SAL Update

Another month, another update. I swear three weeks goes faster every time.

This project sat for at least eleven years on a shelf and wasn’t even looked at. While I sometimes feel like I don’t make much progress in three weeks, I looked back the other day to my first update and realized the project has come a long way in the year and a half I’ve been participating. I’m glad for any progress I get done!

Last time I was here:

And here is where I am now:

I am completely done the first two window sections so next I think I will move onto the next upper window section. I know I’ve made mistakes in the lower so I will avoid that for as long as possible.

This would have gotten a lot more work if I had remembered to take it to my parents, but some is better than nothing!

Make sure you check out what everyone else is working on as the projects are very diverse, but all gorgeous!

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Cathie, Linda, Helen

SAL Update

In 2002 I loved the work of Paula Vaughn and my grandma very kindly bought me the Paula Vaughn cross stitch book “A Quilt for All Seasons”. I immediately started on the January one. I’m not sure when exactly this was, but the project then languished on a shelf in my spare room for twelve years after I moved into my condo. Last year I heard about this SAL and decided it may help me actually get this project finished.

Here is where I was at the last update:

Here is where I am this time:

I was doing really well at doing a bit each day and managed to finish half the window. This fell off as the heat increased:(. I will continue to try and stitch regularly so I can finish the other half of the window by the next update.

Make sure you check out all the other amazing makers in this stitch along!

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

SAL Update

In 2002 I loved the work of Paula Vaughn and my grandma very kindly bought me the Paula Vaughn cross stitch book “A Quilt for All Seasons”. I immediately started on the January one. I’m not sure when exactly this was, but the project then languished on a shelf in my spare room for twelve years after I moved into my condo. Last year I heard about this SAL and decided it may help me actually get this project finished.

Unfortunately this definitely hasn’t happened this period. While my stitching has been faithfully with me wherever I have gone, it has not gotten any love or attention. I wanted to work on it, but have learned that I can’t stitch and visit. Hopefully there will be more work next time when I’ve been home a bit. Here is where it still is:

However, I have done a lot of vanilla knitting while visiting so if you’ll indulge me, I’ll share that this time.

I promise I’ll do better next time!

Well that’s it for me. Make sure you check out the other stitchers as there are so many gorgeous projects and such variety that there is sure to be something you find inspiring.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

SAL Update

In 2002 I loved the work of Paula Vaughn and my grandma very kindly bought me the Paula Vaughn cross stitch book “A Quilt for All Seasons”. I immediately started on the January one. I’m not sure when exactly this was, but the project then languished on a shelf in my spare room for twelve years after I moved into my condo. Last year I heard about this SAL and decided it may help me actually get this project finished.

This is where I was last update:

And this is where I am now:

I love my new way of tackling my stitching. I actually pick an object to stitch so this time it was the snow out the window. It lets me feel accomplishment and helps to divide up the work and to see progress. In the past I haven’t really thought of what I was stitching, just put stitches in.

In the corner of the photo you will just glimpse my new needle holder, which I love!!! It is so nice not to have to try and put my needle through the holes of the Aida cloth! I should have bought one years ago! I also like my new stitching bag which I showed in the last update, but wish it had some pockets inside so that I could keep the threads separated by number easier. This project takes so many threads! I’m thinking I’d like to try a single colour project.

Well that’s it for me. Make sure you check out the other stitchers as there are so many gorgeous projects and such variety that there is sure to be something you find inspiring.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

SAL Update

When I was a teenager I loved the work of Paula Vaughn and my grandma very kindly bought me the Paula Vaughn cross stitch book “A Quilt for All Seasons”. I immediately started on the January one. I’m not sure when exactly this was, but the project then languished on a shelf in my spare room for twelve years after I moved into my condo. Last year I heard about this SAL and decided it may help me actually get this project finished.

This is where I was three weeks ago:

I thought I would be much further along, but my knitting projects and work have been stressing me so I have been spending all my time on them. I did do a little bit though so here’s where I am now:

Happy stitching! Make sure you check out the stitchers linked below as there are some amazing projects being worked on! There is also a ton of variety and it is very inspiring:)

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

SAL Update

When I was a teenager I loved the work of Paula Vaughn and my grandma very kindly bought me the Paula Vaughn cross stitch book “A Quilt for All Seasons”. I immediately started on the January one. I’m not sure when exactly this was, but the project then languished on a shelf in my spare room for twelve years after I moved into my condo. Last year I heard about this SAL and decided it may help me actually get this project finished.

It’s been doing a great job of this! Having to show a picture every three weeks definitely motivates me to at least get a few stitches in, and now that I’m on the second page of the design, I’m already dreaming of what my next cross stitch project will be🤣

Here is where I was three weeks ago:

And here is where I am now:

I am actually very happy as I feel like there is visible progress this time! The curtain is completely done and I will be happy if I never have to do a cream floss on an oatmeal background ever again!!

Happy stitching! Make sure you check out the stitchers linked below as there are some amazing projects being worked on! There is also a ton of variety and it is very inspiring:)

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

Is it only Tuesday?

April went so fast and yet May seems to be taking forever!

Teaching:

My six little boys definitely have Spring Fever and are driving me crazy. They don’t seem to realize that the rules apply to them!

Today we practiced for our student led conferences and that went surprisingly well. Well except for the little guy who has been off school since Spring Break and doesn’t seem to realize that he needs to do what the rest of us are doing!

We got through a math drill and the kids had library.

This afternoon we did silent reading and then we went outside for outdoor Ed. This time it was science and the kids were gluing confetti to show the molecules inside solids, liquids and gases. They had more fun pretending to be the molecules, but they seemed to get the idea.

We are still waiting on staff members to make up their minds so there is no resolution of the drama and/or uncertainty at work yet.

Exercise:

It was just Dennis and I for the run tonight. I had planned a slow, easy run but there was this woman in front of me who really didn’t look to be running fast, but I was doing a 6min kilometer and couldn’t catch her. My legs were heavy from my massage yesterday so there was no way I was picking up the pace anymore than that!

I came home and immediately did the HIIT workout on FitOn as I knew I wouldn’t otherwise.

Crafting:

My plan to use the brown alpaca for my shawl isn’t going to work as the halo obstructs the pattern. I then tried out some coal Kroy I had, but didn’t get gauge and thought- do I want a shawl out of Kroy when there are so many super soft yarns out there.

It was at this point I realized I hadn’t done my stitching for today, so I sat down to do that. I am down to just 146 stitches to do on the curtains. Let’s hope that by the end of the week they are done!

I then had to do the toe on my current lunch sock. I always knit while visiting at lunch but today I got to my toe and couldn’t visit and do that. I got this sock finished and got through the cuff on the second so that I’m ready for lunch knitting tomorrow.

I am now back to doing another swatch with stash yarn for the shawl. I really want to finish so that I’ll know if this yarn is going to work, but I also know that I need sleep!

Hmmm what to do???

Have fun!

AJ

SAL Update

When I was a teenager I loved the work of Paula Vaughn and my grandma very kindly bought me the Paula Vaughn cross stitch book “A Quilt for All Seasons”. I immediately started on the January one. I’m not sure when exactly this was, but the project then languished on a shelf in my spare room for twelve years after I moved into my condo. Last year I heard about this SAL and decided it may help me actually get this project finished.

It’s been doing a great job of this! Having to show a picture every three weeks definitely motivates me to at least get a few stitches in, and now that I’m on the second page of the design, I’m already dreaming of what my next cross stitch project will be🤣

Here is where I was three weeks ago:

Here is where I am now:

I started working this time with the idea that I would work straight down columns so that I wouldn’t make a mistake, however after trying this and talking to my mom, I knew i couldn’t continue in this manner. Then yesterday it suddenly hit me, to work on doing certain things- that pattern block, the window frame, the embroidery hoop. I’ve always worked in colour blocks, but always thought- work all the star symbols, work the plus symbols, but changing to working the actual objects somehow made it way more interesting and fun! A few hours of stitching this weekend sped by!

Being a numbers girl I would so love an app like pattern keeper that would tell me what percentage of the project I’m done, but I guess I’ll just have to find other motivators.

I actually am excited now to work on this which is a nice feeling!

Happy stitching! Make sure you check out the stitchers linked below as there are some amazing projects being worked on! There is also a ton of variety and it is very inspiring:)

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

SAL Update

When I was a teenager I loved the work of Paula Vaughn and my grandma very kindly bought me the Paula Vaughn cross stitch book “A Quilt for All Seasons”. I immediately started on the January one. I’m not sure when exactly this was, but the project then languished on a shelf in my spare room for twelve years after I moved into my condo. Last year I heard about this SAL and decided it may help me actually get this project finished.

It was great that the last update was at the start of my Spring Break. I had the goal of finishing the first page of the pattern, and……

I did!

Here is where I was three weeks ago:

And here is where I am now:

It doesn’t look as impressive as I thought it would, but it feels great! It didn’t realize until my mom pointed it out that this means I am 50% complete!

I have to admit that I was inspired by watching the flosstuber of xstitchmd. I have been loving her podcast as I both knit and stitch. I would recommend giving her a try, though her plethora of projects does stress me out. Lol I’d have a plan for how to finish them all🤣🤣🤣

It feels great to be on the second page, to hopefully have a clean start with no mistakes in it yet, and to really feel like I have made progress:)

Happy stitching! Make sure you check out the stitchers linked below as there are some amazing projects being worked on! There is also a ton of variety and it is very inspiring:)

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen

Quiet

I know that the next two days will probably be busy, so I was quite happy to enjoy a quiet day.

Knitting:

I spent the majority of the day knitting on my Bentley cardigan. I am back up to row 50 and so have 16 rows left before I separate for the sleeves again. Let’s hope for better sizing this time!

I also started a crochet blanket this evening. I’ve been feeling bad that I had no projects that used stash on the go. I had yellow acrylic that I know I will never use so I decided to see if I remembered how to crochet. It seems I do have some muscle memory. I chose a very simple pattern and so should be done in no time. I will probably just pass it along to my running buddy’s friend who crafts for the homeless. I’m sure someone could use it.

Shopping:

I did go out as I needed a longer 3mm needle for my sweater. There was no way I was doing the whole thing on a 16” needle! The yarn store was busy so I didn’t linger, but just grabbed the needles. I did look at the Laine 52 weeks of Socks book. It is a gorgeous book, but I will have to look more closely because it’s $70!

While I was out I tried the two new flavours of vegan ice cream at my favorite store. The apple pie and cherry cheesecake were wonderful, but this afternoon my stomach put in its request to go back to my usual healthy fare.

I did eat my ice cream at the park. My grandma used to take us to the park and we’d sit facing the water and have car picnics so that’s what I did today. It’s odd sometimes to think how much of my life is dictated by what my grandma did, it’s definitely the best part though!

Exercise:

I have tried to take it easy today to see if that contributes to the bottom of my left foot feeling better. I did do my FitOn workout though. I got smart and every time it buffered, I knit.🤣. At least my thirty minute workout only took 45 this time.

After working out I realized I hadn’t stitched at lunch time so I quickly sat down and did a little bit. I wish the same technique worked on my taxes as I need to get them done too. Usually I make my mom sit with me while I do them, but this year I’m on my own and am procrastinating big time!

Someone knocked on my door tonight. I hate when this happens, which thankfully it doesn’t happen often!

Well, I’m going to go crawl into bed and enjoy my book.

Have fun!

AJ