Happy New Year and 2019 Stitching Plans

Good morning everybody, and Happy New Year!!

So as we say goodbye to 2018 and hello to 2019, it's time to reveal my 2019 stitching plans!!

After two years of focusing on finishing off a number of outstanding WIPs I have decided to change direction this year by tightly closing my WIP box and stitching only on new starts. Yep, your eyes did not deceive you, I will only be stitching on new starts!

But don't panic; that doesn't mean 365 new starts, just that every project I work on in 2019 (except for the Tribal Dragon I started on Christmas Day, which is almost 2019) will be new.

However, I really don't want my WIP pile to increase again so am hoping that, with the exception of one long-term project, every other 2019 start will also be a 2019 finish. Having said that, though, if I fancy another new start I'm not going to fret about it, so I'll see how it goes. 

So here are my plans, along with a few pictures/teasers as to what I will be working on:

Monthly Birthstones
My first project each month will be a small chart by Palkolap stitched in that month's birthstone colour. I'll show the piece when it's been stitched and the fully-finished ornie as part of the Smalls SAL Here's a reminder of the fabrics and threads for each month:

Smalls SAL - to be posted on the last Friday of each month

My second project each month will be one specifically stitched for the Smalls SAL, which means it won't be shown until the last Friday of each month. Here are the projects I've lined up for this year:

A Monarch A Month

Kings and Queens by Bothy Threads is a project I've been wanting to stitch for a while and will be a long-term (almost four-year long) project as I will be stitching just one monarch each month. They will be spaced out a little more than charted, and at the end (mid 2022 if I keep to my schedule) I am planning to add a title at the top and a border around the outside. I'm still procrastinating about a fabric but had better make up my mind soon!

Continue working on Tribal Dragon

I have made good progress on this since Christmas Day and would like to continue that progress into 2019. It definitely won't be a finish but if I make it to the one-third (perhaps even halfway) mark I'll be very happy indeed.

New starts
I have a number of projects kitted up for the year varying in shapes, sizes and colours. Here are the four biggest and top-priority projects I'm hoping to start and finish; the remainder are generally much smaller and shown in their popper wallets so as not to give nothing away! In order of priority:

Hogwarts In A Bottle by CutePatternsByMaria (etsy)

The fabric is gorgeous 16ct Lazurite aida by Chromatic Alchemy.

Halloween Banners (green one only) by Artecy

Parrot on Parade by Bothy Threads

Haunted Library by Mill Hill

Will be stitched on navy fabric, not the supplied perforated paper.

The remainder, if time permits.

People's Choice SAL - first Saturday of each month

Hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching, this is a fun SAL with a different theme each month. I will not be stitching anything specific for it but hope to make an interesting post around the chosen theme.

Continue to empty my Box of Shame
Apart from projects which are parts of unfinished sets or for which I have not yet purchased frames, I would like everything else in my Box of Shame to be gone by the end of 2019.

Minimise stash-buying!
OK, so this is easier said than done but I have a plan...
Each time I buy a chart I am going to put aside the equivalent amount of money, ready to donate to charity next Christmas. This year our whole family agreed to fewer presents and instead donated a sizeable amount to good causes, and this is another way I can help. Yes, I'll probably still feel guilty about stash-enhancing, but I know that it will also benefit others. Win-win!

So, there are my plans for 2019. The first third/half of the month will more or less be taken up with stitching the Birthstone, Smalls SAL and Monarch pieces, and then I can stitch on any of my new projects for the remainder of the month. It'll be interesting to see if I stick with one project or chop and change according to my mood or which colours I fancy stitching with. I have absolutely no idea!

It also means that, for the bigger projects at least, I'll become more of a 'Ten Hour Stitcher' so may be posting more frequently as each ten hour mark is reached. Hmmm, not sure if that's a good or bad thing!

Time to pick up my first piece for 2019 then. January's Birthstone is calling...

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and very stitchy year.
Rachel x

Happy New Year and 2018 Stitching Plans

Good morning everybody, and Happy New Year!!

After a successful 2017, and a lot of deliberation about where I want my stitching to go in 2018, I've more-or-less decided to stick to the 2017 plan because it worked so well. So, here are my plans for 2018:

1) Smalls SAL

I intend to carry on stitching one small project each month specifically for this SAL run by Heather of Stitching Lotus. I have a number of small projects kitted up all ready and waiting for the first of each month.

2) Decrease my number of WIPs

I aim to finish 12 WIPs this year from my 36 remaining 2015/2016 Challenge pieces, finishing one and working on two more each month.

3) New starts
I have allowed myself a maximum of 5 small-ish new starts during the year. They'll appear as and when I feel like it but only be worked on each month after I've completed my "compulsory" SAL and WIP stitching.

4) Decrease the number of finishes in my Box of Shame
I still have 52 projects which need to be framed, made into ornaments or finished off some other way. I must make more significant inroads than I did last year...

5) Large projects
My larger projects have now been neglected for the last three years and once again I have no plans to work on them this year. But plans can always change!

So there are my plans for 2018. No commitments other than the Smalls SAL, just plodding along, finishing off outstanding WIPs, with the odd new start if I feel like it.

Right, I'm to pick up my needle and put the first stitches of 2018 into a new project.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and very stitchy 2018.
Rachel x

Happy New Year and 2017 Stitching Plans

Good morning everybody and Happy New Year!

I hope you're all raring to get stuck into your first stitching project of 2017! I sure am, but before I do I thought I'd outline my plans for the year.

1) Smalls SAL

Like last year I shall continue stitching (at least) one small piece each month for the Smalls SAL run by Heather of Stitching Lotus. I have a variety of potential projects lined up so will definitely not be spoilt for choice.

2) Decrease my number of WIPs

I am very much still in the mood for working on and finishing my remaining WIPs from 2015/2016. There won't be as many finishes as last year, as the projects I have left are bigger, but I'll be happy if I can average one per month.

3) New starts

I have 6 new projects I would like to start (and finish!) during the year. They'll appear as and when I feel like it.

4) Decrease the number of finishes in my Box of Shame

I am beginning the year with 58 projects which need to be framed, made into ornaments or finished off some other way. I would really like to decrease this significantly and have set up a progress bar of shame to track the results. I already have the frames for some of the projects, I just need to get around to mounting them!

5) Large projects

My larger projects have been neglected for the last two years and I have no plans to work on them this year. But one or two of them might end up back on my frames. We'll see.....

So, there we have it... no definite targets, just a few plans so that I can basically stitch on what I want when I want and for how long I want. Bliss!

I am not participating in the January Challenge this year as I found myself choosing projects for the sake of it rather than because I actually wanted to stitch them, and that's not right. Nor will I be doing he April A-Z Challenge as I simply don't want the commitment.

Right, I'm off to choose my first project of the year then!

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and very stitchy 2017.

Rachel x

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