More border

I got some more border done on my peacock.

I kindof got a little sidetracked this week. I started winding my threads for the San Francisco project while at work, so my peacock tapestry was neglected a little.
But, hey! Look at all this thread!

I still have a little more left to go, but this pile did keep me busy.

A new start

So... yeah. I know, I know, I know! The last thing I need is more projects, especially since my large one will most likely take the rest of my life to complete, but I couldn't help it!

Whilst perusing the awesomeness that is the internet, I came across a website that has all kinds of cross stitch patterns available. It isn't organized all that well, and there are many places where you can tell that English is not the first language of most of the people there. If you spend the time, though, digging through all the stuff that is available, they have some awesome stuff.

It was through this website that I became aware of my newest project. Once I saw I picture of it, I immediately started looking around the internet to see where I could find it. It is a cross stitch of a painting of San Francisco. San Francisco is my favorite city! I found two different cross stitch versions of this, both of which are extremely similar. One is a Thomas Kinkade painting, and another is one that I couldn't identify. As much as I love Thomas Kinkade (lots!), I actually like the other one more.

So, I got the pattern, went off to the craft store, and have used up most of my gift card funds purchasing the supplies for this one! I still have a handful of thread skeins left to buy, but I have most of them, now. Good thing my birthday is coming up next month so I can get more gift cards (I always get one for birthdays and Christmas from my in-laws, and from my mom when she can't think of anything else to get me).

On Sunday afternoon, I pulled out my fabric and started gridding. Now, I have never actually done gridding before on any of my project, but having used it on my Qingming project (somewhat, since the design is printed on there, too), I could see advantages to it. In my Etsy store, I have been selling water soluble markers, but I hadn't used any myself, so I pulled one out and got to work. I only gridded (is that even a word?) the top left quarter of the project so I could see if I liked it enough to keep going. From the picture below, you can see how far I have come along, and the gridding is definitely helpful!

Anyway, here is my progress since Sunday (just some grey sky so far, but the building is showing up! Yay, color!):

At least this way, I'll have something that will eventually get finished.

Friday = Peacock Tapestry update

I have been working on this at work during my lunch if I get a chance, and for about 20-ish minutes after the end of my shift while I wait until my husband gets done with work. The progress on this will be slow because of this. Here is where I am so far:

In mid-August, I will be taking a week off to go to Las Vegas. I have decided this will be the project that goes with me (mainly because it is the most portable, too).

Qingming update

I did get some more work done on this one this week, although not as much as I would like. These large sections of only one or two colors is getting to me. I'm getting bored! I'm going to stick with it, though, because I have a plan. A secret plan. I'll explain more about it later.

Anyway, here is where I was as of the last picture:

And here is my latest picture:

Not a huge amount done, I know, but I want to try and post at least once a week on my progress. Since it had been a while since my last update post, I figured I was due.

Peacock Tapestry

This week has been so busy, that I haven't had a chance to work on my Qingming project at all. I'm hoping for a relaxing weekend, though, so hopefully I can get some more work in on it.

On another note, I am having to actually work in the office rather than at home, so I have begun a new work project. I plan on leaving this project in my desk at work and only working on it during lunch or after work while I'm waiting on my husband to finish up.
Here is what it will look like:

OK, now when I say started, what mean is... all I actually have done so far is open the package. I have honestly had this kit for about 12 years or so, I just never got around to working on it. Now is the time!

Qingming Festival again!

I'm so excited that I have gotten to cross stitch again!

From reading other cross stitch blogs, I have recently become aware of the parking technique to work projects in blocks and park the threads after each block. I have heard that it is much easier to do, so I decided to give it a try for my Qingming Festival project.

Immediately I could see the advantages! This project is so huge, that to keep working on it, I will need to keep it rolled up. Keeping the work done in columns will help me to be able to move it along.
As of this moment, I have completed the entire first column of the project, and so far I like working in the columns. To be fair, so far I have only had about 3 colors to work this with, but I think I will like it overall.
Another plus side is that it helps me keep track of how many stitches I have been completing. I would see others post "Oh, I did 200 stitches today" and I would always wonder how they knew that! I am never able to keep count, and there is no way I'd go back over it just to see how many stitches are done. But now I can honestly say that I have done 900 stitches this weekend!

Here is my progress (I have actually finished the entire first column now, but it isn't in the picture):

Right now it's pretty boring. I'm just working on the side of a mountain, so there isn't much going on. Also, with the image printed onto the fabric, it can be a little difficult to see how much I have actually done. Although, to be perfectly honest, since I have been trying out the parking technique, having the image printed onto the fabric has been so incredibly helpful.
 I have actually started a tracker and put it on the edge of my blog to keep track of how much I have stitched and how far I have yet to go. So far, I haven't even completed 1%. I think I am at just over about half of 1%.

Please leave a comment for me! I love to hear from everyone (plus I can always use encouragement to keep motivated)!

Finished! Baby Blanket

Woohoo! I finally finished the crochet project I was working on, so now I can move back over to cross stitch!
Here are some pictures of the finished project:

And a close-up to see the colors: