In Other News...

So, working on my little resolutions... Been hanging out with friends, watching TV, or movies... Or Coriolanus on the big screen, which was absolutely fabulous, btw...

Next up on the entertainment schedule: War Horse, playing live at the local movie house as a simulcast with tons of other movie theatres... It's the same deal as Coriolanus... Which makes me super excited...

After that, Toronto for a "HiddleHunt" as my friend calls it, and Imagine Dragons... In April, six whole days off of work and a trip to Ottawa...

I think things are progressing awesome...

Goals for the Year of 2014!

My year last year was a crazy combination of all things life...

Work was successful and stressful, with getting my Regulation for Pharmacy Technician in April, and I am now able to take prescriptions verbally, process transfers, and check physical components of medications... I have many new responsibilities, and while sometimes frustrating, I do love my job...

I vacationed in Newfoundland yet again in the summer, spending a week in my hometown and then a week in St. John's... We watched many of movies, went on a boat tour with whale watching, and visited Signal Hill and Cape Spear (Where I went missing for over an hour with no cell phone signal. There were things to see!!!)...

I also spent some time in Ottawa last year, and managed to see my first NHL game live... It was terrifying, and not just because of all the Leaf's fans... Those seats in the upper levels are high and steep!!!

There was shopping in London and in the states to be had...

There were seasons of television to be watched with good friends, Lannisters to cheer and zombies to yell at... I made cookies to eat while enjoying the zombie apocalypse, for 8 weeks in a row...

I had a tooth extracted after I broke it on a bagel... Not the root-canal tooth, a wisdom tooth... I also had an emergency filling in the spring when I couldn't take the pain of a cavity anymore and had been up all night with the hurt... Both dentists were fantastic...

A friend came up to visit for 2 weeks, and I'm sure he had a good time...

New glasses... I love my new glasses...

Debts were paid down massively, and I have almost finished paying off one of my credit cards... It has been a year since I have received a phone call advising me of delinquent status of anything... I think that is my biggest accomplishment of all, and I am very proud of it...

I came out of last year better then I went into it... Things were busy and good...

But I want this year to be better...

1. Blog! Yeah, that's right... Blog! It's been about a year, and I've been horribly remiss... I probably don't have anybody to even blog for anymore, it's been so long... But, forget that, I can blog for me, as a record of the things I've done... Now, to just do it!

2. Do more stuff! I'm a homebody at heart... I love sitting in my comfy chair by my fireplace, reading a good book... That needs to change... I am 31 years old, and I'm feeling like I need to get out more... A lot more! Not that there's anything wrong with what I've been doing, but I have friends, and I need to see them more often then I have been... At the end of the month I will be going to see a National Theatre production of Coriolanus (taped production at the movie theatre, but still, awesome), and at the beginning of March I will be going to see Imagine Dragons live in Toronto... In addition, I am saving up some money to take a trip to Australia to visit a good friend who's been down there for more then 2 years already, if that's this year or next who knows... So, yeah... The year is looking up already...

3. Stitch more! I finished 1 project last year... And it's not the project you think... It was a small Christmas ornament that I made as a thank-you for a co-worker... It took 2 days... The rest of the year was spent not-stitching... So, this year, I want to finish 3 WIP's, and get started on a large project that's sitting in my stash...

I think that's it for the moment... Wish me luck! :D

New Beginnings...

I started a new kit last week... I had actually received it from my boss for Christmas... She is also an avid cross stitcher, so she knows how obsessed I am... Sadly, it is one that I already had in my stash, and that I was going to get to eventually, anyway... However, I've decided to do it now, before I start a larger kit...

I work for a large chain drug store in Canada... Yes, that one... Every year there is a charity drive and we collect thousands of dollars for local woman's charitys... Last year, a co-worker made a crochet quilt, and tickets were sold for raffle, with the entire amount of money collected donated to the cause... Seeing as how it was my boss who gave me this kit, I'm planning on stitching it and donating it to this year's fund-raising...

This is "Morning Lake" from the Dimensions Gold Collection... I've got approximately 1/6th of it stitched, and every stitch has been a joy... Hoping to have it finished by the end of March... I know that's a long time for a small project like this, but I have other things to finish as well... I have recently started my practical training for my job, which involves a lot of homework... Fortunately, I already have an excellent grasp of what the answers are, but everything has to be okay'd by my preceptor (my boss), and then sent on to the professional body that regulates all of us... They also have to review and mark what I've submitted... So, I can't be slack about what I submit...

My Totally Out-of-Reach Goals for 2012... :D

EDIT: December 12th, 2012 - Reached my goal of two of these projects completed this year!! Yay! I actually reached my modest goal!!! Buahahaha!!! :D

EDIT: April 16th, 2012 - Bought "Leopard Cub" today... I was totally surprised to see it at the Mary Maxim... And I had a coupon... Yay! Still working on "Cardinals on Sled"...

EDIT: March 25th, 2012 - Bought "Love Birds"... Quite a while ago, actually... And started "Cardinals on Sled" today... There's a progress picture posted...

EDIT: February 28th, 2012 - **So, I changed the date on this post... It's going to stay at the top of this blog until the end of the year... That way, I can edit this sucker to within an inch of its life, and not forget about these projects that I want to do**...

So, I want to try to get some of these things done this year... I know, I am not the most constant of stitchers... I work, and study, and play, and my life sometimes cannot keep up with my hobby aspirations... But, I do get some projects done from time to time... This year, I want to get at least two of these things done... I have motivations for a couple of them, and others are purely for me... 

 "Cardinals on Sled" is a kit I currently have twice... This one is on comission from a co-worker... It has to be done by August or September so she has time to get it framed for her mother for Christmas...
EDIT: Started March 25th, 2012... Progress picture posted...
EDIT: Still working on this as of April 16th, 2012... Will post another progress picture soon! 
EDIT: December 12th, 2012 - Finished...

"Chickadees and Lilacs" is what I have come to believe is the prettiest of kits I own... I really want to start on it this year...  

"Faith Ornament" is already started, but I probably won't be working on it anytime soon...

EDIT: February 25th, 2012 - Finished...

"Leopard Cub" is adorable... I don't own this kit, yet... It just came out, and I haven't had a chance to buy it... I know I have a ton of things in my stash already, but I really can't resist... I just have this thing for big-cat kittens...
EDIT: Purchased April 16th, 2012... It's so freakin' cute!!!

"Love Birds" is a beauty... I don't own this one either... I am hoping to get it soon, and then stitch it for my parent's anniversary in May...
EDIT: Purchased back in February... Shortly after I originally posted this entry...

"Sled Dogs" just looks like fun... :D

So there's my list... I have no real hopes of getting all these done... I have exams in March that I'm somewhat furiously studying for, and that takes up all my spare time... In the meantime I am working and trying to etch out a small life of fun times... And take care of two cats... And not neglect my friends or family... Balancing acts are my specialty, you know...

And has anybody else noticed my complete love affair with Dimensions Cross-Stitch Kits yet? Sheesh... I stitch almost exclusively from them... I just think they're awesome...

Goals for the Month of May 2012...

Well, my goals for April were a total bust... It's hard to concentrate on anything when your face is in agony... Pain can take a lot out of a person... I never understood that before... I'm hoping this month will be better for cross-stitch...

1. Get half of "Cardinals on Sled" finished...

2. Finish two small projects that are in my coffee shop carry bag... May 6th, 2012 - Just finished "Horse Pair"...

3. Finish the needle book from the latest edition of CrossStitcher Magazine...

I'll be finding out if I passed the MCQ and OSPE this month... Cross-stitch may keep me sane for the next two weeks...

Goals for the Month of April 2012...

1. Get half of "Cardinals on Sled" finished...

2. Finish two small projects that are in my coffee shop carry bag...

3. Finish the needle book from the latest edition of CrossStitcher Magazine...

Goals for the Month of March 2012...

Goals? Buahaha! What are those? I have exams this month... The OSPE and MCQ are calling, and I am terrified of picking up the phone... Geep! Wish me luck!

In the meantime, please note that I will be dragging some small stitching with me on my early morning coffee excursions, so I may actually have a finish in March... Not something on my list, but a WIP that's been hanging around since I was in Ottawa a few years ago... I think it's appropriate... I will share when it's done...

Goals for the Month of January, 2012...

1. Finish "Faith Ornament"... I know it's small, but it's 18-count, which for me is tiny... I have exams in March for my regulation in my profession, so I doubt I'll be starting anything new until those are done... At least not working hard at anything new... I'm sure dabbling at something won't hurt too bad, and may cause me to stop going insane from Pharmacology lessons...

I think I'll post a list of my WIPs and new things to start for the year... I want to get some old kits out of the way, and there are a couple of things that will probably be a requirement for this year... I'm going to have to get organized...

Goals for the Month of December, 2011...

Well, I did finish one of the tartan maps, but I'm still working on the other... That's really my only goal at the moment... :D Finished December 20th, 2011... Which is a good thing, seeing as how it's left for the relatives in Ottawa today... The 'Rents are training it up there and packed it with their things...

Goals for the Month of November, 2011...

1. Finish 2 Noca Scotia Tartan Maps as Christmas presents... Started 1 already... this might be a dull month for cross stitch... November 15th, 2011 - Finished 1 of 2...
2. A co-worker wants me to look at a kit she purchased... She means it as a present for her mother for Christmas... I am not guaranteeing anything, of course... I mean, what if it's huge??? We'll see... November 4th, 2011 - She bought the "Cardinals on Sled" kit from Dimensions, which I just got from my brother last month... I saw it and started laughing... Then told her approximately three months, give or take... And apparently, I'm getting paid... Does that make me a professional? Scary! I'll start it after Christmas... She can give it to her mom for her birthday or next Christmas or something... PAID!!!! :D

Yup... Boring month...

Goals for the Month of October, 2011...

1. Finish "Beguiling Tiger"... I'm working on the backstitching now, so, almost done... If I can get over this headache I have today, I may be done tonight... Finished September 29th, 2011...

2. Work on "Delightful Panda"... (Edit: It's called Panda Delight and it was designed back in 1998, so, is that considered vintage for crafting?) I think that's what its name is... Started that last month when I ran out of gold threads for the tiger... It's turning out really cute... Finished October 25th, 2011...
3. Finish 1 of 2 Nova Scotian Tartans for lucky relatives... Started October 26th, 2011...

4. Enjoy my birthday... I am actually working on my birthday (October 1st!) this year for a few hours, but seeing as how I am coming down with a cold or something, again, I think that's alright... Here's to turning 29 for the first time!!! Cheers! :) Done...

Goals for the Month of January, 2011...

Do I have goals this month? Not really... I've been fiddling with "Light at Sea" from the Dimensions Matted Accents collection... Only, it's losing the flag... I'm Canadian, so I don't think an American flag is gonna work out so well here... And I really don't feel like switching to a Canadian flag, so, I'm just gonna leave it out and fill in the area with appropriate cloud-like stitches... Then it can be multi-national!!!

Goals for the Month of December, 2010...

1. Finish the "Nova Scotian Tartan Map"... It's a gift for my aunt for Christmas (she also received another cross-stitch for Christmas a couple of years ago, the "Winter Hideaway" Dimensions piece)... I feel the need to explain something about this piece... I gave my parents a finished cross-stitch of this while they were visiting me in Newfoundland... When I came home to Ontario at the beginning of September, it took me a couple of days to ask where they put it... Apparently, when they were cleaning the rental car in Newfoundland, they accidently threw it out with some bags... I've since had them purchace the chart packs for this and the "Cape Breton Tartan Map" (Dad liked them both a lot), and all the threads required to stitch them, and sometime in the near future I will stitch it for them again... Until then, this piece is for my father's sister, who took me in for a whole month back in 2008 and put up with my crazy ways... Finished December 9th, 2010...

2. Finish "Beguiling Tiger"... This has traveled with me across the country several times, but I just haven't felt like working on it, so it has languished in the 3/4's done state...

3. Finish "Joy Kitty"... I did some work on this in October, but I got distracted by the roses... Finished December 11th, 2010...


I work very near an up-scale coffee shop, which is managed by my mother actually... I tend to show up there at scarily early hours, to have breakfast and wake up properly... I have been making it a habit to take a cross-stitch with me to work on, because I'm usually there several hours before my shift starts... For instance, tonight I started work at 5pm, and I showed up at 2pm for coffee... I'm finding that this is really helping the progress of my stitching... And that there are lots of people in my community who think what I'm doing is awesome... Instant ego boost... :)

Goals for the Month of November, 2010...

1. Finish "Rose Cuttings" from Dimensions... I'm currently working on the half-stitch, so, I'm almost there... Finished November 18th, 2010...

2. Start and finish "Nova Scotia Tartan"... Again... *shakes head and sighs in the direction of the parental figures*... Started November 19th, 2010...

3. Try to get a couple of those free kits from Cross Stitcher magazine done... They've been building up over the years...



I'm sure there's more on this list to do, but really, it's 12:17 am... My brain is boggled...

Goals For The Month Of January 2010...

1. Stitch something... Anything!!!

*glares at textbooks and notes piled around the room*... It's all your fault, dammit...

Goals for the Month of May...

1. Work on "Beguiling Tiger"...
2. (If I finish the previous) Start "Unicorn Mystique"...
3. Start one of my Peonies designs...

Alright, I Has A List!!

No, not a Christmas list, though that would be appropriate... A cross-stitching list, which is just as awesome... I think I've picked out my large projects for 2009... We'll just have to see if I actually get even half of what I intend to do done... It'll be fun trying!


1. "Exotic Orchid" designed by Sheila Hudson... This was featured in CrossStitcher magazine issue # 194...


2. "Spring Break" designed by Dyan Allaine... Kustom Krafts Inc...


3. "Regal Tiger" designed by Linda Rossin... The Gold Collection... Dimensions...


4. "Beguiling Tiger" designed by Tracy Somerville... The Gold Collection Petites... Dimensions...


5. "Unicorn Mystique" designed by Stephen Read... Sunset... Dimensions...


6. "Woodland Enchantress" designed by Ruth Sanderson... The Gold Collection... Dimensions...

Wow... What a list, right? And seeing as how I figure I'm possibly going back to school in September, it's gonna be a heck of a challenge...

Goals for the Month of December...

1. Finish all three plastic canvas cross-stitch ornaments...
Flakes Unite - Finished...
Joy Kitty - In transit...
2. Stitch the daydreams cardinal...
3. Start the snowman from the petit gold collection...

Goals for the Month of November...

I need to list what my goals are for the month, or I may never get anything done... This hopefully will keep me honest in my day to day stitching...

1. Poinsetta on green aida... Finished November 25th...
2. Needlework of blocks...
3. Quotation... Finished November 14th...

Now, let's see how far I get... I'm hoping to finish the poinsetta at the very least, seeing as how it's a Christmas present for my best friend's mom and dad...