For the last couple of months I’ve been thinking a lot about 2024. I love making plans and lists. You know that! I’ve edited and edited and thing I’m finally to the point of being happy with my 2024 Spending Plans, 2024 Journaling Plans and 2024 Stitching Plans so here is the first one and I kinda went over the spending a bit already.
So . . here’s my 2024 Spending Plan (as far as cross stitching goes). My plan is to keep a record of what I buy and, at the end of the year, I will share that info. That kinda keeps me accountable . . I hope.
I can write this post once and then copy/paste every year. I’m not going to say I’m not buying anything in 2024 but I am going to be very selective.
Charts:
Every time I see a new chart and I *really* want it, if I will take a moment and look at the charts I already have and love and want to stitch, then it’s easier to pass and not buy new charts. Let’s face it . . I finished 13 projects this year. There are at least 300 charts here. If I finish 13 pieces each year, I need at least 23 years to stitch 300 charts. I’m not saying I won’t live for 23 more years but I doubt I’ll be cross stitching when I’m 90 but . . I can hope, right? The bottom line is that I do not need any more charts. Yes, I will buy more charts but there will not be many and whatever I buy will be “special”.
Linen:
This is about the same as the charts. I have more linen than I will use. I’m not real picky about which linen to use. My only requirement is that the stitching will show. If a color doesn’t show up, I can change the floss or change the linen color. I do want to stitch some of the tree shaped pieces and they needed to be stitched on green or green-ish linen, which I didn’t have so I ordered a bit of green linen several months ago. I’ll do something like that if needed but, for the most part . . no new linen.
Floss:
I don’t intend to buy a lot of floss. Before buying, I will see if I can find a suitable substitute for any color/floss I don’t have. It’s like the charts and linen . . no need to buy more when I’ll never use all that I have here.
I have the whole set of several different flosses so if I use something out of those collections, I will replace it just to keep a full set.
Framing Supplies:
I will buy framing supplies as needed. I will not buy them ahead or because they’re cute and MAY work for something some day. I will save up on ordering frames and wait until I have enough to meet the free shipping.
If there’s something I need or seriously want, and think it through and decide getting it is the right thing . . I will do it but hopefully, no more impulse buying. It’s been three years since I got back into stitching. I’ve established a decent stash and I’m not sorry for what I’ve purchased but it’s time to be a bit more conservative with what I’m adding to the stash. Wish me luck!