Category: Goals

Goals, WIPocalypse

2022 stitching recap

Anne S

My goodness, this is probably the easiest annual review I’ve ever done, as I only worked on two projects!

I started the year in January hopeful that I’d get back into my stitching again, but my mojo was short lived and only lasted a few hours – I did, however, manage to complete all the letters on this canvaswork cushion by The Stitchsmith called Aroha so it wasn’t all bad (even if I only had 1 1/2 letters needing to be stitched).

The next time I did any stitching was late last month in December, where I got a sudden urge to stitch some of the blocks of Banded by Bargello by Kathy Rees. I realised I hadn’t downloaded the final part of the chart before I flew to NZ to care for Mum, and no longer had access to the email address I’d originally used, but Kathy kindly helped me out by sending me the missing parts. I think working on this project has helped me to get my mojo back a bit. It reminded me just how much I love working on canvaswork pieces, especially when the blocks are small and easy to count. This is such a beautiful piece of work, photos will never do it justice, I think. Here’s the before and after. The ‘before’ photo is closer to the colours in real life. It was so nice to put needle through canvas again, especially on a project that was really calling my name loudly.

Crochet, Goals, Quilting & Sewing, WIPocalypse

WIPocalypse – Feb/Mar 2020

Anne S

I don’t know where the year has gone already – I just realised I haven’t posted an update since the very start of the year. I wish I could say I was too busy progressing on my WIPs, but in all honesty I’ve been dealing with depression and a crazy time at work. After being stood down from work yesterday and being moved to working two days a week, it could be the impetus that I need to change my routine and kick me out of my depressive rut – or it will increase it, I guess – time will tell. I do know that I won’t be able to afford any of my bills or put food on the table some weeks for a while, but I also do know that I have a huge stash that is going to see me through these unprecedented tough times – as long as I have a roof over my head!

Anyway, enough of the doom and gloom – time to answer the year’s questions to date and work out if I have an update to show …

February:

In honor of “Leap Year,” tell the story of a time you had to make some sort of a “leap” in stitching – taking the chance on a new style of stitching, attending a meetup or class, etc.

When I lived in Auckland I used to attend classes all the time at my LNS – it took me out of my comfort zone all the time and I got to experience so many different techniques in a supportive environment. I miss those classes so very much! I’m very introverted so it was a big step for me to sign-up to classes on my own, but I’m so very glad I did. I managed to do classes on stumpwork, hardanger, surface embroidery and more … geez I really do miss that so much!

March:

Have you ever adopted a piece from someone else or gave up a piece to someone else? Which piece and why?

Yes, I adopted a Marjolein Bastin cross-stitched piece from someone who had fallen out of love with it. I still haven’t finished stitching it, but it will get done one day, even if it’s to donate to charity as fundraising for one of the animal shelter groups.

Progress on goals

Um, yeah … not so much really, considering we’re already a quarter of the way through the year! One or two items have been done, or started, though, so all is not entirely lost!

  • Make progress on three canvaswork projects (WIPs or new starts) – 1) I started Banded by Bargello by Kathy Rees as a Mystery SAL new start
  • Make progress on a crochet blanket – I had a new start of start of Marnie’s Garden by Hooked on Sunshine for a friend … not sure that was the intention for this goal, though, to start a new one 😉
  • Finish at least three projects from Crate Crochet – 1) February 2020 box is done – Emily’s Cowl
  • Finish at least one project from Crochet Society – a hexagon cushion is in progress, it just needs to be put together
  • Complete 12 ornaments for Just Cross Stitch ornament SAL (Facebook) – 1) January is in progress, and has been since well um early January, it’s kinda stalled ‘cos I’m not enjoying it
  • Make some bat wraps and joey pouches for wildlife rescue – Done, I made a heap of joey pouches and hanging bags (photo to follow)
  • Sew an item of clothing – Done … can’t believe I managed it after all these years of not sewing, and I was pretty damned chuffed with myself, I have to say!

Challenges & SALs, Goals, WIPocalypse

WIPocalypse – Jan 2020

Anne S

Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!

About me

I’m in my 50s and work full-time as a web publisher for an airline. I currently live in Sydney, Australia, which I’ve started to love thanks to having a great friendship network with fellow stitchers, but my home will probably always be Auckland, New Zealand where I grew up and spent most of my life.

I’ve dabbled in lots of crafts over the years, but cross stitch remains my one constant and which makes me the most relaxed at the end of a long work day. I love learning new things, so I like to dabble in specialty stitches and other techniques. I haven’t focused on this area of my crafts for a long time, though, so I’m hoping 2020 will be the year to kick-start my energy and enthusiasm for that again – I’m always happiest when I’m learning something new.

Goals for 2020

This year I’m kicking the year off with 56 craft WIPs/UFOs, which includes needlework and crochet projects. After last year’s pitiful efforts, I’m trying to learn from my mistakes and keep my goals simple (and hopefully achievable) this year.

  • Progress on 12 WIPs/UFOs (aiming for a different one each month)
  • Finish Quaker Diamonds
  • Finish Three Kings
  • Make progress on three canvaswork projects (WIPs or new starts)
  • Start a bed quilt
  • Make progress on a crochet blanket
  • Finish at least three projects from Crate Crochet
  • Finish at least one project from Crochet Society
  • Finish at least one project from KnitCrate
  • Complete 12 ornaments for Just Cross Stitch ornament SAL (Facebook)
  • Complete 12 ornaments for Hallowe’en ornie SAL
  • Finish-finish at least 12 items in my finishing pile
  • Stitch at least one charity quilt block
  • Finish and frame the Ronald McDonald charity stitching
  • Make some bat wraps and joey pouches for wildlife rescue
  • Sew an item of clothing
  • Make progress on/start at least three projects with specialty stitches or non-cross stitch techniques (eg stumpwork, hardanger, etc)
  • Start a HAED

I also intend starting a rotation again this year to keep me more focused. This year, though, I want to ensure I have a rotation slot or monthly time allocated to new starts for gifts – I have a number of projects I’ve been wanting to stitch as gifts for years now, so it’s time to start getting those stitched. I also want to ensure I give myself time to enjoy other pursuits and not just cross stitch and crochet.

And to kick off the year, here’s my list of current WIPs and their approx status (rounded up to the nearest 5%) – some of these I may scrap and start again, especially those at 5% for various reasons, and some may be offered up for rehoming. But for now, this is where they’re all at …

My WIPs – status @ 1 Jan 2020

DesignerProject NameMain type% Done
Ursula MichaelsRonald McDonald charityCross stitch95
Nora CorbettMia Mermaid (retreat project)Cross stitch85
CA WellsSailors ValentineCross stitch85
Teresa WentzlerEnglish Garden SamplerCross stitch80
CA WellsCottage EtuiCross stitch75
Rosewood ManorQuaker DiamondsCross stitch70
Stoney CreekNature’s Resting PlaceCross stitch70
Mediterranean Village sceneCross stitch70
Mill HillThree KingsCross stitch60
ChatelaineEgyptian Garden MandalaCross stitch60
CA WellsPyramid EtuiCross stitch50
Prairie SchoolerWhen Witches Go RidingCross stitch40
ByGone StitchesQuaker Christmas IICross stitch35
Teresa WentzlerNoah’s ArkCross stitch35
Shepherd’s BushFinch SongCross stitch20
Country ThreadsParisCross stitch20
Lorri BirminghamButterlies and Hearts needlerollCross stitch20
Just Cross StitchLe Jardin Silk SamplerCross stitch10
Anita DiamondQuaker Flowers strawberry emeryCross stitch5
Textile HeritageTopiary tree bookmarkCross stitch5
MirabiliaBluebeard’s Princess MirabellaCross stitch5
Martha SchmidtHussifCross stitch5
Lavender & LaceCeltic SummerCross stitch5
CCNThe Tea RoomCross stitch5
Drawn ThreadAlmost HalloweenCross stitch5
Marg LowMake a Christmas WishNon-XS90
Monica HuntHussifNon-XS90
Cindy ValentineApricot EleganceNon-XS65
–Berry Delightful BagNon-XS60
–Wool hot water bottle coverNon-XS50
Inspirations Summer fruits pincushionNon-XS40
Inspirations Wool beehive needlebookNon-XS35
Moss CreekSchwalmwork PinkeepNon-XS25
–Bullion rose faceclothNon-XS20
–Goldwork peaNon-XS15
FMNISRachel’s RaspberriesNon-XS5
–Long stitch frogsNon-XS5
–Vicki’s cot quiltQuilting75
Jane NicholasStumpwork needlework accessory – thimble pipStumpwork80
Jane NicholasDragonflyStumpwork70
Jane NicholasHonesty and HeartseaseStumpwork70
Jane NicholasOriental PoppyStumpwork40
Jane NicholasPomegranates and BeetleStumpwork35
–Beaded fishBeading50
Laura J PerinLahaina BreezesCanvaswork30
GCCOrnamental DelightsCanvaswork5
Crate CrochetBeginners beanie (box 6)Crochet95
LululovesGranny Square pincushionCrochet90
Hooked on SunshineAtlanticus blanketCrochet70
Maria’s Blue CrayonCoastal Indoor RugCrochet50
Crate CrochetCrate Crochet Hook RollCrochet50
Crate CrochetRipple ToteCrochet20
Crate CrochetC2C BagCrochet15
8-day kid blanket (blues)Crochet10
Teal-coloured beanieCrochet10
Hooked on SunshinePhoenix blanketCrochet5

Goal tracking

To help me keep track of progress this year, I’ve updated my monthly craft planner (all just done in Microsoft Word) and created a checklist of all my 2020 craft goals with space for me to write in any details. These are now all printed off and about to get hole-punched to go into a dedicated ringbinder. Other than being disorganised and lazy, I have no excuses now for not tracking my progress this year! 😉

Challenges & SALs, Goals, WIPocalypse

2019 WIPocalypse year in review

Anne S

This post is a summary of my progress over the year, along with how I went with my 2019 goals. Because of personal circumstances (major project at work meaning extra-long working hours, and Dad’s hospitalisation and then passing away meaning 3 1/2 months of carers/compassionate leave), my goals were far from met this year, but as long as I managed to get some craft time in during the year I still think of it as positive progress.

WIP start/finish stats (includes stitching, crochet, quilting):

54 = Number of WIPs/UFOs @ 1 January 2019 (yikes!)
– 6 = Number of WIPs/UFOs completed in 2019
+ 7 = Number of new WIPs added in 2019 (ie started in 2019 but not finished)
—-
55 = WIPs/UFOs balance (oops – not my finest hour!)

WIP finishes:

The 6 WIPs I managed to finish in 2019 were:

  1. Glendon Place: City Sidewalks ornament (cross stitch)
  2. Elizabeth’s Designs: Ladybug (cross stitch)
  3. Nora Corbett: Mirabilia Retreat dragonfly (cross stitch)
  4. Marg Low: Hearts & Berries (embroidery and patchwork)
  5. Michelle Marvig: Travel Cord Buddy (patchwork)
  6. Simple ribbed beanie (crochet) (I can’t find the finished photo)

New starts in 2019:

Started and finished:

  1. Blue Ribbon Designs: Two Stags and a Star ornament (JCS ornie SAL)
  2. The Sweetheart Tree: Sweet Valentine
  3. Dimensions: Stacked Tea Cups
  4. Keslyn’s: Santa Hat & Boots ornament (JCS ornie SAL)
  5. Laura J Perin: Flying Geese canvaswork
  6. Knotted Tree NeedleArt: To All a Good Night ornament (JCS ornie SAL)
  7. Cherished Stitches: Christmas memories (JCS ornie SAL)
  8. Misty Hill Studio: Left Behind (JCS ornie SAL)
  9. Elsa in a heart (charity quilt block)
  10. Elsa with snowflakes (charity quilt block)
  11. Crate Crochet: Spontaneous Shawl
  12. Crate Crochet: Sweet Pea Mandala
  13. Crate Crochet: Whimsy scarf
  14. Dragon Dreams: What now? (JCS ornie SAL)
  15. Elizabeth’s Designs: Under the Sea
  16. Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery: Christmas morning goodies (JCS ornie SAL)
  17. JBW Designs: Noel 2018 (JCS ornie SAL)
  18. Leisure Arts, Big Book of Dishcloths: #32 dishcloth
  19. Leisure Arts, Big Book of Dischcloths: #70 dishcloth
  20. Rosewood Manor: The Heart of Christmas (JCS ornie SAL)

New starts that are still WIPs:

Out of all of the new starts I had in 2019, six remain as WIPs at the end of the year:

  1. Maria’s Blue Crayons: Coastal Indoor Rug
  2. Hooked on Sunshine: Phoenix blanket
  3. Laura J Perin: Lahaina Breezes
  4. Crate Crochet: Hook Roll
  5. Crate Crochet: Ripple Tote
  6. Drawn Thread: Almost Halloween
  7. Ronald McDonald house charity piece (just needs personalisation to be added at the bottom)

Other progress on WIPs:

While I didn’t manage to get these projects finished this year, I did manage a bit of progress – not sure they’ll be finished in 2020 either, but I’ll eventually keep chipping away at them slowly but surely.

  • Before
  • After
Mill Hill/Jim Shore: Three Kings
  • Before
  • After
Rosewood Manor: Quaker Diamonds
  • Before
  • After
ByGone Stitches: Quaker Christmas II
  • Before
  • Before
  • After
The Prairie Schooler: When Witches Go Riding

2019 Goals – Review

Cross stitch and embroidery

Cross stitch WIPs:

  1. X FAIL  Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor – I’d love to finish this one – Update: I didn’t finish this one, although I did make a tiny bit of progress.
  2. X FAIL  Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine – Entirely finish the stitching of at least one full corner (ie one full page of the chart) – This was a major fail because I decided to scrap it and start all over again on different fabric.
  3. X FAIL  Red Lace Sewing Case by The Drawn Thread – add the felt/beads and do the finishing … and finally gift it to the intended recipient. Update: not touched.
  4. √ DONE  Three Kings by Mill Hill/Jim Shore – finish the three kings in the centre
  5. √ DONE  Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches – finish the Let There be Peace on Earth motif in the centre
  6. X FAIL  Progress on at least three other WIPs/UFOs
  7. X IN PROGRESS  Ronald McDonald House charity XS – managed to stitch everything except for the personalisation for the retreat house. Now I’ve heard back from the NZ Head Office, I’ll complete this in January 2020.
  8. X FAIL  19 in 19 – Start a new HAED and stitch 19 colours on it – didn’t start one
  9. X FAIL  19 in 19 – 19 new starts. Update: I managed 18!
  10. X FAIL  19 in 19 – 19 finishes. Update: I managed 18!
  11. X FAIL  19 in 19 – some progress on 19 existing WIPs carried over from 2019. Update: I managed 4 :/
  12. √ DONE  Stitch a charity quilt block
  13. √ DONE  Stitch 12 Christmas ornaments

    Other needlework WIPs:

    1. √ DONE  Travel Cord Buddy by Michelle Marvig – I’d like to finish putting this together
    2. √ DONE  Hearts & Berries by Marg Low – I’d like to finish putting this together
    3. X FAIL  Make a Christmas Wish by Marg Low – I’d like to finish putting this together and framed before Christmas
    4. X FAIL  Stumpwork – choose one old stumpwork UFO and make some progress
    5. X FAIL  Start a new project from Inspirations magazines
    6. X FAIL  Make some progress on one of the 2018 patchwork retreat projects

      Crochet

      1. X FAIL  Make a 1920s-style hat for the Napier Art Deco Festival
      2. √ DONE  Complete three crochet projects from “Crate Crochet”
      3. √ DONE  Start a shawl
      4. X FAIL  Finish my Atlanticus (mandala) blanket
      5. X FAIL  Restart my Spice of Life blanket
      6. X FAIL  Start a Briar Rose blanket
      7. X FAIL  Start a top (clothing)
      8. √ DONE  Start a crochet hook case
      9. X FAIL  Start a blanket for Brenda & Nigel
      10. X FAIL  Make a charity blanket for SPCA
      11. X FAIL  Start the Nuts About Squares CAL

        Quilting/Sewing

        1. X FAIL  Make a small pincushion
        2. X FAIL  Start a queen-sized bed patchwork quilt for myself
        3. X FAIL  Start the Piece and Plenty BOM quilt
        4. X FAIL  Make a sewing machine cover
        5. X FAIL  Make a summer nightie
        6. X FAIL  Make a top (clothing)
        7. X FAIL  Choose three Pinterest projects to try (eg Project bags, Purses/pouches)

          Stitchalongs/Challenges

          I think the two SALs that I did do only lasted 2-3 months for me – my intentions were good, but life just got in the way this year. Hopefully 2019 will be the year where I do much better!

          1. √ DONE  JCS Christmas Ornie Facebook SAL – yay, completed all 12 ornies, which is a record for me, I think!
          2. X IN PROGRESS  WIPocalypse – I managed to post some months, but not all.
          3. X FAIL  Hallowe’en ornie SAL
          4. X FAIL  Gifted Gorgeousness
          5. X FAIL  Stitch from Stash on Facebook
          6. X FAIL  JK’s Groupies (AU/NZ) on Facebook – “19 in 19” (my choices are 19 new starts, 19 finishes, and use 19 colours in a project)
          7. X FAIL  JK’s Groupies (AU/NZ) on Facebook – monthly challenges
            Goals, WIPocalypse

            2019 WIPocalypse and craft goals

            Anne S

            It’s that time when we start to plan out the year and plot out all those wishlists of lofty goals for our crafts. Mine are no less mental than normal and I’m already laughing heartily inside at all the items I want to tick off my list this year. In a nutshell, though, it all comes down to wanting to whittle down some older WIPs/UFOs while still having the flexibility to add some new projects into the list to provide continued interest and motivation.

            I’ve just created a planning document mapping out all my SAL due dates and details, and information for upcoming face-to-face stitching groups … all I need to do now is to not let life take over and to actually remember to fill them in each month 😉

            Anyway, here are my lofty goals, along with piccies to make it more interesting (while also giving me a visual kick in the pants as to how long some of these pictures have been around for without changing in the slightest) {hanging head in shame}.

            WIP start/finish stats:

            Stitching/needlework:

            45 = Number of WIPs/UFOs @ 1 January 2019 (!!!)

            Crochet:

            6 = Number of WIPs @ 1 January 2019

            Cross Stitch goals

            1. Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor – I’d love to finish this one
            2. Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine – Entirely finish the stitching of at least one full corner (ie one full page of the chart)
            3. Red Lace Sewing Case by The Drawn Thread – add the felt/beads and do the finishing … and finally gift it to the intended recipient
            4. Three Kings by Mill Hill/Jim Shore – finish the three kings in the centre
            5. Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches – finish the Let There be Peace on Earth motif in the centre
            6. Progress on at least three other WIPs/UFOs
            7. Ronald McDonald House charity XS
            8. 19 in 19 – Start a new HAED and stitch 19 colours on it
            9. 19 in 19 – 19 new starts
            10. 19 in 19 – 19 finishes
            11. 19 in 19 – some progress on 19 existing WIPs carried over from 2018
            12. Stitch a charity quilt block
            13. Stitch 12 Christmas ornaments

            WIPs as they look today:

            • Egyptian Garden Mandala 24Nov2018
              Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine as at 24 Nov 2018
            • After: Three Kings by Mill Hill/Jim Shore
            • Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor
            • Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches
            • Before: When Witches Go Riding by The Prairie Schooler
            • Mia mermaid by Nora Corbett
            • Before: Paris by Country Threads
            • Cottage Etui by CA Wells
            • Pyramid Etui by CA Wells
            • Apricot (Blue) Elegance by Cindy Valentine
            • Topiary Tree Bookmark by Textile Heritage
            • English Garden Sampler by Teresa Wentzler
            • Schwalmwork Pinkeep by Moss Creek Designs
            • Raphael’s Raspberries by Forget-Me-Nots in Stitches
            • Nature’s Resting Place by Stoney Creek
            • Noah’s Ark by Teresa Wentzler
            • Mediterranean Village Scene
            • Butterflies and Hearts Needleroll by Lorri Birmingham
            • Hussif by Martha Schmidt (class kit)
            • Before: Finch Song by Shepherd’s Bush
            • Frog longstitch
            • Bluebeard’s Princess Mirabella by Mirabilia
            • Before: The Tea Room by Country Cottage Needleworks
            • Before: Celtic Summer by Lavender & Lace
            • Sailor’s Valentine by CA Wells

            Embroidery (non-XS) goals

            1. Travel Cord Buddy by Michelle Marvig – I’d like to finish putting this together
            2. Hearts & Berries by Marg Low – I’d like to finish putting this together
            3. Make a Christmas Wish by Marg Low – I’d like to finish putting this together and framed before Christmas
            4. Stumpwork – choose one old stumpwork UFO and make some progress
            5. Start a new project from Inspirations magazines
            6. Make some progress on one of the 2018 patchwork retreat projects

            WIPs as they look today:

            • Make a Christmas Wish by Marg Low
              Make a Christmas Wish by Marg Low
            • Hearts & Berries by Marg Low
            • Berry Delightful Bag
            • Wool hot water bottle cover
            • Beaded Fish
            • Oriental Poppy by Jane Nicholas
            • Pomegranates and Beetle by Jane Nicholas
            • Honesty and Heartsease by Jane Nicholas
            • Stumpwork Goldfish (EGA Group Correspondence Course)
            • Dragonfly by Jane Nicholas
            • Stumpwork Thimblepip by Jane Nicholas
            • Goldwork Pea
            • Before: Hussif by Monica Hunt
            • Beehive needlebook
            • Summer Fruits pincushion
            • Bullion knot facecloth

            Crochet

            1. Make a 1920s-style hat for the Napier Art Deco Festival
            2. Complete three crochet projects from “Crate Crochet”
            3. Start a shawl
            4. Finish my Atlanticus (mandala) blanket
            5. Restart my Spice of Life blanket
            6. Start a Briar Rose blanket
            7. Start a top (clothing)
            8. Start a crochet hook case
            9. Start a blanket for Brenda & Nigel
            10. Make a charity blanket for SPCA
            11. Start the Nuts About Squares CAL

            WIPs as they look today:

            Quilting/Sewing

            1. Make a small pincushion
            2. Start a queen-sized bed patchwork quilt for myself
            3. Start the Piece and Plenty BOM quilt
            4. Make a sewing machine cover
            5. Make a summer nightie
            6. Make a top (clothing)
            7. Choose three Pinterest projects to try (eg Project bags, Purses/pouches)

            Stitchalongs/Challenges

            1. JCS Christmas Ornie Facebook SAL
            2. WIPocalypse
            3. Hallowe’en ornie SAL
            4. Gifted Gorgeousness
            5. Stitch from Stash on Facebook
            6. JK’s Groupies (AU/NZ) on Facebook – “19 in 19” (my choices are 19 new starts, 19 finishes, and use 19 colours in a project)
            7. JK’s Groupies (AU/NZ) on Facebook – monthly challenges

            Goals, WIPocalypse

            2018 WIPocalypse year in review

            Anne S

            It’s been a year with less stitching done than normal, as my foray into the world of crochet has taken over my crafting mojo (but I’m not complaining). This post is a summary of my progress over the year, along with how I went with my 2018 goals.

            WIP start/finish stats:

            45 = Number of WIPs/UFOs @ 1 January 2018 (yikes!)
            – 7 = Number of WIPs/UFOs completed in 2018
            + 1 = Number of new WIPs added in 2018
            —-
            39 = WIPs/UFOs balance

            WIP finishes:

            The seven WIPs I managed to finish in 2018 were:

            1. Mill Hill: Starfish
            2. Homespun Elegance: Starry Snowman
            3. Cindy Valentine: Bee Keeper Scissor Keeper & Fob
            4. Hardanger scissor fob
            5. Sue Hillis Designs: Spool Ornament
            6. Mirabilia: Red (done in blues)
            7. Ruth Schmuff Designs: Flight of the Bumblebees
            • Starfish by Mill Hill
              Starfish by Mill Hill – Finished
            • After: Starry Snowman ornie by Homespun Elegance
            • Bee Keeper Scissor Keeper by Cindy Valentine – Finished
            • After: Hardanger scissor fob
            • Red (done in blues) by Mirabilia – Finished
            • Flight of the Bumblebees by Ruth Schmuff – Finished

            New starts in 2018:

            Out of all of the new starts I had in 2018, only one remains a WIP at the end of the year:

            1. Prairie Schooler: Eeek from Bump in the Night (finished)
            2. Lizzie*Kate: Spooky time freebie (finished)
            3. Lizzie*Kate: Very Merry ornie (finished)
            4. The Little Stitcher: Warm Hands, Warm Heart ornie (finished)
            5. Blue Ribbon Designs: Frosty Friends ornie (finished)
            6. Needle Delights Originals: Double Delights – Charbleu (finished)
            7. Anna-Marie Winter: Medley Miniature (canvaswork kit) (finished)
            8. Laura J Perin: Holiday Square freebie (finished)
            9. Northern Pine Designs: Earth Spirit (finished)
            10. Laura J Perin: Seaside Blues (finished)
            11. Periwinkle Promises: Blueberry needle case (finished)
            12. Elizabeth’s Designs: Ladybug (finished – just need to attach the charm)
            13. Rovaris: Joy ornament (finished)
            14. Pickle Barrel Designs: Special Delivery (finished)
            15. Nora Corbett: Dragonfly (Retreat project) – WIP
            • Spooky Time by Lizzie*Kate
            • “Very Merry” by Lizzie*Kate
            • “Warm hands, warm heart” by The Little Stitcher
            • “Frosty Friends” by Blue Ribbon Designs
            • “Double Delights – Charbleu” by Needle Delights Originals
            • “Holiday Square” freebie by Laura J Perin
            • Holiday Square (freebie) by Laura J Perin
            • Earth Spirit by Northern Pine Designs
              Earth Spirit by Northern Pine Designs

            Other progress on WIPs:

            While I didn’t manage to get these projects finished this year, I did manage a bit of progress – not sure they’ll be finished in 2019 either, but I’ll eventually keep chipping away at them slowly but surely.

            • Before: Three Kings by Mill Hill/Jim Shore
            • After: Three Kings by Mill Hill/Jim Shore
            • Before: Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor
            • After: Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor
            • Before: Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine
            • Egyptian Garden Mandala 24Nov2018
              After: Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine as at 24 Nov 2018

            2018 Goals

            I didn’t want to set too many ‘goals’ this year because I have a tendency not to meet them … instead I thought of these goals being like the Pirate’s Code, ie more like ‘guidelines’ 😉 It was a lofty wishlist, full of my crafty hopes and dreams for the year – I managed to meet a fair few of them, but there were also many that weren’t touched …

            Cross stitch and embroidery

            Cross stitch WIPs:

            1. √ DONE Starfish by Mill Hill – goal was to complete it
            2. √ DONE Red by Mirabilia (in a blue conversion) – goal was to complete it
            3. √ DONE Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor – goal was 20 hours (ie two rotation slots) or two larger motifs completed, and I managed to completed the entire bottom section
            4. X FAIL Red Lace Sewing Case by The Drawn Thread – goal was to add the felt/beads and do the finishing – I didn’t touch it
            5. X FAIL Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine – goal was to finish the bottom half – but I did manage to make some progress on one corner
            6. X FAIL Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches – goal was to at least finish the Let There be Peace on Earth motif in the centre – I didn’t touch it
            7. X FAIL When Witches Go Riding by The Prairie Schooler – goal was to finish this – I didn’t touch it
            8. √ XS DONE Three Kings by Mill Hill/Jim Shore – goal was to finish two of the three kings in the centre
            9. √ DONE Progress on three other UFOs/WIPs – 1) Spool Ornament by Sue Hillis; 2) Starry Snowman ornie; and 3) Hardanger scissor fob.

            Other needlework WIPs:

            1. √ DONE Flight of the Bumblebees by Ruth Schmuff – finish this by adding the embellishments
            2. X FAIL Hearts & Berries by Marg Low – goal was to finish this into the bag – I didn’t touch it
            3. X FAIL Make a Christmas Wish by Marg Low – goal was to finish this and get it framed before Christmas – I didn’t touch it
            4. X FAIL Travel Cord Buddy by Michelle Marvig – goal was to finish this – I didn’t touch it
            5. X FAIL Stumpwork – choose one old stumpwork UFO and make some progress – I didn’t touch it

            New starts:

            1. √ DONE Start and finish at least two canvaswork projects – 1) Earth Spirit by Northern Pine Designs; 2) Holiday Square by Laura J Perin
            2. X FAIL Start a new HAED (or maybe two – one mini/QS and one larger one) – I didn’t start one, although it’s kitted up ready to go
            3. √ DONE Choose a project (or two) that has specialty stitches – eg hardanger, band sampler – Blueberry Sampler by Periwinkle Promises

            Crochet

            My goals here were much loftier to keep the momentum up while learning so that the lessons I learnt at the end of 2017 were more ingrained into my brain cells! Surprisingly I didn’t do to badly here!

            1. √ DONE Finish my striped blanket
            2. X FAIL Make at least one (hopefully different) granny square or other blanket square every week – started this but became bored quickly … I did make enough to put together for a charity blanket, though, at some point
            3. √ DONE Complete at least three months crochet projects from “Crate Crochet” – I think I managed to complete five of the main projects and all of the small extra projects in the beginners boxes
            4. √ DONE Make a coffee cup cuff
            5. X FAIL Small granny square pincushion – the crochet is finished, but it still needs to be made into a pincushion, and I just realised the centre flower is wrong and needs to be redone, so it’s back in the “failure” bucket!
            6. X FAIL Make a shawl – I didn’t start one
            7. √ DONE Start an Atlanticus (mandala) blanket – this was my highlight of 2018, being confident enough to tackle this one, a lofty goal indeed! It should be finished in 2019.
            8. X FAIL Restart my Spice of Life blanket

            Quilting

            1. X FAIL Make some small pincushions
            2. X FAIL  very simple goal here of starting a queen-sized bed patchwork quilt for myself
            3. X FAIL Maybe start my Piece and Plenty quilt
            4. X FAIL Maybe start my The Blue Collection quilt (but highly unlikely)

            Stitchalongs/Challenges

            I think the two SALs that I did do only lasted 2-3 months for me – my intentions were good, but life just got in the way this year. Hopefully 2019 will be the year where I do much better!

            1. √ DONE WIPocalypse 2018 – my favourite challenge every year, I didn’t manage to post every month, but I did still continue posting
            2. X FAIL Smalls SAL – I didn’t do anything for this SAL
            3. X FAIL Hallowe’en Ornie SAL – I only managed two months of the SAL this year, which is woeful
            4. X FAIL Stitch from Stash 2018 – I didn’t keep track of my spending this year, but definitely had some splurges in sales.

            As expected my goal achievements were definitely not great … but I enjoyed everything that I did do this year. Having the goals helped me to focus during the year to see how I was tracking, so it’s definitely something worth doing for 2019 – it made me have a flurry of activity towards the last quarter of the year when I realised how few of my goals had been achieved! 😉

            Goals, WIPocalypse

            WIPocalypse 2018 kick-off and craft goals for 2018

            Anne S

            I didn’t want to set too many ‘goals’ this year because I have a tendency not to meet them … instead I’m thinking of these goals being like the Pirate’s Code, they’re more ‘guidelines’ 😉 It’s my lofty wishlist, because it’s full of my crafty hopes and dreams for the year even though it’s unlikely most of these will be fulfilled 😉

            Cross stitch and embroidery

            I still have way too many WIPs not yet finished, so I’d like to whittle a few of those down by the end of 2018 – although I have a large number of new starts I want to do too. It’s going to be a fine balance of new fun projects as well as getting some older (and perhaps not-so-loved) ones done at the same time.  I won’t list out the new starts in detail (aside from a couple), but I’ll give details of existing WIPs and what progress I’d like to see on them.

            Cross stitch WIPs:

            Starfish by Mill Hill
            Red (done in blues) by Mirabilia
            Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor
            Red Lace Sewing Case by The Drawn Thread
            Before: Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine
            Before
            Before

            1. √ DONE Starfish by Mill Hill – this is the first project I wanted to complete in 2018, and I put the final beads into the piece late last night, so one goal ticked off the list already
            2. √ DONE Red by Mirabilia (in a blue conversion) – I’d like to totally finish this, and it’ll likely be my sole project for January as I’m going to a Mirabilia retreat early February and I’d love to make serious progress by then (getting her finished would be even more amazing, but highly unlikely)
            3. √ DONE Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor – 20 hours (ie two rotation slots) or two larger motifs completed
            4. Red Lace Sewing Case by The Drawn Thread – add the felt/beads and do the finishing … and finally gift it to the intended recipient
            5. Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine – Finish the bottom half
            6. Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches – Complete the motifs underneath Let There Be Peace on Earth (ie up to the three sailing ships) … but if not, at least finish the Let There be Peace on Earth motif in the centre
            7. When Witches Go Riding by The Prairie Schooler – I’d like to totally finish this, maybe doing some elements as part of the 2018 Hallowe’en SAL again
            8. √ XS DONE Three Kings by Mill Hill/Jim Shore – I’d love to finish this … but if not, at least finish two of the three kings in the centre
            9. √ DONE Progress on three other UFOs/WIPs, yet to be decided (but top contenders so far are Paris by Country Threads, Sailor’s Valentine by CA Wells, Cottage Etui by CA Wells, Pyramid Etui by CA Wells, English Garden Sampler by Teresa Wentzler, Raphael’s Raspberries by Forget-me-nots in Stitches, Spool Ornament by Sue Hillis √, Starry Snowman ornie √, and Hardanger scissor fob √)

            Other needlework WIPs:

            Flight of the Bumblebees by Ruth Schmuff
            Hearts & Berries by Marg Low
            Make a Christmas Wish by Marg Low
            Travel Cord Buddy by Michelle Marvig
            Oriental Poppy by Jane Nicholas
            Pomegranates and Beetle by Jane Nicholas
            Honesty and Heartsease by Jane Nicholas
            Stumpwork Goldfish (EGA Group Correspondence Course)
            Dragonfly by Jane Nicholas

            1. √ DONE Flight of the Bumblebees by Ruth Schmuff – finish this by adding the embellishments
            2. Hearts & Berries by Marg Low – I’d like to totally finish this into the bag
            3. Make a Christmas Wish by Marg Low – I’d like to totally finish this and get it framed before Christmas
            4. Travel Cord Buddy by Michelle Marvig – I’d like to totally finish this
            5. Stumpwork – choose one old stumpwork UFO and make some progress

            New starts:

            1. √ DONE Start (and hopefully finish) at least two canvaswork projects – √: 1) Earth Spirit by Northern Pine Designs; 2) Holiday Square by Laura J Perin
            2. Start a new HAED (or maybe two – one mini/QS and one larger one)
            3. Choose a project (or two) that has specialty stitches – eg hardanger, band sampler

            Crochet

            My goals here are much loftier than the cross stitch goals – but probably important to keep the impetus up while I’m learning so that the lessons I learn are more ingrained into my brain cells!

            1. √ DONE Finish my striped blanket
            2. Make at least one (hopefully different) granny square or other blanket square every week
            3. √ DONE Complete at least three months crochet projects from “Crate Crochet” (assuming I can afford to continue receiving them for that long and I deem them to be value for money)
            4. √ DONE Make a coffee cup cuff
            5. Small granny square pincushion
            6. Make a shawl
            7. √ DONE Start an Atlanticus (mandala) blanket
            8. Restart my Spice of Life blanket

            Quilting

            1. Make some small pincushions
            2. A very simple goal here of starting a queen-sized bed patchwork quilt for myself
            3. Maybe start my Piece and Plenty quilt
            4. Maybe start my The Blue Collection quilt (but highly unlikely)

            I’m already laughing at my wishlist for the year … but if you don’t dream, you don’t achieve 😉

            Stitchalongs/Challenges

            While my intentions started off great in 2017, my follow-through was woeful. This year the goals are essentially the same, but with everything else in the previous list taking priority, these may or may not happen this year.

            1. WIPocalypse 2018 – my favourite challenge every year, and probably the one thing that brings me back to my blog to post my update each month 😉
            2. Smalls SAL – time to start working through some of my folders bulging to the brim of small freebie designs from last 10 years and actually stitch a few!
            3. Hallowe’en Ornie SAL – I still have loads of Halloween stitch I want to do, including a bunch of new purchases last year by The Drawn Thread – even if I don’t manage the SAL all year, I’d like to make some progress here.
            4. Stitch from Stash 2018 – My change in financial situation this year means being very frugal with my craft spending. I did a big splurge in September, which is finally due to arrive this month, so that’ll keep me happy for a while. The only items I should be buying this year is anything Limited Edition (but unlikely), and any DMC etc I run out of that I need to complete a project.
            Goals, Uncategorized, WIPocalypse

            WIPocalypse 2017 – January

            Anne S

            Time to start dusting off the blog once again, and at least attempting to post once a month if nothing else.  I’m hoping that signing up for the Measi’s WIPocalypse again will help with that goal.  Seeing as I’m doing a Stitching From Stash challenge on Facebook, an almost non-existent stitching budget this year, and a never-ending pile of WIPs/UFOs, I think it’ll be great to have another year focusing on getting some of these older projects into the finishing pile, or if not finished at least getting a few more stitches into them by the end of the year.

            To start with, we’ve been asked to do the following this month: Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!

            So, for those who don’t know me, I’m a single 50-year-old stitcher living in Sydney, Australia. I work for an airline where I look after a lot of the online content for our side of the business plus something else that takes up the rest of my working day and often leads to long working hours.  It’s also unfortunately meant less play time for my stitching over the last 2 1/2 years, but I’m hoping 2017 will see that changing if I get my way 😉

            I have very eclectic taste in XS designs/designers, and have enough stash to keep me going until I’m 500.  I tend to use Facebook more than anything these days, although I’m also loving Instagram for posting of stitching photos.  Aside from stitching, I’ve also been doing a 365 Photo-a-Day Challenge, which has been a lot of fun.

            As for the projects, brace yourself with the unveiling of my WIP/UFO pile … I know I’m missing a handful of projects, but I’ll add details of those when I get home again and manage to take a photo.  I won’t be attempting to tackle all of these, but I’ve noted under each photo which ones I’d like to focus on this year.  As for goals, I’d just like to get 5-6 existing WIPs finished this year, with some decent progress on at least one of the bigger projects … and I want to enjoy my stitching and not stress.  I’d also like to finish a few tutorials this year.

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            1. Topiary Garden(?) by Textile Heritage – I’d like to finish this one in 2017.
            2. Bluebeard’s Princess Mirabella by Mirabilia – I’m not 100% sure of the fabric choice for this one, which is why it didn’t progress further … if nothing else, I’d like to make up my mind on fabric – not sure this will get too much love this year otherwise.
            3. Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor – I’d like to get 25% of this one finished this year.
            4. Starry Snowman ornie by Homespun Elegance – this only has a bunch of backstitching and charms to be added, so it should be finished in an hour or two and is on the list to be quickly finished off when I get home.
            5. Bee Keeper Scissor Keeper by Cindy Valentine – the scissor case has the stitching finished, so I just need to stitch up the matching scissor fob … I’d like to finish this one in 2017.
            6. Red Lace Sewing Case by The Drawn Thread – I’d already make some progress on this one by finishing the 2nd side (alphabet) before Christmas.  I’ll be finishing this one as a priority on my return home this week – it’s a gift for someone, so it’d be great to get it finished!
            7. Celtic Summer by Lavender & Lace – truthfully another one I’m not thrilled with my choice of linen, so it’s unlikely to get much love for a while.  I may look at this one towards the end of the year, but it’s not a priority for me.
            8. Finch Song by Shepherd’s Bush – I don’t like how a couple of the threads ‘blend in’ to the background green grass, so I think I need to make some substitutions plus find another cream thread for the sheep. I’d love to make progress on this one and get it finished in 2017, but it’s unlikely … if I could decide on the thread replacements, I’ll be happy!
            9. The Tea Room by Country Cottage Needleworks – another one that’s not a priority to finish, as there is hardly anything started on this one, and other projects are calling my name more than this.  Will see how I feel later in the year, though.

            424e4131-b74e-4185-b419-ccb3f0889c7f

            1. Noah’s Ark by Teresa Wentzler – one of my oldest UFOs that got stalled when I tackled over-one stitching for the first time. As I’ve now completed a mini HAED over-one, there’s really no excuse not to pick this one back up again … except others are more on my radar than this one.  Maybe if I just get a couple more animals stitched that would be good progress?
            2. Topiary Tree Bookmark by Textile Heritage – I need to stitch the sides onto some calico so I can put this into a Qsnap … I hate stitching in hand and the quality of these stitches are proof that I can’t get decent tension – not sure this one will see any progress this year.
            3. Hussif by Martha Schmidt (class kit) – this is one of the class projects from way back in 2000 when I attended a HOCS in Sacramento, CA. I actually dislike my colour choices for the blue threads as there isn’t any contrast between the two colours, so if nothing else I’d like to decide on two alternate threads to use instead, and get it kitted up ready for 2018 stitching.
            4. Nature’s Resting Place by Stoney Creek – OMG where to start with this one? My first ever project (and probably my 3rd or 4th EVER stitching project) on evenweave and I made a total hash of it. The background stitches are all stitched with two threads instead of 1 and I’ve made a massive boo-boo on the tree trunk at the front which will probably mean having to rip out the entire stitching, including the Canadian goose and goodness knows what else.  While I’m tempted to just chuck it out, the stubborn part of me thinks I may as well suck it up and unpick it all and just finish it off … but it’s no longer my ‘style’ of stitching either, and I’ll never put it on my wall or do anything with it, so I’m not sure what to do with it … probably nothing will happen in 2017 anyway, unless I just do the unpicking in readiness for one day in the future to fix it all up …
            5. Paris by Country Threads – one of my Crazy January projects from last year, I’d like to see the letter R finished this year if nothing else. Anything beyond that will be a bonus.
            6. Daisy Blue by HAED – I’d dearly love to get this one finished ASAP, so I think this will be high on the priority list in the first half of the year.
            7. Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine – this poor thing has been a UFO for way too long. I’ve never been 100% sure of the fabric, and need to unpick all the centre over-one stitching … as much as I’d love to give it some love this year, I’m not sure it will.  Perhaps if I unpick all the centre stitching, it’ll motivate me to pick it up a bit more, so I’ll make that my challenge for 2017.
            8. Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches – this is a monster project that I’d like to see reach the halfway point in 2017.  I have no desire to get it 100% finished this year, but I think 50% may be doable …
            9. English Garden Sampler by Teresa Wentzler – I stopped this one after not being able to decide what to put in place of the alphabet in the bottom section. Obviously this is a trend for me … as soon as I have to make a decision on something ‘out of the ordinary’ it’s like a major stumbling block for me and nothing at all happens! I want to put an inspirational quote in there, so even if I don’t get any stitching done on it this year, I’d like to decide on the quote and have it charted up ready to go in 2018.  In truth, though, I’d dearly love to get some more stitching done on this one in 2017!

            58756e73-73c6-46c9-a0b1-50c9349ded63

            1. Sailor’s Valentine by CA Wells – it’s quite shameful how long I’ve had this as a UFO, when all it needs is the outside bands to be stitched. Guilt will hopefully see this one pulled out of the UFO pile as I’d like to finish this one in 2017, even if I don’t get the actual finishing done on it (that scares the bejeezus out of me, as I can’t even remember how to do the joining stitch anymore!!).
            2. Pyramid Etui by CA Wells – my oldest CA Wells class project but it may not get any love in 2017. I’m not 100% convinced my choice of silk thread was the best for the dark blue, but I’m probably too far down the track to do anything else. I need to just suck it up and get it finished, and then if I want to stitch it again in a different colourway (as it is, I totally changed CA’s threads to match my love of blues).  The silk thread reminded me of Monet’s garden colours, but the finished version didn’t match my fantasy …
            3. Cottage Etui by CA Wells – my final class project by CA, and another one I’d like to make progress on in 2017 … or perhaps I should wait until 2018 and make it a 10-year anniversary stitching session? 😛
            4. Stumpwork Thimblepip by Jane Nicholas – this is supposed to be a full needlework accessories set, but I’m not 100% sure on the silk fabric choice anymore, and my tension was dreadful for the wee hedgehog, not to mention the thread colours disappear in the signature piece … plus the spider web needs to be tacked down. Maybe I just need to do these final finishing touches and get it made up … maybe.

            50537ada-9eff-497f-be23-a06af73aa4a5

            1. Apricot (Blue) Elegance by Cindy Valentine – I kept stuffing up the buttonhole stitch border and frogged it so many times I lost count, and then lost my confidence with it. Not sure 2017 will be the year I conquer this one, but never say never!
            2. Schwalmwork Pinkeep by Moss Creek Designs – another one I’m not sure will see any progress in 2017 until I get my confidence back! Perhaps another one for 2018?
            3. Raphael’s Raspberries by Forget-Me-Nots in Stitches – if I work on this one it’ll be later in the year. After I stitch this one there is a larger sweet bag that goes with it and uses the same fabric and threads, so I’d like to tackle them both at the same time if possible, and I really need my concentration and wits about me when I do that, which may not be 2017!
            4. Stumpwork Goldfish (EGA Group Correspondence Course) – this poor thing has been a UFO for way too long, but I’m not sure 2017 will see it get some love. I could surprise myself, though, as I want to get back into finishing some of my stumpwork pieces this year, and at least this one will be easier to see the stitches! 😉
            5. Hardanger scissor fob – I’d like to see this one finished quickly, as I intend it going as a companion gift with the Red Lace Sewing Case.
            6. Flight of the Bumblebees by Ruth Schmuff – I definitely want to finish this one early on in the first half of the year. I’d run out of one of the Kreinik #8 braids, but I recently bought a replacement spool so I’m ready to go again!
            7. Le Jardin Silk Sampler by Just Cross Stitch – not sure this will see any daylight in 2017, as I really hated working with the Silk Serica with a passion. I’ll review again later in the year though.
            8. Butterflies and Hearts Needleroll by Lorri Birmingham – I hated the thread colour in the kit, plus I’d managed to miscount on the fabric so it’s off-centre … all-in-all I need to unpick this in its entirety and start it again. My goal this year is to decide on a new colour scheme and kit up ready for 2018.
            9. Mediterranean Village Scene – still not convinced I should bother finishing this one off … I decided I didn’t like the blue colour used on the windows etc, and not sure what to do with it now as I’d never ever finish it into anything, I don’t think …

            78cf2a79-5e7c-4921-9f7d-1f6cbb06d752

            1. Beaded Fish – goodness I don’t think I could even remember how to do these now! I think most of these nine projects will end up being forgotten about in 2017, and I’ll see in 2018 if I can give them some love.
            2. Beehive needlebook – I don’t enjoy stitching in hand and was struggling with the fresh knots, so it became a UFO.
            3. Bullion knot facecloth – I hate pink with a passion, so it sits forever unfinished ever since I took the class to learn how to do bullions.  I’m tempted to just rip these out of the facecloth and forget I ever started it …
            4. Berry Delightful Bag – an old Embroiderers Guild project that’ll be finished eventually, just not in 2017.
            5. Wool hot water bottle cover – I fell out of love with the choice of wool threads I’m using, and would rather do again in blues and pale yellows/creams, but I can’t bring myself to start again … maybe in 2018?
            6. Frog longstitch – another project I think I may just throw out and give free to a good home to someone willing to stitch it. I don’t feel any love for this one, and it’s just sitting taking up space with no desire whatsoever to work on it.
            7. Goldwork Pea – I stuffed this one up with the pea facing the wrong way, so it put me off finishing it … but once I’ve built my confidence up with some of the other non-XS projects I think I’ll come back to this one again … in 2018 or beyond.
            8. Summer Fruits pincushion – Another one for 2018 or 2019 …
            9. Hussif by Monica Hunt – all it needs is the top attaching to the bottom piece by stitching Feather Stitch along both sides … considering the name of my blog you’d think that’d be a piece of cake, but for some reason it terrifies me and it sits as a UFO for that silly reason … especially when I’d managed to do the stitch along the shorter sides already!  Not sure 2017 is the year I’ll pluck up the courage though …

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            1. Honesty and Heartsease by Jane Nicholas – if I was to work on any of my stumpwork pieces this is one that would see the light of day first. I’ve noticed my eyesight declining a lot this last year, so I think I should do these sooner rather than later as the work is extremely fine … perhaps 2017 will be the year this one sees some love?!
            2. Dragonfly by Jane Nicholas – another one that is almost finished, it just needs the wings to be completed … it should be awesome to see this one done, but Honesty and Heartsease will probably win the popularity stakes if I had to choose one.
            3. Pomegranates and Beetle by Jane Nicholas – I stuffed up the direction of the stem stitch in one half of the tree, plus I attached the wrong half of the pomegranate slip to the fabric so it became a UFO. This was a class project with Jane herself, so I’d really like to get this one done one day, but probably after I’ve completed the others.
            4. Oriental Poppy by Jane Nicholas – yet another stumpwork UFO that has a lot of the pieces stitched and ready to go (not in the photo) … I really do need to pull my finger out and get some of these done, as they’ll be stunning when they’re finished!!

            As well as the above, I have plans for a few more new starts, which are all kitted up and ready to go!  So far I’m keen to start work on Red by Mirabilia (but doing a blue conversion), Three Kings by Jim Shore/Mill Hill, and a couple of wee Mill Hill kits … but time will tell what I do actually start.  I’m stitching from my stash this year, so whatever I stitch will have to be kitted up already and ready to go 🙂

             

             

            2015 WIPocalypse, 2016 WIPocalypse, Finishes, Goals, Hallowe'en Ornie SAL, Uncategorized

            2015 Recap & 2016 Stitching Goals

            Anne S

            Well my stitching finishes in 2015 were pretty paltry in comparison to other years, but I’m still proud that I managed as much as I did considering the exhausting year I’ve had at work etc.  Here they are all together (with the exception of one last finish coming tomorrow!):

            “Boo” (from “Boo Hiss Eek”) by Lizzie*Kate Stitched on 32ct Thunderstorm Belfast with a mix of threads (GAST, Carrie’s Threads, DMC)
            “Eek” freebie by Lizzie*Kate Stitched on 32ct Thunderstorm Belfast with recommended threads
            Black Cat (from “Boo to You”) by The Prairie Schooler Stitched on 30ct Guacamole Weeks Dye Works linen with recommended DMC threads
            “Grandma’s Cushions Stitching Accessories” by The Cat’s Whiskers

            I have a HUGE list of stitch-a-longs and challenges I want to join in 2016 – I have no real intention of actually FINISHING any of the SAL projects during 2016, but I hope to get a decent rotation happening again where I can give each piece a bit of love and dedication throughout the year.  Here is the planned list:

            • 1 Jan – Mirabilia SAL – my choice is Bluebeard’s Princess, which I’ve had kitted up for a couple of years now, the only problem is I can’t decide on the fabric … I guess I’d better make a decision over the next 24 hours or so!
            • 1 Jan – Ornament SAL (12 months) – my choice to kick this SAL off is Victoria Sampler’s Blackwork #3-4 … other ones throughout the year are ones that I already have the fabric cut up and ready for stitching.
            • 1 Jan – JCS 2015 Ornament Issue SAL (12 months) – The chosen design will be the most voted for design from each double page spread throughout the year.
            • 1 Jan to 7 Jan – Crazy 7 SAL – I haven’t decided 100% on all of my choices yet (or even if I’ll definitely do this challenge).  I have a couple of large projects I definitely want to include, but also wanted to have some smaller ones too, which would give me more of a chance to actually finish one of them during the year!  So far my choices aren’t looking too small though!:
              1 Jan – Lizzie*Kate’s Christmas flip-its
              2 Jan – Rosewood Manor’s Quaker Diamonds
              3 Jan – Shepherd’s Bush’s Here We Go A Haunting
              4 Jan – Mirabilia’s Christmas Elf Fairy
              5 Jan – CCN’s The Tea Room
              6 Jan – Shepherd’s Bush’s Finch Song
              7 Jan – Either Country Threads’ Paris kit, or Mill Hill’s Haunted Hotel
            • 10 Jan – Dimensions SAL – my choice is Weekend a Paris
            • 10 Jan – Teatime Stitchers SAL – we have a choice of 3 freebies charts, so I’ll be stitching on of the pansy freebies for this round
            • 12 Jan – Christmas Stocking SAL – I have a Dimensions kit Enchanted Ornament Christmas Stocking that I’ll be starting, but don’t hold out much hope of having it in use for 2016, maybe 2017 all going well!
            • 13 Jan – HAED SAL – I’m still dithering over which one to stitch – I have a choice of three (originally it was two, but I just recently splurged on a piece that I’m totally in love with … and had to choose the maximum colours, so I think I’m a bit insane with that one!!).  My choices are either QS Iris, Blue Daisy, or His Way Home.
            • 14 Jan – Valentine’s Day SAL – Still deciding on a chart to use, but it’s like to be Bent Creek’s Bliss or the Drawn Thread’s Love fob.
            • 15 Jan – 2016 Hallowe’en Ornie SAL – There’s no actual start date for this one, but I figure the first two weeks of the year are horrendous for new starts, so I’ll start my ornie in the middle of the month!  The theme for January is Winged Creatures (bats, owls, crows, ravens etc), so I’m really looking forward to that one 🙂
            • 7 Feb – Country Cottage Needleworks SAL – No idea which one I’m going to decide on in the end, but it’s likely to be one of the beach/seaside designs.
            • 17 Feb – St Patrick’s Day SAL – A nice small one for me this time round, I think I’ll be stitching Bent Creek’s Leprechaun, or Victoria Sampler’s Ireland from the International Hearts series.
            • 27 Feb – Easter SAL – Another nice small one, I’m going to be stitching Bent Creek’s Happy Easter.
            • 26 Jul – Specialty Stitch SAL – I have so many projects to choose from, and this is so far in the future, I’ll see what I’m in the mood for closer to the time.

            And just for my own amusement, here are the planned new starts in visual format (and means I’ll have a truckload of WIPs/UFOs for 2017 LOL):

            Mirabilia – Bluebeard’s Princess
            Victoria Sampler – Blackwork #3-4
            Lizzie*Kate – Christmas flip-its
            Rosewood Manor – Quaker Diamonds
            Shepherd’s Bush – Here We Go A Haunting
            Mirabilia – Christmas Elf Fairy
            CCN – The Tea Room
            Shepherd’s Bush – Finch Song
            Country Threads – Paris
            Mill Hill – Haunted Hotel
            Lavender & Lace – Celtic Summer
            Dimensions – Weekend a Paris
            Teatime Stitchers SAL – Pansies
            Dimensions – Enchanted Ornament Christmas Stocking
            HAED – His Way Home
            HAED – QS Iris
            HAED – Blue Daisy
            Bent Creek – Bliss
            The Drawn Thread – Love fob
            CCN – Summer Seascape
            CCN – A Day at the Beach
            CCN – Summer at the Shore
            Victoria Sampler – Ireland (International Hearts)
            Bent Creek – Leprechaun
            Bent Creek – Happy Easter

            Goals, Rotation

            More stitching plans for 2015

            Anne S

            After doing a quick rushed post the other day about my wishlist for 2015 stitching, I’ve had more time to think things through and formulate some more plans.  Other than working to a rotation of sorts, I thought it might be fun to join some other groups to give me more motivation to post progress each month.  As such I’ve chosen groups that already fit within my current stitching plans so it doesn’t become too much of a chore (although I’m shocking with deadlines/commitment stitching so it may do the opposite … in which case I’ll put the brakes on!).  So what have I decided to try for 2015?

            2015 WIPocalypse

            First up is the 2015 WIPocalypse challenge.  I’ve always loved this challenge, even though I haven’t always been good at posting on time over the last 12 months or so!   If nothing else, it reminds me to post a blog update once in a while, so it’s worth it just for that in itself! 😉

            SFS button_2015A

            The first new group is the Stitch from Stash group – sadly I missed out with the official sign-up for the group and can’t join properly until the middle of the year for round 2, but I figure I’ll just do it myself here every month in the meantime. As it is, my budget has been next-to-nothing (well in fact it has BEEN nothing) for the last few months, so it should be easy to maintain for a while longer 😉  The group lets you have $25 each month for stash which I think is very doable for replacing threads etc (I’ve got enough charts/kits to last me a few lifetimes).

            2015SmallsSAL

            Then there is the Smalls SAL group – I’ve been thinking over the last couple of days whether to add a slot into my rotation dedicated to stitching smalls, so this could work out well.  I’ve already got a slot for small-medium sized projects, which could still remain, but I have so many charts for needlerolls and scissor cases etc that I think it could be a good idea to dedicate some time to them each rotation and get some of those smalls stitched up!  I guess that also means my ‘stitched but awaiting finishing’ pile will be building higher this year all going well 😉

            That means my rotation will now look like the following (with some current and next-in-line projects included):

            1. Focus piece
              – English Garden Sampler by Teresa Wentzler
              – Egyptian Garden Mandala by Chatelaine
            2. Medium-large projects
              – Autumn Leaves by Prairie Schooler
              – Christmas Elf Fairy by Mirabilia
              – Coffee & Tea series by Little House Needleworks
            3. Stitching smalls & needlework accessories
              – TBC
              – TBC
            4. WIPs & UFOs
              – Flight of the Bumblebees by Ruth Schmuff
              – Cottage Etui by C A Wells
            5. Focus piece
            6. Small-medium projects
              – The Formal Garden by Heritage Collection
              – Bliss by Bent Creek
              – Christmas bird by Heart in Hand
            7. Large-BAP projects
              – Quaker Christmas II by ByGone Stitches
              – Quaker Diamonds by Rosewood Manor
            8. Focus piece
            9. Canvaswork
            10. Christmas ornaments & freebies
            11. Finishing