Showing posts with label New Year Goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year Goals. Show all posts

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Spring Fields Started & Some Plans

 

I could not believe my luck when I stumbled across a Secret Needle Night kit on ebay. It screamed to me to add it to my list of things I need to make. So much so that it hopped into my cart and was on its way even before I knew I had purchased it! This kit is probably 80% full coverage - which is not typical of the designs I've done from The Silver Needle SSN in the past. It's cute but called to me was the sheep farm. The barn, the sheep, the hills, the apple trees - everything I remember about my grandparents farm. Yes, they raised sheep, Suffolks to be exact, so I HAD to have this kit.

It arrived on the 18th and I had to start it ASAP. It was great timing, as I had just put my last stitches into Spring Sampler. I've been on a SSN kit kick this month. I'm having so much fun stitching them! I have filed them all in order, so I just reach in my box and pull the top one out - until this kit arrived, and it wasn't waiting its turn, but jumped the queue and ended up in my hoop. I'm currently working on the lighter green hill and I am really enjoying it - but I have had some trouble with the perle cotton tangling and knotting, I have to keep an eye on it while stitching to make sure I don't get knots and loops on the back. 

I am slowly making plans for next year. Some of my goals so far are to make a much more useable craft room. Right now, I swear I spend more time looking for things because I know I have them, but I cannot remember where I put them. Hubby laughs and says I must have found a good safe place to file/store them! Everything is in such disarray that I really need to make it much more useable. A nice neat sewing station would be awesome. I have so many projects I want to sew - project bags and other small things. I also want to take my FO's and make them into FFOs. Then there's the Current WIP, Older WIP and BAP lists I need to work on. I'm in the mood to get these done - well at least some of them done. I've got a WIP list for my knitting/crochet as well. 

One of the things I have been having issues with is the feeling that I'm not a "real" cross stitcher and am looked down upon because I love doing smalls. I've done large pieces in the past, most models for shops and designers, but lately smalls are giving me a lot of satisfaction stitching. I guess lately I've been comparing my stitching to those that have HUGE BAPs like HAED going - and not only one, but lots of them. Now in my 60's, I find myself drawn to Mill Hill, designs in magazines, as well as old pieces in my stash like The Sweetheart Tree and Just Nan. I enjoyed stitching Teresa Wentzler designs when I was younger, but now, not so much. My tastes for enjoyment have changed. I am leaning towards less backstitching, fractional stitches and huge, complicated designs for more relaxing, simple, smaller ones. I really have to stop comparing myself with others and just enjoy what I like. 

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Five Days Left in 2024

 Christmas has come and gone with everyone being content with how the day went. It was a quiet day that started with over a 2-1/2 hour phone call from my daughter. I wish she wasn't so far away, but she loves it where she's at. That's all that matters. 

During the phone call, she had us open our gifts (so much for not exchanging any!) and she gave me the most adorable candle I've ever seen! It's called Snowman Campfire Candle and is by Forever Ricky - a shop on Etsy. She also gave me a candle care kit complete with trimmer, snuffer and an USB lighter.


My son gave me a generous gift certificate and hubby gave me my traditional House Mouse calendar and date book. Yes - I'm totally spoiled!!

There are only 5 days left in 2024. The year has gone by so quickly. Usually, I take this time between Christmas and New Years to reflect on this year's accomplishments and plans for next year. I started early this year and I've been doing that over the past month. The last 2 years haven't been the best - family health issues, the deaths of both family members and friends and 2 years of failed garden were tough but I'm looking forward to turning the page and starting a new year. I have my new planner started and my list of goals to complete. Here's to a new, hopefully better year to come.

The numbers were called in WIPGO - numbers 11 and 20. Number 11 for me is Lanarte's Romantic Picnic that I started stitching 1-6-2006. I haven't really touched that piece since I had to put it aside for a new model that had come in. Number 20 is Curtis Boehringer's Needlewoman's Murder Mystery that was started on 1-3-2005. I actually put a few stitches in that piece earlier this year when I was playing the 2024 BRR-ingo Challenge. I put it aside when I first started stitching it, as I heard there was an error on one of the charts. I set it aside until I could find out more about the error and correction and again, a model came in to be stitched and I never really got back to it until I decided to put it on my BRR-ingo card. Since that was a daily call, I was only able to put a couple hours of stitching on it. As much as I loved playing BRR-ingo and other games with that group, I've decided that I wanted to focus a little more time on these pieces. I'll see which method/group works best for me.

I must say I'm excited about participating in WIPGO and WIPocalypse.  I've had so many pieces that I started because I really wanted to stitch on them only to have to put them aside to work on a model that arrived. Some were planned, some just came in whenever the shop or designer needed it done. Other times it was a gift or request that would make me set aside my personal stitching. After sending the model back or finishing the gift, I seemed to not have the desire to pick the beloved piece back up and would move on. There was a time when I was just stitching freebies or smalls just so I could just finish something for me. Unfortunately, those all still sit in a box waiting to be fully finished. 

I will be posting before and after photos each month. My goal is 3 days per piece, but I'm hoping for more than that. I want some finishes next year. I need to move these old WIPs to the FO pile!

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

New Kit Purchases

December 31st is my last day to purchase any kits or patterns. Starting January 1, 2025, I will not be buying any cross stitch items except for what is needed to work on my stash. I will only be allowed toSil buy needed threads and fabric. My Secret Needle Night subscription ends this month which makes me a bit sad, but the price has increased and I really don't need any more of them to stitch. I found some of the discontinued kits on eBay and have added a few of them to my collection. I'll need to get all of them stitched before I consider purchasing any more in '26.

I love Dimensions kits and did buy a few over the Black Friday, Black Monday and the Christmas sales.  I wanted to show off my new purchases, as I think they are awesome (IMHO). 

These ones have been received:

A Kiss for Snoman 


Joy Ride


Napping Kitten


And these are on their way:


In the Shadows



Wise Owl



Scenic Farm


And 2 RIOLIS kits are coming as well:


Napping Kitten



City & Cats - Summer


While at the Jingle Ball (my first time attending!), I took a class and found new to me designers. One was The Frosted Pumpkin and I thought the designs were adorable. I saw the 2024 Yearly Club SAL called Arctic Animals Club and decided to purchase the kit which includes everything including the pattern. The pattern is sent out in 11 parts and I'm well behind on that, but there are 3 more parts to go, It's absolutely adorable and I have have a huge thing for puffins and harp seals - so how could I resist?! I also purchased the Little Red Riding Hood kit as well. They were just shipped, so it should be before Christmas (according to USPS). I will be adding the Arctic Animals to my rotation next year.



Saturday, December 16, 2023

Looking Ahead to 2024

 

I really need to concentrate on all the stuff I have in my "craft room". Next year should be using from stash only. Between the prices going up and things I'm coming across that I forgotten about, I shouldn't be feeling too deprived. LOL

One of the things I need to concentrate on is Houses of Hawk Run Hollow by The Carriage House. This was gifted to me by a wonderful person and although it was started, it was quickly abandoned as my eyesight turned worse. At the time I didn't realize it, since it was slowly creeping up on me, but by the time I had the blood clot issue - my eyes were not allowing me to stitch. I had given some things away, but kept the HoHRH because I had always been hopeful that one day I could stitch on it again. I'm hoping that will be happening next year.

My plans are to do one block a month and by the end of the year, I'll have the BAP finished. I started stitching on the 3rd block in the second row years ago, so that's where I plan to pick up. It's been put on stretcher bars and is ready to go. Now - if only my eyes agree with it. I'm armed with magnifiers and reading glasses plus my bifocals, so.... 


Thursday, December 27, 2012

Stash Stitching In 2013

It has been forever since I updated this blog. Life had thrown many changes our way, and I'm finally back on track to enjoying stitching and life and general. The last three years have been difficult, and with those difficulties, I put aside my stitching - actually all crafting in general and just escaped reality through books. I guess it's what I needed at the time. Now it's time to get back to work on those poor pieces that have been hiding in boxes for the last 3 years (or more).

2013 is the year for stash stitching for me. No purchases except for the occasional thread or bead that I may run out of while stitching a WIP. In fact, I've joined along with others on the Abstinence/Celibate Wagon and have committed to a year of stitching without buying new stash. My project list is as follows:

My UFO/WIPS List (starting with 38 in '13)

Art Ventures Old Sentinel - 15%
Bent Creek - Snappers (12 w/border) - 12 completed plus 1/3 of the border
Carriage House Samplings - The Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
Cross Stitch & Country Crafts North Woods Stocking
Crossed Wing Collection Hummingbird Garden 35%
Curtis Boehringer Needlewomans Murder Mystery
Dawna Barton - Dinner Call - 60%
Diane Arthurs Happy Everything - 60%
DMC The White Bindweed Fairy - 15% - found mistake must rip
Dimensions - A Bird For All Seasons - 5%
Dimensions - Magic In Motion - 5%
Dimensions - Wolf Portrait
 - 65%
Drawn Thread Miniature Reversible Sampler
Drawn Thread - Winter Spot - 10%
French Calendar free weekly - 23 of 52 finished
Hearts Delight Noahs Ark Kit50%
Helga Mandl and Barbara Ana - Mystery Sampler - 45%
Just Cross Stitch 2001 Ornament Issue Cinnamon Bear 70%
Just Nan First Stitches
Just Nan Last Stitches
Kustom Krafts - 4 Horses of Apocalypse
Kustom Krafts - Fire & Ice
Kustom Krafts - Sofa Cat
Lanarte Romantic Picnic 15%
Lavender & Lace Celtic Spring - 35%
Leisure Arts Noahs Ark Baby Afghan 50%
Marquoir Mystery Sampler freebie SAL 3 of 9 finished
Marty Bell - Hideaway Cottage
Pamela Kellogg Cupids Garden Mystery SAL 15%
Pat Rogers Hearts & Lace Sampler 70%
Paula Vaughan - May
Pegasus Pekingese Dogs V. 4 15%
The Silver Lining Aymars Amber Rose 30%
Sweetheart Tree - Olde English Needle Roll - 15%
Sweetheart Tree Teenie Tweenies Spring Has Sprung 30%
Teresa Wentzler Stretch 15%
Teresa Wentzler Under the Evergreen
Vermillion Stitchery - The Holy Family

*Item in fuchsia is my focus piece.




Here's where I am on my focus piece. I can't believe that the last time I worked on it was in November of '06!!!! I'm hoping to have this one done in the near future - then onto the next...

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

First Finish for 2009 + Current List

The Snowman is finished and I'm really quite pleased with him. I changed his mouth, since I just didn't like how it was before. I really like the beads for the flakes. They stand out so much nicer. Now all I need to do is wash and press it, and then finish it off.


I've updated my lists for this year, and am ready to start working from them. As you can see, I won't be hurting for any new stash. I may want some, but as I said before, I don't NEED it.

2009 Total Finished: 1

New Starts:

Sue Hillis Designs - Oh the Weather...- Finished 1-13-09

My UFO/WIPS List (starting with 44 in '09)

Art Ventures Old Sentinel - 15%
Bent Creek - Snappers (12 w/border) - 6 completed plus 1/3 of the border
Carriage House Samplings - The Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
Cross Stitch & Country Crafts North Woods Stocking
CrossStitcher - Wish Upon A Star kit - 99%
Crossed Wing Collection Hummingbird Garden 35%
Curtis Boehringer Needlewomans Murder Mystery
Dawna Barton - Dinner Call - 60%
Diane Arthurs Happy Everything - 60%
DMC The White Bindweed Fairy - 15%
Dimensions - A Bird For All Seasons - 5%
Dimensions - Magic In Motion - 5%
Dimensions - Wolf Portrait
- 55%
Drawn Thread Miniature Reversible Sampler
Drawn Thread - Winter Spot - 10%
French Calendar free weekly - 23 of 52 finished
Hearts Delight Noahs Ark Kit - 50%
Helga Mandl and Barbara Ana - Mystery Sampler - 45%
Just Cross Stitch 2001 Ornament Issue Cinnamon Bear 70%
Just Nan First Stitches
Just Nan Last Stitches
Kustom Krafts - 4 Horses of Apocalypse
Kustom Krafts - Fire & Ice
Kustom Krafts - Sofa Cat
Lanarte Romantic Picnic 15%
Lavender & Lace Celtic Spring - 35%
Leisure Arts Noahs Ark Baby Afghan 50%
Magazine pull out Hearts & Flowers
Marquoir Mystery Sampler freebie SAL 3 of 9 finished
Marty Bell - Hideaway Cottage
Pamela Kellogg Cupids Garden Mystery SAL 15%
Pat Rogers Hearts & Lace Sampler 70%
Paula Vaughan - May
Pegasus Pekingese Dogs V. 4 15%
The Prairie Schooler - Seasons Series from JCS - 51%
The Silver Lining Aymars Amber Rose 30%
SMO - Blooms 15%
Sue Lentz - Grandmothers Garden
Sue Lentz - Soft Terra Cotta Pillow
Sweetheart Tree - Olde English Needle Roll - 15%
Sweetheart Tree Teenie Tweenies Spring Has Sprung 30%
Teresa Wentzler Stretch 15%
Teresa Wentzler Under the Evergreen
Vermillion Stitchery - The Holy Family

*Item in fuchsia is my focus piece.

Ok - now how did I get more on my UFO/WIP list than last year, especially since I made some finishes from the list?!!! I guess I just blame Guilt Free January. Yah - that's it! LOL

My Finishes for last year weren't so impressive:

From the Heart Needleroll - Elegant Stitch
Girl & Bunny - Leisure Arts
Full Winter Moon - Brown House Studio
I Love You More - Sue Hillis
Captain Jack in Sepia - CrossStitcher
January Snapper - Bent Creek
March Snapper - Bent Creek
April Snapper - Bent Creek
June Snapper - Bent Creek

I'm looking forward to a much better year this year.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


We brought the new year in quietly.... playing Mario Kart on the Wii until 11:45, then watched Dick Clark bring 2009 in with a glass of sparkling grape juice. Then off to bed we all went. Another year gone, and another full of new promises has arrived.

Today was spent baking scones for breakfast, and then making pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes for dinner. yummmmm! We've got enough for dinner tomorrow and then it's gone. I've taken some time to make a list of things I'd like to accomplish this year, but not resolutions. These are just things I'd like to do, but if I don't, I'm not going to punish myself. That's what I hate about resolutions - I always feel guilty making them because they are usually so hard that I'm bound to fail.

I dug out last year's list, and was quite pleasantly surprised to find that I had actually accomplished more than I thought. Way cool!! Some things that weren't done got shifted to this year's list, but not as many as I thought I would have to.

I've been struggling with not purchasing any new cross stitch stash or any new yarns. It's been a long time since I've purchased any, and knowing some of the stores are having great sales has been making things even harder. I didn't get any $ or stash for Christmas this year, so I'm going through some severe withdrawls. LOL!!!

I pulled out the old issue of the Cross Stitcher magazine that had Captain Jack in it (the one I bought to make for my DD). Anyhow, it had a cute little kit that came with it that has a bear sitting on a rooftop. Well, I had tried, when I purchased the magazine, to separate the threads - and had to put it aside because there were no reference numbers and just names. I didn't even know what brand the threads were, so I couldn't really reference anything. Anyhow, some of those colors were so dang close - and indication of how many lengths of thread went with what color - so I went pretty much blind trying to figure it out. At that time, I packed it all back up and put it away. Today it came back out and all of us sat in the sunlight and FINALLY figured the colors out, but they don't match the model or the photograph on the front of the kit. But we're pretty sure it's correct. Hey - it's going to be anyhow.

Have a wonderful new year! May it be full of blessings and good health.

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

It's 2008!


So begins another year. A new year brings a new start, and a new list of achievements, hopes and dreams. Each year, we all make a list of what things we'd like to do and check things off as we go along. Then at the end of the year, we don't look at the things we didn't do, but all the things we did. This method really appeals to the kids, and they make more goals and try harder to achieve them.

With new lists, comes new projects and commitments. So, I'm posting my first focus piece of the year. This piece was started years ago, and after it was started, the person that it was to be stitched for, decided they didn't want it. It went in the WIP box because I was just too frustrated to finish it. It came back out a couple of days ago, and I decided to make this my first finish of the year. This piece is designed by Lorri Birmingham and is from the LA book Bunnies Galore. Unfortunately, there is no title listed for it.



Coming Clean...

It is that time of year where I look at things to make changes. One of my biggest areas of excessiveness is my stash. The next is my WIP list. There - I said it. No taking it back now :) My WIP list is long - way too long (but is shorter than last year! LOL)

2008 WIPS

Cross - Stitch
Art Ventures – Old Sentinel - 15%
Bent Creek - Snappers (12 w/border) - 2 completed
Breast Cancer fund – From the Heart Needle Roll – 80%
Carriage House Samplings - The Houses of Hawk Run Hollow - 5%
Cross Stitch & Country Crafts – North Woods Stocking - 20%
Crossed Wing Collection – Hummingbird Garden – 35%
Curtis Boehringer – Needlewoman’s Murder Mystery
Diane Arthurs – Happy Everything – 60%
DMC – The White Bindweed Fairy - 15%
Dimensions - A Bird For All Seasons - 5%
Dimensions – Wolf Portrait – 10%
Drawn Thread – Miniature Reversible Sampler
Drawn Thread - Winter Spot - 5%
French Calendar free weekly - 23 of 52 finished
Hearts Delight – Noah’s Ark Kit - 50%
Just Cross Stitch 2001 Ornament Issue – Cinnamon Bear 70%
Just Nan – First Stitches - 10%
Just Nan – Last Stitches - 10%
Kustom Krafts – 4 Horses of Apocalypse - 5%
Kustom Krafts – Fire & Ice - 15%
Kustom Krafts – Sofa Cat – 5%
Lanarte – Romantic Picnic - 15%
Lavender & Lace – Celtic Spring - 35%
Leisure Arts – Bunnies Galore - 65%
Leisure Arts – Noah’s Ark Baby Afghan 50%
Magazine pull out – Hearts & Flowers - 5%
Marquoir Mystery Sampler – freebie SAL – 3 of 9 finished
Marty Bell - Hideaway Cottage - 5%
Pamela Kellogg – Cupid’s Garden Mystery SAL - 15%
Pat Rogers – Hearts & Lace Sampler – 70%
Paula Vaughan – May - 5%
Pegasus – Pekingese – Dogs V. 4
The Silver Lining – Aymar’s Amber Rose – 30%
SMO – Blooms - 15%
Sue Lentz – Grandmother’s Garden - 15%
Sue Lentz – Soft Terra Cotta Pillow - 15%
Sweetheart Tree – Jan. Needle Roll (needs some frogging) - 5%
Sweetheart Tree – Teenie Tweenies – Spring Has Sprung - 20%
Teresa Wentzler – Stretch - 15%
Teresa Wentzler – Under the Evergreen - 15%
Vermillion Stitchery - The Holy Family - 15%

Knitting:
EZ Thick Woodmen's Socks - 50%
Red, White & Blue Socks 50%
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend Socks 50%
Drop Stitch Shawl 75%

Crochet:
Granny Square Afghan (using scraps)

Quilting:
Yo-Yo Quilt
Scrap Quilt
(these will be in progress a long time because I'm using just scraps from other projects or pieces of clothing)

As you see, I could work all year with never having to purchase another piece of stash - except for an occasional skein of floss or pack of beads I may have missed. If I did finish everything on my XS list, I'd be able to easily start some new pieces from my kitted stash. Shameful, isn't it?

Well, this year I'm going to put my nose to the grindstone and not buy any new stash, and limit my starts to only things I am making for others for gifts. I'm climbing onto the abstinence wagon again.