August WIPocalypse!

Well, August hasn't been my most productive cross stitch month, but what I HAVE done makes me very happy. And I enjoyed stitching it!

I got back into my rotation (initially), and found myself back in my Stitchmaynia projects. I started with "No Bees No Honey" by Birds of a Feather.

I'm stitching this on 20 count fabric so it's pretty tiny which I like. A little more of the beehive was accomplished before I moved on to a different project.

Then I moved on to "Quaker Diamonds" by Rosewood Manor. Let's face it - this is a big project for me and for some reason takes a LOT more concentration to keep myself in the right place when stitching.

This is one of those "I hope it matches up" projects with all of the borders. Pretty though, don't you think?

Next came Little House Needlework's "Farmhouse Christmas" series. Yes, I'm still stitching the first one, but am enjoying it immensely!

At this point in the stitching month, I had the sudden urge to attempt to actually finish something. And what could be more appropriate for the upcoming fall than "Scaredy Cats" from Mill Hill.

This tiny project has a LOT of beading. I know, I know. That's the idea of a Mill Hill kit. I'm talking a ton of beading though. The half stitch-attached beads go pretty quickly, but the tiny petite beads are attached with a full cross stitch and they take me much longer to do.

For example, the green beads on the cart are attached with a half cross stitch and they lay at an angle. The beads that make up the cart wheels are attached with a full cross stitch and lay horizontally. But just look at those cats! So cute! I think I'm about 2/3 of the way done with the beading. I just might have a real finish in time for fall!

I think I'm going to complete this project before moving on. August was full of travel, being sick, and just general busy-ness. But now I'm ready to go and get back into the stitching mode.

Question of the month: Which is more satisfying to you and why - the process of stitching a piece, or the finish?   Although I like having a finish, I like the process of stitching a piece a lot more. Just seeing the pattern form with thread and needle makes me happy. Adding a new color and seeing how it looks with the others is a really satisfying part of the process.

Please go to Measi's Musings for more info about the WIPocalypse.

Some good news! Some of you may know that I've been having trouble with commenting on my blog, both commenting on other peoples' blogs and replying to comments on my own blog. The issue seems to have corrected itself and I was able to comment on a couple of blogs that I haven't been able to in a long time! Yay!

Garden Art

We like to attempt a garden every year. When I say "attempt", I mean we never know what the garden is going to do from year to year. Weather, chipmunks, bugs, etc. all have an impact on our garden success.

Last year's garden was pretty sad. Bitter cucumbers, buggy and split tomatoes made us question if the cost of the plants and all of the watering was worth it.

A past year's garden.

The above picture is from 2014, I think. We have two of these and usually plant tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and maybe some herbs. Not wanting to give up on the idea of growing some veggies, we decided to plant less this year. So of course, everything is delicious! This year, we've grown some of the tastiest tomatoes and cucumbers we've ever had!

So fewer plants means less deliciousness. No bumper crop, but enough to enjoy fresh and try something new.

If you are a follower of the blog Priscillas 2000, or if you watch Priscilla & Chelsea on Flosstube, you may be familiar with Yard Sauce, Priscilla's recipe for roasted tomato sauce. I decided to try it for myself.

Basically you roast your tomatoes on a baking sheet along with some onion, basil, and salt. Other veggies like zucchini can be added if you want. Roast it for about an hour. The photo above shows the results of the roasted veggies already in the blender. I did not get a photo of the roasted tomatoes. I regret that because it was beautiful.

You then blend all of that goodness up and instantly you have something resembling a sauce.

I managed to get three cups of sauce from this pan of tomatoes. Now remember, I didn't have a lot of tomatoes. It was pretty much a single layer of tomatoes and the other ingredients.

And when I tasted it, it was good!  Right into the freezer it went, to be enjoyed in the future. Do I wish we had planted more tomatoes? Yes! Mark went out and bought some "late in the season" tomato plants and they're doing well. So maybe I'll be able to create more of this lovely sauce before growing season ends.

What about the cucumbers? They are absolutely yummy, and we did have a few extras so I used a tried and true recipe for spicy refrigerator pickles.

These are so good and easy to make. A mixture of seasonings, some pickling liquid, and sliced cucumbers go right into your clean jar. Take that jar and shake it up every day, and in a week the pickles are ready to eat. I like this recipe because it contains no sugar, but I guess you could put some in if you want to. The best thing is that these can keep in your fridge for 6 months. That is, if you don't eat them before that!

That sums up my garden arts and crafts for this post. I was hoping to get enough jalapenos for pickled jalapenos, and I still might. I hope you liked this slightly different post. I figure that being crafty with food is crafting nonetheless. And these are super-easy recipes that you can use if you have a bumper crop of veggies, or even if you just have a few extra. Let me know if you try it!

WIPocalypse, Late Edition

I've been making an effort to become more organized. Last week I went through my cross stitch fabric, sorting it according to count. The plan is to make me think before I go to buy fabric because I might, just might, have it "in stock". The result is oddly satisfying, knowing what I have and where I can find it when needed. So going beyond that, last Friday I went through my jewelry. Now before you start thinking that I have a collection of Tiffany baubles, let me set you straight. Most of my jewelry (about 99% of it) is of the costume variety. You know, fun stuff and things I made myself. Again, I now know just what I have and I know that it's stuff I'll wear. I'm even keeping this blog more organized, with my goal to be a better, more consistent blogger!

That brings me to organizing my WIPs, and keeping a record of my rotation. This is something I've been meaning to do for a while. I even have a nice journal-y type of book that I can write in. But so far I haven't gotten around to actually doing any kind of record-keeping, relying on my memory to keep me organized. So this will be my next organizing project! For now, let's see what I've worked on, willy-nilly style!

I had a fun stitch day with my friend, Dena last month. I stitched on "Tulip's Praise" by Gracewood Stitches. Whenever I stitch this one, I don't want to put it down. The design is so pretty, and just look at those colors.

Never mind the wonkiness of the photo. It's a fairly large chart, so I'm not even halfway through. I'm stitching it on 18-count off white Jobelan.

Little House Needleworks' "Farmhouse Christmas" was up next. I'm still working on the first one, but am making progress.

These little designs are so cute, and I'll be stitching each one separately.

I spent quite a bit of time on "Scaredy Cats" by Mill Hill. My goal is to get this one done in time for fall. I'm about a third of the way through the beading.

Yesterday, I picked up "No Bees" by Birds of a Feather. This is one of my Stitchmaynia starts. I'm stitching it one over one on 20 count Jobelan.

As you can see, I made just a tiny bit of progress. But I'll stick with this one for a few days.

Question of the month: Half year recap: How are you doing with your goals so far this year?  I guess pretty well. I've stitched on all of my WIPs, finished a few, and even brought one back from UFO-dom.

WIPocalypse is a SAL designed to keep us rotating those WIPs. It's hosted by Melissa at Measi's Musings. We post once a month, or in my case, a little less. For more info, click HERE.

Thanks for visiting my blog today. I continue to have commenting issues and don't know if I'll ever figure out what the exact issue is. If you have any questions for me, just put them in the comment box and I'll answer them right here on my blog. Please come back often! I appreciate all of my subscribers and commenters!

Sew Fun!

I have a confession: I really don't like to sew clothes. I used to. In high school and college I sewed many of the things in my wardrobe. But I do like to sew, and use my machine a lot for other little projects like project bags and totes. Recently I found a like-new sewing machine for sale online, and after doing some research, I found out that the price was right and it had only been used once! I'll take it!

I already have a sewing machine, but it's pretty basic. This one is computerized and has many features that I know I'll use. So time to try it out!

One of the first things I wanted to make was a project bag. I had watched Calico's video on Youtube for a vinyl-front bag. Her idea for the bag was inspired by Dina at Making Life Count on Youtube. I like both of their instructions, but decided to go with Calico's. Here's what I came up with.

The vinyl was a bit of a challenge to sew with, but Christine (Calico) gives you some tips on how to handle it. My edging is a bit wonky, but I will say that the zipper portion of this bag is super easy. I like how it turned out and love the summery fabric. Yes, I will make more of these. I figure that practice makes perfect.

I had some of that cute paisley fabric left, so I sewed some scroll rod covers for my Rola Frame.

I used instructions from Tricia The Left Handed Stitcher on Youtube. It's a good tutorial. Just stick with it if you plan on making some of these. The video shows measuring instructions after the sewing instructions so just stay tuned.

Next, I wanted to try a really easy basic bag. I found Na T's Zipper Bag Sewing Tutorial on Youtube and thought it looked pretty easy. The beauty of this bag is that it has no raw edges showing on the inside. (Neither did my vinyl fronted bag, by the way). I used fabrics that I had in my stash from other projects.

This one has a basic top zip. I wasn't sure what size fabric to use, and my bag came out kind of square. It'll work though. I added interfacing to give the project bag more body. Next time, I might use some fusible fleece. And maybe try to make it a little more rectangular.

I'd say that I gave my new sewing machine a good trial run and have some more projects planned for it. I've also used it to edge some cross stitch fabric. All in all, I'm very pleased with my purchase.

Thank you for all of your comments on my last post. I still can't figure out what's wrong with my commenting abilities. So if I subscribe to your blog and you don't see comments from me, it's because I simply can't. Again, some blogs let me comment and some don't. No rhyme or reason. Also, I found out that I can't do replies on comments on my own blog!! 

So I'm going to answer Mary's question from my last post right here. Mary, here's how I do my stitching rotation: I stitch on one project for about three days, and then I switch to the next one and stitch that one for three days. And so on and so forth. If I have something that I really want to finish, I'll add it to the rotation more often.

Thanks for all of your comments! I'll be answering any questions right here in my blog. And meanwhile, I'll try to figure out what the deal is with my commenting ability. I hope you'll come back to visit and see what I'm up to.

Stitching Update

It's time to refresh my blog. I've been on Flosstube for a year now, and I realize that I have been ignoring the blog a bit. But I've come to realize that I like blogging - the writing, photo posting, and arranging. My question is: Is blogging going away? I've noticed that a lot of the blogs that I follow haven't had new posts in a long time. Not all of them, but many.

So my intention is to post regularly to keep you updated on what's going on in my crafty and stitchy world. I also have a technical question, but we'll talk about that later.

Let's talk stitching! I am on a stitching project rotation that I'm really enjoying. I have 13 WIPs right now and I'm working on each of them for three days. Then I go to the next one. I need to start writing down the order because I'm finding that using my memory for this isn't the best plan. Ha ha.

I'll start with "Forest Snowfall" by Country Cottage Needleworks.

I'm stitching this on 28 count Winter Wishes by Fabrics by Stephanie. This was originally a SAL started in the winter months. Maybe I'm just dragging it out to finish it next winter. Yeah, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I also worked on my Linen and Threads 2017 Mystery Sampler.

You're seeing this right - I'm still stitching the January portion. My excuse is that it's a big section compared to the others. And you know what I always say: I'm not in a race with anyone. I am enjoying stitching this. It's being stitched on 32 count antique white Jobelan.

"Frosty Forest" by Country Cottage Needleworks got a little attention.

It's the center square! All finished! Only eight to go! I'm stitching this on a light gray 28 count linen.

Formerly a UFO, "Angel of Divinity Stocking" by Dimensions is another one I worked on lately.

 I started stitching the blue area, and then went to her halo with blended threads, including metallics.

I also had two finishes recently! The first is a chart from the Lizzie Kate chart "Coffee Time".

I framed it in a coffeepot trivet! So cute, right? I used threads I already had in my stash and stitched it on 30 count Tin Roof linen.

Next is "July" from the Snowflower Diaries Joyful World monthly series.

I stitched this one over one on 25 count celadon green Jobelan using mainly the called-for colors. I think I switched out a green to show up better on the green fabric. It looks a little gray in this photo, but it's a pale green.

My rotation is working well, although I don't know when another finish will happen. I guess if I really had to get one of my projects done, I'd just work on that one and ditch the rotation for a while. But I am not in any hurry for a finish so it's all good.

OK, now for my technical question. I like to leave comments on blogs that I follow. So I get signed in to Google, and for a great majority of blogs, I have no problems leaving a comment. On these, it shows my name, my email address, and the fact that I'm signed in to Google. However, on some blogs, it says "leaving comment as" and then a dropdown box gives me the choice of Google, Name/URL, or Anonymous. Even though I'm signed in to Google, my comments never show up on these blogs. I've even tried using the Name/URL with no luck. Does anyone know why this is? It's sad because I can't leave a comment on some of my favorite blogs. Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you for visiting my blog today. I'll be back soon with more crafty updates! If you'd like to visit my Flosstube channel, go to CraftyCat Stitcher on Youtube.

See you soon!

May WIPocalypse - Mini Maynia

As many of you know, May is the month of Stitch Maynia. I have to admit that I hadn't heard of this event until very recently and when I did, my first thought was "WHAT?? Start 18 new projects??!!" But then I learned that stitchers decided for themselves how many projects were doable for them personally. I did hear that some were starting 31, one for each day in the month!

I came up with my own plan. I would start 5 new projects, because May is the fifth month. Made sense to me because it was something I was totally comfortable with. Here's how it went: I started a new project on the first of the month, then after that, I started one on each Monday of May.

My first of May project is Lizzie Kate's "Coffee Time". I'm stitching the "But First Coffee" design which I will put into my coffee pot trivet frame. I'm stitching it on 30 count Tin Roof linen. I know that once I get back to stitching this one, I'll finish it quickly.

Next, I started "No Bees No Honey" by Birds Of A Feather. I've had this one kitted up for some time. It's being stitched on 20 count Lugana in an off white color. I kitted it up with all DMC and decided to leave it that way. I did make a mistake by attempting to use two threads on the 20 count fabric. No. That doesn't work. So it's one over one and it's turning out nicely.

That little bee skep is so cute and the coverage is very good with one thread.

The next Monday was time to start the Little House Needleworks "Farmhouse Christmas" series. I'm stitching them individually on the recommended fabric.

I know that a lot of people are stitching these, and you've seen them a million times, but just look at this. So cute. And that Classic Colorworks "Cherry Cobbler" thread is my new favorite.

On Monday #3 I started "Quaker Diamonds" by Rosewood Manor. I'm stitching this on 32 count Flax linen and using overdyed threads. I received a silk-to-overdyed conversion from a fellow Flosstuber.

The color conversion seems to match the silks very well and the colors are amazing!

Today is the fourth and last Monday and I will be starting "Salute To Abigail" by Blackbird Designs from their book "Sweet Land Of Liberty". If you like patriotic stitching, please take a look at the patterns in this book! Each one is gorgeous. I will begin stitching it on 32 count R&R linen in Mink. I have converted the silks (called for) to overdyed floss.

These colors will work extremely well for this pattern and the bonus is that I had them all in my stash!

I really liked my version of Maynia. It was in my comfort zone and each new project was something I wanted to stitch. The biggest problem I had was stopping stitching on them to start something new! It was difficult to put each one down! Now my WIP collection is up to 15, which is something I never thought I'd do. But the more the merrier I say!

My plans for the next month are to work on (and maybe finish!?) some smaller projects like the Snowflower Diaries "Joyful World" July and the Lizzie Kate "Coffee Time". I'd love to have some finishes at some point soon!

Question of the Month: Where do you love to shop for stash? Sadly, there are no cross stitch shops near where I live. I would have to drive probably several hours to get to one and it would be in a different state! I really depend on online services for all of my supplies. My favorites are: 123Stitch!, Stitch And Frog, and Cross Stitch Felicity. I also like to shop on Etsy and have just found The Cottage Needle there. In addition, when we travel, I always look to see if there is an LNS wherever we will be. I was so lucky to visit Dyeing To Stitch in Virginia Beach, VA this month while on a trip. And yes, I did my share of shopping there!

Thanks to Melissa at Measi's Musings blog for organizing the WIPocalypse! If you'd like more info, just visit her blog.

Thanks for visiting! I love all comments. Please visit my Flosstube channel "CraftyCat Stitcher"!

WIPocalypse For April

During this month, I started doing a true rotation of my cross stitch projects. But first I zeroed in on finishing something - Christmas Sentiments.

There it is, all finished. Stitched, that is. I still have to decide on framing for this. I am happy to have an actual finish though.

So after I put the last stitch into Christmas Sentiments, I decided to start rotating my WIPs. I devoted two or three days to each one before moving on to the next. I stitch mostly in the evenings, so maybe get in a couple of hours of stitch time.

First up this month was Light Upon The Lawn by Blackbird Designs.

This is the one that I'm stitching on fabric that I tea and coffee dyed. The fabric must have gotten distorted in the process and a bit stretched out because when I started stitching two over two (it's 28 count), the stitches were gigantic. I then switched to one over one and I like the results! But you can see the distortion especially in what is supposed to be an oval. It's now a circle. I think it'll still turn out nicely.

Next was my Linen and Threads 2017 Mystery Sampler. I know, I know. Not much of a mystery anymore. At least I get to see everything I'll be stitching and know I'll like it.

Yes, I'm still working on January. Sigh. It's such a large section. I did make significant progress on it though!

My Joyful World by the Snowflower Diaries July piece is coming along nicely. I did work on this one a lot at my April stitch day with the Sisters In Stitches.

I know I'll have this one done in time to display in July. Don't you love the colors?

I did start working on my UFO, The Angel Of Divinity by Dimensions. It was difficult to orient myself as to where to begin continuing. Begin continuing? Wow, that sounded weird. But you know what I mean. I chose to work on some dark blue background. It was unbelievably slow-going.

I had to reacquaint myself with the colors. What's "dark blue", "medium blue", and "blue"? It's a kit, so......

Here's one that I haven't picked up in a long time. It's Tulip's Praise by Gracewood Stitches.

I even started a new section. I didn't want to put this one down when it was time to rotate to the next project!

Finally, I had a birthday start! I'm stitching Life Tree by Rovaris.

I'm stitching this one over one on 25 count Lugana. I tea dyed the fabric, the color of which was called "potato". I will be stitching the entire chart in DMC 815.

Question of the month: Talk to us about your longest-running WIP or UFO.  That would have to be the Angel Of Divinity (see above). I think I started stitching it about 15 years ago and stopped for some reason. Was I overwhelmed by all of the different colors, or the specialty stitches? I don't know. I found it in my craft closet and showed it on one of my Flosstube videos and was then urged to continue stitching it. So into the rotation it went. I do like it and know that it will be worth the time put into stitching it.

I will be keeping to my new rotation, and have a few more projects to work on that I didn't get to in April. I also plan to join Stitchmaynia, but in a very small way. I will be starting 5 projects, as a tribute to May being the fifth month (and also my favorite month). So look for me next month, and hopefully you'll see a lot of new stitching! Until then, have a great month. Happy stitching!