The Numbers - Recap of 2014

While journaling, etc.this morning I came across my stitching statistics for 2014.

The year can be summed up as follows:

        New Projects Started:   33

        Projects that I finished stitching but didn't assemble:   40

        Projects Finished (meaning assembled, framed, etc.):  12  (may include some of the 40 - I don't really know.)

My analysis says that I must have completed stitching seven WIPs.  And the scary part, I put at least 28 pieces into the Box of Shame to be finished at a later date.  Yikes - no wonder I have upsized the box of shame from a box to huge bin.  I've got to work on that bin this year, no surprise.  I did put that as one of my 57 before 57.

While blog hopping early this morning I came across an idea from Mary of All My Scattering Moments called TYRA - The Year of Reckless Abandon.  This seems to have been my modus operandi for many, many years.  Thank you Mary for putting a name to it!  I'll remember and chuckle when I  follow her steps in the coming year:

"1.  If I feel like stitching on it, I will.

2.  If I feel like starting it, I will.

3.  If I don't feel  like working on it, I won't.

4.  If I worry that too many projects are in the works, I'll pour a glass of wine."

Thank you to Melissa from Words and Blooms for sharing the link to Mary's blog.

On a personal note, it's snowy here today.  Twenty-five years ago today I gave birth to my second child, a son, affectionately called Baby Boy and sometimes referred to as My Favorite Grad Student.
And twenty-six years ago today, I was urged to go to the hospital because of labor pains, a snowstorm, and a hospital located on top of a mountain (hill by some standards.)  The baby, my first, affectionately called Little Boy arrived in the early morning hours of January 7.  So for one day every year my boys are the same age.  This year it is 25.

Have a great day.

Keep on Stitching!

Monday, Monday

How was your Monday?  Mine was busy with work, etc.

Sunday night I was able to put the final stitches in Heart of Hearts by Bent Creek.  I substituted stitches for the button included in the kit.  I don't have much luck with buttons staying on my pillows.

I have a few things blooming in the house right now. My amaryllis and

my paper whites.  Some people find the scent of paperwhites a bit overpowering.  I am enjoying the scent and the blossoms.

Keep on Stitching!

Happy Sunday!

I haven't stitched a stitch yet today.  I'm saving myself for the viewing of

My Downton light is lit.  It is so pretty. Thank you, Phyllis.

I spent time today putting away the Christmas decorations.  And getting out my snowmen.

Don't they look happy in their new home?  I bought two of these bowls with legs after Christmas.  I could see them filled with my little pillows in my mind's eye.  I did this with the other one:

Which is another use I had envisioned for these.   I'm not sure what they were originally intended to used for.  The lady I bought them from said she thought people served salad in them.  That's a lot of salad.  Anyway, I thought they were different and just a little prim looking.

Have a great night.

Keep on Stitching!

A New Project in the New Year

I spent some time today going through my stash and outlining the projects I'd like to complete in the coming year.  I've decided that in order to meet those goals I'll have to retire, give up sleeping, or both!  A very ambitious list that I won't share here.  And, no, I won't be retiring or giving up sleeping.

Instead, I'll show my first start for this year:

I think this will be a quick stitch since it's over 2 on 18 count with perle cotton.  Fun after the struggles I've had with some over one projects in the past few days.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Keep on Stitching!

First Stitching Finish of the New Year

Yesterday I was able to put the final stitches in Country Sampler's Jack's House Pinkeep by Stacy Nash.  This piece has been languishing because of all the white stitching on the house.   Yesterday I told myself I would give it five minutes and then I could stop.  I found my mojo and kept going and this was the result.

Now, to find the finishing materials that came with the kit.  I think I know where they are.

Have a great day.

Keep on Stitching!

Happy New Year!

I underestimated the amount of time it would take me to complete my baking, wrapping, cooking, and cleaning up in my last post.  And we won't even begin to factor in the amount of time spent talking with my children. Amazing.  I was off for five days for the holiday and it flew by until I went back to work Monday.

First, here's a picture of my cookie platter on Christmas Eve.

A few new recipes on there.  The caramel and chocolate dipped pretzel sticks with homemade caramel were a big hit.

I managed to squeeze a little stitching and finished stitching these during the month of December.

Deer in the Meadow from Merry Christmas leaflet by Blackbird Designs

Snowy Eve from the same leaflet

and Merry Christmas also from that leaflet.

I hope that 2015 is healthy and happy for you.

I'm off to my stitching room to look through my stash and formulate some stitching plans for the year ahead.

Keep on Stitching!

Gifts Received

 Today I am baking with mixed success. Things are not coming out quite right.  One cookie tastes nothing like I remembered although I haven't made them in years.  However, I did make them this year since Baby Girl put in a special request.

I'm writing this blog post while I have cookies in the oven and nothing else that is calling for my attention.

I want to share pictures of the gifts I received.  This may seem like a lot, but remember this was my birthday and our Christmas celebration.

My birthday gifts are first,

Santa and a kit from The Purple Thread called Back to Spool,

a close-up of the kit.  Sherry was uncertain as to whether this was something I had.  And the answer was no.  The funny part is that when I saw this kit on Salty Yarns website I wondered if they had three, one for each of the girls.  I changed my mind and never did ask because I decided to go with the gift cards instead.

the rest of my gift from Debbie, the pin that goes with kit she gifted me in October shown  here, a pair of acorn scissors which were on my wish list, and one of the lockets for finishing,

and from friend Phyllis this beautiful sunflower box, a set of Disney teas, and a gift certificate to our local-not-so-local stitching shop.  A good excuse for a road trip.

For Christmas I received the following gifts,

from Phyllis a Downton Abbey lamp made using a wineglass for the base and a battery operated tea light inside, a set of two project bags, and a folding tray and ort container,

a close-up of the Downton lampshade.  Phyllis made these.  I am in awe.  They fit perfectly and are just the cutest.  Now I have to wait until Downton comes on in January.

from Debbie, a Flying Pig solar mobile, pincushion, emery boards, notepad, and spool of  ribbon,

a close-up of the top of the pincushion,

and a side view of the salt cellar the pincushion is finished in.

Debbie thought these spools were interesting and that we could do something really neat with them.

and from Sherry a tea maker from Teavana, loose tea, and a tin of Whitman's candy.  The tin is interesting.  I can't wait to see what the girls do with those.

Here is a picture of my table decorations. The strawberries in the bowl were designed by The Prairie Schooler.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  I'll be back tomorrow with pictures of my baking adventures and hopefully, a little bit of stitching.

Keep on Stitching!