A new year with a new plan.

I've stitched and sewn my way through another year.  I was discriminating in what I purchased (on the cross stitch front, anyhow.)  I'd be lying if I claimed the same was true when it came to fabric for quilting.  I traveled a bit and visited a number of new-to-me stores.  I also participated in a bus trip/shop hop.  I finished both block of the month quilts and a mystery quilt in a timely manner.  I also managed to finish several small projects that have been in my stash for a number of years.  A stroll through my past posts should show a fair sampling of what I've done in 2012.

In 2013 I hope to continue working my way through my stash.  I have so many projects kitted and ready to go.  Sometimes I don't know what keeps them from being 'next'.  For example, this row by row table runner.  You'll just have to trust me...it's a table runner.  I've had the kit for 8 years!  When I opened the package and started pressing the fabrics I loved every one.  The colors are so 'me'.  What took me so long?  I've finished the rows of peppermint candies.  There will be gingerbread men, stars, and santas.

Probably the fact that I'm so easily distracted causes currently owned projects to drop down the list.  Once something is under way, though, I stick with it.  It's just getting under way that's hard. 

I am also a sucker for a mystery quilt.  Once started, I try my hardest to keep up.  Here is one example.  It doesn't look like much.  This one has a new part released on the 15th of each month.  I think there are 6 parts.  I've done part 1 and 2.

I am also up to date with Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street Mystery.  The final part was released today. I plan to spend the afternoon in my sewing room but it's a huge step so I expect it to take some time to complete. 

I have finished a number of cross stitch projects during the year and put the last stitches in 6 Fat Men on the 29th of December and finished the 3rd Sam/Sarah Advent small on the 31st.  I am planning to do 3 of these each month.  By next fall I hope to create some sort of advent calendar but I don't have a solid plan yet.  Between batches of 3 I'm going to do a variety of smalls. Mostly, these will be what I work on during the day when I manage to find some stitching time. 

6 Fat Men was a fun stitch. It was the piece I kept by my evening tv watching chair...which is different than my day time stitching chair.  I was thinking of a new project for evenings when I pulled another snowman kit that is pretty cute.  I had the fabric out, the threads ready and was looking for a needle when I asked myself what I was thinking.  I have 2 old WIPs that I should really concentrate on so back in the bag he went.  Both WIPs are a little complicated for evening stitching but I should really make an effort.

So, there it is.  My resolutions for stitching and sewing in 2013.  Here's to making and keeping them!