Creeping Along

Well, I'm working my way across.  I'm stressing myself with how little stitching I'm getting done lately.

Finally Started My Year Long

After managing twelve months last year, I am trying again.  This is a Lizzie Kate series.  Yes, yellow is a bold choice for the background fabric!  The designs are smaller than last year, but I had to start later because I didn't have my stuff and had to order thread.

Something Different

Just before all my stuff came, I ordered what you've been seeing in the past couple of weeks.  These earrings are goldwork and silk.  I'm going to give them a try.

Working On The Edge

I've been working on the left edge a bit, getting more boxes done.  Nothing exciting, but at least progress.

Up To Three

Working on the third band now, plugging away.  The thread I'm using is normally a bit thick for the canvas, but I'm liking the chunky look.

Bonus Kit

I was able to buy the Serenity Harbor Stitching Book Kit because I subscribed to the Serenity Harbor Sampler from By the Bay.  At this point, I'm still on part three of that because I put it away when I moved.  I'll dig it out when I'm finished with another couple of large projects.  For now, I can do this small multi technique project too!

Birds Chirped

Go me, another finish!  I found this a bit trickier than other bayeux stitch kits I've done.  I find the stranded cotton to just be difficult.  Wool works much, much better.  On the other hand, the colors are pretty vibrant, and I think it came out pretty well.

Broderi Box Meh

I splurged and ordered Nordic Needle's February Broderi Box.  I'm not really pleased with the ordering system, as if you forget to order during the one week they're in stock, you're out of luck.  That's what happened to me on the March box.  Looking through this one, though, I see a lot of very much specialty threads - ones with very limited applications.  To me, this makes the box less attractive, as I'm going to be stuck with threads I have no use for for years.  I do like the color and presentation, but there are still several kinks to work out with this.

Beading Started

With this project, I've been trying not to miss areas to stitch, but it's been hard because there are so many beads.  Solution?  It's time to do both stitching and beading.

Now It's Nine

Nine stitched, three more to go.

Under The Hump

I'm more than halfway with this.  The grey on the bright background is pleasing to me.  Maybe I'll be able to finish it in the next couple of weeks.

Peahen Personality

The peahen is beginning to show a bit of personality, I think.  I'm getting pretty sick of all the brown, though.  The fabric makes the perfect background, and I'm pleased with it.

Greening Up

This next band is primarily green.  I've got a good start, but still a long way to go.

I See A Dolphin

Well, I didn't get to the hump on the right, but I did, somehow, make a dolphin shape!

Moar Detail

I am working on the densest part of this piece, so all I get is more detail without looking like I'm moving forward any.

One Big Word

One big word done!  The words go more quickly than the ends.

Dragoning Along

This project is getting big enough that it looks like I make almost no progress when I work on it.  I am, though!  The gill has gotten bigger.

Working Toward The Bottom

This is looking very close to done.  I wonder if I'll get it finished in the next week.

Got One Done

I finally finished this piece from last year's crazy January challenge after digging it up from the great big load of stuff.

Shaping Another Tree

This tree's a very light blue, so it's hard to see, but it means something is getting done.

Eight Is Not Enough

Eight turtles done, but it's not enough to call this project finished!

Been A Long Time

I may not have worked on this for a full decade.  My goal this year is to get some of these longer term projects done and out of my hair.  This one's for my husband, and I've started again on the dragon, tree, and man.

Halfway There

I am officially halfway done with this snowflake.  Go me!

Got Something Done

My purple snowflakes are done.  I like the way this turned out and will probably make it into a fob or ornament once I'm done unpacking.

Not Very Hearty Yet

This is one of my older January starts, and it's a heart.  Except it doesn't look very heartlike yet.  Hopefully next time I'll complete the top of the other lobe and it will resemble more of something.

Threads And Soutache

I found Vikki Clayton's new site.  She's on etsy now, and is no longer dying floss for stitchers.  Instead, she's dying soutache and ribbon.  I do think it's a smaller market for her, but maybe not.  She has some floss on close out, so I bought some.

Got The Bullseye

The middle of the quatrefoil is found.  Each bit of this gets more detailed as it gets filled in.

Crazy January Start #31 - Red And Gold Tassel

Here's the last of my starts for January.  Yay, that's complete, so now I can work on finishing things.

Lettering On

The letters seem to be going quickly, so hopefully I am going to get this done soonish.

Carpaccio And Pizza

Last month we were part of a mob that descended on Vitruvio restaurant at Epic Sana hotel.  i had carpaccio and pizza.  Both were very good, and, because of the current exchange rate, cost about $25.  A year ago, at the same price in kwanza, the meal would have been around $100.  We have yet to eat out here often because we still don't have plates for our Highlander and there's no where we can walk to easily, especially since we're not allowed to walk anywhere at all after dark.  Taxis are unsafe and the embassy motorpool costs $8 per person round trip.  Ouch.  Good thing I'm a pretty good cook.

Necking

The dragon is beginning to get a neck.  As it progresses, the piece is growing on me more.

Crazy January Start #30 - Flowers Sampler

I've actually done this piece before, but in different colors.  It was there all framed up and ready to go when I was unpacking, so I picked it up!

Crazy January Start #29 - Frozen Pond

I know, it really doesn't look like much.  There are four concentric squares to do before I get to the fun part.

Middle Filled In

Both middle birds are filled in.  Now to outline them.

Crazy January Start #28 - Sticla Cu Vin (Alb)

Another day, another bottle of wine.  This is one of the Luca-S's I picked up when I was in Moldova.

Flaking Up

This is from a couple of years ago.  Now that I have my stash, I can start finishing things!  This should be pretty quick, as I am already almost done with the cross stitching.

Getting Lacy

The snowflake is taking shape, showing its lacy side.

Getting The Big Done

The central motif is coming around pretty well.  I do like the colors I've chosen on this!

Crazy January Start #27 - Hooty

My husband likes owls, so I tend to collect owl patterns.  This is one of those Mill Hill kits I got last month.  

Once We're Done Unpacking...

I'll finally be able to weave again, thanks  to new tools.

Still Browning Along

Been working on the peahen and the branch behind her....

Crazy January Start #26 - Owl

I'm really looking forward to working on this!

Crazy January Start #25 - Bohemian Paisley

Something a bit different - a surface embroidery kit from Bucilla!

Abnormally Quick

It took me just over two months to finish this! That's very quick for me.  Now I need to frame it so I can hang it up in the consular section.

For The Fior

Since Fior, Fior D'Amore is pretty dang big, I bought more thread for it now so when I get back to it, it'll be there.

Crazy January Start #24 - Tree Of Hope

I've got a good start on my tree, and now that my stuff has arrived (yay!), I can do the beads so I don't get lost tracking-wise.  At least, once I find my beads and find some room in this tiny flat.

Befringed

The bottom of the second band is all fringed up.  Time to start the next page!

So Happy! No ORM-D

Every single Ipsy shipment since August has been returned until this one.  All of them had ORM-D (Other Restricted Materials - Domestic) stickers on them.  For some reason, the post office and diplomatic pouch do not like the idea of flying tiny bits of perfume, lipstick, body lotion, make up remover, and other things.  So places like Ipsy automatically slap those labels on every single package, whether or not there's anything "dangerous" in them.  I begged, and they finally stopped putting them on.  I hope this means that I get a February bag after my great January one!

Crazy January Start #23 - Jeweled Pear

This is one of those Mill Hill bead kits that came a couple of weeks ago.  Time to get it stitched.