Welcome back my stitchy friends. Wow! It is now August. The summer is just zooming by. It is hard to believe that I have been in my new home four months. In some ways it feels like I have been here forever (because I am loving every moment) and in others it feels like I just go here (tons of boxes to unpack still).
I am slowly getting things together and have developed a pretty good daily routine which includes regular stitching. Meet most of my July goals so let’s take a look!
July WIPGO Results
I meet both my goals for July which makes me super happy. Since I moved it has been quite the struggle to meet these goals. Slowly but surely things are coming together.
Project 2: Snowballs for Sale by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet
The goal for July was to work on this project five times during July! Done!!! Finished up my fifth night this week. I am so pleased with how much progress I made this month. It is a huge relief finishing the snowman. There were a lot of stitches there. When I pick this one up this winter, I will just need to finish the words and snowflakes.
Project 16: House on Pumpkin Hill by Hello Liz Matthews
My goal was 2000 stitches in July. I exceed the goal with 2,020 stitches. I am looking forward to picking this one back up this fall (which is just around the corner). I can’t wait to finish the hill and start the border. I think it looks fabulous and sew much progress!
Starts & Finishes
I had two starts and one finish this week. The charts are from the same project. I started the March Month 2 Month and there is a button chart and a barn chart. The button is very small chart while the barn is nice size.
START & FINISH: March Month 2 Month button by Stitching with the Housewives
The theme for March is Tulips. I almost finished the button in one night but I could barely keep my eyes open after midnight so ended up finishing it the next evening.
March Month 2 Month Barn by Stitching with the Housewives
While I actually stitched a lot for this start, it didn’t look like it as I was working on the word “March”. Almost finished the “M”. As usual, I was having a hard time focusing with only working with Classic Colorworks – Black Coffee. Nothing to hold my ADHD attention. I pushed through the evening though.
WIP Updates
I missed a few evenings this week so had to double up on other days just to be able to make sure I touched all my active WIPs this month. Let’s take a look at this week’s.
Summer Stitching Season by Stitching with the Housewives
I really like working on this project even though it is on a linen. The layout of the design seems easier for me to stay on track. I finished the middle house this week and was able to start on the house on the left. I love the thread colors and design. It is so colorful!
MAY WIPGO Project 19: Winter Camper by Bobbie G Designs
I am still muddling my way through this dreaded project that I refuse to quit on. I actually finished the door this month and that felt really good. I still have 3 more evenings working on this project to fulfill by May goal. Good luck to me!
March WIPGO Project 9: 2025 SJ Temperature Moon Phases by Climbing Goat Designs
I have no idea why I am struggling with this one. If I had to guess, it would be the backstitching (which I must say is not hard, just not thrilled about it?). I have thought about not doing the backstitching but it really is integral to the stitch. I managed to get through March 17th this month which is disappointing.
I put a lot of thought into it and decided that this is going to replace my August WIPGO project #15 (which was November Snapshot finished a couple of months ago). I even decided on a real goal for August. I believe I can finish April & May if I do 2 moons every day for the month of August. Since I still also have half of March to finish, I calculated that if I do 2 1/2 moons every day, I will finish my March WIPGO AND August WIPGO goals. Maybe I am being ambitious, but I am going with it starting tonight!
Crescent City Velaris by Woven Wild Crafts
I am finally current with this project. I finished up the MAY WIPGO goal last month but had fallen behind in my 400 stitches for June. Well this week I finished the last of those stitches and my 400 for July. So we are now current baby! I have been picking the colors to work on to fill in 10×10 squares and then for the rest of the page. I am over 75% done with the first page which is thrilling for me. I love the little ribbon of light blues on the dark blue background.
Reflections & Plans
Someone I follow on Instagram is obviously a cross stitcher @leopardandlacecoxoxo. I just wished she put her handle on every picture. I have tried to add it to all of the ones I saved and will be sharing with you. The series is called “🪡 10 Hilarious Cross Stitch Lessons Every Stitcher Learns the Hard Way 🧵” This one is definitely a favorite of mine!
July Reflection
Overall I am very pleased with how July went. I did not stitch every day during July but I still had a lot of fun and progress. The only goals not achieved was three old WIPGO goals out of a total of 20 goals! So pleased with the progress.
I attended my first virtual cross stitch retreat where I got to hang out with some of my favorite designers and to meet new designers. Learned a lot about the industry and spent way too much money on things I probably did not need like this adorable otter needle minder.
I will have to guard it so that my daughter doesn’t steal it!
I signed up for Finishing Course in a Box with Chantelle 141 designs (7/31 was last day to sign up). I am excited to receive my box in the next week or so. I already received my goody box from Lindy Stitches which was exciting and today I received my order from 123 Stitch which means I will be prepared for all my new starts in August. I forgot to take pictures of my haul. I will have to get in the habit of that.
I also received my chart for my upcoming Virtual Class called FriendStitch: Winter Gathering hosted by Cecilia, Elizabeth, & Marsha on September 20th. I will work on kitting that and might be a new start in August, if not September for sure.
August Plans
I have been working hard with figuring out my calendar for August and making month long goals. See the sidebar for the updated goals. I am excited to start August. I feel on track and ready to put needle and thread to fabric.
These are my thoughts for next week.
- 2 1/2 moons every day on my 2025 SJ Temperature Moon Phases
- WIPGO project: The Shepherd
- Start October Calendar Crates small chart
- Summer Stitching Seasons
- Patriotic Tiny Town
- Patriotic Quaker
- June WIPGO Project: Field Guide to Dragons
Nice little variety for the week should keep me busy this week. I wanted to push my two outstanding Patriotic stitches this month in hopes that I will finish them but not counting on it. It just would be nice.
Have a great stitchy weekend! Nala & Simba send their regards.
Peggy Stockwell in Vancouver, Washington