Intro to 2019 WIPocalypse

Today is the first kick off for the 2019 WIPocalypse. Head over here to find the first check in post and hear more about this fun SAL.  For this SAL we are working on all the WIPs we can before the world ends. I personally think since my stash is so HUGE the world could never end. That just wouldn't be fair now would it? I need time to stitch it all of course. Let's be honest with my ever growing stash I'm pretty sure stitching it all will never happen but I can sure try.

I personally like to use this SAL as an excuse to write down what I work on each day. I keep a planner beside my stitching area and just keep track of what I worked on that day. It helps when someone asks how long a project has taken me. I also use my YOW (Year of WIPs) list from the Soulful Stitching Facebook Group where the goal is to pick a list of WIPs and finish half at least to be entered into drawings. Last year was my first year joining that and I enjoyed it. I picked 20 projects and finished 12 of them. So since I knew it had to be posted soon I've been worrying and worrying about what to put on my list. I swear I've changed it a million times including today right before this post. Here is my final plan....I think.....

My list of 40 Things I want to Focus on this year:

1. 4 Seasons - Winter
2. 4 Seasons - Spring
3. 4 Seasons - Summer
4. 4 Seasons - Autumn
5. 99 Bottles of Beer
6. Beer Dragon Page 2
7. Beer Dragon Page 3
8. Beer Dragon Page 4
9. Cabin Fever MH
10. Christmas Celebration

11. Christmas Jars

12. Dragon Eye Page 1

13. Dragon Eye Page 2
14. LK Stamp - Jan
15. LK Stamp - Feb
16. LK Stamp - Mar
17. LK Stamp - Apr
18. LK Stamp - May
19. LK Stamp - Jun
20. LK Stamp - Jul
21. LK Stamp - Aug
22. LK Stamp - Sep
23. LK Stamp - Oct
24. LK Stamp - Nov
25. LK Stamp - Dec
26. Nautical Month - Jan
27. Nautical Month - Feb
28. Nautical Month - Mar
29. Nautical Month - Apr
30. Nautical Month - May
31. Nautical Month - Jun
32. Nautical Month - Jul
33. Nautical Month - Aug
34. Nautical Month - Sep
35. Nautical Month - Oct
36. Nautical Month - Nov
37. Nautical Month - Dec
38. Spring Bell Pull
39. Under the Sea SAL
40. Wish Upon A Starfish 

 

It's not as crazy as it seems. 24 of them are my two monthly sets. I just finally did it right and actually used a WIP number for each one like suggested. Last year I combined too many into one WIP and that didn't help my number of finishes look right. That's why I only took off 9 things from my WIP list and yet I finished 33. It will still happen with my major WIP list but not my YOW list which will make me feel better just trust me haha. I have also added some page finishes for my full coverage pieces. They are supposed to be a WIP too for the YOW. So I think I did it right this time hopefully.

 

I have so many other WIPs that I could finish up quickly in my totes too. I will hopefully work some of them into the year as well. These are just my focus pieces for the year. See you at the next check in January 27th with what I've worked on. If you joined in I look forward to seeing what your goals are too.

 

 

If I still have your attention I would also like to encourage my readers to go check out a new blog that a friend is doing. Her name is Janet and her blog is Janet Jabber. Please stop by and Welcome her to the blogging community.

Final December YOW Update

Tomorrow is the deadline to update my YOW album in the Soulful Stitching Facebook group. This is the first year I've joined in. It stands for Year of WorksInProgress. You pick a list of WIPs which has to be more than 18. You must complete half of them by the end of the year to be entered into some drawings. This time we had to check in April, July, and October. She is doing some changes next year but still the same idea to finish half the list. I'm planning on picking out 20 again. Anyway let's go through my list and see what I ended up with...

1. August Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Finished for the July Update
2. Cabin Fever from Mill Hill -- No progress since May. Will be adding to next year's list.
3. Camping Out from Mill Hill -- Not started wanted to finish Cabin Fever first
4. Christmas Celebration from Frosted Pumpkin -- Started this one and got 2 days of progress on it so at least I have progress to report. Will be adding to next year's list. Here is my progress...

5. Christmas Jars from Dimensions Kit -- Finished two jars last year need to do two more. No Progress this year. Will be adding to next year's list.
6. December Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Finished for the April Update
7. Durene Jones Calendar -- Just in time for the update I was able to finish up the December cutie which marks this one off the list...

So happy to have completed this series. Here are all 12 of them now...

Love the way they turned out. Plus they are finished!! Wohoo!!
8. Halloween Sampler from Frosted Pumpkin -- Finished this one up in November...

9. Hold on to Hope from Heaven and Earth Designs -- Finished for the April Update
10. July Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Finished for the April Update
11.Myrtle Beach Postcard from Erica Michael's -- No progress since April
12. Ocean of Wisdom from Erica Michael's -- Finished for April Update
13. October Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Finished in October...

14. September Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Finished in September
15. Spring Bell Pull from Stoney Creek -- No progress since August
16. To the Beach from Hands on Designs -- Finished for April Update
17. Under the Sea SAL from Lakeside Needlecraft -- No Progress this year
18. Where Stitching Meets from Hands on Designs -- Not started
19. Winter Messenger from Erica Michael's -- Finished for April Update
20. You are Loved -- Finished in August
So here is my final count...

So 12 finished of the 20. I will qualify for the drawing. More importantly I'm really happy with finishing those pieces. It was a great push to get them done.

October YOW Update

While I was gone I frantically had to update my YOW (stands for Year of WIPs) album in the Soulful Stitching Facebook group. We had to post our update by October 18th. I tried to get it posted before I left and for some reason was having all kinds of problems. Of course when you need to get something done it acts up. Luckily I got it finished before the 18th. So I could breath a sigh of relief. Now I can share with my readers too.

This is my first year joining in. I picked out 20 WIPs to put on my list. You have to finish half of them to be able to join in the drawing for prizes at the end of the year. So let's check my list...

1. August Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Finished for the July Update
2. Cabin Fever from Mill Hill -- No progress since May
3. Camping Out from Mill Hill -- Not started wanted to finish Cabin Fever first
4. Christmas Celebration from Frosted Pumpkin -- Not started wanted to finish Halloween first
5. Christmas Jars from Dimensions Kit -- Finished two jars last year need to do two more. Not started.
6. December Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Finished for the April Update
7. Durene Jones Calendar -- Have finished these through September. Started October yesterday. Here are the first 9 all together...

8. Halloween Sampler from Frosted Pumpkin -- Working on this one this month. Just posted my update on this project in my last post so won't post again.
9. Hold on to Hope from Heaven and Earth Designs -- Finished for the April Update
10. July Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Finished for the April Update
11.Myrtle Beach Postcard from Erica Michael's -- No progress since April
12. Ocean of Wisdom from Erica Michael's -- Finished for April Update
13. October Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Working on this one now. Here is where I am today...

14. September Snapshot from Pine Mountain -- Finished in September
15. Spring Bell Pull from Stoney Creek -- No progress since August
16. To the Beach from Hands on Designs -- Finished for April Update
17. Under the Sea SAL from Lakeside Needlecraft -- No Progress this year
18. Where Stitching Meets from Hands on Designs -- Not started
19. Winter Messenger from Erica Michael's -- Finished for April Update
20. You are Loved -- Finished in August

So according to my count right now for October...
Worked on 3
Not Worked on 8
Finished 2 more for a total of 9 of 20 completed

Just need to complete one more to be entered in the drawing. I will finish the Durene Jones Calendar, the October Snapshot, and hopefully the Halloween Sampler even if it's not by Halloween. I would love to finish the Christmas Celebration too but I won't start that till November. I plan on joining in next year. This has been a fun SAL to participate in.

July YOW Update

This year I joined a new to me Facebook SAL in a group called Soulful Stitching. They have a fun SAL called YOW which stands for Year of WIPs. The goal is to finish at least half of your list. You have to have a minimum of 15 items on your list. It was too hard to pick 15 so I picked 20 things I really would love to finish this year. Throughout the year we update our progress April 18, July 18, October 18, and then December 18 or there after is a drawing for the people who have finished half and posted the updates correctly. I finished my 2nd update today on the group and figured I would share here too.

1. August Snapshot
Finished this one now...

2. Cabin Fever
Got a 2nd day of progress on this...

3. Camping Out -- No Progress
4. Christmas Celebration -- No Progress
5. Christmas Jars -- No Progress Still 2 Jars Left
6. December Snapshot    -- Already Finished for April Update
7. Durene Jones Calendar -- 6 of 12 Parts Finished
Working on July now. Took an update picture all of them together...

8. Halloween Sampler -- No Progress
9. Hold on to Hope   -- Already Finished for April Update
10. July Snapshot   -- Already Finished for April Update
11. Myrtle Beach Postcard
Made some progress. Finished the back panel...

12. Ocean of Wisdom   -- Already Finished for April Update
13. October Snapshot -- No Progress
14. September Snapshot -- No Progress
15. Spring Bell Pull
Progress on the N Block...

16. To the Beach  -- Already Finished for April Update
17. Under the Sea SAL -- No Progress
18. Where Stitching Meets -- No Progress
19. Winter Messenger  -- Already Finished for April Update
20. You are Loved  -- No Progress

So let's recap...

I've worked on 5

I haven't worked on 9 

I have 7 finishes now!!!

April YOW Update

This year I joined a new to me Facebook SAL in a group called Soulful Stitching. They have a fun SAL called YOW which stands for Year of WIPs. The goal is to finish at least half of your list. You have to have a minimum of 15 items on your list. It was too hard to pick 15 so I picked 20 things I really would love to finish this year. Throughout the year we update our progress April 18, July 18, October 18, and then December 18 or there after is a drawing for the people who have finished half and posted the updates correctly. I finished my update today on the group and figured I would share here too.

1. August Snapshot -- Not started but I do have it kitted up and ready to go...

2. Cabin Fever -- I did get one day on this Mill Hill kit since the start...

3. Camping Out -- Haven't started this Mill Hill.
4. Christmas Celebration -- Haven't started but did get the fabric bought for it.
5. Christmas Jars -- Haven't made progress on this one. -- 2 Jars Left
6. December Snapshot -- Finished this one!!

7. Durene Jones Calendar -- 4 of these finished now but I'm using them as one project...

8. Halloween Sampler -- Haven't started but bought fabric.
9. Hold on to Hope   -- Big Finish and Framed...

10. July Snapshot  -- Finished this one!!!

11. Myrtle Beach Postcard -- I have this one ready to start hopefully tomorrow...

12. Ocean of Wisdom -- Another one marked off the list...

13. October Snapshot -- No progress
14. September Snapshot -- No Progress
15. Spring Bell Pull  -- Finished up the I block and started the N block Before and After photo...

16. To the Beach -- Finished this one!!

17. Under the Sea SAL -- No progress    5 Sections Left
18. Where Stitching Meets -- No progress
19. Winter Messenger -- Another finish marked off...

20. You are Loved -- You guys have seen this one recently. But here is the Jan beginning and now YOW progress pics though...

So let's recap...

I've worked on 5

I haven't worked on 9 

I have 6 finishes!!! 

So I'm happy happy with my progress. Here's hoping I'll have even more progress for the next check in July 18th.

First WIPocalypse of 2018

WIPocalypse is a fun SAL in the blog world where we are trying to stitch all our WIPs before the world ends. Today is our first check in for 2018. We are supposed to...Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!

Let's see. I'm Katie. I'm a stay at home mother. I have a son who is now 19 years old (Oh my!). I'm also lucky enough to be happily married to a guy that supports my addiction hobby. I started cross stitching in high school and then picked it up more serious after my son was born. I needed something to do while looking after my kiddo. I'm the kind of person that can't just sit still. I need something to do with my hands. So cross stitching worked perfect and I fell in love with it. The internet made stitching even more fun. I found online groups. I got involved in a local stitching group and discovered retreats. I then found blogging. I always wanted to keep a journal but I just hated hand writing. Blogging was the perfect fit. I started blogging in 2004. I moved to another blog in 2005. Then back to this blog in 2007.

I organized my stitching in December and got it all sorted. I put my WIPs including some new starts coming soon into my Goals and SALs tab at the top of my blog. I have 75 things on the list!!! I narrowed it down to 12 things that I really want have to complete this year. Then I joined a Facebook group called Soulful Stitching and they have a YOW - Year of WIPs Challenge. You needed to pick 15 things. So I changed my 12 to 15 and then didn't stop there...I settled on 20 pieces I really want finished this year. Let's see that list...

1. Cabin Fever - MH Kit to display in our Cabin. Got for Christmas. Not Started.

2. Camping Out - MH Kit to display in our Cabin. Got for Christmas. Not Started.

3. Christmas Celebration - Frosted Pumpkin. Hubby got me for Christmas. I seen it being worked on a the PALs retreat last year and knew I couldn't live without it. I would love to have it finished this year. Not Started.

4. Christmas Jars - Dimensions I want to finish the last 2 jars.

5. Monthly Smalls SAL - Durene Jones Calendar Using the Durene Jones Calendar for the Monthly Smalls check in. Just finished up the January one in the last post. So I'm doing good.

6. Halloween Sampler - Frosted Pumpkin Hubby got me for Christmas. Told Hubby I couldn't have Christmas without getting Halloween too haha. He supported my addiction. Not Started.

7. Hold on to Hope - HAED So close to finished with this one. I want to get it done and on my wall!

8-12. Monthly Snapshots - 5 Months to Go Need to finish up the 5 months I missed throughout the year.

13. Myrtle Beach Postcard - Erica Michaels Bought at the 2017 PALs. I really want to get this one done to remember our time at Myrtle Beach. Not Started.

14. Spring Bell Pull - Stoney Creek I want to finish this one and hopefully start another season.

15. Under the Sea SAL - 5 Months to Go I want to finish up this fun SAL.

16. You are Loved - Hinzeit Hubby got me this one for Christmas. This was my new start for the new year.

17. Winter Messenger - Erica Michaels Started Last worked on Jan 2016.

18. Ocean of Wisdom - Erica Michaels Started Worked on in Oct 2017.

19. To the Beach - Hands on Design 2013 PALs Started Worked on in Oct 2017.

20.  Where Stitching Meets the Sea - Hands on Design 2017 PALs Not Started.

After those 20 things I would love to finish as much as possible of course. I have a problem starting new things without finishing things. So I'm going to try to limit new starts (other than the planned ones right now). I will try to make myself mark off 5 things from the 75 before starting anything unplanned. Hubby said it sounds like a good plan so we'll see what happens haha. Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing what we all accomplish in 2018!!!