Update, my dearies!

Well, the 101 in 1001 project is going pretty good.  While I have taken enough pictures to upload and keep up with my 365 day project, I haven't uploaded them yet.  I guess I better fix that, huh?

Well, I am sitting here watching the Husbinator do some macho, He-Man, construction stuff and I must say that, oh my stars, I married a good looking man.  I think I kind of love the dude.

Also, I went and started getting the ball rolling to go back to college.  This is quite daunting for me in that I am a little bit apprehensive regarding the money.  I worry all the time about money, as it is, now I just have to find a way to pay for graduate school...yeah, that's gonna be real fun.

So, back to the 101 in 1001 project.  Here's what I have finished so far:
- Have professional family photos taken (I'm counting our wedding photos)
- Learn to Shoot (the Husbinator taught me, given that he is law-enforcement/military)
- Drive the tractor (I did it by myself!)
- Do a 365 day photo challenge (I've started it, so I guess I can count that)
- Blog at least once a week (Well, I skipped Thanksgiving, but come on....it was Thanksgiving)

While I haven't gotten much done, I am proud of what I have done.  I think if I can get a minimum of 60% of the list done, I will be much happier and I think it will be fun.  Hopefully, it will inspire the Husbinator to make on of his own.

I guess too, since this is a smocking/stitching/sewing blog that I might need to add some tips and tricks for sewing and the likes.  I do embroidery, counted cross stitch, and I sew clothes, so there will be no tips for quilting or any other kind of needlepoint, but a lot of the tips can cross boundaries.  I will try to review products too.

Organization:  I hate how I do a counted cross stitch, embroidery, sewing project and I don't have any place to put a photo of the finished piece.  It's also hard to keep the actual legend or pattern with everything.  Well, I have solved that. I created an organization system that works for me, but is really easy to follow.

Here's what's needed:
1.5 Inch 3 Ring Binder
Standard Size Sheet protectors
Baseball card protectors
Index cards
1 Inch Metal Craft ring

What to do:  I take the example picture that comes with the project and put it in a sheet protector.  I then take a picture of the finished project that I sewed and put it in the sheet protector as well.  The picture and the example are back to back and I always keep the example first.  Then, in between them, there is usually enough space for the pattern/legend to go.  Then, I take the standard size index card and cut it into quarters.  After that, I punch a hole in the card and run the metal ring through it.  I then take my bobbin with my thread on it and I run the metal ring through the hole in the top.  On the card, I write down the brand and the color floss (I always use DMC, just because I think they make a GREAT product - so....DMC, if you are reading this, a lifetime supply of thread would be super neat-o).  I take the index card and I put it in the baseball car holder. Voila!!!!  Your floss is organized and the project stays together in the event that you want to do another one just like it.  I use 1 baseball card holder for one project.  It makes everything much easier and you can really see how you improve over the course of the project/several projects.

Hope that helps everyone and I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

101 in 1001

So, this is my first post to this blog.  I have tried to keep a blog before, but it always winds up falling by the wayside.

I would love to say "Not anymore!"  but I can't.  I am going to try and keep this one up as part of the Day Zero project.

What is the Day Zero Project?  Well, I am glad you asked.  You make a list of 101 things (or more) that you want to get done in 1001 days.  It can be something as simple as "Potty train the Husband," or it can be something as big as "Get pregnant."  Really, it is supposed to help you motivate, achieve, just open up and create, and live a little.

I am excited to do this and I am kind of hoping that I can keep it up.  I have already finished 1 task and I have started on a few more.

For example:
A completed task - drive the tractor around the farm with no assistance from the Husbinator.  That one is done!

An in progress task - 365 Day Photo Challenge.  I started it today with a picture of my puppy.  Winston died in December of 2010 and it broke my heart.  He was truly my saving grace through some very difficult times.

One of my listed goals is to keep a blog on how things are going and what I learned (that sounds so ABC after school special-ish).  Hopefully, I can.

Look it up: http://dayzeroproject.com/.   My profile is under the name Emily Cheek.