Trying to get back on track

While not what I had hoped, two weeks since my last post is pretty darn good considering my summer schedule. I have a crazy travel schedule through the end of October so not sure I'll be able to keep up the every-two-weeks post, but will try.

So, I have two SAL check-ins.   is a bit late, but  is right on time.

 is hosted by Sharon at It's Daffycat.  If you have had trouble keeping up with other SALs, this is one for you.  Collect all those bits and pieces that you normally throw away in a pretty jar and once a month post a picture.  Why?  Because everyone needs a low stress SAL.

The top of my jar is filled with mostly sewing thread from the baby quilt top, but there is some embroidery floss there on top of it.  I hope to add more embroidery floss soon.

Today is check-in day for .  Gifted Gorgeousness is hosted by Jo at Serendipitous Stitching.  You can add this one to the low stress SAL list too.  If you've ever been given a stitching gift, are working on one, or have a way to it a project into those categories, this is the SAL for you.  I have one gift piece that I started and two that I finished-finished.

The one I started is the Savannah Birth Record.  

A red bird and a bit of giraffe.  This is done on 28-count Platinum Cashel with the threads from the kit.  The fold will iron out when the piece is washed and ironed.

The two that I finished are the Mom and Dad for my Niece-in-law and Nephew.  I finished the stitching a while back but couldn't settle on a finished form. I went easy and did pillows.  

Here's the front of Mom:

And the back:

I love the backing fabric and wish I'd bought more for other projects.

And here's Dad:

The backing fabric reminded me of a tie.

I also did some stitching on my Smalls piece, but didn't finish it for August.  If you're interested in a SAL that focuses on Smalls check out  over at Stitching Lotus' page.  She's already said she's going to continue this in 2019, so I have my first SAL for next year lined up.

This is my version of Just Nan's Seasonal Gems I: Autumn.  There's still a bit to go on it, but I think I can finish it this month.

Other than stitching and finishing, I've been doing some paper crafting and crocheting.  I've started and ripped out three different baby blanket patterns but I think I've finally settled one that I like and will work with the yarn I have.  I now have a month to finish it.  

More flitting

I am not sure how flitting from one thing to another gets, or seems to get, more accomplished than concentrating on one thing at a time, but for me it seems to be working. 

I finished painting all the ornaments.  I now have 36 red, 36 white and 3 green Christmas ornaments all ready for decorating. 

I also finished the baby blanket.

I kept trying to square up the center when I realized that the center IS square, but the yarn is throwing everything off.  At a glance, each band looks the same width and on the outer edges they pretty much are, but not in the center and that's making it look tilted - of course I laid it out in an area too small for it so there wasn't enough room to really work the left and right edges straight (or as straight as they are).

Oh yes, I started and finished a hat.

I don't know why I had this yarn in my closet, but, I'm glad I did as I was able to learn the ribbing, figure out decreasing, work on my tension and still have a decent, finished item.  May not be a fancy yarn, but it will definitely keep a head warm.

I now have a quilt top:

Another poor angle, but while looking for someplace to hang this so I could take a picture, I realized I don't have many walls that are blank and just wasn't in the mood to take things down and put them back up.  I'm not sure about the actual quilting -  I would love to have someone else do it, but haven't found anyone in the area - need to look up some quilt shops and see if they have recommendations.  If I don't do that, then I'll probably just quilt around the triangles.  I made a major mistake trimming the rows so when I took my seam allowance I don't have nice points on my pieced triangles - hopefully the baby won't mind.

While I had the sewing machine out, I did some mending and hemming - it was nice to get that pile finished and put away (I'd forgotten what was in it to be honest) - and finished three pieces into pillows.  I just need to find my bag of stuffing and finish them off - I'll post pictures when they're all done - right now they're looking a little flabby.

I was at Joann's looking for a large tapestry needle so I could weave in the ends of the blanket (I know there are some in the house, but I have no clue where they are - I also can't find my package of hand sewing needles, suppose the two went off together) and was wandering around the yarn section when I found this Dimensions kit in one of the yarn bins:

 My initial thought was "not putting things back where they found them, how rude" but then I saw the picture and remembered that my great-nephew's nursery is being decorated in a jungle theme so this was perfect  AND it was on clearance for $4.47.  The only thing I didn't like was the fabric, but I had a piece of 28-count Cashel in my stash that was big enough so switched that out and will be starting this later today.  I still think whoever left this was rude for not putting it back, but it sort of seems that I was meant to find it given the odd location. 

Speaking of stitching (which is what I'm supposed to be talking about on this blog) - If you're looking for a cute pumpkin pattern, By the Bay Needleart has a freebie here.  I have a leftover piece of PTP Haunted that I think is big enough for this, if not I know I saw a blue-ish piece in the leftover bin that would work.

Back to the office tomorrow.  It's my short week, so already planning what I want to get done (and there's finally some stitching on that list) next weekend.