Wipocalypse - April 2015 (I have a finish!) and Sheep #3.5

Hello all,

I can't believe this, but I actually have some progress to show... and with it a completion of two of my goals!

First up is a finish of 'Ember II' by Maia. Just in time, as I am going up North again for a few days. So can finally gift it.

April 2015

It even has some french knots! Not sure if they are seeable.

April 2015

My second completed goal is not as exciting ... I have finished a page of 'Field of Poppies'. Technically this is incorrect as when I have put up this goal I assumed there were 8 a4 pages, but there are actually 4 a3. I decided not to correct the goal as essentially I was correct in equivalent proportions.

April 2015

I did have some progress on another two projects selected for Wipocalypse ... but unfortunately I somehow forgot to photograph it, so some other time. I have slightly amended my goals to have 25 in total (easier to calculate percentage). Maybe a little crazy but we will see. I highly doubt they will all be achieved.

And as for Sheep update (that should have happened last Sunday):

1000 stitches

I think about two more weeks and this will be complete. 

Till soon,

 

Sheep #3.4 ...

Dear all,

Unfortunately it is still very grey here ... so cannot update you on much.

I do have the next 200 stitches of my sheep photographed in a quick spell of sunshine ...

800 stitches

So, this means I am finally caught up. Just need to do another 200 for tomorrow and hope for sunshine. Also, keep your fingers crossed for me and I might have Ember finished in a day or so.

Till tomorrow (I hope),

                         

Sheep #3.3 and the winner is ...

Dear all,

Apologies for the missing Wipocalypse post. I thought of posting today but the sky is grey and crying so not much chance of good photos.

I do have an update on the sheep (photo taken a few days ago) ...

600 stitches

Okay, I am now almost caught up with the schedule of stitching. Last Sunday was meant to have been the post for 800 ... I have the next 200 stitched ... just not photographed. So as long as I make sure to get it up to 1,000 by this coming Sunday I am on top of his SAL. 

Also, remember I had a giveaway back in January ... well I have finally got around to drawing a winner ... and it is Cucki! I am still in the process of stitching/assembling and thinking ... but hopefully I can send the package soon.

Anyhow, stay tuned ... Wipocalypse post still coming up, exchange package arrived from Sarah, and the next 200 stitches on the sheep.

Till soon,

 

Stitch from Stash - March 2015 & the Sheep #3.2

Month: March 2015
Spent: £0
Earned: £0

Dear all,

This is a bit of a sad post ... remember I mentioned my hope to get Ember II done ... well it is still in the works. I did not manage to complete it before I left mum's. (No purchases either!)

Furthermore I have difficulty picking it up to stitch. I feel slightly stitched out on that project. After stitching pretty much non stop since beginning of January I feel a slight tug towards other projects. Even those that I had no desire to stitch for awhile. I'll update you in my Wipocalypse post (hopefully tomorrow). I might have even earned a little on one of them, but will put that into the next Stitch from Stash update.

I also somehow found myself stitching on 14 count for most of this week ... after a day at work my eyes could not see the little holes.

Sadly, Alice and Dodo have been put off for another month due to the lack of monies in my bank ... I had to lend some money, so even with the pay will have a somewhat tight month. But surely the more I delay the gratification of a purchase the better I will feel getting the project.

Sheep #3.2

The next two hundred stitches:

400 stitches

I know, I am really behind but should be catching up soon. I absolutely loving stitching it! (as long as it is daylight) This time I somewhat started from the centre going out ... rather than picking up from the border.

 

P.S. I spent this morning repotting orchids, so slightly exhausted.

Sheep #3.1 ... a week and 2 days late

Hello all,

Apologies for being late yet again. But so you know we have started up the next sheep for the SAL. And it is 'Simplicity'. This is my first 200 stitches:

200 stitches

And a little closeup:

200 stitches

I am currently up North visiting family and stitching like mad on 'Ember II' which I was hoping to gift to mum this visit ... but so far I am loosing this battle. Though I am getting close. Two colours left on the right side (last 3rd). Mind one of them has quite a bit of stitching.

Once I am done with this I will definitely catch up with the sheep. I have missed the little fellas...

I was discussing with mum recently ideas for what my brother could potentially do for his egg competition... I have suggested sheep ... but unfortunately the idea did not take.

Till soon,

 

The Sheep #2.7 and #2.8? or in other words I have a finish ...

Dear all,

I have finally completed 'Joyfulness' which I was stitching along with Sarah, Kaye and Anne.

Sarah has already turned hers into a gorgeous pillow! Click HERE to see. But mine will remain uncompleted for now.

 

So this is my first finish of 2015! How exciting. With slightly more time on my hands I have managed to update a few of my tabs: I have updated the pre-2015 finishes and started a new one for new finishes. Mainly since the other one was getting too large to manage. 2014 was a bit of a disappointment on the finishes front.

I have also updated the 'Stash'. It remains scary to look at but I am hopeful for 2015. I will make it more manageable and will try to stitch from it more! No new starts until I have a finish, and no new buys until two finishes (so should provide a decrease). But this is likely to prove to be a bit of a hard challenge.

I will need to deal with Wipocalypse tab in the next few days as I am already behind. Missed the first check in and should be doing my second one by now!

Till soon,




P.S. There is still some time to enter the giveaway on my 'Grow your Blog' post click HERE.

The Sheep #2.5 and #2.6 ... have I caught up yet?

Hey all,

Only 9 days to go to the deadline! I am frequently becoming the last person out of office ... but hey ho it is great to be alive. I love it. Mind I wouldn't mind dreaming about the missing thread and fabric again! So I guess I am battling my addiction for cross stitch and becoming a workaholic? Or is that just wishful thinking? Still have the cravings to buy stash... but as I am doing Stitch from Stash (or stashers anonymous ... only joking) I am not allowed, gotta save to buy. But more on that later.

So the sheep:

1000 stitches

1200 stitches

1200 stitches

I also have some progress on 2 of my wips to share soon.

But until then,

The Sheep SAL #2.3 and #2.4 ... or in other words I am soooo behind

Hi all,

Are you surprised hearing from me? Well I am.

This is my first post of 2015! Lets hope I'm not gonna spend the year with how I am starting ... late.

Most of you know how I moved down South (of England) for a job back in September ... well the business is taking hold of me. I am a tax trainee and with the tax returns being due on the 31 January following the fiscal year this is one busy period. Last week I managed 61 hours! I love it! It is amazing ... I sit down at the desk and don't realise how the time just disappears. The only issue is back pain. It is slightly better once the lovely person who sits next to me fixed my chair (it was locked in a silly reclining position).

Anyhow that is me to the end of the month sorted! It does have a slight limitation on my other activities. I still stitch about an hour before bedtime but not always am able to work on sheep as for example I tried yesterday and could not see the holes! It is 35 count even weave. Then there is the issue of photography (I know I know excuses excuses excuses).

600 stitches

800 stitches

Believe it or not I am almost done with the next 200 (due last Sunday). 50 to go. So who knows maybe this Sunday you will see 2 sheep and me catching up.

Thank you so much for your comments on my failed goals. Some of you had amazing ideas.

I particularly liked Shebafudge's ... to pick up a UFO and work 1 or 2 strands. Surely if I follow this advise I will get it done eventually ... when I am 200 years old knowing my dedication to those pesky UFOs. 

I am also limiting myself to what I join this year ... but more on that later. And I am definitely sticking by the sheep. If Sarah doesn't kick me out for being terrible at posting updates.

Till soon,

Sheep #2.2, TUSAL and Wipocalypse final post ...

Dear all,

I know I promised to have posted earlier ... but it has been really busy with the holidays (and then work) here ... my mum and little brother are were here to visit ... so we have been eating non stop, spending money, and eating more.

Hope everyone's festivities went well, I even managed to get a bit of stitching in. I got my sister a cross stitch present ... a kit for a bookmark. She is almost done with it already!!!

400 stitches in! I almost done the next lot ... but still have till tomorrow

[aside: I started composing this post earlier than it was posted].

TUSAL ... a bit of a failure on the posting front as the year worn on ... I have here September till now (as I left the beginning of the year's ORTs up North):

Next up is the Wipocalypse update ... (to some degree probably a failure):

1) Good Heavens by Margaret Sherry [Goal: Complete]

December 2013

No progress whatsoever, so back to being a UFO.

2) Christmas Candle - HAED [Goal: Complete another 5 3 pages]

So only 1/5 3 (goal) and 4/36 (total)

December 2013

only one page done a year later!

and I started the next page

Another page and a bit and I will reach the end of the first row. This project has been a struggle for me. I still love it for most part. Unlike the dragon for which I picked the wrong fabric this one is okay to stitch (apart from balancing the massive frame). It is just that I have soooo many projects, new and old, that it seems never enough time to concentrate just on one.

3) Yiota's Xstitch: Field of Poppies [Goal: Complete]

Based on Van Gogh's painting

January 2014

Nothing done at all. So a massive failure for this goal.

4) 'Picture of elegance'. [Goal: Complete]

December 2013 

Ehm, as above. This update is getting more upsetting by the minute.

5) Literate Dragon - HAED [Goal: complete the full SAL]

December 2013

This one has actually had some work done ...

1/4 pages done!

Regarding my UFOs ... lets say they remain mostly as such ... no change to:

6) Xmas Chums [Goal: Complete by next Christmas ... as if]

June 2012

Back to the lack of progress shame.

7)  'Tending the Flock' [Goal: Pick up and work on even if just a little]

Before 2012

No movement whatsoever.

8) Making Lickle Wishes [Goal: turn to a WIP]

April 2012

Ehm ... a pattern beginning to emerge of UFOs remaining UFOs?

9) Cabin Fever by Dimensions (Gold Collection) [Goal: turn into a WIP]

September 2012

July 2014

A tiny, tiny bit of progress!

10) John Clayton: Venice [Goal: complete]

December 2012

Still not unpicked!

New Starts:

11) JR01 Lean on Me by Judy Rossouw (anchor) [Goal: complete]

January 2014

  

May 2014

12) QS Poisonous Beauties by Jasmine Becket-Griffith - HAED [Goal: Complete 1 page]

So far 0/9

July 2014

I blame the move for the lack of progress.

 13) Ember II by Maia [Goal: Complete]

May 2014

14) Harmony by Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

November 2014

I really like how this project is coming along. I actually have more of the border stitched over Christmas.

15) Venice by Michael Powell

This is a triptych that I am stitching as one, and the first of the three has 6 pages. So I have done approximately one and a half.

December 2014

 

16) Brollies by Heritage Crafts (Twilights Series)

December 2014

This is actually a finish ... if you remember I had 'Boats' done from the series back in 2013 (I think).

And the photos of stash promised in the lats post:

Till soon,