Friday, May 06, 2011

What Is Wrong with This Picture?

I'm so frustrated! I got caught up in SALs I've seen on several blogs, and Karen of Sushine Stitches is a bad influence on me. Not really - she inspires me to join Yahoo groups and forums in which there are SALs going on that started at the beginning of the year. This means that I have a lot of catching up to do. In OakHaven Designs Yahoo group, there are two monthly SALs going, and I decided to do them both. Why? Because one is cute; one is pretty. I did the January owl without a problem (no pic yet). We're talking about simple here. Tonia Pappan of OakHaven Designs does wonderful, easy-to-see, easy-to-do and quick-to-stitch pdf charts. They're no-brainers. If I had a brain, the above would never have happened. I had bought 2 large pieces of 14ct aida in two different colors, mainly because it seemed that aida was being used by most of the members, and I liked this linen-look aida, although I nearly always buy linen or evenweave now. I do have nice colors of aida in my stash, even hand-dyed colors, that I will use from time to time just to get it used up. Anyway, I calculated the size I needed for the bird SAL and the owl SAL. The owls are bigger up and down; the birds are bigger side to side. I stitched the owl correctly. I stitched the bird you see on the right so that the others coudn't be stitched 3 across and 4 down, the way I had planned with the size of aida I had them cut for me. Sooo... I stitched the bird on the left the correct way, but it's one stitch off. The birds all are the same basic size and shape, just different colors and different surroundings. If I don't frog the 2nd bird, it won't match up with the other birds. I have yet to frog the first incorrect bird on the right, just so you could witness a no-brainer's work.

I'm a slow stitcher, so I've had to abandon my rotation to get a start on these SALs, and the thought of doing the same bird makes me sick. To think I've just joined The Stitch Specialists Yahoo group to do another SAL, the Tree of Stitches (featured on their homepage) and yet another SAL with the Merry Members of the SanMan Originals message board makes me even sicker. I've had different sweet souls tell me to weed out the ones that don't thrill me and just do the ones that do. Well, they all thrill me! So I've decided to put my rotation on hold and concentrate on these SALs to try to get caught up. It's supposed to be fun - that's what one of the sweet souls said to me, and she's right! My plan to get the SALs started are what thrills me right now and makes me happy, so that's what it shall be, and my other WIPs will wait. It's not a race, thank goodness!

The problem is that 2012 will bring another string of new SALs that will call to me, and I'm weak. I have no discipline, which is why I have a Chatelaine, Convent's Herbal Garden, along with the shocking sales receipt from European Cross Stitch from about 2004 or 2005 - untouched. I just bought the linen for it a couple of years ago - still untouched. My intentions are good, and I recently took it out to look at the pattern and instructions but that was before I got sidetracked by all these 2011 SALs that stole my heart. I have to get them going, then back to my other WIPs I had on the go, then I dearly want to do the Chatelaine, The Sampler Girl's Jane Austen's Mansfield Park SamplerInk Circle's BoInk that I never got to when the Tracy's Yahoo Group was going (it has since closed, but I printed the charts while there), and Garden Spot Sampler (circa late 18th century or early 19th century), and a host of Little House and Country Cottage Needlworks thread packs and kitted others, not only LHN and CCN, but tons of others. Why, oh why, can't I live a whole lot longer?

15 comments :

Gabi said...

You sound like me Nancy. I have way too much kitted up here as well. 3 chatelaine's included. It's such a pity that you don't have enough fabric, otherwise I would leave the "wrong" bird and make a floss tag or a fob of it. It's such a cute little bird.
And don't allow the amount of kitted up projects to stress you out. It doesn't matter what speed you stitch...as long as you're having fun. And your stitching is gorgeous - always loving it.

socialsue said...

I have many HUGE stitching projects waiting for me to stitch. 3 HAEDs and other projects from Dimensions kits...my sons and grandsons have given me large kits to do. One of the biggest is the Past, Present, Forever from Disney. On top of that, I have lots of SALs.... so I am in the samme boat as u are. LOL

socialsue

wendy111 said...

I think we should stitch because we love stitching and creating something that we love. We all stitch at our own pace and in the amount of time we have available, so we should not get caught up in time frames for finishing things but just get them done as and when we can.

Having said this I found April frustrating because I did not have a lot of time to stitch and I did not finish my monthly instalment of my main Chatelaine (Baroque Garden). I will try to do it this month.

The Convent Herb Garden Chatelaine is beautiful, but just do it little bit at a time when you do start.

On the positive note I am finding that Tree of Stitches is fun to do and grows quite quickly. The specialty stitches make a pleasant change to cross stitch.

Happy stitching Nancy

Unknown said...

It sounds like you need several lifetimes to do all you want to do. I'm the same and it can be awful overwhelming when you think of all you want to do, and should be doing, but whats important is that you enjoy it. This is your hobby and if your happy with them all you go for it girl ! Can't wait to see some of them. Your a true stitcher having so much and wanting to do so much xxx

Mouse said...

OOO Nancy I couldn't tell anything was wrong thought you may have stitched too close to the edge at first ... stitching is fun :) don't get bogged down with it all .. stitch what you want to stitch on now and you will get round to the rest ..lol if you want to start something new well then do it ... and the stash kitted up is to fondle and say your next ..lol and if all else fails send some to me ;) hahahahah love mouse xxxx

Mary-Anne said...

I have a few projections in my rotation as well and 4 SALs. I think we "stitchers" love to have many projects on the go. Your Birds are coming along nicely Nancy.

chrisstitches said...

This is supposed to be a hobby you enjoy so hopefully, you learn the word
NO.
I just do projects I like. The gold finch will be my next project on aida I found for 10 cents at a thrift store. Hoooray, a prayer answered yes. Fantastic!
Hang in there & do what you want to stitch.

Claudette497 said...

How lucky are we to have so many thrills for the taking? I have a million projects that make my soul sing, and they are cheaper than heroin, so why complain. Frogging is no fun, but it ends and brings you back to the joy of creation. I just joined Tree of Stitches too, so we'll be behind together. :)

Susieq said...

Nancy just stitch what you want to stitch and do not let the other things you have kitted up get to you. When I was involved in stitching the friendship sampler being on a timetable was very irritating and to be honest I really felt like it was work, & I was glad when I put in the last stitch. Now that it is framed and hanging on my wall, I'm enjoying it. I don't want to do another one for awhile though LOL

Giovanna said...

Oh dear, Nancy, I know the feeling... as I've said before, we seriously need to find someone who sells cans of time, lol. Don't let it stress you, please, you're supposed to have fun: just put the daily little crosses in what calls loudest, and you'll have the joy of seeing your projects grow.

Katrien said...

just enjoy your stitching :)

Nancy M said...

Just do what you want, when you want and chalk the mistakes up to experience!

Justflo said...

I call mistakes 'personalisation'. Sometimes the changes I make are by design and other times weeelllll!!!!

Sally said...

Just enjoy your hobby Nancy and don't worry about the amount you have on the go :) Stitching is a wonderful hobby and it's good for relaxing :)

Meari said...

Wow, you certainly do have a full plate going on. Just enjoy it and do what you can. :)