Final WIPocalypse 2023

 Well, I feel that my WIPocalypse for 2023 was a success.

Gnome Santa:I can't find a photo and he is off to the finisher. Here is what he looked like at the beginning of the year. (I will post a photo of him finished in 2024!)

 

 Reptiles by Escher-Heaven and Earth Designs at the beginning of the Year:

 And what it looks like now:

 Sampler Book by Erica Michaels:

 

 I'm to the letter K:

!7th Century Whitework Sampler and the Finish:

So I started the next one in the class:

Lizard Canvas:Finish!

Blue Larkspur by Avlea-Almost Done!

Pour ta Fete by Lindsey Lane Designs:

I have a mistake and need to pick it out so this is in time out!

I, of course, started new things and finished others, but this is long enough for now. Looking forward to 2024 to see what it brings!

 

 

 

 

Th Border Meets!

 I always rejoice in the small things. I was watching It's a  Wonderful Life with my family when I found my border met up on Susan Schlitcher 1845! 

Joy!

Merry Christmas!

 Praying that you have a very Merry Christmas!

A Few Finishes

 Did I ever say that I lost some of my stitching after my WIP parade video? Well, I did so I had to start again. Here are the two Mill Hill ornaments I finished:

Charmed Mitten-Holiday Heart and Christmas Jewels- Diamond Holiday. Not prefect, but done!

Advent Calendar Blog Hop

 This is a lovely hop planned and hosted by the awesome Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching

If you haven't checked her out already, go over and see what everyone else has posted for Christmas or winter stitching.

Jo asked us this year about our Santa Stories:  Please share your favourite Santa traditions and customs from your family or your home town.  Maybe you always visit a certain Santa in a shop?  Does Santa arrive by train, sleigh or motorcycle?  Does your family have a Magic Key so he can get in or does he still come down the chimney?  Any story you think we will all enjoy.

Well, I have a Santa story that is fairly recent. I live in a small town in Illinois. The Christmas of 2021, our mayor(dressed as Santa), drove around in the township pick-up truck with a speaker yelling "Ho! Ho! Ho!" We got up and looked out the window, and thought-"What?!?" We all laughed and waved and went back to the movie we were watching. Small town America. It can't be beat.

Here is the ornament I made for the Tudor Rose Sampler Guild ornament exchange. I receiver Melissa from Measi Musings . 

I used Winterhill by Rosewood Manor Designs as my pattern. Lots of fun!

IHSW December 2023-What I Managed

 Reptiles:

 17th Century:

Sampler Book:

Susan Schlitcher 1845:

Dawn to Dusk:

Gifted Gorgeousness for December 2023

 I was part of an ornament exchange with the Tudor Rose Sampler Guild . Here is the ornament I received:

IHSW Start for December 2023

 Life is always crazy this time of year, but I wanted to try to post my before photos for the weekend. 

I'm stitching with some friends tonight on Zoom and several of us are working on this sampler by Tricia Nyuen:

I've been making some progress on my HAED by trying to stitch a single thread a day. I don't manage every day, but I figure every stitch counts:

And I managed to get the big center motif done on Susan:

The local Embroidery Guild of America is holding it's Holiday Party on Saturday. I will take something to stitch, but I doubt I will get much done.

TUSAL

 It is the New Moon so time for the Totally Useless Stitch a long. Just post a photo of your orts.

 I am making progress on Susan:

The colors make me happy.

Counting is Important

 Well, I think I am ready for the Zoom with my friends tonight.

We will see if I can get the blue section stitched.

17th Century Whitework Sampler

 I have a love/hate relationship with this piece. I love the colors. I love the thread-which is  Soie Gobelins:

I think it is stitching the piece while talking to friends on the 45 count fabric. I may have to do this in the morning when all is quiet.

Color is Calling Me

 I tell myself I should work on Christmas projects, but I keep pulling Susan out from the basement:

The bouquet is lovely and makes me happy. Doubt I will finish the center this month, but there is always a chance!

My Heaven and Earth Project

 I decided I needed to pull my piece out and give it some attention. I don't think 500 stitches is a lot per month, but I couldn't manage it this year. Take it to 400 for 2024?

I haven't posted a photo of it in a bit so here is a picture from February :

And here is where I am now:

I got something done on it this year!

It's December!

 I can't believe it is the last month of 2023. It has been a busy, crazy year.

Here is my calendar for November:

I'm thinking about doing WIPGO in 2024. I need to make it work for me so I am not quite sure how I will set up my board and what goals I will set. Here are my projects so far:(These are photos to show what I am working on, not necessarily where I am on the project)

Susan Schlitcher 1845:

 Earth Spiral-Terri Bay

Harmony of Nature Casket-Thistle Threads

17th Century Whitework Sampler

Dawn to Dusk-Textured Treasures

Pour ta Fete-Lindsay Lane Designs

Modern Folk Embroidery 2024 SAL

Sampler Book-Erica Michaels

Reptiles-HAED

WIPocalypse November 2023

 It is time for another WIPocalypse post. You can find all the pertinent information at Melissa's blog. 

Her question this month is: What is your favorite way to finish ornaments and/or smalls? Truth be told, I have finishing projects so my favorite way is to send them to a finisher. Or do Mill Hill bead kits which I can finish on my own.

Here is what I have been stitching:

Susan Schlitcher 1845:

She calls to me and I have a hard time putting her away.

Dawn to Dusk:

Finished the Letter K for the Sampler Book:

And I did a small amount of work on my 17th Century Sampler: