonderful. I hope to have a chance to take another class with her in the future. I'll post a picture of the project when I finish, or maybe when I finish the stitching, since finish work is not a strength of mine :-)

I met a lot of wonderful women, shared a lot of laughs, and ate way too much delicious food. It was great getting to spend so much time with people who feel the same way I do about stitching. I'm already looking forward to going to the next retreat, and hope to meet up with many of these delightful ladies again.

New England Stitchers Retreat

I'm counting the hours until I leave for my first overnight stitching retreat. Next weekend I'll be attending the New England Stitchers Retreat in Enfield, NH.

The retreat is run by ABC Stitch Therapy and is held at the Enfield Shaker Museum in New Hampshire. I'm so looking forward to staying in the historical Great Stone Dwelling House. Our teacher will be Thea Dueck from Victoria Sampler and the project is just beautiful.

Although I attend Celebrations of Needlework each year this will be the first time that I actually stay overnight at a retreat. I'm so excited I've already started packing, even though I typically pack for trips on the day I'm leaving. Wouldn't want to forget any of my stitching stuff!