Well, it’s very early on Australia Day and Dr K and I have very few plans other than to sit in our respective cubbies and do what we both like best. Him: programming or gaming (be it EVEonline, Uncharted, Skyrim). Me, watching DVDs (still have some Christmas gifts to watch) and hopefully finishing the Garden Gate Sampler. I’ll share my progress on that in a little bit, but first – the new moon has well and truly passed which means I am overdue sharing my Totally Useless Stitch-along (TUSAL) update, this is the fun stitch-along where bloggers share a photo of the Old Ragged Threads (ORTS) they’ve collected during the previous month.  I’ve been collecting them in this cute little storage caddy I bought at a department store kitchen department, not having any empty jars to hand.  I quite like the square shape (it also has a lid, which is being used as a coaster at the moment).

January 2012

You can see that all of the threads have come from The Garden Gate Sampler.  Sadly, not one stitch has gone into my beautiful blue band sampler.  This must be rectified next month – I am now 5 pages behind the action again. (I can catch up – I started work when page 10 was released, and I have no intention of letting this become a UFO).  I know why this has happened – I’m due to change blues again and this is always fraught with indecision and second guessing.  Once I commit to a blue I’ll stitch again happily.  I guess I should be happy that I am only working with one colour on this piece – imagine the pain of choosing from the full spectrum!

Racing towards the end - Garden Gate Sampler / The Prairie Schooler

And here’s a quick and frankly quite awful photo of where I left the Garden Gate Sampler after this weekend’s magnificent effort. I feel a happy dance coming on…

Till next time friends!

Well, here we are again with a little update on The Garden Gate Sampler by The Prairie Schooler (from book no.45 OOP).  I’m a little late making my Theme-a-licious check-in post as I have family visiting and they are taking up much of my time, not so much that I haven’t had time to obsessively stitch on The Garden Gate.  I think I sat down on Sunday with the intention of finishing the numbers and maybe the words, but once in the chair I had to finish the gazebo and add the flower motive to the right as well.  I had the last week of the Colbert Report and Daily Show to catch up on so I was in hogs heaven (my visitors were in a similar state playing with my nieces and nephews over in North Perth).  I think I am about a third of the way done on this piece now.  They look so small – but there is a lot of stitching!  To recap, this is on 40ct raw linen with the charted DMCs.

Garden Gate Sampler - The Prairie Schooler

With the visitors in tow, we went to see Tintin on Saturday – I’m always a bit leery of films made from my childhood favourites (look what they did to Asterix) but this was a pretty faithful reproduction and we all enjoyed it very much. We saw the non 3d version – I think that was just what they were showing at the time though I have to admit I was relieved I didn’t have to slip the silly glasses over my own.

The lovely Dr K and I are busy preparing a travel plan to go to Iceland, Scotland and England (maybe Paris if I am lucky and go on my own) in March / April.  Joel is wanting to attend the EVE online fan fest 22-24 March in Iceland (it’s an online computer game event) so I am going along to see what there is to see.  The Sisters of Eve (wives/partners) are hosting a day tour on the 23rd where I’ll get to go horse-riding, caving and ride around on a quad bike (I admit these are not things I’d do if left to myself, but might be fun for one day – or should I just take my portable OTT light and stitch? -  the date is also my birthday)  We also thought it would be nice to see Edinburgh and Glasgow (I’ve never been that far north in the UK).  We pretty much have to go to England as most of my relatives are in Essex (Southend on Sea, Rochford and Romford) -  my little branch of the family emigrated to Australia in 1982 when I was 8 years old.  Joel does not want to go to Paris at all, so I’d have to make that little pilgrimage on my own – I have already been once, but would love to see it again and Sacre Coeur which I missed last time around.

Well friends I’m going to leave it here, till we next meet.

Well the 2012 stitching year has started a little slowly for me (for example, that lovely blue sampler I’ve been working on has not progressed beyond one thread length since I last posted – I’m now 3 pages behind).

I do have a new start to share, which I mentioned in my previous post – The Prairie Schooler’s Garden Gate Sampler from their booklet Garden Samplers (long OOP sorry).  Here’s a picture of my progress so far…

Garden Gate Sampler / The Prairie Schooler

It’s looking quite pleasing already – I think the colour scheme is quite Little House Needleworks-y (though of course it is probably the other way round given that the chart was published in 1994).  I’m stitching it with the charted DMC cottons on 40ct natural linen – this linen is quite “hairy” – there are strange little filaments of the linen not quite woven in all the way that are a bit like when you catch your clothes on a nail – not that nice to stitch on unfortunately, but I will persevere!  This is what I have managed to achieve on an hour or so each day.

This is all I have achieved for the WIPocalypse SAL, so far.  I’m also using this SAL as an opportunity to review my (frankly massive) stash, this month it was the WIPS (including those looong-term WIPs), next month I’m thinking I’ll catalogue the fully kitted pieces – those ready to stitch.

What else have I been doing?

• Working – no holidays other than the prescribed public holidays for me this year.  Hardly anyone else was at work (and our cafe was closed argh!) It was very strange and I learned that I am not a happy worker when I am left on my own (my self talk is terrible – I convince myself that nothing I do at work is worthwhile – and yet I know deep down that I am actually very well thought of in my library).
• Skyrim – Dr K gave me this game just before Christmas and I’ve been spending a lot of time playing it instead of stitching – naughty (I ended up giving Dr K his own version because it is rather awesome).
• Preparing for invasion – My Dad and his partner, Karen are arriving in the wee hours tomorrow morning, so Dr K and I have been cleaning the heck out of our house – our kitten Tripitaka has taken it upon herself to re-muck it as quickly as possible (she lies in our mulched garden and brings in the straw attached to her fur).

It will be a quiet week for stitching, Skyrim and work this week as we’ll have Dad and his partner, Karen visiting till next Monday.  That means I’ll be going out and about more, taking a few days off from work to do so and not playing with the Xbox.

Wishing you all a great week!

1. Celtic Garden – Chatelaine Designs
2. Enchanted Mermaid – Mirabilia
3. And they Sinned – Exampler Dames
4. Puffin Ornament – Jemini Designs (JCS ornament issue)
5. Catherine’s armchair pinkeep – Indigo Rose
6. Christmas Tree 2009 – Mirabilia
7. Christmas Toybox – Cat’s Whiskers
8. Hanging by a Thread – C.A. Wells
9. Quaker Sampler – Stickideen von der Wiehenburg
10. Flora McSampler Stitch Lesson Sampler – Lizzie Kate
11. Living with Charm Double Flips – Lizzie Kate
12. ABC Calligraphie Rose – Laurence Roque
13. Quaker Garden – Blackbird Designs
14. Countdown to Christmas – Blue Ribbon Designs
15. Shores of Hawk Run Hollow – Carriage House Samplings
16. Eiffel Quaker – Jardin Prive
17. Snapperbets – Bent Creek
18. Celtic Sampler Wallace – The Needle’s Praise
19. Cowboy Dreams – Country Cottage Needleworks
20. Over the Top: Spooky witch hat – Just Nan
21. Peacock Garden: Mystery 2010 – Chatelaine Designs
22. Persian Iris Garden – Chatelaine Designs
23. Tuxedo Cat Eyes: Hawks – HAED
24. Heart Treat Bag – Shepherd’s Bush
25. Winter Snapperland – Bent Creek
26. A*B*C – Prairie Schooler
27. Chinese Garden Mandela – Chatelaine Designs
28. Antique Tassel – Victoria Sampler
29. Egyptian Mandala – Chatelaine Designs
30. Sampler Mystery II – Chatelaine Designs
31. Rose of Sharon – Mirabilia
32. Dragon’s Treasure – Cherry Tree
33. Celtic Heart – M Designs
34. Millennium – Teresa Wenzler
35. The Castle – Teresa Wenzler
36. Band Sampler Coat of Arms – Stickideen von der Wiehenburg
37. Holly and Ivy – Shepherd’s Bush
38. Beatrix Potter’s Quaker Sampler – Needleprint

There are a few pieces on this list that I have no intention of picking up this year – they should be more correctly called UFOs – one day I may go back to them but I don’t believe 2012 will be the year that I do.

Here’s a few pictures from today’s work. My study was in a bit of a state when I started but it is all ship-shape now. If only I could get the cats out of my stitching chair I’d be a happy girl!

Tonight, I am planning on kitting up a couple of Prairie Schooler’s that I have been meaning to stitch for a few years. Tall Oaks from Book no 40. Band Samplers and Garden Gate Sampler from Book no 45. Garden Samplers. Not that I am anxious to drive my WIP total higher – I just want to stitch these to participate in Theme-alicious 2012 (This month is Jardin January). Also I love them both and will enjoy working them (so there!)

Let the stitching year commence! Wishing you all many many happy stitches in 2012.

We spent our New Year’s Eve at my sister in law’s place which was just lovely, firstly playing with the kids and once they’d headed off to bed, chatting into the wee small hours with the adults. For the first time in many years we all made it to midnight and toasted the new year in with champagne (usually, Joel and I are on our own at this point, the lovely Jones’ having excused themselves to head off to bed). As we all toddled off to our beds at just after 1am, we got assurances that this will probably be the last year that they will manage to join us.  It was a very pleasant night – we sat out on the back patio, drinking assorted cocktails (the strawberry daiquiri was to die for, I also recommend Penny’s Black Russian) and enjoying their company. Breakfast today was a piece of Tiramisu meant for dessert last night, followed by lots of fresh bread with home-made butter (not the greatest start to a new diet year but delicious all the same!!) Here’s a pic we took last night with my phone just as we were all getting ready to retire for the night.

Me (left) and my wonderful sister in law, Penny.

Here’s a first photo of my stitching on Stickideen von der Wiehenburg’s Coat of Arms Band Sampler (this is the first 20 pages). Get the chart by joining the SAL here (there’s a fee of 12.5 Euros). I’m stitching mine on 40 count white linen with various Vikki Clayton blue silks (so far I have stitched through the Ethereal Blues and the Icicle Blues).

Coat of Arms Band Sampler - Stickideen von der Wiehenburg

I was incorrect when I said I’d only completed one motif on Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler in my last post… I completed OD to LB and the little flower to the right of it. I’ve also started on the motif to the right. My BP is stitched on 40 count cream linen with Vikki Clayton Fish Pepper-ika silk.

Beatrix Potter's Quaker Sampler

And here’s a pic of the whole thing so far.

Beatrix Potter's Quaker Sampler (the whole she-bang)

Lastly, here’s where I am up to with Shepherd Bush’s Holly and Ivy (now I am down to the over one section, I am not so engaged with it).

The Holly and the Ivy - Shepherds Bush

Aww -- Tripitaka having a little nap

We adopted Tripitaka (Trip for short, also known as Tee and Tee-tarka – for someone so small she has a lot of nicknames!) during June earlier this year.  She was found by someone from my work, abandoned in a storm drain with her two sisters.  She was six weeks old she came home to live with us – her two sisters were also taken by people from work (a vet advised when it would be safe to split up the threesome).  Trip gets along quite well with our other cat, Felix.  Trip is full of energy and likes to play fight with Felix but he is very tolerant and just lets her get on with it till he’s had enough and will then walk away.

Here's Dr K (Joel) playing online with both cats assisting from his lap.

There’s a few more photos of Tripitaka in my flickr account here.

Felix, a true gentleman.

To finish today’s post, here’s a picture Felix looking extra dignified.  My hubby Joel told me to take a snap of him this morning when I was taking a few photos of Tripitaka as Felix is quite jealous of any attention she gets.

What have I been working on?

Since we last met (in February – Shameful!!) I have finished just one piece, March by The Prairie Schooler.

I’ve got no photos to share this morning – I need to get the old iron out and give my WIPS a press.

In other news, the weight loss journey is still underway, currently I’ve lost just under 30 kilos (66 pounds – which sounds like a lot – it’s taken me since July last year to get this far – which feels like ages when you as impatient as me! Another 8 kilos till I am in my healthy weight range, it’s possible I might make it by the end of Summer). You know what the biggest struggle is now – remembering that I’m not huge any more and being prepared to try on smaller clothes! Yep, it’s all a mind battle these days. That’s not to say I haven’t got heaps of new clothes.

Joel and I adopted a grey kitten this year, we have named her, Tripitaka (yes we loved Monkey). She has injected new life into this household and is very loving. Felix is very jealous but is a gentle soul and expresses his disapproval with significant glares.

Wishing you all a terrific Christmas and all the blessings of the season. God bless.

So, in my last post I was contemplating a stash dive to see what I had kitted and ready for stitching.  When I first pulled this piece out of the pile I dismissed it because it is a Christmas piece (and we have got almost 11 months to go), but then I saw the cute little stocking and just had to get stitching and so here it is…

Filled with Christmas Cheer / Wildflower Stitchery

I was a text book anal stitcher on this one… it is stitched with the DMC as charted on the 32ct Vintage Woodsmoke also specified on the chart. I think it turned out pretty cute. I do like the little stocking – the directions on the chart were to stitch it on in a “primitive” style which I achieved by stitching it on at the dinner table without adequate lighting and just hoping it went on straight.

There is not much going on around here – I’ve got a new lego set (Emerald Night – a beautiful train) but haven’t had time to do the build.  Dr K did try to suggest I stop stitching yesterday to put it together, but I could sense a happy dance in the wind and I resisted the temptation.

Well friends, it’s my bedtime again so till we next meet I wish you many happy stitches.

Well, I said I could probably finish it and I was right… here’s my finished You Suit me by Raise the Roof.

You Suit Me - Raise the Roof

Mine is stitched on 36ct Chantilly Creme Linen (by Lakeside Linens) rather than the recommended 32ct Bo Peep Linen (didn’t have any on hand and I liked the Chantilly Creme I actually had). Stitched with the recommended Crescent Color Threads one strand over two threads.  There are 4 tiny plum heart buttons (JABCO) to be added to this that I didn’t have in my stash and these have now been ordered – I quite like it without them but will give anything a go once.  The “white” stitches around the letters is actually a light purplish thread (hyacinth) and doesn’t stand out as much as it does in this photo.

Now I am looking for a new project to stitch — my immense stash ought to come in handy there… but as always I have to dig deep to find that special something to start… of course I could work on something already started – but where is the fun in that!

Nothing much has been going on around here, there was a threat of a cyclone hitting Perth this weekend but it seems to have fizzled out and I am most grateful for that!

Well, till we next meet, I wish you many happy stitches.