Wednesday, September 21, 2011

WIPs and UFOs

We had a lovely surprise birthday party for my youngest brother on the weekend and a lovely catch up with everyone. Then after work I cut my foot which meant I've had to rest up a bit more.
I wasn't able to use the quilting machine until today but I did manage to finish off 3 more QAYG quilts and they are shown on my other blog at Oz Comfort Quilts.
In the meantime I decided it was time to find some of my UFOs and get them done. The first one I've found/chosen was a cross stitch which I bought over 30 years ago. It's a Kate Greenaway Alphabet Sampler and I loved it and planned to stitch it for our firstborn. She turns 31 in November so you can see it's been waiting for completion for some time. Perhaps it will make a suitable gift for our first grandchild instead! Luckily there's no likelihood of one making an appearance too soon so I may actually get it finished before then.
I love cross stitching but I think I stalled with several of the projects because they are so expensive to have them professionally framed. I can make them into wall hangings and I think that may have to be my compromise as I have too many to be framed but I do want to display them. Anyone else have any suggestions? I think finished will be better than to have it languishing in the cupboard.
I also finished knitting a red scarf for myself and that's one UFO finished although it was probably more a Work In Progress (WIP) than an UnFinished Object (UFO). I've also started to knit a hat to match for a winter trip I'll be taking in the new year.
I keep looking at starting new projects but I need to focus on some finishes for me first. I have no problem finishing off quilts to donate but unless I have a specific date and purpose for a quilt, I tend to work on other things. I must remember to chant "Focus" whenever I start to think of new projects. LOL
Time to stitch.
Hugs, Jan Mac

6 comments:

Gina E. said...

Jan, there are so many things you can do with completed cross stitch projects, other than framing them with wood and glass! I've made some of mine into wall hangings, by making a patchwork border around them, a thin batting or interfacing, and backing fabric. You can also make tote bags or cushion covers.

Ulla said...

The cross stitch is a lot of work but looks lovely. Maybe you could use some of the cross stitch projects on cushion covers, tea cosies or something like that, depending on the pattern naturally.

Merilyn said...

What a lovely cross-stitch and such very fine work too! I hope you do get to finish it, it would look great hanging somewhere in your home so you could enjoy seeing it everyday!!

Aussie Maria said...

Boy did your post bring back memories. I have made that sampler, mmmmm...., 26 years ago. So I did finish that one. But I too have a deep, dark secret, maybe I should share that one too :-) which I really need to finished before it becomes a permanent UFO because of eyesight

Maria said...

What a lovely sampler! A friend told me the other day of another was of describing projects that are waiting to be finished...she calls them PHD s...project half done...sounds impressive to have a PHD !!! lol

Jan Mac said...

I nearly had a PhD for real as I was working on it when we all became so sick with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome another lifetime ago.
Hugs Jan Mac