Wipocalypse 2014

This is my list of WIPs for 2014, all of which will be part of my WIPocalypse challenge. I always feel like I have many, may WIPs but then I see some people's lists and my jaw drops. How do you keep track of 50 odd WIPs? I struggle with more than five.

The WIPs

 
The Lookout - Jayne Netley Mayhew
Started April 2008 - 60% complete
I've been working on this stitch most years since I started it, five years ago (*gulp*). It's lovely to stitch and I adore the fabric. I just had a heavy frogging session this year and it dampened my enthusiasm. But I'm determined to make progress on this in 2014.


 Autumn Dragon - Patricia Allison
Started 2010? - 30% complete
This is the most difficult stitch I'm working on. Blending and metallics and beads, oh my! I really love the design though. It's just a slow, slow plod. 


Northwind Owl - Dimensions
Started 2012 - 50% complete
A lovely design, lots of half cross stitch which makes it easy. The rest of the design is mainly background, so this should progress fast once I give it some love. 


The Witching Hour - Heaven and Earth Designs
Started December 2013 - 5% complete
A recent start and the stitch currently in my frame. I love it! Absolutely adore stitching this and I'm going to be a little heartbroken when it rotates off my frame at the end of January. I'm making good progress and should see this done in a few years.

Challenges for 2014

I've joined a few stitching based challenges to help keep me motivated, and hopefully meet some of the lovely bloggers out there. The first is

 

A great idea started by Mel of Epic Stitching; spend no more than $25 a month on stitching stash, stitch what you already have! As an extra bonus there's prizes every month that you meet your budget. :D

 The other is

 

run by Melissa at Measi's Musings. I don't need too much motivating to finish my WIPs, but I like the idea of the month themes to discuss. Wish me well on my challenges! Is anyone else out there participating in these?

Ducks don't need satellites

In an attempt to get my stitching mojo back I spent some time finishing off projects. I made up four in total, but this is the one that I really wanted done so I could hopefully get out of my stitching slump. My own design, Ducks Don't Need Satellites.



It's inspired by this song, which I really like:

I'll let you know if finishing off this one has gotten me out of a stitching slump. :)

And so this is Christmas...

The silly season begins. I've already had my girlfriend on the phone in tears. This is such a stressful time of year, everyone is so frazzled.

I hope you and yours stay safe and sane during the holiday period. I'll see you on the flipside.

I should post a picture of a christmas ornie here, but I haven't even dragged mine (yes, all two of them) out of storage this year. It's been that kind of month.

Stitching slump

I've hit a stitching slump, and I don't like it. :( I've been stitching on my own design as it's one of my December goals to finish it this month. But I just don't find stitching on my own design as relaxing as stitching someone else's. While I'm stitching my brain is going 'should that be there, I think this might be in the wrong place, that wasn't positioned very well, maybe you should add this...'. It's quite frustrating! Not the zen-like stitching experience I'm used to.

I tried to suck it up and finish the design, but now I'm just feeling flat. Sigh...

I see a bad moon rising

I have a secret to confess.. I have started stitching a Heaven and Earth Design! I was going to wait until next year to start, but I just couldn't hold off any longer. And I'm glad I didn't, as it's been such a joy to stitch. Here's my progress after two weeks:



My, you might say, that's a lot of progress! That's because this is a Mini, not a full HAED chart. :P Here's the design. There's been lots of solid blocks of colour so far, especially with the black. I'm finding I actually enjoy the more confetti-style stitches though, which is something I wouldn't have guessed. I plan to have this beautiful piece on my frame until the end of January, so look out for more progress shots!

Hello!

No post for a while, but I have been stitching away. But first, here's my own spacey gift, courtesy of EmilyT on Swap-Bot.

 

He's so cute! I love all the sparkles. I'm not sure how I'll finish him yet, any suggestions?

Another little finish

Here's another little finish for last week, a biscornu freebie pattern from Louison, but finished as an ornament. A quick, fun little stitch. :)

 

Stitched with unknown thread on handdyed evenweave.

A spacey finish

Hello, spaceman! I stitched this little guy for an alien/UFO themed swap on Swap-Bot. He was such a blast (lol, pun intended) to make, such vibrant colours and easy stitching.



Stitched with DMC, Weeks Dye Works, House of Embroidery and Petite Treasure Braid on Zweigart 14ct black aida. Pattern by Sewingseed (but modified by myself).

Sew it all

I have a confession to make. I've been in an antagonistic relationship for a number of years. Things have been rough, with many jams, recriminations and yes, even tears, but we've stuck it though. Thankfully, last year we went to get some professional help and things have been fairly smooth since then. The one that causes me so much frustration?



This stubborn little brute. But this week I dragged the Infernal Device out of the closet kicking and screaming (but which one of us...?) and, yes, I've been sewing. First up, a little bag for my girlfriend to store her kayak tie-downs in.

 

And then a Qsnap huggie, which I finally decided would be a good idea (especially since I feel a HAED on the horizon).




And finally, a shopping bag keeper.

 

And yes, that is Batman. These shopping bags will be well defended!

A bookish finish

Here’s a little needlebook I made for my partner, who has a disturbing tendancy to store needles loose in the sewing box (and then wonders where they wander off to!)

I’m a little embarrased to post it, because I made a major colour booboo while stitching and didn’t notice til much later, when it couldn’t be undone. Oops. :P

The pattern is a freebie from Aon Celtic Art.

With the birds

You might have gathered that I’m a bit of a bird fan (but not a twitcher!). At the moment I’m stitching this Brittercup design ‘Feather Friends’.

I really love the colours, they’re so bright and vibrant, just like a real cockatoo.

Welcome

Hello! Welcome to my new blog. I’m a stitcher, sewer, crocheter and general craft-mucker-abouterer. Here I will post pics of my crafting, and maybe the odd bit of fluff about life, the universe and everything.