More Black Belt Stitching Wizard Stuff

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Ends and New Beginnings

Happy New Year to all my friends and family!

I'm looking to at 2010 with lots of optimism, I think there is a good year ahead of me, but then a year can only be as good as we make it. I intend to have a great year! I've already got a few things lined up that I'm looking forward to this year. First is my trip to the Dominican Republic at the beginning of March. I won't be staying at a resort, but going with students from work, where we'll be participating in the Dominican Experience, billeted with families and seeing the 3rd world country side of the D.R. About a week after my return from the D.R. is the March Timberhouse retreat. Followed by the Billy Talent concert near the end of March and Nicleback in April. Much to look forward to already!



I've started off the New Year the same way as many other years... here was the ort jar at the end of 2009....



Here it is at the start of 2010... the ceremonial emptying of the ort jar!

I'd like to do a quick review of my highlights of 2009, from this standpoint I know I had a good year.
- Right Foot is now pain free
- Saw Claire 3 times
- Saw my first Space Shuttle launch
- Stitching Get Togehters and Retreats
- Great Concerts
- Lifetime at Weight Watchers achieved
- Raised over $900 for Breast Cancer Research
- Completed Run For The Cure 5K in under 30min.
- Ran 10K
- Helicopter ride
- Received 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwon-Do

My favourite stitched project of 2009 was Blackstone Fantasy Garden by Ink Circles

My last project for 2009 was not Lettres A Mon Chat as I had hoped, but an ornament instead.
c2009 Alchemy Stitchcraft
Stitched on : 32ct Natural linen
Stitched with : GAST and Mill Hill Beads
My first finish for 2010 is Lettres A Mon Chat

Lettres A Mon Chat (clickable)
c2006 Isabelle Vauthier
Stitched on : 28ct Vintage Red Linen
Stitched with : DMC & Silk n' Colors
My second (yes you read it right!) finish and first ornament for 2010 is

Celtic Ice (kit)
c2008 Ink Circles
Stitched on : 28ct Windowpane Linen
Stithced with : Carrie's Threads
You could almost count the above project as my new start for 2010, I started it this morning before Todd and I left Rebbecca's after I finished Lettres a Mon Chat. We rung in the New Year the same way for the last three years, with a visit to Rebbecca and her family's home. Its a low key New Year, with a great meal, stitching, and movies! This year we were having such an enjoyable time we stayed two days!
This year instead of starting a new big project on New Year's Day, I have decided to finish what I've got on the go in my stitching basket (but I reserve the right to change my mind and start a new project at any time). I've even taken pictures... admitting to everything that's lurking in there! I dare you to admit to your started and yet not finished projects!


Tour Des Marques by The Silver Lining

Art Deco Spirits by Mirabilia

Celestial Dragon by Teresa Wentzler

The Accolade by Gitta's

Various class pieces from past Creativ Festivals and odd small projects


Something I'm going to try this year which appealed to me is to take a photo a day. Heidi mentioned this on her blog and the idea sounds cool. I don't know if I'm going to actually be able to do this but I'd like to. Above is my photo for January 1st, Rebecca's boys being silly (a little young for gang signs don't you think) for the camera. My picture for January 2nd could be any of the above stitching pictures or my ort jar!

In my mind I had originally planned a deeper and more eloquent New Year post, but its late and I wanted to get something up here before another day went by, so this will have to do!

39 comments:

Cole said...

Wow, two 2010 finishes already, way to go!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on all three finishes! I would be far too embarrassed to post pics of my many (many) WIP's lol.

Cheryl said...

Sounds like youve got some great plans ahead! DR sounds like it'll be quite an experience!
I could never show my started but not finished projects....there are just so so many!
The 2 fingered gesture is considered swearing over here LOL

Laural said...

Congrats on your first 2 finishes of 2010!

You had an amazing year last year and this one looks like it will be the same!

Tracy Dixon said...

Congrat's on your finishes, you have some beautiful projects Happy New Year and Happy Stitching for 2010

riona said...

It is wonderful to read so very positive a post re 2009/2010 ... I have always believed that happiness is something we can create by finding and concentrating on all the positives in our lives. Too many people allow themselves to be distracted by the negatives and allow the joy to be sucked out of their days. I wish you a joyous and fulfilling New Year ... but it sounds like you are already well on your way to just that!!!

Love the Celtic Ice and the Cat sampler. I forgot to empty my ort jar ... will have to do that today.

I look forward to your daily photos.

Jo said...

congrats on having 2 2010 finishes already... Letres mom Chat is lovely, and it's avery cute ornament.

I opted for a new start, but did list all my WIPS on my blog - worryingly most were WIPS on 1st Jan 2009...

Jo said...

I should have said my new start for this January was inspired by you - after I saw your finished Pomegranates and Pear stitches last year (I mean 2008!!), I just HAD to have it!!

Paula said...

Great start to 2010 with the two finishes Dani.

Karyn said...

Dani...it's a boy thang :)LOL

So, as a new stitcher this year, I didn't have a full jar to empty, but I love the idea...Thanks. Your ORT colors are so pretty together.

Happy New Year, kiddo, sounds like a great one ahead for you, and I can't wait to see your pics!

Hugs
Ma

Rebel In Ontario said...

I FORGOT TO EMPTYING MY ORT JAR! Oh well, I'll do that today. We had a lovely time as well and the extended version may have to become something we continue to do, if the dates fall correctly!
As for the picture of the boys, what can I say - Boys will be Boys...and I laughed at these two guys "swearing", I can tell everyone that they have NO CLUE what that means, and the next time they might do something totally different with their hands/fingers!

Happy New Year to you Dani, may it be all that you hope it will be and more.

Yvonne said...

You are going to have a great 2010! and you've already planned tons of things to do for this year. I wish I can do that too but too many things get into my life constantly.

I didn't know that hand sign is something related to gang. LOL!! boys will be boys, like what the Rebecca mentioned :0))

Christine said...

Thats the first version of my Poinsettia I've seen stitched up, well done! And two finishes for 2010 already, wow!
I've heard that the two finger salute was invented by the English archers to taunt the enemy at Agincourt, which would make it the original "gang sign", but I don't know how true that is

Bonnie Brown said...

Wow Dani! So many accomplishments for 2009.
I love your chats... It looks amazing!
Can't wait to see the others further along... especially Tour Des Marques
Rebecca... your boys get cuter everytime I see/see pictures of them :)

ollie1976 said...

Congrats on the finishes! love the ornament!
-Jen

Giovanna said...

Great finishes, Dani, congrats! And your WIPs are lovely too - I'll have to take on that challenge I think... one of these days.

Kathy A. said...

Happy New Year my dear friend. I miss you.
Wow, Tour is close to done. And when did you start Celestial Dragon?
I won't show my WIP's - too embarassing. Started Desert Mandala New Year's Day and no more new starts for a while. Would like to empty my basket a bit.
Two finishes already. You go girl.

Crazee4books said...

Dear Dani,

Happy New Year to you and Todd.
Hope that it's a wonderful, fun
and inspiring year full of music,
stitching, beautiful images and
sights to photograph, adventures
and many, many highlights to list
next New Years day.

Congrats on the finishes. Love
the wonderful cats of Lettres A
Mon Chat. It looks fabulous on
the red fabric with white thread.
Something different.

I love watching your Tour Des
Marques developing on the fabric.
It's so detailed, and so realistic
looking. It reminds me of the
manor house that Kathy stitched
and has hanging on the wall above
her computer station.

You've achieved so many wonderful
goals in 2009 and have so much to
look forward to in 2010. I hope
we'll be able to stitch together
again this year...and perhaps
walk too. It was one of the
highlights of my year.

Best wishes

claudia said...

Oh my goodness Dani, You've got my head spinning with all the plans for 2010 already. Wonderful plans at that. I can't wait to see your year unfild as you tell us about all the fun stuff you are doing.
I forgot about all the projects you had finished last year, and I think going through and finishing up started projects is a good idea. I wish I could say that I would work on my stuff more diligently, but I am not sure how it will go.I need to get to like you have!

stitcherw said...

Wow, you started the new year with a bang, two finishes. Love Cats. One of these days I'll have to get that one.
Sue

Daffycat said...

Holy cow! You already have two finishes??? Great start to the year. Happy New Year, Dani!

Unknown said...

And I got to meet you you In Real Life. Great year!

Maybe we need a Celestial Dragon SAL later in the year. I'd like to start it, but it does seem pretty overwhelming. At least you have the border done.

Happy New Year and the best of 2010 for you!

Heidi said...

Congratulations on your finishes!! I love coming to your blog and seeing the pictures of your stitching...I do a bit but I'm not as fast or advanced in my stitching! Your projects are beautiful!
I love your picture of the boys too! I've done well so far in taking at least one picture each day...I'll have to post them soon.
I'm still working on climbing out of my "funk", trying not to dwell on it and focus on the positive of each new day. Thanks for stopping by my blog to say hi and "check in" on me!

Julie said...

Great start to the new year, needles asmokin!

Ineke said...

Happy New Year to you too!
You made a great start with two finishes already. The cats are lovely and the Blackstone Fantasy Garden is beautiful with all the delicate flowers.

Heidi said...

I had been thinking about how to share the picture a day too...I hope to blog more but just don't know if I will write every day....and once a week will also get me to download the pictures before my memory card gets too full. Some of my pictures aren't all that interesting...maybe just looking at things a little differently or something like that trying to get some inspiration and taking pictures! Can't wait to see yours too!!!!!

Von said...

You've got a great start to the year, Dani, with lots of wonderful plans to look forward to. :)

Claire said...

Hey girl! Loved seeing your finished pieces when I was up there. Perhaps one day soon I'll get to a retreat with ya. What fun:)

Tama said...

Such beautiful finishes! Congratulations! I love the cats the best :D
I shall resist your challenge; if I listed everything I've started and not finished, my blog would break.
For real.
XD
Best of luck with your WIPs - you're such a fast stitcher!

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is a LOT of projects. I love the simplicity of the pointsettia ornament.

Good luck on your projects.

mbroider said...

The Lettres A Mon Chat and Tour Des Marques are great enablers, LOL.

Thanks for the pics!

Stitchingranny said...

Happy New Year to you and yours also Dani. Sounds like you intend it to be and thats a good start.

I love your Blackwork Fantasy Garden and it has spurred me on so that I hope mine too will be finished this year.

Wanda said...

Hi Dani! I love the recap of your year's work. I really enjoyed seeing it all again. I love the idea of a photo a day...and indoor ones of things we love counts too! Hunter is surely one of your best models...such a handsome guy!

Karoline said...

Congratulations on all the finishes, they look great

Brigitte said...

I love this little review in your post mentioning all the positive things that happened to you in the past year. And I loved to see all the WIPs you were working on.
You already have two finishes, congratulations. That's a good start of a new stitching year.
Wishing you all the best for 2010 (I might have done that before but then, why not say it twice? lol.)

Anonymous said...

great finishes and I just love your version of "Lettres à mon Chat" - simply stunning to see it stitched white on red !

Lillie said...

Finishs looks great.

What a great way to start the new year with a clean emptied Orth jar.

Karan said...

Glad you had a good festive season - Happy 2010. :0)
Well done on 2 HD's. Love the IC piece. Just printed out the Alchemy ornie chart - definitely stitching it as it looks so pretty. :0)
Brave you! LOL Some fab WIP pics to look forward to this year. :0)

Sharon said...

I think you had an amazing year last year and this looks like it's shaping up pretty well too. You had some major accomplishments. Beautiful finishes-love the ornament on that linen.