Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Years and a Year in Review

I know that I have been the worst blogger lately, but there is no time like the present to try to rectify that, right?  I thought that one of the best ways to get back on the blogging wagon was to just start off with posting the Stitching/Quilting Year in Review.  2012 wasn't the best for accomplishing much, let alone blogging, but it was filled with other great things that ended up taking up my time.  Sometimes stitching tends to take a back seat.  If I tried to talk about my two month absence from blogging we'd be here all day!!  (Wow, where did that time go type of thing).  But 2013 is a new year and hopefully I'll get back into the blogging and stitching swing for 2013.  I'd make it a Resolution, but I stink at Resolutions, so I'll just say that I'll try my best!!

I recently had a couple finishes so I'll start with those and work my way down the list.  As I said, this hasn't been a stellar year for finishes, but at the same time, it's still been a good year.

Like a lot of other people, I joined Nicola's Scarlett Letter Challenge.  As most of you know, she's celebrating a milestone birthday and wanted to make it memorable.  I don't think that she realized what a overwhelming response she would get to her challenge.  If you're interested in joining, walk don't run.  There are some wonderful prizes each month and what I'm sure will be a wonderful gallery of finishes as the year goes along.  How fun this is going to be!  It is so exciting to see all the projects that people are working on while celebrating Nicola's birthday.  Being a huge fan of The Scarlett Letter, I knew that I had to jump on board (and the fact that when I went through my SL charts to pick out a "few", I discovered that I had a ridiculous number of their charts)!  And no time like the present to start actually stitching some of those babies!!  The first piece that I chose was Abigail Gould's Sampler of 1796.  A small one (what a concept - I actually stitched something small), but so much fun to work on:


Scarlett Letter's Abigail Gould's Sampler of 1796
DMC threads and 35 ct. Mystery Linen

This is what the original sampler looks like:


At first I was a little concerned about the colors of mine, but Marsha of the Scarlett Letter commented on my post on the SL Challenge blog that she charted from the back of the sampler where the colors haven't been affected by sunlight and the elements.  I love how dear Abigail ended up.  I've already picked out a "few" that I want to work on in the coming year and one of them will be my New Year's start.

The only deviation from the pattern that I made was to not stitch in the background with wool.  I like to stay true to a reproduction and not change things up too much, but the thought of filling in that background kind of threw me over the edge, so I chose a linen that I thought would be closest to the color of the wool.  She was such a quick stitch.

Next up - Charlotte Clayton - how I love her (those cats look like they could make a snack out of dear Adam and Eve):


Charlotte Clayton by the Northwest Sampler Guild
36 count Meadowrue and NPI Threads



Ann Hall by The Scarlett Letter
35 count Legacy Linen and DMC Threads



Martha Jones 1972
36 ct. Vintage Examplar and DMC Threads

And last, but not least, probably my favorite of the whole year:


Ann Rayner
32 Count Legacy Cafe Au Lait Linen and DMC threads

I love Ann - and even with those over one sheep, I loved every minute of stitching her.  Seems that I've had a real Adam and Eve theme going on this year.  Just to mix things up, I've pulled some non-A&E themed samplers for 2013.

On the quilting end - even though I have a few projects in the works, I only finished one - The Farmer's Wife.  The Cotton Club is waiting for borders and that's it.  Hopefully, that one will make an appearance in the next couple of weeks.


The Farmer's Wife Quilt

For all the headaches this quilt sometimes gave me, I love it so much!!

There were a lot of projects that I didn't finish this year - I'm a great one for WIPs, but I'm going to try to make 2013 also a year of finishing up those WIPs.  We'll see how that goes.  I always have grand ideas as the New Year starts and flounder by the end of January.  But it's a goal to shoot for - mainly to finish up these babies:


Trick or Treat Quilt
Blackbird Designs
(need to give this another name - it doesn't look like Trick or Treat to me)

Only 39 in the photo, but actually 46 finished.  This project was going to be my take along project while my daughter danced.  Her broken foot put a kabosh on that idea, but I think that she'll be starting up again in January, so there is hope for making a huge dent in these beauties.  I have about 100 of them prepped and ready to go.  Just have to take needle and thread to them.

And there are a couple cross stitch projects that I'd like to finish up this year - both Scarlett Letter pieces:


And All Was For An Appil

I don't know why I put this one down, but I'm going to try what Margaret did with hers and stitch the outlines of the motifs first and then do the fill in.  I was green with envy when I saw Margaret's finish.


Susanna Lane

I don't know why I ever put this one down either - probably due to the fact that I'm a Gemini and am constantly getting bored with things.  But she is so pretty in real life that I have to finish her up this year.

So there you have it!!  2012 in review.  I have to admit that I've missed everyone and their posts.  I've tried to keep up here and there, but since the time of my last post it seems like we've gotten from the end of October to the end of December at the speed of light!!  I hope to do much better in the coming year.

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that everyone has a happy, healthy and wonderful New Year's!!

49 comments:

Glenna said...

Such wonderful eye candy for us! Drooling on my keyboard, especially for Charlotte Clayton and Ann Rayner. You really accomplished a lot this year, and I'm looking forward to seeing what's up for next year!

Giovanna said...

Well that's such an impressive show :-) You've had a great stitching year, I'm sure 2013 will be just as successful. Congrats on the finishes, and enjoy the WIPs. A very happy new year to you and your loved ones.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

All your stitchy finishes are fabulous! Your Farmer's Wife quilt finish is amazing and I really love the red baskets - I'd call it my Tiskit-a-Tasket quilt!

Happy New Year!

Margaret said...

Well you had a lot of great finishes! All beautiful, and either on my wish list or already stitched. lol! Looooove your Farmer's Wife quilt! Wow!!!!! Beautiful WIPs too. Happy New Year!

Ellen said...

Wow--what a nice needlework show. Maybe all those finishes is why you didn't have time to blog.

Wishing you a wonderful (and productive) 2013!

Annie said...

A real year of lovelies! Have a safe, healthy, happy new year!

Melody said...

Deb, what beautiful finishes you have completed this year! Happy New Year!

WoolenSails said...

You really have made a lot of beautiful pieces and your work on them is beautiful. I finally got reading glasses, so need to see if I can stitch any better now, lol.

Debbie

Evelyne said...

Who Deb, you stitched so many beautiful samplers.
The Farmers Wife is wonderful too.
I will wish you an creative and healthy new year.

Evelyne



Carin said...

I enjoyed looking at the great pictures of your work. Did you know that I don't have a pattern of the scarlett letter ? I read about those for the first time on this blog.

You have done a lot of stitching and I too hope to make the year 2013 a year of finishing the things that I have and don't start to many new things.
Your farmers wife quilt is so beautiful !! And the baskets of the trick or treat are lovely... love that pattern.

Glad to hear that you recieved the pattern irish circles.

I wish you and your family a Happy New year !!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Such delightful projects featured in this post!

You said only 1 quilting finish - it's a doozy though. And getting through the Cotton Club blocks isn't a small accomplishment either. Way to go!

Wishing you and your a happy and healthy new year!

samplerlover said...

Such a wonderful collection of finishes this year Deb. Love every one of them, especially Charlotte and Anne Rayner. Will have to do her one day. Have always love her and she has sheep lol. You know me and sheep lol.

The Farmer's Wife looks really lovely and I know that when you finish your baskets that you are going to have a stunning quilt.

Happy New Year dear friend - Sandra.

Vickie said...

ooOoo! Amazing work! Good for you. A Blessed, Happy New Year to you.

Nicola said...

Oh Deb you have done a lot of stitching in 2012 and acheived so much. I always feel so inspired when I see your work.

Have a wonderful 2013.

Laurie in Iowa said...

You've had a lot of beautiful finishes in 2012. Happy New Year!

Loraine said...

Oh Deb! So much to drool over and admire. You've done some fabulous things this year. My all time favorite is that Farmer's Wife quilt, and Ann Rayner! Wow those are amazing.
I love the little Scarlett Letter finish as well. So cute. I'm with you, I would have nixed the background stitching as well!
You have great taste, and you do inspire us to keep stitching and quilting.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year. Here's to many more fun projects in 2013!
Hugs to you dear friend!

Melissa said...

Such gorgeous stitching, Deb! How do you top that next year?! ;-)

Happy New Year!

Nicky said...

What a wonderful year of stitching Deb, I hope 2013 is just as enjoyable and productive for you.
Happy New Year!

Rugs and Pugs said...

OMG! You finished all those large samplers and you don't think you've accomplished much??? I sure do.
Happy New Year!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Ellen said...

Gorgeous samplers, love them!

Great achievements in 2012, wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Productive 2013!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Uhhhhh....did I read that right?! You didn't accomplish much stitching in 2012? HELLO! Look at all those beauties and they are large! :)
And that quilt...stunning! You go girl! You're going to have all those WIPs whipped out in no time ;)
Happy New Year!

Deborah said...

You had a wonderful A&E year. Love them all. The quilts are beautiful, as well.

Chris said...

Happy New Year!
You had an amazing stitching year!
I love all the samplers you finished and your projects for the SL year.
The quilts are gorgeous too.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Be kind to yourself--such accomplishments. Ann Raynor and The Farmer's Wife quilt are both stunning! I don't think we ever get as much accomplished as we would like.

Looking forward to seeing your 2013 Scarlet's

Sherry :o) said...

Oh Deb, I think you got a great deal of things done...and not blogging for a couple months - some of us do that too - I wouldn't worry about it.

I love all your finishes, starts, WIP...the baskets are cool - done by hand, if I remember correctly.

Here's to a wonderful 2013 for all of us!

BrendaS said...

Beautiful finishes in 2012 Deb. Your stitching and quilting are wonderful. I especially like the Farmers Wife Quilt -- you should be really proud of that one!

Happy New Year!

Birdie said...

Wow your 2012 finishes are inspiring. Wishing you and yours a very HAPPY and HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

Mary said...

Welcome back, Deb! I'll look forward to seeing more from you. Your 2012 finishes are pretty amazing.

Mylene said...

Simply beautiful works!!

Happy New Year & best wishes for 2013!

Catherine said...

Beautiful stitching and quilts! Have a wonderful new year!

Dawn said...

Happy New Year to you too!!
What a lovely assortment of work you have. THe samplers are all wonderful, I seriously need to join that SL group.
Beautiful quilts.
Thank you for sharing - here's to a productive 2013!!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Such a productive year! Every sampler is beautiful. I love the Farmer's Wife quilt. Looking forward to 2013. Happy New Year!

Shelly said...

Great finishes Deb! I'm bad at resolutions myself so I don't set any for myself! This is the only way I could get a hold of you-you won my Giveaway at An Arizona Stitcher. All I need is your mailing address and I'll get your package out to you! (I'm hoping you'll read this, lol) Have a great Friday!

Mary said...

Much beautiful stitching! Happy New Year to you and may 2013 be the best ever!

Anonymous said...

Deb, Congratulations on all your beautiful finishes! I love your Farmers wife quilt, it's amazing. Happy New Year to you.
Lancy

Karoline said...

You had some great finishes in 2012, and your wips look lovely

Happy new year Deb

Rhonda said...

Deb what beautiful finishes. Can't wait to get my Charlotte Clayton.

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

My goodness! I think you accomplished a lot!

You've inspired me to keep picking away at finishing my projects.

valerie said...

Love your year in review! I think my favorite is Ann Rayner too. Happy New Year!

Siobhán said...

I forgot that you finished Ann Rayner this past year! You did such beautiful things this past year--I'm so impressed! I love the WIPs, too. I can't wait to get back to our baskets!

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woolwoman said...

so many gorgeous finishes Deb - I don't know how you did that much in one year - you rock ! that Farmers Wife is stunning - Just love your warm rich colors. Looks like you've picked out some wonderful things for 2013 - YGG - Happy belated New Year - Mel

Vicki Boster said...

Deb -
I have just loaded your beautiful blog in place for my Grow Your Blog party. I will look forward to your special post on the 19th. Its so kind of you to participate -- I hope you make new friends and become friends with those trying to get a start at blogging.

Vioki

EvalinaMaria said...

Love your Scarlet Letter samplers. Nicola just introduced them to me and I'm hooked!

You have a lovely blog and I'm a new follower! Have fun at the 'Grow Your Blog' party!

Evalina, This and that...

Patty C. said...

Beautiful Samplers!

Brigitte said...

OH Deb, how wonderful these finished samplers are. And to me it looks like a lot of stitching. I have also joined Nicola's SAL but haven't received my charts yet. One of them is Abigail Gould and I think I'll start with her once she's here.
The Farmer's Wife quilt is so beautiful, a great job!
I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of your great stitching and quilting throughout this year.

Tammy said...

Hello! I'm visiting through the blog party and enjoying your blog. I'm a quilter and very impressed that you finished a Farmer's Wife quilt! I have the book, but haven't started. Yours turned out lovely!

Terri said...

Hello Deb, it is nice to meet you. I am admiring your wonderful cross stitch work! As well as your beautiful quilts! I am feeling inspired! I enjoyed reading your post and hope to be back to visit.
I am your newest follower : )
Hugs,
Terri
artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com

MarchAnn said...

Wow some really beautiful samplers, and great quilts. Stitching I do but quilting is on my list of things to learn now I am retired. Glad I found your blog.

March Ann

http://stitchingagain-marchann58.blogspot.com/