#toomanywips

Say it with me people! Too many WIPs! (But its not a bad thing) Say it loud and proud stitchers!!!!

When you come across a stitcher that says they are only working on two or three WIPs you know they are "hiding" something. There is NEVER just two or three. When you delve in there is always a confession "I am only working on two or three but I have 95 others in my sewing room". That's right, just let it all out. We are here with you. A virtual army of stitching support groups that want to have it all out in the open.

The consensus among all stitchers of all races and locations are the sheer quantity of our WIPs. And we love and deserve them all!

Of the 9 Facebook cross stitching groups, the countless stitching blogs, and the two online communities I follow daily, there is two fundamental themes:

1) Everyone has too much stash to stitch and the continue to covet/purchase more and they want to know its OK to keep on buying.... 

2) They need encouragement or support to help them finish the ones that are taking too long or we have grown tired of...

There is a Facebook Cross Stitch SAL group that does a before/after post over weekends to show progress, there are at least two blogs I follow with competitions and prizes to complete the most stitches on a project, or the most projects stitched in the last 30 days or just participate monthly. I have found that there are so many groups that are supporting each other it is so fantastic!

There are paper patterns, free web patterns, magazine patterns, books from the library patterns, ONS patterns, LNS patterns, and now patterns for your iPad or Kindle. If I have left any out, make a point to comment...

I think we are as stitchers, without trying, trending on #toomanywips.

For those of you who are Twitter followers, you can follow me at @stitchbyrachel. I think we should all put on our Facebook/Twitter accounts #toomanywips and see just how many people suffer from the same condition!

Happy Stitching!

Patterns I covet...

Today I am enchanted by this series of patterns from Ursula Michaels Designs. Here is the link:

http://www.crosstitch.com/ursulamichael/

These are the ones I would like to add to my stash at some point...but in different color combos

Prepping for another Stitchin' In weekend.

I have been joining facebook groups like mad, and spending more than my fair share of hours looking at other work. This week in particular, I have been broadening my Canadian work base. I have been checking out http://mysweetprairie.blogspot.ca/ and enjoying her thread paintings. 

There is a double barrel reason to stitch in this weekend:

1) June SAL on this facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/events/160873054094396/161495007365534/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity

2) International Hermit Stitch Weekend is this weekend (http://joysze.blogspot.ca/p/international-hermit-and-stitch-weekend.html) 

The three I am going to focus on are from my Turtle Trot Page: Paris Market, Flower Pot & Panda Pals. The most recent updated photos are on that page and I am hoping to show some decent progress. This weekend I will be partaking in a 2-2-2-2-2 weekend. Small 2 hour father's day celebration, 2 hours of roller (skating) derby training, 2 hours at my mother's, 2 hours of solitary cooking on Sunday night for my Ladies Dinner Club and parenting my almost 2 year old. Every other waking availability will be spent on stitching. I just will it to be. How else am I going to get some down time? By my calculations, I think I can get 4 hours on Friday, 4-6 on Saturday and another 4 hours on Sunday so I am EXCITED!!!

Working with my portfolio

I didn't realize that I hadn't put together my portfolio all in one place. I tried to link a slideshow to my blog, but I realized the best way to do this was to put together a Flickr page, and get that loaded up. I figured it all out, dug through the archives and found as much as I could put together in a few days onto a public photostream. 

Check out my slide show on the right side panel -->

In the interim, I thought I would show one of my finishes from Sept 2012...

This particular pattern was modified from the original design slightly.  I changed up the pattern in the long narrow tower to one of my more favored blackwork patterns instead of the one the pattern called for. It was sent abroad to one of my favorite Canadians and her lovely little girl.

Inspiration or Lack Thereof

While I am lacking inspiration, I like to peruse patterns and shop. Generally I buy a magazine or two, or do a bunch of blog reading, but I am feeling tired and I can't even bring myself to do my procrastinating activities!

Time to force myself to get upbeat! I am going to run on the spot. Do three push ups - as that's all I can do right now - and I am going to sing a bad 80s song at the top of my lungs. (Insert your favorite top 80s song here).

OK OK OK now that I have the blood flowing and the motivation, I am going to share some blogs that I have been checking out lately:

What Delilah Did... she has some beautiful monochromatic patterns
http://www.whatdelilahdid.typepad.com/


Mr X Stitch... so involved in the international fiber arts community its INSANE...http://www.mrxstitch.com/category/cross-stitch/


Feeling Stitchy...a whole pile of modern stitching bloggers http://www.feelingstitchy.com/2012/02/artist-love-bec-groves-interview.html


Floresita... cute stuff http://unafloresita.blogspot.ca/search/label/embroidery


Wee Little Stitches... I like their nerdy stuff http://weelittlestitchescrossstitch.blogspot.ca/2013/03/this-weeks-new-pattern-pixel-people.html


Well now that I am inspired, on to working on my custom Handkerchief of a Hydrangea...