Monthly Focus: January Jardin

I did not participate in Stitch Maynia's New Year, New Start monthly SAL because I don't like starting a new piece until I have finished a piece.  I like to keep my number of WIPs pretty consistent.  I've got a good number that keeps my stitchy bug going.  I don't want to overwhelm it.

So instead, I went with Heather from It's Geek to Me's old monthly theme.  My monthly focus this month was January Jardin.  I needed to stitch a garden/flower piece.  So I chose to work on my Around the World in 80 Stitches by Papillon Creations.  There is a floral motif throughout this design. 

Around the World before

Around the World after

Around the World close up

Next month, I will do Stitch Maynia's February Fandom.  I'm a Disney fan so I will take that route on my monthly focus piece.

10 Hour Rotation Progress

I made 10 hours of progress on two of my WIPs this month!  My first project was Superstar by Alessandre Adelaide Needlework.    The other project was my Teepee Bears kit by Bucilla.


Superstar before

Superstar after



 

Teepee Bears before

Teepee Bears after








January WIPocalypse Check In

Topic: What Stitch-a-Longs (SALs) are you participating in this year?
I am participating in a couple of SALs this year.  First of all, I am , quite obviously, participating in Measi's Musings WIPocalypse.  Also, even though I am not on Facebook, I do participate in Stitch Maynia's monthly SALs.  The Flosstubers that I follow usually let me know in enough time what each monthly theme is.   I am participating in their Color A Day Monthly birthstone themes and the Full Coverage Fifth SALs this year, too.  However, I will not participate in Stitch Maynia itself.  I will choose another monthly focus theme because I don't start a new project until I finish one.

The mystery SAL I'm participating in this year is the Cloudsfactory Fabulous Women in History mystery SAL.  I have purchased prior mystery SALs from Frosted Pumpkin, but don't ever seem to keep up.  Okay, okay,  I haven't even started any of them.  But this is my year!  I'm going to start a mystery SAL on time and finish it by the end of the year.  (No one is going to remember this in December when I don't get it finished and quit sometime around March, right?!)

I did participate in the Olympic, Election and 12 Days of Christmas SALs that Stitch Maynia did last year.  They were a blast!  I loved the scavenger hunt feel of the events.  So if they have any of those this year, count me in!

This month I am stitching on Around the World in 80 Stitches by Papillon Creations, Sabrina by Mirabilia, Christmas Tree Sampler by Victoria Sampler, Farm Babies by Stoney Creek, Dickens' Mittens by Cricket Collection, Madonna and Child Kit by Jannlynn (new start), and Narrowboat by Carol Thornton (a new start, no progress).


Around the World in 80 Stitches

Christmas Tree Sampler

Close up of Around the World in 80 Stitches



Sabrina

Farm Babies



Dickens' Mittens (Bob Cratchett)

Madonna and Child

WIPocalypse Introduction

Topic:  Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!
Hello, my name is Jaret and I am back for my 3rd year (I think) participating in WIPocalypse.  I am an elementary school teacher from South Louisiana.  I love cross stitching a variety of topics and themes (really, anything goes with me).  On top of cross stitching, I also quilt, scrapbook, and read.  I have many hobbies fighting for my attention which is why I only had 6 finishes last year, including 2 quilts.  Well, that and my obsession with BAPs. 

I do follow a rotation, of sorts.  I have a monthly focus piece based on Stitch Maynia's monthly SALs.  I am not on Facebook at all, but I do watch Flosstube and the Flosstubers I watch usually give me enough notice on the theme so I can plan my focus piece.  Then I have a list of WIPs that I rotate through. 

I currently have 26 WIPs, but I'm kitting up two more projects because I just finished 2 pieces!!  I maintain 28 WIPs at all times so I don't start a new piece until I finish a piece.  This sort of keeps me under control.

My goal for the year...um, stitch.  I really don't have a focus project that I am trying to complete this year.  My finish tally is never very high and I'm okay with that.  So my main goal for cross stitching is just to stitch and have fun.