Time to StRIP

Yes, the time has come for me to StRIP. In 2006, I will initiate my Stash Reduction Implementation Plan. I just have far too many projects going on and I need to actually finish some of them so I won’t feel so guilty when I start something new.

This plan is designed to reduce my current number of WIPs (works in progress) and UFOs (unfinished objects). I also have several projects already fully kitted just begging to be started, so I hope to make a dent in some of those as well. Lastly, I have several projects for which I have already completed the stitching, but they have yet to be finished (framed, sewn into ornament, etc.). I plan to greatly reduce that number this year as well.

I hope to have time this weekend to go through all of my projects and enter everything into a spreadsheet. For now, I’m just working from memory on creating a rough estimate of everything. So, from the top of my head, here are my current lists for each of these categories:

Current WIPs/UFOs

1. Celtic Christmas (Lavendar & Lace) - needs to be done by August

2. Rosemarkie (Long Dog Samplers)
3. Noah’s Ark Sampler (TW)
4. Holiday Prayer (Mirabilia)
5. Stonehearth Hutch by Thomas Kinkade (Candamar) - I may abandon this one
6. Cowboy Cats (Creative Accents)
7. Summer Mystery (Pam Kellogg)
8. Orange Glow (The Silver Lining)

Fully Kitted

1. B is for Bunny (The Sweetheart Tree)

2. Cookie Dragon (Enchanting Lair)
3. Spring Scissor Fob (Lorri Birmingham)
4. Castle Ridge (TW)
5. Above the Clouds (TW)
6. English Garden Welcome (TW)

Pieces Stitched But Need Finishing

1. Winter Fob (Lorri Birmingham)

2. Coffee is Magic (Dragon Dreams)
3. No Late Knight Snacking (Dragon Dreams)
4. Yule (Moonflower Designs)
5. Mother & Child (Robin Clark for CS&CC magazine)
6. Golden Greetings ornament (Maria Diaz)
7. A Needleworker’s Pocket (With My Needle - 2003 JCS Ornament issue)
8. Christmas Mystery (Pam Kellogg) - need to do some rework on this one

So, that’s my plan. Now let’s see if I can stick with it.

Happy Stitching!

WIP Pregress Pic

Here’s just a quick entry to show a progress pic of the small project I’m working on to get myself remotivated with my stitching. I really like how the colors are looking together so far. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version.

Happy Stitching!

Christmas Meme

In honor of Christmas, I thought I would finally get around to answering the Christmas Meme questions:

1. What is your favorite Christmas carol/song?

Of classic Christmas music, it would have to be “Carol of the Bells”. Of more contemporary options, it would be either “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey, or “My Grown Up Christmas List” by Natalie Cole.

2. White lights or multicolored?

White. I’ve never been a big fan of the multi-colored or blinking/chasing/etc. light sets.

3. Do you have a cut tree, live tree, or an artificial one?

Artificial. I generally put it up the Saturday after the U.S. Thanksgiving and take it down the Saturday after New Year. It will be up a bit later this year as I have a friend coming out to visit beginning on Jan. 6 and I’m leaving up for the visit.

4. Eggnog, mulled cider, or hot chocolate?

Hot chocolate. I don’t care for eggnog or mulled cider. I like plain cider, but I’m not a big fan of mulled cider as I don’t really care that much for cloves.

5. Do you decorate your house with lights?

Yes. I usually hang lights around my balcony outside and hang a garland with lights around the doorway.

6. Do you write a Christmas letter?

No, but I do send cards.

7. Do you like receiving Christmas letters/photos?

Of course!

8. What is your favorite Christmas story/movie?

Ok, so I know it’s a bit sappy, but my favorite is still “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

9. Have you ever made a gingerbread house?

No, but I consider doing it nearly every year.

10. Poinsettias or holly?

I generally don’t have either. I used to have 3 cats and they would always get into any plants I tried to have. Even though I no longer have cats, I just don’t have the habit of buying them now, so I don’t usually even think about it.

11. Do you display a nativity scene?

No. I don’t celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday.

12. Do you bake Christmas cookies?

I usually don’t. I do occasionally make some fudge or brownies to take to the office, but rarely do I make cookies.

13. Ham or turkey?

Neither as I’m a vegetarian. I’ll go with Tofurkey.

14. In what languages can you wish someone a Merry Christmas (without cheating)?

Four - English, Hawaiian, Spanish, and French

15. Do you know all the words to “Jingle Bells”?

Yes

16. Do you put presents under the tree?

Yes. Even though I’m single, I still put the gifts I wrap for other people under the tree until I give it to the recipient.

17. How do you eat a candy cane?

I don’t. I don’t care for peppermint candy, so I never eat them.

18. What is your biggest holiday pet peeve?

How the stores put out the decorations and push the whole Christmas gift giving pressure earlier and earlier each year. Of course, they don’t jusst do this with Christmas, they do it with all holidays now it seems. I was at the grocery store last week and they already have out the Valentine candy.

19. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

I don’t suppose I really have one now. When I was a child, it would be getting together with my grandmother the week before Christmas to make her coconut candy.

20. What was the best present you ever got for Christmas?

A round trip airfare to go visit someone very close to me. I got it last year from a dear friend of mine.

In closing, I just want to wish everyone a very safe, joyous, and peaceful holiday season. Happy stitching!

Stitching again!

I found something small to get me started back with my stitching. It’s a piece I’ve stitched before, but I’m doing it in a different colorway this time.

It was a kit from the Small Scapes collection by Moonflower Designs that I picked up at the Fantasy Crafts booth at CATS Burbank a couple of years ago. The kit is called Yule and came with a piece of Picture This Plus fabric, DMC 680, Caron Waterlilies in Holiday, and a sun charm from Charm & Bead Collectibles (couldn’t find a link). Here is a pic of the finished product from the kit. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version.

Here are the modifications I’m making for the latest rendition of this design:

Fabric:

Jamaica Sparkle - 28 count opalescent lugana (Silkweaver) It doesn’t look quite as pink as this picture makes it appear, IMO.

Fibers:

Gentle Art Sample Thread in Evergreen (in place of the original gold)

Caron Waterlilies in Painted Desert (in place of the original varigated)

I’m not sure if I’ll put a charm on this when finished or not. I think I’ll probably make it up into an ornament.

Happy stitching

Which Reindeer Are You?

You Are Vixen

Sexy and sultry, you’re the one all the other reindeer dream about. Why You’re Naughty: That fur pulling spat you got into with Dancer over Santa. Why You’re Nice: Because even when you’re nice, you’re still delightfully naughty!

Thanks!

Thanks so much for the emails and comment entries on my return to blogging. I guess I realized I needed this outlet more than I knew.

I’m a bit annoyed about work right now. They have actually scheduled to move a division of employees into a new building on … Christmas Eve! What the hell?! Hopefully I won’t have to go into the office on Saturday, but if someone does have to go in, then I’m at the top of the list.

I still have quite made the transition back to actually stitching, but I did at least think about it today. I’m going to try and find some small to do that I can finish reasonably quickly to try and help get me motivated again. My current WIPs are all either fairly large projects or smaller over 1 projects. I really just need something quick and easy right now.

I’m finally just about finished with my Christmas shopping. I have a few more gifts to buy, but none of them are for Christmas Day opening. I know WHAT I’m getting for each gift, but I’ve just not found exactly what I want, so the search continues.

Happy stitching!

Quick Hello

Even though my posting to my blog was usually hit & miss, I have found that I’ve missed this outlet very much in the past 3 weeks. It’s nice to have a place just to vent, share good news, and just ramble (as is my way).

I finished school for the semester last week. I did well on my final and ended up with an A for the class. I’m not sure yet if I’ll be taking anything next semester or not. None of the classes I really need are being offered in the evening, so I may get an unplanned semester off.

I’m amazed that it’s already Christmas again. It seems the older I get, the faster time passes. The one good thing about it being the end of the year is that this month marks the FINAL financial obligations the court ordered for me to pay for my ex-husband. So, between not having that big payment every month, coupled with my annual merit raise which took effect this week, I’m going into the new year in a good place.

As for stitching, I have touched a single thing since I was on vacation last month. I’m amazed that I haven’t stitched a single stitch in 5 weeks. Hmmm…just thinking about that makes me what to work on something. Perhaps I’ll pick up my knitting project and work on it a bit tonight.

I guess that’s it for now. Happy stitching!

Offline for a bit

For personal reasons, I’m taking my life offline for a while. I’m not sure when this blog will be updated again. I just want to say thanks to those of you who have read and made comments in the past!

Melissa