As you may or may not be aware, I’ve been stitching one Christmas ornament every month for the whole year, taking one from each of the Just Cross Stitch ornament issues from 1997 through 2010 (I started in November 2010). It hasn’t worked out entirely as planned (what ever does?). A few times I had to substitute a different ornament from the same issue. But, as of this month, I’ve only got two more to do, much to my delight. Finishing them into ornaments is, of course, a whole different issue!

Since the year is quickly careening to its end, I’ve started planning for my 2012 projects. I’ve been running a little poll in the sidebar of this blog, asking your opinion, dear friends, on what I should stitch next year. So far, I’ve had 11 votes, and small Teresa Wentzler designs are winning 7 to 3 over Halloween ornaments, with one lone vote for Christmas ornaments. So, I’ve started to look through all my TW designs with an eye towards what I’d like to stitch next year, and what I can reasonably get done in a month. Front runners include the hummingbird freebie and at least one bookmark. Most likely, the majority of what I’ll be stitching will be her older, simpler, smaller designs from back issues of Just Cross Stitch and other magazines.

And just to help get us all in to a Teresa Wentzler sort of mood, here is my latest finish: Joyous Noel.

Joyous Noel by Teresa Wentzler

It was stitched on a random piece of 34ct something using the called for DMC. A big thank you to Christine of Christine’s Journal for lending me the magazine.

If you’d like to check out all the TW’s I’ve finished, I’ve set up a page. You can either click here, or click the TW Project link at the top of the page. I’ll be updating it as I finish more designs, and I will eventually add pictures of all my WIPs too. You can also check out my gallery of TW designs on Picasa.

A Year of TWs is a post from Reflections in the Pond

Yesterday Teresa Wentzler released Miniature Summer Sampler, the final design in her miniature seasonal sampler series. I was lucky enough to take a class with her back in 2006 at the Creativ Festival, where she started the series with her Miniature Autumn Sampler.

Miniature Autumn Sampler by Teresa Wentzler

I’ve also finished her Miniature Winter Sampler.

Miniature Winter Sampler, Teresa Wentzler

The Spring sampler is still in the queue, with all the supplies ready. But, I think once I get some gifts out of the way, this new Summer sampler with be my focus project for the upcoming cold months. Maybe I will start today… I mean, what a better way to start November than by thinking about the summer.

For those who’d like to know what specialty fibres are required for this design, it calls for Gloriana Silk in colour Bluegrass, Mill Hill beads 42010 Ice, and Hand Dyed Fibres ribbon (2mm) in colours BeLeaved, Steepes of JewelWeed and UltraMarooned.

Summer in November is a post from Reflections in the Pond

Last week I managed to get my hands on the last few patterns I needed to complete my Teresa Wentzler collection.

Final TW Designs for Collection

The chart for Peaceable Kingdom came from eBay, and the lovely Christine lent me the three JCS issues.

And then it came to me: I missed some of TW’s Creativ Festival classes. My collection isn’t complete. Off the top of my head, I know I am missing a small wool cross design and a bargello design. On the bright side, I have managed to track down every publicly available chart. Not a bad accomplishment, really.

And, here’s a TW finish to celebrate: Merry Christmas Cat from the December 1990 issue of Just Cross Stitch. It is stitch on random fabric using the white DMC colour scheme.

Merry Christmas Kitty by Teresa Wentzler

And, please, if you haven’t, vote in my poll for which monthly project you’d like to see me tackle next year. Halloween ornaments have a small lead over small Teresa Wentzler designs.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

TW Collection Complete? is a post from Reflections in the Pond

I know I’ve mentioned before that I’m having some issues with my weight. Some of it can be traced to a health issue that still hasn’t been diagnosed (the next step is a neurologist), but a lot of it has to do with a combination of laziness and just being plum worn out. I know I need to get my butt in gear (and shrink my butt) if I’m ever going to feel better. With that in mind, I’ve stitched myself a little reminder:

He Who Indulges by Teresa Wentzler

This cute little (!) guy was stitched on 32 count white Brittany, using DMC floss. He is an older TW design, and was first featured in the August 1990 issue of Just Cross Stitch. My copy of the chart actually came from the book Quick and Easy Cross Stitch Gifts (thank you to my public library!).

This is a nice segue into my next semi-secret project: I would eventually like to stitch all of TW’s design. This is most certainly a lifetime project (and thank goodness most of her designs are timeless!). I’ve being doing quite well collecting all her patterns, but I still need a few. Please check out my wish list and let me know if you can help me out. I will be passing on any out of print charts that I can pass on (obviously not this one, since it is from a library book), so that TW’s out of print charts will be available to all her fans. I have no intention of selling any charts on eBay or elsewhere.

Back to little Miss Piggy; does anyone have a good finishing idea for her? I’d like to have her in the kitchen. She is about 2 1/2″ square-ish, I think.

A Wee Reminder is a post from Reflections in the Pond

I completely forgot about the Stitching Blogger Questions that Lee over at Lakeside Stitcher posts. (Thanks to Anna at Stitch Bitch for the reminder.)

This month’s prompt is:
We like to stitch things for people we love.  Show us and tell us about one (or more) of your favorite needlework projects that expresses your love for someone.

As sappy as it sounds, I only stitch for someone else if I love the. (Okay, exchanges are different, but you know what I mean.) And I have stitched a lot of things for a lot of people. I’ve stitched ships for my dad, Santas for my mom, I even stitched a Spitfire for the boy I thought I love (and I did get it back after he cheated on me).

It is difficult for me to say what is my favourite out of all of these projects. Perhaps it is The Wedding, which I’ve stitched twice. The first time (and no picture, sadly) was when my best friend from middle school got married back in 2000 (I think). And I stitched it again in 2005 when my husband (a boy who really did love me, and who I love with all of my heart) and I got married.

The Wedding from Lavender and Lace

There is one other piece that I feel expresses my love for someone:

You Were Hatched by Teresa Wentzler

This is now framed and hanging in the little man’s room. I love him fiercely, and I hope he will always know that.

February 2011 Stitching Blogger Question is a post from Reflections in the Pond

Another October goal conquered! This morning I but the final stitches in Teresa Wentzler’s Playful Kittens.

Playful Kittens by Teresa Wentzler

It is stitched with the given DMC threads on 28 ct hand-dyed if some sort from Ayrloom (brought from seller
abracraftdabra09 on eBay, but it looks like all the listings ended yesterday).

I’ve gone back to working on By the Full Moon from Ink Circles, which I may have done in a couple of days. I don’t know if I’m going to have time to get it and the pumpkin ornament I finished earlier made into ornaments. The days just seem to be getting away from me, especially since I have so much work to do in the evenings after Baby Man has gone to bed. Thank goodness for the Creativ Festival next week. It will be a nice break from the regular routine, and will hopefully help recharge my creativity.

Oh, and don’t forget to enter Missy Ann and ANnette’s 31 Days of Halloween. Today is Missy Ann’s turn and you can enter here.

Playful Kittens is a post from Reflections in the Pond

Happy October!  This is my second favourite month of the year, and usually the busiest, bar December and Christmas. This month is all about family birthdays, Thanksgiving, and the Creativ Festival. I’m really looking forward to every single day.

September didn’t go quite as planned. While we did go on our getaway and attend a nice family dinner (yum, real Chinese banquet!), a nasty cold all but knocked me flat for about the last week. All of that meant that I wasn’t able to find time to post or to answer questions about the ornament finishing. With regards to the latter, I will do a post on it some time this month when I’ve got an ornament ready to finish.

So, my September goals were:

• Update my cross stitch supply database – Done!
• Set up a personal monthly sock club - Almost done (printer isn’t working so this is a little delayed)
• Set up a personal ornament of the month club (thank you to Erica for this idea) – see above
• Finish my punch needle kit (the replacement thread arrived about 2 weeks ago) – Done!
• Knit or crochet two pairs of slippers for charity- one pair done and second started
• Finish my long languishing Rosebud Socks – Done!
• Start and finish Terrapin Lace Socks for a Ravelry KAL – knitted Clapotis instead
• Finish the inner border on Kitchen Blessings – Done!
• Start and make good progress on TW’s Playful Kittens - see below

I’m very happy with how well I did, except for the slippers. But, I found out that I actually have until the end of this month to get them finished, so I feel a little better.

Like I said, October is going to be busy, so I need to be more realistic with my goals. They are:

• finish second pair of slippers for charity
• knit at least one bewb for charity/Ravelry KAL
• finish Halloween ornament (the Ink Circles one from this year’s JCS Halloween issue)
• start Kai-Mei socks, and finish at least one (they are the green pair in the small pictures at that link)
• make significant progress on the outer border of Kitchen Blessings
• finish TW’s Playful Kittens

Here’s where Playful Kittens stands today. There isn’t too much left to stitch, although there is a whole pile of backstitching. I suppose it wouldn’t be a TW otherwise.

Playful Kittens by Teresa Wentzler (WIP)

One last thing: this year Missy Ann‘s 13 Days of Halloween is 31 days thanks to the help of Annette. Annette will be hosting the draws on odd numbered days and Missy Ann on even numbered days. Be sure to stop by their blogs to enter. Today, being the 1st, is Annette’s turn.

September Review and October Goals is a post from Reflections in the Pond

Yeah, no post for over a week again.  I have no excuse other than I have clearly forgotten how to read a calendar.  I have been keeping busy with work, household chores, taking Baby Man out, etc.

I’ve also knit one sock of the Polly Jean socks I am knitting on commission.  The yarn is Kraemer Yarns Saucon Sock in colour Harvest Gold. (You’ve got to love that name!)

Polly Jean in Kraemer Yarns Saucon Sock

I think it looks pretty nice, even if yellow is one of my least favourite colours. I didn’t much care for the yarn to begin with; it felt quite scratchy (I also think merino wool feels scratchy, and don’t get me started on any of the Noro yarns!).  However, as I worked with the yarn and the sock grew, it seemed to soften up nicely.  I’m sure with a good wash and dry it will feel fabulous.  And that’s good, since as part of my payment for knitting these socks, I have a ball of turquoise to knit my own socks from.

Just a few moments ago I finished a pair of Croc socks, another commissioned piece. These are crocheted using Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in colour Jute.

Croc Socks in Bernat Handicrafter Cotton

The biggest issue I’ve had with these two projects is size.  Neither lady has feet the same size as me.  I’m a very narrow US 7.5, and the socks are for someone with a US 9.  The Croc Socks are for a lady with a US 6.5.  So, for the socks I aimed to make something a bit big (thankfully the ribbing in the pattern is very stretchy), and for the Croc socks I aimed to make something a little small.  It is them that I am most worried about though, since Crocs can fit big and kitchen cotton can stretch when being used and shrink when washed and dried.  And we won’t even get into my problems with crocheting and knitting tightly.  Honestly, cross stitching something for another person is much easier.  It might take longer, but at least you don’t have to worry about it fitting.

And that brings me to Happily Ever After, which is moving along slowly.  I don’t think I will meet my June 24th deadline, but that is okay.  My in-laws will be coming by plane and won’t be able to take it home with them anyway.  So, I’ll take my time to finish it up (I would love to take a break and work on another project), get it properly framed, and pack it up well for shipping sometime later this summer.

Happily Ever After by Marie Barber (WIP)

Also, don’t forget I am trying to organize an exchange through the Rotation Stitchers board.  Please sign up by June 26th.  The names will go out as quickly as possible after that date and you have until August 28th to ship.  The theme is biscornus and other smalls, so you have a lot of leeway in what you can stitch.  Head over here to sign up.

And lastly, head over to TW’s blog for a surprise.  I’ve already got my Highland Garden ready to go!

Foot Coverings is a post from Reflections in the Pond

Happily, I am moving along very well with my Knitting Olympics project Hey Teach.  Last night I finished up the back and left front and seamed them together using the invisible 3-needle bind off (sometimes called Japanese 3-needle bind off, I think).

Hey Teach - February 20th Progress

I have a 6th ball of yarn on the way to me, but I’m pretty sure now I’m not going to need it, even though I’ve lengthened the cardigan by a little more than 2″.  I suppose it is much better to know I will have extra than to worry about running out at the end.

And speaking of the yarn, I really like the 2nd Time Cotton I am using.  It is from Knit One Crochet Too, and is a 75% cotton/25% acrylic blend that comes from recycled sources.  I think possibly leftovers from commercial knitware manufacturers.  It is very soft and has a nice drape.  The only issue I am having is that the off-white ply in my colourway sometimes has a wee bit of fluff stuck in it.  It is easy to tease out, though, and is none the worse for wear afterwards.  I do think that this is a yarn I would knit with again.

I also finished up the Love panel of Sewing Seeds last week.  It is lovely, and I am really looking forward to getting back to work on it once Hey Teach is done.

Love Panel of Sewing Seeds

Out of curosity, does anyone know of any cross stitch-related iPhone/iPod apps?  I’ve found several great knitting ones, but nothing for cross stitch.

Knitting Olympics Update 2 and Love is a post from Reflections in the Pond

Last night was stitching night at my LNS.  Actually, it isn’t very local to me with no car, but the lovely Erica and her friend Barb take pity on me and come out of their way to pick me up.  Stitching night is like a little bit of balm for my soul.  I get to spend a few hours in a needlework shop with no one rushing me.  I get to talk to people about things like fabric choices and colours, and why I like one thread better than another and no one thinks I’m weird.  And, there is no Baby Man crawling all over me.

I hope Erica and Barb, and everyone at stitching night, know how much I appreciate them.

So, what did I get done last night?  Not too much.  I’m still pretty tired, so I’m not working very quickly. (I did get nine hours of sleep last night! Yay!!!)  With what I did last night, and some work this morning, I have the border around the Love panel of Sewing Seeds nearly done.

Sewing Seeds - February 11th

I also picked out some thread to replace the one I didn’t like for my version of La-D-Da’s Roses are Red.  The part of GAST Old Hickory will now be played by Crescent Colours Roasted Chestnut.

Roses are Red with Crescent Colours

I’m still debating what project I will be working on for the Knitting Olympics/Ravlympics.  My two possibilities right now are Hey Teach from the Summer 2008 Knitty, using Knit One Crochet Too’s 2nd Time Cotton in colourway English Heather or Crafty Diversion’s Carmen Bolero using Vanna’s Choice in colour Dusty Purple.  I may just give them a miss entirely.  I think at this point it depends on if I get any more sleep.  But, with the Olympics starting tomorrow (!), I need to decide and at least swatch a little bit.  Anyone care to share their opinion?

Love and Some Roasted Chestnuts is a post from Reflections in the Pond