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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Final Smalls Check-in and a 2014 Recap

Another year of stitching (and other things) is gone. I am not sure how I feel about 2014. The last three months will define the year for me, but other than that short burst of craziness, it was a pretty ordinary year.

Before I get too far into talking about my 2015 stitching plans, I need to finish one last bit of 2014's. My December Smalls SAL check-in. I had a good month and finished two! Both are from Shepherd's Bush's She Tends leaflet.

His Flock

Tender Care
And because I am still having a great time with PicMonkey's collaging program, here are all my 2014 Smalls finishes:

Column one (top to bottom): Peppermint Twist; Snowy Pines; Frosty Flakes; Winter Sheep (all by Little House Needleworks) and Fondant Icing by the Nutmeg Company. Column two: Tall Flowers by Just Nan; All is Calm, Joy to the World and Red House in Winter by Little House Needlework. Column three: She Tends, Garden Fair, His Flock and Tender Care by Shepherd's Bush
In addition to the smalls, I finished these three for a total of 16 finishes in 2014.

Enchanted Swan by Just Nan; Three Tulips by With Thy Needle and Thread; and, Strawberry Summer by Just Nan
Given my limited stitching time, I am very happy with those numbers and best of all they were all stitched from stash, except for Three Tulips which was a gift.

By this time last year I had signed up for eight SALs. My New Year's resolution was to keep up with all of them. Even though none of the SALs was high pressure, I knew it would be a bit of a push to post for every one every month. The one I missed posting to most frequently International Hermit and Stitch (IHSW) hosted by Joysze at Random Ramblings was the one that should have been the easiest to keep up with as it requires you to sit and stitch for the weekend and post about it. Really very simple and I am sure I stitched most of those weekends but must have forgot to post. Overall I am pleased with how well I did keep up with all of the SALs and....(a perfect segue into 2015's plans)

For 2015 I have, despite telling myself that I need to cut way back on SALs, again signed up for eight - WIPocalpyse, YOTA, Stitch from Stash A (there are two 6-month SALs), DESIGN, A New Stitchy Start, Gifted Gorgeousness, HAED Freebie and Smalls. TUSAL and IHSW are post as you can and don't require official sign-ups so I didn't count them but will participate as I can/remember. My stitching resolution is to keep up with the postings for the SALs that required a sign up.

Here are the pieces that I will fit into the various SALs:

Secret Victorian Garden by Chatelaine
Holly and Hearts Sampler by Lizzie*Kate
Santa's Magic by Mirabilia
Spring in the Air by Just Nan
Elegant Doily by Kayann's Kreations
HAED projects:
Shakespearean Fantasy
Christmas Presence
Santa and Mouse Ornament

In order to make any progress on them, I will be using a rotation again (although I may go OAAT on a couple to finish them up). The current rotation plan is:  One week, Saturday through Friday, for each piece.  The HAEDs will be stitched on my compressed Fridays rotating amongst themselves. Sunday mornings will be reserved for smalls stitching.

Given the progress I made on my larger pieces this year, I think I will have four or five large finishes in 2015, so I came up with a replacement plan too:
  • Secret Victorian Garden will be replaced with a randomly drawn Chatelaine WIP
  • Holly and Hearts  will be replaced with Ink Circles' 99
  • Santa's Magic will be replaced by Lavender & Lace's Santa of the Forest and then Mirabilia's Winter White Santa
  • Spring in the Air will be replaced with a randomly drawn Just Nan or Shepherd's Bush
  • Elegant Doily will be replaced with a randomly drawn WIP
  • Even as optimistic as I am, I don't imagine that I will finish any of the HAEDs this year and am not making plans for their replacement.
The plan is designed to help me reduce that WIP list there on the right while still allowing for a new start or two. This is only a plan and like all plans is very fluid.

10 comments:

Chris said...

Great stitching in 2014 & great plans for 2015!
Happy New Year!

Shebafudge said...

Good luck with your plans for SALs in 2015. The main thing is to have fun and enjoy your stitching.

Happy New year. xx

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

Love your collages! I have been doing them too!

I really enjoy seeing everyone's end of year posts and plans for next year. I'm doing so many of the same SALs as you too. I've chosen ones which work well together and give shape to my blogging.

I also have the She Tends leaflet on my list for this year. I plan to give it to my MIL who is a gardener.

Angie said...

Great stitching in 2014.

I look forward to seeing your progress in 2015

Linda said...

Congrats on all the gorgeous finishes this year Susan. Good luck with next years goals. I too have signed up for a lot of SAL's again.

Linda

Tricia T said...

LOVE the SB smalls!! Just SOOoooo sweet!

Robin in Virginia said...

Enjoyed reading your recap and seeing your photo collages! Wishing you a bright 2015; good luck to you in your stitching quest.

Robin in Virginia

Ellen at FeltLikeLearning.com said...

Oh these are too sweet! I'm new to blogging and thinking of joining a SAL just to keep me motivated!

Sheryl said...

Amazing array of beautiful stitching. Really don´t know how you manage to keep up, let alone take photos and blog also. Congrats. will be following your updates. Happy New Year.

Brigitte said...

Gorgeous finishes and so nicely displayed in the collages. And all of them from your stash, a great accomplishment. And wow, you have some great plans for this year. They all sound like a lot of fun. Good luck with your SALs.
Have a happy and healthy New Year!