Lofty goals

It's a new year, and many people are setting goals, such as how many books they will read, how many projects they will work on, or how many miles they will walk. 

Last night, in our Conquerer Facebook group, I noticed that one person set a lofty goal for 2025: The circumference of the earth, which is 24,910 MILES at the equator. Seriously? That's 68 MILES a day. What is their mode of transportation? A scooter? A car? which then defeats the purpose of a challenge to get you moving. 

I see someone else posted this morning a lofty goal of 20,000 Miles. OK -- guys - this is getting a bit ridiculous. I don't even drive those distances in a year. 

Perhaps the distances are for something else, not Miles or kilometers. Maybe they stand for minutes of something, which is possible. But it sounded like the 24,910-mile person was walking, and he was behind (no kidding) because he lives in Saskatchewan and currently has pneumonia. Who would walk 68 Miles a day in Saskatchewan weather? Wait—it's not about the weather but the road conditions, walking on ice, and packed snow. 

Not my problem!

I have several goals this year. One is to read 52 books - one per week. Since I'm already at four, I think I'll make it!

I like to set challenges for myself, and I want to work on two quilts I'll create using machine embroidery applique. The challenge is that the patterns have to be digitized as they are currently not - at least in the format I have. They are available as machine embroidery patterns, but my goal is to perfect my digitizing, and these are great patterns to make that happen. 

I completed the first block on the weekend and am thrilled with the results. This was the most straightforward block. While I have made this block before, I was never happy with the results, but I now have it to my satisfaction. As a bonus, I cut the applique using the digital cutter.  

My digitized heart

Now, to move on to the next least complicated block! 

I also finished the machine embroidery for this project, which I purchased online. It's an elf girl, and she's still in pieces. I need to remove the stabilizer and then attach her arms and legs with snaps. I'll get to that later this month.

The elf girl

Each piece is finished both front and back. This is what the back of the dress looks like. I'm pretty happy with the results. 

The back of the dress

Not that any of you would say this, but for anyone who thinks that my embroidery machine did all the work, think again! I need to know which stabilizer to use and how to use it. Which type of thread do I use and where? I also need other tips and tricks that make stitching these things easy. The stitching is the easy part, which I let the embroidery machine do. The challenge is getting to that point. 

Like everything, the more you do, the easier it becomes, and the better your finished products look. 

I don't often stitch out commercial designs like this because I don't, as a rule, use it in my embroidery lectures. I want to showcase the SVP designs or those I've created myself, so it was a treat to work on this. 

Today is the first Monday of the new year, so I'm back to "work!" I have a lot of prep work for upcoming lectures in February, so I need to take stock of what I have and what needs to be done. Since January will be a full month, I must respect my deadlines.

My frame and M's are now connected, so we can add photos to each other's AURA frames. I absolutely love this frame—it's so easy to add images! DH wants to know how to scroll through the pictures. For goodness sake, can you not take five seconds (I think the frame is set to 10 seconds before it moves to the next image) to enjoy the moment? 

M's pictures in my Aura frame

As I pass, I look at a few more photos! It's an excellent gift for both of us. Now I need to load a Murphy and Lexi photo each day for them, but I want a Bear picture in return!

The Williamsburg puzzle was put away in the plastic bag and box. Later this week, it and another one will be dropped off (actually exchanged). I opened the next one and completed the border before I ran out of time! It's also a 500-piece puzzle, which works well in my current time frame. 

The border on the next puzzle

I like having it upstairs where the light is only good in the daytime. And I like setting a timer (it's in my head), but I need to respect those timers. If I don't, I'll never get anything done, and I have deadlines, so if I mess up the time, I only hurt myself. 

The bulk of the samples are done! Thank goodness. I can work on a bonus one during today's Monday sewing, and it shouldn't take long. These are famous last words!!

As for the clutter, Tammy suggested that the ball holder probably had elastic for two long bars so it would be easy to get the balls out. AHA -- that works for me - I never thought of that. 

And here's a quote, thanks to Torry. "Organized clutter is still clutter!" I think that's what drives me mad (now), which is that finding a home for everything is NOT enough. You must reduce what you have and THEN find a home for what's left. So much of what we have now (at least people in my age bracket) are things that no longer fit our lifestyles. And if that's the case, it's likely dated, and no one else wants it, so it's time to get rid of it. Keep up the decluttering, and you will be happy you did. 

Here's something else to consider. I asked someone who moved last year if they were ready to rejoin a group from which they had taken a hiatus. The answer was no. Why? Moving when you're older takes much more energy and time, and they are not ready. I know this person did some major decluttering before they moved, but it still shows that moving, even after decluttering, is traumatic. So keep on decluttering! 

I have my list of three things for today, and now I'm off to the gym for spin class. I also need to follow up with my doctor about that leg. 

On that note, have a super day!!! 

Ciao!!!