Sheep #1.5

Dear all,

Today is just quick check in for my sheep progress. You can definitely see where I went wrong in this project [sigh]. I don't normally start out - in, but as I wanted to see how badly placed it would be I ended up stitching the boarder before anything else.

500 stitches

Sarah's progress can be found HERE. Somehow hers looks a lot more bright and cheery (I blame the sad positioning of mine).

I have had yet another adventure by the trains this weekend. I went to visit my sister. I got so excited that the train journey was meant to be 2.5 hours (from a station about 20 minutes away) - last time was 4.5 hours with the slower trains and minor delays. As if. It ended up being more like 7 hour trip there! I have been at about 6 or 7 different stations (sent from one to another in view of cancelled trains). To summarise there was a signal failure near Chichester (reason behind the 1st lot of trains getting cancelled), then electrical failure (the reason behind the rest of the trains to where  I was going getting cancelled), and how exciting when I got to the last directed station that was meant to have bus replacement services ... we were told no bus replacements were coming. In the end I had to get an exciting 2 hour something odd trip on the local bus ... squashed with my suitcase and legs criss crossed. The worst part was that as I was not settled for any part of the journey I didn't get any stitching done. But I made up on the way back, which for most part was direct and only had an hour wait till the next train along... I just popped into town and bought a lot of candles.

Anyhow I better disappear. Watch out for the progress on the 'Harmony' coming up soon.

Sheep #1.4

Dear all,

I am a little late with this report. And the picture is not great (as it is getting dark oh so early):

400 stitches

I was away up North for the weekend, departure just after 5am on Saturday, arrival back at about 11pm. And back to work on Monday. Promise to be better next weekend. It was nice few days regardless. And I have done loads of stitching on the train. 'Harmony' is coming along really well, it is my train project for long distances as I find it a lot easier to stitch in one colour and not to worry about changes on a moving transport. And seeing mum and little brother was lovely too.

Anyhow I am off to sleep. Since it is a school work night.

Till soon,

P.S. You can see Sarah's progress HERE.

Stitch from Stash - September 2014 and I have a new start ...

Dear all,

I am not certain about this month's report ... or rather whether to weep or be proud. I spent ... a total of zero pounds/ dollars/anyothercurrency (a first since I embarked on this challenge). I was way too busy with the move, and poor with spending all that hard earned cash on letting agents, rent, additional rent, and even it seems now going to be overlapping rent. It's not that the money went to  something nice (like a brand new printer for which I will need to start saving again soon) but hey ho that is life, and a girl needs a place to call home. And things should settle down soon, deposits and fees are a pain, but they tend to attack suddenly at the start.

But on the even brighter side ... I made a start from stash! Perfect!  And I have £/$45.03 to carry to the next month (or whenever I will actually have money). For the hardcore addict that I am it is sooo nice that I managed to resist the urge.

It is 'Harmony' by the amazing Nancy of the Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe. I bought the chart from her in June (the spree month to be precise ... and if I am not buying any time soon I am planning on starting plenty from stash!). Fabric is evenweave (28 count I think although might be 32), it was bought and accounted for in August (and still for some reason coming out grey when it is more cream/peachy).  

latest threads won - featuring 1840 red violet in which I am stitching

The threads that I am using are of course hand dyed by Nancy herself, which I won awhile back and forgot to share photos of. I wish I could afford the entire collection (as do many others no doubt) ... one day. Nancy is soo generous, and this was actually a second time I won a giveaway from her. And this is my entire collection so far:

after a few projects stitched already there is still plenty!

Till soon,

Sheep #1.3 and belated Smalls SAL august report

Dear all,

My third report on the 'Hope' of the Sheep SAL is a bit of a disappointment. This count is way too small for me! Maybe I am just blind as a bat and was an idiot to start with the snowflake (very symmetrical) ... well I must have when started and finding the centre counting from it picked the wrong reference starting point on the chart. Because check this out:

300 stitches

as you can see the entire design is too low ... snowflake meant to be top right. I think though I'm gonna just leave it as it sorta fits on the fabric.

But hey ho that is another 100 stitches done with some variety of colour (I really really needed to know if it would fit ... so went downwards).

The SAL is being stitched with Sarah. And we also have two new participants: Anne and Kaye.

Also an extremely late update on the Smalls SAL (August ... I know just 2 days before the September sign up opens).

I have finally finished Winter Witch by Maja of The Snowflower Diaries. There was lots of sunshine when I took the picture on Sunday, so I have taken it both in sun and in shadow and can't decide which one is better so I have included both.

It is a free design available on Maja's blog and is stitched in all the recommended threads on Zweigart 28 count Quaker Linen in Confederare Grey.

I do have an exciting new start to share but I will add it to the Stitch from Stash update due this coming Sunday (though will try to post earlier as I am away up North to visit family).

Till soon,

Sheep #1.2

Dear all,

I made it! next 100 stitches done and here comes my second update on 'Hope' of the Sheep SAL with Sarah.

200 stitches

This snowflake is huge don't you think? Maybe it will be done by next Sunday as I really want to move on to the next colour.

For info on this SAL check out my 1st post HERE.

Anyhow better run ... it is 8pm and I still had no dinner and gotta go sleepy at 10pm like a big girl.

Till soon,

TUSAL - August update

Hello all,

I have a spare moment (or rather made a spare moment) for my blog. So decided to post an update from last month. Had the photos taken awhile ago before the move, but haven't got around to posting them.

August and the rest of the year

2014 so far

Not sure how the September update will go as I haven't brought the jars with me and am dumping the orts on a shelf in a little pile.

I have also been getting on with 100 stitches per week challenge. Only have 43 to go before tomorrow's update. Good luck to me!

Till soon,

A yet another SAL I found myself joining. Sheep #1.1

Deal all,

Well I have started yet another SAL. This time it is all in good cause of getting that stash stitched up. At the moment I am stitching with Sarah (of Sarah in Stitches) and unlike me she was able to post on time. Click HERE for her post on the matter.

We are working on 'Hope' the first sheep of the Little Sheep Virtues series by Little House Needleworks.  I am working in the recommended DMC colours on 35 count cocoa WDM (I think that might stand for week dye works). My progress so far:

The plan is to challenge ourselves to 100 stitches a week with an update post on Sunday (almost there). Speaking of belated posts I should probably check my calendar (still not up due to the move - but I finally have the magnets to attach it to the board above my desk).

Also if you fancy joining us on this noble sheep quest do let either Sarah or myself know. At the moment the plan is to stitch Hope and Joyfulness, but more might follow. I do have already one sheep completed over HERE (the second in the series 'Love').

Till soon,