One Last Finish for 2013

I almost forgot to show a picture of my final finish for 2013.

This is Irish Blessing by Twisted Threads that I stitched for Baby Boy.  This is the piece I took to Just Cross Stitch in Lederach, PA for framing.  I am so pleased with the job that Carolyn did.  And amazed that I had a figure in my head for the framing and it was very close.  I was thinking $70 and it was $69.99.  Not bad!

In other news, I did make a little start on A Fine and Fancy Tulip Tray.  I got one of the pockets basted - after four tries.  I hope the other four go a little quicker.  I tried to take a picture but I used a light thread and my camera isn't picking up the basting.

It's snowy and cold here.  The perfect night to stitch on Hibernation Day by Heartstring Samplery. 

Here is where it stands tonight.  Maybe I can get an hour in before bed.  After I fold the laundry.

 I have almost completed page one.  That should be doable for tonight.

Have a great day!  Thanks for stopping by.

A New Year

A new year and a fresh calendar, I like the promise of the  coming year.

You may have read my goals for the coming year in an earlier post.  I hope to share my journey toward accomplishing those goals with you this coming year.

Today I threw out my one thing, actually two things.  These full journals.  I don't go back and re-read what I've written so there's no need to save them.  I write three pages almost every day as a part of my weight loss journey.  This writing helps me to set my intentions for the day and work through any junk from the prior day. I found this technique in The Writing Diet by Julia Cameron.

 

After my treadmill time today I rewarded myself with some time spent on stitching on this piece.  I am close to finishing this pinkeep and have yet to start the ornament. 

Country Sampler Silent Night Pinkeep and Ornament by Stacy Nash Primitives


This is a little better picture of the kit.

 

 



Later tonight I hope to make a start on A Fine and Fancy Tulip Tray by Patrick's Woods.  I will be taking this class in April.  Actually, if you count ironing the fabric and reading through the directions I have started.  I think a start is putting in those first few stitches.  This project starts with basting. 

I'd also like to get the Christmas things put away tonight.  Baby Girl said she would help with that.  Once we get started it should only take about half an hour.   We'll see.

Have a wonderful day!

Happy New Year

Wishing you a happy, healthy, love-filled new year!

I'll be back tomorrow with a stitch post!

Stitch from Stash SAL

I found a mention of Stitch from Stash 2014 on Lynda's blog  and I had to do a little search to find out what she was talking about.  After looking around a bit at Mel's idea I've signed up.  Her SAL is in line with my goals for the coming year and hopefully this will help to keep me accountable.

Are you up for the challenge?

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

New Year Plans

My birthday is in December.  Around my birthday I begin to reflect on the past year and plan for the coming year.  This year has been no exception. 

Here is what I'd  like to focus on in 2014. These are not in any particular order.
      
        Continued weight loss;

       Finish the UFO's in the baskets of shame;

       Participate in Theme-A-Licious 2014;

       Post to my blog more frequently;

       Turn a bunch (a very specific number) of WIPs into finished projects;

       Walk/tread 8,000 steps per day;

       Go on a stash diet;

       Attend two stitching functions, one is already planned;

       Declutter by getting rid of one thing each day;

       Stitch - a - lot; and

       Enjoy time with my family.

My word or rather phrase for this year will be Lighten Up.

My word for 2013 was Balance.  I'm not sure that I achieved it all of the time but I was more mindful of what I was doing.   That probably was the best outcome. 

Having shared by goals (scary word) for the coming year I hope to share my progress in my journey through 2014.  

What are you hoping for in 2014?

How was your Christmas?

So, did you have a great Christmas?  We did.  It was busy but a lot of fun.  We tried some new things this year.

A first for us was to open gifts on Christmas Eve while feasting on appetizers and cookies.  I think everyone had a good time.  I'm not sure if we will be repeating this.  However, this year it worked for us because of our plans for Christmas day.

Christmas day we slept in a bit and had breakfast.  Then it was off to my mother-in-law's - over the river and through the Pine Barrens, literally.  We spent part of the day with her.  I prepared our Christmas dinner at her house.  An then home at a decent time so that the children could go on to their evening plans.

Some of us stayed home and watched tv - some of us even stitched a bit for the first time in days or maybe weeks.  I'd have to check my stitch journal to find out exactly how long it's been.  I'm pretty sure I've done some at lunchtime but not much else.

I realized on Christmas Eve morning that, when I was unable to snap my fingers to get the granddog's attention, my hands were a bit stiff!  And I blamed it on a lack of stitching.  I am convinced that the hand excercise from stitching keeps the stiffness away.  However, I can't snap my fingers today either, so that may not be the case.  Or I may not have stitched enough last night.  I'll have to try again tonight.

No pictures of our holiday since I didn't take the camera out of the drawer.

Enjoy your day after Christmas.

Happy December

Whew, we're almost through the first week of December.  How is your December going? 

I did get our advent calendar hung up on the first.  Here are some pictures of that.

I made this back in 1993 when I was pregnant with my daughter.  We've lost a few ornaments over the years, but not too bad.  This is how it looked this morning after my son, the only one home, put up the latest ornament.   I found this pattern in Cross Stitch and Country Crafts - remember that magazine. I loved it because you could turn to the back and order what you needed for the project so that it would turn out like the model.  Boy, do I miss that magazine.

Have a wonderful Saturday!