Stitch From Stash 2015

Stitch From Stash Part - B

October Check In

10.25.2015

Carryover from September -  $128.82

Spent on stash - -0-

Budget for October - $25.00

Credit for completed projects  = $34.00

Amount to carryover for November ($128.82 + 25.00 + $34.00 ) = $187.82

Prairie Moon "We'd Turn Back if You Was Us"
Stitched on 28 ct, PTP "Haunted" using Belle Soie Silk
139 x 160 stitches

Hands on Design
A Year in Chalk
Stitched on 30 ct. WDW "Gunmetal" linen using GA "Simply Shaker" thread
April & November completed
45 x 70 stitches each

September Check In
9.24.2015
Carryover from August -  $68.91
Spent on stash - $1.09
Budget for September - $25.00
Credit for completed projects  = $36.00

Amount to carryover for October - ( $68.91 - $1.09 + 25.00 + $36.00 ) = $128.82

Four .....  projects completed !!! 

Hands on Design - October
A Year in Chalk
"Let Them Eat Candy"
45x70

Hands on Design - February
A Year in Chalk
"You Hold My Heart"
45x70

Hands on Design - March
A Year in Chalk
"May Luck Be Yours
45x70

And the biggie !!!

I started this design by Cheryl Granda - owner & designer of Glendon Place on January 1st.  While it did take me almost 9 months to complete, I did finish several other cross stitch designs and 4 quilts during that same 9 months !!  It is probably by far the most intense cross stitch project I have done yet! It is stitched on Picture this Plus 28 ct. Cashel in "Haunted" using the called for DMC, Krenik, Caron "Waterlilies" and Mill Hill beads.  (LOTS of beads!!!)

Glendon Place
"Sleepy Hollow"
170x250

August Check In

8.24.2015

Carryover from July -  $20.86
Spent on stash - $2.95
Budget for August - $25.00
Credit for completed projects  = $26.00

Amount to carryover for September ($20.86 - $2.95 + $25.00 + $26.00) $68.91

I have been stitching my little fingers off to complete one project (The Book of Spells) and when my eyes were crossing from stitching on the 36 ct fabric I switched to the two smaller pieces (not realizing that the Gunmetal Grey fabric would make me crazy !!!) but I am so pleased to complete

 --- 3 ---  

projects this month !!!

****Completed Projects for August****

I am getting the monthly subscription Hands on Design "A Year in Chalk" patterns along with the called for Gun Metal Gray fabric and Gentle Arts threads.  After stitching is complete the cross stitched pieces are mounted on core board and velcro added to the back so it can be attached to this cute little wooden board.

This is the one for January.

Hands on Design
A Year in Chalk
"Let it Snow"
49 X 70

Instead of going on to the next one, I decided to stitch up the September one so I could display it next month.  Hopefully, since these stitch up pretty quick, I'll be able to keep up and complete one a month until they are all done.

Here is the one for September.

Hands on Design
A Year in Chalk
"Summer Don't Go"
49 x 70

This project I started on the 1st day of the retreat I attended in July in Tulsa.  While I didn't get much done on it there, I did get really inspired to complete it when I got home.  I just LOVE it !!! I think I'm going to look for a blank journal book and make it into a book cover for it.... Never know what "spells" I might have to remember !!!!! 

The Goode Huswife
"Book of Spells"
195 x 142

July Check In
7.22.2015

Spent on stash - $8.14
Credit for completed projects  = $4.00
(53X56) - Tiny Sampler

July Budget -  $25.00
Carryover for August -  $20.86

**note:  I do have to brag on my restraint.  I attended a retreat in Tulsa last week and EXPECTED to blow my entire 2015-B budget, but I was VERY GOOD and only bought 3 WDW threads I needed for a project in progress !!!!! 

Tiny Sampler - completed 7.6.15

THE RULES

1) Budgets (the core to SFS)

a-- $25 a month budget in place for each month. This is a total of $150 over the 6 months that you can buy guilt free on any stash you choose.

b-- NO exemptions if you spend the money on stash items (it no longer matters if it's a gift piece or not, stash is stash). ONLY exemption is if you are given (for free) or win stash. Ie: Birthday gifts, gifted cash meant for stitching stuff or spending gift cards is okay. But if you use $5 in any way from your own pocket then it counts.

c-- Stash items are: Patterns, pattern books, magazines (see subscription exemption below), threads (including Anchor, DMC, overdyed, silk, metallic, etc), beads used for stitching, stitching fabric (ie: Aida, linen, evenweave, etc.), and scissors. (why scissors? because they have become a "collection" item and most of us own dozens of pairs... no one 'needs' that many scissors, lol).

d-- Items that are exempt: Needles.  Qsnaps, hoops, stands or scroll rods (items that can be used over again for different projects). Thimbles, finger covers, lights or other reusable items used on multiple projects. Framing and finishing supplies (includes sewing fabric for ornaments, toggles, trims, etc.). Shipping is also exempt! 

e-- Subscription Exemption: Subscriptions are completely exempt from budget. This includes: magazine subscriptions (must be bought as a subscription not occasional purchases of magazine), fabric/thread monthly clubs (must be on subscription), a series or subscription of charts or sets---You must be signed-up with a shop of some kind to purchase the series prior to 2nd pattern being released (ie: LHN monthly ornaments, LK Mystery Series, SALs released page by page, etc.). Please note: your project supplies still count on subscription patterns/magazines (ie: fabric, thread, etc.); only the pattern is exempt.

f-- If you are ever at all unsure if something counts or not please email Mel.

g-- Budget conversions into your own currency. Please use your discretion. If you feel 25 euros, pounds, yen or whatnot is a reasonable equivalent for $25 then please use that amount just be consistent. When logging in the first time please indicate your "budget" amount and currency. (ie: I live in Canada but buy everything online so I use US dollars because it's easier. If I buy from UK I convert amount to US dollars and count it that way).

h-- Carry Over: budget amount can be carried over into the next month

i-- CHANGED: Borrow from: Re-instated for 2015-B you can use your budget from future months towards purchases. So if you are in the "red" for July, but in August you buy nothing you can use the August budget to get back into the "black". However, NO budgets or finishing credit can carry forward from A to B. 
j-- If you blow the budget so far out of the water there is no coming back you may still be a member of the group but become ineligible for prizes unless you can "earn back" from budget or finishing dollars to be in the positive again.

2)  "Stitching from Stash" Extra Credit

a-- You will get extra money to spend when you finish items from your stash!!!

b-- CHANGED: the confusing 6 month rule is gone! Any stitching finishing of any sort, no matter how long ago you bought the pattern counts towards your extra credit. No more "hold" for 6 months!

d-- If you half-cross an item (ie: needlepoint or do half crosses on a large piece) then you must cut the finish value in HALF as you really only did half the work a full cross stitcher would have). 

e-- Specialty stitches like eyelets, hardanger, etc. count as DOUBLE as they generally take longer than a standard cross stitch X. If the pattern is a combination please average the stitches as you feel appropriate. 

f-- ONLY cross stitch or embroidery of some sort counts. Sorry no knitting, quilting, crocheting, etc. Ribbon work, specialty stitching or embroidery (ie: petit point, etc.) can count.

g-- If you don't know what your finish counts as then please email Mel at stitchfromstash@gmail.com for advisement OR open it up to a discussion on your blog in the comments! 

h-- Stitch counting is NOT permitted. This group counts finished pieces only.

i--  Grid values are all based on an average coverage of about 75% which is most patterns.  j-- How to calculate/breakdown. If you take the width and height stitch count for any project, add them together and then divide by 2 you will get a "square" number to match up to the grid.

For example: 165 high by 100 wide (stitches), to calculate the 'square number':

165 + 100 = 265 / 2 = 132.5 stitches square. Therefore total would be $14 credit for finish based on breakdown above.

Part B UPDATED

FINISH GRID: 

40 x40 stitches or less - $2  

40 x 40 stitches to 60 x 60 stitches - $4

60 x 60 stitches to 80 x 80 stitches - $6

80 x 80 stitches to 100 x 100 stitches - $8

*

100 x 100 stitches to 120 x 120 stitches - $12

120 x 120 stitches to 140 x 140 stitches - $14

140 x 140 stitches to 160 x 160 stitches - $16

160 x 160 stitches to 200 x 200 stitches - $18

200+ stitches please contact Mel 

**Full Page 100 x 70 stitches - 100% coverage - $15

* Yep there sure is a breakpoint at 10,000 stitch pieces.
Why? Because it takes longer, and you have to keep motivation up so the reward is higher!

** If your project is "by page" please feel free to collect a "finish" for each page based on the size of the page relative to the above. However, you can ONLY claim the stitch amount once. Therefore, if you count finishes by page then you are not eligible for a final total stitch count.

*** UPDATED: Only 2015 stitching can be counted for. Previous stitching prior to Jan 1, 2015 does not count. What does this mean for most people? If you've been burning the needles away on a finish you didn't get to count in first half of 2015 you will still get to count it into Part Bof 2015. However, year to year no stitching roll-overs will be permitted.

Keep in mind this means that a piece you did some stitching on in 1999 or 2014 you only count the new stitching for finish credit.

Non-Negotiable Rules (the crappy part)

1) If you discuss in an open forum, blog or post comments about another member (or the group) in an offensive, slanderous or inappropriate way you will be banned from SFS and no longer eligible for any prizing. There is a zero tolerance for this. (Comments on how to improve the group are MORE than welcome; just not general hate mail please).

2) If you do not check-in for more than two consecutive months then you are out of the running for final prizing, no exceptions (sorry but it's too hard to decide when to and when not to make exceptions).

3) If you do not check-in for a month then you are not entered into that months prizing. So make sure you check-in!

4) For a group like this to function it requires extreme honestly. Therefore, all members must be honest and report their actual budget, finishes, etc. If you try to manipulate the rules, you may be subject to removal from the group.

5) Mel's husband can revise SFS when he so chooses (he puts up with my complaining, working and occasional SFS grief; therefore he gets veto to make it better; ie: last year he made the ultimate decision to kick some irritating folks out of the group and decided on ALL bonuses). 

Disclaimer: Stitch from Stash; while a great group that has evolved and will hopefully only get better over the course of 2015, is not for everyone. If you have an unlimited amount of money, don't wish to curb spending or love new stuff so much you can't imagine going through old stash, then this group is not for you. We are a casual, but goal oriented group. If you do not make goals/budget, you are not excluded from the group, just from the giveaways that may go with that goal/budget. If you are unable to give the time required to SFS, of course, that is fine! However, if you'd like to still receive info or have an opportunity at early inclusive in the future, please ensure you email StitchFromStash@gmail.com and let Mel know to add you to the communications list.

Stitch From Stash 2015

I am totally surprised at how disciplined I have been for the 1st 6 months of 2015 !!! I didn't think I had it in me !!!  I have only spent $14.10, and have saved $$ for my upcoming stitching retreat !!!!!


June Check In
6.24.2015
Total Saved for SFS2015- A =$175.90

Spent on stash - $0.00
Credit for completed projects  = $36.00

(I completed 6 50X50 stitch items to take to the retreat to learn finishing techniques from Cynthia Zittel of Drawn Tread & Lori Markovic of La D Da)

June Budget -  $25.00
Carryover from May $114.90

As previously noted, I am going to a retreat next month (YAY !!!) that The Silver Needle shop in Tulsa, OK is having so I'm sure all of it will be BLOWN AWAY !



May Check In
5..28.2015

Total to carryover to June = $114.90

Spent on stash - $0.00
May  Budget - $25.00
Carryover from April $89.90

April Check In
4.28.2015
Total to carryover to May = $89.90

*** Been finishing up on baby quilts being made from quilt fabric stash...
*** Yippee ... saving those $$$ for my upcoming July retreat

Spent on stash - $0.45 (1 skein of DMC)
April Budget $25.00
Carryover from March $65.35 !!!




March Check In
3.27.2015

No $$ spent on stash
March Budget $25.00
Carry over from February $40.35

Total to carry over to April = $65.35
(While I have not been cross stitching much this last couple of months I have been busy "stitching" on quilts and I do have method in my madness and plans for my carry over budget !!! I am attending a retreat in Tulsa, OK at The Silver Needle in July so I need to save for a splurge !!!!!)


I actually did not complete any projects for March in cross stitch. I did start 2 small ones that were in my stash as "take-along" projects while at doctor visits.  My main focus this month has been completing another quilt that has been tucked away for YEARS.  I doing such a happy dance getting all these quilts out from hiding - especially this one !!!

This quilt was started in April, 2002 (another 13 year old UFO quilt finished!!)  It is called "Stained Glass Window" .... I just love all the funky colors and prints !!!



February Check In
2.21.2015

No $$  spent on stash
February Budget $25.00 
Carry over from January $15.35

Total to carry over to March = $40.35

I did not complete any projects as I dug out some quilts I stashed away 13 years ago when my quilting bug got up and went.  I did get a lot done on my Glendon Place "Sleepy Hollow"

  
And I finished 2 quilts that had been stored away for 13 YEARS !!! 

AND 

A quilt I started in January (with fabric stash also from 13 years ago) 

Although this pic shows the binding pinned, it is really now complete and about to be gifted to someon special !! 

 


January Check In
1.21.2015


January Spending:  $13.65

Credit for Completed Project:  50 X 50 stitches = $4.00

TOTALS:

January Budget $25.00 + $4.00 credit - $13.65 = $15.35 carryover for February

Mystic Lavender completed 1.6.2015

1.09.2015

I have been following along with a few Facebook sites where cross stitchers are pledging to work ONLY on items in their stash during 2015 and have joined in then un-joined when the conversations have gone from testy to plain argumentative.  To me my time spent stitching (or crocheting or any other crafting) should be fun and relaxing. And while I like a lively conversation, I don't want to spend time online reading a bunch of grumbling.

SO .... today, I found a group I think just might be perfect for me !!!

It is a group put together on Mel's blog where (so far) there are 86 (I'll be #87) stitchers participating.  The rules are pretty strict, but the thing I like is that you get $$ credit for completed stitching!!!

Maybe by following the rules, I can get some projects completed and reduce the amount of money I spend on MORE STUFF !!!

Check back monthly for updates beginning in January 2015!

Cindi