Newbie Swap Finished!

That's right! I've finished making all the swap items for my partner! Instead of the two smalls, one medium that was required, I ended up making four smalls, two mediums and threw in a whole bunch of craft goodies!

I can't post anything just yet as I am waiting for my partner to finish up her items for me and only after we meet up (since we live about twenty minutes apart - sweet! Saving on postage!) and swap packages can I post. Of course, I'll only post after she opens it. I'm excited to see what her reaction will be. I can, however show a little spoiler... what's on the box only! :P

As you can see, she's a huge fan of GIR and Invader Zim. I had no idea what that show was so I watched a few episodes and stalked websites and forums for information. I think she'll like it very much!

I promise to post everything once we swap!



In other news:
I have not been crafting my Hogwarts Crest lately as my recovery has been steady but slow :( I spent this week finishing up a smaller cross stitch piece for my swap partner only. This week will be crazy for me as well as last week's job interview has been rescheduled for this week and my boyfriend has finally convinced me to go take my driver's test. I will hopefully jump back into full swing come Wednesday night.

Let's go!
-Nessa

Week Three Hogwarts Crest

Cross Stitch:

Week Three - February 7 - February 13

Sorry for the very late post. This past week has been extra crazy and I only had a few days to work on this project. Tuesday I went bowling with momma, her boyfriend, his son and my boy. Wednesday was a mad dash to the dentist (whom told me I have to get a root canal) who sent me to an Endodontist (root canal specialist)... basically it took all day for someone relying on transit. 

Thursday was spent in major pain from all the poking and prodding from the dentists and I didn't eat anything all day due to the constant pain. I spent Thrusday crocheting as my mind doesn't have to work too hard thinking pattern-wise and on a few other mindless craft projects for my Craftster swap. Friday was basically the same.

Saturday was my Valentine's day with boy. He made me heart shaped cookies decorated with smarties. I also got a lottery ticket, a HMV gift card and a bag of cinnamon hearts (which I will enjoy for a while after the surgery).

Now, this upcoming week will be just as bad. I will be getting my root canal Wednesday and I have a job interview Tuesday (I hope the meds don't upset my stomach and have to cancel. I can't think of anything more embarrassing than having diarrhea while on a job interview!!! I have always been sensitive to antibiotics since I am allergic to penicillin - ugh) and today was spent running around (with a lot of bad luck) to fill my prescription.

I do hope to get back into full swing in the next two weeks. You can't see, but I've gotten a scroll style x-stitch holder (valentine's gift from mom)! I like that I have more room to work with but I don't like that the tension can't always be controlled. It keeps unraveling and there is no horizontal tension.

I may be on hiatus until next week. Gook luck on your projects!

Keep crafting,

Nessa

Week Two Hogwarts Crest

Cross Stitch:

Week Two - January 31 to February 6

Everything is going swimmingly! Although I spent most of the week removing stitches or working on something else, I believe it is coming out quite well. 

I did have to go out and get more floss. I had to go to two Micheals stores since one ran out of Black. I was shocked since they have about six tubs for black and they were all out! But I eventually got what I needed. And my boyfriend didn't even mind! I think he enjoys going to the arts store just as much as me! He wanders around and drags me to different sections looking at everything. He's adorable. He's like a kid in a candy store!

In Other News:

I have signed up for my first official craft swap on Craftster! It's a newbie swap since it is my first and I am very excited to start! I have some ideas on what I want to try but will tailor it to my swap partner. I have until March 11th to send out my package so I will have to organize my time wisely to still work on my projects as well as this one. OOOH! I can just see the possibilities! 

I love the idea of craft swaps!

Keep crafting,

-Nessa

Deconstruction of a badger...

Not much work done on the Hogwarts piece this week. I spent all of Monday working on finishing the Tucan and Sam parrot piece and the better part of Tuesday and Wednesday working on taking out the grey scale stitches in my Hogwarts Crest piece.

I decided I like the piece with black and white for the animals instead. And let me tell you, trying to take out stitches in a 22 count canvas should not be taken lightly. I did a lot of work on my badger on Tuesday just to rip it out later that day. The greys started to look yellow and green and it was making the piece look odd. By choosing white as the fill in colour It really makes the other colours on the crest pop.

Also, I went out to get some white and black floss and bought a plastic tote for them. Instead of continuing on my project, I've been transferring my floss to the bobbins and then colour coding them. It's taking a while since I have about 60 pieces of floss and three different brands to wind and I don't want to mix them up! Another thing that's taking a while is to differentiate I've been making my own bobbin holders out of card board so I know which one is DMC and which one is Rose Brand and J&P Coats floss. I know I'll be using DMC more because the store close by sells these ones and most patterns use these DMC, however when I make my own patterns I'll choose the other colours to get rid of them and since I have more of a selection.

Back to winding, I suppose. And once that's done... I'm Going Back to Hogwarts!

-Nessa

...And Done!

Sam and Tucan

I've finished my tacky birds! Now I have no idea what to do with Tucan and Sam (they are respectfully called now). I was thinking either a pillow or making it into a purse or something but truthfully, I wouldn't use either.


Any ideas would be great!

On another note: I've been thinking about modifying Little Mojo's Hogwart's Crest pattern again. I'm not liking how the grey's are contrasting with the other colours. I am very partial to just ripping the grey's out and just filling the space with white. I'll continue finishing the badger and seeing if I like it and if not then I'll just go out and get some white and filling in the gaps.

-Nessa