An ornament and a half

I actually finished my ornament for this month early and was able to start another.

Here's my ornament which some of you have already seen

Summer Sparrow by Waxing Moon Designs
Stitched on 28-count Summer Sky Jobelan with Gentle Art Sampler Threads

And the half:

Autumn Blackbird by Waxing Moon Designs
Stitched on 28-count Summer Sky Jobelan with Gentle Arts Sampler Threads

No, again, they're not Christmas ornaments, but I want to make a dent in my box of smalls this year, so I am not sticking to just Christmas ornaments. 

I took this week off from work and have been busily stitching on Ink Circles' 99 and should have a full update on that at the end of the week.

ISW Recap

It's amazing how much stitching you can get done when you ignore the dust bunnies in the corners I did do a fair bit of housework just not the vacuuming.

Here's Just Nan's Elegant Swans before:

And now:

I had a couple of frog attacks that slowed me down a bit I really should remember that Dr. Who and stitching do not mix well but I have finished seven of eleven bands so a possible finish when this next shows up in the rotation.

A rainy IHSW

The weather here in my little corner of Virginia has been variable to say the least.  I understand that spring is changeable but it has been more changeable than normal the last couple of weeks.  The forecast for this weekend is for rain and thunderstorms which make it a perfect IHSW!  Another no pressure SAL, all you have to do is sign up here, and sit back and stitch.  Easy right? 

Before I pull out my Just Nan's Enchanted Swans for IHSW, I have a finish and an almost finish.

My finish is Waxing Moon Designs' Summer Sparrow.  You'll get to see this one twice as it is my ornament for this month so will be posting it the last Wednesday of this month too.

She/he is stitched on 28-count Summer Sky Jobelan with Gentle Arts Sampler Threads.  It's not my normal style although I really couldn't tell you exactly what my style is but it is one of a seasonal series and I am a sucker for those.

My almost finish is Twilight of the Tsars by Dimple Designs.

 

I spent last weekend finding and filling in all those stitches that I missed during the main stitching phase.  All that is left now is backstitching three different backstitching charts - one for each of the three colors used and beading.  I had thought of keeping this on the frame and pushing for a finish, but just was not in the mood for all that backstitching.  I should have a finish when this next shows in the rotation.

TUSAL and a bit more

It's TUSAL time again. Just a fun SAL - if you haven't heard of it or are interested in joining, you can check it out here.  Here is my contribution to the SAL:

Yep, pretty pitiful, but there is a story to it.  The other day I looked out the window in the den and saw a pair of Carolina wrens.  One appeared to be keeping guard, the other was scurrying all along the feeder station.  I could not figure out what they were doing until the scurrying one turned sideways and I saw little bits of fluff in its bill.  Seems it was picking the raccoon fur from around the mounting brackets and screws for the hangers we unintentionally feed a raccoon - at night it climbs up the feeder station pole (despite all of our efforts) and eats the sunflower seeds and leaves little bits of fur that the birds like, so I took the ORTS from my jar and put them on the feeder station to give them a few more choices.

All the ORTS are from Waxing Moon Designs' Summer Sparrow.

Waxing Moon Designs' Summer Sparrow
Stitched on 28-count Summer Sky Jobelan with Gentle Art Sampler Threads

This is one of a freebie series that is available here.  This is my ornament for this month and I am hoping to have a finish today weeks before the posting date - I know I shouldn't get used it but it is a nice feeling.

My primary stitch this week was Chatelaine's Serengeti. I said last week that I saw a lot of beading in my future.  I was only partially right.  I finished up the beading fairly quickly but that little medallion in the upper right corner?  That took hours and there is still a lot left to do and the best part?  There are three more!!!  When I eventually finish this medallion, I think I will start part two as a sort of reward.

Chatelaine's Serengeti
Stitched on 32-count Summer Sky Jobelan with recommended fibers and beads

YOTA Saturday

It's the first Saturday of May how did *that* happen?!?! so it's time for my monthly YOTA post.  YOTA you may ask - another fun, no pressure SAL - you can check it out at Pull the Other Thread.  I am not concentrating on one WIP as my entire rotation is made up of WIPs so I post on my whatever piece is on my scroll frame when the first Saturday rolls around.  This month Ink Circles' 99 is my  YOTA piece.  Here's where I left this one last month:

And here's where I am today:

22 down and only 77 left!  A finish for this Christmas is not looking very likely, but I will keep that as a goal.

All the housework is finished except for folding the laundry so I am hoping to spend the rest of the weekend stitching but we all know about plans don't we?  Chatelaine's Serengeti is next in the rotation so I see beading in my future.