Search This Blog

Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year!

Just a quick note to wish all of you a very Happy New Year!  It's quiet here at the house,  I'm beginning to take down the Christmas tree and gearing up to go back to work after a glorious 11 days off.  Wow, did I need the break.

I got to stitch a lot and I promise that I will take pictures of what I've finished.  I finished Prairie Schooler's, Merry Christmas Eve on Christmas Eve.  I've started Baby It's Cold Outside and I've finished December's Wordplay.  Oh, and I finished Letters For Santa too.  Vacations are wonderful, aren't they?

I've been thinking of next year and what I'd like to accomplish.  I think that I'm going to play it by ear, this year, I focused on Wips, which I think I'm going to continue to do.  I really will finish, I Sigh Not for Beauty and True Virtue.  I thought it would be fun to stitch Christmas designs and ornaments all year or focus on Prairie Schooler Santas.  But I love the other seasons, especially Halloween, so I'm not sure I can keep stitching snow in the middle of summer.  And I also thought I'd work through all the LHN ornaments (I have like 16 of those).  Plus, I have a grand-daughter to stitch for now too.  Oh, there's just too many things to stitch, so I'm just going to just "go for it".  No pressure.

 I bought a lot of stash this year, only things that I truly love though and that's a big step for me.  Gone are the days of buying just to say I have it.  I have more patterns than I will ever stitch in my lifetime so a little restraint is a good thing, no?

Finally, before I go back to taking down Christmas,  I want to pass the two With My Needle patterns on to someone. I want to share them with someone who doesn't have them. So comment on THIS POST ONLY if you would like my very gently used Letters for Santa and December Wordplay.  I'll draw the name on January 2nd.  Letters for Santa is a bit worn on the folds but the pattern is serviceable.  Just sayin'.

Last year, I chose a word to focus on all year. That word was TRUST. I have to say, that I learned alot about myself through that word in 2012, I realize that I am not as trusting as I believed and when my faith was tested, I found that I lacked sorely lacked trust. I've improved and the journey isn't over. But the word for 2013 is GRATITUDE. I take so much for granted and I also found that I'm not grateful for what I have or the blessings I've received. I've found through some soul searching that I feel "entitled" and that's not the attitude I want to cultivate. So, my focus word in 2013 is "gratitude" and by default "thankfulness".

One thing I know from the bottom of my heart is that I am grateful as well as thankful that I have wonderful blogging buddies who brighten me when I'm down, inspire me when I am low on creativity and share with me a love of stitching. You have enriched my life and for that I am forever grateful and most thankful. 

SO, it's on to 2013.  A bright new shiny year.  Here's to new beginnings!

17 comments:

Giovanna said...

A very happy 2013 to you and your loved ones!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Happy New Year, Joanie!

Melissa said...

Wishing you the best for the New Year, Joanie! I hear you about the break from work and hope it's been a good rest. I go back on the 2nd!

Take care!

Beehive Needleworks said...

Wishing you and your loved ones a splendid New Year! May 2013 be filled with love, laughter, good health, and joy!
Warmly,
Judy

Paula said...

Joanie, I read you blog often and saw your offer of patterns. I would be interested, maybe I could send you some floss in exchange?
My neice chooses a word to focus on each year also. She truly believes it is life changing.
Happy New Year!
Paula

Tracey said...

It sounds like you really enjoyed your time off, and got lots of stitching in too! I hope that 2013 is good to you and your family.

I would love to be entered in your draw for Letters for Santa and December Wordplay... thanks so much for the chance Joanie!

Jodi S said...

I too have been on a vacation from work and it was nice. Glad to hear you enjoyed your time and was able to complete some xstitch! I would love to have a chance at Letter for Santa and December wordplay as they are on my wishlist! Thanks and best wishes for 2013!

Deb said...

Happy New Year Joanie!! I wish you the best for a wonderful 2013!

pj said...

Happy New Year to you and yours! Wishing you a wonderful 2013 with less worry and stress. We all have lots to be thankful for.

I would love to win Letters to Santa!!!! Thanks for sharing.

pam in iowa

Vickie said...

A Blessed, Happy New Year to you!

Lisa V said...

Happy New Year to you. I love your idea of focusing on a word for the year, might have to take that into consideration.
Please enter me in the drawing for the two charts as I would love the chance to stitch them both.
Many thanks.

Kathy said...

I like your idea of focusing on a word for the year. Hope you don't mind that I "borrow" that idea. Now to pick the word.

I'd like to be included in the drawing for the two charts.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

You are gonna be a GRANNY! Yay!!! Nothing beats a new little life to love and spoil ;o)
I love the idea of your words to live by and your Gratitude choice is wonderful, one we all need to think about and contemplate!

I would sincerely love to be put in on the Letters for Santa...I haven't gotten that one yet and desire it mightily! LOL!

Happy New Year Joanie, you are a fabulous, sharing, caring, wonderful woman! May you gather in God's bountiful blessings in 2013!

Laura - StitchinManiac said...

What a wonderful offer Joanie! Happy New Year to you as well. If I'm lucky, I'd love to have the Letters to Santa pattern. I recently finished Hilda's Alphabet Brew and planned to get the other two charts. They're just too fun.

I've really enjoyed following your blog posts.

Laura

Carol said...

Oh, you'll have such fun stitching for your little granddaughter, Joanie--I have to admit to being a bit envious. Don't know if that honor will ever come my way...

I'm playing it by ear this year, too--just not good at planning ahead and I like to stitch whatever "calls to me."

I'd love to enter your drawing for your Letters to Santa chart...loved that one the instant I saw it.

Wishing you and your family a joyous New Year!!

Karoline said...

Happy new year Joanie :)

diamondc said...

Joanie: What a lovely post, I like the idea of picking a word for the year.
Happy stitching to you, I hope all your wips are finished soon, I love stash myself but am holding off until april this is when we have retreat then I will buy some more. however I did buy some stash in nov. and dec.
Happy Newyear
Catherine