Sweet Moon Progress

I finished my 10-hr rotation on my companion piece to sweet moon.  The colors are the same and I wanted the companion to match the theme.  Since they are sisters, I wanted their pieces to show their relationship, but also how different they are from each other.

Next up in my rotation is...drumroll please...Fish City!!!!



I am also posting a picture of the pattern I'm working on for my October theme.  I'll post my progress in November, but at least you'll see my new start. I'm really excited at how fast it is stitching up.



Christmas Tree Sampler Progress

I finished my 10 hour rotation on my Christmas Tree Sampler.  I finished the detail on my tree and stitched a few more bands on the sampler.  I'm not happy with the ribbon embroidery roses, though.  I might see if Momma can fix them.


Christmas Tree Sampler

I've also joined the Theme-a-licious Challenge sponsored by another blogger.  September was easy--the theme was Supersize September.  I was supposed to make a large project my focus piece.  So I just kept working on my Passione Ricamo SAL. 

before

after

Octobers theme is Overlooked October.  I am supposed to start a new project from a designer I am unfamiliar with.  So I chose to begin Noah and Friends by Jenny Barton.  It's a really cute little Noah's Ark project.  I don't have enough stitched for you to see what it looks like, so I'll post a project picture later.

Nutcracker Needlepoint Progress

I had to drop Bobtail off at the vet today.  He needed to be checked for a urinary tract infection.  I hate dropping him off at the vet and spent my day worrying about him.  Daddy came by and kept me company for a while, but I spent the rest of the time stitching so I wouldn't obsess about my poor baby being poked and prodded.  I worked on my Nutcracker Needlepoint project.  I'm almost completely finished his head!

only as far as the hat here

all the way to the mustache here

 

I've also been working on my Passione Ricamo fairy lately.  That's a good thing because I just signed up for Laura's new SAL called "Under the Moonlight".  That one starts November 3.  We'll ignore the fact that I haven't even begun her 2nd one "Into the Deep."  I'm just a tad behind on my SALs.

Another Creative Tug on My Time

Yup, that's what I needed.  Another way to spend my time.  I've decided to keep a cross stitch journal to record my daily stitching.  I've seen some journals around, but they are way too complicated.  Mine are short, sweet and to the point.  I've got two records going:  one of my daily stitching and one of my upcoming projects.  I list the project and how much left on my 10-hour rotation.  Then I add a little doodle.  Here's my easy cheesy journal design:

Upcoming Projects

My Daily Journal

By the Letter Progress

I've done a lot of stitching lately.  Most of my progress has been on my Passione Ricamo Fairy.  I needed to keep myself occupied Labor Day weekend so I stitched away.  I finished a section and got a lot done on another section.  I have less than 1/6 of my pattern to go!

I also got a lot of work done on my By the Letter Project.  I finished my 10 hour rotation on that one so I'm putting it away for a while and bringing out Sabrina.  I did get a lot done in 10 hours!

  

Blue Jean Teddy Progress

      

  

I finished my rotation on my Blue Jean Teddy Quilt.  This is a little pre-stamped quilt I bought many years ago.  I think this will make a cute baby gift for a little boy--eventually.  I finished the bookshelf across the top of the quilt and began working on the teddy bear's head.



I've also made progress on my Passione Ricamo fairy.  I've finished another section and only have three sections left to complete.  I'm working on the fairy's body and more on the lettering at the bottom (the A is up next).

Rotation Schedule

Nikki asked me how my rotation schedule works because she wants to try something similar.  Here's what works for me.  I have five project bags in my stitching basket.

At night, I take my basket upstairs to listen to an audiobook.  Each audiobook CD lasts about an hour so I get an hour of stitching time.  I take the front project in my bag and work on it until the CD is finished.  Then I mark an hour off my rotation chart.  After 10 hours is marked off of each project, I pull that project out and place a new project bag in the rotation basket.  Having said that, there is always one project I will keep in rotation until it is finished.  Right now my to be finished project is my Passione Ricamo SAL fairy.  Maybe I'll put Fish City in this spot next, Nikki.  ;0)

Between this rotation plan and my keeping pictures of progress on this blog, my motivation to finish projects remains high.  Nothing makes you feel accomplished like looking at two pictures side by side and seeing how much you have actually done!

Here's another method from my buddy, Connie.  She makes a list of 6 projects she's working on and numbers them 1-6.  She rolls a die and works on whatever project she rolls.  She says, "Sometimes you just have to play with yourself."  LOL.  Gotta love her!