The topic for this month is:
"How do you choose what you’re going to stitch on next?"
I'm not sure how to answer this, to be honest.
This year, I have been working on eliminating WIPs (managed two of the five so far and well into a third) and I tend to choose the WIP that is least onerous to me when I have time to fit it into my stitching schedule.
I say "stitching schedule" because this year, I also am participating in four (yes, count 'em, FOUR) Stitchalongs (SALs) which all have different timing. One issues an installment once a month; a second once every two months; a third daily, and the fourth weekly (on Wednesdays) ! So I set up a rotation where I tried to fit the first three in around that fourth weekly SAL.
If it all works out this means my WIP stitching is slow to non-existent for two weeks out of every month
Needless to say, this means my WIP stitching is slow to non-existent for two weeks out of every month, sometimes even more. And there is NO WAY I am going to start a new piece in the midst of all this schedule/rotation chaos!
As I have said, two WIPS have been completed this year and one SAL was completed this month (see below), leaving me with more stitching time on the other three SALs and any outstanding WIP I might wish to take up. That means my eye has been turning to new pieces I might work on in the new year. Some patterns have already been purchased:
But I can promise that there will be no more 4 SALs at the same time again (probably --- never say never)! Too stressful!
This month had a challenge to do at least one stitch a day. I didn't manage that - there were some days I took off due to schedule overload and general malaise, but I did manage three hours or more most days, so my average over the month was much more than one stitch a day. How's that for an excuse! pretty lame, yes?
~~~~~WIPS~~~~~
While "stay at home" orders here in Ohio are have mostly lifted (we're still on a "mandatory mask" order right now and cautioned to "go out" only if necessary), I have had the time to do quite a bit of stitching.
"Love Is..." hasn't been touched since September 22... and I still have not re-started "Save the Stitches".
~~~~~Travelling Needlepoint~~~~~
No progress to report on "Butterfly on Scroll".
~~~~~Completions~~~~~
See SAL #4 below!
~~~~~SALs~~~~~
I have stitched on four SALs...
1. "52 Weeks of Blackwork" by Purple Peppermint; various randomly selected shades of pink, purple and blue DMC on 28ct tea-colored evenweave. Completed weekly installments Week 40 through Week 43, plus completed the border. Week 404 comes into my mailbox on October 28, 2020.
This year, I have been working on eliminating WIPs (managed two of the five so far and well into a third) and I tend to choose the WIP that is least onerous to me when I have time to fit it into my stitching schedule.
I say "stitching schedule" because this year, I also am participating in four (yes, count 'em, FOUR) Stitchalongs (SALs) which all have different timing. One issues an installment once a month; a second once every two months; a third daily, and the fourth weekly (on Wednesdays) ! So I set up a rotation where I tried to fit the first three in around that fourth weekly SAL.
- I try to stitch the daily installment SAL every other day (letting installments pile up if necessary) and the weekly SAL on the day of issue.
- I tackle the monthly SAL on any free days that result in the above pattern, until the monthly installment is completed.
- Then I tackle the bimonthly SAL until it is completed.
If it all works out this means my WIP stitching is slow to non-existent for two weeks out of every month
Needless to say, this means my WIP stitching is slow to non-existent for two weeks out of every month, sometimes even more. And there is NO WAY I am going to start a new piece in the midst of all this schedule/rotation chaos!
As I have said, two WIPS have been completed this year and one SAL was completed this month (see below), leaving me with more stitching time on the other three SALs and any outstanding WIP I might wish to take up. That means my eye has been turning to new pieces I might work on in the new year. Some patterns have already been purchased:
- another SAL, sight unseen, by the same designer of this year's weekly SAL - I already have the thread in hand and at least two of her standalone blackwork patterns
- fabric and potential threads have been accumulated for a that humongous "Pandemic" pattern from Long Dog that I have yet to start (I have pretty much settled on the fabric and the threads but haven't decided if I'm going monotone or will be adding accents in complimentary colors). I have purchased a grime guard for my two largest Snap frames and clips to hold the extra fabric under control while stitching (I have been practicing using these clips on my current SALs). This piece is so big and complex that I am almost afraid to start it.
- a Christmas ornament from Linen & Threads is on order and said to have shipped
But I can promise that there will be no more 4 SALs at the same time again (probably --- never say never)! Too stressful!
This month had a challenge to do at least one stitch a day. I didn't manage that - there were some days I took off due to schedule overload and general malaise, but I did manage three hours or more most days, so my average over the month was much more than one stitch a day. How's that for an excuse! pretty lame, yes?
~~~~~WIPS~~~~~
While "stay at home" orders here in Ohio are have mostly lifted (we're still on a "mandatory mask" order right now and cautioned to "go out" only if necessary), I have had the time to do quite a bit of stitching.
"Love Is..." hasn't been touched since September 22... and I still have not re-started "Save the Stitches".
~~~~~Travelling Needlepoint~~~~~
No progress to report on "Butterfly on Scroll".
~~~~~Completions~~~~~
See SAL #4 below!
~~~~~SALs~~~~~
I have stitched on four SALs...
1. "52 Weeks of Blackwork" by Purple Peppermint; various randomly selected shades of pink, purple and blue DMC on 28ct tea-colored evenweave. Completed weekly installments Week 40 through Week 43, plus completed the border. Week 404 comes into my mailbox on October 28, 2020.
2. Linen & Threads 2020 SAL "Friends and Family", stitched on 28ct "Lavender Sunset" (not very lavender) Jobelin using Threadworx "Rocky Mountain (1070). October installment completed on October 14, 2020. The November installment is due online on November 1.
3. Stitchonomy 2020 SAL, "Halloween 2020", was started in late September, with subscribers getting some advance information early in the month. The fabric and floss kit doesn't arrived two days after the first pattern piece (the frame) was issued so I started using the recommended DMC colors on a lavender 14ct linen.
I made some substitutions in pattern (several cats instead of the icons provided, using an alternative set and a previous SAL pattern to create my cats; a substitute spell book for day 4); and used DMC4245 variegated thread for the letters and date in the frame, silver blending thread in day 2; and backstitching to pop some images...
I plan on using beads for animal eyes in the border in future and there is a charm to be added to the pumpkin in the middle. I also will create/piece together a bottom border using different sources (previous SAL patterns, patterns created by other stitchers, etc.).
I made some substitutions in pattern (several cats instead of the icons provided, using an alternative set and a previous SAL pattern to create my cats; a substitute spell book for day 4); and used DMC4245 variegated thread for the letters and date in the frame, silver blending thread in day 2; and backstitching to pop some images...
I plan on using beads for animal eyes in the border in future and there is a charm to be added to the pumpkin in the middle. I also will create/piece together a bottom border using different sources (previous SAL patterns, patterns created by other stitchers, etc.).
4. Christmas Shadowbox SAL for Faithwurks and Just Cross Stitch Magazine. A COMPLETION! Installment 5 (the final installment) was finished on October 17. I had miscalculated how large the center square should be so had to improvise by adding a string of Christmas lights below the wording. Beads, buttons and ribbon bows were added at the very end..
~~~~~ In the Pipeline~~~~~
Nothing new at the moment, although, as stated in the beginning of this blog, fabric and floss (two sets - what I get for double ordering - including several cones of candidate colors!) for "Pandemic" by Long Dog Samplers have long been in my possession. Still made no choices as to which sets of thread/fabric to use. This is a HUGE project and I may chicken out long before I get started.
I also have in hand an order of threads from the ETSY shop of the designer of "52 Weeks of Blackwork" for her 2021 SAL.
And my computer files and real-life stash are PACKED with potential charts/kits to chose from, if I ever get around to that!
~~~~~Goals for November ~~~~~
I still am not at all inclined to get out there and play, travel or otherwise risk my health. So I will continue to "stay home" a except when "necessary" (haircuts, doctor's appointments, financial consultant, and the like)...
What I HOPE to do in November is:
Meanwhile, I'm saying home, keeping healthy and hoping the same for all of you!
Nothing new at the moment, although, as stated in the beginning of this blog, fabric and floss (two sets - what I get for double ordering - including several cones of candidate colors!) for "Pandemic" by Long Dog Samplers have long been in my possession. Still made no choices as to which sets of thread/fabric to use. This is a HUGE project and I may chicken out long before I get started.
I also have in hand an order of threads from the ETSY shop of the designer of "52 Weeks of Blackwork" for her 2021 SAL.
And my computer files and real-life stash are PACKED with potential charts/kits to chose from, if I ever get around to that!
~~~~~Goals for November ~~~~~
I still am not at all inclined to get out there and play, travel or otherwise risk my health. So I will continue to "stay home" a except when "necessary" (haircuts, doctor's appointments, financial consultant, and the like)...
- I am still watching online chats, tutorials and the like for paper crafting which can take up as much as 8 hours a week that otherwise could be devoted to stitchery.
- In the year-long art community, where members engage in facilitated learning through monthly mixed media art projects and challenges, I have competed the fourth challenge and project. The fifth challenge and project is scheduled for November, and I have already seen a sneak peak...
- I am stagnating at 11% remaining of my storage space on my DVR. I still have the same four recorded television series to catch up, all of which do not lend themselves well to stitching at the same time. With new series coming online in November, this could be a real issue.
- I am sticking to my goal of at least 30 minutes a day of reading, both for pleasure (crime fiction and science fiction) and for enlightenment (I love histories and biographies).
What I HOPE to do in November is:
- a) keep up with "52 Weeks of Blackwork": the installments, weekly on Wednesdays, are small and, along with some additional border stitching, are doable in one night of stitching per installment. I just need to motivate on the border stitching...
- b) complete the Stitchonomy "Halloween 2020 SAL
- c) continue to stitch on "Love Is..." . There is a chance that I can finish this!
- d) complete the November installment of "Friends & Family" by Linen & Threads
Meanwhile, I'm saying home, keeping healthy and hoping the same for all of you!
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