I'm sure you are asking what this has to do with stitching. Let me explain.
My husband is of the opinion that I should start a project and finish it before purchasing or starting a new project. You know there are many reasons a stitcher might start a new project before finishing the current project. Maybe the stitcher is tired of the colors. Maybe the stitcher is temporarily bored with the pattern. Maybe the stitcher just has a itch for a new start. I'm sure I don't have to explain this to you. My husband seems to be the only one that can't comprehend this.
I've done ok staying within his limits/boundary. Usually I just work on a small project so it's not really a big deal. About a year or year and a half ago, I found a pattern that I had to have. I loved the design. I loved the details. I loved everything about it. I asked for the pattern for one holiday. I really don't remember which one. But he purchased the pattern for me! I was so excited. And I still love everything about the project. I'm sure you are asking yourself what my problem is then. Well, it's not really "a problem". Oh, let me just go ahead and tell you. It's a HAED!!!!!!! Do you know how long it takes to stitch one of those? And I'm a wife, mother and employee. I can't just sit and stitch all the time. I am about half way done. And I still love it. I will finish it. I can't wait to have it completed.
But in the meantime, I would like a new project. I can only think of two things I've done since starting the HAED. One was a small picture for my BFF for her birthday. The other one was a small ornament. A co-worker wanted to learn how to stitch so we stitched the ornament together. (By the way, she has since gone on to do a second ornament, a picture and is now working on a 4th project!) I'm sure you can understand why I am in dire need of a new start.
A few years ago, I read about the Crazy January Challenge. For the first 15 days in January the stitcher starts a new project and then tries to finish them within the year. I told my husband about it and commented I'd love to do that. His response? "Have you lost your mind?"
So then I read about the Crazy January Challenge 2.0. Some stitchers were doing the 15 day thing, but others were going to start a new project every single day of January. Wow! 31 projects!!! I told my husband about this thinking that he would change his mind about the whole 15 day challenge. Yeah, that didn't happen either.
Then in 2015 I read about the group starting a new project every day in January, February and March. I didn't even bother telling him about it.
I've watched from the sidelines and I have to say I've been green with envy. But not in 2016! I've got a plan. It's a secret plan that I'm only sharing with you all (my fellow stitchers who will understand - I hope). I'm going to participate in the 15 day challenge in 2016.
I don't really have a stash of patterns. Remember the whole stitch a project and once finished reward yourself with a new project thing. But what I DO have is a subscription to Just CrossStitch. HA HA HA HA HA. That's right I've been working on a list of 15 projects from my subscription. I think I have all the projects picked out. I'll need to wait until I see if I have most everything I need or if I will need to buy some additional things. I'll use DMC. I have a lot of that already. And I have some bits of fabric I've saved from past projects. I'm really very excited about the plan. I'll kit each project up and list it under the Crazy January Challenge. I'll stitch mostly on my lunch break, dr. appointments, etc. He won't know because he won't see them or see me stitching on them. Please tell me I'm not really bad. I just want to join the fun in 2016.
Actually I haven't read anything about the challenge for 2016. I hope there will be one. I guess I better go ask. I could do it by myself, but I really want to be a part of the group.
What do you think of the plan? Do you think it will work?
Hello Stitcher and welcome to the blogosphere!
ReplyDeleteI like what you've written above and think you've covered the dilemma of most stitchers and their other halves.
But, hey, it's your hobby, so do what you feel comfortable doing.
And what about showing us a picture of your HAED?? A lot of us are in awe for anyone who can tackle one of their charts! :)
I think I am going to do what you are doing!!! I am working on a HAED and I need a break every now and then!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you joined! It is a lot of fun to have some new starts, and you certainly did it right with some nice small ones to start with. I ended up picking some big ones and some medium ones my first time and not enough small ones so I still have some that I haven't finished from the first time I did the challenge in 2012!! Small projects are a great idea and Christmas ones are a good choice.
ReplyDeleteDoes your husband have any hobbies? DH understands my need to start new things because he has several things on the go at once as well. I wonder if there's any way to explain it that way? Although DH thought I was insane back in 2012 too, but he was impressed how well I got through the 31 days challenge last year.