IHSW Results!

I cheated a little and extended my IHSW until today. But that's because 1. I'm at Boyfriend's and all I do is stitch here (it's GLORIOUS) and 2. I got so close to finishing another page of College on Sunday night that I decided to just keep going. And Holy Crap. I finished it. The difference between the last page and this page is kind of intense. And I'm really really proud of myself. The detail is incredible and it's just so awesome. Without further ado, here goes.

Before:

After:

College of Magical Knowledge by James Christensen from Heaven and Earth Designs

Stitching on 25 count antique white Evenweave

1 thread over 1 with DMC

I learned how to set my camera so that it takes vivid color shots, which is nice. I was going to do the second page of the second row next, but I don't want a line of demarcation to show up in the sky, so I'm going to keep going with the top row to the end. Yay! So exciting!

I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving! We did Thanksgiving 1 at Boyfriend's house today and tomorrow we're doing Thanksgiving 2 at my place. Does not bode well for my waistline, but I'm not gonna complain!

Happy Stitching, everyone, and thank you so much for all the kind comments. I haven't been able to respond to them since I'm at  Boyfriend's and I'm not on the computer as much here, but thank you so much! You're all so very kind. :)

College, Middle Earth, TUSAL, Oh my!

I'll start with the 2012 TUSAL. Hop on over to Daffycat's blog and sign up for the 2012 TUSAL! I'll be emptying my ORT jar and starting from scratch January 1!

Now for the stitchy update. I worked on College and Middle Earth. This will also serve as my pre-IHSW picture for College. I haven't gotten to stitch much on it since I had to get some stuff installed in my car that I wanted, but here goes!

Before:

After:

College of Magical Knowledge by James Christensen from Heaven and Earth Designs

Stitching on 25 count antique white Evenweave

1 thread over 1 with DMC

And now for Middle Earf, as Boyfriend likes to call it.

Before:

After:

Middle Earth from Heaven and Earth Designs

Stitching on 25 count antique white Evenweave

1 thread over 1 with DMC

I won't be able to post my post-IHSW update until Wednesday, but I hope you all have an awesome weekend of stitchy fabulousness.

An Unexpected Weekend

Here's something you guys don't know about me. I love my car. Seriously. My car is literally named, "My Baby." It's nothing fancy. Just a 2002 Toyota Corolla type S in silver. It's not exciting. It's not expensive. But it's mine. I put my heart and soul into that car. My parents bought it new back when I was in high school, but they didn't just give it to me. I had to earn it. I was 21 when I finally got it. And it was my baby.

I took care of everything that went wrong in that car. But, as all cars are, things went wrong. Engine developed a ping. Passenger side window wouldn't roll up once rolled down (I developed man muscles and put it up, permanently). It was mine, and I loved it so much.

That is my baby, as I drove away from it in my new car, sobbing. The truth of the matter is I needed a new car. Up until now my car only needed the regular maintenance things. But as of late, it started to vibrate pretty violently when driven. The engine roared when I accelerated. In my heart, I knew it was time. But I didn't like it and I didn't want to admit it. And then my parents made me.

So, without further ado, my new car:

It's a 2012 Toyota Yaris Hatchback. I really do like it. Boyfriend went with me, helped me pick it out, and actually sat there for two hours through the signing process. It's the same car we drove in Iceland except one model year newer and the color is a little darker. It's spunky. It's fun. And I'm happy with my purchase. But I will always remember My Baby.

Exhausted Ewa with Good Boyfriend, after an entire day of signing paperwork.

In other news, IHSW this weekend! Pop on over to Joyce's Blog and sign up, or click the adorable little hermit crab on the right.

Stitchy update to come Wednesday!

Stitchy Update!

That's right! Here's a stitchy update! Before that, I wanted to thank all of you for your kind comments. They mean a lot to me and made me feel loads better.

I've been sick and in bed all week, which as we all know means more time for stitching. I have to admit, my butt hurts from lying in bed and my eyes are going wonky on me from 22, 25 and 32 count. YIKES! Also, I'm still learning how to use my new camera and fiddling with the settings, but here goes!

I got tired of Riding the Wave and worked on Mario for the first time in a really long time. So here's the progress on that.

Before (old camera):

After (new camera):

Mario - darklilac.com self made chart

Stitching on 22 count white Aida

2 threads over 1 with DMC

I also worked a bunch on my Chatelaine freebie. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way it's looking and stitching on it. It's just so much fun! And it's all sparkly and pretty. Squee!

Before:

After:

Chatelaine Designs freebie - Kathy's Violets

Stitching on 32 count Hardanger

1 thread over 2 with DMC, Kreinik and Mill Hill beads

That's my first time beading! Just have to finish the little violets, the leaves inside, and some more gold and beads.

Finally, since I've been sick I've been working on College while my parents have been at work, and I've gotten quite a bit done! I'm thinking page finish by end of November? Maybe? I'm on a time crunch on this (Christmas of next year) so hopefully I can make it.

Before:

After:

College of Magical Knowledge by James Christensen from Heaven and Earth Designs

Stitching on 25 count antique white Evenweave

1 thread over 1 with DMC

Holy crap look at that confetti! Yeesh!

I've been manically wanting to do new starts on Dark Queen, Mystic Mermaid, Blue Invariance and Peacock and Doves in a Garden. I've been keeping myself from doing it but I'm so excited to do those right now. Excited to do all my projects, though. And I have a feeling that my stash is going to grow this Christmas. EEP! 

Gonna go work on Middle Earth for a bit since Boyfriend is on his way over to take care of his sick and sniffly girlfriend. Happy stitching, all, and thanks again for your support. HUGS!

EDIT: Here's a Blogoversary giveaway from krystaline at Relentless Stitching! Happy joining!

Non-Photographic Update, sorta...

I've been experiencing something of a stitchy crisis. You know, one of those, "why am I even stitching?" things. I'm still stitching, mostly because I've come down with a demon cold and have nothing better to do but also because Boyfriend loves to watch me stitch. But it's feeling kind of.... hopeless and doesn't amount to anything. Blergh. I know I'll get over it as soon as I get a page finish on something. I got tired of the horses and have been working on Mario. Will post progress pictures soon. Blergh blergh blergh.

On another note, some of you may remember that I did a photo shoot back in June. The photographer I worked with is a dear friend of mine, based in Los Angeles. He is currently in the semi-finals for the RAWards. You can find more info about it by clicking here. The event is in Hollywood and I can't make it, I don't think. If any of you are in the Hollywood area on November 17th and can spare $10, go support John Remus as voting can only be done in person.

I'm going to be honest, I'm kind of freaking out about this, for stupid reasons. My entire life, up through about junior year of college, I was openly called fat, ugly, and a combination of fat and ugly. I may have lost a lot of weight and learned to take care of myself, but I'm going to be honest, it hasn't gone away. I'm constantly striving to lose weight and be "perfect." And now holy crap people are going to be staring at my picture in Hollywood. HOLLYWOOD. And instead of being giddy and excited like a normal girl should be, I'm freaking out. "People are gonna look at me! AAAAAACK!"

Anyway, if you're curious, this is the photo of me that's going to be on display.

And yes, I know, I'm crazy. I should be happy with myself and a lot of women would love to look like me. And I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but when I look in the mirror I only see 40 pounds ago ridicule.

One last thing, I want this series. Cinderella had Fairy Godmother. Why can't I have a stash fairy?

Lots of Progress!

Well hello there, everyone! I'm going to be honest, this weekend was wonderful and my needle was smoking! I'm amazed that my fabric didn't spontaneously combust.

I was over at Boyfriend's most of the weekend, including for Halloween. We got some pumpkins and carved them:

Boyfriend carved the chicken and the biohazard symbol (on the warty pumpkin) and I carved the dragon. The warty pumpkin had a story to it. We thought it would carve like a normal pumpkin. HA! It was hard as a rock. Boyfriend broke two pumpkin carving tools on it. In the end, he picked up a drill. No kidding. A drill:

There is handsome Boyfriend getting manly on a pumpkin with power tools.

Now for stitching. I got a new camera. It's actually my Christmas present but my parents want it thoroughly tested to make sure it works fine in case it needs to be returned. So here goes.

First, the Chatelaine freebie.

Before (old camera):

After (new camera):

I love love love stitching this. I'm holding the beading off until the end but it is just a joy to stitch. I'm wondering if I could set it in clear acrylic to make a set of coasters for Boyfriend's parents for Christmas. I've never done this before and I don't know how the stitching would react. Anyone have any suggestions about this?

Next, Riding the Wave:

Before (old camera):

After (new camera):

I've started the last horse and am hoping to finish the whole thing by Christmas. Perhaps that's a bit ambitious, but we'll see. The background is mostly half stitching so it will probably go faster.

And now, College. I can't believe how much I managed to get done on College this weekend. it's amazing.

Before (old camera):

After (new camera):

You can start to see a chimney and two rooftops coming to shape. But look at all that confetti!!!

And, finally, my first foray into card-making. It's kind of a weird approach to Christmas, but I'm kind of proud of it:

Sparklies:

So, I hope you like it!

This weekend Boyfriend and I decided to watch a scary movie for Halloween. The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Bad idea. I couldn't sleep at all that night and needed the light on. Then I was afraid to go to sleep the whole next day. I'm a scaredy-cat :(

Anyway, long post, but I hope you guys enjoyed it! Happy stitching!