2021 WIPocalypse: January

My first WIP of January was Gryphon, rather appropriate since it's a spring finish goal.  Previous:

I gave it 3.5 days and 2,102 stitches, mostly working the the body up towards the head, I also stitched some on the wings.  

It's definitely getting there.  I'll probably give it some love in March, stitch the head and get it ready for the backstitching so I can have an easy birthday finish in April.  

Next I worked on Victorian Carolers, which I'm hoping to finish in July and there (were) about 9k stitches left, I estimate.  Previous:

It received 1.5 days of attenion and 1,015 stitches added.

I stitched mostly on the second page, filling in the Christmas tree, the window and skinny brick wall next to the door, and started on the parental couple.  The pace definitely needs to be increased if I want a Christmas in July finish. But I did give a lot of effort in December and I wasn't really feeling it in January.

Toy Story Cast got a turn over 2 days, 1,117 stitches added.  Previous:

I stitched on the Prospector's overalls and started backstitching, from the center with Buzz Lightyear, also the little alien dude and Woody's lower half.  And I stitched Rex's black claw because it abutted Woody's boots (and I was using black for the backstiching).  

I absolutely love how the backstitch is bringing out the details and making all the characters come to life, it makes all the fractional stitches worth it.

Rain Fairy got a nice long rotation, about 3 days and 3,093 stitches. Previous:

I worked mostly on the left side, even started her wing, lots of stitches on the draping shawl, extended her skirt on the left side and started working towards the bottom on the right side as well.  I stopped around the page break (of my working copy) but there's not too much more of the chart to do below, maybe about 30 rows.  

I hope I can finish this by June, but I'm not sure.  It's a lot of stitching, though the color palette isn't too extensive, which helps.

Cupid had some love, about 2 days and 1,015 stitches.  Previous:

I worked on the whole piece, really (it's not large).  I even broke out the Kreinik and did lots of metallics for the border and the harness.  I stitched the antlers and worked with Umbria waterlilies silk to fill in the greenery.  The reindeer was filled in, of course. 

Now, it's almost ready for backstitching and beads, a good thing since it's a February finish goal!  

Now for the new starts, of which I made a great many in January.  One was even a start & finish, we'll start there.  Poinsettia by Evdokia Nikolaeva "Punochka" / JCS Ornaments 2020, stitched on 36 count Country Mocha linen by Zweigart.  I used petite treasure braid for the snowflakes, to add some sparkle, since the pattern called for opalescent fabric, I opted to use something different that I had in my stash.  It took about 1.5 hours, 450 stitches & (petite) beads.  A wonderful start to the JCS SAL this year. 

WIPGO weekend, January 8-10, was a real start fest.  In addition to the Poinsettia, I also started Polar Bear by Natalia Luneva / JCS Ornaments 2020, on Winter Solstice Belfast from Hand Dyed by Steph.  It's only 200 stitches (in about 1 hour) but it's a start (it's a wildcard for the JCS SAL).  I also started Bats Bugs and Ghosts Ghouls, both by Glendon Place, on Picture this Plus Flash Cashel, as charted (and now discontinued).  However, I did manage to scoop some up on clearance after I saw it on Instagram.   So I made a good start on both, about 4 days and 2750 stitches collectively.Larger starts include Alphabet Inspirations by A Fox Originals, on Vellum Cashel by Picture this Plus, using a Thread Worx variegated floss, and DMC 3802, doing 469 stitches over 1.5 days.  Stargazer by Mirabilia on Winter Solstice Belfast from Hand Dyed by Steph.  I started in the center, very critical since I trimmed the fabric for ornies and I have just enough left over.  I did 3,608 stitches over 5 days.  For the old stash new start in my group, Stitch from Stash 2017-21 on FB, I started Passione Ricamo Fata dell' Aurora on Porcelein 32 count Belfast by Silkweaver, vintage.  Yes, the chart and the fabric are seriously old.  I am really enjoying this one; I gave her 1,704 stitches over about 2 days.  Finally, on the 31st, I started Easter Bunny House by Tiny Modernist on Peeps opalescent Belfast by Seraphim, giving it 1,013 stitches over 1.5 days. Finally, I have few more small-ish starts to share, the first is Santa by Autumn Lane Designs / JCS 2020, basically a head start on the February ornie for the JCS SAL with Serendipitous Jo's group on FB.   I'm using Golden Promise Belfast by Silkweaver, it had about 1 day love and 765 stitches.  I started yet another JCS ornie for the SAL, Guiding Star by Thread Dream Studio on Sand opal Belfast by Picture this Plus, it had about 1 day attention and 469 stitches.  I started it pretty much because I needed to work on on a star for particular challenge task.  On the same fabric (PTP Sand opal Belfast), I started Aladdin & the Magic Lamp by les Petites Croix de Lucie.  Over 1.5 days, I gave it 505 stitches, all on the genie in a few shades of blue.  I really love this, and I need more Petites Croix de Lucie in my stash.  It's for my son, he's a big fan of Aladdin. 

Topic(s) for next time: Tell us about a WIP on which you’ve really struggled to make progress. Explain its history. What appears to be the reason you’re struggling?  The project that comes to mind is Fantasy Tryptych which I recently finished, after almost 2 years.  The project isn't even that big, however parts of it are quite complex and it did burn me out, frequently.  Backstitching the greenery in the castle section was crazy.  There are a few different colors of thread to use, depending on what you're outlining, and it was pretty hard to tell in a sea of green confetti.  It's a digital pattern, would it be that hard to use different colors for the backstitch, as appropriate, or even provide a separate backstitch chart?  I do feel that would be appropriate considering the backstitch is so extensive.  The pattern does provide a few extra separate backstitch charts, but they are for small areas.  I definitely have a love/hate relationship with Teresa Wentzler designs.  

After the crazy extravaganza of new year starts, in February the focus is making progress on WIPs.  My goals are as follows:

•Stitch C & D on Alphabet Inspirations for Alpha-my-bet with Semisane Stitchers

•Finish Autumn Lane Santa ornie for JCS SAL

•2 k on Alice and/or the White Rabbit panel

•2 k on Cupid and/or finish 

•2k each on Victorian Carolers, Toy Story Cast, Ghosts Ghoulies, Aurora, and Stargazer

That's about 15k total which leaves some wiggle room for other things, if I maintain a similar pace as January when I did over 20k stitches.  

Happy Stitching!

Comments

[Joanne P]

Fabulous work on your WIPs in January. I love the Joan Elliott design and the gorgeous Gryphon too.
I have started the Autumn Lane Santa, he's going to take a bit longer than the Poinsettia did!

[Leonore Winterer]

Wow, you had a busy month! So many starts - some I can tell what they will look like, some I don't, but I'm sure I'll find out soon!

[Astrid]

Look at you, such great progress on everything. I love seeing Toy Story come together, too cute! And having the Gryphon done in April will be here before you know it.