Spooky Stitchin' Stitch-a-Long

Hi everyone! Life has been extra weird lately. I had a "Quick Check-in" meeting dropped on my calendar a couple of weeks ago, and when I joined it was my manager and a representative from HR telling me my position was being eliminated. Sigh. Honestly, I'm still in the angry phase, but I had been looking for a new job for a while. I knew when my manager came back from her 8-month maternity leave my days were numbered. So now I'm applying for jobs and trying to figure out what comes next. 

The sad thing about being laid off is that you can't relax or enjoy the free time... at least I can't. 

I have been doing some stitching, however, so have not one but TWO spooky finishes to show off! 

First, I finished and framed the spooky moth shadow box: 

Just noticed that the top two aren't quite straight, but the good news is that they are just pinned in there so easy to adjust!

For some extra spookiness, I stitched the "skulls" on the moths' backs in glow-in-the-dark floss: 

Because I finished that, I decided to start a kit I have had in my stash for who knows how long. I'm not even sure WHERE I got it, but the price tag says Epicurean Boutique. It's a pattern from Penny Lane Primitives that was kitted up with all the necessary felt. I thought I'd work on it slowly but surely, but I ended up finishing it: 

yes, those eyes are terrifying

Now, there's another week before Halloween, so I'm going to get started on these sugar skulls:

Y'all know how much I love felt-and-sequin kits! I doubt I can finish all 4 in the next 3 weeks, let alone by Halloween. But we'll see.  

Don't forget to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks stitch-a-long, happy dance time!

Hi everyone! I'm just going to cut to the chase here... it's happy dance time!

I finished the stitching on the pink bird: 

Then I laid all three out together: 

And your eyes don't deceive you; for whatever reason the green one is wider... despite being the same number of stitches. But it didn't really matter... because it stitched up just fine!

I'm SO PLEASED with these ladies!

What's next? Well, as you know I love Halloween. So my next project is this "Spooky Moth Shadow Box":

It's stitched on perforated paper, then you cut out the moths and mount them in a shadow box. It's not a TON of stitching, and I love the colors, so I hope that I'll finish it before Halloween. I've "kitted up" the project, and I'll report my progress at our next check-in at the end of October!

Now I'm off to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks Stitch-a-Long, part 8

Another three weeks has flown by -- it's crazy how fast time passes sometimes!

Last time I had just barely started work on the pink bird: 

:

I'm sorry to report that, well, I haven't made much more progress on it. Also, weirdly, it looks yellow in my photographs. Must be the lighting in my house!

really, this Aida is baby pink

I love the colors -- pinks, peaches, oranges, violets -- and I love how this is coming together. It's just been my second priority, craft wise, for a while. 

What was my first priority, you ask? This silly gift for my husband: 

When we went to Crater Lake a few weeks ago we stopped at the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood on the way home. Timberline Lodge was used for the exterior shots of the fictional Overlook Hotel in The Shining. I found this pattern on Etsy that has the famous hallway carpet pattern as the frame, and the words Jack Nicholson is typing over and over. I adapted it to say "Wil" instead of Jack. I thought it would stitch up quickly, but took a lot longer than expected and I hadn't even finished it when we pulled up in the parking lot. I'm not sure what I will do with it -- either frame and hang it in the hallway at home, or stitch it onto one of his packing cubes because travel makes us both less dull. :) 

I have another project I'm going to start on October 1 (because you know I like a spooky season project!) but between now and September 30 I will be stitching away on this pink bird. Fewer distractions, so hopefully I'll get at least half of the stitching done. 

Now I'm off to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks Stitch-a-Long, part 7

Just got back from a fantastic weekend away, so posting this later than usual on Stitch-a-Long Sunday.

Last time I had finished the blue bird, and "kitted" the pink bird: 

Well, I made only the tiniest dent on pinkie, but as we always say, all progress is progress!

Life is alway extra crazy at the end of summer -- trying to do all the summer things before it's over. So I can make no predictions as to how much progress I expect in the next three weeks. But we'll see! Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks Stitch-a-Long, part 6

Three more weeks? What??? Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. 

Last time I had been working on the blue Groovy Chick:

I am happy to report that I have finished the blue chick:

I love those eyelashes! (And I'm sorry the picture is so washed out.)

Pink bird is "kitted" and ready to go: 

By our next check in I hope to have made a good start on pinkie, possibly even to be halfway. I have a mini-vacation between now and then, not sure if I'll bring this project or a different one along. So we'll see. 

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Groovy Chicks Stitch-a-Long, part 5

Hi everyone! As always in the summer, I can't believe 3 weeks have gone by. 

Last time I had started the Groovy Chicks series, and finished the stitching on the green chick:

This time I started on the blue chick, and I think I'm about halfway done: 

I keep feeling surprised at how the paisley patterns are taking longer to stitch than the simpler patterns on the chickens, but I really love the colors on these. Hopefully I'll finish the stitching on the blue bird by our next check-in and be ready to take on the pink one!

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens -- and Groovy Chicks -- Stitch-a-Long, part 4

Hi everyone! Determined to post ON TIME this time. :) 

Last time I had actually stitched up all three of the Funky Chickens: 

So this time I decided to start in on the Groovy Chicks pattern, also by Satsuma Street. 

I love the colors and patterns on these, and decided to stitch them as designed -- on pale green, pink, and blue fabric. I started in on the pale green one and finished the stitching: 

The paisley patterns are fun, but more detailed to stitch and a little more complicated. Still, I like how they look and I feel like these birds will have more personality than their chicken pals. 

I'm now going to start working on the blue bird, and hope to be halfway done by our next check-in. 

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 3

Hi everyone! Somehow I got my weeks messed up and forgot to post an update on time. Summer does that to me...

Last time I had gotten the stitching done on the rooster and chicken #1: 

I had two cross-country flights and got a LOT of stitching done. How much? Well, I stitched all three of the chickens: 

And then, well, I stitched them up: 

It was surprisingly challenging to stitch them together, but I'm still pleased by how they turned out. I stuffed them with a mix of fiberfill and, for weight, dried soybeans. They sit with a satisfying solidity, though I don't know what I'll ever do with them. 

Next up, I'm excited to say, is the Groovy Chicks pattern, also by Satsuma Street. I thought the chickens had personality, but these birds are verrrrry vibrant!

I hope by our next check in ... which I will actually do ON TIME ;) ... I'll have one of the birds stitched and possibly start on a second one. 

Until then, please check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- they're always super inspiring: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 2

Hi everyone! It's Mother's Day in the US so I am already running behind. But I wanted to post a quick update and encourage everyone to check out the other bloggers in this stitch-a-long! Last time I posted my wip: Funky Chickens by Satsuma Street.

And now, three weeks later, I've completed stitching on the rooster (bottom) and made really good progress on chicken #1 (top): 

Still loving how much these colors pop against the black fabric -- worth the extra challenge of stitching!

I have another trip with a pair of long flights before our next check in, so I am hoping to finish the stitching on all three. Of course, last time I had a work trip scheduled it was cancelled three days before, so maybe I won't be flying to the east coast!

I'm going to head back into the kitchen and prep the Indonesian dishes I'm making for Mother's Day dinner. Once I have things simmering I'll head over to check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on: Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 1

Hi everyone! Last time I decided to start working on some smaller pieces -- easier to manage in the busy summer time. First up, Funky Chickens by Satsuma Street:

I went on a trip over the past three weeks (more on that later), but I still got a very good start on the first of three: the rooster. 

I love how the colors pop on the black Aida. I'm using Cosmo floss and, well, I don't see much of a difference from good 'ol DMC. But I'll see how I feel as I finish each of these pieces. 

By our next check in I hope to have finished the stitching on the rooster and be well on my first chicken. 

Now, about that trip....

We just got back from 10 days in Hawaii where I was running the final race in my 50 State Half Marathon project. The race itself was fun, and I took it as a "victory lap" -- high-fiving kids along the course, thanking volunteers and police officers, cheering for other runners, and enjoying the time. 

One of my all-time favorite craft projects is a jacket that I embroidered for myself, filling in the states as I went along. I used different colors of floss per year, and finally got to fill in my last state. I very rarely wear it, but it makes me smile to look at the map and think about each of the races I ran. 

I'm now going to run over and check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- it's always inspiring to see! Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.