It's Been a Bit

It's been so busy here; I haven't had a chance to post and even not much time to stitch. I received a beautifully stitched exchange in the mail the other day from Paula C on the Fair Squares exchange group. I can't wait to make these into an ornament.I have been working through finishing some of my projects also. I made one of my samplers into a pouch the other day so I can keep floss for one of my big projects in it. It's much nicer than a plastic bag!

I have been trying to get through my smalls. I finished the September Quaker Square yesterday. YAY! I also finished part 2 on the Mystery Stitch Along from LiveJournal's crossstitch group. I'm holding off on pics of that one for a bit. Today I'm planning to work a bit on the La-D-Da Freebee project that I'm about 1/2 way through. Hopefully I'll find time to clean up the projects scattered around the house - my dad's visiting and we need the tables back :-).

Exchange Finish

My exchange partner for Fair Squares Round #9 received her squares and posted the other day. So I get to post my finish now :-). I really enjoyed stitching these squares because of the geometric patterns and the bright colors. I've been stitching a little now and then this week, but haven't had much time to get anything done what with the transition to the new job. Also, my neighbor and I started walking again - soul food! Aaaah.

Two More Ornaments

Amidst all of the hub-bub of my last week at work I was able to wrap up a couple more ornaments in the Erica Michaels series.

7 Swans and 8 Maids are done, which puts me at 2/3 of the way through these. I'm hoping I can get the rest done soon since I'm getting tired of stitching the border pattern over and over!

I got the first installment of the Mystery Stitch Along (MSAL) from the cross-stitch group on livejournal. I'm thinking I might be able to get that done today between some of my other chores.

Right now I'm trying to get a couple of projects finished for display because my office is getting a little out of control with papers, project and books scattered everywhere patiently waiting for my attention.

Last Day

Today is my last day at my current job. I'll be leaving here in a few minutes. Monday will be my first day at my new job (funny how that works). I'm pretty excited about the whole thing. At my new job I have a 1/2 hour lunch in which I'll be able to eat & stitch. I didn't take lunch breaks before so this seems like it's found time :-).

I'm almost done with a couple more of the ornaments. I've been poking along on a lot of WIPs - hopefully I can make it through a couple of the smaller ones this weekend. It's supposed to be rainy (again) so more indoor time!

1/2 Way!

I finished up number six in the ornaments series on the 6th but was too busy to post until today. It was a good weekend. I stitched a lot (more pics soon), cleaned the house a bit, went for a bike ride and spent some time tracking with my boy dog. My side was bugging me, so I sat around more than I wanted to - but then again, that's more stitching time.

I started seven and eight in the ornament series, Free-bee from La-D-Da, my project for exchange #9 on Fair Squares and the September Quaker Square (finally). I'm hoping to be done with the exchange project today, and possibly the quaker square by the weekend. I'm not sure how much stitching I'll be doing in the next couple of weeks while I get ramped up in my new job.

In other news, there was a sale at the LNS this weekend. So I was there both Friday night for the stitch-in and for the sale. I restrained myself to only a couple of new patterns and some fibers. It was nice seeing the crew again. I kn0w I missed the last stitch-in. I might have missed the one before that. I must defnitely go in November :-).

A Stitchy Night Out

I've been plugging away on one of my exchange projects and am hoping to get it done tonight. It's the big bi-monthly stitching night out! I'll be heading out from work in a few minutes so I can do a fly-by dinner before heading to the shop. I haven't been able to make it in a bit, so I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again. It's going to be a fun time tonight. I'm hoping I'll be able to stay awake - I haven't been feeling very well the last couple of days and really should be getting to bed early. But then again a good table of stitchers is worth pushing through the allergy induced haze :-).

Ornaments and Happy Mail Day

A couple of days ago I finally got a change to fix the boo-boo I made on the "5 Golden Rings" ornament. I had put the self-stick felt backing on the ornament before I had stitched the red borders. I wasn't sure if it was going to come off nicely, so I needed a little time to psyche myself up. It ended up not being a problem. Whew!

Yesterday I had a string of appointments that gave me a little sitting time in between so I worked on the 6th ornament in the series. That one is mostly done. I just need to pull another color of floss for it. I think I can wrap it up tonight. Then I'm halfway through them!

When I got home I found a package from Cyndi H in the mail and opened it to find these wonderful squares:Now I need to think of what I'll do with them! Maybe a magnet? Maybe a pincushion?

Also, Laura M received my squares from the Fair Squares Round #8 exchange. So I get to post them - yay!

Abstract Progress

What a wonderful weekend! Ever since I out my notice in at my current job I've had a new attitude :-). Saturday was the last trip to the State Fair for us, a drop in on a party for DH's consulting job and some stitching. Sunday we did a ton of yard work, prepped a new garden, visited with parental-units and more stitching. And then there was the bonus day of Labor Day with a trip to Truxton for doggy tracking with my boy, a nice drive through the country side to scout cycling routes, a visit to the hardware store, adding soil to the new garden, a nap and, of course, more stitching.

Awesome!

I've made significant progress on the Abstract this week. I'm feeling pretty great about that project right now. I might be at about the 1/2 way point. It's hard to say, but I'm getting close at any rate. I'm trying to get one section done every day or two. I might be able to finish by the end of the month. It's hard to say though because I have some exchanges to work on and I'd like to get some more of my projects into a display state. Also, the new job will be shaking the schedule up a bit, so it's hard to know how the stitching will be affected. But this week is the bi-monthly stitch-in at my LNS, so progress is sure to be made!