Crazy January Challenge 2011 Day #9

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler

30ct. R & R Reproductions Highland Mist

Called-for GAST and WDW threads

This is Day #9 of the January Challenge. This is the biggest project I am starting as part of this challenge. It will be a fun one though!

I spent part of today sewing interfacing on the back of some pieces of linen. My ANG group told me a little helpful hint when we ordered the Quaker hornbook. The interfacing helps to keep the over-1 stitches from slipping behind the threads.

After my "problem" start on Give Thanks, I double-checked all my remaining challenge projects and discovered that I have 2 more over-1 charts! So, there might be another change to my line-up. More on that to come.

Crazy January Challenge 2011 Day #8

Raise the Roof Designs

Happy Camper

32 ct navy permin linen

Called for DMC threads

Here is my start for Day #8.

I'm having company tonight and making homemade bread. Keep your fingers crossed as the tops caved in on the last couple of batches I made!

There is good progress on City Stitcher Adam & Eve Sampler. I will post a progress update at the end of this challenge.

Crazy January Challenge 2011 Day #7

With My Needle & Thread

Give Thanks

28 ct linen

Called-for WDW threads

Here is the start for Day #7.

Just a small start because guess what I discovered?
Do you see on the bottom of the pattern that it says over 1 thread? I was anxious to get started this morning and stitched the whole pumpkin (and 2 letters) over 2 theads. Then, I thought maybe I cut the fabric too small? No, it is cut exactly to what the designer calls for. Oh, over 1 thread! So, I have already ripped out the two letters and when I pick this up again it will be for a frogging session.

Have a great weekend!

Crazy January Challenge 2011 Day #6

Sheepish Designs Temptation

36 ct Lakeside Linens Maple Sugar

Called for DMC threads

This is going to be an interesting project. There are several embroidery stitches incorporated, not just cross stitch. The first embroidery stitch was on the tree trunk. It is called a raised chain stitch and is a new stitch to me. Adam & Eve's hair is a threaded back stitch. Their "leaves" are woven and stand off the fabric. The apples are a Spider Web stitch. I like the look of it so far!

Crazy January Challenge 2011 Day #5

Blackbird Designs Hedgerow Birds

Week Dye Works 20 ct Straw

Called-for GAST & CC threads

Here is my new start for day #5 of the January Challenge. This photo of the fabric is pretty true to the actual color. It is the called-for fabric in the pattern, but look how gold it is compared to the fabric in the picture on the cover. I like this color-it is just different from what I expected. OK-I'll keep an open mind :)

My First Blog Award!

Thank you to both Marlene and Alyssa for giving me my very first blogging award!

Here are 7 items about myself that you probably don't know-

1. I was born and raised in Indiana and still consider myself a Hoosier, even though I have lived in WA for 26 years.

2. I am still married to the husband "of my youth." He was 19 and I was 20 when we tied the knot in 1979.

3. I have been a realtor for 10 years.

4. I started attending a new church in 2010 and am still adjusting. Learning new names gets harder each year.

5. My favorite TV show is American Pickers.

6. My favorite DVD series is Inspector Morse. But I like many, many British crime dramas.

7. This year's vacation will be to Yellowstone National Park.

This award is supposed to be passed along, but I am giving that more thought. I see that some blogs prefer NOT to have awards. What do you think?

Crazy January Challenge 2011 Day #4

Little House Needleworks

The North Wind

32 ct Mt Vernon Mist-not sure which line

Called-for Crescent Colours

Here is my Challenge Day #4 start. I am quickly running out of tacks for my stretcher bars. Of course, I didn't think to stock up on those before the challenge began!

I love this chart, but every time I read the words I add "poor thing" to the end because the nursery rhyme includes those two words, right? "He flies to the barn and keeps himself warm and hides his head under his wing, poor thing." I think I am paraphrasing-somebody let me know the right words??

Crazy January Challenge 2011 Day #3

Blackbird Designs Spring Fling

30 ct R & R Iced Cappucino

Called-for GAST Threads

Just a small start today-time has gotten away from me. And I am still stitching on City Stitcher A & E :)

I changed the fabric on this project to a different color to get more of a contrast with the threads-- a few color changes will probably happen too!

I received the fabric in the mail today for Day #5 Challenge project. Whew! It was close.

Crazy January Challenge 2011 Day #2

Homespun Elegance

Holiest of Nights

30ct natural linen

Called for Weeks, DMC, and GAST threads

Crazy January Challenge Day #2 start-I've already made a color change to this one. I'm feeling very inspired by all the postings on this and the other challenges. Coming up tomorrow-Blackbird Designs Spring Fling!

Crazy January Challenge 2011 Day #1

Shepherd's Bush Anna's Stocking

18 ct natural linen

Called for threads-Crescent, Weeks, and DMC perle cottons

It is exciting to see all the posts already on the January Challenges! People are stitching! Here is my Day #1 start.