The topic for this month's discussion is:
"Have you found yourself to be more or less productive in your stitching during the Covid-19 pandemic?"
Well, to be honest, since I hadn't stitched much at all between 2016 and 2020 (only one traveling needlepoint and one twinchie in 2019), ANYTHING would have been an improvement! I started stitching again in January 2020 and our state went into stay-at-home orders in mid-March of that year. From that time until the end of the year, I completed 10 pieces: seven stitch-alongs and three long-term WIPs. If we are only counting 2020, for March through December, then yes, I was more productive.
In 2021 (we are still under mandatory mask orders and social distancing recommendations so I basically am still acting as if we are under stay-at-home orders), I have slowed down bit, only finishing one stitch-along this year (and this had been started in 2020), working on two new stitch-alongs, and beginning one new. piece. A few stitches have been placed into my last long-term WIP but not enough to trumpet any kind of progress on that front. I am not doing any free-hand embroidery, beading or crazy quilting, all of which which dominated my stitching time between 2011 and 2014, so my total stitching output looks significantly smaller, even though the cross-stitching may actually be similar or more productive.
Currently, I am finding stitching time limited by other activities (mainly mixed media). I also have motivation issues with the charts and kitted up potential new starts that are in my project bag (I am still drawn to BAPs but really an hesitating on starting even one of my kitted up pieces with that old BAP still outstanding...). So in 2021, I seem to have backslid a little...
Overall, however, I have to say that, measured against my stitching activity pre-Covid (and pre-hand injury), my over-all productivity is probably similar to the pre-pandemic "era".
~~~~~WIPS~~~~~
I haven't stitched at all on Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches" since November, 2020.
I have made limited progress on the Glendon Place sampler "Hope & Strength".
I have been fitting this into the down times of the SALs I have committed to and so I usually only get in about three days in the month for this piece. I really am enjoying stitching with the silks, however.
~~~~~SALs~~~~~
Besides this WIPocalypse, I have two (mystery) SALs in progress:
1. The Faithwurks/Just Cross Stitch Christmas Quaker, which now has three parts complete:
There are charms on parts two and three but I am holding off on these until the entire six parts are stitched.
Part four is due out in early June in the next issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine.
2. The Stitchonomy 2021 Sal series, part one of which is "Homely Houseplants II" a partner to the "Homely Houseplants" sampler completed in 2020. First installment was April 16 although I signed up for early access (April 9th). So far, the shelving and three plant patterns have been issued to the general public:
New plant patterns are issued every three days, with the next due out on April 25 (today!).
~~~~~Travelling Needlepoint~~~~~
Not having travelled since the pandemic, I have not been motivated to stitch on "Butterfly on Scroll" since February 2020. No progress to report. However, there will be a road trip to Illinois in July, pandemic willing, and I may get in a few stitches in while my husband is doing his daily "thing"!
~~~~~~ In the Pipeline ~~~~~
While my stitching mojo seems a little low, my interest in new charts is not. In addition to the two Elizabeth Almond blackwork pieces in the February ("Frosted Windows") and April ("Spring Celebration") issues of Just Cross Stitch, the latest Linen and Things annual SAL, and the LongDog monster "Pandemic" which I have more-or-less kitted up; I ordered the kits for two Lakeside Needlecraft SALs ("Time to Stitch", 10 of 12 installments, and "Steampunk Musical Instruments, one installment so far) which arrived yesterday. Fitting any of these in in the coming months is unlikely but one never knows...
Stay safe and healthy out there...
