Tuesday, January 6, 2015

WIPocalypse for January 2015

Before I get to the funzies I've been up to (and yes only six days into the year and I've been up to quite a bit) I have to share this little bit with you and this is also a way to "introduce" a part of me as per the January WIPocalypse:

So I'm reading blogs, like I do, because each and every one is so unique and the humor is great for the soul, the stitching/quilting/crochet/kintting is beautiful...a nice cyber happy place...anywho, I'm reading Claudette497's blog BAP Attack  and she ends with the following words:

I'm pretty hostile to goals - I think they're a form of self-delusion because they feed into a false sense of control over the future.  It's all about putting one foot in front of the other for me!

This is what I'm talking about...there is always something WONDERFUL in each blog.  This time it was Claudette with her words of wisdom.  I had just set a goal for January....actually a small five item list...and as we have all figured out by now, goals and deadlines are NOT a strong suit with my stitching.  But I still want to try and see if I can make it through 2015 with my monthly short list of goals....I believe it's Dr. Dolphin from "Thoughts from the Stitchy Side" that has monthly goals and then recaps at the end to really check up on her progress on everything.  I really liked that too, but I think I was misunderstanding her reasoning for making a goals list.  Maybe she will clarify why she does it...I suppose I should ask, right?

This may sound crazy to some, but I do like controlling my world, and with cross stitch it's a double edged situation...you have the lovely order and "everything in it's place" but the length of time it takes to stitch a project, running out of floss, not having a type of sparkly thread you want to use, no beads when you need them...stuff happens that are not always within my scope of control...oh and did I mention LIFE happens?  Those pesky other humans always bothering and interrupting?  So I want lists, and I want goals and deadlines...even though it almost makes me sad and stressed out because I already know that some of my wild ideas will not come to fruition and may end up languishing next to Celtic Goddess.....I may have lost my point here...oh yes, so on one hand I want to make lists and obtain goals, but on the other, I desperately want to stitch everything right now!

I'm not sure if any of this makes sense, but I love the thoughts that each stitcher has about stitching and have to share morsels of wisdom when I can.  Stitching is supposed to be fun...NOT stressful. Can I really help it if I want to stitch everything right this minute?  I'm the first one to say "it's not a race", but in a way it kind of is, at least to me.

To combine BOTH of these philosophies, I've made a small five item list which I'm confident I can do and my ongoing WIPs will be just that...ongoing.

Here's where I'm at:

The Aztec Red 20 Ct linen is my secret project for the Stitching Pirates "Tribal and Totemic Contest" and is an easy but fun side project, and then you have Skeleton Crew to the right.

The Secret Project is something I will work off and on until March, as the contest ends on March 31st, so there is and isn't any hurry.  Like I said...it's an easy and fun side project.

Skeleton Crew is the focus project and once that one is done it's on to Celtic Goddess....again.

My next up to be finished is Day 1 from TW's 12 Days of Christmas.

In 2014 I wanted to finish one day per month, but, well here we are again still trying to work on Day 1.  I'll try it again this year.

That small five item list has seen progress and I'm pleased to say I have finished the January Bookmark.

Once I finish Day 1, that will see me at 3 smalls for the year so far which means 3 finishes and all before the end of the month!

Like I said last time...this IS very exciting!

I'm very glad I am using this fabric for all 12 of the bookmarks, as it really does make the colors stand out better than boring old white Aida...blech!

I have now accomplished 2 out of five of my five item list and it feels pretty darned good!

I really want to put a start on COSMOS, Cead Mile Failte, Butterfly Forest, and Celestial Dragon, however, I will need more scroll frames for that...why don't I own more scroll frames in the sizes I actually need them to be in??

Tell me what you think of my mini-epiphany, or don't.  It is up to you, and you know I'm always open to new ideas....probably the reason I am all over the place sometimes!

Until next time...or my next finish...whichever comes first....HAPPY STITCHING! 

24 comments:

  1. I think combining philosophies to create your own unique philosophy is a good plan, you will always be a berserker stitcher but that's no reason you can't plan which one's you are going to berserk on. And at some point you'll get sidetracked by a pretty and that's okay too, cause it's all for fun.
    Also, TWO finishes already I'm so proud of you,

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    1. Thank you, I was sort of thinking the same thing which is how the small list came about :D The urge to berserk is so very overwhelming right now!

      As far as finishes for this year....the finishes I'd love to see are Cindy, that will be a huge finish, Krystal's R&J, Leonore's PT and one of two of J's started TW's and I think she's already put down ECS for awhile because she just started a new one, and the rest of the girls just dug out and dusted off their TW's which is SO VERY EXCITING!! Some are almost finished, so maybe we will see some SERIOUS finishes this year :D

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    2. It does seem that 2015 will be the year of the BAPs for NCCIH I'll finish one, start another, decide whether to change the order of the LIST as I have to add Dance to it, and the Sock Puppet.

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    3. Changing your order can be a wonderful thing! The only question I have is this: Are any of the BAPs after Cindy gifts that need to be done for a particular person at a particular time? If not, then change your list over and over...you have plenty of time left to decide :D

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  2. I want to learn about 20 tunes on fiddle that I am obsessed about, but really need to discipline myself to focus on one tune for one week and then move on depending on my progress.

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    1. I completely understand! If you try to do more than you can handle you freak out and wonder "why isn't this working??" ha ha! You need to have Travis take some video of you playing a couple reels so we can all see your awesomeness at play!

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  3. I don't like resolutions. In fact I hate them. Goals on the other hand, well I'm not sure if that's what I'd call the growing list of things I want to do.... Anyway, realistic or not, I'm not looking for control but for a way to organize my future plans, hopes, etc.
    I have no delusion that they'll stay the same for the year let alone the next five minutes, but they do provide me with a sense of direction. I'm not bummed if I don't make because I get to see all the wonderful progress I made along the way. :-)

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    1. ha,ha! You have a wonderful attitude that I hope to someday achieve :D I'm still in the "delusional" phase and think I can control every little thing...it doesn't work but I still try for some unknown reason!

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  4. Oh nice projects and good luck with your goals! I have the same problem, once I put a deadline on something I lose interest! :D

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    1. Exactly! any kind of stress applied to something and I no longer want to work on it, but at the same time I want it DONE. It's silly, but there it is :D

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  5. I can't live without goals and to-do lists...not that I always accomplish them, but I do NEED them. I'm trying to do the same thing you do at parts though, nice, little steps that I actually have a chance of achieving :D

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  6. My "to-do" list never gets any shorter... but I'd get bored if it did...lol
    Love all your stitcheries too... so I wish you good luck with your WIP in 2015. You can do it!!!!
    Thanks for joining in FNwF too...
    Hugs xox

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    1. Truth be told, I want to stitch everything so the list would wrap around the world 87 times and still continue ha ha!

      Thank YOU for hosting such a fun SAL!

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  7. I like how you describe your feelings about cross stitching. Its soon to be called "A Cross Stitchers Woes: A True Story". I'm the opposite, but not really. I don't like having a goal. I like going along with what comes, but at the same time I have determination to get somewhere. Maybe...it's one of those vicious circles. Goodness, I just had a mental image of sitting in a chair and stitching with an endless thread unable to stop until there's none left. The horror...maybe.

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    1. tee hee...if it were over dyed floss then I would have to ask "why does there need to be an end?" I like that image!

      Maybe we should co-author the story? Two different insights and opinions, two very different styles...that could be a very fun project :D

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  8. I like to set goals but I never strictly adhere to them. In a way to me a goal is more like a guide line. That way I don't have the feeling of being pressured to get it done and loosing interest. I'm very susceptible to stitcher's burnout. I wish you luck with your 2015 wips.

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    1. I'm really glad you shared this with me, as everyone's responses really helps especially with the variety of attitudes surrounding how they all go about getting things done :D I wish you luck on your WIPs as well...especially the TW!!!

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  9. I loved Claudette's statement as well when I read it. And I think that when I say "goals", what I really mean is "direction" I am notoriously hyper and flighty, the very picture of Adult ADD. Even my staff makes me write everything down or they know that I'll zing off in my caffeinated-ferret way and forget everything. The intention is always there, the follow through just sucks, because of the million neurons firing in different directions.

    Which is why I tend to say "ish" a lot. I have goals-ish, and a rotation-ish, but at the end of the day I do what makes me happy, but I definitely need written lists and goals to keep me moving in some sort of forward direction (which gives me that sense of accomplishment). My intentions need to be written down, listed, and loved, because the will is strong, but the spirit has multiple personalities and too much energy ;)

    That said - I think your idea of combining philosophies is fantastic, your list is a very nice plan, and I look forward to seeing your progress!

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    1. Ahhhh, further proof I'm not alone!! Your philosophy is definitely a good one as well...more thinking is needed here.

      And thank you, we shall see how long it takes me to stop doing the monthly goals list hahahahaha!

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  10. Wow! You have such wonderful goals, just keep your head strong and your determination driven!

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    1. Thank you! This in itself is a challenge but with wonderful supporters like you all, it will make this challenge that much easier!

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  11. Beautiful stitching and good luck with your goals.

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    1. Thank YOU! From one voracious reader to another I really appreciate your lovely comments!

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