Here stands my Chrismon Tree, it's coming down today along with all of the other Christmas decorations to be packed away for yet another year. Along with the lace angels, beeswax candles and folded paper stars the tree contains some beautiful cross-stitch Chrismons, made by my daughter approximately ten years ago; precious few of those are actually made up into the Chrismons they were meant to be. Unfortunately, most of
her perfect cross-stitch is still languishing on the even-weave canvas awaiting assembly (by me!). Every year it's the same story, I put up the tree and vow to finish the ornaments so lovingly hand stitched for this purpose. The hectic pace of the season always takes precedence and they simply don't get done. This year is different. I am taking the New Year's challenge the same way I would approach a large meal; little bites, one at a time. I have divided tasks that seem large over the course of the year and made assignments each month. January:
Chrismons! I have altered the "notes" area on each month's calendar page to read "goals" and marked Chrismons there where I can see it every day. That, and this public declaration, should spur me on to a successful finish and twenty more Chrismons next year. I have packed all of the necessary materials to take with me on quilt retreat this coming weekend where I'll nibble away on them, one bite at a time.
Wish me luck!
Here stands my Chrismon Tree, it's coming down today along with all of the other Christmas decorations to be packed away for yet another year. Along with the lace angels, beeswax candles and folded paper stars the tree contains some beautiful cross-stitch Chrismons, made by my daughter approximately ten years ago; precious few of those are actually made up into the Chrismons they were meant to be. Unfortunately, most of
her perfect cross-stitch is still languishing on the even-weave canvas awaiting assembly (by me!). Every year it's the same story, I put up the tree and vow to finish the ornaments so lovingly hand stitched for this purpose. The hectic pace of the season always takes precedence and they simply don't get done. This year is different. I am taking the New Year's challenge the same way I would approach a large meal; little bites, one at a time. I have divided tasks that seem large over the course of the year and made assignments each month. January: Chrismons! I have altered the "notes" area on each month's calendar page to read "goals" and marked Chrismons there where I can see it every day. That, and this public declaration, should spur me on to a successful finish and twenty more Chrismons next year. I have packed all of the necessary materials to take with me on quilt retreat this coming weekend where I'll nibble away on them, one bite at a time. Wish me luck!
11 comments:
My trees came down yesterday and as I was removing the ornaments from the tree in my longarm room I set aside two counted cross stitch ones that I made many years ago in hopes that this year I might make more. Reading your post put a smile on my face. So glad you are posting again. I've missed you. xo
I like this! Yesterday when I got back to school, in my mail I'd received a giftie from a graphic designer -- it was 12 individual cardstock monthly calendars, with lovely graphics around the calendar, about the size of a regular business envelope. The nifty thing was: On the back, there was "Goals" for each month and a generous number of blank lines. I took it right home and started filling it in! I'm thinking of looking ahead BEYOND January and plugging stuff in -- like "clean out medicine cabinet" which NEVER seems to happen.
Little bites work SO much better - we used that method to take down and pack away our Christmas things this year, including re-doing what wasn't working BEFORE we put it away. Perhaps this is finally the age-related wisdom I've always heard about at work? :-)
I especially like that you altered the wording on your calendar to encourage yourself ... good for you!
Good to see you blogging again. It feels so good to clean up all the Christmas decorations, somehow they almost start to feel invasive when January hits!
My tree came down last Saturday, it felt good to clean and refresh the rooms after :) I like your startegy for your goals, good luck! I use my diary to right out a list of daily goals too!
My tree remains up. It may remain up for a while....say Easter.
I love your Christmon tree and enjoyed looking all the wonderful ornaments when we had our bee meeting. It made me want one more my own. Hmm...a new project!
It reminds me of the old saying about how to eat an elephant.... one bite at a time. Good luck with your goals for the new year.
It's so sad to see them go... I love Xmas trees. They warm my heart. Yours is lovely. Hope your Christmas was wonderful. B=)
Good luck (as per your request), enjoy your retreat, and oh how I admire your "goal" calendar idea! Very good suggestion, I need to follow your lead!
I'm glad you're back, Mrs. G...I missed you!
I love your Chrismon tree. I made all the white folded stars and got patterns for each of the Chrismons...perhaps this will be the year I get them stitched. A friend of mine has her Chrismons stitched on canvas so small each of them fits into half a walnut shell, which is painted gold. Wish I could see to cross stitch that small. Good luck getting yours finished.
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