50 Project Challenge

Finish #3

2009-01-04T07:59:00.001-08:00

"Renaissance Bookmark" by Teresa Wentzler

On 28c Country French Chantilly,

using recomended threads; with buttonhole edge.

Approx 39 hrs.

This is my last finish of 2008.

Finish #2

2009-01-04T07:59:00.000-08:00

wXSw (Wonderful XS World) mystery SAL,

created by Helga Mandl Designs and Barbara Ana Designs

On 14c Oatmeal Aida, with DMC threads

(comparable Light Effects threads substituted for white, 334, and 818).

Approx 66 hours.

Finish #1

2009-01-04T07:56:00.001-08:00

"Winter's Grazing" by Lois Winston
From The Cross Stitcher, Feb. 2007.

On 16ct Grey Aida, using DMC threads.

Approx 93 hours to complete.

A New Start - The Rules

2008-06-28T14:39:00.000-07:00

Time to work with what I have again! Once again I want to see how far I can get before I splurge purchase. I've culled down my charts (see my Stash to Go Blog if you want anything, there's still a lot of 'free' charts), and am now going to work on my fabric/fibers.
My new start date is July 1, 2008, and I my goal is 15 or more finishes. Any changes I've made to the rules are in red.

The 'official' rules from HasturTorres' site (the "I" refers to her):

Purpose of the challenge: to reduce the amount of patterns you have not stitched. This challenge can also be applied to other areas of you stash if you wish (please post your personal modification).

1. Have fun reducing your stash.

2. There is no time limit- people have different size projects they would like to work on.

3. Thou shall not purchase any new patterns, fabric, or thread until 10, 25, or 50 projects have been stitched. Pattern size does not matter. (This challenge can also apply to knitting, beading, sewing and crocheting patterns.)

4. You can make some exemptions - I am not placing limitations on this due to commitments that people might already have. Remember, though, the goal of this challenge is to reduce stash so too many exemptions will sabotage these efforts. I have declared three exemptions.

6. Gifts, gift cards, trades, RAKs and patterns bought with gift money are not a violation of this challenge. This also applies to purchasing patterns for gifts that give other people.

7. Freebies count as part of your total and you can acquire them at any point.

8. The official start date of this challenge was Sept 1, 2006 since I have been posting about it for awhile and want to make sure the everyone's projects have been included.

My exceptions (other than those already stated in the rules):

1. Annual JCS Ornament magazine

2. Current subscription renewals: I am currently subscribed to The Gift of Stitching, Just Cross Stitch, The Cross Stitcher, and the annual Keepsake Calendar. I may renew these subscriptions, but not subscribe to something new.

3. Threads may be purchased only if replacing one that has run out, or a pattern calls for a particular thread and I do not have a viable substitute.

4. Fabric may be bought if I do not have a viable color that is big enough

5. I may participate in 1 Secret Sister, 2 Fiber exchanges, and any amount of stitched/finished product exchange.

Busted at 15!!

2008-04-23T08:57:00.001-07:00

I made it to 15 projects before buying more stash!!! That's 1 year and 6 months without buying things I did not need. Not buying patterns was the easy part, as I was subscribed to 3 magazines before the Challenge started, but the not buying floss or material unless I needed it was hard (especialy the floss). After the first year, I even found myself substituting with floss or material I had on hand, instead of going out and buying it.
Of course, people GIVING me stash during that time made it much easier.

Now what was my kryptonite?

My daughter, has asked me to make her a blanket, like her brother's. As a result, in a trip to my LNS for a gift for someone else, I picked up "Cat Squares" so G-Teen can have a few more patterns to choose from. Had they not had it in stock, I would have shrugged my shoulders and went on. But I caved...

Funny part is, I'm still justifing it in my own head. I bought 1 pattern, but I've gotten rid of 75 patterns I no longer want/need. And there is still a lot left that need to find a new home.

I think I'll apprease myself by restarting the challenge...

Finish #15

2008-03-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

"Daisy Dream" by Mill Hill
Beaded Pin Pillow
Completed March 7, 2008
Approx. 15 hours

Finish #14 - First of 2008

2008-03-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

"Merlin's Oak" by Hermon Adams (Candamar Designs Inc.)
Embellished Cross Stitch kit.
Completed on January 3, 2008.

Approx. 152 hrs to complete.

Finish #13 - Last one for 2007

2008-03-26T10:53:00.001-07:00

"One Starry Night" by Carol Scott Higeli of The Stitcher's Habit. From JCS Christmas Ornaments: 10th Anniversary Collection.

On 28ct Navy Cashel Linen, using recommended DMS treads.

Substituted Kreinik 102 with 002, and 085 with 095.

Finished December 28, 2007. Approx. 4 hours to complete.

Finish #12

2007-11-23T20:33:00.000-08:00

"The Enchanter" by James Himsworth for Dimensions.

On 18 ct. Black Aida, with DMC and Kreinik threads, various charms and beads.

Started August 2005. Approx 228 hours to complete.

Finish #11

2007-10-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

"North American Beauties" by Michael Adams.

Dimensions kit on 18ct White Aida.

Approx. 124 hours to complete.

Finish #10

2007-07-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

“Family Sampler" A Do-It-Yourself Sampler by M-designs,

debuting at PALS Oct. 2006 Retreat.

On 28 ct. Fresco Linen from Picture This Plus and Viki Clayton silks.

Approximately 50 hours to design and stitch.

FInish #9 - First of 2007

2007-02-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

"Peppermint Nick" by Jeanette Rees of Jemini Designs,

from JCS 2006 Christmas Ornaments.

On 28 ct. Ice Blue Alma,

with DMC regular and rayon thread, and WDW thread.

Finish #8 - The last one for 2006

2007-01-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

"Christmas Duo" wreath ornament by M-Designs.

Design taught at the 2006 PALS Fall Fling.

32ct linen in Moonglow from Picture This Plus with JAR Designs thread.

Changed "Happy Holidays" to "Mother's Night".

Approx. 6 hrs. to complete.

Finish #7

2006-12-15T09:27:00.000-08:00

Sadie Snowflake" by Imaginating, Inc., from JCS Christmas Ornaments: 10th Anniversary Collection.

On 14 ct White Aida with DMC floss.

Colorway was changed to colors that my son chose.

Finish #6

2006-12-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

"Snow Kitty" by Cross My Heart, INC. from JCS Christmas Ornaments: 10th Anniversary Collention. 28ct Ice Blue Alma with DMC and Kreinik floss. My daughter's ornament for 2006.

Finish #5

2006-11-21T10:18:00.000-08:00

Tree from "Christmas Duo" by M-Designs. I got this from a class taught by Mary (of M-Designs) at the 2006 PALS Fall Fling. On 32ct linen in Moonglow from Picture This Plus with JAR Designs thread.

Changes

2006-11-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

I realized, after startig my next Ghoststitchers project, that Tanager with Tulips was one of theirs. As I'm not counting charts not owned by me as part of this Challenge, I've removed Tulips, and renumbered the postings.

Finish #4

2006-11-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

"Christmas Eve" by Elizabeth's Designs from the JCS Christmas Ornaments: 10th Anniversary Collection. 28ct Ivory Jazlyn, with DMC floss and MH beads. I decided to skip the bunny and moon charms. Approximately 10 hours to stitch.

Finishes 1, 2, and 3

2006-10-31T12:09:00.000-08:00

Here are my finishes since September 1, 2006.

"Snowcones" by Carla Acosta, freebie from michaels.com
14ct. White Aida, using recommended DMC floss

Nametag for PALS Fall Fling
Pattern adapted from free patterns, "Prayer Pocket" by Yvonne Reitsma, and lettering from "Good Friends Nametag" by Yvonne Reitsma and Thea Dueck for The Victoria Sampler. On 28ct Coffee Jobelan, with suggested DMC floss. Changes made: DMC Rayon 30798 for lettering and MH 40123 beads.

"Not a Creature was Stirring" by Dragon Dreams from JCS Christmas Ornaments: 10th Anniversary Collection. 28ct Bone Jobelan with suggested DMC and Kreinik floss.

The Rules

2006-10-31T11:39:00.000-08:00

After my inundation of stash from the PALS Fall Fling, I have decided to join in on the 50 Project Challenge. I'll actually be doing the 25 project version to start with, and decide if I want to push to 50 when the time comes.
The 'official' rules from HasturTorres' site (the "I" refers to her):
1. Have fun reducing your stash.
2. There is no time limit- people have different size projects they would like to work on.
3. Thou shall not purchase any new patterns until 10, 25, or 50 projects have been stitched. Pattern size does not matter.
4. This challenge can also apply to knitting, beading, sewing and crocheting patterns.
5. You can make some exemptions - I am not placing limitations on this due to commitments that people might already have. Remember, though, the goal of this challenge is to reduce stash so too many exemptions will sabotage these efforts. I have declared three exemptions.
6. Gifts, gift cards, trades, RAKs and patterns bought with gift money are not a violation of this challenge. This also applies to purchasing patterns for gifts that give other people.
7. Freebies count as part of your total and you can aquire them at any point.
8. The offical start date of this challenge was Sept 1, 2006 since I have been posting about it for awhile and want to make sure the everyone's projects have been included.

My exception (other than those already stated in the rules): JCS Ornament magazine(s) from 2006 and on (as I don't know how long this will take), and PALS convention purchases, within reason (in other words, I'll set a cash amount I'm allowed to spend and not go over it).

Also, I will not be counting the Round Robin and GhostStitcher pieces that I am doing, as I do not own these patterns.