Christmas Stitching

Yes, I know it's only July but I am working on my Christmas stitching. I made a needle-tatted ornament for the tree and will probably work on more at Marnie's this weekend. I still need to get some fabric stiffener, but the stitching part is complete. I bought a needle tatting DVD with my coupon at Hobby Lobby when I went with Becky and the girls and I'm glad I did. I'd done needle tatting before but it's been awhile and I had forgotten a few things. Also, the two ladies who teach the process are quite good at explaining so I learned a few things as well.I also finished another SAS goodie, the Celtic Tuffet. It was a bit difficult to assemble but the end result is quite interesting if I do say so myself.

I am still working on my Promise Piece but since it is a large piece I like to work on these smaller projects so I will have things finished each month. I like that feeling that I've accomplished something. When working on a large piece and even getting to stitch on it for a long time, I still don't get that same feeling as I do when something is "finished".

I just got the Feed Bag Buddies back from the framer but don't want to post a photo until I can bring it for Show and Tell next month. It was going to go in Nick's room since I made it for him, but we decided to hang it in the living room for now since it is the only large piece I've finished and framed for the new house. I'm anxious to put it in the show in the fall. I know I don't stand a chance winning anything for it if it's in the same category as Becky's Civil War piece, but I will still enjoy seeing it on display and having it judged.

Well, it's Monday so it is cleaning day. I always have to clean on Monday. I don't like to clean on the weekend when the house is full of "those people"*. Also, because I'd had Alyssa since Wednesday and we had too much fun to clean. I also went to the bible conference at my church all three days and the origami class at the library on Saturday, so that left little time in between as well. So, today is Monday, cleaning day, and here I am "wasting time" on the internet. Well, just leave me alone. I can clean house anytime today. Right now I want to spend some time with my family and friends sharing some small parts of my life. That's important too, you know. It's not like I'm just looking for any reason at all possible to not clean. Really. I promise.

*My family, of course.

Show and Tell

Besides education, show and tell is my favorite part of the TANA meeting. (If I have something for it anyway.) This month I have four things. These are three and the kiss needle book is the fourth.

I'm not sure what I'll start now but I should just finish a couple of the things I have going. Last month's education piece should be at the top of the list. There is also the June monthly mania that I just hope I finish before June. Then, there is the Aztec Bookmark. It was a previous education piece that I missed but Liz was kind enough to bring me a kit at the Heritage Farm Stitch-In. I've finished all 246 four-sided stitches and am about halfway finished with the blackwork around the edges. I've seen the finished piece because Liz finished hers and had it at the stitch-in. It is beautiful. Let's hope I can actually do the Aztec stitch evenly. I guess we'll see.

The largest project I'm working on is the Feed Bag Buddies that I'm doing for Nick. It's probably about 3/4 of the way finished. I'm taking it to the retreat this month and hope to finish it there. I want to put it up in our show this fall. I also have a Mirabilia Winter piece that is my Promise Piece. I've only just started it but the plan is to take it to Share a Stitch and work on it during Studio Time. I'd like to put it in the show as well since I have to have it completed by November anyway.

Maybe I should put pics of them up as wips. That may encourage me to keep working on them and keep updating the photos.