Friday 1 January 2016

Happy New Year and 2016 Stitching Plans

Good morning everybody!

It's one minute past midnight (UK time) so Happy New Year and welcome to 2016! I wish you all a happy and healthy year with lots of time to stitch lots of little x's. Thank you for joining me as I embark on yet another year of madness. Your company and comments are greatly appreciated!





So, are you ready for the first day of stitching action in 2016! I am raring to go, but before I put in my first stitch I thought I would outline my stitching plans for the year ahead.



1)  DEBBIE'S ULTIMATE CRAZY JANUARY CHALLENGE - 31 starts in 31 days
I am really looking forward to this Challenge again! Most of my new starts are fairly small so I should be able to finish a good portion of them during the next 12 months. I had originally planned their stitching order but have decided to copy Katie (Jeremiah's Mom) and ask my children to pick one at random each day. My OCD is shuddering at the thought!!

2)  SMALLS SAL - an ornament a month
I have joined the Smalls SAL run by Stitching Lotus in which we post a small finish towards the end of each month. My 12 pieces will be Christmas ornaments by either Lizzie Kate or Country Cottage Needleworks.

3)  APRIL'S A-Z CHALLENGE
I have a small project planned for this challenge with each letter being easily achievable each day. It's a silly little project I have had on my to-do list since about 1995!!

4)  NEW STARTS?
To say for definite "no more new starts" would be too restricting so in addition to the above I am allowing myself up to five small(ish) new starts providing they are "special" projects. I don't have to do them but the flexibility is there just in case I get really itchy fingers. Small gifts for exchanges or as presents do not count as they are not for me!

5)  DECREASE MY BOX OF SHAME / THE ORPHANAGE EACH MONTH
I have quite a collection of unfinished-finishes (Orphans) in my Box of Shame so would like to home an Orphan each month either by framing, scrap-stitching or making into an ornament. This is in addition to finishing any finishes I have during the year. Given my past record, this will be the plan on which I fail the most!

6)  STITCHING RETREATS

Hopefully there will be one, if not two, Stitching Retreats during 2016 where I can meet up with stitching buddies and enjoy a couple of short respite breaks from caring for my mother.

7)  OTHER PROJECTS
My larger projects were terribly neglected last year and even though I feel a bit guilty I'm not actually that bothered. If I get the chance during 2016 I would possibly like to stitch on:
a)  Mini One
b)  Mini The Owrd Lord
c)  Dolphin Ruins
d)  OMG Tigger Is Out
e)  Dragon Eye

8) TRY TO KEEP UP WITH BLOG READING AND COMMENTING

I've lost count of the number of times I have fallen behind with both of these and as you know, it's quite difficult to catch up. So this year I hope to be a better reader and commenter. I can't promise anything, but at least I can try!

And finally:


9)  SCARLET MACAW PREENING

The saga of this piece has been going on for nearly two years. I so desperately want to start and stitch him but feel I will never find the right background colours. The search is still on.....


So, there are my many and varied plans for the year. Wish me luck - I think I might need it!

If you are making plans for 2016 I wish you good luck in setting and keeping to them! I'll be here to encourage you along.  :)


So, let's go and find my first project then!


Back tomorrow!

Love and hugs :)
Rachel x

14 comments:

Tricia T said...

I love reading people's stitching goals!! Have a fun year!!

Linda said...

Very doable goals Rachel. Good luck. Excited to see your first start.

Linda

Rai Rai's Stitches said...

I only have one goal, to stitch as much as I can.
Happy New Year, Rach!

Justine said...

Great goals Rachel! You've thought of everything. I'm sure you can achieve them - unless you find the perfect fabric for your Macaw and then I reckon everything else will go out the window!
Wishing you a very happy healthy and creative new year!
(Now let's make goal #6 a reality!)

Preeti said...

Happy new year and good luck for your 2016 plans!! Looking forward to see the new starts:)

Cath said...

Happy New Year . Looking forward to seeing all your crazy stitching X

Mii Stitch said...

Time to book the Dairy and find the fabric for the gorgeous macaw!!! To a busy stitching year ahead, Happy New Year!

Brigitte said...

I love reading stitching plans for the new year, they always inspire me and sometimes I find something that I can incorporate into my own planning. #5 is also on my list :)

Heather said...

That's a lot of goals good luck on achieving them! I'm catching up on blogs right now lol I have quite a few built up from the last 4 days or so. Happy new year!

Emma/Itzy said...

Happy New Year!

Katie said...

Your plans sound fantastic. I need to do #5 too!! I'll be cheering you along.

Faith... said...

Your goals sound great and I wish you loads of success. I look forward to seeing what April's A-Z Challenge is all about. As far as #8 goes I promise myself that one every week but I just can't manage to get it done! Maybe this year will be both our years for that one.

Esmeralda said...

Happy new Year Rachel
What a great goals
I wish you a lot of fun with each project your working on
What a great idea to let the kids pick your project :)
Big hug from holland

Tiffstitch said...

Great plans! I need to try and finish finish a project a month too. I will try and stick with it if you will!