Saturday 21 December 2013

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

28 comments:

Mii Stitch said...

An other lovely post Sally :) Wishing you the most wonderful Christmas xx

Southpaw Stitcher said...

Sally, you have certainly gotten loads of stuff done! I love all your finishes and WIPs, especially Moonlit Joyride, and that Shepherd's Bush pillow finish is spectacular! Merry Christmas and a Happy, Stitchy New Year to you, too, my friend.

Michelle said...

Some love finishes Sally - like you I am aiming to start the New Year with no wip's. I am having a Sampler Year so don't expect to get as much finishing done. Thank you for your valued friendship my friend and here's wishing for a much better 2014 as 2013 hasn't been the kindest of years to a lot of people xx

Margaret said...

such lovely stitching as always. I'm especially enamored of that SB finish. Beautiful! What a bummer about your thumb. I've got a sore shoulder that bothers me. Merry Christmas!

Vickie said...

Lovely work Sally. I hope you get your thumb sorted out quickly.
God bless you this Christmas Sally!

Heather said...

Wow! You have been one busy lady! ! Your stitching and finishing are always so beautiful! Besides getting the charts for Frosty Forest, I am going to try and stitch from my stash. I am hoping that for Christmas and my birthday which is exactly 2 months after yours, that I will get gift cards for my local stitching store and that will help me get through the year! ;-) I hope you have a very happy Christmas!

Kay said...

More lovely stitching, as always. I have decided to work on my wips next year as some have been on the go for a while. I also have lots of charts to keep me busy, you are very brave going on the stash wagon!

Beth said...

Oh the SB stitch! And all the others too, just wonderful. Getting organized for 2014 already and I've not managed to wrap my Christmas gifts yet!

Pam in IL said...

Lovely stitching!

Merry Christmas

Ellen said...

Love your progress on Jardin Prive's SAL, my part 4 is not done yet ha ha!

Your ornies are beautifully finished! I especially love SB's The Journey!

Take care of your thumb, hope it gets better everyday!

Happy Holidays!

catherine said...

Wishing you a very merry Christmas Sally and hope your thumb gets better. Great finishes of your projects
x catherine

ricketyjo said...

You've stitched some lovely things Sally! Hope your thumb is better soon. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you!

Poppypatchwork said...

Well done you for being so good, i have a huge pile of unfinished items, this is my worst year. Merry Christmas xxx

Andrea said...

A post full of lovely WIPs and finishes. They are all wonderful. Hope your thumb eases.
Have a very Happy Christmas.

Lesleyanne said...

Lots of gorgeous stitching and finishing Sally. I hope 2014 is a much better year for you. Thank you for your friendship, it means the world to me. I hope you have a lovely Christmas xxx

Barb said...

Oh in the bleak midwinter -Sally is still stitching up a storm. What lovely finishes and I am so happy to have my initials with yours. Have a wonderful Christmas and when I have got my SB Tis the Season (present from Mil) I too will try and stay on the wagon. Just hope its wheels stay on!!

Meari said...

Your JP SAL is the first I've seen since October. I *almost* forgot about mine... I've been so focused on other things. I did download the parts, though.

Your projects are so beautiful!

stitchersanon said...

Wow, I love all your stitching. Absolutely gorgeous...Have a lovely Christmas and a very happy, healthy and safe 2014!

butterfly said...

lovely post Sally, I think we have the same tasts in what we stitch I always love your work.
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas hugs June.

Jennifer M. said...

You did get quite a bit done in 2013! You should be proud. :-)

Merry Christmas!

Brigitte said...

Some lovely finishes, Sally. And maybe you can add the one or the other finish until the end of the year.
Funny to hear that you also sort through your stash in order to find the charts and projects that you want to stitch next year. I have been doing the same and my folder fills up constantly, lol.
Hvae a wonderful Christmas with your family.

Christine said...

Lovely stitching and finishing Sally.
Have a wonderful Christmas

Carol said...

Lovely, lovey work, Sally! I'm in total agreement about not buying more stash--I have so, so many wonderful pieces already just waiting for me to pick them :) Hope your Christmas is a merry one!!

Mary Ann said...

A wonderful post, Sally, with lots of stitching to admire! I am looking forward to seeing what all you stitch in 2014!!

I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

Chris said...

What lovely stitching and finishing Sally! I am with you on the stash stitching wagon for 2014.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

Julie said...

Have a wonderful Christmas Sally. Xxx

Kate said...

Gorgeous stitching Sally. Hope the thumb sorts itself out soon.
I shall be stitching from stash next year too - I've emailed to join the group just waiting to hear back.
Hoping to list my charts/kits in the next few days.
Hope you are enjoying a peaceful Christmas with your family x

Catherine said...

Lovely stitches! I do hope your thumb is feeling better!