April WIPocalypse and an almost finish

I hope every one is still healthy.  Everyone in my family is still doing well and I'll keep knocking wood for the foreseeable future.  Not sure how we got to the end of April already, but I have literally lost days so I'm not surprised that it's April 30th already.

I haven't been very good about SAL check-ins, but I am in time for .  WIPocalypse is hosted by Melissa at Measi's Musings.  No special patterns, fabric or floss is required just stitch on what you've already started and post about it once a month.  The posting part is the hardest thing for me.  Melissa also gives us questions so we can all get to know each other and maybe find a chart we didn't know we needed.  

April's question is really a prompt:  Talk to us about your longest running WIP or UFO.  I honestly don't know. A large percentage of my WIPs - I consider everything a WIP as I AM going to finish them - were started in the 1997 to 2000 range.  My first husband passed away in 1997 and I did a lot of comfort shopping and starting.  The only one I have the starting year for is Linda Driskell's Sampler in a Year 1999.  

 

I first saw this series of samplers at Celebration of Needlework - way back when it was a new thing.  An EGA friend and I picked out the newest one and started it together.  I don't think either of us got much further than here.  I've lost touch with her since my move so don't know if she ever pulled it out and finished it.  It is done all in white and mostly perle cottons.  I don't even remember what the finished project looks like, but it's started so it's going to get finished. :-)

Speaking of finishes...  I've finished crossing all the Xs in Grady's stocking.  In April, it went from here:

to here:

I've started the backstitching at the bottom and am working my way up.  I wasn't going to do the outlining backstitching as it's all done on black and really doesn't show up, but it does seem to make a difference so outlining I'm doing. I was hoping to finish this in April, but that isn't going to happen.  It will definitely be finished in early May.  FFOing will have to wait until I can get to the store.  I was thinking of ordering fabric but most places have a minimum order and it is way more than I need.  If anyone is interested in statistics I stitched for 99 hours in April (so far - I do plan to stitch a bit tonight) all of them on the stocking.  So far, I've stitched 164.25 hours on it.  In April I stitched 26 days so I'm averaging just slightly more than 3.75 hours a day.  

Once I'm done with the stocking, I'll be starting Sweet Pea from Nora Corbett.  I'm doing it as the birth announcement for Baby Girl due the end of June.  I think it will be done fairly quickly.  Her brother's announcement was finished as a pillow, but I'm not sure how Mom will want this one finished.  Once that's done, I'll be starting her Christmas stocking - Vintage Baubles by Shannon Christine Designs.  

I am not sure how I'm going to put her name on it - I'm thinking of a fruffy tag, but may try to work up a band for her name.  I think a space above those half motifs at the top for her name and another band of half motifs or maybe just the tops above the name.  I got the notice today that my order has shipped so I should have the pattern, floss and fabric in another week or so.

   

Hopefully I can get myself around to posting more often.  Maybe once the stocking is finished - right now it's just black outlining on black fabric so not a lot to see.

I hope you all stay safe and healthy. 

Here we are again

Hope this finds everyone well.  I think it's been a week since my last post.  I have to be honest, time is running together.  I was thinking the other day about how it had been such a long time since I started working from home.   Then I looked at a calendar and it's only been a bit over two weeks.  Virginia announced a stay-at-home order (guess folks weren't paying attention to the "please don't go out" request) until June 10th in conjunction with Maryland and Washington DC.  Maryland's order is indefinite and DC didn't set a date.  Given that it seems like forever since March 17th, June is almost incomprehensible.  I've been catching up on a lot of shows and plan to take advantage of several channel offers - The Great Courses* has extended their free trial to a month from its normal 7 days and I'm sure there are many more companies doing the same - and oh my the FlossTube that's been going on (I get just about caught up and another flurry of videos are added).  If you've got little ones Audible* is offering free streaming at stories.audible.com of books for kids up to 18 (no membership required).  There are several classics too, so even if you're not a kid you might find something of interest.

So a bit of good news since my last post.  My son's employer has begun providing protective equipment (oh and I was reminded that he wears a baseball cap and not a hairnet).  Even if it is providing me a false sense of security, I'm relieved.  And

A long story on exposures and times and doctors, but the result is that Jack and mom are home again.

I haven't posted that many Grady pictures and everyone needs cute baby pictures right now so:

He turned 2 months yesterday.   Those eyes get me every time.  That nose in the upper right is his dog Winston.

Stitching?  Oh yes, stitching has been happening. In March I logged 82 hours.  I haven't done any averaging but I know I'm doing between 3 and 4 hours each week night.  I have decided to put my rotation on hold and focus solely on Grady's stocking.  Unless I run out a color (which is a real possibility), I think I could finish the stitching this month.  I'm not sure about getting all the backstitching done, but the crosses are a definite possibility.

Last week, it was here:

and when I finished up last night it was here:

I've had to roll it up the scroll rods, so imagine a green and white stripe along the top.

My goal for today is to finish the three candies in this section and then move down to the ribbon candy that is right below it.  After that it's finishing up the arms/hands and then to the legs and all the filler in the toe area (I've got a plan mapped out based on how much white is in a section.  Grady's name is charted and I was planning on putting that in early, but when I started it, the centering was off and I really didn't feel like figuring out why, so the math will wait until the stitching is done.

If you're able to, place an order with your LNS - it doesn't have to be a huge order, a pattern, a gift card or a few skeins of floss.  I've made a list of charts that I'm interested in (FlossTube and Instagram are full of ideas if you need them) and will be placing orders with Deb at Stitches 'n Things* in Fenton, Michigan over the next few months.

Stay well, stay safe and keep stitching.

*I am not affiliated in any way with any of the companies mentioned, I just like the service or products mentioned.

Certainly different

Hard to believe it's only been two weeks since I posted last - everything has changed so drastically. 

I have been on full-time telework since the 17th.  Fortunately, in the past my department had a fairly robust telework program so the switch to full-time wasn't difficult.  April 3rd is the end date.  I suspect it may go longer as the surrounding states have imposed fairly strict requirements.  Virginia is, except for essential businesses, closed for 30 days.  Non-essential businesses can be open but they can't open their stores to the public so lots of mail order business is happening.  Schools are closed for the rest of the school year.  As I seldom did more than go to the grocery store, the direct impact to my life has been minimal, but I know my experience is an anomaly.

|soapbox moment here.  If you just want to see stitching scroll down a bit|

Hopefully it's not needed, but this picture:

is your reminder to stay home.  This is Jack "with" his dad.  Jack's dad (my nephew) is a firefighter for the city of Detroit and out of an abundance of caution Jack and mom went to stay with her parents.  This is how Jack has seen his dad for the last week.  They got news yesterday that one of dad's co-workers has tested positive so dad's now in isolation for at least 14 days.  That's at least 21 days that Jack has to interact with his dad through a window.

This

is my son.  If you see someone that looks like him (minus the tiara and mud) in your local grocery store please understand that he's doing the best he can right now.  It's not his fault that there isn't any meat or toilet paper.  It wasn't his decision to limit you to two gallons of milk.  Management is trying their best to make sure that there is enough to go around.  The supply lines are backed up right now and yelling at him is not going to unblock them.  He's not holding back product so you can't have it or for his friends.  He's going into work every day and working very long hours.  He interacts with the public with no protective gear.  My son is a butcher so he at least has a white coat and a hair net (neither of which is proven as personal protective equipment but he can take the coat off and leave those germs at the store).  The cashiers, stockers and folks in other parts of the store?  They have a name tag between them and you and it really doesn't provide that much protection.  And finally, because the cashiers can't say this to you - Those new fangled sneeze guards some of the stores are putting at the cash registers?  Please don't stand to either side of them, it sort of defeats the purpose. 

For all the people that have to get up every day and go to work, please stay home unless absolutely necessary and if you're not feeling well, please just stay home. The sooner we can break the infection cycle, the sooner Jack's dad can get a hug. 

|stepping off soapbox|

Well, that was a little heavier than I thought it would be, but that picture of Jack hurts my heart and this same picture is being taken around the world every day.  Please remember, it's not necessarily about you getting it, it's who you might give it to.  Our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents fought wars to keep us safe, we're being asked to stay home to keep them safe.

So stitching anyone?  I have had a lot of time for stitching and I've been focusing on Candy Nutcracker by Barbara Baatz Hillman through Kooler Design Studio.  Last time I posted, I was here:

and as of tonight it's here:

It's stitched on a 28-count black Jobelan with DMC. Very few colors but LOTS of color changes.  It's also stitched with three strands of floss so it's taking more time to make sure the threads are smooth, but I'm very happy with my progress.

I also added some more leaves to my Temperature Tree:

and added a bit to the scene in Time for Seasons:

Those are missed stitches in the lawn - it's a sheep!

I FOUND MY UNICORN CHART!!!!  Yes, I did.  I had pretty much given up on it, but I set an alert on Ebay and it popped up.  I was actually shaking when I placed the order but it's here and my set is complete.  It's all kitted and now I just need to stitch them all.

La Époque Nouveau by Dimple Designs with all the called for threads and fabric.  Look at all those Kreiniks!!!  It is going to sparkle.  The pattern came with the bead pack and there are lots of those too.  It's going to be so amazing when done.

Another pieces that is going to be amazing when done is Virginia - a Cumberland County Inspiration by Heart's Ease Examplar Workes.  I showed a picture a few posts back and mentioned that the designer was going to release it as a class.  Apparently the good folks at In Stitches Needlework in Alexandria convinced her otherwise as they posted on their Instagram last week that they had them.  I was on the phone the next day placing my order (they ordered 25 and had 3 left but have an order in for additional copies) and it's now in my hot little hands:

Horrible cover picture as usual, but it is a beautiful sampler.  There are specialty stitches but nothing too unusual.  For the ones that are new or different the directions are very good.  If you're interested, right now I think In Stitches is the only store that has them so give them a call (be warned it's not a cheap pattern).  I was thinking of starting it as I have the DMCs and a piece of fabric that is big enough, but I don't think the fabric is going to work.  The called for is Vintage Strawflower by Lakeside Linens which is warm fabric.  The fabric I have is more of a grey/brown and on the cool side.  It's a very good neutral but I don't think it's right for this piece, so the search begins.

I'm off to stitch for a bit tonight and have plans for more stitching this weekend - actually, that's all I have planned for this weekend.  I hope you are all well and are able to find some peace and happiness right now.  

o' mice an' men

Mr. Burns (Robert not the Simpson version) had it right on best laid schemes and all.  Miss one weekend of blogging and suddenly it's a month later.

On the non-stitching front, my trip to Michigan was wonderful.  Grady is as cute and amazing as I thought he would be.  There is something so soothing about holding a baby (as long as you can hand them off to someone else when they need changing or get fussy).  Here's a picture of him from this morning:

Doesn't that smile just melt you?  You can't tell from the picture but he's got the deepest blue eyes.  Everyone is hoping that he keeps them.

After visiting Grady, my sister and I headed up to my mom's house.  Had a fun weekend there as not only was mom there but Jack and his dad were too.  Jack is doing (and into) so much.  So much fun to watch him discover and learn. Many opportunities to try really hard not to laugh or smile when he did something he wasn't supposed to do because he's just so darn cute while doing it.  He got to try out his new sled (Dad was a great draft horse):

and make a snowman with Dad and Oma:

All in all it was a very enjoyable trip.

It's all a blur of work and weekends since I got home. :-)  On the stitching front:

Yes, I have another finish!

Magic Dream by Cute Patterns by Maria is done.  It is stitched on a 32-count Midnight Tryst from Fabrics by Stephanie with the called for DMC.  I did substitute white Etoile for some of the white in the stars and moon.  It was sent off to Rensel Studios this morning and I can't wait to see what they come up with for it.

I then started Candy Nutcracker Stocking by Barbara Baatz Hillman for Kooler Design Studios.

The contrast of the very bright, primary colors on the black makes it very hard to get a decent picture.  The fabric is a 28-count black (very much darker than in the picture) Jobelan and I'm using the called for DMCs.  I'm stitching with the called for 3 strands of floss.  If I were stitching on white I think 2 strands would work, but trying to get good coverage on black is tough.  Once I get that row of berries(?) done, I'll go back and put Grady's name in.

I just looked at the date - besides being Pi day, it's the day before .  Gifted Gorgeousness is hosted by Jo at Serendipitous Stitching and is a way to thank people for stitching gifts (and what better way then using them) or to show stitching that are gifts (see the two above) or anything else you can shoehorn into the theme.

I also did a bit of stitching on Temperature Tree from Stitchin' Mommy on Etsy.

Finished all the February leaves and have May's branch almost done. 

I swear I stitched on more, but guess I didn't take any pictures. 

With all the coronavirus prep that's going on - I'm not panicked but I'd rather we look back on it and say we were over-prepared - I did some stocking up:

Priorities right?

I plan to stitch once the housework is done.  I'm making tentative stitching plans in the event we go to full-time telework - I'll have hours in the evening so need to figure how best to use them!  Schools in Virginia, Maryland and DC are closed for at least the next two weeks (three if you add in spring breaks) so I suspect it's just a matter of time before we get the go for full-time telework, at least I hope so - I'm not so much concerned about catching anything in the building but the train is a whole 'nother story.  Despite all the warnings about staying home if you don't feel well, there will be a group of "dedicated" folks that will battle their way to work when obviously sick - we have a quiet car on the train, maybe we could have a sick car too - and I'd just as soon avoid them.  Hope everyone is well and stays that way.

Finishing, stitching and crafting

Whew, it was a busy crafting weekend.  I spent most of Friday (it was my day off) pillowizing Forever and Ever.  I used Peg Baker's YouTube video on sewing a pillow with piping and a zipper again and I'm really pleased with the results.

 Pardon the ironing board cover - it's been crafted on a lot and I really should get a new one.  The border and backing fabric is the same and is really a very deep, rich red.  This picture was taken right after I put the pillow form in so it's a bit wonky.  I've been pushing and pulling to get it to fill the corners so it looks a bit better today.

Saturday I had to do the usual grocery run and finish up the laundry.  For some reason I had the urge to start another project - I really do have to try to tamp that down as I do need to finish some of my WIPs.  So I pulled out Poinsettia Fairy by Reuben McHugh and charted by Charting Creations.  Not much of a start but it was fun.  Here's what it will look like done:

  I really do like his style and use of colors.  And here's where it is after 195 stitches (of 148,903 that's something I'm not sure I like about Pattern Keeper.  It's nice to see how much I did during my stitching session, but not sure I like seeing I'm .03% through).

This is 28-count white Monaco 1 over 1.  I'm trying the stitching on the diagonal that seems to be the rage right now.  It's okay.  I'm not sure I"m any faster stitching this way, but it's kind of fun doing something new and please excuse that cat hair in the middle of the picture - it looks like Salem or Spot's.

Speaking of new:

Grady is just so stinkin' cute.  He (and Mom and Dad) are doing well.  I leave Friday for Michigan and will be meeting him Saturday morning.

Speaking of cute:

You just have to have your Starbucks (or Starbucks cup) when you go grocery shopping.  Not sure if I'll see Jack Friday but sure will at Sunday dinner. 

We found out this week that Jack's going to have a sister come the end of June!  Everyone is so excited and can't wait to meet her.  It's fun to go baby shopping right now as you can buy boy and girl clothes and not moan that all the cute stuff is for the other. :-)

So back to stitching...

I worked on Magic Dreams Saturday evening and again on Sunday.  I didn't do my usual rotation as I really do want to get it finished before Grady is 16 and I'd spent more time than planned on errands and Poinsettia Fairy.  I'm happy to report that the whale is almost done:

I am still contemplating the best way to deal with all the individual white and light blue stitches on the background.  All that's left on the whale is that little bit of the belly and another fin.  After that the moon, background stars and LOTS of backstitching.  I think I'm going to put Grady's name and birth information on the lower right side of the piece just off the flipper.

And I had another finish - not stitching but crochet.  I couldn't find anywhere to get a good picture, but the first Kaleidoscope Shawl is done.  I'll try to get a picture and will post it later.  This one is a Christmas gift for one of the nieces.  I have yarn to do two more - one for the other niece and one for my MIL.

As I mentioned, I'm heading to Michigan for the weekend, and I'm not planning on taking any stitching with me.  I will be taking some yarn as I have to decide on and hopefully start a baby blanket. 

A wonderful February day

Why is it a wonderful day, you ask?  Our family welcomed Grady Patrick to the world today! 

He was born a bit before 1:00 PM.  DNiece and he are doing well - nobody has said how dad is doing :-).  I am head-over-heels in love and can't wait to meet him (I'm planning to head to Michigan to see them in a couple of weeks).  Grady is baby #4 in our family in the last year (well a bit more) and we have one more coming in June.Speaking of the babies.  Here are Vance and Calder:

This was their 5 month picture.  They're not dressed as cowboys - they're both teething and very drooly.

And Jack:

He is definitely growing out of his baby looks and into a toddler.  He had tubes put in his ears a couple weeks ago and from reports is very much enjoying the sound of his voice. :-)

So, stitching.  I did a lot of stitching this weekend, on a lot of different projects.  I knocked four goals off my February acrostic, so feeling very good.

LOTS OF PICTURES FOLLOW:

The first piece I pulled out was Santa and the Mouse (this was a freebie on the HaED website a few years back).  I needed something for "0" and I worked on this 0 times last year.  Last time I had it out, I was here:

I added about 120 new stitches and got it to here:

I used the Pattern Keeper app and I really liked it.  I had to load my progress in but am really pleased with how easy it was to use and I was able to keep my place with no problem (well, once I figured out where I was).

Next I went onto Common Ground by Just Nan. It went from here:

to here:

I really enjoyed working on this one but was only able to get this far in the time I'd allotted.

I pulled Garden Fair out because I needed something for "2" and this only has 2 colors in it.

I'm stitching this with Anchor black as I have heard for years how superior it is to DMC black.  This is one-over-one on 40-count linen and I can't say I'm seeing much of a difference between the two.  The Anchor has thick and thin areas just like the DMC and because of that there are places where the fabric is showing through.  I'll finish this piece up with the Anchor since I spent the money but I don't think I'd make an extra effort to get it in the future.

I also pulled out Luna by Nora Corbett and got her from here:

to here:

I probably should have started her a little bit further to the right so that wing tip was centered in the moon - ah well...

I spent some time crocheting and almost have the shawl finished but I forgot to take a picture.

I spun the wheel on my decision roulette for my normal rotation pieces and J by Nora Corbett came up first.  I'm not putting a before as all I did was that bit of beading at the top of the J.  I forgot how much time beading can take and this is bead heavy. Of course it is, it's a Mira/Nora design.

Temperature Tree came up next:

The fabric color is much more true in the bottom photo.  I finished the January leaves and added the April branch and got a pretty good start on the May/June/July top of the tree.

That left Time for Seasons from By the Bay Needlearts.  It went from here:

to here:

That house reminded me why I don't care for 18 or 36-count fabric - I can't get the number of threads right.  One is too thin for most colors and two is just that bit too much. Doubling up on some and not others would look strange on this piece, so using a thinner needle so I can get the threads between the ones already there rather than splitting them.

Even with all that stitching, I got a bunch of time in on Magic Dreams. Boy by Cute Patterns by Maria and with the news of today, I need to spend all my time on it from now on.  It went from here:

to here:

Of course, just as I finished it off, I figured out that Grady was not going to be blond and that I should have done a conversion to brown.  Ah well again

Friday is my day off, so plan to finish-finish the Forever and Ever pillow and then stitch the weekend away - again.