Sunday, September 27, 2015

Stitch from Stash - September

Well, this was not a good month for staying within my budget, that's for sure!

Month: September
Spent: $63.38
Earned: $14.00

Money was spent on some really pretty threads from Shamrock Threads (a new to me company), some fabric from Picture This Plus for Halloween stitching, and a few patterns that I just couldn't resist!

I finished a couple of exchange pieces and one Halloween design...but I'll show them in another post.

I hope everyone had a good month!

~~lynda~~


Thursday, September 24, 2015

there's an app for that

I've noticed some chat on Facebook about the app X-Stitch, and just wanted to talk about it a little bit.

The app doesn't have an Android component  (yet!), but I've been using it on my iPad for several months now, and just wanted to say how much I love it! If you are like me, you are always looking for an easy way to keep track of the threads and charts that you have stashed. I've tried making excell sheets, and I also made some google sheets. These all work ok, but you have to put in everything yourself and I just don't have the time or patience for that.

This X-Stitch app makes things so much easier.  There is a simple shopping list page to keep track of all the things you absolutely have to have (because we can never have enough stash, right?) There is also a journal section. This includes a wishlist, as well as a place to keep track of all your projects...kitted, started and finished. There is a place for the name and designer, along with notes about your supplies and just things in general that you  might want to add.

The inventory section is worth its weight in gold. There are over 20 different makes of threads listed. All the colors are there. You just click on the brand, add what you have to the color name and you're good to go. The charts section has almost 100 designers listed. Again, you click on a designer, and then list the patterns you have. Easy peasy!

And something I really appreciate is the excellent customer service the developers of this app show. You can just send them an email, and they will add a designer if they are not already listed, or color names if they are missing from the thread lists. You can also make suggestions for future additions to the lists (like thread manufacturers that are not already included). They are very prompt with their replies too.

I can't remember the cost of the app...I want to say $2.99...but seriously, it is worth every penny and then some. If you are on the fence about trying this, I encourage you to do it. I don't think you will regret it for a minute!

Thanks for taking the time to visit...hope you enjoy your day!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

September TUSAL

Hi again,

It's time for the monthly TUSAL (totally useless stitch-a-long) post. Froggy has lots of different threads in his bowl this month...some bright colors from my round robin, and some fall and Halloween colors too.


See you next month!

Friday, September 11, 2015

Happy September!

It's hard to believe that it's already September! This year is just flying by. I don't know if time seems to go faster because we've been so busy, or if it is just that I'm getting older...but whatever the reason, I wish things would slow down, just a bit!

Our summer was unseasonably hot, and we are still having warmer than normal temperatures. And there was no rain all summer! Very unusual for the Pacific Northwest! But this past weekend, Mother Nature hit us with a vengeance...rain and wind, and even lightning and thunder, which we don't often see. It didn't last long, but it will be interesting to see what fall and winter bring in terms of our weather.

I know that I have really been neglecting my blog lately. I think about posting a lot, but it's kind of like reading diet books and thinking that you'll lose weight just by reading them! So I am starting this post (it's September 2, in the morning) and we'll see how long it takes before I actually get something posted!

I haven't been stitching anywhere near as much as I would have liked. Our building expansion project is finally under way (we had the groundbreaking on August 8) and it seems like there is always something to do or a meeting to attend. By the time I get home I am so tired that I usually fall asleep in hubby's recliner!

We do have a new round robin starting this month with the Friendly Stitchers group, so that has got me motivated a little! I decided on a design from Blue Ribbon Designs...A Sampling in the Square. I stitched all the borders, and lettering, so I actually feel like I have accomplished something! This group always chooses such lovely designs...I'm looking forward to the new round.



I thought you might like to see a few little goodies that I have bought over the past few months.


The candles are  from Where Sisters Gather. Jennifer is Beth Twist's (Heartstring Samplery) sister. I love these! They are battery operated and look so pretty when lit up, especially now that the evenings are getting darker. The little crocheted basket is from Nikyscreations and is just perfect to stash my scissors and needle threader when I am stitching.


This pretty little pincushion was purchased from Elegant Stitch, as part of their fundraising effort for breast cancer research.


Two threadkeeps: the one on the left is also from Elegant Stitch, and the one on the right came from Monique at The Primitive Jewel.


Two needleminders: the one on the left is also from Monique. The one on the right was purchased from pinoystitch (an etsy shop). She offers all kinds of needleminders with books, and since The Little Prince is my favorite, I couldn't resist this one!

So, I think I started this post on the 2nd of September. It is now September 11. My laptop was giving me loads of trouble...the dreaded Windows 10 critical error, and I couldn't upload any photos, or actually even do anything at all. It's working as of this morning (yay!), but in the meantime, I ordered a camera connection kit for my iPad and loaded the photos that way. Sorry that they are so large. I haven't quite figured out the editing part! (Apparently a couple of these are two large for my post. If you click on the photo you can see the whole picture! - I'll try to edit these when I get home!)

I am very glad that it is Friday. I mentioned that we have started our library expansion project and the last two days have been nothing but jackhammering...all day! It also just happens to be on the same level as my workspace, so it has been very loud! 

I did do a little bit of Halloween stitching this past week, but I will wait and show that stuff next time.
For now, I hope everyone has a great weekend! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!