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...for March Madness. At least ones that won't make even me groan as I type them. I've been doing pretty well with working on something different every day. I only broke my "rule" twice: Both times were because I was so tired/braindead that I couldn't think of doing anything except relatively mindles. So I knit on the Medallion Capelet. I have now finished all three medallions! Here's a "blocked/unblocked" photo:
I get it now: Blocking gooood.

Speaking of blocking, this will look a lot better once it's blocked ("Branching Out" from knitty):
There is a glaring mistake right now, but I've already restarted this so many times that I'm just going to sew up the hole!! I really need to put in a lifeline. I'm probably going to tempt fate until the next repeat.

Here are shots of some more progress that's been happening since last time I checked in...Moss Creek's "Autumn Jewels":

The sad progress on Britty Kitty's Poinsettia:
Yes, I believe that's the second time this month for that, but I did something else that day. I also started my surprise ornament, but no pictures of that. =)

This looks impressive, but it wouldn't if you saw where it was before this month. =) Victoria Sampler's "Heirloom Christmas Sampler":


The "Where's Waldo?" of today's post...can you find the start I made on Ellen Chester's "Quaker Turtles" in this picture?


Thanks to my stash, I was able to start LaBroderie's "Shakespeare's Garden" with DMC Flower Thread on a Silkweaver Summer Fun Pack fabric pretty much the same as the Light Mocha Cashel called for, only with beautiful subtle variations.
By the way, I ironed the fabric before I started, because it had been in its little plastic bag for years, and it was very creased. I have now promised myself that I will always iron fabric before I start. Look how great it looks! And it was so much easier to line up in the Q-Snaps! I immediately violated this rule when I started the Quaker Turtles. =) My rationalization is that I'm going to cut the fabric apart and make it my travel project as soon as I finish that darn Pear (excuse my language...it's on 35 count).

JiffNotes
More madness...but the good kind now.

The Final Theme-a-licious!

Remember how November was No-Xs November? Well, there weren't any in Do What You Will December, either! =) This is usually how my Decembers go...what with choir rehearsals and performances, holiday events, baking, trying to finish everything up at work before vacation, etc., there is not much time to sit and stitch!

I had decided in the Fall that I wanted to participate in Loopy Academy, so I ordered yarn...

...and away I went. You've already seen the first project, which was a cowl in fingering weight (posted in the previous post).

The second project was to be mittens in worsted weight yarn.

These are Emma's Mittens. They were fun to knit, although I'm still not a fan of bobbles. I'm never sure if mine look right! I apologize for the not-so-great picture...it has not been very sunny here, so this was taken under an Ott light! And yes, I really am that pale! =)

The final project is a hat in sport weight. Will I finish it by tonight?? Oh, the suspense! =)

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So what did you will your December stitching to be? Do you have a clean slate for 2015? Please add your link below (to your latest Theme-a-licious post), and visit some other Themers if you can (everyone loves comments and encouragement!) Thank you again to all of you that "themed" along with me, whether you stitched along, commented on themers' posts, or just admired our work in silence. =) You guys all rock!!!!

See you for March Madness...oh, yes, that will still happen. ;)

Theme-a-licious November/December

Well, I sure didn't do any Xs in No-Xs November!

November started off for me with an Alison Cole class in Tampa, Florida, which had MUCH better temperatures than Atlanta had been having! Here was my dessert one day at lunch:

Cannoli for now, cannoli for later. ;)

We got a two-hour lunch break! Excellent.

The project was a stumpwork/goldwork piece.

I've done some stumpwork before, but I've never done any goldwork. It was a lot of fun working with some of the more exotic threads, like the super pearl purl. Plus, it's fun to say "super pearl purl". =)

This was a shot of my workspace.

Actually, this shot makes my workspace look a lot less chaotic than it was. I was spread out all over the place (I got lucky to be at a table of 3 rather than 4) and it took me forever to find anything. But the class was simply amazing. Alison is a fantastic (and fantastically fun) teacher, and if you ever get the chance to take a class with her, DO IT! She is one of those great teachers who never tells you anything is difficult; she just explains what to do and what to watch out for in a very straightforward manner and then comes around to straighten you out if you go wrong.

Here's a shot of the model she brought. It's not the best since it was under glass (and fluorescent lights!), but you can get more an idea of the dimensionality the stumpwork has.

She brought some other models, but it was hard to get a great shot with everyone crowded around ooooo-ing and aaaaah-ing! I will show you a couple shots of one of her 3D butterflies:

The little bell jar is only about 5 inches high! Amazing stuff. She had some other great goldwork pieces with her, including a dragon she taught at EGA convention.

Oh, what's that? You want to see what *I* did? =)

Here's where I was at the end of class. The crazy gold fringes will be the stamens in the clematis flowers, and that paper at the side will be basted over the dragonfly while I work on the rest of the piece, because his wings are SHARP!

They are actually brass mesh. Here's a closeup:

And here's a closer shot of the bud and leaf, where you can kind of see the super pearl purl:

Can you tell that the leaf is sticking up from the fabric? I should have done a side view, too.

The other pieces we did in class were a tendril (I have one Alison did, too, since she demonstrated with my wire =) and a flower petal. Only 23 more to go!!!!

Sadly, the only other stitching I did was to finish the branches on this squirrel.

I did the Xs sometime earlier in the year. ;)

I have been knitting a little, and I finished this lace cowl.

It's knit in Handmaiden Sea Silk yarn, which is 50% silk, 50% Sea Cell (think rayon), so it's really soft.

So, I know that I said I'd announce the theme for December around the middle of this month. I won't bore you with the details, but there have been all manner of work- and health-related crises here (everyone is OK!) and something had to give. That something was the blogging. And a lot of the stitching. And all my mojo is still suffering, so I'm calling December...

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Do What You Will December

Do you have gifts you need to finish? Projects you're sick of looking at that you want done? Or maybe you just want some nice, relaxing stitching for a hectic month? Anything goes this month!

So, it's not technically a theme, but we'll have one last post together on December 31st to share what we managed to work on during the holidays (or do a year-in-review). I have decided not to run Theme-a-licious next year. I have really, really enjoyed stitching themes with all of you and seeing all the creative things you have been doing with the themes! However, there are a ton of great SALs to participate in out there, and participation here has been waning. Perhaps I'll start back up in 2016; who can say?? Or maybe I'll get bored halfway through 2015 and need themes to push me along again. ;) I'll more than likely do March Madness again, anyway!

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So how did your No-Xs November go? Was it a challenge going "off the grid"? =) What will you do with your freedom in December? Please add your link below (to your latest Theme-a-licious post), and visit some other Themers if you can (everyone loves comments and encouragement!) Our last post will be on December 31st.

Theme-a-licious October/November

So, if you will remember, I asked you to pick which project I should start this month in addition to a Jardin Privé design.

Plum Pudding, by Glendon Place, done in the colors of Baked Alaska, was the clear winner, with half the votes. Happy to oblige. =)

But I felt bad disappointing all of you who voted for Quaker Christmas II.

So I started it, too. =)

In fact, I started it instead of either of the Jardin Privé designs! I'll have to save them for another time. I completely intended to start one, but then I remembered that I reeeeeeeeally should be working on my EGA nametag, which was designed by Jane Timmers of Fancy Work.

She very kindly charted all of our names and our chapter name, which is why the waves look a little wonky right now...I'm stitching around the chapter name.

Now let's talk about THIS month, which is...

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No-Xs November

What can you make without making an X?? Blackwork, hardanger, embroidery, needlelace, and the list goes on! Don't panic...you can even backstitch for the month!

I will be taking a stumpwork/goldwork class from Alison Cole in Florida. And I definitely have quite a few other pieces in progress that fit into this category. I have a hardanger ornament that desperately needs to be finished, and a couple canvas pieces that need some love. Not to mention a stumpwork piece already in progress.

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So how did your Oft-Overlooked October go? Did you find some hidden gems in your stash, or did you have to source something new? =) Are you panicking about finding things to work on with no Xs?? Please add your link below (to your latest Theme-a-licious post), and visit some other Themers if you can (everyone loves comments and encouragement!) I will announce the theme for December around the middle of the month, and our next post will be on December (!!) 1st.

Theme-a-licious September/October

Supersize September? It was more like Shrinking September for me...I only managed to work on one large project, which was Summer Quakers. And it doesn't look very large right now!

The color is reeeeeally off in this picture, but you get the idea of the HUGE amount I got done. Or not. ;)

Now let's talk about THIS month, which is...

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Oft-Overlooked October

Find a new-to-you designer and start a new project this month! Or maybe two...or three...

So, I am definitely starting one Jardin Privé design, and one other design. If you haven't voted in my poll (see the previous post), please do so! My needle is awaiting your command!

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So how was your Supersize September? Were you overwhelmed with fabric or did you tame those giant projects? Are you ready to explore new-to-you designers for Oft-Overlooked October? Please add your link below (to your latest Theme-a-licious post), and visit some other Themers if you can (everyone loves comments and encouragement!) Our next post will be on November 1st.

Theme-a-licious October is...

...terribly, terribly LATE in being announced!!!!

I do apologize; I was out of town last week and thought I'd be able to get this post up before I left. Then, Michael sprained his ankle, a friend of his from high school called and wanted to drop by after dinner, and the painters, who we'd been trying to get to come for over six months, finally said they could come. As a result, we weren't home (and not cleaning) before 9pm any night that week. And I especially wanted this one to be posted early, since you might need to do some preparation...but hey, you've got a month! So without further ado, here's the theme for October...

Oft-Overlooked October

Find a new-to-you designer and start a new project this month! Or maybe two...or three...

This theme comes to you courtesy of Jo at Serendipitous Stitching! She actually suggested "Newbie November," for next year, but I loved the idea so much I spent an inordinate amount of time searching for synonyms until I could make it work for this year. I am going to send Jo a gift certificate to the online shop of her choosing so she can pick up something new to start. So Jo, please email me ASAP! =)

As for me, I already have a few new things to start. ;) But I need your help! I have seen a number of lovely finishes of Jardin Privé designs, so I finally picked up a couple...Christmas and Carré d'abeilles. I think I'm going to start Carré d'abeilles. Here are the flosses for both...

Christmas's flosses are on the left. Of course, I changed some of the colors for Carré d'abeilles. ;)

Now, here is where you come in. I have two wonderful designs all kitted up and ready to go, but I'm not sure which one to start. You must help me!

First of all, there is Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches...

Second, Plum Pudding by Glendon Place...

...only, I am going to do it in the colors of Baked Alaska!

Sooo, which should I start? Please cast a vote, even if you're not participating (or have never participated) in the themes!

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Theme-a-licious August/September

Well, if I were an author, I'm afraid that I would barely have managed a short story this month!

I did some work on Spring Garden Gate, finishing the knotted stitch and another piece of the verse.

Here's a closeup of the knotted stitch:

Pretty cool, isn't it? It's not difficult; the only tricky part is maintaining an even tension.

Although I didn't get too much actual stitching done, I did finally graph out the verse for Castles by the Sea!

Now let's talk about THIS month, which is...

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Supersize September

Dip your needle into the vast swath of fabric dedicated to your BIGGEST projects!

Les Rubans needs some work for sure, and it's definitely my biggest project. I'll probably pull out Autumn Queen as well...it's been a while since I've worked on it.

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So how was Author! Author! August? Hopefully you "wrote" more than I did? What will you tackle for Supersize September? Please add your link below (to your latest Theme-a-licious post), and visit some other Themers if you can (everyone loves comments and encouragement!) Our next post will be on October 1st. Around the middle of the month, I'll announce the theme for October!

Theme-a-licious July/August

Although my main focus for Jubilee July was celebrating Christmas, I started off with something different. Around here, there is always a huge celebration when Spring arrives! So I did some work on Spring Garden Gate.

I took a couple shots of to show the cool knotted stitch (actually a knotted stitch this time!) below the bunnies in progress. There will be three layers eventually. I'll get some better closeups for my next progress picture. That first shot is of the first layer...

...and this second one is of half of the second layer done. I didn't get around to finishing it, though...it was time to move on to celebrating Christmas!

First I worked on this lovely ornament by Milady's Needle.

It's lovely, but it's also on 40 count. FORTY! COUNT!! Therefore, I can only work on it during the day...the lighting I have isn't good enough to work on it at night. I think I started it last January and quickly had to put it away because there weren't enough daylight hours! (Remember my celebration of Spring? I desperately dislike Winter. After two weeks once I've worn all my sweaters once, what's the point??)

Then, I put in some serious work on Dancer.

He's coming along nicely; but I discovered I was missing a color of Kreinik. It's on the way, but it may be a while, since I took advantage of the Picture This Plus Christmas in July sale. I was very good and only ordered one piece of fabric for a chart I already have!

I did get some work done on a nice little squirrel ornament, but I neglected to get a picture!

On the "setting projects free"...well, I did start to go through my stash, but so far I only identified one kit that can go away. ;)

Now let's talk about THIS month, which is...

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Author! Author! August

The words are speaking this month! Hunt out those WIPs with a verse or two. It's time those projects with words and sentences grew.

I've already pulled some projects for the month. I may even start one, because I'm not sure the others are "wordy" enough. ;)

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So how was Jubilee July? Was your stitching a celebration or did you want to set it ALL free? What will your needle write for August? Please add your link below (to your latest Theme-a-licious post), and visit some other Themers if you can (everyone loves comments and encouragement!) Our next post will be on September 1st.

Theme-a-licious August is...

Author! Author! August

The words are speaking this month! Hunt out those WIPs with a verse or two. It's time those projects with words and sentences grew.

August's theme has sprung from the pen of Jan Gartlan! Actually, she suggested "Ode to October", but I've got another theme I like for October. =) Ooooo, aren't you all so curious now?? Jan, please email me your snail mail address so I can get a prize off to you!

I'll definitely be working on Shakespeare's Garden and Spring Garden Gate, which both have verses on them, but I'm going to look through the stash and see what else is wordy and telling me it should have some progress next month.

Theme-a-licious June/July

This month was reallyreally busy, so I did not get as much done as I would have liked! By the time I was done with the Smalls SAL and the Just Nan SAL, there was little time left! I did get some work in on Les Rubans on this ribbon:

I don't think I've ever posted a shot of allllll the fibers used in this piece, so here you go:

There's Petite Very Velvet, Splendor, NPI silks, Kreinik braids, ribbons, beads, and the list goes on!

My only other "bright" piece for the month was a start with the latest Cookie A Sock Club yarn, although I decided to make it into a different pair of socks from a Cookie A book I already had...Pointelle.

You can see that although my yarn is bright, it's not as bright as the yarn in the book! =)

Now let's talk about THIS month, which is...

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Jubilee July

It's time to celebrate! What are you celebrating this year? Stitch on your holiday-related projects, OR find some WIPs you know you'll never finish and set them free.

Dancer's going to be my primary focus, but I'm sure I will come up with some other things to work on as well. =)

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So how was June Jolt? Was your stitching shocking, or did it brighten up your day? What are you going to celebrate (or set free) for Jubilee July? Please add your link below (to your latest Theme-a-licious post), and visit some other Themers if you can (everyone loves comments and encouragement!) Our next post will be on August 1st. And remember, it's never too late to join in or send suggestions for future themes!

Theme-a-licious May/June

Oh, woe is me, due to my work schedule, not a single squirrel appeared during Menagerie May!!!

But seriously, I did get some good progress in on Dancer before work got too crazy.

I also got the bunnies on Spring Garden Gate done...FINALLY!! Stitching with this pale taupe on cream linen really messed with my eyes. I could only work on it during daylight hours with any reasonable success. I also had an unfortunate frogging session!

Now let's talk about THIS month, which is...

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June Jolt

School's out for the summer! Let's work on things with sunshine in them or REALLY bright colors. Summer is here!

OK, some of you "subtly" brought to my attention that this is a very...Northern Hemisphere centric theme. I used Katie's writeup almost verbatim since I could hear Alice Cooper singing in my head while reading it--and believe me, that NEVER happens. Anyway, those of you in the Southern Hemisphere (and those of you whose schools aren't out yet) can still participate in the actual theme stitching...bright colors and sunshine. =) Or even just bright colors, if you're feeling like stitching Autumn projects.

Anyway, I think I need to drag out Les Rubans (my last progress picture was during March Madness here), since it is BY FAR the brightest project I have. Other than that, I don't know what I'm going to do!

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So how was Menagerie May? Did the stampede of projects overwhelm you, or did you train them and teach them some new tricks? What kind of brightness can you find for June Jolt? Please add your link below (to your latest Theme-a-licious post), and visit some other Themers if you can (everyone loves comments and encouragement!) Our next post will be on July 1st. And remember, it's never too late to join in or send suggestions for future themes!