Taking inventory

With all the baby stuff I will need to buy, it's time to tighten the belt on the stash buying. That means finishing WIPs and kits before buying anything new. So, let's see what we have.

WIPS
HAED The Awakening
HAED Eternal Promise
Magnificent Wizard
TW Angel Procession
Maggie the Messmaker
Barnabee's Quest (done)
Rose and Butterfly Quilt
A Fish Tale (French knots)
12 Days of Christmas Whimzi (done)

Finishing
TrickORTreat
Angel of Summer (for mom)
Generosity (done)

Kitted
TW Castle Sampler
Chatelaine Convent's Herbal Garden
Chatelaine Summer Afternoon
TW Futurecast
Porcelain Nosegay
Horrified
Poor Jack
Daffodil Run

So this is the list I need to work from. We'll see how far I get!

(I'm considering selling Summer Afternoon. Not sure I want to do it now.)

Mom the master seamstress

Mom made this cute bib on her fancy sewing machine. Note the embroidery that says, "I love my granny." Cajun grandmothers are called ... something sort of pronounced "muh-MAW." I guess she couldn't spell that one! I need to take a pic of the second one she did.

She went home Monday, and I miss her! And not just because she cleaned my kitchen and bathroom. ;-) I really need to figure out how to get her here when I go into labor in September/October. I need my Momma!

I didn't stitch much while she was here. Yesterday I did finish a tiny ladybug kit she wanted me to do for her friend. Of course I forgot to take a picture before I packaged it up to mail to Louisiana.

She also finished off my piece for the SBEBB Garden Exchange. She's such an amazing seamstress. I might have been able to do what she did, but it wouldn't have looked as good, and it would have taken me 10 times as long. I hope the recipient likes it. I plan to mail it tomorrow.

Sadly, I think I'm going to have to withdraw from the SBEBB. I was so thrilled to become a member (highly selective), and then I got pregnant. I just don't think I'll have the time once the baby comes. I'm also not going to do any round robins or exchanges for a while, after I finish the HAED RR (just two pieces left to stitch on). I'm sure everyone runs into these life changes once in a while.

Gaming: City of Heroes came out with an auction house. Of course I'm addicted now, checking my auctions day and night. Shades of World of Warcraft! Argh!

Wanda's HAED RR finished

I finished my section (top right) of Wanda's HAED round robin piece. It's Verdure by Linda Ravenscroft.

This weekend Mom's coming for a visit--arriving Saturday morning and leaving Monday morning. It's a really long drive (Louisiana to Texas) just for the day, but she wants to see me and help. I'm going to see if she can help me finish my Garden Exchange piece (hehe).

Next on the stitching agenda is The Awakening. I haven't finished my page for this month, and I only have a week left!

Garden Exchange stitching done

I finished the stitching on my Garden Exchange piece for the SBEBB. I now have to figure out how I want to finish it!

I'm now working on Wilma's piece for the HAED RR. She picked Verdure by Linda Ravenscroft, and we're doing sections of it.

Baby: We had the ultrasound last Friday. Good news is that the baby is fine. Bad news is that the baby was curled up with his/her legs crossed so we couldn't tell the sex. The doctor said he can try again next month. I'm really itching to buy baby stuff, but so much of it is either male or female. I wonder what people who want to be surprised do! We did manage to get the crib and the dresser/changing table (which is on order). That was a task. My feet are so swollen and painful that I really can't get around much anymore. No more driving in to work either. Good thing I work at home!

Eternal Promise Page 1

I finished page 1! The piece is a HAED, and the original art was by Matthew Stewart. (I don't know why Blogger makes my scanned images look so bad. Click the pic to get to a better one.)

This page was mostly border, but it was nice to stitch on something different. There was a ton of confetti, so it wasn't as easy (or quick) as I thought it would be.

I need to get working on my Garden Exchange piece now! It's due at the end of this month. I also have Wanda's RR to stitch on.

Pregnancy: I opted not to get the amnio because I'm so terrified of it. We'll just have to live with the consequences. I also have swollen feet all the time, and my lower back hurts. I can hardly get around. And I'm only at 20 weeks! Ugh.

My Stitching Treasures box finish

I finished placing My Stitching Treasures in the box made for it. I actually managed it myself. I cut a piece of foam core, glued batting to it, and then pinned and laced the piece to the foam core. I then placed a piece of matboard behind it and used my framing gun to secure it. I didn't back it with paper because it looks pretty neat as is, and paper is somewhat fragile and could get torn.

I'm pretty satisfied with it, though it's not perfect. I wish there were framing classes so I could learn the proper way to do these things.

I haven't figured out where I'm going to put the box. There aren't that many flat surfaces available for display items. And then there's the concern about dust since I don't use glass. Hm. I'd hate to just stick it in the closet.

I've been stitching on Eternal Promise, though it's slow going. My brain has turned to finishing off stitched pieces, so I may work on a few of those.

Pregnancy: I'm currently debating about whether to get an amniocentesis done. Logically I think we should, but I am absolutely terrified at the thought of it. I have a phobia about certain medical things (IVs in the hands being one). My dad was shot when I was a kid, and I've managed to get over my fear of hospitals, but there are still a few things lingering. But then who wants to get stuck in the gut with a needle?

Mermaid framed

I finally got this piece framed. It's Mermaid by Teresa Wentzler. Of course I still have lots of other finished pieces to get framed.

The frame was $200 (ouch), but I think it goes well with the piece. I use no glass on my pieces.

Even after framing, the piece is a little lumpy. There were a lot of color changes. I'll have to take a close up later to show you what I mean. I dream of having my stitches sit just perfectly, but that hasn't happened with my TWs.

I also forgot to initial and date the piece. I may try to stitch some in, but I'm not sure it that will work.

I've been stitching on Eternal Promise, but it's full of confetti. I have the first two rows of stitching done, and that's even after sitting for three hours Saturday waiting for Matt's car stereo to be installed.

I started Eternal Promise!

After all the hemming and hawing, I finally started HAED's Eternal Promise (also called Arwen and Aragorn) by Matt Stewart. I've only put a few stitches in over my lunch hour. I'll probably work on this piece this weekend while the guys are playing computer games (yes, I'm sacrificing my computer Saturday night).

This piece is even bigger than The Awakening. The first page is mostly the border, which I'm sure I'll get tired of soon enough. But for now I'm enjoying the blues and purples.

The Awakening Page 30

I finished the row today. I really like the snowy tree.

So now I'm 70% done--woohoo! I have 10 full pages and 8 small pages left to do (I miscounted earlier). I might actually finish it this year!

The other HAED I have kitted up is Eternal Promise, not Pearl Princess, so I may put a few stitches into that one later. I'd rather work on PP, though....

My Stitching Treasures HD

I finished My Stitching Treasures by Jeanette Douglas today. This piece first caught my eye at last year's stitching retreat. A lady was working on it and was having a terrible time with it because of the tedious over-one. I fell in love with the piece and don't mind over one.

It was a remarkably fast stitch, considering the amount of specialty stitches and over-one sections in it (32-count fabric too!). I would have finished it earlier, but I lost my mojo and the top block didn't interest me much. I picked it up again last night and am so happy to have finished it.

I have the wooden box it goes in. I haven't figured out if I'm brave enough to finish it myself or have it done professionally.

By the way, Matt gave me this whole kit last year for Christmas. He chickened out and asked Jeanette Douglas get all the many pieces. She was very sweet about it too.

I haven't decided what I want to work on next. I'll probably play computer games for the rest of the day anyway.

The Awakening Page 29

Here's the latest page. The snow-covered tree looks really neat. I wish you could see the detail. I've started taking pics with my digital camera because it's just gotten so big. I'm 68% done so far. Lots more to go.

I still need to start on my Garden Exchange piece, but I might finish up My Stitching Treasures first. And then maybe a new HAED start, which would probably be Pearl Princess. I can't really decide--there's so much to choose from.

Baby: I went to the doctor Wednesday. Everything sounds fine. I had some blood tests done but haven't gotten the results yet. It really hurts when the doctor tries to hear the heartbeat with a machine he pushes against my gut. He then gives up and uses the ultrasound--duh! I also found out that Matt's crappy insurance doesn't want to pay for the second ultrasound or my Nexium. Grr! I think we're going to have to switch to my insurance in September. Other than that, I'm having some nausea, headaches, and muscle pains in my abdomen. And some general depression for no apparent reason. Hormones--how lovely.

Roses: Barbara asked if my roses smelled good. Well, the pregnancy has caused me some congestion, but from what I remember, they do have a nice smell though it's not very strong.

My rose bush is in bloom!

I snapped this pic this morning. I'm surprised the wind hasn't whipped off all the petals.

Final Just Nan RR!

I finished Yuletide Wreath Ornament for Cathy's round robin. Hers is all Christmas ornaments. This is the last Just Nan RR obligation, and I should be getting mine back soon!


I'm enjoying my HAED again, so I may work on that some more. I'm highly tempted to start a new HAED, but then I need to work on The Awakening too. Decisions, decisions. I'm just glad I've gotten most of my mojo back!

Baby: I have another doctor's appointment next week where they'll do genetic testing. I hope all goes well. I've finished 15 weeks now. I think I might be feeling the baby, something like very faint flutters.

The Awakening Page 28

I finished the next page of The Awakening. After going back to the HAED BB, I was eager to stitch on this again. Only 18 pages to go (ugh).


I got the pattern in for the piece I want to do for the SBEBB garden exchange, but the piece is a little larger than I thought it would be. OK, a lot bigger... I still want to do it, so I guess I need to get started so I can mail it out by May 31! It's not my style, but I think the person I drew will like it.

Leigh's RR

Here's my square for Leigh's Ian Daniels round robin. It's part of Dream Sleep.

I've been thinking about a new HAED start, like I don't have enough WIPs. I could start Pearl Princess. It's been kitted up for a while now.

Mom's visiting this weekend, and she got to see the pregnancy belly for the first time--bigger than she thought for only 4 pounds.

Barnabee's Quest Part 2 finished

I finished the second part of Barnabee's Quest by Just Nan today. Since my desire to stitch has been so erratic, I decided to work on this when I felt like it, not just on SAL days.

I'll probably move on to a catch-up round on my HAED RR next.

Baby: Everything's fine with the baby. I'm 13.5 weeks now. At my last doctor's appointment, they said I had a little protein in my urine, which is normal for women my age. I gained 4 pounds, which is a net gain of 2 pounds so far. My scale at home says I gained about 6 pounds.... Matt thinks he has the flu, so I'm hoping I don't catch it. Eep.

The Awakening Page 27

At long last! Here's the next installment of The Awakening.

I haven't decided what I want to work on next. I guess I'll have to go fondle my stash for a bit.

Tash's RR

I finished my square for Tash's round robin. It's a section of HAED's Motherhood by Selena Fenech. I figured this one was a good one for me since I'm preggers. :-)

I'll move onto The Awakening next. It shouldn't take long to finish the page since it's mostly done. It's the lady's body, so I've been looking forward to finishing this section for a while. She looks good, if I do say so myself.

While I'm not turbo stitching like I used to, I am getting some stitching done. I'm having some sciatica, so I can't stitch for hours on end. Drat.

Just Nan RR for Allie

Here is what I stitched for Allie's RR. She's making various smalls, and this one is a pincushion. I stitched the Just Nan piece Rosebuds, rearranging its various parts. Click the pic for a better photo.

This RR is coming to a close. I think I only have one more piece to stitch on, and then we send them all home. It's been fun, but I am definitely looking forward to seeing my 12 Days of Christmas mostly done.

Camp Stitchalot

Last weekend was Camp Stitchalot, a weekend-long retreat at Camp Lone Star in LaGrange, Texas. It's put on by Ginger's. I brought The Awakening, and I got tons of compliments. There was a group of international students also at the camp, and the ladies I was sitting with made sure they came over to look at my piece. I was very flattered. I'm almost finished the current page. I thought I'd finish it there, but I guess the color changes just slowed me down.

I also bought stuff while I was there, lots of Just Nans and some lovely Ginghers scissors. I also have some Dovos on order after borrowing someone's. Heaven!

A doll class was also being conducted in another part of the camp, and we peeked in on Saturday night. Oh my. They were making a wood fairy, and I was amazed at the artistry--and the sewing skills. It even inspired me to buy a (hopefully) easy doll pattern from Joggles.com--fairy on a stick.

One of the ladies I was sitting with is also from Bastrop and my subdivision. After we talked, we realized that her husband had taken Matt's job after he left. They were also the couple who took care of our dogs on our honeymoon 3.5 years ago. Matt had asked someone at work to take care of them, and then he had asked this lady's husband to do it since we were in the same area. Go figure! Kathy said she had seen my stitching on the walls when she came visit. We also realized we have the same floor plan for our houses, which, OK, it's that uncommon in this subdivision. I thought it was all pretty freaky, as did Kathy, but Matt wasn't as impressed. We're going to get together again and show off our stash.

The pregnancy is coming along. I had a tiny bit of spotting, and my abdominal muscles are really sore. The doctor said the ligaments and muscles and such down there are probably moving around. I haven't heard too many people complain about this, but after breaking my toe on Thanksgiving, I guess my muscle are really out of shape. I'm now 11 weeks.

I'm stitching on my Just Nan round robin. I figured that at my current pace, I'd better get started!