Someday with Power of Moms

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Heather

We take possession of our new house in just a couple of days, and I’m feeling good because things are coming together. (Just don’t talk to me about the leak  in the basement or the seller’s agent…) Between packing boxes, trying to entertain my 6 1/2-year old, and trying to keep sane, I’m also attempting to get going with the Mind Organization for Moms Premium program. And, ladies, it has been very helpful in keeping my feet on the ground during the past week.

Organized inbox for the win!

Organized inbox for the win!

Firstly, I’m getting my email inbox under control. Okay, I’m still not very good at replying to blog comments (but I love them all!), but now I’ve got them labelled properly, which will make them easier to find and reply in the future (when I come up for air in September…). I’ve also created inbox labels and folders to store emails, registration and serial number emails, Needlework News, things I need to take care of right away or someday, and a few other things too. It might seem like a small step, but it is already making a difference in how I go through my email, and I know it will help over the next two weeks when I won’t be able to process my email as often as I do right now.

My Someday folder. (It's got more in it now!)

My Someday folder. (It’s got more in it now!)

I’ve also begun to implement the folder system. The most important one right now is Someday. As I’m going through things to pack them up, I’ve come across a lot of things that I know I need to get back to… someday. For example, while tidying up my cross stitch patterns, I wrote a list of patterns I’d like to stitch sooner rather than later, and that list has gone into my Someday file. The next time I’m at a loss as to what to stitch, I’ll pull out that list and pick something. I’ve also stuck in a reminder to sort through a box of papers from grade school (Don’t judge! I’m sure you all have papers that old too!) once things have settled down.

Some of my M.O.M. supplies

Some of my M.O.M. supplies

Since back to school sales are in full swing, I decided to pick up some of the supplies I’ll need to get my who M.O.M. machine up and going next month. Yes, it is more to move, but saving big money trumps not moving one additional box. I’ll also be ready to get started with the introductory M.O.M. in 2 Weeks program in September, setting me firmly on the road to organization–and more time for stitching!

If you’d like to find out more about Mind Organization for Moms, M.O.M. in 2 Weeks, or the other programs offered by Power of Moms, head over here. And don’t forget about the free Master the Whirlwind program.

2 Comments | Posted in Homemaking, Organizing | Tagged

Tiny Water Dragon

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Heather

Boxes are pilled up everywhere. Seriously, everywhere. I’m getting a bit overwhelmed, but I’m still trying to take some time to do a little bit of stitch to calm myself down.

Water Dragon, designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

Water Dragon, designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

I rummaged around what I still had unpacked and pulled out Water Dragon, which was designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith for the 2009 Creativ Festival. It was part of a joint class with Teresa Wentzler, whose design was Fire Dragon (but which I haven’t started yet). Sadly, that was the year Teresa wasn’t able to make it. It was still a great class though, since Jennifer is wonderful.

Water Dragon, designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

Water Dragon, designed by Jennifer Aikman-Smith of Dragon Dreams

We are in the final countdown to our move now. The house is officially ours on the 12th, and the move will take place on the 19th. During the week between, we will be cleaning, painting, and moving up things like kitchen items, the little man’s toys, etc. It is a 30 minute drive between our two places, so it won’t be too bad. And, you know I will make time to stitch and/or knit during all of this. 😉

5 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , ,

Needlework News

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Heather

Interesting things have been happening out there. Timey-wimey dice, smuggling drugs, and so much in between.

    • 12 Doctor D12 – Robin Hobbs has created a super cool 12-side die that features the faces of The Doctor. Sadly, the War Doctor isn’t included amongst the faces. But, you can pick up the pattern for the portraits for yourself on her etsy shop. Edit: Here is the link to the pattern for the d12. Thanks Robin!
    • Stitching is my drug – Being addicted to cross stitch clearly means something different to a man in Alberta. A courier package heading for his home was seized by the police because it held five cross stitch patterns… all containing Oxycodone pills.
Not your typical cross stitch patterns. (Image from Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams)

Not your typical cross stitch patterns. (Image from Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams)

    • Pointy sticks – Knitting can be dangerous. An Australian man is suing his school board for a knitting accident that occurred in 2001, when he was 13. He apparently accidentally stabbed himself in the eye with a metal knitting needle. I can only imagine how terrible that felt.
    • Knitting Biblical scenes – A lovely display of knitted Bible stories was on display last month at Trinity Church in Barrow, U.K. Click through to see some really cute pictures.

And, lastly, check out this cute little movie. A knitted scarf is used like old film, and the results are just amazing.

2 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch, Knitting | Tagged , ,

Flashback 2001

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Heather

Ah, the start of the new millennium. It feels like it was just yesterday, doesn’t it? (I’m one of those people who swears that the 90s ended only a couple of years ago.) This was the year I finished university, moved out of my parents’ home and started living in the real world.

Castle, designed by Teresa Wentzler

Castle, designed by Teresa Wentzler

The beginning of the year was spent studying for final exams, having job interviews, and getting ready to become an adult. I didn’t get much stitching done until the summer, when I finally finished up The Castle designed by Teresa Wentzler. This was the first piece that I stitched on linen, Confederate Grey Belfast that was sent to me by a lovely lady from RCTN. (I wish I could remember who it was, but it has been so long. Did any of you send some fabric to a girl in Canada sometime before 2001?) I added the blending filament as per the instructions that were floating around at the time. (And here they are!)

Happy Halloween, designed by Dimensions

Happy Halloween, designed by Dimensions

I also stitched up this cute Halloween banner, which I still hang up every year. This is when my boyfriend (now husband) began to realize how much I love Halloween. He still struggles with my obsession every year, although I tone it way down to keep the peace.

Sitchers' Verse

Stitchers’ Verse

I also finished up Stitcher’s Verse in 2001. I’ll be totally honest and tell you this was stitched from a photocopy of the pattern. There is a bit of a story behind it, but essentially it was given to me years earlier by a friend with the all supplies when I was really down and was visiting her to get away from things. Her heart was in the right place and so was mine. Unfortunately, I don’t know who designed this, so I haven’t been able to buy a copy to make things karmically right. I’ve also never framed it. 🙁 I should take care of both of those things very soon.

Millennium (WIP), designed by TW Designworks

Millennium (WIP), designed by TW Designworks

And one last picture: Millennium designed by Teresa Wentzler. I didn’t get too far with this, and I’ve never picked it back up again. One day.

So, what were you up to in 2001? Did you start off the new millennium right?

 

4 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,

Power of Moms

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Heather

This is what our dining room looks like (and it is the tidiest room!):

Boxes and junk

Boxes and junk

It may look like I’m getting a lot done, but I sure don’t feel that way. The move, the idea of owning a house, and the little man starting grade 1 next year have all made me realize that I need a better method for getting things done. Thankfully, I’ve found Power of Moms. Seriously, stick with me here. This will help you have more time to stitch.

pom_logo

Power of Moms is a organization program that helps you get more done every day. It teaches you how to set up to do lists that actually work, how to get your mail inbox to zero, and how to make time for yourself and your hobbies (see, more stitching!). I’ve just signed up for the M.O.M. Premium Program (which contains all the content of the Mind Organization for Moms program plus a whole lot more) and I can’t wait to put it all into practice.

Getting started with M.O.M.

Getting started with M.O.M.

I discovered Power of Moms through their free Master the Whirlwind program, and it sold me on their concept. They also have a great free webinar called Making HUGE Projects Feel Easy. I know some of you don’t have children or have grown children, but I think the ideas behind this program are still worth looking into. Honestly, I believe that a lot of us need help getting organized and getting things done–and finding more time to stitch. And even though I’ve only been using the program for a couple of days, it has already made a big difference.  The best thing I’ve found so far is the Mind Organization Flow Chart, which is helping me process things quickly, get them out of my head, and move on to what needs to be done next.

I’ll be sharing more of my Power of Moms journey in the future. I’ve only just started with it, so there is still a lot more for me to discover. If you’d like to find out more about Power of Moms, check out their mission right here and sign up for a free account. You will get access to a lot of great free resources.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, but I am only sharing this program because I do believe that it is a great resource for ladies looking to get more done. I am also receiving free access to the program in exchange for my ongoing review.

Comments Off on Power of Moms | Posted in Organizing | Tagged

Smalls SAL – July Check-In

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Heather

It is Smalls SAL check-in time again!

SmallsSAL2014I don’t know about you, but for me July has just sped by. We are less than two weeks from our closing date on the new house, and there is so much left to be done! (We are moving a week after closing, so there is still time to do things. At least, that is what I am telling myself.) And with everything that is going on, including having the little man off school for the summer, I still managed to finish something.

Love, designed by Enchanting Lair

Love, designed by Enchanting Lair

This is Love from Enchanting Lair. I’ve shared work-in-progress pictures a couple of times over the past couple of months, and now I’ve finally managed to complete it. Okay, to be honest, it is about 95% done. I still need to attach the heart beads at the corners (which I will do after I wash and iron it), and each corner should also have one stitch in the Kreinik braid in each of its own corners. Unfortunately, I don’t have quite enough left to do those stitches. I do, however, have some of the proper braid packed away somewhere. So, when I add the beads I will do those stitches.

Fancy stitches and a pretty bead (Love, designed by Enchanting Lair)

Fancy stitches and a pretty bead (Love, designed by Enchanting Lair)

Love was stitched on Enchanting Lair’s hand-dyed fabric in colourway Medieval Rose (I think), using Needle Necessities (and some Threadworx), Kreinik braid, and Dinky Dyes silks.

What did you stitch this month? I can’t wait to see what everyone else stitched. Did you decide that it was Christmas in July and work on ornaments for your tree? Did you stitch flowers or maybe something summery? Please leave your link in the form below. And also try to visit some of the other participants too. We all love visitors!

Oh, and don’t forget: for each month that you finish a small and leave a link you get an entry into the end of the year draw. What is the prize? It’s a surprise! 😉

August Check-in: The next check-in date will be August 27. I can pretty much guarantee that I won’t have something done, but I’m going to try my hardest to make some progress on something!

14 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged , , ,

Flashback 2000

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Heather

I’ve always taken a long time to finish projects. This Kitty Angel kit from Dimensions was started back when I was in high school, and it wasn’t finished until I was nearly done university. (And it took me years more to sew it into a pillow.) I was very intimidated by the ribbon embroidery, so I put off working on it. Thankfully, it turned out pretty well.

Angel Kitty, designed by Dimensions

Angel Kitty, designed by Dimensions

By 2000 I was finishing off my fourth year of university and beginning my fifth and final year. I had a good friend who had helped me through some tough times, so I stitched up Footprints from Jiffy for him as a thank you. (In retrospect, it could be seen as a bit sacrilegious, but I’m not a practising Christian so it never occurred to me that it might be viewed in that way. Thankfully, he liked it.)

Footprints, designed by Jiffy

Footprints, designed by Jiffy.

Footprints now hangs in our son’s bedroom. 😉

Sweet Dreams, from Just Cross Stitch magazine

Sweet Dreams, from Just Cross Stitch magazine

I stitched this pillow just because it appealed to me. It sat on our bed for years, and to be totally honest, I have no idea where it is now. I always meant to take it apart and sew it up a little better, but I never got around to it. Maybe I should re-stitch it and place it in our new guest room.

 

 

2 Comments | Posted in Cross Stitch | Tagged ,