Lollipop Flowers WIP

I simply adore this design! It was a late August start for me, and although progress is slow, I'm enjoying every stitch! I'm using good old DMC instead of NPI silks. The fabric is a 32 count Silkweaver Solo that I've had in my stash for a long time.

Usually, I jump around from WIP to WIP, but I've stayed faithful to Birds of a Feather. So far, anyway. *wink* Are you a one-at-a-timer, or do you stitch on whatever you feel like?

Yes, my bird seems to have only grown one leg so far, but birds are good at hopping, no?

There are some finishes to share, but I'll save those for another time.

My boys are now nine and six years old, with both adding yet another year in January. It's bittersweet to watch them grow up, and definitely happening too fast! Here's a snapshot of them this past spring with their friend, Penny.

January Roundups

Here are my finishes for January.

First up, I started this one in 2009, stitched most of it, including the date, in 2010, and I actually finished stitching on January 5th, 2011.

Their Songs by Blackbird Designs

Started April 2009 - Completed Jan. 2011

Stitched on 32 ct. Apple Brown Bindy with WDW floss.

I stitched the initials using my maiden name. I love that big, fat blackbird. 

I think I'm going to finish this as the front of a project bag. A fellow blogger has made a couple of these bags, and I'd like to make one, too. They are so cute, and practical to boot!

Secondly, I stitched this as a (secret) Valentines gift for Scott. I'm not sure if I'll have it framed, or finish it as a hanging pillow. Hubs has his own bathroom, and I think it's going to go in there. I chose fabric and floss that were more subdued.

My Everything by The Sampler Girl
Started and finished January 2011
28ct. Taupe with CC Cherry Bark

I decided not to stitch the border. For me, it didn't add anything to the design.

Lastly, I have a mini finish by way of the Red Thread series by Bent Creek. There are twelve blocks, and a border, and verse. My goal is one block a month, with the advancing border. These work up very quickly, so I have no excuse not to get this finished this year. When I started January's Snowman, all that was stitched was the outline, so it barely qualified as a WIP. I have finished block one, and have a good start on block two.

Red Thread Snowman by Bent Creek
Started (and promptly laid aside) September 2009
36 ct. PTP Earthen with DMC

That's it for now. I'll be back with progress pics., and some new stash to show next week. I also won a giveaway, and hopefully that will come in the mail soon, too. 

The weekend is not far off, and Saturday I've got the day to myself. Scott is taking the kids to see his mother for the day, and I can play all day. Should I stay home and clean? Go shopping, and treat myself to Olive Garden for lunch? Stay home and stitch all day? Who knows...although I probably should stay home and clean. *sigh* It seems it's easier to give the house a good scrubbing when you don't have stop every five minutes to break up an argument, get a juice box, or find a lost toy, etc. What do you think I should with my free day?

Thank you for stopping by to visit, and for the kind comments that have been left for me. I hope everybody stays safe (and warm!) for the rest of the week.

Rebekka  

Ok, so many stitchers are doing some version of the Crazy January Challenge. Some are starting 15 new projects, and some are working strictly from their WIP pile. Yet others are enjoying the best of both worlds by starting a few new things, while still feeling the satisfaction of knocking the cobwebs off some of those poor, neglected waifs laid by the wayside for a shiny new project by a cruel, cold hearted mistress. At least that's what my WIP's would say if they could talk. Well, everything after "cobwebs" anyway.

So, in an effort to appease my guilt and my wallet  tidy up my stitching room, I've made a list of WIP's that I'd like to finish this year, or on which I'd like to make significant progress. I am also allowing myself a couple of new starts, if the I get the urge. I am not setting a 15 project goal, but will try to work at a steady pace to finish however many I can. No pressure. Last year, I tried to push myself a little harder, and it backfired on me with a huge stitching slump over the summer.

Anyway, I will be posting the projects on my list over the next few days. I'm trying to get them photographed, and on the blog.

Miriem Brocklehurst by The Scarlet Letter
Stitch Count 182 x 310
32ct. linen hand-dyed by me using DMC
Started February 2009

I loved working on this one, but that big band of diamonds made me lose interest. 

Not sure if I'll finish this one this year, but I'd certainly like to give it my best shot. 

Here's the finished design.
(c) The Scarlett Letter

Well, hubby is home with take-out in hand. Our town has a great BBQ place that we go to sometimes. After dinner, I'm parking myself in my stitching chair for a few hours, until it's the kids' bedtime, at least. Ok, the table has been laid, and I'm drooling on the keyboard....I gotta go. Oversized BBQ sandwiches, fresh cole slaw, and beer-battered onion rings are singing to me from the dining room.  ;)