Look Familiar

If you've been reading my blog for a while, the frog looks familiar. I made this Tree Frog Trio for my son last autumn. My sister in law saw it on my blog and told me how much my niece liked it, so I offered to make them again for her. I started last Wednesday and am already done with the first one. Maybe I can finish it before I go to Europe, but the more likely scenario is I'll mail it home from there.

Petal Progress

Four out of five petals done, at least the outsides. I think they're coming out pretty well. Since the picture on Friday, I completed the last petal and did the French knots in the center. I think I did about a hundred or so. They look all nice and fuzzy and like the center of a flower, though. I wasn't sure about doing the satin stitches over the split stitches, but it turned out okay. The hardest part is alternating colors on two of the petals. Was difficult not to get the two strands tangled up with each other. I ended up using two needles. It seemed to work better.

An Explanation of My Rotation

I'm writing this because someone asked. It comes with the warning that I have, on occasion, violated my rotation rules. So, what I do. I pick one project that I work on every single day. For the past couple of months, that's been Lady of the Flag. This is the one I want to move forward the most, get things done on, and so forth. Then I list nine other projects I'm working on on a sticky note. I work two lengths of floss or thread (sometimes slightly more) on each, in order. When I get one done, I relist the eight, putting them in the same order sans the completed one. I then add another project to the bottom. I do try to keep at least one short term project in my rotation so I feel like I'm getting things done. Right now, my rotation is loaded down with biiiig projects, so I feel bogged down sometimes.

I'll be doing the same in Europe when I go next week, but I'm leaving some of my current projects home due to bulk and weight considerations. Lady of the Flag will still be my daily project, and I'll write my actual sticky note list when I get there.

I hope that makes sense to people. I know it's not for everyone, but it works for me.

Band Four Done

I didn't get very much done at the group stitchalong on this on Wednesday, but I did make some progress. On Thursday I finished up Band four and started Band 5. Band four wasn't difficult, just a bunch of satin stitches. Band five has a bit more variety.

April Recap

Well, about all that can be said of April is that it was better than March, stitching-wise. I finished six projects and worked on everything I was supposed to. Got the March and April ornaments done, so I'm on track with that goal. The other goals are still there, but I haven't completed any of the big ones. Take It Further has just gotten lost in the mess. I guess this is what happens when you have a life. I'll still be trying to plug away at things in May, despite a change in continents mid-month.

Silver Swirls

Another part of this buckle done - the swirls. The dragonfly's body is next. Yes, this is going to Europe with me. It should be something quick and easy to do, and I'm going to have a lot of airport time, since I have two connections to make. I doubt I'll sleep much in public places, and I'll be afraid I'm going to miss my flight anyway. So, not only is this going with me, I'll be taking a couple more to mount on the same frame when this is done. Those will be going by mail, though.

Triangles Into Diamonds

Unfortunately, this one isn't going to Europe with me. I won't have a way to make stretcher bars there and it's a bit big for my suitcase. I got the rest of the triangular Jessicas done. They went very easily. I almost feel like just sitting down and finishing this, since the large part of the work is done. I don't believe there are anymore huge numbers of tiny Jessicas in the last band. There are two small stitches to put outside the diamonds I completed and then the arcs again to finish off this band.