February WIPocalypse check-in

February may be the shortest month of the year but it has definitely been a good month for stitching despite some very Spring like weather that has had us spending an unusually large amount of time outside for this time of year. Hoping the stitchy trend continues in March, but for now on to my progress for Measi's WIPocalypse SAL.

First up is a finish- Baby Max had arrived and I have finished his birth announcement and sent it off for framing. The piece is Vervaco's Sleeping Baby and was stitched on 32 count evenweave (Lugana?) from my stash. The chart is from a kit and I have stitched it before so I actually converted the kit floss to DMC and used that. Framing should be done in a week or two, in time for an update pic next check in.

I also made some progress on my HAED challenge. I've been slowed down a bit on Coppervein this month because of a new start but I think I'm still on track to finish my page before the April deadline if I keep at it while the boys are sleeping instead of my new start. Here's where my dragon stands...

And the new start is a magazine piece from the now out of print Cross Stitch & Needlework, January 2009 issue. I can't remember what they called it but it's based on a Jim Shore angel. I'm stitching her on 32 count linen with the recommended DMC. It will have some beading and treasures and I'm thinking of beading the tree garland too. For now, holy quarter stitches! I'm hoping they pay off with some awesome detail when the back stitching is done. I'm trying to use this as my WIP when the boys are up as it is relatively simple but I've been picking it up at night when I should be stitching HAED lately. 

I think I've got my lineup of smallish 2017 projects somewhat set. I'll try and update my WIPocalypse page by next time. My plan is to have 2 main WIPs, a smallish and simpler one for when the boys are awake and playing or watching TV and something a bit more complicated for nap time and after bedtime. I'm planning BAPs off my WIP list for night time and ornaments and smalls for daytime stitching. I've got several smallish gifts I'd like to give this year as well as a pile of ornaments to stitch. The angel I've started is to be for my mother in law's Christmas as she has a Jim Shore collection. 

And before I forget, Measi has a question of us this month- What is your favorite stitch other than the standard cross stitch?  (bonus points if you provide a how-to link or diagram it on your blog post!)

So many good stitches out there but I think I will go with the Rhodes stitch, particularly in the heart form. I had a project that used borders heavy on these a few years before I got into blogging and the online stitching community and they were a lot of fun and added a little 3D to the piece. Here's a how-to link in case you've missed out until now.

And finally, I'm excitedly watching for updates over at the Celebration of Needlework page because I am attending the May conference for the first time. I've been talking about it for a few years and the time is finally right. The boys are old enough to leave with one parent so I'm going to Celebration in May and Erich is going to a gaming tournament in August with some family weekend and day trips in the works instead of a big family vacation this year. So if you too will be at Celebration in May and want to meet up please drop me a comment or email at justanotherflamingo@yahoo.com and we will try to make that happen.