Wednesday 6 January 2010

It's a New Year!

Happy New Year! Good morning from a rather chilly, windy east coast! We have been very lucky here so far as we haven't had the amount of snow that many parts of the country have had but what bit of snow we had yesterday has part thawed then frozen making waking very hazadous so I may not be venturing out today even though I really need to!

I have been getting quite a bit of stitching in ( trying to keep myself sane!) since I last posted so without further ado I'll show what I've been up to!

New Years Eve was a very quiet affair for us. We stayed home with the girls and my fil came round to see the New Year in with us and I stitched all evening on Blue Ribbon Designs Peppermint Twist, my December SAL with Chris which is now a January SAL, although I think Chris will finish hers way before me! I am very pleased with how this is looking and even though I chose to use DMC rather than the recommended threads I think the effect is just as nice.


New Year Day was my new start day which has become a bit of a tradition for me! Last New Years Day saaw me start Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler as a SAL and this year I started Carriage House Samplings Shores of Hawk Run Hollow as a SAL with Jane. I stitched on this New Years Day and Saturday and although I'm finding the 40 count a bit difficult ( don't know why as PT is stitched on it too) I am enjoying this very much.



Sunday is UFO day with Lisa and Jane and I have to say a huge thank you to Lisa for encouraging me to join her in this as I have picked up Blue Ribbon Designs Winter Wingding again after quite a long time, actually enjoyed stitching on it and stitched 6 blocks so I am very proud of myself! The picture is not good at all I'm afraid but you can what I've stitched!

Next up is my second of 2010 and it's another SAL, this time it's a Just Nan SAL with the girls from Stitch and Stash. I finally decided my piece would be 4 Wishes as I've had this in my stash the longest and also had everything I needed to start it without having to buy anything else :) I've chosen to stitch it on 28 count raw linen which is one of the recommended fabrics.



So as you can see I have been a busy bee with my stitching and I've actually been enjoying it. For a while late last year I wasn't really enjoying it and it was becoming more of a chore than a pleasure but I think when I started Peppermint Twist that changed :)

Have any of you made any New Years resolutions? I haven't as such but there are some things I want to try and do one of which is be kinder to myself. I don't have much self confidence, although I do have more now then I did 6 months ago, and I find that I put myself down a lot and when things happen I always feel it's my fault even when it isn't and there have been times when I've felt worthless and useless so this year I am going to try very hard to put a stop to that and start liking myself and be kinder to myself. Also want to keep up losing a little weight as that had steadily gone up over the last few years. I have lost a little as my clothes aren't as tight as they were so that boosted me a lot. So I want to try and do some exercise every day even if it's just a walk or half an hour on the Wii Fit Plus and am continuing to try and eat more healthily because in the long run it will do me more good with me being on the menopause! Over Christmas I made sure I didn't over indulge and I've hardly eaten any sweets so I'm pleased with myself!

Something else I'm going to do when I get myself sorted and the house to myself ( when Jess goes back to uni) is have a sort out of my stash, be ruthless and let some stuff go. This will be charts as I have so many and some that I may never stitch. This is one of the reasons I'm on a no chart buying thing for as long as I possibly can as I end up buying new then not stitching the old then I have them that long I know I won't stitch them! So watch this space as I may have some stuff up for sale soon! lol! I have also updated my wish list and it now has the bare minimum of what I would really like on it and if I do well at getting my stash down ( as in stitching it!) I'll treat myself much much later in the year!

I must admit that these past few days since New Years Day have had me feeling very low and fed-up because of a set to with my Dad when we took him home after he had spent New Years Day with us. All I will say is the way he spoke to me left me very hurt and upset and I feel that he has thrown everything we've done for him back in our faces and I'm finding it very hard to forgive him for it. I am close to tears typing this as I just don't know what to do for the best anymore. Then hubby's auntie came back from a week away in a horrendous mood which I really didn't need! So if this is what 2010 is going to be like roll on 2011!!

Hope you are all staying safe and warm in the bad weather and that the start of 2010 is being kind to you :)

And if you've read this far thank you for listening {{{{hugs}}}}

Take care everyone.

Hugs

Sally
xxxx

27 comments:

Ginnie said...

Great stitching pics, you have done a lot in a few days. Keep going with your "sort of" resolutions, I often lack confidence in myself it is so hard to not be like that at times. Sorry about the family upsets, hopefully it'll all sort itself out soon.... I'm sure 2010 will be a great one in the end!! Well that's what I keep hoping!

Christine said...

Great stitching Sally, I love the Peppermint Twist.
Sorry to hear thiongs are getting you down, hope you are feeling better soon

Stitchabilities said...

Well some gorgeous progress pics there Sally.
I do hope 2010 is better for you than it started out as.(hugs)

Lisa said...

Lovely stitching as usual Sally, you've made loads of progress.

KarenV said...

Sally, all your stitching looks lovely, as always :) The colours in PT are really pretty and I love the colour fabric you're using with it.

Sorry you have family issues at the minute. That can be so hard; I hope things resolve themselves soon. I have the same problem with self-confidence, so I know exactly where you're coming from with that. I'm trying to let things go a bit more too and not be so hard on myself. Just remember that you're a lovely person with loads of wonderful qualities and you deserve good things :)

Deb said...

Sally, you have some wonderful projects in the works!!
I didn't really make any resolutions, but I started out the new year continuing to clear out stash and that's a good thing.

WendyCarole said...

Sending you some (((((((((((hugs)))))))). Its horrid to be so upset especially so early in th eyear.

All your stitching looks great. I have not done new year resolutions for a few years. Hope yours go well remember you are as important and special as every one else

staci said...

Your projects are looking wonderful Sally, very lovely stitching :)

I'm sorry that your year is starting off on a sad note...I hope that everything works out. Take care and {{hugs}}

valerie said...

Your wips are coming along fabulously! I have Peppermint Twist in my stash and still haven't put a stitch in it. Yours looks wonderful!

Sorry to hear about your family upsets. I hope things get better and that 2010 will truly be a fantastic year for you. Good luck with your "goals" too!

Kim B said...

Lovely projects Sally! Family issues are just no fun at all. I'm sorry you've been feeling hurt. My family has been a wreck for years and I have frequent meltdowns over it so I can relate. I hope you find comfort in your beautiful stitching. (((HUGS)))

Barb said...

Hi there Sally, Snap I too am doing 4 wishes on the SAL. Pic on my blog if you want a look see. Like the look of the Carriage House one omg 40 count , I have not been that brave yet.
Aww Sweetie if you want a chat mail me please, I know where you are coming from in so much of what you said and you are such a lovely person with 2 super girls.Take care and I will speak with you soon I hope.
Big hugs.

jane said...

Love your Peppermint Twist Sally. If you decide to part with the chart for this I would love to buy it from you.
SHRH is looking good you have done a little more than me - I finished the lighthouse yesterday.
I didn't manage to work on a UFO on Sunday but will start this week - I have decided it will be CdesTriangles for now as that won't take too long to finish.
I'm sorry to hear about your family problems - hope things improve for you soon , try not to let it get you down.

Kajsa said...

The stitching looks wonderful! I'm happy that you are enjoying a bit more now.

I hope your family issues are getting resolved soon. Don't be to hard on yourself, it seems like you are carrying a lot of people and they are still taking out their foul moods on you.

ohiofarmgirl said...

Your stitching is wonderful...peppermint twist is so vibrant and beautiful!
Take care, family issues can ruin your health!! I have finally concluded that there are some people in my family who will never be happy so I have to do what is good for myself. I hope you can add something similar to your resolutions! Dianntha

Elisa said...

Happy New Year Sally...some fabulous WIPs there...can't wait to see them all done and dusted!! Have a great stitching year!!

Brigitte said...

Oh Sally, you have some wonderful projects on the go. You're such a great stitcher.
I'm with you about destashing. I only bought very little new stash last year, just the charts for my designer collections and that was it. I will do the same this year and stitch from what I have.
So sorry to hear about your family issues. No one should be allowed to make you feel down, neither family members nor any other person. I hope your stitching can cheer you up a bit.

Mylene said...

Those are great projects you are working on Sally and all are coming along great.
(((hugs)))

Anonymous said...

Sally, love the stitching for the new year. I'm sorry for family troubles. Sometimes family members can be so mean and cruel. I hope things get better soon. I had an issue with DH's sis about a year ago. I had to just distance myself from her until SHE realized what she had done. WE've since talked a few things out and our relationship is better. It'll never be very close but it's better. hang in there. Hope 2010 is a great year for you.

Sonda said...

Sorry to hear things were left unhappily with your dad...hope things go better this year. I love all of your stitching WIPs. Peppermint Twist is looking great! I plan to be ruthless with my stash and the rest of my stuff this year. I think I'm finally at the point where I can make myself cut loose of some stuff. At least I hope so!

Happy 2010!

sea gull lights said...

I love the peppermint twist!

temari by the sea said...

Wonderful Projects in progress!
Happy New Year!

Karan said...

Sally when someone is in a foul mood it isn't your fault & it isn't your problem - it's theirs. Leave them to get on with it & sort themselves out. Most of the time they soon forget they've been horrible then wonder why you're upset, so if they don't remember please don't let it hang over you or affect you. Remember: you are a lovely person & you deserve to be happy (((((((((hugs))))))))).
Your WIP pieces are beautiful - it's a joy to visit your blog to see them all. :0)

glamlawlib said...

You have some lovely stitching going on Sally!

I hope your family concerns are better now? A friend once told me, 'be kind to yourself' and I've tried not to forget that :) Hugs to you!

Michelle said...

Sally,

Happy New Year to you and your family. Your stitching pics are so pretty.

I hope you are feeling better in regard to your family matters and hurt feelings. That is no fun.

Sending you a hug!

Karen said...

Sally, love PT! i started this one last year in January and only have the pointsettias done. LOL I am going to have it done by Christmas this year! love the other wip's you have going! can't wait to see more pics of them!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sally, all your wips are looking great, I'm sorry you've had a bit of upset with your Dad, I hope it's resolved soon
I do hope you can be kinder to yourself you deserve it, I have serious confidence issues, I've never been very confident but that was made worse with me spending so much time in the house due to my health. You have a lovely family to support you and I'm sure they will be there for you when you need them, love the idea of the wii fit as a fitness method may have to try that myself, I've been watching what I eat but with me being less active the pounds(stones more like) are building up
well i'll stop nattering on
take care x

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

I'm sorry about your dad's hurtful comment. I don't know if it's an age thing - my dad says things without giving it much thought, and it does cut you to the bone.

Again, I'm sorry. {{{hugs}}}