Stitch from Stash Update

 Is just the SAL for me!  I have been stitching for close to 30 years and for a few of those years I was a OAAT (one at a time) stitcher.  Buy materials for a project at local craft store, stitch said project, then buy materials for next project, repeat...  THEN I discovered cross stitch stores!!  Whole stores full of patterns and material and fibers, so many fibers and beads and charms and oh my!  I only got to a LNS about once a year so I would buy two or three or four patterns and kit them right away.  That worked fine until I went back to work full time.  My stitching time went down but my stashing habit had been established but was still under control due to distance. Then, oh my, then, businesses started seeing the advantage of having an on-line presence and I could shop anytime, at any store in the world and as they say, "that's all she wrote" although I am not really sure why "they" say that.  Which leads me to today.  I have been SABLE (stash acquisition beyond life expectancy) for years but those designers keep coming up with more and more beautiful patterns or I discover a designer through a blog or a new designer hits the scene. Fortunately, or not depending on which side of the wallet you are on, the budget doesn't allow for extras so I have been stitching from stash for the better part of three years now, but when Stitch from Stash was announced, I decided to make it formal and joined right up.  Sign-ups are closed but you can join in for the fun and challenge.  Hopefully clicking the button on this post or the one in the sidebar will take you to the page to see the rules but basically, the idea is to either stitch your WIPs or stitch from stash.  You do get a monthly budget of $25 (I'm using USD but you can convert to your local currency if it makes more sense) and your monthly balance rolls over.  Mel did provide some exceptions and you do get one grace month, so actually a fairly generous budget.

Not that Mel mentioned anything about tips, but one thing I have found that helps tremendously is a wish list.  I post photos of patterns that I must have to my wish list and let them stew a bit.  I go back every so often and look at them to see if I still must have the pattern.  It is amazing how many I have added to the list only to remove a month or two or six later. 

So without further discussion, here is my January report:

  January Budget:  $25
                  Spent:  $ 0
Balance Forward:  $25

Starts from Stash:  Little House Needleworks' Peppermint Twist and Just Nan's Tall Flowers:

WIP stitching: I almost made one round in my rotation, so I have stitched on:

Enchanted Swans by Just Nan

Elegant Doily  by Kayann's Creations

Serengeti by Chatelaine

Santa's Magic by Mirabilia

There was some stash acquired also, but it was gifted.  Remember that wish list I mentioned?  Well The Hubs was looking for an anniversary gift and took a look at my list and gave me:

It's all three patterns plus the thread for Lizzie*Kate's Holly and Hearts Mystery Sampler Club.  He even managed to find it on sale!  Thank you ABC Stitch Therapy and your clearance page (yes he was so proud of himself, he told me all this!) This will be going in the rotation as soon as I finish Three Tulips.  I am sure I can find a piece of fabric in my stash somewhere...