Thursday, December 30, 2010

Stitching goals for the new year

I finished more than I thought I had this year, but still, I didn't stitch as much as I had in previous years. That's probably because of my renewed thirst for reading after getting my Kindle and having Missy Ann's help in realizing I really like supernatural romance. My credit card does not thank her. I've also been playing a computer game, Runes of Magic, way too much.

This year I hope to finish at least Maggie the Messmaker and Magnificent Wizard. The first is a WIP that's been around for too many years, and the other is a present for my husband that I'd like to finish as a graduation present.

Here's how I did, stitching-wise, in 2010.

Pieces I finished in 2010:

  • The Lady of Shalott
  • Legend of the Spellcasters
  • Frost on the Pumpkin
  • Quilted Bear
  • Barnabee's Bride
  • Austrian I
  • Moonriders
  • Autumn Biscornu and Fob
  • Three Pumpkins
  • Keep a Little Secret
  • Peppermint Twist
  • Noel

Current WIPs:

  • Spirit of the Snow Angel
  • Rose Quilt
  • Maggie the Messmaker
  • Magnificent Wizard
  • Eternal Promise
  • Three Pumpkins
  • Victoria Sampler Gingerbread House


Review of stitching goals for 2010:

Done

  • Legend of the Spellcasters
  • Lady of Shalott
  • Finishing of two Just Nans pieces
Not done
  • Maggie the Messmaker
  • Magnificent Wizard (make some progress)
  • Summer Faerie

Monday, December 06, 2010

Christmas smalls exchange

Here is the exchange I sent to Paula. I was starting to get worried! The piece is part of Peppermint Twist by Blue Ribbon Designs. You can see more pics of the box. The satin-covered box was a find at a grocery-store sale after Valentine's Day this year (I wish I had bought more). I added embellishments to the piece and was really pleased with the way it came out (much more sparkly than in the pictures). I think stitching for exchanges frees me a lot. For my own pieces I like to stick with the designer's vision, even though some of the exchange pieces come out even better. I'm strange that way. I always second-guess my choices, and they're easier to live with if they're going to someone else.

I sent a few extras--coasters, a Christmas list pad, gift tags, and some candy. I love finding little gifts to go along with exchanges.

This was my first exchange to run, and I was both excited and nervous. I'm still waiting to see that all the pieces make it to their destinations safely. Fingers crossed.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Noel HD

This is a Just Nan piece I finished the other day. I think I started it this year, but I felt like it sat for a good while before I picked it up again. I'm trying to work my way through my WIPs and get them down to a manageable level. Next is Victoria Sampler's Gingerbread Stitching House that I got as a Christmas present last year. I was stitching on the scissor case when I realized I didn't have the accessory pack for it. Now I need to order it and wait. Bleh.

I sent off my Christmas smalls exchange before Thanksgiving, and I haven't heard anything yet. I'm getting rather nervous....

The husband: Matt's finally getting over his month-plus cold/infection/whatever and is finishing up the school year. He's been incredibly busy. I hope next semester (his last) is better and that he finds a job. He won't have a 3.0 average, which a lot of employers ask for in people right out of college, and that's getting him down. He had to withdraw when he was younger and had a few bad grades that are really holding him back. Poor guy. He knows twice as much as the kids in his classes, to judge by their performance on projects together.