Daffy's Stitchy Friends

Monday, January 9, 2012

WIPocalypse Now

First full moon of the year that means it's WIPocalypse time! I'm literally astonished at my progress so far. This is unheard of in my stitching chair. The border got a little repetitive so I stitched a couple of flowers before I unstuck my rear from the chair. This project must be really interesting to me for me to stitch so much so fast.

Still linty. Don't look too close.


I find I'm frogging a bit more than usual. The dark fabric makes it difficult to see holes and I keep missing or adding a hole. At least I'm in the habit of checking to see if things are lining up so I catch it before I get too far but now I'm nervous I'll miss one and not catch it before it's really far gone! Dratted frogs.


If you would like to join us for WIPocalypse and "stitch like it's the end of the world" ~ click here!


I know I am supposed to make a list for WIPocalypse. I can't do it. Don't get me wrong, I love lists in general. Shopping lists, things to do lists, things I want lists ~ all of them! But I can't make a list of to-stitch items without feeling completely overwhelmed and becoming very stressed out. Since this is my hobby the last thing I want to do is get stressed about it! I haven't had a "real" loss of mojo in ten or twelve years so I am NOT risking it. My WIPocalypse list will have to remain the vague thoughts in my head and the pile of charts in my basket. I guess I could show you the basket:


Now, how is that for a list? You see why I could get a little freaked out? I admit I have no self control when it comes to my hobby. Now that we all have that straight lets just say for WIPocalypse I'd like to complete The Finery of Nature, make some progress on each of my long-time WIPs as seen in the left sidebar and fill in the gaps with designs from my basket. I will make every effort to go through the basket and sort it into some kind of reasonable order at some point. I heard those snickers! Stop laughing!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox

75 comments:

Coco Cross Stitcher said...

Your project is looking great
x catherine

pam said...

tha basket just makes me want to root though it and pull out something to stitch! Have fun with it:)

Ali said...

Wow!! fab stitching and that is some basket full of goodies xxx

Pumpkin said...

I'd say you're off to a great start :o)

Katie said...

I had a horrible time like you are explaining. I did feel really stressed about limited myself to my list. But with the ability to add and delete things I decided to make a list. I do keep seeing things that I wanna stitch so bad though.

cucki said...

hello dear..cute stitching,..looking so nice,,
i love your basket full of lovely stitchy charts..
happy stitching
love cucki xx

Denise said...

Now that basket is cool! Look at all the fun things to do!

Your stitching looks great - congrats on catching those frogs while they are still tadpoles.

Unknown said...

Oh, my, that is a pile and a half!
I thought I was bad, but it doesn't even come close. I'm jealous!

A lovely start!

Rachel S-H said...

You got a lot of charts in that basket. But I hear you about that list. I am just picking from my basket; to actually make plans to finish them might be too overwhelming. When I finish them, I'll list them as WIP finishes.

Tiki said...

Nice progress! I really love your basket. Looks like there's a lot of fun in there just waiting to be stitched.

Unknown said...

That is going to bebeautiful!! Haveyou tried putting a white pillowcase or towel on your lap? It helps me see the holes when I am stitching on dark fabric.

geeky Heather said...

I like your list. =) Those colors are really glowing on that black fabric. I know it's a pain, but it will be worth it!!

Margaret said...

I think lots of us have huge WIP lists. I'm embarrassed to show mine, I know that much! Haven't joined the WIPocalypse. I probably should. Sigh.

I love your WIP!!! Black always makes it hard though, doesn't it?

Karyn said...

It's gorgeous, Daff, and I looove the contrast of the floss against the dark fabric!
You are doing great, and I totally agree with you about your list...and it's your WIP list, do it your way :)
Hugs
Ma

Unknown said...

Your progress looks great, love the tiny flowers! I don't see any lint, but I did take my glasses off just in case! lol

Wow, that is a BIG basket of projects! I am kinda the same way though...I have two 4 drawer rolling caddies full of kits and patterns, and that's not including my floss boxes, which are stacked about 7 high on the floor. I think I am well stocked until the world ACTUALLY ends!

/hgus,
Nikki

Unknown said...

Looking at that basket I've just got to say "Wow!" I don't have a lot of self-control either when it comes to new pretty kits/charts, so I guess that's what my stash will look like some day as well. But you've got to have something to choose the next project from, right? :D

I haven't stitched on very dark fabrics myself, but some people say that having a light shine through from under/behind the fabric helps you see the holes better. I haven't tried it yet, but having a light shine at you through the holes sounds like a logical way to make them more visible. I don't know if you've already tried that, but to me it sounds like a good idea.

Good luck with The Finery of Nature, it's going to be absolutely stunning when finished!

Joysze said...

Oh, I love it!!! Those colors are popping like crazy against the black fabbie...

*sees chart basket....*

*THUD* (in 72pt print)

Jenny said...

Your WIP stash looks like something that I have seen before... oh, wait - my WIP pile at home! Duh! LOL
Beautiful sampler progress - love that lily of the valley border.

Kathy A. said...

Laughing - I'm rolling on the floor in hysterics! I thought I had a pile of WIP's!!!!
I love your work on the black fabric. Have you tried working with a piece of white fabric on your lap? It helps to see the holes sometimes.

Lynn said...

I'm with you, this is all about having fun and not stressing ourselves to the max. So you don't have a list.... it doesn't matter. Just stitch, stitch, stitch! We sure don't want you losing your mojo.
You've made some great progress on your WIP! Have you tried stitching with a white pillow case on your lap? It makes it easier to see the holes in the black fabric. A lightbox works great too is you're lucky enough to have one.

Michelle said...

Wow what lovely stash - I would take the chance though and get stressed out - it would be wonderful going through all that stash xx

Nicola said...

Lovely WIP. Put something very bright white on your lap to see the dark holes better :) Hope the frog stays away x

pandy said...

If I had that many patterns I'd be stressed out too if I had to make a list! lol! I really like the progress so far. Very pretty. :)

Mary Ann Tate said...

Eeek...that would be a very long list:)

Annette said...

I love that Idea of teh WIPocalypse..
have fun with it... you have enough stash to make something!!!

Nancy said...

Beautiful stitching!!

Lonneke said...

It's more work, but it looks stunning on the black!
About your pile of charts: maybe you should call it your bucket list. ;)

robindefender said...

Your start look beautiful against that black fabric. Those bright colors just pop! What is it you're working on?

Do you always stitch with your needle against an over thread? That's part of how I make sure that I'm not going over too many threads. If my needle comes up, and the weave of the fabric next to it is an underthread, then I know that I've one something wrong. Doesn't work for 100% of my mistakes, and it's harder to see the weave of the fabric when it's black, but it does minimize the errors.

P.J. said...

Now that is a basketful! Wow. Looking sharp on that black. I have an on black project in the drawers to be done some day. Part of my fall collection with rich golds and rust colors for leaves and soft browns for little bunnies. I need to quit, I am making my self drool over that project. Must - stay - focused on my HRH Christmas and my BoaF mystery stitch, for now.

Keep on stitching. P.J.

Kate said...

That's looking lovely, I know that dark fabric is a pain to stitch on but WOW does it show those colours.
Just ship the basket to me I'll keep your list for you!

Deb said...

Just love those colors on that black fabric, but I know how hard it can be to stitch on black sometimes. Did you try putting something white on your lap. I heard another suggestion someplace for working on black, but I can't pull it up out of the recesses of my brain. If I think of it, I'll comment again.

And that basket looks full of goodies!! I haven't been able to come up with my list either. It seems that the minute I try to commit myself to things, I fail so I'm trying to put it off.

Shirlee said...

Would love to have a look through that basket ... lol! Blessings, Shirlee

CalamityJr said...

I'm not laughing - look at all the fun you'll have with what's in that basket, and your WIP is gorgeous, so you must be doing something right!

tkdquintmom said...

Stop laughing??? I would LOVE to face plant myself into that basket! :D Oh the joy that could be happening...:D

Theresa said...

Your WIP looks so sharp on the black fabric!!!!! Very nice~~~
That basket full of charts is soooooo nice!!!! I won't blame you for not making a list, though!!!!!

Sue said...

Sharon your stitching looks fabulous! Have you tried putting something white on your lap (like a lint free tea towel lol) while you are stitching. I find it helps. I dug out my cross stitch and embroidery WIPs this morning and sorted them out for my WIPocalypse list. I'll be adding to my list as the year goes along and something catches my eye.....Plus whatever I'm stitching on for Geeky Heather's Theme-a-liscious. *Raising my cup of tea.* Here's to a great year in the WIPocalypse!

Janet said...

Just think, you'll never be in need for something to stitch :)

Ziggyeor said...

oh honey I should show you my tub! And I've only been stitching since 2004. You'll get there though ;)

MoonBeam said...

This is going to be really pretty on the dark, but I know it's tough on the eyes. Good luck!

TxEm said...

I love your list. It's kind of like a bucket list, but a basket list.

Lesleyanne said...

Lovely progress. Would love to have a nosey in that basket.

Christine said...

That is quite a "list", there must be hundreds of charts in there.
Those colours look fabulous on the black fabric

Debbie (Little Gingham Bear) said...

Great work on the dreaded WIP - that basket looks well worth a root through but think it might take forever lol xx

Aussie Stitcher said...

AAAAHHHH Stitchy Stash!!!! Love looking at other peoples' stash, even if I can't touch it. I see that you have had some suggestion regarding the black fabric, I too would suggest trying something white on your lap to help with seeing the holes.

Mouse said...

ooooo well done on your progress and sorry giggling at your wips ... looks like my stash drawers ..lol love mouse xxxx

Mireille said...

I love the colors, but yes it must be hard to work on dark fabric.
Oh and I thought that I haven't control on myself with stash :-) i am glad that we are already with two.

Mireille

Mireille said...

So beautiful on the dark fabric.
Oh i thougth I was the only one who hasn't no control on himself about the hobby.
I am glad we are with two :-)
Hugs,
Mireille

Anonymous said...

Very talented! I can't sew a button on so I have complete envy for you!

Thanks for following my blog - I absolutely love your avatar of the jumping cow - it will drive me insane cos I know I'll keep looking at it - but it's made me smile, and that's important.

Keep up the good work, lovely blog.
CJ x

Susan said...

Your piece looks amazing. I love how the colors pop on black.

Julie said...

Those colours really 'pop' on the black fabric.

WOWZA's thats a basket full of excitement, shame i can't reach into the screen and have a rootle though to see whats in there

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Oh I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has a box/basket full of the "to stitch" stuff. LOL

Your progress so far looks awesome in spite of that dratted frog!

Minnie said...

Love the colors on this dark fabric they really pop.

Topcho said...

Lol, this def is the most awesome to-do list ever! Have fun with it! The stitching looks amazing on that black fabric.

Patty C. said...

Great Progress

Cole said...

Looks like a beautiful stitch! Good luck with sorting your basket!

Jo said...

lovely piece. Someone else will almost certainly have said this, but a white towel on your lap when stitching on black can make the holes miraculously appear...

Toffe said...

Wowwwww!!
Don't stress... become yourself in a MUF'S Girl ;))

It's a great start in this stitcher's project.

Hugs!!!

Rita E in AZ said...

What a basket of fun - and I was getting stressed over my little pile. I completely understand not making a to do list of something that's supposed to be fun.

Alesia Matson said...

Ah, you're very wise NOT to make a list, under these circumstances. Besides, it's much more fun to stitch!

Your project is coming along well, keep up the good work!

Stitchabilities said...

Lovely stitching.
Good idea about not doing a list! I lost my mojo as I was stressing over what I had to do, but I am not stressing this year, just enjoying my hobby again!

Dani - tkdchick said...

The polite thing would be to comment on your WIP first, but OMG look at that basket full of glorious goodness!!!

The WIP is coming along great, working on black sure is a challenge.

Meari said...

The threads just pop off that dark fabric -- looks good!

Good luck with your WIPocalypse stitching.

Kris said...

Looks great!

TinaTx said...

Looking great! Try putting something white (or light) on your lap when stitching on dark fabric - helps the holes show up better!

Anne said...

Your big basket of charts is amazing! I like how you "list" your WIPocalypse :D Great progress on The Finery of Nature!! It's such a stunning design on black! Good luck with it! I've never worked with black fabric and have always marveled at those who do :D

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Golly you stitch fast! Are those all charts in that basket? Woo Hoo!

Teresa said...

I had trouble stitching once on the black fabric, you need to put a white towel or something on your lap to help see the holes.
I think we all go overboard and buy way too much. It is overwhelming.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches

the striped rose said...

I love your "list!" lol Your stitching looks great. I am still trying to work up the courage to stitch on black linen.

Sara said...

You've made great progress! I would say stitch with a white cloth/blanket/whatever on your lap while you're working on black fabric too. Makes a huge difference!

Penny said...

Black is definitely not fun to stitch on, but the colors look amazing on it. I don't make lists when it comes to stitching either. So far as WIPS go - I'm not even counting. I figure if I only put a few stitches in something and enjoyed doing it - that's all that matters to me. :)

jenner said...

Also for the suggestion of putting something white on your lap while working on black fabric. That's how I worked Growth Rings...the light bounced off the white and I could see the hole much better. =)

Carolyn NC said...

Awesome progress!

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

great progress and lovely basket list.

Rhona said...

OMG..what a lot of charts! You could have a guess how many charts in the basket competition!
I think if I were to make a list it would keep changing, so I like the way you are working! lol

Lija Broka said...

That is definitely a large basket full of projects! good luck on your stitching!