Monday, December 31, 2007

December Goals

It is hard to believe that in a little while it will be 2008! Looking at my December goals I didn't do a bad job on completing them.

December Goal

1. Mail Bourse Exchange-Yes, sent and received
2. Mail Birthday Exchange-Yes, sent and received
3. Finish Allie's Stocking-Yes, finished and hung
4. Start/Finish Mac's Stocking-No, :(
5. Start/finish Christmas gifts-Yes
6. Mail Christmas cards & gifts-Yes
7. Work on Topaz Fairie-Yes!!

January Goals

1. Work on Topaz Fairie
2. Order TF beads and Kreinik
3. Start Egyptian Sampler
4. Start Harvest Witch
5. Start Mine All Mine (Mac Stocking)
6. Stitch Freebies
7. Mail Frost Friends Exchange
8. Mail Fob Exchange
9. Start/Finish Valentine Exchange
10. Mail Valentine Exchange

It looks like I will be busy next month!

Renee and I had a nice lazy day of stitching yesterday so I was able to get a good amount done on Topaz. I plan on working on her later at least until I run out of the yellow floss for the dress. If that does happen I guess I will just have to start Egyptian Sampler a day early! :)


I am still way behind in my blogs and I am beginning to think I will never get caught up so if I don't get a chance to swing by your blog, I want to wish everyone a happy New Year.
Happy New Year to you and your families!!!

Saturday, December 29, 2007

A Finish and Progress

I noticed today that I hadn't posted a picture of this little finish I did last month. It is the same pattern (Peony by CCN) that I used in Mylene's birthday gift except that I finished this one into a needleroll. I was satisfied on how it turned out considering this was the second time (for me) finish with a lining for the needleroll. I still need practice on that particular way of finishing!


Now for a progress pic on Topaz. :) I was working at a nice pace yesterday until I ran out of DMC 3350. I think I will work on filling in the rest of the flower tonight. :)

I'm slowly making my way through my blog feeds. It's amazing how fast they pile up when you aren't paying attention! Be assured even if I am not commenting a lot I am reading your blogs. :)

Have a great weekend!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Goals for 2008

Today's venture to the LNS went fine. I was on the quest for a pattern I had seen earlier but as my luck runs it was sold earlier this week. Buggers!! I didn't leave the LNS empty handed. I purchased 2 designs by X's and Oh's. I can't reveal which ones they are as I will be using one for the Valentine exchange on the SBEBB. I also picked up the Mill Hill beads I need for Egyptian Sampler.

I guess it is getting time for me to post my 2008 stitching plans. I counted my large finishes (anything over 8 x 10) from last year and I stitches a total of 9 pieces. In 2008, I would like to finish 10 large pieces. So here is my list of large pieces I plan to stitch.

1. Egyptian Sampler by TW

2. Harvest Witch by Stoney Creek (SAL with Renee)

3. A Child's Prayer by Calico Crossroads

4. Mine All Mine by X's and Oh's (Mac Stocking)

5. Stocking for Me

6. Stocking for Mike

7. Summer's Magic by Dragon Dreams (SAL with Renee)

8. Legends of the Dragons by Dragon Dreams, TW, and The Black Swan

9. The Brat by Enchanting Lair

10. Moonlight Visit by Sandra Parlow

I am not sure if I will meet this goal for next year or not but I am going to give it my best shot! :)

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Here's Paddy

I finished the 3rd kitty in the Pam Kellogg series last night called Paddy. I really like the colors in this pattern. Three down and nine more designs to finish:)



This week's SBQ is:

Did you receive any stitching-related gifts for the holidays?
The gift I received this year was Renee coming for a visit and us being able to stitch together in person. I am hoping tomorrow to be able to make one last stash run to the LNS before the end of the year and that will be Mike's present to me. He picks such great gifts. LOL!!
Have a great night!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Topaz Progress

I have been working on Topaz Fairie here and there over the past few days. I don't have much progress to show other than one flower.

I want to thank everyone for their comments and holiday wishes. I am severely behind on my blog reading and probably won't really have a chance to catch up till after the New Year begins.

Have a wonderful day!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Penguin Tin

I hope everyone is having a GREAT day! We have had a pretty great day here. The kids woke up and opened presents and immediately headed off their separate ways to try out the new gifts. Krissy took over the bathroom with her new flat iron and make up. Allie spread out on the floor with her new markers and velvet poster and Mac is lounging in the chair playing his new GBA game. Now we are just waiting for Christmas lunch to be ready! :)

Renee (and her kitties) got here late Saturday evening. She hand delivered Egyptian Sampler to me! I can't wait to start on it. I am going to try and hold off till Jan 1 to start it but if it keeps calling me I might end up starting it sooner than Jan 1. My plan is to work on Topaz Fairie to keep me distracted. :)

Since Renee came to visit I was able to give her Christmas gift in person. I made her this cute little tin. It is stitched one over one on 32 count fabric. If you remember a few weeks ago when i cut my hand I was working on a gift. This is the one that I was working on so blood, sweat and tears really went into making this one!



I modeled the inside like a tin I received from Vonna with a magnetic strip. I really love the strip as I use it to keep track of needles.


I hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas!!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Thrift Store Shopping

In less than 8 hours my bestest friend since I was in elementary will be here until the first of the year! Whoo-h00!! I am terribly excited so much I hardly slept a wink last night.

Sadly, I didn't work on ANY stitching yesterday but I did do something stitching related. I stopped at a local thrift shop that I have had good luck with finding cross stitch magazine and yesterday was no different. :) I came home with 4 Cross Stitch & Country Samplers from 1987-1992, 2 JCS issues from 1995, and 2 Alma Lynne Designs leaflets. All that for 2 dollars! I have already found one pattern in the JCS March/April 95 issue that is a must stitch for me. It's called A Child's Prayer by Linda Connors (Calico Crossroads). This one has a beautiful verse on it for any mother.

I was noticing today that it has been 3 years since I started blogging. It isn't my blogiversay as I started off with just a blog about my daily life and then a few months later is when Crafter's Creations came about. I deleted my first blog a long time ago as I couldn't keep up with 2 blogs. Anyways, I think I have only had one picture of me up and I know how it is nice to associate a face with a blog so here is Mike and I at last night's Christmas party.


Front: Dawn & Mike
From our home to yours I want to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas!!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Midnight and Precious

I have been working on the Millennium Cats by Pam Kellogg this week and I finally took some pictures of the 2 kitties I have done.





January-Midnight



February-Precious

With today being the first day of winter break for the kids I am not sure how much stitching I will get done today. Then tonight is Mike's Christmas party for his work. Last year's party wasn't exactly a hit. Main thing was the food SUCKED!! Oh and not too mention they ran out of the fixings for a strawberry daiquiri at 7 pm didn't impress me. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will be different this year!

Before I go here is a picture of my mischievous kitties. Oh they look sweet here but don't let that fool you. They can unornamentify(is that even a word?) a tree in less than 10 minutes!!

Have a great day!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Exchange for Terry

I saw today on the SBEBB that Terry has received the bourse exchange I sent her. I stitched an Arm and a Leg from Raise the Roof Designs in the 2006 JCS ornie issue. I stitched it on some 32 count opalescent fabric. You might have guessed that the opalescent fabbies are my favorite. :)

It turned out just a little smaller than I had planned but it still turned out pretty cute.


This week's SBQ was suggested by Kathryn and is:

Have you ever helped anyone else learn to stitch? Have you ever helped anyone learn a new stitch or technique?

I have taught several people how to stitch. I showed my best friend how to stitch on a visit, I have taught all 3 of my children, I taught a friend in Mississippi, and lastly but not least I taught my brother. As for special stitches...I am doing good in learning and mastering them myself!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Peony

I heard from Mylene that she has opened her birthday package I sent to her. I stitched "Peony" from Country Cottage Needleworks. I used the Crescent Colors that came with the pattern so my only problem was remembering to complete a full stitch before moving on to the next one. Mylene, I hope you enjoyed everything I sent you. :)


I did stitch today but I don't have any pictures to show today. I decided to stitch the freebies from Pam Kellogg called "The Millennium Cats". I am not sure how I will finish them yet but I am sure I will think of something.

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The Heart Throb Fob

I finished up the fob I was working on today and decided it was way too pretty to give away. This pattern is a freebie from The Drawn Thread called Heart Throb. I stitched mine on some 32 count opalescent fabric. This pattern is a fun and quick piece to stitch not to mention pretty, too. :)



And on the back of the fob, I stitched the year I finished it.

Have a good evening!

Bourse Exchange

I have to say yesterday turned out to be a pretty awesome day for me. For starters, I got my bourse exchange in the mail from Amy. Isn't it beautiful?! Thank you, Amy, I love it!!





However, the best news of the day came late yesterday afternoon. Renee is coming for a visit!! Oh, I can't wait to see her on Saturday!! I am going to predict there will be lots of stitching, talking, and laughing. :)

As for stitching, I didn't get a lot done yesterday because I was playing catch up with the laundry. I started a small fob design for an exchange but as I have been stitching it I am thinking I might just have to keep it for myself. My plans are to finish the fob today and then if I have time I might work on Topaz for a little while.

Happy Stitching!


Monday, December 17, 2007

Topaz Weekend Progress

I worked on my fob piece for the Fob exchange last night. I finished it but I am not too sure if I really like it or not yet. Parts of it I really do like but some parts (mainly the colors) I am not so sure about. I guess I will keep looking and see if I find something better that I like. :)

Like everyone else, I have been thinking about my stitching goals for 2008. I have decided on one thing for sure, I will be attempting to stitch more freebie patterns. I love the freebies and they usually a quick finish which is why I love them! Oh, and another thing, is to stitch my Christmas gifts through out the year instead of waiting to the last minute. LOL...we will see how that one turns out!

Here is my progress of Topaz Fairie from this weekend. She is really starting to come to life now. :) As you can see I avoided stitching on her wings so no frogs visited me this weekend.


Enjoy your day!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

An Early Gift

I got a nice surprise from Mike last evening. He got me a new stitching chair! It's a glider chair and I love it! I already tried it out last evening and it works perfectly for me to sit and stitch plus it is so COMFY:)

When I stitch I usually sit cross legged with a throw blanket over my legs which has been a problem lately since my puppy dog has been claiming it as hers lately. So, this morning, I decided I was going to buy me a new throw blanket to match my new chair AND so I won't have to fight my dog for my blanket. :) Sounds good doesn't it? LOL Anyways, I found this adorable dark blue blanket with snowflakes all over it and it is really soft! Problem now is Mac is trying to steal my blanket. Hmmm....maybe Santa will bring him one so he will leave mine alone.

I worked on Topaz yesterday and finished her face, hair, and other arm. I also managed to frog out all the stitches in the wing I messed up. I am going to put her away for just a little while to work on the Fob Exchange and the Valentine Exchange. I have an idea for the Fob Exchange and will start on it after I get off of the computer. :)

This morning I ran my errands as fast as I could trying to get home before the rain turned to ice/snow. In doing this I messed up and went to the PO last when I should have went there first! I thought they closed at noon on Saturdays but I was wrong by an hour. I got there at 11:10 am and they were closed! A little while after that is when it started to snow here. :) We didn't get anything measurable but it was pretty to look at while it lasted.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Possibility of Snow?!

I am sorry I didn't post a progress picture yesterday but I was having such a good time working on Topaz last night. As you can tell I have started the frogging yet. I have just decided to work on the fairie for awhile before I start ripping out her wing.



We finally have a forecast for a possibility of snow!! Okay, so it is only a inch that is predicted but I will take what I can get. If you don't know by now I love snow. I love to go outside when it is snowing and either play with my kids or my puppy dog till I am cold and then I rush in to make hot chocolate and curl up under a fluffy blanket to get warm. We don't have a fireplace otherwise that is where I would be getting warm! :)

This week’s stitching blogger's question was once again suggested by Nancy and is:

Do you do anything special to your threads before putting them through your fabric to make them more manageable?

When I use Kreiniks I do use a damp cloth to moisten the thread before I start stitching. It seems to help the metallics glide through the fabric easier. Other than that, I don't do anything special to my threads.

I am off to finish cleaning the house and then I will be working on Topaz again:) Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Santa Claws

It was another cold and rainy day here so I curled up this morning and finished the one over one stitching on this little design. You can find this freebie here.


I am pretty much done with my gift stitching! Whew....that is a big relief! :) Now, I can stitch some ornaments for our tree.
Sorry for such a short post but I am really tired tonight and I think I am going to turn in early tonight.
Have a good night!

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Topaz Weekend Progress

As I mentioned in yesterday's post I did work a little bit on Topaz Fairie this past weekend. I filled in the rest of her arm and worked on the other wing. While I was stitching I did find an error in the opposite wing so now I have to frog the whole wing. I am not looking forward to that so I am putting it off as long as possible!



Also, I did get a chance to finish Joyeux Noel into an ornament. I didn't have anything Christmasy looking to match so I opted for a matching pink. For some reason I can't get a really good picture of Joyeux Noel. The linen is actually a smoky blue color and is really pretty but for some reason it looks grey and dull. I am going to blame it on the rain we have been having.


I am not sure if I will get any stitching done today as I have to clear out a spot in the living room for the Christmas Tree. We have an artificial tree due to our allergies so I also have to dig it out of the storage area. I have been putting it off because this will be Claudia's and Bitsy's first Christmas tree and I am not ready for them to bat at the ornaments or climb the tree.
Enjoy your day!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Joyeux Noel

It has been a cold, wet and dreary day here today. Rain in December...something is just wrong with that! So, what is a girl supposed to do on a day like this? Why, cross stitch of course! :) I worked on Topaz Fairie a bit more this weekend but I didn't feel like pulling her out today so I opted for a quick finish. I stitched Joyeux Noel by The Cat Whisker's Designs out of the 2007 JCS issue. I am planning on finishing this one into an ornament later tonight.



I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Safe and Sound

I found out today that Bea's RR made it home to her safely. Some glitches came up in this RR and it took a little longer than expected so I felt bad for Bea so I included a little Christmas fob for her.

The design comes from an old issue of Cross Stitch & Country Crafts (May/June 1989). The design is by Laura Doyle and is called Christmas Wreath. I stitched it one over one but I am not sure what count I did it on. It measures just a little over 1 inch by 1 inch...i think maybe more like 1 1/4 inch by 1 1/4 inch. I was really happy with how it turned out and honestly for once I can't find anything I would have done differently. :)

I am going to head off and see what I should stitch on today! :)
Have a great weekend everyone!!

A Great Shock for Me

Yesterday was a pretty good day for everyone here. I managed to finish to pieces into ornaments, so that means I can check 2 more gifts off my list! Yippie!!

Snow Happy-Beth Stephens
Trimming the Tree-Lavender Wings

It just wasn't me who had a great day yesterday, Mac came home with awesome news. He made second place in his class spelling bee and gets to move on and compete against the other classes. He was so excited and all he could talk about how he is going to be in the local newspaper. Now, I have to admit this took me by complete surprise as last week's spelling test was a 55 percent!! It isn't that he misspells words as much as you can't read them. He has the WORST handwriting possible. Anyways, as you can tell I am one proud Mama :)

Before I go I want to wish my mom a happy birthday! Happy Birthday Mom:) We love you and miss you! Enjoy your day!!

Friday, December 07, 2007

Topaz Fairie and a SBQ

I finally decided to go ahead and work on Topaz Fairie yesterday. I am glad I did because I made some progress on her. :)


Today's SBQ was suggested by Nancy and is:

What tips would you give to a new stitcher to help her stitch faster and neater while still keeping it enjoyable?


To a new stitcher my main advice would be to always count, re-count, and count again! There is nothing more discouraging than having to rip out stitches due to a small miscount. Another thing I would advise is keeping the length of your threads at a reasonable length. If it is too long it will get tangled up causing knots and just a big mess. My last piece of advice would be ...do not be afraid to wash your projects! I seldom have a problem with the flosses bleeding but I generally stitch with DMC. When I do use overdyed threads I take more care in washing them in cool water so they don't bleed.

Danielle-I was planning on finishing Trimming the Trees into a top for a wood box. I messed up and didn't leave enough room on the top and bottom to allow for coverage with the batting. When I cut my material for some reason I thought I needed a 4 x 6 inch piece when in fact that was the size of the top of my box. Ooops! :)

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Trimming the Tree

Remember the secret gift I was going to work on? Well, I finished it but I can not finish it how I wanted to do the finishing. Stupid me, didn't leave enough extra room for the finishing. There is enough room for it to be finished into an ornament so all is not lost. I was really hoping to finish it today in the particular method I had in mine....grrr!


I am not sure what I will work on later today. Either it will be Topaz Fairie or I will start on Mac's stocking. He is trying to act like it doesn't matter that his stocking may not be done but I can tell that isn't true so I am going to try and finish it in time. The only thing I am really worried about is getting my Kreiniks in at the LNS in time if not I may have to figure out some other substitution for them. We haven't picked out the fabric for his stocking yet but I have a sneaky feeling the fabric he does pick out probably won't have a Christmas theme.
I can't believe that Christmas will be here in 20 days!! It sure doesn't feel like it here. We haven't had a first snow this year yet. :( Snow is the whole reason I love winter time! The closest we have gotten to snow this year is this morning when it started raining and it was mixed with ice but that last a whole 10 minutes. I know because Bitsy decided to dart out the door and I had to chase her around in the yard while it was raining!
Since it is raining and is cold I think I will heat up some water and have a cup of hot chocolate and decide what to stitch on today. :)
Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Snow Happy

I decided to go ahead and finish the stitching on the gift I have been working on. This is a freebie from Janlynn and designed by Beth Stephens. I stitched it one over one on 28 count fabric. I think he is just adorable! I will be finishing this one into an ornament for my brother and his girlfriend for Christmas. They were talking about visiting us this year at Christmas so I may not even have to mail it off!


Thank you for all the wonderful comments on Allie's stocking. As soon as she got home from school she demanded to see it. I told her before she left for school that I would have it finished for her by the time she got home. She loves it!! I still have Mac's left to finish but I don't think it will get done this year. He will have to wait until next year for his which is okay because I still have to do Mike's and my stocking, too.
I am not exactly sure what I will work on later. All I have been stitching is gifts for friends and family lately maybe I will work on something for me. I really have to get my holiday stitching done during the year and not wait to the last minute! I am sure a lot of you are feeling the same way, too:) What ever I do work on later I know for sure it won't be one over one today! My eyes need a break..lol.
Have a great day!

Monday, December 03, 2007

Allie's Stocking Finished!

I thought I was going to have Allie's stocking finished yesterday but Bitsy decided to autograph the stocking with her paw prints. Apparently Bitsy had been playing in my plants and left dirty paw prints on the fabric. Grrrr...I was able to get the dirt out but now that it was completely wet I was going to have to wait for the fabric to dry.

This morning I finished putting the final stitches in Allie's name and proceeded to do the sewing part. In the picture, the blank area above the name looks like it is sewn uneven but I promise this is an optical illusion!


Here is the backing fabric Allie picked for her stocking.


Yesterday I went up to our LNS for our monthly stitchers group. I had fun but since the stocking was at home drying I brought the current gift I am stitching but since it is one over one and the lighting wasn't really good enough for one over one stitching I ended up looking at all the wonderful patterns. Ah...3 hours to look at patterns and not have a child tugging at my shirt wanting to leave!! I was very good and only purchased a few items since I had just bought stuff the day before:)

This weekend I accumulated:

Beatrice-The Trilogy

Britty Bunny-Brittercup Designs

Trimming the Tree-Lavender Wings

package of needles

1 yard white 32 Belfast

2 wood boxes

2 pkgs mill hill beads (for topaz fairy...still have a lot to get!!)

I'm not sure what exactly I am going to work on today. I need to finish the gift I'm working on but I have something in mind for the Frosty Friends exchange. I have already finished something for the exchange but I came across something I think would be better but that remains to be seen!

That has to wait until I get my errands done for today! I have to buy groceries and the post office but it is kind of cold outside and I don't want to go outside. However, I have to do it...for some reason the kids think that they will die if there isn't food here for them to devour when they walk in the door after school. Enough talking about it...I have to get my butt up and do it! :)

Enjoy your day!

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Three Kitties and Half a Tree

I stitched what I could on the Britty Kitty Stocking yesterday. I did run into town this morning and picked up the colors I need to finish it. Of course I just couldn't leave the LNS without without buying a couple of new patterns and some 32 count Belfast Linen.




It has been a pretty quiet evening around here tonight so I am going to go and work on Allie's stocking for a little bit.


Have a good night!