So, I was supposed to focus on WIPs in 2017, after doing the Year of Starts in 2016 (18 starts & 18 finishes). Somehow I wound up with 24 (+1 or 2 maybe) starts this year! How did that happen? I am expecting 24 finishes, so everything is copacetic. Several of the pieces were ornaments, but still, I felt stretched rather thin this year. My rotation seemed critically important, as I attempted to juggle all the balls in the air. But this is my hobby; it's not a race nor competition. I need to take a step back and spend more time crafting, less time scheduling and strategizing.
Enter the Year of WIPs 2018. 15 WIPs are required to fully participate and my friend Louise decided on 18 in 2018. That's well... double the number of WIPs I will carry into 2018. But I want to play along and I figured out a way to make 9 January starts work for me.
My planned January starts include the project I've wanted for ages, Spooky House by X's and Oh's. The other one is the Lord's Prayer by Stoney Creek... I want a sampler in my rotation, and I want the Lord's Prayer in my dining room, thanks to some enabling by Lorrie the Mischievous Stitcher on Flosstube. All the others will be smalls / "parts".
The idea will be to work on Lizzie Kate's Boo Club throughout the year, one word per month. But it involves 6 different patterns, so I'll start 3 in January and consider it 3 wips.
And I do plan to continue my pace on the Mill Hill Christmas village, 1 per quarter, so I'll just start all 4 in January. Everything will be started and technically WIPS, but most of the smalls / "parts" will be "temporary UFOs" and will be stitched in the appropriate month/quarter, pending finishes.
Of course there are other things I want to start next year... but I'll start them when I have a spot in my rotation. Here are some large-ish projects from the top of my wishlist.
Joan Elliott Xmas Teddy, Bird of Happiness by Riolis, Rapunzel by Joan Elliott, Halloween Memories by Sue Hillis
Eeerie Express by Glendon Place, Selene by Passione Ricamo, Fantasy Triptych by Teresa Wentzler, Spring Bellpull by Stoney Creek. Photos belong to respective designers.
What do you think of my plans? Can I ramp down from the Year of Starts mentality or is this a one way street lol?
There are some beautiful designs on this list. Whatever you pick will be gorgeous. I'm still working on my list.
You have reminded me that I haven't put the Hallowe'en themes up yet. That's a job for the morning now.
Posted by: Joanne P | December 04, 2017 at 03:12 PM
You have some gorgeous pieces on your list to start and work on in 2018. I will be here cheering you on.
Posted by: Robin in Virginia | December 04, 2017 at 05:24 PM
I think your plan is a good one, it can be so intense when you have to plan so so much. What are your Wips that are continuing to 2017, I remember a couple of them but can't think of all 9.
Cheers,
Posted by: Bekah Bannister | December 05, 2017 at 11:02 AM
There are some great new plans in your lists! It's probably smart to make most of your starts small things you'd stitch anyway, that will keep you from getting overwhelmed.
The Riolis Phoenix is on my wish list too...so pretty!
Posted by: Leonore Winterer | December 07, 2017 at 07:19 AM
It's always so exciting to plan a new stitching year, isn't it? You show some nice charts to start next year. I also thought of joining the 18 in '18 fun but don't know yet.
Posted by: Brigitte | December 08, 2017 at 09:46 AM