Hello dear stitchers!
I hope that everyone is enjoying a fabulous New Year! Hubby and I spent New Year's Eve snuggled up on the couch with chips and salsa and one of my favorite wines. Calm. Quiet. Perfect.
Stitching was definitely on the agenda last night as well. I started with my SAL piece, "The Sparrow" and ended the evening with Richmond Sampler. Yes, I am still stitching away on Richmond but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Seriously! BRIGHT light at the end of the tunnel. I will share progress soon.
I decided to take the plunge and sign up for Measi's WIPocalypse challenge. Lord knows I have plenty of WIP's so why not challenge myself to finish them? As I went through my stash, I realized that I did not have as many WIP's and UFO's as previously thought. So, that was a nice surprise! I have compiled a list of WIP's - old and new - that I plan to focus on. I also added in a few new projects that I would like to start in the new year. I realize that I will not start all of the new projects but I thought I could at least list the possibilities! So, here is my list...
WIP's already started:
Richmond Sampler - The Essamplaire (almost there!)
Rebecah French - The Essamplaire (1/3 finished)
The Sparrow - Tree of Life Samplings (2/3 finished)
Family Record Sampler - Hester's Needle (1/4 finished)
Twenty-Third Psalm - Vera K (2/3finished)
Nantucket Rose - Lavender and Lace (2/3 finished)
Santa and the Merry Animals - Homespun Elegance (a few stitches)
Cynthia Burr - The Essamplaire (this probably won't see the light of day in 2012, but a girl can dream)
A wish list of projects that I would like to start in 2012:
(Note - it is highly doubtful that I will start more than two or three of these projects...but a girl can dream!)
Shores of Hawk Run Hollow - Carriage House Samplings
272 Words - Primrose Needleworks
Elisabeth Hoover - Scarlet Letter
Of Female Arts - Primitive Needle
Peppermint Twist - Little House Needleworks
Winter Sheep - Little House Needleworks
Other ornaments - TBD
As you can see my wish list of starts contains quite a few BAP's. Therefore, I have chosen to also participate in Becky's BAP challenge. Hey, if I am going to indulge in a BAP, might as well do it with other BAPers, right? However, I have promised myself that I will not start another BAP until I finish Richmond Sampler. A little incentive never hurt anyone, right?
I realize my goals are pretty lofty and quite honestly, if I can get four or five of my WIP's finished this year and a half dozen ornaments stitched, I will consider it a good year. Several of my WIP's are dangerously close to being finished (I consider "dangerously close" to be over half finished - yeah, I am generous) so finishing four or five should not be a terrible stretch. Here's hoping.
My New Year's Stitching Resolution is to revisit my goals, make changes if necessary and figure out what to focus on each month. I am generally not that organized but I love my stitching too much to keep putting it on the back burner.
Now, I thought I would leave you with a few snaps of my Christmas presents...
"One Stitch at a Time"
Jim Shore
I collect Jim Shore Santas and my needle worker is right at home with them! Of course, she will stay out all year!
My Longaberger Sewing Notions Basket - it is a discontinued basket but hubby found one for me!
It came with the wonderful liner/dividers
Lovely presents from my friend, Robin. Am I not just the luckiest girl? I love the pillow and it has a place of honor right beside my stitching chair. Penny America contains all of the beautiful threads so we can stitch it together as one of our SAL's
Robin remembered my love of brownies so she found this delectable recipe book. I have not tried the
recipes yet, but I promise it will be soon! They are very famous brownies...listed as one of Oprah's Favorite Things. Hey, if they are good enough for Oprah, then they must be good enough for me!
Thanks to everyone for your kind comments and well wishes for the holiday season. I look forward to catching up with everyone very soon!
Happy Stitching!