Tuesday 8 January 2013

8 Days In......

And no finishes! Lol! That is very unusual for me as I usually have one or two small  ones but for me 2013 isn't going to be about lots of finishes but more about the journey of stitching and enjoying it. I have had three new starts. I've joined Lainey's Christmas All Year SAL again and have already set out my choices for every month. This month I decided on Little House Needleworks The Merry Skater and this is my small start.I'm going to try and use some charts from my stash for the SAL this year and the rest will be from the 2012 JCS ornament mag.

I had a new start on New Year's Day. It's a tradition of mine, as with many stitchers, to have a new start on that day. The last couple of years I've started something small that I've finished the same day but this time I've gone with one that may take me all year as I'm only going to stitch on it an hour or so a week. This is HAED SK A Dragon's History. It's not much of a start  but it's a started nonetheless.

I made some good progress on HAED QS Holly Fairy. I'm determined to get this finished this year if I can. I used for be able to finish a QS in 6 months but my problem now is I have too many other things on the go.

Another HAED now ( I hope you won't get bored with my HAED wips as I am really enjoying stitching them) and my start from Boxing Day Mini The Forgotten. Considering this is just a few hours stitching it's not going too badly. I actually can't wait to get to the bottom as the girl appears there. I think I shall probably just show this and A Dragon's History once a month as I'm only stitching on these about an hour to and hour and a half a week so not really worth showing them every time I blog!

Wednesday evening saw me in the parlour with Barb and the ladies of Needlecraft Haven with Country Cottage Needleworks Gingerbread Cottage. I'm getting on quite well with this now.

Friday and Saturday was my usual with me trying to get in many stitches as possible on HAED Guardian. Not doing too badly at all but wish I could get a page a month done! I'd have to stitch more on it though then I wouldn't get chance to stitch on much else so I'll just do the best I can.

I had a final finish for 2012 but can't  show that and I had a new start last night which is almost finished but can't show that either!

I was joining in the HAED bulletin board yearly free SAL and received the first page of my chosen design which was QS Mystic Garden. Unfortunately my first reaction was I can't stitch this! I have thought about it for a few days before finally deciding that if I do it I'll hate it so I've now dropped out.

I've added a couple of charts to my for sale list if you would like to have a look. I don't want to Ebay what is left so please make me an offer and take them off my hands!!! Lol!

Last week I received a birthday gift from my long time online stitchy friend Judy. Judy was panicking as she'd posted it just after my  birthday and it hadn't arrived before Christmas. She sent a beautiful card with the most lovely verse in which she had added to and it brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat. I don't think kindly of myself and every year I say I need to be kinder to myself but it never happens so when someone says something nice like Judy did it just gives you a boost. She also sent me this gorgeous dishcloth which she knitted. I've never had one before and I just love it. It is too nice to use though! Thank you so much Judy xxx

Well I think that is all for my first post of 2013. As I tidy up from the aftermath of the Christmas decorations ( the house is so dull now!)  I'm going through my stitched items and will be giving some away. My DH and I had a bit of a to do at the beginning of December about the amount of stitched pieces I have which led me to seriously think about giving up ( you may remember me mentioning in a post that I almost gave up) and at the time I could've thrown all my stitchy stash in the bin. However life without stitching would be no good for me so some of my older smalls will be going to new homes this year.

Now I'd better get on. Got to vac up and polish the living room floor!

Take care everyone.

With much love

Sally xxx

30 comments:

Vickie said...

Sally your goals and plans sound just like mine. I want to really enjoy the journey.
I am so glad you decided to not give up. ;) ♥

Barb said...

Sally your stitching whether in progress or finished is always a joy to see. Don't you dare give up on your stitching What would I do on Monday evening if I was not sitting in the comfy chair sharing time with you.
Almost finished February and awaiting news of the LHN new one.
Speak soon
Hugs.

Jane said...

Lots of lovely projects for the year ahead Sally, I'm sure you'll enjoy the journey with all of them.
I feel the same as you although I think it is time for me to call it a day in blogland, my followers dwindle in numbers everyday BUT I won't give up my stitching, I enjoy that just too much. Take care and keep positive, your blog is enjoyed by many many people xxx

Margaret said...

All of your stitching is so lovely! Don't know how you manage the HAEDs! Please don't stop stitching -- it would be so sad!

Carol said...

I am off to a slow start, too, Sally! I will definitely not have as many finishes as I had last year, that's for sure!

All of your work is so pretty--looking forward to seeing what springs from your needle in 2013 :)

Tricia T said...

I like seeing all your HAED progress, Sally. I've found that stitching on the one I'm doing is really relaxing and enjoyable. A small like the ornament is nice every once in awhile, though, so you feel like you're accomplishing something! : ) Passing some of your smalls along isn't necessarily a bad thing. It just means that you are able to share the joy of stitching with others - and that's good!! Hugs! Tricia

Lisa said...

Fabulous stitching as always Sally. I love the dishcloth you were sent so sweet. I have a love/hate relationship with HAED designs. I really dislike stitching on high count fabric yet love the designs they produce. I have a couple on the go and one in my weekend rotations but when I return to that I have to sort out the error I have made before I can continue. Happy Stitching for the coming year :-)

Dani - tkdchick said...

I find from year to year I flip between wanting to do big projects and small projects... its just a big year for your! As usual I'm enjoying watching The Guardian grow!

cucki said...

All of your stitching is so lovely...
please don't stop stitching -- it would be so sad...
Happy stitching xxx

Lesleyanne said...

Lovely progress on your stitching. I look forward to seeing your porgress during the year on your HAEDs. I glad you didn't stop stitching it would be such a waste of talent. A gorgeous dishcloth. I have wrote my list of ornaments and hope to use what I have already in like you. Hugs xxx

butterfly said...

Great starts Sally, looks like you will be busy, I need to pick up some of my UFOs this year.
My post has been so slow down here I am still getting Christmas gifts but it makes the holiday last longer.
Have fun with your stitching hugs June.

Pull the other thread said...

Lovely progress there Sally. It would be a shame for you to give up stitching as you seem to enjoy it a lot.

Stitcher said...

Hi Sally, don't worry about the finishes - i'm making up for your lack of finishes! I just finished Merry skater last night, I thought I'd seen you stitch this before - is this your 2nd time stitching this one? Like Gingerbread Cottage - you're getting on great with this one now. I need to post a pic of mine. Chat soon. xx

Stitcher said...

Hi Sally, don't worry about the finishes - i'm making up for your lack of finishes! I just finished Merry skater last night, I thought I'd seen you stitch this before - is this your 2nd time stitching this one? Like Gingerbread Cottage - you're getting on great with this one now. I need to post a pic of mine. Chat soon. xx

Mary Ann said...

Sally, lovely progress on all you are stitching. I especially like the Gingerbread Cottage!

Christina said...

Doesn't the house look bare without the tree & decorations up? :0( Taking the tree down is the worst day of the year for me, it makes me so sad!

I don't know how you have the patience to stitch HAED - you're a better woman than me! Lol.

Emma/Itzy said...

I am glad to hear you are not giving up I love to see your posts! You are right Mystic Garden is crazy!

Michelle said...

Some great starts and wonderful progress - Holly Fairy is looking beautiful! So glad your'e not giving up stitching - looking forward to watching your finishes and progress throughout the year :)

Julie said...

Good luck with your plans for this year. Xx

Nicola said...

You love stitching too much to stop.

Southpaw Stitcher said...

Even though you may not have finished anything yet this year, you've done a lot. Very ambitious with all your HAED projects--I don't have that kind of tenacity. I'm glad you're not giving up stitching. Everything you show on your blog is so inspiring!

Christine said...

Great new starts Sally.
I know what you mean about the house being dull when the decorations come down, but soon you'll have loads of gorgeous stitching to fill the gaps

SiobhƔn said...

I love all of your stitching, Sally! Lovely progress on your WIPs. I'm very fortunate in that my husband has always been supportive of my stitching, though in years past he wasn't so thrilled with the amount of money I spent on supplies. I realized that I was hoarding supplies and since I went through a slump last year, haven't been buying much. One year DH & I went to a furniture shop that had a closing down sale, thinking we'd pick up some framed artwork, and he nearly dropped his teeth when he saw the marked down prices still being so pricey. He told me to keep stitching! Hang in there. I think sometimes men get PMS symptoms, only their cycles seem to last a lot longer than ours do!! ROFLOL

Happy new year to you and yours!

Chris said...

Lovely projects Sally. It looks like you have a stress free stitching plan for the year!

Michelle said...

Sally like you I am having a year of stitching what I want this year and don't want to feel pressured into stitching if you see what I mean. Hey don't give up stitching its good for the soul but its also great to de-stash sometimes xx

Mylene said...

Beautiful projects and all are coming along great!

Penny said...

I enjoy seeing your stitching, Sally! I really admire those who can stitch the HAED pieces! :)

Ellen said...

You are great with so many HAEDs, don't give up stitching!

Stitching to me is a form of de-stress, its good for the soul. I am also trying to stitch from my stash and buying less this year.

Hugs,

Fiona said...

So glad you didn't give up, stitching is just such a great stress reliever. Great progress on all your stitching. I have started my HAED an loving it, thanks for inspiring me to try one.

Brigitte said...

Your projects are all so great, you are doing some wonderful HAEDs. For me, too, it's the journey of stitching that counts. I hope that you won't give up stitching and that we will see a lot more of all your beautiful projects.