Stitching Goals for 2017 (WIPocalypse Intro)

Back in 1981, I was 20 years old, in my last month of pregnancy, and very restless.  My best friend bought me a little cross stitch kit - a teddy bear on a rocking horse, and suggested I learn how to cross-stitch, as a way to keep calm while waiting for my first child.

Neither of us knew a thing about it, and that little kit wasn't entirely a beginner project - in addition whole cross stitches, there were both 3/4 and 1/4 stitches, backstitch details, and (ulp) French knots.  But since I didn't know any different, I plugged through it and by the time I finished it just before my daughter was born, I was hooked.

I've been cross-stitching ever since, through the boom era in the 80s and 90s when needlework shops were everywhere, through a few years living in Germany where I tried to figure out differences in style and thread types, and through the growing internet era where there are an abundance of really amazing designers and diverse styles (gone are the days where it seemed everything was geese in blue bows), and a sad parallel lack of local craft shops that dedicate space to cross stitch.

Crafting has trends  and what's in style comes and goes - currently, knitting, crochet and needlepoint are more popular.  But - I have enough stash that even if it became impossible to find new designs, I could still stitch everyday of my life and not get it all done. hah!

One of my goals for this year is to get back to being more organized about my needlework projects. Like most stitchers, I have many WIPs (works-in-progress), many not yet started projects that are calling me, and most formidable of all - a ridiculously large stack of completed stitcheries that need to be finished off in some way, whether it's meant to be framed, or turned into a pillow or an ornament.

I'd really like to have more of my work on display where I can enjoy it, instead of tucked away in a bag to be dealt with 'someday'.  I also am challenged by advanced rheumatoid arthritis, so while I am only occasionally prevented from stitching, I do tend to be a slow stitcher.

So, here's my challenge for the year:

Every month, I want to rotate each week from a new project, a WIP, a Halloween ornament and a Christmas ornament (I'm going to be working on a 12 Days of Christmas set), and plan to get a few items finished for display each month.

These are my planned new non-ornament projects (will this change as we go through the year? Highly likely! New shinies are hard to resist!):

Mountain Bluebird with Black Currant, by Ajisai Designs. (this is one of 3 blue birds and berries designs in this series, which is a blend of cross stitch and blackwork. There are also 3 red birds and berries in a matching series.  I hope to eventually do them all)

Strawberry Fields by Blackbird Designs.   This is one of 6 samplers based on Beatles songs.  I'm totally charmed by them all.

Steotch the Needle of Steel.  A fun and fast bit of blackwork quoting Conan the Barbarian.

Pretty Little DC by SatsumaStreet.  We live in the DC region and I love that this modern take on our town reflects its fun character rather than going ultra-patriotic (we are about much more than our whoever the current crop of politicians are). I love all the cherry blossom trees scattered about.

Poppy Field Biscornu by Nataliya Embroidery.  I adore these sweet little pillows, and like to try to get one done each year.

Turtles All the Way Down by Ink Circles.  Truly one of my favorite designers - she's got a great sense of style along with a quirky sense of humor.

Holiday Magick by Ink Circles. A final fast stitch, this cool Yule charm will close out the year.


Now - will I get through all those? I don't know!  Odds are a few of them will be next year's WIPs!

Meanwhile, these are the WIPs I've chosen to try to get done this year (and leaving the rest of the pile totally alone unless I run out before the year is over):

Metamorphosis by Ink Circles.  This should have been done a year ago - but I lost the baggie containing the Threadworx flosses I was using (not those listed on the chart). I was at a loss as to how to proceed - but a couple weeks ago, I found a note I'd written listing my chosen threads. So, after ordering them online, we're back to the races on this one.

One Hundred Years by Lizzie Kate. SO overdue to get this one done.

ABCs Lessons by Lizzie Kate. I will be glad when this one's done, too.

Once/If I finish these three finished, I'll use my monthy WIP time to try to finish off any of the new starts I haven't gotten done.

 Meanwhile - each month I'll be working on one of SatsumaStreet's 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments - how cute are these??  I got a head start this past week with the first one, although I am using a few brightly colored fabrics on these, rather than all white.  It looks good as a single sampler, too, doesn't it?

My Halloween ornaments, I haven't fully decided on, but for January it will be By the Full Moon, again by Ink Circles.  This was in the October 2010 issue of Just Cross Stitch, and it's been on my list ever since.

So that's it! I'm excited about my plans, and eager to see if I can stick to it.  If you'd like to see what some other stitchers (and quilters and knitters, etc) are planning for the year, stop into the WIPocalypse SAL hosted by measli.com and see what everyone's up to.

We'll be updating on the last Sunday of each month, and I'll let you know how I did.

What crafty goals do you have for this next year? I'll love to hear from you in comments!