WIPocalypse 2022 Check-In - March 27, 2022 (a day late)

A day late... as usual!​

The topic for this month's discussion is:

"Tell us about a technique, designer, pattern, or anything else in stitching that you’ve been nervous or afraid to try."

Hmm, that's a good one! And I can't say that there is just one. But my primaries, in order of degree of aversion, are :

1. Technique: cut-work/hardanger. I suspect that the cutting is what has put me off...
2. Designer: HAED, hands down. They are so HUGE and so full of confetti stitches. I am so intimidated that I don't even have one of their patterns! Mirablia is a close runner-up... as is Chatelaine. 
3. Pattern: I'm sure that there are patterns in my stash (LOTS of patterns) that I will not/can not attempt but more likely than not, it's because I am not a fan of the final product (I MUST have been when I bought the piece but my tastes have changed over the years). Not fond of Disney, Thomas Kincaid, "cute", vulgar/swear words. I rarely do holiday patterns (with the exception of Christmas ornaments) because I have no place to store them "off season" and few places to display them "in season". 

It's easier to say what I like to stitch! Normally, I stitch according to my mood/fancy at the start. Right now, it's mystery SALs (often with motifs that I would avoid in a full-scale piece! Odd, right?) and blackwork (as much as I dislike backstitching on cross-stitch, I adore blackwork! Go figure!).

• I lean a lot towards geometrics, Quaker and band samplers, mandalas, and houses/scenes! I am besotted with the wonky pieces by Michael Powell. An odd mix, I know. I prefer cross-stitch but have done (and still do, occasionally) needlepoint, crewel, and free embroidery. I even tried quilting but I can't sew a straight seam to save my life! (I need to practice...)
• ​"Speciality" stitches don't bother me but... French knots and bullion stitches are anathema to me. I try them but they never seem to look "right" (Again, I need to practice more!).
• I lean toward evenweaves (Lugana and Jobelin in particular), but will use Aida in a pinch. Hate stitching on linen with slubs. I generally use 28 and 32 count, stitching over two, but I have stitched over one on smaller pieces (40 count and higher I avoid - my eyes simply can't cope - Heck, I use magnification for 14 ct Aida!). I have stitched on dark fabric but prefer lighter colors. Not a fan of patterned fabrics to stitch on (interferes with what I am stitching, IMO - those eyes again) but I don't mind a discrete mottled or marbled look. 
• ​I love silks and overdyed cottons. I will stitch with metallics when it's called for in small amounts but avoid rayon/satin threads like the plague!
• And I really like pieces with beading accents (for a while, I was into heavily embellished crazy quilting).

There, how's that for NOT answering a question?

~~~~~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. I managed two full and one partial "block" of stitching this month:

~~~~~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 using the recommended Dinky Dye threads. At the end of February, I had completed the inner border. In March, I finished the stars beside the phrase "and Strength" and started on the outer border, stitching pink and lavender stars along the bottom. The photo on the left is the piece as it is was of February; on the right is the piece as it is today (the color on the right is more accurate):

~~~~~ SALs started in 2022 ~~~~~

1. Lakeside Needlecraft SAL "Crystallized" which started January 2, exclusively designed by Oxana Polyakova, with monthly installments. Stitched on 36-ct white even-weave with DMC floss. Installment one, "Larimar", installment two, "Malachite", installment three, "Amber" , and installment four, "Obsidian" are complete:

There is lettering in the chart but I am holding off until the ned to decide it I want it or not.

The fifth installment, "Jasper" arrived in my mailbox on the 27th and all I've managed to do is sort out the threads required. 

2. A Faithwurks/Just Cross Stitch Magazine SAL, designed by Nancy Wahler, which started with the February 2022 issue of the magazine (I get it digitally as well as hard copy); further installments come in future magazine issues through the end of 2022.  Stitched on Wichelt oatmeal evenweave using Anchor and Weeks Dye Works threads, and Kreinik braids. 

I only stitched on the frame in March (no photo) - the next installment is due in the June issue of the magazine (probably early April, digitally).

3. A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began after four installments had been issued. There is a tenth 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!

So, in summary, this month I made progress on two WIPs and one SAL... Not bad considering that I spent two LONG weekends watching virtual card making classes. Someday, I'll get around to actually MAKING some of the cards taught in these classes!

Wishing for an honorable peace...