Four Sleeps

It's hard to believe that it's only 4 sleeps to Christmas Day and not long to go to 2014. Where did 2013 go?

I'm trying to have as much of a clean slate for 2014 as I can but I know some things are not going to be finished! Last night I did finish part 4 of Jardin Prive La Pensee Positive which is one of my SALs with Barb. Unfortunately I discovered that I have messed up in several places on this part so am going to have to be very careful with part 5 as there is no way I'm frogging all that! It's personalised lol! I'm looking forward to part 5 in January then I will need to find a hanger I think and finish it as a bell pull.

I did say in my last post that I didn't know when I would get my December ornament for the Christmas All Year Round SAL finished but I decided, rather than having a new start for my 50th birthday, allbeit a bit late,  to try and get the ornament finished as well as  PSS Mary's Sampler. The ornament is stitched, not made up, so that's that SAL done for this year. I'm not sure if I will do it again next year if anyone takes it over as I've managed 24 ornaments over the last 2 years so my tree is looking lovely now. I will probably still stitch the odd ornament especially as I have all those JCS ornament magazines as well as the Lizzie Kate Flora McSample 2013 Stocking Ornaments.

And here's my progress on Mary's Sampler. Almost there.

Part 2 of Little House Needleworks Song of the Seasons is almost done. Hopefully part 3 will get done a little faster!

I've finally got the trim on Country Cottage Needleworks Winter's Eve and Full Circle Designs Moonlit Joyride.  I've also completed the challenge piece for Jura Point De Croix and emailed a pic in but can't show that until after Christmas.

I also got some trim on Shepherd's Bush The Journey. I stitched this last year! The initials on this are mine and Barb's. 

I haven't stitched anymore on my SAL with Chris but hope to do a little tonight and try and get Mary's Sampler done too. Tomorrow evening I'd love to get February's Primrose finished if I can then I start the next one.

I went through all my charts the other day and listed them in To Stitch From In 2014. I have to say I got a considerable shock when I saw just how many charts I have and those don't include HAEDs! So I feel I've done the right thing deciding to go on the chart stash wagon until December 2014 then I will probably have a treat from my wish list before possibly doing the same thing in 2015 depending on how much of my stash I get stitched next year. It's not as though I don't have plenty to keep me going!

I'm really pleased with what I have stitched this year. It has been great therapy for me during what has been a difficult year. I am sure there are people who look at what I get done and think I stitch all day and all evening  but I don't.  I very rarely stitch during the day and the only times I do are for a couple of hours when I go to the craft group and when my friend Gill and I have our stitching afternoons. Sometimes on a weekend if I have nothing else to do I'll sit for an hour in an afternoon but that is very rare.

I am still having problems with my thumb. Overnight while I sleep it seems as though it is ceasing up so when I try and move it it clunks and clicks and is quite sore and painful. I am determined to keep stitching and Lisa B kindly sent me her Handeze gloves to try as she can't get on with them. 

All that remains now is to wish each and every one of you a Happy, Peaceful, Healthy, Stash filled Christmas and thank you for friendship, enabling and wonderful finishing to drool over!

With much love,

Sally xxxxx