More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Slightly Obsessed

First of all Happy New Year dear readers!  I hope your New Year is off to a good start.  Mine is going well.

I have a couple of stitching New Year's Day rituals that I just look forward to every year.  Do you have any stitching related New Year's rituals?

My first one is always planned months in advance, its my New Year's new start/stitch along.  For many years now my best friend Christin and I start a stitch along, some years a few of our stitching friends join us and some years its just the two of us.  I start at midnight and Christin starts in the morning, I am always just too excited to wait until the morning after months of anticipation!  This year our stitching friends Bonnie joined us as well in starting Spring Quakers by Rosewood Manor, our friend Janice also joined us but she had already stitched Spring Quakers so she started Winter Quakers.


I had a bit of a panic moment with this piece, I had every intention to stitch this piece on 32 ct Queen Ann's Lace Joblean by Wichelt.  I had bought a 1/2 yard of it back in the fall.  In December I pulled out my fabric, cut a piece just the right size then I pulled out my little box of Valdani Threads.  That's when I totally panicked! This piece of Queen Ann's Lace was quite brown and muddy, several of my Spring Quaker colours just disappeared into it.  Total panic attack!  I knew I didn't have enough time to order a new piece of fabric.  Stash to the rescue!  I spent a good hour pulling out fabrics out of their bins to find a suitable replacement.  I started with my 32ct and had no success, oh no!  Next I was digging through my 28ct fabrics, I had really wanted to stitch this piece on 32ct ... oh well.  After a bit of digging I came across one of my last precious pieces of dyed fabric I got ages ago from Sugar Maple Fabrics which is no longer in business!  They had some of the best dyed fabrics I ever came across.  I mourned while I settled on this fabric, but its PERFECT for Spring Quakers and just the right size.


As you can see I was immediately obsessed by this piece!  Despite being obsessed I didn't have all the time I wanted to stitch it and I've had a hard time to settle lately getting easily distracted by things like Instagram (sigh, addict for sure).  When I have been able to sink my teeth into this it just goes!!!!  I'm now well into page 4 and hope to be into page 5 by the end of this weekend.



My second stitching New Year's ritual is the annual emptying of the ort jar!  I love seeing the wonderful layering of colours from projects throughout the year.  Its also a great measure of just how much or how little stitching I've done that year.



My final stitching New Year's ritual is turning a page on my stitching journal.  Well its not really a journal but a list of all the projects I finish that year.  I also keep a sticky note in there of projects that get carried over from one year to the next and cross them off as they become Happy Dances.  My ultimate goal would be to cross everything off and throw that note away but that hasn't happened yet.  In 2015 I had 54 Happy Dances!  A very productive year and some awesome big finishes in there too!

Cranberry Christmas
Prarie Schooler
Stitched on 40ct New Castle Linen, Mellow from Picture This Plus
Stitched with DMC

I did take a one day break last weekend from Spring Quakers to stitch up my January ornament, I am still sticking with this little goal of mine to stitch one ornament each month.  I've picked Pararie Schooler's Cranberry Christmas as this year's set to stitch up and I'm sure I'll stitch some random pieces through the year as well... when I'm finished with my current obsession.



One thing that has gotten put off to the side is my friend Julie's Round Robin.  In early December we had a stitching day at her place and we were going through her finished projects.  She showed us her Joan Elliott Round Robin, but there was one blank spot left.  I immediately offered to stitch it for her.  I did start stitching the silver Buddha she wanted in the last spot... but like I said I'm obsessed right now.  Once I get to it, I'm sure it'll whip up quickly!

In my last post I promised I'd share with you pictures of a few other items I had stitched last year.  Well I forgot, but I've made a copy of the list and hopefully I'll be back soon with those.  I also put some stitches into an old project, The Big Red by The Silver Lining  I hope to share that with you too.



40 comments:

Susan said...

Very nice progress on Spring. I love this series, but have not stitched any. How do you like the Valdani threads? The RR piece is beautiful. Looking forward to seeing it finished. I do the same things you do the first of the year, except starting a new piece at midnight, I wait until the morning (I'm usually trying to push a final finish in).

Julie said...

Spring Quakers looks fabulous and I love the RR piece you are going to complete for your friend.

Anonymous said...

You had a very stitch 2015!

Bea said...

You're off to a good start for 2016. Spring Quakers is lovely as is your PS ornament. I have a similar journal - every year I start a new page, but I divide mine in half - on the left are new starts for that year, on the right any finishes. If the finish was started in another year, I put the year beside it. Looking forward to seeing that ort jar fill up again.

Kerryp77 said...

Spring Quakers is a beautiful piece. I can understand why you were itching to start. Lovely fabric too

Karen said...

Spring Quaker is such a pretty design. I have it in my stash as well. The fabric you chose is a really pretty fabric and I'm glad you were able to find something suitable from your stash. I've been following your progress over on Instagram as well and I'm always amazed at how fast you guys stitch. I can't believe you just started this in January!

How do you like the Valdani threads? I remember reading some negative comments about the threads when this design first came out.

PS: I love the little Just Nan mice by your ORT jar! :)

Vickie said...

Oh what a gorgeous pattern you and your friends are going to complete this year. Cranberry Christmas is really neat.

Heather said...

Wow great start so far! I've made progress but am still plugging away. Lovely finish as well it sounds like you have a good year ahead!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Well I have enjoyed watching your Spring Quaker grow and grow, as you know. I keep orts but I always empty them...maybe I need to keep one going and dump it at the end of the year. Hmmm...
I've tried the old notebook too...I can't seem to be that organized. Maybe another try since you've inspired me. You also are inspiring me with your food choices I've seen. I wanted you to know... :) I'm struggling in that department myself.
have a good rest of the weekend!

Robin in Virginia said...

Congratulations on your PS ornament finish, Dani! I look forward to see this set of ornaments come together with your needle and thread in 2016. Your Quaker Spring piece is looking fabulous. How do you like the Valdani threads? Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Linda said...

Gorgeous stitching and finish Dani.

Linda

Cindy's Stitching said...

pretty pieces. you stitcheda lot already

Claudette497 said...

You're really zipping along on Spring! I empty my ort jar on Christmas into one of those hollow plastic ornaments, I like how all the threads look mushed together.

Brigitte said...

That's a great piece that you started on New Year's Day. And the new fabric that you chose is really perfect. I love Quaker but I rarely ever stitch one although I have so many Quaker patterns in my stash. Maybe one day. Great that you continue with your ornament-per-month stitching. And this PS one is so sweet.

I also love my stitching diary, it always accompanies me. Reviewing what I have stitched during a year is always kind of exciting for me. Just as exciting as it must be for you when you can mark a happy dance in yours.

Ele said...

Spring Quakers looks just lovely,
Have a very good day

Manuela said...

Wonderful stitching.
Your Spring Quaker looks so beautiful.
Have a nice weekend, Manuela

Christine said...

Lovely RR and your Spring Quakers is just stunning

Lana said...

You did amazing on the stitchy front in 2015!! Lots of finishes!! I hope 2016 is an awesome year for you and you have even more finishes!!

cucki said...

Super sweet stitching and lovely finish x

Clare-Aimetu said...

That Sugar Maple fabric is perfect for Spring Quaker - great progress too. Lovely collection of orts too.

Xine said...

I love the colours in Spring Quakers. Rich and vibrant.

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

Thank heavens for a large stash! Spring Quakers looks amazing on the fabric, such beautiful colours.
Your small is very cute too.
I also love Julie's RR. Joan Elliott does some gorgeous oriental designs.

Emma/Itzy said...

Wow your start for the year is huge already! Well done! Your ornament is very sweet also, I look forward to seeing more of these projects grow! :)

Von said...

I just love the colors in Spring Quaker and have really enjoyed your pics of it on Instagram!!

Barb said...

Spring Quaker is just beautiful. What a problem with the fabric-just a pain. The small design is so cute!

Preeti said...

Happy new year to you!! Your stitching projects are so beautiful:)

Mylene said...

A great post Dani! Happy New Year too!
Looks like you have a good stitchy start for this year. Love your Spring Quaker and it is coming along beautifully. Oh i LOVE your scissor collectios.

Justine said...

You're off to a great start with this gorgeous project Dani! The fabric makes a world of difference - you made a great choice.
54 finishes is awesome! I'm focusing on finishing off some larger WIPS this year but I'm looking forward to stitching a few smalls in between!

Carol said...

I can see why you are obsessed with your latest project, Dani! Wow! It is so, so beautiful :) Glad you found such a nice piece of fabric in your stash to showcase those lovely colors :)

I keep a little notebook, too--it is so helpful to know what I stitched, when, and note any changes in colors that I made in case I decide to stitch the piece again.

Hope your new year is going along well and we'll be seeing many more posts to come :)

D1-D2 said...

I've been watching your progress on Spring Quaker on Instagram and I must say it looks fabulous. It's unfortunate you had to change fabric so last minute, but it looks perfect on it.

♥ Nia said...

Happy New Year :D
Hope you'll achieve all your goals for 2016 :)
hugs&smiles

valerie said...

Great progress on Spring Quakers. It's such a pretty design! I can't wait to see the Buddha you're going to stitch up for the R&R. I think it's time I start a stitching journal so I can keep track of when and how many projects I complete. Great idea!

Unknown said...

You have wonderful New Year Stitching Rituals. what great ideas.

And thank you for sharing.

Your stitching as always, is beautiful.

Kaisievic said...

Certainly a productive 2015, Dani - 54 finishes! Well done! Love Spring Sampler and your PS finish, too. I wish that 2016 is even more productive for you - you seem to be off to a great start!

Angela said...

I'm really enjoying watching spring quakers grow, it's lovely.

Carolyn said...

Hello Dani,
Spring Quakers is so pretty. I'm glad you were able to find a piece of fabric that works. You had a great year with your jar of orts and the projects you completed. Great finish on Cranberry Christmas. I like the idea of doing one ornament a month. Your start on the Round Robin is coming along nicely.

diamondc said...

Dani: Oh my gosh so many lovely projects, I am in love with the Oriental project so pretty, I look forward to seeing the Buddha finished.
I have of late become obsessed with deer patterns, I am collecting a few, no many.
Spring Quaker is lovely,
I have never kept a journal, I think I should look into doing one.

Blessings
Catherine

Carolien said...

Hello Dani,

Your Quaker sampler is so beautiful!!! Wow!

Karoline said...

Great progress on the Spring Quaker and your ornament is very cute

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