February Stitch From Stash - Results

Well the splurge weekend in February probably saved me from going over budget. I just got my market purchases in the mail this past week and cannot wait to start Turrets!! I've not been dying to stitch a piece in a long time like this. I know it's because of the personal connection both DH and myself feel we have to it. However I've decided to finish up my Halloween Just Nan UFO first.

Now why don't I have any stitching pictures? 
Well that is because February as the largest sales month of all time for my little Etsy store. And I've been sooo busy making a ton of bracelets. This first week of March has proven to be no slower. But I've confident I'll stitch soon. I am starting to miss it! (which is just sad, lol).

In the meantime though I've been waiting a long time to release a really beautiful necklace and pendant combination. I have 15 of these handmade glass pendants, and can make the choker without the pendant of course. So in the spirit of having a photo here she be. :)




What did I actually spend in Feb?
Well since I used all of my $100 exemption from market weekend I had $0.74 of overage. I didn't buy anything else! I keep loosing on ebay auctions, lol. It's kind of on purpose.

There will be no exemptions or special event in March to help me though, and I find March to be the worst, saddest, most frustrating month of the year. So I feel like this is really the moment of "challenge on".
Hope you are all hanging on out there and know that I too struggle constantly.
Keep stitching (because I don't have time, lol)!

Splurge Weekend - Purchases!!!

Well it was the first of a very few splurge weekends that the Stitch From Stash (SFS) group is having. So I, of course, had to take advantage of the $100 budget that my wonderful man chose for us.
So what did I buy??

I got, the pattern I've been raving about forever, Turretts and Town by Ink Circles. Along with a couple different black silks to try out and see which I like best to stitch it with. I have a couple of beige, tea dyed fabrics that we are going to likely pick from when we get the threads and patterns. Right now the man and I have selected a location for this pattern.
Why is this pattern so special to have a whole plan?? (something I never have)
Because it reminded us both immediately of a town in Germany we visited called Mastricht that was just over the border from the Netherlands (where we were visiting). And we feel it's a great little stitching piece I can do that symbolizes our first big trip to Europe together.

I got a new pattern that I just love the colors and design of that was a new release at the Nashville Needle Market. It's called "Shades of Gold" by Northern Expressions. I only got the pattern as that is what the budget allowed. But feel that one pattern to add to my stash is alright, considering a normal Nashville Market for me would be like 10 patterns. (I know I had no control before, and don't really now just have a group that is keeping me in check).

And last but not least I got a little Mill Hill new kit called "Caterpillar". I love these little kits as they are fun, colorful and don't require any other supplies. They are also easy and great for me to work on when I am not feeling well or my hands are bothering me. I've probably got somewhere around 20 different Mill Hill kits (smaller like this and the larger ones). They are a great stashing item and often I do them on holidays as well.


I got a new set of red stock scissors to replace a pair of stork scissors I lost last week. :( They were my travelling scissors which is why I can't be upset that they are lost as that is how it goes. I loose lots of stuff so I use $10 scissors for my travel kits (mostly Kumihim Bracelets) to ensure that it's no big deal to replace them. I did include them in my budget for the splurge weekend.

So all total I spent exactly $100.35 this weekend. Which means that I have a whole $0.35 to report, so far, in February as spending. I couldn't be more thrilled with my restraint this weekend. I struggled a lot with what to buy (I know I'm pathetic) but it never used to really be a huge thought. I just bought what I wanted and went with it. So now that I have to report my spending, am sharing what I buy with all of you; I feel more accountable. I think this process of SFS is going to really (I hope) change my spending habits, maybe in more than just stitching. We are not wealthy people
and with owning our own home now, as well as the repairs needed to it and other projects/plans I think being a bit more accountable is a very worthy thing. So only 1 1/2 months into this challenge I feel like I can make this work. At least for the rest of the year if not permanently. Or at least today it's a positive day. Maybe because I just bought stuff. LOL.

Thanks for dropping by and all your lovely comments on Counting Bats. More to come on that project and Dragons soon! 

Counting Bats: From UFO to WIP

Thanks to Stitch from Stash group/project for the year I have actually grabbed what was a UFO and turned it into a WIP! This lovely little Just Nan project was started by me at least 2-3 years ago. I had bought all the lovely silks for it and a gorgeous purple overdyed Weeks Dye Works 32ct fabric. It's odd to think that this project sat for so long as I love it so much. But that is why I need to stop buying things as I just can't seem to keep up with 5 projects nevermind 100. lol.

The first band #7 was complete when I picked it up. The rest have been added since I finished cottages. Sorry about the quality of photos, they are not that great. I'll have my DH do them up for me next time. The fabric is more purple and everything is more vibrant that it is showing in these photos.

I'm still deciding what items to purchase on splurge weekend. I'll update on that early next week and share my excitement over some new projects (that I actually have a plan for, and aren't just stash).
My latest thought/tip on the SFS: When you go to buy a project then have a plan for it ahead of time. That way it doesn't just add to stash and never get done.

Happy Stitching!