Just read that the mainely stitching blog [follow the link on my sidebar] has reached the 1000 post mark ... she is having a lovely giveaway to celebrate. I immediately had to add up my numbers: 242 posts ... since August 2007 ... which works out roughly to one post every 3.5 days ... very roughly, since this is an add-divide-in-the-head estimate of a math-challenged English teacher. Snarky corrections may be posted in the comments!
I have checked out the Online Needlework Show and have come to the conclusion that either ...
I already have such a deep stash that, most often, I already own something similar to the new charts that attract my eye and therefore don't need to buy the new piece
... or ...
I am getting less acquisitive as I grow older and begin to worry how much my kids will hate me when they are stuck with the chore of cleaning up my estate.
Where once I would draw up a wish list of at least 25 items, this year only three designs found their way onto the list. There are two pieces inspired by Celtic illuminated manuscripts: Arelate Studios' The Owl & The Wyvern and Ink Circles' Tanglewood. And then there is an elaborate pumpkin design from Ink Circles called Zucca. If I ever get around to purchasing any of these charts, it will be the last. I'll probably be content simply to admire the Celtic pieces from a distance.
In a related trend, I find I no longer automatically order the next chart in a series that I have been stitching. An example: I definitely did not care for the new direction taken with the Prairie Schooler Limited Edition Santa 2009 chart and did not bother to purchase it. I have given my youngest sister the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Santas over the years. Her set will end with the 2008 Santa which I am currently stitching with the intent of getting it to the framer by Oct. 30. Another example: I didn't bother to purchase the JCS Christmas ornament issue this year. After reading the review by Stitch Bitch and seeing scans of the ornament photos at another blog, I knew I wouldn't stitch a single one of the ornaments. I used to subscribe to chart series, usually because I was all too easily influenced by the marketing mavens over at The Silverneedle. I have subscribed to and stitched the Secret Needle Night series for 3 years, as well as a number of LHN and Homespun Elegance monthly or seasonal series. But I haven't done that in quite a while though I recently, in a rare moment of greed, made an exception for the Bent Creek's Branch series. The goal now is to stitch from stash ... which should keep me busy for 4 or 5 years.
8 comments:
I feel the same way about the Online Needlework Show, Riona. Nothing really caught my eye and I have more than enough stash to keep me happy in the coming winter days! I did purchase the 2009 PS Santa, but only because my youngest son is a hockey player and I plan on giving it to him for Christmas (some year!).
Hey, great job with your weight loss progress--just remember...one day at a time :)
I really didnt see much in the online needlework show that I have to have and the contests they use to have were more fun and nicer. Now we really have to work to win anything . I hope you have a great day,Kimberly
Tanglewood is in a recent issue of JCS, I think from 2008? Maybe. I am stitching from stash now too. I made a list, but it's not a want list, it's an "I would like to have, but it won't kill me if I don't get it" list.
I understand what you mean. I have only picked 3 items from the On-Line Needlework Show that made it to my wish list (besides all of the new Sue Hillis designs, but they don't count.)
There are a few (maybe two or three) ornaments from the JCS ornament issue that caught my eye, and one that I will definately stitch, but I have ornaments from a few years ago kitted up and still haven't gotten to them.
I have been kitting up large projects as floss goes on sale, so that once I retire and have more time (and less income), I can spend it stitching. Hopefully my eyes will hold up!
Riona, I agree with you about the Online Needlework Show. I didn't see any "must-have's", although sometimes patterns grow on me over time. Ask me again in 2 months! As for the 2009 JCS Ornament Issue, I am debating whether to even buy it this year. I also read Stitch Bitch's blog review and saw a few photos online. Didn't seem like anything special this year. Carolyn
Max, my eldest, couldn't stop laughing at me when I said I honestly expect to stitch every design I own. Cheeky little brat!
I too did not see anything that particularly grabbed me in the Needlework show but I did get the JCS ornament issue. I have them back for numerous years and still like looking through them bytimes. Sometimes I find something that I did not like originally but that now suits...so I slavishly get one each year!
Budget constraints prevent me from ordering any new stash - I make do with what I already own. I worry that my tastes will change entirely between starting a whopping huge project and actually finishing it - especially as I like to stitch series of samplers. I've also read a few reviews of the JCS, and having stitched nothing from the past issue, am content to leave my ornie issue collection remain at 3.
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