June Goals

Well, hopefully with Uni stuff winding up, I'm going to have a bit more free time. Well, that's the theory, but I feel that work will expand to fill the space, at least during the week.

I've also realised that one of the reasons I've not been drawn to stitching as much has been my vision - so I've changed the sort of contact lenses I wear, and I'm much happier. So goals for June will be more stitching oriented!

Finish:

• Zauber Socks - I'm ready to turn the heel on the first one. The yarn is amazing
• My Needle and Floss Comfort Me - it's more or less just the lettering to do. Keep looking at my blog for details of the draw to pass the pattern on
• Box of Chalks Afghan - either 13 or 19 blocks to do, plus a border. If I say it quickly, it doesn't sound a lot!

Finish UFO:

•  Lizzie*Kate Round Robin - Lizzie*Kate - this was a RR that came back to me barely started, and I've added the blocks sporadically ever since, there's only one to do, plus buttons to add.

Start and Finish:

• A gift for my a personal exchange - can't talk about it, the recipient reads my blog :o)
• Alphabet piece for exchange

Frame or Have Framed

• Bee Merry - Victoria Sampler
• Bee Mine - Victoria Sampler
• Bee Joyful - Victoria Sampler - let's give these another go on the list!
• Bathroom Plaque - Toadstool Tapestries - this needs reframing after getting grubby
• June - Shepherd's Bush - well, it is the actual month, surely I should/could do this?

Finishing:

• Country Cottage - I want to make this into a cushion for my niece.
• Bless The Breeze - SanMan Originals - it would be good to do a summer piece actually in summer!

Giveaway:

• June Biscornu and Fob Chart - this is done, I'm going to post it at the weekend.
• Get previous things posted out

Fundraising:

•  £15 for the MS Trust - this would mean I reach my target for the year!

 Fingers crossed!

May Goals

My goal for the month is just to get through! May is awful in terms of the commitments I have - two family birthdays, and then all the assessment for my Uni courses. And to add to the stress, I'm looking for a new job - I didn't get the previous one I applied for, but I have an interview for another job tomorrow, which is more money and in walking distance of where I live - it's about 20 minutes stroll away, and another 5 minutes takes me to the quilt shop. If I got the job, it would be dangerous at lunchtimes...

May Goals

Finish:

• Chevron Socks 2 - I'm halfway down the foot on the second, so it shouldn't take long
• My Needle and Floss Comfort Me - it's more or less just the lettering to do. Keep looking at my blog for details of the draw to pass the pattern on
• You Shall Be Queen Afghan - the border

Finish UFO:

•  I'm going to give this a miss this month.

Start and Finish:

• A gift for my favourite tutor - I've designed it myself. There's two parts, one of which I may share on my blog.
• Early Christmas ornament for exchange

Frame or Have Framed

• Bee Merry
• Bee Mine
• Bee Joyful

Finishing:

• Country Cottage - I want to make this into a cushion for my niece.

Giveaway:

• May Biscornu and Fob Chart - this is done, I'm going to post it at the weekend.
• Get previous things posted out

Fundraising:

•  £20 for the MS Trust - it would be amazing if I could get £27, because then I would get my target, but mustn't be greedy!

Right, let's see how I get on with these!

April Goals

Finish UFOs:

• Lizzie*Kate Round Robin - Lizzie*Kate
• Passing Time - DMC (Little Suzi's Zoo)

Finish:

• Chevron Socks 2 
• You Shall Be Queen Afghan
• My Needle and Floss Comfort Me - Waxing Moon

Start and Finish:

• F is for Friend (Prairie Schooler ABC SAL)

Frame or have Framed:

• June
• Sow Kind Seeds
• Morning Song
• Bee My Honey Bee

Giveaway:

• April Biscornu & Fob Design
• Easter Biscornu & Fob Design
• Get previous giveaways mailed out

Fundraising:

•  £20 for the MS Trust

The good news is that next weekend, I am away with some of my knitting group for a retreat to deepest, darkest Shropshire, so hopefully, I will get the knitting goals achieved there.

March Goals

Finish UFOs:

• Mouse About The House
• Bless The Baby

Finish:

• Chevron Socks 2 - these are going to be a Mother's Day present (in the UK, Mother's Day is in March)
• Chevron Socks

Start and Finish:

• Hooked on Exchanges LHN/CCN Exchange
• One quilt block 
• F is for Friend (Prairie Schooler ABC SAL)
• 20 Innocent Smoothie Hats

Frame or have Framed:

• June
• Sow Kind Seeds
• Morning Song
• Bee My Honey Bee

Giveaway:

• March Biscornu & Fob Design
• St Patrick's Day Biscornu & Fob Design

Fundraising:

•  £20 for the MS Trust

I also need to get my previous giveaways mailed out ...

Edited to add:

• My Needle and Floss Comfort Me

Fingers crossed...

February Review

Well, here in my part of the UK, we seem to have missed the big storms that have battered our European neighbours, and March is coming in like a lamb ... and the lighter mornings are making me feel so much better, fingers crossed for a great Spring!

February is always a busy month for me, although it has got easier in recent years, as I'm no longer working in an industry which scheduled three major trade shows in the late January/February period. I still have to fit in three celebrations, including my birthday, and of course, the start of the new University semester! However, I managed to do a reasonable number of my goals:

Sew charms onto:

• Bee Joyful - done!
• Bee Merry - done!

Finish:

• Bless The Baby - not done
• D is for Drum - done!
• February Scissor Fob - done!
• Sew Red for Your Heart Exchange - done!
• Ripple Wave Socks - sort of done. I ripped these back and cast on again using the yarn for a different pattern, and one sock is complete and the other well on its way.

Start and Finish:

• February Biscornu - done!
• 28 Innocent Smoothie Hats - 18 done!
• One quilt block- not done. I have a huge mental block when it comes to this quilt...

Frog or Finish:

• Colonnade Wrap - done! - well, the frogging part!

Frame or have Framed:

• Bathroom Plaque - not done
• Alphabet Sampler - not done
• Bee My Honey Bee - not done

Giveaway:

• One to celebrate my birthday! - not done. I need to catch up on mailing the other giveaways I've had before I have another one...

Fundraising:

•  £20 for the MS Trust - not done. Donations for the month totalled £8.00, for which I'm grateful. I had secretly hoped for more, as I sent out over 60 copies of the Valentine Biscornu pattern and over 25 copies of the February Biscornu one, as well as some other designs, but I guess times are hard, and I mustn't get greedy.

Not scheduled, but done:

• FTT Exchange Piece
• February Block Flip It - Lizzie*Kate (Year of the UFO)
• Happy Bunny Bunny Day - The Trilogy (Year of the UFO)
• Blue Tit - Cross Stitcher (Year of the UFO)
• Liberty Print Miniature - Liberty (Year of the UFO)
• The White House - Rowandean (Year of the UFO)
• Holly Berry Sampler - Bent Creek (Year of the UFO)
• Country Cottage - Jolly Red (Year of the UFO)
• E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler 

Some of the above only needed buttons, or a few stitches, but it looks impressive, doesn't it? :o) They will be blog fodder for the next week or so ...

Framed/taken to the framer:

• Wooly Zipper - Bent Creek (Year of the UFO) (Framed)
• Hearts Sampler - Heart in Hand (Year of the UFO) (Framed)
• Do Well The Little Things - Moira Blackburn - taken to the framer for re-framing.

Onwards and upwards...

February Goals

Well, if there was a groundhog in my garden yesterday (not likely, they don't live in the UK!) it would have seen it's shadow in the morning. And then at teatime, it started snowing... there's not much, but looks like winter isn't over ...

So, what better to contemplate getting through a wintry month than my stitching and knitting goals? Here's what I want to achieve in February:

Sew charms onto:

• Bee Joyful
• Bee Merry

Finish:

• Bless The Baby
• D is for Drum
• February Scissor Fob
• Sew Red for Your Heart Exchange
• Ripple Wave Socks

Start and Finish:

• February Biscornu
• 28 Innocent Smoothie Hats
• One quilt block

Frog or Finish:

• Colonnade Wrap

Frame or have Framed:

• Bathroom Plaque
• Alphabet Sampler
• Bee My Honey Bee

Giveaway:

• One to celebrate my birthday!

Fundraising:

•  £20 for the MS Trust

Review of the Year

This was another busy year! My work hours increased on a regular basis to 24 hours a week, and I have another little freelance gig on the side. The marks in my Uni classes now count towards my final degree classification, so I'm also taking them a little more seriously. Fortunately, I didn't have a major MS flare or other spell of illness, so all in all, I seem to be managing!

I'm still entranced more by knitting than stitching at the moment, and I appear to have discovered that designing cross stitch is as much fun as stitching it - and an awful lot easier to 'frog'!

Anyway, so I can wipe the lists from the sidebars and start with my "Year of the UFO" project, here is what I completed in 2009:

Stitching Finishes

• 30. B is for Blackbird - Prairie Schooler - 28/12
• 29. C is for Cow - Prairie Schooler - 24/12
• 28. Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio - 06/12
• 27. Sew Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler - 04/12
• 26. Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand 22/09
• 25. Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand 22/09
• 24. Sew and Sew - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin 10/09
• 23. Derbyshire - Heritage Stitchcraft 27/08
• 22. E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler 23/08
• 21. Neat Country Stuff - Homespun Elegance 22/08
• 20. A Little Sea Bathing - The Sampler Girl 21/08
• 19. Home is Best - Lizzie*Kate 29/07
• 18. Antique Hearts Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush 13/07
• 17. Quaker Strawberry - Blackbird Designs 30/06
• 16. Petites Lettres Rouges - Blackbird Designs 26/04
• 15. Holly Berry Sampler - Bent Creek 13/04
• 14. The Squirrel - Full Circle Designs 13/04
• 13. Sheep in the Meadow - Shepherd's Bush 13/04
• 12. Spring Keeper 2 - The Drawn Thread 26/03
• 11. Spring Keeper 1 - The Drawn Thread 22/03
• 10. Quaker Bird - With My Needle 15/03
• 9. Quaker Swan - With My Needle14/03
• 8. Spring - Prairie Schooler 15/02
• 7. Valentine Flip It - Lizzie*Kate 09/02
• 6. Bloom Where You Are Planted - The Victoria Sampler 08/02
• 5. Fredde's Bookmark 07/02
• 4. Oh Christmas Tree - Prairie Schooler 29/01
• 3. All You Need Is Love - The Drawn Thread 25/01
• 2. Heart Throb - The Drawn Thread 20/01
• 1. How Does Your Garden Grow? - Lizzie*Kate 20/01

I would be hard pressed to name a favourite amongst these, but I think it would be a Prairie Schooler. I have a new obsession!

Finishing Finishes

• 37. Purple Penguin - Casey Buonaugurio - Ornament - 06/12
• 36. Sow Dry, Set Wet - Prairie Schooler - Floss Tag - 4/12
• 35. Trick or Treat - Lizzie*Kate - Mini Pillow 16/10
• 34. Autumn Leaves Fob - Heart in Hand - Floss Tag 22/09
• 33. Fall Needleroll - Heart in Hand - Needleroll 22/09
• 32. Sew and Sew - Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin - Needlebook 16/09
• 31. Happy Stitching - Elizabeth's Designs - Pinkeep 02/08
• 30. E is for Embroidery - Prairie Schooler - Pincushion 23/08
• 29. A Little Sea Bathing - The Sampler Girl - Pinkeep 21/08
• 28. Hardanger Motif - Mary Hickmott - MP3 Cosy 20/08
• 27. Amethyst - Classic Embroidery - Scissor Pouch 01/05
• 26.French Country IV Pumpkin - JBW Designs - Framed 02/08
• 25. Easter Cracker Sampler - Bent Creek - Framed 02/08
• 24. Bird in Tree - Historic Needlework Guild 02/08
• 23. Alphabet Ribbon Sampler - Historic Needlework Guild 02/08
• 22. Winter - Trail Creek Farm - Scissor Fob 02/08
• 21. Miniature Sampler - Cathy Bussi - Pinkeep 02/08
• 20. Hardanger Square - Mary Hickmott - Pinkeep 02/08
• 19. A Merry Tree for Thee - Full Circle Designs - Pinkeep 02/08
• 18. Home is Best - Lizzie*Kate - Pinkeep 31/07
• 17. Antique Hearts Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush - Needleroll 13/07
• 16. Quaker Strawberry - Blackbird Designs - Strawberry 06/07
• 15. The Squirrel - Full Circle Designs - Bourse 19/04
• 14. Sheep in the Meadow - Shepherd's Bush - Bookmark 13/04
• 13. Spring Keeper - The Drawn Thread - Floss Tag 26/03
• 12. Spring Keeper - The Drawn Thread - Scissor Fob 26/03
• 11. Quaker Bird - With My Needle - Scissor Fob 15/03
• 10. Quaker Swan - With My Needle - Pincushion 15/03
• 9. Spring - Prairie Schooler - 28/02
• 8. Bloom Where You Are Planted - The Victoria Sampler - Biscornu 09/02
• 7. September Sampler Accent - Periwinkle Promises - Mini Pillow 08/02
• 6. Flower Garden - Pincushion 08/02
• 5. Rose Garden - Pincushion 08/02
• 4. A Maze Garden - Pincushion 08/02
• 3. All You Need is Love - The Drawn Thread - Mattress Pincushion
• 2. Heart Throb - The Drawn Thread - Scissor Fob
• 1. How Does Your Garden Grow? - Lizzie*Kate - Pillow

 New-to-me finishes this year were floss tags and bourses. I love how reading blogs gives so much information and inspiration!

• 42. Pink Sparkly Legwarmers - 19/12
• 41. Kaffe Fassett Socks - 13/12
• 40. Mini Cable Rib Hot Water Bottle Cover - 13/12
• 39. Garter Rib Hot Water Bottle Cover - 12/12
• 38. Tardis Dishcloth - 11/12
• 37. Mum's Christmas Socks - 26/11
• 36. Narvik Beret - 22/11
• 35. Cable Hot Water Bottle Cover - 15/11
• 34. Cortina Socks - 14/11
• 33. Chunky Wristwarmers 3 - 14/11
• 32. Chunky Beret - 13/11
• 31. Chunky Wristwarmers 2 - 12/11
• 30. Waterfall Scarf 2 - 10/11
• 29. Simple Man Slippers - 31/10
• 28. Chunky Wristwarmers - 24/10
• 27. Waterfall Scarf - 24/10
• 26. Tonks Socks - 17/10
• 25. Innocent Smoothie Hats x 74
• 24. Mini Cable Socks - 02/10
• 23. Blanket Buddy 2 - Lion Brand - 19/09
• 22. Blanket Buddy 1 - Lion Brand - 18/09
• 21. New England Stole - 17/09
• 20. Striped Baby Mitts - Sirdar - 30/08
• 19. Striped Baby Bootees - Sirdar - 29/08
• 18. Poetry Society Letter - 29/08
• 17. Striped Baby Hat - Sirdar - 26/08
• 16. Striped Baby Sweater - Sirdar 11/08
• 15. Clapotis - Kate Gilbert 07/08
• 14. Elongated Corded Rib Socks 29/07
• 13. Hourglass Dishcloth 13/07
• 12. Feather and Fan Scarf 25/06
• 11. Welt Fantastic Socks 20/05
• 10. Bubby Rabbit 10/05
• 9. Garter Rib Socks 25/04
• 8. Corded Rib Socks 08/04
• 7. Regia Stretch Wool Socks 26/03
• 6. Golden Luna Moth Shawl 22/03
• 5. Wool Cotton Socks 28/02
• 4. Speedy Cable Beret - Pink 07/02
• 3. Kiri Shawl 07/02
• 2. Luna Moth Shawl 15/01
• 1. Opal Plain Socks 13/01

I think 2009 can be called "The Year of the Sock". In 2008, I knit my very first pair, and now I have a basketful - and my friends and family are beginning to get them as gifts too. I also knit a number of accessories, which I am wearing with pride now the weather is chilly!

So, how does 2009 compare to other years?

2009 - stitching finishes 30, finishing finishes 37, knitting finishes 42. Total = 109
2008 - stitching finishes 65, finishing finishes 59, knitting finishes 25. Total = 149
2007 - stitching finishes 58, finishing finishes 55, knitting finishes 0. Total = 113

Okay, so it's down, but this year, I've finished some big projects, I've started having my pieces professionally framed, and I've blogged more - a lot more. So I'm happy.


Now to tackle the project for 2010 - The Year of the UFO!

October Review and November Goals

My October goals were simple, and I'm pleased to say I managed to achieve most of them.

• Finish the Mini Cable Socks - YES, DONE!
• Start Through The Loops Mystery Sock KAL - YES, kept up to part 3 (heel turn) need to finish them now!
• Knit more Smoothie Hats - YES, 74 DONE!
• Finish HoE's Hallowe'en Exchange Piece - YES, DONE!
• Finish one UFO - NO :o( - I've misplaced the chart, again!
• Start one kit - YES - well, it's a chart I've kitted up

I also managed to:

• Start and finish the 'Tonks' Socks
• Start a Christmas pair of socks for my friend J
• Knit another Kaffe Fassett yarn sock for me
• Start and finish a 'Waterfall' Scarf
• Start and finish a pair of wrist warmers
• Start and finish a pair of slippers for The Hermit

You can see how much my crafting is moving towards knitting these days... I think I need to hang out with more stitchers in real life...

Anyway, my goals for November:

• Finish the Through the Loops KAL socks
• Finish the Christmas socks for J
• Finish the second sock of the Kaffe Fassett pair for me

(I reckon this is a sock a week - eminently do-able)

• Finish the ornament for the Friends Through Threads exchange
• Finish a UFO
• Finish She Gathers
• Start and finish the item for the Year Long Prairie Schooler Exchange

I'm hoping to achieve more than this, as one weekend is our SnB's retreat to Castleton, but we shall see...

September Review and October Goals

These were my goals for September:

• Friends Through Threads Exchange -DONE - I stitched part of a Mary Garry freebie, and got creative with the finishing...
  
• Hooked on Exchanges Fall Needleroll Exchange - DONE. I can't reveal what I stitched, as it hasn't yet arrived, but I loved working on it, and stitched a matching Floss Tag, too!
  
• Stitch on one kitted chart - this will be She Gathers, by 4 My Boys - NO, didn't even pull the floss
  
• Stitch on one UFO - NO
  
• Stitch on one kit - NO
  
• Knit more smoothie hats for The Big Knit - YES, I've knitted over 60 little hats now, I'm going to do some more before mailing next week.
  
• Work on the New England Stole - YES - I finished this, it's more a wrap than a stole
  
• Keep to a stash diet - buying only threads and trims needed for the pieces I'm working on - SORT OF. I didn't buy any stitching stuff, but there was a craft fair last weekend and I got yarn for four more pairs of socks at bargain prices, so ...

I managed also to:

• Work on my Mini Cable Socks - I'm on the foot of the second one
• Make Bunny Blanket Buddy 1
• Make Bunny Blanket Buddy 2

With tiredness and evenings getting darker, I'm knitting more than I'm stitching. A lot more. And I feel guilty about it, which is ridiculous!After all, I could knit before I could sew, and it's not like I'm spending my time vegged out in front of the TV, or getting roaring drunk or terrorising little old ladies ...

My October goals are simple:

Finish the Mini Cable Socks
Start Through The Loops Mystery Sock KAL
Knit more Smoothie Hats
Finish HoE's Hallowe'en Exchange Piece
Finish one UFO
Start one kit

I've just looked at my calendar, and my schedule is stupidly busy - the new semester has started and there's a local arts festival happening which is going to consume a lot of my work time. Oh well, I'm lucky to be in the position of having a job I like, which fits around my study - which I love - and to have the abilities and stash that I do. In the very British phrase ... "mustn't grumble"!

August Review and September Goals

here are my goals for August:

• Clapotis - Kate Gilbert - I finished this and felt less than enthusiastic about it. Until I actually started wearing it. The fabric drapes wonderfully, and it's just right in terms of warmth. A friend even spotted me the other day because she was drawn to the Clapotis first ...
  
• Mini Cable Socks - I'm on the foot of the first one, but I've just realised - just as I'm supposed to be shaping the toe - that I've made the foot narrower than it should be. I need to check whether they will still fit, as 4 stitches off could be too many.
  
• Neat Country Stuff - Homespun Elegance - Happy Happy Dance! It's done! It's even at the framer's. I found a nice frame at a charity shop, again, and the framer is going to stretch it and cut a mount .
  
• Striped Baby Sweater - Sirdar - Finally sewn up. My estimate of an hour was rather optimistic - it took six goes to fit in one sleeve!
  
• The Big Knit - Smoothie Bottle Hats - I'm working on these in odd moments, as a little hat takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, including sewing up.
  
• Poetry Society Letter - completed, blocked and ready to mail
  
• By The Sea Exchange - mailed and received
  
• Prairie Schooler Exchange - mailed and received
  
• Birthday something for The Hermit. This did turn out to be an MP3 sleeve, as the player itself could not be attached to a lanyard although to be fair, I used a piece I'd already stitched.
  

I had quite a productive month, as I also completed:

• Several Beaded Scissor Fobs, to give away with future exchanges
• Striped Baby Hat 
• Striped Baby Mitts
• Striped Baby Bootees - can you see a theme? My friend for whose baby I've made these for is known for being a fan of stripey things!
• Derbyshire - Heritage Stitchcraft. Happy Happy HAPPY Dance! This was one of my oldest UFOs. I know I bought it on  visit to my parents when I was living at the other end of the country. I've babaeen back here for 11 years, I bought it at least 2 or 3 before then! I can't say it was the most enjoyable thing I've ever stitched - Heritage kits have a lot of unusual fractionals in them - and it's not really my style. I think I bought it because I was homesick...

I also had a Finishing Weekend, where I completed the following, which can all be seen earlier in my blog:

• French Country IV Pumpkin - JBW Designs - framed by me so it's now ready to display
  
• Easter Cracker Sampler - Bent Creek - also framed
• Bird in Tree - Historic Needlework Guild - made into a pinkeep
  
• Alphabet Ribbon Sampler - Historic Needlework Guild - another pinkeep, which I then sent to  stitching friend
  
• Winter - Trail Creek Farm - Scissor Fob, just for a change
  
• Miniature Sampler - Cathy Bussi - Pinkeep - this dates back to 1996, so it deserved to be finished into something!
  
• Hardanger Square - Mary Hickmott - what a surprise, I made this into a pinkeep, with fabric underneath the design to show off the voids
  
• A Merry Tree for Thee - Full Circle Designs - I made this into another pinkeep!
  
•  Merry Stitching - Elizabeth's Designs - why break the habit, yes, you've guessed it, I finished this as a pinkeep too!

Actually, I'm astonished at what I achieved last month, although I admit I did take a week's break from working. This month is not going to be anywhere near as productive, as work is going to be very hectic, I have taken on another freelance role and there will be some training for that, plus the new semester at University starts. I will need to do some crafting, just to keep my sanity, but apart from exchange and charity deadlines, I'm going to concentrate on the process, not the results ...

Goals for September:

• Friends Through Threads Exchange - I know what I'm going to stitch, just need to get cracking!
• Hooked on Exchanges Fall Needleroll Exchange - still planning this one. I have a couple of Shepherd's Bush charts that would do, but they aren't quite right ...
• Stitch on one kitted chart - this will be She Gathers, by 4 My Boys
  
• Stitch on one UFO
  
• Stitch on one kit
• soKnit more smoothie hats for The Big Knit
• Work on the New England Stole
  
• Keep to a stash diet - buying only threads and trims needed for the pieces I'm working on

Hopefully, this will see me through some potentially stressful moments ahead!

August Goals and July Results

I'm going to make the most of my summer break from Uni, and I've set myself some goals for the month. I'd like to finish most of the projects in my "Current Projects" pile, which includes some charity knitting. I've also got a couple of exchanges coming up, and let's not forget it's The Hermit's birthday!

So, here are my goals for August:

• Clapotis - Kate Gilbert - more than half done, it's fairly mindless knitting
  
• Mini Cable Socks - I'm about halfway down one leg
  
• Neat Country Stuff - Homespun Elegance - I have some frogging to do on this, grr!
  
• Striped Baby Sweater - Sirdar - To sew up. It's a job that will take well under an hour, but I keep putting it off!
  
• The Big Knit - Smoothie Bottle Hats - I'll fit these in and around my other stuff
  
• Poetry Society Letter - this should be a couple of evenings work
• By The Sea Exchange - I've chosen the piece I want to stitch, I've sorted out the goodies, so I just need to stitch it!
• Prairie Schooler Exchange
• Birthday something for The Hermit. Don't say anything to him, but I'm thinking of getting him a new MP3 player, so it may be an MP3 cosie I make!
  

July was a busy month workwise, but I think I managed to do a reasonable amount of crafting to keep me sane.

• Christmas in July Exchange - the finishing on this took a long time, but was worth it!
• Summer House Exchange - just got in under the wire
  
• Antique Needleroll - Shepherd's Bush - another finish for my smalls baskets
• Hourglass Dishcloth - surprisingly pretty
• Smoothie Bottle Hats - 15 complete
• Elongated Corded Rib Socks - I gave this to my mum for her birthday. They are prettier than the name suggests.
• Scissor Fobs - I've completed two, and another two just need tying to the fixings.

I guess another August goal is to get up to date with all my pictures of finished objects!

A free weekend!

I've just looked in my diary - and I have nothing to do this weekend! Well, okay, I have the usual chores, and probably The Hermit and I will have breakfast or lunch out at some point, but other than that - I'm free!

So - what to do, what to do? Do I try and make a head start on upcoming exchanges? Do I finish off one or more of my current projects, especially as a couple are close to finishing? Do I dig out a UFO? Do I start a totally new project? Decisions, decisions ...



Actually, I don't think I'm going to do any of the above. I went into our local framers this week - to talk about cutting a new mount for an old sampler - and I'm inspired to not only try him out as a framer (I usually frame my own stuff, but I've got a heap of stuff that isn't an 'off the peg' size) but to get some of my own framing and finishing done and displayed.

And now I've said that in public, I have to do it, right?

Normal Service Has Been Resumed ... and May Goals Review

I'm sorry I've been so quiet, but between work-work and university work, I've been very busy and when I've had a spot of free time, I seem to have wanted to do nothing but chill out. I've barely picked up a needle!

Anyway, all my Uni deadlines have been met, exams taken, and I get my results at the end of the week. And work is going well, too - I secured some more projects, and organising those has been a bit time consuming, but it will be worth it. I've had to work a few more hours the last couple of weeks, to catch up from the weeks where I worked fewer hours to accommodate my Uni stuff, but hopefully, from now on I can do my usual 24 hours a week and have some time to myself :o)

I have been reading blogs, even if I haven't been commenting, and I've really enjoyed seeing other people having finishes and having fun :o)

I didn't have many goals for May:

• Birthday Card for The Tot (my niece) - I made this with craft foam, it looked not bad
  
• Birthday Gift for The Tot - I knitted a small rabbit
  
• Birthday Card for Dad - nope, he had a store bought one this year :o(
  
• Block for Patchwork Quilt - nope.
  
• Pair of Socks - done!

So - not too bad. But two family birthdays in a tough month for Uni stuff (and it will be for another three years) is either going to need better planning from me, or learning to live with the guilt!

I didn't make goals for June, which is just as well, as I haven't really achieved much so far!

May 2009 Goals

My May goals are few, because I have quite a lot of University work on:

• Birthday Card for The Tot (my niece) - I may make this with felt
  
• Birthday Gift for The Tot
• Birthday Card for Dad
• Block for Patchwork Quilt
• Pair of Socks - already on the needles!

My niece's birthdya is next weekend, and I have a cunning plan ...

These are my goals for Uni until the end of the semester (12 June):

• 300 word article for new faculty newsletter - due Tuesday!
  
• 6 minute multi media project, to play as a DVD - due Wednesday!
  
• 2000 word commentary and critical analysis of the above - due Wednesday!
  
• 1000 word reflective learning piece on museum project and presentation
• revision and preparation for examination
• 2000 word essay on Romanticism

So, if you see me online much in the next month, and you think I may be getting distracted, do tell me to get back to work!

April Review

I actually managed to stitch a bit in April - yay! Here are my goals:

• Woodland Exchange - DONE - it's been received, so I will post pictures shortly.

• Baa - The Bold Sheep - Cushion Cover - NO - I had some fabric picked out, and then found some more, and now I can't make a decision!

• Bookmark Exchange - DONE - I'm waiting to hear that it's been received, it should have got there by now :o/

• Courthouse Steps Quilt Block - NO - I'm really struggling to get back to the quilt, I don't know why, as I love the colours.

• Log Cabin Quilt Block - NO

• Moonshadow Sampler - Shepherd's Bush - NO. This was in my UFO pile, and on bringing it out again, I have decided that I don't want to finish it. I was wondering, if I put it up for a drawing if any one would be interested?

• Pair of Socks - DONE - my first socks which weren't just plain stocking stitch! These were in a corded rib stitch
  

I also managed to finish

• Pair of Socks - knitted in a bamboo yarn, and garter rib pattern. Like the style, not so sure about the yarn.
  

• Petites Lettres Rouges - Blackbird Designs - for the freebie competition on the blog. I didn't win, but I had a lot of fun stitching the piece.

• Holly Berry Sampler - Bent Creek - this just needs the buttons stitching on, and they are on order.
  

So, all in all, not too shabby a month. And I'm getting caught up on posting to this blog too, which is even better - thank you everyone who reads, and especially those who leave feedback, it's always nice to have your opinions - and praise :o)

March 2009 Goals and Results

These were my March goals:

• Winter Quaker Exchange - DONE - I stitched a pincushion and matching fob
  
• Drawn Thread Exchange - DONE - I stitched a scissor fob and thread tag
  
• Mother's Day Card - NOT DONE - Ma got a purchased card this year!
  
• Mother's Day Gift - NOT DONE - Ma got a couple of T-shirts for an uncoming holiday, something she could use, and I think she actually preferred that. My Ma is very practical!
  
• Dresden Plate Quilt Block - NOT DONE - this quilt is just not happening :o(
  
• Lizzie*Kate Round Robin - Lizzie*Kate - NOT DONE - this isn't one that needs posting, it is to fill in a block on one that was returned to me incomplete.
  
• 31 March - Pair of Socks - DONE

In addition, I finished another shawl on the knitting retreat I organised - it's HUGE!

February 2009 Goals and Results

These were my goals for February:

• Follow Your Heart - Lizzie*Kate - Wallhanging - I was going to 'finish' this into a wall hanging, but it didn't get done. The fabric has been chosen and cut, though!
  
• Pair of Socks - DONE - These were made from yarn I got at Christmas, so I'm pleased about that!
  
• Biscornu Exchange - DONE
• Neat Country Stuff - Homespun Elegance - this is now definitely a UFO!
  
• Prairie Schooler Exchange - DONE
• Wild Goose Chase Quilt Block - no. I have been invited by the quilt shop owner to her drop in sessions though, so I'm hoping to get some work done soon!
  
• Winter into Spring - The Drawn Thread - no, although it is all kitted up!

However, it wasn't all bad, though, I did get these other items done:

• Kiri Shawl - you can see this in one of the posts below.
• Chunky Cable Beret - a project that caused me more problems than the shawl!
• 3 pincushions - made up from some 'rescued' stitched pieces
• September Sampler Accent - made into a mini pillow
• Bookmark for a birthday gift
• Valentine Flip It - Lizzie*Kate - stitched and ready to frame

I don't think I did too badly, especially as that month my hours at work were increased, and I had my birthday and the related celebrations...

January Review and February Goals

I had quite a productive January:

Goals:

• Lizzie*Kate Exchange - DONE - this has been received by Chris, but I haven't yet blogged about it!
  
• Luna Moth Shawl - DONE - I'm so sad about this. I sent it t my best friend for her birthday, and it appears to have been lost in the mail :o(
  
• Valentine's Exchange - DONE - this has been mailed, but hasn't yet arrived. I'm not worried about this one yet, as it had a way to travel.
  
• O Christmas Tree - Prairie Schooler - DONE - this was my UFO piece for January, and I'm so pleased with it. Photos will follow.
  
• Pair of Socks - DONE - nice and warm and cosy they are too!
  
• Tumbling Blocks Quilt Block - I've pieced blocks themselves, but have decided I need some new fabric for the backing so I'm waiting on a trip to the quilt shop.
  
• Winter Peace - Sisters and Best Friends - Wallhanging - no, I haven't done this bit of finishing yet either.

Other stuff done:

• Heart Throb Scissor Fob by The Drawn Thread. And I even made it up and stuffed it too!

February Goals:

• Follow Your Heart - Lizzie*Kate - Wallhanging - I'd like to make this up as a Valentine gift for The Hermit, as his heart lead him from Canada to the UK :O)
  
• Pair of Socks - WIP - these are being knit in a new to me yarn, and I've already posted a progress pic.
  
• Biscornu Exchange - WIP - this is coming along well, I'm working both sides at the same time, which is helping with motivation!
  
• Neat Country Stuff - Homespun Elegance - I really, really, really want to finish this, it's been hanging around too long!
  
• Prairie Schooler Exchange - I still haven't decided what to stitch for this yet. Oh well, I'm sure inspiration will come.
  
• Wild Goose Chase Quilt Block
• Winter into Spring - The Drawn Thread - this is a piece just for me.
  

Shawly Not?

Okay, when the local department store is selling mohair mix yarn for £0.69 (less an a dollar/euro) per ball, and when friends at your SnB group have made gorgeous shawls out of a similar yarn, well, you've just got to get some yarn and try, haven't you? Especially when it's a dear friend's big 4-0 birthday coming up too and you think a lacey shawl would make a suitable gift for her.

But do you know how many pages of shawl patterns there are on Ravelry? 45, just in the 'free' listing alone! I think I've looked at every single one this morning, downloaded several, and I've finally narrowed it down to a choice between four five three. I haven't really knit lace before, so some of the patterns scared me. And despite being a stitcher, I'm not sure about the whole chart thing, British patterns tend to be spelled out more.

I think I'll try this one first, and if I don't get on, the other one on the site looks simpler, and so does this one. Wish me luck :o)

Review of the Year

I think I had a pretty productive 2008, and I was inspired by so many blogs and stitching/knitting friends, both on-line and in real life.

I learned a whole host of new finishes this year - pinkeeps, biscornu, scissor pockets - which have really helped me whittle down the pile in the draw and to get items ready to display.

The big thing for me was taking knitting back up. I've been able to knit since I was a pre schooler, but I pretty much gave it up several years ago, because it was causing me aches and pains in my fingers and arms. I now believe that those pains were probably related to my MS and not truly caused by my knitting. Thanks to the local SnB group and their encouragement, I finally conquered knitting in the round, and am now addicted to making socks and mitts...

So, the final list of projects, stitching first:

65. Holly Berries Miniature Biscornu - Cherished Stitches
64. Angel of Joy - Bent Creek
63. Wish Upon a Star - Wildflower Stitchery and More
62. Merry Christmas - Elizabeth's Designs
61. Winter - Trail Creek Farm
60. Trick or Treat - Lizzie*Kate
59. HoE Floss Tag 2
58. HoE Floss Tag 1
57. Victorian Pincushion - Brenda Keyes
56. Spooky - SanMan Originals
55. French Country IV: Pumpkin - JBW Designs
54. Floss Tag - Prairie Schooler
53. My Thread is Cut - Prairie Schooler
52. P is for Pincushion - Prairie Schooler
51. Birth Sampler 2 - Helen Phillips
50. Needleroll - Cathy Bussi
49. Quaker Hedgehog - The Workbasket
48. Crewel Vase Pincushion - DMC
47. Fit Words - The Sewing Circle
46. Alphabet Sampler - The Sewing Circle
45. Honeycomb Sampler - Meinick Designs
44. Wooly Zipper - Bent Creek
43. Birth Sampler - Helen Phillips
42. Quaker ABC (version 2) - Gencat
41. Quaker ABC - Gencat
40. Morning Song - Just Nan
39. Needles and Scissors - Victoria Sampler
38. Summer House - Little House Needleworks
37. Bloom - Lizzie*Kate Version 3
36. Bloom - Lizzie*Kate Version 2
35. Celtic B - Mike Vickery
34. Bloom - Lizzie*Kate
33. Buzzing Around Biscornu - Barbara Ana Designs
32. Elephant Birthday Card
31. Button Alphabet Sampler - Brenda Keyes
30. Sow Kind Seeds - Bent Creek
29. Rooster Strut - Meme's Quilts
28. Bee My Honey Bee - 4 My Boys
27. Crazy Exchange Piece - Brenda Keyes
26. The Littles: Bunny - Bent Creek
25. Bunny Hop - Brightneedle
24. Tall Trees - Brightneedle
23. June - Shepherd's Bush
22. Land That I Love (Canadian version) - Lizzie*Kate
21. Swirly Sampler - Bent Creek - version 1
20. Swirly Sampler - Bent Creek - version 2
19. HoE Pinkeep Exchange - Brenda Keyes
18. Mallet and Ming - Own design
17. Follow Your Heart - Lizzie*Kate
16. Happy Bunny Bunny Day - The Trilogy
15. Bitty Bird Sampler - Twisted Threads
14. My Favourite Things - The Drawn Thread
13. Bee Hive - Elizabeth's Designs
12. Blackbird Parade - Heart in Hand
11. Spring Basket - Lizzie*Kate
10. January Block Flip-It - Lizzie*Kate
9. Scotland Heart - The Victoria Sampler
8. St Patricks Flip-It - Lizzie*Kate
7. Honeysuckle Mother's Day Card - DMC
6. Make Much of Time - Historic Needlework Guild
5. Love - Birds of a Feather
4. Geo Scissor Fob - MonkeyWorks
3. Wedding Sampler - Angela Davison
2. Om Symbol - Julie Hasler
1. Ruby Wedding Anniversary Card

Last year, I managed 58, so I'm very pleased I managed to squeeze in more this year, especially as I've been working more regularly!

The non-stitching projects were very heavily knitting biased:

43. Cable Neckwarmer
42. Esme Beret
41. Jacquard Socks
40. Christmas Card for Sis/BiL/Tot
39. Christmas Card for Parents
38. Cable Gloves for The Hermit
37. Cable Gloves for BiL
36. Cable Gloves for Dad
35. Cable Scarf for Sister
34. Cable Gloves for Sister
33. Red and Black Fingerless Gloves
32. Cable Gloves
31. Fluffy Scarf for Ma
30. Stripey Socks for The Tot
29. Cable Long Scarf for The Hermit
28. Mostly Black Socks for Best Friend
27. Six sets of Stitch Markers
26. Big Knit Hats - 78 done!
25. Purple ZigZag Socks
24. Hourglass Dishcloth
23. Christmas Tree Dishcloth
22. Elven Leaves Dishcloth
21. Birthday Card for The Hermit
20. Bianca Crinoline Lady
19. Sweet Pea Crinoline Lady
18. Shell Crinoline Lady
17. Easter Bunny Softie - Pink Paisley
16. Easter Bunny Softie - Green Paisley
15. Easter Bunny Softie - Gingham
14. Wire and Beads Knitted Bracelet 6
13. Wire and Beads Knitted Bracelet 5
12. Wire and Beads Knitted Bracelet 4
11. Wire and Beads Knitted Bracelet 3
10. Wire and Beads Knitted Bracelet 2
9. Knitted Pouch
8. Birthday Card for BiL
7. Birthday Card for Ma
6. Birthday Card for Sister
5. Wire and Beads Knitted Bracelet
4. Multicoloured Knitted and Felted Bag
3. XoE Christmas in July Exchange Ornament
2. Grey Knitted and Felted Bag
1. Softie Turtle

A lot of the finishing was for items in the top list, but I did make a dent in the pile of stuff too:

59. Be Merry - Lizzie*Kate - Ornament
58. Sheep - Lizzie*Kate - Ornament
57. Snowman - Lizzie*Kate - Ornament
56. Noel - Lizzie*Kate - Ornament
55. Holly Berries Miniature Biscornu - Cherished Stitches - Ornament
54. Angel of Joy - Bent Creek - Ornament
53. Wish Upon a Star - Wildflower Stitchery and More - Ornament
52. HoE Floss Tag 2 - Floss Tag
51. HoE Floss Tag 1 - Floss Tag
50. Victorian Pincushion - Brenda Keyes - Mattress Pincushion
49. Spooky - SanMan Originals - Treat Bag
48. Thread Spool - Prairie Schooler - Thread Fob
47.My Thread is Cut - Prairie Schooler - Scissor Pouch
46. P is for Pincushion - Prairie Schooler - Pinkeep
45. Quaker Hedgehog - The Workbasket - Thread Fob
44. Needleroll - Cathy Bussi - Needleroll
43. Ontario Heart - Victoria Sampler - Pinkeep
42. The Bees - Eventide Designs - Pinkeep
41. Bee Hive - Elizabeth's Designs - Pinkeep
40. Abigail Adams Sampler - Chartmakers - Pinkeep
39. My Favorite Things - The Drawn Thread - Bellpull
36. Crewel Vase - DMC - Mini Pillow
35. December Sampler Accent - Periwinkle Promises - Mini Pillow
34. Paisley Motif - DMC - Pincushion
33. Hardanger Motif 3 - Thread Fob
32. Hardanger Motif 2 - Thread Fob
31. Hardanger Motif 1 - Thread Fob
30. Make Much of Time - Historic Needlework Guild - Strawberry Pincushion
29. Sampler Bird - Brenda Keyes - Thread Fob
28. Ginger Cat - CSC - Thread Fob
27. Quaker ABC - Gencat - Scissor Fob
26. Quaker ABC - Gencat - Pinkeep
25. Tall Trees - Brightneedle - Pinkeep
24. Fall Into Autumn - Rainbow Gallery - Pinkeep
23. Bunny Hop - Brightneedle - Pinkeep
22. Blue Hardanger - Scissor Keeper
21. Bloom - Lizzie*Kate - Softie
20. Needles and Scissors - Victoria Sampler - Tin Topper
19. Summer House - Little House Needleworks - Pinkeep
18. Goldfinch - Father's Day Card
17. Bloom - Lizzie*Kate - Pin Cushion
16. Bloom - Lizzie*Kate - Scissor Fob
15. Celtic B - Mike Vickery - Cushion
14. Buzzing Around Biscornu - Barbara Ana Designs - Biscornu
13. Wren - Birthday Card
12. Elephant Birthday Card - Card
11. Button Alphabet Sampler - Brenda Keyes - Wallhanging
10. Let It Begin with Me - SanMan Originals - Wallhanging
9. Crazy Exchange Piece - Pinkeep
8. Spring Needleroll - Needleroll
7. July Needleroll - Needleroll
6. Honeysuckle Mother's Day Card - Card
5. Ruby Anniversary Card - Card
4. HoE Pinkeep Exchange - Pinkeep
3. Mallet and Ming - Flatfold
2. Sunbonnet Sue - Drawstring Bag
1. Spring Basket - Lizzie*Kate - Pinkeep

This compares quite favourably with last year's 55 finishing finishes, so I'm pretty pleased!

Of course, I've yet to catch up on getting all these photographed and added to the blog, so you will be seeing 2008 finishes for a while yet!