The Peacock's Feather

November Goals!

Another month is here.  This year is flying by, and I hate to even think how many days there are until Christmas!  Ack!  I think my goals this month are going to have to be pretty simple!  But here is how I did in October first:

1. Finish my BOAF witch and sew her into a pillow, so I can actually display her! Yes!
2. Finish stitching on "Miss Kitty's Dragons"...and possibly do the finishing. Finished stitching and now I need to sew it into a needlecase. 
3. Stitch up my Just Nan "Crowjackers" and finish it as a fob! Unfortunately not!
4. Work on PS ornaments! A little bit!
5. Work on those birthday gifts and start (need to decide on a design) Christmas ornament for an exchange. A little bit!
6. Do I dare mention VoHRH?  After working on small projects I am sort of in the mood for something big. Not at all!
7. If I can work it into my budget this month order supplies for "Petite Mexican Sampler", otherwise choose some small new design to work on. I was bad and bought other stuff...
8. Try and add a few more stitches in my Bourse! Oops.  Didn't happen!
9. One more...maybe it is time to pull those "Elegant Accessories" back out!  After finishing my first needlebook I had had my fill of Beardie Designs for the moment, but maybe now is the time to pull my set back out?  I looked at it...does that count?

I have lots to do this month, so I better keep it simple!

1. Complete stitching and do the finishing for November birthday present!
2. Stitch and finish Christmas ornament for my SamplerRR group exchange
3. Stitch and finish Christmas ornament for SBEBB exchange
4. Maybe put in a few stitches on last two birthdays that need to be mailed out in December!
5. Sew "Miss Kitty's Dragons"
6. Possibly work on PS ornaments (didn't do too well on stitching one each month!)

I need to concentrate on obligation stitching this month, so I am no sure anything else will get accomplished!  Who else is stitching ornaments??!!  I guess I need to make out a list with mailing dates in red!!  I always want to stitch Christmas gifts (other than exchanges), but not sure that will happen this year.  Why do I always think I need to start early, but then never do??

More Goals for a New Month

I really love the month of October.  I love fall, though you might be confused if you were here in Omaha today.  It is supposed to get up to 88 degrees today and tomorrow!  That's a bit toasty for me, I'm afraid.  Although it is nice to have sunny weather, I would prefer a nice crisp sort of day.  Sunny, but not so warm.  In a few months, though, I bet I will be complaining about it being too cold, however.  I better enjoy the warmth while it lasts.

Here's how I did last month:

1. Catch up on reading needlework blogs!  Yes, I feel completely out of the loop as usual! --sort of kind of--I never seem to have enough time to read all the blogs I want to lately, but I will keep at it!
2. Keep working on "Miss Kitty's Dragons"--maybe finish stitching this month. --Yes, I have been working on it, but didn't finish it.  I am pleased with my progress, though!
3. Work on my Prairie Schooler ornaments --I don't think I pulled them out at all last month...
4. Work on those last three birthday gifts!! --I have started two of them, but I am now rethinking the third one.
5. Continue working on VoHRH--try to finish square #1 and start square #2 --Didn't work on this at all!
6. Complete last Wee Fancy (could be easily done in one night) --My three Wee Fancies are done, but I still need to do the finishing. 
7. Merry Cox "Shaker Spool Holder"--give it another try? --I think I am giving up on this for a while.  I seem to have lost my Merry Cox mood, though I am sure it will come around again.
8. New project:  Just Nan "Crowjackers" and Birds of a Feather Halloween design (if I ever get my supplies) --Didn't work on the JN designs, but I am nearly finished with the BOAF witch!
9. New Project: Kit up "Petite Mexican Sampler" (looking forward to this one!) --Still need to buy the supplies.  I was bad with buying books last month, and these will be a tad price-y so I have held off.
10. Choose one UFO and spend a little time working on it!!--I put a few more stitches in the Bourse I started ages ago!

For October:

1. Finish my BOAF witch and sew her into a pillow, so I can actually display her!
2. Finish stitching on "Miss Kitty's Dragons"...and possibly do the finishing.
3. Stitch up my Just Nan "Crowjackers" and finish it as a fob!
4. Work on PS ornaments!
5. Work on those birthday gifts and start (need to decide on a design) Christmas ornament for an exchange.
6. Do I dare mention VoHRH?  After working on small projects I am sort of in the mood for something big.
7. If I can work it into my budget this month order supplies for "Petite Mexican Sampler", otherwise choose some small new design to work on.
8. Try and add a few more stitches in my Bourse!
9. One more...maybe it is time to pull those "Elegant Accessories" back out!  After finishing my first needlebook I had had my fill of Beardie Designs for the moment, but maybe now is the time to pull my set back out?

I'm afraid I didn't finish my witch last night as I had hoped to, but I am getting closer.  Her skirt has taken longer than I had expected!  I picked out a few fabrics yesterday, but I didn't find one that I am too happy with.  I think I will end up using either the plain black or the black and tan check.  The cover photo on the chart shows a black and orange-y gingham and I just haven't been able to find a fabric like that in the stores.  Any favorites from the ones I have on hand?  Hopefully this afternoon I can spend more time working on her!

That Time of the Month Again

Already it is that time of the month again.  This year is flying by far too fast for my tastes.  Too bad there wasn't a way to slow things down!  I know I shouldn't really set goals...but I consider these more stitching possibilities.  I know I won't get to them each month, but it is nice to at least think about what I have going on.  So here is what I listed last time around:

1. Finish needlebook for Jodi --Yes, can you believe it--finished and received (may I take a bow!)
2. Start stitching on last three birthday gifts from my birthday exchange (I have two picked out and one kitted up)--by the way these are not actually due to be mailed until November and December, so I am trying to play ahead--what a concept! --I have started on one, kitted up the second, and am waiting for Elegant Stitch to send supplies on the last one!
3. Work on either HoHRH or VoHRH--any progress would make me happy! --Working on Square #1 of VoHRH
4. Dare I mention Merry Cox and my poor "Shaker Spool Holder"? --Sorry.  What am I going to do about this??
5. Stitch Prairie Schooler "August"--it is a watermelon...surely I can handle that? --Started the little beehive
6. Maybe do some finishing?  You saw the little pile I have that is ready to be finished...even one thing would be good. --No time for this this month. 
7. Work on Just Nan's "Miss Kitty's Dragon" (more about this later) --Yes.  I have actually been stitching on this almost daily!  Slow progress, but progress all the same.
8. Finish my Wee Fancies--I just have to finish the little beehive.  I think I won't stitch the sunflower.  I am ready to move on to autumn stitching now. 

Really, considering how little I have been stitching at home lately, I feel like I accomplished more than I expected.  I am not sure what to do about my Merry Cox Shaker Spool Holder.  Is anyone else still stitching on this?  Lena-Lou--did you get your supplies?  I hate to bail if there are still people who want to stitch as a group.  I need to get motivated on this one to pick it up again. 

Here is what I have in mind for September:

1. Catch up on reading needlework blogs!  Yes, I feel completely out of the loop as usual!
2. Keep working on "Miss Kitty's Dragons"--maybe finish stitching this month.
3. Work on my Prairie Schooler ornaments
4. Work on those last three birthday gifts!!
5. Continue working on VoHRH--try to finish square #1 and start square #2
6. Complete last Wee Fancy (could be easily done in one night)
7. Merry Cox "Shaker Spool Holder"--give it another try?
8. New project:  Just Nan "Crowjackers" and Birds of a Feather Halloween design (if I ever get my supplies)
9. New Project: Kit up "Petite Mexican Sampler" (looking forward to this one!)
10. Choose one UFO and spend a little time working on it!!

Obviously I am feeling ambitious!  Maybe the cooler weather will help me work in more stitching hours!

More Goals (More Like Suggestions...)

I know I should really give this monthly goal thing up.  I always set goals and then promptly ignore them. But for form's sake here they are again (at least I didn't make too many...):

1. Finish Jodi's Birthday gift!!! Partially done.  I mailed off the goodies I bought and the fob, but I am still working on the needlecase)
2. Work on house #3 of HoHRH  No, I didn't get around to it this month
3. Work on square #1 of VoHRH Yes, I started it, but I have lots to stitch on it still
4. Work on Merry's "Shaker Spool Holder"!!! Hahahahaha
5. Choose either August or one of the months I missed on Prairie Schooler's "A Prairie Year" and try and stitch it this month I didn't get anything stitched, but I did choose and cut linen for the missing months as well as August
6. Try and continue stitching on "Elegant Accessories"  No
7. Work on "Sampler House Farm" No

Perhaps I had better list some suggestions or ideas of what I want to do in August--rather than calling them goals?  Last month was pretty pathetic in meeting any of my goals!  I wasn't stitching much at all, I admit.  I hope it goes better this month, and I hope it cools down so that I actually feel like stitching!  I am afraid to set too many, but here goes...

1. Finish needlebook for Jodi
2. Start stitching on last three birthday gifts from my birthday exchange (I have two picked out and one kitted up)--by the way these are not actually due to be mailed until November and December, so I am trying to play ahead--what a concept!
3. Work on either HoHRH or VoHRH--any progress would make me happy!
4. Dare I mention Merry Cox and my poor "Shaker Spool Holder"?
5. Stitch Prairie Schooler "August"--it is a watermelon...surely I can handle that?
6. Maybe do some finishing?  You saw the little pile I have that is ready to be finished...even one thing would be good.
7. Work on Just Nan's "Miss Kitty's Dragon" (more about this later)
8. Finish my Wee Fancies!

Well, I could add more things to the list.  But this is enough for me not to accomplish for one month---LOL.  Is anyone else not accomplishing much?  :)

My July goals...a little late

With the holidays last week and being busy with end of the year (fiscal year) worries at work, it slipped my mind to look at goals.  I thought I would do it now, though before too much more time in July passes.  Here is what I wanted to accomplish in June:

1. Finish and mail Catherine's gift.  Yes, I finally managed to get it in the mail and she received it safely-Yay. 
2. Work on Jodi's Birthday gift (try and get it to her by July 7!) Still working on it, but she knows I will be late
3. Work on Merry Cox Shaker Spool Holder No, didn't happen in June
4. Try and finish poor little bunny/Prairie Schooler: April design (yes, have fallen behind on this monthly project!) I stitched July instead!  It is ready to be finished as a little pincushion
5. Keep working on Elegant Accessories I don't think I got in many stitches on this one
6. CHS: Houses of Hawk Run Hollow house #2 (If I keep saying I will work on this, maybe it will really happen)  Yes, I finally finished this one
7. UFOs: Choose one that is nearly finished...and FINISH it! I finished the stitching on "The Dainty Housewren"--now I need to add beads and finish it as a pillow
8. UFOs: Choose one to work on--try and make a little progress! (see, I am trying to be conscious of those UFOs!) I haven't chosen a new one yet. 

I did manage to finish a few things off the list, and I also started Goode Huswife's "Sampler Farm", too!  Now for what is left of July:

1. Finish Jodi's Birthday gift!!!
2. Work on house #3 of HoHRH
3. Work on square #1 of VoHRH
4. Work on Merry's "Shaker Spool Holder"!!!
5. Choose either August or one of the months I missed on Prairie Schooler's "A Prairie Year" and try and stitch it this month
6. Try and continue stitching on "Elegant Accessories"
7. Work on "Sampler House Farm"

The most important thing is to finish Jodi's gift.  I am having such a hard time working on it.  I mentioned this before.  The backstitching is really tripping me up.  Also I am a little afraid of messing up on the finishing, as I have never attempted this sort of finishing before.  I was thinking earlier as I was doing errands that maybe I should start something else different and finish it as something I am comfortable doing.  Only I do think she would like this design, and I hate to give up on it when I am halfway finished.  So I plan on sticking with it and hope I am not too late with it!

Jodi and I are in a small stitching group and there are plans underway for a Halloween exchange.  I am very tempted to join only I have been so lethargic with my work lately.  However the thought of stitching something for fall is also very attractive.  I love Halloween designs.  Last year I participated in the exchange.  It was a sweet bag exchange, and I received the most gorgeous sweetbag (you can see it in my Picturetrail album--in the gift album).  I have a little time to think it over, but I am already wanting to pull out  my  Halloween charts!

A New Month...New Goals...

Now that a new month is just around the corner, it is time to see how I did in May...

1. Start Merry Cox SAL--work on it each week and share progress photos--Yes, I have started it, but I had hoped to accomplish more than I have...
2. Finish PS: April (pillow) and May (pinkeep?) --Not really.  I put in a few stitches, but wasn't much in the mood for the poor little bunny!
3. Finish and mail (by May 15th) eight corner pillow!! Yes!
4. Finish and mail gift for Patry and start/finish and mail gift for Juli!! Yes!
5. Finish and mail gift for Catherine!! --Still working on this one!
6. Work on HoHRH (still trying to finish house #2!) --Nope.
7. Queen Bee (not sure about this one--the online class is 5/9!) --No.
8. Continue working on Elegant Accessories--Yes, have been working on this one, slowly, but have added more stitches!

And now for June...

1. Finish and mail Catherine's gift.
2. Work on Jodi's Birthday gift (try and get it to her by July 7!)
3. Work on Merry Cox Shaker Spool Holder
4. Try and finish poor little bunny/Prairie Schooler: April design (yes, have fallen behind on this monthly project!)
5. Keep working on Elegant Accessories
6. CHS: Houses of Hawk Run Hollow house #2 (If I keep saying I will work on this, maybe it will really happen)
7. UFOs: Choose one that is nearly finished...and FINISH it!
8. UFOs: Choose one to work on--try and make a little progress! (see, I am trying to be conscious of those UFOs!)

I wonder if I am trying to set too many goals.  However, when I try and set fewer, I have a hard time cutting some of them out of the list.  Of course a goal is something you work toward, even if you can't meet all of them.  And I always like having a nice fresh list at the beginning of each new month!