A new year usually brings some new starts as people receive supplies and patterns as Christmas gifts, and because so many businesses offer holiday discounts as they clear out inventory.
One of my new starts is Deborah's fault! On Deborah's Bits and Pieces link last week she shared about her new projects for 2024 and had links posted to the Woven Wreaths embroidery project from Kathy Schmitz, who is a favourite designer of many of our stitchers. The first lesson of her 2024 project is posted and I really enjoyed learning the embroidery tips she shared on this video. So, of course I ordered the fabric so I could stitch along this year.
But while I waited for my order to arrive, I had a few other things I could stitch! **snort**
I participated in the 12x12 on New Year's Eve, and that was fun - but crazy. I won't do that to myself again! It was painful for my hands and it took several days to recover. Here are the things I learned:
3) I prefer a coloured pattern as black and white is much harder for me to read. In the future I will look for some easier coloured patterns for future stitches.
5) Although I am totally intrigued by full coverage stitcheries, at this point in my life I prefer small projects that I can finish easily - more instant gratification. Perhaps this is because it balances out my quilting projects which take me years to finish?
Granddog Max liked the pillow, but he did think it was a little on the tiny side for his head!
If you have any hand stitched bird patterns to suggest for me to make, please enter the info in the comment section for me.
So what are you stitching in 2024? Did you have some new starts for the new year? We hope you will share your progress in the links below.
It's always time for a cup of tea, especially when one's stitching goes awry. Your little robin redbreast is very sweet. You'll just have to stitch Granddog Max a suitably sized pillow for his head....just because you haven't enough projects on the go. =)
ReplyDeleteI had been hoping to join you in the 12 X 12, but the day got away from me. I started searching for 12 projects and ended up organizing my craft patterns. Still satisfying and I saved my fingers. I sometimes like confetti stitching...on small projects, but not when I am working on a full coverage project. I love that little pillow. Enjoy working on all of your 2024 projects. I will enjoy watching your progress.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of stitching for one day! Looking forward to seeing what you get to stitching in 2024.
ReplyDeleteI'm participating in the Kathy Schmitz Woven Wreaths sew-along, too! The little designs for each month are so sweet. I love your Little Robin Redbreast pillow! I'm looking for a cardinal to stitch this week - Melisa at PinkernPunkin uses lots of them in her designs.
ReplyDeleteTake care of those hands! It’s good to have a wide variety of projects to work on!
ReplyDeleteI had been on the fence about Woven Wreaths, but then I saw that Diann @Little Penguin Quilts was working on it, so I ordered it too, still waiting for it to arrive.
ReplyDeleteOMD Max is the cutest model!
ReplyDeleteI gladly take the blame for the Kathy Schmitz SAL, I just completed the snowman while it rained morning yesterday. The little pillow is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI didn't do 12 x 12 this year. I'm getting to the point where I am 'babying' my hands a bit. I can stitch for an hour or two a day if I take plenty of breaks. Plus 12 new starts would make me break out in hives LOL. I've spent years whittling down the UFO pile to the current six project timed rotation.
ReplyDeleteYour little wreath is looking good and I love the little pillow. I find that ladder stitch works well on Aida, especially if you make the 'rungs' of the ladder match up with the holes on the Aida cloth.
ReplyDeleteI love the little robin pillow and Max is adorable.