Saturday, January 4, 2014

A Year of Gardens and Other SALs

Click now for JiffNotes

I believe I mentioned in my Theme-a-licious post that my EGA chapter is having a year-long SAL (Stitch-A-Long) with the theme being "Gardens". At the same time, they are also having a 2014 Stitching Challenge where finishes that you declare at the beginning of the year get you entries into a raffle. So, I decided to combine the two and try to finish three garden pieces.

First off, I would like to finish the Jane Nicholas stumpwork class piece (hereafter known as Medieval Floral):
 
I think this is doable.

Next up: Shakespeare's Garden
 
This piece is left over from the last time I attempted a "Crazy January"...I picked 11 pieces to start/finish in 2011 (some were starts and some were WIPs). Yeah...that didn't work out so well for me. I maybe finished...one? I have eventually finished a whopping FIVE, but this finish will at least put me at more than half. I figure I can do another Crazy January once I finish these eleven!

A couple of friends and I are going to try to get Spring Garden Gate done. I had a wee bit started already, but this is where I was after picking it up on the 1st:
 

The same two friends and I are going to start a Rosewood Manor Quakers piece. Two of us are doing Spring and the other is doing Summer.
 
I do NOT expect to come close to finishing this during the year, so it won't be part of the Stitching Challenge.

And here's another random garden-themed piece that might get some work done on it..Sanctuary by The Drawn Thread.
 
This piece is such a pleasure to stitch...it's done all in Needlepoint Inc. silks.



I'll be participating in the Just Nan Stitch Along with Lady Scarlet's Journey, which seems to be awfully shy. I can't find a single picture I've taken of it, and it seems to have avoided my camera today as well...hmmm.... I have plenty of other Just Nan pieces to carry on with (Barnabee's Quest, for one).



I did not do so well with the ornament SAL last year, so this year, I'm trying to pick the smallest possible smalls for this year's SAL. Bonnie kindly sent me the 12 Dragonlets of 2012 (with the designer's permission), since I'm not on Facecrook. I think I can get one of these done a month.

Now I just need to attack that finished pile of ornaments that need to become three-dimensional....

JiffNotes
Gardens all year long...and I plan to finish at least three!

14 comments:

Woolwoman said...

So fun to see you SAL and challenge choices for duClay this year. We are thrilled you are participating and we sure wish you had been with us today to kick off another great year of stitching. Your last post of finished items was quite impressive! Stay warm and knit on. Happy new year to you and Michael. With warm and wooley-thoughts Mel

Dani - tkdchick said...

You've got some great projects planned for this year!!!

Shirlee said...

Beautiful projects planned!

stitchersanon said...

Wow, I have a stumpwork project I have struggled to even start...best I get it out and get on with it lol
Lovely projects!

SewAmy said...

It will be fun to watch our SAL progress through the year. I really to love the Quaker one. I love all of Rosewood Manor's designs.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Excellent choices! I have no doubt that you will meet your goal! I'm putting together my WIP Challenge list now. I've started two new project just for that purpose (which isn't really the purpose if you know what I mean). Looking forward to seeing your progress! Happy New Year!

Jean in Georgia said...

Hey! How did I miss the Quaker action? I've got Winter...

Melanie said...

Good luck with it!! You've gotten a great jump on it, some of these are off to a good start. You can do it!! :)

Val said...

Yay three. That would be great. I somehow feel that I won't get that far.

Karoline said...

You've got some great projects there, good luck with your goals

Beth said...

What wonderful projects - the stump work piece in AMAZING!

Joysze said...

Dang, girl!!! You never cease to amaze me with all those gorgeous designs. I love Medieval Floral!! That's going to be something special, that's for sure.

Ok... next Theme-a-licious post is Feb 1st, right? I'm so going to use the Sherlock logo for those post. Did you hear my wail of agony when I couldn't use that version for my sidebar? LOL!!

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

What lovely designs you have chosen. I have Sanctuary in my stash, I love it but can't seem to fit it in somehow!

How sweet of DD to let you have the little dragonlets, they are a nice quick stitch. Just one or two evenings no problem.

Shebafudge said...

Oh my word...what beautiful pieces you are working on. That top one is just stunning. How about some close-ups...pleeeeeease :)

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