Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations

Isn't that an inspiring quote?  The author is unknown.  I would have liked to meet them, I like the way they think!  

I haven't been able to finish up much lately as far as stitching goes.  Here are a few things I've worked on lately.

First is one of the Mill Hill Kits that were designed a few years back.  One year for Christmas Mike bought all the kits to make a nativity.  I finished up Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as well as two shepherds and an angel.  I had the three wise men left, and they are chock full of beads.  I guess that's why I hesitated.  But one of my goals for 2017 was to finish them all off and make cubes so I could set them up as a nativity.  This is the only one I was able to finish this year.  Only two left!  Here is Balthasar.

I am going to participate in a few SAL's in 2018.  The first is by Ship's Manor and is called Through the Window.  He sent out the frame for the window earlier in December while the first pattern for a window comes out in January.  I haven't put too much effort into getting started, but will do more once I have the first pattern.

I was able to finish up two parts of the 4th Lesson in Schoolhouse Lessons.  Here they are!

I was able to start and finish a little motif that I was given during the 12 days of Christmas.  This was a fun stitch!!  Thanks again Marcy!

I often get nostalgic at the end of the year, thinking back on the best parts of the year, but usually the cloudy parts are the ones we think of most.   I'm determined to change that this year, so I looked up some inspiriting quotes...and made my own "posters" from pictures I have taken.

With all that being said...I've done my usual, sorting of the projects and setting a few goals for myself.  While I don't have all the patterns chosen for all the goals I'm going to set, I do have a few I'm hoping to finish and some I'm hoping to start.  I'm sure that will change during the year...but here are my thoughts so far.

I want to finish all the SALs I've signed up for.  That would include, Through the Window by Ship's Manor, Wildflower Woodland Quaker, Springtime Easter Delight, and Blue Poppy Learning sampler by Tempting Tangles, and the Linen and Threads 2018 SAL.

I want to finish up the Mill Hills Nativity.  That would include Melchior and Gaspar.

I want to start three new patterns I got for Christmas.  That would include Serenity sampler (which was the last gift Katie gave me),  Creation and Before the Fall.

I want to finish up the 12 Berries of Christmas.  Only 8 more to go!  LOL

I want to stitch something for the auction in August for Equines for Freedom.  I've chosen a Blackberry Lane pattern for that.

I need to stitch a patriotic design for the St. Michaels retreat.  Not sure what to stitch there....

I want to stitch and finish at least three Christmas ornaments a month.

I want to finish the Schoolhouse lessons.  I only have one more section to stitch!

I want to finish at least two UFOs, hopefully more.  Sweet Nectar and Winter's Majesty.

I think that's a pretty good list, and I hope I'm able to meet my goals this year.   Do you have any goals that you've set for yourself?

As usual, I set these goals and then I get sidetracked with gifts for others, challenges I hope to meet, and stuff like that.  Wish me luck, though!  I really hope I'm able to accomplish most of my goals for this year.

On that note, I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and may you all enjoy  many blessings in 2018.  Let's leave the old year behind us and press forward to new and better days ahead!  Happy Stitching!