September 2021 WIPocalypse Update

Women of the Mayflower

 It's time for another WIPocalypse update.  I am getting close to a finish with "Women of the Mayflower" by Sarah Ullman.  I stitched most of this sampler during 2020, and am just filling in the motifs that I need to complete it.  I have a small area to frog, but there is not much stitching remaining.  

 

Pandemic by Long Dog Samplers

 

I also put a few stitches into my Pandemic sampler.  I feel that the bright colors are a bit overpowering, so I have been thinking about mixing in areas of black throughout the sampler to tame things down a bit.  It is far easier to stitch a large sampler in a single color or two ... It is a challenge to keep things in balance when you are using a handful of colors and "flying by the seat of your pants".  I do enjoy stitching this sampler & the bright and happy colors I selected.
 

Bothy Threads Cut Thru' Pirate Ship

Another project I stitched on this month is Bothy Threads "Cut Thru' Pirate Ship".  These Cut Thru' kits are fun to stitch.  When you do the back stitching, it feels like watching a Polaroid picture develop.  The photo below shows where I left off on my last update:

Question of the Month: List five projects you have unstarted in your stash that you’d like to start in the (relatively) near future.

I don't think I have many projects that are unstarted. lol.  I have had a few rough years, so for me it is just about focusing on making progress on my WIP list (about 40), and trying to get some finishes in before the year ends.

On another note, I do plan to participate in "October Focus Month", by selecting one of my WIPs and putting at least one stitch each day during October into it.  I haven't selected which project, yet ... but in the past, the "focus months" have really helped me to finish WIPs.

That's all I have to post this month.

Happy Stitching!

 

 

WIPocalypse Update for September

 

It's time for another WIPocalypse update.  I didn't have a lot of stitching time this month, so I just worked on the same three projects as I did last month.  

Shown above is my "Pandemic Sampler" - looking bright and happy (which I need right now).  I am stitching it on 18 count fabric with Prism "tie-dye" floss.

On "Berry Patch Rooster", I stitched more of the border.  It's moving along a bit more slowly than I had hoped, but at least it keeps progressing.

I put the most stitching time this month into "Women of the Mayflower".  I stitched the entire border (long armed cross stitch), and added all of the names - alternating with dark blue and dark red.  

Question of the Month: Are you a seasonal stitcher, or can you stitch on any holiday/seasonal stitch at any time of year?

I enjoy working on seasonal projects as the seasons change, however I will stitch holiday/seasonal projects at any time of the year.  So - both!

I guess that's all I have this month.

Happy Stitching!

 

 

WIPocalypse Update for August

Long Dog Samplers - Pandemic

 

This is my August WIPocalypse update.  I had a busy month, but did a fair amount of stitching.

Ooh, I went and did it.  I started a Pandemic!  A "Pandemic Sampler" that is.  I was lucky enough to receive a copy when it was offered by Long Dog Samplers.  I originally thought I would stitch it with all black floss on a piece of tie-dyed fabric, as I did with the 2019 Linen and Threads Peacock Sampler.  However being low on funds ... I opted to stitch with threads I had on hand.  I am using Prism floss from the "Tie Dye" pack, and some solid bright colors to coordinate.  So far, I am loving it!  I will likely substitute a few motifs here and there to make it more personalized.  

Berry Patch Rooster

I made good progress on the border of my "Berry Patch Rooster".  I need to finish the border, add the berries, and do all of the back stitching, but it is really moving along.

Women of the Mayflower

I am stitching myself a ship, as I work on my 'Women of the Mayflower" sampler.  I am hoping to finish this sampler before the end of the year.

Question of the Month: Have you participated in any of the mystery SALs on Facebook (or other social media)? What do you think makes a successful mystery SAL?

The only mystery SAL that I participated in was the Linen & Threads 2019 Mystery Sampler, which I really enjoyed.  I was able to keep up with the monthly chart releases and was very happy with the completed sampler.

I guess that is all I have for this update.  See you next time.

Happy Stitching!

 

WIPocalypse Update for June

It's time for another WIPocalypse update.  This stitch along features WIPs (works in progress) that I hope to finish before the world ends.

I did not accomplish too much stitching this month.  I lost my stitchy mojo.  In fact, I lost my "everything" mojo.  I did work on a couple of projects early in the month ... but not in the past few weeks.

OK.  So I put some time into my "Berry Patch Rooster".  I worked on his legs and feet, and I made some progress on the border.  

Here is where I let off last time:

I also stitched a bit on "Women of the Mayflower":

I was fortunate enough to download a copy of LongDog Sampler's "Pandemic" chart while it was being offered for free last week.  I have always wanted to stitch a LongDog Sampler, and look forward to starting this one.  It will be a little while ... I want to finish a couple of my WIPs first, and will need to be able purchase supplies.   

Question of the Month:  Half-year recap:  How are you doing with your goals so far this year?

Well ... I did finish 1 WIP and 2 small projects.  So, I am doing OK.   I had hoped to have made more progress this year, but considering how the year has gone - I am OK with what I've completed.  I am really going to try to push myself to pick up my stitching every day for the remainder of the year, whether I feel like it or not.  Baby steps.  The journey of a thousand miles ... and all that jazz.

Hope you are all staying safe.
Happy Stitching!

WIPocalypse Update for April

I'm still here and stitching for the WIPocalypse.  You'd think that I would have lots of stitching accomplished ... not quite ... however I do have some progress to report.
As you can see above, I made progress on my "Berry Patch Rooster".   The photo below shows where I left off last time.

I still have plenty to do: the remainder of the rooster, all of the berries,  most of the border, and all of the back stitching.   But progress was made.

I also had the itch to pick up Theresa Wentzler's "Castle Sampler".   I finished the basic framework of the main border and did more work on the interior border.  It doesn't look like much ... but this was hours and hours of stitching!  Progress!

Previous update:

Lastly, I stitched a bit on my "Women of the Mayflower Sampler".  I don't really have the right floss colors, but I am making do with floss I have on hand..   I really wanted to stitch this now. 

Four hundred years ago the passengers (including a couple of my ancestors) took that long journey on a crowded ship with rough seas and shortages of food and other items, to make their way to the new world for the chance at a better life.  Our few months of quarantine pale in comparison - but this does make a fitting and memorable time to stitch this piece.  1620 ~ 2020

Question of the Month: Talk to us about your longest-running WIP or UFO.

I have several projects from the 90's that were boxed up in storage for years.  I do pick them up occasionally and add a few stitches, but haven't really had the incentive to finish them.  I am drawn more to my current projects.  However, I do try to complete at least 1 of my oldest projects each year.   Last year I finished "Carousel Tiger" by Angela Pullen which was a gift from my younger sister back in the 90's.
  
I hope you are all faring well during this crazy time.  
Happy Stitching!

my Gifted Gorgeousness Update for August

Women of the Mayflower (new start)

It's time for the August Gifted Gorgeousness update.  This stitch-along, hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, features projects that in some way have been gifted -or- are being stitched to be given as gifts. 

I finally got around to starting "Women of the Mayflower" by Sarah Ullman.  I want to be sure to finish this one in 2020 (as it features the date 1620).  I just think it would be cool to have a finish date of 2020 on it.  Here is what the completed sampler looks like:

Women of the Mayflower

I'm just using leftover floss and stitching on a piece of linen that I purchased with a gift certificate.  The portion I stitched has cross stitched lettering and a couple rows of eyelet stitches.(done in variegated red).

Link to ebay auction:  Fine Lines Magazine with Sampler 

I also made great progress on "A Chirpy Sort of Place" (kit gifted to me by a friend).

A Chirpy Sort of Place

This will be a finish before too long.  I just need to finish the left border and add the text.

I am keeping up with the "2019 Linen and Threads Mystery Sampler", and am about 1/2 way complete with this month's section.

I also stitched a bit on Bothy Thread's "Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon" (gifted chart) - adding some light purple to a window, and a snail on top of the wagon.

Cut Thru' Gypsy Wagon

That's all the stitching I managed this month.  I have been busy & lacking time to stitch the past couple of weeks ... but I hope to continue with my progress when I am able.

Happy Stitching!
 

 

WIPocalypse 2019 Intro Day

New Start: 2019 Linen & Threads Mystery Sampler

Hello!  My name is Cheryl. Welcome to my blog and my WIPocalypse 2019 Intro Day post.  

I live in Atlanta Georgia USA, where I enjoy all types of hobbies and needlework.  I have been stitching for several decades & still find joy in it.  I am self employed with Etsy (I stitch and sell finger puppets and other items).  I have participated in the WIPocalypse SAL since it began in 2012.

I currently have 43 WIPs (I am working on this.) 

I have already added a new project this year, as I jumped into the "2019 Linen & Threads Mystery Sampler" stitch along recently (progress shown above).  I tie-dyed a piece of 28 count Monaco fabric for the project.  This was my first time using tie dye. I used a Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit with the colors called "Moody Blues" (turquoise, green, and blue).  I love the way the colors came out & it was super easy!

Anyhow...  I love stitching samplers.  I have several in progress, and even designed a simple "cat sampler" of my own, which I offer as a free chart on my hobby website here: http://hobbyloco.com/patterns/cat_sampler.html

I also recently got the bug for the "Bothy Threads Cut Thru'" designs.  I am a few years behind everyone else (they hit popularity around 2013-14), but they are fun to stitch.  I am currently stitching 2 of those.

I also love to stitch ornaments!  I don't have any ornaments on my WIPs list - because I usually stitch them quickly over a few days & finish them right away. 

My goals for the year are to finish as many of my WIPs as I am able, keep up with any SALs (stitch-alongs) I join, and try to finish more projects than I start!

One additional project I may start this year is the "Women of the Mayflower" Sampler by Sarah Ullman.  I really want to finish this project in 2020 - so that I can have the dates 1620 and 2020 on the sampler.   So that may be a start later in the year.
 

Women of the Mayflower by Sarah Ullman

I think that brings me to the end of my post.  I feel the need to go and stitch.
Happy Stitching!