Saturday 5 January 2019

People's Choice SAL - New Starts

Hi all!

It's the first Saturday of the month (and of the New Year) so it must be time for Jo from Serendipitous Stitching's People's Choice SAL. Continued thanks to Jo for hosting this unique SAL which will have a different theme each month.



This month's theme is so appropriate for January as it's New Starts and, let's be honest, who doesn't love a new start (or more) especially at the beginning of a new year? There's just something so enjoyable about opening a kit, or finding the right threads and fabric, and putting in that first little x.

Having shown my planned 2019 new starts on 1st January I didn't want to repeat myself here so decided to go in a different direction, and ask 'what kind of new starter are you?'

I came up with four general (and by no means exclusive or exhaustive) categories of new starters:

1) the One (or two or maybe three) At A Time stitcher who has just finished their previous project

2) the stitcher who picks up a new start as and when they feel like it but still keeps their number of WIPs relatively small (say 5-10)

3) the stitcher who joins in with new-start SALs or has a period of new starts etc. but who is still comfortable with the number of WIPs they have (maybe 10-25 ish?)

4) the stitcher who has 'new-startitis' and wants to stitch all of their stash 'now' so quite happily allows their WIP pile to grow and grow and grow

In no way am I intending this to be critical or judgemental, just a bit of fun. Each stitcher is different and it's that diversity which makes blog reading so interesting; we all encourage each other along no matter what or how many projects are on the go.

So, will any of you admit into which category you fall, or perhaps into which category you wished you belonged? Here's my 'confession'...

For my first few years of stitching I was definitely in the first category, then fell into the second, before completely skipping the third and falling head-long into the fourth. By strictly-imposed self-restraint and planning I've sort of been in category three for the last two years but that will change this year as I refuse to work on any current WIPs and treat myself to a year working only on new starts. Given the opportunity, though, I would feel quite at home living permanently in category four and start everything in my stash without considering the long-term consequences. Sometimes I curse myself for being far too sensible!!!

It's not very clear, but here's a little bar chart I made of my new starts each year from 1993 to 2018. Hmmm, bet you can't guess when I had my crazy startitis years??!!



Now it's your turn. Like I said, I'm not intending this to be judgemental, just a bit of fun, but you don't have to say if you don't want to.

Finally, as this is supposed to be a post about 'new starts' I definitely can't leave without at least one picture! This is a project I would love to be able to start (and finish ha,ha,ha!!) in the next few years:

Spring Owl by Artecy (the other seasons are also available here!)


And this is a project I'm holding off from purchasing because I know that once I do own it it will become a new start straight away and then I'll regret not having a lot of time to dedicate to it:

Harry Potter's Magic Shelf by LoLaLottaShop (etsy)


Like I said, sometimes I curse myself for being far too sensible!

I hope you've enjoyed my New Start post; I will enjoy reading your confessions if you've chosen to share them!

Take care,
Rachel x

11 comments:

Katie said...

I admit I'm a #4 completely haha. That's why I have 71 WIPs in my two totes haha. I love it though. Unless they are all screaming for my attention on the same day. I look forward to seeing what new starts make their way onto your blog this year. I will have some I'm sure but I really need to finish up some things...*cough cough* I love the owl but the Magic Shelf is so you and good thing you aren't me....I would be starting it today like you should be haha.

Ann C. said...

Hi Rachel,
I have enjoyed reading about the different categories. I am one of the rare stitchers who works on one project at a time (category #1), but will put it aside to work on a deadline project, or I will have a large and small project on the go at the same time. I decided when I started this hobby not to have a bunch of projects on the go. I feel stressed about not finishing them (no judgement to others). I don’t have a basket of wips, but I do have some UFO’s (projects abandoned for some reason or other). You can find me at www.ColourfulCrossStitches.blogspot.com

Happy Stitching!
Ann

Sarah said...

I'm definitely in category 1 or 2. And in 2018 I was almost completely monogamous to my one HAED.

I'm continuing it this year but would not be opposed to starting a new one.

Faith... said...

Oh the Spring Owl is so pretty!

I think that I am a number three! At the beginning of the year I plan my stitching for the year and it is a time that I definitely have lots of new starts in the lineup! That won't stop me from adding in a new start here or there during the year but January is when I add in the most.

Good luck with your new starts!

Unknown said...

Ah that's a hard one for me because I can stitch one at a time when I get really into a chart and see a finish that's number 1 but then I also like picking up a new start when I feel like it that's number 2 not that my wip count is small and 3 and 4 I can have startitis for a month and or what to start everything I have in my stash so I guess I'm a bit of all 4 categories. I guess that's why I have 65 Wips and still want to start 2 more, and trying not too Lol. Love the owl chart, so pretty, you should start it. Happy stitching my friend.

Marie said...

I'm a category 2 who would secretly like to be a category 4. I love the planning and then starting stage but I am a slooow stitcher.

The Crafty Princess said...

#4 and proud of it, LOL! I have a rotation but it seems to get added to a little too often. Happy New Year Rachel, I hope you have a magical and stitchy year.
xo Alicia

rosey175 said...

I am solidly #1 in any individual craft. Unfinished projects make me very uncomfortable and I don't want/need that in my life haha~ I don't mind other people having "startitis" because it's fun to see new patterns all the time. But if you consider everything (cross stitching, knitting, crocheting, sewing, whatever current whim) I would fall into #2. I'm happy with this setup and have no hidden desire to start everything in my stash. :D

Love the HP shelf and the super cute mandrake!

Cathy said...

Good question! I used to be #4 so I have probably 60-70 WIPs from past years. Lately, I seem to be more #2. I do stitch two projects at a time, one in a loose rotation and one one at a time, starting new ones as the need arises. This year I'm also working to reduce my number of WIPs.

Ariadne said...

I am a one at a time stitcher but while stitching that one thing I do a couple of smalls to take part in challenge's like Jo's. I would say I am in category two as I have fewer than 5 wips. AriadnefromGreece!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Great idea for a post. I don't think I fit into any one of your categories! Like most people I used to be a OAAT stitcher but then I had a couple of projects I lost interest in so I would start something new, then I discovered SALs and started a few more.
But I've never been into serial starts for the sake of it. Most of mine have a goal of finishing within a year for the monthly SALs.
I currently have 19 WIPs but about half are older projects I lost interest in. The plan is to finish one per year until they are all gone!