Christmas on Gingerbread Lane

I've been working on a lot of projects recently, but they all take a lot of time! I post a lot of progress picture on Instagram, but it feels a little silly to devote a blog post to a small amount of progress on a large project. I finally have a new finished project to share with you (and some time to write about it)!

I still need to iron it and frame it, but my most recent project finish is this beauty:

This cute pattern is Christmas on Gingerbread Lane from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery. I usually use embroidery hoops to finish my projects (which are a lot smaller), so I have never mounted and framed my stitching. I'm excited (and a little nervous) to do it with this project. I bought a red metal frame from Jo-Ann's when I got to use a coupon on top of the crazy frame sale, but I'm not sure if I want to use it. Since Christmas has already come and gone, I have time to get this project framed before I pull all my Christmas decorations out for next year, so I guess I have time to find the "right" frame for it. I also need to order some mounting boards for this project and a few others. I think it'll be fun to do something new!

If you recall, I have also been stitching up the FPS's 2013 Woodland Sampler. I am so close to finishing it! I just have the December frame and the bonus frame left to stitch up. I was really hoping to have it all done by the end of the year, but since that is tomorrow, I don't think it's going to happen. Either way, I can't wait to share that finish with you!

I love making my own patterns, but it has been a lot of fun stitching up FPS designs and sharing them with others I've connected with from all over the world online. So, I already have everything ready to stitch up their 2014 Once Upon a Time Sampler (starts on January 10th)! Do you want to join me?

2014 NewFO Challenge with Cat Patches

For the second half of 2013, I found myself crafting more than I had in multiple previous years combined, and it felt good! I started cross stitching again regularly at the end of 2010, but that was about all I was doing until now. In addition to some lower-key crafting for myself and my son, I signed up for some embroidery clubs, joined in on some cross stitch sampler craft-alongs, and made my first machine-quilted project (which was also a quilt-along, but I joined in at the very last minute).

Now that I am in a full-on crafting kick and I have the bug to get behind my sewing machine more and more, I've been dreaming up all the wonderful things I'd like to make. I'm still thinking semi-small scale on my quilted projects because larger ones are a bit scary. I know I will never get better at quilting unless I make stuff! I also know that getting started can be the hardest part of creating. So, to push myself to create more, I'm joining in the 2014 NewFO Challenge with Cat Patches!

The idea behind a "NewFO Challenge" is to start a new quilting project each month. Most linky parties focus on only sharing finished projects or focus on finishing unfinished objects (UFOs). This one just focuses on the starting part. Easy, right? There will be monthly linky parties and prizes too. Want to join in?

 

I'm also planning to join in on the Craftster "14 Quilt Projects in 2014" that will inevitably start at the beginning of the year, so I'm kind of getting a two-for out of my project plans. I haven't figured out everything I'd like to make, and I might change my mind along the way, but here are my plans so far (in no particular order):

1. Hand-Embroidered ABC Quilt - I already started this one, so it won't count as a NewFO, but I can use it for 14 in 2014.
2. Baby Girl's Tumber Quilt
3. Little Man's Tumbler Quilt
4. Oh, Fransson! Catvent Quilt
5. Summer Stitching Club Mini Quilt - My top is already done for this, but I need to decide how I want to finish it.
6. Autumn Stitching Club Quilted Pillow
7. Winter Stitching Club Quilted Wall Hanging
8. Spring Stitching Club Project
9. Hexie Mini Quilt
10. Triangle Quilt
11. Quilted Tree Skirt for My Mom
12. Quilted Tree Skirt for Me
13. TBD
14. TBD