Thursday, February 7, 2008

Life Changes So Quickly...

I started this journaling with all good intentions to keep up with it, but the past several months have seen many many changes in my lifestyle. Sometimes I feel like I've been on a roller coaster (which I despise) and I want to get off! Get my feet back on solid ground. A lot of good things have come from the not-so-good, and I really think in some ways life is beginning to settle down a bit. At least, I hope so.

At any rate the end result of all of this was that my stitching time was cut down sharply. I only finished four projects last year, but that's okay. The Immigrant Sampler won a blue ribbon and a Reserve Champion ribbon at the county fair, and my Rose Sampler (Little House Needleworks) that I threw in a frame at the last minute also won a blue ribbon in its class. I entered three pieces in the Indiana State Fair: And They Sinned got a blue ribbon in its class, the Heirloom Anniversary sampler I did for Mom & Dad got a blue ribbon, but the best part of all was the piece I almost didn't enter. My Stitching Chair Necessaire won the big poofy Sweepstakes Rosette! I was so pleased and surprised, I really didn't expect that at all. Especially since it was the first time I had entered pieces at the State Fair level. I already know what I'm entering this coming year.

Work is progressing slowly on the Berlin Woolwork Sampler. Classes have really cut into the stitching time, especially the dreaded Chemistry class, which takes a LOT of studying. I stitch when I can which isn't nearly enough to suit me. I think I'm falling into a rhythm with studying, working and stitching, though, so maybe my time crunches will smooth out a bit. I really wanted to get this one finished to enter in the County Fair this year. I figure if I can finish one section a month plus a little more, I'll make it. So I need to pick up the pace! I'm working on part 4, the motif with the dog in the middle of it. I will probably be able to finish that one this weekend.

I did finish This Too Shall Pass the first week of January. I needed a quick finish! I love the big projects but a finish is always a nice incentive. I probably need to keep something small in the works, but right now with such limited time I want to spend what I can on the Berlin.

Toccata 4 has been posted on the Drawn Thread website. I love it! I have Christmas stash coming, so that will be my gift after it is released sometime in May. I have Toccata 1 ready to frame and Toccata 2 is hanging on the wall. Toccata 3 is in my stash so maybe that will be the next thing I actually start. I love stitching the Drawn Thread pieces since they are so varied in stitches and seem to work up quickly for me.

I'll try to post some pictures soon.