It's been a while

 Well, it's been a minute or two since I was on here.  Last time was lockdown in 2020.  Lots of life since then - I managed to get hooked back on stitching.  Those darn Floss Tube makers are to blame. I kept (and keep) finding new tubers and they all have wonderful projects.  And some just have so, so many projects on the go that I decided to try the same.😁  So now I have several on the go.  I must post them here so I can look back and see my progress on them.  Quilting has taken a back seat for years now but I know it will return.  

So for so long I have wanted to do some sparkly, pretty ladies.  So I finally started a Mirabillia.  I'm going to the Miribilia Retreat in Brisbane in 2024 so thought I had better start doing one!

Dressmakers' Daughter

So one week of stitching and one skein of mauve.

Day 13 Lockdown

Well I haven't got as much done as I had hoped.....but have decided I'm having a bit of a holiday for a little while and as long as I get some stuff done each day it's OK - as long as it doesn't go on for the whole lockdown. (Mind you if I didn't watch Floss Tube till midnight every night I would be better)

Not much progress on my Dirty Words cross stitch but almost there.  Then I can start a new one.  I'm being very good and restrained and won't start till I finish this one (which was started who knows how long ago).  I found three gorgeous ones I can put in the shop and I'm going to start Antique Shoes first.  I've cut the fabric for the three and will try to grid one today or tomorrow in anticipation 😇

 

 

Aren't they just divine!  Can't wait.  They aren't huge so hopefully I'll get a fair bit done.  I remembered today that I had done some others so thought I would put some photos up.  The very first Cross Stitch I did was a Paula Vaughan.  I stitched it all and excitedly showed a friend.....who pointed out I hadn't done any back stitching.  I mean really, what was the point of back stitch?  It look great as it was!  Anyway I did the back stitching and oh it made a HUGE difference.  So now I don't question the back stitch.  I always jump in feet first!  Can't remember the name of it.

Ohio Stars was another.

Sewing room (Can't remember name)

And this one speaks for itself.

Well better get back to it.  Have quilts that need doing.

Lockdown Day 2 - I STARTED

Well here it is Day 2.  I made a roster and kinda stuck to it.......except for the cleaning 😊.  Swapped that out for paperwork - and still not finished, but a put a good dent in it.  Tomorrow's roster will be very much the same.  AND THIS TIME i REALLY WILL CLEAN.

Started Cross Stitch!!!!! YEAH.  Long long time since I did any of that.  See that little bit bottom left?  Well that is what I did.  Not sure how long it took me.  Tomorrow I will start keeping times so I know how long it takes me to do anything.  Took me a little while to get set up.....still cant find my mag glasses so using my stand.......mind you this is the first time that stand has ever been used.  Got it many moons ago.  Doing the method of needle down with point but up from back with eye end.  And it's great.....no twists and tangles.

Lockdown Day 1 - Preparation

Well, it's Day One for me and although we haven't been lockdowned yet I have started.  I put the shop into hibernation yesterday.  Now getting myself organised for a long break.  None of us know how long this will last but I'm going to use the time productively.

I started organising last week.  Got some Cross Stitch charts enlarged, purchased extra threads I didn't have.  Found an old one I never got around to finishing.  The pattern date says 1992!  The fabric has discoloured but I only have one band at the bottom to do so I will finish it.  Cute one called "I Hate Dirty Words" Sure is me, I hate housework and all it entails.
But a clean house is nice 😁

 So many quilts to finish.  So many quilts to make.  So many quilts to quilt.

I intend drawing myself a roster and getting some of each done each day.  So easy to let the days slip by and in six months time I'll moan about how fast it went and how I got nothing done.  I'm thinking 1 hour Cleaning, 1 hour Cross Stitch, 1 hour cleaning, 1 hour Quilting.

This is another I started probably 10 years ago and haven't finished.  Only two trees to do and a little bit on the border.

 Years ago I read Fly Lady  Great tips and motivation.  Follow her and get yourself organised.  In fact I just this minute decided to join again.  That will help keep me on track.  Great motivation when you are getting off track and she has great routines.

A while back a friend.....hmmm a friend (?) told me about Floss Tube.  WOW  it's a You Tube place with lots and lots of people who Cross Stitch.  I'm hooked and watching every night.  A couple I like I have gone back to the beginning of their up loads and watching each one in order.  A couple I like are Carolyn Mazzeo and AZ Needleworker.  Some of these people are so prolific.  Some wonderful work and great tutorials.  I've learnt about parking so can't wait to try that method.

So the new ones I got enlarged are Paula Vaughan patterns.  Yes, yes I know!!!  But it's always nice to start a new pattern......and the Floss Tubers do several in rotation......so I need to try that 😊😊

I have done a couple of Paula's in past years and they are detailed.  But they do have quilts so it combines two great loves.  Besides I have hundreds of Cross Stitch videos and dozens of Quilt videos to watch.

So get off here and start doing!!

PS.  I forgot to mention I also got two Diamond Drill Cross Stitch kits.

New Treasures

Well I'm finally home and almost settled back down. We had almost 6 weeks in Europe and it was just fantastic. I'll get some photos up shortly.
Meanwhile I just have to share my New Treasures. Went to the Brisbane Quilt show this week. Funny but I'm not in the quilty mood at the moment so didn't get too much fabric (wonder if that has anything to do with the amount I have in the cupboards). I thought a good trick was to take a look in the cupboards BEFORE I went to the show...........and it worked! Unfortunately I didn't look in the Cross Stitch section and so end up getting a Cross Stitch fix. Oh well, no doubt as I will live to be a hundred and ninety and I'll get to do all the projects I have planned.
Had a girly get together today at my place and I got some work done on one of my Cross Stitch UFO's..........so I have resolved to do some everyday. I keep waking up at around 5.00am so from now on I'm going to get out of bed and stitch.
Here are a couple of photos of my treasures I got at the show.

A Cross Stitch Kit with lots of bling
Bling Cross Stitch Thread
A lovely Cross Stitch and Hand Dyed Aida
Yet more fabric for my NYB
And some bargain backing fabric for a someday quilt