Counting Down to 2016!

Wow. It's been a busy holiday season. Glad to be able to sit down, catch my breath and drink a cup of hot chocolate. 

Added to the usual holiday stuff has been a medical issue.  The doctor is still not sure what is wrong.  For now just treating the symptoms.  I have more test scheduled at the end of January.  But enough about that...

I wanted to show you that I did indeed finish my Thanksgiving Penguins.

Now I just have to frame it for next Thanksgiving.

I'm ready to go for 2016.  I can't wait to get started.  I'm also excited to see what all of you have planned for 2016. I'm sure my wish list will increase.  It's going to be a great year!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to pop in and say Happy Thanksgiving!  We have so much to be thankful for.  I'm looking forward to a Thanksgiving meal with my family.  I hope everyone is able to enjoy time with family. 

I really haven't had much stitching time lately, so no update.  Maybe I will have something after Thanksgiving to share.

Happy Dance

I have a finish to share.

Doesn't it make you laugh?  If my dogs could talk, I'm sure they would try this on me.  It is a freebie found here.  And there is also a cat version too.

Next up is Penguin Thanksgiving from the newest issue of Just CrossStitch.  The minute I saw it I knew I would have to stitch it.  Here's my progress so far:

Progress

I didn't mean to be gone so long, just everyday life stuff.  Wish I had more hours in my day!

So far, the lunch time stitching is going great.  I don't always get to stitch, but progress is progress.  Here's an updated picture showing my progress:

I'm also still gathering supplies for January.  I left my list at home so I can't update that yet.  Hopefully tomorrow.  I really love the one's I chosen.  Hopefully some of you will be doing the challenge again in 2016.

Trial Run

Last week, not only did I decide to participate in the 2016 challenge, I also decided to take a trial run at lunch time stitching.

Here is my current project.

It will be a small picture for Christmas.  I have a table next to where I stitch and I like to change out the pictures seasonally.  This will be a good addition for Christmas.  It just makes me laugh.  Why?  You'll have to wait until I'm finished stitching!  Sorry for the bad picture. Hopefully next time I can get a better one.

I think this is going to work for my 2016 challenge.  I'm really excited about it.  I looked through my supplies and started kitting up projects.  I only had one that was totally complete.  Several I just need a couple of colors of thread.  I'll try to pick that up this weekend.  This really has given me a boost. 

The Plan

Let me begin by sharing the definition of the word "boundary".

                 something that indicates bounds or limits; a limiting or bounding line.

I'm sure you are asking what this has to do with stitching.  Let me explain.

My husband is of the opinion that I should start a project and finish it before purchasing or starting a new project.  You know there are many reasons a stitcher might start a new project before finishing the current project.  Maybe the stitcher is tired of the colors.  Maybe the stitcher is temporarily bored with the pattern. Maybe the stitcher just has a itch for a new start.  I'm sure I don't have to explain this to you.  My husband seems to be the only one that can't comprehend this.

I've done ok staying within his limits/boundary.  Usually I just work on a small project so it's not really a big deal.  About a year or year and a half ago, I found a pattern that I had to have.  I loved the design.  I loved the details.  I loved everything about it.  I asked for the pattern for one holiday.  I really don't remember which one.  But he purchased the pattern for me!  I was so excited.  And I still love everything about the project.  I'm sure you are asking yourself what my problem is then.  Well, it's not really "a problem".  Oh, let me just go ahead and tell you.  It's a HAED!!!!!!!  Do you know how long it takes to stitch one of those?  And I'm a wife, mother and employee.  I can't just sit and stitch all the time.  I am about half way done.  And I still love it.  I will finish it.  I can't wait to have it completed.  

But in the meantime, I would like a new project.  I can only think of two things I've done since starting the HAED.  One was a small picture for my BFF for her birthday.  The other one was a small ornament.  A co-worker wanted to learn how to stitch so we stitched the ornament together.  (By the way, she has since gone on to do a second ornament, a picture and is now working on a 4th project!) I'm sure you can understand why I am in dire need of a new start.

A few years ago, I read about the Crazy January Challenge.  For the first 15 days in January the stitcher starts a new project and then tries to finish them within the year.  I told my husband about it and commented I'd love to do that.  His response?  "Have you lost your mind?"  

So then I read about the Crazy January Challenge 2.0.  Some stitchers were doing the 15 day thing, but others were going to start a new project every single day of January.  Wow! 31 projects!!! I told my husband about this thinking that he would change his mind about the whole 15 day challenge.  Yeah, that didn't happen either.

Then in 2015 I read about the group starting a new project every day in January, February and March.  I didn't even bother telling him about it.

I've watched from the sidelines and I have to say I've been green with envy.  But not in 2016!  I've got a plan.  It's a secret plan that I'm only sharing with you all (my fellow stitchers who will understand - I hope).  I'm going to participate in the 15 day challenge in 2016.

I don't really have a stash of patterns.  Remember the whole stitch a project and once finished reward yourself with a new project thing.  But what I DO have is a subscription to Just CrossStitch. HA HA HA HA HA.  That's right I've been working on a list of 15 projects from my subscription.  I think I have all the projects picked out.  I'll need to wait until I see if I have most everything I need or if I will need to buy some additional things.  I'll use DMC.  I have a lot of that already.  And I have some bits of fabric I've saved from past projects.  I'm really very excited about the plan.  I'll kit each project up and list it under the Crazy January Challenge.  I'll stitch mostly on my lunch break, dr. appointments, etc.  He won't know because he won't see them or see me stitching on them.  Please tell me I'm not really bad.  I just want to join the fun in 2016.

Actually I haven't read anything about the challenge for 2016.  I hope there will be one.  I guess I better go ask.  I could do it by myself, but I really want to be a part of the group.

What do you think of the plan?  Do you think it will work?