And Sew Begins 2016

Happy New Year!

I just love "firsts"...the first of the year, the first day of school, the first day of a new job, having your first baby (hm...maybe that's why I only had one?  LOL), their first steps, their first...well you get the idea.  There is something so unique and exciting about the first time you accomplish something new!   I guess that's why I always start the New Year with a new project.  This year I set two aside to work on just for this particular year.  Luckily for me, I can consider them Gifted Gorgeousness patterns because one was a kit that was gifted to me, the other is a Needlework Casket that I bought, but when looking for a pattern, a dear friend (Thank you so much Ms. P!!) gave me the book the pattern that I had settled on was printed in.  I bought the fabric, but the threads were bought with a gift card I had received from DH.

So....here is a picture of London by Thea Gouverneur

And the Needlework Casket from the book Sampler and Antique Needlework Vol. 1

I started the casket on the first day of the year...and here is what I've accomplished so far.  There are all kinds of specialty stitches, a few you can see here are the Queen stitch, French knot, and the Satin stitch.  I am excited to see how this one progresses, and I will be personalizing it as I go, I just need to think how I will make this one "my own".

I will be posting my goals for this year under 2016 Goals tab at the top.  I tried setting goals for myself last year, and am pleased to report that I was able to finish a good many of them.  I ran into issues when my Mother took ill and needed surgery and some constant help and attention at the end of October.  I was there with her (with the exceptions of a few days when I traveled home) until the middle of December.  I put around 4,000 miles on my van with all the traveling!!  Whew!  I am so happy to be home, but I will say I hit the ground running when I returned leaving all the holiday prep work until I was here to take care of things.  It's been a wild ride!  I am finally now getting back into stitching.  I will admit, I was beginning to twitch from withdrawal!  I did get the last two months of the Cottage Garden Samplings series finished before the end of the year!  They were also one of the goals I set!

Here is November's Chrysanthemum by Cottage Garden Samplings

And here is December's Holly by Cottage Garden Samplings

I tried choosing two projects last year, and although I did finish one of them, the other is still a work in progress.  I do hope to finish Aurora Cabin this year.  I nearly made it half way through last year.  So....here is where I'm starting this year...

I attribute my goal accomplishments to participating in the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL last year.  I tried to reach my monthly goals by the 15th of each month so I could post in a timely manner.  I think that helped keep me on track, so I chose to sign up again this year.  If you are interested in participating you can click on the picture here or in the sidebar.   It's been a challenge and a lot of fun looking through my stash to find things that qualify.  I hope you'll join us!

Here's to a less hectic and enjoyable year for all of us!