Its the end of October and time to check in WIPocalypse

 This month has just flown by, I'm not ready for November because that means December is almost here and I'm not ready for that at all.  Oh well, at least I'm stitching again and hopefully will have more and more progress as the next few months pass by.

WIPocalypse is brought to you by Measi and here is her Blog:  measi-wipocalypse

So what is the question for this time?

What retreats or stitching events would you love to attend someday?  I go back and forth and what I'd like to do, I think I'd like to try a cruise, and maybe one day I will actually sign up for one.  But for now I just dream.  

So what did I do this month?  Not as much as I'd like, but some:

I worked on one at the beginning of the month, but I didn't take a picture of it!!  Oh well it will come out to play again at some point, so it will really look like I got a lot done on it!!

So first up is Awake my Soul by La-D-Da.  I got quite a bit done on this one.  In my mind this one was close to a finish......WRONG, but it's a lot closer now and I'm sure will be finished next year for sure.  

It is off, but not going to worry about that because I'm just counting around the error and getting everything else where it should be so it will work out.  You certainly can't tell where it's off.

The next picture is Mary Gypson 1828 by Whilst Iris Naps.  this was has a major error someplace, OK I have an idea where it's off, just trying to decide if I really need go go back and make it right.  My fear is that it was a kit and if I have to take stitches out that I might not have enough thread to finish it.  I will look when it comes out again to see if I'm running low on the red thread.

This one is a big girl and she will take a while to get done, but so far I'm enjoying the stitch.  I finished all the pages (well almost) across the top.  I need to bring the outer border down, but wanted to get everything else in place first.  

I admire people who do the outer border first and make sure it matches.  I'm someone who just hopes it works out when I get there.

There is a huge house on this one - everyone says - oh I love doing houses and for some reason I talked myself into "loving" them too, well I don't, but I'll get it done!!

This one is Witch by Glendon Place.  It was a market special one year and I really loved it.  I'm about 75% done, so it definitely will be finished in 2026.  Are there mistakes?  Well heck yes, would it be my project if there wasn't???  But again you really can't tell, so not going to worry bout them at all!!

The words are going faster than I thought they would, just hope I have enough thread to get them all done - I think I will.

I'm working on one other and if I take a picture before I post this I will add it to the group - if not, you'll see it next month.

I'm still working on getting my folks house all boxed up, it's probably 80% done.  It is hard to do because there are things that they kept that I don't know why and I think, well just toss it and then I think, but it was important to them so maybe I should keep it???  So I set it aside and then go back later and decide.  I have to admit I've trashed a lot of things, taken a lot of things to charity shops and while I have a lot of boxes, not as much as I've destashed.   I have to admit of all the things in their house, their photo albums are the most prized for me, I love old pictures.

I haven't done much over the last week, just needed to rest from working over there every day.  I did packed up my folks Book of the Year, which they had from 1946 through 1975 with 1951-52 missing.  While no one wants these books, I thought they would be fun to look through and see if my memories and what they show are the same.  While I wasn't alive for all of those year, I was for many of them - I'm OLD LOL

Sandy

And just like that September is over

 I'm a little late for the update for September, but I have a good reason.  We went to see my husband's uncle (who is 3 months older than my hubby).  I also unplugged for nearly a week - no work computer no personal computer, but did keep my phone handy.

It's time for the WIPocalypse September update and to answer the question.  If you want to know more about it please visit Measi's blog here:  WIPocalypse

The question this month is whether or not we record our finishes and if so how?  I don't really record my finishes anyplace, other than an indicating on my excel spreadsheet it is finished and if it went to someone.   I do this so I can track the percentages of charts that I have to the finishes.  So far I've not been able to break about 15% - I really need to stop buying new charts and kits, it's killing my average as I buy faster than I stitch.

 If I could go back to the beginning I would have taken more pictures of my finishes before giving them away, but such is life.  I'm sure many of the things I've finished have long since been sent to the great beyond because the person didn't like it or they themselves have passed on.  I now tell people that if they don't like it, I'm not offended and will willing take it back and get them something they do like.  but then I also don't give my stitching to just anyone anymore and I generally know it's something they would want.

So what did I accomplish in September?  Not a whole lot that is for sure, seems like my stitching bug has left the building with Elvis.....

I worked on my Family Tree by Thistles.  I added the two houses on the left side and discovered that I cut my material way too short!!  but I am going to finish it and then make it into a quilt as the center piece.  

I had to get some more thread for the big tree in the middle, I didn't want to run out.  Also for the house on the left that is undone - If I used what I had I wouldn't have enough for the border.  This might come out again this year, if not next year.

This was a new start - A Cardinal's Promise by Stitchy Prose.  I'm doing this for my parents.  I'm using my own colors and have a good 25-30% done!!  It's a fast stitch and I'm enjoying working on it.  I want to personalise it a little bit, but having figured out how yet.  

I will probably work on this some more this year, but it won't be finished until next year.

This last one was actually my first stitch for September and it's PeliCan by Courtney Collections.  

I started this one a long time ago and again my margins are off, so it is really narrow at the top and most likely will be at the bottom.  I will make this into a pillow, so not too awful worried about it, I can add a border on each side if needed.  

I'm stitching it on 40 ct and while it's not too bad working on it, it's not as much fun as I had hoped.  Maybe that's why it's taking me so long to get it done.  I has sat for years with no love, but the last two years I have worked on it thanks to WIPGO, so there is hope.

We had a great time seeing my hubby's uncle.  We went to Callaway's Garden in GA for their annual pumpkin display.  We did a corn maze, sunflower field and of course walked through the pumpkin display in all its splendour.   I got 8,000 steps that day!!  And while we were all bushed when we got back to the hotel, granddaughter was not and didn't want to go to sleep.  I wish I could bottle that energy!!

We also went to the zoo in Montgomery which was a bust, closed displays and animals were sleeping, so not a lot to see.  And found a great park in Auburn that we visited a couple of times - granddaughter couldn't get enough of it and never wanted to leave.

got a picture of pop-pop with granddaughter and daughter :).  

Hubby and his uncle.

Thanks for visiting my small corner of the world

Sandy

August Check in and August is checking out

As we say good bye to August I also said good-bye to my folks. I lost both of them within 6 weeks of each other - they had been married just short of 74 years.  While it was hard I know they lived a full life and embraced every moment of it.  My Dad was the social person, but my Mom was always up for my Dad's adventures, so it worked well.

It's time to post the monthly updates of what we've been working on and what we'd like to get accomplished before the end of the year.   So this is my WIPocalypse post which is hosted by Measi who's blog can be found here:  WIPocalypse 

The question for August is Which retired designer would you love to have back designing?   Interesting question, I really don't have any that I can say I would want to see more from at this point.  I am happy with the charts I have in my collection and figure I probably won't ever stitch a fraction of them, but they make me happy just looking at them.  

So what did I do in August - first up is the Wizard of Oz by Owl Forest Embroidery.  I got the whole kit, floss, fabric and chart.  I decided I needed a new start and this was it.  Oz is about 1/2 done, which is the largest motif in the chart.  It's a fun stitch and when it comes out again I'm sure I'll hit the half way mark without a problem.

I must say the floss and fabric are great to work on, I was worried about the quality and once started that worry went out the window!!  

I have another one that I will start maybe next year.

Next up is an actual finish for me - Put a Bird on it by Modern Folk Embroidery.  

This was a stitch along hosted by the Sunshine Stitchers - EJ.  The design was charted to be done monochrome or Roxy Floss Co had their conversation.  I started with the Roxy Floss Co threads and then decided to add more colors from my own collection. The SAL was supposed to end in December, but it was fun to stitch and like a bag of chips you always wanted to do just one more.

If you are member of FB you might want to join this group so you can see all the finishes that are happening - they are great.

One of my WIPGO calls was for my American Flag by Rosewood Manor.  This is a very old pattern and it's been in my stash forever and I started it 10 years ago, quickly lost interest, but decided I really needed to give it some love every year.  

I did the 3 quilt squares on the right and finished the bottom square next to the last column of quilt squares, along with all of that boring border between them.  Next time it comes out I will get the last three squares in this area done and then move on to the squares in all the stripes.  I wish I wouldn't have done the eyelets in the start of the words as those take time to do, but don't think I really want to try to frog them out at this point.  I might do other stitches in the other words, but that is a decision for another day.

I do have one more that I was working on, but didn't take a picture so will show that one next month.  My month off from work is pretty much over now and I need to make the decision if I'm going to continue to work, work part time or work full time.  The money is nice and it affords us to do things like eat and keep a roof over our heads, OK, not really, it really affords me to buy more cross-stitch than I really need.  I've really enjoyed not having the alarm go off every morning and trying to figure out the day of the week.  But that will be a conversation I'll have this week with my boss.

Hope everyone has enjoyed the dog days of summer and are ready for the fall.   Since I'm not a seasonal stitch I will continue my rotation such as it is and maybe add in another new start in September.

Sandy

July is coming to an end - way too soon for me

 So with July coming to an end I'm going to start a new journey - not sure if I will fully-fully retire, but I will definitely we working a whole lot less than a 40 hour week!  I'm taking the whole month of August off to see how I like not working.  I think I'm going to love it, will miss the money, but I've got more stash than I know what to do with right now, so won't be lacking for things to do.  We will be selling our house soon as well, not looking forward to packing it up.  While we've only lived here for a little over 6 years we have accumulated a lot of stuff in that time and decisions will have to be made what to keep and what to get ditch.  

So the question this month in our WIPocalypse challenge that is hosted by Measi and can be found here

https://measi.net/june-wipocalypse-check-in/

the question relates to what project have you fully finished that you are most proud of....well I don't generally finish anything on my own, so really don't have any that I'm really proud of, I'm just happy if I put them in a frame myself that they are pretty straight or if I put them in a box, I can still close the lid and haven't drip glue anyplace.  

I think I showed off the box I did for my niece and sent to her for Christmas 2024 along with the stockings.  I guess all the stockings I've finished are probably my best, but then I've done 15 of them now so I should be getting pretty good at them.  I'm by no means a professional at it, so I'm sure there is still room to improve.

So what have I accomplished in July you ask?  Or maybe you don't LOL

First up was a start and finish - another Tribal Owl - I think #5 (I can't find #4).  I used two different colors of silk thread.  I really love the browns and teals in this one.  

These will be finished into ornaments - I've finished a few small pillows and ornaments in the past, but it's been a while, so hopefully I'll do OK.  I plan on getting the walnut stuff to make them a little bit heavier.

I have one more I want to get done, and will pull that one out maybe in September.  I think it will be on red linen and the colors are pinks.

Next up was a FINISH too!!  This is a Dog's Last Will and Testament by Heartstring Samplery.  This one went pretty fast, it was almost all words with the exception of the row of dogs and the bottom border.  

My middle daughter is a big dog lover and recently lost one of her dogs.  I think she will like this one, so it will go toher.

I've taken this one to be framed long with 3 others, can't wait to get them all back!!  

Most people will recognise this one - it's a HRH - Halloween.  I finished my first square!!  yea it's the second block.  Don't judge, my initial intent was to do all the blocks so I could skip around and do al little bit on several of them.  However I discovered, or maybe reinforced that I'm not a stitch the bones first kind of person.  I was on the second block and started outlining the 3rd when I decided that just wasn't me.  So decided to just work on the block that was in the q-snap at the time

Not pictured but I have gone back and working on the first square.  Not a lot done, so not worthy of picture yet.

Not sure this one will come again this year, it's fun to stitch on, but I have so many other WIPs that I want to touch and see if I can't get a few more finishes this year.

This last one is Elizabeth Eyles by Scarlet Letter.  It's a little better than 1/2 done.  

I took this picture when I had to move the q-snaps.  I'm close to having page 4 finished and have a good hunk of page 5 done as well.  There is a row of speciality stitches and while I know I've done the stitch before, for some reason I just can't get into the rhythm of the stitch.  So for now I'm just leaving that space open and will figure it out later.

Well that is all that I've done this month.  I'm debating if August will be for all my angels?  as my WIPGO called for 2 of them, and I have one that was called a few months ago that I just haven't wanted to work on and it just sits and stares at me day after day.   or I might leave all the angels for December???  There are a couple of other things that are calling my name, so will see who speaks the loudest.  

Hope you all had great stitching time in July.

Sandy

Saying good bye to June - can 2025 be over with as well?

 I don't know where to begin, my world has been turned upside down and I'm having to find a new normal.  For the past 6 years plus I have been the caregiver for my folks.  The last year we had them in assisted living so it helped to easy my life, but still went and saw them everyday and made sure they had what they needed.  My Dad passed away in May and my Mom in June, and I'm left an orphan.  It will take time to settle everything, didn't expect to have to do it for both of them at the same time.  I will get through it all and then will figure out where my life goes from here.

So this is the monthly posting on what we have been doing and what we've gotten accomplished in hopes that we don't leave this world with a ton of projects.  If you want to know more about this wonderful group and join - go hear to learn all about it 

https://measi.net/may-wipocalypse-check-in/

So the question this month is to do a half year recap of what I've accomplished and if I'm on track with what I want to accomplish this year.

So I have completed the following:

The Mary Ann Aldred Sampler

Family

Summer Basket Sampler

Tribal Owl 1

Kind Heart

Tribal Owl 4

 I had identified about 10 that I wanted to finish this year - on the list about 4 were on that 10 and 2 were new starts and finishes this year.  So feeling pretty good, and I know I will have one or two more finishes for sure, the rest are up in the air.  Will see if my fingers can stitch faster than my mind thinks it can.

so what did I work on in June?  

This I my SAL with the Sunshine Stitchers - it's Put a Bird on It by Modern Folk Embroidery .  

I'm down to one last motif that is fondly called Big Blue - you can see where it goes LOL.  

I started it, frogged it, restarted it, frogged it, started it once again sure it was right only to find out it was completely off where it should be placed.  So the frog is well and alive and well fed in my pond.

So it's in time out, not sure when it will come out.  I have until December to get it done, so I'm ahead of the game.  Maybe I'll bring it out again in September.

This is Martha's stocking, which was a new start.  No plans for the stocking right now, just want to have two or three done and ready for new babies in the future.  That skirt is no joke and it's not done yet.  I might bring this one back out this year if I have time.  I had wanted to pull out the other stocking as well, but was enjoying this one, so it didn't come out to play.  Maybe later on this year.

This is Things Unseen by Lizzy Kate.  It was a mystery SAL years ago.  I didn't get it until I could see the whole thing and decided I like it.

I got almost the first 2 parts completed, I have to bring the border down on both sides and then will move on to the last part. there are plenty of mistakes in this, but I'm OK with that, they aren't really noticeable.  There are also buttons that need to be attached, which will be done once the stitching is done.

this is When Winter Comes.  I have 2 of the 4 pages done.  I stitched the bees in the wrong color, but decided I wasn't going back and fixing it.  I also stitched some of the flowers in the wrong color, but leaving them was well.  The house will take a lot of time to complete, so this one won't come out again this year, it will be maybe a finish in 2026.

Arc of White came out to play, didn't get a lot of love, but some.  I worked on the leaves on the left side and got them almost done.  Found it was easier to have 3 needles going with each color so I could keep track of where I was and use the correct color.  Worked out well.

There is a lot of backstitching to do, so this one won't be done for a while.

The last one is Courage - you can't see the lighter thread on the right side  too well.  It shows up better in real life, but not all that great.  I also brought down the side border.   

I'm not fond of the lighter colors, but at this point I'm not taking it out, it will be OK.  I will go back to the left and work to the bottom of the chart and add some other colors.  I have two more sets of initials to add, just need to figure out where.

July will be a busy month, but hoping to keep up the stitching mojo.  I have four projects pulled to work on, so will how far I get.  

August I'm going to really retire and then hopefully will have more stitching time and maybe some quilting time.

Sandy

May was full of sadness, happiness and numbness

 May has had so many ups and downs and with it went my stitching bug - I've not put floss to linen almost 2 weeks, so don't have a lot to show.

So at the end of each month we post our progress in WIPocalypse which is hosted by Measi and her blog can be found here.  https://measi.net.  Each month we also get a question to answer for May this question is How do you determine if a project is a UFO or a WIP?

Well for me it's location, location, location.  If the WIP has been banished to the basement, it is definitely a UFO - I don't think about it and don't work on it - unfortunately there are way too many projects that have been banished to the basement for one reason or another - mostly because I've lost interest in stitching on them - but I haven't totally lost my love for them and one day they will come back and be worked on - but not today.    My WIP's have two locations upstairs - one is on a small shelving unit and within easy access and the other is in a foot stool - I have to say the ones in the foot stool don't tend to get as much love as the one on the shelves, you know - out of sight, out of mind.  However they do get touch each year - but maybe not for a full week, sometimes only a day, but they do get loved.

Each month the WIP WARRIOR has a challenge (ok they have many each month, but I tend to only do one).  It's a focus, where you spend 4 days working on one project.  

I pulled out Put a Bird On It by Modern Folk - I'm using my own colors with no real plan other than using the dark blue or the light blue as the bases in each motif - well most of the time, you know how the best laid plans of mice and men go.

this month I manage to do the three motifs at the bottom, I think I did a little bit more than what is showing, so that will be shown off on another day.  This is a SAL with the goal to be done in December - but I'm thinking I can have it done before then.

I also participate in WIPGO and each month 4 things are called to work on - I do two projects in each square and there are 2 squares pulled each month (with the exception of one month we'll have 3).   I had already stitched on 1 of the 4 before May - so that left 3 to work on in May.  I managed to work on 2 of those 3.

First up was A Mind Independent and Free by Carriage House was called.  I managed to get a page finish - boy there were lots of words to stitch and then the alphabet down the sides.  I really like the saying on this one and can't wait for it to be done.  It will be long and skinny.

I also worked on Happily Ever After by Rebel Stitcher.  I'm doing this one for my middle daughter who got married last November.  Once done it will be for her home.  The needle minder is placed on the offensive word on the chart.  If I was doing this for me I would have replaced that word, but for my daughter it is fitting.  Not sure where my kids learned the words they use, they certainly didn't get it from me LOL - maybe hubby, his language can be very colourful at times.

There were the only things I really put any time and effort into this month.  As said in the title this month has been a roller coaster of emotions for me.

My Dad passed away this month - he was 95 and had a good life and until the last 6 months he was pretty independent, but things changed and it was suggested that he should be placed in hospice.  I resisted for quite awhile because things were going OK between the Home Health Services, myself and the assisted living, but then the Home health decided that they couldn't continue giving him the same level of service he had been receiving.  I think the nurse that had been seeing him either quit or was re-assigned to someone different and the new person didn't want to give the same level of service.  What can I say our healthcare system sucks.  So in order to continue getting him the help he needed I agreed.

In retrospect, I think I picked the wrong agency - he was only in for 2 weeks before he passed and it was a fight to get any services out of them.  They talked a good game before we signed him up for the assistance, but when it came to actually do anything it was like pulling teeth with tweezers.  If you need services - talk to several agencies and look them up on CMS's website and ask other people about how well they do.  While my head knows that it was my Dad's time, my heart keeps asking if I did everything I could have done.  I those self doubts come from the agency's nursing telling me that I should have done more if I didn't think they were doing what they should have done.......So I will struggle with those words.  Other than my one sister who thinks I should have done more, most people that know me know that I've been diligent with both parents' care.  

This month we watched our granddaughter graduate from high school.  If I were a peacock my feathers would have been display for all the world to see just how proud I am of her!!!  She is my heart beat and has been since the day she was born.  

She graduated with honours, which was amazing given her Dad doesn't believe in women having an education and certainly didn't help her achieve that honour.    She has been accepted at University of Louisville and will go into their nursing program, I've told her she is only limited by her desire, we are so proud of her.  

She will come and live with my daughter in our house (which we get to visit periodically) for the summer until she can move into her dorms.  We will be close enough that she will have someplace to go on long weekends and holidays.  I, of course with raw emotions from my Dad, cried, tears of joy as well as tears wishing her Mom (my daughter) was there to see her graduate.   But I believe her Mom was watching over her.

My Mom is doing OK, she has dementia and while she knows something has changed, she really isn't aware of what changed.  I'm glad she is in the assisted living and will have 24/7 care and I will continue to go and see her daily.

So going to get out some stitching and see if I can't get back into stitching again.

Sandy

April - and the showers have come and come again and again and again

 So here we are at the end of another month in 2025 - this year is just slipping by quickly and taking me right along with it thankfully.  Would really be disappointed to be left behind.

Each month we tell the blog world what we've accomplished for the month - mostly stitching wise, but sometimes a few personal things are worthy of mentioning.  If you want to know more about WIPocalypse than please visit Measi' Blog and see what others are doing.  It can be found here:  https://measi.net/march-wipocalypse-check-in/

Each month we have a question that we answer - this month's question is regarding fabric and is there a dyer we like and what kind/count do we gravitate towards for stitching.   I don't have a dyer that I'm over the moon for, but I do like the 36 ct. and 40 ct. to work on because I love using just one thread.  You can sometimes get away with using one silk thread on 32 ct. and I have done that, especially with my Shepherd Bush designs.  Of late I've been going for the even weaves, but do like a nice linen as well.  I've stitched all off kinds of fabric and I think the only one I really didn't like was joblin, the weave was too tight for me. 

I do love the hand dyed fabric, but have to admit I'm a neutral type person with just a hint of color and I don't go very wild.  I love seeing people stitch on the wild colors, and I've always surprised when I see something really wild and think the design will get lost its in, but somehow the stitcher knows and the wildness is reined in by the stitching.  Maybe one day, but for now know they aren't for me.  And NO I'm not a vanilla ice cream person - I love the flavors. 

So what have I been stitching since the last update you ask????  Good question and my favourite part to tell you all about my adventures.  

Coming to American by With Thy Needle & Thread.  I am almost done with all the names - it was a page finish anyways and one more page to go.  I know if you count the seagulls at the top that I've left off several and not sure if I'll go back and put them in or not.  There are more at the bottom and to be honest they aren't my favourite thing to stitch.  

I will be happy to have this one done and really happy to have all the names completed!!  It seems like I've had a lot of charts with words on them lately and to be honest I'm tired of stitching words - she says as the chart she is working on has words.

Next up is O'Santa by Rosewood Manor.  I pulled this one out and worked on it for a few days, but ended up frogging almost as much as I was stitching!!  For some reason that nose gave me the blues, you'd think it's a simple nose and shouldn't have been that hard.  But it was off and so it made me off someplace else - I decided to leave the other part I was off and just keep going forward.  So the two sides of the face will have a slight difference, but I'm OK with that and don't really think it will be all the noticeable.  We'll see when we get there.   And yes I am a hanging thread kind of person. 

This was from a mystery box I got and it came with the threads, just hope all my frogging doesn't mean I run out of any of them.

Mary Ann Aldred by Needlework Press is a finish!!  

I really like this one and hope to get it framed soon.  I stitched the swan's mouth closed as Id didn't like it open.  

The house was no joke to stitch, however it was the four sided stitched name that I really didn't enjoy doing.  

Glad it 's done and I can move on to the other samplers I have in my stash that I want to stitch.  I think with the ones I have going I'm pretty well burned out on samplers now.

This was a finish from last month that I got framed and gave to my middle daughter.  

She loved it and I loved the frame.  It's not very big so I thought it needed a chunky frame.  The lady where I got it done tried to talk me out of it, but I like it and I'm the only one that counts in these decisions :). When I picked it up she admitted it did look good with that frame.  That lady likes put matting on everything, and there times when it  really enhances the design, but this one was good without.

And another finish - Family by Dragon Dreams.  This one was started in 2015 and when I started it I thought - wow this will be a quick stitch!!  NOPE I started it and re-started it 3 or 4 times.  There are still mistakes in it, but I'm going to call it good and get it framed.  

I have another one that I was going to do with this one as a companion piece, but re-thinking that option, it might just stay where it is, those hands are no joke to stitch - there are like 5 or 6 colors in them, which when they are done you can see why, but stitching them???   I guess I should be happy that I have the right number of fingers.

I have one other that I'm working on, but didn't get a picture of it, so that will be next month's posting.  Not sure it will be a finish, but it will be close as I'm about 65% done with it now.

So that updates you on my progress and I've started the count down to retirement (again).  But this time I think it will be a reality - I love my work, but what I do is changing and not sure I have the energy to learn a new way of doing it all.   The work world might just have to go on without this person in it, and it will give me more stitching time :). And time with my folks - I'm blessed to still have them on this earth, many of my friends don't.  

Sandy