The topic for this month's discussion is:
"Are you a seasonal stitcher? If so, which seasons do you find yourself more productive or less productive?"
Not exactly sure what a seasonal stitcher is. I stitch year-round and my productivity is based more on what other aspects of my creative and every-day life are thrown at me...
For example, while I TRY to stitch at least 1.5 hours every night, paper crafting classes/events I have signed up for, illnesses (like a "mild" bout of Covid at the start of this September), road trips (where hotel lightning isn't sufficient for stitching), guests, and general all-around lack of motivation will result in those minutes stitching being prevented. Also, there were two two-year spans of time in the past ten years, when wrist issues (broken which required surgery and occupational therapy, followed by a ruptured tendon with more surgery and OT) resulted in a physical inability to stitch which, because that inability lasted a prolonged period of time, my motivation to pick back up where I had suspended stitching was difficult, and it took me nearly a year to get back into the stitching groove.
~~~~~Long-term WIPS~~~~~
When I checked in last month, I had only one long-term WIP in my project bag: The Elizabeth Almond "Save the Stitches" blackwork sampler, which is roughly 60% complete . No progress this month...
~~~~~Travelling Needlepoint~~~~~
Not having travelled since the pandemic, I have not been motivated to stitch on "Butterfly on Scroll" by Dimensions since February 2020. No road trips, no progress to report.
~~~~~Kits started in 2021~~~~~
There is one kit I started in 2021 that is still unfinished: "Hope & Strength" by Glenwood Place, stitched on Jade Lugana and using the recommended Dinky Dye threads. In June, I had competed the pink and purple stars in the lower border and started on the "white" filler/background to the stars. There has been no progress since August...
~~~~~ SALs started in 2022 ~~~~~
1. Lakeside Needlecraft SAL "Crystallised" which started January 2, exclusively designed by Oxana Polyakova, with monthly installments. Stitched on 36-ct white even-weave with DMC floss.
There were twelve installments in this SAL: Installment one - "Larimar", installment two - "Malachite", installment three -“Amber", installment four - "Obsidian", installment five - "Jasper”, installment six - “Quartz”, installment seven - “Tiger’s Eye” , installment eight -"Agate", installment none- "Amethyst", and installment ten - "Garnet" , installment eleven - "Lapis Lazuli", and installment twelve - "Opal". All twelve installments are now complete and I am still debating as to whether or not to add the stitched names. If I do, I will not used the called-for bright blue --- I'm leaning toward a cool gray...
In the photos below are "Opal" and the completed array of 12 crystals:
For example, while I TRY to stitch at least 1.5 hours every night, paper crafting classes/events I have signed up for, illnesses (like a "mild" bout of Covid at the start of this September), road trips (where hotel lightning isn't sufficient for stitching), guests, and general all-around lack of motivation will result in those minutes stitching being prevented. Also, there were two two-year spans of time in the past ten years, when wrist issues (broken which required surgery and occupational therapy, followed by a ruptured tendon with more surgery and OT) resulted in a physical inability to stitch which, because that inability lasted a prolonged period of time, my motivation to pick back up where I had suspended stitching was difficult, and it took me nearly a year to get back into the stitching groove.
~~~~~Long-term WIPS~~~~~
When I checked in last month, I had only one long-term WIP in my project bag: The Elizabeth Almond "Save the Stitches" blackwork sampler, which is roughly 60% complete . No progress this month...
~~~~~Travelling Needlepoint~~~~~
Not having travelled since the pandemic, I have not been motivated to stitch on "Butterfly on Scroll" by Dimensions since February 2020. No road trips, no progress to report.
~~~~~Kits started in 2021~~~~~
There is one kit I started in 2021 that is still unfinished: "Hope & Strength" by Glenwood Place, stitched on Jade Lugana and using the recommended Dinky Dye threads. In June, I had competed the pink and purple stars in the lower border and started on the "white" filler/background to the stars. There has been no progress since August...
~~~~~ SALs started in 2022 ~~~~~
1. Lakeside Needlecraft SAL "Crystallised" which started January 2, exclusively designed by Oxana Polyakova, with monthly installments. Stitched on 36-ct white even-weave with DMC floss.
There were twelve installments in this SAL: Installment one - "Larimar", installment two - "Malachite", installment three -“Amber", installment four - "Obsidian", installment five - "Jasper”, installment six - “Quartz”, installment seven - “Tiger’s Eye” , installment eight -"Agate", installment none- "Amethyst", and installment ten - "Garnet" , installment eleven - "Lapis Lazuli", and installment twelve - "Opal". All twelve installments are now complete and I am still debating as to whether or not to add the stitched names. If I do, I will not used the called-for bright blue --- I'm leaning toward a cool gray...
In the photos below are "Opal" and the completed array of 12 crystals:
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 in future magazine issues through the end of 2022. Stitched on Wichelt oatmeal evenweave using Anchor and Weeks Dye Works threads, and Kreinik braids.
The fifth installment consisted of two houses: a Country House and a Brownstone,. I finished the Cozy Cozy Country House on August 14... and a Brownstone (after some creative adjustment for starting the stitching one row off, to say nothing of a two week delay due to Covid) on September 15.
Below are the brownstone and the set of ten houses so far...
The fifth installment consisted of two houses: a Country House and a Brownstone,. I finished the Cozy Cozy Country House on August 14... and a Brownstone (after some creative adjustment for starting the stitching one row off, to say nothing of a two week delay due to Covid) on September 15.
Below are the brownstone and the set of ten houses so far...
3. A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began after four installments had been issued. The entire pattern is now in hand. I had issues - and the frog was a frequent visitor. It has been put away until I can deal with my obvious inablility to follow a pattern here!
4 A Stitchonomy pattern designed to be a companion to the "Spring 2022" SAL and the "Winter 2021": "Summer 2022" was complete in August. The "Autumn 2022" was released in late August and I am awaiting a shipment of floss so I can begin stitching, hopefully in October.
5. A Stitchonomy Halloween SAL called "A Cabinet of Curiosities" started in September when I was trying to complete the Faithwurks and Lakeside SALs so I only got started on the frame this past week. As you can see, it is currently mostly in half-crosses; the frame also includes significant back-stitching. So I have at least another week to go before I can begin on the interior of the piece. Right now, I have 16 installments in hand, not a single one started... which puts me at least two weeks behind... Luckily, those little installments should be quick stitches and I should be able to do at least two a session, if not more...
4 A Stitchonomy pattern designed to be a companion to the "Spring 2022" SAL and the "Winter 2021": "Summer 2022" was complete in August. The "Autumn 2022" was released in late August and I am awaiting a shipment of floss so I can begin stitching, hopefully in October.
5. A Stitchonomy Halloween SAL called "A Cabinet of Curiosities" started in September when I was trying to complete the Faithwurks and Lakeside SALs so I only got started on the frame this past week. As you can see, it is currently mostly in half-crosses; the frame also includes significant back-stitching. So I have at least another week to go before I can begin on the interior of the piece. Right now, I have 16 installments in hand, not a single one started... which puts me at least two weeks behind... Luckily, those little installments should be quick stitches and I should be able to do at least two a session, if not more...
6. A cooperative venture between Nancy Wahler ("Faithwurks") and Sue Hillis Designs called "A Stitcher's Shadowbox and Smalls" is now available and (as per usual, I ordered two by mistake! Oh well---). I have the kit(s) in hand but have not started.
7. Two new SALs have caught my eye, both by Cliffside Stitches. One is a variation on medieval Egyptian blackwork and the other is a set of cross-stitched tiles based on variety of motifs that are reminiscent of traditional folk designs from around the world. I have not started either although I have ordered the floss for the blackwork piece.
~~~~~
In summary, this month I made progress on three SALs, completed nothing, acquired yet more potential projects, and started nothing new. This is beginning to sound a lot like all my reports! LOL
As usual, I wish you all to stay safe and keep well - having had my personal bout with the dreaded Covid, all I have to say is that if being double vexed and double boosted made this a less severe illness, I sure am glad I had the shots. Now to wait the recommended three months to get the bivalent booster, although both my husband and I are planning to get the annual flu shot ASAP...
7. Two new SALs have caught my eye, both by Cliffside Stitches. One is a variation on medieval Egyptian blackwork and the other is a set of cross-stitched tiles based on variety of motifs that are reminiscent of traditional folk designs from around the world. I have not started either although I have ordered the floss for the blackwork piece.
~~~~~
In summary, this month I made progress on three SALs, completed nothing, acquired yet more potential projects, and started nothing new. This is beginning to sound a lot like all my reports! LOL
As usual, I wish you all to stay safe and keep well - having had my personal bout with the dreaded Covid, all I have to say is that if being double vexed and double boosted made this a less severe illness, I sure am glad I had the shots. Now to wait the recommended three months to get the bivalent booster, although both my husband and I are planning to get the annual flu shot ASAP...
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