Packing Up

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Heather

We bought a house a couple of weeks ago, and our own home will be going on sale in just over a week. And, right now, I sit surrounded by drab cardboard boxes full of stuff that I won’t need again until we move later in the summer. At least I hope I won’t need any of it.

A small pile of boxes

A small pile of boxes

We are decluttering so our home looks more attractive for sale. We consulted with a home stager and are taking some of her advice. Although, we have decided not to have our home staged since we have a six-year old that may not properly respect the rented furniture and accessories. We will do the best we have with what we’ve got and a few new things we bought this week.

Unfortunately, I’ve had to pack away a lot of the cross stitch that was hanging on the walls. It isn’t modern or appealing enough. 🙁 But, this isn’t about what I like, it is about getting someone to buy our home. The worst part is packing away most of my craft supplies. My work basket, yarn bins, knitting needles, etc. will all be heading off to my in-laws tomorrow. I’m keeping my Daylight lamp, though, and a large tote full of projects. I can’t pack it all away! I’ve got three and a half months to make it through! 😉

My mini-stash

My mini-stash

I ultimately decided to hang on to three projects from my Turtle Trot list, the two shawls I am knitting, two half-finished pairs of socks, and a knitted cat that is nearly done. I also have my case full of smalls projects, and a few unopened cross stitch kits stored under the bed. I’m sure I’ll be fine, but I still feel a bit at loose ends.

Does anyone have any advice about  keeping crafting (and sane) while selling your home and packing to move? I’d love to hear it.

8 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch, Homemaking |

Smalls SAL – April Check-In

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Heather

Today is Smalls SAL check-in day! It is time to share the little projects you’ve worked on this month, and I can’t wait to see them.

SmallsSAL2014

I think I tricked a couple of you with the sneak peek I showed a while back. Here is the piece it was from:

Happy Holidays wreath from Teresa Wentzler's Gifts to Share

Happy Holidays wreath from Teresa Wentzler’s Gifts to Share

This is from Teresa Wentler’s design Holiday Jar Lids or Gifts to Share, depending on where you get the chart from. The chart was published both in the December 1989 issue of Just Cross Stitch and in the book Quick and Easy Cross Stitch Gifts. I stitched it from the latter.

And I also stitched the strawberry wreath.

Strawberry wreath from Teresa Wentzler's Gifts to Share

Strawberry wreath from Teresa Wentzler’s Gifts to Share

And also the grape wreath. Surprise! They are all stitched as per the charts, using some white evenweave and DMC floss. There was a small omission on the strawberry chart: there were no directions for the french knots. So, I did them with the brown used in the back-stitching, and I did colonial knots instead.

Grape wreath from Teresa Wentzler's Gifts to Share

Grape wreath from Teresa Wentzler’s Gifts to Share

So, what did you stitch this month? Please fill in the form below, leaving a link to your blog. I’m looking forward to seeing all your projects. Be sure to leave your link before May 10th to get an entry into the end of the year draw. Also, please consider leaving a comment below just to say hi, or whatever you’d like, and visit some of the other participants too. We all love visitors and comments.

Next Month: May’s check-in will be on the 28th. I have my fingers crossed that I will be able to finish the project I have planned.

20 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

TUSAL – April Check-In

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Heather

It is Totally Useless Stitch Along (TUSAL) check-in time again, and I’m actually one time. Please don’t faint from the shock. 😉

My little ort container

My little ort container

My little ort container is full of bits from the project I’ve been working on for this month’s Smalls SAL check-in. There sure are a lot of colours, aren’t there? And they don’t really all go together very well. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see why.

My large ort jar

My large ort jar

This is what my big jar looks like now. Not too bad for four months, I think.

tusalIf you’d like to learn more about the TUSAL, or even join in, please check out this post on It’s Daffycat.

3 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged

My Needle’s Work New Home

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Heather

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway for my used copy of My Needle’s Work. It was so fun to learn about everyone’s favourite animals. I was expecting cats to be far in the lead, but it turns out, amongst those that stated their favourite animals, dogs and cats are tied.

Needleworker's Favourite Animals

Needleworkers’ Favourite Animals

Both dogs and cats were mentioned seven times, and the remaining animals were all mentioned once. The majestic dragon gets an honorary mention, since Joanne said she would love to stitch a dragon in the lady’s frame, rather than a rooster. I kind of wish I had thought of that, and I definitely wish I had the talent to chart that out!

Now, on to the winner! Through the magic of a spreadsheet and good ol’ Random.org, the winner is:

Kaye de Petro

Congratulations, Kaye! You can check out her lovely blog at Kitten Stitching.

Smalls SAL News: Don’t forget that the next check-in for the Smalls SAL is Wednesday. I worked very hard to get my project done on time for this month, and I can’t wait to share it. And, I am really looking forward to seeing all your projects too.

6 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged

More Homemaking

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Heather

Gah, April is just ticking away. On one hand, that means warm weather is immanent. Right? Right? But it also means that The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle sale is almost over. Okay, I know this isn’t of interest to some of you, but, seriously, if you are on the fence about this bundle you really should pick it up. The resources in it are amazing. Check out the video below for an idea of what you could accomplish this year with the help of the bundle.

I’m already digging in to the resources that help with meal planning. And, next month, I’ll be making use of my free one month membership to Once a Month Meals. Seriously, if there is one thing I really, really need help with, it is figuring out meals. We are such picky eaters here, and have a few dietary issues, so food is hard. (The little man has severe peanut and tree nut allergies, and I’m lactose intolerant and won’t eat meat that is on a bone. Yeah, I’m weird.)  Any help I can get in figuring out menus, meal plans, and ways to make cooking easier is really appreciated, and I’m getting a pile of help from this bundle.

sewing school 101Another resource that may appeal to some of you is the ebook Sewing School 101. I’m more or less at peace with my sewing machine, but I found tonnes of handy tips in this book. The author covers hand and machine sewing, prepping your fabrics, installing zippers, and a whole lot more. She has even included some tutorials. You (yes, you!) will be able to make a cute doll carrier (I bet your daughter, niece or granddaughter would love one), doll clothes or a tote bag. This is super handy book.

BigBookBundleIf you’d like to learn more about The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, head over here. And if you have some questions, be sure to check out their FAQ. And all the fine print you will ever need can be found here. To pick up the bundle for yourself for less than $30 for the PDF version, or less than $40 for the Kindle+PDF version, click the links below. You’ve only got until Monday, April 28th!


These are affiliate links, and I will make a small amount of money if you choose to purchase the bundle. However, I have purchased my own bundle and I am only promoting it because I believe it to be a useful resource.

Comments Off on More Homemaking | Posted in Homemaking |

Stitch from Stash – April Check-In

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Heather

Oh, friends, I have given in to temptation. You may remember that back in February I mentioned that Passione Ricamo was starting another mystery SAL, but that I had decided not to buy it? Well, on the last day, at about the last minute, I bought it. Oh dear. Add to that the latest issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine, and my total for this month is:

$28.49

There is good news though, even though I am over the $25/month budget, I had banked $75 worth of budget by not spending anything for the first three months of the year. So, I’m still in the running. I wish I could have held out longer, but I really wanted to get the chart for the Passione Ricamo 20th Anniversary Sampler.

Would you like to see my progress:

Look at all that stitching! Way to go, me!!

Look at all that stitching! Way to go, me!!

Okay, I haven’t started it at all. Life has been too busy with everything involved in buying a new house and getting our condo ready to sell. My stitching time has been dedicated to finishing up my small for this month’s Smalls SAL check in (next Wednesday!).

I’m still loving this whole Stitch from Stash idea. It is really helping me reigning in unnecessary spending. Instead, I’m pinning pictures of charts and kits I want to buy on Pinterest. (Don’t worry. I am not pinning full charts. That is wrong, wrong, wrong.) And, I have to say, I don’t understand all the people who are really down on this challenge. First, it is voluntary. So, if you don’t like, you don’t have to do it. Second, the budget of $25/month was clearly laid out. If you don’t like that, again, don’t do the challenge. The idea is to stitch from your stash, not to try to bend or sneak around the rules. I wish I had more willpower, so that I could truly stick to stitching only from stash. But, things like the PR anniversary sampler, or the Mirabilia mermaid in the next issue of Cross Stitch and Needlework, make it just too difficult for me. But, I’m doing well (and doing it honestly), and that makes me feel great!

Oh, and speaking of doing well, my total spent on all crafts this year is about $89. I also spent about $15 on beads to give to my mom so she can make me a couple of bracelets, and I spent around $40 on some items that I may use to make things for my etsy shop. So, that bumps the entire total up to around $145. Still not bad at all. 😉

7 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged ,

Needlework Done and a Giveaway

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Heather

My Needle’s Work is all done!

My Needle's Work, designed by Lizzie*Kate

My Needle’s Work, designed by Little House Needleworks

Unfortunately, I ran out of Hickory Sticks, so I wasn’t able to stitch the border as per the chart. But, I like it find just the way it is.

A girl and her bird

A girl and her bird

My changes include: stitching the dress in Plum Paisley; using Secondhand Rose for the stripes in her underskirt instead of Wild Berries (both included in the kit), using Toasted Marshmallow for the other stripes in the underskirt, and using La Tierra for her hair. I also changed her eyes to Weeping Willow, since I am partial to green eyes. 😉

Giveaway

This chart is only available as a kit with the floss, and I know some people decided not to purchase it because of that. So, I’ve decided to give away my gently used chart (I’ll be keeping the remainder of the Crescent Colours since there isn’t enough to stitch the design again anyway). I’ll throw in a couple of other surprises, too.

To enter, leave a comment below telling me what colour you would make her dress. That will get you one entry. If you also tell me what your favourite animal is, you will get two entries. And, if you post about the giveaway on your blog (and come back here and let me know), you will get another entry.

I’ll leave comments open until around 10pm Eastern on April 27th and reveal the winner on Monday, April 28th.  Good luck!

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