Finally Some Stitchin'

I've been working on Ciara Blue--my blackwork project--lately. I was getting frustrated with it before because the filigree border I'm working on now is complicated, tedious, mind-numbing, and never-ending. No matter how many hours in an evening I put into it, it feels like I've gotten nowhere. As a result, I stopped working on it as often.

I needed a new way to get excited about it. (Don't get me wrong, I adore this piece. It's beautiful. But stitching it is not all fun right now.) I finally decided to do something drastic! I started on the next border. I know!! Crazy, eh? It feels weird to go out of order, to start one when the previous border isn't complete, but it's the only thing making this bearable at the moment. Two lengths of pretty aqua thread for every one length of black. The new border I started on is kind of slow going as well, but it's a simple, straightforward border that does show progress after an evening's work. Plus I get to work with the pretty coloured silk--that always makes things better.

Even the filigree border is making a tiny bit of progress. I'll be thrilled when that border is done. I have a feeling I'll have to have multiple borders going for the rest of this project. There are other areas of tedium ahead.

At least it's pretty!

MMSC - Week 21

I spent most of this past week travelling to and from a conference for school. As portable as EPP is, I never take it with me travelling. My little sewing kit just sits on an endtable by my couch all the time.

As a result, no stitching or basting got done.

However, I have decided to share my obsession:

I think I'm addicted to the Paperpieces.com site. Every time they have free international shipping my shopping cart fills up. I have hexies, jewels, 60 degree diamonds, equilateral triangles, half-square triangles, 45 degree diamonds, half hexies, and squares, and most in different sizes (1.25", 2", or 4").

I have plans for a zillion projects, but nowhere near enough time to work on them all. I'm doing pretty good by not starting them all right this second though. :)

As always, linking up to Jessica's Monday Morning Star Count at Life Under Quilts.

MMSC - Week 20

Pretty little diamonds … three of them!

Last week I laid out my hexies for my Batik Hexie Blanket and I discovered that I do not like it at all. I spent all week going back and looking at the picture again. I kept hoping that I'd grow to like it, but no such luck. I've put it away for now. I need some distance from it and some time to rethink how I can make it work. :(

In the meantime, I am continuing on with the diamonds for my 2nd 6-point star and am drawing up plans for a brand new project.

As always, I'm linking up with Jessica for the Monday Morning Star Count at Life Under Quilts.

MMSC - Week 19

Small amount of progress this week … I basted 5 diamonds.

I showed you the design sketch of my Batik Hexie Quilt (aka Grandmother's Flower Garden) two weeks ago, but it really doesn't accurately capture what happens when fabric gets involved. So I thought I'd have some fun and layout my hexies to show you what the real thing will look like.

What do you think?  Hrmm … I think I hate it. Oh dear.

Linking up with Jessica for the Monday Morning Star Count at Life Under Quilts.

Turtle Trot - May

I have not been making much progress on my Turtle Trot SAL pieces. I picked 10 pieces that I really wanted to make progress on this year, and I've barely touched them.

I managed a tiny bit of progress on Damask Square by Ink Circles:

I started using a magnifier when I stitch on this one, and it has made a huge difference. However, that means that I don't tend to take it with me when I travel, so progress is limited.

This past Friday, I attended a stitchy night at a dear friend's place. Eight of us crowded around her dining room table and shared a lot of laughs and more stitching than I expected! I brought out a piece that was part of my Ultimate Crazy January Challenge of 2012, and that I hadn't touched in years - Welcome Sampler by Kincavel Krosses.

I managed to stitch two Es and start a W. I am pleased with the progress of just one evening. This might just come on my next travels. Fingers crossed it'll be finished this year.

MMSC - Week 18

I see it!! I do!! It's progress! Fifteen beautiful bright blue hexies were basted.

I wouldn't call it guilt, but there was a little something in the back of my head saying "c'mon, you've done diddly for two weeks, get a move on girl" and so I got a move on. :)

In total, I've basted 249 hexies and I have 967 to go. I'm going to have to start stitching things together before then though.

Linking up with Jessica's Monday Morning Star Count at Life Under Quilts as always!

Halfway!

I've been focused mostly on my knitting over the past few weeks and have finally made it to the halfway point on Toka's doggie blanket.

I really enjoyed knitting it thus far, however, I'm not as much of a fan of decreases, so the second half might be a teeny bit less fun. At least it'll go faster near the end. :)