I Did It!

I can't believe it - I actually created a mosaic! I'm totally thrilled. It took about 10 minutes - I am NOT kidding 10 minutes - using this tutorial from Diary of a Flutter.Kat. It's not perfect because my hornbook in block 10 is cut off but not bad!

1. Jo Morton LW Club: Log Cabin Tabletopper, 2. Prairie Basket, 3. Lizzy's Little Quilt, 4. Amy's Choice, 5. 2010 $5 Quilt Finish, 6. DSC03611, 7. First Ornament Finish!, 8. Linen Schoolgirl Sewing Book, 9. Jenny Bean Halloween, 10. Primer Hornbook, 11. DSC03812, 12. Scarf for Chris, 13. The Age of Brass and Steam, 14. First Leaf Shawl, 15. Raindrops on Roses by IrishGirlieKnits

Lesson Learned: Sometimes things are not as hard as you think they might be!

These are my 2011 finishes. I'm counting the flimsy in block 5 as a finish. My most recent knitting finish isn't featured here because it's not been blocked or photographed. I'm still calling that one done because it's a HUGE project and it's on my goal list for the year. It's off the needles and that's a finish in my book.

Speaking of my 2011 Goals - here is my list as I wrote on Dec 31, 2010 in the black font and progress notes in red font were added today:

1. Grid and Grommet Bag - currently about half done Goal: finish it or ditch it

I went to throw this in the trash yesterday and just couldn't do it. I was very surprised by that.

2. $5 Quilt - currently 50% complete. Lots of applique left. Goal: progress

Finished the flimsy - see block #5 in my Flickr Mosaic above

3. Stitchers Garden Quilt - currently 75% complete Goal: finish the top

Progress made but no finish. I actually thought my goal for this one was progress.

4. Quakers and Quilts - currently 80% complete Goal: progress

I don't think I've touched this all year! I don't feel bad about it either!

5. Jenny Bean Halloween - currently 50% complete Goal: progress

Finished and framed. Block #9 above

6. Knit to Fit Sweater - currently 70% complete Goal: progress

Another one I haven't touched and feeling guilt free about it.

7. Per Terras (a/k/a the Albatross) - currently 80% complete Goal: finish it

Done - this is the one that needs to be blocked! Maybe then I'll quit calling it the Albatross.

8. Scarf for Chris - currently 60% complete Goal: finish it in February

Done. Flickr block #12. I blogged about it in January so I met the timeline.

9. Jo Morton's Prairie Basket - currently 50% complete Goal: finish

Done - Flickr block #2. This is the first/only experience with hand applique.

10. Jo Morton's Log Cabin Table Topper - currently 90% complete Goal: finish this week?

Done - Flickr block #1. Blogged about January 2 so I met the timeline.

11. Stacy Nash Peacock Pinkeep Drum and Linen School Girl Sewing Book - neither currently started as I'm waiting on my pre-stitching kit. Since I'm taking a class on this my hope is to finish these both in class with Stacy this month. Not sure that is realistic.

Both are finished! Flickr block #6 and #8

12. Scarf for Mom - not started but have yarn and pattern Goal: Progress

Done BUT I keep forgetting to give it to her. Flickr block #13 or #14 - her choice!

13. Try to do the finishing on an ornament. Goal: Learn a new skill

Done - Flickr block #7

I've surprised that I finished so much - much more than I did in 2010. I've always poopoo'd goal lists. Let's face it, I have more than enough deadlines at work. Perchance said goal list kept me a bit more focused normal? Hmmmm

I'd like to take a moment to thank Teresa who blogs at GirlWithNeedles for walking me through finishing my stitching projects. New things don't come easily to me and she held my hand though it all. It would be very remiss of me to not thank all of YOU for reading my little blog, for your comments, for your support and most of all for your friendship and inspiration! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

A Thank You and a Block Finish

Last week, I received a wonderful package in the mail from Becky. If you've never visited her blog, please do so. She is an amazing stitcher who finishes all her own projects. She has finished 500 smalls! Not only is she very talented with the needle but she's also very generous. Recently she decided to stitch and gift some of her favorite projects. I was fortunate to receive The Gathering Basket in the mail this past week. It's bigger than I thought it would be but I love that about it. I generally use my pincushions for pins and needles so the larger size really works. It makes me smile every time I look at it. Thank you Becky!

Yesterday, I finished up Block 5 of AotH - with the exception of the personalization which is why the roof isn't completely stitched. When I started this block, I didn't think I'd like the colors together. Was I wrong! The coloring isn't quite right here but I really like the Avocado color that looked so garish on it's own. I'm really enjoying this project!

The next block is on hold because I'm missing the thread for the borders. I don't think that much any stitching, knitting or quilting will be completed in the next week as I still have holiday prep to do. Wrapping, cooking, and maybe even a wee bit of shopping yet to do. Let's not forget work and possibly a business dinner next week. Wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday season!

Dreary Weekend

It's been a dreary gray weekend and I've had a cold. I missed 3 events I had scheduled - all of which I was looking forward to attending. No Christmas shopping which may be a bit of a stressor later. I've made peace about not sending Christmas cards this year. That was easy.

Some people can sit and knit, stitch or sew when they're ill - I'm just not one of those people. So most of the weekend has been spent sleeping and in my pjs. I managed to get my 4 Cotton Club blocks done late this afternoon by working a few minutes at a time.

Another horrible picture but it was dark. I'm loving these blocks as they come together but they do take a bit of time. I'm getting a bit better at piecing and making things work. And while my blocks will most likely never come out perfectly square - I'm getting a bit better at that too.

This week will be spent scrambling to get the shopping done I need to get done to put packages in the mail. I also need to come up with a label for something I started in September. Nothing like last minute! You know, I always say that I'm going to have a less hectic holiday season. It never happens. What has changed though is that each year I'm a bit less freaked out about what has to be accomplished. It always manages to get done! In the meantime, I'm going to pick up a book and the box of Kleenex and spend some time in front of the tv.

Raindrops on Raspberries

This is a finish I've been meaning to show you for a while. I just kept putting off getting it blocked because it's not my most favorite thing to do. If you're a knitter, do you like blocking?

Raindrops on Roses (Ravelry Link here)

Designer: IrishGirlieKnits

Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock

Colorway: Raspberry

Needles Size: 6 (I think)

Blocking the points didn't come out as well as I thought it would. Why, you ask?

Because I have a too tight bind off. I was running out of yarn...

I think I had 3 inches left!

Next time I block this project - which won't be any time soon, I'll go for a curvy look instead of trying to make points where there can't be any. Isn't the yarn delicious? I love this kind of semi-solid colorway. I love the pattern too and it's all thanks to JooLee (Ravelry link) who gifted me the pattern. A knitter I've never met by the way. The pattern is part of a sock kit club that won't be available to knitters outside the club until March 2012. I wasn't in the club and JooLee was. Thank you JooLee!

You may have noticed that I turned off any kind of comment moderation about six weeks ago. I did so after reading this post from Jody at Pleasant Home. I've had spam in the past - more than I would have expected - but I'm happy to report that I haven't had any problems since turning off comment moderation.

The year is coming to an end and I'm looking at my goal list for 2011 and thinking of 2012. I'll do a wrap up the year kind of post at the end of the year. I'm happy with what I accomplished on the list and won't feel a bit guilty at what I didn't. I'm hoping to get some things done yet too - one project to finish and one project to throw in the trash. Yep - trash! My stitches aren't all happy ones!

Off the Design Wall..

This quilt came off my design wall this weekend. It's been there since September. Friday was Elf Day at my LQS and I decided to make this my focus project for the day. It's all been sewn into rows and then I attached pairs of rows together. It's in 4 pieces so I've made major progress this weekend. I'm not going to say that it'll be finished this month but I'm hoping for a finish early next year. I've had to label each row to make sure I assemble it correctly.

I've got to find a better way to manage threads. When do you clip threads?

We've been busy with holiday preparations. Tree has been put up and some shopping accomplished. Lots more to do. It's going to be a crazy few weeks! Hoping you all have time for some happy stitches this week!