WIP Wednesday

Here's a picture of the WIP I'm currently working on:

November Cottage by Country Cottage Needleworks.  I'm stitching this over one to make into one of my little pillows.  I must give the turkey some legs before I forget.  Right now he's hovering.  I hope to finish this up in the next couple of days.  And, if things go well, get my sewing machine out and finish finish it.

Keep on Stitching!

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!