2017 Year in Review

Time seems to move at mock speed.  I begin each day with great intentions and look at the clock and realize the day is almost gone.  Time is precious, use it wisely has become my new mantra.  For those of you who participate in stitch mania I applaud  you--I am to cowardly.  For others who have chosen BAP monster projects I salute you.  Looking at my to do list, it seems achievable, until distractions start eating into my time.

Needlework 

M. Quertier 1799

Scarlet Letter

House on Pumpkin Hill

Stacy Nash 

The Keyskeeper

The Primitive Hare

Poinsettia Stocking

Blackbird Designs

April Bunny

NickysCreations

Casting a Spell

Blackbird Designs

Berry Days at Thistle Down Farm

With Thy Needle and Thread

Quilting

Half Square Triangle Challenge
Jo Morton

Gardening

Tinny

Basketmaking

Zinnia Basket

Wool

Whale

Prairie Road Designs

Snowman Ornament

Primitive Gatherings

So. . . I can either beat myself up or be thankful for the projects I completed.  Am so very thankful M. Quertier is completed, she was a big project and has been in my stash for years.  M. Quertier along with Faye's beautiful Quaker sampler wall has given me motivation to stitch another Quaker sampler.  

Is very cold here and I have spent much time in my stitching room cleaning, sorting, organizing and prioritizing projects.  Time well spent.  Year in Review can be painful or it can be a motivator.  

2018 Goals. 

Needlework:  

Finish Margaret Cottam Mystery Sampler by La D Da, Emma Lerch by Scarlet Letter and Heaven and Nature Sing by Kathy Barrick.  All three of these pieces are more than one half stitched.  I allowed by stitching ADD to kick in and not finish them.  All three of these pieces sing to my heart and deserve to be finished!  

New starts:  Either Quaker Handework by Brenda Gervais or the Companion Quaker sampler to Beatrix Potter.  Have fallen in love with the concept of having an "Ackworth" sampler wall.

After working in my stitch room, I am putting myself on a self imposed budget and diet!  Market is just a few weeks away and I need to carefully and thoughtfully think about my purchases.  Clubs are great, the mailman and I have a special relationship--he makes me smile when he delivers a club piece.  I need to concentrate on finishing the club pieces I have instead of accumulating more inventory!

Quilting

Jo Morton is releasing Jo's Little Favorites III in March.  Yes, I have preordered a copy.  I have three Jo Morton quilts in progress:  Churn Dash, Court House Steps and Stars.  Sad to say, all three of these projects are more than one half completed.  All three of these quilts make my heart  happy and deserve to be finished!  Jo's Little Favorites III contains the instructions for completing a pineapple quilt--a quilt I have always hoped to make.  

During my organizational efforts, I discovered a large stash of red, white and blue fabric and am going to complete another quilt of valor:  Laundry Basket's flag quilt.

Wool

Only one completed wool project in 2017--that is dismal!  Shelby's Fat Cat was a 2016 Christmas present.  I spent time at the July Beat the Heat event purchasing wool and have not pulled one piece of wool!  Liseanne Miller is coming in March for a wool event at Montgomery Bell State Park called March Madness.  There will be incredible rugs and projects to motivate me and Liseanne there to guide me with tips, techniques and color selection.  

Penny Rug--I have pennies cut and sewn and this is a great carry in the project car.  During my lunch hour I can sew pennies.

Maggie Bonanomi is releasing a book in June (?) called Pure and Simple.  Maggie's books are great and can be enjoyed on so many levels.  (Yes, I have preordered)

Punch Needle

Not one completed punch needle project!  Disappointing.  I am determined to improve my skills and complete the two projects which I have started:  Shepherds Shade and Stars and Stripes.  Stop thinking everything has to be perfect and just do it!

Gardening

There is purchased lumber sitting in our garage for raised beds.  We had intended to build the raised beds during my Christmas break--the weather had other plans.  I am not a wimp.  The thought of being outside when the temps are below freezing and it is so cold I cannot hold a hammer is not a happy thought.  Next Year (my garden) received more care and attention in 2017 than in previous years.  The garden rewards me with beautiful flowers--she deserves my time. 

No judgement please--this is am ambitious list!  The list was made to give me direction.  The next two days will be filled with football, projects, and hot soups on the stove.