Saturday, January 2, 2010

52 in 52: 2009 in Review

First of all--Happy New Year! Second of all--wow!Thank you all so very much for your many compliments on my completed "ornament a week" challenge! I was overwhelmed by your wonderful comments. I don't know about you, but I love it when readers take the time to comment--it is amazing how a simple kind sentence or two can brighten someone's day, isn't it? I love waking up in the morning and finding evidence of a new visitor in the comments section of my latest blog posting. It just starts my day off right. So, thank you all!!

As I promised last week I am posting a photo of all 52 ornaments from last year. Well, almost all... I made two of them into cards and mailed them to loved ones and sent off the bookmark to a book-loving friend. So, here are the remaining 49 in order! I wish the photo was better, but with my camera it is difficult to get a clear photo from so far away. I'd love to know which one is your favorite piece... Mine is the little bird standing on his egg--he never ceases to make me smile. I "finish/finished" only about half of them so I have plenty to catch up on this year! Sometimes work just gets in the way of my stitching and finishing time :)



I've had a few requests to see the ornaments on our Christmas tree so I decided to snap a quick picture before we take it down tomorrow. You'll also notice a few ornaments from past years--one of my favorites is the little elf with his tangled string of lights. Like many of you, I have tended to give away a lot of the ornaments I made, but these are just for me to commemorate my "Ornament a Week" year.

I'm also including some close-ups of some of the ornament finishes that I got done this week (yes, I was very busy finishing!). You can see them in this slide show of all of my 2009 cross stitch finishes that I put together. Hope you enjoy it!

Many of you asked what my stitching plans are for 2010... Well, to tell you the truth, I plan to stitch just for the pure joy of stitching. The only two concrete goals I have are to stitch a block a month of Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow and to stitch an ornament a month. I truly love creating ornaments and just can't give them up for all larger pieces. My confidence in my ornament finishing has really grown with each month and I plan to finish as I stitch this year...

I am going to take a bit of a blogging break for a couple weeks and catch up with things around the house--I plan on putting away all of the Christmas stuff and maybe cleaning out a closet or two (or three or four). I should begin removing the wallpaper from my middle son's room, too, but we'll see... maybe that can wait another year (I mean does anyone like removing wallpaper--YUK!!). Anyway, watch for my next post in two weeks 'cause, guess what--I'll be posting a giveaway in honor of my January 16th birthday AND my first blogoversary. It is so strange to think that a year ago, when I began my blog, I didn't know any of you! And now, just look at what a difference a year in the blogging world can make. Thanks for a great year everybody--you've really made me smile :)

59 comments:

riona said...

Congratulations on an amazing achievement. As to my favorite: it'd have to be the Prairie Schooler Turkey since I know just how intricate it was. I stitched the entire chart from which you pulled that little turkey, over one on 32ct linen ... loved the way it turned out. But seeing your use of the same chart for an ornament inspires me to do the same. I will be stitching one Christmas and one Thanksgiving ornament a month this year. I rather like the idea of keeping my tabletop wrought iron ornament tree out year round ... so I need to make some more ornaments for all the other seasons.

Kim B said...

WOW! What else is there to say?? What amazing finishes! Such an accomplishment! I did the Eggs...etera bird myself so I'm partial to that one. But I must say my very favorite of the bunch is the robin with the santa hat! SO CUTE! Congrats to you Carol! What a beautiful collection to have under your belt for 2009!

Myra said...

It is so amazing to see all of them together! That little bird on the egg is what started our blogging friendship. I fell in love with him and after you sent me to ebay looking for the chart, I have yet to stitch him. But I will - in time for Easter this year is my plan.

Your stitching is just awesome and inspires me to keep on stitching!

Lee said...

What a wonderful collection.
The little bird on the egg is also my favourite still looking for the chart, and having been inspired by your work I have just stitched Woodland Snowfall and snow bunnies.
Loved seeing your Christmas tree and also the full collection of ornaments.

Shari said...

gorgeous!!!!!!!!! Looking at that picture, I must have found your blog about 1/2 way thru the year. Wish I had found it sooner! You did an awesome job!!!!! I think the little mouse is my favorite. I want that issue of the JCS ornament issue, but have yet to be able to find it!!
Your tree is beautiful!!! I have all my stitched ornaments on a tree in my craft room.
I agree about people leaving comments. I wish more would comment on my blog. I am ready to give up on it!

Wendy said...

Wauw, you have been quite busy !
I just love your tree !
my mind is made up now, I will defenitly try to do a few ornaments this year.
Luckaly it is still a long time until next Christmas, lol !
I hope you have a happy, healty new year, filled with a lot of stitching joy !

Cath said...

The little mouseon the branch and Two deer are my favourites , butit's hard to choose they're all so gorgeous. And beautiful finishes too , well done XXX

Theresa said...

Wow!!!!! Look at all these ornaments!!! They look so nice on your tree!!!!!

Hillery said...

Congratulations on your accomplishment. I just happened on your blog today. I wish I had been here for the whole year. At least I can go back and see all of your amazing work. Can't wait to see more.
Happy Stitching,
Hillery
northcountrysamplings.blogspot.com

Cole said...

Wow, what a fantastic stitchy year you had!!! I love your tree :)

I love CCN's Let it Snow. Hopefully I'll get that one on my tree next year!

Catherine said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures! I too love the bird on the egg - I did that years ago for my mother and put it into a recangular frame - the bottom section of which has a mirror.

I do have to say that they are all lovely, and I don't like to pick favorites!

BronnyB said...

What a wonderful achievement - and what a great idea to show them all together to sort of round off your personal challenge. The blue flowers on black stand out to me, but all the others are so vibrant as well.
I did not even keep up with my ornament a month challenge this year - but have decided that 2010 is the year of the snowman. I've got a few charts lined up to start.
Congratulations also on your upcoming blogoversary!

Blu said...

What a wonderful set of ornies/future ornies!
My favourite is the fat bird in the Santa hat the top right.

Also I have to know: how did you take this picture? I'm guessing you put it on the carpet and then... how did you manage to take it perpendicularly? It's been bugging me... I have a vision of hanging from a harness Mission Impossible-style (but that's just silly!)

Robin said...

Wow! What an over achiever! Thanks so much for sharing your 52 in 52. I am inspired to stitch ornaments now and I never was before seeing your tree.

And a favorite! How can one choose? They are all adorable and dear in their own way. But if you insist, I'd have to say my favorite is the fat little bird in the santa's hat. Looks like a Valerie Pfeffer.

Claire said...

Wow your tree looks amazing!I can't pick a favorite they are all so good but it's out of the chick (top right),the two snow men (top row) or the black cat.

valerie said...

Wow, what a huge achievement! Love all the ornies...the bird on the egg is darling but I love the FaLaLa Snowman...that one always makes me smile. :)

Nita said...

What's amazing to me (besides your commitment to your goal!) is the variety of what you stitched. I love the bird ornaments - but the little boy skating and the rabbit snug in his burrow captured my heart. Congrats on a fine achievement!

Rowyn said...

Well done on achieving your goal of an ornament a week. They are all gorgeous. Hard to pick a favourite - but that little bird on the egg and the Halloween one with the cat and ghost both stand out.

I adore your Christmas tree! It looks absolutely beautiful. We didn't bother with a tree this year since we are shortly moving house, but I have told DH that I want to go all out next Christmas(since it will be held at our house). I am going to show him the photo of your tree and tell him that is what I mean by all out. lol

I should send my younger sister over to your house, she loves taking wallpaper down. So much so that she once took off wallpaper in a room we didn't want done!!! :-)

Enjoy your blogging break!

Jules said...

Beautiful collection of ornaments! I love Cat-O-Lantern and Not a Creature Was Stirring the best.

Barbi said...

Oh My Gosh!!! The tree is amazing!!! And how does one even pick a favorite out of all of them??? I would have to pick. the little mouse "not a creature was stirring", Christmas Chick which I have always loved but have yet to stitch, The bird sitting on the egg...Two by two...hmmmm you know what...just start at the top left hand corner, work your way across, and then continue on until you get to the bottom right hand corner!!! LOL You did a beautiful job on everything.

Sweet Sue said...

Hi:) They're all gorgeous, beeeeautiful tree.

You've certainly earned a well deserved break ~ enjoy my friend!

Keep warm, it's downright nasty cold here....

xoxo

Barb said...

Carol, I am so happy that you were able to finish what you set out to accomplish this year. I am once again inspired and so glad to have met you through your blog. Your tree is lovely! We have a cut tree and I am going to leave it up for another week.

Cindy's Stitching said...

Love them all Carol. Love your tree. I will definately miss your ornament a week but I am sure you will have other great pieces in the works. They all look so nice together. your stitching friend.
Cindy

Jackie's Stitches said...

I'm not sure how you can pick just one favorite!

I like the one in the second row second from the left and the one with the little boy ice skating. What are they called?

Enjoy your time away from us!

Annie Bee said...

Those ornaments are amazing. I love the little Snowman mitten. Enjoy your break. Your birthday is the same as my future SonIL.

Anonymous said...

I'm speechless! What a fantastic collection of ornaments, well done on your achievement. I think my favourite, and it was very hard to choose just one, is Cat O Lantern.

Nic said...

Your ornaments look amazing all gathered together - and as for your tree, just wow!

I think my favourite is the village scene in the second row, but there were so many great finishes it was really hard to decide!

Laural said...

OMG! Your tree is beautiful! Mine has so few ornaments. My favorite is probably the little bird on the egg too. My husbands birthday is the 16th too!

Brigitte said...

Wow, what a wonderful picture to see them all together. My favourite? Can't pick a single one, well, the Prairie Schoolers may be. But all the others are so beautiful, too.
I think the same about comments. As I love to see them on my blog I try and comment as much as possible on other stitchers' blogs. It's just a bit difficult when there are busy times at work. But you are right - a single frindly sentence can brighten up your day.
Wishing you all the best in 2010.

Siobhán said...

Carol, WOW!!! Your 2009 accomplishments and your tree are both a sight to behold. Amazing! You should be so proud of yourself! I know that CaHRH is going to be just as amazing. I'll miss your update next week but look forward to seeing what you get up to in your absence!

Happy new year to you and yours.

Lois said...

Carol, I loved seeing the slide show of all your finishes as it gave me a chance to catch up on the ones I missed before finding your blog. I don't know that I can pick a favourite, I love the Christmas Prairie Schooler ones and plan to stitch some myself this year. Your tree with all the ornaments is gorgeous! I have started to take down the Christmas decorations today and the house looks so bare. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy new year. Good luck with the wall paper stripping!

Edit said...

Amazing stitches! To see them together... and your Christmas tree, very beautiful!

I am looking forward to see what will you chose to stitch this year :)

Hava a very happy 2010!

Daffycat said...

Happy New Year, Carol! Wow, your tree looks stunning! I'm amazed with all the stitchy ornaments!

Ranae said...

Carol your tree is to die for, how stunning is that.
What an amazing collection
one again Congrats!!

Julie said...

A superb collection, how can i possibly choose a favourite, they are all wonderful... but if pressed i do like the ring of rabbits and also the seasons greetings.

I'll be continuing my ornament a month as well so i have 12 to give as gifts next year.

Michelle said...

WOW! It is wonderful to see all your stunning ornaments together - what a awesome achievement! I love all the Prairie Schooler ornaments - there is just something about their pieces!

Your tree looked gorgeous too!

Happy New Year to you and your family!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Your collection looks amazing. My favorite ones are all the snowmen. Can´t wait to see your stitcing this year.

Jennifer said...

I am so inspired by your Ornament a Week that I am going to give it a go myself this year. :-)

Meari said...

The ornaments look awesome!

Unknown said...

Wow! I'm so impressed and inspired. All of your ornaments are lovely.

Carol's Stitching said...

I loved the final ornament of the year. It reminded me of my Grandma's house and I would love to find this pattern someday. We share January 16 - your birthday and my anniversary. I agree with you that I love seeing comments on my blog as well; it just makes you smile all over. Take care and looking forward to your updates in 2010!

Carolyn NC said...

Fantastic job! Tree looks lovely!

vivian said...

I loved your idea and am impressed, congrats on achieving your goal. I love everyone one of them and they look beautiful on your tree but my favorite is the mouse in the teacup, so cute.
Ornaments are my favorite but finishing is a challenge.
vivian

Melanie said...

WOW!!! 52 in 52! Incredible! I just discovered your blog a couple days ago, and just had to go all the way back to the beginning to see all the wonderful ornaments you stitched! My favorite? A tie between "Not a Creature Was Stirring" (next to stitch in my to-do pile) and Lizzie-Kate's "Land that I Love." You did a magnificent job stitching each and every one, and I truly envy your finishing skills. Congratulations!

MelodyB said...

My fav. is the gingerbread house and the scare crow pumpkins. I am enjoying your blog so much as this year i plan on making a lot of christmas minis for my tree also. Your tree looks sooo nice! Thanks for sharing!
Melody

Marie said...

An ornament a week, that is absolutely amazing...I am shooting for an ornament a month this year. Seriously, congratulations you are an over achiever and that's a good thing! :)

Gorgeous tree ~ I would leave that one up all year.

Parsley said...

Wow. That's a LOT of work. As my stitching improves, you'll have to tell me some easy way to turn my items into ornaments too. (pretty please) ;)

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Excellent outcome to your 2009 goal! Beautiful tree! Thank you for sharing them all in one glance. I enjoy the challenge of a larger piece sometimes, but I really enjoy working on smaller pieces, too, and we do stitching for the enjoyment; right?

Anonymous said...

wow!!! What an accomplishment and all of them are so wonderful. What memories you'll have each year of hanging them on your tree.
Way to go!!!!!

Anonymous said...

wow!!! What an accomplishment and all of them are so wonderful. What memories you'll have each year of hanging them on your tree.
Way to go!!!!!

Kellie said...

Wow, Carol!! You are the ornament queen!!! Congratulations on such a beautiful accomplishment. Your tree filled with those ornaments is absolutely beautiful! It is hard to pick a favorite. I truly think they are all beautiful. We have similar tastes in stitching. :) I really love Christmas Village and the PS designs you completed. I also like the seasonal ones that you did that weren't Christmas. AND the bird standing on his egg...See...too hard to pick just one. :) We have the same goals for this year...stitch for fun, 1 block a month on CaHRH, and a monthly ornament. We can cheer each other on. :) Hope you are enjoying your blogging break. I am looking forward to seeing your posts again. Have a great weekend!

Ho

Natasha said...

Congratulations on your ornament a week goal, all of those ornaments are tree are amazing.

After seeing your weekly posts I decided that my goal for 2010 would be to stitch an ornament a month. I give you the credit for the decission ;)

Have a wonderful year!

Pumpkin said...

Absolutely AMAZING! WOW! And to see them all together is so neat. Especially on that gorgeous tree of yours :o)

I know what you mean about getting things straightened around. I have all the Christmas stuff put away but the house needs to be cleaned now :o( I haven't had as much time to read Blogs as I would like.

Wendy said...

Hi Carol,

I just found your blog while surfing on the internet. I did enjoy reading it and watching all of your wonderful stitching projects. Me too I'm a cross stitch addict. I will come back to visit your blog again.

Greetings from Belgium,
Wendy (http://wendyshobbies.blogspot.com)

Mylene said...

Hello carol, i felt so ashamed here as i thought i had left a comment on this post before but couldn't find it, i am so sorry.
I do remember you mentioned your birthday, i am a bit early but in an hour it will be midnight here so i would like to wish you a HAPPY HAPPY Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends!!((hugs))

paru's_circle said...

just found your blog !awesome .. and your willpower is admireable.. love the winter sampler and the gingerbread man..would you like to swap the pattern for the pumpkin one on my blog? regards..P

Viooltje (Violet) said...

A belated ♥WOWWWWW-WOWWWWW♥

and a timely

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!
:o)

btw the wordverification says:

drophat

I'll take my hat from my haed anyway, for all the work you accomplished this year!

HIP, HIP, HURRAYYYYYYYYYYY!
:o)

Martine said...

Quel beau résultat !!!
Tous ces petits modèles sont plus jolis les uns que les autres (et plus particulièrement ceux de Prairie Schooler). J'aime beaucoup les voir accrochés dans ton sapin ! C'est magnifique !!!!!

Heather said...

Oh My Gosh! Seriously, you did all of these in one year? You are AWESOME, and so inspiring. I am really excited I found your blog :D