2011 ...... the year of the WIP.........

Happy New Year all - wishing you the best of the best for 2011!

After a year of muddling along stitching a little of this and a little of that, and actually finishing very little, I have decided, along with a lot of others it would seem, that 2011 is going to be my year of the WIP!  Bold statement isn't it. lol

Don't for a minute think that I won't start anything new, in fact I have a few things I'm keen to rip into- think Vignette and the Tis the Season SAL - but I will also attempt to tidy up a few things that have been lurking for a few(or sometimes even 10+) years.  The first part of this plan is to locate and list all of the WIP's that I own.  This is a really scary thought, as they are lurking everywhere.  Being a Type 2 crafter, I have projects in bags and baskets in at least four different rooms of the house, so just finding them all will take some time.

I'm also sure that there are several things that I just don't love now like I did when I started them, so I think there might need to be a bit of a biff out/donate to charity/give away pile also.  That might seem like cheating, but I think I just need to cut my losses on some of the things that I am not feeling the love for anymore.

Thanks to Michelle for pointing me in this direction, a bit of motivation is at hand. A challenge - and of course another blog - should be the kick in the butt I need.

Top of the list will be the Stitching Round the Block pieces for Leanne(now done), Raewyn(almost done) and Janis, and then I will try and prioritise my list of UFO's.  I'm thinking I will put my list on a separate page on my blog, I don't think my sidebar could cope with this list!

Here is a little sneek peek of Raewyns block -  I love her fabrics and gorgeous Aurifil threads she has chosen.

Some projects need so little done on them it's almost ridiculous.  I made this little cushion(from a Country Threads magazine, I think) five years ago for a friends birthday, didn't finish it and ended up just buying her a gift.  For goodness sake, it only needs stuffed and the opening at the bottom stitched up - what is wrong with me!

 And there are others like this wrinkly piece The Potting Shed by Shepherds Bush, that need a lot of work.

I have a lot of small pieces of stitched up cross stitch that need made up into 'something', not sure whether to add them or not.   I probably will list them as they are mostly within my limited finishing skills to do something with them. lol.  I'm definitely not listing the finished big cross stitches waiting for framing as that is more a matter of the cost of framing them, than me needing to do any more to them!

I don't even mind if the WIP total at the end of the year isn't a lot less, would just be nice to finally finish some long neglected projects and then feel less guilty about starting new ones.

So hopefully, confessing all of this publicly will keep me on track - how many Works in Progress do you have?  Let me know if you plan on attacking your pile this year too.

Have a great day ............. happy stitching........... Nicky

Stitching my heart out

Hello -  How are things in your neck of the woods?   What a wonderful couple of days I've had - I'm making the most of all the rain we've been having and have been stitching my heart out.  Finally - it has been such a long time - the last stitches went into Leanne's Stitching Round the Block piece, here is a little sneak peek.  This is going back to Leanne and she is going to stitch her own Round Three.  Don't you love her colours? (Hi Leanne, it will go in post probably Friday when I go into town)  Now Raewyn, it's on to your gorgeous piece.............

And another long neglected project, A Gardener's Journal by Anni Downs.  I have completed some more stitcheries, but in my usual haphazard way, none of the blocks have all the stitcheries needed done, so no more piecing yet!  I believe the SAL deadline is March, when the girls are starting the next project, so better get my butt moving on this one too.  The new SAL project Chookyblue is organising looks tempting too .......

There have also been a few stitches into Virtues Sampler by LHN, below is a headless girl and a tree missing a branch, but progress all the same. Last time I photographed this, I think she had a head, but there was a very sad case of unpicking and restitching of the dress required. I hate it when that happens.

Believe it or not, there has even been a little stitching on some Butterfly Garden miniblocks, no pics yet though.   I think all this WIP stitching is to ease my guilt over signing up to stitch Vignette, the lovely new Mystery Block Quilt by Leanne Beasley. But really, how could I turn down starting a gorgeous new quilt of Leanne's when I already have two others of hers started??  Thankfully, I'm still waiting on the fabrics and threads ordered before Christmas, so that'll give me some time to work on a few other long suffering WIP's!

There's a brand new blog, Vignette in Stitches, for all those keen on stitching projects from Leanne's gorgeous new mag 'Vignette'.  Pop on over there and see what some of the girls have done already!  Thanks Perri for starting the blog and also to Ms Farmyard Crafts for tempting me into starting *another* project!  Didn't need much persuading though, did I?  Maree from Farmyard Crafts and I have something in common -  a very long list of WIP's - at least mine would be long if I finally finish making it.  AWIP list of WIP's! lol 

I think I really do need help - when I told her that she suggested I start something else! LOL

Can't thank you enough for the lovely comments about my SSCS and 6 Things swap goodies, I really appreciate you stopping by and reading and/or sharing your thoughts with me.  

Till next time, happy stitching to you ...........  Nicky

Exchange goodies sent by me

I thought I had better share some pics of the parcels I sent out for the two exchanges I participated in recently. First up, for Chookyblue's SSCS exchange I sent my gift to Alison/Cardygirl. I showed a pic of the ornament a couple of posts ago, and here is the main gift. This is Peace and Plenty, designed by Leanne Beasley. It is one I have wanted to stitch for a long time, and when I was sneaking around Cardygirls blog 'researching' I noticed she said her favourite colour was red, so I decided this was just the thing for her. I finished it onto a canvas(my first attempt at this, so please excuse all those staples on the back Alison).

Overall pretty pleased with the final result.

This is the handmade part of my gift to Pat for the 6 Things swap organised by Maree.  Pat doesn't have a blog I don't think, but is a member of the Club Quilt Narromine group, and boy oh boy she is very productive! Pat makes the most wonderful quilts, bags, runners, and lots more, so pop on over to their blog and check her work out. 

Something for the craft room was this little thread box, with a Lizzie Kate chart, the required threads, some buttons and some Thread Heaven(I love this stuff).

And I forgot to photograph the other bits and pieces - OOPS!  But they were, some fragrant soap, some Ferrero Rocher choccies, a book of scenic pics of NZ taken from the air, and a gingerbread house Christmas decoration.  I hope that Pat enjoys the goodies - I sure enjoyed gathering the bits and pieces for her parcel.

Well that is the end of swaps for the year for me - now I need to focus on Stitching Round the Block for Leanne. Raewyn and Janis...............and A Gardeners Journal..........and Butterfly Garden ..and Virtues Sampler .............and..............................well, you get the idea. lol

Exchange Spoils ......

 Not only did Christmas morning mean lots of lovely gifts from family, but I got to open my two exchange gifts received recently.  First up was the 6 Things exchange organised by Maree.  My swap was sent by Barbara/Aunty Bee, and it was stunning.  Don't you love this bag, designed by one of my fave designers Rosalie Quinlan, aren't the colours gorgeous. 

 And look at all the other goodies, beautiful scented soap, scorched almonds, the lovely needle case I opened when it all arrived, christmas crafty magazines, a cross stitch book and a stunning Heaven and Earth Designs chart.

   

These are not for the faint hearted!  Look closely at the stitch count - I kid you not - 351 x 495, and I think I counted over 90 different thread colours used!  Maybe it won't be finished before next Christmas. LOL

Thanks so much Barbara for all these goodies, you made my day!  And thanks to Maree for organising this fun swap for us all to enjoy.

Next up was the much anticipated SSCS organised by Chookyblue.  My swap came all the way from Maricarmen in Argentina.  I had already opened this lovely little ornament when my parcel arrived, isn't it sweet.

This handpainted Christmas card is beautiful - in soft colours on something like vellum I think.  I love it!

 

 And here is the little quilt Maricarmen made for me - in pretty Christmas colours.  Thanks so much Maricarmen for adding another lovely surprise to my Christmas Day. And of course a big thanks to Chookyblue for organising this fabulous swap.

I'll be back later in the day with some pics of the goodies I sent out for these two swaps.

I hope your Christmas was wonderful too, and that Santa was good to you too!

Be back soon, Nicky

Christmas Wishes .........

Merry Christmas

  Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season,

I hope you have a relaxing break and spend some quality

time with those you love.

I want to take this chance to thank everyone who finds themselves here, for reading, commenting, following,  and for some of the lovely friendships that are growing through comments, emails, exchanges and stitching together. 

While this year has sent some trials our way here on the farm, we are finishing 2010 on a positive note, with some great weather, healthy stock and a better forecast for returns for the current season.

It has been a fabulous first blogging year for me, I never could have imagined how much your friendship and the shared interest of stitching and all things crafty and/or Kiwi, would mean to me.  The inspiration and encouragement from other bloggers and stitchers all around the world is incredible, and I feel privileged to be reading about and seeing what is going on in your world too.

  So thankyou for your support through the tough times and for helping to celebrate the good times, and I am looking forward to what 2011 will bring. 

  I am going to spend some time reflecting on this year and thinking about what I want to achieve in 2011.

What are your dreams for 2011? 

Take care and Merry Christmas, Nicky

PS: I'll see you after Christmas with news of some swap parcels which are tempting me under the Christmas tree right now!  I promise I won't peep. lol

Fabulous Friday ..........

It feels like I haven't been here much lately......... so heres a bit of a catchup on the last couple of weeks.  My SSCS gift arrived with Cardygirl/Alison earlier in the month.  Here is a pic of the ornie I finished up for her. 

In breaking news my own SSCS gift from Maricarmen arrived in this mornings mail all the way from Argentina.  Excitement plus in my house right now!  However my camera battery is dead, so I will take some pics tonight when I get home from work.  My ornament is so cute and is on the tree already.  Thank you Maricarmen, I can't wait till Christmas Day now!  Thanks again Chookyblue for organising this brilliant swap!

And I also forgot to show a pic of my 6 Things swap which was sent off to the land of Oz.  This was the swap organised by Maree.

And then there was Queenstown.  We had a wonderful weekend with good friends who also have two girls the same age as ours.  Lots of boating and swimming, too much eating, but most of all lots of relaxing.  This is the view from the beautiful house we stayed in looking towards the town.

Down at the lake shore - yes, it was as cold as it looks in that water!

Hubbie about to take off on the "Mojo" behind the boat..... 

.........and still on after several circuits.  The general consensus was that the water was far too cold for skiing.

(Thanks A & S for a wonderful weekend)

Tonight is Friday Night Sew-In, and I've missed the last couple, so I'm really looking forward to this one.  I think I will get some more done on my Stiching Round the Block for Leanne and Raewyn.  Leannes is almost done, and Raewyns piece has arrived from Leanne late last week.  Why not head on over to Heidi's and sign up for some sewing time tonight??

I hope you've had a great week and that your Christmas plans are coming together for you. Thanks so much for stopping by today - I'll be back tomorrow with some FNSI progress and some pics of my SSCS parcel and ornie.

                                         Have a great day............Nicky

Exciting mail .....

Look what the mailman brought to me yesterday!  How exciting, my 6 Things swap organised by Maree has arrived.  My gifts are from Barbara, and they look very intriguing.  I have opened the one shown on top and found the cutest needlebook(something for the craftroom).  How did Barbara know that I adore paisley fabric??!?  I love it, thank you so much Barbara.  She even included a gift for each of the girls, who unlike their mother have placed their unopened gifts under the Christmas tree .  But I have put my other gifts under the tree and we'll see if they make it till Christmas.  Probably won't, patience is not my strong point!  Obviously I have Barbaras address on the parcel, but I can't find an email or blog address for Barbara to say thanks.  So if you happen to be reading this Barbara, please pretty please send me an email(on my sidebar) so I can thank you directly. 

Isn't this needlecase so cute...thank you Barbara!

My own 6 things swap was a bit late being sent, after Customs opening my SSCS parcel to Alison I have done a little more research about what I can and can't send to Oz, so hopefully my parcel will arrive to it's recipient next week.

Finally for today, these two cookies in a jar were last minute teacher gifts delivered by the girls to school today.  The inspiration for these cookie jars came from Shabby Art Boutique, where there have been lots of fab Christmas ideas recently.  This is the actual cookie jar link.  My very good intentions to stitch them a small gift have just not happened in the mad rush of the last few weeks.

Today is the last day of school for the year and I am so pleased, everyone is tired and crabby and ready for a break.  Life has been so crazy for the last few months, I keep thinking next week will be better, but it doesn't work out that way. lol   However, I am hoping that *next* week will finally be a little quieter.  I went to town and did most of my Christmas shopping yesterday, a big day, but great to have it done, since my helpers will be tagging along behind me after today.

We are heading away after school with friends for a couple of nights to Queenstown.  It will be great to unwind with a glass of wine(or two) and some R & R by the lake.

Thanks for stopping by today, and for the kind and thoughtful comments you leave, I love reading them, I am woefully behind in my blog reading, but will catch up on everyone when we're back next week.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, I'll catch you next week .................. Nicky