It's a GOOOOOOOOAAAAL!

Well, let's say it is not as I did not reach any of the goals I set for this year, BUT I did have two finishes and I have stitched a bit on most months. (And as a special bonus we did move and I did apply to Uni. That took 2½ months out of my time.)
Could have been better, could have been worse.

So, goals for 2015... I think I will settle with one:

stitch.

Sounds doable.

When it comes to projects I try to work on my WIPs/ UFOs, but if I feel like it I am allowed to start new ones. You know, just for mojo lifting purposes. *grin*

Let's list Projects That Scream i.e. 2- Do:

• "Mother Maya" by Ink Circles.
• "Usiku" by Anchor (Maia Collection)
• "Buon Natale" by La Comtesse.
• "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas" by La Comtesse.
• "Dreaming Is Free" by La Comtesse.
• "Le Paon" by Corinne (her site seems to be offline nowadays).
• "Cerfs Oval" by Corinne.
• "Paon Majestueux" by Corinne.
• "Queen For Today" by Tempting Tangles.
• "Halloween Quaker" by San-Man Creations.
• "Quaker 31" by San-Man Creations.
• "Russian Alphabet" by Aliolka (one of these - or all).
• "Tiger Stocking" by Aliolka.
• "Africa" by Aliolka.

I probably should add this list to my sidebar for easy reference....

And oh, I should photoshoot my WIP pile(s) before January, which also means counting them! Eeeek!

April Recap

I did stitch. On the last day of April... but I did stitch and that is what matters when it comes to my goals. I also managed to update my cross stitch pattern inventory as I happily packed them for future mischief.

I have to say that it was wonderful to fondle all the pretty stash.
There is over 600 patterns... and I still have to inventory books, kits, WIPs and misplaced patterns (which I know I have). *grin* If I'd make a full inventory I think I'd be closer to full value of 10 000 euros (cross stitch stash only). Quite a shocking thought, don't you think? *grin*

But, I put some stitches to my MIP (Most Important Project): Tiny's Lightning McQueen.

Its getting to a phase where it's starting to look like what it should and it makes it nicer to work with.

January Stitching Recap

1. Did stitch. \o/
2. Started all my "Crazy January Challenge" pieces! \o/
3. Progress on "For This Child" and "Christmas Sampler".

4. Designed and started a tiny complimentary design.

Operational plan, part 1

In order to make coming months easier for me I have set a goal:

1. in September I can buy some stash as in September I pay the last part of my biggest amortization off.
2. In October I can get some more stash as then I also pay last part of other debt.
3. November and December I can do what I want with the money (I need clothes by then, luckily I have hoarded used clothes in bigger sizes for Tiny so he should be ok - and I know where Salvation Army's outlet store is *grin*. And AS I start studying (I have decided that I will be accepted *grin*) I need to buy a new laptop for school so I need some money for that (I plan to get some from Santa in addition to that).)

and

4. in January 2015 I start saving money to pay up one last debt that is screwing things... It should only take a year at its worst.

And I already know what I want...

I have drooled after PINN's "Ganesha - The Hindu God of Wisdom" since I first saw it few years back. I saw it stitched on fiery orangey and red hand-dyed fabric and I just knew I had to get it.
They have several Ganeshas and some day I may justify buying this Ganesha too.
It's frigg*** expensive, but.... PRETTY!

(Admittedly I have two auto ships (cheap ones, sans floss and fabric) and I have a deal with Jenna I am paying each month. More about NEW stash when I have started all my crazies.)

Why?

It dawned on me in last November that in order to get a job in the profession I am planning to get a degree of I need squeaky clean background. And by starting clearing it now it will be ok when I, hopefully, graduate. (I need to apply first. *grin*)
There is also that minor thing that I want to offer Tiny things I can not at our current financial status - which would remain the same as now would I return to my old job - and I have very lame dream to actually be able to save up the down payment, get a loan and find our *own* home for Tiny and me at some point.
But all this means that I have to count cents and prioritize heavily now and focus on my goal. (Now, when it is financially easier as toddlers aren't financially demanding... yet.)

/methinks that thyroxine helped me to grow some big balls. And I love it.
Even I can tell you that my bank account at this point is a really, really sad sight. But I think this is also helping me to lose weight, I'm buying less bad foodstuff and stitch and drink tea through the evening opposed to... finding sugar highs. And despite not having weighed myself since.... erm.... long time ago, it seems that my shape has changed slightly which should mean some lost grams.

Another attempt aka. Stitching Goals 2014

I plan of having stitching goals for next year. Hope springs eternal, at least, and that should be a good starting point on my record breaking attempt to make some stitches. *grin*

I am not going to set huge goals for coming year, just try to stitch something, if it's just one project and few stitches, every month.
My Crazy January Challenge 2013 projects will also become my CJC 2014 goals as I managed to start most of them, but then... thyroid and personal issues took my mojo, concentration and such away.

My thyroid medication's dosage is now lower than it was this time last year, so I can see the reason behind being in fog last 2 years: rapid changes in thyroid hormone levels. First upupup and then they started to go down all the sudden and it took time for me to realize that.

And I must admit that all this breaking up, leaving my child's father, moving, dating and trying to suppress my feelings in order to survive has been quite hard.
But all things take their time... now I have plans for years to come, though I have to admit that I still need to figure out practical problems related to wanting to have more kids... as I am not quite sure do I really want a relationship, or need one. But kids... life's sometimes rather complicated.

Trying to stitch my WIPs away is also a goal of mine as at this moment, at least six months I am on REALLY tight budget. Shortly put I grew up and started to pay off the stupidity of youth (cost of love for a naïve idiot like me, I might say).

If I have learned something it is that one should never let love go before fiscal sensibility or responsibilities. (And being nasty b**ch I also say that if Ex-the-2nd would pay me all he owes me, I'd be in no trouble as I could pay myself free right there. Yup.)

Not like we are living like kings here, but it's surprising how little money you really need on necessities when you make a budget. Or how much extra there is in small income. (To give some perspective we live in poverty by local definition. And I find it kind of hilarious.)

But that's that.

So, my stitching goals for 2014 are

• Stitch something every month, even it is just few stitches.
• Work on my Crazy January Challenge pieces.
• If possible, reduce the amount of WIPs I have.
• Arrange my stitching stash.

Four goals and quite manageable I think. Let's see how it all goes.

Stitching goals for October

Yes, such a brave move, but it has to be done.

1. Decide on how to finish Tiny's ornament.
2. Catalog more stash.
3. Decide "2013 Crazy January Challenge" designs and make a list of needed fibers and fabrics.
4. Dye fabric and/ or flosses for "Christmas Quaker II" by Bygone Stitches.
5. Finish ornament for an exchange.
6. Stitch mother's holiday ornament (just designed it and it looks fab *grin*).

I think I might be able to do all this, and if not at least I try.

2012 WIPocalypse!

I simply can't remember from whose blog feed I found this from, but I thought it might be fun thing to try.

2012 WIPocalypse! by Measi

And the spiel goes like this:

"For many years, a rumor has been around that the world will end in 2012.  So really – do you want all of your poor WIP and UFO pieces to be left behind, unfinished?  The guilt!  The shame!  Oh, the horror of all of those innocent little stitchy projects never to be completed!

Here are the rules for the 2012 Wipocalypse:

1. To sign up, leave a comment on this post with your blog address. International bloggers are welcome.

2. Sometime shortly before the start of 2012, make a list of the projects you will be focusing on. Add to and adjust this list throughout the year as you desire.  There are no restrictions regarding new starts for this SAL.  If you feel the desire to start a piece in 2012, add it to your list!

3. On each full moon (or thereabouts), post your progress photos to your site – even if your progress was slower than you hoped.  Label that post with “WIPocalypse” to make it easy for me to find.

4. Once you’ve posted, come over to my blog and find my full moon post, and comment that you’ve updated.  I will create a check-in list of URLs each month for easy blog surfing so fellow participants and readers can cheer you on.

Why is it important to post each month even if you’ve made little progress?
You’ll earn one chance, per status post, for a giveaway drawing to be done on New Year’s Day, 2013!  I don’t want to discourage folks who may have issues that prevent them from posting for a month and force them to give up entirely on the SAL, but I also want to reward those who do check in every month.

What will be in the drawing?
Honestly, I’m not sure yet!  That will be determined throughout 2012 as I add to the box during my trips to my local LNS.  If you’d like to contribute to the box, email me (address below) and I’ll send you my address. Clean, unmarked charts (respect copyright – no photocopies!), finished items, new floss skeins, fabric, etc. are all welcome.  If you have other ideas for a contribution, drop me an email to discuss."

I may actually have some more time i my hands coming year so let's think...

1. Loy Krathong by PINN



2. Futurecast by Teresa Wentzler



3. Madonna of the Garden by Mirabilia



4. Rose Sampler by Ellen Maurer-Stroh



5. The Spanish Sampler by Periphaeria Designs (aka. myself)



6. Star Sampler by Periphaeria Designs



I'm not quite sure are these the latest updates of the projects, but those were the last ones I found from my album.

I think I have found my mojo!

I was stitching something over one the other day on my break and realised how much fun it is and how much I have missed it... and I think I found my mojo there and then!

I want to pick up Rose Sampler again! Never got far along with it, but that just means there's more fun left!

Why? Because I'm doing it over one! (And those yummy overdyeds help, I think. )

The only thing keeping me from stitching the night away is that I have been working like crazy (read: /me really tired) and there is one more early morning tomorrow... Work, gah!

Long time, no goals: July

I decided to start goaling again so here's a short list for July:

1. Stitch another 'Autumn' in my colour scheme (my excuse is that I promised Linda to get her a better picture ).
2. Stitch monochromatic version of the 'Spanish Sampler' before 15th of July.
3. Stitch models.
4. Participate July Stitch-a-Thon.

A is for April, G is for Goals

As usual strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

And the goals for March were:

1. Import at least two old designs (different software) to *.pat/ week.
2. Stitch at least two, and a half, models.
   1. 1½
   
   +
   
   2. Mothers' Day complimentary design
   
   +
   
   3. one humbug
   = 3½

3. Stitch the accompanying piece to one of the latest designs, finish it and send the PIF to $COUNTRY. Half done.
4. Finish and send Terri's ornament. Done!
5. Participate Stitch-A-Thon.
6. Stitch and finish Here's to Ewe piece. Stitched.
7. Grid the Spanish Sampler's fabric before 15th and start TSS. Done!
8. Organize my design tree (it's not a folder, it's a tree).
9. Decide the design for the biscornu exchange at FlossMoms. Kind of decided, I am trying to decide between two designs.

   Additional:

10. Pendibulle tutorial

Didn't I say something about lots of red?

Goals for April are:

1. Stitch rest of the first band of TSS and stitch the monochromatic version (the silks came today!).
2. Finish and send Here's to Ewe piece.
3. Stitch and send monochromatic biscornu to...
4. Stitch the dark humbug, finish both and send them.
5. Finish the secret accompanying piece.
6. Participate Stitch-A-Thon.
7. Apply for the BBA studies.

Mad as a March hare... erm... goals

As usual strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

And the goals for February were:

1. Work on models: must finish two before 14th. Done! Finished three, and a half, models during February.
2. Participate Stitch-A-Thon. Done!
3. Start Here's to Ewe piece.
4. Stitch Flashes of Gold at least a bit.
5. Belated Christmas ornament for a friend at EMS board as her exchange partner apparently forgot the part of making and sending an ornament. Done!

Not too bad noticing that I had some health issues during the month of February. (It ended with an exploding migraine...)

The goals for March are:

1. Import at least two old designs (different software) to *.pat/ week.
2. Stitch at least two, and a half, models.
3. Stitch the accompanying piece to one of the latest designs, finish it and send the PIF to $COUNTRY.
4. Finish and send Terri's ornament.
5. Participate Stitch-A-Thon.
6. Stitch and finish Here's to Ewe piece.
7. Grid the Spanish Sampler's fabric before 15th and start TSS.
8. Organize my design tree (it's not a folder, it's a tree).
9. Decide the design for the biscornu exchange at FlossMoms.

Can we say lots of red in next month?

By the way, two new designs:

1. I designed a while ago a card for Violarium and it's now officially in use:
   
   
   
   I charted five different colour schemes: spring, summer, autumn, "rekipeitto" and winter. Second from the right is called rekipeitto because Leena named it like that (its colours remind her of old Finnish sleigh blankets).
   Rekipeitto is the original colour scheme.

   This design is loosely related to the Violarium Collection.

2. And I figured it would be fun to have general retailer complimentary design, dug my design stash and came out with Illusion (it has been sent to One Star's Light and Violarium):
   
   

There's no stitched model for either one, so I itch to stitch these some of these days.

And on less joyous Periphaeria Designs related note: Happy birthday PD aka. yup, I am famous now.

Goals

It's almost February! O_O

As usual strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

The goals for January were:

1. Work on models. Done! Finished: Model 1, Model 2, Model 3 and Model 4 and Model #5 will be finished later today (if I just can keep myself away from the computer - I have spent two days glued to laptop because I have a plan..).
2. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong. Done! Not with Loy though.

Additional achievements:

3. Biscornu for ''January Biscornu Exchange''
4. Designed little anniversary gift for/ from Periphaeria Designs (it will be availabe 14th of February (a bit early start, I know) , stay tuned!).

And the goals for February are:

1. Work on models: must finish two before 14th.
2. Participate Stitch-A-Thon (with Loy Krathong?).
3. Start Here's to Ewe piece.
4. Stitch Flashes of Gold at least a bit.
5. Belated Christmas ornament for a friend at EMS board as her exchange partner apparently forgot the part of making and sending an ornament. (I didn't participate, but I felt bad for her and offered to stitch a replacement. )

Goals

As I am coughing my lungs out and have been awake last two hours because of that I probably can just as well look at my December goals and set some new ones for January...
The spiel goes, as usual, like this:

strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

The goals for December were:

1. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong. Participated, though not with Loy.
2. Work on models. Done, one stitched, another one will be almost done when the year changes.
3. Stitch and finish the Cross Stitch Lottery piece. Done.

   Additional:

   • Winter Dragon on Christine's RR - it will be mailed out in the beginning of January to reduce the risk for it to get lost while flying over the Atlantic Ocean.

And the goals for January, 2008:

1. Work on models.
2. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong.

I keep it short and sweet, just to give me less space to stitch what I really want to.

2008 Stitching Goals and 2007 recap

2007 Recap

1. Collect as many Teresa Wentzler designs as possible.
   Bought both Fantasy Collections, three booklets and got one as an exchange goodie: altogether 30-something new TW designs.

2. Start and finish Egyptian Sampler.
   Started, not finished.

3. Stitch at least one hardanger design.
   Started, not finished.

4. No more than two ongoing exchanges (which include stitching) at one time.
   I think I managed this.

5. Stitch at least one of my own creations per month.
   I published 27(!) designs: two in The Gift of Stitching, five complimentary designs, three exclusive complimentary designs and 17 "regular" designs.

6. Finish Alter Echo.
   No.

7. Keep list of all finishes.
   Managed.

Goals for 2008

1. Finish Egyptian Sampler.
2. Finish Loy Krathong.
3. Finish Flashes of Gold.
4. Stitch at least one of my own small designs per month.
5. Keep list of all finishes.

Better to keep it short, don't you think?

1. I think I have otitis-in-the-making. (My ear doesn't hurt yet, but when one blows one's nose it *hurts*.)
2. My local pharmacy has ran out of the flu shot - and their wholesale distributor has ran out of it also. In a country this size it probably will mean that I won't get the shot this year... even it would be beneficiary for my health. The pharmacist tries to find is it available in anywhere.
   If that I fails I try to lure my doctor to get the nurses at the health centre to give me it free - if they have it.
3. Wet snow is not a nice thing, though it's better than sleet...
4. The Company is looking for a new employee for the department where I am I as a trainee - my supervisor supported my idea to apply (hey, I know the company better than someone who comes out of the blue). Now all I need is to write the application.

Goals

End of the month is coming and as I am quite sure that I won't have any happy dances in next two days I can just as well post my goal check now.

As usual strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

The goals for November were:

1. Stitch ornaments for my parents. Started...
2. Work on models. Done:
   • Winter's Night ornament
   • Hanuka Tova
   • Paper Cut Snowflake
   
   
3. Stitch and send Christine's RR.
4. Stitch two parts of Hardanger Bookmark SAL (buttonhole stitch and eyelets).
5. Stitch and finish Linda's bourse. Started... it's about 75% done.
6. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong. Done, even though I stitched the Winter Dragon.

Additional achievements:

7. Beescornu ornament for Jenna

Well, I have been sick and busy and tired so I am not that disappointed with this month. And I will finish Winter in coming weekend as it only lacks backstitching and then the Seasonal Dragons RR is ready to fly to its mommy.

The goals for December are:

1. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong.
2. Work on models.
3. Stitch rest of the design and finish the Cross Stitch Lottery piece.

It's short, but it's better this way - and I will have less stitching time during December because I will spend one Sunday going/ being/ returning from bits_2_whole's birthday and another getting prepared and getting to our mother's (probably by a bus, with four cats and all the stuff I need - she promised to come to help to get us from here to there, so it won't be that bad).

By the way, there may be a fabric picture tomorrow (or so) as I am dyeing the FoG's fabric at this moment.

Goals

It's November already...! O_o

As usual strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

The goals for October were:

1. Work on models. One finished.
2. Stitch, finish and send one secret gift. I intended to finish it last night, but for some reason I was too tired to think straight (like I am always *grin*) and decided to stitch Fang - who is, by the way, almost done.
3. Stitch Linda's bourse.
4. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong. Done!
5. Decide the design for Cross Stitch Lottery piece. Decided, will stitch one of Linda's designs.

Additional:

6. Finished and sent Halloween Exchange item.

Fortunately I didn't make the list longer... The goals for November are:

1. Stitch ornaments for my parents.
2. Work on models.
3. Stitch and send Christine's RR.
4. Stitch two parts of Hardanger Bookmark SAL (buttonhole stitch and eyelets).
5. Stitch and finish Linda's bourse.
6. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong.

Once again short and sweet, but I think it's enough - and anyway I have to head to shower...

And it's a.... goal!

As usual strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

The goals for September were:

1. Stitch Autumn dragon on Jenna's RR and send it to Christine. Done! (Admittedly I forgot to send it out in Friday, but it will be mailed out tomorrow.)
2. Finish one secret gift. Done!
3. Stitch the Halloween Exchange item. Done!
4. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong. Done!
5. Finish the secret model. Not actually finished yet, but rest of it will be stitched and, probably, finished today.
6. Stitch another Top Secret model. Started...
7. Finish the started model and start another one.
8. Start the bourse for Linda.
9. Start the Hardanger Bookmark SAL.
10. Finish the layout for the alephbet sampler (based on the alephbets at the Kooler Design Studio's freebie section) and start it. The layout
11. Prepare the last installment of the Birthday Thread Exchange (to Edda). Done!

Additional:

12. Charity square

You can clearly see that in this month I got my medication and started to feel better... I am getting back on track, BUT there's quite some way in ahead of me before I get back to my old speed. I haven't even recovered from the flu yet (though it always goes like this: I am otherwise ok, but I will cough and spit phlegm out of my lungs for another week or so).

And the goals for October are:

1. Work on models.
2. Stitch, finish and send one secret gift.
3. Stitch Linda's bourse.
4. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong.
5. Decide the design for Cross Stitch Lottery piece.

My DONE list is surprisingly long and I have to say that I am proud of myself, even though I do feel bad of not stitching more of the models. But then, I just got my meds two weeks ago - they shouldn't actually have any visible effect yet, even they do.

The visible effect? I cleaned my bathroom today, first time in months, and I am not tired at all. You can guess how much dirt, hairs and dye spots there was hiding under the dust surface... but when you are sick, you are and when the illness takes all of your energy cleaning your bathroom is the last thing you worry about.
I had some manic tootbrush fun while cleaning (i.e. all the tiny places have not just been wiped and rinsed, they have been toothbrushed), which means that I am not only getting better, but that my ADD symptoms are decreasing (- or getting worse, who knows).

A bit early

As I posted my Stitch-A-Thon goal to Stitch-A-Thons I decided to post it here too, so that I don't forget it.

I don’t have any specific goal, either I stitch mother’s face and body or I do some gardening and stitch the bush (in case I still remember whereI put those skeins of green I recently purchased for it ) and some other parts of vegetation behind the mother.

Health

I also decided that what I have is an asthma attack and stayed home today... After solid eight hours of good night's sleep I dozed off to the sofa in the morning and took a short nap... and slept for five hours.

I have also grown to love my new brochodilator and cortisone. Ventolin(e) caused constant tachycardia and other nasty side effects, Bricanyl caused tachycardia after the first dose and even my second dose for the day was twice as big I have no problems with my heart.
And the cortisone... they say that inhaled cortisone shouldn't absorb into your blood stream... but, I seem to have a cortisone high which begins few minutes after taking the medication.
Not that I complain, I enjoy the feeling of happy contentness. (As I have said, cortisone is good for me.) I just hope that my adrenal gland doesn't freak out from the constant additional cortisone...

And it's a.... goal!

It's almost September (and I am not intending to have any happy dances before next month) and therefore time for our regularly scheduled goal check.
As usual strike and green equal a success. Orange is for "put some work to said piece, but not enough for a success", and red goes, as you guess, for a failure.

Goals for August were:

1. Stitch Autumn dragon on Jenna's RR. Started, but the send-out isn't before 15th.
2. Participate Stitch-A-Thon. Done!
3. Start one of the new models for November launch. Started.
4. Stitch one secret model. I have started it three times and am pleased the third one so it is half done - in theory. *grin*
5. Finish Bunny Baby and send it before 15th. Done! Though I didn't send it before 15th, but anyway it made it to Italy before the deadline.

Additional:


6. Stitched and finished new complimentary design for Periphaeria Designs.

And goals for September are:

1. Stitch Autumn dragon on Jenna's RR and send it to Christine.
2. Finish one secret gift.
3. Stitch the Halloween Exchange item.
4. Participate Stitch-A-Thon with Loy Krathong.
5. Finish the secret model.
6. Stitch another Top Secret model.
7. Finish the started model and start another one.
8. Start the bourse for Linda.
9. Start the Hardanger Bookmark SAL. (If you are interested to join there's still time as Kristine will keep the chart up until 7th of Sept. )
10. Finish the layout for the alephbet sampler (based on the alephbets at the Kooler Design Studio's freebie section) and start it. (I have to remember to show the floss I dyed for it, it's really yummy!)
11. Prepare the last installment of the Birthday Thread Exchange (to Edda).

With the Hebrew classes starting (I need some extra practise for a while because I have forgot so much) and the course I wonder when I am going to sleep...