Here we are at the end of another year, looking forward to a new one. I’ve been saying I wanted to finish a project
before the end of the year, and here it is.
This is Christmas Band 
DS took me to a Panther’s game for my birthday! It was totally awesome. We went to eat Vietnamese before the game,
took the train into the city, and got there in time to see the intros and coin
toss. Loved every minute –we won 30 - 20! It is really a competitive season so close to
the playoffs! @Panthers #KeepPounding 
How did you wind up the old year? Did you rock with Ryan, Dick, and GaGa? For me it was stitching. The final stitches of 2011 were placed to finish ‘Jingle all the Way’ by The Scarlett House (Tanya). Man alive, were those snowflakes ever … It’s stitched on 35ct WDW Kudzu using an old favorite DMC 115 and White. It turned out cute, and will be a sweet finish…next year! 
The old TUSAL ball was put to rest, and the brand new one placed for the New Year as well. If you want to play along, the simple directions can be found here at Daffy Kat’s site. 
This Little snowman was a Freebie from Stitch and Frame. It's my first ornament on felt. The cutter I have isn't enough of a wave, but it was better than pinking shears. The cheap scissors I had picked up at Michael's wouldn't cut the felt - must be for paper only.
This is Peppermint Twist from the Little House Needleworks All Dolled Up ornaments. By the way, I read that they're continuing with this series for 2011 if you love 'em as much as I do - even though I haven't completed 2010. I decided on a little stocking button instead of jingle bells. Even the tiny ones were too big on this 28 ct over 1. It also has a bit of lace around the outside, to match the white stitching around the border, with a gingham ribbon hanger. And here's Peace on Earth from the same series. The fabric in the background is the backing.
I also started a new Blackbird Design project, Winter Wonderland. 
Shopping for presents is always fun – one for you, two for me! It's hard to see the dark green shell shaped dish, holding these two delicate porcelain ornaments. 
It must have been a real hunting expo since all these birds were found! The blue is solid - paper weight? The white is a votive holder, but cute none the less. The colorful one is a pottery type material, and the little "cage" seemed so perfect to contain him...
This bowl and plate set was found earlier, but don't recall sharing them with you before.
The New Year is approaching quickly, so it's time for a review of 2007.
What a great year it has been. Personally, I guess the most exciting thing has been that I've reached my goal weight. With lots of love and support from friends (Stash4Pounds) and family, I've lost 50 pounds. It took a little more than a year, but well worth the effort. I feel better, and feel like I look better as well. During the holidays, I've splurged a bit, but feel confident that the wagon is waiting for me to jump back on.
I've been a single Mom for 26 years, so my son and I are VERY close. He has been on his life path quest for several years, but this year he moved back home, with his Great Dane, Kilo, to go back to college and pursue a degree in computer networking. There have been some adjustments to make, especially for Pixie, but we're all getting along just fine - and Mom has to brag a bit and say he made the President's list for his first term!
My family lost two members this year, my mom's brother and her oldest sister, too. Mom's baby sister, my closest aunt, continues to battle ovarian cancer. The struggle is up and down, but we had a second Christmas during her battle this year. My dad has a growth on his kidney, and after several appointments for surgery having fallen through, it is once again scheduled for January 2. There have been lots of illnesses and losses throughout all the online lists, which is inevitable for such a vast community, and I continue to lift them during their struggles. I am very thankful for their prayers and positive thoughts during my family's valley times this year as well.
I continue to have what I fondly call Crafters' ADD - my attention goes from one thing to the next. That does not mean I love embroidery, tatting, or CQ any less, my focus is just someplace else for the time being. Currently it is Cross Stitch, and after about a 20 year hiatus, it has made its way back to the forefront! They've all made their way into focus at some point or other this year, and I've collected lots of stash for each, so I'll be ready when any of the others make their way into focus again!! I'm confident that they will - it just may be a while.
I mentioned to someone yesterday one of my favorite quotes, "The older I get, the more like me I become." I am refining the online groups I will continue to be active in. It's really hard for me to withdraw from them because friends on the lists are so dear, and the feelings there are warm and cozy. Many of the member friends are associated with several lists, so I'll continue to 'see' them on other lists, but of course they're more active on some than others. I do use Bloglines, so they will still be accessible through their blogs. Back to the original thought - refining commitments... Some lists are more active with projects, swaps, RRs, etc. and a part of the reason for leaving is that I don't want to falter when making promises to participate. I was in a Secret Santa swap on one of the lists, and my poor recipient is still waiting for her final gift/reveal. It's in there, ready to be wrapped and mailed, so it will be a New Year reveal for her!
I stumbled across a blog where the writer claimed to be tired of reading about this one or that ones apology for not posting in ever so long, and I agreed, so I too will be Blogging Without Obligation. I don't think there's anything earth shattering about the things I share, so does it really make a difference if I miss a few days? My intent is to share photos or ideas, or seek suggestions from friends. I do like for you to stop by, and love to hear your comments, but you really don't want to read something I've had to make up just to say I posted today! Like I said earlier, I use BlogLines, and it tells me when my friends or other blogs I've indicated have updated their blogs so there's no time wasted dropping by to see if they have been.
And so for the New Year I wish us all happiness, health, joy, peace, and love.
