2015 Stitching Goals, Part 1: Cross Stitch Crazy Challenge

As it goes closer and closer to the holidays (and right after that, the end of the year) I find myself signing up for more and more stitching projects and goals next year.  So I thought it might be fun to do a series of posts over the next few weeks about each one. 

First up is the 2015 Cross Stitch Crazy Challenge.  I believe this started out as a Yahoo group, but I've since found the group on Facebook.  The idea is to start 15 new projects for the first 15 days of January, and then work on those projects throughout the year.  The project has evolved in several different directions for the participants over the years, but that's the basic idea. 

This year, there's also a spinoff group called Debbie's Ultimate Crazy January Challenge 2015.  This was started in the memory of Debbie, a cross stitch blogger who passed away earlier this year.  People in this group plan on working on either 31 different projects (one for each day in January) or 59 projects (one for each day in both January and Februrary). 

Well, I've decided to do the Ulimate Crazy Challenge, but I'm going for the lesser level of 31 projects.  I'm also including a few ongoing WIP projects instead of just 31 new starts, and a lot of my projects are smalls too. 

So after making and changing my plans over the last few months on my challenge page (and then changing them again), I think I finally have it worked out to these projects.  Of course, they're subject to change as January actually comes around too.  :)

My 31 projects include (in no particular order):

Four WIPs
1.  Halloween Quaker
2.  Tree Frog Trio kit
3.  Silent Night kit
4.  Gift of Christmas

Six Mill Hill mini kits for Christmas presents next year
5.  Stars and Stripes
6.  Love Potion #9
7.  Coin Purse
8.  Autumn Wreath
9.  Winter Bunnies
10.  Cookies for Santa

Two Stitch-A-Long projects
11.  Gingerbread Houses Facebook SAL
12.  January Carnations from the Flower of the Month SAL

Six Charity Stitching squares
13.  Rainbow Mandala
14.  Perfume
15.  Horse Yin Yange
16.  Singing Owl
17.  Ladybug
18.  Sparrow on Vine

Three new Christmas projects
19.  Reindeer Square
20.  Polar Bear Square
21.  Merry and Bright Banner

Four potential Christmas presents
22.  Purple Paisley
23.  Polka Dot Bouquet
24.  Britannia Pillow
25.  Cat Lady Kit

Six My Little Pony magnets
26.  Rainbow Dash
27.  Rarity
28.  Twilight Sparkle
29.  Pinkie Pie
30.  Apple Jack
31.  Fluttershy


And, as you can see from my Challenge page, I have 25 backup projects in case any of these don't work out for me.  We'll see what happens come January!  Of course in the meantime, I have lots of kitting up to do.  I got a few done already, and it's wayyyyyy more work to organize out 27 new projects (31 - 4 WIPs) than I thought it would be!

Free Pattern Friday: A Christmas Carol

So I actually have something else planned for this week's Free Pattern Friday, but since I just found a super cool free cross stitch pattern that is only available for a limited time, I'm going to post two today (lucky you!). 

The UK cross stitching magazine Cross Stitch Collection is having a 12 Days of Christmas celebration.  They're going to do a bunch of giveaways for the next 12 days, and today is the first day.  They're giving away this large Victorian Christmas Carol chart by Maria Diaz for Day 1, but it's only available to download until this coming Monday.  So head over to their blog ASAP to get the download link. 

And keep your eye out for another free cross stitch pattern post later today!

Happy stitching!

Free Pattern Friday: Cross Stitch for Charity

So today is Friday, which means I will be posting a free cross stitch pattern today.  Well, I had already have a post planned for today, but I came across this set of free patterns that are only available for a limited time, so I wanted to share.

There is a group on Facebook called Cross Stitch for Charity.  In exchange for donating to the current cause the group is supporting, themed free cross stitch patterns are posted on the group page for members to download for a limited time.

In honor of the upcoming holiday, right now through December 5 (?) the group is raising funds for Toys for Tots.  Right now there are 7 charts posted for you to download in exchange for donating any amount to the charity.  Designers include Passione Ricomo, Primitive Hare, Lesley Teare, and many more.  As you can see from this photo, they are super cute patterns (and this isn't all of the patterns posted yet either). 

So if you'd like to get some free patterns and help a great cause in return, here's what you do.

1. You must have a Facebook account
2. Like the Cross Stitch for Charity page
3. Join the Cross Stitch for Charity group page
4. Donate to the cause using the link in the pinned post at the top of the group
5. Download your favorite charts in the group Files tab

These charts will only be available for a couple more weeks I think, so if you are interested in any of them, definitely head over there ASAP.

Come back later today for another Free Pattern Friday post (my regularly scheduled one).

Happy stitching!

Anyone interested in forming a SAL?

I came across a pattern of the month project in my search for freebie patterns, and for some reason, I thought they would make a fun SAL for the new year, one where everybody actually works on the same/similar projects.  So I am posting it here in the hopes I might get someone to join me. 

It's the flower of the month series put out by EMS Cross Stitch Designs a few years ago.  There are 12 square flower designs, one representing each month.  Here's what all 12 will look like when finished:

The charts are fairly simple (no fractional stitches), and they are free, so you would just have to source your fabric and floss.

I was thinking starting one each month throughout 2015.  We can check in with our progress and cheer each other on throughout the year.  Finishing, of course, in 2015 is optional (since that seems to be a problem for me lately, LOL :)

So anyway, would anyone be interested in joining me in my little stitching adventure?  If I can get at least one buddy to stitch along with, then I think I'll give it a go. 

Welcome!

Welcome to Brownie's Chair!  So what is this?  Glad you asked.

I've been blogging for 8 years about books over on my other blog, The Shady Glade.  In addition to reading, one of my favorite pastimes is cross stitch.  So naturally after getting back into the hobby a few months ago, one thing led to another and I've decided it's time to start a blog to share my other love.

So this blog will be a way to keep track of progress updated, my thoughts on cross stitch topics, advice to new stitchers, notices about free patterns, etc.  It's a work in progress, but I hope you enjoy the journey with me!

Feel free to email me if you have any thoughts or suggestions about the blog at brownieschair (AT) mail (DOT) com.