2016 Beginnings: Zelda and more...

Hello all!

It's that time. Where everyone posts or talks about their achievements of 2015 and their goals of 2016. If you have been keeping up with me on social media, then you know that these past two weeks have been busy with crochet projects for Christmas gifts. That I've been falling asleep at three in the morning trying to finish them and spending my Christmas holiday feeding people and hanging out with family.

Fun times. Glad it's over.

Now I've been focusing more on my cross-stitch and preparing for the 2016 year. I noticed that everyone is showing what they've completed for the entire 2015 year. I decided to do something different, since, well, by golly I like to be different!

Most people think when the new year starts its time to start something new and to reflect on what you have completed. I've done the reflection, but I find myself thinking: "I don't want to start something new. I'm quiet happy with the goals I've set since last year and I'm still working on them now."

Is that strange? I think it is and I embrace it. So right now, here's what I'm bringing with me from last year into this year to help build me up for the challenges I will face in the days ahead. Big G give me strength and not let my heart waver.

Cuz these pieces aren't going to get done themselves! :)

What did you bring into the new year?

Toodles!
-VanaQB

It's Been a Long Time Zelda

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen!

It has been a while since I last update. And I'm sure you're probably wondering what have I been doing as of late. Well, the good news is that I have been working on my Zelda Map. The other better news is that I started working as a substitute teacher, making my mornings work related and my nights fantasy.

Kind of like Batman with the two identities, only cooler.

I'm also pretty sure you want to see photos of my latest work and the new toy I got to help me stitch faster. Kid you not, I bought a lap stand and started stitching two handed. Results? I'm on FIRE BABY!!

But allow me to let you be the judge of that :)

Looking back, that 1 month and 1 week sure saw some long nights and confetti work. But you know what? It's all worth it when I spend three hours or the entire weekend working on a section and have my nephew look at it, see the progress, and go "Wow Aunty Vana, you're really making progress. It's looking great!!"

So worth it.

Toodles!
-VanaQB

Upgrading my Technique: Waste Knots Awaaaaay!

As life would have it, I am constantly researching and learning about different ways to improve my art. Cross-stitch is no exception, especially when loking at other pieces of work and wondering "WOW, how do they get their backs so neat like that?" Which then leads me to ponder "How can I get my work to look like that? What am I missing? What do I need to do?"

Those questions are then answered by the lovely thing called the World Wide Web. After many questions and wondering, frustrations and longing, I finally looked up online on how to get a clean back on cross-stitch. It provided some very informative results, more specifically videos. I watched them in awed silence, taking notes in my notebook when needed.

Because a girls back be looking like-

And I'm starring at it like-

Because when you take a really close look at this-

You really end up feeling like-

So what exactly did I take away from this learning session?

My research produced to me something called the Waste Knot or Away Waste Knot. I looked at several videos and posts on the subject, and these down below were the ones I found the most helpful:

Advanced CrossStitch (this one has pictures and explains the steps)
Cutting the lose Ends (a video the shows the technique)

Looking at these, I thought to myself "There is so much information out there about cross-stitch. It's ri-donk-cu-lous! And some of these techniques have been tweeked and twerked too!"

.....though I'm pretty sure not everyone twerks their stuff. One thing is for certain though, my next cross-stitch lesson will be very fruitful.

Toodles!
-VanaQB

Another Christmas Gift and Christmas Preparations

As everyone knows, that big wintery day is coming soon. Well, 2 months or so, which can be a long time for people. But for us crafters it really isn't that long to get our gifts together for our loved ones. Especially if you are doing BIG projects for them.

My other nephew requested a Zelda piece as well. It's 17"x25" on 14 ct. I'm going to put that sucker on 16ct thread just to make it smaller (or 18ct but I don't know how to convert the sizes). Of course, Etsy will be my go to for this project.

Then my third nephew wants a blanket made from green yarn. I have a pattern already set aside for him and a butt load of green yarn from previous sales.

My niece still hasn't decided. I told her she has until the end of this week to let me know what she wants, because I have to start prepping and organizing the projects. At first she wanted a blanket with pink, blue and purple in it. Then she changed her mind and said she wanted a cross-stitched Evee  Pokemon piece. Then My Little Pony, then back to Pokemon. See why I gave her until the end of this week?

Because its MANLY!

Exactly.

It is a lot of projects and I haven't even asked my sister what she wants. She probably will say just give to the kids, but I want to do something special for her. I just need to look in my stash and see what she wants.

I have spent a lot of time organizing my floss. With all these projects coming up I ended up bying bobbins and labeling them. Now I know why people love these things. It helps a lot and I don't have to dig through bags of floss.

Welllll, I don't have bags....maybe a few.

I've also been keeping a hawks eye on different sales. I get all my floss from AC Moore because its a few cents less than Micheals (those cents add up you know). I go for the one item discounts or the entire purchase discounts. That let's me buy a lot of thread one time and save money. Because with all these projects, I need to save as much as I can. Both in money and time. I figured a few hours on each project a day will get me closer to Christmas.

What are your Christmas Gift plans?

Toodles!
-VanaQB

PS. My weekly Zelda Map update will be late because my phone isn't working. So bunch of pictures when it is fixed!

Zelda Map Week #1: Pg 1

AC MOORE HAUL. WITH DISCOUNT :)

IT'S HERE!! That's right folks, I bought my very first cross-stitch project from Etsy and I'm well on my way! Everything is a new experience for me. I usually work with 14ct projects, but this is my first 18ct one on softer fabric. If you haven't been keeping up with me on my Instagram (VanaQB) then fyi, the woes of fraying fabric have haunted me. Even broke two sewing needles on my Singer sewing machine too trying to fix edges.

How? Effort. Teamwork.

Sigh.

On the bright side of things, the Instagram cross-stitch community have been very supportive. They have given me ideas on how to fix my fraying problems, on how to organize my thread (thanks and love from those who gave me their preparation methods when I asked, much appreciated), and just keeping me positive!

Love that community. Just love it.

So back to my work. I have been updating regularly on my Instagram and I have decided to post weekly for my Zelda map on my blog. It's easier for me and you really get to see whats happening over seven days. That said, without further ado, here is WEEK#1 progress!!!!

This is about 10-12 hours of work for one week. I started out strong doing a little something every night. There are only 66 colors, but even that I find challenging. I normally do 10-20. Have you seen my fish piece? That's a 20 color set. I'm just so excited for this, I really am, and the learning process is amazing. Can't wait to finish this page :3

Toodles!
-VanaQB