Monday, February 25, 2013

Before February Ends......

I thought that I'd make a quick update about what's been going on around here!!  Seems that my plan to post every two weeks isn't working!!  But this is what I've accomplished the past few weeks.

Work on Ann Smith is progressing at a slow pace.  I'm working on the over one scene and while not hard to do at all, it is very time-consuming.  I'm not fond of working with a magnifier, but one-over-one on 35 count calls for it:


It's very easy (at least for me) to get off count when working over one.  So I've found that I have to make adjustments here and there.  I stitched all of what there is of Adam last night.  It's amazing how much you can get done if you can find two interrupted hours for stitching.  Around here, unfortunately, that doesn't happen very often.

This is where I was at the time of my last blog post:



And how it looks today.  I managed to get in some of the section above the red verse, the red verse, sky and scene below that is all over one.  Slow progress:



In the quilting arena, I have managed to get quite a few things done.  When I've found a half hour or so during the day (not every day unfortunately) I've been working along on the Sylvia Bridal quilt and managed to get all 10 blocks for the month done before the next set of blocks arrived.  Although, I got them done two days before - just in a nick of time.  These blocks are what I finished since my last blog post:


And here's the whole group so far - I still have six more to go before the next month of blocks show up here about mid-March or so:


I love these blocks and I've learned a lot working on them.  Probably more than I did with the Farmer's Wife blocks.  Although if anyone has worked on this quilt before, you probably know that the directions for these blocks - or some of them - leave something to be desired.  Blocks with five pieces are given directions to be foundation pieced, while blocks with 65 pieces are instructed to be pieced in the traditional way.  A little wonky if you ask me!  But still fun nonetheless.

If wrestling with those blocks and instructions weren't enough, I decided to finally make a journey into the land of Dear Jane and actually got one block finished!  Woo Hoo!  This project will take me years to finish as Jane is kind of a fill-in project, but one block down, only 224 more to go.  Yes, I know - the men with the white coats will probably be arriving at my door shortly!!


Considering that these blocks are 4-1/2 inches at this point (4 inches finished), I think it came out pretty good.  I won't mention how long it took me to put this block together though!  This was foundation pieced and I should mention that it took me far longer to put together than it should have.  I must learn to put the pieces on the foundation paper in the order that they are listed - not back-asswards like I did!  LOL

And seeing as I don't have enough to keep me busy, I also jumped on the Scarlett Letter Manifesto SAL that some of us are participating in, although I didn't make much progress on it.  I'm working on this on Wednesday nights when I have time.  The past two Wednesdays have not worked well for stitching, but I got a little stitched the first night:


Another one of those BAP's, but I love it, and I've really enjoyed working on it when I've been able to pick it up (okay, it was only one night - but I liked it!!).  I'm stitching it on 25 count Jobelan.  Not a fabric that people use much from what I've seen, but it works well with this piece (and it's a way to use up 10 year old stash!!).  I had actually thought of stitching this on 40 ct silk gauze.  The idea being that you would do it in tent stitch and it would progress faster.  But I decided that I don't necessarily want to go blind, so I shoved that idea in the drawer and I'll just continue with the 25 ct. Jobelan.

Then I joined in on the Sunday Santa SAL on Instagram (#sundaysantaxs).  If you are on Instagram, look me up - I'm Threadgatherer (makes sense, right?). I didn't get much done on it at all, although I do have the star and part of Santa's face in at this point - just too lazy to take a picture.  For a couple nights of stitching you would think that I would have more done, but unfortunately my brain seems to have a hard time wrapping itself around the thought of doing something small - like something that could be finished in a few days.  If it's not a BAP, then my mind rebels and forgets how to count!  I don't know why that is.

Red Santa
BOAF Designs
Mystery Linen and DMC

And last but not least - Baskets:



Nice, huh?  Look closely.  Do you see what I see?  They're not done, they're just pinned waiting for me to pick up needle and thread and get going on these again.  I hear that Siobhan is wiping my butt in the dirt with the baskets.  I think that she's has over 90 finished and I'm still hovering around the 50 basket count.  These were suppose to be my stitching project when DD did her three nights of dance - I would usually spend one night walking around the mall (exercise with some shopping thrown in - I walk fast around that mall, but not fast enough to miss a good bargain), one night of Zumba (conveniently located next door to the dance studio) and one night of stitching - but since she didn't dance this year, that idea got squashed.  But now it's time to pick them up again!!  The picture above shows about 50 of them prepped for stitching, so I better get moving!

Well, that has been my past few weeks!!  I hope that everyone has had a great month for accomplishing projects and have managed to stay warm.  We're still in the deep freeze here with another storm possibly predicted for tomorrow.  I'd love one last big dump of snow, and then the sun can come out and it can warm up.  I am going to be so happy when Spring gets here.

Thanks for stopping by and for your comments and emails.  I love hearing from you!!


37 comments:

Diane (di) said...

Oh my goodness! I think you have gotten tons done especially on Ann. Everything looks wonderful Deb. Your quilt blocks are beautiful. Love them!!!

Me and My Stitches said...

It looks like you have been pretty busy to me! All great projects, but I really love those baskets!

Kathy said...

Deb, all of your WIP's look beautiful. With all that you have going on I think you have accomplished quite a bit. And, remember Rome wasn't built in a day and hardly anything else is either, lol. Just enjoy the journey...that's the important thing. Enjoyed your post and seeing all your lovely projects.

Yvette said...

WOW! Look at all that beautiful stitching you have done. I am very impressed.

Love yoru first Dear Jane block. I am starting a new Jane journey in April. There is a group of us committed to doing 10 blocks a month. We may be committed when we are done.

Vickie said...

Wow!!! You have so much going on. It is beautiful too.

Catherine said...

You have been busy!! Love all of your projects!

Sherry :o) said...

Oh boy...beautiful progress on all. I love the block you chose to do first for dear Jane.

marly said...

After reading "one over one on 35 count", the rest of the post became a blur. I needed a pill.

samplerlover said...

Ann is looking beautiful Deb. I have always liked this one as you know.

Your quilt WIP's are looking wonderful. - Sandra.

Linda said...

I think you got a lot done...everything lots wonderful! Happy Monday!!

Laurie in Iowa said...

You've gotten a lot accomplished and it all looks wonderful!

Giovanna said...

So nice to see your update - you've got a lot of wonderful projects on the go.

Ellen said...

Great progress on Ann, especially the over 1! Mine came to a halt, have put Dorothy on hold for other projects ha ha!

Love your quilt blocks, they are wonderful! Looking forward to your other 224 Dear Jane blocks ha ha!

Hugs,

Margaret said...

Love seeing all your projects. I don't know how you manage to keep track of so many at the same time!

Shelly said...

You've been busy! That's a lot of progress on Ann Smith too; all that in 21 days! Everything looks great

Grit said...

Wonderful work.

Grit from Germany

Rhonda said...

Your Ann is looking wonderful.

~Narita said...

You've been sooooo productive, no wonder you havent posted much lately! lol

Good job Gurlfren!

p.s. I'm loving the colors on your sampler, so vivid and gorgeous

HollyXSing said...

Deb:

I'm dissappointed that you didn't go silk gauze on the Manifesto:(

BUT, the joblean looks great. I'm stitching the Prairie Schooler Alphabet piece on 28 count joblean. I love it!

Keep up the beautifl work,

-Holly in VA

Evelyne said...

Ann is looking beautiful!! The over one takes time, but looks great!
And the blocks are so nice, love the coulors.
Your so very busy at this moment!




valerie said...

Love your Ann! She's so pretty with all the bright colors and red. You got a lot done considering the amount of over 1. And Manifesto?! Oh boy...that is a crazy project. So much stitching! Can't wait to see more. Your basket blocks are so cute!

Nicola said...

You have acheived so much Deb since you last posted and everything looks so beautiful too.

90 baskets is an awesome number but at 50 you are over the half way mark.

Ann is absolutely STUNNING.

Annie said...

I can't believe how much you have accomplished and how good everything looks! And those are all challenging projects. I draw the line at 28 cnt over one. Anything higher and my eyes start a rebellion. And all of that piecing! Looks fabulous, but I'd be tearing my hair out.

Haven't tried Zumba. I seem to be a lifelong Jazzerciser. But it does look like fun when I watch a You Tube video.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I'm assuming the Manifesto you are stitching 1 over 1 pn 25 ct.? I'm starting to cave on this one. I've been so strong! :)
Silk Guaze...good idea!
I love your Sampler at the top, sorry forgot the name. Ann Dale? Is that it? :)
Anyhooo...your quilt squares...all stunning and lovely!

Ranae said...

Your samplers and quilts, oh my!!
Everything looks fab

Jackie's Stitches said...

YO're working on some beautiful projects! Manifesto really says "go big" doesn't it? And Dear Jane and SBS! Love, love, love!

Siobhán said...

Man!! I can't believe how much you get accomplished! I love your Sylvia blocks, and every time I see your basket blocks I think I should have done mine in reds. Now I'm thinking clammies in red. Ack! It never ends. I LOVE your Ann and your start on the Manifesto.

I have an email half finished so expect me in your mailbox again soon! :D

Julie M said...

Great progress on Ann! Boy, is everyone on that Scarlett Letter bandwagon?? Keep this up and I'll be there too!

Loraine said...

Fabulous post Deb! I attempted to comment on my phone the other day, but it was giving me fits so here we go again.
I love Ann. Holy smokes that over one stitching looks tedious! It is going to be well worth the effort in the end. It's so fabulous.
Love your Sylvia blocks as well. That is a wonderful quilt, and woohoo on starting Jane! My best wishes for many more beautiful blocks in the future.
The manifesto is a very ambitious project, but so gorgeous. Good luck with it!
Hugs to you dear friend. So fun to see your pictures.

Ivory Spring said...

Very nice progress, Deb! You have certainly been busy.

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

I love every one of your projects! Thanks for sharing; it makes me want to get going with a needle.

Karoline said...

Great progress on your wips, Ann is looking stunning

Nancy M said...

You are truly the queen of BAP in the field of cross stitch and quilting! Wow, those small squares on the quilt and then over one on 35? I've done 2 things on 40 ct silk and never again. I have magnifiers over my glasses as it is now! I think you got your wish with the snow. I was in Mexico when the last big bang came through. I was so sad I missed it.....yeah right!

Marie said...

You are truly ambitious with your selection of projects, quite impressive!

I tackled a number of those Dear Jane blocks. They can be quite challenging but absolutely beautiful.

Love the tiny little basket blocks.

Your cross stitch project is gorgeous!

The Attic said...

I got such a kick out of reading your newest entry. I also do cross stitch and quilting. I have so many UFOs!! I just started A Little Porch Time by Lynda Hall. My first attempt at needle turn applique. I have all the Santa patterns from BOAF and fabric, not started yet. I just purchased 3 Tulips from WTNT. Wool crazy quilt, BOM quilt.....I guess you have the picture. Don't get the wrong idea, LOL, I have finished some projects. Have fun with your projects, that the point after all, right!?

PS: I just became a follower

diamondc said...

Beautiful stitching I hate 35 count but do use it, beautiful quilt blocks,I love the basket pattern.
Catherine

Anne said...

You have loads of amazing projects on the go Deb!! Love Ann Smith and how she is coming along even if she's hard to do when it comes to the 1 over 1. Gorgeous quilts too that I'm sure will be stunning when completed!