The Plan - The Outcome

 At the start of the year I set myself a fairly loose list of projects that I wanted to work on which I called my Plan. The aim wasn't to finish everything, I didn't want the stress of feeling I was failing to hit a target, more to give me a focus and try and stop me buying lots of new materials and stashing them away.

I think it has been mostly successful, here's the latest update:

UFOs were as follows:

1 Hue Shift Afghan        
2 Floozy                        
3 Sparkle Punch Quilt
4 Alice cushion              EPP complete, borders and quilting left
5 Aran squares              One complete plenty more to go!
6 Pumpkin mini

7 Xmas stars                 Still a WIP
8 Wedding quilt            Still going
9 Opal socks                 Replaced by other socks

10 Jessa shorts            Toile complete now going to be trousers

The 'Ready to Gos' were as follows:

1 Highland cushions       To be started
2 Colourwork stocking
3 Scheepjes hat
4 Scheepjes shrug          Change of plan to a wrap (not started)
5 Hitofude                     To be started
6 Blythes Spirit 
7 Lottie and Albert Blanket   Removed
8 WM quilt
9 Bird quilt                    One EPP project at a time
10 Xmas mini                Needs to be started soon!
11 Socks
12 Cross stitch bookmark    Playing hide and seek

Not much change since October although the biggest change is that the Sparkle Punch Quilt is complete and gifted. I also decided that I don't need a Lottie and Albert Blanket and I can't think of a recipient for one so it's off the list.

As well as the items above I have also completed a Grace dress, Slipstravaganza shawl (still to be blocked), a Billie sweater, two Xmas stockings and five pairs of socks.

I like the use of a list, or lists, to keep me aware of what I have already got materials for. It also has worked as a place to list all the new projects that catch my eye and then I can decide whether to do them or just keep them as possibilities. I have definitely stressed myself out less this year by not planning to try and do everything, although I have slipped a little with sock yarn - though I'm working through it and variety is nice! My stash has gone down this year, although that has been helped by a couple of ruthless clear outs.

I'm going to adopt the same list approach next year, trying to balance out the crafts and project sizes so I don't get bored. I will refine it over the next few days and share it here as it has been fun to look back. 

December FNSI

 In preparing to write this blog I've realised that before photos would've been useful - but I was keen to maximise my crafting time.

First project was a bit if reworking on my Billie sweatshirt. As you may expect it's a Jersey top and as it was the first time I'd ever worked with jersey there were a couple of points where I'd created unintentional pleats. After a bit of unpicking and restitching I had a much smoother waistband.

The rest of the evening was then devoted to working on a pair of socks that will become a Xmas present for my partner's mum. 

A focused effort means that I only have a few inches left to knit. 

A very productive and enjoyable FNSI. 

If you want to see what everyone else got up to head over Wendy's blog:FNSI

Instant gratification and a slow burner

In an unusual turn of events I have achieved two sewing finishes this weekend.

The first was an Xmas Stocking which I started Friday late afternoon and had completely finished and pressed before midnight. 

I followed a tutorial by Cluck Cluck Sew and it turned out really well; I did find that clipping the seams helped the stocking look more snooth. This could have been finished earlier in the evening but I also worked on a second stocking.

This one's taking a little longer for what is hopefully obvious reasons. I only have a fat quarter of each of the three fabrics which isn't quite enough for the size of stocking I want so this is the more time consuming solution I've come up with. 

Before starting the stockings I finished stitching the binding and sewing in the ends on a quilt that has been a WIP for about 8 years. 

Pattern is Sparkle Punch Quilt by Elizabeth Hartman. I couldn't even begin to say what the fabrics are, I think most of them were purchased from an online US store. 

I do know its backed in a Tula Pink extra wide backing fabric from Sew Hot. 

This quilt is destined for my, very patient, sister and her husband.