Late Late-July WIPocalypse

Oooh!  I haven't had one of these for a while... but I have progress!

Last WIPocalypse (March!), this was Celtic Ferret:

I had just started filling in the gold in the neck and had done a bit of the brown in the fore-arm.

And here he is now:

I took him with me to a GTG and pretty much just worked on him because it was mindless and I wouldn't mess anything up while I was talking, laughing, or engaging in any other shenanigans.
I finished all of the arm cream and brown, the rear leg brown, and got a lot done with the fill in.  I'm pretty confident I'll be able to finish him this year.   He's been my go-to easy stitch whenever I don't feel up to a challenge (which seems to be all the time these days ;) )

And here is the before for Thanksgiving Fairy by Mirabilia (technically not part of WIPocalypse, but really should be):

I finished the outlines in the other colors and just need to fill out the lightest purples, get the beading in and I'll start moving up the dress to the head... I always seem to do these fairies the same - below waist then above waist/head then wings.
(and I won't go into how much I hate the change to google photos editing, oh well).

Since that was my first WIPocalypse since March(!), I'll get caught up with the other months' questions, too.

April: Which specialty stitches do you love doing on projects? Which do you dread?

I love specialty stitches in general.  I actually adore french knots, which everyone seems to hate.  The only stitch I really hate is backstitching.  I think I'm not alone in that one.

May: I would like to know if you look for LNS’s when you travel. What is the favorite shop you’ve ever found?

Yes.  Always.   I've even been poking about the DC area (though I don't consider that "travel"), and I'm threatening to go to one in SC next time I need to go down to Charlotte.   So far my favorite is Stitcher's Paradise in Las Vegas.  They're SO well stocked, really nice, and have a fantastic fabric room.  I love those ladies!

June: Do you find yourself more productive with stitching in summer or winter?

Definitely in the winter.   When it's cold I don't seem to have as many activities going on, and I'm not doing as many house projects.  Just sitting on the couch, bingewatching TV or movies and hanging out.  The holidays help, too!

July: Reality or Fantasy. Which do you prefer to stitch? Figures or Abstract?

Fantasy.  Abstract.  I love bugs and fairies and (nevermind the Mirabilias), for the most part, non-human subjects or patterns (samplers, mandalas, etc.)

July 31 – Topic: What makes you pick up a long-abandoned UFO rather than beginning a new piece? 

Honestly, it's looking at pictures, especially online, especially other bloggers.   I think that's why I've made my own blog so image heavy.  I like looking at things that I'd like to get back to - seeing progress by others is a HUGE, HUGE motivator, and just looking at mine, the progress in the past, where I'd like to go, and what made me fall in love with it in the first place.   Although I adore having readers and commenters, I have this blog for me, to keep me going and keep me motivated and see my progress.