2016 Year in Review

I thought this year I'd try to do a year in review before the year was over.  Novel concept, I know.  LOL!  This year's stats are way down compared to years past.  I kinda knew they would be.  I lost my stitching mojo for a while and my work life was super stressful for the first six months of the year.  In spite of all that, I'm thankfully ending the year with things looking up and renewed optimism.

Since you all know I'm a numbers gal, here's where I stand for 2016.  I really tried to finish some things from the box o'shame.  I'm pleased to say I did pretty good there.  I also wanted to get some of my BAPs done too and I managed to do that as well.  I currently only have four things in my rotation and I feel like I could whittle that down if I tried real hard.

New Starts: 15

Finishes:  16

UFOs (unfinished objects):  7

WIPs (works in progress):  4

Exchanges:  2

Gifts: 1

SALs:  1

Classes: 0

 

So let's have a look at what made up these numbers.  I think that would be fun! I've put links in so you can find more information if you want to see it.  Here we go!

First finish of the year!

A delayed ornament finish from last year or you could say it was my first for this year.  Depends on how you want to look at it.  LOL!

The gift I stitched for our visit to Westtown School in the spring.

The only SAL I did this year.  It was with my friend, Maggee over at Stitching Devotee.  Whom I got to meet in person this fall.  This was my January 1st start this year!

The first of my two exchange pieces.  This was for the Russellville exchange in the summer.

The first of my BAP finishes.  This was a carryover from last year.  I love it still.

This is one that came out of the box o'shame and finally saw the light of day.

I don't know why it took me so long to finish this cutie.

The second ornament I finished stitching.  Now it's in the box o'shame waiting its turn.  Oh geese!

This sweet set will forever remind me of my first trip to the PALS retreat in Myrtle Beach!  What an awesome weekend that was in spite of that ole hurricane.

Another ornament stitched that's been living in the basket o'joy for literally years!  Love this one.

Yes, it's in the box o'shame now too.

Ah my second BAP finish and what a pretty one she is!  I really miss stitching on this one.  It was just that good.

And last but not least, the last exchange piece I did for the year.

That was fun, wasn't it?!  I guess that's one advantage to not being very prolific, you can see it all in one blog post and it doesn't go on forever.  LOL!

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Now for the WIPs (works in progress).  I'm only carrying forward four this year.  These are the ones I'm actively working on right now.  I could count old class pieces that are still unfinished but let's not get carried away.

This is I Sigh Not for Beauty.  I'm determined to just get on with it already!

Here's the first post I did on this one.  Geesh, way back in 2011!

I've actually stitched more on this one since this picture was taken.  This is on of Nora Corbett's Letters from Mermaids.  This was my second start of 2016!

This one I'm thinking I may put back in the WIP basket for a while.  For some reason I'm just not feeling the watermelon vibe in the winter.  This one is a "do-over."

This is one I've resurrected.  I was rooting around in the stash heap when I came across the bag where this has been hanging out since...ahem, 2013!  Yes, three years soon to be four!  It's the 2013 iStitch Advent SAL.  Apparently I got to day 8 and gave up.  I'm further now but I wanted to document where I started or I guess you'd say restarted this one.  I'm hoping I can get it done really soon!

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As for my New Year's stitching plans.  I'm not actually sure what I'm going to be working on yet.  I know there will be a new start tomorrow.  What it will be remains to be seen.  There are several I'm percolating over.  We shall see! Tell me what you intend to start on New Year's day.  I'd love to know!

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Well all, I hope you have a lovely New Year's Eve whatever you plan to do.  I plan to stay right where I am and probably stitch on something above.  I wish you all a safe evening if you fancy going out.  And I'll see you in 2017!

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

A Christmas Wish...

Hello Friends!  I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, if you celebrate.

To my Jewish friends, Happy Chanukah too.

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I hope this special day brings you all good things and much joy!

Peace to all,

The Inspired Stitcher

Two finishes...Heaven Above & an Ornament!

Dear friends I'm happy to report I've finally finished Heaven Above!  Yes, it's true.  I actually finished it Thanksgiving weekend.  I stitched on this all afternoon on Thanksgiving day and all the next two days to get it finished.  I was determined to get this one done before the end of November.  I was so pleased when I put that last stitch in it.  Let's have a look at it in all its glory!

Design: Heaven Above

Designer: Midsummer Night Designs

Fabric: 40ct. Sand

Floss: As charted

Started: 1/15/15

Finished: 11/25/16

To Be Framed...

Here's a close up picture of the top half.

Here's the bottom half.  There's supposed to be a butterfly in the lower right corner but I wanted to incorporate my initials and date there instead.  I actually added a small purple flower above the signature after this picture was taken.

I'm really pleased with this one.  It's super special to me because my dear friend, Susan gifted the chart to me after she finished stitching it last year.  I plan to keep the chart.  I'm thinking once I frame it I may put it in a pocket on the back along with a note telling its story.  It's just that special to me.  Thank you again, Susan!  You are so dear to me.

I had wanted to post about this sooner but I got really sick the Monday after Thanksgiving.  A trip to the ER diagnosed me with chest pains caused by pleurisy, which was scary enough, and then I came down with the Norovirus.  Yeah, chest pains with violent vomiting is nothing I want to repeat anytime soon.  Needless to say that took the rug out from under me for a week.  I was pretty worn out the whole next week too.  Thankfully, I'm absolutely fine now and feel back to my old self.  Whew, glad to be back in good health!

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Design:  Letter Sleds A to Z "QCSG"

Designer:  Foxwood Crossings

Fabric:  32ct. Belfast White

Floss:  DMC 817 & 699

Started:  12/2/16

Finished:  12/3/16

Completed:  12/4/16

My second finish I want to share today is this ornament I made for the annual guild Christmas party.  I was gifted this chart by Robin in Virginia.  Robin is such a dear sweet friend.  She's been there for me a lot this year.  I really cherish our friendship.  Someday I hope to meet Robin in person!  Waves to Robin.

I changed the original design a wee bit, so this is my adaptation.  The original says "NOEL" and is in more of a tag shape.  I decided to make mine more rectangular and use our guilds initials.  I hope the recipient liked it.  I think she may have gotten my ornament last year too.  I think it's so festive with the holly and berries border.  I can foresee myself using this chart a lot in the coming years.  It's a really versatile set of designs.

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I hope everyone is getting geared up for the big holiday weekend.  I'm as ready as I'm getting.  For some reason this year I've really been in the Christmas mood.  I feel like it's because of my illnesses at the beginning of the season.  I know that sounds odd but I feel like being sick was a reset button kind of thing for me.  It caused me to stop, slow down and really think about what's important in the grand scheme of things.  Anyone who knows me knows I'm full blast all the time, sometimes to my own detriment.  I'm always ten steps ahead of myself in my mind.  It feels good to step back and really be present and in the now.

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I want to thank you all for your friendships, your comments, your emails and just being you!  You bring me joy and I hope I do that for you too.  I hope your holiday is merry and bright!

With much love and hugs,

The Inspired Stitcher