The topic for this month's discussion is:
"How are you doing with your goals so far this year?"
There were some finishes:
• Stitchonomy "Christmas SAL 2021", started December 2021, finished January 2022
• Lakeside Needlecraft free "Christmas SAL", started in December 2021, finished January 2022
• Stitchonomy SAL, "Spring 2022", started April 22, finished May 2022
There were two long-term WIPs held over from years previous:
• "Hope & Strength" by Glenwood Place, started in 2021 and still in progress (see below)
• The Elizabeth Almond "Save the Stitches" blackwork sampler, started in 2014 and still in progress
And there have been two new starts in 2022 and in progress currently (see below):
• Lakeside Needlecraft SAL "Crystallized" which started January 2
• Faithwurks/Just Cross Stitch Magazine SAL, "Home Sweet Home", started with the February 2022 issue of the magazine
And one new 2022 start, currently stalled:
• A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond, started in January 2022
The following were things I thought might be possible new starts in 2022, and, as of January 1, 2022, the following charts/kits had been either purchased or downloaded:
• A botanical blackwork SAL by Steady Thread, not yet kitted up. Installments once a week for a year.
• The Fox & Rabbit freebie SAL “ Changing Seasons “, installments monthly.
• a World of Cross Stitch chart by Jenny Van De Wiele called "Miniature Marvels”, kitted up by Lakeside Needlecraft
• Three needlepoint kits by Needle Delights Original, designed by Kathy Rees: "Tahiti", "Bora Bora" and "Tropical Seas"
• Two Bothy Threads kits, based on art by Jessica Hogarth: "Love Paris" and "Love London"
• Two Artecy kits, designs by Tereena Clarke: "London Abstract" and "London Bus"
• Four Bothy Threads kits from the art of Sally Swannell: The New England Homes series: "Spring", "Winter", "Fall", and "Summer"
• One kit from Charting Creations, from the art of Robert Finale: "Palace"
Sadly, I have to admit that I continued to purchase charts/kits and have acquired a HUGE number of downloaded charts (many being blackwork SALs and tributes to Ukraine) in my Apple Books pdf file in 2022, way too many to list here. And none of these acquisitions have been started! I have also joined a fabric of the month club and two threads of the month clubs at Lakeside Needlecraft so fabric and floss have started to accumulate in piles on my cutting table (I'm running out of storage space!)
So, while I have been plugging away, making progress on some of my 2022 goals as stated back in January, I have to admit, my 'buying all the things" that catch my eye means I have actually backslid in any organization progress I had made previously.
~~~~~Long-term WIPS~~~~~
When I checked in last month, I had only one long-term WIP in my project bag: The Elizabeth Almond "Save the Stitches" blackwork sampler, which is roughly 60% complete and block #77 had been completed as of last month. No progress this month, however...
~~~~~Travelling Needlepoint~~~~~
Not having travelled since the pandemic, I have not been motivated to stitch on "Butterfly on Scroll" by Dimensions since February 2020. No progress to report. However, there will be a road trip in mid-July to eastern Ohio for a Daylily conference (and I now have a travel light!) so I may actually make some progress on this piece, stitching in the hotel while my husband is doing his daylily "thing".

~~~~~Kits started in 2021~~~~~
There is one kit I started in 2021 that is still unfinished: "Hope & Strength" by Glenwood Place, stitched on Jade Lugana using the recommended Dinky Dye threads. In May, I had competed some work on the border, stitching the pink and purple stars in the lower border. This portion of the border has now “turned the corner” and work has started on the "white" filler/background to the stars:

~~~~~ SALs started in 2022 ~~~~~
1. Lakeside Needlecraft SAL "Crystallized" which started January 2, exclusively designed by Oxana Polyakova, with monthly installments. Stitched on 36-ct white even-weave with DMC floss. Installment one - "Larimar", installment two - "Malachite", installment three -“Amber", installment four - "Obsidian", installment five - "Jasper”, installment five - “Quartz”, AND installment six - “Tiger’s Eye” are complete. installment 7 - "Agate" ran into an issue with a counting error which I can't pinpoint (there are no clear reference lines and/or overlap zones between the multiple pages in this piece and, for me, this leads to massive issues with counting can connecting up borders) and this counting error has meant that I need to do a lot of redesign on the fly. Therefore, it is only in progress:
Here is where the piece is right now...

This puts me WAY behind since the 9th installment - "Amethyst" - has already been uploaded and the 10th is due out on July 10...
2. A Faithwurks/Just Cross Stitch Magazine SAL, designed by Nancy Wahler, which started with the February 2022 issue of the magazine (I get it digitally as well as hard copy); further installments in future magazine issues through the end of 2022. Stitched on Wichelt oatmeal evenweave using Anchor and Weeks Dye Works threads, and Kreinik braids. The fourth installment consists of two houses: a Beach House and a Tudor Cottage. The Beach House is complete; threads have been sorted for the Tudor Cottage.
Here is where the piece is right now...

The fifth installment will be two more houses, not due until the October issue of the magazine, so I still am keep on schedule with this SAL.
3. A Lakeside Needlecraft SAL, "Kogin", designed by Elizabeth Almond. I began after four installments had been issued. The entire pattern is now in hand. I had issues - and the frog was a frequent visitor. It has been put away until I can deal with my obvious inablility to follow a pattern here!
A Stitchonomy pattern designed to be a companion to the "Spring 2022" SAL and the "Winter 2021" SAL is scheduled for release this month while an Autumn one has been announced for August/September (these will not be SALs). I have ordered the charm and trim kit for the summer pattern. A 2022 Halloween SAL pattern "Cabinet of Curiosities" has been announced for the fall and sign-ups are now available...
So, in summary, this month I made progress on one WIP and two SALs... I also am spending this weekend watching another virtual card making series of six video and live-stream classes (Someday, I'll get around to actually MAKING some of the cards taught in these classes!)!
Wishing for an honorable peace... both at home and abroad.
