December WIPocalypse check-in

So life kinda got in the way and I missed a few month but January is just round the corner and it is all about resolutions so I will try again and hopefully life will cooperate. Nothing particularly bad happened just got busy with kids and school and work and soccer.

Anyway since it is still December, how about a look back at what I've accomplished? My first big accomplishment was actually making it out to Celebration of Needlework in New Hampshire last May. It was a stitcher's dream to have so many teachers and vendors and stitchers in one spot and to meet in person so many stitchers I've gotten to know online over the years and some new ones too. The DH and I both took trips for our hobbies last year and had originally planned to alternate years but I think we've found a way to make Celebration 2018 fit into the budget😊

As for the actual stitching, I didn't do so well blogging toward the end of the year but I was stitching. The finishes of 2017...

Sleeping Baby (Vervaco)


Lovebirds (CCN)


Some Bunny Loves You (CCN)


America (LHN)


Joe's Garage (Mill Hill)


Chalkboard ornaments (Hands On Design)



You Were Hatched (TW)


Mill Hill ornament


Teddy Bear Birth Announcement (Vervaco)
 

I actually finished quite a lot more than it felt like during the year but none of them were the old WIPs, the ones that have birthdays and are older than my kids. I've got several of those and am hoping to clear out at least one or two in 2018. But we'll get into all that next time in the 2018 kick off post. I've been working on revising the WIPocalypse page of this blog for next year so check that out if you'd like a preview. For now, I think I'm going to go check out everyone else's blog and get some stitching time in while it snows and the kids are semi-quietly playing. Happy New Year, may it be a good and stitchy one.

WIPocalypse wrap up and some 2014 SAL plans

Another Christmas has come and gone and the little guy and I are taking an afternoon to recover at home before we get back to the normal work schedule so I thought I'd catch up on blogging and I owe a WIPocalypse post so here I am. It was a lovely Christmas by the way, lots of family and friends and presents and general happiness though not many pictures. Too much time enjoying the holiday I guess:) Anyway, my goal this year was pretty open, mostly to work on the WIPs and not increase their number. Oh and finish the Pirate Dragon which I did so that's one goal made. I did pretty well on the other one, didn't get around to as many WIPs as I'd have liked but I didn't make any more BAP starts either so that's good. For the most part I finished all the smalls I started too so I'm pretty happy with my stitching basket as we get ready to leave 2013 behind. Here's where I stand on WIPs (at least the ones that got a little love this year)...

















There was no progress made on Nativity, Polar Lights Sampler, QS Pegasus and Castle Bubble, Fish City, Watergarden, Garden of Wishes, or The Storyteller but I'm going to try hard to hit each one next year.

So outside of the WIP work there were some finishes too...















I will be signing up for the WIPocalypse SAL again in 2014 along with TUSAL, IHSW whenever I can, and I was contemplating the Turtle Trot as it seems fitting for the amount of BAPs I've got! As we're still in baby waiting mode (though we might have some exciting and probably unexpected by you news by Spring) I think I'm going to stick to working on the WIPs for the most part with some smalls thrown in here and there. I do have one, maybe two, planned starts for New Years and I'll show that off when I get it all kitted up as well as one more birth announcement so finishing #3 and stitching #4 will be my first priority in the new year then it's freedom for whatever so I'm going to try to dig out the neglected WIPs from last year. I do have my eye on some smalls as well, particularly some more of the LHN sheep virtues and one of everything from Country Cottage Needleworks (they're my new favorite) but especially that Frosty Forest series. We'll see how it goes, I try but somehow plans seem to go out the window around here after awhile.

August IHSW/WIPocalypse

Everyone get a bunch of stitching in this weekend? I got a fair amount done, I'm definitely over the halfway point now on A Spirited Mandala...



And since I'm a day late this post also will include my pitiful WIPocalypse update. What is this WIPocalypse, you ask? Well, it's a fun SAL hosted by Measi to motivate us to work on those WIPs we really want to finish (since we're all still here and the world didn't end last December:) ) Anyway, most of my stitching last round was on the mandala but I did manage to make a headless lady appear in my Fantasy Triptych...





Besides stitching we actually got a jump on camping prep for our upcoming trip in September. I grew up with camping as our family vacation so I'm pretty excited to introduce that to Josh for the first time. Erich is a more recent convert but he's already wanting to plan a big trip for next year if this goes well. Josh has been out to visit Grandma and Grandpa's campsite before but this will be the first time he's stayed overnight so hopefully all will go well. At the very least he liked the tent when we popped it up to air out...







Thats about it for the moment. Lots on my plate this week-extra work hours, haircuts for the little guy and me, all the normal housework. Better get to it. And don't forget- I'm still looking for feedback on the Nordic Needle retreats past and anyone planning on attending next year. Have a great week!

July WIPocalypse

Meant to get a post in between TUSAL and WIPocalypse but didn't quite make it. I have been stitching though and actually have 3 WIPs to show off progress on since last time. First up, Dragon Master which is still sadly just a small stretch of floor but it is growing. Here's a before/after with a regular sized highlighter thrown in for scale...





Dragon Moon is next. Almost to the top of the first column on this one!





Finally, I've been stitching on Teresa Wentzler's Fantasy Triptych most recently. This one is destined to live above my bed someday. Oh, and in case you're not familiar with the WIPocalypse SAL- click and learn and don't forget to sign up too!





in other stitchy news, I picked up the JCS special Halloween issue and Cross Stitch & Needlework's Halloween issue at The local bookstore today. I've only had a chance to glance through so far but the Ink Circles mandala and Drac in the box are calling my name loudly already! Might be about time to start thinking about a few new starts...

We did make it up to WI last weekend (and had a great time) but I think I'll hold off on pics until next post hopefully sometime before TUSAL:). Happy stitching until then, I'm off to try to get in a few stitches before its time to go pick up Josh. Daycare is offering swim lessons this week. He seems to like it but I'm not sure how much progress he's made, seems to be a bit timid in the water so far. Oh well, guess we can't all be fish! The soccer group seems to be more his speed so far. Whatever makes him happy as long as he finds a constructive place to direct all that energy.