Tuesday, December 27, 2011

An Early Happy New Year and Reflecting on the Past Year

I know that it's been almost two months since I've posted (where has the time gone???) and I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and will have a Happy, Stitchy New Year.

I figured now was a good time to climb out of my hole and reflect on what I've accomplished in the past year and get on the blogging bandwagon again.  I know that I've missed tons and hope to catch up in the next weeks.  I've missed all of you and all the projects that you've been working on.  I think that I went through some kind of slump in the crafty arena, (well, I don't think - I know), but it's time to brush off those needles (whether they be stitching or knitting needles) and get the show on the road.

Many things have gone on the past couple of months - mostly for the good.  I took my annual trip to New York (I just love that place) and finally managed to get into the Tinsel Trading Company (note here:  if you plan on going to NYC, call the shop, don't rely on the website - the hours are wrong!!!).  What a fantastic store.  Truly overwhelming with all the buttons, trims and miscellaneous things.  I could have spent hours there!  I picked up the cutest angel (among other things) while I was there:

Isn't she the sweetest?  The weather was fantastic (almost mid-70's by the time I left) and I had a wonderful time with my sister!  It's always fun to spend time with her.

In reflecting on the year in stitching - this hasn't been a stellar year.  I seem to be a "Jack of All Trades, Master of None" as they say (read "Crafters ADD).  So here's what I accomplished in the last year.  It's always fun to see what the past twelve months have produced:

Row 1: Turning Twenty Quilt, Yellow Brick Road Quilt, Ann Medd (five years in the making)
Row 2: Elizabeth Clayton Sampler, Sarah Esh Sampler, Blackbird Designs Pincushion
Row 3: Tumbler Quilt, Farmer's Wife Blocks (all 111 even of them), Sun and Moon Sampler
Row 4: Mirabilia Deepest Love, Schibbles Recess Quilt, Guersney Shawl

As you can see, I got my hands into a little bit of everything!  And no, the Farmer's Wife Quilt is not completely put together, but I figured that finishing 111 blocks was a feat unto itself, and counted as a finish!!  And there's not a lot of stitching here.  Now, that's not to say that I haven't done more stitching than you see, it's just that they're not finished - because as we all know I'm a habitual starter (remember I was one of those crazed people that started those 15 projects last January, of which I don't think that I finished one).  Well, I've pulled a couple of those out and plan on finishing them up in 2012.  Not all 15 mind you, but a few.

Knitting has seemed to have taken me over by storm.  The Guernsey shawl was so much fun to work on (thanks Di for pointing me in this direction).  I should note that the shawl is a darker grey then shows up here, but I overexposed it somewhat so that you can see the pattern.  Once it's blocked, I'll have my daughter model it.  That has kind of set the stage for more knitting, but I'll save those for the next post.

One piece that I've done a little bit of stitching on is this:

I finally got Adam and Eve into Ann Hall!  Now that I see this picture, I think that I need to put the knitting down and put a little bit more into this sampler.  I still have tons of room on the sampler wall.

Other than that - not too much else is going on!  I did some antiquing on Long Island with my sister and we found some great shops, but the sweetest thing I've picked up recently was another machine for the ever growing small sewing machine collection.


I think that I'm up to 12 machines now.  One day I'll have to take a picture of all of them.  My husband lifts an eyebrow every time he walks into the craft room (which is seldom) and asks, "Is that new"?  And I answer him no, it's been there - it's old.  Because, in fact, it really is old - so that doesn't count as a lie, does it?  LOL

So that's just about been it for me the past two months.  Like I mentioned, I went through a slump of gigantic magnitudes, but I think that I'm back now.

I want to thank those that sent me notes of kind words while I was kind of off the blogging path.  They've meant a lot to me - knowing that you were wondering what I was up to.  I've made some wonderful friendships through blogging and I cherish each and every one - so hearing from you really made me smile and kind of got me back on the path again.  I do have to admit that I've been lurking in the background here and there, but haven't really had time to make comments. But I know that comments are what drives us to do what we do and I plan to get back to that.  Call it a New Year's Resolution!  I dare not make those for my stitching progress, however.  I've learned my lesson with making stitching resolutions! We know that I always break those!! 

I wish all of you a very Happy, Prosperous and Stitchy New Year!!!




38 comments:

Margaret said...

It's good to see a post from you, Deb. Seeing your review pics, it seems to me you got quite a bit done this year! All lovely projects too! I love your Ann Hall as well. I hope you are well out of your slump now and feeling ready to stitch! Happy New Year to you!

Annie said...

You've gotten more done during your slump than most people do when all cylinders are firing! Glad to see you back and thanks for showing us that cute little pink sewing machine. You could doe a sewing in class in your craft room for little tiny sewers!

Wishing you all the best for the new year!

Hazel said...

You have done more than me this year! Love your A n E. Happy new year to you. xx

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
So good to hear from you. The other day I was wondering if you had fallen off the face of the earth (or maybe just blogland).
You accomplished more this year than you give yourself credit for and just think about the WIPs that you did not show.
LOVE that angel you picked up in NYC. Too sweet. Cute little machine, too.
Happy New Year!
Hugs :)
Lauren

WoolenSails said...

It is good to see you posting again, I always love seeing your newest work and you inspire me to get creating again.

Debbie

barbara said...

How wonderful to see a post from you! Best wishes for a wonderful new year!!

Sherry :o) said...

sounds like you've done quite a few things to me (and looks like it too)....good to see your post. Hope to see you after the first of the year at KSSG.

Yvette said...

It's great to see a post from you! I think you accomplished a to not things. Those cross-stitches are like 10 quilts each!!

Siobhán said...

It's so good to see a post from you!! I hope you're out of your slump. It's okay to be a jack of all trades--it's important that you are enjoying yourself, no matter what you're doing. You accomplished a LOT. Girl, you finished Ann Medd! What else needs to be said?!? :) Love Ann Hall, btw! I can't find the notebooks (yes, plural) that I usually write stuff in, so I've been writing stuff down on a piece of paper--lists of things I want to start. I keep forgetting Ann Hall. Gulp. LOVE yours!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Yay, I'm so glad to see a post from you Deb. You've been missed. After looking at your year in review mosaic it seems to me that you've accomplished a lot this year. Hope you're out of your slump now and we'll be seeing more posts and finishes in the new year.

Nancy M said...

Glad to see you back and I enjoyed your look back on the accomplishments of the year.Good luck getting back into the swing of things.

Kim said...

I'd say you've been quite productive this year! Aaaah! Guernsey wrap! That's my new years knitting start!! Tell me it was easy? :o) LOVE the pudgy people in Ann Hall!

marly said...

I think you had a great year of projects. And Happy New Year to you also!

Peggy Lee said...

Well I must say you accomplished much more than I would dare dream.
Love the pink machine!
I don't set any stitchy goals for myself. If I start that it won't be so much fun anymore.
Love your blog....

Nancy said...

I love your angel and your sewing machine!

You certainly did a lot of beautiful projects during the year, and your sampler in progress is gorgeous!

Happy New Year to you, and may it be filled with lots of stitches.

Nicola said...

I love all your projects in the photo mosaic. Your guernsey shawl is gorgeous. Who is the pattern by, I would like to knit one.

Sylvia said...

I hope you have a wonderful and happy New Year. You accomplished so much! Loved looking at your projects for the year.

Mouse said...

helloooo *waving small paw :) coooooo you have done a lot really you know, they are rather big projects ... and wish I could have joined you on the browsing trip ;) wishing you lots of stitching for the new year and don't want to brag but I did finish all my fifteen ;0...lol looking forward to seeing more of you :) love mouse xxxx

Diane (di) said...

You're welcome my dear and you did a *beautiful* job on Guernsey. I think it's a wonderful idea to look back in stitches at the past year. Reminds us of the beauty our hands truly do create. As for Ann Hall... drool! I'm hoping you're able to give her some love real soon. She's just beautiful Deb. Happy New Year to you and your family. ((hugs)) di

Giovanna said...

Not a stellar year? Boy, if only my non-stellar years were like yours, lol. Even just Ann Medd makes it fabulous if you ask me. It's good to see you back, and I'm looking forward to your posts in 2012. Happy New Year!

Joanie said...

You've been quite prolific, got some big pieces there! I hope all is well with you and I'm glad you are back to blogging. Missed you!

Love the Sun & Moon Sampler (still on my A&E binge)who's the designer?

Michelle said...

So glad to see a post from you!! You completed a lot of gorgeous things this year. And finishing those 111 blocks totally counts! I hope that you find your way back to doing some crafting and blogging when you can, I love to see what you're up to!

BrendaS said...

Deb --
Great to see a post from you! I think you accomplished quite a bit and everything looks beautiful.

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year:)

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Great accomplishments for being in a slump, I'd say! You've brought a few to my attention... like I need more! Thanks for sharing and will be watching 2012!

Penny said...

I'm glad to see a post from you!
It looks to me like you completed quite a bit. I love the variety too. Ann Medd - I still look at that and say WOW!
Whenever my husband asks "Is that new?" I always say "Are you kidding me, I've had that forever." :) Love the little pink sewing machine.

Natalia said...

Your finishes are great, Deb !! I love how Ann Hall is looking :-) that sewing machine is so different !! Yes please, show us your collection.

woolwoman said...

loved catching up with you Deb - was a bit worried as I knew I was not seeing any posts from you for a while but we all get busy and sometimes too busy to keep up with blogging and commenting - it is all very time consuming. Your accomplishments for 2011 are many, varied and so impressive. Wishing you peace health and a needle in your hands in the new year - Hugs Mel

Katrien said...

You certainly accomplished more than I did this year! Waw, just look at all those pics.

Happy, healthy and creative 2012!

samplerlover said...

Hi Deb, I really love your Angel. She is lovely.

My goodness you have achieved a lot this year from all of your finished projects. They all look lovely and the major achievement was finishing your beautiful Ann Medd. Ann Hall is looking good btw lol. - Sandra. Happy New Year.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Life ebbs and flows, doesnt' it? Well I think you got alot accomplished! Of course, I was in a slump too but don't worry Deb, we still love you here in blogland. I was worrying though about you there for awhile not hearing from you.

Take care,
Jennifer

Kathy said...

Oh my! What beautiful quilts and stitched pieces you have created this year! And you've been in a slump?
Happy New Year! Glad to see you back.

Cari said...

Hi Miss Deb..... Happy New Year !!! Don't worry about the slump...been there, done that !! As long as I wake up each morning...I'm good to go. I love all of your work...right up my alley... Each piece is better than the last. The sisters and I have always wanted to go to New York City, wouldn't that be an adventure? Love you lots and have a great year. I'm hoping we'll get to see each other again in the fall!! Hugs dear friend..

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Great post, Deb! Love your angel so much I had to pin her! You've accomplished so much this year, I'm so proud of you! Looking forward to catching up later.

Casa Pearl said...

You've accomplished a wonderful array of projects this year! I hope next year is just as productive for you.

Mary said...

I'm glad to see that you're back! You accomplished quite a bit last year and everything looks fabulous! I know what you mean about being in a slump...it happens to all of us some time or another.

Happy New Year!

Loraine said...

Hi Deb!

What a great post. I loved seeing all of your finishes from last year, and your new starts. I've certainly had the blogger blues as well, and hopefully I can get back into the swing of things real soon. I miss it, and miss you. An e-mail is in the works.
Love the angel you found, and the new sewing machine. You have a wonderful collection of those!
Many hugs dear friend. Happy New Year!

Tanya said...

Happy New Year to you! I enjoyed seeing all the things you have accomplished in 2011. That is a lot of work. The angel is so cute. I would love to make it to NY one day. Ann Hall is looking good!

doris said...

You accomplished way more than I did during 2011, but I understand exactly what you mean about stitching vs. knitting. I want to do so much with both!

I'm still catching up on all kinds of blog posts that I missed during Christmas break, so it's good to catch up with you. By the way, I'd love to see all of your WIPs! In fact, I wonder if there's a way to organize a WIP trade so we can get rid of some that have lost their thrill. That could be fun.