2014 in Review and New Beginnings

My 2014 goal was to complete 12 of my 18 WIPs. 

During 2014 I completed 10 projects, of which 6 were WIPs. The projects I completed were:

Two knitting projects: 

1. a skinny cable scarf 
2. a decorative shawl

Three embroidery projects: 

1. a drawn thread project called Morning Glories
2. the last panel on a Mirabilia RR where I stitched a section of The Kiss. 
3. A scissor fob for an exchange 

Five needlepoint projects: 

1. Three ornaments
2. A gingerbread man for a ANG wreath project
3. A sampler of border patterns - and ANG project

I didn't complete as much as I wanted to in 2014 but here we are at the beginning of a new year with limitless possibilities. 

I am starting this new year with 18 WIPs  and while it is the same number as last year there are some different projects in the mix.  

• 4 knitting
• 6 embroidery/cross stitch
• 8 needlepoint

Here's to a happy, healthy and productive stitching year.

April Wipocalyse

Since the my last Wipocalypse report in March I have worked on three projects.

April 16, 2014

1. I worked on a panel on my 2006 Mirabilia RR. I am stitching a section of the "The Kiss". Here is my progress since March.

March 16, 2014

2. I finished Morning Glories. This is a drawn thread project done on 24 count linen with DMC pearl cotton. 

3. I started a new project called Autumn Woods. It is a 3.5" X 5.5" design from Golden Kite. It is a conversion of a painting to cross stitch. Because of that there is a lot of confetti. I have wanted to do a project like this for a long time so I decided to pick one of their mini projects and complete 15 stitches a day. Using this technique in combination with the parking thread technique is working quite well. I see progress everyday without being frustrated by the confetti and blended threads. I should finish this by fall of 2015. 

Organizing my stash is an ongoing joy! I love to organize!
I do have the luxury of having an extra bedroom that I share with my children's stuff. I have a craft table and I use the closet to store and organize all my stash for knitting, needlework and sewing. Here is my craft table where I have all my all my cross stitch and needlepoint patterns stored on the top shelf as well as two binders that hold any partially used skeins of DMC floss on stitchbows. The sewing machine can be pulled out when needed . I have a basket with all my knitting needles, tubes of Aida, and small craft items. There is a shelf that the TV, basket and sewing machine sit on. Below it I have cases for my needles, metallic threads, bobbins sewing thread and sewing notions.

My Craft Table

On the inside of the closet door I have clear hooks where I hang all my non-DMC threads.

 In the closet I store all my reference books, all my WIPs and finished projects in project bags on the shelf. My extra DMC organized by number in clear plastic bins below, My sewing basket, and three plastic bins that store kitted projects, supplies for finishing, fabric, yarn, stretcher frames and  Qsnaps. There are also supplies and tools from my attempt at quilting.

WIPocalypose - March 2014

In the last month I have worked on four projects.
1. My pilot stitching project has 6 more sections completed but no pictures allowed.
2. My exchange pieces. I started and finished them but since the recipient has not yet opened the package I will not post pictures.

February 16th

March 16th 

3. I worked on a panel on my 2006 Mirabilia RR. See above.  I am stitching a section of The Kiss and have made some progress.

February 16th 

4. And I  worked on a drawn thread piece called Morning Glories.

March 16th

Last of all we were supposed to share a little about our stitching space. Most of the time I stitch upstairs in my bedroom. I have a comfy stitching chair and a hassock  to put my feet up on. Behind me is my Ott lamp and next to my chair is the blue bag with my current project and my lab stand. My tusal jar, scissors, and other small tools are on the table and I have enough room there for the  chart stand.  If you look carefully I have my quilted knitting bag hanging over the left wing of the chair. It has my current knitting project in it. The TV set is diagonally across the room so I can 'watch' TV or a DVD of my choosing while I stitch. I also have the plug for my iphone over the arm of the chair and a set of headphones so I can listen to a book or podcast while I stitch instead. Sometimes I set my laptop up and stream a movie or show from Netflix. The plug for the laptop is also hanging over the arm of the chair. And yes, those are two bottles of water in the trash can for when I get thirsty. While this is where I stitch I store all my stash in my 'craft room' where I also have my sewing machine and second PC monitor. If I have sewing to do I move in there to work.   

 

~ 2014 February WIPocolypse ~

The focus is for us to finish WIPS.

 1.  To that end I did complete one WIP 

Bargello Christmas Trees

2.  My focus for now is a pilot stitching piece. Since it is an unannounced design I can not post pictures however I have completed 13 of the 41 section.

3. I am participating in a smalls exchange and I started stitching this project. I'm not posting a picture because I do not want to ruin the surprise.

4. I also started and completed this knitted skinny cable scarf and although it is not stitching it is needlework. 



4. I worked on two of my other WIPS at least once.
On Morning Glories I started to work on the green vine. 


I have an Mirabilia RR from 2006. One of the stitchers in the RR had to withdraw and that left one panel on my RR undone. I have known since I got the RR back that I wanted to stitch 'The Kiss' in that open spot and I finally started it. 

 

While I think of myself as  OAAT stitcher I'm not really. But I am not a formal rotation stitcher either. I have tried various rotations  and I am never comfortable with them.  I don't like actively working on more than two or three pieces at a time. I find I develop a rhythm with a piece that comes from knowing the colors I am working with and being familiar with the symbols and strategy of the design. Therefore I am reluctant to move away from a piece until I get frustrated or tired of it for some reason. So why do I have 17 WIPs? I start pieces usually because I see the design and I want to start it right away. In 2013 I had 8 starts and most of them were small pieces.  I like to work on small pieces thinking I will get them done right away. I did finish five  of these starts and three other pieces that were started in previous years.    I also volunteered to do an ANG pilot stitch project which I am doing now.   So 14 of the 17 WIPs I started this year with, were started before 2013. All that said, I really would like to finish these pieces that have been languishing and which I still like. My strategy now is to pick  one of my larger/harder  WIPs to be a focus piece which I will stitch on until completion. I will also partner it with a smaller alternate piece that I can stitch on when I get tired, bored, frustrated or just want a change from the focus piece. With this technique I hope to finish one project per month. This month  I am focusing on my pilot stitch piece and I have partnered it with my smalls exchange piece. It would also help if I didn't start any new projects. :)

WIPpocalypse January 2014

Welcome to my first WIPocalypse post of 2014.

Right now my primary project is a pilot stitching project which I started January 1st.  I can't post pictures of my progress on this project since it is an unannounced design. However, I have completed 3 sections out of 41 in the design. I have 16 other WIPS which are all listed on the WIPocalyse page of my blog (see the tabs above). The only one I have worked on this month besides my mystery project is a free Christmas ornament called Bargello Pine Trees and is pictured below. I got the design from Caron Designs. I have modified both the colors, the specified fibers and the design a bit. I used Caron WaterColors for the outline and the snow , DMC for the trees and Caron Impressions for the night sky. I am not sure if I will add stars but if I do I will use Petite Treasure Braid.

I hope to have this one finished by the end of January.

My Stitching Goals for 2014: 

1. To complete 12 of my existing 17 WIPs 
2. Of the 12 one must be a TW ( I have 4 on my WIP list)
3. Stitch on everyone of my 17 WIPs at least once during the year
4. Select up to five new projects from my stash to start
5. Stitch only from my stash except if I need specific fibers
6. "Finish" the projects and give them away or display them.
7. Design & stitch a Christmas ornament for each of my children 

I have been a dedicated stitcher since 2002. I learned to cross stitch  when I was 10 years old and stitched  occasionally over the years on little kits. In 2002 I met TW's brother who saw me stitching at a faculty retreat and gave me a copy of TW's free design called "Stretch". I joined her BB that evening and kitted and started Stretch soon after. I have stitched almost daily since then. I have learned to do needlepoint, both painted canvas and charted, as well. 

Not satisfied that I had enough to do, a couple of years ago I took a sock knitting class in order to learn to knit. While the socks still aren't finished I have knit lots of shawls, dishcloths, scarves, hats, and fingerless mittens  in the last two years, all of which except one shawl have been gifts. When my eyes are too tired to stitch I take out my knitting. 

I am fortunate enough to have a craft room. I used to share the room with my kids and we dubbed it the "Commons" in tribute to the Harry Potter series. While the kids are all grown I still haven't removed all their stuff from the room. This will be one of my goals for the year. However, even with the luxury of that space I have my stitching chair and light set up in our (DH's and my) bedroom where I stitch most of the time.  I use the Commons mainly for storing my ever growing stash, to sew (my sewing machine is set up in there) , or if I have to do projects requiring me to hook my laptop up to an additional monitor which I have on my craft table/desk.

Happy stitching to all of you and I look forward to reading all your progress updates. See you again next month.