Frosty

With the wind chill, the temperatures are down into the single digits again tonight. That's a good enough reason to post another photo of Spring flowers from last April.

I'm getting stir crazy.

19 in 2019 - February Update

I've managed to make progress on a several of my goals.

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Goal #1: Do the finishing work on needlework pieces that are stitched but not ready for display.

I turned In the Garden into a book cover for my gratitude Journal. I've chosen my next finishing project and started gathering the materials I need to complete the project. 

Goal #8: Go on a Celebrate Your Life retreat
I registered for the retreat that's coming up in July.

Goal #12: Learn my Enneagram
I've begun the research. I found tests online and a book or two that I might purchase.

Goal #13: Reach a specified weight by February doctor’s appointment
Goal met! In addition, all but one of my other markers went in the right direction. I've set a new goal for my August appointment. 

Goal #15: Purge and organize storage shelves in exercise room

I purged the box of Valentine decor and went through the box of St. Patrick's Day decor.

Goal #16: Use up my tea stash

I've continued having hot tea each morning and have used up another box, Celestial Seasonings Raspberry Zinger. I've now started drinking peppermint tea. It's good, but I do like the berry teas better.

Goal #17: Blog at least 25 weeks of #throwbackthursday posts of my 1997 - 2007 projects

I wrote three more posts in February.

Goal #18: Blog at least 10 of my Ladies of the Evening collection (mend as needed)

I wrote one blog post in February. I've picked which Lady to write about next and set up the photo studio for the pictures. I've completed four out of ten posts so far.

Goal #19: Finish one of my eight courses

I'm continuing The Creative License by Danny Gregory. The current lesson has to do with proportion. Here's one piece I drew this month:

Alternate Goal: Watch 50 movies from my Netflix/Amazon queues.

I watched one movie in February, bringing my total to seven:
American Sniper

Alternate Goal: Photo Organization

I made huge progress on this goal. I've edited, shared, and filed photos from my most recent outings (recent = 2 years). I also culled photos on auxiliary devices/formats (phones, Google Drive, Facebook). In addition, I finally backed up my computer after far too many months and talked to Dale about choosing an automated backup system to the cloud.


I've also made progress on three other alternate goals that involve creative pursuits (metal punch stamping, card making, and photography).

I've continued my quest to Whittle a Little something every day. I've been watching videos from several decluttering gurus for inspiration. In February, I:

• Went through my clothes again
• Cleaned out more from my bathroom cabinets
• Filed all my digital photos
• Cleaned out and deleted old documents on my computer
• Found a way to use up random and leftover embroidery floss
• Started burning and enjoying candles from my too-big collection

I find that as I'm shopping, I now ask myself, "If you were moving, would you want to have to pack that?" It has helped me consider my purchases more carefully. When I'm crafting, I ask myself, "Do you really need that new supply? Or can you make do with items in your stash by thinking about those items in a more creative way?"

I feel excellent about the progress I've made.

Throwback Thursday - 2004 (Part 6)

In May 2004, I completed quite a few projects, so I'll start with the bookmarks, card, and ornaments this week, and share the slightly larger projects next week. All these bookmarks were stitched for my quilt group ladies. The small ornament was stitched for a charity organization. The larger ornament was one I stitched for myself and hang on my tree each year.


Blackwork Bookmark #5

Another from designer Clair Louise Coult of Dumani Designs. It used navy perle coton rather than stranded cotton floss.

Card for Mom

A design by Ellen Maurer-Stroh. Stitched for my mother-in-law to accompany her Mother's Day gift.

Sunflower Bookmark

Sunflower #2075 is from a small kit from Designs for the Needle. I like this little design so much that I've stitched it several times over the years. I love the curvy stem. It makes me smile every time I look at it.

Snowflake Ornament

I stitched this ornament from a design I found in the November 1996 edition of Cross Stitch Magazine. As I look at it all these years later, it seems quite out of proportion with that long tassel I added. I like that my design sense has matured over the years.

Goodie Ornament

The original design for this piece is called Goodie Bag IV from At River's End. I adapted the chart by using the stitches presented, but turning it into an ornament. It had a few unusual stitches, and included beads and metallic threads.

Here's a detail shot:

Flower Bookmark

This is a second design from the At River's End design company that I stitched that month. I chose a variegated floss for the stem and leaves, and added a yellow bead for the center of the flower.

Bookmark Sampler

The pattern for this sweet band sampler bookmark was in the September/October 1991 edition of Cross Stitch & Country Crafts magazine. 

Looking Back

This is one of my very favorite recently-edited photos that I took while in Philadelphia over a year ago. It's one of my classmates.

I like the black and white version.

I like the color version even better.

That wonderful face!

Valentines

I hope my daughters are never too old to receive Valentines from me. I do so enjoy making them. The photos speak for themselves.  💖 💖 💖

The card

The tins

Something relaxing for the bath. A lapel pin.

A sentiment

Something to keep feet toasty

An ornament

Some treats. Bubble blowers. Heart candy. Photo. Each "snow globe" photo frame was personalized to have a one-on-one photo of me with each daughter. The "snow" in the frame is made of floaty hearts.

My love for these young women, and my pride in them, knows no bounds.

Gradient

I bought this jigsaw puzzle for Dale as a Christmas gift. I thought it might be a fun puzzle and not overly hard because of the obvious color shift. But that wasn't the case.

After we got the border in place, I started on the light side of the puzzle, and Dale on the dark. It was difficult, with a lot of trial and error. The pieces were similar enough that we were never quite sure if they popped into place or not.

But I think it was easier to tackle the puzzle from light to dark. I got to the half way point much sooner than Dale. In fact, at one point he was so frustrated with the black pieces that he pulled them all out and started over.

After I reached the half way point, Dale switched gears and went from grey to black, and found it much easier.

The puzzle is designed by Bryce Wilner and produced by Areaware. I bought it on Amazon. The weight of the cardboard is quite nice; the pieces are thick and they connect well. I liked the challenge this puzzle presented, even though it took quite a bit longer to complete than our other 500 piece puzzles.

Feels Like Seven Degrees

That's what the weather report said this morning. Still lots of snow. The icicles coming off the roof are impressive in size and in number.

So instead of braving the cold, I'll sit inside and look at pictures of Spring.

Independence Hall

I got the "America Feeling" when I visited. So much relevant history in that town. Helped me remember part of what I have to live for.

Heart o' Grain

I love this bread. It loves me back.

Welcome to the Pub

Drop in for some ale?

Another gem while filing photos. Philladelphia, PA

Wishful Thinking

No. This isn't happening yet this year in north Idaho. But I'm posting it to remember that in on March 11, three years ago, the crocus did bloom.

March 11 is less than three weeks away. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Better Days Ahead

I've spent the last four days combing through and organizing photos from at least the last three years. Here's a gem from Thanksgiving 2018. I believe my granddaughter was none too chuffed, yes?

This was an extremely dark image, so I played with it a lot in PhotoShop and came up with this artistic editing choice. The crazy cartoon editing matches Melody's mood. This photo puts me in a jolly frame of mind every time I look at it.

Foreshadowing

I've been finessing my digital photo files this weekend and have stumbled upon some gems. This 

forsythia is one of them.

I usually have such a difficult time photographing this plant. It flowers for an extremely short time each April. The vibrancy of the flowers often makes my camera sensor cuckoo. There's something about that yellow.

Two years ago, everything cooperated.

Another Milestone

So, this happened ...

Though meditation is a part of my everyday practice, and most mornings I have a tidy spot in which to do it, I still have to strongly encourage myself to sit down. It's not an automatic habit. I hope that one day, it will be.

HeadSpace

Greener Grass

White on White

The valentine card I made for Dale. Simple. Sweet.

Throwback Thursday - 2004 (Part 5)

In April 2004, I finished only two small projects:


Blackwork Fantasy Bookmark

I stitched this bookmark for one of the ladies in my quilt group. I used an overdyed floss that graduated from purple to green and back again. 

Bunny Bookmark

This is one of my all time favorite bookmark designs. The original pattern called for all the bunnies to be the same color. But where's the fun in that? I gave my youngest daughter my floss boxes and the instructions to pick out some pastel colors. I think she chose well!

This bookmark went to one of the gals in my quilt group, too.

I'm keeping today's post short! Time to go celebrate Valentine's Day with my sweetheart!

Frozen

My attempt to draw my snow-covered back yard as seen through the dining room windows.

With all the cold and snow, I'm beginning to feel stir crazy and I don't have many creative juices flowing.

A Valentine Whittle

In keeping with my Word of the Year, I try to whittle some of my possessions down every day. Yesterday's whittle concerned these two Valentine cookie cutters. I realized I haven't used them in several years, so I'll pass them on to someone who wants them.

Today's Whittle a Little involved actual whittling! Since the beginning of the year, I've been slowly using up my candle collection. This activity will easily last all year! I finished off two candles so far this year -- and actually disposed of the jars that contained them as well. Today I pulled out a candle that had a lot of wax built up around the wick. So I pulled out my cutting board and my trusty knife, and whittled away the excess wax.

Now my pillar candle can sit in a seldom-used pretty china dish on the mantle among the Valentine decorations. I light a candle as part of my morning routine, right before my meditation. A gentle aroma of cinnamon surrounds me.

Marking Time

Marking off the stitches on my chart with colored pencils as I cross-stitch. A little down time. Recharging.