Crazy January Challenge - Garden of Joy Ornament and January TUSAL

Tonight, I started the final of three ornaments I am stitching for the CJC. This is another one from Turquoise Graphics and Designs that came out of Just CrossStitch this year, and I love how the colors vary from it's 'sibling' ornament:

Lots and lots and LOTS and lots and LOTS AND LOTS of beading to come on this later, but like the others, I'm going to do the crosses first and then go back and bead after. Here is my progress as of tonight:

Not too bad! Today is also the first TUSAL of 2013. I loved the ORT Ornament I made with my TUSAL bits last year, and that was after only really stitching for six months. I can't wait to see what I can do this year, and the year is already off to a good start. I'm using the same jar I did last year to collect my ORT's. It stays seated on the table right next to my stitching spot to collect my ORT's when they're ready:

First TUSAL of 2013!

Since I took a Christmas holiday from stitching very shortly after the last TUSAL of 2012, these threads are almost exclusively from the Crazy January Challenge pieces, with a few threads from stitching Girl Scout badges thrown in as well!

From the top!

I have lots of different pieces with lots of different color schemes this year. It will be interesting to see how this grows this year!

Four more starts left for the CJC! I can't wait!

Until next time!
~Katy

Crazy January Challenge - Fall Fairy

This is the last of the four kits that are part of this challenge. This piece actually has an HAED counterpart, which is on my wishlist to do some day. In the meantime, I do really like this beautiful piece!

Fall Fairy - Dimensions Gold Collection

Thursday's aren't always condusive for me stitching as I tend to bring my kids over to my parents' house for dinner and we don't get home until late, but I did manage to get a few stitches in today!

Yes, the background fabric is blue, that's not just my flash this time!

Tomorrow is the first TUSAL for the year! Can't wait!

Until next time!
~Katy

Crazy January Challange - Winter Flowers Ornament

The second of the three ornaments was started tonight. This is going to be a very bead heavy piece, but I'm definitely saving all beading for the end:

And here is my progress as of tonight:

I didn't get as much done tonight as I wanted as I spent about an hour and a half of my stitching time getting all of my daughter's new badges sewn on her Daisy vest before cookie sales start Saturday...that will teach me to be lazy and not add them on as soon as they come in!

Until next time!
~Katy

Crazy January Challenge - Stitching ABC's

The moment I saw this kit, I knew I wanted to stitch it to hang in a place of prominence in my (under construction) mom cave/craft room. It's just perfect for anyone who stitches!

So here is my progress as of tonight:

Not a ton of progress, but a start is a start! Off to bed for me, it's been a long couple of days of orientation (delayed for me, since I started 'early' at work), and getting back in the school routine definitely has done a number on me too! Oh well! Sweet dreams!

Until next time!
~Katy

Crazy January Challenge - Celtic Christmas Ornament #4

This is one of three Christmas ornaments I'm working on as part of the Crazy January Challenge. I've never made an ornament before, but after getting the 2012 Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornament edition, I couldn't resist! This one is Celtic Christmas Ornament #4 by The Sunflower Seed:

Pretty!

Just three colors of thread in this ornament, including my first use of true overdyed floss. I'm using the same fabric as called for in the pattern, but mine is not nearly as yellow as this picture is for some reason. No matter, I'm having fun with the sparkly kreinik thread!

Sparkles!

I have a lot of pieces using a lot of kreinik with this challenge and on the whole, I like working with it and the pretty effects it creates! I have a feeling this should be another relatively quick stitch that I should be able to finish this year and hopefully I'll have it hanging on my tree this coming Christmas!

Until next time!
~Katy