Why is this so hard for me?

As you can see I have not posted since January. I had every good intention of posting to my blog but fail to do so because I think my posts will not interest other readers. I have continued to visit the cross stitch BBs that I frequent. Unfortunately the traffic on those BBs is quite low compared to what it was 2 or 3 years ago. We all have only a certain amount of time and I suspect as more of us blog we spend less time on the BBs.

I like the BBs because they are like a multiperson conversations. Blogs feel very one way to me. I know that people who read your blog can comment but I rarely get a comment so I feel like I am talking to myself. On the BB if I post a progress pic or a happy dance you usually get at least a few people who comment. Or if you have a question you can usually get an answer. The blog is a great way for me to express my opinions about something or dispay pictures or updates on my work but is not necessarily the best way to have a conversation.

I 've decide to try again beacause there was a thread on one of the BBs asking for our blog URL and because some said she had gone out and read my blog. I felt bad because it was so out of date. So I added my blog address to the list and said I would start to blog again.

My cross stitch goal for this year was to finish 10 projects. In previous years I have had more specific goals and have not succeeded. This felt comfortable. I am on track to complete 10 projects this year. So far I have completed 6. The last two were Deco Spirits- Fire panel by Mirabilia and Christmas is Forever by Lizzie Kate. Pictures of those two are posted above.

What else am I working on?

Up until this past Monday my OAAT project was Michael Powell's Spanish Mini Cottage. Last week I signed up for an exchange ( I couldn't resist). So now I have to put this aside and stitch my exchange piece. Of course I can't put a picture of my progress on my exchange piece since it has to be a surprise but here is a picture of my progress on the Spanish Mini Cottage.

A Small Finish

I have been struggling to finish Christmas Tree Mandala so instead of working on it today I pulled out a little kit I had in my stash called "Heart of Gold". It is intended to be a little keepsake bag but I am going to make it into a scissor fob. It felt so good to start and finish something today. Now maybe I can face finishing Christmas Tree Mandala. I only have about 100 stitches of gold braid and 78 beads to put in and I am done with it. I will try to do it on Tuesday since Monday night I will stitch on Wedding Sampler as part of Monday with TW.

Where I've Been and Where I'm Going

My cross stitch stats for 2007 are as follows:

• Starting WIPs 12
• New Starts: 5
• WIPs completed: 8
• WIPs Retired: 1
• Remaining WIPs @YE: 8

My stitching goals for 2008 are:

1. Get my WIP count down to 5 or less by the end of the year.
2. Finish my 10 project challenge.
   
3. Finish 15 of my stitched pieces.
   
4. Be a SOS except for three exceptions (3 charts, JCS Ornie magazine, supplies needed to complete projects in my stash)
   
5. Stitch at least 4 new ornaments from any JCS ornament magazine.
6. Learn the following new skills: stitching over one, hardanger, punch needle, and knitted socks.
7. Finish one project for each of the new skills learned.
8. Send out one RAK out of my stash.

My Starting WIPs are:

1. Christmas Tree Mandala - 70% - Stitched 50 % in 2007
2. Dragon Virtues Afghan - 40% - Stitched 25 % in 2007
3. Mira RR Deco Spirits - on Mira RR - 20% - Stitched 5 % in 2007
4. StoryTeller - 5% - I did not stitch on this one in 2007
   
5. Dragon Ride- 8% - Stitched 4 % in 2007
6. Autumn Sampler - 70% - Stitched 65 % in 2007
7. TW Wedding Sampler 5% - Stitched 5% in 2007
8. Winnie the Pooh Christmas Ornament 10% - stitched 10% in 2007

My Plan is:
I will plan to stitch an average of 2 hours per day. I am a One At A Time (OAAT) stitcher for my major pieces. I will stitch Christmas ornaments and other small projects as travel projects. Winnie the Pooh Ornie occupies that spot right now. Each of my WIPs will come up to be stitched in a specific month based on how long I thing it will take to complete them. This will enable me to stitch on all on my WIPs this year and hopefully finish all but one, the afghan. I am currently working on Chatelaine's Christmas Tree Mandala and plan to have it completed by Saturday. At that time I will start TW's Wedding Sampler. I have given myself until the end of February to complete this one. If I complete before the end of February I can use the remaining time for a new start. I will follow this practice as I complete each WIP. This will allow me to finish my existing WIPs and start a few new projects throughout the year. I am very excited about this variation on OAAT stitching and look forward to an exciting and fun stitching year.

So what abut you? What are you looking forward to accomplishing this year?