Small SAL - January

Here is my first Small for the year. I found the pattern on Pinterest, but here is a direct link to the pattern. The pattern itself is in black and white, and since I was using the same fabric as Flower Patch (by Papillon Creations) one of my older WIPs, whose colors I LOVE, I decided to re-use the same colors. I stitched it over 1 so that it would be small enough for a biscornu and except for the lighter green of the leafs at the center I really love how it came out.

To make this SAL go as smoothly as possible, I've already planned on what I want to stitch for February, March and April. I figure a three month padding would give me enough time to decide what I want to do for later months and not have late starts. Right now, I'm trying to pick patterns that fit the months they will be stitched in.

Leaves Updated

I told myself I would finish section 6 on the weekend, but then I got distracted by another favorite past-time: reading. I spent all Saturday and half of Sunday reading and completely neglected both my Peacock and my Petite SAL stitch for January (which is going very well by the way and I'm already trying to decide on what I'm stitching for February and March).

Close Up

It's Still Alive

It's been two weeks since my last update picture. I haven't been stitching on Peacock Tapestry non stop (I would have been much farther a long if I was). Instead I've been working on this months stitch for the Smalls SAL, which is due at the end of the month. I'm half way finished but still have a lot to stitch and I need to decide what I'm stitching for next month.

Here is a before and after look at my progress. This section (I think it's 6) is pretty much all done except for back-stitching. I'll be finishing those before I move up to section 3. I'm working this in a U-pattern, so that when I'm done I end up on the left side of the peacock (or at least that's the plan).

Before

After

January TUSAL

It's the first TUSAL of the year! I've already emptied the big jar and put all the ORTs in a Ziploc bag. I keep telling myself I should make a small ornament and stuff them all in there.

2013 Recap and 2014 goals

Taking a look at my goals for 2013, I did pretty well. I finished all of the small projects I started and finished two big projects.

• Chibi Ichigo 
• Chibi Rukia 
• Mirabilia - Stargazer
• Papillon Creations - Flower Patch - current
• Papillon Creations - Castle in the Air SAL complete except for beading
• Mirabilia - Tree of Hope (only to be started when Stargazer is completed) 
• Tereza Wentzler - Peacock Tapestry - current 
• Butternut Road - Earthdancer
• Mystery crochet project (afghan baby gift)
• Kangaroo Amigurumi 
• Oval Doily
• Ink Circles - Bramble and the Rose - current 
• Susan Portra - Spirit of the Southwest 
• Dragon Dreams - Tiny Fantasy Kingdom

For 2014, I want to finish Flower Patch. It's been a WIP for about 2 years now and it's almost done, so I really should finish it. I would love to start Spirit of the Southwest and a HAED, but I will have to prioritize what with finishing up Peacock Tapestry. So that would be a nice to do.

• Papillon Creations - Flower Patch - current 
• Tereza Wentzler - Peacock Tapestry - current 
• Ink Circles - Bramble and the Rose - current 
• Susan Portra - Spirit of the Southwest 
• Heaven and Earth Designs - Stolen in Her Sleep (Selina Fenech) 
• Kangaroo Amigurumi

I've also signed up for a SAL (yay! my first one) called Smalls SAL hosted by Silver Lotus. I've never made biscornus, so I think that's what I will do for the SAL. It would mean making 12 of them and reaching a deadline. Or I can just stitch 12 patterns (I'm thinking the 12 Dragonlets of Christmas by Dragon Dreams) and then putting them together into a dodecahedron (a 12 faced dice). I'll have to decide soon though. The first deadline is January 29.

Last Update, I Swear

I know I said the last post would be the last update of the year, but I had to post this picture.

Can you believe this small amount of stitching took almost 7 hours! Now, I REALLY understand what everyone is talking about. This does not bode well for the rest of this project.

Last Update of 2013

I'm happy to say that Peacock Tapestry is leaving 2013 on a high note. I cannot believe the amount of progress I've made in less than 6 months.

Yesterday I finished stitching the peacock, although there is still back-stitching to do (I'll do those as I go). This part went by so fast and I really enjoyed stitching it. I'm very glad I decided to stitch him in 2 parts. It allowed me to take a break from the blending filament. So when I went back to using it, it wasn't so bad.

Here's a last look at Peacock Tapestry for 2013:

Now as for my other projects. I've been terribly neglectful. And I should feel terrible, but I don't because, one: I only have 2 other projects in pending, and two: who could feel terrible at this amazing progress :)

Here's to hoping that 2014 will be this great =D and inspire excellent stitching mojo (and bring lots of stash!).