WIPocalypse For November

I haven't updated my blog since the last WIPocalypse, but at least I'm posting for this SAL on the correct day. That counts for something, right? It's just been a busy fall from the start. My goal is to spend more time stitching and crafting, starting.......well, maybe after Christmas.

Stitching is something I've been doing pretty often, but my rotation is not rotating. I seem to be stuck on my Thanksgiving WIP and my Christmas WIP. Understandably so, considering the time of the year. My main problem is that I keep seeing new charts and new potential projects. They're everywhere! I can't escape them! I've also joined the Stitch Maynia group on Facebook. Talk about enabling! I've seen so many gorgeous things there and have gotten numerous ideas for what to stitch next. So. Is that a problem?

I am enjoying stitching "Be Ye Thankful" by the Cricket Collection.

I know. I really should be farther along with this. But in my defense, there's a little confetti and more little confetti-like things in this chart that make it adorable but at the same time slows me down a bit. That's all right because I am liking the way this is turning out. I am very confident that I'll have this done for next Thanksgiving!

My current Christmas chart is another one that I like a lot. It's "Christmas Sentiments" by Stoney Creek.

I love everything about this - the design, the colors, the threads. And the last step will be some beading to add a little sparkle. This is another one that I know will be done for next Christmas. As in Christmas of 2018. I'm stitching it on 28-count Jobelan in lambswool.

I completed "Snow Much Fun At The North Pole" by Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery and actually finished it into an ornament. Loved stitching this and had fun creating the ornament!

And now for the forgotten WIP (actually a finish) from a long-ago decade. Yes, stitchy friends, I finished stitching this in 1997.

It was packed away in my "finished stitching" box, which is where projects that are finished but not fully finished (FFO'd) are stored. I showed this on a recent Flosstube video that I did and someone commented that it would be cool if I fully finished it in 2017. So that's exactly what I did. The pattern is "Nutmeg Santa" by Schoolroom Samplings from the Just Cross Stitch 1997 Ornament Issue. It only took 20 years. That cracks me up for some reason.

I feel a new start coming on. I'm joining the Linen & Thread Mystery Sampler SAL with Holly & Anita on Flosstube. The sampler was started in January, 2017 and a new section of the chart was released each month. It's a free chart and is gorgeous. It's going to be a huge project, but I'm almost ready to go. I've chosen the colors for mine, and believe me, it wasn't easy to do!

To find out more about this stitch along, go to Holly & Anita's channel on Youtube (linked above) and watch their video #2 and #3. They're calling it their #haajourney. I'll be stitching mine on 32-count Jobelan in antique white.

For more information about the WIPocalypse SAL, please see the Measi's Musings blog. You'll find info about the 2018 WIPocalypse as well.

Question of the month: What finishing style have you never tried but would love to do?  My answer is very much affected by my Flosstube viewing. I would love to finish my stitching in the style of Priscilla & Chelsea, who are fellow Flosstubers and who do the most amazing and creative finishing. If you've never seen them, and want to get some new finishing ideas, go and visit their channel, simply called Priscilla & Chelsea. Seriously. You will not be disappointed.

All right, friends. On to December. I just saw that the next WIPocalypse check-in is on December 31st. That puts it all into perspective, doesn't it? Yikes. Where did this year go? Next month we will also recap our stitching endeavors for the year.

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving, and hope that you'll take the time to come back and visit.

October Pinterest Project: A Little Christmas In October

I'm extremely happy with the way I've been keeping up with the monthly Pinterest Project attempts.  And most of them have been successful!  I may keep this little project up in 2016.

This month, I looked ahead to Christmas.  It's always nice to do some crafty holiday things way before Christmas.  Let's be honest, if I don't have my Christmas projects done before December 1st, they're probably not going to get done.  Once December starts, the time passes like a flash until the 25th. 

So my Pinterest inspired project this month was Folded Fabric Ornaments.  I found this tutorial on Pinterest, and the creator of it is Crouton Crackerjacks who has many videos on Youtube.

Look at what I made!  It's a simple sewing project that can be done probably in about a half hour or less if you're a fast sewer and don't get distracted by things in the drawers of your craft table.  Ahem.  It's a very good tutorial, with clear instructions.  When you look at the video you may be surprised that this little square started out as a 7-1/2" circle.  It's all in the folding.

Funny story about this.  In the video, he suggests using contrasting fabrics, a light and a dark for contrast.  So I go off to Joann with a coupon in my hand, or rather, on my phone.  I'm so tech savvy.  They already had a very good selection of Christmas fabrics, so I was sure I'd find something good.  The first one I found was the off white with gold snowflakes.  I put it into my cart and looked for a darker fabric which I located quickly.  Then I saw more fabrics on the other side of the aisle!  As soon as I saw this red and gold holly leaf fabric, I grabbed it and put the other one back.  When I got home and began my fabric cutting while watching the tutorial, I realized that these 2 fabrics were the EXACT SAME ONES used on the video!  This was totally unintended!  I honestly didn't pay attention to the detail on the fabrics when I first watched the video, just recognizing that one was dark and one was light.  Wow, weird, huh?

I would pronounce this Pinterest inspired project a success.  It only required two circles of fabric, a sewing machine, needle and thread for a little hand sewing, a button or decoration for the center and some thread for a hanger.  I used a gold metallic.  And the easy to follow instructions were a plus.  I think that if I made more of these, I would get them done faster now that I have the hang of it.  I could also see doing the cutting and machine sewing of a bunch of these, and then sitting down in front of the tv to do the rest. 

So get some fabric and get sewing!  What excellent little gifts these would make!