I am looking at all the stitched ornaments on my tree, my stitched stockings, and my stitched advent calendar and realizing again what a big part cross stitch has always had in my life. I haven't been able to concentrate on it for long periods of time since my mom died and then my husband had brain surgery and then I got a concussion, but even then it's always been there and I'm thankful for it.
I finished a number of things this year - and even finish finished one - which is amazing for me. This Lizzie Kate ABC's of Faith hangs next to my bed and I look at it every morning. It's one of two pieces I have that I actually had professionally framed. I finished it during online "Cross Stitch Camp" which was really a good challenge for me.
My word this year was harmony, so this little Shepherd's Bush Fob kit was perfect...
I finished a page of my HAED Mini Serenity Lane on 18 ct Aida...
Made a sweet freebie from Shannon Christine Designs using Antique Blue 14 ct Aida and some threads from my stash.
Made a Stitching with the Housewives freebie for Sunflower September with FQS Flosstube. (14 ct Vintage Country Mocha, threads from stash)
Finished a 6 or 7 year old WIP - Family Blessings by Imaginating (kit)
Finished 5 patterns in the Frosty Forest series by CCN - I plan to finish this in 2022. (16 count Platinum Aida, DMC)
Finished Block 1 of FarmHouse Christmas - LHN - 16 ct French Country Mocha?, Classic Colorworks. This series is on my list for 2022 as well - and hopefully I will start the new Fall series when this is done!
Lady in Red by Heritage Stitchcraft, stitched on some fabric from my stash... Monaco, maybe? This one is in memory of my mom.
I'm actually a bit amazed to see how many I've finished this year! Since my last concussion a year ago - I've had a number of them through the years - I've had a spike in ADHD type symptoms and sitting still and concentrating to stitch is hard. I've been trying to stitch for 15 minutes or more a day this year, but it is frustrating when things that used to take a couple of nights now take a couple of weeks. And then you have to work through the mental struggle of wanting to quit because you feel like a failure and you wonder whether it is worth it. I'm realizing that I need shorter goals, easier counts and some aspect of novelty / fun /challenge to keep going. And I want to keep going, because it is good for me mentally and emotionally. I think I will be making a WIPGO board for this year, working mostly on Aida, and challenging myself to fully finish my projects this year.
On a fun cross stitch related note, I've developed a love for project bags this year. I picked up three from this Etsy shop - pamsneedleandthread - over the course of the year. They are gorgeous!! Plus I received one from a stitching friend as a thank you for some handmade cards I made for her. I think I got the better end of that deal!!
I've also been watching the Fat Quarter Shop floss tube channel. I love watching the incredible amount of projects Kimberly can accomplish in a year. It continually inspires me and it's fun to see all the new things she works on. Happy Little Stitch Shop has a lovely floss tube and shop as well. Angela is so sweet!!
So that's it for 2021 unless I come back and post my plans for next year or I happen to have a finish. Merry Christmas to any of you that happen to run across this post!
Happy Stitching!
Tricia
