WIPocalypse 2025 April Check In - April 1, 2025 (11 days late)

Today's discussion topic is:  "Let’s talk fabric – what is your go-to fabric dyer, your preferred type, count, color, etc?" I tend to prefer even weaves like Lugana or Jobelin and I tend to pick 28 count, but I have some higher count linens and even a scrap of Aida or two in my stash as well. As for color, I lean toward solids and avoid fabrics which are very bold, dark or blotchy. I want my stitching to be visible... ~~~~~WIPS~~~~~ 1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches". My long dormant SAL: I started it in February, 2014, but by the end of summer, 2014, it was languishing. As near as I can tell, I didn't pick it back up again until 2021 when I started in again in November, stopped, took it back up in March of 2022, and stopped again until January 2024 when I actually persisted through September 2024 as a part of a complex rotation with a series of SALs from other sources.. It went back into the unfinished pile when construction activity in our house made my stitching room (AKA bedroom) inaccessible for two weeks and the entire rotation came to a halt.  I had hopes that I would be able to pick this up again this past month and finish it --- there isn't that much more to stitch, but I still haven't progressed since my last post because of a major frogging incident on my other WIP. No photo to show. 2  "Cloister Garden", a year-long SAL from Fox & Rabbit. Parts 1, 2, 3  and poptions of part 4 are stitched on white 28ct Jobelan using DMC 597, 931, 992, 3910 for patterns, 3750 for “borders” , all to coordinate with DMC 4030. Part 4 was released March 31.  This piece isn't up-to-date because of a massive counting error the second week of March which meant I had to rip out everything I had stitched on part 3 and start that over. It was so traumatic that I actually took a several weeks off stitching before starting again.  The photo below shows where I am now --- perhaps a week of stitching on part four remains. And then I can get started on part 5 (which was released on May 1). But first, I have to get my stitching mojo back... On the non-SAL (and inactive SAL) front: The Glendon Place "Hope & Strength" piece still requires extensive beading. The Lakeside SAL "Kogin" still languishes untouched. Traveling needlepoint is awaiting a road trip to justify taking it out again. ~~~~~ and that is my very late April report! Happy stitching, everyone!

WIPocalypse 2025 March Check In - April 1, 2025 (two days late)

  Today's discussion topic is:

"Which are your favorite three designers?"

I don't usually think in terms of designers but more often I choose by the subject matter. And these preferences evolve and change over time, What I liked back when I started , back in the late 1900s, differs significantly from what I stitch now.

Historically, my favorite designers has been Michael Powell and I have collected MANY of his charts, although  I have only stitched a few.

The designers I have been using most, recently design SALs: 

• Stitchonomy, whose European slant on SALs really rings a bell with me
• Fox & Rabbit, because, for some reason, I really like BIG smaller-style pieces.

~~~~~WIPS~~~~~

1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches". My long dormant SAL: I started it in February, 2014, but by the end of summer, 2014, it was languishing. As near as I can tell, I didn't pick it back up again until 2021 when I started in again in November, stopped, took it back up in March of 2022, and stopped again until January 2024 when I actually persisted through September 2024 as a part of a complex rotation with a series of SALs from other sources.. It went back into the unfinished pile when construction activity in our house made my stitching room (AKA bedroom) inaccessible for two weeks and the entire rotation came to a halt. 

I had hopes that I wouldl be able to pick this up again this past month and finish it --- there isn't that much more to stitch, but I still haven't progressed since my last post because of a major frogging incident on my other WIP. no photo to show.

2  "Cloister Garden", a year-long SAL from Fox & Rabbit. Parts 1, 2  and parts of threeare stitched on white 28ct Jobelan using DMC 597, 931, 992, 3910 for patterns, 3750 for “borders” , all to coordinate with DMC 4030. Part 4 was released March 31. 

This piece isn't up-to-date because of a massive counting error the second week of March which meant I had to rip out everything I had stitched on part 3 and start that over. It was so traumatic that I actually took a whole week off stitching before starting again. 

The photo below shows where I am now --- perhaps a week of stitching on part three remains. An then I can get started on part 4. But first, I have to get my stitching mojo back...

The color of the blooms in part three below is slightly off --- it is a lighter purple than shows here.

On the non-SAL (and inactive SAL) front:

• The Glendon Place "Hope & Strength" piece still requires extensive beading.
• The Lakeside SAL "Kogin" still languishes untouched.
• Traveling needlepoint is awaiting a road trip to justify taking it out again.

~~~~~

and that is my March report! Happy stitching, everyone!

WIPocalypse 2025 Check In - February 24, 2025

 

Today's discussion topic is: "What stitch-a-longs (SALs) are you participating in this year?" I have completed one 8-week SAL from Stitchonomy (see completions, below). I am working on one year-long  SAL from Fox & Rabbit (see WIPS, below). Also, I have one long dormant SAL from Elizabeth Almond which I hope to work on (see WIPs, below). I don't have any other SAL plans at the movement, but that doesn't mean one or two might not pop up and hook me later this year... ~~~~~WIPS~~~~~ 1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches". My long dormant SAL: I started it in February, 2014, but by the end of summer, 2014, it was languishing. As near as I can tell, I didn't pick it back up again until 2021 when I started in again in November, stopped, took it back up in March of 2022, and stopped again until January 2024 when I actually persisted through September 2024 as a part of a complex rotation with a series of SALs from other sources.. It went back into the unfinished pile when construction activity in our house made my stitching room (AKA bedroom) inaccessible for two weeks and the entire rotation came to a halt.  I have hopes that I will be able to pick this up again and finish it --- there isn't that much more to stitch, but I still haven't progressed since my last post. no photo to show. 2  "Cloister Garden", a year-long SAL from Fox & Rabbit. Parts 1 and 2 are stitched on white 28ct Jobelan using DMC 597, 931, 992, 3910 for patterns, 3750 for “borders” , all to coordinate with DMC 4030 (the leaves in this installment). Part 3 is due to be released on February 28. ~~~~~Completions~~~~~ ​Completed February 14, 2025. Stitchonomy "Christmas Market" 2024 SAL. Stitched using fabric and DMC floss provided in kit. Personalizations (other than miscounts and resulting fudging) were selecting gold bugle beads from my stash for the tree garland (instead of the multicolored ones included in the kit), pacing them with gold seed beads. ~~~~~ On the non-SAL (and inactive SAL) front: The Glendon Place "Hope & Strength" piece still requires extensive beading. The Lakeside SAL "Kogin" still languishes untouched. Traveling needlepoint is awaiting a road trip to justify taking it out again. ~~~~~ and that is my February report! Happy stitching, everyone!

WIPocalypse 2025 Check-In - January 26, 2025

 

Today's discussion topic is: "Tell us about the oldest WIP you have in your stash." My oldest would have to be Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches" SAL. Stitching on antique white Lugana (28ct) using DMC 310 (with substitutions of two shades of blue and two shades of green where the pattern called for metallic threads.). This is a BIG piece, and I suppose that is why I got sidetracked --- that and the blackwork which seemed to be getting more and more complex as I went on... I started it in February, 2014 but by the end of summer, 2014, it was languishing. As near as I can tell, I didn't pick it back up again until 2021 when I started in again in November, stopped until March of 2022, and stopped again until January 2024 when I actually persisted through September 2024 as a part of a complex rotation with a series of SALs from other sources.. Then back into the unfinished pile when construction activity in our house made my stitching room (AKA bedroom) inaccessible for two weeks and the entire rotation came to a halt. I am only just now catching up... I have my rotation down to two or three pieces now and have hopes that I will be able to pick this up again and finish it --- there isn't that much more to stitch, as you can see from the above photo. ~~~~~WIPS~~~~~ 1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches". (See above) 2. Stitchonomy "Christmas Market" 2024 SAL. Stitched using kit fabric and DMC floss. Part 1 -5 (of 8 installments) are shown. Part 6 has been issued to the pattern club but not to the general stitching public so I can't show it. There are several "Personalizations" in these little market stalls, entirely due to my inability to count! Almost al were caught so far into the stitching that I decided to fudge instead of frog... 3. "Cloister Garden" SAL from Fox & Rabbit. Part 1 stitched on white 28ct Gobelin using DMC 370 and 597. Part 2 is due to be released on January 31.. On the non-SAL (and inactive SAL) front: The Glendon Place "Hope & Strength" piece still requires extensive beading. The Lakeside SAL "Kogin" still languishes untouched. Traveling needlepoint is awaiting a road trip to justify taking it out again. ~~~~~ and that is my January report! Happy stitching, everyone!

WIPocalypse 2024 Check-In - December 29, 2024

  Today's discussion topic is: 

"Recap your accomplishments for the year! (Your finishes, your final before/after photos, etc)."

Rather than rewrite 12 months of posts, here is the link to my 9 completions of 2024: https://210920746822434353.weebly.com/my-stitchery-2024.html

and a list, in order of completion:

• Fox & Rabbit "Temperature 2023", completed January 1, 2024
• Stitchonomy Christmas SAL 2022" Finally added the beads/charms in February 2024
• Stitchonomy "WINTER 2024" SAL, Finished March 17, 2024
• Stitchonomy "Summer Banner 2024" SAL, Finished June 30 2024
• Stitchonomy "Kingdoms of Life" SAL, Finished July 12, 2024
• Stitchonomy "Fall Banner 2024"" SAL, Finished August 25, 2024
• Stitchonomy "Halloween  2024" SAL, Finished October 30, 2024
• Fox & Rabbit "Royal Gardens" 2023 SAL, Finished November 17, 2024
• Fox & Rabbit "Faith, Hope, Love" 2024 SAL, Finished December 22, 2024 (see also below)

​
~~~~~WIPS~~~~~
1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches", begun in 2014, on white lugana in mostly DMC 310 (with some scattering of two DMC blues and two DMC greens where metallic threads had been called for.).  No progress. so no pboto!

2. Stitchonomy "Christmas Market" 2024 SAL. Stitched using kit fabric and DMC floss. Part 1 of 8 is shown. Part 2 has been issued but not to the general stitching public so I can't show it.

~~~~~Completions (since last month)~~~~~
"Faith, Hope, Love", a mystery SAL for 2024 by Fox & Rabbit. On antique white 28 ct Lugana using a Threadworx variegated (Autumn Leaves 1039) and three DMC colors (436, 975, and 310) that closely match some colors on that Threadworx floss... Completed December 22, 2024

On the non-SAL (and inactive SAL) front:

• The Glendon Place "Hope & Strength" piece still requires extensive beading.
• The Lakeside SAL "Kogin" still languishes untouched.
• Traveling needlepoint is awaiting a road trip to justify taking it out again.

~~~~~
and that is my December report! Happy stitching, everyone! See you in 2025!

WIPocalypse 2024 Check-In - November 23, 2024

Today's discussion topic is:

"How do you begin planning for the next year with your stitching? Tell us your process." 

Process? You HAVE to be kidding!


~~~~~WIPS~~~~~

1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches", begun in 2014, on white lugana in mostly DMC 310 (with some scattering of two DMC blues and two DMC greens where metallic threads had been called for.). Only stitched a little on three blocks this time round and didn't finish any of them. SO basically, no progress. so no pboto!

2. "Faith, Hope, Love", a mystery SAL for 2024 by Fox & Rabbit. On antique white 28 ct Lugana using a Threadworx variegated (Autumn Leaves 1039) and three DMC colors (436, 975, and 310) that closely match some colors on that Threadworx floss... I'm on schedule here - the next/last installment is due out December 1, 2024.

~~~~~Completions~~~~~

1. Stitchonomy "Halloween 2024" SAL. Stitched on Chocolate Raspberry AIDA using the provided kit DMC threads. I actually finished (decided to not use the charms from the kit) on October 30, 2024, but couldn't share the competed piece until all installments had been provided to non-pattern club members:




2. "Royal Gardens", a mystery SAL by Fox & Rabbit, begun in 2023. On a pale green/sapphire 32ct Lugana and Threadworx variegated thread (1048 "Woodland Green"). Completed November 17, 2024!



~~~~~
On the non-SAL (and inactive SAL) front:

• The Glendon Place "Hope & Strength" piece still requires extensive beading. 
• The Lakeside SAL "Kogin" still languishes untouched. 
• Traveling needlepoint is awaiting a road trip to justify taking it out again. 

~~~~~

and that is my November report! Happy stitching, everyone!

WIPocalypse 2024 Check-In - October 27, 2024

 

Today's discussion topic is:  "How do you organize your WIPs and stash?" Please excuse the sounds of hysterical laughter (bordering on sobbing, to be honest)  as I answer this question because organization is my curse and my failure.  My WIPs are piled on top of a bag in my bedroom, by my bed (I stitch in bed...), each in its own ziplock or project bag along with the required floss, fabric, and (occasionally) pattern (More often than not, I use my iPad's "Books" app to store patterns and I stitch from those stored pdfs.). Also in this pile is a large tote bag filled with fabric, another with patterns that I've saved but haven't kitted up yet, yet another filled with cones and spools of floss, and still another with spare q-snap and frame pieces. And pile on top it my navy blue Yazzi raveling kit...As chaotic as this looks, I can find what I need when I need it so while it's not organized in a classic sense, it works for me. My stash occupies two large cabinets (for fabrics, patterns, kits and tools), six baskets (for floss in floss bags) and a large "pile" in a corner (not shown here) for things like pillow forms, batting etc.  This storage is in my basement craft space, is only vaguely organized, and is only accessed when a new project is started.  The pictures below are from 2023 and things are a LOT messier now than in these photos.  I have gone through at least two major reorganizations in this space since we lived here and it is due for another but I'm old and tired and probably will never get around to it.  And from there... ~~~~~WIPS~~~~~ 1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches", begun in 2014, on white lugana in mostly DMC 310 (with some scattering of two blues and two greens where metallic threads had been called for.). Didn't touch it this month... so no progress. 2. "Royal Gardens", a mystery SAL by Fox & Rabbit, begun in 2023. On a pale green/sapphire 32ct Lugana  and Threadworx variegated thread (1048 "Woodland Green"). I stitched on installment 10 and almost completed it: Only a few more stitches in the base of the bouquet snd a small circular motif to the upper right to go and then it's on to the elves, butterfly and alphabet of installment 11 (which, for some reason, I dread)! 3.  "Faith, Hope, Love", a mystery SAL for 2024 by Fox & Rabbit. On antique white 28 ct Lugana using a Threadworx variegated (Autumn Leaves 1039) and three DMC colors (436, 975, and 310) that closely match some colors on that Threadworx floss... I'm on schedule here - the next installment is due out November 1, 2024. 4. Stitchonomy "Halloween 2024" SAL. Stitched on Chocolate Raspberry AIDA using the provided kit DMC threads. Fabric color is off in this (and all subsequent photos): it is really more pinkish-brown and not at all "orange"!  I am a member of the pattern club so have already received all the installments, but only 28 out of 31 plus finishing instructions have been released to the stitching public. So... here is my progress through part 28: ~~~~~Completions~~~~~ Sadly, no competitions this month... ~~~~~ On the non-SAL (and inactive SAL) front: The Glendon Place "Hope & Strength" piece still requires extensive beading. The Lakeside SAL "Kogin" still languishes untouched. Traveling needlepoint is awaiting a road trip to justify taking it out again. ~~~~~ and that is my October report! Happy stitching, everyone!