Saying good bye to June - can 2025 be over with as well?

 I don't know where to begin, my world has been turned upside down and I'm having to find a new normal.  For the past 6 years plus I have been the caregiver for my folks.  The last year we had them in assisted living so it helped to easy my life, but still went and saw them everyday and made sure they had what they needed.  My Dad passed away in May and my Mom in June, and I'm left an orphan.  It will take time to settle everything, didn't expect to have to do it for both of them at the same time.  I will get through it all and then will figure out where my life goes from here.

So this is the monthly posting on what we have been doing and what we've gotten accomplished in hopes that we don't leave this world with a ton of projects.  If you want to know more about this wonderful group and join - go hear to learn all about it 

https://measi.net/may-wipocalypse-check-in/

So the question this month is to do a half year recap of what I've accomplished and if I'm on track with what I want to accomplish this year.

So I have completed the following:

The Mary Ann Aldred Sampler

Family

Summer Basket Sampler

Tribal Owl 1

Kind Heart

Tribal Owl 4

 I had identified about 10 that I wanted to finish this year - on the list about 4 were on that 10 and 2 were new starts and finishes this year.  So feeling pretty good, and I know I will have one or two more finishes for sure, the rest are up in the air.  Will see if my fingers can stitch faster than my mind thinks it can.

so what did I work on in June?  

This I my SAL with the Sunshine Stitchers - it's Put a Bird on It by Modern Folk Embroidery .  

I'm down to one last motif that is fondly called Big Blue - you can see where it goes LOL.  

I started it, frogged it, restarted it, frogged it, started it once again sure it was right only to find out it was completely off where it should be placed.  So the frog is well and alive and well fed in my pond.

So it's in time out, not sure when it will come out.  I have until December to get it done, so I'm ahead of the game.  Maybe I'll bring it out again in September.

This is Martha's stocking, which was a new start.  No plans for the stocking right now, just want to have two or three done and ready for new babies in the future.  That skirt is no joke and it's not done yet.  I might bring this one back out this year if I have time.  I had wanted to pull out the other stocking as well, but was enjoying this one, so it didn't come out to play.  Maybe later on this year.

This is Things Unseen by Lizzy Kate.  It was a mystery SAL years ago.  I didn't get it until I could see the whole thing and decided I like it.

I got almost the first 2 parts completed, I have to bring the border down on both sides and then will move on to the last part. there are plenty of mistakes in this, but I'm OK with that, they aren't really noticeable.  There are also buttons that need to be attached, which will be done once the stitching is done.

this is When Winter Comes.  I have 2 of the 4 pages done.  I stitched the bees in the wrong color, but decided I wasn't going back and fixing it.  I also stitched some of the flowers in the wrong color, but leaving them was well.  The house will take a lot of time to complete, so this one won't come out again this year, it will be maybe a finish in 2026.

Arc of White came out to play, didn't get a lot of love, but some.  I worked on the leaves on the left side and got them almost done.  Found it was easier to have 3 needles going with each color so I could keep track of where I was and use the correct color.  Worked out well.

There is a lot of backstitching to do, so this one won't be done for a while.

The last one is Courage - you can't see the lighter thread on the right side  too well.  It shows up better in real life, but not all that great.  I also brought down the side border.   

I'm not fond of the lighter colors, but at this point I'm not taking it out, it will be OK.  I will go back to the left and work to the bottom of the chart and add some other colors.  I have two more sets of initials to add, just need to figure out where.

July will be a busy month, but hoping to keep up the stitching mojo.  I have four projects pulled to work on, so will how far I get.  

August I'm going to really retire and then hopefully will have more stitching time and maybe some quilting time.

Sandy

May was full of sadness, happiness and numbness

 May has had so many ups and downs and with it went my stitching bug - I've not put floss to linen almost 2 weeks, so don't have a lot to show.

So at the end of each month we post our progress in WIPocalypse which is hosted by Measi and her blog can be found here.  https://measi.net.  Each month we also get a question to answer for May this question is How do you determine if a project is a UFO or a WIP?

Well for me it's location, location, location.  If the WIP has been banished to the basement, it is definitely a UFO - I don't think about it and don't work on it - unfortunately there are way too many projects that have been banished to the basement for one reason or another - mostly because I've lost interest in stitching on them - but I haven't totally lost my love for them and one day they will come back and be worked on - but not today.    My WIP's have two locations upstairs - one is on a small shelving unit and within easy access and the other is in a foot stool - I have to say the ones in the foot stool don't tend to get as much love as the one on the shelves, you know - out of sight, out of mind.  However they do get touch each year - but maybe not for a full week, sometimes only a day, but they do get loved.

Each month the WIP WARRIOR has a challenge (ok they have many each month, but I tend to only do one).  It's a focus, where you spend 4 days working on one project.  

I pulled out Put a Bird On It by Modern Folk - I'm using my own colors with no real plan other than using the dark blue or the light blue as the bases in each motif - well most of the time, you know how the best laid plans of mice and men go.

this month I manage to do the three motifs at the bottom, I think I did a little bit more than what is showing, so that will be shown off on another day.  This is a SAL with the goal to be done in December - but I'm thinking I can have it done before then.

I also participate in WIPGO and each month 4 things are called to work on - I do two projects in each square and there are 2 squares pulled each month (with the exception of one month we'll have 3).   I had already stitched on 1 of the 4 before May - so that left 3 to work on in May.  I managed to work on 2 of those 3.

First up was A Mind Independent and Free by Carriage House was called.  I managed to get a page finish - boy there were lots of words to stitch and then the alphabet down the sides.  I really like the saying on this one and can't wait for it to be done.  It will be long and skinny.

I also worked on Happily Ever After by Rebel Stitcher.  I'm doing this one for my middle daughter who got married last November.  Once done it will be for her home.  The needle minder is placed on the offensive word on the chart.  If I was doing this for me I would have replaced that word, but for my daughter it is fitting.  Not sure where my kids learned the words they use, they certainly didn't get it from me LOL - maybe hubby, his language can be very colourful at times.

There were the only things I really put any time and effort into this month.  As said in the title this month has been a roller coaster of emotions for me.

My Dad passed away this month - he was 95 and had a good life and until the last 6 months he was pretty independent, but things changed and it was suggested that he should be placed in hospice.  I resisted for quite awhile because things were going OK between the Home Health Services, myself and the assisted living, but then the Home health decided that they couldn't continue giving him the same level of service he had been receiving.  I think the nurse that had been seeing him either quit or was re-assigned to someone different and the new person didn't want to give the same level of service.  What can I say our healthcare system sucks.  So in order to continue getting him the help he needed I agreed.

In retrospect, I think I picked the wrong agency - he was only in for 2 weeks before he passed and it was a fight to get any services out of them.  They talked a good game before we signed him up for the assistance, but when it came to actually do anything it was like pulling teeth with tweezers.  If you need services - talk to several agencies and look them up on CMS's website and ask other people about how well they do.  While my head knows that it was my Dad's time, my heart keeps asking if I did everything I could have done.  I those self doubts come from the agency's nursing telling me that I should have done more if I didn't think they were doing what they should have done.......So I will struggle with those words.  Other than my one sister who thinks I should have done more, most people that know me know that I've been diligent with both parents' care.  

This month we watched our granddaughter graduate from high school.  If I were a peacock my feathers would have been display for all the world to see just how proud I am of her!!!  She is my heart beat and has been since the day she was born.  

She graduated with honours, which was amazing given her Dad doesn't believe in women having an education and certainly didn't help her achieve that honour.    She has been accepted at University of Louisville and will go into their nursing program, I've told her she is only limited by her desire, we are so proud of her.  

She will come and live with my daughter in our house (which we get to visit periodically) for the summer until she can move into her dorms.  We will be close enough that she will have someplace to go on long weekends and holidays.  I, of course with raw emotions from my Dad, cried, tears of joy as well as tears wishing her Mom (my daughter) was there to see her graduate.   But I believe her Mom was watching over her.

My Mom is doing OK, she has dementia and while she knows something has changed, she really isn't aware of what changed.  I'm glad she is in the assisted living and will have 24/7 care and I will continue to go and see her daily.

So going to get out some stitching and see if I can't get back into stitching again.

Sandy

April - and the showers have come and come again and again and again

 So here we are at the end of another month in 2025 - this year is just slipping by quickly and taking me right along with it thankfully.  Would really be disappointed to be left behind.

Each month we tell the blog world what we've accomplished for the month - mostly stitching wise, but sometimes a few personal things are worthy of mentioning.  If you want to know more about WIPocalypse than please visit Measi' Blog and see what others are doing.  It can be found here:  https://measi.net/march-wipocalypse-check-in/

Each month we have a question that we answer - this month's question is regarding fabric and is there a dyer we like and what kind/count do we gravitate towards for stitching.   I don't have a dyer that I'm over the moon for, but I do like the 36 ct. and 40 ct. to work on because I love using just one thread.  You can sometimes get away with using one silk thread on 32 ct. and I have done that, especially with my Shepherd Bush designs.  Of late I've been going for the even weaves, but do like a nice linen as well.  I've stitched all off kinds of fabric and I think the only one I really didn't like was joblin, the weave was too tight for me. 

I do love the hand dyed fabric, but have to admit I'm a neutral type person with just a hint of color and I don't go very wild.  I love seeing people stitch on the wild colors, and I've always surprised when I see something really wild and think the design will get lost its in, but somehow the stitcher knows and the wildness is reined in by the stitching.  Maybe one day, but for now know they aren't for me.  And NO I'm not a vanilla ice cream person - I love the flavors. 

So what have I been stitching since the last update you ask????  Good question and my favourite part to tell you all about my adventures.  

Coming to American by With Thy Needle & Thread.  I am almost done with all the names - it was a page finish anyways and one more page to go.  I know if you count the seagulls at the top that I've left off several and not sure if I'll go back and put them in or not.  There are more at the bottom and to be honest they aren't my favourite thing to stitch.  

I will be happy to have this one done and really happy to have all the names completed!!  It seems like I've had a lot of charts with words on them lately and to be honest I'm tired of stitching words - she says as the chart she is working on has words.

Next up is O'Santa by Rosewood Manor.  I pulled this one out and worked on it for a few days, but ended up frogging almost as much as I was stitching!!  For some reason that nose gave me the blues, you'd think it's a simple nose and shouldn't have been that hard.  But it was off and so it made me off someplace else - I decided to leave the other part I was off and just keep going forward.  So the two sides of the face will have a slight difference, but I'm OK with that and don't really think it will be all the noticeable.  We'll see when we get there.   And yes I am a hanging thread kind of person. 

This was from a mystery box I got and it came with the threads, just hope all my frogging doesn't mean I run out of any of them.

Mary Ann Aldred by Needlework Press is a finish!!  

I really like this one and hope to get it framed soon.  I stitched the swan's mouth closed as Id didn't like it open.  

The house was no joke to stitch, however it was the four sided stitched name that I really didn't enjoy doing.  

Glad it 's done and I can move on to the other samplers I have in my stash that I want to stitch.  I think with the ones I have going I'm pretty well burned out on samplers now.

This was a finish from last month that I got framed and gave to my middle daughter.  

She loved it and I loved the frame.  It's not very big so I thought it needed a chunky frame.  The lady where I got it done tried to talk me out of it, but I like it and I'm the only one that counts in these decisions :). When I picked it up she admitted it did look good with that frame.  That lady likes put matting on everything, and there times when it  really enhances the design, but this one was good without.

And another finish - Family by Dragon Dreams.  This one was started in 2015 and when I started it I thought - wow this will be a quick stitch!!  NOPE I started it and re-started it 3 or 4 times.  There are still mistakes in it, but I'm going to call it good and get it framed.  

I have another one that I was going to do with this one as a companion piece, but re-thinking that option, it might just stay where it is, those hands are no joke to stitch - there are like 5 or 6 colors in them, which when they are done you can see why, but stitching them???   I guess I should be happy that I have the right number of fingers.

I have one other that I'm working on, but didn't get a picture of it, so that will be next month's posting.  Not sure it will be a finish, but it will be close as I'm about 65% done with it now.

So that updates you on my progress and I've started the count down to retirement (again).  But this time I think it will be a reality - I love my work, but what I do is changing and not sure I have the energy to learn a new way of doing it all.   The work world might just have to go on without this person in it, and it will give me more stitching time :). And time with my folks - I'm blessed to still have them on this earth, many of my friends don't.  

Sandy

March not sure if we are Lions or Lambs - seems like the weather wasn't great beginning or ending, but stitching was good

 the weather in MI hasn't been the best, we get a little nice and then get snow again, but at least it's not accumulating this time.  But still good weather to stay inside and stitch!!

I love WIPocalypse, while it would be a shame for me to finish all my WIPs and have the world end before I could fully finish them, I love the idea of getting all my WIP's done.  And one day I will actually start the year with less WIPs than I had at the being of the year before LOL.  Or is it ending the year with less than you being with?  I decided that I want to spend one week with each WIP, so I needed 52, I'm not up to 52, but would be good with 52 if it happens.

So if you want to see what people are doing and be enabled like I have so many times - please visit Messi's Musing which can be found here :   https://measi.net/march-wipocalypse-check-in/

The question for March is to name our favorite designer.   If you had asked me in the 90's it would have been hands down Shephard's Bush and Lavender & Lace.  But since then my world has expanded a lot and I really don't have a 'favourite' designer anymore, but I do love the antique/reproduction samplers.  I have several of those in my WIP piles and while I don't buy them all, they tend to be ones that I buy now.

So what have I done in March you asked?

This was a start and a finish in March and the last thing I stitched on this month.  This is Tribal Owl 4.  I picked the colors and the linen - I love how this one turned out and I'm excited to do the rest of the ones I have.  Now I know you are saying - wait she said she loves antique samplers - this isn't that....

My Mom who has dementia was a huge bird lover and Owl's are her favourite.  So my plan is to stitch one of these owl's for each of my remaining siblings in honour of her and I'll finish them into ornaments.  I have a small finish for a few month's ago that I will experiment on putting together before I start on these.

This one is Haf the Fun by Ink Circles- again not a sampler (none this month - sorry).  I wanted to experiment with Silks4U and see if I liked them as I want to do a Long Dog Sampler and wanted to know if I enjoy stitching with this silk before I committed to doing a LDS - I love the silks, its like stitching with butter!!  And I'm very happy with the variation on this one.  I'm calling it about 48% done.  It has been fun to stitch and I've been counting and recounting to make sure there are NO errors and so far, so good.

Put a Bird On It by Modern Folk Embrodery is from a SAL - by the end of March you were suppose to have all across the top (or down one of the sides or across the bottom).  I am a little bit ahead of the game - I have reached two corners and also close to the bottom.  The is a huge motif in the left center section, I will leave that one until last as I'm not sure how I want to do it.  I need to go back and put the letters and numbers in at the top and then will work my way across the bottom.  

You will see this one each month until it's done.

Good Heart by Dirty Annie - is a finish!!  I loved this chart when I saw it and will give it to my middle daughter.  She has a huge heart but boy she can make a sailor blush with her mouth.  

I had done the bottom row incorrect and debated taking it out or trying to fudge it.  Froggggggggging won out because I wanted it done right.  It is currently at the framers and will go to her when done. I don't wait for birthdays or Christmas, I give gifts as the mood strikes.

Wicked Was Here by Heart's Content.  I saw this kit at a shop in CA many years ago, and I think last year or the year before I started it but didn't do much.  So I've determine to get it done this year.  It is all over one, I am working on the roots of the tree, next will get the branches on the right side done and finish off with the witch's hat at the top of the tree.

This one comes with all the finishing supplies to make it into a small pillow.  I can't wait to get it finished and then fully finished.  I am changing the colors of the hat to purples, I think it needs a splash of color.

Frankenstine Sampler, I had the first square done, so this time I pull the border to the right and start down the right side. Then I started to work on Frankenstine, I'm outlining the jacket and the head so I can do fill in.  Not sure if this will come out again this year, but it might as I would like to get that square done because the rest will go fast.  

I like the saying - I am fearless and therefore powerful.  This one is for my granddaughter.

Tribal Owl 1 - this was a finish from the beginning of the month.  Isn't that neat how I started the month with a finish and the end with a finish by the same designer and similar designs?  

When I did a floss toss you can see the difference in the two floss, but once I started to stitch, they both looked a lot alike.  But I like this owl just the same - it has mistakes in it, but they aren't too noticeable and I learned a lot about doing these owls.  Hence the second on at the top going so much faster and without errors.

So that is my stitching for March - I'm happy with my progress and look forward to what I get done in April - I have my projects pulled and a few that will be worked on if I get done with anything.  I'm thinking I can have another finish, so wish me luck

Sandy

February for being a short month has seemed soooooo very long - but here we are....

Welcome to the February check in for the 2025 WIPocalpyse which is the brain child of Melissa and can be found here if you'd like to know more  WIPocalypse 

Each month we are asked a question, February's question is to talk about any SAL (stitch A long or Start A Long) that you are participating in for 2025 (or prior years).  As of today I am only really participating in one organized SAL - Put a Bird On It by Modern Folk Embrodiery that is being hosted by The Sunshine Stitchers - who have a FB group.  Generally I am not a joiner, I have done Round Robins back in the 80's and 90's, but since then I really don't do them.  However I really like this quaker design and it's not very big and thought it would be fun.  So I joined - I will post my WIP below with the rest of the things I worked on this month.  With that being said I am really considering another one this year - Lila Crow is doing. (Lila Crow Cross Stitch) a new SAL called Extraordinary Birds.  Looking at her other SAL I really liked the Dangerous Greenhouse and Aquarium and at some point might get these and do them.  So who knows you may see some unplanned new starts :)

So what have I done since my last update?

First up is Winter Comes by Heartstring Samplery - this was an exclusive on a FB group, but can be gotten by anyone now.  I chose the lighter fabric because I thought it would be easier to see.  I was disappointed in how much the words got lost on the fabric.  It shows up a little bit better in real life, but not much.  I have 1 full page and 1/3 of page to go.  There are "personalisation" in this chart where I've been off one thread :(. But going forward not back at this point.  Would like to get this done in 2025, so will bring it out for a focus challenge in WIP Warriors .

This is my first SAL - Put a Bird On It.  It was divided up into 12 sections and right now I'm a little bit ahead of schedule in getting it done.  This is really a fun stitch and you get one motif done and then start on another.  I am using the threads I got with the chart when I purchased it, but adding other colors in so when it's done it will be my own.  

A FINISH!!  Hey for me!!  I started this one last year, but I have had the kit for probably 20 plus years - OK the chart was dated something like 1995, so maybe a little bit long than 20 years.

I did cut the bottom part off, which was the date and initials because I really didn't like them and didn't want to re-chart the year.  I have a frame that I think will work well for it, just need to cut the boarding and then lace it up.  So maybe at some point you will see a finish-finish but for now I'm happy.

Ann Kirby 1845 - by Needlework Press.  This was another exclusive I got, but thinking it has been released to the world now.  I am using the over dyed cottons and again it's off, but not enough to make me want to re-start it, correct it or put it in time out.  the house is one stitch too wide - and unfortunately I counted the top border off the house, so it is off as well.  But since these are all motifs I don't think it will matter any at the end of the day - so going to continue forward, specially now that the big a$$ house is completed!!   this one most likely won't come again this year.

I love this one - it's Never More by Lila's Studio, but I have to tell you that is one big bird!!  I'm not sure I'll have enough thread to do do the bottom border, so might go and get some additional thread, so if the dye lot is different it won't matter because it's not next to the top border.  Didn't quite complete the page, but calling this one about 65% done, ok maybe only 60%.  I love the colors as well.

Alice by AuryTM came out again, well it really didn't get put away last month.  I skipped around on the pages so really don't any any full page finishes but working on it.  I want this one done this year so I can start Oz.  

Each month the FB group has you do a focus challenge, so I will make this one another focus and see if I can't get it done.

I pulled out another WIP to work, but didn't take a picture.  it's other one that has been spending time in the timeout bag because I keep making mistakes and not thrilled with my colors - they didn't translate on the linen as well as they look.

Hubby had his surgery on his rotator cuff - it was in really bad shape.  So for the next 7 weeks there is NO moving the shoulder or arm.  It's going to be long 7 weeks as hubby doesn't do well with any kind of pain.

Can't wait to see what others have gotten done this month.

Sandy

 

1 month down - 11 to go - AKA January posting

 Dear Blog world, can't believe that January just flew by so fast and we are facing February, which is a short month and always seems to fly by too.  I need just one or two months that take their time so I can stitch more.

I'm posting my first month of 2025 progress for WIPocalypse and also answer the monthly question.  But first if you want to join the fun go here to get all the info on this group.  You can also join via FaceBook.

https://measi.net

Our question this month is to tell you about our oldest WIP.  

I have inactive WIPS that are over 40 years old, OK closer to 50 years now, but those have been put in a semi-permanent time out so not going to talk about those this year.  if you scroll back to January 2024 you will see my oldest WIP of shame.

In my active WIPs my oldest is my Curtis Boehringer Noah's Ark - which is made up of 26 animals, one for each alphabet and then a center design that is basically all back stitched.  I started this some time late 1996 or early 1997 when it came out and for several months I really kept up and with one chart a month it would be a little over 2 years to get it all Or maybe they were supposed to release 2 a month?  So it would be a little over a year???   Well seems like the charts weren't always published on time or maybe my local LNS didn't get them timely and the center was very late being published and to be honest I lost interest in it once I realized I started on the wrong edge of the afghan.  But I've determined to get it done and have made some headway last year and will again this year.   I have 4 more animals to do and the middle, so it's doable, but not sure it will be 2025, maybe it will be a finish in 2026.  If you scroll back you can see the last animals I did, I don't have an updated picture of the whole thing, but will be doing that when it's called on my WIPGO this year.

So what have I don't since my last posting with pictures?

This is my current focus - Alice by AuryTM.  It is really upside down and I'm sorry about that, but that is how I'm stitching on it right now.  I have two complete pages done and bits and pieces of several other pages.  At the bottom the picture that motif completes the width of the design.  Alice and the rabbit go on top of that row and will be the next thing I tackle, but really wanted to get a few more of the quakers done before I move the q-snaps again.   The top of the picture is really the bottom of the design, I have the caterpillar and cat to do yet, both will be fun to stitch.

This one is Faith of the Heart by With Thy Needle and Thread.  I'm still working on page one, but when that is finish I will be a little better than 35% done.  I didn't have all the called for colors, so I have been using what is in my stash.  There is a house which will take me a while to get done, as it is big.  I really like the chart and love the says - "God Finds a Low Branch for the Bird that Cannot Fly". I think I have a frame that will work for it in my stash.  I am trying to do my own framing to keep costs down as I have some bigger projects that will require profession framing.

This is Parker's Stocking by Shephard's Bush.  No pending babies coming in 2025 that I know about, so this is my effort to get ahead of the game.  I have a girls stocking also all kitted up and plans to start that one as well.  It would be nice to have them done where all I have to do is put a name on them and fully finish them into stockings.

I have switched some of the threads here too because I didn't have the called for or I didn't like it.  So far I'm happy with the results and the next time this one comes out, the stitching will be finished.  My goal is to have this one done in 2025.

The next one that got love in January was St. Ives by Indigo Rose, which I started in 2015.  I really like the riddle and want it finished and hanging on my walls for the grandchildren to reason out the answer.  I have finished page 1 of 3!!  The border isn't my favourite, but I found once I get into a rhythm it goes pretty fast.  Next row are cats :). I don't think this will be finished in 2025, but it will get done in 2026 for sure - I want to pull this one out again and work on it.

All Creatures Great & Small by Barbra Ana Design.  I am at the half way on the top row ONLY.  I wanted to get my Adam and Eve done this time with the tree and snake.  I know a lot of people don't like doing Adam & Eve, but I'm OK with it.  I enjoy working on this one because you can do a motif or two and really see the progress.  I need to finish the page, so next time will work on the border more.  I know some people do the border all the way around to make sure it meets up.  I'm going to hope for the best and figure it it doesn't I can fudge it enough.  

7 Virtures by La-D-Da.  This one I'm using my own colors and I like how it's coming out.  Again I want this one done and framed hanging on the walls as reminder of the good we all possess.  It is over 50% done, so should be able to get a finish this year.  It will be one of my focus pieces for sure.

The last two pictures are smalls that were part of mystery boxes I had gotten in the past.  Can't remember who did the Frankenstein design.  I'm not going to do the full design, it was OK, but not something that really sparked my interest.  Decided to do this so I can practice doing pillow finishes with trim.  I will pull this one out again when I want something small to work on. 

The other one I got in another box and was disappointed in the who thing as the price didn't reflect what you got - that was the chart and you got the floss and linen.  I stitch that one in about a day, not difficult at all, and again only did it so I can practice my finishing.  Decided if I screwed it up I wasn't too invested in the design and would not feel bad toss it in the trash or hiding it behind other finishes in my small bowl 

That brings you up today on what I've been stitching.  I hope to have some progress in February as well, but know I will have some busy non-stitching days.  Hubby is scheduled for surgery at the end of the month and I want to get ahead of my March work because hubby will be "helpless" for about 6 weeks so will need to carve out extra time to pamper him as he won't be able to do the cooking during that time.  Little does he know he will be eating a lot of fast food as this chick doesn't like to cook!!  It cuts into my stitching time too much LOL

Sandy

New Year, New Goals and maybe some new WIP, and hopefully less old WIPS

 Hello all

It's the start of new year with WIPocalypse and the prospects of getting some of these older WIPs done and off my list!!  If you'd like to join the fun, or learn more about it all please go here

Measi Wipocalypse-2025-kick-off/

So our task for this kick off is to introduce ourselves, our WIPS and our goals for the year.

I'm Sandy and I've been doing this for maybe 10 year??  Need to look back at my first post to tell me exactly when I joined the group.  I know at first I just lurked because I knew nothing about Blogging or how to even start.  Still not too talented at this all, but love to post my pictures each month and then scroll back through them all when I need inspiration that I'm really accomplishing something.

So as of today I have 43 active WIPs and about 5 that have been transitioned to UFOs for now.  I know at some point 3 of those will come out to play again, but not today.  One might end up in the trash because I really don't like it and the intended person really isn't into my stitching, so no lost love there.  In the 40 years that I've been stitching only ONE project has ever been actually tossed in the trash - and that was a wedding sampler I had started for my ex-husband and myself.  After carrying it around for 15 years and being re-married to someone else I decided I really wasn't ever going to finish it and it was time for it to go - so it did, chart and all.

My taste are all over the board, the only thing I have not jumped both feet into are full coverages, but I tell you I'm being swayed to the dark side with those and might try my hand at one or two in 2026 - which I'm hoping will be my first year of actual retirement - all depends on my folks and if I need to continue to help them.  I have over 1600 charts and kits, so I don't have a lack of things to stitch.  Of those charts and kits I've completed about 13%, maybe more because I didn't track my finished for a long time.

My goal last year was to touch all of my active WIPs and I accomplished that goal.  My goal this year is the same, but I'm adding to that with hopefully 8 finishes.  I've estimated the percentage of completion on each of my WIPS and then highlighted those I thought could be finishes.  Some are smallish projects and others are larger that I've been working on for a couple of years that could be a finished with a little effort.

At the end of the day I'm a process stitcher, not a completion stitcher.  Finished projects are icing on the cake for me, I enjoy the journey.  I love starting new projects and getting a lot done.  When I get to the middle I get bored with it and it tends to languish and then when I get to that last 10% I get excited about it again and start to push for a finish.  I rotate what I'm working on, but found that I need 5-7 days on each project, I tried daily rotation, but found I didn't enjoy changing so often.

I also want to learn more about doing my own finishing, so have a couple of small designs that I don't have any real love for that I will use as practice pieces.  I have a needlepoint that I might use as my practice piece as well.  With retirement close at hand I know I won't have the funds to have things professional finished anymore.

No pictures this time - those will come at the end of the month, with any luck I will have touched 4-5 projects.

Sandy