Show and tell on myself...

This is the post that almost wasn't.

Last week started out with such great intentions.   

And it ended with not much to show for it.  😟

Enthused about the Stitch Mayniacs starting new cross stitch projects this month and me sort of thinking I would follow along and maybe even join in, I went to pull out my embroidery floss and Aida cloth to see what I had to work with.

I found this small plastic tote box with a number of projects I had started (some decades ago) and never finished:

As I began pulling them out, I thought, why on earth am I thinking of starting new projects when I have all these that really ought to just be given some love and get finished already.

~~~~~

In no particular order, I found all sorts of things..

These pretty little strawberries are actually finished.  I think I've decided to make a small pillow (maybe a pincushion) with this. I just need to find some coordinating fabric.  So, while I don't want you to hold me to it, it is certainly within the realm of possibility that this might get finished sometime in the next decade...

~~~~~

These little Amish children have been finished and hiding away in this box for a while now.  The date I stitched on it is 1985.  For the record, that was...  a loooong time ago.  I'm not into decorating with Amish children anymore, but it seems a shame to not do something with this.  A sofa pillow, maybe (fencing the picture in with strips like a quilt)?   I'll need to find more coordinating fabric...

~~~~~

Okay, now this is interesting...

I know this project is at least 20 years old - maybe 30.  I bought this kit once upon a time thinking it  a great idea to embroider an angel tree-topper.  She has a whole dress and wings. And a halo!   Every single piece has embroidery work to do, and then it all gets stitched together with the skirt left open at the bottom so it sits atop a Christmas tree.  

I was so eager and full of optimism when I started her.

This is all I got done.  Sigh...

~~~~~

These cute little Christmas bags are all done except for some detail work on the Stocking one.  I actually finished one of these (meaning I turned it into a sachet and have used it for many years as a Christmas ornament).  The finished one is a partridge in a pear tree.  It's in the attic with the other Christmas decorations or I'd have taken a picture of it, too.  I mention it just in case anyone is beginning to doubt I am capable of finishing stuff like this.

~~~~

And before we put Christmas away, here are some ornaments I started once upon a time:

I made a bunch of these - I'm sure also more than 20 years ago.  At the time, I gave several away as small gifts to family members.  I think last Christmas my MIL (who is a quilter) returned the ones I gave her - when she began downsizing her Christmas ornaments.  I think my MIL being a quilter is the whole reason I even started making these way back then...

~~~~~

And this little bookmark I've shown here before (I'm thinking... 3... 4? years ago):

Seriously, I ought to be able to finish this in a couple of hours - including hemming, or stitching up the sides and fraying them.  Fray or hem...  which should I do here?

~~~~~

And there are the truly guilt-inducing items:

Never fear - I didn't spill anything on this.  The photo is pixelated where personal info was stitched.

This sweet little sampler above was for my middle son.  It was to go on his nursery wall.  He turned 27 in February.  I'm now saving it for my first grandchild (being the optimist that I am), and will only feel a little regret when I rip the original name and date out.  

FWIW, those two needles were in this when I unfolded it.  Let's assume I worked on this after my son was born - for at least a year or two.  That means those needles have been stuck in that fabric for at least 25 years!  

FWIW, every project that wasn't finished had a needle left in it.  Most threaded with floss or wool.  Ready to pick up where I left off, I guess...

And I wonder why I can never find a needle when I need one.

~~~~~

And finally...  I believe I made this last one around 1988-89.  I was into sheep then, too.  Amish children and sheep.  In fact, I liked sheep so much I decorated my first born's nursery with sheep and this was meant to be a pillow for his nursery.  He turned 30 last month.

I think it would make a nice pillow, still.  Since we're overdue for getting some new furniture, though, I think it ought to be tucked away until I know what color of fabric(s) I ought to trim it out with.   As always, I'm open to suggestions...

~~~~~

So what did I actually accomplish this week?  Well, if you think I got sidetracked pulling out all my finished-but-not-finished, and partially-finished needle projects, you would be correct.  But at least I did something with floss and needle.

I started back up on my simple embroidered pillowcases and I am determined to get these finished!

 

And I plan to trim them out with some simple crocheted edging like this, I think:

Aren't those swans pretty in their simplicity?   I think this is from a set of pillowcases my husband's grandmother embroidered for us 39 years ago.   That, or my grandmother embroidered them and that would make them at least 56 years old (because she died when I was just 4).  Either way, the pillow cases are not usable anymore, but they inspire me to want to make more so I hang onto them as a reminder of how sweet it was to sleep on pretty pillows.  Once I finish some myself, I think I can let the old, tattered ones go.

~~~~~

Oh yes...   And I got a little crocheting in, too.   I began a Bertie Baby Blanket.  Here's just a peek:

To see what other YOPers are up to, 

visit our group on Ravelry.

And if you're at all inclined to join us when we begin a new year on July 1st, please do!  While everyone is a knitter and/or crocheter, other crafts are highlighted, too.  All you need is a blog and to be a member of Ravelry (membership is free)!  Come check us out and see if this Year Of Projects thing looks like fun.