Sunday, January 16, 2011

On the 16th Day I'm Resting.

Happy Sunday everyone!  Well, the 15 Project Challenge is over and I don't know if I'm sad or happy to get back to some regularly scheduled stitching.  Quite frankly, I breathed a sigh of relief yesterday knowing that now I can just get back to stitching one thing.  Well, at least stitch on one thing for a little while - I am known to be a project jumper!!  LOL  But in going through my stash, I found a bazillion other things that I would love to stitch, so in a rather sick way, I wanted to keep going - adding new projects with reckless abandon.  But I decided to just stop before I drove myself crazy.  I have come to the realization that I don't need to ever buy another thing EVER (yeah, like that's going to happen!!!!!).

Anyway, here are Projects 9 through 15.  And again, before you chuckle over my miserable progress on anything just remember I have had a husband trailing me around and Mr. Bailey went for his little operation this week and is sporting what is known as the Cone of Shame (pic to follow).

Last Sunday, Day 9, was a new start - Sarah Esch - I just had to get something that was a realistic size into this crazy mix.  You know, something that I'd was sure that I could finish before the New Year rolls around again:



Day 10 was back to a WIP and it was Hannah Lancaster day.  I was suppose to be stitching this with Sandra, but in my true slacker fashion, I took a different road and went sight-seeing by myself.  Sandra's been barreling along on hers, and me - well, I've been driving in the slow lane:

Before:
After:

Again, not a lot of progress, but now that I have a little bit more color in this piece, I'm really loving it.  It seemed rather drab on the cover, but is so much prettier in real life.

Say 11 was a new start day and I picked Miriam Chilvers:



Now, I'm really on the fence with this one.  I have seen this sampler done on this fabric - Vintage Meadowrue, I think - on another blog, but I'm not sure that I'm going to like it.  It actually photographed better than what it looks like to the naked eye.  I may have to revisit the fabric on this one.

Day 12 was back to an oldie - Frances Eden:

Before:

After:

Okay, no chuckling here - not too much accomplished!!!

Day 13 was a new piece - Sovine Palphreyman:

I like this one a lot.  The colors are funky!!!  And fun.  On 34 ct. Cafe au Lait linen.  I just realized as I was typing that, that three of my new pieces are single women - not the traditional A&E's.  Hannah, Sovine and Miriam are all women alone.  I think that I'd like a wall devoted to samplers with just women in them.

Day 14 - well, I was suppose to go back to a WIP and finish on Day 15 with a new piece, but I decided to reverse that because I wanted to spend some time on my last WIP in the challenge, so I went to another new piece - Stories to Live By - Eve.  Another smaller project that should work up fast.

I think that if I had this one and Sovine on scroll rods I would have made a lot more progress on both of them.  Working on a hoop or in hand really slows me down.

So now we come to Day 15 and I wanted to end it with a bang - with the piece that I really, really hope that I can get finished this year - Ann Medd.  When I last took a good picture of her, she looked like this - like a darned bedspread:

Then I worked on her some more here and there:

And on the fifteenth day, I got almost the entire verse done on the left:


Doing the verse is actually a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, there are twenty six verses in total (I think) divided between both sides of the sampler - the first verse starts with the letter "A" and each verse works it's way through the alphabet.  This is "I" and the next one will be "K"  The letter "J" is skipped as it wasn't used in older samplers for various reasons.  This is going to be my focus piece for a while.  Poor Ann was my New Year's start back in 2006 so I think that I really should give it the old college try here.

On the quilting front, I didn't do too much so don't have pictures.  Which is unfortunate because another Block in my Civil War Tribute showed up this week.  UGH - I can't sew fast enough!!!  I hope to spend some time today and tomorrow, while I have a dog sitters around, to put the pedal to the metal and get some sewing done.  But I did add another stash project into the pile (thanks Loraine!!!!).  Many years ago, I joined a BOM for the Dear Jane quilt and then right after that life just got too darned busy and I stopped quilting.  These little bundles have been waiting for me for over eight years.  With the encouragement of Loraine, who is working on this with her mother and SIL, I'm biting the bullet.  No time like the present, right?

You would think after working on the Farmer's Wife quilt I'd be tired of little blocks.  Well, not so, and these are even smaller - 4-1/2"!  I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.  But how fun this is going to be?

Well, with the aftermath of the past 15 days, this is what my stitching area looks like.  DH has raised his eyebrows a few time and DD asked numerous times what I'm pulling out now:


24 project envelopes full of Challenge projects, a couple new ones and few others that are WIPs (yes, Michelle, Provence is in there!!!):

And a huge mess around the stitching chair.

But now I'm breathing a sigh of relief!  But it's been a lot of fun and made me go through stash and, of course, I made a huge list of other things I'd like to stitch and quilt this year.  Although, truth be told, I'll be one happy camper if I can get through half the things that I've put into this challenge.  (Oh, and a note to my sister Cindy who I know stalks this blog - the Mermaid isn't part of the challenge even though I probably should have added it as one.  She's on her own and I haven't forgotten about her.   She is seeing some stitchy love too!!) 

On the home front - everyone will be out of my hair next Tuesday!  Ya Hoo.  Well, that is if we don't get a winter storm that they've been predicting for Monday.  Fingers crossed it misses us!  DH is doing well with his shoulder, DS is recuperated although still coughing to beat the band - he's had one vicious bug!!  The only caveat to this whole thing is Mr. Bailey.  He had his "little" surgery this week and is none too happy about it, but would you be happy if you had to wear this?

Yes, the Cone of Shame and it's driving him absolutely nuts.  This dog usually runs on high octane, but that cone has really hampered him.  But he'll be able to get it off on Wednesday.  I can only imagine how he's going to be when it's taken off.  He'll probably be bouncing off of walls!  LOL

I have to say that I've had a great time following everyone's challenges these past couple weeks and again, have only had time for a few hit or miss comments.  Hopefully, my life will return to normal this coming week.  But, it's been a lot of fun watching what things people have pulled out of their stash to do, and unfortunately, reminded me of things that I have in my stash! LOL  But that's a good thing!

I want to thank everyone for your wonderful comments to my post on first half of this challenge.  They truly mean a lot to me and do keep me going!!!  I hope that everyone has a wonderful week and can make great progress on their own Challenge pieces!

57 comments:

Carol R said...

Congratulations on completing the challenge - I didn't even attempt it. You have lots of lovely WIPs!

Cari said...

Oh my gosh Deb...your Ann Medd is just beautiful. I am IMPRESSED...of course I'm always impressed with your selections and stitching and quilting and picture taking and Bailey loving..... LOL I put all of my starts into a huge basket and thought...I need to take a pic of this one too! I also found many, many other pieces that I'd love to stitch but why pull out the entire stitching closet and put into the basked.... Yikes. I'm so looking forward to your progress on all of your needlework projects. Hugs and have a GREAT WEEK !!

Margaret said...

I love all your projects! All great choices -- and good to throw in some WIPs. I'm looking forward to seeing an Ann Medd finish! And the Dear Jane quilt -- oh boy! I can't wait to see that either! I always said I would make that quilt, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Bummer about poor Bailey and the cone of shame. Now why is it that kittens are less likely to bother their surgical wounds? When I picked Mia up after her surgery, they basically said 99% of kittens don't bother their wounds. And Mia didn't. No cone of shame for her. Thank goodness -- I don't think she would have even let us put one on her! lol!

Glenna said...

What an amazing array of projects! I had the same problem with Miriam C--switched out the fabric and I'm happier with her, but let's face it, she's a low key stitch. Love your Sovine and Ann Medd (incredible) and all the rest and I looked at that quilt pattern, and are you a masochist! Yikes! Looking forward to following your progress this year, and of course, I also have about 3 huge new sampler charts I've ordered from the LNS, so the fun goes on and on. Thank goodness!

KarenV said...

All your new and existing WIPs are gorgeous! Congratulations on finishing the challenge.

Poor Bailey, he does look sad - at least it's only for a little while longer.

Kim said...

Deb you are going to have some fantastic samplers when you're all done! AWESOME! Your Ann Medd is stunning! You're going to have her done in no time! Dear Jane....dear, dear, Jane.....*sigh* I've got a few other things in the sewing room to 'tend to' before I dig out stuff for her, but I'll never say never when it comes to her. I may end up joining you. :o)

Linda said...

Deb I love all your samplers. I still am working on the same one I started last year. I'm on my last borders.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
Oh, my head is spinning with all that you are stitching! How do you keep them all straight? I can't imagaine what your stash must look like. And that quilt - OMG!!!
I just love that Hannah Lancaster and your Ann Medd is incredible beyond belief.
Mr. Bailey is just too cute in his lampshade. Cone of shame is a very cute name, too. I'm sure he will be a crazy guy when that is finally gone. So happy that you are a responsible pet owner (but I new you would be!).
Happy stitchin' :)
Lauren

Jennifer said...

I really like the idea of having a wall of sampler women!

Faye said...

Wow~~ That's about all I can say!~~ When I saw Ann M I about passed out and then you showed more progress on it~~ Wowsers~~ I though my "up for a challenge" pieces to finish this year were big, but you have me beat I do believe!!

I love samplers also and sure am anxious to see yours unfold into finished works of art.... Take care and again, congrats on all the progress you have! Faye

Meadows08 said...

Ann Medd is absolutely incredible! Congrats to you for even starting that one and congratulations for completing phase one of the crazy challenge.

BrendaS said...

OMG Deb! You certainly have a lot of large projects to do! I love your Ann Medd Sampler. That is such a beautiful piece.

I hope Bailey is feels better soon!

Your choice of quilt projects is always inspiring too:)))

Thanks for sharing.

Catherine said...

Great projects!

Best wishes for Bailey!

Ranae said...

What lovely glorious WIPS. I love every single one of them,lol
I would never have to buy another single stitchy either, I have enough to last this life time X 5, lol But a girl can never have too much.
Poor Bailey, give him some hugs and kiss from me

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Your WIPS are lovely and love the last one, so much progress in such little time, how do you do it? ;0

Bailey looks about as sad as Abbie when she got home after her little surgery but they perk back up......the cone is huge though....LOL

Jennifer

Annie said...

You picked some beautiful pieces for the challenge. That's so funny how the momentum took hold and you wanted to keep starting more! ;-)

Poor Mr. Bailey... and now that you showed him online, it will probably go viral and embarrass him further!

Myra said...

Congratulations on completing the challenge. You really chose some ambitious (to me) pieces but oh the beauties you will have when they are finished. Poor Bailey looks so sad, he will be nuts when he finally gets it taken off. :o)

The French Bear said...

Wow and wow again, if only I could have that many pieces of art on the go!!!! Beautiful....I love to see it all, I don't mind that you need to have twenty some pouches to hold it......HAhaaha!!! Love the stitching, to me it looks awesome!
Poor Bailey......awwww he looks sooooo sad....poor poor puppy!!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Cole said...

Congratulations on the challenge, you have some amazing pieces in there!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Wow, you've picked wonderful projects for your 2011 Challenge. I've really enjoyed following the blogs of all those that took the challenge.
I can't believe you'll be working on the Dear Jane quilt after piecing all those Farmer's Wife blocks. More power to you.
Poor Bailey. Mr. O didn't have to wear a 'cone of shame'... I wonder how they determine who needs one and who doesn't?

Sylvia said...

You have such wonderful project. Your Ann Medd is stunning. Poor Bailey - its no fun having the cone of shame on.... hope he does not run into you too much, because that hurts.

Denise said...

Oh my Goodness! Somehow I missed the post that started your challenge - my apologies! I can't even begin to comprehend all of your projects - Ann Mead makes a Mystic Stitch pattern look small!

And the quilting -- Could you invite us all over to oogle your stash and projects --- oh, yeah, that's what this blog is! Duh!

Mr Bailey -- oh, poor pup! I hope he's feeling better soon. And the males are soon to fly the coop - woohoo for you!

I must admit - your organization for your projects is AMAZING! In my dreams!

Hope your stitching/dewing machine is humming today!

Love to Stitch said...

You have made great progress Deb! Love your new WIPS and Ann is looking super close to being done-- and so worth all of your work on her for sure. Isnt is great fun to just pull out the stash and just play with it once in a while? (PS, if we went into the garage and started pulling out the tools they have hidden in there.....LOL) And heck yes, there isnt a limit on what you can work on, as long as you are stitching or quilting---- and you are enjoying yourself, is all that matters. Awesome :)

Sherry :o) said...

ok, I know there's a couple "small" things (not like an ornament small though) in your challenge pieces - geez, you pick the biggies! And your stitching is beautiful - both on line and what I've seen with my own eye!

Hope life gets back to normal for you - I hate when my routine is messed up. Do your kids have Monday off? We are off for a professional development day. DS doesn't have a full week of school for four weeks now.

Poor doggie - but cute!

Sherry :o) said...

forgot to ask too - do you lay on the floor to take pics of your bigger pieces - I am always casting shadows on my pics and I can't seem to get away from that unless I photograph out-of-doors on a sunny day - and ain't gonna do that now with the chill in the air (and I love the cold)!!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Holey Tamoley! I don't even know where to begin - what AWESOME projects and great new starts! I love all of them but am really impressed (as is the rest of the stitching world) with your progress on Ann Medd. Stunning! I can't wait to see that one done, framed and hanging! Sweet Bailey - poor guy!

Glad DS and DH are doing better!

Lainey said...

Congratulations on the challenge Debbie, you have so many beautiful projects.
Aww poor Bailey still looks so cute!

Robin (Samplerbird) said...

All of the projects you have chosen for the challenge are wonderful! I always look forward to visiting your blog to see what you have been up to because I know it will be amazing. Good to hear that your gang are all fit to go back to school and work this week. A little alone time wouldn't hurt, right? Baily is a real cutie, hope he recovers quickly!

Jan said...

Goodness, Debbie...I am so impressed with all that you have going on! Such absolutely brilliant choices...can you just imagine how truly exhilarating it will be, if you do get all (well at least most) of these pieces done in 2011? So many of them I would love to stitch myself (and you are thinking no surprise there) and I will certainly very much so enjoy seeing your progresses!

Poor Bailey is looking anything but happy, poor little guy! Give him a hug around the neck for me!

Have a great week, and I hope everyone in your house stays healthy and things get back to normal for you!

Melissa said...

Oh, Bailey looks like he's thinking "I'm going to get you for this. Payback time is coming!" lol But you knew that too didn't you?

Love all your stitching goodness! (yes, I did giggle too)

Yvette said...

OH MY GOD!!!!!! OMG!!!! OH MY!!!!!!!! You are the queen of needlework my friend. I am in awe of all the projects you have going.

Dear Jane?? I took mine out of hiding too.

Ahhhhhh, poor cone head. He is so adorable, with or without a cone.

Alice said...

The cone of shame... oh dear. How many beseeching and guilt inducing looks have you been receiving?

Your stitching is stunning. Just stunning. I can't wait to see more. My big question for anyone doing this loopy challenge is... how do you plan on working them all in among your regular stitching and former WIPs? Do you have a rotation, or do you just stitch what you feel like stitching?

I can't believe the size of that one sampler... how big is it going to be when finished?!!!

Carol said...

Congratulations on making it through the 15 day challenge, Deb--what beautiful pieces you have to look forward to working on this year!

Hope Mr. Bailey is smiling again soon :)

Katrina said...

Poor Bailey!!! Hope he's feeling much better.

Love all your projects, gorgeous :-).

Angela said...

I've had so much fun looking at all your lovely choices for the crazy challenge :) I love samplers too but have yet to tackle one but this is my year ;) Hope everyone is feeling better soon and everything gets back to normal. We are in for a storm tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to it!

Kellie said...

Your title is hilarious. Beautiful designs and beautiful stitching. :)

barbara said...

I think you made some most excellent progress, and I love how you mixed in WIPs and new starts. :) Yours was one of the few blogs I've been following during this challenge that featured a number of designs not in my stash ... and oh my goodness, I love them! Uh oh!

Poor Bailey and his cone of shame. But in Holland when we had Lola 'fixed' they wouldn't put a cone on her. They gave her some sort of Star Trek bodysuit to wear ... which she promptly ate off herself. I begged for a cone, but they don't do them there (at least at that vet) because they're inhumane!

Mary said...

I love your choices for the challenge! Some are new to me, and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress as you stitch.

Bekca said...

Ann Medd is a beautiful piece, I can see why you would like to get her finished. All of your other pieces look great too, so do you now have the rest of the year to complete them? Poor Bailey, he certainly looks a little solemn - I'm sure he'll be back to his normal self when that collar's off though :) Happy stitching to you and fingers crossed that the winter storm flies straight past you!

Sherry said...

Wow! Congratulations on making it through the challenge! I love all your started and worked on. I think I should give up on challenges. I love the idea but never stick with them very well.

I love the idea of a wall for women. How cool would that be!

Poor Mr. Bailey. I hope he gets rid of his cone and feels alot better!

Michelle said...

Wow! Lots of pretty things. I love that you saved Ann Medd until last - she needed that (finishing with a bang!). I'm looking forward to seeing what you're going to focus on now. And I'm glad to hear you've got Provence in that pile. I think once I finish Camille that Mystery 9 is going to come out to play for a bit. It's time!

valerie said...

Great starts and progress! I will be cheering over here for Miriam and Ann Mead. They are my faves but all your projects are gorgeous!

Poor Bailey...

Siobhán said...

I. Should. Not. Have. Looked.

::::thud::::

Dang. That was all of my chins hitting the ground when I looked at your post. OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!! I still have Miriam next to my bed, in her project bag, fabric and threads all ready to go--as she has been for two years. I have Sovine somewhere around here. AGH!! You are making me crazy. Maybe I should just keep going and not stop at 15?! ;)

Oh, and DH was looking over my shoulder when I pulled up your blog. He is in love with Ann Medd and can't stop talking about how gorgeous it is. You've made great progress!

I hope Bailey heals quickly!

Melissa said...

Great projects! I love them all. Poor Mr. Bailey and the Cone of Shame, he'll be so excited to get that thing off.

Dear Jane is the quilt I dream about making one day. Can't wait to see your progress.

I love your project envelopes. Where did you find them?

Giovanna said...

Wow, what great stuff - you've done wonderfully!

Sue said...

Wow, you've done 15 great starts, I love them all!!

Lois said...

More wonderful gorgeous projects!!! Well done on getting your 15 projects gathered together and worked on. Poor Bailey! I can only imagine the wall bouncing that will be going on when that cone comes off!!!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Hopefully Bailey will be done with the Cone of Shame rather quickly. Cody had to wear one for his knee surgery. He hated every second of it. It's hard to see them like that but it's to help them.

WOW! Project 9-15 are gorgeous! I have no doubt that you'll finish them all.

the striped rose said...

Those are mouth-watering selections!

Sally said...

Wow fantastic starts and progress!

Karoline said...

You've got some gorgeous projects in your challenge, looking forward to seeing them grow.

krayolakris said...

LOVE your projects...Ann Medd...amazing!!

Linen Stitcher said...

Ah, the colors in your lovely collection of samplers make a nice antidote for all the brown I'm seeing in my project at the moment. Almost like a little peek at spring! And I'm not a quilter, but "Dear Jane" is very intriguing. I'll be watching your progress on that one with great interest.

Nicole said...

Sorry I'm so late to comment!! I love all your crazy projects and can't wait to see more! :)

Maria said...

What a lovely works!!!!
I would like to get Sovine Palphreyman, but I´m looking for it and I don´t find where to buy it. May you help me please? May you tell me where have you bought it please? Thanks in advance.
Greetings,
Maria
mariaquell@gmail.com

Nancy M said...

All I can say is WOW! You did a ton on your Ann Med....that's a lot to fill in. Good luck keeping it all straight, I don't think I could.

julieQ said...

Such a gorgeous sampler you are creating!! I have really enjoyed exploring your blog...what a talent you are! You will really enjoy making your Dear Jane quilt...the blocks are really fun...and challenging.