Life With Jules, and other stuff

Well, I managed to turn in a rough draft of one chapter of my thesis, so I have turned my attention to Christmas. Over the next few weeks I will be working on another chapter as well as a SAL for Christmas 2010. I began stitching this piece on the evening of Dec 5th. Here are a couple of pics of what I have done so far: The top picture is what I completed on the first night. The bottom is what I did last night. So far I am pleased with how it is turning out! I also managed to get a couple more pillows made from old designs that I finished stitching a while back. The first on is the Polska Sampler. I used a bright (Christmasy) red as the backing fabric. The second one is Forever Wild, which I used a blue backing fabric. Here is a pic: These, along with Astral Lions, was sent off to MI this morning to be distributed for Christmas. I almost forgot! I have completed the 2nd part of the HalloSAL Sampler. Here is a pic:

Well, I broke down and purchased a real sewing machine (not a hand held that I was hoping would work). I managed to get the pillow made for my niece. While it has been awhile since I have used a machine, I have to say that I didn't do half bad. The only complaint I have is the bottom (thank GOD I decided to close the bottom right side out instead of the top). The sewing looks awful in some areas, but that is mainly from the little amount of fabric I allowed for. OOPS!! Lesson learned: leave a lot of fabric for things like this. Here are a few pics of the completed project (in all it's glory): The backing fabric I used is actually an old pillowcase from a twin size sheet set that I no longer use (got me a queen size bed earlier this year). I thought it worked well with the deep yellow. I just hope Ariel likes it! :)

I am finally finished stitching Astral Lion and am so pleased with the outcome! Here is a pic: I only have to turn this into a pillow and then wrap and send it off to Michigan for my niece. Now I will take a bit of a break from stitching to concentrate on my thesis the remainder of the week. Over the weekend, I intend to work on Part II of the HalloSAL and begin the Christmas 2010 SAL. I am doing Coming Home for the Holidays ; a Dimensions Gold Collection kit. I will post a pic of Astral Lion as a pillow once it is complete (probably tomorrow)!

I still don't have my own pc back, so I decided to download the pics onto my dad's pc so I can upload them here. First up is HalloSAL. I decided to go with beads for the owls eyes instead of continuing to fight the french knots. While I am waiting for part II on HalloSAL, I decided to stitch Fraidy Frog from the JCS Halloween 2009 Issue. The first image is in normal settings on my camera and the second is in the "pop art" setting. I really like how the colors look in the second image! And finally, an update on Astral Lion . I am almost finished (have stitched much more since this photo was taken) and will post another update on it soon. I am now all the way across the bottom, have the smaller lions done (except for the backstitching), and most of the purple area complete. Now to get my pc back from that blasted Geek Squad! I will have an update on the Christmas SAL over the weekend as I have the 4th part to complete and the last part will be out soon (Sunday, ...

Well, I guess it's that time again! Here is my November report for TUSAL: I am also making some progress on Astral Lions . I will post a picture of that later in the week.

Yes, that does mean I have finished Makin' New Friends (well, as finished as it's gonna get)! Instead of french knots, I used black colored beads. I opted not to do all the "beadwork" because I felt it would look better without all the clutter. There should be white and red beads as well on the buttons and one of the scarfs. Here is a pic: Earlier today, my father and I were out and about and we stopped at JoAnn's so I could get some fabric for a project I am going to start for one of my graduate school classes. I am making a chapbook, of sorts, using my own poetry translated into Arabic. I plan to write the poems in calligraphy and then bind the book in a traditional (as traditional as I can get, anyway) medieval Islamic fashion. It will be a lot of work, but I am sure it will look great when I am done! Here is a pic of the fabric I chose (Yes, that is my kitten, Sandy, "modeling" with the fabric - it's hard to believe she is almost 7 mos.): I also...

I got a new camera last week (an early Christmas present to myself) and thought I would take a few pics of the two projects I am working on. Here are some of one section of Zanesville : Here are some of Astral Lions . These were taken using the "Pop Art" settings on my Olympus E620: And these are in the normal settings:

I haven't gotten as much stitching accomplished as I had hoped to have done by now - especially with the new semester a week away. I thought I would post a pic of what I have done to this point. I actually have a little more of the purples stitched than what this picture shows as I started working on it again after taking the pic. I am not sure how much I will be able to finish within the next week as I am starting to get back into my study mode. Plus, the new fall season is underway and I tend to get sidetracked during my favorite programs (part of the reason for the title of this post). I am excited for all of the new programs on CBS: NCIS-LA, The Good Wife, Accidentally On Purpose; and all of the old faves: HIMYM, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, Ghost Whisperer, Medium (picked up from NBC), and Numb3rs. Also ABC's new programs on Wednesday night and the old faves listed in this title. I watch entirely tooooooo much of the idiot box!

Well, I am now focusing on the bottom portion of Astral Lions. I finished the sky this afternoon. I really am liking this one... A thought I was having while working the stars...I think they would look outstanding in metallic floss instead of the regular cotton, but I don't think I am going to change anything at this point.

Well, he has left my hands finally! I completed him around 10:30 pm last night and I am somewhat satisfied with him. I do not really care for all of the lighter colors in his hair, but I am not sure how I could even change that to my liking. At least he looks like Elvis!? Here are a few pics: I think I like the picture that is longer the best. It seems more suitable for framing or whatever. Now, I should probably turn my attention back to Astral Lions. I only have about 2 weeks left before a new semester begins and I have to focus on the books. I want to get as much done on Lions before then. I also have a couple of other small projects I plan to work on as well. Plus, HalloSAL will be starting in about 1 1/2 months (Nov 1st).

I have recently joined a stitching group called HalloSAL . I am looking forward to participating in this group over the next year. I will be posting an update on Astral Lions very soon. For now, here is a picture of my kitten, Sandy. She loves to play with the floss while I stitch. I have to keep stopping to train her not to play with it, lol. She is a joy to have around and great company! And did I mention she's a Spartan fan! GO Green! GO White!! GO MSU!!!

I have been working on this project a few hours a day and it is really starting to take shape! These pictures show how the right ear is beginning to form and some of the sky. This picture is a view from an angle to give a different perspective.

It's been a little while since I last posted an update. I have made some significant progress on Astral Lions and the pics are below. I am in between semesters at the moment and will be spending more time on this project until the 1st of October.

I have returned to working on the Astral Lion over the past few days and thought I would share my progress to date. This picture shows the actual color of the fabric I am working with. Because it is so bright, it is often difficult to work with and is a strain on the eyes. I am happy with the way it is turning out this time (as opposed to all the problems I had last time I tried working it)! I am hoping to have it completed by Christmas so I can give it to my niece. Here is the pattern sheet with the areas marked in yellow that I have completed.

I started Astral Lions a couple of nights ago. Since I messed up on it before, I thought it would be a good idea to go slow and mark my progress with a yellow highlighter. This will also help me find missed stitches! Below are some pics I took: As you can see, I like to work from the center out on my cross-stitching. I have seen some people work from the border in, but it seems more difficult to count out that far to start than to pinpoint the center and begin there.

Well, I have decided to give this pattern another go. I started it once before and made so many mistakes that I ripped it all out. I hoped the fabric would still be usable, but it wasn't so I shopped around and found the complete kit on e-Bay last year. I hope to have this one finished by Christmas for my niece. Astral Lions (K3652US) DMC - Creative World Part of the Born Free Collection (2000) Completed size is 14" x 17" (35.5 x 43.5 cm)