Valentines Day Update

Being Valentines Day today, I have the day off, well, I have had the entire weekend off and it has been quite lovely.  I did some work early on Saturday, but was able to get in some serious stitching time in the last 2 days.  First though, I did get some beautiful white roses from my Husband, which are my favorite.  There is something so classic about white roses.  Well, you know they are creme, but the most elegant in my opinion.  

It has been super busy at work, and this weekend was the first days off I have had in 10 days, and no stitching was taking place.  What a bummer, when I was stitching everyday last month.  I am not complaining about work at all, I actually love my work, but I need more time for stitching!!

So, let me get going on my progress.  I think I have a plan for how I want to tackle my projects started in January.  My thoughts have been to work on the the projects in order of the start, until they are complete.  Now, lets discuss that I have at least 2 enormous projects, Peace and Dutch Beauty included in those starts and WIPS, so I have to see how the spirit moves me when I get up to those.  I will also have to see how the spirit moves me after I finish this bird of a project I am stitching on now :)

This is where I left Maria on January 1st.  She was my first new start of 2011 and boy is she a piece of work.  I think that the sampler is gorgeous, and the colors are perfect, but I have never in my life done so much frogging.  I am telling you, every stinkin row, has had to be ripped out, at least 1 time.  

The top 2 rows of Maria are over 2, and the right side is all done over 3, using long arm cross-stitch, which is something I have done before on the Sampler Cove- Thriller piece a few years back.  Easy right?  I think it is the over 3 that is grabbing my throat and squeezing.  I have made some serious adjustments so far with this piece and I think I am going to continue to do so!!  Last night, I was finishing up the 4th row you see on the right, and I had to rip out half of it because I forgot 2 stitches.  I even us a MAGNET!!!!!!  I was ready to throw it the hell out last night for sure.  I have been tempted on every blasted row.   Why is this so difficult?  I cant even imagine why, I take my time, read the pattern, and still screw up.  What a pita.

On the postivie overall, Maria will be a beautiful addition to my drawer of completed samplers, someday to frame her, and hang her :)  LOL, seriously, I do love the sampler, and I am glad I have chosen to stitch her.  I look forward on the horizon, to the next project.