2008 Year-End Recap

Well, 2008 was certainly...A YEAR! Let me leave it at that!

Health-wise the tally ended with:
8 Surgeries
30 Days in the hospital
21 Days in the rehabilitation center
Almost two months of severe pain in my right hand from Steel Syndrome (not enough blood flow) and a bad ezcema outbreak right on top of it.

Yet my needlework tally ended with:
48 Stitching completions
8 sewing completions
My first finishing foray, where I just made things up as I went along

Here are some of my Firsts from 2008:





My first needlepoint finish.










My first tin.








My first "invention": Thread Heaven Haven.
Needs some tweaking!








My first no-sew cube.












I made my own QSnap Covers.








My first flatfold.









My first pillow & pillow sham set.







My first stitched pillow.








My first fabric border.








My first non-cross stitch finish.





2008 was definitely a year of firsts for me. It's hard to believe that a little more than 15 months ago I didn't even know of the online stitching community. The only places I purchased stash were AC Moore, Michaels, and JoAnn's. I had no idea there were online shops, let alone true needlework shops! And designers? My world consisted of JanLynn and Dimensions kits; that was it! Not to mention fibers! DMC was all I used! Now I'm addicted to silks and overdyes! Oh, how you have opened my eyes...and my checkbook!

No, I didn't reach the 100 finishes I was aiming for, but I hope I've proved the nay-sayers wrong. When I think of how much time I would've had if not for being in the hospital or too sore to stitch, I'm convinced 100 finishes is NOT an unattainable goal, especially when stitching only small projects. The people who told me I needed to set "more realistic" goals just fueled my determination. I don't like negative people; I cut them out of my life! Let's see if THEY can finish 56 projects, having gone through all I did this past year!!

I'm particularly proud of this blog, Crossed Purposes. I started CP as a way to share my daily stitching progress. I wanted to have a photgraphic journal to show people how much work truly goes into a stitching project and for non-stitchers to realize that you don't just sit down and whip up a large needlework design in a few hours. It takes days, sometimes even weeks or years, and that time is precious to us stitchers.

But Crossed Purposes has evolved into so much more than I intended. It's been my outlet to keep friends apprised of my health status, a way of sharing the funny things Kasey and Chet do, and a diary really. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. Crossed Purposes isn't even a year old yet and already there are almost 280 posts. I'm very proud of that accomplishment. Even through all the difficulties of 2008, I have remained committed to keeping CP up to date. I have found that if I don't, some of you start worrying! I won't let you down in 2009 either!

To finish off my blogging year, I received the neatest news yesterday! Kudos any cross-stitching blogger would love to have! Connie Barwick, the author of About.com's cross stitch section posted in her blog that she reads Crossed Purposes! CP is in her blogroll! At first I was totally flustered because I was under the impression that all my readers came from my Yahoo stitching groups. I was completely flabbergasted when Nancy V posted to one of the groups that my humble little blog was mentioned on such a popular website!

From Connie's December 28th blog post on About.com:

When I get behind on reading Crossed Purposes, when I have time to catch up, I have to sit and read every post I missed at once. I am probably partially drawn to her blog because of the photos she shares of her cat as much as her WIPs, I admit.

Oh, well, it's not my stitching that keeps her coming back, but pictures of Chet! I can deal with that! I already knew he was a Cool Kitty, now he has a following that isn't just me! Thank you for the mention, Connie!

The friends I've made in my stitching groups have encouraged, sometimes bullied, praised, and altogether helped me through a very difficult year. You've kept me going and it means the world to me! I can't tell you how much your cards, telephone calls, notes, emails, and gifts made such unbearable circumstances that much more bearable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am truly thankful for all of you!

Here's wishing for a wonderful, stitched-filled Year of the Sampler! Goodbye 2008! Happy 2009!