WIPoccaclypse 2022 Check-In: September 25, 2022

The topic for this month's discussion is:  "Are you a seasonal stitcher? If so, which seasons do you find yourself more productive or less productive?" Not exactly sure what a seasonal stitcher is. I stitch year-round and my productivity is based more on what other aspects of my creative and every-day life are thrown at me... For example, while I TRY to stitch at least 1.5 hours every night, paper crafting classes/events I have signed up for, illnesses (like a "mild" bout of Covid at the start of this September), road trips (where hotel lightning isn't sufficient for stitching), guests, and general all-around lack of motivation will result in those minutes stitching being prevented. Also, there were two two-year spans of time in the past ten years, when wrist issues (broken which required surgery and occupational therapy, followed by a ruptured tendon with more surgery and OT) resulted in a physical inability to stitch which, because that inability lasted a prolonged period of time, my motivation to pick back up where I had suspended stitching was difficult, and it took me nearly a year to get back into the stitching groove. ~~~~~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. There has been no progress since 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 were 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" ,  installment eleven  - "Lapis Lazuli", and installment twelve - "Opal". All twelve installments are now complete and I am still debating as to whether or not to add the stitched names. If I do, I will not used the called-for bright blue --- I'm leaning toward a cool gray... In the photos below are "Opal" and the completed array of 12 crystals: 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 Cozy Country House on August 14... and a Brownstone (after some creative adjustment for starting the stitching one row off, to say nothing of a two week delay due to Covid) on September 15.  ​Below are the brownstone and the set of ten houses so far... 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 complete in August. The "Autumn 2022" was released in late August and I am awaiting a shipment of floss so I can begin stitching, hopefully in October.  5. A Stitchonomy Halloween SAL called "A Cabinet of Curiosities"  started in September when I was trying to complete the Faithwurks and Lakeside SALs so I only got started on the frame this past week. As you can see, it is currently mostly in half-crosses; the frame also includes significant back-stitching. So I have at least another week to go before I can begin on the interior of the piece.  Right now, I have 16 installments in hand, not a single one started... which puts me at least two weeks behind... Luckily, those little installments should be quick stitches and I should be able to do at least two a session, if not more... 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. 7. Two new SALs have caught my eye, both by Cliffside Stitches. One is a variation on medieval Egyptian blackwork and the other is a set of cross-stitched tiles based on variety of motifs that are reminiscent of traditional folk designs from around the world. I have not started either although I have ordered the floss for the blackwork piece. ~~~~~ In summary, this month I made progress on three SALs, completed nothing, acquired yet more potential projects, and started nothing new. This is beginning to sound a lot like all my reports! LOL ​As usual, I wish you all to stay safe and keep well - having had my personal bout with the dreaded Covid, all I have to say is that if being double vexed and double boosted made this a less severe illness, I sure am glad I had the shots. Now to wait the recommended three months to get the bivalent booster, although both my husband and I are planning to get the annual flu shot ASAP...