I'm not dead!

Meaning, I'm still alive. I've been around, mostly ridiculously busy. Work, school, housekeeping, etc. etc. But I managed to get a little bit of stitching in. Last Monday was my birthday, which was nice. Very low-key and not a big deal. My parents sent me a bouquet of roses, my friends blew up my phone and facebook, and Handsome Helpful AMAZING Boyfriend got me some Keurig cups and... drumroll... pearls! That's right ladies, I'm keeping him. We also went out to dinner and I got some cake.

Besides that, I have received the 22-count sample from Crafty Princess (THANK YOU!) but have yet to test it out. I'll definitely let you guys know when I do! I'm not in a particular hurry. This is because I'm completely insane and fixed up a schedule for myself - which projects I'm going to do when. Meaning, when I finish one, what am I going to do next, etc. etc. It's all a little bizarre, but has made me very happy.

Now on to the stitching. I took part in IHSW this weekend so I have some pictures and limited progress.

Before:

After but before IHSW:

After IHSW:

The last picture was taken in sunlight and most accurately represents the colors. Also, page 10 is an absolute confetti NIGHTMARE and considering how much of this piece I've done already, that's saying a lot. I'll be lucky to still be 26 by the time I'm done with it the way things look. I actually spent a good amount of time stitching on it this weekend, but what you see is all I got done - I really thought there'd be more! Ah well.

And, of course, TUSAL.

I know I'm really behind with all of your blogs. I've been working about 39 hours a week, doing the school thing, and cleaning, and by the time I'm all done for the night it's time to go to bed and wake up at 6am. No fun... But I'm doing my best and wanted you to know that even if I don't comment, I have been looking! I try to comment as much as I can but sometimes I only have a few minutes in front of the computer for non-school stuff. Either way, I hope you all understand. HUGS!

WIPocalypse, the Eighth Coming, Greek update, and more!

I'll  start with the WIPocalypse updates.

"College of Magical Knowledge" before WIPocalypse:

Last WIPocalypse:

Now:

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


"Mario" before WIPocalypse:

Last WIPocalypse and Now:

Mario - darklilac.com self-made chart
Stitching on 22 count white Aida
2 threads over 1 with DMC


"Riding the Wave" before WIPocalypse:

Last WIPocalypse and Now:

"Middle Earth" before WIPocalypse:

Last WIPocalypse and Now:

Middle Earth from Heaven and Earth Designs
Stitching on 25 count antique white evenweave
1 over 1 with DMC


"Greek Mandala" was not started before WIPocalypse.

Last WIPocalypse:

Now:

Greek Mandala by Chatelaine Designs
Stitching on 32-count antique white Belfast
2 over 2 with DMC, various silks, petite treasure braid, delica beads, and Swarovski crystals


There's my update for Greek Mandala, which I've been working on for the last week. Not much, but getting there. I'm glad the edges of my border met up! I've been working a lot lately. In fact, I'm scheduled for practically every day in August except Sundays because we're closed. Besides Sundays I have a grand total of 4 days off in August. Tomorrow is one of those days, so I'm going to make an attempt to get my car re-registered (wish me luck!). Besides working an insane amount (part time, huh?) I've also started school so, to be honest, I'm surprised I got as much done as I did! But I'm happy with the progress. Still a lot of cross stitches to go and then specialties but getting there! That gap on the right side of the border is supposed to be there - part 3 fits in there.

The next item up in my list is I was a bad bad BAD girl. I got my first paycheck and, with the encouragement of Handsome Helpful Boyfriend, I picked a chart and bought it. May I present to you Thomas Cole's "The Past" by Golden Kite:

I was going to get "The Present" but decided I liked this one more. If you're going to buy a Golden Kite just be aware, this pattern is 105 pages. I'm not even kidding. The grids are larger than an HAED, though but still - when I saw that 105 pages I nearly had a heart attack. Still waiting on the fabby sample from Crafty Princess so no new start yet... but soon probably!

And last, but not least, here's a picture of my finished living room:

Still working on the other rooms. Been working a lot and Handsome Helpful Boyfriend was gone for 2.5 weeks on a rig in New Mexico. But he's back now and as Handsome and Helpful as ever! We're finishing up the rest of the apartment together.

Watching The Dark Knight now with Boyfriend in preparation of The Dark Knight Rises so I hope you all have a wonderful and stitchy night!