December WIPocalypse

Here we are for the last WIPocalypse of the year. The idea of this fun blog SAL is to finish all our WIPs before the end of the world. I think the more WIPs we all have the longer we hold off the end of time. How could it end when we have so many beautiful things to create? I personally like to use this SAL as an excuse to keep track of what I've worked on each day. So then I can look back and see how long I've worked on each project. Helps me be able to answer the question better How long did that take? Also with the #24HOCS challenges now I keep track of time spent as well. It's been fun to see how long each piece takes to stitch up.

So my last post was November 25th. Let's see what I've been up to since then...

Snowflake SAL -- 22 Days. Got this one all stitched and finished up...

Christmas Jars -- 5 Days. Finished up the 3rd jar in the set of 4...

Nautical Year -- 4 Days. Started and finished the last Nautical year piece for the year...

Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamp -- 5 Days. Started and finished the last Flip It for the year as well...

Boba Fett -- 1 Day. Started this new piece for Jeremiah...
Here is what it will look like...

Here it is now after the 1 day...

It goes really quickly so far. The background is all half stitch.

Winter Time -- 2 Days. Another new start from New York Dreamer. Here is what it will look like...

Here it is now...

Non stitching days were only 10. The snowflake SAL helped me at least get a little time in each day which was a great help. But with Christmas and getting everything ready it stole a few days from me.

It's been a great year indeed. Check out my 2019 tab at the top for all my finishes. 45 in total and 37 are even FFO. Wohoo!!!

I just seen on the check in post here that next year is a go too so make sure to join in the fun. I'll stick with my finish as many as I can motto. Especially the 24 on my A-Z challenge list on the right side. Here's hoping. See ya in January with the next check in post.

2019 Smalls SAL Wrap Up and Next Year Reveal

Today is the last check in for the 2019 Smalls SAL. The idea of this fun SAL was to stitch up something small each month. So at the end of the year we know we will at least have 12 finishes. Even better if they are finished finishes. This is my 4th year participating. Mary is hosting now. Stop over to the check in post here to see what others have posted for the check in.

The first year I thought about this project I had in my stash that was a year long monthly set. I thought how perfect. I've stuck to that theme now and I really enjoy sitting out my monthly pieces the beginning of each month.

This year I found the perfect Nautical set to do for my mom. But I couldn't stop there could I? No, I picked a set of the Lizzie Kate monthly sets too for my side. I'm so happy I finished BOTH sets!

I was looking for something in my hope chest and found this basket my Grandmother made a long time ago. It is the perfect fit for Mom's Nautical set. Here is a photo of the set laid out...

Funny story. I went to use the December fabric and noticed a stain on it. So I switched out fabric. As you can see in the photo I used a smaller count obviously. Of course I didn't notice until it was finished. It looks fine until you sit them all side by side like this haha.  I really enjoyed doing this set for mom. Reminder they are from Sand, Sea & Cross Stitch book.

For my set I used the Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamps...

I really enjoyed this set as well. I really enjoyed how each month had 3 little buttons worked into the design.

I'm glad I did both sets. I'm also very glad they are finished haha. Plus I kept up with them which shocked me and most of you haha.

Next year I picked just one set to do. I will finally reveal them to you now...

This calendar was in a 2016 Cross Stitcher magazine. I seen another blogger stitch up one or two of them and fell in love. I searched and searched and couldn't find the pattern. They are called Lili of the Valley. When I was attending the PA retreat they had a free table and I couldn't believe my eyes when I seen this calendar. I can't wait to stitch them up.

December FFG

Today is the 10th of the month which means it's time for a Fully Finished Gallery check in. Rachel setup this perfect blog SAL starting in February 2019. I like so many others have a box of shame. A place where my stitching goes to hide after I finish it. Rachel said let's get those out of hiding and get them where they belong. On display for the world to see. So that's exactly what I've been doing. I made piles and piles of things I needed to finish. I still have a lot lot to do. But because of this SAL I've got a lot done!

First things first stop over to Rachel's check in post. Hopefully you have something to share with everyone.

Now let's see what I've finished since the last check in...

Tree Shopping a Mill Hill Kit. I finished on November 21st. I cut it out and made a magnet out of it.

I finished up Cabin Fever Mill Hill Kit but needed to buy a frame for the piece in the adorable mat board I found at a store in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I was able to find a frame I loved and got it put into the frame tonight so I could show you all the picture of how it turned out...

I love the way it looks and can't wait to display it proudly at the cabin this coming season.

December 6th I put the finishing touches on Mom's last Nautical design...

The whole set fits perfect in this basket that my Grandma Faust (my mom's mom) made so many years ago. Well 11 months fits perfect. Which means the month currently on the calendar can be displayed right in front of the basket...

I just can't say enough how much I love how this turned out. This set was perfect for her and just looks fantastic on her shelf in her living room. Now for many years to come she will have this set to display each month.

With the Christmas rush in full effect I haven't had any extra time for old finishes. Boy I really hoped I would have time. I really really hope January will be the month I can finally dig it all out again. Which will be a lot easier since I organized my storage area too!

So a quick look back on my finishes I posted for this SAL now...

February -- 5

March -- 6

April -- 5

May --  2

June -- 4

July -- 2 

August -- 6

September -- 2 

October -- 3 

November -- 3 

December -- 3

Total of  41 Now!!!!

I'm very very happy with that. 41 pieces not hiding away in my box of shame. I sure hope to keep adding to that next year. Thanks again Rachel for the push I sure needed.

Monday Update

Last week I worked on the Snowflake SAL from Stitchonomy and Mom's Nautical December piece. Friday I put the finishing touches on mom's December piece...

Here is the whole set now...

It's perfect how 11 fit in the basket that my Grandmother made. They can sit there and wait until their month to shine each year.

Saturday we had plans with friends. Remember last January I lost a best friend. My god son's mom Bernice. Saturday would have been her 54 birthday. So we had a party in her honor. The couple who went to Vegas with us Tim and Sam also Bernice's sweet husband Daryl. These 3 are my closest friends by far. Really they have become family. So we headed into Michigan and spent the day together. We ate lunch at an awesome little brewery. Here is a photo of us all there...

We checked out a new to me casino called Firekeepers. It's huge. I love casino's now haha. I only lost $20 after losing and winning on several different machines. Hubby came out a few dollars ahead. We ate their delicious buffet and two other friends were able to come to eat with us. After that we went back to Tim and Sam's house for the night. We played Cards against Humanity and laughed so hard our sides hurt in the morning. It was a wonderful night. Time spent with friends is always fantastic isn't it? Definitely stress relief and now we are ready for the rest of the Christmas rush.

We got home Sunday. I got the Day 15 and 16 snowflakes in. Here is the updated Snowflake SAL as of yesterday...

Today is Day 17. So 10 left now after I get that one in. I really love how fast these stitch up. The lady who organized this said she's excited to release a new 2020 SAL in the coming weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing what it is.

Last week was busy busy. I got a big area cleaned up in a hidden part of our living room by my computer area. It still had a mess of Jeremiah's old toys. Then I had my sewing stuff and other things all stacked around it. So it took up an area 3 times bigger than it should. So I sorted and boxed things up. Moved stuff to an area to sell later. Sorted and fixed my supplies into better organized tubs. It looks fantastic but wow it about killed me. My poor back was really really mad at me.

We also got our Fall/Christmas stuff all put away until next year. Got started on the Christmas beauties. We have a bit more to do but it will be done this week or else haha. Of course laundry, hair cuts, grocery shopping, and those other pesky house chores had to be done too. So it seemed busy busy all week. I'm hoping to get my Lizzie Kate December piece knocked out but I'm looking at my December goals and feeling like some of them more than likely just won't be completed. But that's okay. I'm enjoy my life and that's what is really important right? By the way Jen the lady who organized the #24HOCS acrostics and released an awesome 2020 planner. It's going to be very useful for planning next year's fun. Plus it was only $12! It's available on Etsy. Just go here to get your copy too.

Well I hope everyone reading this has a great week. Friday my dad is getting a surgery to help with a bone in his back that is pushing on a nerve in his leg. Please send him thoughts/prayers that it is a quick healing process and he is back to his ornery self quickly. Saturday and Sunday we are hoping to finish up our Christmas shopping. So busy busy. Hopefully I can squeeze in a lot of progress on my Lizzie Kate in there too. We'll see.

Monday Update

I scheduled the Blog Hop post to post way way early this morning. Now we can do the official Monday update. Since I just did the #24HOCS updates you really seen what I worked on last week already I guess. I focused on finishing up the red Christmas Jar. I'm so happy to have it completed. Also every day last week I worked on the Snowflake SAL from Stitchonomy...

Reminder this is a SAL from the Stitchonomy Facebook group. It's the Winter SAL for 2019. There was a time limit to sign up by for free. Now you can purchase it from her store. It's a collection of 27 little snowflakes. I'm stitching mine on 36ct Solo Molino from Silkweavers. The required DMC is 6 different blue threads and white. This is after Day 9. So 18 left now. They are released each day around noon and take just a few minutes to stitch up. I love how cute it's looking already.

After finishing up the Christmas Jar Saturday I got started on Mom's December Nautical piece. Perfect timing since Sunday was the first of the month. Here I got after the first day of working on it...

Reminder for anyone who doesn't know already. These are from Sand, Sea & Cross Stitch book. I seen them on Instagram and just knew mom needed them for her side of the house. They don't really have a name but I've called them Nautical Year. I found out last night I have stitched a few of them on 18ct white aida and several on 14ct aida. But you really can't tell unless you look really really hard.

I was forced to purchase something new today. I seen this one on Durene Jones Facebook page...

I guess it's a SAL from Stitchingly. Go here to find out more. At the end it will have 6 parts to it so there are two parts still to be released. I immediately thought how cute those inside squares would be as individual little pillows. I hurried and bought it in honor of Cyber Monday haha. I don't think I will start them till 2020 but at least I own them now haha.

Speaking of 2020 how fun is it to make plans? My brain is going to explode. Then I remember shoot I better wait and see what Santa brings before I make final plans. Then I guess Jen from the #24HOCS group is making a year long planner. I can't wait to see what that is all about. It will be available as a PDF and we can print it ourselves. Funny thing is I already started a folder for my "homework" so it will work perfect for my official planner too probably.

I hope everyone reading has a great week. We are going to start the Christmas decorating. We have the Christmas tree up and Fall/Halloween decorations on our shelves. How confusing haha. So just have to fix that. We have a fun weekend planned. Going out with friends Saturday and having a sleep over together at their house. We are really looking forward to that. So let's get this week out of the way.

#24HOCS November Challenge Recap

Tomorrow is the first. Time to start the last month of 2019. I just can't believe it. So let's do a quick recap of my November acrostic goals I setup for the #24HoursOfCrossStitch Facebook group.

 ✅ R -- Christmas Jars from Dimensions

Start on the "R"ed Jar

Total Time: 19 Hours 58 Minutes

 Guess what I just finished this one tonight!!

Now I have 3 of the 4 finished...

👎 E -- Salt Water Taffy from Joan "E"lliott

Decided to skip so I could focus on the jar. 

 ✅ W -- Autumn Blessing from "W"axing Moon Designs

New start. With all the beautiful leaves outside this one is begging to be started.

Total Time: 4 Hours 36 Minutes

Got 3 Leaves in...

 ✅ I -- Cabin Fever Mill Hill Kit

Connection: "I" really want this one finished!!

Total Time: 5 Hours 24 Minutes

Very excited to report this one is finished too!!! 

 ✅ N -- "N"autical Year November from Sand, Sea & Cross Stitch

Total Time: 8 Hours 15 Minutes

Another finish...

 ✅ D -- Beer "D"ragon from Paine Free Crafts

Total Time: 9 Hours 54 Minutes

Got 883 stitches in...

 ✅ T -- Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamp November

Connection: There is "T"urkey on it.

Another finished piece. 

Total Time: 14 Hours 18 Minutes

 ✅ I -- 99 Bottle from "I"nk Circles

Total Time: 2 Hours 50 Minutes

2 more bottles added...

 ✅ M -- Tree Shopping a "M"ill Hill Kit

Total Time: 7 Hours 26 Minutes

Started and Finished this cute MH kit...

 👎 E -- Adjust your Sails from Little Dove Designs

Connection: It's on "E"venweave Fabric

Skipped this one to finish the Christmas Jar.

So 10 letters. 8 checks. 2 not worked on. 5 finishes!!!! This acrostic SAL is definitely keeping me motivated, helping me stick to pieces, and get them finished. I'm so happy with my progress. 

The other challenge was to stitch a total of 24 hours throughout the month. I normally have no problem with this one at all. This month is no different. Checking in with a total of 72 Hours 23 Minutes.

 

Be right back with my December challenge goals.

Finish and New SAL

First I have a finish to announce...

(Finish #38) November 6th

  November from Sand, Sea and Cross Stitch Book

Stitched on 14ct White Aida Fabric

Threads are Suggested DMC

Started Nov 4th. Took 3 Days.

  8 Hours and 15 Minutes Start to Finished.

 

I can't believe there is only one of these left to do. Next up is my Lizzie Kate monthly piece. 

 

I also wanted to share with everyone a new SAL I heard about...

 from Stitchonomy

Starting November 23rd one part of a 27 part pattern will be released and sent to your email each day.

The finished pattern will be a collage of tiny snowflakes!

Stitch Count is 75 x 75 

Suggested Threads are 6 different blue threads and white. 

You can sign up here 

Must be before November 22nd

 

Yes I'm joining in. I'm using 36ct Silkweaver Solo Molino. It's a beautiful blue hand dyed. I think the DMC shows up nicely on it. We'll see.

#24HOCS November Challenges

Now that I've wrapped up October let's see what I plan to do in November.

I'm going to hope for more than 24 hours for the monthly challenge. Normally that one isn't a problem for me. Next up then is the November acrostic which is REWIND TIME which we just did over the weekend. Now it's dark all the time it feels like. I'm going to do this one a little different. Yes I want 4 hours on each one hopefully more. My goal really is just to get the piece out and make progress at all. So I will pick a goal instead. I seem to really love doing that. We'll see. Anyway let's go my acrostic plan...

R -- Christmas Jars from Dimensions

Start on the "R"ed Jar

Remember this one?

I have two finished. Perfect that the red one is next isn't it?

E -- Salt Water Taffy from Joan "E"lliott

W -- Autumn Blessing from "W"axing Moon Designs

New start. With all the beautiful leaves outside this one is begging to be started.

I -- Cabin Fever Mill Hill Kit

Connection: "I" really want this one finished!!

N -- "N"autical Year November from Sand, Sea & Cross Stitch

Have to Finish Mom's Monthly Piece

D -- Beer "D"ragon from Paine Free Crafts

Yep got him back on the list!

T -- Lizzie Kate Flip It Stamp November

Connection: There is "T"urkey on it.

My monthly design.

I -- 99 Bottle from "I"nk Circles

Fred's piece made it back on the list too.

M -- Tree Shopping a "M"ill Hill Kit

New start. I love this one and just have to have it ready by Christmas.

E -- Adjust your Sails from Little Dove Designs

Connection: It's on "E"venweave Fabric

Just had to get this one back on the list too. My SAL partner finished hers.

So we'll see how much I can get done. I know life is slowing down finally. We brought home most of the cabin stuff since the weekends are getting really cold now. We won't be going down every weekend. We do hope to go down some time of course we would just miss it too much. IHSW weekend (the third weekend) my hubby is going to be gone all weekend. I can't decide if I'm going to have a marathon type weekend or just make a lot of progress on these pieces. We'll see what I decide later. I hope everyone has a great month. I'm hoping to start mom's piece today and get it knocked out quickly. I can't believe there are just two months left of 2019! I love hearing the plans and new challenges for the upcoming year. I'm always excited to join in. Please make sure to post details on any new challenges/SALs that you hear about. It's always fun to see what the community is up to.