Happy New Year

This is likely to be long and possibly rambling as I am going to combine what would normally be two or three posts. 

I have a 2012 finish!!!  

Rose Garden by Blackbird Designs
Stitched on 30-count Old Mill Java by R&R Reproductions with
Faded Roses by The Gentle Art

I probably could have finished this yesterday but I ended up running several more errands and didn't get a chance to stitch until later in the day.  I will be keeping a running list on the sidebar, but will have a more detailed list on a separate page tabbed above as "Finishes".  Probably the most amazing thing about this photo is that it was taken outside on January 1st and I did not have on mittens, a hat or coat.  The high temperature today was close to 70 F!  Absolutely crazy, but I did wash the car and get a couple of things picked up and ready for the temperature drop predicted for later this week - the high on Thursday is supposed to be in the 30sF.

Next is my year in review.  My revised goals were: 

Angel's Song - stitch 6 bands  

Christmas Elegance - Finish

Egyptian Garden - Finish DONE

Hawaiian Garden - Stitch through Part 6

Holy Night - Finish

Santaberry Pudding - Finish DONE

Twilight of the Tsars - Restart DONE

I did finish several items that were not on my list but generally I had a fail for the year.  For 2012, my goals are a bit more realistic - to stitch on my WIPocalypse projects and keep up with the SAL postings.  I am not going to put any pressure on myself to finish certain projects or to get to certain points - just stitch. 

I did better on my December goals:

Finish With Thy Needle and Thread's Birds of a Feather Mystery DONE

Complete two volcano corners and two pineapples on Hawaiian

Finish Lizzie*Kate's Socks & Underwear: Santa 2010 DONE

Stitch on Dimple Designs' Twilight of the Tsars DONE

I definitely get a pass for December's stitching.  As I mentioned above, my only monthly goals are to stitch on my WIPocalypse projects, so I won't be posting separate monthly goals anymore.  I have had commitment pieces for the last three years, it will be strange not having to have a piece finished but I think a nice change.

Hawaiian  is first on my WIPocalypse list, so I will be working on that until Friday.  My first "compressed" Friday stitch will be Holly by Mirabilia.  At some point during the week,  I need to sort floss, I'll be using Martina's DMC conversion, and get things labeled for the new Chatelaine mandala - Mystery XV Deep Sea.  I was given the bead pack and fabric for Christmas, but won't be starting it for several weeks as it was a last minute addition to the list.