Implementing a rotation

I want to add a bit of momentum to my stitching and I find competing with myself is generally motivating. It's very hard to find time to stitch these days and I want to MAKE time.

So I have been inspired by some notable stitchers to begin a proper system of rotation.

In deciding how to rotate my projects, I've tried to think about WHEN I will be stitching.

1. STITCHING AT HOME 

The most stitching I get done is at home. I work three days a week, so on those days I can stitch in the evening for an hour or so, and then I have four days at home where I could ideally stitch more (such as when the baby is napping). However, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up stitching more on the work days than the home days because the home days seem to stretch for 24 hour stints ha!

I've chosen three projects for my at-home rotation because I think this is enough to keep me interested without overwhelming me. I've also chosen progressed WIPs that I'm already keen to finish. 

At any one time, the three projects will be:

A. A gift for someone else

B. Something just for me 

C. Something for my kid

I'm going to spend 10 days on each because I think over 10 days I should be able to stitch for at least 10 hours, each 10 day period will cover at least one weekend where I can catch up if necessary, and 10 hours is enough time for me to feel that I have made real progress.

So these are the three projects I'm going to begin with:

A. Something for someone else - Anchor Birth Sampler. This is at the back of my rotation now due to cat and backstitching issues! 

B. Something just for me - Balloon Glow by Dimensions Gold. I bought this to hang on my wall. It's terribly kitsch and I love it. However, the threads are a bit of a nightmare, as I began stitching this before I had a Pako. I have a vague feeling that there might be a stitching defect in it similar to Kitty Litter. If there is, I'm going to chuck it on my UFO pile and start afresh with a brand new kit I'm excited about, using a Pako and my refined method of stitching that has taken me about six years to get right! 

Here is my last progress picture of Balloon Glow from Instagram:

C. Something for my kid - Candy Cane Santa Stocking by Dimensions Gold. I am currently working on this one first in my rotation and it's so enjoyable. I am (sort of) moving across in 10 X 10 squares, my thread is organised in a Pako, I'm already about halfway done, and I'm excited to try and get it done by Xmas! Here is my last progress picture for the stocking:

2. STITCHING BEFORE WORK

On the three days I work I've noticed that I have a space of time available, the time between dropping off my daughter at daycare and the time I'm due at work. I try to catch an early train so it's not too squishy for us, but that usually gives me at least 45 mins to kill before I'm due in the office. I don't want to let that time just be absorbed by work until I'm busy. I also don't want to spend that time trying to keep my daughter entertained on winter mornings. I want to take that time for myself and grab a coffee, sit in a cafe, enjoy the silence and STITCH.

The kit I've chosen is a Dimensions mini kit. I love these because they're small in size but remain incredibly detailed. I have one in my stash called "Try to Relax". I was given this kit as a birthday gift in my law grad year back in 2012, and I would love to have it framed and in my office at work! This is what it will look like finished. I don't have a progress photo because it will be a new start.

Similar to other stitchers, I intend to post updates of each WIP on Instagram at the end of their respective rotations. I will also post blogs here with an overview of my progress in the longer term.

I am currently on the Christmas stocking and will rotate to Balloon Glow on 20 June. Then at the start of next month I will return to my Anchor birth sampler.

Hopefully this new plan finds me more stitching time and gives me another three or four finishes for the year :-) 

P.S. If you want to follow me on Instagram, I'm @madam_stash

WIP: Anchor Birth Sampler

I know, I know. I keep vowing to myself every time that the birth announcement I am cross stitching will be my last, and then I end up doing one more. It feels like EVERYONE is having babies, and some of those everyone are good friends.  

I chose this kit because it looked quick and simple. The cross stitching part proved me correct. 

However, the backstitching took me by surprise - it's fiddly because it doesn't all fall within the aida holes. 

Then my cats ate through the pattern. And then I lost the alphabet for personalisation.

Meanwhile, we relocated from Perth back to Melbourne, spent a month travelling around the USA, I set up an eBay business selling cross stitch kits and then I returned back to my day job as a commercial lawyer three days a week.

And I'm sure I've mentioned that I gave birth to my daughter in December last year. She has required care and attention too (babies, so needy, am I right?).

So, quick and easy this cross stitch has proved not.

I've decided it's going to be a first birthday present, which means I don't need to have it done until January next year. Which means I can now put it aside for a few months and work on something else. Hopefully by the time I've returned I've figured out what to do about the missing alphabet!!