Saturday, December 31, 2011

Goals Past and Present!

Well, shall we see how well I did on my 2011 goals?

Dirty Snowmen - Notforgotten Farm
Bluebird - Blackbird Designs
Pumpkins - LHN

Snow - Bent Creek
Peace on Earth - LHN
Christmas Snow - Waxing Moon

Make a Wish - Forever Friends
Snowmen Photobooth - Bent Creek
Cherries - LHN
Watermelon - LHN

Just a Little Autumn - San-Man Designs
Seasons - San-Man Designs
Fa La La! - Plum Pudding Needleart
Primitive Winter - Notforgotten Farms
My Love - Lavender Wings
Blessed Be - Plum Pudding Needleart
Lookin' Like Fall - Plum Pudding Needleart

I Pledge - La-D-Da
Peppermint Twist - LHN
Frosty Flakes - LHN
Olde Crow - The Stitcherhood
He's A Flake - LHN

Safe Harbour - Silhouettes - Heritage Crafts
Guiding Light - Silhouettes - Heritage Crafts
Peace on Earth - Katidid

Continue on with - 
March-April-May - HIH
September-October-November - HIH

Santa Arrives Tonight - Homespun Elegance
4th of July Bird - HIH
Ski - Twisted Threads
Colorful Sky - Mystic Stitch



Of the 31 listed I got 16 done. Half...but I did finish 52 total. Not bad - actually the most finishes ever. So what am I thinking about for 2012? 


Winter Forest - x3 - LHN
Safe Harbor - Silhouettes
Guiding Light - Silhouettes
I Pledge - La D Da
St Patrick bird - HIH
Easter bird - HIH
Thanksgiving bird - HIH
Birthday bird - my own inspired by HIH
6 Fat Men - L*K
Homeward Trail - magazine
Goodwill to Men - Falling Star
Holly Noel - JBW Designs
Christmas Blessing Sampler - Falling Star
Battle Hymn of the Republic - LHN
272 Words - Primrose Needleworks
Snow in Love - LHN
Silent Night - LHN
Seasons Greetings - BC
Snowflake Serenade - CCN
A Day at the Beach - CCN
4 Santa Portraits - Carol Emmer
Santas in Red - magazine
Winter Cardinal - magazine


Continue on with - 
Blackbird - All Through the Night
Bunnies, Buds, & Berries - Katidid
Colorful Sky - Mystic Stitch
One Nation - ByGone Stitches
Birch Forest - Mystic Stitching
Portland Headlight Lighthouse - Calico Stitching


Ha! That's 32 - no better than this year. But, from here on out no buying stash unless it's floss for these projects. How long until I fail this resolution?? I give myself until March. Can we all laugh now or should we wait? 


I'm off to have dinner with my husband - tonight's our 23rd anniversary! 
Happy New Year! 
Denise

Friday, December 30, 2011

A Moment to Breath!

Someone told me I seemed busier now that I have quit my job than when I was working. And they were right! I got it into my head that I needed to clean the master bedroom closet 3 days before Christmas - really? But, I whipped through it in one day and all was well. On Wednesday, I tackled my stitching room closet. It was stuffed to the gills and it needed help. Here are some pics of my poor room after the closet was unpacked.



And after ~



And I've been shopping! And there is some stash from Santa. Would you like to see that too? The first picture are my supplies for my SAL with Jayne (@ Henley's Landing). We both fell in love with this snowflake and you know how that goes!


I got linen for 4 other projects too. Then there was a sale at my favorite stitching shop. Plus Santa. Looks like I don't need fabric anymore!


And before I go and forget, here's a picture of us Christmas Morning. Aren't we just a good looking bunch - lol.


My room isn't quiet back together. Logan got a filing box for me at Christmas. I just got the hanging files yesterday. If you look closely to picture #2 you'll see it under some framed stitching by the bookcase. I took all my patterns from the 3-ring binders and now have them in the files. Which caused me to rethink my 2012 to-do projects. Because I found a pile of patterns from fall that were never put away properly. My new list of kitted projects has grown. Not only that but now my cabinet filled with stitchy stuff needs to be organized again.

Somehow I think 2012 will be full of organizing and cleaning. The hall and front closets are looming over me and calling my name! Then there are the cabinets in the living room and the basement is in shambles again. Then the kitchen...oh, my poor kitchen. See, my list just grows and grows.

Well, I think I'm going to relocate and write up my last post for the year. Stitching goals from 2011 recap and 2012 plans. I might even get over to the Up for a Challenge blog and post my year end results. Might.

A new year is about 32 hours from now. Please be safe and have a Happy New Year.
Denise

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas

to all and to all a good night!




Please have a safe and happy holiday!
Denise

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Guess What This Is...


And pretty Oak tree isn't the answer. lol Have you seen the commercial that shows people and their first sunrise after retiring? Well, this is mine. A rather cloudy day but this is Ohio in December. After somewhere around 8973 days (24+ years) of being an UPS employee - I am no longer. I quit. It started out as a retirement but I'm not old enough...so, I quit.

No idea of what I'm going to do. When I'll go back to work or if I will. Not sure how we'll make it without my paycheck. But, when your heart tells you it's time, it's time.

Losing a loved one especially one close to you is an emotional earthquake and you are never the same person you were before their death. And when Dad died in January, things started to change for me. I finally realized the saying "it can happen so quick" is true. You have to live your life as if today is your last day. Do those things that you've always wanted, tell people how you feel about them, and be happy with who you are.

Retiring from UPS is another step towards being where I want to be in my life. Cross your fingers for me and maybe send a prayer for my family. We may need them. Because for the first time in my life I didn't do what everyone expected me to. I wasn't 'Little Miss People Pleaser' and I did what I wanted.

Ok - this is really way more than anyone wants to know about me. But, maybe someday, I'll print this blog and I want it in here. How I felt on the first morning in my adult life not being an employee.

Switching gears -- I have been stitching on something. Not Red Birds though. Not sure what happened to my mojo on that one. I just moved on to this.

Colorful Sky
by Mystic Stitch
14 ct white aida
DMC flosses
Nearing completion of page three. There are 18 pages and  81,200 full cross stitches in this one. It's one of my BAP that I hope to get done in 2012. Just checked and it is my largest Mystic Stitch I've attempted - Before Sunrise has 50,000,  Winter Still has 62,000, and Grace has 45,600 full cross stitches!

Tonight is The Nutcracker! I've never been to see ballet and have no idea of the story line. Shh, I haven't ever seen Wizard of Oz either. And I've never eaten at a Taco Bell.

Tomorrow is Olgebay...busy weekend. The whole crew on a bus. Ha, I can see some wicked funny stories coming from this trip!

See you Monday - take care and enjoy your weekend!
Denise

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Another Finish!

I did it! I finished my 52nd piece...ha, one per week. Yeah, right.

Seaside Retreat
by Blackbird Designs
from A Stitcher's Journey
Lugana Whimsey
WDW Deep Sea

Last night the women of my dad's family got together. My one cousin's daughter and granddaughter were not able to make it. After meeting at my house and having sandwiches, we went to Roscoe Village for their candle lighting. A very memorable evening that I would like to repeat next year.

The candle lighting was inspiring. Although, the temperature could have been a few degrees warmer. :) I think last night's low was 17 (-8C). We got there and some had warmed cider while others went shopping. At last the ceremony started. Watching the flame travel from one to another and joining in singing Joy to the World was peaceful. Hearing all the voices rise up in song makes for goosebumps.

Here we are before the winter gear...

Back row - l to r - Tammy, Me, Keri, Alivia, Whitney
Front row - l to r - Courtney, Mom, Karen, Carol Sue
Bridget even stuck her nose in!
After we finished - I hit the shops too. Found a wonderful frame that said Merry Christmas with Santa and a snowman. Perfect frame for this picture. Ten minutes after getting home the picture was printed, framed, and on the counter!

Hope this weekend found you warm and safe!
Denise

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Caffeine Regrets!

To say I'm touchy about caffeine is an understatement. I had one can of Mt Dew last night at 7pm - I was still awake at 5am this morning. I went to bed at midnight and turned off the light at 1. Eyes open and mind spinning for 4 hours. The sun woke me at 8:45 -- this is going to be a LONG day.

Got plenty accomplished before going to bed though. My house looks gooood. lol Just a few things on the to-do list for today. Wonder if I should address those Christmas cards today - my handwriting may be wobbly.

Well that Dickens thing was not what I thought. If I had been a literary scholar, teacher, librarian or library staff, or student - it would have been more to my liking. He handed out 2 pages of terms and proceeded to define each. I thought it would be a reading of 'A Christmas Carol' and then the terms would be explained. By the halfway point of the first page - I started yawning.

I'm off to find breakfast - and then the shower - maybe that will wake me up. Must move or I will be velcroed to the sofa for the day.
Denise

Monday, December 5, 2011

Charles Dickens Calling!

I found something different to do this week. A local library will be having someone come in and read Charles Dickens'  "A Christmas Carol." It contains many Victorian terms that we no longer use today.  In this presentation, historian Chris Hart defines not only these terms but also explores the many hidden meanings in this timeless Yuletide classic.  So, I'm off to learn at the library! 


This weekend I got to visit with a friend who I haven't seen since spring. It was nice to catch up - if only her family would have allowed it! Her oldest daughter, son, and husband all called her and the BF of her DD texted numerous times. Sigh! But, we managed to talk and have a good time. 


Picked out Logan's senior pictures last Friday. Went well but found out they no longer post all the senior pics on their site. :(  I hope this link works - go here to see my boy. We ended up loving this picture the most and I got an 11x14 of it. 


Started making cookies again this morning. Got side tracked last week when I didn't have all the ingredients or any large freezer bags. If I get busy now I could put a second batch of dough in the fridge and bake the Hershey Kiss cookies tonight. That would leave the crimples and chocolate with white chips to do tomorrow. DH wants raisin cookies. Hmm, I've never made them, don't do cut out cookies, and detest raisins. But, he hasn't had any since his grandma died 10 years ago. Well, any using her recipe. Am I feeling nice - yes - but he's going to be here to help. 


I was looking earlier at blogs and realized I haven't posted on Jayne's Up 4 a Challenge blog in ages. Just looked and I did complete 14 of the projects I had listed and did another 4 that I had listed I'd continue to do. But, managed to do tons of others this year. Although my RAK list never got beyond 4 done. Somewhere along the way, I lost my umph on that one! Oops. 


I know it's early but I got to thinking about 2012. I think I would like to work on my large projects next year. Colorful Sky and Birch Forest both by Mystic Stitch (time to dig out those BAPs), One Nation, and maybe my lighthouse. I think next year would be a perfect time to work on these WIPs that have been patiently waiting on me to pick them back up. 


Speaking of stitching - I started another project the other day. It's from A Stitcher's Journey - Come down to  the Sea and stitch with me. Too lazy to go get the correct title. It's probably 3/4 the way done. It may well be my final finish for 2011. It would make me 52 finishes for the year. Hold on - I'm breaking my arm patting myself on the back!


I'm off to stitch I think - must get some chicken out of the freezer for dinner first. Then later cookies! 
Hope today is everything you want it to be. Thanks for stopping by! 
Denise