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!

Monday

It was back to work for me today and then physical therapy.  I am one tired girl tonight.  I do want to share my finish.

A Year in Chalk:  June by Hands On Design

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!

Sofa Sunday, Kind of

My intent was to spend most of the day in my little stitchy nest stitching.  And I did get in a few hours that were interrupted by cleaning, laundry, and the all important exercising.  I have  a few things to show.

First, I put the last stitches in Winter Solstice - Serenity by Hands On Design and realized when I went to press it that I had neglected to stitch the bottom border - the part that looks like wool pennies. The chart did come with wool pennies but I opted not to use those and to stitch them instead.

And a finish is followed by a new project or a WIP.  Today I chose a new project - On Redware Road by The Scarlett House.  This was the latest kit sent by Dyeing to Stitch for the Colonial Gatherings Club.  I'm really liking this one.  It came with a bright green - like a yellowish green chenille to use along the edge in the finishing.

And my meager start.  But it's a start nonetheless.  Sometimes the hardest part is placing those first few stitches and then the rest flies right along.  Here's hoping.

And as has been tradition for the last few days I have a finish finish to show.   A Year in Chalk: May by Hands On Design.

That's about it for today.  I off to give myself a manicure and put in a few more stitches before I turn in for the night.

Keep on Stitching!

Busy Saturday

Hi!  How was your day?  Did you get lots of holiday preparations underway?  Me, neither.  I thought about it and even listened to Christmas music at work.  But somehow when I got home it all ended.  Maybe tomorrow.

I did work today.   Only five hours.  I thought it would be more like two but I got on a roll and am ready to return to the office on Monday.  Which means that all the stuff I brought home was taken back and put back in it's proper place today.  That took longer than I thought but it's good to know I can hit the ground running on Monday.

I had a finish last night and one for tonight.

A Year in Chalk: March by Hands On Design

A Year in Chalk:  April by Hands On Design

Today I was thinking I might like to take these into work and keep them on my desk.  I'm going to mull that over a bit more.

I'm off to finish my last few tasks for today and hopefully finish stitching Winter Solstice - Serenity.

Keep on Stitching!

Friday the Fourth

I'm ready for the weekend and so glad that it is Friday!  Although I do have to work tomorrow for a bit, it won't be a full day.  And that should leave me some time to stitch on this and hopefully finish it up.

Winter Solstice - Serenity by Hands On Design

I finished this guy last night -

A Year in Chalk: February by Hand on Design

And here are pictures of the calendars from today.

Fun Every Day by Sam Sarah Designs

Advent Calendar from Cross Stitch and Country Crafts

I think that all for today.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend.

Keep on Stitching!

Thursday the Third

Today is December 3rd.  Here's how I know

I made Pepperoni Chicken for dinner last night and it looked like this and was delicious.
The recipe came from The Pioneer Woman. This the second time I've made this and we really enjoyed it. 

I don't have any real progress to show on Winter Solstice - Serenity.  But I had been wondering about one of the color names - Tatanka by Weeks Dye Works.  What the heck does tatanka mean?  I asked Googled it.  It means buffalo and is a good name for this deep dark brown color.  

I did have a little finish last night.  Here is A Year in Chalk: January shown in the frame I got at Hobby Lobby.

That's all for today.

Keep on Stitching!

WhatchaWorkinOn Wednesday

Whenever I get together with other stitchers we always ask this question.  So today I'm asking you.  Whatcha Workin' On?

Me?  Oh, I'm working on these

Winter Solstice by Hands on Design.  As you can see i have Solitude stitched and I'm working on Serenity.  This is what they will look like when they are finished.

Keep on Stitching!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ... December

I've spent some time this evening getting the November monthly pieces put away and the December pieces out and set around.  And I actually have a finish to show you today!

First up - Fun Every Day switched over to December with the appropriate symbol on the right.

I put out these guys -

I flipped the page on this one

And I brought the Advent calendar down from the attic and hung it in the dining room.  I put on the one little ornament for the 1st.  It looks pretty lonely.  I also sent the kids a text letting them know that I had their backs and would be taking good care of the calendar this year.

And my finish - A Year in Chalk: December by Hands On Design.  I found this cute frame at Hobby Lobby in the Spring, on sale, thankyouverymuch.  And knew it would be perfect for these little pieces.  I ironed some fusible batting to the back and ta-done!  Easy peasy! I can switch these every month - of course, I need to do the magic ironing thing to the other 11 first.

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep on Stitching!