Hello, friends! Time for my yearly wrap up. Let's review my WIPocalypse goals first, then I'll discuss my stitchy year overall.
1. Toy Story 2 Cast by Debbie Minton on Silkweaver Lapis Lazuli Cashel was finished June 17, after about 12 days effort this year. Some of those days were very long, however. The single color blocks were handy for timed challenges; I could get 400 st in an hour easily. I even framed it!
2. Gryphon by Riolis, on pre-printed Zweigart 14 count aida was finished April 22, with about 7 days effort. This piece is so cool, I almost wish Riolis would release another mythical creature on the gorgeous background, but I probably have enough already in my stash.
3. Fairy of the Wind by Joan Elliott on Colour & Cotton Hearth Belfast had about 8 (long) days of love this year, and sadly was not finished. So, that goal was not met. I'll certainly try to get her done in the early part of next year, I’m onto the last pages at least.
4. Victorian Carolers by Joanne Aston / Cross Stitch Gold October 2016 on 34 count cream linen had about 16 days of effort and unfortunately I have stalled on the backstitching. Normally I backstitch as I go to some extent, but with this piece, it's not large, and I miscalculated the effort required. Well, there are 8 colors of backstitching, (of which I have worked with 6), plus french knots in 3 colors left to do. And I certainly failed to appreciate the fact that much of the backstitching is over 1 thread, in the middle of the stitches, etc. On 34 count, this is fairly miserable. So, this will be another goal for 2022.
5. Cupid by Nora Corbett on Picture this Plus Pewter opalescent Belfast was finished February 24, with about 4 days effort. My pentultimate reindeer!
6. Alice in Wonderland by Amanda Butler, Cross Stitcher Magazine (2020) on Colour & Cotton Biscotti Cashel, was a new start in January, and unfortunately I fell way short of my finishing goal. It's about a bit less than 1/2 done. I love the look of this piece, but it's probably my least favorite WIP, it's just so fiddly with all the backstitching and color changes. So, another carryover wip for next year.
7. Stargazer by Mirabilia on Hand Dyed by Stephanie Winter Solstice Belfast was started in January and finished December 31, after 16 (long) days of love. Believe it or not, she stitches quickly for a Mira. A finish post with more pics and details is forthcoming.
8. Fata dell' Aurora by Passione Ricamo on Silkweaver (vintage) Porcelein Belfast was also a new year start, my goal was to get it at least halfway. I suppose that goal is met. That voluminous skirt needs finishing, then stitch her wings, hair, face, also the grass, mountain ranges, sunrise, etc, but the backgroud isn't too extensive. Another carryover WIP. I do really love this design and it's a joy to stitch.
9. Just Cross Stitch Ornaments SAL, I managed to finish 11/12 throughout the year, spending around 15 days on the 12 (1 is unfinished). Clockwise from top left: Love on ice by Danielle van Nuys, Chris-lolly by Sharlotte DeVere, Santa Claus by Autumn Lane Stitchery, Guiding Star by Katrina King, My Friendly Gnome by Ursula Michael, Juggling Snow by Frony Ritter, Pointsettia by Punochka, & Vintage Angel by Tiny Modernist. In the middle: Caroling Friends by Carolyn Manning and Polar Bear by Natalia Luneva. My favorite is probably Golden Filigree by Arlene Cohen / Works by ABC on Ruby Wine Belfast by Zweigart (below) She has the most lovely, delicate and detailed designs.
10. Glendon Place Halloween Panels by Cheryl Granda, I started (and finished) 2 of the 4 on the Picture this Plus Flash Cashel, requiring about 10 days overall. These aren't exactly heavy lifts, but I spent weeks and months without touching my projects, this year.
11. Alphabet Inspirations by A Fox Originals / Mary Fox Bluge on Picture this Plus Vellum Cashel was started in January and finished December 19, with about 11 days. I was happy to complete the Alpha-my-Bet SAL with Semisane Stitchers.
12. Large Halloween piece, nope. I'd like to finish those Glendon Place panels first, plus I have another series on the go (see below).
13. Large Christmas piece, nada. I'd like to have Victorian Carolers finished first.
14. Scary Apothecary by Hands on Designs on Antique White Belfast. I started (and finished) only 1 of the 3 planned. So, short on that goal too. But at least I stitched Bitter Brew, gave it 2.5 Days.
15. Vixen by Nora Corbett on Picture this Plus opalescent Belfast was started May 22 and 1.5 days, has a decent start.
16-21 were framing jobs (I do my own). Well, I framed 5 and crafted 2 ornaments which involved lacing and/or sewing, so I'll call that goal met. Clockwise from top left: Father Christmas by Sandy Orton, Gingerbread Grove by Glendon Place, Boo Club by Lizzie Kate, Cathedral Woods Goddess by Mirabilia, Snowman Mitten by Ursula Michael, the Lord’s Prayer by Stoney Creek, plus (at center) Toys Ornie by Better H&G CS Xmas “Timeless Treasures”.
So my overall goal was 200 k stitches and 25 finishes, 12 ornies and 13 larger. Well I got 19 finishes (11 ornies and 8 larger). I definitely fell short on the stitch count goal, though I can't say precisely, since after I lost my stitchy bug in June, sporadically I did feel the desire to stitch (and worked on a few projects, at least), but I didn't count my stitches. (I have recently begun counting again).
Yeah, so I fell of the wagon big time. I stitched 143 days, or 39%, mostly from January - June. 2021 was not the greatest year for me; started with injury and ended with illness. I slept way too many hours, consumed excessive calories, and was generally not a happy camper for a significant chunk of it. Living through a pandemic isn't so peachy, eh. I started feeling better about a week before Halloween when I made an effort to be more active, eat less, and pounds started to drop.
As for what I learned about stitching this year (November's Question of the Month) I came to appreciate there is a line when it comes to competitive stitching, timed challenges etc. Some structure is good, weekly and monthly goals keep me on track, and I enjoy matching my projects to prompts. But I don't enjoy feeling compelled to crank out 1-2 k / day for my team, and having my rotation biased to those projects that stitch up quickly. So I don't think I'll be doing those sort of stitchy war games anymore. It's just not my cup of tea.
So, my stitchy bug is definitely revived (recently) and I have big plans for next year, both with my WIPs and planned new starts. Please come back & read my upcoming post for the beginning of WIPocalyse 2022.
Thanks for reading and your support all through the year. The stitchy community is the best!
Happy New Year!
