Defined goals for 2009

Other than making 2009 the "Year of the WIP" for me heh, I do have a few more defined goals. Yes, work on WIPs. That is the biggest goal. I have so many that they are really starting to make me go crazy. But, this is me, and no one can really tell a difference. snerk.

I want to finish Fairy Moon.
I want to start and finish Fiona in the HAED SAL.
I want to make progress on Crystal Ball
I want to finish French Flower Shop
I want to finish The Big Zipper
I want to work on HOHRH
I need to finish my best friends wedding piece.

So, to do this, Fairy Moon goes on the back burner for a bit. Fiona will get worked on during the second weekends, when the page gets sent out. And the weeding piece will be started as soon as I finish the model I am working on right now. It is up first and needs to be finished first. I am still debating the fabric for it, though. hmmm... I should do a floss toss for it.

2008 year in Review

Maybe on a happier note.

Stolen from... many.

1. Where did you begin 2008?
At a party with many friends. It was good.
2. What was your status by Valentines Day?
Same as always. Just a regular day.
3. Were you in school anytime this year?
Well, not exactly, I teach my son from home.
4. Did you have to go to the hospital?
Took my son the the ER just this past Wednesday.
5. Did you have any encounters with the police?
Called them cause my car was broken into on Friday

6. Where did you go on vacation?
Oregon Coast for DH's Family reunion
7. What did you purchase that was over $100?
Some gifts for others
8. Did you know anybody who got married?

Yes, and they are very happy!
9. Did you know anybody who passed away?

Yes. A dear and sweet friend
10. Did you move anywhere?

No.
11. What sporting events did you attend?
Openeing Day of the Mariners. It snowed. And they lost.
12. What concerts/shows did you go to?
None.
13. Describe your birthday.

Have not had it yet, but have no plans.
14. What is the ONE thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008?

Hmmm. All the volunteering for Boy scounts
15. What have been your favourite moments?

Tea with friends, J's new annoucnment!, Time with family and friends.
16. Any new additions to your family?

Nope
17. What was your best month?
July?
18. Who has been your best drinking buddy?
hmmm. Matt?
19. Made new friends?

I guess.
20. Favourite Night out?

Halloween

21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?

Friends.
22. Have you lost any friends this year?

yes.
23. Change your hairstyle?
yes, a few times.... colours too!
24. Have any car accidents?

hmmm... The car was hit, but I wasn't in it this time.
25. How old did you turn this year?
One year older!

26. Do you have a New Years resolution?

heh, maybe, but I won't keep it!
.27. Do anything embarrassing?

All the time!

28. Buy anything from eBay?

I think so?
29. Get married or divorced?

Nope.
30. Get hit on?
Yes
31. Been snowboarding?

No.

32. Did you get sick this year?

Bad cold
33. Are you happy to see 2008 go?
YES!
34. Been naughty or nice?
Yes.
35. What are you looking forward to most in 2009?
I hope it will be better than the last year, but not as good and the year after that. I hope for good jobs for people I know. And better health for them as well. I hope that this year is a more hopful one.

I plan on being decieved my most of what I hope for. sigh.

life cont.

and next! Now my car gets busted into. The creeps busted the drivers side window. Too bad for them there was nothing to steal. Bad for me that in this dang snomegaddon I had to drive with a busted window! Bastards, I want to hang them up by their naughty bits.

Got the window fixed today.... ouch. Just what was needed, another bill.

What next!

life

life can sometimes shock ya! My sister will be in town on Friday so I have been getting ready for that. Then tonight... ds breaks his arm. Spent and hour and a half (speedy) in the ER tonight to find that out. He may have to have surgery on it as well. Get to find that out after an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. I am really hoping there will be no surgery. But, we will just have to wait and see. So a bit more stress added to life and the holidays. And another bill. But I am so glad I took him into the ER instead of waiting til tomorrow to take him in to see his doctor! He is a tough little guy (ok, he is 10 and would hate me calling him little, heh) and was just saying it hurt, but wasn't all that bad. Mom instincts and some questions said different.
He busted it pretty good. He really isn't allowed to move it at all and has it in a sling. The splint they put his arm in goes from his knuckles all the way to nearly his armpit. It will be at least 6-8 weeks before it's off.... without surgery. That's all I know now... After the visit to the surgeon I will know more.

One good thing... it is his left arm, and he is right handed, so we can still do school. He is already making a list of all the things he can still do, not what he can't do. And for now he is ok with it. I know boredom will set in. He isn't a kid to sit still, what boy does?!

A Finish

I finished up Salem Sisters. Yes, I should have been working on Fairy Moon, but, heh.... all that white! snerk. So, yet again I put it off and just working on my small. I don't have a picture of it cause it has been way to rainy here to get a decent one. I'll try again later and put one up.

I've been working on a UFO RR. It's really kinda pretty. I like the colours. Some pretty blues. I've been working on the light yellow colour.

been a bit

guess I haven't been posting. heh. Time has just been getting by me. But I have been busy so I will have some pictures to share. That should at least be a plus.

I have now finished A Virtuous Huswif... at least the stitching of it... it isn't anywhere near being a huswif yet, nor will it be any time soon. Can't see finding the time for that until well after the holidays. But, with the stitching done, at least I am one step closer to getting there, right?

Now that it is finished I pulled out an older WiP to work on... Fairy Moon. And hope to make some progress on her. Granted I am now down to the never ending white skirt of doom, so I will most likely be needed to take the occasional break from her, but that is what my little small projects are for. So, I have the plans. And plans are good.

November Goals

X-mas exchange- stitch and mail off--Done
Family ornaments- stitch a few, yup I am late getting to these--Did Three
HAED SAL--Did, and frogged a ton... so this one is getting the toss
Stitch more on A Virtuous Huswif--Done, and it's finished
Stitch on UFO RR when it shows up--Done, need to mail off soon.

December Goals

Stitch on Fairy Moon

Prepare stuff for HAED 2009 SAL

Mail off UFO RR

Pretty easy goals this time, but hey it is the holidays. I am also starting to make my solid plans for the next year. My year of WiPs. I will have one new start and that will be the chart for the HAED 2009 SAL. They showed the four charts they will be doing... and there was only one that called to me. When I saw the artists I was doubtful if any would be calling me. But one did. So, I will be doing Fiona. Every other month they will send out a part of the chart. This will be my one true NEW start. I don't know if I will count the smalls as new starts, they just give me breaks between my BAPy type WiPs. But, this will really be my year of WiPs, no new starts of big charts.

Edited to add: I lied a little... there will be one other new start next year. A wedding piece for my best friend. Can't forget about that. heh. but, it is a gift, so, yeah... it doesn't count!

what a time

after fighting migraines and migraines, and oh, did I mention migraines. sigh. I did finally get some stitching done again. I also got my HOE ornie exchange mailed off... late. Very bad of me being late, but... yeah, I think I mentioned migraines. A solid week going, not fun. But on to better things

I finished the Give Thee Thanks, that I was working on.

This had lots of over one work and such things. But, it was fun to do.

SAT for 11-14

I will actually be home this Friday night, so I thought it would be good to join in on the SAT on the Let's Stitch board. I think it will be nifty and I hope to make some decent progress on my piece.

I am stitching on a model, We Give Thee Thanks. And thought I should post a before, and after picture here.

Floss tag exchange

I got mine in the mail yesterday. Ina sent some lovlies! I think the floss tag is so cute with the bird, and that little button is cute. She sent lots of goodies too!

And the floss tag all close up.

Joining in!

I have joined the Let's Stitch Too blog. The first one was all full up and I have been reading it and looking at all the lovelies. People seem to be finish things too! Shock! Finished stitching, what's that?! You can do that? heh. So, when Becky opened up a second blog I had to just jump in.... I may not be as active in it until the new year as I would like, but I will do what I can.

This week the weekly challange is ornies! And that works great for me! But, sadly I won't be signing up for the SATs because they are on Friday, and I am very rarely home on that night. Still we can see what other challenges I can get myself into... and complete! That seems to give me the shot in the stitching arm that I need sometimes, well, a lot sometimes!

Next year, I am hoping to concentrate more on my personal WIPs, and maybe see a few more finishes... I hope the Let's Stitch blog will help me with that.

So, stitching, and finishing... that's the plan! heh.

floss tag exchange.

I heard tell that my partner got her exchange so I am free now to post what I sent to her.

So here is what I sent on. I hope Ellen liked it! I used Vikki Clayton silks in a peacocky colour. and put her initials on the back.

those goals

October goals.

- UFO RR. finish stitching time on this Yup
- HAED SAL Yup
- Floss tag Exchange Yup
- bring out an old WIP to work on Yup, it was Crystal Ball.
- Tranquility Mystery Sampler. 2 pages Nope
- X-mas exchange? No, stitching, but I have everything ready

Wow, October was a fast month.

November Goals

X-mas exchange- stitch and mail off
Family ornaments- stitch a few, yup I am late getting to these
HAED SAL
Stitch more on A Virtuous Huswif
Stitch on UFO RR when it shows up

An Exchange, a WIP, and an RR

Yesterday... so exciting. Since I needed to mail off my UFO RR, and I was also finished with my Floss Tag exchange I thought... hmmm... quick trip to the post office to get these on their merry way. So, dropped my son off at climbing, which means I missed out on my climbing- but we have to make sacrifices for stitching, right?- and went off. To the post office, easy! Mail packages, again, easy! Get back in car to run second errand.... hmmm, here the difficulties start. Or, should I say don't start... As in the car not starting. Here I sit... Car won't start. Sounds like it isn't getting any gas, but I know I have 1/4 tank. I have about an hour to pick up my son. So, I call hubby.... did I mention that I left my cell phone at home? I had to hunt down a pay phone! He doesn't answer his phone. I start getting... worried. Hubby works a 30 min drive away, unless you add traffic, and there is always traffic, then it is an hour drive away, minimum. I leave a, rather frantic message... Then call back... twice. Second time he answers... YIPPIE!

In the end all worked out. Hubby comes to get me, we get the car started, and we pick up the kid from climbing... I think my car has a clogged fuel filter, or some such. Grrrr. Stupid car.

But, my packages got mailed on time!

And I have some pictures... not of the exchange until it gets to where it's going.

First, the UFO RR, it was Celtic Christmas. And this is what it looks like as I have sent it on. It has very pretty reds in it.



And then A Virtuous Huswif that I am working on for me. This one is nice in that there are no colour changes, which makes it a nice switch from my other project... which is all colour changes... but, I don't have a picture for that one right now.



The slip of paper is covering my full name, I just don't like having it, well, out there for any and all to have access to... call me paranoid. Sorry for the shadows on the stitching. I hope to finished the alphbet section this week.

what a time

well... I am done with a model that was sent to me. It was really really not my style so that made it very hard to work on. I pretty much thought it was ugly (so did my son and hubby)! But it is done now and off it will go in the mail today. Would have yesterday, but, no mail!

Then I spent a lot of time on the HAED SAL... and got NO WHERE! So much frogging! Can you really call it stitching when you do more frogging! Actaully I am a whole whopping 75 stitches ahead of where I was at the beginnning of the weekend. sigh. And to top it off... I park my stitched so I really shouldn't have had to frog that much at all, but, the evil aliens got into my stitching and created havoc! Now it is all fixed and I hope I can actually make some progress now when I work on her next time.

halloween exchange.... from me

I have heard that Lillie has the exchange I sent to her. So, I can show pictures of it now.



Whee! Pictures!

It was a fun stitch. It's from the Halloween issue of Just Cross Stitch. And I can see stitching a few more things from that issue.

small projects.

I saw this on Nicki's blog... and thought that it seemed like a good idea. I have a few "smalls" or not "bigs" that I need to get worked on. So, I made a list and did the whole random number genterater thing. I work on smalls when I need a break inbetween my bigs, my BAPS, and my models. So, these will be slow. But, with a plan I hope to make progress.

35 projects. The current one is bold.

Don't Bug Me (26)
Mother's Heart (35)
Flying Monkeys (12) Done
Dear Santa (32)
Coffee (6) Done
Tea (16) Done
Martini (24)
Scarlet Unspoken (34)
The Bookshelf (18)
Salem Sisters (2)Done
Rites of Spring (31)
Needles & Pins (9) Done
Cirque de Circles (5)Done
Tranquily Mystery Sampler (15) Done
All our Troubles (28)
Scatter Freedom (7) Done
Winter in the Square (29)
Spring in the Square (11) Done
Summer in the Square (27)
Autumn in the Square (22)
A Virtuous Huswif (1) Done
"B" is for Bunny (8) Done
Curly Q Ewe (30)
Bless our Home (3) Done
Baubbles June (13) Done
Daffodils (20)
Be Mine Valentine (21)
Florintine Floral (10) Done
Winter Floral Sampler (23)
Seasons of Change Row (17) Done
Blessings & Kind Wishes (19)
Beyond My Heart (4)Done
New Year's Fairy (14)Done
Halloween Fairy (33)
Quaker Turtles (25)

added in:
Delivering Needleworks
Witchy
Keepsake Box and Pinkeep
Flower Power December
Ode to Snow
Morning Glory
Two Hearts
Small Token
Pink Hare Sampler
Pere Noel Charmant
Hide and Seek
Beach Cottage
Medieval Mermaid
Miss Mary Mac's Pins and Needles
The Witch's Hat
Jenny Bean's Halloween Sampler

Some of these already have some work into the... so some should be considered WIPs. I just chucked all of them into the mix though and tossed them into the same pot.

I still have some new charts coming in... i.e. the blackbird loose feathers, and a chart of the month thing... there are kitted and sent to me. Not sure how I will add these to the list... maybe just pop them in at the end? I don't know yet.

First post today.

Halloween exchange from Terry. And is it lovely! I just love this pinkeep... the ghosty in the chimney is too cute. And I have to say that the tree is the best ever!

goals goals goals

Septmber goals.

-HOE Prairie Schooler exchange Done and sent
-Tranquility Mystery Sampler (try for two pages) Nope
-HAED SAL Done!
- HOE Halloween exchange - find something to stitch Done... and sent
- finish last model and mail off Yup!

All in all not too bad.

October goals.

- UFO RR. finish stitching time on this
- HAED SAL
- Floss tag Exchange
- bring out an old WIP to work on
- Tranquility Mystery Sampler. 2 pages
- X-mas exchange?

That should keep me well busy and out of trouble.

Prairie schooler Exchnage and stuff

I got my PR exchange in the mail over the weekend... and isn't it just lovely! Laurie totally spoiled me with all the halloweeny type things. Look at the sweet little halloween bag she made! And I love it... and aren't I terrible that it took me til today to post! Horrible me. Life just keeps getting in the way this fall. Silly life getting in the way of my stitching. grrr.



At least I did get my Halloween Exchange sent off today... good thing as it has far to travel. And I am getting my UFO RR stitched on as well. Lots of reds in it, good thing I like red. :)

Wheee Pictures!

So, I got my needleroll exchange. It had to travel a bit to get to me, but all of it is so lovely. Thread, and two charts and stickers... and of course the needleroll! How grand is that. Gotta love it. Thanks muchly Rita!




Then I am working on a MSAL with another on-line group. And while I do believe I know which chart it is.... I shall still enjoy working on this one.



Still waiting to post pictures of my Prairie Schooler Exchange. Have not heard if my partner has gotten it yet. But I am happily stitching away on the Halloween Exchange... it is just about finished... .and I have plans for the Floss Tag Exchange. Then I need to get to work on my UFO RR. And somewhere I will get to stitch on my own things again. Life has just gotten so busy with school really rev-inv up again. I need an extra day in the week were all I get to do is stitch... mmm...

oooh...

I like this new piece by Papillon Creations. Cotillion So pretty.

HAED SAL

In all my freetime.. heh... this weekend I am going to by trying to stitch on my HAED. It is the Storykeeper SK. But, I have a busy weekend so I guess I will have to see how much I get done. what will my son having a sleep-over on Friday night and then his birthday party on Saturday. UGH. cleaning decorating, cake baking, and more cleaning. Not to mention herding 9/10 year-olds. I really hope I get some stitching in.

But here she is before the SAL.

Getting ready for

another round of a UFO RR. I think they are neat. You get to see what other people are working on... which can be bad for the wish list. heh. And in addition you get to get some progress done on one of you own bits. This time I am sending out The Token. I started it sometime last year... and then set it aside, planning to get back to it, but, I still haven't.



This is what it looks like now.

The token by long dog sampler

When I get it back I hope to have a bit more done on it! *grin*

Those monthly goals

August goals.

- Finish and mail back UFO RR. Done!
- HOE Needleroll exchange. Done! Mailed and recieved!
- HOE Prairie Schooler exchange. Well.. I know what I am going to stitch.
- Finish "Where my heart blooms" Done!
- Sampler SAL Stitched on my Sampler, but not during the SAL.
- HOE Halloween exchange. Not even.

So, that's three out of three. Not so great. But as I had two models jump on me when I didn't think I would that is better than I would have thought. Now for Septemer. And as schooling begins again, and this is going to be a really busy year with art, and cub scouts, and climing... well, I'd best not be too ambitious before I really see how much time I'll be having.

Septmber goals.

-HOE Prairie Schooler exchange
-Tranquility Mystery Sampler (try for two pages)
-HAED SAL
- HOE Halloween exchange - find something to stitch
- finish last model and mail off

Alrighty then. That should be good. I also need to get things together to re-stitch the two Mira RR's. I still can't believe that someone would go awol with someone elses RRs, let alone two! Each time I think about it I get mad. I won't have time for the restitching til late Sept, early Nov. But, they need to have the replacements. It really is the only right thing to do.

One thing about climbing... it is murder on hands! Today was day two and wowza! I worked up a nice blister that I can see will tear real nice on Wednesday when I go again. I can't wait til I get some decent calluses.

Yippie

My Needleroll has made it to my exchange partner. Glad you like it Kate! And in record time too. Got to love the post office. They said 7-10 days... and they did it in less. About 6 if you count a Sunday. I think.



So here is a picture of the needleroll. No more needing to hide it.

In other, non stitchy news... I went indoor rock climbing yesterday... bouldering to be exact, and wowza do I feel it today. But, so much fun!

Edit: Details about Needleroll.

I used SNC Egyptian Nights floss. Fabric was just plain white 25 ct. And the chart was a freebie I found on-line. 'Victoria' on cross-stitch directory.

final Olympic update

I did make my goal of a gold. Here is my Tranquility Mystery Sampler with two more pages added.

Yes, I have a lot more to do. And yes this is the mystery from 2007. But, such is life. It is just not much of a mystery now. heh. Guess I should be calling it the Tranquility not-so-Mystery Sampler. Sorry the picture is so dark, but the skies here are very grey and there is little hope of that changing anytime soon.

olympic stitching update

I have made a medal or two!

Here is my bronze medal finish. Where my heart blooms.

And here is my silver medal finish... since it is for an exchange... it is hidding. *grin* Can you see it peaking out behing that vase? I will show a full picture after I send it off and my exchange partner gets it.

Now to work on my gold medal... and that may be a bit more difficult as I have been sent two models to work on. And I should be getting those done as well. We will see if I can make an amazing sprint to the finish and get my gold though. And my models as well.

olympic stitching goals!

For my bronze medal goal.

Finish "Where my heart blooms"

For my silver medal goal.

Finish my needleroll exchange.

And for my gold medal finish.

Finish 2 pages on Tranquility Mystery Sampler!

Olympics opening ceremonies start on the 8th... Then let the stitching begin!

Those monthly goals

July's goals.

Work on StarMaiden... and finish her!
- HAED SAL "hope to pick a new piece" or finish starmaiden Yup... finished her, finally! And started Storykeeper SK.
- Stitch on UFO RR when I receive it Am Currently working on this one
- Sampler SAL (may be out of town, so might not manage this one) Was out of town so no work on this one
- try and put a few more stitches in "Where my heart blooms" Did a bit of stitching on this
the ones I forgot
-Work on Mira RR, if finished mail it back to owner YES!
- HOE exchange needleroll, got the partner info... find chart and start stitching! Have chart, supplies, didn't get to stitching.

Aug. Goals and another busy month!-

- Finish and mail back UFO RR.
- HOE Needleroll exchange.
- HOE Prairie Schooler exchange.
- Finish "Where my heart blooms"
- Sampler SAL
- HOE Halloween exchange.

I will make plans later for my own personal stitching Olympics.

heartsick

found out today a friend died on the 21st. I had not seen him in years. But we had been close for so very long. I loved him for a long time. My heart just aches. He will be buried in a town just south of me, as that is where is family is from. I just can't believe he is gone. I keep crying. He could always make me smile... damn, but I will miss him, just knowing I can never see him again.......

StarMaiden is done

After working and working for what seems like forever, but what was really about three years, I have finished StarMaiden. The chart is from HAED. And the artist is Ian Daniels... he is now a discontinued artist, which makes me sad as I really always loved his art. Good thing I picked up as many of his charts as I could before he left!

There were 122,700 stitches, hee. That is just so much fun to figure out... at least it is after I am done. I think if I would have done that before I would have just passed out! This is a nice big HD for me.

LHN exchange, and exchanges

Amy was my partner for the LHN exchange on the HOE board. She sent me a cute little pinkeep. It is sweet and it looks cute with my last pinkeep that I got so I have them both kinda near each other in the bedroom now.

She also sent some bath stuff. A bath get and some lotion. Nice sniffs. Not too stong, so always good... I don't like things to compete with my BPAL. :)

She also sent a wonderful chart, Alphabet Samplings Book by With my Needle. It will be a lovely fun thing to work on, at some point when I get around to doing it!

I have signed up for both the needleroll exchange and the Prairie Schooler Exchange. Never done a needleroll before, so that will be fun, and interesting. Guess I better get my butt in gear for that one, huh. I have seen several, and I know how to sew, so I am thinking it shouldn't be too hard, but... we will see.

June review and July goals

- Stitch on UFO RR, Yes
- Stitch LHN exchange and mail, Yes, and on time
- HAED SAL, Yes
-Sampler SAL, No
- work on "Where my heart blooms", Yes

now for some goal for July. hmmm... my July is going to be quite full of the very busy so I'd best keep these managable. I am a dork and forgot some!

-Work on StarMaiden... and finish her!
- HAED SAL "hope to pick a new piece" or finish starmaiden
- Stitch on UFO RR when I receive it
- Sampler SAL (may be out of town, so might not manage this one)
- try and put a few more stitches in "Where my heart blooms"
the ones I forgot
-Work on Mira RR, if finished mail it back to owner
- HOE exchange needleroll, got the partner info... find chart and start stitching!

My LHN exchange

that I sent was recieved. And I am glad that it got there. Not that it had very far to go. *grin* But, still sometimes the mail can be funny.



I had a fun time stitching this one, I think I will have to do it for myself at some point. I really liked the little bunnies. And I LOVE cherries, and can't wait for my cherry tree to ripen. I keep going outside and looking in great anticipation. Silly cold, grey weather, not giving me my cherries.

I used a fun little cherry fabric on the back too. And the ribbon made me think of the windows for some reason. I don't know. heh. Didn't quite get it centered, grrrr. But, ah well. sigh. It just wasn't working for me... I don't know why?! I swear I had it.

Paula... I almost stitched Pear Tree Inn for you. It was the "runner-up" patttern!

some stuff and things

Been working on lots of things. Some I can show now, and some I can't. But, that is the way of things.

I have finished up my LHN exchange. I think I will get in all packaged up to mail off in the next day or so. I also have Shannon's UFO RR to mail off. And I got my last Mira RR in the mail, it's only months late. I got some work done on StarMaiden this past weekend. These last two pages are taking forever. I just want to sit down and finish them and I don't think they will ever get done. Ah, well. Each stitch is another one closer to the end, right?

Well, time for some pictures I can show. StarMaiden and Shannon's UFO RR.

freebie exchange received

Valerie sent me such a pretty pinkeep.

She also sent lots of other nice goodies as well. I was pretty well spoiled.

June goals

Yup, I need to start making some monthly goals. I don't recall if I did this last month or not and I am too lazy to go back and look. heh. But, I am putting them here, and also by my stitching so I can keep track of them.

- Stitch on UFO RR
- Stitch LHN exchange and mail
- HAED SAL
-Sampler SAL
- work on "Where my heart blooms"


In non-stitchy news, this weekend is my son's cub scout graduation. Boy is he excited. He can't wait. He will now be a Weebelo. Oooh. heh.
Right now I am dying my hair... with henna... wow does it take a long time.

Hope to get some stitchy pictures up soon.

a finish

What do you know. I actually finished something. After my last post I sat down and finished Hope. It has taken me til today however to get around to posting a picture. These things take time. But, a picture is worth a thousand words, right? So, without further delay....

There is Hope. Feels good to have it done. Maybe it will motivate me to get a few more things done. heh... One can only hope.

I have figured out how I want to finish off my HOE freebie exchange. I think I will work on that later this week. This weekend is the HAED board SAL so StarMaided will get some stitching time. Other than that I will be working on Allie's UFO, I have already put in some time on it.

and stuff

Finished the stitching for the Freebie Exchange on HOE. Now just to finalize how I want to finish it. It is too big for how I wanted to do it originally. I should have stitched it over one. And I knew that, but then when I sat down to stitch... I guess I forgot that was my plan. I am a dork. So, plan two... and I don't have plan two, yet. Ah, well, I will come up with something, I just want to make sure it looks really nice.
I also signed up for the Little House Needlework Themed Exchange. I was bummed earlier this year when I had too much going on to join in Nikki's RR. But, I guess an exchange just might work out just as well. :)
My sister has been in town for the past week so the family and I have been running all around with her. It has been wonderful, but my stitching has suffered. I have put Starmaiden down as I need more... time to work on her then I have been getting and pulled out one of my little ones. So this past week Hope has been getting my time. The tree has most of it's branches now and soon I can move onto it's trunk, at least in one colour. At least there are only two colours in the tree. (Ah overdyes how you can make life easier.) I think I will give this chart another day... maybe two, then I will work on my UFO RR. Maybe I will even get pictures up on here! Shock!

so close... and yet... so far

I am just about 100 stitches shy of being able to say "only 2 pages left of StarMaiden!" Sooooo annoying. This shield of hers is so full of confetti it makes me want to pull my hair out with my teeth. I should just buckle down and stitch like a mad fiend. On the nights, or days, I do that I get a lot done and am shocked. (heh amazing what happens when you sit down and stitch)
Today, however, I sat down... and off the top of my head... made a list of my WIPS--things that have stitching in them are all WIPS whether or not they have had any work on them lately or not. I may have more than this as I didn't go hunting.... this is just from memory.

1. Starmaiden
2. Freebie Exchange
3. Fairy Moon
4. Tranquiltiy Mystery Sampler
5. Where My Heart Blooms
6. Hope
7. The Bookshelf
8. Cappuccino
9. Don't Bug Me
10. Halloween Fob
11. Crystal Ball
12. French Flower Shop
13. Midsummer Night Fairy
14. HOHRH
15. Bee Garden
16. Persian Iris Garden
17. Hallween Fairy
18. NOVA
19. Boreas
20. Circe de circles (out on UFO RR)
21. The Big Zipper

Maybe I should get some of the actually finished. Ya think?

sigh

an exchange I sent out still has not arrived at it's intended destination. I am starting to wonder if it will ever get to where it is supossed to get! Silly mail people. Really.

And I should have mailed my UFO RR yesterday.. I have only been carrying it around with me all weekend you would think I could have done it. duh! Well, off into the mail it will go today. That is twice in a row I mail it a day late. Bad me. I can't let this become a habit.

I am still working on a model. I really need to get cracking on this one. I have had it far to long, for my tastes... and need to get it out and on it's way. And I do like working on it... I just... I don't know... feel blah.

This weekend is the HAED SAL and I do really want to get back to stitching on StarMaiden. I'd love to get the page I'm on done. Being this close to finishing her just make it seem like she will never get done. sigh. But, someday... really... stitch by stitch she will HAVE to get done. And then on to other hugh projects. WHEE!
Speking of hugh projects, I just got Hanah Horsfall and Ann Grimshaw in the mail. heh. They should be fun to do.

My biscornu exchange came

And boy was I spoiled. First the package was so nicely put together... all nice and neat. And then everything in it! The biscornu was in this bag... a nice brown package bag that had a punch out of a bunny on the bottom... so cute! The top was tied with a yellow ribbon. Then I pulled the biscornu out... and WOW! Shay, that's who stitched for me, really did a fantastic job. My jaw hit the floor! This is what I got.

I had seen The Sweetheart Tree charts for biscornu's before and they are so very nice... I sure didn't expect to get one in an exchange!

Next I pulled out a tissue wrapped package. Inside is some lavender fabric (three different type of cotten for finishing things) wrapped with a tatted doily tied with a purple ribbon. Then there is another tissue wrapped package... it has two pieces of linen, both 32 count in very nice colours. She had also put in 2 skiens of purple Weeks Dye Works and some pads of paper.

heh... I think for my next exchange I had better take some notes on packging... I sure will not be getting any comments on mine! Not only was everything that Shay send lovely it was all packaged lovely as well... Just such a wonderful thing to receive today. And the biscournu is a treasure!

Tranquility Update

I did some more on this over the weekend. There was a SAL on one of the boards so I pulled this out. And hey, a little bit of work does get you somewhere eventually, right? At least that is my hope.

I also printed labels for all my HDF spooled silks. Now I just have to find/buy a container for them all. I really do need to get my stash buying under control. I have way to much to do. Gah. I am buried in the stuff. heh... what a problem to have.

finally

I got my kit for Mystery XI in the post today. It was my Christmas present to myself this year. So, I got to play with that today. Here is the floss toss I did. Mmmmmm. Pretty silks and threads. Not to mention beads. I have no clue when I will really start it... though now that I have everything it is really hard not to tear in and start putting in stitches right now! But, I really really need to just buckel down and get a few more things finished before I do that... I really really do.

really, I am still stitching

I am just not posting. heh. I have been plugging away at StarMaiden. I swear, the more stitches I put into her, the more I have left to do. Still I am determined to finish her this year. I have just over 2000 stitches left on this page. A few over 2000 on a second page. And that will leave me with 2 short pages.

My February goals.... yeah. only really reached the one. I don't see finishing 4000 stitches on StarMaiden in 2 days. And I didn't get to the finishing on Lady Scarlet... She is still sitting on top of my piano. Terrible of me.

I did send of my UFO RR stitching... a day late because I am a dork. This is Annette's UFO. I enjoyed it a lot.

And shock of all shocks... I found an LNS in my town! This makes me happy, as before I had to drive an hour away. Now it is less than a 10 minute drive. They were moving to a new store this week. I will have to check out their new set up this weekend. Hmmm.... anyone see some new stash in my future?

Finish it February

Yes. It is that time of year again. And there are things I want to, and things I think I can, finish.

1. Finish-finish a fob... and I actually already have. HAHA!
2. Finish-finish Lady Scarlet's Box
3. 2 pages of StarMaiden (one page is really pretty small)


In other news I have signed up for the biscornu exchange on the Hooked on Exchanging board. That should be a lot of fun. I was watching all of the lovely fobs that people made and decided that I might join in on the next exchange, depending.

Well. I am off to take ds to art class.

Sampler SAL weekend

I worked on a Sampler SAL this weekend. I actually got a little bit done as well. Amazing what happens when my dh is out of town. heh. Since I did so little on Tranquility Mystery when it was a mystery that is the one I am working on.

If I keep working on this one each SAL I might get halfway done by the end of the year. *snerk*

Today I am working on a little stitchy something for my SecretStitcher that I send to. Next month is the last mailing, already. That went fast.

Christmasy finish

I finished this one on Monday. And am now finally posting a picture of it. Wow am I speedy!

I got the chart and the yummy silks from my secret stitcher.

I am NOT so happy with the picture, because the bird on the right is really a beautiful vibrant red colour. *sigh* Silly dark weather, not letting me take a decent picture.

And another RR down

I have now finished my Mira RR as well. WOOT for getting my obligation pieces down! I am on a roll.

I stitched Winter in My Garden. I choose this one because I have been deciding what to put in my new flower bed my hubby and son made me this last year. I have finally decided!

I am going to put in lavender. Lots of it. Maybe three or four different kinds. It should do really well there and it will smell wonderful!

Tonight I will be working on a small. Then I will be stitching on Annette's UFO. It has such beautiful thread!

HAED RR pics

TA-DA The pictures I promised.

That is the full piece.

Here is a close up of the part that I stitched.

Lots of greens. But it is pretty. And I can't wait to see a picture of the entire thing when it is done.

yipppie!

The Never-ending-HAED-RR is done! The one I seem to have had since dawn first touched land. I have finished my part. Finally! UGH! I don't know why it seems to have taken so long. It was not a hard part to stitch. I made no mistakes, there were no frogs.... oh.. I know... December! holidays! And I had no time to sit down to stitch! I had two RR's and a model to get done. Also, a bit more obligation stitching to do. May I never have to do that again.

But, done now. And it will be in the mail soon. A picture will be forth-coming.

new year...new start

It was the start of a new year... and so I had to have a new start. I started Houses of Hawk Run Hollow yesterday. Now there are two boxes. OOOOooooo. Exciting! heh. If I am really really lucky, by the end of the month I may even have the rest of the boxes done. We will have to see.

I really hope that next December I never have any obligation stitching. UGH! I had so many other things I had to be doing that I almost never got to my stitching at all. I feel really bad but I still have not finished my HAED rr... It just sits there guilting me. I will get it done this week. I have just about 900 stitches to go. Then I need to get cracking on my MIRA rr. I want that done ASAP. I will stop to do two SALs. One HAED and one sampler one. The rest of the month I will spend in on StarMaiden. Well, the HAED sal I will be working on her as well.... but she is my main goal. I want her done this year. This is... year 3 I believe that I have been messing with her.... and she really needs to be getting done. When I need breaks from the confetti and all... I will do boxes on HOHRH. I guess those are my goals for Jan. Now... off to see if I can reach them!

Welcome 2008. May the new year be full of good stitching and empty of frogs!