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

SAL Update

I am so glad this update landed at the start of my holiday so that I will have a clear picture of how much stitching I get done over the holiday:)

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.

Here is where I was three weeks ago:

Here is where I am now:

I know it doesn’t look like much but with getting all the white at the bottom filled in, it felt like a lot. I think it’s because it finished off a whole area, but unfortunately not the whole first page

My goal is to finish the first page before the next update. I have holidays, I have an OTT light now and I have motivation because I am quite close. Let’s hope all goes according to plan!

Make sure you check out everyone’s projects as there are some truly outstanding projects being done and a very wide variety!

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

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.

Here is where I was last update:

Here is where I am now:

I really had plans to finish the first page by this update, but unfortunately I’ve had quite the three weeks! I’ve had Covid, three of my appliances broke, and then to top it off I’ve had problems with my visa due to the appliances. I am really ready for life to go back to quiet and boring so I can spend more time stitching!

Make sure you check out all the other members of this SAL as the projects are truly spectacular!!!

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

SAL Update

Wow these three week periods go fast!

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.

Here is where I was three weeks ago:

And here is where I am now:

It seemed like I had done so much until I put the pictures right by each other! Well the next week is supposed to be sunny but cold so maybe I’ll get more done.

Make sure you check out all the other members of this SAL as the projects are truly spectacular!!!

Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, 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.

I don’t ever feel like I’ve gotten much done, but in December I posted all the pictures from the year and could actually see that I have made progress this year. I’m a firm believer that every stitch is a step towards completion.

Last month, I had gotten to here:

This month it has still been difficult to get enough light to stitch by, but I managed to work a solid two hours on it. It’s also tough to find time along with teaching, running, reading and knitting, though every nice day, I tried to grab at least a few minutes!

This month, the project looks like this:

I’m still off by a couple of stitches here and there, but hopefully I’ll keep that edge perfect and the next page will go better. I have definitely learned not to hop around so I don’t have to change colours. It’s better to change colours!!!

Make sure you check out all the other members of this SAL as the projects are truly spectacular!!!

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

SAL Update

For the past twelve plus years, this cross stitch project sat on a shelf in my spare room. This year I was determined to make progress and this SAL is definitely helping!

Here is where I was three weeks ago:.

Here is where I am now:

I haven’t made much progress this time as it has been exceptionally gray here. I am having a tough time working on this project when it isn’t nice and bright out. I really need to find a good light! If anyone has a good suggestion, I would love to hear any suggestions of good lamps!

Make sure you check out everyone else’s progress as there are some amazing projects in this SAL!

check out everyone else’s progress as there are some amazing projects!

Jenny

Avis

Claire

Gun

Carole

Sue

Constanze

Christina

Kathy

Margaret

Cindy

Heidi

Jackie

Sunny

Hayley

Megan

Deborah

Mary Margaret

Renée

Carmela

Sharon

Daisy

Anne

Cathie

Laura

Sherrie

SAL Update

Stitching:

This year I am determined to make progress on the project that sat on the shelf in my spare room for eleven years. It at least sits on my coffee table now. This is where I have been for the past two months after the tea disaster:

This is where I am right now (and I’m still working on it, but didn’t want to forget to post):

It doesn’t look like a lot of progress, but it actually is. Usually after I make a mistake, I don’t touch the project for years, but these past three weeks I have figured out my two areas of mistakes- one the blue coming down horizontally is a couple of stitches out here and there so I am trying to work around that to get it back to right to move forward with. Secondly, I didn’t realize I had misidentified some of the squares on the overlap column so I am now lining up the first and second page to make sure I am using the right colour.

There is a little bit of blue added to the bottom and a little brown and cream added to the top. It feels good to at least have some progress to report, though it’s not as much as I was hoping for.

I have also determined that I don’t actually like stitching on my couch in my knitting corner. I have determined this time that I do much better sitting on my floor cushion where I can have my threads somewhat spread out to the side of me. Stitching seems to go much faster when I can just reach over and grab the colour I need.

Well hopefully this is the start of steady progress!

Be sure to check out everyone else’s progress as there are some amazing projects! JennyAvisClaireGunCaroleSueConstanzeChristinaKathyMargaretCindyHeidiJackieSunnyHayleyMeganDeborah Mary MargaretRenéeCarmelaSharonDaisyAnneCathieLauraSherrie