Tuesday, December 30, 2014

2014 musings...

2014 has been a big stitching year for me.  OMG moments have been the constant this year as I learn yet something else about stitching. Who knew there were so many tips, tricks and techniques out there to form those perfect little cross stitches?

What are my Top Five Cross Stitch Highlights for 2014?

5. Cross stitch Facebook groups have only become part of my life in the last 6 months. Not only am I enabled to improve my stash but my stitching knowledge and new friends has made this a daily part of my life.

4.  Railroading when I stitch to make them neater (thanks MrsMilkbyBarKid from #FlossTube). It involves splitting the thread with my needle when I make the cross so the threads lay flat and side-to-side.

3.  Front Loop Method for starting a thread (thanks Carolyn Mazzeo from #FlossTube) has transformed my starts. I now longer have to turn my stitching over when I start a thread.

2.  Giving Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) a second chance has really paid off. I had a major fail with a HAED 2 years ago. I have started a new HAED recently and with tips from again MrsMilkyBarKid (you know who you are) it is a success.

Drum roll...for my top moment please...

1. My cross stitch friends- you!!! I have a soft spot for my Blog and for reading your blogs too and will never stop enjoying the beautiful, friendly community of blogging. A big thank you to you.  Losing SoCal-Deb a few months ago only highlighted the strength of our beautiful community.

I have also really enjoyed the cross stitch YouTube community (affectionately known as #FlossTube) has been the bigbuzz of 2014. I reckon it is a community that is growing in a huge manner on a daily basis YouTube. There is a library's worth of information on there. Watching contributors takes you into their homes and gives a personal viewpoint on stitching progress. The interaction is different to blogging and it cannot replace it. There is a place for all types of social media. I will never stop blogging permanently (sure there have been a few dry patches over the years) as I value the blogging community so much.

So what do I have planned on the stitching front in '15?

2015 New Starts:
1. Mirabilia SAL  The Enchanted Mermaid January 1st start
2. Chatelaine pattern - Mini Castle
3. Chatelaine design - 2011 Autumn Freebie Fly Agaric
4. Purple Stitching - Classic Book Spines
5. Bothy Threads - Kings and Queens
6. HAED - Treasure Hunt Bookshelf Fox to Dragon 

2015 Works in Progress - I plan to finish during 2015
1. Prairie Schooler -Alphabet
I am currently stitching K is for Kitty.  11 down, 16 to go!


2. HAED - Mini Alice and Snow White
I have almost stitched a full page in a month so lets hope I can keep up this progress.
3. Heritage Sampler Company - I Love London
4.  Annet Eriksson's Passion for Stitching Chateau 

2015 Works in Progress - not necessarily finish in 2015
1. Bucilla - A Touch of Gold


 







2. Carriage House Samplings - Shores of Hawk Run Hollow
3. Designers Forum Needlepoint Rug
4. Country House Needleworks- Santa's House
5. Dimensions- Promises Kept

Other 2015 plans:

 I am also doing Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge in 2015 (DUCJC2015) which will feature many of the above.

So what do you think of my list? Am I dreaming? 
Happy Stitchy New Year to you all...

                                                       Jan x


13 comments:

Shebafudge said...

A great review of the year and I love your stitching plans for 2015. Good luck with them all!

Happy New Year!!

Mrs Milkybar Kid said...

I love your stitching plans for 2015 Jan, very excited to finally see a few Chatelaines on that list and I'm so glad that you are enjoying your HAED (enough to add in another one!), I look forward to following your progress in 2015!

Justine said...

Lovely post Jan. I can't believe you've stitched so much of your HAED already! Very inspiring. Your plans for 2015 sound great and I'm looking forward to following your progress next year.

Kevin said...

I LOVE this post!! I am happy to say that I "met" you through your blog this past year, and you introduced me to the Bothy Cut-Thru kits as well as so kindly invited me to join your PS Alphabet SAL group. You've inspired me this morning with your goals for next year, and I'm going to go get a pad and pen and SERIOUSLY map out my own goals for 2015! Lastly, but most importantly, you've given me the MOJO to get back to my poor, abandoned blog. Yep - I've been lurking about the blogosphere reading and watching what everyone's been up to, but I've sadly just left my own blog to lapse into a comatose state. Well, that's changing TODAY (thanks to you, honestly!) I wish you much success with your stitching goals for 2015, and sincerely thank you for your friendship and inspiration! (And I want to find out about this loop start from the front of our stitching and the tips you picked up for the HAED projects!) Happy Stitching! Kevin

Two Purple Threads said...

Fantastic post - I love the list. I am hoping to start the bothy threads Kings and Queens in 2015 as well. I love following your progress on your blog, flosstube and instagram. You have been a great inspiration to me with my Cut Thru Castle. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with your list throughout 2015.

Chris said...

Wonderful post! Love your recap of 2015. I usually just look at the projects that I have completed but don't look at the other parts of my stitching.
It looks like you have an amazing 2015 planned.
Happy New Year!

Sarah in Stitches said...

Love your review of 2014! Can't wait to see what you do in 2015. Happy New Year, Jan! :D

Linda said...

Great post Jan. I love your year end review. I also loved reading your goals for next year. I don't do so good with goals or rotations. Good luck with yours.
I'm looking forward to reading your blog next year.

Linda

Annette-California said...

What a incredible post! I didn't know about floss tube -lol. Must check that out. Loved your review and beautiful designs you'll be stitching for 2015.
Happy New Year, love Annette

Julie said...

A lovely review, lots of lovely things for me to watch for in2015. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. X

Kaisievic said...

Lovely post, Jan - I am going to go check out #flosstube on my new Smart TV right now!

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

Great post. I like this way of doing a review. I might copy it for my Blogaversary!

Love the PS Alphabet but you already know that LOL.
Looking forward to stitching alongside you on the other side of the world this year.

thanida said...

What a great giveaway! Thank you for your wonderful review,It inspires me a lot. Keep posting.
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