Reflections on the A-Z Challenge

The A-Z Challenge is done and dusted for another year, and now is the time to breath and think about other things for a bit - releasing new patterns, and getting ready for Melbourne Oz Comic Con for a start.

This was my second year in doing the A-Z Challenge, and I set myself a mammoth challenge this year: cross stitch two alphabets AND write about my Harry Potter travels.  Why did I do this to myself?

1. I've been wanting to write a blog about my Harry Potter travels for a while and this seemed like the perfect opportunity
2. I didn't want to write about Harry Potter traveling under the Fangirl Stitches blog since that one is linked to my online cross stitch store
3. I wanted to get back into blogging on the Fangirl Stitches page (after being absent for about 6 months)
4. I couldn't choose between the two cross stitch alphabets!
5. Which all led to a crazy, busy, whirlwind month and a half.

Onto the reflections:

I completed the challenge on all three projects - which is the most important thing.  On that note, here are the finished pieces.  Both patterns are available from my Etsy Store.

The Pokemon Alphabet
Fabric - 14 count Bluescape from Sew It All

It's even been framed and given to my sister-in-law for her birthday!

The Supernatural Alphabet
Fabric - 14 count Stormy Sky from Sew It All

The Supernatural photo was taken before the Great Washing Disaster of 2016, which I will tell you about another day. 

I also finished the Harry Potter tour which you can read about on my other blog.  I have a few other places to add that didn't fit into the alphabet, which I will get to soon... I hope!

I met some new people and discovered some new blogs.  My favourites (of course) were the cross stitching ones, particularly the ones where people were stitching my patterns.

• Crafting Paws worked on the DC Superhero Alphabet, as well as researching each of the characters - several of whom I didn't know, despite designing the alphabet!
• Keebles World stitched up the Jane Austen Alphabet, as well as sharing her collection of Disney memorabilia
• Nerdy Girl Confession completed the Girl Power Alphabet, along with a second superhero cross stitch.  She also gave a lot of information on each character which was really interesting.
• Sara Writes where Sara shared some of her amazing cake creations.  I'm still drooling.
• Special Teaching and Pempi's Palace wrote about working as a teacher in special education.  As an OT who works with children with disabilities in schools, I found this very relate-able
• Other crafty blogs I enjoyed were Ten Hour Stitcher, Heather's Stitching Story, Bengal Cat Lover, Ink & Stitches and Ozzy Pip Quilts (which is written by my mum)

There were several others that I enjoyed and visited regularly, 

I didn't visit nearly as many as I wanted to, and didn't get back to visit people as regularly as I wanted to either.  Moving, not having internet for a few days in the lead-up, Easter, travelling, work, as well as trying to finish to cross stitch alphabets AND write two blogs took up most of my time, leaving very little time to read and comment on other blogs.  I'm hoping to do the Blogging Road Trip and get back to visit some of the ones I missed/didn't read enough of, as well as find some more to read.  Thank you to everyone who visited my blog, even if you didn't leave a comment.  Big thanks to those who did leave a comment, and those who managed to visit regularly.  I take my hat off to you.

I got back into the whole blogging thing.  Hopefully it will stick with me a bit longer this time! I need to work out a schedule/regular time where I don't feel so stressed about posting.  I have exciting stories to share with you over the coming weeks including the Great Washing Disaster of 2016 (and how I survived), Unique QR Codes, Market Stalls Dos and Don'ts, as well as several new patterns.

I'll certainly do the challenge again next year, although I will start my stitching A LOT earlier and only work on one... or post about ones I've already finished!  That or only write one blog!  Scheduling posts is certainly the key to surviving the challenge, and having time to visit other blogs - and for a cross stitching blog it means starting early so you aren't madly trying to get your stitching finished on time.  I learnt this lesson last year, forgot it, and learnt it again this year.  Hopefully I remember it about February next year :)

Happy Stitching

Ros

Z - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

Z is for Zubat and Zacariah

It's the last day, the end of the challenge - hurray! We’re up to Z in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemn Alphabet

Z is for Zubat the bat.  I liked Zubat.  He was a bit creepy but fun, and different from the Pokemon you'd been able to catch up to that point.  Zubat was usually one that remained in my game line-up - because he's caught so early in the game, he was usually one of my stronger, and reasonably good against most Pokemon types.

The Supernatural Alphabet

Z is for Zachariah, the last of the angels in this alphabet (and the last character).  I mentioned back in the U post about how over the whole angels-are-focused-and-evil storyline.  As one of the earlier angels, I didn't mind Zacariah's storyline - and if the writers had left it there, that would have been great.  They've just carried it on too long now.  I've also just realised that the angels are one of the few characters who stay dead when they die (apart from Castiel).

Over at Travel Like A Geek I've been working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  Z is for London Zoo.

Well that was an insane, whirlwind month.  I didn't get to visit nearly as many blogs as I'd hoped, so will have to spend some time on the Road-Trip trail over the next few weeks.  Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left comments.  And to those who just stopped by and didn't leave comments.  I've learnt my lesson and will not be doing two alphabets plus a second blog ever again!  Although I did have fun working on both projects.  Check back in a couple of days for my reflections post, when I'll be sharing the finished pictures - maybe even framed (if I can get to the shops to buy appropriate sized frames in time!)

Happy Stitching

Ros

Y - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

Y is for Yanma and Yellow-Eyes

It's the second last day which means we’re up to Y in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

Y is for Yanma, the last of the Pokemon not from the original series.  Yanma is a bug Pokemon from the Gold/Silver/Crystal version.

The Supernatural Alphabet

Y is for the Yellow-Eyed demon, as he is the only demon not to sport the traditional black eyes.  Referred to as "Yellow-Eyes" for ages, we eventually learn that his name is Azazel.  Azazel is responsible for the death of Mary (Dean and Sam's mother) and Jessica, Sam's fiancée.  Azazel is the main demon/evil/storyline for the first two seasons 

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  Y is for Y Bother, a list of pointless or mistaken trips I made in my Harry Potter hunting.

Happy Stitching

Ros

X - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

X is for Xatu and X-Road Demon

We’re up to X in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

X is for Xatu, another of the Pokemon not from the original game.  He's from the Gold/Silver/Crystal version (Generation II) and is a psychic Pokemon.

The Supernatural Alphabet

X is for Crawley, The Cross-Road Demon and King of Hell.  Crawley is one of my favourites, mostly because of Mark Sheppard, the actor.  Mark has appeared in both Doctor Who and Firefly, giving him a lot of geek-cred.  Crawley starts life in the show as the Cross-Road Demon, who seals his deals with a kiss (including one with Bobby).  He's helped the Winchester brothers occasionally, although he's mostly double-crossed them and tried to kill them - he's a demon, what do you expect?

Mark Sheppard was a guest at Oz Comic Con in Brisbane in 2015, and my youngest brother had a photo with him

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  X is for "Not Crossed Off"

Happy Stitching

Ros

W - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

W is for Weezing and Mary Winchester

The letter for the day is W in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

W is for Weezing, one of the pollution Pokemon.  He is the evolved form of Koffing - another one of those play-on names that I love.  Other than that, I was always a little put off by Weezing - a part of me was a bit disgusted by the idea of using a pollution Pokemon.

The Supernatural Alphabet

W is for Mary Winchester, Sam and Dean's mother.  Mary died when Sam was a baby, and her death sent her husband John on the path to becoming a Hunter.  Mary reappeared in ghost form or dreams during the first couple of seasons, and we meet her younger self when Dean time-travels.  

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  W is for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Happy Stitching

Ros

V - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

V is for Vulpix and Victor

We’re up to V in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

V is for Vulpix.  Another of my favourite Pokemon - he's just so cute!  I think there's a horse-loving child in every girl at some stage.  

The Supernatural Alphabet

V is for Victor Henriksen, the FBI agent.  Victor goes on the hunt for the Winchester Brothers, due to the trail of bodies they keep leaving in their wake.  I liked Victor - he was one of the few intelligent (and recurring) law enforcement characters on the show.

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  V is for Lacock Village.

Happy Stitching

Ros

U - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

U is for Unknown and Uriel

We're into the final week - the countdown is on!  6 posts to go.  And so:

Today's post in the A-Z Challenge is brought to you by the letter "U"..  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

U is for Unnown.  What sort of pathetic, lazy name is that.  Unnown is one of the few Pokemon in this alphabet not from the original Red and Blue versions of the game, and so I don't have any personal anecdotes about him. 

The Supernatural Alphabet

U is for Uriel, the angel.  There are a 6 angels in this alphabet - they have very cool, old-fashioned, traditional names and as such use different letters of the alphabet - letters where there is no alternative but another angel.  I'm not really a fan of how many of the angels are portrayed in this series. I find some of their storylines a bit on the nose, a bit cynical, a bit "how more derogatory can we be?"  It started off so well... Personally, I think they need to leave the whole angel/heaven storyline behind and move on.

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  U is for Underground Station.

Happy Stitching

Ros

T - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

T is for Tentacool and Tessa

We’re up to T in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

 T is for Tentacool.  Tentacool was another of the Pokemon you could fish for before you had the ability to "swim".  I don't have much memory of ever having used Tentacool - it's possible that by the time I captured him I had stronger, more preferred, Pokemon already in my pack.

The Supernatural Alphabet

T is for Tessa, a Reaper.  Not bad or good, Tessa was an agent of Death, one of the Four Horsemen.  I liked the Reaper characters because they were neutral - just carrying out their duty to maintain the order of the universe.  Reminded me of the Angel of Death/Death in other universes - Charmed, Discworld, even Touched by an Angel (that's going back a bit!).

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  T is for the Thames.

Happy stitching

Ros

S - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

S is for Sandshrew and Sam

We’re up to Q in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

S is for Sandshrew.  This was another of my favourite Pokemon.  Possibly because it was one of the first characters to use the move "scratch" that actually felt fitting.  Possibly because it looked quiet and cute.  I'm not sure, I just remember liking it when I played the game.

The Supernatural Alphabet

S is for Sam Winchester, of course.  Sam and his brother Dean are the main characters of the show and have appeared in every episode.  I mentioned back in the D post that I preferred Dean to Sam.  While Sam was often nicer or gentler to people, I just wanted him to stop whining, stop dying, stop falling for/having crushes on demon girls, and make up his mind once and for all whether or not he was going to leave and have a "normal life".  It seems like every 3rd episode he's talking about leaving the family business, but then he stays, only to whine about it again 3 episodes later.  He does have great hair though.

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  S is for Scottish Lochs

Happy stitching

Ros

R - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

R is for Rhydon and Ruby

We’re up to R in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

R is for Rhydon, who is pretty much a rhinoceros.  He can be found in the Safari Park, which I mentioned back in the K post.

The Supernatural Alphabet

R is for Ruby, another demon.  Ruby plays nice, but has an ulterior motive - of course she does, she's a demon.  Like Meg (from the "M" post), Ruby has been played by two different actresses - because the demon infected two different people.  I've pictured Genevieve Cortese, the second actress, here because a) it meant there wasn't another blonde female on the pattern (there's two others), b) she appeared in more episodes, and c) Genevieve is married to Jared Padalecki, who plays Sam Winchester.

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  R is for Roman Ruins (really).

Happy stitching,

Ros

Q - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

Q is for Quilava and Queen of Hell

We’re up to Q in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

Q is for Quilava.  Pokemon names intrigue me.  Sometimes they are so random it's impossible to tell how the creators got there, sometimes they are very obvious, and other times they are clever and creative - like Quilava.  Quills (as in porcupine) and lava gives you Quilava - the lava porcupine.

The Supernatural Alphabet

Q is for the wannabe Queen of Hell, Abaddon.  I've been binge-watching Supernatural this week and am up to the last episode of season 8 - which means I've now met Kevin, Naomi and Abaddon.  Reading on IMDB I gather she returns, when the whole "I want to be Queen of Hell" thing should come into play.  People on this show never stay dead.

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  Q is for Quidditch locations.

Happy Stitching,

Ros

P - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

P is for Pikachu and the Prophet

Today's post is brought to you by the Letter P.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the A-Z Challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

P is for Pikachu, probably the most well-known Pokemon, made famous by the television show.  In terms of actually using him in the game, I wasn't really a fan, but he is pretty cute.  Pika-pika.

The Supernatural Alphabet

P is for the Prophet, Chuck Shurley.  Chuck received visions of the Winchester Brothers, and turned them into novels - the Supernatural series.  I loved the episodes with Chuck - they were such a wink/nod to the fans.  Particularly the one where the Brothers wind up at a Supernatural Convention. 

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  P is for the Scotland Place.

Happy stitching

Ros

O - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

O is for Onix and Officers

It's O Day in the A-Z Challenge.  I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns for the challenge - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  

The Pokemon Alphabet

O is for Onix, another of the rock Pokemon. Along with Geodude, he's one of the first rock Pokemon you encounter in the original game, when you enter the cave - a rather confusing, twisting maze.  He was one of my favourites, and tended to remain in my "line-up" throughout the rest of the game.

The Supernatural Alphabet

O is for Officers of the law, the many background/extra characters that appear in virtually every episode of Supernatural - whether they be police, sherifs, Feds, rangers, or others.  If the Winchester brothers aren't impersonating them, then they are running around making the Officers look stupid.  I always enjoy the episodes when the officers have a few more brain cells than normal and either show the brothers up, solve the case, or assist in meaningful ways.

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.  O is for Oxford.

Happy stitching.

Ros

N - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

N is for Nidoking and Naomi

We've made it past half-way - hurray!  Today is N in the A-Z Challenge, where I am cross stitching two different alphabets - Pokemon and Supernatural.  Both patterns are available from my Etsy store.

The Pokemon Alphabet

N is for Nidoking, the third evolution of Nidoran♂.  In the original version of the game, Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ are the only male/female species identified.  Everything else tends to be referred to as "he".  In later versions there were male/females of other species and Pokémon could lay eggs/breed.  

The Supernatural Alphabet

N is for Naomi, the second of the characters that I don't know.  I'm about half-way through season 7, and Naomi doesn't appear until season 8.  According to this website, "she is a high-ranking angel charged with making rebellious angels obedient once more and extracting information from them".  Naomi is played by Amanda Tapping, of Stargate SG-1 fame.

I am writing a second blog for the A-Z challenge: Travel Like A Geek where I am exploring the locations used in the Harry Potter films.  N is for Northern England.

Happy Stitching

Ros

M - A-Z Cross Stitch Style

M is for Magikarp and Meg

Today is M, the half-way point in the A-Z Challenge. 13 posts down, 13 to go. For the challenge I'm cross stitching two of my alphabet patterns - a Pokemon one and a Supernatural one.  Both patterns (plus may others) are available from my Etsy store.  



The Pokémon Alphabet

M is for Magikarp, the fish and most useless Pokémon around.  Honestly.  All he can do is "splash", which is useless and ineffective against even the weakest of Pokémon.  The only way to push Magikarp through the levels to his evolution was to send him out first, and then immediately swap him for another Pokémon - that way he received XP (points) even though he did nothing.  His evolution is pretty cool - the water dragon Gyarados.  My sister-in-law has a t-shirt with the picture below on it:

Image from www.levelupstudios.com

The Supernatural Alphabet

M is for Meg Masters.  Demon-possessed Meg appears in this incarnation (blond hair) in season 1, before being exorcised by Dean and Sam.  As is always the way, Meg reappears in later seasons, played by another actress (because the demon went and infected someone else... as they do...).  I outlined the eyes on this figure to make them appear darker, indicating the black-eyed look of demons in the Supernatural TV series.

Over at Travel Like A Geek I am working my way through an A-Z of the filming locations used in the Harry Potter series.   K is for Kings Cross Station - home of platform 9 3/4.

I was feeling a lot more caught-up this week - I got ahead on the Supernatural stitching last weekend, and was only needing to work on the Pokémon one this week.  I'm going to have to spend most of this weekend stitching though as I'm no longer ahead.  I'll get there - it's halfway done after all! 

Happy stitching

Ros