January Update - Stitch from Stash

Well folks, 28 days into the Stitch From Stash and I'm already dying to buy stuff!!!
I am seriously starting to think that maybe I have a shopping addiction... as someone with an addictive personality (hence why I love crafting so much) I am always on the watch to make sure I'm not being silly about stupid crap but this shopping this is just too hard. LOL.

So how'd I really do with a $25 budget? 
Okay... I stuck to eBay almost all month, where I could feel like I was buying stuff even if I lost the bid. Pathetic I know.
I am still dying to buy the new Ink Circles Turret pattern, which means that at least I know I really want it.
So I spent $14.24 (US) in total and will be getting 4 small charts with mermaids, two Lizzie Kate kits and a little bead and button Mill Hill kit. Not too shabby at all!
But definitely February will need to include Ink Circles new pattern Turretts and threads and fabric for it!!

Coming up is the Nashville Market and there will be a pre-determined amount to spend that weekend with any store. Many stores offer discounts if you order before or on the weekend. I'm watching my two favourite store that are itty bitty and going to the market for what awesome new things they find there.

Ladies from SFS - So many of you hit $0.00 or less than $5 in the budget this month. I'm sooo impressed! An email will be coming around to everyone by the weekend with fun stats, tips & tricks; as well as the important winners of stash stuff!!

I do have the first couple of bands on Counting Bats by Just Nan stitched up already. But no pics as I didn't have a chance to take it off the scroll rods. So next time for sure!

Cottages are Finished!!!

Well it took twice as long (1 year longer) than the year it was supposed to in order to finish these lovely little cottages. But at least they didn't become a UFO. Which is a goal in my world. lol!

I did change many things about these cottages but the spirit of them is definitely still there. The biggest change of course being making July into a Canada Day celebration instead of Fourth of July festivities. I'm lucky that Canada celebrates our 'independance day' only 3 days before the US.The Kreniek that is in the sky of each cottage was also added by me. And then some other color changes and things.

So without due, on Lambswool Linen from Lakeside Linens, 40ct, 1 over 2 threads. Here is the cottage of the month series from Country Cottages (click on photo to see larger):

 And a couple angle shots from the most recent row:

I have no idea what I'm going to do with this piece as it doesn't work in our home at all. It may become a donation item to a charity auction in the fall. I have done this with two pieces in the past (get them framed and then donate) and they both made some good money (a few hundred dollars each) for the respective charity. Unless another idea or thought comes to mind. Or as with many other finishes it might just collect dust in my "finishes" box. 

So with Cottages out of the way I went on a hunt for a project I put aside to work on them.
Counting Bats by Just Nan. I had one of the 8 sections completed when I stopped. And I really do want to finish this, if only because I bought the entire silk set for it (which was crazy expensive) so I feel like I should finish it. I'm hoping it doesn't take too long so I can move onto a new start soon too! Photos of progress coming in the next couple weeks.

Progress on Dragons is a bit slow but happening. To date I have been working on Dragons mostly on weekend time so it gives me a 'set' time to dedicate to them.

The postings for Stitch from Stash are starting to roll in. Wanna see how others are doing? Check it out by clicking the link  above to "Stitch from Stash" and you'll see the list of bloggers. 

Dragons!!! Page complete! - 4 to go!!!

Yep, I know it's a lot of exclamation marks but I can't help myself. I'm down to one row (4 pages across) on the dragons piece. This means, that I will (hopefully) be able to finish it by 2015!! It's been a 6 year (I think) trial with this piece and actually I'll be sorry to be done it but happy at the same time. This piece has been through a lot with me and I've really enjoyed all the colors.
So here we are the latest page area that is complete. Not too complex:

And the full piece to date. Just the dragons head, some sky and wings left. Nothing too complicated once the head is complete!! So it should be a quicker stitch than the horrid (but beautiful) dragon scales were.

Alas, I saw the latest release from Ink Circles and the Town Mandala is soooo awesome! So February's budget, or maybe some bday money (my bday is in February) will have to go towards getting it and matching up some colors for our home. The new Mandala reminds me of a town we visited on our Netherlands trip called Maastricht. Here's what the new Ink Circles pattern looks like (it's not yet shipped for purchase anywhere from the newsletter info).

I'm struggling along with this whole don't just randomly buy stuff deal. What was I thinking with this whole budget thing! lol. But luckily I know 130 of you are also in the same boat. I've been bidding on ebay mostly planning on being outbid, it's almost like buying (hahaha!).
Hope you're all hanging in there. Want to check out the bloggers that are involved in Stitch From Stash 2014? Click the tab at the top of this page to see the list.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. :) 

Final Call - Stitch From Stash 2014 Sign-Ups

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope 2014 is starting off well for everyone today.

This is the last call to sign up for Stitch From Stash 2014. Please click the tab at the top of this post for more information.

If you have not received an email from me then you are not confirmed and on the list!!
Please email stitchfromstash@gmail.com if you have any questions, concerns or haven't been confirmed to the group yet.

We are at an amazing 108 participants right now!!!! Which is overwhelming to me, but I have a trusty, elaborate spreadsheet to keep it all in order. :)

Today is day 1 of not spending money and so of course a couple of my fave online stores are having sales! And so the challenge begins...