Sunday, April 24, 2022

WIPocalypse 2022 Check-In - April 24, 2022

 The topic for this month's discussion is:

"What is your favorite store (either online or brick and mortar) to purchase your supplies?"
This is a hard one because I don't use just one store. And the ones I do use are all online (we don't have any local needlework shops anywhere near around where I live). I like to buy floss from Stoney Creek. I tend to buy fabric from 1-2-3 Stitch and from ABC Stitch Therapy. Recently, I am in two monthly thread clubs and a monthly fabric club at Lakeside Needlecraft, and I have purchased charts (from designers otherwise not readily available in the US)  from them as well . Another source of charts (and occasionally kits0 for me is the designer of my primary addiction, Michael Powell.  In the past, I have purchased kits from The Silver Needle and I love that they will custom cut fabric for you, even if you place the order by phone (the ladies there are so very knowledgeable about all things needlework!)! And when I lived in Northern California (back in the late 1900's, as an online acquaintance says), I was totally enamored of Needle in a Haystack (another place where knowledge rules!). finally, I subscribe to magazines,  mainly for drooling but also occasionally for charts (Just Cross Stitch Magazine and The World of Cross-stitching).

And then there is my stash - an accumulation over the past several decades of miscellaneous charts, kits, threads, fabrics and embellishments!

~~~~~Long-term WIPS~~~~~

When I checked in last month, I had only one long-term WIP in my project bag: The Elizabeth Almond "Save the Stitches" blackwork sampler, which is roughly 60% complete. I didn't touch it this month...


~~~~~Kits started in 2021~~~~~
There is one kit I started in 2021 that is still unfinished: "Hope & Strength" by Glenwood Place, stitched on Jade Lugana using the recommended Dinky Dye threads. This also languished, untouched in April.

~~~~~ SALs started in 2022 ~~~~~

1. Lakeside Needlecraft SAL "Crystallized" which started January 2, exclusively designed by Oxana Polyakova, with monthly installments. Stitched on 36-ct white even-weave with DMC floss. Installment one, "Larimar", installment two, "Malachite", installment three, "Amber",  installment four, "Obsidian", and Installmentfive, "Jasper" are complete:
Installment six, "Quartz", is underway, with two of the six colors done:
There is lettering in the chart but I am holding off until the end to decide it I want it or not.

The seventh installment is due out May 8.

​2. A Faithwurks/Just Cross Stitch Magazine SAL, designed by Nancy Wahler, which started with the February 2022 issue of the magazine (I get it digitally as well as hard copy); further installments come in future magazine issues through the end of 2022.  Stitched on Wichelt oatmeal evenweave using Anchor and Weeks Dye Works threads, and Kreinik braids. Installment 3 consists of an A-frame and a Classic Craftsman. I have completed the A-Frame and the Craftsman lacks only backstitch (sorry for the fuzzy photo):


3. A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began after four installments had been issued. The entire pattern is now in hand. I had issues - and the frog was a frequent visitor . It has been put away until I can deal with my obvious inablility to follow a pattern here!

4. A S
titchonomy SAL, "Spring 2022", started April 22 and installments are due out every other day. It is being stitched on pale pink14-ct Aida using DMC threads and is meant to be a "partner" to the Stitchonomy Winter 2021 SAL. I have stitched installment 1:

Picture
So, in summary, this month I made progress on no WIPs and three SALs... I also spent this past LONG weekend watching virtual card making classes. Someday, I'll get around to actually MAKING some of the cards taught in these classes!​

Wishing for an honorable peace...