2017 STITCHING PLANS

I have joined two stitching groups for 2017.  One is Year of Starts 2017 where I will start a new project on the 17th day of each month which shouldn't be a problem since I have also joined Stitch From Stash 2017.  I have set a budget of $25 per month for stitching needs.  If I don't use that $25 it can be carried forward to the next month.  With a little luck (and determination) I should have $100 to use at the time of the Stitchville Retreat.

I have been going through my stash and pulling out all the projects I already have kitted or partially kitted.  I don't think I'll have any problems finding a new project to start on the 17th of each month and anticipate the only purchasing I'll need to do is for fibers I run out of. These are the projects I have fully kitted:

1. Letters from Nora, Letter E - by Nora Corbett
2. Letters from Nora, Letter S - by Nora Corbett
3. Happy Halloween 2012 (freebie) - Kit & Bixby
4. Roses are Red (freebie) - Primitive Traditions
5. Evergreen Santa - Silver Needle Secret Needle Night
6. Corsetto - Alessandra Adelaide Needleworks
7. Excursion #2 Vierlande - Amy Mitten Designs
8. Excursion #3 Friesland - Amy Mitten Designs
9. Excursion #4 England - Amy Mitten Designs
10. Excursion #5 Russia - Amy Mitten Designs
11. Excursion #6 Mexico - Amy Mitten Designs
12. All Year Square - Betsy Morgan
13. The Grape Season - Exemplars From the Heart
14. Snowberry Alphabet - The Victoria Sampler
15. Sally Johnson Old Sturbridge Museum Collection - Old Willow Stitchery
16. Wisteria - Nora Corbett
17. Autumn Blooms - The Cricket Collection
18. Autumn Queen - Mirabilia
19. Vintage Valentines - Pine Mountain
20. A Sizzling Sunflower - Silver Needle Secret Needle Night
21. It's Berry Time - Blackbird Designs
22. Ode to Mary Needleroll - Dames of the Needle
23. Chirpy (since...) - Barbara Ana Designs
24. Random Threads - Erica Michaels
25. Gather Friends Close Part 1:  Gather - Hands on Design
26. Fraktur Friends - Plum Street Samplers
27. Pumpkin House at Frightmare House - Just Nan

I think I'm all set for my 2017 stitching!

First and Last Finishes

Each year my group of stitching friends exchanges a Christmas ornament. For the last several years I've drawn the name of my friend Claudia. I know she likes things she can keep out all winter, rather than just an ornament that will hang on the tree for a short period of time. This year I attempted a flatfold for her and really like how it turned out. I stitched the Little House Needleworks design from the 2007 JSC Christmas ornament issue. Excuse the poor photo! My first finish for 2008 is a Mosey 'n' Me freebie on opalescent fabric. I notice that the Christmas tree charm, which is supposed to be in Santa's hand, is attempting to fly away! Again...excuse the photo!
My first start for 2008 is the historic mystery sampler from The Gift of Stitching magazine. I'm using the suggested Dinky Dyes silks and am loving them! I've never used Dinky Dyes before and I'm impressed. Just holding them is like what I think it would be like to hold a cloud ~ SO soft and fluffy. That brown blob will be a stag eventually!
On Sunday my stitching group had our annual holiday get together. We always wait until January after the craziness of the holiday season. We had such a great day -- too much eating, lots of talking and some stitching! I was introduced to French Vanilla Kahlua. I can see a new addiction in my future!!

Front from left: Claudia and Debbie

Rear: Helene, Teresa, Neila, Char