WIPocalypse 2023 Check-In - April 23, 2023

 

This month's discussion topic is: "Give us five projects in your stash right now that you’d really love to start – and why you haven’t yet." I should be laughing out loud here but there are so many unstarted projects i my stash that it isn't funny! Of the ones listed here recently (and probably the most likely to be started sometime, simply because I'm not really sure what else I have! AAACK!): a cooperative venture between Nancy Wahler ("Faithwurks") and Sue Hillis Designs called "A Stitcher's Shadowbox and Smalls" (as per usual, I ordered two by mistake! Oh well---) and I have the kit(s) in hand. two SALs by Cliffside Stitches. One is a variation on medieval Egyptian blackwork and the other is a set of cross-stitched tiles based on a variety of motifs that are reminiscent of traditional folk designs from around the world. I have not started either, although I am collecting the weekly installments and planning on using both in the same piece. a blackwork SAL by Clare Bradshaw of The Steady Thread - weekly installments of two versions. I have collected the installments but have not decided on which version, if any I would stitch. Nor have I settled on fabric or floss color way(s). a wildflower SAL from Frau Rosa Stickt - I have the patterns, the fabric and the floss... just need to find a space in my rotation! ​and the most likely of all: 5. the latest SAL from Stitchonomy called "The Kingdoms of Life" which is due to start in June. The kit is ordered. I think it's time to do a stash reorganization and purge (but I have to finish my papercarfting reorganization and purge first! Double AAACK!) ~~~~~WIPs~~~~~ 1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches" sampler. Started back in February of 2014! No progress since the last check-in. 2. A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began in February 2022, after four installments had been issued. No progress... probably should be downgraded to UFO. 3. Traveling Needlepoint "Butterfly on Scroll": Nothing since February 17-19. No trips scheduled until the fall. 4. Two pieces requiring beading: "Hope & Strength" by Glendon Place and "Christmas Banner" by Stitchonomy.  I had decided to do all the beading at the same time but the beading languishes... 5. Fox & Rabbit's Patreon "Temperature Chart" for the year 2023. Stitching on 28 ct. "Star Sapphire" Gobelin (although it looks more pale green than "sapphire" to me) using DMC floss. I'm stitching the day's low on the left side of the hearts and the high on the right side. All temperatures are based on the recorded highs and lows from an online "past weather" temperature chart for near-by Bowling Green, Ohio (we don't have a reliable outdoor temperature thermometer for our home so I'm assuming same ZIP code, similar temperature, although that isn't totally accurate). I am pretty much keeping up with the days, waiting until I have roughly five days of temperatures charted to stitch each session. I spend the rest of the time on the border and the hangers. (the picture below shows temperatures through April 21 - notice the mini-heat wave - yellow - in the middle!): 6.  Lakeside Needlecraft "Happiness is Handmade" SAL designed by Durene Jones. Installments one, two and three are now complete and part four is nearly complete. Bands five and six have been issued.  Four colors (darker blue, black and two browns) and backstitching (three colors) to do and it's on to Installment Five. I'm finding this one hard to stitch as the Aida band supplied in the kit is kind of slippery - definitely not 100% cotton - and I don't have a q-snap frame that will anchor down the sides so it's hard to keep tension on the band. 7. Fox & Rabbit Mystery SAL for 2023, called "Royal Gardens". Stitching on 32ct Lugana "pale green" (this isn't an accurate color here) using Threadworx Overdyed Floss 1048 Woodland Green throughout.  I am pleased with the slight variation in the green thread so I've decided to not mess with additional colors. I am a little more than half of the way through the January installment (still five flowers to go!) and have the February, March and April pattern installments (plus the borders) in hand... I would be faster if the frog didn't keep visiting (I have frogged portions of this image partially at least four times and found a one-row error in the vase which I WILL not be able to fix so I will have to do some fudging down the line.)! ~~~~~planned projects~~~~~ There are still other projects in the queue, but whether or not they actually get started in 2023 is in question (see the topic of the month above!). ~~~~~ That sums up my April stitchery progress. As in my March reports, progress was interfered with by online card-making classes (which I watch but never actually participate in - the kits keep building up!) and craft-space (it's not really a room. but half a basement space)  reorganization. As usual, I say I hope to do better but we shall see...

WIPocalypse 2023 Check-In - March 26, 2023

 

WIPocalypse 2023 Check-In - March 26, 2023 3/26/2023 0 Comments   This month's discussion topic is: "Tell us about your favorite places to buy stitching supplies." Sadly, there are no LNS stores within driving distance of where I live. The closest town (Toledo) has a Hobby Lobby, a Michaels and a Joanne's but I have never found them to be well stocked with stitching supplies (except may a healthy selection of DMC threads) - not worth the 40+ minute drive IMO. SO... I shop online! It has two major drawbacks: you can never be sure of the color of fabrics threads from photos (if any) on a computer screen shipping costs can add up ​When we lived overseas (1992-2002), needlework shops were few and far between so I got accustomed to searching online and ordering, sight unseen. I continued this habit after returning Stateside. Because of this, I have found a few places that will actually talk on the phone about potential fabric colors, counts and weaves,  and some even custom cut fabrics to the needed size! Among these are The Silver Needle in Oklahoma (I have, sadly, never been to their shop in person but I did belong to a number of their monthly "clubs" before the 2008 "economic meltdown" when I felt I could no longer afford the monthly charges) and Needle in a Haystack in California (which I have had the pleasure of visiting, albeit sometime ago before they moved and remodeled). Whenever I plan on starting a special project, I call one or both of these stores for special orders of threads and fabrics. Mainly, however, I shop online and I have a few go-to shops: Stoney Creek (they stock a lot of the "speciality threads" that I like) 123 Stitch (I like their fabric cuts and color selection) and, lately, Lakeside Needlecrafts (mainly because they stock charts often not available outside of England/Europe. I also belong to a fabric of the month club and two thread sets of the month club there) Lastly, I have recently become hooked on online sites like: Fox & Rabbit for their annual mystery stitch-alongs (and where I get a fabric of the quarter selection for my membership level in their the patreon group.) Stitchonomy (for their pattern club and their mystery blackwork free-SALs) ​Peppermint Purple (for their blackwork and cross-stitch patterns) Frau Rosa Stickt (who has interesting paid-for-SALs throughout the year) The latter often have coordinating facebook pages, private pages for SALs, and/or ETSY shops for supplies or kit. And that is just scratching the surface of "shops". It doesn't begin to cover the designer specific sites like Michael Powell, or the designs in magazines like "Just Cross Stitch" or the British "World of Cross Stitch"! Let's be honest here. I probably have enough charts to last two lifetimes (many of which probably are no longer "my style") and probably enough floss and fabric for a heft percentage of them. Someone is going to have to shop my estate sale after I die because there are bound to be some hidden gems in there! ~~~~~WIPs~~~~~ 1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches" sampler. Started back in February of 2014! No progress since the last check-in. 2. A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began in February 2022, after four installments had been issued. No progress... probably should be downgraded to UFO. 3. Traveling Needlepoint "Butterfly on Scroll": Nothing since February 17-19. No trips scheduled until the fall. 4. Two pieces requiring beading: "Hope & Strength" by Glendon Place and "Christmas Banner" by Stitchonomy.  I had decided to do all the beading at the same time but the beading languishes... 5. Fox & Rabbit's Patreon "Temperature Chart" for the year 2023. Stitching on 28 ct. "Star Sapphire" Gobelin (although it looks more pale green than "sapphire" to me) using DMC floss. I'm stitching the day's low on the left side of the hearts and the high on the right side. All temperatures are based on the recorded highs and lows from an online "past weather" temperature chart for near-by Bowling Green, Ohio (we don't have a reliable outdoor temperature thermometer for our home so I'm assuming same ZIP code, similar temperature, although that isn't totally accurate). I am pretty much keeping up with the days, waiting until I have roughly five days of temperatures charted to stitch each session. I spend the rest of the time on the border and the hangers. (the picture below shows temperatures through March 21): 6.  Lakeside Needlecraft "Happiness is Handmade" SAL designed by Durene Jones. Installments one and two are now complete and part of installment three is started. Bands four and five are now issued.  The counting errors continue with the pink border under the young girl stitched one row low (so she acquired a longer neck and a larger stitched piece!). Also, there are two missed stitches in this - on the left in the pink and blue borders (I must have a thing about pink and blue borders!).  7. Fox & Rabbit Mystery SAL for 2023, called "Royal Gardens". Stitching on 32ct Lugana "pale green" using Threadworx Overdyed Floss 1048 Woodland Green throughout.  I am pleased with the slight variation in the green so I've decided to not mess with additional colors. I am a little more than half of the way through the January installment (five flowers to go!) and have the February and March pattern installments (plus the borders) in hand... I would be faster if the frog didn't keep visiting!  There are still other projects in the queue, but whether or not they actually get started in 2023 is in question. They include: a cooperative venture between Nancy Wahler ("Faithwurks") and Sue Hillis Designs called "A Stitcher's Shadowbox and Smalls" (as per usual, I ordered two by mistake! Oh well---) and I have the kit(s) in hand. two SALs by Cliffside Stitches. One is a variation on medieval Egyptian blackwork and the other is a set of cross-stitched tiles based on a variety of motifs that are reminiscent of traditional folk designs from around the world. I have not started either, although I am collecting the weekly installments a blackwork SAL by Clare Bradshaw of The Steady Thread - weekly installments of two versions. I have collected the installments but have not decided on which version, if any I would stitch. Nor have I settled on fabric or floss color way(s). ~~~~~ That sums up my March stitchery progress. It was interfered with by:  a) disruption of satellite reception on my DVR due to a hard disc failure which resulgted in two days of repairmen in my stitching area, to replace  the DVR and upgrade the satellite dish. b) three online card-making classes, of which I only managed to watch two - the third concludes today with only a brief glance. ​c) two missed eye appointments, resulting in having to reschedule and great embarrassment because of my memory lapses (new appointment tomorrow!) d) one emergency vet visit for our older male Persian, which ended up in him getting stitches and full body shave with a follow up in a week for stitch removal (and a horrendous bill! Emergency Vet services are PRICEY!) ​I hope to do better in April!

WIPocalypse 2023 Check-In - February 26, 2023

 

This month's discussion topic is: "What stitch-a-longs (SALs) are you participating in this year?" Easy question! The tricky part is how one defies "participation"! Here's a list, starting with long-term WIPs (bordering on UFOs). followed by current SALs, and ending with SALs where I have collected the charts with every intention of starting (but haven't yet)!! 1.There are two long-term SAL/WIPs which have stalled out for one reason or another. I hope (against hope) to get back to them this year: - Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches", started in February 2014 and roughly 60% complete. Stalled out partly because it is so large, but also because I couldn't stitch on something this big for almost six years because of broken wrist (followed by OT) and two years later by ruptured tendon (followed by more OT), during which I lost my mojo.... -  Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", also designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began this in February 2022, after four installments had been issued. The entire pattern is now in hand, but 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! 2. There are the three I am currently stitching, alternating (with time off for tax preparation, road trips and other possible interruptions* to my normal evening stitching routine): -  Fox & Rabbit's Patreon temperature chart for the year 2023, designed by Fox & Rabbit. Not a typical  SAL in that Fox & Rabbit provided the basic chart and it's up to me to account for each day's "installment" of low and high temperatures of the day for the year 2023 -  Fox & Rabbit Mystery SAL for 2023, called "Royal Gardens". I got behind waiting for floss and fabric to arrive but also because of a massive counting error and am slowly catching up by stitching every third day -  Lakeside Needlecraft "Happiness is Handmade" SAL, designed by Durene Jones. Three installments behind again because I was waiting for the fabric and the floss to arrive.  3. I probably shouldn't even mention the  Cliffside Stitches "Egyptian Blackwork" SAL, the Cliffside Stitches "Cross-Stitch Tiles" SAL, and the Steady Thread "Botanical Blackwork SAL 2023" because I haven't even begun to select fabric or floss but I have collected all the pattern installments so far... When will I get around to them? WILL I get around to them? WHO KNOWS... ~~~~~WIPs~~~~~ 1. As mentioned above... - Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches" sampler. Started back in February of 2014! No progress since the last check-in. -  A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began in February 2022, after four installments had been issued. No progress... ​2. Traveling Needlepoint: Not having travelled since the pandemic, I had not been motivated to stitch on "Butterfly on Scroll" by Dimensions since February 2020. This year, the first of two daylily conventions occurred February 17 - 19 in Springfield, IL and I would have had three days of hotel time to kill while my husband was attending seminars  but...  I forgot the cord to my portable Ott lamp and so only had one day of partial sunshine sufficient to see the holes in the canvas (hotel lighting sucks...). But I did get in some 42 inches of floss-worth stitching. It is the strand of leaves running half-way down the left side in the photo below: ​3.  Two pieces requiring beading: - "Hope & Strength" by Glendon Pace. Purchased in 2020 and started in March, 2021,  the stitching is  complete. It awaits the attachment of 1988 beads!  That intimidating total number of beads means I haven't taken this piece out of it's project bag all month long... - "Christmas Banner" by Stitchonomy. Started in mid-December 2022. Not that many beads but I decided to do all the beading at the same time. So "Christmas Banner" languishes... ​ 4. Fox & Rabbit's Patreon temperature chart for the year 2023. Stitching on 28 ct. "Star Sapphire" Gobelin (although it looks more pale green than "sapphire" to me) using DMC floss. I'm stitching the day's low on the left side of the hearts and the high on the right side. All temperatures are based on the recorded highs and lows from an online "past weather" temperature chart for near-by Bowling Green, Ohio (we don't have a reliable outdoor temperature thermometer for our home so I'm assuming same ZIP code, similar temperature, although that isn't totally accurate). I am pretty much keeping up with the days, waiting until I have roughly five days of temperatures charted to stitch each session. I spend the rest of the time on the border and the hangers. (the picture below shows temperatures through February 21): 5.  Lakeside Needlecraft "Happiness is Handmade" SAL designed by Durene Jones. Progress after one day of stitching: There are counting mistakes in both the blue border AND in the pink line, but I can't find them and the stitching is fitting side to side, so I decided it was a minor personalization and left it alone (frogging on this AIDA band is messy and not worth the hassle unless the mistake is major, IMO!)! 6. Fox & Rabbit Mystery SAL for 2023, called "Royal Gardens". Stitching on 32ct Lugana "pale green" using Threadworx Overdyed Floss 1048 Woodland Green throughout (although I am considering one or more of six different yellow/gold Threadworx threads as accents here and there...). Again, I was waiting for the fabric and the floss before starting so I am way behind: I am roughly 1/3 of the way through the January installment and have the February installment in hand... As you can see, this Threadworx "Woodland Green", while variegated, does't show drastic color shifts, so a little touch of "gold" here and there wouldn't hurt. I'll decide when I get to a place where an accent might be required.  ~~~~~ As mentioned above, there other projects in the queue, but whether or not they actually get started in 2023 is in question. They include: a cooperative venture between Nancy Wahler ("Faithwurks") and Sue Hillis Designs called "A Stitcher's Shadowbox and Smalls" (as per usual, I ordered two by mistake! Oh well---) and I have the kit(s) in hand. two SALs by Cliffside Stitches. One is a variation on medieval Egyptian blackwork and the other is a set of cross-stitched tiles based on a variety of motifs that are reminiscent of traditional folk designs from around the world. I have not started either, although I am collecting the weekly installments a blackwork SAL by Clare Bradshaw of The Steady Thread - weekly installments of two versions. I have collected the installments but have not decided on which version, if any I would stitch. Nor have I settled on fabric or floss color way(s) ~~~~~ So that sums up my February stitchery. ​I am now a two days behind on a virtual card making weekend and I also have to get our taxes materials together for our tax preparer before the end of the month** so stitching will likely take a backseat for a week or so. ​I hope everyone has a blessed Lenten season, that the weather isn't treating you too badly (we've had a warmer and a wetter than usual February but have lucked out on the snow and ice), and that you will find joy in stitching!  ​~~~~~ * Possible interruptions to my stitching routine, as noted all the way in the beginning of the blog post, started off with a bang last night, with a stubbed toe that hurt like Heck and bled like a stick pig. That resulted in a three hour visit to the ER (7 PM through 10) which meant, when I got home with a diagnosis (no break, use antibiotic ointment on the bleeding area, and see my MD!, but the toe was still bleeding and by then, I was NOT in any mental shape to stitch! ​** Tax materials assembled and collated and ready for the tax preparer...

WIPocalypse 2023 Check-In - January 29, 2023

 

This month's discussion topic is: "If you have been to retreats, what are your must-bring items and supplies?" I have attended three two-day paper crafting "retreats" (Simon Says Create in Columbus Ohio), one two-day scrapbooking crop (with a local crafting friends, even though I don't scrapbook!), and three two-day quilt retreats (put on by the guild of which I am webmaster, even though I truly do not quilt) in the past two decades.  All within a two hour driving distance of my home. Since Covid, however, I have not been to any live retreats and, after experiencing numerous virtual events on facebook and you-tube in the past two years, I feel I am not likely to attend a live retreat again. Virtual retreats are MUCH more convenient, allow working at my own pace from my own crafting space, and allow me full access to my extensive crafting stash!  But not a single "stitching" retreat! Why? well, several reasons, many of which are also true of most major live paper crafting retreats: First, there have been no stitching retreats held anywhere near where I live, so the time needed to get to and from the retreat adds on a day of airline travel on either side of the two-or-three day event. Second,  the cost of airfare, car rental and sometimes hotel on top of the cost of the actual retreat, is a major issue.  Third, I have found, over the years, that I don't stitch in the presence of others. I just can't focus on the stitching! So a stitching retreat would become more of a "bitching" retreat, and I couldn't see the point! and finally, fourth, I have yet to find a stitching retreat where the projects featured or the instructors offered interest me.  I have always taken a traveling project with me to stitch on in the down-time in a hotel room, whether it be a visit to far-away friends, one of the above non-stitching retreats, or one of my husband's gardening events (for example, there will be one of these long-distance visits and two of the gardening conventions this coming summer). This traveling project is usually needlepoint (hotel rooms are notorious for bad lighting  but I can see the holes of a needlepoint canvas even in a badly lit hotel room!) and my must-bring items and supplies are the canvas, the floss, small scissors, needles and the pattern, all in a bag devoted to this project. ~~~~~WIPs~~~~~ 1. A long term WIP, almost a UFO: Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches" sampler. Started back in February of 2014! It is currently about 60% complete. No progress since the last check-in. 2.  Traveling Needlepoint: Not having travelled since the pandemic, I have not been motivated to stitch on "Butterfly on Scroll" by Dimensions since February 2020. This may change in February since the first of two daylily conventions occurs February 17 - 19 in Springfield, IL and I will have three days of hotel time to kill while my husband is attending seminars and field trips. 3.  A WIP in progress - "Hope & Strength" by Glendon Pace. Purchased in 2020 and started in March, 2021,  the stitching is finally complete. It awaits the attachment of 1988 beads!  The total number of beads means I haven't taken this piece out of it's project bag all month long... 4. A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began in February 2022, 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! ~~~~~Completions!~~~~~ ​Well, not exactly a completion but... ready to finish/finish:  A Mystery SAL - "Christmas Banner" by Stitchonomy. Started in mid-December 2022. It awaits the attachment of a charm and a bell , some beads, and some speciality thread stitching before hemming and attaching to a bell-pull hanger (sorry for the poor focus...): I have four other similar banners by Stitchonomy, also awaiting hemming, some trim and attachment to bell-pull hangers and I hope to finish/finish them at the same time as the above piece. ~~~~~Current SALs~~~~~ There is only one SAL in progress at the moment: a temperature chart for the year 2023, designed by Fox & Rabbit. I am stitching o pale green 32 ct Gobelin and have adjusted the called-for DMC floss colors to account for our colder winters (Fox & Rabbit didn't have any below-freezing colors assigned!). Even with a major visit by the frog (I had stitched the date eleven stitche off-center! AAACK!), I am pretty much keeping up with the days (the picture below shows temperatures through January 20). I'm stitching the day's low on the left side of the hearts and the high on the right side. All temperatures are based on the recorded highs and lows for near-by Bowling Green, Ohio: I have another SAL in line: the Fox & Rabbit Mystery SAL for 2023, called "Royal Gardens". I have fabric (more pale grey 32-ct Jobelin) and some floss (Threaadworx) in hand and more floss on order but have stalled by another visit from the frog - I had stitched two-strands-worth of the first motif she I realized I had miscalculated the starting point (I HATE counting on 32 count and had hoped to use a ruler but, on 32 ct, one bock of ten stitches is NOT one inch, so I was off by a country mile and had to rip out everything I had done and count my way up from center... ~~~~~ As for other projects in the queue, whether or not they actually get started in 2023 is in question. They include a cooperative venture between Nancy Wahler ("Faithwurks") and Sue Hillis Designs called "A Stitcher's Shadowbox and Smalls" (as per usual, I ordered two by mistake! Oh well---) and I have the kit(s) in hand. two SALs 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 and am collecting the weekly installments a blackwork SAL by Clare Bradshaw of The Steady Thread - weekly installments of two versions. I have collected the installments but have not decided on which version, if any I would stitch. ​But I'm thinking, instead of starting something else new, why not make a start on finishing works in progress before they truly become UFOs? Here's hoping I can get my mojo juiced up to at least work on "Save the Stitches"...

WIPocalypse 2023 Check-In - January 8, 2023

 

A new year, and time to: "Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!" Who am I? My name is Carol Harper, although I have used the handle "that yank" more often the past. I am a "Jill" of all crafts and master of none: I paper craft (my papercrafting blog is currently neglected) and embroider (ranging from needlepoint and crewel in the distant past to cross-stitch and blackwork currently) and sometimes quilt (crazy quilting), knit and even bead a little, all of which have been posted on this blog. I have been participating in WIPoccalypse since 2012, hoping that that would add some structure to what had become an increasing number of long term WIPs that never seems to finish. Although I have made a little progress in reducing the potential UFO backlog as well as the number of concurrent parade of simultaneous stitching projects, I am not now, not likely ever will be, a "monogamous" stitcher. While ornaments were a "thing" for me back in the early days, nowadays I do very few smalls, Big projects attract my attention but I often stall out on them and, of late, mystery SALs have become my go-to. I tend to have at least two on the go, alternating as new installments drop. In this way, I seem to finish a lot of pieces "on schedule", leaving only those long-term larger pieces languishing in my project bag... ~~~~~ Let's start with works in progress, in order of age: ​I am not even going to include the very old true UFOs here. I still have a number of needlepoint canvases (most requiring backstitch although one is in need of cleaning, and another, a painted canvas of a leopard that was a bequest from a deceased friend, is barely started), and one set of crewel pillow covers left over from that accumulation. It is highly unlikely that I will ever return to them. ​1. A long term WIP, almost a UFO: Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches" sampler. Started back in February of 2014! It is currently about 60% complete: 2. ​ Traveling Needlepoint: Not having travelled since the pandemic, I have not been motivated to stitch on "Butterfly on Scroll" by Dimensions since February 2020. 3.  A WIP in progress - "Hope & Strength" by Glendon Pace. Purchased in 2020 and started in March, 2021,  the stitching is finally complete. It awaits the attachment of 1988 beads! AAACK! 4. A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began in February 2022, 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! 5. A Mystery SAL in progress - "Christmas Banner" by Stitchonomy. Started in mid-December 2022, I currently have 11 bands stitched but, given that I belong to a pattern club where we get advance notice of installments, I can only show the seven currently made public: I am using the 14ct grey AIDA and the specified DMC threads (all from a kit) and intend to add beads to the reindeer eyes and the bell clappers, and a charm to the middle snow globe; I have corrected the missed stitches in the second-from right snow globe and, in addition to "personalizations" based on my inability to count correctly (in Santa's sleigh and the gingerbread man on the right), I blinged up the snow globe bases with DMC Diamanté gold thread. Other "personalizations are in the works... and backstitching may also be required. ~~~~~ 2023 goals will include: a 2023 temperature chart from Fox & Rabbit, which is kitted up and ready to go (daily installments are small so they can easily be fitted in between SAL installments). I have on backorder (!) threads and fabric for the 2023 Mystery SAL "Royal Garden" by Fox & Rabbit and whether or not it gets stitched will depend on how long it takes those threads to appear in my mailbox. As for other projects in the queue, whether or to they actually get started in 2023 is in question. They include  a cooperative venture between Nancy Wahler ("Faithwurks") and Sue Hillis Designs called "A Stitcher's Shadowbox and Smalls" (as per usual, I ordered two by mistake! Oh well---) and I have the kit(s) in hand. two SALs 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 and am collecting the weekly installments a blackwork SAL by Clare Bradshaw of The Steady Thread - weekly installments of two versions. I have collected the installments but have not decided on which version, if any I would stitch. I won't even go into the large number of charts I have downloaded or kits I have ordered in the past year... It's just embarrassing! ​~~~~~ Anyway, this is my sign-up report for 2023. Here's hoping I manage to accomplish a majority of the goals I have set up above.

 

WIPocalypse 2022 Check-in - December 31, 2022 12/30/2022 0 Comments   The topic for this month's discussion is:  "Recap your accomplishments for the year! (Your finishes, your final before/after photos, etc)." Here goes, starting with my finishes, in order of "finishing": 1. Lakeside Needlecraft "Christmas" SAL 2021. Stitched on white Aida using recommended threads. ​Started December 26, 2021; finished January 6, 2022: 2. Stitchonomy Christmas 2021 SAL. stitched on ice blue AIDA (not obvious in this photo) in the colors specified (exceptI substituted a DNC Diamante gold for a called-for yellow and a Diamante silver for ornament hangers). Started December 26, 2021; finished January 29, 2022: 3. Stitchonomy "Spring 2022 SAL". Stitched on pink Aida using recommended DMC (except for some Sulky substitutions). Used some alternative bands and modified others. Unable to do all 15 bands as the fabric was too short. Started April 22. 2022; finished May 22. 2022: 4. Stitchonomy "Summer Banner SAL", stitched on bright yellow Aida with called for DMC. Started  June 23, 2022;  completed July 30, 2022 5. Lakeside Needlecraft "Crystallise" SAL. Started January 8, 2022; completed September 19, 2022 I decided to omit the backstitched "crystals" and the labels that were in the original chart. 6. FaithWurks/Just Cross Stitch - Nancy Wahler: "Home Sweet Home" SAL. Started January 30, 2022,  completed October 18, 2022 7. Stitchonomy "Cabinet of Curiosities" SAL. Stitch don  tan AIDA using called for threads and she metallic DMC... Started October 8, 2022, completed October 23, 2022 There were several "personalizations" in this one, using motifs provided by others in the SAL and alternative from previous years of Halloween SALs. TO say nothing of costing errors!  8. "Autumn Sampler" by Stitchonomy. Stitched on "khaki" aAISA using called for DMC. This pattern was designed to be a companion to the "Spring 2022" SAL, the "Winter 2021", and the "Summer 2022"  banners. Started October 30, 2022, completed November 11, 2022. ~~~~~ My current WIPs... 1. Elizabeth Almond's "Save the Stitches" sampler. Photos from March 27, 2022 (full view, left and close-up, right): Close-up of current: I seem to have lost my motivation for this piece. I hope to bring it out again in 20223 and get it done! ​2. "Hope & Strength" by Glenwood Place, stitched on Jade Lugana and using the recommended Dinky Dye threads. Started in 2021. Photos below show January 18, 2022 on left and current on right:  I stalled on this one because all that has to be finished is the beading and there are 1988 (!!!) beads according to the chart! And because many of the beads are in the borders, it will have be be done in hand... AAARGH! 3. Stitchonomy Christmas Banner 2022 SAL. Started December 16 and six bands stitched to date with the seventh dropping on the 30th. I belong to Pattern Club and we get advances on the pattern so there are only three bands I can show so far: This will be a companion for the seasonal banner SALs, three of which are shown in the finishes above. Stitched on "Touch of Gray" 14ct AIDA using called for DMC. I am considering beads for the reindeer eyes and the poinsettia centers, so will hold off and do these beads along with the beading on "Hope & Strength"! Some backstitching may also be called for but I'm waiting for the end to decide... ​~~~~~ Other WIPS (some of which probably qualify as UFOs by now) in the wings are: ​1. Traveling Needlepoint: Not having travelled since the pandemic, I have not been motivated to stitch on "Butterfly on Scroll" by Dimensions since February 2020. 2. 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! 3. 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 still have not started. 4. Two  SALs 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. 5. And there is the soon to be released (January 1, 2023) SAL from Fox & Rabbit called "Royal Gardens" ... ~~~~~ So the question is, will finishing longterm WIPs take precedent over new starts? My fingers have been itching to start something new and not-so-very-large, so we shall see... Happy New Year everyone!

 

WIPocalypse 2022 Check-in - November 27, 2022 11/27/2022 0 Comments   The topic for this month's discussion is: "When do you begin planning your stitching goals for the next year?" Interesting question that I don't have an answer for. I don't plan ahead beyond working on (and hopefully competing) the projects in progress. ~~~~~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. The white part of the border is now nearly two thirds finished, having turned the corner at the bottom right. In addition to the white border, there is a multi-colored border and breading to go before this piece is finished...  ~~~~~ SALs started in 2022 ~~~~~  1. 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!   ~~~~~ SALs completed in 2022 ~~~~~  1.  A Stitchonomy pattern designed to be a companion to the "Spring 2022" SAL, the "Winter 2021", and the "Summer 2022"  banners. The "Autumn 2022" was released in its entirety (it is NOT a SAL) in late August and I have made a small start, locating center and completing the first two bands. Stitched with the specified DMC threads on 14-count "curry-colored" Aida. Completed November 11, 2022.  ~~~~~ Waiting in the Wings ~~~~~ 1. 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 still have not started. 2. A stitchonomy "Christmas" SAL,  a companion banner to the "Spring", "Winter", "Summer" and "Autumn" banners  mentioned above in "SALS Comlpeted in 2022",  scheduled to begin December. I have ordered the kit... and it has been shipped. 3. Two  SALs 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 completed one sampler and made a little progress on a long-term WIP. This is beginning to sound a lot like all my reports!  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. I have now had my third booster (A Moderna bivalent) which knocked me sideways with joint aches and a headache for one day. But I am now past the side effects and am seriosuly considering those tax records I mentioned last month.