February WIPocalypse check in

Let's just move on from the fact that I missed the January check in and I'm a day late on the February check in.

Since the initial WIPocalypse post in early January I've worked on Hariet Hartland and Spring Robin.

Hariet Hartland, 1782
Hands Across the Sea Samplers
03.01.20

Hariet Hartland is so lovely in real life. The cover photos on the patterns really don't do them justice. It's been a joy to stitch. I have finished page 1 and most of page 2 except for the text. I am planning on changing the text although I'm not sure what I'll choose which will leave me with an awful lot of over one stitching at the end.

Spring Robin
Mill Hill
03.01.20

I've made a little progress on Spring Robin. I try to take it out every Monday for Mill Hill Monday SAL on Facebook.

I also started Shabbat Tabletopper by Dutch Treat Designs

and picked up an old WIP I didn't originally include in WIPocalypse, Garden Window by Tiny Modernist.

Shabbat Tabletopper
Dutch Treat Designs
03.01.20

Garden Window
Tiny Modernist
03.01.20

Our WIPocalypse question of the month: In honor of “Leap Year,” tell the story of a time you had to make some sort of a “leap” in stitching – taking the chance on a new style of stitching, attending a meetup or class, etc.

I stitched a little as a young adult but gave it up for a couple of decades while raising my kids. When my daughter started college I got the itch to stitch and ordered a simple kit off of Amazon. While stitching that lovely pattern I discovered Chatelaine Designs. Chatelaine's appear very complicated and they use materials and stitches that were new to me. These designs were well beyond my abilities but, I LOVED the pattern and had to have it. I figured I'd find tutorials to help me figure out the new stitches along the way. And I did.

That's pretty much how I always decide my pieces. Do I love it? Will it be interesting to stitch? I believe I can figure out, with the help of cross stitch friends, groups and youtube tutorials. Yes, I've made mistakes, but I've always learned from them and they've made me a better stitcher.

Finished page 1 of Hariet Hartland by Hands Across The Sea Samplers. Loving every stitch. 

I’m stitching it 1 over 2 on 40 count Cream linen by Zweigart. Using the called for Soie d’Alger.

Hariet Hartland, 1782

Weekly WIP update 1.17.20

I only had a few days of stitching this week. I worked on Spring Robin for Mill Hill Monday SAL which takes place on Facebook. I stitch on it every Monday so it always gets a little love. 

Spring Robin by Mill Hill 1.16.20

I had a new start this week. Hariet Hartland, 1782 by Hands Across the Sea Samplers. I am stitching on 40 count cream linen by Zweigart with the called for threads, Au Ver à Soie d'Alger. 

Hariet Hartland, 1782 by Hands Across the Sea Samplers 1.16.20

This was supposed to be my 'New Year, New Start', however I couldn't decide whether or not I should stitch in hand or with a frame. I was concerned about having to wash it if I stitched in hand due to transfer of oils from my hands to the linen and silks. It was suggested that I wash the reds and see if they bleed before starting in hand which I haven't, yet, done. Like a lunatic without a care in the world I went ahead and started stitching in hand. I am still not sure if I should continue or put it in a scroll frame or Qsnap. Sigh. I am open to constructive suggestions and opinions. What do you do?

Both of these projects were used in the School of Magical Stitches and Literature challenges. Spring Robin fit a challenge and I used Hariet Hartland for penalty stitches. They are also adding to stitches in the Landmark Challenge in Semi Sane Stitchers.

This weekend is International Hermit & Stitch Weekend and the timing is perfect as we are expecting a little snow this afternoon so I'm going to rush through my chores so I can have some extensive stitching time. A girl can dream, right?

WIPocalypse 2020

I am joining WIPocalypse 2020 which is the brain child of Measi's Musings. It's the first time I'm participating and I love the idea of keeping track of the progress on my WIPs and following along with everyone else's progress.

I am Amy. I live on the East End of Long Island in New York. I learned to stitch as a teenager but stopped stitching during graduate school and when my children were little. In 2015 I picked up a kit on Amazon and later discovered the vast array of amazing designers and new fabrics and floss. I've been stitching non-stop ever since.

I've picked 8 WIPs and 3 new starts that I'd like to focus on this year.

1. Herbularius is one of my oldest WIPs. It requires that I'm not too tired in order to work on it. My goal for 2020 is to work a minimum of 4 hours per week. It will be the first piece I work on during the week to guarantee that I make that goal. I also bought some scroll rod fabric tensioners to help with the side tension making it more pleasurable to work on.

Herbularius by Chatelaine 1.09.20

2. I'd like to finish Give Thanks by The Drawn Thread in 2020. The specialty stitches in this piece are a lot of fun to work on.

Give Thanks by The Drawn Thread 1.09.20

3. I'd like to make significant progress on Halloween Fairy by Nora Corbet. I might even get this done by Halloween!

Halloween Fairy by Nora Corbet 1.09.20

4. I'd like to make significant progress on Christmas by Renato Parolin. I'm hoping for a finish by Christmas.

Christmas Tree by Renato Parolin 1.09.20

5. My goal is to finish Spring Robin by Mill Hill.

Spring Robin by Mill Hill 1.09.20

6. My goal is to make significant progress on Antique Celtic Sampler by Elizabeth's Needlework Designs.

Antique Celtic Sampler by Elizabeth's Needlework Designs

7. I think I can finish Winter Snow Owl by Blackberry Lane designs in January. I need to make it into an ornament before Christmas 2020 :)

Winter Snow Owl by Blackberry Lane Designs

8. I would like to finish Blue Jeans and Daisies by Blue Ribbon Designs. I did start this but I'm not home and I don't have a picture with me. I'll add it as soon as possible.

9. I will start Hariet Hartland, 1782 by Hands Across the Sea Samplers. I hope to start it next week.

Hariet Hartland, 1782 by Hands Across the Sea Samplers

10. I will start HL's Moth by Kathy Barrick in 2020. I have a gorgeous wine color fabric for this. I think it's called Napa and was hand-dyed by Silkweaver. 

11. I will start A Stitching Shelf by Aimee Stewart through Heaven and Earth Designs.

So those are my goals for 2020. I would really like to reduce the number of WIPs although adding three new starts (and one of them a HAED) might be a little self-defeating.

Happy stitching!