Well my first IHSW did not get off to a great start. I had an awful stiff neck which I had to seek medical attention for and the medication I was put on was not stitcher friendly, LOL. I thought I would at least post a picture of what piece I intended to stitch on but this should be completed by the time the next IHSW comes around. I hope everyone's weekend was far more productive then mine. Till next time.

Considering I am making 2014 a WIP slaying year this seems like the perfect SAL for me to join. So let's get on with the introduction. I have been stitching off and on for about 25 years. I love Mirabilia, samplers, and Chatelaine Designs (not that I have finished a Chatelaine yet, more on that later on). These three are my greatest loves but of course there are many many more. That love of all things cross stitchie is what has gotten me into this dilemma of a WIP hot mess.

  • Red by Mirabilia
  • Three Tulips (can't remember the designer)
  • Ashley's Roses by Mirabilia
  • Blackstone Fantasy Garden by Ink Circles
  • Sabrina by Mirabilia
  • Halloween by Oberlin Samplers
  • Queen Anne by Dark Side of the Moon
  • Peacock by Dimensions
  • Fairy Idyll by Mirabilia
I cannot see myself getting more than this completed this year due to the fact I want to work on one of my Chatelaines. I am trying to keep this "realistic". I know I will want to start something new this year as well. I shall absolutely start Santa's Magic by Mirabilia, this is extremely high on my bucket list. Along with slaying WIP's this year I shall also be stitching just from my stash. The only purchasing I am allowing myself is threads, but only if they are needed to finish a design. I have so many lovely fabrics and designs that this should not be that difficult. When February market comes around I might not be feeling so confident and cocky.

How on earth does one forget about a WIP that they have, which is of a design they absolutely love? Seriously!? Now this has me wondering.....is this a one time occurrence? Will I come across more long forgotten WIP's? I hear this little voice in my head (let's call this voice Joyce) she is saying I told you so! Yeah yeah yeah time to get my poop in a group.

 


I have been thinking about the amount of WIP's that I have and I am not pleased about it. I don't even know exactly how many I have other than the fact it is too many for me. So my dear friend Joy gave me an assignment. Gather them all up and post them here so that I have some reference pictures to go from when I move onto the next project that needs to be finished. The first picture you see here is Red by Mirabilia. This was started late last year so it is not an old WIP but it was already on my floor stand and had good progress on it so I started with this one.
My other goal for the year is to work out of my stash if and when I do start a new project (okay not if). LOL. I have told myself that I must at least finish three projects before I allow myself a new start.
So stay tuned this is sure to get ugly! ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!



For a table to go between the new chairs we purchased. It has all been made out of scrap metal and reclaimed maple. It is so freak'n cool. I found it on Etsy and his business is called Real Industrial Edge Furniture. I wanted something that would be different, work with the chairs, yet deliver the requirements that we needed regarding function. This table does all that. This baby is built like a rock and should last for......well......EVER!
I am also happy to report that the tendinitis is gone, so stitching has resumed and as soon as I get Part 1 done on Venice I will be sure and post it here.
This is the Mark2 Floor Stand by Hearthside. I have had my eye on this baby for several years now and finally decided to take the plunge and order it. I am LOVING this stand BIG TIME! It straddles my new chair perfectly and all you have to do is just flip it to get to the back of your work. I don't have to loosen anything. Right now you are seeing my Venice wip on there and yes I do have a ways to go yet to get part 1 done. My project box is sitting on the tray that comes with the stand and this is working out nicely too. There is also a chart holder that hooks up to it but I did not care for that. I did try it but I like my chart to be closer to me then what it provided and it obstructed my view of the TV. The little green bag you see there is for my orts but that did not come with the stand. I did purchase an extra "head" so that I can switch out my projects more easily. This means the whole flipping unit will come off. This way I don't have to take my project off of the scroll rods which is a bit too fiddly for me. Purchasing the extra head allows me to just unscrew two knobs, pull the unit off and slip the other head on with my Chinese Garden project that I will be starting just as soon as I get my kit from ECC.

Never in my life have I ever paid so much for a chair but it turns out this one seems to be worth it. It is a Stressless Chair by Ekornes and it is perfect for stitching. Yes, that hallway really is painted orange...LOL! All the walls really are that vivid in color. I love bright and cheery colors, they make me happy. Now back to the chair. It is made with memory foam and I am finding this most helpful for those long stitching hours that I like to put in. If you can deal with the modern look and the price tag I would suggest looking into purchasing one if you are in the market for a new chair.
On the bright side my thumb is doing MUCH better. The IB is working so I should be able to get back to stitching real soon.