I am BEYOND crazy

I find it almost impossible to just sit. I have to stitch and I need it to be something that I am passionate about. When I am not stitching I have to be thinking about stitching, about watching something gorgeous come alive to keep me motivated to stitch. That's why I have had my most successful year of finishes. So this isn't to say that Peacock Tapestry isn't going to get done, I am sure it will. It just didn't feel right, struggling to get everything organized, the fabric disaster, the debate over replacing the fabric, working with highlighters instead of stitching was frustrating... it just didn't feel right. I NEED to stitch to stay relaxed (I am a bit intense lol) and I was spending far too much time getting it going. So back into the UFO folder she went. For now.

I survived my first real day working at my LNS. Then I went crazy. While tidying the shop I spotted Celtic Banner hanging on a peg. One copy. Then a former employee came in talking about how MOST Mirabilia's have been discontinued (which freaked me out and ended up being a mis-understanding). I got to thinking about how I have always wanted to do Celtic Banner and how frustrated I would feel if it was discontinued. Another staff member said "Oh we could stitch it together! I have my own copy!". So at the end of my shift, I snatched it off the wall and bought it. I also bought the fabric strip. Then I came home and started it. That's how things that are destined to get made work. No hassles, they just start.
To my friend Dani, I so admire your patience to have finished Peacock Tapestry. I will get it done one day and when I do I will implement your needle minder strategy. Did you know that if you Google Celtic Banner, eventually your site comes up!? It's just too wierd, we have the same taste in stitching! I can't wait to see you on Sunday!
To my wonderful hubby, I am sorry I spent more money this close to Christmas on stash. Just so you know, I am still planning on getting Cirque des Cercles but you will probably be able to wrap it and put it under the tree. Apparently now that I am 'staff' the copy that I understood was mine is now available to the general public on Sunday :(

Yup, I'm completely crazy

Today I start my new job. I am incredibly nervous though I probably shouldn't be. I've known some of these women for 10 years! Anyhoo, I need to hurry so I am not late for my first day, it's snowing and I want to allow for extra driving time.
Yesterday was the WORST stitching day! I did get over to Michael's to see if they had Floss-Away bags and they did not. They have a pitiful needlearts department, which is probably a good thing for my LNS but not so good for me. Maybe I'll find some today. Anyways, I started stitching. I figured I'd sort my messy threads as I go, that way I'll actually get some stitching done instead of spending the day sorting. I marked my chart for the colour I was going to do, did it, marked the chart for the second colour and started that one. Halfway across I saw a mistake on the first colour. Finding a mistake early in a project is no big deal, better to have found it and rip now than later right? Then I got a brilliant idea. I would grid my fabric. Only I did it in pencil. Right on the fabric. It was then that I realized the top pencil line was completely exposed, there would be no stitching covering it eventually. ARRGGHH!! I know BETTER than to make such a stupid mistake! So I decided to rip the border and shift the entire piece up about 20 threads. Ripping and ripping, even in my dark livingroom I could see the hint of pink left on the fabric after ripping out burgundy thread. Guess what? Now I need new fabric too. Fabric and Floss-Away bags. Sigh... I'm never going to bring home a paycheque if I spend it all at work.
No picture today I am in a hurry. Wish me luck!

I MUST be CRAZY

I have decided to go ahead with my UFO, Peacock Tapestry. I really do love this piece but the burgundy border turns me right off so since I have finished the actual tan/gold border and very little of the burgundy part I will hold off making decisions about it until the inside is done. That being said, I am worried that I won't be able to rip out the border if the inside is done... I would replace the border with a mat anyways so I am sure whatever happens to that fabric would be sufficiently covered. Here's what I've got so far, one BIG mess. I picked this up as a kit many years ago, before I became a 'serious' stitcher and I guess I have grown up since then. Today I would never leave my supplies in this condition! I have no idea yet how I am going to manage this mess but I will figure it out. I am thinking Floss-Away Bags (aka Ziploc Sandwich baggies with holes!)? Anyways, in the interest of keeping track of my progress here's a picture of where I am at today:
I have my working copy made, my highlighters handy and as soon as I get back from the grocery store with ziplock baggies I am starting, thank GOD I have Mondays off! Dani, I might need your help figuring out what that bundle is... it's not labeled!
Wish me luck and have a great day :)

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

Finished! I need to check the basement but I might just have the right fabric to make this into a nice big stitching project bag. I'll post a picture of it as soon as I've dug it out of that box... one of 15 boxes I will have to dig through! Hopefully having this to motivate me will enable me to pick the sewing machine up off the floor of the dining room and get those things that need mending done too. It's been there for 5 months. I guess I am going to make a decision about my Ottawa Sampler and get it done now, it would be nice to frame and hang it by Christmas, but I have budget issues to deal with ;)

On another happy note, I will be taking a wild leap into employment... my LNS (which is one of my webdesign clients) has asked me to work in their store, part time. Not having worked retail in 15 years, I am nervous but excited at the same time. I start Tuesday. Wish me luck!?

Monkeys Monkeys Everywhere Monkeys

Tada! My monkeys are finished! I just need to add the captions etc and then I am really looking forward to making this into a tote bag. Now I start the hunt for a pattern! Stay tuned!

Purple Woe

Hi everybody!
I am sorry, I have been too busy settling back in at home to post anything. Which isn't to say that I have anything to post, I just wanted to let you know where I've been. My purple monkey ended up being ripped out, I really wasn't happy with the dyelot that was in my kit. I ended up buying a different shade, swapping Purple Iris for Hyacinth. Here are the manufacturer's images of these 2 shades, there's not much of a difference:

Purple Iris Hyacinth

Here is a photograph of the 2 shades I have here in the house, see a difference now?

I want to make sure you understand, I am not in any way complaining about the wonderful gift I received from my boss or the floss manufacturer. I just want this project to be the best it can be and dyelots can be off sometimes. I am very much enjoying stitching this, the rhythm of the needle completing each stitch as I go is a nice break from Flower Power (not to mention working with 2 strands I can railroad again!). Lastly, not having to change thread colours constantly and dig in the floss box is nice too. The satisfaction of completion... I don't have to tell YOU how good it feels to finish something! I am pretty sure I will finish up the monkey business by the end of today, so hopefully I will have a pic for you tomorrow! Have a great day and let me know if you are stitching something fun!

I See An Orange Monkey

Well I am a day late but better late than never. Now that I have taken a photograph I see a small mistake but it is an easy fix (the small straight stitch that defines the orange monkey's nose is one row too high). I am into the city tomorrow for work... not expecting to finish Mr. Purple before the end of the weekend, but you never know so keep your eyes peeled for monkeys!