Snow, Page 1 is Complete

Started March 24 and finished April 22nd. 7546 stitches.

This one was a bit challenging because I couldn't quite see the pattern evolving.  It's easier now that I have a full page, I can see the tip of her ear.   But it was slow moving.  I also tried using the app EZPDF, but I found it arduous, particularly in the fact that it crashed every 15 minutes or so and heated up by iPad to a degree where I was scared it was going to fry it.  I've heard that this app works brilliantly on Android tablets, but Apple, not so much.

I've been using Goodreader, which is an amazing app, for those of you looking for a reliable app.  But it's one short fall is the search only allows you to search a singular symbol at a time, which isn't very helpful.  It's much easier to have a page of the same symbol light up, than a single one, which you are stuck hitting "next" over and over.   So I've tried a few more apps and I've found Documents by Reddie to be pretty good, however, I do think you need to have PDF Expert in order to get all of the bells and whistles, but the search feature works pretty well for iPad.

Maybe Goodreader will offer a better search feature in the future.  It's a brilliant app.

Also, I got my sister back into stitching after a very long break, which is funny, because she's the one who started me down this path when we were girls.  She's working on Annya Kai's "Fall Owl".  She's finished her first page and I thought I'd share her progress.

This is her first time working with grids and the parking method.  Give her some love, I know she reads this.

I'm now back on Adrift, which feels like welcoming an old friend.  It's been a while since I picked her up and I'm really enjoying her.   I'm off to Mexico in 3 days and I'm taking her with me.  I'm not sure how much stitching I'm going to do while I'm down there, but I plan on spending at least one day in a beach chair stitching the day away.

I hope to have an update of Adrift for you soon!

Winter Hat Owl is Complete!!

Page 15 and 16 started Feb 23 and finished March 13, and pages 17 and 18 started March 13 and finished March 24.  A total of 14586 stitches.

And here he is!

 He looks a little washed out, for some reason.  But trust me, he is vibrant and lovely!
So I now get to label this under Completed!  

I'm surprised I got through the final 4 pages so fast, with my work schedule. I wasn't expecting this to be finished until mid April at the earliest, so this is a pleasant surprise.  But I have to say, I marathon stitches last, night, completing the last 1800 stitches.  Don't try that at home! 

So, this little guy will be off to the framers soon, what project is waiting to take his place, you ask? 
Well, I try to make a stocking for my friends as they have babies, so the next project is an overdue stocking for a friend, whose girl is now a year old.  Her brother got the Treasure Dragon stocking, so I felt I needed to stitch something complimentary and special. 

So, I found a pattern I really liked and special ordered a stocking version of it from HaED.
Voila!  I give you Snow by Maxine Gadd.

I'll probably start her tonight, and do a page of Snow before going back to poor, neglected Adrift, who, honestly, I needed a bit of a break from before I jump back in for the final push of pages.  I will be stitching her on 18 ct Magic Guide, 2x2. 

And that's pretty much all that I have for news on my end.  

Thank you all who have followed my journey with this little owl.   Once I get him framed, I will post a final photo of him.  

~Rai Rai

Adrift, Page 25 is Complete

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink!   This page was kinda...ok I'll say it, dull.   But it was a really fast stitch, which is always a good thing, amirite?   Page started on Feb 5 and finished Feb 18.  I wish they all could that fast.  Of course, it helps that it's February, the weather outside is drizzly and work isn't too busy. 

I've also hit the 70% mark of the project!   The end is kinda, sorta in sight!

The next page of Adrift is the start of her big, glorious fin.  I think it's going to be breathtaking.

I'm back on the Winter Hat Owl.  I'm stitching the last 4 pages.  It's so close I think I may just work on him until he's complete.  It won't be a fast stitch, though.  I'm working on the bottom of the hat, with its myriad of colours and confetti, and March is looking to be an absolute hellish month for me, workwise, so there likely won't be any updates until mid April.  But trust me, it will be a beaut!

So until then, happy stitching everyone!

~Rai Rai

Winter Hat Owl, Pages 14 and 18 Complete

Started January 20 and finished February 3,  7854 stitches. 

Look at that tiny little foot!  Just look at it!   I think part of me died a little while I was stitching it.
Adorable! 

This gives me my 4th HaED page finish this year, even though I feel like a bit of a cheat for counting partials.   Not enough of a cheat to cease counting partials, mind you.

Only 2 more full pages and 2 partials, and this little guy is done!  I guess it would be prudent to start squirreling money away to frame him now, as he's definitely getting framed!

Back to Adrift now.  New row, and I'm actually going to try gridding with a pen.  Those little red plastic grids can be a bit of a pita. (For those not in "the know" pita is short for pain in the.... well, you get the idea).  I don't think I'll manage another page finish in 14 days, like I did with this one, but I hope to have an update for you in 3 weeks or so.

Happy Stitching!
~Rai Rai

First Page Finish of 2016

Adrift, pages 23 and 24 (of 42)  8550 stitches in total and a row finish!

Not the best photo, I'll admit.  I laid her out on the couch and took her in a hurry.  But she's looking pretty, none-the-less.  I can't believe how much I still have to do on her.  The next row is the beginning of the bottom of her tail.  It's the part I fell in love with most, because she reminded me of a betta fish.  I'm looking forward to finally getting to that part.

Not much to really add at this time, as I've just come home from a 12 hour graveyard, but I wanted to get this up and posted before bed.

Enjoy!

~Rai Rai

Last Page Finish for 2015, Winter Hat Owl, pages 13 and 17

This is a 2 page finish, even though page 17 was just a partial, IT STILL COUNTS! 
This was 8160 stitches, started Dec 2 and finished Dec 27.   It would have been done a lot sooner, but Christmas, and then visiting with my sister, who I kitted up to do her first HaED, an owl.

This makes 20 HaED page finishes for 2015!  Frankly, I'm surprised I still have fingers left. I'm not crazy enough to try and beat that for 2016, but I do make the goal of finishing 2 projects next year, possibly 3.

Wish me luck.

Happy New Year to all of my stitching kindreds.  May your New Year be filled with free time galore, and ample opportunity to stitch.

~Rai Rai

Adrift, Page 22/42 is Complete

Started Nov 3 and finished Dec 1, this page took nearly a month. 

7315 stitches.

I'm back to Winter Hat Owl, the last 8 pages, with 4 of them being very small partials, so the end is in sight.  I can't wait, and I've lined up my next project, which I will unveil in good time. 

I have to say, I really enjoyed reading all of your favourite accessories to stitch with.  Mine have become such a daily part of my stitching life, that I don't really think about them much, in short, I fear I take them for granted.  So I thought I'd give you a top 10 list of favourite accessories of mine.

1. My stand.  It's a K's creation, and I can easily snap my q-snap into it and work away.  I know it looks a bit steampunkish, but I love it.

2. My Mighty Bright Magnifier. (the only photos of have of it have the cockatoo - sorry)  It's the only thing that saves my eyes from certain blindness brought on by HaED patterns.

3. My ipad.   (sorry, no photo)  But using it with Goodreader has been the best thing ever.  I make far fewer mistakes and the fact I can zoom that baby in so I'm only focusing on a 10x10 grid is helpful. 
If you haven't converted to .pdf patterns, I highly recommend it.


4. My Q-Snaps.  I'm convinced this is the best invention since sliced bread.  My sad little favourite hoop has been semi retired.  I now mix and match my sizes. I have put the 11x11 with the 8x8 to make a sort of landscape style Q-Snap.  It works for me!

5. My floss case.  I bought this around 1992 in Nova Scotia.  Note the great big section in the middle that gives me scads of room for scissors and other necessities?  I've never found this particular style of case again.  I almost handle this with white gloves, that's how precious this is to me.  A friend found one in a dollar store, but when she went back they were sold out, with no recollection of ever having them in stock.  If ever any of you see one like this, I'd appreciate a heads up.

6. My Scissors.  It's no secret I have a bit of an addiction when it comes to Gingher designer scissors.  I can't help myself, they are just so darn beautiful!  I've since collected a total of 5 that I rotate with every page.

7. My needle minders.  I'm starting to get out of control with this addiction.  I've even taken to making my own using old costume jewellery.

8. My needle threaders.  Most useful accessory when it comes to threading Krenick and other tricky threads.

9. Wax for when your threads just won't stop knotting. 

10.  My Tacky Bob, which comes in dead handy for beading.  Sadly, I don't have much use for it anymore, but I still pull it out and use it when I want to make some scissor fobs. (For those that don't know, a Tacky Bob looks like a cd cover, with sticky flypaper-esque paper on the inside that you can throw beads on and they won't end up all over the floor/couch/lap)

Honourable mention!
My SnagNab It. Handy, handy, handy little tool for grabbing wayward threads that aren't sitting neatly.

That's it! That's my top 10 accessory list.  I need every single one of these things on my list.  Stitching without them would simply be barbaric!

If you do a top 10 list on your own blog, please link to it in the comments.  I love, love, love seeing your favourites!

Happy stitching, everyone!

~Rai Rai