Plans for 2021

I mentioned a little while ago I was making a big fun plan for next year! Oh, I enjoyed writing this post!

I don’t think I’m the only one who can’t wait for 2021. Many of my neighbors have already had their Christmas decorations up for weeks, in a hurry, it seems, to get to the end of the year. Or maybe they just have extra time on their hands! Even though I don’t expect the turning of the year will alleviate all our present woes, and even though 2020 hasn’t actually been a totally horrible year for me and my family (thanks be to God!), I think it has just felt like a stressful, oppressive year. And so I’ve been making plans.

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Sorting out stash (I have great blessings of stash!) I began to formulate a little idea. I want to devote 2021 to stitching my Most Beautiful Projects. Well. I can dedicate the rest of my life to that goal, so I will dedicate 2021 to stitching 12 of my Most Beautiful Projects- or at least starting them. I could consider them my “Bucket List” projects (I just saw that movie for the first time last month and it really gives you something to think about!) Anyway, I’m going to focus on 12 of the projects that I really would like to enjoy in their finished form-not just looking wistfully at their charts and kits!.

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How will I choose just 12 of all my many projects? Here are some guidelines I am giving myself. It has to be a project that was a coup-de coeur. One I fell in love with at first sight. Not one that I saw once and then again and eventually it grew on me. No. One that I knew had to be in my collection and maybe even went through trouble to acquire. Maybe it is a captured unicorn of a project! Like this one below, which is a definite-do.

Ideally I will be picking things that are kitted, or mostly kitted. I’m not really aiming to do a stitch from stash, but the nature of this plan is that I’m stitching things I already have so it follows I will have most of the materials.

Of the 12 projects there has to be sufficient variety in format-some framed, some smalls, some “useful” like needlework accessories, some ornamental. They have to represent a variety of techniques-not just cross stitch. And not more than 1 by any one designer.

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Style…I don’t care…no rules about style. They are my projects out of my collection so I picked them in the first place. That’s good enough. I have a wide taste but if I end up with 5 things that are more “sampler-y” that’s ok.

They can be big projects which I will not finish in 2021 but they will each get a solid month of work. Hopefully some will be finished, but if some are starts to multi-year projects that is fine too.

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I have started to pull things out. So many beautiful projects in the running!

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How ever will I pick? Feel free to let me know if there are any you think should be strong contenders! I have coded them for that reason, but this is not really a vote, just to see what everyone else is curious to see in progress.

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In case you’re interested, here’s the list of project names and designers:

A. Bargello Roll from Sampler Cove/Jackie Du Plessis

B. Berry Motif from The Cranberry Sampler of Darlene O’Steen

C. Tudor Flowers Purse by The Nostalgic Needle

D. Catherine Agnes from Indigo Rose

E. Treasure Box from The Drawn Thread

F. Italian Peacocks Purse from Giulia Punti Antichi

G. Butterfly Brooch from Jenny Adin Christie

H. Dorcas Haynes from The Scarlet Letter

I: Sampler Roll from Samplers Remembered

J. Rosehips and Ivy from Blackbird Designs

K. Butterfly Needle Case designed by Amy Mitten

L. Sweetheart of Mine by Barbara Jackson

M. Allison Coles’ Goldwork Bee published in Inspirations Magazine

N. Schwalmwork Heart Pinkeep from Moss Creek

O. Dogface Butterfly by Alison Cole

P. AnniversaryCelebration Square by The Victoria Sampler

Q. Spanish Sampler Etui by Betsy Morgan

R Star of Wonder by Just Nan

S. English Garden by Blackbird Designs

T. Colonial Williamsburg Etui by Giulia Punti Antichi