What I have been up too.

Haven't done any stitching on my challenge projects of late, instead I have been working on my eldest son's christmas stocking as I need to get this finished and then start on my daughter's, which is in this challenge! I have also been doing some quilting- I have finished a quilt top for my middle son- dragons, which are his favourite & of course the colour red! Now all I need to do is get the batting & backing, then pin & quilt it. This will then be put away for christmas 2011. I will post a pic when I take a photo. I also aim to do one for my other two kids as well- fingers crossed that happens! University starts again on the 28th Feb, so I will be flat out studying and doing assignments so I am making the most of my free time that is left!

Oriental Elegance- stitching finished! 31-1-2011

Managed to finish Oriental Elegance bright and early Monday morning! I am very pleased with it and can't wait unitl I get the materials needed to finish it off as a wallhanging- that will have to wait until Saturday! I am going to do some stitching on my eldest son's christmas stocking now- it isn't part of this challenge, but it does need to finished in time for christmas this year (as well as my daughter's stocking!) so I have better get cracking!

Oriental Elegance Update 29-1-2011

Have managed to get a lot done and hope to finish the stitching by the end of the weekend (fingers crossed!). The material is a patterned aida bought from sew and so in the UK. I htink it is looking more and effective as I stitch more of the design and I am looking forward to finishing the stitching and make it up into a wall hanging. My daughter, 8yrs old, has been learning to sew using s sewing machine that she saved up for herself , so I have added a pic of Sarah and her first item sewn on her machine.

Progress on Oriental elegance- 25-1-2011

I have managed to sit & stitch some more of my oriental elegance. This is another project that is nice to stitch and I am enjoying stitching it. I think the patterned material sets it off nicely- the sun also uses maderia's glisten gloss, which looks lovely as well. I have been teaching my daughter how to sew, so haven't had to much time for stitching! But she is having a blast and is a very quick learner in the sewing department, but then sewing runs in the female side of my family!

Finish Number one

I have just realised that I didn't post a pic of my first completed challenge piece! Spose it is better late than never! My first finish was 'with enough tea I can survive anything' how very true! I intend to place it on my workstation and refer to it often when I am completing my university study and assignments! lol

Finish number Two

Today I finished 'dream' by Joan Elliot. I have really enjoyed stitching this one and the beads really set it off. I think I should have choosen lighter material as some of the 'stars' are a bit hard to see, but never mind- I am not doing it again no matter how much I enjoyed stitching it the first time! lol

Day sixteen. 16-1-2011

today was the catchup day as I was a day behind! I managed to start 'cresent moon dragon' and 'hope' both by Joan Elliott. I am doing the dragon on some aida that I dyed (I need to practise some more!) and 'hope' is on some dyed aida that I had bought at a craft fair.

Day Fifteen. 15-1-2011

Today I started the snowmen table cloth- it was a lot cooler today so stitching with all that material over myself wasn't a drama! I  managed to finish one of the smowmen and am looking forward to stitching some more of this one.

Day Fourteen. 14-1-2011

second last day of this challenge, though for me I will be continuing past day fifteen as I am a day behind and have some more projects that I want to start. Today I decided to start The Samurai' by Dimensions Gold petites Collection. It is very slow going as it is done on 18count aida. It will look stunning when finished and matches Mai, which is also done on 18count. I didn't get a chance to stitch until the arvo as I put my eldest son on the bus to Perth to attend a week of summer school at Murdoch uni. Is strange just having two children at home! That got me thinking that in a few years time he will be moving to Perth to attend uni- scary!!

Day Thirteen. 13-1-2011

WOW day thirteen already! this year is going to zoom past just as quick as 2010 did! I started 'Cross Stitch Zone' in World of Cross Stitching Issue 164. Of course I didn't have one thread needed (out of all the threads I have!), so had to leave parts unstitched.

Day Twelve 12-1-2011

I started Santa and his reindeer today. not much got done as I was glued to the TV watching the QLD flood disaster unfolding. My cousin & her family was one of the lucky ones- she was in Toowoomba 1/2 hour before the inland Tsunami hit & her & her famil (daughter, husband & her mum) are safe and well. My hert goes out to all involved in this disaster. Has been a very sad day indeed.

Day Eleven 11-1-2011

Started Mai today. again, another hot day and not much stitching being done but at least I have started it!

Day Ten 10-1-2011

Started kiss (not sure if this is the correct name, but anyway). Didn't get a lot done as it has been very hot where I live and have been very busy with my kids- taking two to swimming lessons- lovely weather for it- and getting my eldest organsied for his trip to Murdoch university in Perth for a week at summer school.

Day nine- 9-1-2011

Another day, this time a very hot day- well I supose it is summer here. Was going to start my snowman table cloth, but it was way to hot to have all that material on me, so instead I started 'Dream' by Joan Elliot. Again, another nice design to stitch and I got a fair bit done as well. I am happy with my progress so far on this challenge, though I am still a day behind.

Day eight 8-1-2011

I started 'with enough tea' today, got so much done I had to finish it the next day! This one was  a quick and easy design to stitch and lots of fun. Is very true as well! lol

Day seven. 7-1-2011

After a very busy day going into our nearest large town to buy back to school supplies for my three children- was a very expensive day out! I managed to find time in the evening to start my next project, 'See No Evil' by Dimensions. I didn't get much done as I wanted to but at least it was a start.

Day Six. 6-1-2011

Unfortunately I didn't manage to start a new project today as I had to finish an assignment for university, that was due. I aim to catch up on the weekend as I do not have anything planned (beside the usual 'mum' & houswork commitments!). I am really enjoying this challenge, it is making me start the projects that I have always wanted to but never got around to do & fingers crossed they do not end up as UFOS!

Day five. 5-1-2011

Startered Oriental Elegance, managed to finish the small crane and start the larger one above it. The fabric is a patterned aida from DMC's Impressions range, which has been in my stash for a while now as I ordered it ages ago with the intention of stitching this design- just didn't count on it take such a long time to actually start it! lol

Day 4 4-1-2011

Another new day and another new start. This time I started Bothered, not as interesting to stitch as Imagine, but I still managed to get a lot done...wonder what one I shall start tommorrow????

Day 3 3-1-2011

Started Imagine by Joan Eliott. I really enjoyed stitching this one and found it hard to put it down at the end of the day!

Day Two. 2-1-2011

Started on my table topper, again got a fair bit done. Feels strange to put a project down at the end of the day and begin another one the next day!

Day 1. 1-1-2011

I started stitching letter 'I' of my honeypot bears. I manages to get a fair bit done.