September's almost here

Again August has been a bit of a quiet month for me on the creative front. I think I've just been a bit too ambitious with my lists of things to do given the actual time that I've had to spend. But here's the confession anyway.

• Work on Birds Eye View - Done
  
• Finish 4 crochet blocks for the new cushion - Done
  
• Participate in Rainbow scrap challenge - I finished off my yellow chequerboard blocks if that counts
  
• Make 2nd PIF gift - I've made a good start on this now and it will get finished next month
  
• Finish Chapter Six for c&g - thanks to more machine problems this has not happened, but I did finish chapter 8 instead
  
• Work on two 'secret gift projects' - Total fail on this one these never got off the ground.

As I now (fingers crossed) seem to have a fully working sewing machine back. I'm going to devote most of my stitching time for September to catching up for lost time with my city and guilds course. If you are interested you can follow what I'm up to over here, but I will set myself a little list.

• Cross stitch - I'll be working on some Halloween themed stitcheries
• Finish PIF gift this has been hanging over me for 8 months now and I want to get it done :)
• Make postcard for 'Out of the Box' swap
• Make postcard for 'Give it your best' swap

If I do manage to find some extra hours in the day, I have plenty of other WIPS on the go that I can fill my time with.

August is upon us

Well I think July has been the most abysmal craft month of the year for me I've hardly gotten anything done. I don't think it's really worth checking in on my to do list as I only managed to get a couple of things done. Instead I'm going to start afresh for August. It's another busy and exciting month and I have family coming to stay so I'm not going to be too ambitious on the list front

• Work on Birds Eye View
  
• Finish 4 crochet blocks for the new cushion
• Participate in Rainbow scrap challenge
• Make 2nd PIF gift
• Finish Chapter Six for c&g
• Work on two 'secret gift projects'

When it's all written out it looks a lot but a couple of these things should be quick wins. I think my main task for August has to be to blog more though :)

July Already

I had a fabulous June, but unfortunately not where my to do list was concerned :)

• Work on new cross stitch - Yes I did manage to do this one (picture to follow soon)
  
• Participate in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Due to my sewing machine malfunction I only managed to get fabrics cut for the chequerboard blocks and nothing else
  
• Finish Second PIF gift - No, due to sewing machine
  
• Make the Granny Squares in to a cushion - I did actually manage to get these sewn together but again not made up in to a cushion because of the machine
  
• Finish last 3 postcards for the swap - No, again machine
  
• Keep working on the new crochet blocks to see if I can figure out a throw - I have kept going with the blocks but I've abandoned the idea of a throw and will be making another cushion with the blocks I'm doing (picture to follow soon), but there will be a throw in my future
  
• Work on City and Guilds chapter six. - No machine no c&G

I did of course manage to get my little bird done for the 3cs challenge which was a little unexpected bonus.

Way too many reds and oranges in that list for my liking, hopefully July will be better, though looking at the calendar we are busy every weekend in July which will limit stitching time a bit. Never mind there are still goals to be set

• Work on Lakeside Farm
• Continue working up crochet blocks for the new cushion
• Participate in 3cs challenge
• Participate in Rainbow scrap challenge
• Finish 3 postcards for open swap
• Make 5 postcards for 3CS swap
• Make 2nd PIF gift
• Finish Chapter Seven for c&g
  

Here's to a happy and creative JULY. What will you be doing this month?

Jobs for June

Confession time again. How did I do in May?

• Finish the Tiger Cross stitch - any time left over in the month after that will be used to work on Lakeside Farm - Tigers are finished and Lakeside Farm has progressed
  
• Participate in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Done. I made 4 chequerboard blocks and a pincushion
  
• Participate in the 3CS Challenge - I was a little late but I had an almost finished doll to share by the deadline date
  
• Make 10 Recycled/Reused Postcards - I managed to get 8.5 done before Jemimah gave up on me so not completing this one was a little out of my control :)
  
• Complete chapter 4 city and guilds and get 2 further chapters done. - Chapter 4 and 5 got done but thanks to my machine breaking down I didn't get through chapter 6
  
• Start second PIF gift - I've sorted out the fabric and the pattern but can't go much further until I have my machine back, but it's a start which is all I said I'd do.
  
• Crochet 16 little Granny Squares - Done. This was the first thing off the list that got done this month I'm loving crochet, I think it is becoming my new addiction.

I'm pretty pleased with that no out and out fails so that's pretty good really. I'm going to set quite a short list this month as I'm on holiday for a week and also my machine is still in for repair which will limit things for the time being. But here are the goals.

• Work on new cross stitch
• Participate in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge
• Finish Second PIF gift
• Make the Granny Squares in to a cushion
• Finish last 3 postcards for the swap
• Keep working on the new crochet blocks to see if I can figure out a throw.
• Work on City and Guilds chapter six.
  

Ok so actually that's probably an even longer list than last month, lol, but none of them are large projects so hopefully all achieveable

Maybe I'll get more done in May

I know every time I do these posts I wonder where the last month has gone, but this one has been the fastest of the year so far. I mean really where did those weeks go?

I haven't done so well on my to do list this month, but hey I'm not going to worry about it too much you can only do what you can do right? Here's the report ;-)

• Work on the Tigers Cross Stitch - This has been worked on and it's oh so nearly there I just have some back stitching left to do so I'm going to hold off showing until it's done.
  
• Participate in Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Didn't manage to do as much as I would have like but I used some purple in the Collette doll, I also made a pin cushion, an ATC and my chequerboard blocks so not bad
  
• Participate in the 3cs colour palette challenge - I managed to get Collette done just in time for the deadline.
  
• Finish 3 chapters of my city and guilds course. - Almost made this one happen. I've completed 2 chapters and just have the final stitches and the write up to do of the third.
  
• Finish 6 more reused and recycles postcards - I made a start on only one postcard so this is a fail
  
• Catch up on Birdies block of the month - Another fail, I think I'm going to have to scratch this one from the project list I just don't seem to have the time :( It's a shame but one of those things
  
• Make a start on the second PIF gift. - Another fail I'm afraid this will roll over to this coming month
  

So all in all a bit of a mixed bag, but on a positive note. I've managed to get my first ever crochet blocks made thanks to some brilliant tuition from Sue - I'll blog about that another day. And I managed to get this little patriotic stitchery done while watching the wedding on Friday.This is what I hope to get done in May

• Finish the Tiger Cross stitch - any time left over in the month after that will be used to work on Lakeside Farm
• Participate in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge
• Participate in the 3CS Challenge
• Make 10 Recycled/Reused Postcards
• Complete chapter 4 city and guilds and get 2 further chapters done.
  
• Start second PIF gift
• Crochet 16 little Granny Squares
  

Only time will tell if I can get through the list this month :)

April already

I'm going to easy myself back into blogging after a nice break with my regular monthly catch up.

It just gets scarier and scarier doing these end of month round up post - how quickly time seems to be flying. Nevermind there is nothing that can be done, except to try and make the most of each and everyday.

So anyway it's confession time again, how well did I get on with those self imposed goals of mine
This was the list for March.

• Participate in the bloggers pillow party - done, I combined this with my other task of making a PIF gift - got to love those times when you get two for the price of one :)
  
• Participate in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Done. This month has been green and I managed to get a few things done and some scraps used
  
• Finish 'Iris' for the 3creative Studios challenge - Done, and am really pleased with how she turned out
  
• Work on Lakeside Farm Cross Stitch
• Finish One of my PIF gifts - Done I made a cushion for Claire
  
• Participate in Stitched in Colors - Bottled Rainbows Challenge - This one was a failure I'm afraid. What with taking on my new city and guilds course something just has to give and I have sadly decided I'm not going to have time for this challenge after all
  
• Catch up on the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month Project. - Another fail I'm afraid, I may have to admit defeat on this one and cross it off the to do list too, we'll see.
  
• Make some more Pumpkins - Done, I got 21 of these gruesome cuties made in the end :)

Not on the list but also achieved

• Chapter One, Module One of a city and Guilds machine embroidery course
• Six out of 17 recycled and reused postcards.

So time to draw up a list for the next few weeks then

• Work on the Tigers Cross Stitch (who knows it may even get finished)
• Participate in Rainbow Scrap Challenge
• Participate in the 3cs colour palette challenge
• Finish 3 chapters of my city and guilds course.
• Finish 6 more reused and recycles postcards
• Catch up on Birdies block of the month
• Make a start on the second PIF gift.

I think that's more than enough to be getting on with for now.

List Mania May/June

• Tyvek postcards - They are started but I'm running a few days behind on the posting deadline, hope to have them done soon though :)
  
• Needle felted postcards - This swap was cancelled


• Siberian Gold - Done
  
• Hexagons Pillow - add border - border is cut and stitching has started, again hoping this will be done soon


• Doll Swap - Done
  
• Cat Cushion - join the squares, have this all laid out, just need to get it to the sewing machine


• Sheep Sampler - the felted sheep is finished :)
  
• Nan's Quilt - Absolutely nothing done on this one

So not much creative happening round here way too many reds and oranges on the list this month, meaning goals are only halfway met or not even touched :( But I did make another start that wasn't on the list - the hearts bookmark.

I'm on holiday for 2 weeks in June and things with my house move are starting to gather momentum so there really will be a distinct lack of stitching time this month. I am planning on taking some stitching on hols with me though in case I get a spare half hour here and there, but I'm going to keep the list quite short this month.

• Babushka postcards - need to be in the mail by 20th June
  
• Siberian Gold - just keep plodding on
  
• Finish Hearts bookmark
  
• Secret Project - this is for my Pay It Forward.

Listmania - April/May

Wow, the months are really rattling by this year, I think it's a sign that I'm getting old :) Even though it feels like just a couple of days since my last monthly confessional here we are on the first day of May and it's time to report on how well my crafting month went.

Siberian Gold - Progress has been made though maybe not quite as much as I had hoped

Hexagons Pillow - add the final 5 rows and attach border fabric. Final Rows added but no border

Sheep Sampler - Felt sheep Started but not finished I'll give an update soon

Crochet - 3 squares complete. Failed at this again I'm struggling to teach myself the basics I think I need someone to actually show me what to do rather than trying to pick it up from books

Knitting - get this one finished Done :)

Blackbird - Again I failed at this one and didn't even manage to pick up a needle!

revamp cat squares cushion - A start has been made :)

Nan's quilt - Didn't manage to pick this one up

Garden Postcards - Done

Doll Swap - I'm behind on this one started but not finished this is number one priority for next month!

Spring Colours Postcards - Done

So April wasn't a great month and I think my stitching time may get less over the next few months, I have a house to pack up and the longer, lighter evenings mean that getting out and enjoying the fresh air is far more tempting, but I'll still aim high and see what happens.

• Tyvek Postcards - need to be mailed by 30th May
• Needle felted postcards - in the mail by 5th May
• Siberian Gold - Keep plugging away
• Hexagons pillow - add border
• Doll swap - get finished asap
• Cat Cushion - join the square together again
• Sheep sampler - finish felted sheep
• Nan's Quilt

Listmania - March/April

You might remember that my goals for March were quite quite a few, it's time again to confess how well I did trying to meet them

• Siberian Gold - keep up the steady progress - Done


• Happy Postcards - need to be in the mail by 10th March - Done


• Faces Postcards - need to be in the mail by 21st March - Done


• Finish the knitting - As you already know legs have been added but it didn't get finished.


• Make at least three crochet squares - I am determined to teach myself crochet this year!
  - Finally I made a start with the crochet hook, I'll be blogging about it, but I didn't get anywhere near meeting the 3 squares goal, oops!


• Hexagons Pillow - 10 rows joined as promised


• Blackbird - I want to have this one finished. - Haven't picked up the needle on this one so total failure :(


• Blackwork sheep - My black work flock is complete :)


• Secret Project - This is done. It will be a while before it gets to its new owner though so I'm not going to reveal the whole things until then. (The pictures in this post are all from the secret project).


• Secret Project 2 - This was a no start I decided not to go ahead with this project in the end. Now it's time to move on to the list for April. Even though I having a long list means that I don't always manage to get everthing complete it is nice to have a choice of things to work on depending on how the mood takes me so I'll continue to set a long list I think.
  


• Siberian Gold - Keep Plugging away, I'm going to set myself a mini goal of completing one needleful of thread on this a day.


• Hexagons Pillow - add the final 5 rows and attach border fabric.


• Sheep Sampler - Felt sheep


• Crochet - So last month I failed at making 3 sqaures but I'm going to set myself a 3 square challenge again.


• Knitting - get this one finished


• Blackbird - I want to make a little progress on this one in April, at least pick up a needle :)


• revamp cat squares cushion - this is something new for the list, I'll tell you more in another post


• Nan's quilt - this is a ufo and another new one for the list
  
• Garden Postcards - Need to be in the mail by 10th April
  
• Doll Swap - Needs to be in the mail by 14th April


• Spring Colours Postcards - need to be in the mail by 15th April

Wow, now I'm looking at it all written down that is a huge list. (You could be forgiven for thinking it's an April Fool, but it's really not, lol) I'm definately going to need to get organised (and give up housework for the month!) if I'm to try and achieve even half of this. Wish me luck.

Listmania - March

March already, times flies as they say. As it's the first day it's time to catch up on my to do list.

First up how did I do in February?

• Make Hearts and Flowers Postcards - done.
• Work on blackbird piece - I have done a little on this but it hasn't progressed too much, I'll do an update post soon.
• Make at least one crochet square - Oh dear total failure on this one, haven't so much as picked up a hook.
• Siberian Gold - have been working steadily on this throughout Feb
• Dyeing - Mission accomplished.

As well as the above I also managed to complete a couple of things that weren't even on the list to start with - a pincushion and the little cow stitchery. I've started a new knitting project and the hexagons cushion. So all in all a pretty good stitching month I think.

My goals for March are something like this.

• Siberian Gold - keep up the steady progress.


• Happy Postcards - need to be in the mail by 10th March


• Faces Postcards - need to be in the mail by 21st March


• Finish the knitting - this might be a stretch, depends on how my wrist holds up, but there is hope as it's coming together pretty quickly.


• Make at least three crochet squares - I am determined to teach myself crochet this year!


• Hexagons Pillow - There are about 15 rows of hexagons to join to complete the top it's pretty slow stitching but I hope to have at least 10 rows joined by the end of the month.


• Blackbird - I want to have this one finished.


• Blackwork sheep - This is a new project, I'll let you in on the details soon.


• Secret Project - this one is a UFO and it's a present for a friend who reads this so I'm not going to give any details as I want it to be a surprise
• Secret Project 2 - This should be a reasonably quick thing to make, but again can't say too much at this stage as it's part of a gift for someone who reads this.

Wow that's a pretty long list and I could add more, there are so many things I want to do at the moment. I think it's going to be a tough ask to get any where near finishing the list as I'll be back at work soon and also have a few trips and days out that I want to do too. Wish me luck.

Listmania

Sadly my bout of insomnia is continuing, but all the extra hours in the day has meant that I have had plenty of time to wander the web, including some time spent looking at my own blog posts from the past. This has been a fun way of remembering things I've made over the years, some of which I'd totally forgotten about.

As the urge to stitch is emerging again, it's time to try and organise these random thoughts and ideas that keep popping in to my head, to try and make some order out of chaos. I used to do a weekly to do list, I don't think I'm committed enough again yet to trying to work on several projects a week, but thought I'd resurrect this idea in a monthly to do list. So here is my February list.

• Make Hearts and Flowers Postcards - after over a year without making a postcard I've signed up for a swap again.


• Work on blackbird piece - this is one of the things I started and showed in my new projects post the other day, not sure where this one is going yet, but we'll see.


• Make at least one crochet square - after declaring that I am going to try and teach myself crochet this year, a month has gone by and I haven't done a thing. As my first subscription package arrived the other day it's time to stop procrastinating!


• Siberian Gold - it's time to bring out the Tigers again. I need to get cracking on Mum's UFOs again.


• Dyeing - I'm going to dye up all those fabrics bought on my impromptu shopping trip last week.

I think that little lot should keep my busy. I guess this time next month we'll see how I got on :)