Friday, December 30, 2011

Happy New Year! Goals for 2012 and a Look back at 2011

Hello my lovelies!!

This might be a bit of a long, 3 part post...or  4 part.

Before I begin, I need to let you all know that I am so happy to have all of you as followers and the comments I receive make my days brighter!!

I also want to let you know that I am currently trying to work down the blog roll and catch up on the multiple posts I have missed over the past week.  The reason being is not only because it was the holidays, but also because of a horrible accident I had three days ago.  CAUTION MY ACCIDENT MAY MAKE YOU FEEL FAINT! (I am somewhat okay as I type this so don't worry please!!)

The Tale of the Toilet
Alright, so the day after Boxing day, I woke up and had the worse cramps in the world (this may make you want to skip ahead). I went to take a wee on the toilet when I started to feel the familiar FAINTY feeling.  I have fainted in the mornings throughout my life, not all the time, but on occasion.  So, instead of staying put, like a SANE human, I decided to get up and walk over to the couch to lie down.  As I passed the bathroom mirror, I saw a ghost.  Wait! That was me!!! Next thing I knew, I woke up as I was banging the back of my head on the floor! Serious pain ensues.  My husband comes running out of the bedroom to see what was wrong because he heard a massive THUNK.  Well folks, I fell flat on my back when I passed out and tried to break the fall with my arm.  This is what we THINK happened.  The funny thing is the pain of my cramps was winning over the pain in my arm and head and back! We probably should've called 911, but I HATE going to the hospital, so we decided to pump me full of advils.  I "slept" most of the day away and by the next day, the pain in my shoulder was so severe we decided to take a trip to the hospital to see if I broke any bones.  I won't bore you with the long wait I had to get any sort of help or pain meds.  What I will say is how disgusting the hospital was!! It was dirty! We are in Canada?!!! And this is the sort of "help" we get?! We pay over $300 a month in health insurance and extended health so why can't we get a clean hospital with people who aren't overworked?!??!?!  Luckily, the Xrays they took showed that I didn't have any broken bones, but I do have some serious soft tissue damage :(  My arm will take awhile to heal and this puts a damper on my sewing/stitching plans :( Double sad face :( 

The Tale of the Toilet Fainting Episode Ends.

Okay!!! Onto happier news!!

The Tale of the "M" Pillow

So remember that "M" I stitched awhile back? Well, on Western Christmas day, while my hubby worked, I spent the entire day making the "M" into a pillow.  The reason being, is that I am not the BEST sewer at ALL!! I tend to rush ahead and cut fabric without really thinking/planning beforehand--this is one of my 2012 goals for myself...more to come on that later.  Unfortunately, when I bought the fabric, I didn't purchase enough so the mistake I made in cutting the fabric, I just had to fudge and make it work.  After seam ripping the panels twice making sure I sewed straight, I sat down to prep both pieces for the zipper I was going to sew in.  LAUGH ALERT!!  Soooo, here I am all happy, sewing my two pieces together, loving my straight stitching, when I noticed I stitched the entire pieces together without an opening!!! HAHAHAHA!! How the heck was I to add the zipper when I sewed the pillow closed! Oh My Golly Gee!! So off I went to seam rip this pillow for a THIRD time!! Although it wasn't too bad because I watched the Princess Bride (for the billionth time) while I did it.  Needless to say, I finished the pillow, sewed my very First Zipper EVER, and the pillow looked amazing!!! My darling cousin-in-law loves her pillow and will cherish it always!!


















Stitching News

My mom's ornie, my sister's and auntie's gifts are still not finished due to my arm being injured.  So I will have to finish them in the new year.  Here is a progress photo of my mom's ornie that is taking an awfully long time to stitch 1 over 1.

I also received a lovely thread from June from Butterfly Wings.  I had won one of her mystery giveaways awhile ago.  Isn't the card and thread lovely! Thank you June!!

Stitching Firsts for 2011

Finished Ink Circles Tanglewood-First ever BAP

Finished the Queen's Sampler by PPS--First time using silks...and now I'm addicted!!

Finished Barbi's Biscornu design-First biscornu ever and loved it! Joyce won it !!

Finished Debi's Roses by Chatelaine-First Chatelaine design ever and second biscornu

Finished M's pillow- First time I ever sewed a zipper!!

Finished Hubby's Stocking-First time I ever lined and sewed a stocking!!

Finished Ornies--Everything I made this year was a first for me!!

I feel pretty proud of myself for accomplishing a lot this year.  I tackled projects I was scared of in the past, but am no longer scared.  In fact I say, bring it on!! Truly though, I couldn't have done it all without the encouragement from all of you.  It's like I have a troop of supporters that help me plug along.  The blogging community has been so kind and generous.  THANK YOU!! HUGS TO ALL!!!

Personal Goals for 2011

1. Slow down.  Stop. Think.  Plan.  Seriously this is a MUST for me.  It will save me a lot of headaches in the long run.

2.  Stop pointing out the flaws in myself.  No one really notices.  This has been a problem for me since I was young.  I really need to cut it out!

3. Be more organized in all facets of life.  I always have these grandiose plans that never get done but could get done if I start lists and focus.

4. Be loving to everyone.  I usually am really loving to everyone, but in this big city, sometimes I get cranky in the crowds.  I am trying to throw out more smiles to people because you know what, it makes their day and mine too!

5. No more moving around if I feel faint.  I just need to sit down and let it happen!

6. Cycle more!! I need to burn off this winter weight I got going on my thighs!!

7. Read War and Peace.  This has been on my list for two years!! My Nana gave me her old Kobo so now I can finally take it with me on the skytrain!!

8. Learn to drive.  Yeah, I don't know how to but I think I should!!

There are probably a lot more goals that I should list, but I think I should be realistic and keep it simple.

Stitching Goals for 2012

1. Start Jane Philpot's Sampler-Got the kit all ready to go for January 1st!!!
2. Start Bird's of a Feather's Bitter Flower Sampler-Still need the materials for this!
3. Start Ann Taylor Sampler by Heartstring samplery-See number two
4. Start anything Quaker!!!
5. Finish HAED's Tea Bath Fairy--She hasn't been worked on since November...oops!
6. Look for a BIG Chatelaine design and save up for it!!
HDF silks by vicki clayton

If you made it this far, give yourself a pat on the back for me!!! I think I should add another goal: post more than once a week so it's less cumbersome for my readers!!

January 3rd is my birthday and the 7th is my Christmas, so I'll probably post in between those dates.

Happy New Year from me, my hubby and my darling, silly, fat, fluffy, quirky, meowy, Titus!!!!!!


26 comments:

Annie said...

Well that doesn't sound like the best way to spend a holiday! Hope that shoulder perks up soon.

Your pillow is gorgeous. I always consider my mistakes to be opportunities to get creative!

Have a very Happy New Year!

Daffycat said...

Ouch! Poor Anne!!! I hope you heal fast, dear. Take care!

Love the photos of Titus. He is such a pretty cat!

Carol said...

Oh, Anne, what a tale--I know how painful soft tissue damage is as I had an accident at work with a book dropping on the top of my foot while I had nothing but sandals on. The bone wasn't broken, but the pain lasted a good six weeks or more... Hang in there--it will heal, but may take a while.

I'm very impressed with your list of stitching firsts and wish you luck with both your personal goals and stitching goals for 2012...

Happy early birthday to you ♫♫♫ !!

And have a wonderful Christmas celebration on the 7th with your family.

Margaret said...

Ouch!!! I hope your shoulder heals fast!! Doesn't sound like fun at all! Loved reading about all you accomplished this year. Love how the M pillow turned out despite all the ripping. lol, I know that feeling! Your goals for 2012 reminded me of Jane Philpot. Oh dear..... :D Happy 2012!

valerie said...

OMGosh Anne, I'm so glad you're ok. Sounds terrible. I hate that fainty feeling. I get lightheaded and shaky but never actually fainted. I'm glad you're ok but sorry you're in pain and cant stitch. Great job on the pillow despite all the drama. I make mistakes like that sewing too.

Sounds like you had a great stitching year and some good goals set.

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday! And Merry Christmas too! =)

geeky Heather said...

Good heavens, what a scare! Glad nothing is broken. Take it easy!!

Very cute kitty there. =)

Happy birthday early!!

IrLik said...

Happy New Year!

Lesleyanne said...

I hope you are on the mend. Happy New Year. Lovely cushion.

Topcho said...

Omg, that sounds painfull! :( I hope your shoulder heals soon! The pillow looks awesome and it seems you did great through the year. Best of luck in 2010!

Mouse said...

ohhhh dear re the ouchies ... hope that you behave yourself and don't do it again!!!! faint while moving that is ... love your goals both personal and stitchy ... whooop whoop re the pillow it looks gorgeous :) and looking forward to seeing you do your stitchy goals for the new year :) love mouse xxxxxx
ps happy birthday for the third .... :)

cucki said...

i hope you feel better soon..
lovely cushion..
happy new year xx

Claudette497 said...

What a way to end the year! I hope you heal up quickly. Good for you with all your firsts!

Unknown said...

Your pillow looks great, congrats! :) I hope you'll feel better and be able to stitch again soon!

Melissa said...

Anne,

I'm just in catch up mode here. Sorry to hear about your fall - you crazy girl! I hope you will heal up soon! At least you have Titus to snuggle up with!

I hope you get extra spoiled by your DH on your birthday!

Agi said...

We share the common goals, at least concerning the driving part. I am also restart driving, I got my licence some 20 years ago, but never used it. From February on I will go back to work and drive our son to nursery school. We are living in the city centre, and there is a HUGE traffic, so I am quite scared even to do that 5 minutes drive... Happy new year, meet you in 2012!

Tiki said...

Fabulous list of accomplishments for the year. I understand about the pillow. I tried to leave out the ribbon on an ornament I made earlier this month. Good luck with your list for the new year. Hope you're feeling better. Happy New Year, Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Great post... Looking forward towards 2012 that is... As for the fainting episode that is not fun. I've fainted a few times as a result of my exercise induced anaphylaxis it's not fun and quite scary! I hope you've had your heart checked to make sure it's not due to any cardiac issues!

I hope you accomplish everything you wish to in 2012, Happy New Year!

Ps where did you get that alphabet from, the M is just lovely!

Joysze said...

I LOVE THAT PIC OF YOU!!!!! :D

ROFL, all that wonderful news that that's what I latch on to, huh? How long did they say it'll take for your arm to heal?

*snort* *chuckle* *full-blown ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!* Well, 3rd time's the charm after all, and that pillow turned out fabulous. BTW... that sounds like something I'd do. ROFL!

Your other gifts will get done... just give your arm some time to heal, k?

YEAH on the biscornu!! I love that biscornu. :D

HUUUUUUUUUGS! and no more fainting, please. :)

Rhona said...

Oh Anne! I do hope you are feeling better, take care of yourself while you heal - it takes longer than you think/want!
I had to laugh at your escapades with the zipper, it sounds just like something I would do! Your finished cushion is fantastic - well done. I'm going to be brave this year and master my sewing machine too!
Good luck with all your goals both stitching and personal.
Happy New year!

Valentina said...

Happy New Year Anne!
Hope you get well soon so you can get back to stitching!

♥ Nia said...

autch =/.. I hope you'll feel better soon and wish you a full recovery soon too!!!
May 2012 be better than it started ;) Have a great year!!!! :D
Congrats on your finishes for 2011 and good luck to achieve your new goals for this year :) I will be here following your progress :D
Hugs&Smiles

SiobhƔn said...

Happy birthday!!! And happy new year. :) Oh, and happy Christmas a bit early, too. I hope you have a wonderful year and fantastic holidays.

I'm so sorry to hear about your, erm, toilet injury! Seriously, that does sound painful. I hope it heals quickly!

Congratulations on the finishes for 2011! I can't wait to watch your progress on Jane P--that will be a stunning finish!

Meari said...

Lovely pics of you and the kitty. :)

You've made some great goals for yourself, both stitchy and not. (I think you meant 2012 for both, right?)

Please be more careful!!! Sounds like something I'd do. LOL

Congrats on your pillow finish. I know it wasn't funny at the time when you had to rip it out three times, but it's funny reading about it. You did it, though! Kudos :)

Also, congrats on all your firsts!! Awesome job.

Meari said...

P.S. Happy New Year!!

Julie said...

Happy Birthday and hope your feeling better.

Veronica said...

Aiks! I hope you're feeling better. Congratulations on sewing your first zipper. I'm sure there will be many more to come after this :) So which big Chatelaine do you have your eye on currently? ^.^

Hugs,
Veronica.