WIPocalypse 2012 - February Update

It's hard to believe how quickly the last month flew by!  Last week the Sturbridge Box stitcherama started and I've added that project to my WIPocalypse list.  I'd hoping to concentrate on it until the stitching is finished.  We'll see how that works out ;-)  Sorry about the fuzzy picture.

The only other WIPocalypse project I worked on this month was one night on the linen band bookmark.

Off to look at everyone's progress.  I love seeing what people are working on.

First finish of 2012

I finally finished stitching Poinsettia House by Little House Needleworks, the January Year of the Smalls project.  I'm probably the last person taking part in the Year of the Smalls to finish, but at least it's finished, which I can't say about all of my projects :-)  It was a very enjoyable stitch, as all Little House projects are.

Next up is to do the prework on the Sturbridge Box stitcherama project which starts on Saturday.  Since I'll be working on that for the next couple of weeks I decided not to do the February Year of the Small project.  And who knows when I'll get back to my WIPocalypse projects.  So many projects, so little time!

IHSW Weekend

It was a perfect weekend to hunker down for my first IHSW weekend.  Several friends were supposed to come over for a stitching day on Saturday, but snow prevented some of them from attending.  The 'determined to stitch' prize goes to Paula and Denise who drove from Maine to NH in the snow :-)  We had a great day stitching, laughing, and eating the great food they brought with them. There's nothing better than a stitching day with friends.

I spent most of the weekend working on Pointsettia House, my January Year of the Small project. I finished everything but the outer border, which I hope to finish up early this week.

As soon as I finish this one up I need to get started on the prework for the Sturbridge Box Stitcherama that Nataly and I signed up for.  It starts on February 4th.  It's a beautiful project and I'm really looking forward to working on it.

Of course, this means my WIPocalypse projects may be on hold for a bit.  Guess that's how they got to be UFO/WIP's!

WIPocalypse - January update

I only had time to work on one project this week:

A Petit Sampling Etui

January 1st

A Petit Sampling Etui

January 9th:

This might not look like much progress to the casual observer, but I finished all of the queen stitch flowers in the border, the first row of the alphabet, and started the second row.  Since the alphabet is over one and I can only stitch it when I haven't been staring at a computer screen all day I'm actually pleased with my progress. 

For the next update I hope to be finished with this square and well under way on the next one. 

Additional WIPocalypse projects and 2012 Year of the Smalls

I found the additional projects I wanted to add to my WIPocalypse list (we don't need to talk about how many other UFO's I found with them)

Everything Under the Sun chatelaine, by Moss Creek Designs

Hedgerow Birds by Blackbird Designs

I miscounted the bottom section of this and need to take it out and restitch it :-(

That gives me 15 projects for the WIPocalypse.  A much nicer number than 13, don't you think?

Since I didn't like the idea of having 14 BAP's and none of the small projects that I now prefer to work on I decided to join the 2012 Year of Smalls.  That will give me a nice small project to work on in between the big ones.  The January project is Pointsettia House by LHN, which I've already ordered and will start as soon as it arrives.

And now off to do some WIPocalypse stitching.  Oh boy!

WIPocalypse List

I finally got a list together of the projects I'm planning to work on for Measi's WIPocalypse for 2012:

A Petit Sampling Etui - Collaboration

Working on this as a stitchalong with Nataly and a few others

Blue Ribbon Winner - Paula Vaughn

Started many years ago as a gift.  Guess it's a little late ;-)

Bluebird Tree - Gerda Bengtsson

Not the real name, but not sure what the translation is

C of A's Pyn-Pillow and Scissor Fob - Eileen Bennett

very old Class Project

Embellishments - Cross N Patch

can't find the chart at the moment, but I will

Gone Birding - Crossed Wing Collection

Barely started. Over 1, this is the project that made me realize my eyes were getting old

Grandmas Garden Sewing Kit - Stitching Treasures

Class Project May 2011

Linen Band Sampler Bookmark - Eventide Designs

Found this when looking for my other WIP's.  Nice to have something small to work on

My Stitching Album - Jeannette Douglas Designs

Finished cover, back and first sampler - LONG way to go

Shaker Pincushion - The Victoria Sampler

Retreat Project - October 2011

Take Time To Stitch - Jeannette Douglas Designs

Almost finished with this one, might concentrate on it first and get a finish to brag about

The Butterfly Garden - Needlecrafts Unlimited

VERY old class project, barely started

Wedding Day - Sue Hillis Designs

Not finished in time for the wedding I was going to. Thought I might stitch it up and have it standing by to fill in the name/date for the next wedding I go to :-)

A few of my projects have gone missing since I moved, but I'm sure they'll turn up soon. I'll add these to the list when I find them.  I'll have plenty to work on until then :-)

Everything Under the Sun Heirloom Chatelaine - Moss Creek Designs
Hedgerow Birds - Blackbird Designs
Springtime Carnation Sewing Purse - Tristan Brooks Designs

I'd like to tell you that this is all of my UFO's/WIP's but unfortunately that's not true.  Since I'm very unlikely to finish all of these I'll be happy if I can finish a few and make progress on the rest.

Sewing Finishes

I finished a couple of Christmas gifts late last week, with only moments to spare before delivery! The first is a set of 3 Snap-Its that I made for my little sister. I put them inside of each other with a gift card in the smallest one. She loved them.

The last one is a tote bag I made for my sister. For some reason I kept messing things up and having to redo them, but it came out OK eventually and she was pleased with it.

I don't expect to be sewing again for awhile. I'm looking forward to concentrating on cross stitching for awhile. I'm working on my WIPocalypse list, and expect to post it within the next couple of days.

I had hoped to sign up for the International Hermit & Stitch weekend but had so much going on that I didn't think I'd have time to participate. Then in true hermit fashion I decided to skip my plans for the day Saturday and sit at home and stitch. I realized that I haven't had a chance to spend a whole day at home since I moved in. It felt great. I managed to finish the stitching on Silent Night by Little House Needleworks

Then I pulled out the chart for Noel by Log Cabin Needleworks. This one is a freebie that I saw posted on someone's blog last week (sorry I can't remember who). It's a quick and easy stitch and I finished it in a few hours. I didn't have the suggested floss, so substitued some CC floss I had on hand

Now I have to find time to finish them into ornaments. I have a bunch of ornaments I'd still like to stitch this year. I wonder why I always wait until the week before Christmas to start them?

Giveaway at Feathers in the Nest

Jennifer at Feathers in the Nest is hosting a beautiful and generous giveaway. Check it out here

Secret Santa exchange

On Wednesday I had my first gift exchange of the season. A group of sewing friends does a Secret Santa exchange each year. Although I always promise to get my project done early I always end up scrambling at the last minute to finish it. I finished this bag at 8:30 on the night before the exchange.

I was pleased that I finally seem to be getting the hang of putting in zippers. I only had to redo this one twice :-)

Now that I've finished that bag I only have one more project that I have to make, and I'm planning to work on that Saturday. The pressure is off. The house is decorated and ready for my family to come here for Christmas. My evenings between now and then will now be spent sitting in front of the Christmas tree cross stitching new ornaments and watching sappy Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel. What bliss.