Finish It Up Challenge 2020 edition

Hi Everyone!

I've been doing a personal Finish It Up Challenge the last couple of years and it seems to help so I'm going to do it again in 2020.  Quite a few of these are carry-overs from last year, but I did finish some items in 2019 so it's not the exact same list!  I'm going to show the updated list from last year first.

2019 Finish It Up Challenge:

• Finish hand-quilting my antique grandmother's flower garden quilt finished on 19 May 2019
• Paint the ceiling of my new quilting studio - finally got it done though it was more than just paint
• Finish the top from Bonnie Hunter's 2018-19 Good Fortune Mystery finished 18 Jan 2019
• Paint the inside of the 2 closet areas in my studio - finished late January 2020
• Paint the walls and trim of my studio - finished early January 2020
• List a bunch of items in my Etsy Shop XedStitches finished 21 Feb 2019
• List items on FB marketplace tried, no interest - items will be at local auction or on eBay
• Lay new flooring in my studio
• Build new cutting table
• Clean and re-frame cross stitch for my sister - I cleaned it, she framed it
• Install shelving for fabric in my studio
• Install new light fixtures in my studio - finished December 2019
• Paint chest of drawers that will go in closet of my studio
• Move quilting supplies (fabric, books, rulers, etc.) into new space
• Finish crocheted cardigan finished 5 Feb 2019
• Make another bull's eye quilt top
• Finish Little Bee Eater [retired] cross stitch finished on 11 Feb 2019

Whew!  I did get more done than I thought!  As you can see, a couple of them were completed in the last month, but they're done!  There are a couple on last year's list that I've thought about and I'm not going to do:  build a cutting table, and the chest of drawers.  

Hubby has an electronic drafting table that he wants out of his space so that's going to be my cutting table.  I'll be able to adjust it to the perfect height for me and it's got a lot of surface space!  I also decided against the chest of drawers in the closet and am going with custom cut shelves - hubby's going to cut them for me.

So here's my list for 2020:

• Lay new flooring in my studio
• Install shelving in the closets
finished in early March
• Move quilting supplies into studio
• Make another bull's eye quilt top
• Finish Bonnie Hunter's 2019-2020 mystery quilt
• Scan at least 1000 family photos (I have hundreds!)
• Make/buy new curtains for my studio

That's it for right now, but the list may grow.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Ceiling painted...not

If the title of this confused you, don't worry, I'm confused too!

Last weekend, hubby helped me paint the ceiling in my eventual quilt studio.  He even bought the Kilz primer/sealer for me!  Gotta love that man!  He had suggested the Kilz because the previous owners were smokers (ugh!).

We borrowed the neighbor's paint sprayer.  We don't know, but there's a chance, that the popcorn ceiling might be asbestos.  We can't afford to have it remediated, so we're doing everything we can to not disturb it.  Painting is okay - especially with a sprayer.

Here's a before photo:



It doesn't look too bad, in the full shot, but take a look at this one:













The popcorn is medium brown, the white stripe is where a board was holding up a valance, the dark along the wall is how dirty the ceiling tiles would be if the popcorn hadn't been added later.  You can also get a glimpse of how stained the paneling is from that light spot in the lower left corner.  That's where I removed a curtain bracket.

Here's an after photo:



Isn't that much brighter and cleaner?  Yes, we got some on the walls...intentionally.  We don't want to remove the trim along the ceiling because that would disturb the iffy popcorn, so we hit it with the Kilz and the white ceiling paint.

Now, you're probably wondering where the "...not" comes in in my post title.  This photo might clear that up:



Yep, that's the paint and primer peeling off the ceiling tiles!  Thankfully, none of it is actually falling down and the popcorn seems to be contained in the paint/primer.  So the ceiling is painted, but it's not.

Hubby came up with a brilliant solution.  You can safely cover up chancy popcorn by putting boards over it, like ¼" plywood, MDF, etc.  We're going to use beadboard and 1x6's and create a coffered ceiling!  It will extend into the hallway as well, since we painted that and it's also peeling.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Progress, tiny, but still...

This is one of my Finish It Up challenges regarding my new quilt studio.  Sorry, no photos for this post.

Just got back from Home Depot with paint!  I got the ceiling paint (white) and the paint for the closet interiors (Tahitian Breeze).  Both are from Behr.  This will be for my quilting studio.

There's a hall off my new studio that leads to the bathroom, bedroom and living room.  It's the same paneling color as the studio is currently.  It's going to get painted the same colors at the same time as my quilting studio.   Coming soon...light and calming vs. the current dark and depressing.

I do have to vacuum the dust and cobwebs off the ceiling before I can paint.  I've already done the hall, mainly 'cause it's small and therefore easier.  ;-)

Happy Stitching (and painting)!

Stacy

Finish It Up Challenge - another one done!

Hey Everyone!

I've finished another item on my FIU list!  I listed pretty much everything I had set aside for my Etsy shop, XedStitches!  All I can say is, "Whew!".

I listed:

• 38 quilting patterns
• 18 quilting magazines
• 7 sewing patterns
• 8 quilting books
• 10 cross stitch magazines
• 5 cross stitch leaflets
• 6 cross stitch kits (including 2 Winnie the Pooh!)
• 1 rescued finished cross stitch piece (Hinzeit Mini Blocks, Fishing - framed!)

I'm tired now but glad I got it done!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Another Finish It Up Challenge finish!

Just a few minutes ago, I finished Little Bee-Eater [retired] from HAED!  Here is the little guy:

I stitched this on some hand-dyed evenweave that I had from Silkweaver.  I'd had this piece for years and thought this would be the perfect combination.

I stitched this 1x1 on 28ct., full crosses.  In all the years I've stitched, this was the first chart I'd done that used DMC B5200.  Quite a bit of the branch is B5200.

Now I've got this scroll frame empty, I'm going to have a browse through my stash to see what will fit on this frame.  ;-)

My pattern is a .pdf version, so please don't ask for my "copy" - that would be illegal.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Crocheted Cardigan finish

Disclosure:  Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Hello Everyone!   I hope you are all keeping warm or cool, whichever is preferred in your location!  Here it's been quite cold (for my location).  We are quite balmy compared to most of the country but it's proving difficult to keep our house warm.  Anything below 40° F (4° C) just proves how little insulation there is in our house.

I have been keeping busy.  Lately, that's involved sitting in front of the fire and working on my crocheted cardigan.  That's why it is finished!  This is one of my Finish It Up Challenge items.  My FIU list has been updated.

Here is my finished cardigan:

The pattern is from this leaflet:


Since I'm fairly tall, I did add an extra row of motifs to the bottom of the cardigan.  In the leaflet, this is pattern #5 - Medallion Motif Cardigan.
Happy Stitching!
Stacy

Finish It Up Challenge 2019 edition

Updated on 20 May 2019.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

I've done this Finish It Up Challenge the last couple of years and thought I'd do it again.  2018 wasn't my best effort, but I still got some of those done so I'm hopeful.

Since I'm going to be working on converting a large spare bedroom into my quilting studio, there are going to be a lot of steps toward that listed!

Here's my list for 2019:

• Finish hand-quilting my antique grandmother's flower garden quilt finished on 19 May 2019
• Paint the ceiling of my new quilting studio
• Finish the top from Bonnie Hunter's 2018-19 Good Fortune Mystery finished 18 Jan 2019
• Paint the inside of the 2 closet areas in my studio main closet is cleaned out! 7 Feb 2019
• Paint the walls and trim of my studio
• List a bunch of items in my Etsy Shop XedStitches finished 21 Feb 2019
• List items on FB marketplace tried, no interest - items will be at local auction or on eBay
• Lay new flooring in my studio
• Build new cutting table
• Clean and re-frame cross stitch for my sister
• Install shelving for fabric in my studio
• Install new light fixtures in my studio
• Paint chest of drawers that will go in closet of my studio
• Move quilting supplies (fabric, books, rulers, etc.) into new space
• Finish crocheted cardigan finished 5 Feb 2019
• Make another bull's eye quilt top
• Finish Little Bee Eater [retired] cross stitch finished on 11 Feb 2019

There will probably be more added to this list as I finish items up.  I'm really keen on getting the quilting studio items done but some of those will depend on finances.  I'm not going to do any step without being able to pay cash for it.  The painting shouldn't be a problem but I'm definitely going to have to save up for new flooring.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

FIU Challenge Update

Sorry I haven't written anything lately, life has gotten in the way a bit.

I've made progress on my list though!  I finished my bull's eye quilt!  You can see it below.

• Stitch a design for the candlescreen that I have
• Finish hand-quilting the Bull's Eye Quilt  completely finished on 17 June 2018
• Finish the log cabin star wall hanging
• Start hand-quilting my grand aunt's grandmother's flower garden quilt top
• Clean up the nook area in my sewing room - made a start, barely
• Finish the mystery quilt top I've started - finished 3 February
• Clean and re-frame my hummingbirds cross stitch
• Post all the stuff I have waiting to be listed in my Etsy shop
• Clean up my scrapbooking area
• Make a start on archival scanning of all my family photographs
• Get my printed recipes put into my recipe software (Living Cookbook)

It measures approximately 63" square.  I hand-quilted it using Essentials thread in Primary Colors (red/yellow/blue).  The black border has an oak leaf stipple, the white border is a simple Celtic chain, and the body of the quilt is a rose stipple.  I will be entering this in our county fair in August.  It's the only thing I've totally completed since last year's fair so it will be my only entry.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

2018 Finish It Up Challenge

Well, this has helped me the last couple of years, so I'm going to do this again!

Here's my list for 2018:

• Stitch a design for the candlescreen that I have
• Finish hand-quilting the Bullseye Quilt
• Finish the log cabin star wall hanging
• Start hand-quilting my grand aunt's grandmother's flower garden quilt top
• Clean up the nook area in my sewing room
• Finish the mystery quilt top I've started (all clues haven't been posted yet)
• Clean and re-frame my hummingbirds cross stitch
• Post all the stuff I have waiting to be listed in my Etsy shop
• Clean up my scrapbooking area
• Make a start on archival scanning of all my family photographs
• Get my printed recipes put into my recipe software (Living Cookbook)

I might "find" a few more items to put on this list but I think I'll leave it here for now.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

2017 FIU final progress report

Ok, here is what my final FIU list for 2017 looks like:

Here's my list for 2017:

• Put all my loose floss on bobbins
• Stitch a design for the candlescreen that I have
• Assemble my Happy Blocks quilt top
• Assemble my Crumbs quilt top
• Finish hand-quilting the Bullseye Quilt - made it just past the 50% mark
• Finish the Log Cabin Star wallhanging - need to add borders
• Hand-quilt at least 10 blocks on my Christmas Strings quilt
• Finish my Through the Storm cross stitch as a free-standing block
• Finish my green Temari ball
• Finish 1 of my Santa kits (not cross stitch)
• Make bookcases for my sewing room
• Decorate wooden "S" for my sewing room

I didn't finish as much as I'd like on last year's list but at least some of it did get completed and others saw progress.  I am going to do this again for 2018 but I'll list that in a separate post.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Finish It Up Challenge

Yes, yes, I know.  I have been neglecting this so far this year.  I couldn't even remember all that I had put on the list.  I did remember one thing though:  Finish my Through the Storm cross stitch as a free-standing block.

Guess what?  It's done!

Here's my list for this year:

• Put all my loose floss on bobbins finished January 27th with new purchases done February 3rd
• Stitch a design for the candlescreen that I have
• Assemble my Happy Blocks quilt top
• Assemble my Crumbs quilt top
• Finish hand-quilting the Bullseye Quilt
• Finish the Log Cabin Star wallhanging
• Hand-quilt at least 10 blocks on my Christmas Strings quilt
• Finish my Through the Storm cross stitch as a free-standing block  finished 30 July
• Finish my green Temari ball
• Finish 1 of my Santa kits (not cross stitch)
• Make bookcases for my sewing room
• Decorate wooden "S" for my sewing room

I have started on the 3rd one from the top:  Assemble my Happy Block quilt top.  So far, I have most of the blocks assembled.  I need to figure out what I'm going to do for sashing and borders.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Christmas Stitching Challenge

Well, there's nothing to report on my Christmas stitching - I haven't done any.

I have been working on my La Belle Dame...  Since I haven't finished a page, I haven't rotated to any other project, Christmas or otherwise.

In other news, I am making a start on adding listings to my Etsy shop, XedStitches.  I just finished sorting out the items I need to list:  magazines, leaflets, books, kits, etc.  There is a lot!  Not only do I have a bunch of cross stitch stuff, there is quite a bit of quilting and sewing too.

I currently have 222 items for sale in my shop and by the look of my office area, I'll be close to doubling that!  (whew!)

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Finish It Up Challenge

Well, I made some progress on my challenge list, even though I didn't finish a goal.

I did some hand quilting on my bulls-eye quilt this past month.  As I said, I didn't finish it but I did have to move the hoop so that's something.

Here's the quilt:

...and here's a close-up of the quilting:

The thread is a red, white and blue variegated Sulky.  It looks less "patriotic" than it sounds.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Christmas Stitching Challenge

Well, it's time for an update on this year's Christmas Stitching Challenge...and I actually have one!

The last round of my rotation, I started Heirloom Nativity Sampler by The Victoria Sampler.  When I work on a piece like this, I stitch until I have to roll my scroll frame.  Here's what I've gotten done so far:

It looks like there's plenty of room for another band but the next band is the shepherds in the forest, or something like that, and it's a bigger band like the angels.  This is the first 7 bands out of 30.

The fabric is the recommended 28ct. linen.  The color name is something like Ice Blue (I forget what it's called).  It's about the same shade as DMC 927.

That's it for now.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Finish It Up Challenge

Yes, I know.  I'm late with this post!  The real irony of that is I am never late for anything else.  Hair appointment?  15 minutes early.  Church?  At least 15 minutes early.

Here's my list for this year:

• Put all my loose floss on bobbins finished January 27th with new purchases done February 3rd
• Stitch a design for the candlescreen that I have
• Assemble my Happy Blocks quilt top
• Assemble my Crumbs quilt top
• Finish hand-quilting the Bullseye Quilt
• Finish the Log Cabin Star wallhanging
• Hand-quilt at least 10 blocks on my Christmas Strings quilt
• Finish my Through the Storm cross stitch as a free-standing block
• Finish my green Temari ball
• Finish 1 of my Santa kits (not cross stitch)
• Make bookcases for my sewing room
• Decorate wooden "S" for my sewing room

I'm glad that I post the list every month.  It's like a refresher course on what I'm doing.  ;-)

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Christmas Stitching Challenge

Hello Everyone!

Well, for 2017, I don't have any progress to report on Christmas Stitching.  I'll admit, I'm not even done packing up the Christmas décor from last month.  I still have a 7' Christmas tree up in my office area!  The ornaments are off it, but I still need to get the lights off and then pack the tree away.

It's been cold here (WA state coast).  Not like most of the US, but cold for here.  The difficult part is the insulation, or lack thereof, in my house.  My office area is currently 58.8°F (14.9°C).  The chill in the house is keeping me in the living/dining rooms 'cause that's where the fireplace is (we have a wood insert - it's the only source of heat).  I have been getting some stitching done...just not Christmas themed!  ;-)

I am close to a page finish on my La Belle Dame so I'll see about popping a Christmas project into my rotation.  I'm thinking that this year, I'm going to concentrate on a larger piece - probably the Victoria Sampler's Heirloom Nativity Sampler.

I was going to mention my post-Christmas purchase, then I realized that I'd done that in my last post.  I think the cold office is affecting my brain.  Back in front of the fire I go...

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

2017 Finish It Up Challenge

This worked well last year, so I'm doing this challenge again this year.  If you want to participate, just add your blog address to the comments section of this post (you do need to be a "member" of this blog to comment - I was getting too many spammers).  Feel free to download the above image for use on your blog as well.

The items in your list can be anything as long as it's craft related.  

Here's my list for 2017:

• Put all my loose floss on bobbins
• Stitch a design for the candlescreen that I have
• Assemble my Happy Blocks quilt top
• Assemble my Crumbs quilt top
• Finish hand-quilting the Bullseye Quilt
• Finish the Log Cabin Star wallhanging
• Hand-quilt at least 10 blocks on my Christmas Strings quilt
• Finish my Through the Storm cross stitch as a free-standing block
• Finish my green Temari ball
• Finish 1 of my Santa kits (not cross stitch)
• Make bookcases for my sewing room
• Decorate wooden "S" for my sewing room

As you can see, my quilting needs some attention!  Only 3 of these are cross stitch related.

I hope my progress helps motivate you to make progress on your lists.  Anyone who participates should try to do your updates on the 1st of each month.

I'll also be hosting the Christmas Stitching Challenge again this year.  The initial post will be up on the 15th of January!

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Christmas Challenge Update

I remembered to post this update!  Yea, me!

I finished another Mill Hill Charmed Santa Faces kit.  This one is San Nicolo.  I think this is the last one of these kits that I have.

Next up is a Dimensions Gold Collection Petites kit:  Peace Ornament.  I've already made a start on it but so far it's just blobs of red.  ;-)

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Christmas Challenge Update

I'm writing this a day early (gasp) because I'll be out of town tomorrow (Sat.) and even if I were home, we might lose our power.  We're experiencing a wind/rain storm at the moment but an even bigger storm is supposed to hit on Saturday.  It's the "remnant" of a typhoon that hit Japan and then made its way across the Pacific to the US.

I know I didn't do a Finish It Up Challenge update because, well, I didn't finish anything up!  I only have the one item left on my list:  finish my sister's Disney scrapbook.  I don't think I'm going to be getting to it any time soon 'cause "cleaning" is getting in the way.  Actually, reorganizing my craft room is wreaking havoc on everything except my cross stitch, of course!  It's pretty major "surgery" to my room, requiring new, custom furniture.  Hubby and I are going to build the bookcases that I've designed specifically for my stuff and the space I have.  In the meantime, my room is in chaos that's only slightly organized.

I have made progress on my Christmas Challenge though!  Here's the latest ornament that I've finished:

He's another of the Mill Hill Charmed Santa Faces Series II.  I've forgotten his "name" already - poor guy!  And guess what?  I've finished the hat for the next one.  I really don't know what it is with me and the hats.  Personally, I only wear a hat if I absolutely have to (burning sun protection) so it's not like I have a hat fetish.


Well, that's all for now 'cause the lights are flickering and I'm not sure how long my internet is going to last.

Happy Stitching!

Stacy

Yes, I realize that I missed the last 2 months of this challenge!  I really didn't do much Christmas stitching those months, maybe 50 stitches, so you're not missing anything.

I did finish another ornament this past month.  It's another Mill Hill Santa - I love these guys!

Here's the latest one done:

Again, I have started on the hat for the next one, but haven't finished it yet.


Happy Stitching!



Stacy