Yippee, I’m so happy to announce yet another happy dance – housesitting has been so good for getting some stitching done, it’s wonderful to get back into the swing of things again, even if it’s shortlived. I’ll be moving back into Brenda and Nigel’s again on 6 Jan for another three weeks, so it’ll be back into the “work-sleep-work” mode again … but after 24 Jan I’ll have a personal life back again during the week, and I can’t wait to make better use of my evening hours rather than spending it all travelling from work. Even if it takes me 1/2 an hour to drive to and from work, it will still give me back another 2 to 2 1/2 hours private home time, ah heaven!!
Next week I’ll finalise the removal truck details (which is costing between $1500-$2000 yikes!!!) , and I have to fly down to Melbourne for a few hours to tidy up the last bit of the storage unit into boxes (we just threw some things into it the last time we were there), then let the removalists into the unit. Then hopefully I can organise for them to arrive Fri 25 Jan, which will give me the whole weekend to unpack things and try to make everything fit. After that, the sofa bed is available for anyone who wants to pop over to visit 😀
Anyway, back to the important stuff … here is my happy dance for the weekend … although in fact it’s three separate happy dances – firstly, there are two happy dances for the two projects I’ve just finished – as well as getting the Necessities Sampler finished, I also sneaked in a new start/finish which is the Geranium House sampler.
Necessities Sampler by Little House Needleworks
Stitched on 32ct hand-dyed Merino linen by Country Stitch
with recommended threads
Geranium House by Country Cottage Needleworks
Stitched on 32ct Light Mocha linen
with recommended threads
The biggest happy dance, though, is that I have now – FINALLY – finished the 50 Project Challenge!! Yippee!!! I have to admit, I didn’t complete the challenge properly in that I did buy a few charts during the year, and I was originally going to stitch a new project for every new chart bought, but to be honest I’m a bit ‘over it’ and want to take the pressure off myself, so I’m not going to bother stitching to make up for the slight splurges. I really want to start off the New Year with no stitching commitments or pressures, aside from my CA Wells class pieces – after such a crappy year in 2007, I’m looking forward to smooth sailing in 2008. And after having precious stitching time over the last few months, I really want to enjoy my stitching again by stitching what I want when I want, and buying new charts on a whim whenever I feel like it as well 😀
One of the first things I’ll be doing in the New Year is fixing up my heap of crap car! I’m still having problems with it, and now it’s starting unlocking itself during the day – it’s like the damned thing is possessed!!! (Maybe I should start calling it “Christine”!) So my first job will be to take it to an auto electrician and have the entire car re-wired, I guess – which means my dashboard light will work again so I can see how fast I’m driving at night … my windows will all actually open again, not just the drivers side window, which is really helpful in this summer heat … my locks will actually stay locked when my back is turned … and the car will stop cutting out on me – then at the end of 2009 I’m hoping I’ll be in a better position to replace that heap of crap with something I actually enjoy driving … Mazda here I come !!!!!!!!
Rightio, enough prattling on … time to do get the housework done before Mark and Leisa return home tonight … then my job this week will be to catch up on a few blogs and outstanding emails, and finally finish the book I started a couple of weeks ago when I was catching the train!! Peace and quiet is shattered out here, as the neighbours are having a party it seems (this is such a noisy neighbourhood, I’m so glad I don’t live here permanently!).
Feather Stitching 
Nice to see you stitching again. You sound happy and relaxed. Roll on 24th eh!
You’ve done some LOVELY finishes here Anne 😉 Both are on my FAV’s list!
Glad to hear that your 2007 is winding down in the “good” column and I’m with you on a super 2008 here’s a wish for good luck for both of us!
Congratulations for finishing the 50 project challenge, who cares about a few little hiccups, we all need to splurge at times. Love the ornies and LHN designs that you have finishes, your must have found those flying needles that I long for.
I hope 2008 is filled with lots of good things for you; I bet you can’t wait until you get into your own place, surrounded by your own things!
Your two finishes are lovely!!
Congratulations on finishing the 50 project challenge. I think I gave up after about 5!!
I’ll definitely keep the invitation to use the sofa bed in mind! One day, I hope to be able to afford to get back to Australia to visit!!
Congrats on finishing the two pieces and also the 50 project challenge. I had it running to, but to much pressure for my stitching didn’t really help the stitching go smoothly.
I would love to send my DH to fix your car, it is just a bit to far from the Netherlands.
Your two finishes are very wonderful. Congratulations on completing the 50 project challenge!!!
Here’s wishing you a super awesome 2008 🙂
Great finishes Anne! Congrats both and completing your 50 project challenge too! Sounds like things are on a wonderful upswing! Happy New Year !
Congratulations on the finishes Anne, they’re both lovely
Oh, Anne, your finishes are LOVELY! and it is so nice to see your latest stitching. Big congrats on completing your challenge, it is so impressive, what with your getting a new job and moving and everything! You go, girl!
Wishing you all the very best in 2008. You deserve every ounce of happiness!
What wonderful finishes! Congrats on finishing your 50 project challenge. You did much better with it that I did.
Hope you have an amazing start to 2008!
Congratulations on completing 50 projects!! What a star!!
Both finishes are very pretty!!
Happy new year! Hoping that 2008 will be a ripper year!
Hello beautiful (thanks for your messaeg as well!)
Lovely finishes 🙂 I am so glad you have Nigel and Brenda to keep you company up there in that awful place 🙂 🙂 🙂
Did I miss the post that said you found a permanent place?
Lots of Love and Happy New Year!
Congratulations on your 50 project accomplishment Anne – that’s fantastic! And I love your two new finishes. Thanks for stopping by and I wish you the most joyous of New Year’s!
Congrats on reaching your 50 project goal, Anne!! It’s amazing with everything that’s been going on in your life that you’ve accomplished it so quickly – and no excuses that you stitched some small things – fifty projects is a lot, large or small. 😀
Congratulations on finishing the 50 project challenge, even if you did buy a chart or two that’s still an amazing accomplishment! Wishing you all the best for 2008 – here’s hoping there’ll be lots of happiness, stitching and plenty of plain sailing for you.
Congrats on your finishes. They look wonderful. It sure will be nice to have a car that works properly, won’t it? Good luck with that.
Huge congratulations on meting the 50 projects! I only got to 27 so I think 50 is fantastic, regardless of one or two little purchases 🙂 And the two finishes are gorgeous – how on earth did you manage to do Geranium House so fast!
Hoping that 2008 is a lot better for you than 2007 – a safe house, a behaving car and fewer money worries. And loads of happy pressure-free stitching! 🙂
Nice finishes! And congrats on completing the 50 projects challenge… you are the first I”ve seen to do so 🙂
Here’s to a stress-free 2008!
Hi Anne, Happy New Year! I love the Necessities Sampler, it’s on my list to do…. I’m so glad to hear that you are near the end of that horrible commute, believe me, you will be much better for giving it up.
Beautiful finishes. Have a happy new year.
Wonderful finish! Happy New Year to you Anne:)
Happy New Year Anne! I hope you have a great 2008 and all your stitching plans work out as you want them to! Love the finishes by the way and congrats on finishing 50!!! (I think it might take me 10 years to accomplish that much!!). 🙂
Anne well done on completing your challenge, I thought it was very brave of you to start such a feat and to have achieved it, brilliant. Hope 2008 finds you settled and happy, you have certainly packed such a lot into 2007. Good luck and best wishes.
Great finishes, Anne! I love LHN designs and seeing these ones has made me add them to my wish list. And congrats on meeting your 50-challenge – awesome!
Both finishes are fabulous – so cute. I love them both! And super congrats on making your 50 Project Challenge! Way to go!!! You are awesome for stitching with that especially with all the changes you’ve gone through in 2007.