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.

January WIPocalypse

The last Sunday of the month means it's time for .  We've still got a few days left, but it's hard to believe that January is already done.  It has been a good month for me - my stitching bug is back in full force I even had a small case of startitis!, I've got plans, my new job/boss/coworkers are wonderful, and in general I am less stressed and definitely happier believe me, I know how lucky I am.

So, WIPocalypse?  Yep, WIPocalypse.  It started way back in 2012 when we made a list of all the projects we wanted to finish before the world ended.  The world stayed in one piece but the SAL continued.  WIPocalypse is hosted by Melissa at Measi's Musings and helps you focus on finishing up those WIPs that have been hanging around for a while a while? I've got WIPs going that were started when DSon was in high school (he'll be 37 this summer).  Knowing that sometimes a discussion theme can be difficult to come up with, Melissa provides a prompt each month.  This month's is:  What SALs are you participating in this year?  I have had to scale back my SAL participation drastically over the years - I just don't have the time to devote to stitching right now that would allow me to do a School of Magical Stitches type SAL - so I tend to gravitate towards the ones that reinforce something I'm trying to do - finish WIPs, stitch gifts, etc..  WIPocalypse and Gifted Gorgeousness fit that requirement perfectly.  The other type of SAL I tend to do is the "I have to have that pattern and it's being released over 12 months - of course I can keep up" - of course I can't keep up that's why I have so many WIPs and can continue participating in WIPocalypse for the next 20 years - of that type of SAL, I'm doing the Time for Seasons SAL from By the Bay Needleart.  I love Donna's designs, but as expected, I'm behind - part 3 has been released and I'm about 1/4 way through part 1.  The other one I really want to join is the Lesley Teare Designs Birds and Blackwork Flowers through Creative Poppy.  I love the bright colors and whimsical birds and flowers.  Do I have time?  Of course not. Do I do blackwork?  Nope, and I hate backstitching although Leonore's comment that each section is like a small finish helps, none of that is stopping the "I must stitch this" thought every time I see it.

In addition to WIPocalypse, this weekend was the first 24 hours of cross stitch - an amped up version of IHSW - for 2020.  I had great plans to fit my 24 hours over the entire weekend, but we've all heard about plans right?  The house stuff took longer on Friday than expected, and the errands on Saturday took longer than expected so I came up about 8 hours short of a full 24 hours of stitching.  I did learn a valuable lesson - do all the housekeeping and errands before starting the next 24 I think in April.

My brain wanted to stitch, not bead so nothing new on J.  I did my usual hour each on Temperature Tree and Time for Seasons.

Temperature Tree went from here:

to:

I have got to get busy on the branches as the leaves are catching up fast.

Time for Seasons went from here:

to here:

I was having some issues stitching this one - progress was slow and I wasn't really having a good time stitching it.  I tried a bunch of different things and finally changed my needle and the problems went away.  Once I got used to the size difference - I was using a John James petite and switched to a Bohin - stitching sped up and I started to really enjoy the process.  

Magic Dreams. Boy. was my focus piece and I put 14 hours into it (keeping track of time is a new thing for me this year).

I started with it here on Friday:

and it was here Sunday evening:

I had a minor frog attack and had to redo a chunk of the fluke but I am happy with my progress.  I am a bit concerned that the background is going to really slow me down - there are stars and LOTS of individual stitches in white and light blue which means any carried thread will show.  I am thinking of buying some dark/black interfacing and putting that on the back before stitching the background in the hope that it will cover any carried threads or longer tails. Has anyone done that?  Did it make it difficult to frame although I'm not sure how it's going to be finished-finished?  Any ideas or thoughts are appreciated.

My late IHSW update

I participated in  but I didn't do my follow-up post, so here it is. 

As I had Monday off, I did add an extra day to my weekend.

While Magic Dreams was my focus, I spent a good part of Friday working on Jordan from Nora Corbett -  I just found out she actually has a name...

She went from here:

to here:

Just the beading left the peppermints aren't attached, I just wanted to see how they'd look.  I played around with beads and settled on a silver lined clear Magnifica.  They were left over from another project.  I think I have enough to finish this piece, but not the other two so a small order will be going in soon.  I also changed out the called for DMC on the wings and swirls for a Petite Treasure Braid it's a Christmas piece, you can never have too much sparkle on a Christmas piece!!

Back to Magic Dreams.  He went from here:

to here:

Lots of stitching with lots of different colors and blends.  He's on the frame as my focus piece this weekend too.  I would like to get him finished or very close to finished as there is a very good chance that the doctors aren't going to let mom carry him until February 5th.

A few more leaves and part of another branch on the Temperature Tree:

and a bit more progress on Time for Seasons:

I added a lot of blue and if you look closely, you can see a house in that negative space there in the middle.

Rain in the forecast for this weekend, so once I get the errands run, I'll be inside stitching.