5/31/11 Mini Update

No new stitching, but people on the Cross Stitch Forum were posting up pics of the back of their work.  I'm slightly OCD and obsess CONSTANTLY about how the back of my work looks.  It may not be the neatest out there, but I'm really proud of it.  No loose strands, no knots and I work really hard to make sure the thread lays as flat as possible.

Do you ever show the back of your work? Or is it something you could never imagine doing?

5/27/11 Update

Finally got around to ripping out the stitching that was bugging me and changing it.  I'm very happy with the way it looks now!

The original stitching, plus the comparison to the cover picture.

After ripping it out and stitching what I feel is the right color combo. 



I'm pretty sure it was the chart that was done incorrectly in this case and not the completed work on the cover of the kit.  I looked up the original picture, and that specific area is a dark purple/blue with light pink clouds, not a grey pink solid area.  So, for now, I'm satisfied with the change.  Now I just have to remember to double check that particular symbol on the charts!

5/20/11 - Bookmark

I've taken a small break from the Cinderella project for a little while.  I just haven't found the time to really sit down and devote the mental effort that it seems to take just to get some stitching done. 

A few days ago, the children and I went out to brunch with their great grandparents.  Before heading home, they took me by Michael's craft store and bought me some new stash!  I got a few clearance kits and some blank bookmarks, which is perfect because I've been needing some smaller projects.  It seems that every kit I currently have is a large, time consuming ordeal and I definitely think that small projects bring a sense of accomplishment.

So, yesterday, I sat down and whipped up a bookmark that my husband had been asking me to make for him.  I charted it out myself and got it all stitched up a lot quicker than I thought.

It's very simple, but I'm pleased with the result. 

The back of this design looks really interesting as well.  I was going to try and cover it somehow, but since it's very neat and doesn't look bad I think I'll leave it alone.

Almost looks like another language!

I'm hoping to finish up a majority of my school work for today so I can get back to stitching Cinderella this weekend.

Contest Alert

There is a fantastic contest going on over at Samplings from a Blue Ribbon Girl.  Two lucky winners will receive one copy of Just CrossStitch Magazine (March/April 2011) featuring a design by the Blue Ribbon Girl herself.  She'll even autograph the winning copies!

Head on over, read the fine print, and get entered!  Winners will be chosen on Monday, May 23rd.

5/17 Update

I received lots of replies and encouragement over at my favorite stitching forum in regard to my concern over the color of my last stitches.  For now, I'm going to leave the stitching as it is and continue working around it.  Once the surrounding colors are completed, I'll look to see how the color holds up and decide whether or not to rip it out then. 

It'll probably be a few more days before I start stitching again.  I had an unexpected hospital stay last night and, as I result, I am a little behind on the schedule I've given myself to complete some school work.  Factoring in the additional rest I'm going to need, stitching is going to have to go on the back burner. 

Let's just hope that the stitching bug still decides to stay!  Last time something like this happened it took a few weeks for me to pick up the needle again.

BTW, if anyone reading this has a stitching blog, please leave a comment so I can follow your blog!  I love following other people's projects.

Have a great day!

5/15/11 Stitching

UGH!!!  I'm so frustrated right now.  I think there is an error on this chart and I may have to rip out some of the stitches I completed.

Comparison to the cover picture

I think maybe the wrong symbol was put in the chart.  The cover shows a purple/blue blend that I used previously in the left corner, but the chart calls for the grey/pink color that I stitched.  It doesn't blend well with the other colors around it in my opinion, so I think I'm going to have to frog at least 50 stitches and start it again. 

I suppose it could be much worse.  At least I noticed it before I did the whole part in that color, but it's never fun to rip out what you've completed. 

Tomorrow will be a no-stitch day for me since I have a medical procedure to do in the morning and I have a lot of reading to catch up on for my psychology class.  I'll try to stitch a bit in the next few days and (hopefully) get this problem sorted out!

5/14/11 Update

I've been stitching a lot the last few days while watching TruTV and streaming some jury selection on my laptop.  Is anyone else as addicted to the Casey Anthony trial as I am?

The top left corner is almost done.  Only a few more fill-in colors before I can put my hoop back on.  While I do enjoy stitching in hand, I really love the way the tension is when the hoop is on.  I just feel like I stitch better when the tension is consistent.

Dear Blogger,

Dear Blogger,

Please restore my previous post so that I don't have to worry about losing it!  Ugh. 

Love,
Lauren

Updated:  Hooray!!  Post is back!  Thanks Blogger!

Hooray!!

After battling with this SD for the past few weeks, one of the built in ports I have finally decided to cooperate! 

Here are the latest pictures for the Cinderella project:

I'm so happy with how this one is coming along!  I decided to work a bit more on the castle instead of the sky, mostly because I was getting tired of the purples!  Right now, the focus is on the top left corner getting fully completed.  Once that is finished, I can put the hoop back on without having to worry about missing stitches. 

Also, on the Day [9] project, it should be on it's way out to California today.  I mailed it off last week to one of his moderators who is going to hand deliver it to him today or tomorrow.  Before I sent it off, my kids were nice enough to pose for a picture with it:

My daughter was super excited, while my son was too busy pretending to play Final Fantasy II to really care.

I think I may work on stitching a few bookmarks on the side.  It's difficult stitching the same huge project constantly.  Sometimes I feel like there is no sense of accomplishment.  Maybe a small project or two that I could quickly complete would help.  Anyone know of any good bookmark patterns?

Twitter!

Finally signed up for Twitter... user name AmbitiousStitch.

Still frustrated at the problems I'm having getting pictures from my camera to my computer.  Not much point in updating if I can't have pictures, huh?

Pray that I find a cord to connect my camera soon since the slot for the SD card has decided to kick the bucket.

Update 5/3/11

I had heart surgery on April 18th and it's been a difficult time for the last 2 weeks.  Finally, though, I'm feeling more like myself again. 

There hasn't been a whole lot of progress on the stitching, and unfortunately my computer is not cooperating today so I'm not able to post up a picture.  Hopefully, I can figure out WHY soon and give a proper update.  Until then, trust me when I say it's looking really good!  I'll be working on one of the main castle colors next since I'm getting a little bored with all the purple.