Hi there

U can take it easy he will understand even if you are a few days late.

My FIL loved and worked on clocks as his hobby. Walk into their house and some days he had 20 clocks in their dining room...his work room...all chiming or cuckooing. I loved it...miss it and him. When one of his "customers" dropped by for happy hour and asked when he thought their clock might be ready, he would tell them that he just worked on the clocks, didn't check the time. :) You don't need to look at the clock to know time's passing...enjoy your heart's work. :)

Setting a deadline for myself is the kiss of death for my projects! But I think you will make it! I've already started my Christmas knitting because I'm so worried about finishing in time. Plus next year there's​ a wedding and I plan to do a cross-stitch for that.

lady, take your time. Simon is absolutely correct in that time pressure is the kiss of death for any project. I no longer stress, if it gets done good if not, oh well! There is always next year. I am very fortunate, my husband gives me all the space I need and want. In the 30 years that I have been stitching he has never once asked what I was working on or asked to see it. If I show it to me, he might say "that's cute, Babe". There was a time, many years ago, when I felt that it would be nice if he showed a little more interest but now I realize how blessed I am. Who wants a nosy clinger? I take it as a compliment, he must have implicit faith and trust in my abilities. He never asks about the finances, all he says is if we have the money and you want it buy it.
Are you giving this to your husband or is it for the home? As it is you won't have time to get it framed, so why stress?

Simon, how are the socks coming along? I went over to my daughter's yesterday and almost fell out when I saw her yarn stash! She has lost it. I only go over there two or three times a year - long story - but that craft room needs help. Namely, a person who has time to do all that stuff. I'm leaving it alone before I get all worked up.

I had such a wonderful last week. My mammogram came back clean, my A1c went down to 5.0, I received my tax return after only 5 days of filing, Bill O'Reilly got fired - all things that made me happy. Then what happens? My dishwasher goes out. It's still under warranty but the tech can't come until 1 May and based on past experience, it'll probably take 2 weeks for the part. Buying a new one takes just as long. Today is day two of washing by hand. Feel for me!

Texas, I am really very spoiled. I do very little housework. Charles takes care of all that, in addition to bringing in the income. My ex was the same way. I guess some people just want to take care of others, and I seem to find those people.

I am almost finished with those socks! About an inch to go, and I made them a little longer than they need to be. My parents live in Brownsville, so they will only wear the socks when they are very cold. And if they are very cold, won't they be happy to have a little extra sock?

I got my stitching out today. Filling in the blue in the wings was killing the joy for me, and I had to step away for a few days. I picked up in a completely different spot. Someday I will want to stitch that blue, just not today!

Simon, you are lucky - that is a gift. I read once that in every relationship there is the lover and the beloved. It's much better to be the beloved. It's great that your husband takes care of everything, more time for you to indulge in your hobbies. My daughter knits beautiful socks when she puts her mind to it. I'm always hot and encourage her to knit for others. Brownsville, what a lovely area. I haven't been there in forever. Yeah, they need longer socks when those cold sea breezes and the fogs roll in.
There are some colors I don't like to work with and I have to take a break. Like you, I move to a different area. I dislike having to cover large areas in the same color - boring.
I thought about what you said of the Celtic Four Seasons - them being just women. How right you are. It puts a different spin on it. Why would I want to hang pictures of women I don't even know in my house. I won't be stitching those patterns. I often come across a work of art and the most minor detail puts me off. It could be a seascape with a boat. The boat bothers me. I want to focus on nature not on man made objects or people.
I think that I'll pull out one of the many table toppers awaiting awakening! and embroider it. I need a change.
I have to pick up a couple of projects from the shop. If they did a good job framing, then I'll post a photo. I so enjoy looking at your photos. You do exquisite work.

Texas, I can't wait to see your framed things!

I've actually convinced myself to do the Celtic ladies! I thought of a place to hang them, away from the angels. I really think they would be fun to stitch with all those beads. I would just have to figure out how to handle replacements for the Needlepaints, since they are out of stock now.

How funny, I love to stitch large sections of solid colors!

Hi Jacquie,

I think Miss Cross-Stitch is right, he won't care if it's not completely finished on your anniversary date. It's the thought that counts. Relax and enjoy. Rushing is just going to create errors, we have all experienced this feeling that you are feeling. Just keep on putting love into every stitch and everything will be okay. 💕

Blue Jay and Texas Stitcher,
I agree with both of you, rushing it will not work. I will make too many mistakes. I am stitching it to give to him but we will probably hang it in the living room for all to enjoy. I plan on getting him something else too, just don't know what yet! His birthday is Sunday and he is hard to buy for. I used to buy him books because he is an avid reader but he now does all his reading on the Kindle. I would buy him Amazon GC so he can buy books but he hasn't used all the ones from previous years yet. He wants a steak dinner so the kids and I will make that on the grill on Sunday! Any ideas for anniversary or birthday gifts... I am all ears!
Jacquie