The topic for this month's discussion is: "Have you been participating in gatherings via online chats (Zoom, Google Meet, etc) during the COVID pandemic? If so, what have been the best formats in your opinion?" The answer to this is short, and not-so-sweet! No! I have not participated in any online gatherings at any time, before or during the Covid pandemic, and I don't anticipate doing so after (if there is an after). I don't perform well, stitching (or crafting) in groups. I have attended a few quilt guild retreats and accomplished very little over three-day weekends; I have attended a few in-person mixed media/papercrafting events and I have watched a number of similar events, live-streamed over long weekends (FaceBook Live and YouTube Live) and find that I can't craft and learn at the same time! And my few experiences with FaceTiming and with Zoom have shown me that I get restless and itching to get on with something, anything other that what I am participating in. I am very much a solitary stitcher! ~~~~~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 . No progress this month... ~~~~~Travelling Needlepoint~~~~~ Not having travelled since the pandemic, I have not been motivated to stitch on "Butterfly on Scroll" by Dimensions since February 2020. No road trips, no progress to report. ~~~~~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 and using the recommended Dinky Dye threads. In June, I had competed the pink and purple stars in the lower border and started on the "white" filler/background to the stars. This white border has progressed a little in August:  ~~~~~ SALs started in 2022 ~~~~~ 1. Lakeside Needlecraft SAL "Crystallised" which started January 2, exclusively designed by Oxana Polyakova, with monthly installments. Stitched on 36-ct white even-weave with DMC floss. There are twelve installments in this SAL: Installment one - "Larimar", installment two - "Malachite", installment three -“Amber", installment four - "Obsidian", installment five - "Jasper”, installment six - “Quartz”, installment seven - “Tiger’s Eye” , installment eight -"Agate", installment none- "Amethyst", and installment ten - "Garnet" were completed last month. Installment 11 - "Lapis Lazuli" was issued on July 31 and finished in early August: The final installment, number twelve - "Opal" was released on August 21 and I have only gotten around to pulling the necessary threads:  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 in future magazine issues through the end of 2022. Stitched on Wichelt oatmeal evenweave using Anchor and Weeks Dye Works threads, and Kreinik braids. The fifth installment consisted of two houses: a Country House and a Brownstone,. I finished the Cozy Country House on April 14... ... and started the Brownstone, only to discover I misread the chart and will have to do some major fudging along the vertical center of the building...  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 Stitchonomy pattern designed to be a companion to the "Spring 2022" SAL and the "Winter 2021": "Summer 2022" was all but complete in July. I am still waiting for the ordered charm/trim kit (which I find I ordered twice and, as of yet, and have received neither!). The "Autumn 2022" version is due out this month... 5. A Stitchonomy Halloween SAL called "A Cabinet of Curiosities" is due to start in September. I have the kit in hand...  6. A cooperative venture between Nancy Wahler ("Faithwurks") and Sue Hillis Designs called "A Stitcher's Shadowbox and Smalls" is now available and (as per usual, I ordered two by mistake! Oh well---). I have the kit(s) in hand but have not started.  The stash continues to grow! One step forward and to steps back! ~~~~~ In summary, this month I made progress on one WIP and two SALs and acquired the kits for two new projects. Wishing for an honorable peace... both at home and abroad. And stay healthy! |
