Stitch from Stash 2015 – February Check-In

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Heather

It has been a difficult month. Snow, cold, endlessly sick. I’ve spent more time in bed this month than I would ever like to do again. But, I’m on the mend and back to posting! Yay!

Stitch from Stash 2015AAnd, it looks like I’m back just in time for the Stitch from Stash check-in. Given that I spent a good part of the month in bed asleep, I’m sure you aren’t surprised that my monthly totals look like this:

Month: February
Spent: $0
Earned: not tracking, but most likely $0

Yep, I didn’t buy anything. I nearly took advantage of a Knit Picks sale on Brava, and nearly bought some supplies from Art Beads. But, in the end, I spent nothing on craft supplies this month. Amazing!

What little stitching time I had this month I spent on stitching my small (check-in day is Wednesday!) or working on the Santa’s Journey Stocking. It is coming along pretty well, I think.

Santa's Journey Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

Santa’s Journey Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

Hopefully I can get much more done next month, and continue being very fiscally responsible when it comes to craft supplies. 😉

6 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,

Sewing PJs

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Heather

Unfortunately, I have broken my sewing machine again… I finished up a couple of big projects and decided to change the needle. Well, I didn’t tighten the screw enough, and the needle popped out and punched holes in my bobbin case. :/

Poor, perforated bobbin case.

Poor, perforated bobbin case.

So, I won’t be sewing for a little while. But, at least I was able to finish up some PJ pants for the little man before the disaster happened.

A pile of pj bottoms

A pile of pj bottoms

I used some light flannel, which is nearly always on sale at Fabricland for as low as $3 or $4/metre. The pattern is Simplicity 3669, which includes several different tops as well. But, when there is a sale, I can get plain white tops for as low as $3, so I figured my time was better spent sewing up the bottoms since they work up so quickly. I do the seams on my serger, and then finish up the hems and zipper casing/waistband on my sewing machine.

pjlabelI added cute little tags to the back of the waist to help the little man make sure they go on the right way.

pjhemAnd I made extra deep hems since he seems to be growing taller much quicker than he is growing wider. I’ll pick these out in the fall and let them down, and we should get another winter out of all four pairs.

Do you sew pjs, or any clothes, for yourself or someone else? I’d love to know.

6 Comments | Posted in Sewing | Tagged ,

Trillium Finish

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Heather

Oh, goodness. I think it will be a long time before I use Kreinik ribbon on canvas again. Still, the finished project is totally worth it.

Canvas Trillium, designed by Diane Scott

Canvas Trillium, designed by Diane Scott

The design is Canvas Trillium, designed by Diane Scott for the fall 2014 Creativ Festival. It is just lovely, with a great mix of fibres and beads that really bring the flower to life. I’m very pleased with the finished piece.

Trillium petals and ribbon "soil"

Trillium petals and ribbon “soil”

I haven’t decided how I’m going to finish it. Perhaps as a pillow, or maybe as a panel on a bag.

14 Comments | Posted in Canvaswork | Tagged ,

Smalls SAL 2015 – January Check-In

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Heather

Welcome to the first check-in of 2015! I hope you had fun stitching your first small of the year.

Mandolin, designed by Mill Hill

Mandolin, designed by Mill Hill

I decided to start the year off with an ornament I’ve been waiting to stitch for ages! It is Mill Hill’s Mandolin from the Holiday Harmony series. I stitched the harp from this series years ago and always meant to get around to stitching this to go with it. Truthfully, I’d love to stitch the whole series, but I’m too cheap now to buy them all. 😉 Being more frugal certainly has its drawbacks.

2015SmallsSAL

I’d like to say thank you to all the stitchers who have helped make my life easier by signing up for my Tiny Letter reminder email. It will be much easier for me to send out email reminders this year. If you’d like to sign up for this short monthly email, you can do so here. And, if I can ask one more favour, I’d love it if you all would share this SAL on your blog by using the above image and/or linking this page or the sign up page in your January post.

Speaking of your January post, what did you stitch this month? Something Christmas-y while you are still in the mood, or maybe a Halloween design since they are so fun? I can’t wait to see. And that brings us to the other change for this year: a new way to share your link. Give it a try and let me know what you think. And please be sure to link you actual post, not the main URL for you blog. (You can get the post’s URL by going to your blog, clicking on the post’s title, and then copying the URL of the page that loads.) If you need more help adding your link please email me or check out this super handy tutorial.

 Loading InLinkz ...

This link list will stop accepting entries on February 5th, around midnight Eastern time. I’m still figuring out this new system, so please let me know if you run into any problems.

Next Month’s Check-In: The next check-in will take place on February 25th.

19 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,

Stitch from Stash – January Check-In

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Heather

Well, the first month of Stitch from Stash 2015 is over. I was tempted to blow through my budget a couple of times. But, I kept reminding myself that 1) I am taking part in Stitch from Stash so I do have a budget and 2) I want to stitch four stockings in the next two years or so, so I don’t have much time to stitch other things.

Month: January
Spent: $3.24
Earned: not tracking, but most likely $0

Stitch from Stash 2015AI had just a small indulgence this month. I happened to notice that I didn’t actually have all of Teresa Wentzler’s charts like I thought I did–I was missing Fruit and Floral Wreaths. So, I picked that up on eBay this month. Thankfully, I was able to get it for a really great price.

My focus for the month was Santa’s Journey Stocking and my small of the month. (Don’t forget, check in day is tomorrow!)

Santa's Journey Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

Santa’s Journey Stocking, designed by Dimensions (WIP)

In the spirit of keeping myself totally accountable, I also spent $15 on crochet patterns (more crocheted cat finishing coming soon!), and $34.95 on the Ultimate DIY Bundle. (I hope you didn’t miss out on that! It was totally worth the price.) That puts me at $53.19 for the year. Not great, but I’ve got so much to keep me busy now. 😉

6 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,

DIY Sewing Projects

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Heather

Today is the last day to purchased the super awesome Ultimate DIY Bundle. I’m so glad I bought mine on the first day because I’ve had lots of time to go through the resources in it and make some great projects.

Sewing the Sleep Over Tote

Sewing the Sleep Over Tote

The Sleep Over Tote

The Sleep Over Tote

This is the super cute, easy to make, and extra functional Sleep Over Tote from the bundle. I made this for my little guy using some great fabric I’ve been saving for just the right project. He loves it and is excited about having a sleep over, one day. 😉

Lucky Elephant - yellow side

Lucky Elephant – yellow side

Lucky Elephant - blue side

Lucky Elephant – blue side

I also whipped up this Lucky Elephant as a gift for a friend with a toddler. I love its vintage look, and it took me less than an afternoon to sew it up.

I’ve also taken advantage of several of the ecourses included in the bundle. I’m super excited about the daily writing prompts I’m getting from the 30 Days of Prompts ecourse, and hopefully the Photography 101 course help me take better pictures. And, of course, there is the free Craftsy class! I signed up for Essential Techniques Every Knitter Should Know. Sally Melville is super knowledgeable, and I feel like I’ve learned so much. I paid $34.95, and I’ve already gotten more than $100 worth of value out of it. And there is so much more to explore! I can’t wait to try making miniature breakfast food with Sculpy, and my little guy really wants to work through the chalk pastels books.

The bundle is only available until midnight Eastern tonight, so if you’d like to get your own make sure you do it today! And be sure to let me know what you made from it. I can’t wait to hear from you!

This post uses affiliate links but the opinions are all mine. I only share products I really like and believe in.

2 Comments | Posted in Crafts, Sewing | Tagged , ,

Smalls SAL – January Sneak Peek

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Heather

It is almost time for the first Smalls SAL check-in! How is your stitching going?

Smalls SAL Sneak Peek

Smalls SAL Sneak Peek

That’s a wee peek at what I’m working on. And, I promise, it will be done by Wednesday, January 28th. (That’s the check-in day.)

Want to know more about the Smalls SAL or even sign up? Head over here for all the details. You can even sign up for my reminder newsletter.

Also, I just want to remember you that the Ultimate DIY Bundle is still available for sale. Check out this post for all the details, or click below to pick up your bundle. When you do, be sure to let me know which free Craftsy class you pick. Don’t wait! The bundle is only available until January 26th!

8 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,