Lots of stitchers I follow on Instagram have been sharing collages of all of the cross-stitch and other crafty projects they finished in 2016. I have never looked back at completed projects as part of a year-end review before, mostly because I have never been great about finishing things. I am a champion at starting projects that never get completed. But, I knew I had completed some stitching this past year, so these other stitchers inspired me to take a look. I was astonished at how many pieces I completed in 2016.

I am breaking this up into two posts. This post only looks at the cross-stitch, embroidery, and needlework projects that I completed by other designers. Part 2 will look at the designs I created and stitched in 2016 for Rabbit Girl Crafts on Etsy and a free pattern that I posted here on the blog.

• I could count this either as one piece or 8 separate stitches, but early in 2016 I stitched all eight of the “Vintage Eggs” motifs by Prairie Schooler.

Clockwise, from top left:

• I finished stitching “Anhinga Blues” by R.K. Portfolio, which was a minor accomplishment as this piece had been a UFO for several years. I’m so happy it’s in the “completed” pile now.
• This was the one non-stitching project I completed, even though it did involve threading the beads with needles, but I love how this wrap bracelet turned out.
• In 2016 I also led a little workshop for my embroidery guild on chicken scratch embroidery. I stitched this heart for the sample and finished it as a little pillow.
• I took this workshop with my guild where we got to experiment with DMC’s wire-wrapped Memory Thread. I completed my project and finished it as this decorative pillow.

Clockwise, from top left:

• I stitched this “Liberty Stars” counted canvas piece by From Nancy’s Needle over the summer. It was a challenge project for my embroidery guild, and I ended up winning a little prize for it.
• The stumpwork embroidery project was my toughest challenge this year. I nearly gave up on it numerous times, but I’m glad I stuck with it because the final piece is lovely.
• I stitched this “Grateful, Thankful, Blessed” cross-stitch piece by Lizzie Kate just in time for Thanksgiving.
• And, last, but not least, I stitched this ornament with a little church. It was a fun, quick stitch with a surprising amount of detail packed into a small space.

Stay tuned for Part 2!