Monday, January 28, 2013

I'm Here......I'm Here.....Hooray!

It's such a long long time since I have blogged - life has been rather.....busy?  Well, perhaps ''busy'' isn't quite the right word......... there has been lots of change (good change) for me over the last six months.....which has certainly impacted on how much time or energy or even motivation I have had for stitching and blogging.
 
A change in my role at work has been exciting......a promotion which has involved a lot of learning, a lot of additional hours, a lot more accountability and even a lot more daily travelling.  It sounds hard, but I really love it.......love being challenged....love needing to think outside of the box more (not something that comes naturally to me), love leading my own team.......and as for the step outside the comfort zone to something I hadn't even considered I would ever do or even want......wow....but I'm so glad (and grateful) that those who have confidence in my ability decided to push me to step out and make it happen.

The daily commute to work now consists of 104km return as opposed to the 10km I have enjoyed for quite a few years........the drive of a morning I enjoy - gives me an opportunity to formulate the plan for the day (which can often go straight out the door within an hour of getting there).....the trip home can be a bit much at times (especially in the winter months).......I'm often not in the door prior to 7pm......then it's husband, DDx2 and DSx1 time.....and quite often an early bed time......hence, not a lot of stitching (or anything elsde for that matter) has been going on.  Add to that, I procrastinate terribly and spend way to much time perusing blogland.......but its now a new year which brings a new opportunity!!!!
 
I just have to add here though, that my husband and children have been wonderfully supportive.....dinner is cooked when I get home every night by my gourmet husband and the kids have certainly stepped up.....do a little more in the tidying plus have everything they need ready for school the next day.  I am so blessed......there is no way I could do what I do if they didn't do what they do!!!!
 
So - just what exactly have I been achiving? Well, I've been hunting through the computer for photo's and it appeared that I haven't done a lot of anything....now I realise when I upgraded to my iphone I didn't upload my photo's prior to handing my old phone onto DD.....I think my only finishes for last year have been the birthday gifties for my lovely Material Girls stitching ladies anyways......so it turns out I don't even have photo's of all of those........heres a couple anyway....
 



 
 This was a cute little pouch for Christine  - easy peasy - drawstring with a couple of lovely little Anni Downs stitcheries....

 
Rosemary received a Tilda cat....isn't she gorgeous (Rosemary I mean)......Lindy received a lovely stitched jar wrap and Christine and Vicki......I really cannot remember what I made for the life of me....maybe if the girls read this post they may be able to refresh my memory.
 
Now just to make myself feel better (or possibly worse).....I have had several other little ''starts''......my WIP's have certainly expanded!!!!
 
So this year has gotten off to a wonderful start - I have joined Chookyblue's SAL - and so far have completed........
 

one little threadcatcher (from the Red Home book)
 

one little shoebag (from Some Kind of Wonderful)
 
 
both looking cute together on my very old rusty stump puller.

 
and 9 little library bags sent to the Quilted Crow in Hobart who put out a Facebook request for a goal of 50.  A Hobart bookstore committed to filling the bags with books for the kids affected by the bushfires earlier this month......very, very generous.  We are very blessed to live in a country full of people who give a little or a lot when the need arises.  And I think the girls managed even more than the 50 required.  Well done Ladies!
 
This year I've chosen (after a lot of deliberation) not to stitch with the Material Girls.......I'm not feeling reliable or available enough to be a dependable member of the group.....each of them have been fantastic to spend time with monthly over the last few years......always accommodating of my needs......but its time for a sabbatical (thats what I'm calling it anyway)......thanks Ladies - will miss you heaps!
 
Chookyblues SAL will work wonderfully for me - lovely, achievable patterns chosen, a timeframe to have them completed (yay, acccountability for a finish), inspiration from all the wonderful SAL posts.....and some new blogging friends to be made......all without needing to step outside the door!
 
So on that note - given I've had today off - its time to prepare a yummy tea for my family!
 
Take Care Blogging Friends
xoxoxoxo
 
 
 


9 comments:

Vicki said...

I received a gorgeous little bag in navy and white with an embroidered red fleur-de-lis.

Valspierssews said...

What full time you have had. Glad the promotion is working well. Your family sounds so supportive. That is great. I love all the sewing projects you have posted about. The Tilda cat is a hoot.

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Hi Annie...great post....congrats on the job! I love your new blog look....it's great! You made me a pincushion and a journal cover! Enjoy the stitch-a-long...it's a great group to be part of xoxo

Chookyblue...... said...

glad the SAL will be filling the void of your MG's........enjoy the SAL and your Jan projects look great in the photo.......

Sisbabestitches said...

Great SAL projects Annie, good luck with fitting a bit more craft into your er weekly life this year :)

Raewyn said...

Hi Annie, even though it a big commitment your new job sounds like a welcome challenge. Hope it continues that way, hope you can also fit in the stitching you want to do - small manageable projects sound perfect! Thank you for finding time to read my blog!!

Anonymous said...

such gorgeous work ,well done.xx

Rosie said...

Lovely work Annie, and I understand about full time work and craft, that's why I always have a little stitchery on the go, so I never waste a moment.

Kaisievic said...

Lovely stitching, I work full time, too, in a demanding job so I can sympathise with all of the juggling that you do.

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