Out With the Old, In With 2012

I had to go back and re-read my post from a year ago, and I guess have to conclude that 2011 ended in a draw. From my reckoning, every achievement or success was matched by a loss or setback; no glaring failures, so I am probably further ahead than I started a year ago, it's just a bit hard to balance with apples to oranges, so to speak.

Lifewise, it was a strange year. I lost my dad, but in the end, that meant more to me than it did to him, leaving me hovering between indifferent and resentful. My oldest graduated from high school, and now the trick is to find the path he was meant to be on, which is considerably more complicated now than it ever seemed to be when I was there. Work is still work, I win some, I lose some, and it's up for debate whether I am any greyer than I was a year ago :) It's true that some days, the longer I'm there the less I know - but it beats the alternative, no?

Stitchwise, I think it was a pretty decent year; I finished TWO Chatelaines, as well as quite a few other things, including Tanglewood and Murky Manor and Starry Nights, all the things I SAID I would finish. Some of the other things I wanted to finish, or get close to done, didn't fare so well - Mary Wigham & Halloween Quaker, for instance - and others never saw the light of day (L&U - aside from about 3 days back at the beginning of the year). And then of course, several impulse starts that did get done - those silly Roosters, MH Halloween, Birds of a Feather, Tree of Stitches. AND I got to work on a few great projects for my friends during the year, as well.

I went to the fair again, and did well. I have my favorite project to date, MTM, hanging on the wall to look at every day. And I have grand plans for the coming year, as 2011 has inspired me to do more in 2012. The writing also continues, though took a back seat to the fall's Finish-itis.

So, for the coming year, a list similar to last year's, with these changes:

- START Secret Victorian Garden (done, on 12/27, actually), Tuscany Town Mandala, and Growth Rings in beads :) Would also like to start Sleepy Hollow and one of the other Joan Elliott fairies of goddesses, upon completion of a like piece.

- Progress on L&U, Celtic Banner, Chat Noir, Noah's Sub, World Tree and EGS when they come home.

- Would LIKE to finish Mary Wigham this year, and Halloween Quaker, too, as well as Iris Fairy.

- Do some more jewelry pieces; I have a lot of fluorite sitting here, waiting for the spark of inspiration to strike :)

- Learn how to use my new toy, a Canon Rebel DSLR. I didn't take nearly the number of pictures in 2011 that I did the year before, which I hope to remedy this year.

- LOTS of books to read - and no more wasting 6 months on a single one like I did on War & Peace...

I can't say I'm sorry to see 2011 go. It was a lot of work and stress. With any luck, this year will be smoother. I won't expect it to be quieter - the number of 4-legged kids around here makes that impossible. But a bit less chaos can only be a good thing, for everyone. So, with that, I wish you all a Happy New Year, and peace, love, and stitches in 2012!