UFO's Spotted EVERYWHERE!!!

Yes, you read that right!  UFO's have been spotted everywhere at my house!  I have so many unfinished cross-stitch and craft projects that it's just ridiculous!  I was cleaning up a little in my home office/craft room and found numerous projects that are in various stages of progress.  I really, really need to stop beginning new projects and work on the ones I have. [sigh]  I doubt that will EVER happen. Hahaha! ;-)

UFO located in my craft room

One good thing came out of my cleaning however.  I found an older design that I started years ago with a good friend in mind.  She loves old covered bridges and mills and I thought that this pattern would be perfect for her.  She even loves fishing!  It's "Scenic Bridge" by Barbara Sestok and the design appeared in the August 1998 edition of "Cross Stitch & Needlework" magazine.  I've had this pattern forever it seems! 

I've stopped and started it so many times that I can't keep track.  It's one of those designs that I think will be perfect for my friend but that I really do not enjoy working on.  It's just not what I would normally work on and does not fit my personal style.  Well, I dusted off the magazine and started working on it again this week.  I'm determined that I will finish it for her this year.  Her birthday is in August and I'm going to make myself complete it so it can be framed for her birthday gift or at the latest, a Christmas gift.  By adding it to my blog, maybe that will help me stay motivated to work on it each month so I can see it's progress.



Progress as of April 26, 2014

With that being said, here's where I am now.  This is the progress that I have made thus far.  It's actually not much larger than the edges of the current design.  It will go up a little to accommodate the roof of the covered bridge and the top of the tree, but the fence in the foreground is where the pattern stops and the sides are also pretty much defined.  Now it's just time to fill it in and complete the backstitching.

Wish me luck!

New Threads on the Calico Craft Designs Blog

I ordered a few beautiful threads from Lorraine at the Colour Complements Etsy Shop.  Check out my blog post on the Calico Craft Designs blog via the link below.  I'm planning on using these for a few Hardanger designs and I'll post photos as I go along.

http://calicocraftdesigns.blogspot.com/2014/04/beautiful-beautiful-threads.html

Joining the 2014 Smalls SAL

I decided today that I would join the 2014 Smalls SAL hosted by Heather from Stitching Lotus.  I have quite a few ideas for cards and other small items this year and this is the perfect way to make sure I get some of them finished.  I'll be committing to complete one small piece each month and it will be posted on or around the last Wednesday of each month.  I'm excited to get started!  You can learn more about Heather's SAL or sign-up to participate by visiting her site here or by clicking on the link on my blog home page.  I better go get started...the next one is due on April 30th!

TUSAL Progress - March 2014 Update

Since I have been away from my blog and many of my crafts for a while, I haven't been keeping up with the TUSAL Challenge or with my ORTs.  I know...shame, shame.  Now that I'm back, however, I decided to start off with my current TUSAL jar.  I missed the official posting from March 30 but I'll be ready for the upcoming one in April! :-)

The next posting is due April 29, 2014.  If you're not sure what the heck a "TUSAL" or "ORT" is, be sure to check out the link to the TUSAL challenge by clicking on the link on the main blog page.


The New Moon dates for 2014 are:

January 1
January 30
March 1
March 30
April 29
May 28
June 27
July 26
August 25
September 24
October 23
November 22
December 22

A Long Absence

It's been about six months since my last post on "The Girl's Gone Crafty!" blog.  Due to personal and family medical issues, the holidays were a blur and the beginning of 2014 has flown by as well.  I simply have not had the time to really focus on my personal craft projects, gifts, or items for the Calico Craft Designs Etsy Shop.  The dust is beginning to settle, so to speak, and I hope to begin again.  I'll be rearranging a few items on the blog and hope to join in with the TUSAL Challenge and ongoing WIP challenges very soon.

Here's to a new beginning!