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Sunday, December 18, 2016

Gifted Gorgeousness, WIPocalypse and stuff

All the cookies and nibbles are baked, packaged and delivered. All the packages are wrapped.  All the decorating I'm going to do this year is done, so all that is left is to pack up the truck and drive to my sister's on Saturday.  Yes, I made the semi-last minute decision to spend Christmas with my parents, and my sister and her family this year.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.

In case you're suffering from Christmas let down already, don't worry, Valentine's Day is not far away if thisis any indication.  My son is a butcher/meat department manager and saw this box in the grocery warehouse the other day.

It's time to take stock of 2016 and start planning for 2017.  The WIPocalypse question will take care of the taking stock part and strangely enough for me, I haven't started planning my 2017 stitching.  Usually, I have everything planned out already, but not this year.  I have some vague thoughts, but haven't not made a definite plan yet. 

Before I get to WIPocalypse, let me post my Gifted Gorgeousness update.  Gifted Gorgeousness is hosted by Jo at Serendipitous Stitching.  It is a way to thank those that have gifted us with stitching lovelies or to show items that we are going to gift.  I have two to show this month.

The first is 12 Days from Plum Street Samplings.

Yes, it is finally finished.  These were freebies from the designer, so I am counting them as gifts.  I put the final stitch into Fourth Day last night.  The fabric is Vintage Autumn Gold from Lakeside Linens and the threads are from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe.

The second is To Have and To Hold Bridal Sampler:



I also finished-finished the stocking I completed last month:


Jo is hosting Gifted Gorgeousness 2017, so pop on over to her blog for all the rules - well they're more like guidelines and there aren't many.

WIPocalypse is hosted by Melissa at Measi's Musings.  This is another low stress SAL, as all you have to do is stitch on work-in-progress and post about it on the full moon.  She also gives us blogging questions if you're in need of something to talk about.  WIPocalypse is going to continue into 2017 with one change - the check in will be the last Sunday of each month rather than the full moon.  You can find out everything you need to know here.

For this month, the blogging question is:  Recap your accomplishments for the year.

I had nine projects on my WIPocalypse tab.  I had two finishes, Christmas Presence and Secret Victorian Garden



and progress on three additional pieces:

Shakespearean Fantasy


It's About Time:


and Santa and the Mouse:


It's About Time and Santa and the Mouse were new starts this year, so there is no "before" photo.

I had some framing done over the last couple of months too.

This is Lizzie*Kate's Holly and Hearts Sampler. 


And this is Holly by Mirabilia:


I told the framer I wanted something holiday/icy feeling and she came up with this combination.  I love how the silver mat sets off the beads and sparkles in the fabric. 

It wasn't my best stitching year as far as finishes is concerned, but I am happy with what I did accomplish and there is still time to finish a small piece or two.

I started by saying that I had no stitching plan for next year, but I do plan to continue with these two SALs and Heather at Stitching Lotus has posted the information for the 2017 Smalls SAL, so that is three.  I just found a link to a Stitch from Stash Facebook group on Melissa's blog and may give that a run too.  If you're interested in quilting, Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville's Quips and Snips is currently running a mystery QAL entitled En Provence .  I have been downloading the directions and plan to give quilting a try again.   I also have plans to make one or two Christmas cards a month rather then do them all in a few days in November or December (I say that EVERY year, but maybe this will be the year I actually do!!).  And finally, I am planning a January 1 start, Dimple Designs' Enchantment of Winter.

So those are my "vague thoughts for a 2017 stitching plan".

8 comments:

Robin in Virginia said...

Susan, way to go on getting the 12 Days of Christmas finished! I plan on finishing up Twelfth Day tonight. I liked reading your "vague" thoughts for 2017. Have a safe journey to your sister's and a joyous season.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Thanks for taking part in GG this year, it's been so much fun seeing your stitching progress.
Congratulations on the Happy Dance for the 12 Days, I finished stitching them but haven't finish-finished them yet! Maybe a job for the Christmas break?

Melinda Forbes said...

I do agree - the Holly is beautiful framed - love the mat choices. Christmas presence is one of my favorites and you did great work on the Heaven and Earth Designs. Looking forward to reading your blog in 2017 and watching your progress

Bea said...

Terrific wrap up. You have some beautiful finishes. I look forward to seeing your progress next year.

Leonore Winterer said...

Even if you say otherwise, I think you made some great progress this year, and there even were a few really awesome finishes :) I haven't started planning fpr 2017 either, and maybe I just won't and do what I feel like again :D

Lady Stitch-a-Lot said...

Congratulations on your finishes and great work on framing those pieces =)

Justine said...

What a lovely post! Three gorgeous and huge finishes and lots of other lovely projects on the go. I like having vague plans for the year too.
Oh and I saw Easter Eggs in a local newsagent this week!

Heather said...

So much pretty stitching and beautiful finishes! Of course I'm partial to Santa but everything looks great!