Enough

One Little Word...it didn't come easily for me this year.

Usually I have word possibilities swirling around in my head for several weeks leading up to Christmas. By the time New Year rolls around, my word is already becoming part of my everyday.

 Not this time.

Seeking inspiration, I revisited my One Little Word choices from previous years, and one thing was glaringly obvious to me. Although the words had changed, the overall sentiment behind those words was always the same...do more, be more, lose weight, get fit, eat healthier, be a better mum ...blah blah blah.

At that point I abandoned the whole concept, dismissing it as just a clever repackaging of the old New Years Resolution.

Then I got to thinking about the constant self improvement that we all seem to be striving for, which led to the question...what if I am, in fact, enough? 

What if I am exactly who I am meant to be right now? I'm good enough, strong enough and I try enough? I work enough, care enough and am fit enough? I spend enough time with all the important people in my life, and my best is good enough?

To be honest...I LOVE that I'm learning to let go of my (often very high/unreasonable) expectations of myself, and letting myself just BE....giving myself permission to call it good instead of pushing myself too hard (and the inevitable disappointment when I don't achieve what I set out to)...accepting that I can't always be everything to everyone.

I'm even learning to recognise when enough is ENOUGH, and that it's ok to step back from activities/relationships/commitments that no longer make me happy.

This One Little Word has definitely given me lots to think about so far!

TTFN xxx

Storytime Sampler

Cross stitch was one of the very first crafts that I ever attempted...and my love for it was instant :) 

I loved the pretty threads, the evenness of the stitches, and the thrill of creating something beautiful on what started out as a plain piece of fabric.

I completed quite a few pieces, collected quite a few kits, and then moved on to other crafts....until I discovered The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery late in 2013.

This small business is run by two very talented friends, who design the cutest patterns! I started with a couple of their Christmas designs (which are currently at the framers...yay!) and then signed up for their 2014 monthly program called Once Upon A Time.

Each month, a new part of the design is emailed direct to your inbox, and you have all month to work on it. Nothing like a deadline to keep me motivated! Once Upon a Time is based on children's stories, and I thoroughly enjoyed stitching it...although i'll admit I still have about half of December to complete ;)

I wasn't planning on signing up for the 2015 program....hahaha...no, really! The theme is classic literature, and I honestly thought I could resist. And I did for a while...until I saw sneak peeks of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, and then I was hooked!

February's block is the Secret Garden, and it is just as cute. The frames are stitched in Weeks Dye Works variegated thread, which gives them a lovely antique look. I'm reading the books as I stitch the blocks...a great excuse to reread some of my favourites, and maybe even add some to that list.

I'm resisting the urge to stitch up the title banner and all of the frames...as I really should finish off Once Upon a Time.

That's what I keep telling myself, anyway ;)

Thanks so much for visiting!

TTFN xxx

Natures Journey-a new project!

I probably didn't need a(nother) new project to work on ;) 

In fact, when Chookyblue announced on the stitch-a-long blog that she was planning a new project  for 2015, I mentally reassured myself that I would not be joining up. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed working on the previous stitch-a-longs...and even managed to complete them all according to schedule...I figured that I had quite enough to work on right now.

Then the project was announced, and I was powerless to resist....I love Anni Downs patterns!

I had signed up before I had the chance to reconsider, and set about choosing some fabrics. The pattern lends itself to scraps, but after lots of auditioning (and mess-making!) I decided to use Bonnie and Camille's Miss Kate as the basis for my colour selections.

It wasn't until I pulled the matching threads that I realised I had reverted back to my standard colours....red, aqua, candy pink and apple green, with some navy and burnt orange to add some pop. Oh well, at least I know I'll love the finished result!

Part One of our stitching schedule was to complete 4 large blocks and 7 small...not too daunting once I got started.

I'm hoping they look a bit more cohesive once I make a few more over the coming months...it's all looking a bit random so far!

I hesitated in stitching the year block. I mean, really, is it likely that I'll finish Natures Journey in 2015?

With the blog being updated with such inspiring work from very talented stitchers, and the encouragement of my stitching buddies, I'm hoping I can keep up the pace. Part One...February stitching...is now complete! YAY!

If you need a little stitching inspiration, the blog is really worth a look :)

TTFN xxx