Stitching

November 2024 WIPocalypse Check-In

November 24, 2024 No Comments

Hi everyone!

The season is definitely heading toward winter, and I am so ready for cozy nights under my electric blanket on the couch with either stitching or a good book in my hand! I’ve been doing some initial stitching plans for 2025, trying to resist ALL OF THE SALS (omg, so many!), and prepare for the chaos of the holiday season. 🙂

I confess that I haven’t quite finished the About page for WIPocalypse 2025 yet – between a retreat last weekend and some work weirdness, I just haven’t been able to focus on it. But I plan on doing so this Wednesday evening once work is ended for the long holiday weekend. In the meantime, here are the check-in dates for 2025, for those like me who are starting to get info into new year calendars and planners:

January 5th (Kickoff)
January 26th
February 23rd
March 30th
April 27th
May 25th
Jun 29th
July 27th
August 31st
September 28th
October 26th
November 30th
December 28th

~~Further details to follow. I will revise this announcement post with an edit in the SAL announcements below once I’ve finished the 2025 page and swap out that 2024 link.~~ 2025 Link has been updated below!

Since I may not see you until late December – may you have joyous celebrations over the next several weeks among all of the beautiful spiritual and secular celebrations that cluster in November and December. Happy stitching, and I’ll see you to close out 2024!

Best,
Melissa

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: How do you begin planning for the next year with your stitching? Tell us your process.

Next posting date: December 29th

Topic(s) for next time: Recap your accomplishments for the year! (Your finishes, your final before/after photos, etc).

Need all the basic info about the SAL? GO HERE for all details for 2025!

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Please remember that this stitch-a-long is intended to be fun – so if you’re too busy to post, too busy/ill/etc. to stitch – no worries! Post when you can and share what you have going, even if you’ve only been able to toss a single stitch into it. If you miss a few months, not a problem – just jump back in when you’re back with us! It’s not a race or a competition – we’re all just here to cheer each other on with our progress.

Stitching, WIPocalypse

October 2024 WIPocalypse Check-In

October 27, 2024 No Comments

Hi everyone!

Peak color has flashed over here in my area of Rhode Island – we’re now entering the cold evenings that seem to force the trees to drop leaves in earnest. I think two of my trees completely emptied themselves onto the lawn overnight. With the colder weather, my desire to get cozy on the couch with some stitching always returns. I’m looking forward to dark evenings with a quilt on my lap, illuminated by my lamp as I stitch evenings away.

It’s hard to believe there are only a couple months left in the year – the craziness of the holidays are fast approaching, and then 2025 will commence. Madness! 😀

So, since it’s that time of year…

Yes, WIPocalypse will continue for another year in 2025
I’ll post questions and dates next month for those who are starting to get their plans together for next year. If you’re getting an early start on your planning, assume that the posts will be on the final Sunday of the month as we’ve done the past several years, unless there’s a major holiday on said Sunday (and then I’ll push it to a date that makes sense for my own scheduling mid-week).
If you have questions you’d like included in the Questions of the Month, suggestions are always happily welcomed!
If you have any stitching challenges or activities that you’d like added to the yearly plan, those suggestions are also very welcomed!

Have a lovely November, and I’ll see you just before Thanksgiving weekend!

Happy Stitching,
Mel.

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: How do you organize your WIPs and stash?

Next posting date: November 24, 2024

Topic(s) for next time: How do you begin planning for the next year with your stitching? Tell us your process.

Need all the basic info about the SAL? GO HERE for all details for 2024!

*~~*~~*~~*~~

Please remember that this stitch-a-long is intended to be fun – so if you’re too busy to post, too busy/ill/etc. to stitch – no worries! Post when you can and share what you have going, even if you’ve only been able to toss a single stitch into it. If you miss a few months, not a problem – just jump back in when you’re back with us! It’s not a race or a competition – we’re all just here to cheer each other on with our progress.

Stitching, WIPocalypse

September 2024 WIPocalypse Check-In

September 29, 2024 No Comments

Hi everyone!

Happy Autumn (or Spring, if you’re on the opposite side of the world)! I hope that the change of seasons is bringing you inspiration of new possibilities, both for stitching and life in general.

It’s been a busy month of change in my household since the last check-in. My son started middle school and is in the final weeks of work before his black belt exam in his martial arts school. We’re all adjusting to the new school schedule, new wake-up times, and new routines. And of course, with autumn coming in, the world is changing again slowly to the beautiful colors that New England is well-known for.

I’m looking forward to my season of cross stitch retreats. Stitch New England is less than a month away, and my trip up to the Farm in New Hampshire follows a month after that. I’m definitely ready for curling up with some stitching to enjoy myself for a little bit and get away from it all!

October One Month Challenge

The final one month challenge for 2024 will be held in October – grab one WIP, and commit to putting in at least one stitch per day on it. It’s simple, takes only a few minutes, and will make some progress on that project you keep avoiding or just need a little extra focus to move it forward. Just like potato chips – generally you can’t just do one stitch! 🙂

I am planning to work on Jade Band Sampler this month for the focus, since I have I Love New England ready for a finish at the Stitch New England retreat. 🙂

Until next time, best wishes with your stitching!

Take care,
Mel.

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: How did you learn to stitch?

Next posting date: October 27, 2024

Topic(s) for next time: How do you organize your WIPs and stash?

Need all the basic info about the SAL? GO HERE for all details for 2024!

*~~*~~*~~*~~

Please remember that this stitch-a-long is intended to be fun – so if you’re too busy to post, too busy/ill/etc. to stitch – no worries! Post when you can and share what you have going, even if you’ve only been able to toss a single stitch into it. If you miss a few months, not a problem – just jump back in when you’re back with us! It’s not a race or a competition – we’re all just here to cheer each other on with our progress.

Stitching

August 2024 WIPocalypse Check-in

August 25, 2024 No Comments

Hi everyone!

Summer is winding down here in New England. Our weather has a slightly more crisp feel to it, and some of my trees have leaves that are beginning to turn. It seems a bit early, but then again – our spring felt like it came a bit early, too. Maybe the weather pattern is just shifting a bit. Or perhaps I’m forgetting the rhythm of previous seasons. Either way, I always have a weird mix of sadness and excitement in late August – sadness that summer is ending, even if I don’t generally like hot, humid weather. I always feel like I could have gone to the beach more, or enjoyed outdoor patio dining more, etc. But autumn is my favorite season, and I’m so looking forward to cozy and the changing leaves and everything that screams autumn.

How did your stitching go during the Olympics? I was convinced, convinced, that I would have a finish, but a major health hiccup prevented the incredible progress I thought I would have. The health stuff I’ll be putting together into a post of its own. The stitching progress I’ll be trying to fit into a Flosstube if I can find the time to record later today. If I don’t get to it today, I’ll definitely record on Friday afternoon to kick off the long holiday weekend. I’m still on track for a finish this year, so not a big deal. I was kinda hoping to have it done this month though! Ah well… it’ll get done when it gets done!

October One Month Challenge

The final one month challenge for 2024 will be held in October – grab one WIP, and commit to putting in at least one stitch per day on it. It’s simple, takes only a few minutes, and will make some progress on that project you keep avoiding or just need a little extra focus to move it forward. Just like potato chips – generally you can’t just do one stitch! 🙂

Until next time, best wishes with your stitching!

Take care,
Mel.

*~~*~~*~~*~~

Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: Do you belong to any stitching groups or guilds (either in person or virtual)? If so, tell us about them.

Next posting date: September 29, 2024

Topic(s) for next time: How did you learn to stitch?

Need all the basic info about the SAL? GO HERE for all details for 2024!

*~~*~~*~~*~~

Please remember that this stitch-a-long is intended to be fun – so if you’re too busy to post, too busy/ill/etc. to stitch – no worries! Post when you can and share what you have going, even if you’ve only been able to toss a single stitch into it. If you miss a few months, not a problem – just jump back in when you’re back with us! It’s not a race or a competition – we’re all just here to cheer each other on with our progress.

Stitching

July 2024 WIPocalypse Check-In

July 30, 2024 No Comments

Hi everyone!

The end of July got away from me due to some personal health issues – sorry about that! All is well… just one of those joys of getting older situations and adapting my life to them. I even had a reminder written down in my planner for Sunday – but was so preoccupied I didn’t even look at the pages. Defeats the purpose of the planner, unfortunately! But hey, life happens.

How has your stitching been going? I got a nice boost of energy for stitching in the early half of July thanks to Black Needle Society’s Frogwarts Retreat. After a week’s rest, I was back at it to kick off the Olympics Stitching challenge (see below for details). I’m hoping that maybe… just maybe… I can have a finish by the end of the closing ceremonies. Who’s joining me this year?

Olympics Stitching

It’s that time again!! The Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris starting July 26th and ending August 11th. We have three events you can participate in during the Olympics:

Rotation Relay – rotate through as many projects as you can during the Olympics (for those who like to work on a bunch of different pieces)
Endurance Race – stick to ONE piece for the Olympics, and see how far you can push that one piece toward finishing (for those one at a time stitchers, or anyone else who wants to do some serious focusing on a particular piece)
Celebrate the Nations – stitch only in the colors of the Olympic rings on your WIP pieces, OR… your nation’s flag, OR… on some sort of piece that is reflective of where you live, eg. Americana pieces for US residents.

The next organized event will be our final one month challenge in October. So once the Olympics are over, take a breath – get ready for your autumn stitching, and I’ll see you next month!

Happy Stitching,
Mel.

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: Which of your current WIPs do you consider your most difficult piece to stitch?

Next posting date: August 25, 2024

Topic(s) for next time: Do you belong to any stitching groups or guilds (either in person or virtual)? If so, tell us about them.

Need all the basic info about the SAL? GO HERE for all details for 2024!

*~~*~~*~~*~~

Please remember that this stitch-a-long is intended to be fun – so if you’re too busy to post, too busy/ill/etc. to stitch – no worries! Post when you can and share what you have going, even if you’ve only been able to toss a single stitch into it. If you miss a few months, not a problem – just jump back in when you’re back with us! It’s not a race or a competition – we’re all just here to cheer each other on with our progress.