Hi everyone!

Happy end of January! It’s been a wild month here in the Measi household with flooding rains, multiple cars deciding they were at the end of their lifetimes, and winter illnesses that felt like they just didn’t want to give us up (but did, in fact, want to let us down…). I’m honestly looking forward to February starting!

I hope that you’re meeting your stitching goals so far this year… but if not, remember – the year is still relatively new. You have plenty of time! 🙂 Go crush those stitchy goals!

My largest goal for the year in regards to stitching is doing a proper purge of my stash. Between freebie tables at retreats and a bit too much Covid-time purchasing, I have way too much stuff and need to do some honesty challenges with myself about some projects and whether I’ll ever stitch them. Plus I need to whittle out magazines that are just sitting collecting dust. It’s a bit overwhelming, and I need to wrangle. I’ve made good progress in organizing patterns so far by doing a first-pass logging on an Excel spreadsheet to whittle out any duplicates and easy “no, I won’t stitch that” charts … but oh my goodness I have too much stash.

What are your big goals for the year?

March Stitching Challenge

For planning in advance – March will be our first monthly focus challenge. Pick one piece that you want to make progress on and commit to stitching at least one stitch per night on it. Thirty-one stitches doesn’t seem like a lot, of course, but… chances are you’ll do at least a small batch of stitches on a piece every night that way. And if life is being absolutely insane? You just do a stitch. Miss a day? Do two stitches and you’re caught up. It’s a low-key challenge but has worked surprisingly well to help a lot of people make significant progress on a piece! 🙂 If you can’t join us for March, this challenge will run again in June and October this year.

As always, these are optional. Further on them can be found via the link in the Important SAL Announcements below, or at the very top of my blog in the link bar.

Have a lovely February full of stitching… I’ll see you next month!

Best,
Mel.

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: Tell us about the oldest WIP you have in your stash.

Next posting date: February 25, 2024

Topic(s) for next time: What stitch-a-longs (SALs) are you participating in this year?

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

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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.

Hi everyone!

2024 has now commenced! Welcome to our 13th annual WIPocalypse stitch-a-long! I’m a believer in the positives of the number 13… so I’m focusing on the good luck that the year will bring. 🙂 May all of your needles fly quickly, and may you enjoy your crafty project work this year!

I have received some messages asking if the WIPocalypse is just for cross stitchers – and the answer is a resounding no. We are an equal-opportunity hobby insanity group. Yes – it started as a cross-stitch challenge, but any sort of fiber hobby is welcome. If you do other embroidery methods, crochet, knit, quilt, sew, etc… come on in! You are welcome and we will cheer you on! 🙂 While the Questions of the month may be a bit focused on hand needlework, the challenges are definitely ones easily adaptable to whatever you are doing. Adapt it to whatever you are working on. Come play with us!

The Challenges for this year…

• Focus Months – In March, June, and October, there will be an optional “one month challenge.”  Take one of your WIPs, and do a minimum of one stitch per day, every day for that month.
• Olympics Stitching – Held July 26th to August 11th in your local time zone. There will be three events to challenge you for progress on your WIPs: a Rotation Relay to rotate through as many projects as you can during the Olympics; an Endurance Race for monogamous stitching through the Games; and a Celebrate the Nations challenge where you stitch only in the colors of the Olympic rings OR your nation’s flag OR stitch on a piece that is reflective of where you live.

As always, these are optional. Further on them can be found via the link in the Important SAL Announcements below, or at the very top of my blog in the link bar.

Happy 2024 to everyone! May your needles be swift, and may the new year bring you and your loved ones good health and happiness.

Best,
Mel.

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!

Next posting date: January 28, 2024

Topic(s) for next time: Tell us about the oldest WIP you have in your 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.

Hi everyone!

And here we are… December 31st. Crazy how fast years fly – I swear each one goes faster than the last! I’m not sure whether that’s a good or a bad thing sometimes. I have one last project I want to try to fully finish today before the clock strikes midnight and the Times Square Ball drops. Really, really hoping I can get that one done.

How was your 2023 year, both stitching-wise and everyday life-wise? Did you make good progress on your pieces, or was it just a “meh” year? Either way, celebrate what you did and remember – EVERY. STITCH. COUNTS. Progress is progress, even if it doesn’t look like you’re getting anywhere. Been there, done that. I’ve resorted to photos sometimes to convince myself that I am moving projects along – both in stitching and in my life. Please share your progress so we can all celebrate it!

I know a lot of people have been struggling, and I hope that stitching gave you the escape you needed to slow down and just breathe for a little bit. Here’s hoping that 2024 will be a better year. If you need a cheerleader or a pick-me-up, come sit on the bench by me. 🙂

Next Year Plans (Repeated from Last Month)

WIPocalypse will definitely continue next year with the last Sunday of the month check-in dates. Details for 2024 can be found HERE. The details are also located on the top menu bar of my blog and the announcements below at all times. The highlights for next year include:

• Questions of the Month will return with different questions for most months.
• There will be three focus months next year – March, June, and October.
• Olympics Stitching returns in late July

Happy 2024 to everyone – and may the new year bring you and your loved ones good health and happiness.

Best,
Mel.

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: Recap your accomplishments for the year! (Your finishes, your final before/after photos, etc).

Next posting date: January 7, 2024

Topic(s) for next time: Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!

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.

Hi everyone!

As I set this check-in post up, it’s the day after Thanksgiving. After cooking for a good portion of yesterday (it all turned out fantastic!), today is a personal puttering day. I’m catching up on some various blog stuff before I settle down with some absent-minded trash TV and stitch the evening away.

I’m one of those stubborn “the holiday season doesn’t start until Thanksgiving is over” people. Today I’m slowly getting myself into the mood. At some point this weekend lights will go on the bushes outside the house, and the tree will possibly go up if we get some organization done in our living room. My husband would start playing holiday music after Halloween, but I need a clear division between holidays. It does seem like this year just flew by though!

Next Year Plans

WIPocalypse will definitely continue next year with the last Sunday of the month check-in dates. Details for 2024 can be found HERE. The details are also located on the top menu bar of my blog and the announcements below at all times. The highlights for next year include:

• Questions of the Month will return with different questions for most months.
• There will be three focus months next year – March, June, and October.
• Olympics Stitching returns in late July

I hope to see you join in with us next year, whether via your block or via the Facebook group. Please remember that this SAL can be combined with anything you’re doing on other groups. We fully support cross-pollination event participation! 🙂

Time to get a bit more work done… have a lovely holiday season celebrating the festivities that you personally hold most dear!

Best,
Mel.

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Important SAL Announcements…

Question of the Month: What is your favorite way to finish ornaments and/or smalls?

Next posting date: December 31, 2023

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 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.

Hi everyone!

After an absolutely beautiful summer-like stretch of weather this past week, it’s now decidedly autumn with a light rain. The leaves started falling in large amounts the past couple days, even though half of the trees are still quite green. It’s an odd autumn here – although the color has been quite pretty.

Today is definitely one of those Sundays where I’m just puttering in my office, prepping my life and stitch planners for November before I settle down for some stitching this evening. It’s been a bit crazy lately, and I’m looking forward to some time to relax and just let my brain dump out a little to give breathing room next week at the East Hill Farm retreat in New Hampshire.

Quite by accident, autumn is now retreat season for me – mid-October was the inaugural Stitch New England retreat, which was a ton of fun. I’ve never been to Stitch Con or Stitch West, so seeing that many stitchers in one room for the first time was quite the experience! I’m definitely looking forward to the second year next year. 🙂 Stitch-In at the Farm is a veteran retreat for me – this will be my third year. I think it’s become my favorite one just because it is a complete removal from everything – no cell service, no TV, no internet. Just the farm, the mountains, and my stitching among like-minded people. Can’t go wrong! I’m so ready to go!

Next Year Plans

WIPocalypse will definitely continue next year with the last Sunday of the month check-in dates. I’ll be getting all of the details prepared to upload alongside next month’s WIPocalypse check-in. I know several stitchers are already putting their plans together – so for now, mark that final Sunday on your calendars!

I’ll leave off here for this month. I hope you have a lovely November as the holiday season starts to pick up steam.

Happy stitching,
Mel.

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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: November 26, 2023

Topic(s) for next time: What is your favorite way to finish ornaments and/or smalls?

Need all the basic info about the SAL?  Go here for all details for 2023!

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

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.