A new design and some shopping and 11 questions I stole from Edgar

I finished the first of what I hope to be a series of designs for the church year.  It's for the Sundays after Pentecost (and there are a whole bunch of them).  See my Sola Scriptura blog for more details.  Here's a sneaky peek:

I've expanded Sola Scriptura a bit and there are lots of ways to follow my designs.
Blog:  http://solascripturaneedlework.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/solascripturaneedlework
Twitter: @sneedlework
Pintrest: http://pintrest.com/ssneedlework
I did a bit of shopping tonight at Hobby Lobby.  I got the two colors of DMC that I was missing along with some light effects that they had on clearance.  I am hoping to use it in some upcoming designs.

And last but not least, I'm swiping 11 questions off Edgar's blog again.  :)

1. Do you enjoy designing projects of your own?  Yes.  That's why now that I'm unemployed, I'm working on making some of my own.

2. How often do you find yourself swapping out fibers?  Never.  I don't own anything except DMC for the most part so I generally stick to that.  I do occasionally substitute Krenik if I want something to be metallic.

3. Do you enjoy using "specialty" fibers?  I've really only used Krenik and I don't mind metallics.  I've found that I have to use it in shorter strands than I would with DMC and it seems to work ok.

4. Have you ever stitched on fabrics "outside the box?" Nope.

5. Is there any form of needlework that try as you might, you can't master?  I tried punch needle and it didn't work out so well for me.

6. Are there any other textile arts on the horizon that you want to explore?  Well, I'd like to learn how to crochet.  I have a crewel kit that I'd like to do sometime.  I also want to do a bit of quilting and a bit more stuff on the sewing machine.

7. Is it really necessary to have more than a dozen pairs of embroidery scissors? I only have 2 and one of those wheel cutter things.  If you feel I should have more, I do take donations ;)

8. What is your favorite non framing finish?  I like making stuff into little pillows.  Or, I'll just stitch it on perforated plastic so I can just cut it out when I'm done.

9. Do you select your vacation destinations based on the location of needlework shops and tea shops?  I have a 1 and a 2 year old.  We don't vacation.

10. If you could plan the very finest of stitching cruises, what would it be like? Never been on a cruise.

11. How many stitching blogs do you read daily?  Whoever has updated recently.  Normally makes it 3-5 per day of the 20 or so I follow.

2nd Nativity Ornament

I started the second ornament.  The DH picked up two of the colors I needed at Wal-Mart, but apparently they didn't have any of the 900s I needed so I'm still one color short.

Wal-Mart must have worn out Zoé...

Finished Ornaments

The girls took a late nap so I stayed up and finished the ornament last night.  Here's how it turned out.

More Progress Today

I made some more progress.  I only need to backstitch now.  Substituted some Krenik for the stars

This is the back.

Ornaments!

One thing that I decided before the birth of Zoé was that I was going to make an ornament for her each Christmas and then cross stitch a lid of a wooden box to keep all of them in and then when she leaves the nest, she can take them with her.  Then I had Adèle and then I found I had no time to make them with a 40 hour work week.  So, I owe Zoé ornaments from Christmas 2009, 2010, 2011 and for this year 2012 and Adèle ornaments from 2011 and 2012.

I decided on these for sure:

This is going to be Zoé's 2009 ornament.  It's going to be finished as a pillow with her name and year and "1st Christmas" on the other side

Here is my progress on it so far.  I think I may substitute in metallics for the stars.

This is going to be Adèle's 2011 ornament.  Like Zoé's, it's going to be a pillow with her name and stuff on the back.

I chose nativities for the first Christmas ornaments for both girls because I want to stress that Christ is the true meaning of Christmas and always comes first.

I am thinking of doing these guys for ornaments too.  Zoé loved Tigger when she was younger and Adèle loves Pooh right now.

Zoé got so excited this morning when I brought out this book:

She absolutely LOVES Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  I think I will make this as her 2012 ornament:

My goal is to make ornaments that reflect things they liked during the year or an event.  Hopefully they'll have a nice mix by the time they're 18 or so.

Change of Pace

My carpal has been acting up today :(  I had fun with the girls.  It's nice to be home.  Ken's still waiting on a phone call while continuing to apply for other jobs.

I've decided that I need a bit of a break from the stocking.  I think I will work on some Christmas ornaments.  Nice and small and quick finishes.

I took the stocking off the Q-Snap.  Here's what it looks like right now.

Sunday Stitching

My brain keeps telling me that I have to go to work tomorrow.  I keep telling it to shut up.  However, I did get a fair amount of stitching in today.  I've downsized to a 8x8 Q-Snap as I'm reaching the toe.  Once I'm done down here, I'll have to go back up top and do the cuff.

We also had to go get Adèle some shoes yesterday.  Her old ones are too small and the hand me down shoes from her sister are too big.  So, she got a pair of light up sandals kind of like what Zoé has but a different style.  They were the same price as similar ones that didn't light up so why not.

Generous Parting Gifts and a trip to Jo-Ann's

Yesterday, there was a catered lunch at work.  We had fajitas catered by La Hacienda Ranch (excellent food, btw).  I didn't stay that long.  They gave us each a parting gift which was a basic phone from the collection of demo phones that business support had in their possession.  Here's what I got:

This is at least a fairly recent phone.  Some people got ancient phones.  I know people who got the most basic Nokia candy bar phone from 4 years ago and people who got Tap and Gravity 3 (touch screen phone and phone with keyboard).  It will make a nice backup phone in case one of our smartphones goes out.  Or I will give it to my Mother (it's actually red on the outside and it's her favorite color).  It was in a sealed box but being a demo, I don't think it has a warranty.  Oh well, it was free.

Let me pass one piece of wisdom over from my phone experience.  That phone would probably be "free" if you got a new 2 year contract.  It actually retails for like $69.99.  Most people think that phones are cheap and only about $200.  They're more like $500-600 when you look at retail price of a high end smartphone.  Phones ain't cheap.  Treat yours well.  Or get insurance because $130 deductible or $600 retail, you decide.

After that, I went to Jo-Ann's with my former coworker and friend Danielle.  I got two things:

The long loom book has some nice patterns in it and the dress pattern is something that I would actually wear.  I think I'll wait to make it until after I lose some more weight.  I'm going to be doing My Fitness Pal now that I'm off work to try to lose about 30 lbs of post baby weight.  Wish me luck on that.

And now for some random pictures:

Zoé and the plastic golf clubs her brother got her  (and also his hat)

A locust on the gas pump yesterday

Zoé modeling my hat.  She's into hats now.

Questions I stole off Edgar's blog...

Edgar (at Blacksheep's bit of the web) posted a Q&A that apparently has been going around.  Needing something to blog about today (on the day I'm officially unemployed now), I decided to answer them.


1) Favorite pattern ever stitched - show a snap - I would have to say the Fairy Tale Sampler by Dragon Dreams

2) Favorite Junk food to have while stitching? I don't eat while stitching.  Keeps the piece nice and clean.


3) Your Favorite Blog to Visit? - I have a bunch.  


4) Do you leave comments on Blogs? Sometimes but since I've been working 40 hours a week and then coming home to the 1 and 2 year olds, I don't have a lot of time to do things like comment.  Now that I'm unemployed, well, we'll see.


5) Do you reply to your comments on your Blog?  Lately I have.  


6) Your favorite thread to work with?  I pretty much only stitch with DMC which I definitely prefer over Krenik so we'll stick with DMC.


7) Do I know a male stitcher?  There are a few on my Yahoo Groups (Bob, Bob and Raymond) and then, of course, there's Edgar. :)


8) What is the biggest stitched piece you have stitched?  I think that Amazing Grace is the largest.


9) What is the furthest away you have traveled to go to a stitching store, what was it called?  When I lived in Wisconsin, I had to drive from Waukesha to a place in Mequon which was about an hour trip.  Now, I think the closest brick and mortar store is in Plano which would be a good hour to drive there too but I haven't had the urge to go there since I called them to ask if they had 11 count evenweave and I was put on hold and heard "what's evenweave?" [shudder shudder].  If I hit one of the stores in Dallas, I would be driving about 1 1/2 hours.


10) Favorite tool to use when stitching?  Ks Creations Z stand with Q snaps


11) Do I like stitching for others or for yourself and why?  As long as it's something that I actually want to stitch, I don't care either way.


1) Why do you love stitching?  It relaxes me and it was something to do when I was in college in MN with nothing better to do.


2) Do you have a favorite genre/type of pattern that you like to do?  I wanted to do fantasy but that's kind of worn off.  My tastes have totally changed within the last 2 years so I can't honestly tell you yet.  Ask me again in 2 years.


3) Have you ever had to re-stitch a pattern?  No.


4) How often do you try to stitch a week?  Whenever I have the time.  It's hard with the girls.  They like the pretty string.


5) What DMC colors do I lean towards?  Blue.


6) How did I come to stitch?  My mom bought me a frog learn-a-craft kit when I was laid up after I had my wisdom teeth out.  My grandmother stitched as well but never taught me.


7) Do I have favorite stores to buy stitching from?  123 Stitch and ABC Stitch


8) Do I have a favorite designer?  Remember the part where my tastes have changed?  I like Dragon Dreams but I'm not really sure of anything right now'


9) Do I have a stitching Blog?  Yes


10) Have I read fictional books about stitching?  Those exist?


11) How many times a week would I say I visit other stitchers Blogs?  2 or 3 times a week on my days off generally.


1) How do I feel about blended threads as in T Wentzler's projects? I am doing some right now on my Stocking.  It's a pain to put together but I have no problem stitching with it.  It has a nice effect.


2) Do I launder my projects before framing?  Nope.

3) How do I feel about the lack of colour fast in all the flosses now?  I had no idea this was an issue.  Then again, I don't get my pieces wet.


4) When you begin a project with a black and white chart how do you choose which symbol to begin with?  I generally start in the center


5) Do I do my own framing?  Only when it's a standard size.


6) Do I choose my own mats and molding or let someone else tell me what I would like?  I prefer to pick all of that and then have someone else assemble.


7) Pins or lace?  ????


8) Do I have any wall space for a new project?  Yes.  What you really need to ask is can I afford to frame the finished pieces so I can actually put them on the wall.


9) Have I ever gifted a finished piece right off the wall because someone really liked it?  No


10) Would I stitch it again for myself?  No


11) Do I have a group of friends whom I share the love of stitching with on a regular basis?  On the blog and I have three yahoo groups.

A New Venture

Today was pretty much my last day of work.  It's nice to not have to work there anymore but I'll miss the money.

Being a stay at home Mom is going to be my new venture along with some new paths to tread.  I've decided to try to design some of my own needlework.  I wanted to make more scripture-based designs because I'm not always happy with the ones I find when I want to do something specific.

Tonight, I finished my first design.  It's simple and it's free and it's up on my blog devoted to the venture (I'm trying wordpress.  If I don't like it, I'll switch back to blogger).

You can find my designs at http://solascripturaneedlework.wordpress.com 

Progress!

Weekly progress

In today's progress report, more skaters have magically appeared!

7 working days left

It's Sunday again.

Last night was a big party for my in-laws for their 50th wedding anniversary.  They LOVED the whitework and can't wait until I get it framed.  We did the dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Haltom City called Oscar's.  Great food and our waiter was the best ever.

Today, I'm watching the girls.  Em has to go back to her mother's for a week (she soooooo thrilled....NOT!).  Ken was playing Civilization with Chris.  I have been giving my hands a rest so I finally picked up my stitching again today after a few days' rest.  Now, I'm catching up on reading the blogs I follow while the girls are making a mess with their food (thank heaven for the Dyson).  I also started arranging some things around in the kitchen.  I'll be the kitchen mistress in two weeks.

Ken may have a job.  We're hoping to find out later this week.  Send prayers our way.

As for me, I have 7 days left:  this week Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat and next week Mon, Thurs, Fri.  They've revoked the ability to take off last minute for these two weeks so I'll be stuck doing my whole shift unless we are especially slow and they send us home early.

On a completely unrelated note, I have become addicted to Chipolte Mayo.  Which is very strange for someone who doesn't like spicy food.

Weekend progress

I know it's not your weekend but it was MY weekend.  So here's how far I've gotten:

Pictures of the girls

Here's a few recent pictures. :)

Progress and a new game

I seem to have made decent progress on my stocking.

I also got this game from Chris:

You know how in Star Trek, the guy in the red shirt always got killed before the commercial break.  Well, this game capitalizes on it.  A Star Trek rip off game, the goal is to kill off your away team before the other players do.  This means that in a complete opposite of Munchkin (another family favorite), you are trying to save the other people.

Kits vs. Not a Kit

Recently, on my Yahoo CCS group, there was a discussion about kits vs. patterns.  Now, I started out doing a lot of kits.  I generally have no problems with them and I don't feel the need to swap fabric.  The only exception is the Snow White Kinkade piece.  I'll live with Aida.  I think Kits can look just as nice as patterns from books.  So here's my comparison using finished stuff that I've done.

Wedding Samplers

Kit

Not a kit

 Sampler

Kit

Not a kit

5x7 Pictures

Kit

Kit

Not a Kit (my own pattern)

Not a Kit (my own pattern)

Smalls

Kit

Not a Kit

Progress slowing

The last two days have been oober busy at work so I haven't got much stitching done.  The color changes are slowing me down as well.  Lots of combined colors in this piece as well.  Here's a pic.