February Stash Diet

First, I feel like I have been bad all month. Not much stitching. Too much shopping. It will be interesting to see what I end up with.
First,  a new finish!

Cameo Blue and Imperial Emerald-Gay Ann Rogers

These are hearts that I stitched in 2015 and 2016 but never got around to finishing. My finisher does a lovely job and is worth every penny I pay her, but I wanted to save some money so I finished them myself.
You saw this already-put I mailed it to my sister so I am counting it.

The above two photos are my purchases from Gay Ann's sale. I need to save my pennies for Eleanor.
No journal pages done, but I sent some art cards to my nieces.
So lets do some math:
Started with $181
                   +   25 monthly spending
                   +    5 Busy Bee (It needs something for the center, but I think it will be a pin)
                   +    8 Fishing Vest
                    +    5 Vest sent to Dad
                   +    5 Sugar Skull(sent to sister)
                    +    8 Cards sent
                    + 70 Finished Hearts
                    -     5 weight GAIN
                    - 138 Gay Ann Rogers
Total $161   Not too bad, but I hope to get more done in March.
                  

Reptiles for February

Not too much different than last month, but I did manage a few stitches on it over the weekend.
Tomorrow is Stash Diet and I hate to tell you, it is going to be bad!

February Small SAL

I finished Fishing Vest and sent it as part of a birthday card to my dad. He said he liked it...
I have joined the Small SAL over at Stitching Lotus
It really encourages me to get a small project done every month.

Working on Spirit Background

This is taking me more time than I thought.It is relaxing but I am ready to get my border in.
Tomorrow is time for Small SAL. Will I have a finish?

WIP Wednesday

First, a finish!

I was so close that I had to finish this. I do need to figure out what to put in the center, but I am not sure yet. It is stitched though!

I try to get 100 to 200 stitches a week on this piece. I think it is coming along.
I really need to put a needle to my HAED and my Christmas stocking...Also Spirit of Jean, Drawn Thread Sampler...the list goes on and on.

Do You Count Your Stitches?

I have decided that I need to get a few cross stitch projects moving forward. This is what Benjamin looked like when I picked it up on Sunday:

Here is what it looks like today:

I figure if I do at least 100 stitches a week, I am more likely to get it done this year.
So, do you count your stitches?

My Third Time

Sorry for the bad photos, but here is an update on Spirit of Jean. I ripped my mistake and then took the correct color and started stitching the background. I went all the way around and found I made a mistake. Rip, rip, rip. The second picture is that thread all the way around. Sigh of relief.
I really need to finish some projects. You know; get them so I can hang them in my house. Maybe next week? Don't hold your breath.

February Gifted Gorgeousness

I love this SAL Serendipitous Stitching 
It gives me permission to stitch on gifts that I have received or that I want to give away! Perfect!
This is a gift to my baby sister. Yep, it finally got framed and shipped out. I hope she likes it.

 And here is North Pole last month:

 And now this month:

Some progress although I am going to run out of blues...When did Mill Hill start making kits only using 2 stands instead of 3 strands of floss?
Go to Jo's blog to see what others are stitching!

Trying to Organize

First, I do need to take out the mistake in Spirit. It bugs me and I see it every time I sit down to stitch. Which is why I was in the basement and not upstairs stitching on it.

I stopped at Wally-world this morning to get a container to start organizing my Mill Hill Kits.
Here is what I started with:

 This container held the mess.

 And this one was the one I bought.

 I found that this box had more than just Mill Hill bead kits too....Shepherd's Bush needle rolls and a few other things.
Here is what I ended with:

I don't like the second box as the lid can't be placed on it. Does anyone have a good way to store the larger Mill Hill kits? Because, yes, I have more! They are the Christmas ones....

A Mistake

I  have been trying to get the background done on Spirit of Jean.  I had in my mind that a certain fiber was used. I was wrong.  I was going to keep going, but it bugs me. I will be doing some serious reverse stitching next week.  Yuck.

No Progress Wednesday

Well, I have done a little stitching, but not enough to post. I am having guests come this weekend. If I weren't such a messy, this wouldn't be a big deal. Sigh.

BUT, Gay Ann Rogers is having her Hearts Sale starting this Saturday. I almost did not tell you all because I cannot look until Monday. Those guests!

Do you remember Echoes of Elizabeth needlecase?

She is offering it again for this sale!!!I did change the colors a bit, but it is mainly her colorway.
Yes, yes, I am on a diet, but I can look, can't I?

WIP Wednesday

I decided that I will try to post a little something each week. I hope it will keep me moving forward on my projects.
First up, Drawn Thread Sampler.

No cutting for a while. but I got the start of the bottom squares in.
I fixed my mistake for 1st Christmas Stocking.

I restarted at the top right as that made sense to me.
Last but not least, Fishing Vest is ready for beading. I may get this done for my dad's birthday!