MMMM V

Sorry it's later than normal, but here's my last posting for the Mega Mini Month of Madness Smalls edition! The month has gone by quick quickly per usual. My birthday was yesterday so all month long I've been getting little presents from various people.

My MIL gave me money (best gift ever) so I went out and purchased some Drawn Thread kits! I got Full Moon & Haunting Halloween.

You can purchase them both here: Halloween Shop. I purchased the full kit for Full Moon, but thanks to my husband's gift card to 123stitch, I purchased the Haunting Halloween pattern over on there. Both of these patterns came with their own pieces of fabric which is super great as well (though I'm sure I could have found something in my stash).

I also got the kit (minus the pattern, bought that on 123stitch as well) for The Holly and the Ivy. I think my parents will love it. But who knows, maybe I'll want to keep it for myself? I love these kits because you get everything for less. Those silks by the skein are pretty pricey, so I think it's totally worth it to just buy the kit in this situation.

I've really have to start my ornament stitching. I have 4 "babies" whom I want to stitch for. I did already pick out which patterns for each kid, so that's a start right?!

I have almost finished the back of my swap ornament. I swear, the second you put a deadline on something, it gets regulated to the bottom of the list. I just don't want to work on it anymore... I will get it done though. I seriously only have to add the year to the back... then stitch it up!

I did pull out my Glendon Place Tiramisu again:

I really do love stitching this. Those Dinky Dyes are awesome. I'm just slow... because I have like 8 million other projects!

For those of you who are also doing MMMM how many designs did you finish? I got 3 done, 2 from the start and 1 half way done at the beginning of the month.

Until next time,
Brenda

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MMMM IV

I'm thinking that this is going to be a short post, but I can ramble when needed.

I worked on an Ink Circles design for my mini of the month. I can't show the awesome progress though because it's for a swap. I did finish the front! I just designed the back (it's really just words) so I'll stitch that up and finish it (with beads) so I can mail it out before I head on vacation in November!

Since I can't show you pictures of my mini progress, I thought I'd show my oldest UFO and the first pattern I ever bought. They are one in the same:

Can you guess what it is?

For those of you Teresa Wentzler fans, you'll know. It's the Spring Carousel Horse. I begged my mom to buy it for me back when I was about 8 before I had even ever cross stitched. I only tried to attempt it a few years back when I was in college. As you can tell it's on Aida. This was before I knew about linen. With the number of fractional stitches in all of TW's patterns, you will know what a terrible idea Aida was. This is it's unfinished state for about 10 years. I really want to do it... on linen. Eventually. After I *cough* finish my other big projects.

My first project ever was a little tiny peach unicorn which I did finish, but have since lost. My X's were going every which way. But I did finish it!

Here's the oldest finished piece that I've kept. When I was younger the majority of my stitching was given away as gifts, but for some reason this one never did. The back looks terrible, but it's the front that counts right?!

It's a checkbook cover from some magazine I had hanging around. I still think it's cute and I might try to wash it at some point. It's nice to look back and see how far I've come in my stitching. As well as seeing all the awesome pattern options out there now!

I finally received my Picture This Plus order from their Christmas in July sale:

From left to right: Heather; Mirage; Crystal Haunted; Crystal Echo. I must say that I'm rather disappointed in my choices. I know the monitor looks much different, but I'm really not pleased with the regular (non-crystal) fabric's I got (I do like the two crystal's though). I'm thinking it might go in a give away of mine come December/January (so stay tuned for that!) They are all 32 count Lugana. They were realllly difficult to photograph as well, so they only kinda look like the pictures. I was really hoping that the Mirage's "gray and purple" was going to be more... gray and purple. Oh well! I might still be able to find something to put on them.

I got my FOTM from Stephanie's Fabby's but of course I forgot to take a picture. I'll try to remember for next post. It's a lovely purple color!!

And before I forget, hop on over to Nacy's blog (Victorian Motto Sampler Threads) for 3 chances at a give away from her thread collection!  Here's her 1840 Collection and her 1795 Collection!

I think that's all folks! Tell me about your first project in the comments! Did you finish yours? What was it?

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MMMM III

Mega Mini Month Madness post 3! Mmmm makes it sound like I'm hungry or something! As a reminder this is hosted by Pull the Other Thread check out all the other cool participants too (there's 22 of us total)!

I have two finishes! I'm sure you all are just as excited about this as I am. :D I finished all the stitching on these two pumpkin designs. I think I'm about done with Halloween/Autumn stitching for now. I really need to get caught up of my swap ornament and then ornaments for family/friends for Christmas presents.

Here's the first that I showed progress on last week:

 

Heart in Hand - Pumpkins

The bottom pumpkin looks crooked, but he's really not! When I iron him again I'll stretch him right out.

Heart in Hand - Pumpkins

I mailed this little cute patterns out to a fellow Instagram follower who really liked it. I'm looking forward to seeing her stitch it up! It was a quick little pattern. My favorite kind!! And the little Just Another Button Company raven is an adorable touch!

I also started and finished a little Lizzie Kate design:

Lizzie Kate - Tingles F-143 - Jack O Lantern

Per usual I changed the colors to match what I had on hand.

Lizzie Kate - Tingles F-143 - Jack O Lantern

After taking these pictures, I realized I forgot to add the green button that the pattern came with! Off to do that and hopefully finish these into tiny wall hangings tonight! 

What is everyone else up too? Starting on Christmas yet?

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October Mini Mega Madness II

If you recall I joined a challenge for October, Mini's! While I haven't gotten much stitching done, it was on a mini! Go check everyone out on Pull the Other Thread's blog.

Here she is:

Wee One - Pumpkins - Heart in Hand

Wee One - Pumpkins - Heart in Hand

I am using the recommended threads, but it's turning out a lot darker than the model picture. I did wonder that when I was looking at the threads when they arrived in the mail. I'm not upset, just surprised. I like it. I think it will get made into a mini pillow as well when I am finished. I'm hoping to finish it up by next week.

I haven't been able to do much stitching lately because my left hand has been hurting. I think it's a combination of typing at work all day and holding a hoop. I am really considering buying a Lowery stand. Or a Needlework System 4. Or a Needle Needs frame. I think I'm leaning towards the Lowery because of the three it takes up the least amount of space. Do any of you readers use any of these? I did order some crafting compression gloves as well so I am going to try that first. Much cheaper at only $12. Fingers crossed it will solve the problem.

I did manage to stuff my Lizzie Kate finish that I showed last week:

It still needs a good pressing to get out the lumps. Next time I have the iron on I'll do that as well.

I posed it with my very own blown glass pumpkin! My husband and I took a 2 hour glass blowing glass back in 2012 and we each made 2 pumpkins (this one is actually my husbands'). I love taking them out every year and thinking about how much fun we had. My husband actually bought us a glass blown Christmas ornament making class for my birthday (which is later this month)! I can't wait to go, but I'll be waiting until December when it's offered.

While out at TJMax I found this little guy and I had to have him. I haven't found a place to keep him yet, but he is so cute!

That's all for now, hope everyone is doing well! How is everyone else coming along with their Mini stitching?!

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Halloween Madness

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful October 1st. The Halloween season is fast approaching (though I've had my Halloween decor up for a few weeks now) I did reach my goal of finishing Happy Halloween before today!

Happy Halloween - Silver Creek Samplers - JSC Halloween 2013

I finished all the stitching! I also "signed it" after I took this picture (in the bottom right corner, DNA 2014 in the same color as the N). Now I have to decide how to finish it. I was originally thinking a flat fold like the one further down in this post, but I don't know if I could do it justice. Then I was thinking about framing it, but it's 6 x 7 inches. So while I could put it in an 8 x 10 frame, I would want a mat too and I don't think that's enough room. Dilemma! Let me know what you would do in the comments!

My super awesome friend (Kathleen, no blog) came over last night for a crafty night! She is working on a baby blanket that she is crocheting and then doing cross stitch on! It's actually super cool and I had never thought about doing that! We might make this a weekly or bi-weekly thing! Which would be super cool.  We would both be motivating each other.

I was able to get a lot done on my finishing. Keep in mind that both of these are only partially finished. The Jolly Jack needs cording around the edges to make it look neater (I'm thinking of making some in orange colors) and the pillow needs stuffing. 

Jolly Jack

Lizzie Kate - Flip It Halloween

I'm not totally pleased with the A frame flat fold, but for my first time I think it was pretty good. And I had to sew the ric-rak on by hand for the pillow and I think it turned out super well! Once I have both totally finished I'll probably share them again. They are both so cute. I'm so excited to actually finish-finish things! I don't have a big drawer filled with unfinished but totally stitched things. I do have a drawer with unfinished cross stitching though. Everyone does. Right?!

I also bought some more Weeks Dye Works thread for some additional small patterns in the Just Cross Stitch Halloween 2013 magazine. And a pattern just fell into my cart. I have no idea how that happened! The pattern called for some Just Another Button Company buttons so I bought two in case I decided to make it twice, once for myself and once for my MIL. We'll see.

123stitch.com order

Oh for my Ocober Mini Madness I think I'm going to work on those various Halloween pattersns I mentioned earlier. :) I don't know if my finishing of that Lizzie Kate counted, but yeah, I'm ready!!!

How are you coming along with your Halloween stitching (if you do any)? And what are you thoughts on finishing my Happy Halloween? Let me know in the comments!

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