Stitching goals for the new year

I finished more than I thought I had this year, but still, I didn't stitch as much as I had in previous years. That's probably because of my renewed thirst for reading after getting my Kindle and having Missy Ann's help in realizing I really like supernatural romance. My credit card does not thank her. I've also been playing a computer game, Runes of Magic, way too much.

This year I hope to finish at least Maggie the Messmaker and Magnificent Wizard. The first is a WIP that's been around for too many years, and the other is a present for my husband that I'd like to finish as a graduation present.

Here's how I did, stitching-wise, in 2010.

Pieces I finished in 2010:

• The Lady of Shalott
• Legend of the Spellcasters
• Frost on the Pumpkin
• Quilted Bear
• Barnabee's Bride
• Austrian I
• Moonriders
• Autumn Biscornu and Fob
• Three Pumpkins
• Keep a Little Secret
• Peppermint Twist
• Noel

Current WIPs:

• Spirit of the Snow Angel
• Rose Quilt
• Maggie the Messmaker
• Magnificent Wizard
• Eternal Promise
• Three Pumpkins
• Victoria Sampler Gingerbread House

Review of stitching goals for 2010:

Done

• Legend of the Spellcasters
• Lady of Shalott
• Finishing of two Just Nans pieces

Not done

• Maggie the Messmaker
• Magnificent Wizard (make some progress)
• Summer Faerie

Christmas smalls exchange

Here is the exchange I sent to Paula. I was starting to get worried! The piece is part of Peppermint Twist by Blue Ribbon Designs. You can see more pics of the box. The satin-covered box was a find at a grocery-store sale after Valentine's Day this year (I wish I had bought more). I added embellishments to the piece and was really pleased with the way it came out (much more sparkly than in the pictures). I think stitching for exchanges frees me a lot. For my own pieces I like to stick with the designer's vision, even though some of the exchange pieces come out even better. I'm strange that way. I always second-guess my choices, and they're easier to live with if they're going to someone else.

I sent a few extras--coasters, a Christmas list pad, gift tags, and some candy. I love finding little gifts to go along with exchanges.

This was my first exchange to run, and I was both excited and nervous. I'm still waiting to see that all the pieces make it to their destinations safely. Fingers crossed.

Noel HD

This is a Just Nan piece I finished the other day. I think I started it this year, but I felt like it sat for a good while before I picked it up again. I'm trying to work my way through my WIPs and get them down to a manageable level. Next is Victoria Sampler's Gingerbread Stitching House that I got as a Christmas present last year. I was stitching on the scissor case when I realized I didn't have the accessory pack for it. Now I need to order it and wait. Bleh.

I sent off my Christmas smalls exchange before Thanksgiving, and I haven't heard anything yet. I'm getting rather nervous....

The husband: Matt's finally getting over his month-plus cold/infection/whatever and is finishing up the school year. He's been incredibly busy. I hope next semester (his last) is better and that he finds a job. He won't have a 3.0 average, which a lot of employers ask for in people right out of college, and that's getting him down. He had to withdraw when he was younger and had a few bad grades that are really holding him back. Poor guy. He knows twice as much as the kids in his classes, to judge by their performance on projects together.