Saturday

I didn't stitch as much as I had hoped today.  Other things got in the way.  Like cleaning and laundry - necessary.  And I did go for another walk, only four miles today.  It was getting late and I didn't want to be walking on the path after dark.

I did finish all of the red on the bird for the Sewing Bird Pocket.

And I kitted up Crazy Socks by Rosewood Manor and made a little start on that today.  I'm stitching this on 28 ct. Vintage (because I had it in my stash) and using two strands.  I think that will give me the coverage I need.

I opted to start with border as I usually do.  I haven't gotten very far and hope to do a bit more before I go to bed.

Keep on Stitching!

Happy New Year!

Did you have a wonderful first day of the new year?  Did you work on your resolutions?  I did a little. I went for my first five mile walk since my knee replacement.  It was a little slow, but I got 'er done.  I hope to do the same again tomorrow.  We have so many wonderful walking paths in our area I am hoping to become familiar with more of them this year.

I had meant to post a picture of my ort jar.  Here it is ready to be emptied and set up for another year.

And I also meant to post my stitching stats for 2015:

I put the first stitch in 60 projects;

I put the last stitch in 65 projects (which theoretically means I finished five of my older WIPs); and

I finish-finished 58 projects (48 of those were the Fun Every Day pieces.)

Not a bad year stitching wise.

I worked on Sewing Bird Pocket at bit more last night.

I still have more the red to fill in.  Then I'll stitch the other motifs. Maybe I can do a little on this before I go to bed tonight.

Here is my Fun Every Day set for the first of day of this new year.

Have a great evening.

Keep on Stitching!

Goodbye 2015

This is my final post for 2015.

My calendar as it appeared today.

Here is a picture of a birthday gift I received from a co-worker.  I think this will be by motto for 2016.

I received this crate from my future daughter-in-law for Christmas.  I know just what I'm going to do with it.   This will become my new work basket.  I plan to spend some time tomorrow loading it up with projects I hope to accomplish in the coming year.

And I received this in the mail today.  This is part of club sponsored by The Silver Needle called  A Little Help from Our Friends Stitching Circle.  There are two options for this one uses specialty stitches and the other is all cross stitch.  I think I'm going to opt for the specialty stitch version.

Included in the box was this ort holder and needle minder.  These were made by the girls at The Silver Needle.  What a special touch.  The glass piece in the center of the ort holder is the same purple as shown on the needle minder.  I could not get a good photo of the two. 

I have decided to do my own little Stitch from Stash from December to December.  I used Mel's directions found on her blog.  She has decided not to continue this in 2016 but did leave the rules, etc. up for those that might be interested in doing it on their own. I did add my own little twist as an incentive to finish-finish some projects I am awarding myself $5 for each item that I actually finish. Here is my tally for December.  I have $86 to carry forward into January!

And one final thing before I sign off for the final time this year.

Keep on Stitching!

Phew!

I started this post prior to Christmas and then got wrapped up in my preparations that I forgot about it.

I can't believe how quickly time is speeding toward Christmas.  And I don't think I've ever felt like so far behind this close to the day.  I have wrapped 1 - yes 1 gift.  And that's because it was big and heavy and I didn't want to hide it.  My theory was/is that if it is wrapped in can stay out in plain sight.  Now that the Christmas tree is finally up, the gift doesn't look as strange sitting in the living room.

This year I decided to take out all the stitched ornaments I could find and decorate the tree with those.  I haven't done that in many years and was amazed at just how many ornaments I have completed over the years.  And, I'm sure that there are several more in the 'bin of shame' waiting for some finishing magic.

I like the way the tree looks this year.  My daughter thought it looked a little bare.  It's staying like this for now.

I have been doing a little bit of stitching.   I did finish stitching On Redware Road a couple of weekends ago. And now it's on the pile of things to be finished.  Maybe this coming weekend.

And a new start.  Sewing Bird Pocket by Blackbird Designs - this is from one of the clubs at Dyeing to Stitch.  I am loving it - especially now that I can stitch without thinking too much while  I fill in the bird.

I have some other things I want to share but don't have what I need at my fingertips - so it will have to wait for another day.

I hope that 2016 brings you a year filled with health, happiness, and of course, lots of finishes.

Happy New Year!

Keep on Stitching!

The Year In Review

Do you remember my list from last year of 57 things I wanted to accomplish by the time I turned 57? Well, tomorrow is the day!  And I haven't done nearly as much as I had hoped.  Here's a rundown of what I did manage to accomplish.

1.  Take a family photo. 

2.  Release 57 pounds. No but I'm trying again for 2016.

3.  Grow pumpkins.  Maybe next year.

4.  Grow sunflowers.  Also, maybe next year.

5.  Force bulbs for winter.  I"ve got the kit - just need to get them planted!

6.  Empty the 'bin of shame.'  - I haven't even made a dent in this - just piled more stuff on top.  :)

7.  Walk 10,000 steps daily. - Some days yes, most days no.  Working on trying to get a 1/2 hour a day.

8.  Use the one-in-one-out rule for new purchases and gifts. - I'm getting pretty good at this but still need work.

9.  Reduce stitching stash.

10.  Use my planner daily.  - Sometimes.

11.  Plan tomorrow tonight. - Sometimes.

12.  Daily blog post. - No way - I'll try harder for next year.

13.  Take a knitting class. - Maybe in 2016.

14.  Get bloodwork done.

15.  Start playing my flute. - I decided that this was something I really didn't want to do and sold my flute.

16.  Deal with the mail daily.

17.  Develop a cleaning routine.

18.  Drink 8 cups of water daily. - Some days yes - others no.

19.  Develop an after work routine. - Still a work in progress.

20.  Sleep 8 hours a night. -Umm this probably won't happen.  I try but sleep is very elusive these days.

21,  Read Simple Abundance daily.

22.  Do 6 No Spend months. - Nope

23.  Take a trip with the Captain.

24.  Continue my gratitude practice.  - Off and on - now back on.

25.  Try 57 new recipes. - I think I got about 20.

26.  Take one stitching class.  

27.  Finish 57 stitching projects. - 54 but that includes all the 48 pieces of Fun Every Day which I counted as individual projects.

28.  Throw out 3 things every day. - Nope - trying again.

29.  Take off 10 Fridays in the summer. - I think I took 6.

30.  Read/listen to 57 books. - I'm working on no. 73!

31.  Take a dance class. - Nope.

32.  Take a yoga class. - Nope.  Will need modification at any rate due to my knees.

33.  Stitch every day. - Most days.

34.  Journal daily.

35.  Get my mammogram.

36.  Make my love list.

37.  Make my success notebook. - Nope

38.  Make my inspiration book. - Nope

39.  Finish decorating the stitching room.

40.  Do garden and plants in the front of the house. - Maybe next year.

41.  Do bank garden in front of the house. - Maybe next year.

42.  Eat when hungry 90% of the time. - If only.  This is a hard one.  I am a huge stress and social eater.  I'll keep working on it.

43.  Stop eating when satisfied 90% of the time. - Getting better at this one.  Maybe hit it about 70% of the time.  A huge improvement.

44.  Find and use a blog planner. - This can come off the list.  I think blog planners are for those that have monetized their blogs.  That's not me.

45.  Do a 5 year journal.

46.  Visit Florida.

47.  Visit Neverending Farm. - Maybe this winter.

48.  Daily bible study. - Sadly, no.  I did manage a couple of months.

49. Go to Moravian Book Shop. - Nope.

50.  Attend 1 stitching retreat.

51.  Save $1,000.

52.  Finish hexagon quilt. - Nope.

53.  Finish flag quilt. - Nope.

54.  Organize recipes. - Haven't decided on the 'best' way to do this.  A huge procrastinating tool for me.

55.  Develop a menu plan.  - Some weeks but not all.

56.  Track personal expenses. - Still working on this one.

57.  Attend Cuzfest.

I don't have plans to attempt another list like this next year. But I still have time to change my mind - only a couple of hours

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!

Wednesday

I found this post while doing my blog reading today.  Priscilla and Cathy Haberman have collaborated to do Seasons in Chalk and they will be published in Just Cross Stitch.  The link will take you to Priscilla's site to get a peek at winter.  I'm gonna get a subscription to Just Cross Stitch so I don't miss a season.

And I want to share a link to a SAL that Ma, Herself has organized for 2016.  She has purchased 10 of the Crazy Socks charts from Rosewood Manor.  Ma, Herself is offering to give away nine of the charts - one per person - if you want to stitch it but cannot afford the chart.  You can read more about it here.  I'm in - are you?  I bought my chart when I first became aware of the story behind it. Now I'm trying to figure out how large or small I want it to be.  I'm thinking I might like to stitch it on burlap, of all things, but need to investigate that a bit before I commit.  Or maybe I'll stitch it over one so that it's itty bitty.  I've got a couple of weeks to make up my mind.  Stay tuned.  That fun will begin on January 1.

Now a little finishing for today.

A Year in Chalk: August by Hands On Design

I haven't made much progress on On Redware Road.  I hope to stitch an hour or so tonight and hope to have some noticeable progress to share with you tomorrow.

I'm off to finish up my chores for today so I can play with my needle and thread.

Keep on Stitching!

Tuesday

Another work day today and this was a full one.  I'm tired again tonight but I think that is to be expected.

I have made a little progress on On Redware Road.  I have almost completed the roof.  I may go back and complete the flower on the left so that I can begin the bottom border.

And I finished the next piece in A Year in Chalk - this one is for July.  

A Year in Chalk: July by Hands on Design

Only a few more of these to finish and then I think I'm moving to some things that require a sewing machine or some hand finishing.  I have lots of choices from the 'bin of shame' and the area surrounding it. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!