Friday, January 1, 2010

Do You Make New Year's Resolutions???

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope that you've had and are having a wonderful and healthy start to the new year!!!  Can you believe that it's 2010???  It feels like I just watched the ball drop on 2009 yesterday?  Where the heck does the time go???  I guess it's true what they say about time going faster as you get older.

Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  Do you start a new project on January 1st?  I'd love to hear what you've resolved to do in the coming year and any projects you hope to start.  I started a couple projects before the ball dropped on 2009.  On the day after Christmas, I started (or should I say restarted) the Sarah Pope sampler by Sheepish Designs (excuse the poor quality of all these pictures - it's a gloomy day here):


Sarah Pope 1773
36 ct. Reindeer Fabric
DMC Threads



I originally started this back many years ago and put it down because the dreaded Queen Stitches were used throughout the design.  I resurrected it again and posted at some point (back in May, I think), that I had her on my hit list to finish up.  Well, I pulled her out, but hated the fabric I originally did it on (36 count natural linen, I think), so started her over.  I also anguished over the colors used - mainly rusts and light rusts.  The chart reads more mauve, so I spent a few hours with my head swimming over that.  I ended up going with the original colors and like it.  Lots of different stitches (the border is Rice Stitch), and yes, those dreaded Queen Stitches, but I rather like doing them now so it should be a lot of fun.

And then last night, I started And All Was For An Appil by the Scarlett Letter for my New Year's start:


And All Was For An Appil
The Scarlett Letter
40 ct. Busy Bee Blend
DMC Threads


I really went back and forth on the fabric for this one.  The picture above doesn't show really any color but it's a yellowish fabric with some mottling.  I think it's going to look great when it's done, although it's going to take me a while.  I have to admit that I spent about five hours circling the floss toss I did and asking everyone's opinions on it.  All the fill-in is time consuming, although mindless, and think that I'll probably do a little section at a time and then move on to another project through the year.

I also got my A block done on the Prairie Schooler Alphabet SAL and a little bit of the B block:


This is a lot of fun to stitch.  I'm planning on doing one block a month.  Yes, it will take me over two years, but that's okay.  These look small, but there's a lot of stitching going on in each one.

As far as resolutions go - I'm only making two.  I usually don't stick to any resolutions I make, so I figure why embarrass myself even making them.  I have the true Gemini personality to be sure - I'm always back and forth with my stitching (among other things).  Stitching ADD is what I have.  So I'm just going to embrace it and go where my heart wants.  Who cares if there are a ton of scroll rods with half finished projects lurking in the corner - it's all about what's fun (at least I'm telling myself that - LOL).  Anyway, the first resolution I'm making is to stitch from stash this year.  Yes, I did order a chart and fabric for my New Year's start (which was to be Ann Rayner and which never showed up in time), but I realize that I have so many great patterns in my stash.  It's time to stitch those babies up!

The second resolution I have this year is to finish Ann Medd:


Ann Medd
The Scarlett Letter
DMC Threads


What a whopper!!  At this point she measures 32 inches long!!  When I unrolled her to take this picture, I fell in love all over again.  I think that having her wound around a scroll rod makes me forget just how wonderful a project this is (although so large).  I just have a little bit of lettering to go in this section and then it's down to the final section.  Looking at these pictures, I think I'm going to have to give her some love tonight!!  So there you have it - I've made two resolutions and I'm going to try like hell to live up to them!!!

Christmas was good around here.  I asked for nothing really (I'd rather the kids get what they want), but DH surprised me with a new IMac.  Seems that it was just too expensive to fix the old computer when we could have a new one for pretty close to the same price.  I just love this thing, but after having a Dell for so long, it's taken me a little bit to get used to - but it's so fun!!  And then DH also surprised me with this:



I've wanted one of these for the longest time! Perfect for the craft room!!  Ginger has one other plate that I've got my eye on for the bathroom in the basement (where the Mermaids are residing) and maybe I can scam that for my birthday (fingers crossed).

Well, that's it for me.  I need to get that Christmas tree broken down (yes, the one that's going to find itself on the curb this year for sure).

I want to thank everyone who has visited my blog and left comments or emails for me this year.  I have loved reading each and every one of your comments and wish I had the time to answer each one of you back.  I've met some wonderful and very generous people this year.  People I hope that I know for years to come.  Your stitching and blogs are a source of amazement and inspiration to me.  I wish all of you a healthy, peaceful, prosperous and stitchy New Year!

52 comments:

MyLifesAStitch said...

Hey, Deb!! You are a baaaad influence sister! And I mean that in the best possible way, of course! :) I absolutely love your new start (another to add to my wishlist, I think!), and Anne Medde.... drool worthy, I tell you!! It sounds like you had a great Christmas and New Year, Deb!

To answer your question, I don't usually make New Year's resolutions, but I am considering a couple this year - one in particular would be to spend some quality time at least 3x/ wk with the fabulous elliptical machine I have in my bedroom (how much more convenient does it get??).

I'd also like to get more projects done this year than last year... we'll see how that goes, I suppose!

Peace out, sister - and thanks again for being my cyber friend!!!

Andrea said...

What beautiful projects you have going Deb, love them! Anne Medde is amazing! I'll be looking forward to watching your progress in 2010.
I also like your resolutions. I've made the "no new stash" one before and have never seemed to stick with it, but think I may be able to this next year as I've already been focused on it during the last part of 2009. Like you said, there are so many great things in the stash already, how will we ever get to it all?
Besides that, my other resolution is to save ($$) more. Never been much of a saver and I'm determined to change that!
Hope you have a wonderful New Year!
xoxo

Jackie's Stitches said...

I don't generally make resolutions. This year I was going to but instead decided to just track the projects I was working on. Not finish them. Just track how many I have going. I have a New Years start planned for stitching but not sure I'm going to get to it. We'll see how the day goes!

You have some beautiful projects going on! I predict you'll have your big finish...it looks like you're SO close!

Angela said...

Wishing you a wonderful New Year! You have lots of great new projects to do this year! I have made a resolution to stitch the Bent Creek Monthly snappers one per month but that is all!

Melissa said...

Wow, Deb, your Anne is amazing! You have patience and fortitude as I can see you've got other big projects started too! Way to go!

As to resolutions, I want to stitch a couple of bigger (to me) projects this year. Size is all relative.

Generally, this year is to get healthier because without it I may not be able to keep stitching into my old age! ;-)

Happy New Year!

Loraine said...

What great New Year's Resolutions! I love Ann Meade and can't wait to see you finish her up.
I really like your Sheepish Design sampler as well. I didn't realize that Dawn wasn't designing anymore until, ironically, I saw that on another post this morning. I saw her at a needlework market about 7 years ago. She is so nice, and I loved everything she did.
Happy New Year, and good luck with all of your projects! I look forward to seeing your blog through the year.
Hugs.

Missy Ann said...

I'm with you on the stitch from stash. I'm going to try & in my defense I did much more of that last year than I have in previous years.

My new start is going to be Lizzie Kate Double Flips. Sweet, small, & easily finished. I need a break after HoHRH.

Anne Medde is *such* a stunner.

The French Bear said...

You are amazing, I can't even imagine wanting to start all over!! You work is beautiful, I love all of your stitching!
Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Margaret B

valerie said...

Deb, your Ann Medd is jaw-droppingly gorgeous! 32"...holy cow! I can't wait to see your progress on it in 2010. Love your new starts too...the colors in Sarah Pope are so calming.

I make NY resolutions but I haven't posted them yet. I'm not usually successful and fall off the wagon by the end of January but I'll try all the same. :)

Happy New Year!

Kim said...

Ann is STUNNING! I think I'll make a resolution that I will finally get some linen sewn to the scroll rods this year! Happy New Year, Deb!

Katherine said...

And All Was For An Appil really sings to me; I think it will be quite lovely. Anne is beautiful and I'll follow your progress on it. All that lettering would drive me batty though! I'd end up misspelling something. As to resolutions - I quit doing that on New Years a long time ago (never worked out). But, I have made "life resolutions". Some of them have been life changing; like quitting smoking (also a long time ago). Others have been "sensible"; like passing on charts and WIPs that I will never touch again and finishing those I have before I purchase more. I haven't quite perfected that one yet. Happy New Year.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

so you are a Gemini? I don't really remember that personality that is but I'm a Virgo, so now you know why I'm crazy! LOL
Especially right now I"m having to use a half-functioning computer while we figure out how to send in my computer. I may just go get me another inexpensive laptop and say the heck with it. I think my husband has fiddled with it with the million cords he has hidden in every corner of the house enough.
My camera is still not doing the color right. It's me I'm sure but I'm technilogically distressed right now and find reading your blog an inspiration. You have some serious stitching pieces there girl! ;)
They are beautiful, beautiful.
So how many scroll rods do you have now? I've got one and thinking about another size now.
Oops, I better stick with just getting a functioning computer right now.....

Jennifer

Jan said...

Happy New Year, dear Debbie!! I love your new starts, and will look forward to seeing them progress, they are so beautiful.

And it appears to me that you have progressed really well on Anne...wow!!

You know I really don't make resolutions much, about my stitching or otherwise. Although I do love the idea of a clean slate to a new year! I always vow to do better with whatever I am stitching, and I always have such grand schemes. Fortunately for me, I usually just keep those grand schemes in my own head, then I won't have to be observed, when I don't follow through with them. But I still love the New Year!!

Oh congrats on the new computer, have fun with it!!

Margaret said...

Oh Deb! I love your new Sarah Pope start! And I'm glad you settled on a fabric for AAWFAA! I've just finished with our New Year's dumplings and am getting ready to put the flosses for my AAWFAA into bags and get stitching! Yay! As for your Ann Medd -- OMG!!!!! Here I've always said, oh yes, I'm resisting this one -- but your Ann Medd may just have changed my mind! Gorgeous! What count fabric are you using? Are you almost done? I'll have to go to Scarlet Letter to see the whole thing. :D Congrats on the new iMac. I'm a Mac person -- they're great machines! Oh and your PS Alphabets is looking great! Happy New Year!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Love your Sarah Pope! Great start on AAWFAA... both you and Margaret are doing it on 40 ct... it's going to be interesting comparing your progress snaps and mine on the 30 ct.

OMG your Ann Medd is stunning and it's the inspiration I need to get cracking on my AM.

Happy New Year!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Oh, Deb! You always have the most gorgeous projects going and your are definitely a fan of the BAP, aren't you? It will be great fun for us to watch your progress on each and every one. Love your start on the PS ABC's ~ I know that's a lot of stitching!

My resolution this year is to try and keep my sanity! 'Nuff said!

Love the plate Dan got you! Happy New Year, dear friend!

Catherine said...

Lovely projects! Happy New Years to you!

Nic said...

Some amazing projects there - I can't wait to see how they progress!

glamlawlib said...

Oh my! You have some beautiful stitching going on, Anne Medde is just stunning :)

I made a few stitchy resolutions last year and completely ignored them! Guess what, yes Iam a gemini too!

Wishing you all the best for 2010

glamlawlib said...

(Sorry mispelled Ann Medd in previous comment!)

Cari said...

WOW Deb .. you go girl. You have so much going on I can't believe it!! Love all your starts and re-starts. I'll be looking forward to watching your progress. Happy New Year!!

Carin said...

I wish you a great stitching year!!!! Love all the big projects you're working on. Keep us posted about all of them.

Love and hugs!

Siobhán said...

Ummm, omg. I have always thought that it would be so great to live near you, to meet up for coffee and stitching and a little shopping. Now, though, I think it's a good thing that there is an ocean between us, because I would seriously be breaking into your house and absconding with your Ann Medd. LOL It is amazing!! Love your new starts, too. With AAWFAA, it was my travel piece for 10 months. I just drove around with it and when I had a second or two, I'd stitch on it. Then when it looked like an end was in sight, I finally got it out and worked on it 'properly' as a WIP. It's a fun stitch even if the fill in takes forever. It's one of my DH's favorite samplers, which is nice (of him to notice!! LOL). Love the plate!! I have to look at that mermaid plate. I love Ginger's redware.

I count our deepening friendship as one of the blessings of 2009. May it get stronger in 2010. :) Wishing you and yours a very blessed, happy and healthy 2010!

Katrina said...

OMG Deb, Ann Medd is gorgeous. I don't blame you a bit for wanting to finish her.

I think your resolutions are great. I don't usually make resolutions but I do set goals ;-).

Great Christmas gifts too, I want one of those places.

Katrina said...

Oops, not places, plates, LOL.

woolwoman said...

Deb - I LOVE Ann - seeing her all spread out was SO inspiring and I' glad you were inspired to try and finish her this year. I agree totally about making goals and resolutions - I don't do them any more - I just vow to stitch/knit/hook as much as possible and enjoy every minute of it or stop immediately and change projects - no more drudgery handwork - YUCK - no obligation stitching either er oh except my folks anniversary sampler - that's my big goal for 2010 and I have to get moving. All the best for you in the new year - oh and my secret goal is to be you "hooked" - lol - Mel

Patricia Lessell said...

Hey Deb you have some great projects on the go! I LOVE doing Queen Stitch - don't let it daunt you.

I want to wish you a Happy & Healthy New Year and may this year bring nothing but joy to you.
Lots of Love
Patti xxx

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

There has been a run on those plates hasn't there? I feel like ordering one myself...but I'm waiting because I have some redesigning of my house in my head to work out first ;o)
Yes I do resolutions and most I accomplish, but I'm the kind that I make resolutions or turn over new leaves all year long for the quest to be the best me. I don't meet all my goals, but I really strive to. My two big goals are to continue my weight loss and to finish the Village of Hawk Run Hallow because I started that in 2006 and only have two squares done, but I have THE perfect place to put the finished and framed piece...LOL! :)
I love all your samplers and your stitching is perfection! HUGS and LOVE in the New Year!

Love to Stitch said...

Whoo Deb!! Happy New Year!!!! How awesome are your WIPS. You will for sure get gorgeous Ann done I am POSITIVE on that, and she is gorgeous. Such a tremendous amount of work. Sheepish Designs--I love Sarah, I might have to pull her out and start her! Trouble I tell you--Trouble!! Great start on New Years Eve with Appil--there are so many great A & E pieces out there, I would like to have them all!!!!!!!!

Nancy said...

Your stitching is gorgeous! You will have so many pretty masterpieces when these are finished. Happy New Year!

Suburban Stitcher said...

Wow...finish Ann Medd IMMEDIATELY! And you could send her to me...she'd go perfect with my Rouenneries quilt :) Your stitching is impeccable, and I really cannot wait to see all of those queen stitches done!!! Good luck...better you than me, because I on the other hand do not find ANY enjoyment in stitching them!!

Melissa said...

Love your Ann Medd! It's going to be a stunner when you finish it this year. :)

Berit said...

OMG I had no idea how big Ann is!

I feel you on the Christmas tree; I'd love to send mine on a one-way to the curb but we seem to have missed the after-season sales already! looks like we're having another year with "Ole Rusty". lol.

Unknown said...

Happy New Year, Deb! We just returned home after a trip to SC my brother was married on Jan 1. It was a lovely wedding and I had such fun with my family.

Now, I'm cozy at home and catching up on all my blogging. All these "Year in Review" posts are going to get me in big trouble! And Sarah Pope, oh my! I have not seen this one before and it is just gorgeous - I look forward to watching your progress on this one. Oh, I am glad that Anne is back in your good graces, she is just a spectacular piece.

I am so happy for you that you got a new computer - I know your Dell has been giving you such issues. Your husband out did himself with the imac AND the gorgeous redware plate.

New Year's resolutions - I did make a few this year. One is to stitch an ornament a month. I also want to join the PS Alphabet SAL and stitch lots of A&E's.

I am so glad that I discovered your blog - I have enjoyed getting to know you these past few months!

Enjoy your weekend.

The Scarlett House said...

Your wip's are truly spectacular. You have really lit a fire in me to get going on Sarah Pope. The small chart photo doesn't do the design much justice. I've never seen it stitched before either.
Love the plate!

Bertie said...

Happy New Year.
Your Anne Medde is spectacular, a bit of a marathon sampler, gorgeous.

Good luck with your IMac, now where have I seen that plate before LOL.

Brigitte said...

Oh Deb, I *love* the projects you show here, they are all to drool over them. Once you get over those Queen stitches (I'm not such a fan eitehr) Sarah will be a fun stitch. And I have no doubt that you will finish Ann. She can't get that much longer, can she? Lol.
As for resolutions, I never make any. I make some planning and I only do it because I love going through my stash looking for charts that I can fall in love with immediately. They go in my very-soon-to-be-stitched folder and sometimes I even stitch them very soon. If not, it doesn't matter because it's the fun that counts. Other than that I try to stitch from my stash. It worked last year and I hope it will work this year, too.
Wishing you a good 2010.

Karoline said...

Happy New Year Deb.

I used to make specific stitching resolutions before I had my daughter but now the only one I make is to enjoy my stitching.

Your new starts are lovely and Ann Meld is stunning.

Ranae said...

I don't tell anyone my resolutions, seems like I can't keep then, lol Just like stitching no goals for me.
Your WIP's are all so fabulous. You have the neatest things going on this year.
Queen stitches are not all that bad after the first couple, lol You got to get the groove going, and whatever you don't stop, hehe
Happy Stitching 2010!! Deb to you and yours

Kellie said...

Hi Debbie,
Sounds like you have some great goals. I decided not to make New Years Resolutions this year, as I make them every year and never seem to stick with them. I am just going to go with the flow this year and see how that works for me. LOL! I love all your projects. Sarah Pope is gorgeous! Queen stitches intimidate me, but I would love to learn to do them at some point as there are a lot of pretty designs that I would like to stitch that have those stitches in them. Love, love, love All was for an Appil. I may have to add that to my "inventory" soon. LOL! It is gorgeous, and I have noticed quite a few people in blogland starting this one lately. I was not familiar with it until recently. I am in awe of Ann Medd. Wow! Now THAT is a sampler!! And you have so much done on it. It is beautiful!! Definitely embrace the stitching ADD...it is much more fun that way. LOL! Have a great week!

Lelia said...

beautiful beautiful stitching. Oh my - you have some excellent projects going!!!

No resolutions by me.

HollyXSing said...

Deb: I think we are kindred spirits! I am also a Gemini and suffer with the same ADD nature! I LOVE samplers! I the the "Appil" Sampler and want to start it so bad, but I am in the midst of too many projects right now! Go figure. I surely need to stitch from my stash, but I find that so hard to do! I will be following your progress on all of your projects! Keep up the beautiful work!

-Holly

Sally said...

Oh Deb what wonderful new starts and your WIP are fantastic! I've had two new starts so far in 2010!

I don't usually make resolutions and this isn't really one but I want to try and be kinder to myself. lol. I always end up putting myself down for some reason or another and I have to stop it!

Giovanna said...

What great plans you have - mine usually get sabotaged by what's published during the year, lol. Great new starts! And Happy 2010!

Nicole said...

All your wips are beautiful Deb! Ann Medd is amazing!! Good luck getting it finished!! :)

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Love your stitching, and agree that it's about the enjoyment! I've already broken the first resolution - put some monthly kits on order with my LNS and some on-line sales, too! I'll be interested to hear your continuing reviews of the mac.

Anonymous said...

Debbie!! What a great post - I enjoyed every bit of it.

Oh my -- Your Ann Medde is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! I am jotting it down in my to-do list.

Guess what I did today? I bought a new pair of scissors. I thought of you in the craft store, and thought I should buy a new pair of scissors to celebrate the New Year! :)

That plate is beautiful!!! It will be perfect for your craft room.

Nancy M said...

You have some great pieces going (near finished and just started!!!)I don't usually make New Years Resolutions. But having lost a close stitching friend on Dec 21 put a different perspective on things. So I am going to TELL my DH that I love him everyday!! So simple, but sometimes neglected. So far, I've kept it! And as far as my stitching goes...I am doing a RR and instead of sending out one piece, I am sending out a new piece for someone to START for me. I hate to start!

Tammy said...

I try not to make too many resolutions--most of them are reasonable,lol. Your projects are beautiful!

Kajsa said...

No resolutions here! Love all your projects and can't wait to see more of them.

Michelle said...

Ann Medd is breathtaking. You have gotten so much done on her! WOW!!

doris said...

Ann Medd. Holy cow! I don't think I have the gumption to start her, but Appil ... eventually I'll get around to that one.