WIPocalypse March

Oops, I had a draft post ready to go a few days ago and completely forgot about it! I'm still plugging away on Snowy Owl (who's correct and more imperial sounding name is Northwind Owl). I've just started the couching.

 Ergh, couching.

Still, it really does make this design.

Some of those weirdly shaped gaps in the stitching make sense now. 

This month I also made it to 75% on The Lookout.

Their vacant little eyes look a bit creepy to me... 

So I'd say it's been quite a productive month! This month's WIPocalypse question is show us your favorite places to stitch.

Sadly, my favourite stitching place is not set up at the moment. My craft room is quite a variable beast, with a folding table, beanbag and bookcases lining the walls. I tend to shift stuff around as I need to, and at the moment my sewing machine is set up, and my stitching setup with beanbag and lamp is not. When I don't need my setup (which I really only require for over one stuff) I stitch on my couch, or in bed.

February WIPocalypse

Here's some before and after photos for the WIPocalypse stitch currently in my Qsnaps.

 

As you can see... they're exactly the same! No progress for me. :P Maybe next month?

This month's question is: How many projects do you generally feel comfortable having in progress at a time?  Tell us about your one-at-a-time or rotation habits!

I am.. a small scale rotator? I like having more than three but less than six largeish WIPs on the go at once, and up to three or so smaller WIPs for quick or in hand stitching. I get really stressed out if I have too many projects on the go (it's the control freak in me) and I get pretty disenchanted when I haven't had a finish in a while.

I used to be a hardcore rotator, with a stopwatch and printed rotation list, set time limits... but I don't have the energy for that kind of regulation anymore. So I guess that makes me a screaming rotator. :)

How about you guys? Do you have closets full of WIPs, or are you a monogamous stitcher?  

It's a full moon! (Again!)

Haha! Here's my first WIPocalypse post for 2014. I'm only working on four WIPs for this challenge, but I managed to stitch on two of them this month. As I mentioned in my last post I finished by first page on The Witching Hour HAED. So great progress there. I also put a bit of time in on The Lookout.



I've made really good progress on these guys too, stitching the half a 'kat you can see on the right. I started using a stitching lamp/magnifier/chart holder when I was working on my HAED and now I can't seem to stitch without it! Combine that with my new 'no turning' method for starting and ending threads and my needle now zooms along. I'm so chuffed with how The Lookout is going. My half-hearted goal of finishing it this year seems almost possible.

Now for the WIPocalypse introduction. I've already outlined my projects here. As you can see I tend to stitch realistic animal patterns; it's something I just adore. I also enjoy stitching smalls like ornaments, biscornus, scissor fobs... But my real love is animals. :)

I stitch on both Aida and evenweave, but can't stand linen. I love opalescent and hand dyed fabric and thread.

My goals for this year are

• finish The Lookout
• get some nice progress done on The Witching Hour
• finish a page of Autumn Dragon
• potentially finish Northwind Owl.

I'm ahead of the curve here (damn you Australia and your proximity to the international date line) and I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone else's WIPocalypse posts. :)

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?