Stitch from Stash and Blog Plans for 2014

I have decided to take up the challenge from Mel to Stitch from Stash in 2014 - you can see all the details here and you can join up if you want to before 2nd January.

The budget for each months stitching stash is $25 which works out as £15.19.  I'm quite lucky that I paid off a large lay away with Crafty Kitten with my Christmas money so will have that to look forward to receiving in January without having to worry about taking it out of my stitching budget.  The rules are that if you don't spend the total each month you can carry it forward - basically my total stitching spend for the year must be less than £182.28.  Having had a quick review of my stash earlier today this really shouldn't be a problem as I have enough threads, fabrics and patterns to last me a life time which is the main reason for doing this.  I may need to be the odd thread here or there to finish off a project or a piece of fabric if I don't have something suitable but I don't think that will happen often.

So my blog plan (hope) for the year is a weekly post detailing what I have been stitching that week and a monthly post detailing what (if any) money I have spent that month.  I hope you enjoy watching my diminishing stash pile during 2014.

Also I am hoping that early on in 2014 we will finally sort out our spare bedroom so it can become my craft room.  I will try and post some pictures of me organising my stash in a way that works for me and trying to keep some sort of inventory so that I don't spend money on items I already have.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all my readers a Happy New Year - thanks for sticking with me through 2013 even though I didn't post as much as I wanted to.  I hope 2014 brings you everything you wish for.  I wish for health and happiness for all my friends, family and blog readers.  Happy New Year!

Keep stitching, smiling and destashing

Review of 2013

I've not posted as much as I would like to this blog during 2013 but I decided as the end of the year is approaching I would go back and review the projects I've been working on during the year and show you photos of where I am up to with them now.

My plan for 2014 is to take part in the Stitch from Stash challenge so I'll be limited to a budget of how much I can spend on new stash during 2014.  It's about time I have some finishes from the stash I have rather than keep buying new stuff.

So here's my review of 2013.

WIPs

Perpetual Calendar - Samsarah Designs

This is the eight designs which I have completely finished.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle - Chatelaine

Dragon Dance - Paine Free Crafts

Not worked on this for a long while.  It's harder than I thought stitching on black aida but will hopefully get chance to pick it up again in the New Year.

Merry Christmas by the Letter - Lizzie Kate

Another one that didn't get much attention during 2013.

Black & White - Maggi Co's Village

Started this as a present for a friend but it got lost in the world of UFOs!

Learning Sampler - Northern Expressions Needlework

This is one I started this year but having completed quite a few sections in my colour selection I decided I didn't like the colours I'd chosen.  The first picture is where I got up to with my first colour choices - the majority of which is now unpicked and the second picture is where I'm up to with my new colour choices which I like much more.

FINISHES

Gerbera Daisies - Just Cross Stitch Magazine

This was a very long-term WIP that I have been stitching.  My favourite flowers are gerberas and as soon as I saw this design I loved it.  The colours are amazing and so vibrant.  I've not decided how to finish this yet but I can see it being made into a cushion - hopefully during 2014!

Friends Heart - Alessandra Adelaide

This was a free design for the Alessandra Adelaide Facebook group.  When I saw this design I instantly loved it and had to start it straight away.  I think it was one of the quickest designs I have ever finished as I stitched on it everyday.  I also knew straight away that I was going to give it to a good friend and this inspired me to keep stitching on it.

Heartz SAL - Thread Pickerz Silkz

This was another free design from the Thread Pickerz Silkz Facebook group.  One heart was released each week and it was great fun.  I enjoyed picking the different colours for each heart.  I added the border myself from a book I had already.  I'm still not sure how I'm going to finish this one off but again could see it being a cushion.

Damask - Jodyri Designs

I was delighted to stitch a model of a design called Damask from Jodyri Designs for my good friend Michelle.  I tried to add different texture with the variegated threads by stitching the different sections in different directions.  I can see this one hanging on the wall in my bedroom someday.

I Still Do - Ink Circles

This year it was my parents 40th Wedding Anniversary.  I am so proud that my parents are still married after 40 years as so many of my friends parents have split up.  My sister and I stitched this together and I think that makes it even more special.  We would each spend a week stitching on it and then swap over.  We gave it to my parents in August on their anniversary and I am delighted to say they loved it.  Every time I go round to there house I spend a little time looking at it on the wall and love the memories of stitching it.

NEW STARTS NOT PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED ON MY BLOG

Model - Northern Expressions Needlework

This is a model I am working on of an as yet unpublished design from Northern Expressions Needlework.  I am stitching over 2 on 40 count linen for the first time and have been surprised at how easy I am finding it.

Christmas Mystery 2013 - Lizzie Kate

I completed part 2 on 19.12.13 - this will definitely be finished and framed for Christmas 2014.

Promise Me - Lizzie Kate

I stitched this for a friend as part of a Secret Santa exchange and forgot to take a photo of it before I wrapped it up.  I haven't finished it yet as I want her to decide if she wants it framing or making into a cushion or something like that.  So once I get it back I will take a picture of my stitching but for now this is a stock photo from the internet.

Keep stitching and smiling