Wiposalypse, sheep, bunnies, Sara Moon, another giveaway and minimalism

Dear all

I am slightly late with my entry, but better late than never.


Wipocalypse - May 2019 check in 

I have a finish to report:

May 2019 - Complete!!!

And I have moved on to the next sheep 'Kindness'. This is how far I have got to so far:

May 2019

Next up is 'Bunny Love' by Judy Rossouw (Anchor), on which I worked just a little. 

May 2019

And another project I have added to the list of work I would like to complete in 2019. It is 'Picture of elegance' of Sara Moon:

May 2019

I have had a look through my stash recently and I am very curious about the next project I will add to this list. Keep an eye out on the progress.

The question of the month is: Where do you love to shop for stash?

My answer is in my stash. You will understand why if you read a little bit about my journey to minimalism and financial freedom below.

Giveaway

The February's giveaway winner was Sue of Random Stitching. And the makeup bag was shipped on time (I just have not mentioned this on here yet due to lack of posting).

The next giveaway up for grabs is:

This is a handmade makeup or other purposes bag with a cross stitched summer witch (as can be seen in the picture). The cross stitch design is by the Snowflower Diaries. 

All you have to do is comment on this post before the end of June. And a winner will be contacted shortly afterwards, and announced in the next post after the end of June. 

Minimalism

As mentioned in my previous post I am on a journey to becoming a minimalist. If you have a look at my stash list you can start to imagine the difficulties I will face in reforming years of collecting and hoarding. 

In addition to discovering Marie Kondo, I have also started following the Dave Ramsey plan to financial freedom. I started it officially mid February and am busy with Baby Step 2. This is a step when you repay all your debt. And for those who have not come across this crazy gentleman before ... some of the things that you would not consider to be debt (e.g. car payments or a credit card that is paid off monthly) are. The deeper you sacrifice the quicker the success can be achieved.

I have been selling anything and everything on eBay as part of my minimising journey as it were. However I have been getting even more gazelle intense and have just went through my stash and am finally ready to say good bye to some of my cross stitch projects. Hopefully it will reinvigorate me into stitching more from my stash. It would be nice to decrease the projects both stashed and ongoing to 50. I have 101 officially listed in stash (however I do own a few magazines and projects I have  not got around to adding) and about 21 projects that have been started. Do you think this is doable?     

My big 'Why' that pivoted me towards this journey is a purchase of a home. If I am ever to move from the rented property I am in I would like to make the transition as smooth as possible without the need to hire two large vans! I discovered Dave Ramsey by chance and am now making the financial side of the equation possible as well.

Until hopefully soon,

Lija

Welcome back - Wipocalypse, sheep, bunnies, and a giveaway

Dear all

Welcome back. It seems I have been gone a while. Precisely for the full 2018 (and only two posts in 2017). New year comes with new resolutions, and one (or two) of mine are to blog and stitch more. So here I am. Humbly returning to the blogging sphere.

One of the things I loved a few years ago was participating in Wipocalypse SAL. So lets add that to my monthly posting list.

Wipocalypse - January 2019 check in

I like having a number of goals that I can hopefully tick off. I decided to make it easier for myself by picking one at the start of the month. I can then stitch on it or any prior month selection for the challenge.

In January I had little chance to stitch, however I picked up my lengthly ignored sheep. The desired goal is to finish them all (so far 6 done, 2 partially stitched, and 4 not started). I started them as part of a SAL a number of years ago... however fell off the grid since.

January 2019

There is only the remnants of the border left ... so hopefully I will have a finish for you next month.

I did start a new project last year 'Bunny Love' by Judy Rossouw (Anchor), although I have not blogged about it. It has progressed significantly in the initial push so here is the start image for my February goal.

January 2019

I'd love to get this one finished, however there is still quite a bit to go. So fingers crossed for this upcoming month and lots of progress.

Question of the Month: What SALs are you participating in this year?

I am participating in this one ... and maybe will join the Smalls SAL (if the sign up is still open) ... after all there are six sheep still to go (including the nearly finished one).

Giveaway

Sometime last year I have decided I wanted to be a minimalist. An interesting decision for a hoarder that took sometime to formulate in my head, and will take even longer to achieve. Many of you will understand what a difficult challenge that is (all you need to do is look at the amount of stash we stitchers accumulate!). And this is reflective of a lot of areas of my life. 

As part of the process of decluttering ... one needs to discard, sell and giveaway the items one no longer keeps. So for the embracing the giveaway ... I will host monthly giveaways. 

This is a handmade makeup or other purpose bag with a cross stitched winter witch (as can be seen in the picture). The cross stitch design is by the Snowflower Diaries.

Approximate measurements:

length: 16 cm

height: 10.5 cm

width of base: 3.5 cm (decreases to top)

All you have to do is comment on this post before the end of the month. And a winner will be announced in the first few days of March. Please make sure I can contact you.

Until soon,

Lija

Sheed # 9.2 - Kindness

Hello all,

Again I have been M.I.A. for a little bit.

Recently a colleague told me a quote by Winston Churchill...

... "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm" ...

... but apparently he never said that.

My next 100 stitches on Kindness:

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my last post. It was definitely good to receive support. I keep telling myself I can cope, I can deal with it. But it whatever the mysterious 'it' is difficult. 

I am finally booked onto a revision course for my retake. I do hope it helps. The entire process has taken me about 5 weeks to organise. After I decided to tell myself to stop hiding my head in the sand I had a big decision to make ... where do I study ... do I go for something more expensive or do I just try again with the same place. After pondering this choice for a few weeks I came to a conclusion to go with the more expensive college, mainly as it is a residential course that is run mostly on weekends and came highly recommended. So I was saying ... I came to a conclusion to go with the more expensive provider... just to be told it was fully booked. But I am in luck as it turns out two weeks later, today, I was told they have a cancellation ... and I can have a place. Phew!

Until somewhat soon I hope.

Lija

Sheep # 9.1 - Kindness

Dear all

Again I am attempting to catch up on one thing or another. Blogging ... stitching...

Here are my first 100 stitches on Kindness by Little House Needleworks:

As you may know I am doing this as part of a SAL with Sarah. Who is definitely better at keeping to agreed time schedule than me. 

Until soon,

Lija

#7.8 Sheep Sal - Peace complete

Dear all,

Sadly I haven't posted in some time (again). I have been attempting to catch up with Sarah in our Sheep SAL and am still failing. On a positive note here is my complete sheep 'Peace':

Complete - August 2016

Some great news is that I passed two more exams towards my Chartered Accountancy (Corporate Reporting and Strategic Business Management). Only one exam left until I am fully qualified! Study starts next week.

Until soon,

Lija

SALE, sheep #7.7 and Wipocalypse ...

Dear all,

I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post.

It is also very hard to believe how much has changed since then. United Kingdom has voted to leave EU. Lets say since the result came out it has been a turbulent fall into the abyss for us.

Pound sterling is failing. The earrings I was planning on buying for £9 have magically increased overnight to £11! (and I am dreading to think how much other purchases I have planned cost). On a positive side for those of you outside of the UK you can now grab a bargain from our island. In addition (just to be a bit more tempting) we are having an up to 50% SALE over on our Etsy store (click).

We are trying to clear out some of our older stock ... so how about a birdhouse that you can stick your needles in while you stitch ...

50% Sale - now £6

or a linen bag to stash bits and bobs ...

50% Sale - now £6.50

and another idea for your needles, pins, buttons  ...

50% Sale - now £5

Talking about all the various changes in my life... I am finally no longer a trainee ... as of 1 July I have been promoted to a Tax Semi Senior. So after a week long depression following the referendum something good finally happened.

And now onto the stitching ...

Sheep SAL # 7.7

The next 100 stitches ...

700 stitches

Wipocalypse update ...

I haven't done one of these updates in a while, so in addition to Alice and Dodo by Tanya Bond (that you seen in the last post).

June 2016

Since then I have done some late night stitching on Christmas Candle.

July 2016

I am yet to finish page 5 and 6 ... and now page 7 it seems. I have started the additional page for a challenge I was participating in on Heaven and Earth Designs forum. Unfortunately I have not met it. The challenge was to stitch a full page in cross country method.

Half a year has gone by and I only met one out of my sixteen goals. Not a very inspiring progress, but on the other hand a few of the goals are getting quite close to being met.

Until soon,

Lija

Alice and Dodo #1 and Sheep SAL #7.6

Dear all,

I realise I haven't update you in a while, so a post is long overdue. I have a new start and the next 100 stitches on my sheep.

The new start is 'Alice and Dodo' by Tanya Bond (Gecko Rouge kit).

One of the 2016 goals is to stitch one page, and I have started from the centre (mainly for ease of starting). 

And of course my next 100 stitches ...

600 stitches

I am beginning to really dislike this count as the only time I can stitch is with daylight ... or I can't see the holes! And as I stitch mostly in the evenings this is slightly difficult to progress with.

Until next time,

Sheep SAL #7.5

Dear all,

The next 100 stitches on the sheep:

500 stitches

Until next time,

Sheep SAL #7.4

Dear all,

A quick update on the next 100 stitches:

400 stitches

Until next time,

A finish and Sheep Sal # 7.3 update ...

Dear all,

Remember I promised to show what we gifted mum ... this was a joint project for my mum's 50th birthday with my sister of Cross Stitch Mania.

Complete - March 2016

I was hoping I could show you it framed ... but framing is getting delayed due to mum's indecision on what colour to paint the frame.

'Take Shelter together!' This Rainy Day Kitty by Durene Jones is from the World of Cross Stitching magazine issue 240.

Also incidentally here are my next 100 stitches on the sheep ...

300 stitches

I am slightly scared to check out Sarah's progress ... I have a feeling I am very very behind.

Until soon,

Sheep SAL - #7.2

Dear all,

I have now managed to stitch a further 100 stitches and am attempting to post via my phone app ... How technologically advanced of me.

Bare with me while I work out the kinks. I have a vague idea that if this is at all possible I could in future take photos on my way to work and do a post during the lunch hour. But we will see if this works first. [edited on computer to resize photo, add caption and signature].

200 stitches

Here is the sheep ... At 200 stitches it is beginning to form. It is so much nicer to stitch during the day light hours. 

Until soon (with the next 100 stitches),

Sheep Sal - sheep #7.1

Dear all,

It seems that that poem about mice and men is quite appropriate as is probably always the case.

Sarah of Sarah in Stitches and I have agreed to resume our Sheep SAL at a moderate pace of 100 stitches per week (ehm a few weeks ago). I am off this week on annual leave so it is my full intention to catch up.

So here are my first 100 stitched of 'Peace':

100 stitches

I have found that recently most of my stitching time has been devoted to a joint project between my sister and me. My mum who has just turned 50, requested a cross stitched picture that took her fancy from a magazine for her birthday. We have been very busy stitching it, but unfortunately did not quite made it on time and I am still trying to complete it (now on my own as my sister after staying for a week with us has departed back home).

Hopefully I will finish it soon and will be able to share! 

Until soon with more sheep updates,

Sheep #5.5 and Stitch from Stash October 2015 ...

Month: October 2015
Spent: £0
Earned: £0

Dear all,

Yet another boring post for buying stash ... or rather lack of ... yay! Essentially you take one move, lack of cash, no internet or time ... and you have a frustrating inability to buy much.

Also further 400 stitches on my sheep (technically I am now behind by a week - sigh). 

But hopefully there is still a chance to catch up ... and Sarah won't give up on me just yet.

I have now managed to unpack, with an exception of a few misplaced objects that I need to find a home for.

...I also can't believe that I have just over a month to get ready for my next set of exams! Two this time ... and by the lack of revision in this house I am seriously worried. There is still time I keep telling myself.

Sheep #5.3 and Stitch from Stash September 2015

Month: September 2015
Spent: £0
Earned: £0

Hello all,

I am sorry for my long absence. I have now moved houses (lets hope this won't become an annual exercise) and it took until yesterday for the internet to be transferred and fixed.

My cross stitch is all over the place ... some projects are already unpacked, others still in boxes. Sadly to admit I am using one of my massive bed drawers for all the projects/fabrics/stash that is yet unstarted for the time being ... and it is a mess. I miss my organised drawers and shelves. Incidentally I had no time or money to spend on any new stash.

Sarah and I started on the next sheep and due to the whole internet/moving house I have fell behind in posting.

So ignoring my missed 2 posts I am up to:

600 stitches

I have also fallen behind on my other sheep. Hopefully I can get that one done soonish as well.

Till soon (I better go and continue unpacking),

Stitch from Stash + Wipocalypse - July 2015 ... something didn't quite go well ...

Month: July 2015
Spent: £0
Earned: £0

Dear all,

I am sorry but it seems I have disappeared again. Not sure what happened. I do need to get a bit of grip on my planning.

Nothing actually went on here since I last posted. I am back in college now, studying business planning tax, and financial management. I had some lessons for BPT already, but not for FM. Tax is fascinating and getting more complex every day. I am still struggling to work my head around various VAT issues. But as the next set of exams is not until December still some time to go.

My mum dyed quite a number of cross stitch threads, which I am slowly trying to add to our Etsy page:

They can be found HERE.




We have decided to put them at a bargain price of £1.80 per skein (10m). For further information check out the listing. I have started with pinks, but some other colours should follow shortly ... I just wonder where does all the time go?





What about my cross stitch endeavours you ask ...

Well I am slowly progressing with my sheep. I think I am going to set myself a task to complete it by next weekend ... that way I won't get distracted with all that other cross stitch trying to tempt me astray ... Sarah is so far ahead it is unbelievable.

Still quite a bit to go on my little 'Faith'. But we will see.

I have finally stitched a tiny bit more on 'Good Heavens' by Margaret Sherry ... (an achievement as this constantly becomes a UFO for me).

And a bit more done on 'Venice' by Michael Powell ... almost half of the first triptych. Then another two to go ... imagine quite a bit of the blanc space on the right being filled with stitching.

Till soon,

Sheep #4.1

Dear all,

Long time no post... and my first post of Faith of Little Sheep Virtues that I am attempting (again a week late) to stitch along with Sarah. As always if anybody fancies joining ... you can. Even if just for one sheep.

201 stitches

Randomly enough I could not stop myself at 200 and hence why this photo has 201 stitches. I normally stitch half crosses in one direction (a row) and the the other half crosses back ... so it is sometimes difficult when a row is with a similar number of stitches I need to complete a block to stop.

I have been feeling slightly low recently. It must be the stress. Remember the study I have done back in February, well the three exams are coming up beginning of June and I feel I am unprepared. I try to make me study every weekend and evening, but it is always discouraging to see the pace this revision is going at and the amount of knowledge that I retain from it. People do say that the older we get the harder it is to keep the knowledge.

Okay off to study and making revision notes. Have a great remainder of the weekend. I promise I will catch up soon.

Till soon,

 

 

Exchange and/or Winter Friends finish ...

Dear all,

Sarah and I had an exchange recently. The theme was our favourite seasons.

Sarah's was winter ... and knowing how much she loves sheep I made her the following:

It is 'Winter Friends' by the Snowblower Diaries. (This was the chart I bought back in February).

this was what I sent - had to borrow the image from Sarah
as silly me forgot to photograph everything but the sheep

And this is what I received from Sarah:

I feel very spoilt ...

... lets say almost all of the tea is gone now ... a part from a few elusive bags I took with me to work and are now waiting for me to return from my secondment to another department.

And look at the wonderful biscornu Sarah made for me ... isn't she oh so wonderful and patient.

I always marvel at how she attaches the panels! And there is a cute button on top. My season which you probably have guessed by now was Autumn. 

Till soon,