New Beginnings and Gifted Gorgeousness...

It's been an interesting week!  I've had extremely busy days, and days when I could stitch to my hearts content!  I've been trying to "downsize" both my belongings and myself (I could really lose some weight...wish me luck!)  So...I've been trying to get a certain number of steps in each day, and still trying to get in so much stitching time each day.  It's a war within!  LOL  But so far I'm happy with the results.

Another year of Gifted Gorgeousness is planned by Jo.  If you would like to join or know more information about this SAL you can find the rules here.  If you would like to see what everyone else is stitching on  you can see their entries here.  Thank you so much Jo for hosting this again, I really enjoyed it so much last year!

I was able to start and finish two of the advent numbers for this month.  I'm counting these under Gifted Gorgeousness as they are free patterns offered on the internet on Ellen Maurer-Stroh's website you can find here.  I bought the threads with a gift card I received from my dear husband for Christmas as well.  I hope to finish at least two each month.  Wish me luck!  These are stitched on 28 count over one.

I was able to finish January in the series being offered through The Snowflower Diaries as a free SAL.  You can find them on her website here.  I have all the materials to start February too, I just  need to find the time!  LOL  I'm counting this as a Gifted Gorgeousness as well, as these are being offered for free this year.  This is stitched on 32 count over one.

I've been stitching the letters for Merry Christmas, and they will be attached to wooden squares hopefully in time for Christmas.  I'm hoping to do two letters a month.  They stitch up quick, I finished both of these in one day!  There are Christmas Alphabet by Prairie Schooler.  

I've made progress on my Needlework Casket, but as I was working I thought to myself, this is going to be a bit big...I'm not sure if the fabric was mismarked, if it stretched when I put it in the Q-snaps when I began stitching, or what.  I'm going to finish this, and see if it is fitting in the opening or is just an illusion right now (I've measured it and it does measure bigger than it's supposed to).  I'll be so disappointed if I do have to stitch it again, but I am determined to have it look just right...I will always be thinking it's just not right if I let it go as it is right now.  

I've made progress on Aurora Cabin too.  I sighed up for a challenge with Friendly Stitchers to work on a WIP until it's finished this year.  I tried to do that with this last year, but got hung up on it when I had to go to NY for 6 weeks.  It's coming along quite well so hopefully I will finish it this year.  Here it is before...

 And now...

I stitched an exchange piece for someone for Valentine's day.  I couldn't think how to finish it off, so I found this darling frame at Michaels and decided that would have to do.  I love it so much, I may make one for me!  I will post pictures when she tells me she has received it.

Off to get started on another exchange I'm doing in March for Stitch Day.  Do I have any idea what I should stitch...no I don't...or how I should finish...no I don't...but I'm sure I'll come up with something soon.  I'm hoping to make more entries in my blog this year.  We'll see if I can keep up with all my lofty goals this year...the road of my life is paved in good intentions...LOL  Till then, happy stitching!