IHSW October - I'm still here!!!

Helllooooo Stunners!!!

Wow this has been the longest I've been MIA. Have been absolutely flat out with life, love, friends, work and of course STITCHING!!!! But somehow couldn't manage the time to blog. I've tried to keep up with everyone though and I've witnessed some very impressive work. Good going stunners!

Firstly welcome to my new followers Agi, Inga, Little Miss Stitchy Stitch, Mii Stitch and Alina. Thank you for taking an interest in my little corner of the blog world. I hope I keep it interesting for you.

Ok I'm just going to launch straight into my progress since my last blog which was a back in August (OMG!!)

QS Lovers

I worked on this one for the IHSW and managed to finish page 3. Only 1 partial page left to go. Hopefully the lovers will be finished by the end of the day. YAY!! My lovers will be my second HAED finish. (Only 200 charts to go, fist pump!) 

Golden Wood

This is the first column completed which equals 3 pages. I'm pretty stoked that I have finished my first lady. Will need to complete 6 more pages to reach the halfway point and also fulfill my end of year goal. Hmmm will give it a go!

QS Fragile Heart 

Awesome she can almost see!

I've also being working on Vanity, Faery Ball and Faery2 but will wait till there is substantial progress on them before posting a pic. As I'm working across the entire rows for these even though I've put in thousands of stitches it just looks like a minute difference. I will post every 20 or so row completions.

Now for the STASH!!!! 

The first 3 were bought during the HAED appreciation week. I also bought 2 charts for 2 friends so they could appreciate HAED addiction hee hee!!

Lee Anne Seed Lights Collection2007 - Catch the stars

Hannah Lynn - Mini Little Miss Deelilsh and Sweet Treats Trixie

Linda Ravenscroft - Waiting for Neptune

These babies were purchased during the Halloween sale (which is still on - go for it stunners bwah hah hah HAH!)

Jacek Yerka is a relatively new artist to HAED and I love his quirky and imaginative work. The four seasons (when finished of course) will be hung in accordance of the season I'm experiencing at the time, it will be like 4 pics in one. Pretty cool!

As for Boudoir - I love, love, love it. It reminds me of me.  Just like my mind it's all over the place, upside down, things defying gravity (like my boobies hee hee) but somehow it all makes sense, well perhaps only to me but it works! I'm thinking of making a start on it in November. 

Four Seasons - Jacek Yerka

Boudoir - Jacek Yerka

and for the creme de la creme of stash enhancement

Mrs Dibble bought this lovely chart for me. 

Squeal Screech Eek

It's like all my favourite things in one - pink, shoes and flowers

all it needs is a bit of Singapore Chilli Crab for taste and voila a veritable Princess masterpiece!!!!

QS Salvatore - Michel Tcherevkoff

Michele Sayetta has advised in the HAED newsletter that she is going to release a new Tcherevkoff and it's basically the companion shoe flower of this one, so I'll be getting that one too. I hope it's released during the sale - hint hint there Ms. Sayetta! LOL!

This one's for Jo who can't think of a clever nickname fame. Months ago Jo nominated me for answering 11 questions, which I piked out on. But she asked me so very nicely to answer at least one of them as she had an answer in mind.

The question: Which actress would play you in the movie about you?

Answer: I've pondered for ages on this - it's actually a hard question. But after some thought and help from my friends I've narrowed it down to 3.

It would be either:

1) Zooey Deschanel (for her quirky, zany, awkward and dry sense of humour.

2) Sofia Vergara (Gloria from Modern Family) - because she is very beautiful (just like me) but mostly because she is so very fiery and cracks it whenever someone crosses her.

3) Krysten Ritter - mostly due to her role as Patty in the movie "She's out of my league. She has my sense of humour, with her dry sarcastic retorts. 

Plus we all have dark hair!

So Jo let me know which actress you had in mind. I'm very intrigued.

Ok my lovely gorgeous stunners that's for now.

As a tribute to Jo - I would love to hear your answers to that question too. 

Who would be cast to play you in a movie???

Can't wait to hear your answers!!

Take care everyone, I hope you all had a good IHSW and have a fantabulous stitchylicious week. xoxo Alicia

August WIPocalypse - Part 1

Hi stunners!!!

Sorry for the major hiatus from moi but life in the past month was such that every time I made plans to blog, something else popped up.

But I still managed to stitch so that's all good.

Welcome to my new followers Chelle Newton,Beverly Robinson and Karen Hughes. Thanx for joining me girls and welcome to my journey of cross stitch lunacy.

TAPESTRY MOON - FREE FAIRY CHART

On my previous post I posted a new chart I received by Jenni DMills who is an Aussie designer who has recently taken the big step of designing full time. 

Jenni was so happy that I mentioned her work that she kindly offered my followers a free fairy pdf chart if they popped over to her blog Tapestry Moon and mentioned that you found out about her through The Crafty Princess.  How sweet and generous is that!!! We've had a few email exchanges and she is really lovely, down to earth and very talented.  Thanx Jenni that is so cool of you!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

A big huge thank you to Kim Howe from Scully's Cross Stitching fame. She is very naughty but so very kind. I was having the worst day at work and just couldn't wait to get the hell out of there. I was walking through the car park and my phone beepity beeped me. So I opened the mail to find I had received a very unexpected surprise - a gift chart!!!

It was exactly the same one I was drooling over during my lunch break, and now thanks to the generosity of Kim, I am the proud owner of Rose Cerise by Karen Middleton. You're so sweet, thanx Kim. You absolutely positively were the rainbow in my life that day. I couldn't wait to get home even more after that so that I could download the chart and drool up close!!

We both own this chart now and we are thinking of doing a SAL of her (but not till the New Year due to all our other stitchy commitments for this year)

Isn't she beautiful, I can't stop admiring her and I so so so can't wait to stitch her!!!

STASH ENHANCEMENT
 WHOO HOO!!!

 As most of you know Heaven and Earth Designs had a recent 50% off stash enhancement sale. I know you guys know as I've been admiring all the stash everyone's purchased and displayed proudly on their blogs. Great work stunners. So here are my no more charts deal breaker purchases!

Kuik Montage - Ching Chou Kuik

I'll be starting this one very soon when I get the fabric on Thursday at the craft show. I've decided to do all the black frame bits first and then fill in the fairies and mermaids in whatever order I feel like. It will be like little windows with the ladies slowly peeking out. Also it won't be so daunting. This is a very very very large chart!!!

House Divided - Nene Thomas

I love the cute little owl but what got me was her beautiful dress. I just love it!!

So many books so little time - Randal Spangler

This is a stunning companion for "Curl up with a good book" and will go in the library (you know - when it's finished hee hee). We all know about having too much to do with such limited time...perfect!

QS Clara - Hannah Lynn

I love the pink teamed with those beautiful green eyes, plus I love her stable table boobies!!!

Weeping Angel - Katarina Koukiotis

This picture absolutely captivates me. I just find it so beguiling.  I can feel her despair when I look at her and it makes me feel so emotional. I just want to put my arms around her and comfort her. I'm not sure whether I will stitch the rainy background, I may just buy fabby that resembles a stormy sky. 

Mia - Myka Jelina

What can I say, she's purply, in pigtails and she looks very naughty but sweet! I just love all the brilliant purples in this chart!

Thanks to the Crafty Pixie I was led to a site called Soda Pattern Mall. The charts are so vibrant and cute and mega cheap. It's a South Korean site and I absolutely love their English translations to some of their chart names. They are just as cute as the charts!! The Crafty Pixie just finished Cafe Love and it looks really cool stitched up. 

Song of the Moonlight

Two Hearts, One Love

Beginning Lover

In the brilliant Days

     

WIPOCALYPSE PROGRESS

Okay now I need to justify all the chart purchasing with some actual stitching. Here is what I have been up to in the last month.

New start - Vanity - Nene Thomas

My first sin : Stitched 2 over 1 on 22ct White Hardanger. I am stitching it row by row in it's entirety.  I have completed the first 10 rows and all of page 6, which was just so tiny that it was more of a pain to keep getting it out and stitching 30 stitches and then going back to page 1. So I just got it out of the way and stitched it all. So yay Page Finish!! ha ha.

Golden Wood

Before

After
Page 1 complete

Faery 2

Before

After

I have finally developed an awesome rotation. I won't bore you with the details. I've only used it for a week or so but I'm loving the variety and I seem to be progressing so much better. You will be able to see the results in Part 2 August Wipocalypse. 

That's it for me I'm off to the Newcastle Craft Show tomorrow. I will be staying 2 nights in a one bedroom terrace apartment. The show doesn't start till Thursday but I plan on spending Wednesday afternoon on the terrace with a mud pack on my face, a glass of chardonnay, my latest audio book plugged into my earholes and my stitching. Uninterrupted stitching - bliss bomb baby I can hardly wait!!!!


Take care everyone.

Keep up all the amazing work I have seen on all your blogs. You guys inspire me. Thank you!

Lots of luv and kisses

Alicia xo

Wipocalypse - And the winners are....!!!

Hi Stunners!!!!

Thank you to everyone that entered my 100th followers celebration giveaway. I loved loved loved all your comments. I read and re-read then over and over again because they all made me smile. Thank you so much for taking the time  to choose your favourites and all the little stories as to why they were your favs.

Of course I love all my stash but it was really interesting and very insightful to see what everyone's favourite's were. It would appear that Midnight Masquerade by J.Galbreth was very popular. In honour of all your choices I have decided to bump all the chosen pieces to my rotation.

So you will soon be seeing the following charts being stitched -  Moonlight Masquerade, QS Sapphire, Gorjuss Puddles of Love, Superstition, Peacock's Lagoon, Oracle of visions, Winged Companions, Ravene, Home is where the Magic is, Alicia Aliana (yay - thanx Sharine for picking her I was hoping someone would), Curl up with a good book, Forsaken (Sessler choice), Scarlet Wizard, Gaia and of course all the sins by Dahlig! But you must understand, my view of soon welll it may differ slighty to yours but don't despair it will be sooner rather than later. LOL!!

Lija thanx for the amazing list of choices you sent me, you will be happy to know that I have already started Vanity and will be posting my first progress pic in my next blog post!

Welcome to my 2 new followers Kittyperfection and Rachelle, welcome welcome and thanx for choosing to join me on this merry go round world of cross stitch.

STASH STASH BABY!!!

Happy 4th of July to all my American followers and thanx to Michele from Heaven and Earth designs for holding a sale in honour of Indepenence Day because I bought another chart...hee hee!!

Faery Ball by Maxine Gadd

                                             

I just couldn't resist. There is approx 20,000 kreinik stitches, AWESOME it's going to be so sparkly!!!! I will be starting her in about 6 weeks or so where I've slotted her into the rotation. I've decided to start her when I finish Spring to Life so that should give me enough time. Plus I'm running out of Qsnaps and stretcher frames, not to mention storage boxes for the bobbins.

And also a big thank you to Jo (of Jo who can't think of a clever nickname fame - LOL I love that name by the way) for picking some Mystic stitches. You inspired me to go to that website which I haven't for so long and of course there was a summer special on so I have lovingly added 3 new charts to my stash.

Couldn't go past a new Maxine Gadd mermaid!!!



I saw this in the finished gallery on the website and it looks absolutely magical stitched up.


Another Stephen Read...too cute to pass up!

The Craft and Quilt Fair and the Lovely Boys

The Craft and Quilt Fair that was held in Darling Harbour was tres cool!! I bought quite a bit of stash which I have added to the stash page. I spent 2 days there, the first was spent shopping and the second I helped out the lovely boys from Sew it all at their stall. It was loads of fun hanging with them, they are so so so funny even though it was hard on the feet, I had a ball. It was also really good to talk to other girls about cross stitch. I learnt about other peoples quirky ways when it comes to their craft which was very insightful. As much as I helped people pick out fabrics, they in turn taught me a few little things that I would never have thought of. 

I bought 2 frames from their stall too. So I will be framing Faces of Faery 88 and Gorjuss I found my family in a book, soon. This will involve a bit of painting and decorating so pretty excited about getting on to that project!! I'll post pics of this working project just to show you how easy it is to do your own framing using their frames. 

I bought more fabric - these are 16 count from their hand dyed range, Stormy Sky and Blue Cloud.

As a thank you gift they generously gave me a chart. This is Butterfly Princess and it's by a new Aussie designer Jennidee Mills from Tapestrymoon. The sample is stitched on 16 count Blue Cloud which is the one I also purchased and will be stitching it on. Of course it's all sparkly!! Thanx boys that was very very kind of you. Isn't it dreamy??? I love it and can't wait to stitch on the sparkly fabric. It will be my first time using 16 count so I'm pretty keen to try it.  

And my lovely  friend and sister in all things stitchy Eleanor, bought me this beautiful Alessandra Adelaide chart, PLUS 32ct linen and varigated pink DMC thread to stitch it with.  So how can I not start this beauty too??? Oh thanx Elle you're so sweet and very cool!

Nice huh!! So my total is 232 this includes all stash and Wip's. And I love each and every one of them and I endeavour to complete all of them and refuse to hear otherwise. Yes I will live forever!!!

WINNERS!!

Ok now for the moment you've all been waiting for the winners of the giveaway.   Drum roll - Da da da DAHHHHHHH!!!!

1. Mrs Dibble

2. Delphyne

3. Kim

4. Hailine

Congratulations girls!!!

Mrs. Dibble was contacted and advised that she only wanted the Mother of Pearl chart by Mystic stitch so I thought I would have another name pulled from the hat as someone else may like the remaining charts!!

The names were drawn from a Pink Police hat by Sergeant Richardson of Penrith Police Radio Operations Group. Sergeant Richardson does not do anything craft related and has never seen my blog, so she was the most unbiased person to draw the names. Thank you Sarge for helping out.

I will contact Delphyne next and then Kim and Hailine.

I so wanted to give everyone something that entered because it was evident that alot of thought was put behind your comments so I hope that by doing the charts that you all loved the most is some small consolation. Thanx again stunners you truly are awesome people!

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all my amazing followers who have shown me such inspiring and unconditional support over the last year or so. You all make my life magical through our love for craft and your friendship. Plus I love stalking you on your blogs!!!

Thank you Thank you Thank you so much stunners!!!

xoxo Alicia

I'm not bad I was born this way - IHSW & Wipocalypse

Hi Stunners!!!

Welcome to my new followers, Stitching Angel, Diane and Delphyne. These stunning people have helped me to crack the 100 followers. So see the bottom of this post for the 100th follower's prize giveaway.

So first order of business is I bought alot of stash at the Sydney Craft and Quilt show. I went there with no intention of buying anymore charts. Just fabric and accessories to accomodate the charts I already have.

However upon meeting Naomi from Stitches and Spice, we had an inspiring conversation. I told her how many I had and I couldn't possibly start anymore due to my current 26 wip rotation. Her nonchalant reply was pretty much bugger it who cares just start them and just keep buying more. If it makes you happy then go for it. Her attitude was so cool, I mean who does it hurt and why do we feel guilty about our stash????

Now stunners my epiphany is this, why do we feel bad when we buy more charts, kits, whatever...this is the craft that makes us happy. Every blog I have read (myself included) always beat on about how bad they were because they bought more stash...yet the purchasing of it makes us happy. We all seem to get down on ourselves because we have bought more than we will live to see completed. Well who cares, I could go tomorrow, but at least I was happy today!!!! So stunners buy that damn chart or kit and to hell with feelings of guilt. It's such a wasted emotion.

So with that I have decided that I will do all of Marta Dahlig's 7 deadly sins. I only needed to buy 3 more anyway to complete the collection. When I went to Heaven and Earth Designs website - OMG Michele was having a 50% stash enhancement sale...whoa serendipity thy is my middle name!!! The sale was for one day only and I logged on within the last hour or so of the sale.  See it was meant to be. So I also bought a Spangler that I have been umming and ahhing about for years. Now my wishlist is empty and I have all that I have ever wanted...Plus its my birthday on the 25th June, no more justification required...Whoo hoo!

STASH STASH STASH

BE PROUD BE LOUD

So here is my latest stash enhancements. I think I will start with Vanity though as she is my favourite. Then will do one of these beauties below as these are the least stitched by anyone so will give it a go. I will add a sin to the rotation and if I endeavour to do 2 lines per day I will have the sins done in 7 years!!!! A year a sin, sounds like heaven!

.   

Just updated this post to include my progress pic. I found the camera it was in my recycling box. Of course it would be I don't know why I didn't check there first!!!  Ok so I had a great IHSW and managed to finish page 2 of QS Lovers. On track with this one, yah. We receive the 3rd page from Rachel in the first week of July.

So with 100 stitches per day on lovers, 100 in Faery2, 400 to 800 on Vanity (when I kit her up) plus sticking to rotation I should have some good progress to show you all.

Before

and after

 

So now for the giveaway.

To enter all you have to do is go to my stash page (scroll back up to the top and you will see the "stash" tab), and pick your fav chart or at least the chart that you would like to see stitched up. If you're having trouble picking just one then go with as many as you like.

Everyone that leaves a choice in the comments will be eligible for an entry to the comp. Don't forget to leave your email in the comments as well so I can get hold of you if you win. (Or you can submit an entry privately to my email account neon_princess33@yahoo.com.au)

I will pick 3 names out of a fairy jar.  The first person chosen has first choice of prizes and so on.

1) $40 gift voucher at www.heavenandearthdesigns.com

2) $60 worth of fabric and/or accessories from www.sewitall.com.au

3) Your choice of 2 or more Mystic Stitch charts from the following list (hardcopies will be sent to you - they are new and never been used)
    

The mermaid in the oyster shell is Mother of Pearl - click the link to be able to get a close up of her.

I will leave the comp open for 2 weeks to enable followers and guest stars a chance to view my blog and enter.

Good luck stunners!

Thank you so much for all your support. This little giveaway is a token of my appreciation for all the comments, views and fantastic friends I have made over the last year or so through this blog. You guys rock! Thank you thank you thank you stunners xoxo Alicia

A big thank you to Jo and Julie for nominating me for the 11 things. I was really chuffed that you picked me. However I'm battling the flu atm and just can't find the energy to participate.

However as a token of my appreciation I will enter you both in the giveaway and if you add a comment then you will get 2 chances to win. I hope this is ok with you 2 stunners. I apologise for my lethargy but I've been off sick from work as well and is one of  the reasons my IHSW and wipocalypse post is so late.

Take care everyone, have an awesome week.

I will endeavour to catch up with everyones blogs.

xoxo Alicia

IHSW and yep I did it again!!

Hi Stunners!!!

Welcome to Lija, Beth Pearce, Milly Muckle and TammyK. Thanx to you lovely girls I have cracked the over 100 followers! Yay celebration time.

Will have to have a giveaway for that. Let me find something worthy for you guys.

I shall get the new stash pic out of the way and then will move onto to progress pics. I don't think I need to justify this one but will have a go. All I can say is 50% off sale at HAED, the name of the chart is Alicia Aliana (hello it's my one of my names!!), Hannah Lynn is one of my fav artists, and I love the colour purple...ummm ok that's all I got on this one.

Here she is:



Aww so cute - look at the lil dragon. Bless!

IHSW

Sorry it's a wee bit late but I was working nightshifts and they really throw me around. I'm kinda like the walking dead (good show by the way).

For the stitch weekend I managed to get quite a few stitches into QS Lovers. I was really happy about my progress on them.

Before:

After:

Sorry about the Qsnap mark on her hair but I didn't have time to iron and let's face it even if I did I probably wouldn't have.

I hate ironing. All my clothes are wash and wear and those that aren't I just wear them an hour before I'm due to go out and lie down on my bed and read. The wrinkles usually work their way out by then.  Hee hee!

 Rotation

The rest of the week I worked on my focus piece - Golden Wood

Also got a bit done on the golden ladies. I've decided to work 3 pages at once. It's only 2 and half rows so I just work the column from the top right down to the bottom of the entire chart. So the picture will unfold in it's entirety as I work through it. Plus it changes it up from blocks of black and red of the trees and the forest floor to the browns, greens and blues of the ladies.

Before:

After:

Yay it's starting to look like something instead of just blobs of brown bits. 2 more columns and I will have finished my first lady.

That's it for the cross stitching part of my world for this week.

For the blog quote I chose the subject of friendship. I've moved in with my best friend for 6 weeks as her mum has gone overseas and she wanted the company and my dog sitting skills.

Her nickname is Angel and it's so fitting because that is exactly what she is to me. An earthbound Angel! Sometimes I really believe we share the same brain - we kind of have a language that no one understands but us and we see the humour in everything in life. Angel sent me a fb messge once that said "The reason God made us best friends is because our mothers couldn't handle us as sisters." It's so true, cos we can be a little bit of a handful but in a good way  (I think!)

In fact the last chart purchase of Alicia Aliana I can blame her for.

When I asked her opinion she said - "Do you like it? How much is it? Oh for god's sake what are we even discussing this for - just buy it!"

LOL! Bless you Angel!

Most of us don't need a psychiatric therapist as much as a friend to be silly with.  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com


A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.  ~Arnold Glasow


Bye stunners have a great week and go and give your best friend a ring or even better head over and share a hug and a chardonnay with them.

xoxo Alicia xoxo