Saturday 11 February 2017

Belated 2016 review and plans for 2017!

Hello all,

Thank you so much for continuing to read my blog! Last year was a crazy year for my husband and I, culminating in the birth of our brilliant beautiful baby boy!

My stitching has suffered however and I have only managed half an hour stitching since he was born in November! The good news is that he's got into a bit of routine now and I can focus on some of my other passions. For now, here's a review of what I did manage in 2016!

At the beginning of last year, I'd no idea I'd get pregnant, so was very ambitious, but realistic with my stitching aims. However, I struggled with some symptoms of the pregnancy, mainly tiredness, so had to look after myself (and my baby!)

So below I'll list my aims, the reality and whether I completed my goal!

Millennium Sampler - Finish 4 squares - only completed 1!
For some reason I can't find a before picture, but below is an after picture.  Not that much progress, but I'm happy to see any on this one after it sat as a UFO for over a decade!

AFTER:



Snowy Friends - Finish Page 2 - INCOMPLETE


Although not completed the page, I nearly have completed page two and love how this one is stitching up. I'm hoping to get some time with this during the year.

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Beacon Ridge - Finish Page 2 - IINCOMPLETE

Again, not finished the page, but the closer I get to the lighthouse, the more I'm enjoying it. I think the more I get dobe, the more the colours will blend. 

BEFORE:


AFTER:


Ladybug Love - Page 1 -INCOMPLETE

OK, I didn't get the page finish, however, I've really enjoyed stitching this one this year. I love how the outline is coming along and makes the pinks pop! 

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Lakeside Village - Finish Page 1 & 2 - Page 1 only complete

Again, not as much as I wanted to get done, however, there's a lot of detail there and I love the colours and texture in this design. 

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Greek Steps - Complete whole design (pages 1 and 2) - just 1 page complete

I'm pleased I completed page 1 and think it's stitching up nicely. Since page 2 is smaller,albeit with lots of confetti, I think it will not take too long to finish. Maybe not this year though!

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Frederick the Literate - Finish Page 1 - INCOMPLETE
Again, I just fell short of a page finish, but it's nice to see some progress on Fred though. I'd like to do more on him this year. 

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Frogs Kissing - Finish Page 2, but will push to complete! - INCOMPLETE

OK I didn't finish page 2 &5, but i did complete right frog's face. i think they'll look great in my son's safari themed nursery though so will get some hours in with them this year. 

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Playtime Kitten - Complete - INCOMPLETE

I so love this design and the hand dyed fabric makes it even better! One for my craft room when I finish her!

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Sammy Squirrel - Start and Finish page 3 - INCOMPLETE

I'm disappointed I didn't get further with Sammy. The confetti in those leaves is amazing! I'm sure she'll look great when complete though. 

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Beverley's Owl - Finish Pages 1 & 2 - INCOMPLETE

I was so close to another page finish here, so will aim to get one complete by the end of this year.  Page 3 doesn't have much confetti so that could stitch up quickly too. 

BEFORE:



AFTER:


Love Spring - Complete all full stitches and hoping to make real progress or even finish the back stitch! - INCOMPLETE

I love this design, pardon the pun! Just 1 page to complete of full stitches, then all the back stitch to do. I hope to return to this one this year at some point. 

BEFORE:



AFTER:


My final goal was my New Year's New Start which I started 1st January!

A Day in the Life of Hello Kitty

AFTER: picture pending

NEW STARTS!!!

Now I know I said no more new starts, however I fell in love with this design and so has my husband. I've only completed 10 hours on this beautiful design called Paris, although having now been there I don't think it looks lije urban Paris at all, but does remind me of Toulouse and Lyon, so I'll just call it France. 



My next new start was a given once I discovered I was pregnant.  Of course I just had to make something for baby! 

As baby came early, I didn't have any time to catch up and finish this design whilst on maternity but to finish and frame it this year is my only formal goal for 2017! So I expect you all to remind me of that when I go off track!

Here's where I am so far:



I also had a little new start (and finish) which I completed in hospital of a mini kit of a robin Christmas card which I thought would be a nice keepsake for my little boy when he was born.

I'll add a photo of this and the other missing photos in a new post later in the month.  Hopefully I shall have completed more of the baby sampler by the end of the month by then too! 

Happy Stitchy New Year! xx