Puppies, Cupcakes and Sock Monkeys

I'm slowly getting back to stitching now that Rose is learning independence. She still has some clingy days, but most of the time she'll let me do my own thing while she naps elsewhere in the house.

Last month I started working on the Vanilla Cupcake kit from Mill Hill's Buttons & Beads Spring Series. While I'm not too fond of working with perforated paper, I've found that works well for a travel project because I don't require as much light to see what I'm doing. Here it is so far after about fourteen hours of stitching:

I'm also starting a birth announcement for my cousin's baby, who was born this past December. I've actually started this project twice before, but each time changed my mind about the piece and switched to a different design. This time, I'm positive that this is 'the one'. Upon finding out that my cousin LOVES sock monkeys, I've chosen this kit from Janlynn to do for his baby girl, Sophia:

"Baby Monkey Birth Announcement"

Designed by Linda Gillum for Kooler Design Studio

The kit came in the mail today (thanks 123 Stitch!) and I hope to start on it tomorrow. I plan to do the project as charted, except I'll be switching out the kitted 14-count aida with 32-count opalescent lugana. I love my sparkly fabrics!