August WIPocalypse - I Know, I Know

Soooooo, I was just going about my business last Friday. It was actually both a fun and productive day. At some point in the evening I looked at my watch and saw the number "1" in the little date box. I am not kidding. This is when I realized that it was September. And on top of that, it hit me that I forgot the August WIPocalypse last week!

Better late than never, right? For those of you who aren't familiar with the WIPocalypse, please go to the Measi's Musings blog to find out about it. Today I'll update you on my stitching progress during the month of August.

I'll tell you right off that I didn't work on Rainbow Row or Joyful World November calendar piece at all. I won't even post photos of those this month. I plan to bring both of those to the front of the stitching line during September.

I continued to work on Tulip's Praise, and bought a new gadget to make stitching this one easier.

Yes, I bought a Rolaframe after hearing how wonderful they are. I had resisted because I'd tried roller frames in the past and ended up with my stitching loosening little by little. I was also not a fan because they tended to be awkward and a little heavy which wasn't good for my oh-so-delicate wrists. However, I am really liking the Rolaframe!! I purchased the 7" side bars and 20" roller bars. It was easy to load the fabric, especially after I watched The Twisted Stitcher's video showing the how-to's of loading fabric onto the Rolaframe. To find out more about Rolaframe, visit their page on Facebook.

I started a new project last month as well.

I had attempted to start this Mill Hill kit a couple of years ago at a stitch retreat. But then I took one look at those two bags of mixed-up beads and was immediately intimidated. So the project, Scaredy Cats, was put away until a few weeks ago. One of my Sisters In Stitches, Thea, gave our group a great idea about separating the beads to make it easier to stitch these projects.

I think I showed you this idea in a previous post, but it is worth repeating! First you have to take the time to sort the beads. I did this while watching a movie, and used my beading tray and mat. Then you group the sorted beads onto your Tacky Bob and put the symbols by each corresponding bead. I just drew mine and cut them out. Cool idea, right? I will do all of the stitching first, and then do the beading.

Another start for me was "The Light Upon The Lawn" by Blackbird Designs.

As you can see, very little has been stitched so far. I'm stitching it on the fabric that I dyed using coffee and tea. 

And here's big finish for me! I completed "But First Tea" by Zindagi Designs on Etsy.

The frame is an old trivet. It had a ceramic tile with a weird 1970's design in it, but Mark easily got rid of that. The stitched piece has to be inserted into the "frame" from the front, so it was kind of tricky. I used the thin Terrifically Tacky Tape to keep it in there. Will this fall out at some point? I don't know, but it was worth a try. I love this finish and will find it a place of honor in my kitchen.

Question of the month: How do you get yourself out of a stitching drought?
This is easy. I watch Flosstube videos, go to the stitching pages I joined on Facebook, and read stitching blogs! Without fail, I always get inspired by doing these things. Warning! These inspiring places can also be enabling!

By the way, both the "I love cross stitch" and the Munsters needle minders are from the SandbarMermadeShop on Etsy. Take a look! Besides needle minders, Sarah makes scissor fobs and earrings.

Well, that's about it for this month. Looking back, I really have made some good stitching progress! Please consider visiting me on Flosstube where my channel is CraftyCat Stitcher. I have also caved and joined Instagram. You can find me there at craftycat_stitcher.

Thanks for visiting today. I welcome and enjoy comments. Also, welcome to my new subscribers!