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!

Cross Stitch Acronyms

BAP	-	Big arse project
BF	-	blending filament
frogging	-	undoing stitches . . . “Rip-it! Rip-it!”
HD	-	happy dance - announcing a finish to your friends, acquaintances, and/or a cross stitch bulletin board
LNS	-	local needlework shop
NSLNS	-	Not So Local Needlework Store
on the wagon	-	a period of time where one avoids any new acquisition of stash
ONS	-	Online Needlework Store
PRUDE	-	Person Resisting Unnecessarily Diminishing Existing stash, i.e. someone who refuses to StRIP.
RAK	-	random act of kindness (Usually to do with giving away stash to someone with or without them knowing :D )
ripping	-	see frogging
RR	-	Round Robin
SABLE	-	Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy
SAL	-	stitch-along, where two or more stitchers work on a design at the same time
S.E.X.	-	stash enhancement experience; needlework-related purchases. Must always be spelled with periods to avoid being listed on the “bad” web search engines!
stash	-	your personal needlework supplies
StRIP	-	Stash Reduction Implementation Plan, usually done when SABLE has been achieved. Typically, no new purchases are allowed for a set amount of time and/or until a certain amount of stash is used up. A person who does this is a StRIPper. See on the wagon.
SWIP	-	WISP
UFO	-	unfinished object; haven't stitched it in a while & don't plan on soon
WIP	-	work in progress
WISP	-	work in slow progress

Meet Rose

She's a locally bred cockapoo, currently 11 weeks old. We've had her since she turned 8 weeks. She's almost completely housebroken but still has an accident or two every few days. I still can't pick up my stitching, though, because every time I take my eyes off of her she finds a way to get into trouble!

Delaware State Fair 2010

I entered four of my projects in the State Fair this year. All four placed!

- My "Letters From Nora: L" (bottom left) won 3rd place in the "Counted cross-stitch with embellishment on linen" category.
- My "Cheaper Than Therapy" won 2nd place in the "Counted cross-stitch picture, over 50% lettering, on linen" category.

- My "Alphabet Pumpkin" won 1st place in the "Counted cross-stitch sampler, on linen, under 5” x 7” category.

- My "Halloween Fairy" won 1st place in the "Counted cross-stitch with embellishment on Aida" category.

Framed

Mirabilia's "Crescent Dreams"

Framed at Joann's Fabrics 

Nora Corbett's "Letters by Nora: L"

Framed at Joann's Fabrics

First Two Finishes of 2010

Mirabilia's "Crescent Dreams"

Stitched on Enchanted Fabric's "Raindrop Mystique" 32ct opalescent Lugana

Started February 2010. Finished June 28, 2010.

Nora Corbett's "Letters by Nora: L"

Stitched on a Silkweaver Solo 32ct Lugana

Started December 2009. Finished June 28, 2010.

After having beaded for four hours a day for the last two days, I am officially sick of beading. No more beading for at least a month!

All Moved In...Almost

I haven't had much time for stitching these past few months. Paperwork, packing, moving, unpacking, and cleaning has taken up most of my free time. Despite the fact that we officially moved in at the end of March, we're still transporting stuff over from our parent's homes. Our spare bedroom has become a storage area for the yet-to-be-unpacked boxes. 

My favorite room in the house is my computer/craft room. I have my own computer desk, a craft desk, and a large closet full of crafting supplies in organized storage bins. It couldn't be any more perfect!

 

This is the birth announcement for my boyfriend's cousin's baby after another six hours of stitching (sixteen hours total). All that's left to do is the rest of the moon, the placement of the text, and the beaded stars. The text, of course, will have to wait until after little Braiden is born, which won't be long now. Within the next week or two, I think. I need to hurry and get the rest of the moon done!