A little catch-up

 It's been a few since I posted.  I've been busy with just... life stuff.  I've still found time, however, to do some great cross stitch pieces!  These are larger than the ones I  usually do so they took me longer.  I get easily bored and distracted so I usually stick to smaller pieces, and if I do a bigger one, I take time in between with smaller ones.

It's not that these were super stitch heavy or anything but a couple were like physically larger than what I usually do.  I had been eyeballing this for a while and I finally pulled the trigger, purchased it and completed it.  The pattern is by CeresAndSun on Etsy.  

Another one by CeresAndSun, and a bit smaller.  It's something I live by and I love a good blasphemous stitching project.

It's been nicer outside lately, and so I have been cross stitching on the patio as well.  I love cross stitching outside.  I love being outside when it's not stupid hot (it's almost always stupid hot in Texas).  I've been spending a lot of time on the patio and though I would bring my stitching along.  

And here is the finished project from that patio pic.  It's a quote by Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez.  She should be our president but... oh well.  Pattern by WyldXStitch on Etsy.

Handfastings and Stitches

It's May!  Cinco de Mayo to be exact!  I officiated my first handfasting on May 1st which was really fun. I had some time off last week, of course, around that and got to see my friends who live in Taylor, Texas.  We had good food, lots of drinks, and lots of fun.  I got to love on some kitties and dogs.  Some last minute things for the handfasting were discovered that needed to be done, like very last minute, and when I say some, I mean a lot but... I remained so calm that I surprised myself!  I think of everyone, I was the least stressed, and I was officiating the wedding so I would have expected to be freaking out, but I just remembered, "Your job is to officiate.  That's all."  My parents came out for the ceremony too!  It was just amazing.  I hung out with them during the reception because I was just exhausted and they are not exhausting to be around lol.  

This is the lovely couple- my dear friend Anja and her soulmate John.  They are such couple goals!  The ceremony was at Old Taylor High- they turned the old high school out there into local shops and eateries, and there are a couple of cool bars too.  They decided to have it there because their first meeting was at one of the bars there.  They are the cutest and I was honored to be able to do the ceremony.    

All that preparation didn't really put me behind on my stitching, however!  I finally framed this up for my mom and it's hanging in her livingroom.  Pattern by The Gloomy Gremlin.

I also did this one by Black Waltz Stitching.  I love her patterns and I have hoarded many.  I really messed this one up in a couple of places.  I have learned to abide by the 3-feet rule- if it's hanging on the wall and people don't notice it from three feet away, leave the mistake.  It saves a lot of stress and frustration.  

Feeling Good AF!

Happy Thursday!  I finished my Subversive Cross Stitch piece, using the workstand I reviewed.  Right now, I AM feeling good af!  The weather is nice, and I'm finally out of that funk I got in during November of last year.  Things are looking hopeful for getting the house on the market soon, and that's a huge hurdle!  

I finished this cutie by WildOlive.  

My friend Rebecca runs a Victorian B&B in Golden, CO and has asked me to create a cross stitch piece that says "Do No Sit" because she has some antique furniture in there that is not supposed to be sat upon, but people keep sitting on it.  She's gonna add it to a pillow.   The B&B is called Pansy's Parlor and if you are ever in Golden and need a place to stay, THIS IS IT.  It's gorgeous and she is such a great host.  She makes the best breakfast and knows everything about Golden!

Lowery Work Stand Review

I kept seeing people raving about the Lowery Workstand online and decided to treat myself. You clip your frame into it and stitch away.  It helps some people with wrist or hand issues and it allows you to sit more comfortably while stitching... or something.  

So far, I like it okay.  I will say that I don't think it's ideal for Q Snap frames, which is what I usually use, though it's supposed to be ideal for them.  Maybe I'm not using it right.  The issue I have is that I don't feel like it holds the frame tightly enough.  It seems to slip easily.  It doesn't slip OUT, but it slips back away from me sometimes, if that makes sense, while I'm stitching and it's annoying.  Maybe I'm not tightening it enough but I don't want to crack the frame so... anyway, it works well enough, but I don't think it was worth as much as I paid for it.  They are quite expensive.  I wanna say I paid almost $200 for this.  Maybe it will be better for bigger projects like my Stitch A Day (that I am totally not keeping up with. I knew I'd crap out on it) or if I am using a smaller frame (like a wood frame- it is NOT good with the smaller 6" Q Snap because the part that your frame slips into is too big and gets in the way of stitching).  

Anyway, here it is an action shot. Again, it's not terrible, and it works pretty well, but I kind of prefer holding my work in my hand.  Maybe when I get older and it hurts to hold things for long in my hands, I'll be glad I bought it.  It's very pretty at least!  I am working on a Subversive Cross Stitch pattern that I will post soon!

Witch's Kitchen

 How could I have forgotten to post this little cutie by FlossyFoxShop on Etsy?  It was so fun and quick to finish :)

Enjoy the bad stuff you wished on others!

 I am not gonna get super political, but I am seeing a lot of people who voted a certain way, against their best interests because they thought bad things would happen to the people they don't like, but it's happening to them... and they sold us all out because they wanted bad things to happen to marginalized people, and didn't think it would ever happen to them... but it is.  And I take evil delicious joy in this. 

For them, I have one thing to say...

Pattern is by Happy Sloth Patterns on Etsy.

We mustn't dwell... no, not today.

 I am Gen-X but sometimes I don't deserve my Gen-X card.  I never watched Empire Records in the 90s, mostly because I couldn't stand Liv Tyler (I've since come to terms with her) and I was too cool for "popular" movies.  

I guess it started garnering attention again about... 6-7 years ago because I kept seeing people saying "Happy Rex Manning Day" on April 8th.  I finally was like "WTF is this?" and people were downright SHOCKED I didn't know what they were talking about. 

Well, of course, it's from Empire Records.  So, I decided I needed to watch that movie and familiarize myself with this Rex Manning.  WHY did I wait so long?  That movie is the PERFECT amount of 90s cheesiness and nostalgia, and if anyone knows me, I am STUCK in the 90s and always wishing it was still the 90s, so I loved every second.  Liv Tyler wasn't even bad in the movie.  I loved it!  

I saw this pattern yesterday and purchased it, and while it's stitched up late, the spirit of the 90s, Rex Manning Day, and Empire Records is still strong!  The pattern is by Bitch Stitchery Crafts on Etsy.  

April Stitchin Fool

 My cross stitch productivity has been pretty good so far this April!  I finished another cryptid from The Witchy Stitcher's Cryptid Stitch-along.

I fucked around and found out how cute this pattern is by  MisanthropicStitch.

I finished this one I've been wanting to do from SonOfACrossStitch on Etsy.  I love offensive Scottish phrases. 

I framed up my sweet little bathroom stitch, and will be hanging it up later today.  

Not bad for just a few days, eh?