So far so good...

This year I have made it a year for ‘finishing things’. Not just needlework, but I figured that needlework would be a good start.

To this end I have managed to finish one major project each month so far this year. Halfway through June it isn’t looking good, but I hope the *insert swear word of choice here* fairy will be June’s major finish. There will of course be a party to celebrate that one!!!

Thanks to jfox for suggesting I post some pictures to help spur me on! Will do that today!

See more progress on: Finish one major needlework project every month of 2005.

Long weekend

I can surely say that I have not worried this weekend.

It was actually a little longer than a weekend as I also had Friday off (sick child). But as we get closer to Tuesday, I feell the pangs of anxiety setting in.

Today, to try and overcome this I am taking Puku (pooch from “walking the dog every day” item) on an extra-long walk in the sunshine.

I am going to stitch on the fairy, and start the working week with an ordered household.

All these things should help.

See more progress on: Worry less.

She loves me......still.

Two days in a row and she loves me – I swear you can see the smile appear on her face when I reach for my runners.

Such a gorgeous winter’s day here in Melbourne as well…..a pleasure to be outdoors enjoying it!

See more progress on: Walk my dog at least 5 kilometres every day!!!

Art? Or Not

http://www.briangrossfineart.com/exhibitions/ssollins05.html

There has been quite some discussion on a few needlework groups I belong to about this particular exhibition.

"New York artist Stephen Sollins opens a show of new work, Domestic Scenes, at Brian Gross Fine Art.. ...In this exhibition, Sollins examines the disparity between "high" and "low " art by systematically abstracting sentimental cross-stitched, vintage embroideries. "

You will have to bear with me as I am not that eloquent when it comes to topics such as this - but I will do my best to explain what I mean and my reaction.

My opinion has always been, "Art is 'art' as long as the person who made it says it is", I don't always understand it or like it on a personal level, but I do appreciate the thought processes and the personal philosophy behind it. The artist is really the only person who 'knows what it's all about', they are the only one who can give it total meaning. The rest of us have to guess unless of course we have an intimate knowledge of the artist, or are privy to their private thoughts.

Some think that the additions to these historical pieces of embroidery amounts to desecration of women's history; and the comment "Sollins eulogizes the anonymous craftsperson while elevating commonplace linens to fine art." has riled some so much as to send email to the artist. I say this means that his exhibition is a success....he has garnered a reaction to his 'art' and isn't that what art is about - an artist making a statement and people's reactions to it? Our reactions become part of the artist's work and justifies the existence of the work.

I am NOT an art student, I am not an art critic other than to say what I do and don't like.

I like Boticelli, Manet, Picasso, but not particularly da Vinci; I like Mozart and Vivaldi but not particularly Beethoven. So I don't particularly like Stephen Sollins' latest work, but I looked at it and can appreciate it for what it is. HIS statement, HIS idea, HIS work.

Did any of that make sense?:

I can't help it - I'm a worry wort!

I’m worried…..and when I have nothing to worry about – I worry about the things that I SHOULD be worrying about!

At the moment it’s work…things are just not going my way, so my assistant and I made up some little laminated signs which I have hung in my office and over her desk that say IOW (which between you and I means “It’s Only Work”. I figure if I keep telling myself that it’s only work, I can get through each day without worrying about being asked to do things that aren’t my job, and if my boss wants to pay me exorbiatant amounts of money to do things that she should be doing herself – well that’s her problem.

It’s only work!

It’s only work!

See more progress on: Worry less.

Day 1 - completed!

And boy was she happy….

Yesterday I was at home with a sick child so Puku (said pooch) was very unhappy with me because she got neglected.

Today she loves me all over again as we did about 6 kilometres – she even got a nice drink of water at the cafe, (and I got a latte).

All in all a good walk!

See more progress on: Walk my dog at least 5 kilometres every day!!!

Debt Relief

Perhaps this goal should really be “to use my mobile phone less”!!!

I dont have that much debt really – just enough to make me feel uncomfortable…..One credit card and a rather large phone bill, and just the usual every day stuff.

I started paying a small amount off all the regular bills each fortnight and that helps me to be able to concentrate on the biggies. I want to achieve a more stable financial position by December. By more stable I mean that I have a little bit of cash stashed away for emergencies, and I have no outstandings of more than say 30 days!

See more progress on: get out of debt

A Concerted Effort

I must admit that I have been doing ‘ok’ with this weight loss things since last November (20kg), but lately it’s just been ‘ok’. I have decided that I have had enough rest and I am getting back into the swing of it with avengence! (See the walking the dog goal) which should help, and I also want to go to the gym three times a week – so perhaps I should add that to my list of things to do as well!

See more progress on: Lose 10 more kilos before December 6!

I knew it!

I didn’t even look at the fairy today. She is lying over the back of my couch just waiting for me to notice her but I averted my eyes each time I walked past!

She didn’t get any attention today!

See more progress on: Finish the fairy!!!

Long weekend

Another long weekend is upon us and if I have some definite ideas about stitching.....ok they're not definite with a capital "d" but part of me wants to spend the entire three days stitching on the famous fairy and actually FINISH it!  It's possible, but in honest reality I know that wont occur!  It could be my June finish and I suspect it will be but exactly when in June I can't say!  I can honestly say I HOPE it will be this weekend, but the honest part of me knows it wont!

 

"1663" is coming along well - I am really enjoying it.

 

"My Country" is moving too and after the weekend I will post some progress pictures.

 

I've not stitched in the past two weeks at all.  I know that it's because I have been so stressed with work issues, and I also know that at times like this that I probably need to stitch more - but I just haven't had the energy or inclination.....hopefully this three days will get me back into the swing of things.