Monday 24 February 2014
February update for WIPocalypse 2014
So this month's topic for reflection is how many projects at a time.
Generally, I'll have at least 3 on the go. One big one, that stays home - this is usually a high stitch count too, and I'll work on it when light, hands, and eyes are all cooperating. I enjoy the detail of miniatures and the way colours blend from a distance, plus stitch counts over 35 per inch let me do the intricate pictures I love in a scale that I can afford to frame!
A second project with a lower stitch count - usually 16 to 22 - is for those times when I'm not quite up to the big one. I find this second piece rotates between another big one and a smaller one to carry around.
The third project is something I carry around all the time, for all those times of standing in line and waiting. On the bus, in lineups, waiting rooms, all those times. So this is smaller, often a larger stitch, maybe fewer colours; overall a small enough packet to fit in a purse or briefcase. Pulling it out gets some strange looks, sometimes, but it's also a great conversation-starter.
Of course, this does not include the many UFOs I have whispering "finish me, finish me!" I keep a basket of the ones closest to done near where I usually stitch, to work on when I want a change or a quick gift - or when I feel guilty for wanting to start yet another project before finishing any.
Generally, I'll have at least 3 on the go. One big one, that stays home - this is usually a high stitch count too, and I'll work on it when light, hands, and eyes are all cooperating. I enjoy the detail of miniatures and the way colours blend from a distance, plus stitch counts over 35 per inch let me do the intricate pictures I love in a scale that I can afford to frame!
A second project with a lower stitch count - usually 16 to 22 - is for those times when I'm not quite up to the big one. I find this second piece rotates between another big one and a smaller one to carry around.
The third project is something I carry around all the time, for all those times of standing in line and waiting. On the bus, in lineups, waiting rooms, all those times. So this is smaller, often a larger stitch, maybe fewer colours; overall a small enough packet to fit in a purse or briefcase. Pulling it out gets some strange looks, sometimes, but it's also a great conversation-starter.
Of course, this does not include the many UFOs I have whispering "finish me, finish me!" I keep a basket of the ones closest to done near where I usually stitch, to work on when I want a change or a quick gift - or when I feel guilty for wanting to start yet another project before finishing any.
Monday 10 February 2014
WIPocalypse at ThreadNeedle House
Today I came across the WIPocalypse 2014 stitch-along challenge at Measi's Musings blog and decided this might be just the thing to help with my goal of less WIPs/UFOs by the ewnd of 2014 that I have at the start.
So, the deal goes: sign up, pick ufo projects to work on - adjust list as needed throughout the year - and post progress pics approximately each full moon.
This could get very interesting ...
I have way too many UFOs and need to get them finished. These include, in no particular order:
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| A lot of emotion in this one |
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| Only the wolf "Silent Night" by Kayomi |
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| This one is older than some of my children :( |
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| Anyone know how to get boot polish out of aida? |
Also on this list of UFO/WIP goals:
- Finish unto framing all of DSs dragons; unless he'd rather have them quilted, in which case finish quilt by fall.
- At least half of the smaller UFO's finished and placed. Call it a dozen.
- Finish that blessed bracelet!
44spi on 22ct hardanger - Embroider period-appropriate finish on the 15th century Irish leine and gown still hanging on my dressmaker's form. I need the form back.
- Complete a useable yubinuki at least neat enough that the cat stops laughing at me.
- Stitched gifts done in good time. Including the leopard pillow currently working on.
- Beadwork pieces Victoria's Garden, Alexandra's Tears, Mother's Son, and Joyous Love.
- Stitch from stash.
On the other hand keeping to the goal of stitching from my stash is much easier while I'm focusing on finishing up projects rather than starting new ones!
Turtle Trot Progress Feb 10, 2014
February Turtle Trot Progress Update!
I've joined BAP Attack's 2014 Turtle Trot, which involved choosing 10 projects to work on over the course of the year and posting updates on them monthly. Managed a little progress this month on the leopard pillow and Great Blue Heron, while working on other things.
This one is for a gift, and the recipient was hinting to find out if it would be ready for a birthday gift this past month. Sorry honey, not this year! I am concentrating on this one, though, to get it done and gifted - maybe namesday or Pascha. A little discouraging when I think of how much time I've put in vs. how much remains, but it's moving along. Hup, hup!
Made a start on Great Blue Heron, and it's working up better than expected. This is on lugana, over-1, and having a lot less issue with stitches slipping under the threads than the last time I worked on a linen-type fabric. Only the bill and a bit of the face so far and really enjoying it. Love the clarity of Crossed Wing Collection patterns! So easy to read!
I think this one will get it's backstitching as I go along. Usually I'll wait till all done then backstitch all in one go. This bird has several different colours of outlining, though, and I'm curious to see how they'll look together.
I've also been experimenting with patterns uploaded to an ereader and/or phone in an effort to find something a little more portable. So, that's working out fine and led to further experimentation. My new cellphone has a great camera, so I discovered that I can take a picture of the pattern segments and enlarge the section I'm working on to whatever size I need. Yay! No more carrying around books (eg Leopard) or fussing with huge sheets (eg GBH) or losing lines of symbols at the creases from repeated folding! No more headaches from squinting at tiny little symbols!
Now I just need to figure out how to link this post ...
Well, time to get a stitch on.
May your needles be always sharp and your colours never fade.
I've joined BAP Attack's 2014 Turtle Trot, which involved choosing 10 projects to work on over the course of the year and posting updates on them monthly. Managed a little progress this month on the leopard pillow and Great Blue Heron, while working on other things.
Made a start on Great Blue Heron, and it's working up better than expected. This is on lugana, over-1, and having a lot less issue with stitches slipping under the threads than the last time I worked on a linen-type fabric. Only the bill and a bit of the face so far and really enjoying it. Love the clarity of Crossed Wing Collection patterns! So easy to read!
I think this one will get it's backstitching as I go along. Usually I'll wait till all done then backstitch all in one go. This bird has several different colours of outlining, though, and I'm curious to see how they'll look together.
I've also been experimenting with patterns uploaded to an ereader and/or phone in an effort to find something a little more portable. So, that's working out fine and led to further experimentation. My new cellphone has a great camera, so I discovered that I can take a picture of the pattern segments and enlarge the section I'm working on to whatever size I need. Yay! No more carrying around books (eg Leopard) or fussing with huge sheets (eg GBH) or losing lines of symbols at the creases from repeated folding! No more headaches from squinting at tiny little symbols!
Now I just need to figure out how to link this post ...
Well, time to get a stitch on.
May your needles be always sharp and your colours never fade.
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