Sunday, January 27, 2013

2012- Year in Review

As much as my list of canvases really scares me, I do know that I have accomplished a lot.

2 Chrismons
Squirrel Cracker
Pink Shih-zu
Bama Candy Cane
A&M Corps Santa
Cardinal Acorn
Patty Paints St. Francis
Crimson Tide mini angel
Labors of Love alligator- Chewy
Reindeer Sweater
Babies Sleeping
Joy

That's 13 Finishes!!!!!!  Yahoo!!!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Santa's Favorite Dog




My first finish for 2013 is Raymond Crawford's Santa's Favorite Dog!  For my Molly- of course!!  I started this in December with a stitch guide from Creative Stitches and Gifts in Dallas.  I changed the lettering stitch from tent to wrapped back stitch with French knots, and I also changed the red border from woven to Nobuku.  This Christmas, I visited Travis' family in Amarillo, so I had a lot of time to stitch during the day. I accomplished quite a bit of the border, the bone, and the background, and when I wasn't really sick over Christmas, I stitched on this to finish it up.  It was a nice canvas with a fun subject matter, threads, and stitches, so I think that is why it stitched so quickly.  Originally, I wanted to make it into a door hanger to hang on her crate, but I think I will frame it and put it above her crate, so no toys accidentally run into it :).

Thursday, January 17, 2013

2013 Prospect Review

So I started the New Year by cleaning out my craft room (really re-organizing and dusting), and I have to admit, it was really nice to "go shopping" in my own "store".  I have soooo many canvases, after a good heart to heart with myself (during which I acknowledged that I really didn't keep to the finish 3/buy 1 rule), it's probably best that make every other year a "no canvas buying year" and just keep reducing my stash so I can add new ones during even numbered years.

Here is the list of canvases at the start of this year:

John Johansenn Madonna and Bear
KS Alabama mini stocking
KS dog and squirrel bone
KS Santa Face
KS Bama sign
KS Christmas Mini Sock
KS Washington DC Ornament
Melissa Shirley witch
Melissa Shirley November and October Angels


Mary Lake Thompson Lab Stocking
Melissa Shirley Cardinal
DJ Designs lab and ball
DJ Deisgns Black Lab
Liz Christmas Bear
Liz Bunnies and Berries
Liz Basset Hound
Liz Round Lab
Liz Seated Lab
Brenda Stofft Dutch Bunny
Ewe and Eye Pumpkins
Ewe and Eye Coral Lady
Massachusettes Scene
Rebecca Wood Stocking
Raymond Crawford Bama Girl
Stitch Its Lab Sweater
Stitch Its Christmas Carols (2)
Petei Marie Antoinette and Louis,
Petei Ben Franklin and Statute of Liberty
Petei Elizabeth 1, Henry VIII, Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boyelyn, and Katherine Parr

Petei Nativity
Petei Christmas Plants
Kelly Clark Texas Basket
Kelly Clark Texas Santa
Kelly Clark Present Topiary
Patty Paints George and Martha
Cooper Oaks Labrador Inn
Sew Much Fun Turkey
Painted Pony A&M Angel
Painted Pony DZ Angel
Barbara Bergnesten Lilly Dress
Annie and Company Lab Ornaments (2)
Deux Amies Wedding Sampler
Shivering Sheep 3D house
Black and White Cow
Elizabeth Turner Blue Rug (small)
Needle Graphics Roll Tide


As you can see this list is HUGE.  However, in my defense, the Mary Lake Thompson Lab Stocking, the Ewe and Eye Coral Lady, Melissa Shirley November Angel, and the Liz Bunnies and Berries came off of Ebay for about $35-50 each.  Also the Kathy Schenkel Santa Face, Petei Nativity, Melissa Shirley October Angel, and Petei Christmas plants came from an estate sale this year.

My two exceptions to my no canvas buying rule are the remaining 3 wives of Henry VIII and completing a series (Rebecca Wood Sheep of the Month and Melissa Shirley Angels of the Month).  I have been hunting Ebay for those for about 6 months so far for those wives.

Next up.... my goals!

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Christmas Canvases

This Christmas, I travelled to Amarillo, which meant a day trip to Lubbock to see Pocket Full of Stitches!!  Stitch Its has a collection of Prairie Schooler designs that were turned from cross stitch charts to painted canvases.  There is a series of Christmas Carole designs that I love.  I have completed "O Come All Ye Faithful" in 2009, and I purchased "Deck the Halls" in 2010, and this year I purchased "Santa Clause is Coming to Town".





I love going to Pocket Full of Stitches.  It's always an adventure and I love the day trip with Travis and my in-laws. We always have a nice lunch and a nice chat in the car.  

This Christmas, Travis surprised me with this canvas.


It is Liz lab that looks almost exactly like Molly!  I love it!! It has been on my "must buy" list for years.  I was shocked when I opened it, and was super excited to start stitching it.  Travis got this canvas at Chandail after the Liz trunk show.  Saira saved it for shop knowing that I would eventually cave and buy it!  LOL.