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!

Irish Blessing

Last Saturday I took this piece to Just Cross Stitch in Lederach, PA to be framed.  It is a Christmas gift for my son.  He chose this when we visited The Strawberry Sampler in September.

Irish Blessing by Twisted Threads

Just Cross Stitch is a sweet shop.  I did a little bit of stash enhancing.  Not too much this time. 

I am supposed to be on a stash diet, but don't always do so well with that.

Have a great day!

No Place Like Home

That was the title of the piece for a class I took with Catherine Theron sponsored by The Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild. 

I had to leave early in the morning to make the class on time.  I did it. 

Here is the cover of the directions. 

Some over one, stem stitch, and spiral trellises.  Sprial trellis was new to me.  I was quite frustrated with it a first.  Catherine gave me some one-on-one coaching and I was able to do them by the end of the class.  Catherine is a patient teacher and very organized.  Just what I like when I take  class.

Catherine was a part of the Samplermakers group that I attend.  I didn't take her classes when they were offered through that group.  Catherine has moved out of our area. 

These are a couple of pictures I took so that I would remember how the cover for the needlebook should be attached.  And a picture of the left side of the inside.  Don't know why I didn't take a picture of the whole thing.

Here is my progress for the day:

 

 

Doesn't look like much, yet.  I am happy with this bit of progress. 

 

I hope to get back to this soon. 

 



Have a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm posting this today for those who may be traveling. 

These are the few things I've put out for Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving by Hinzeit

I'm not sure who did these.  And I haven't found a good way to keep track of these things.  I suspect that one is Bent Creek and the other is Heart in Hand.  Total guesses on my part.

The view from my dining room chair

My basket of pillows, which I would like to leave on the floor.  My granddog thinks they're his toys, so they are up on the table for safety's sake.  I know that one of the pieces is Thankful Quaker by Bent Creek.  I'm not sure who designed the pumpkin.

 

 

My children will all be home for the holiday. 

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!