Jane Austen Challenge Finished!

Finished at last! Yes, I've completed my Everything Austen Challenge and much more. Originally, beginning July 1st, one was supposed to choose six Austen related tasks and complete them by January 1st. A little ways along, someone came up with the idea to do twelve, I believe. I became so engrossed in this little challenge that I ended up completing thirteen - but of course!!!! What else would a witch do? No mere dozen for me, it had to be... that most mysterious and misunderstood of numbers, thirteen! I was watching DVDs, reading like a mad woman (alright, so that's nothing new) and then finally.... after changing my mind several times, chose a little embroidery piece, Cheerful Company by The Sampler Girl (www.samplergirl.com) and... just a few minutes ago, took the final stitch. So there I am, Everything Austen Challenge complete. Hurray!

Here's my list of completed Austen related tasks:

1. Watched DVD, Persuasion (Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds)

2. Watched DVD, Lost In Austen

3. Read What Would Jane Austen Do?

4. Read Jane Austen Ruined My Life

5. Read Tea With Jane Austen

6. Read Mr. Darcy, Vampire

7. Read Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters

8. Read Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

9. Watched DVD, Northanger Abbey (Masterpiece, 2007)

10. Read Jane Austen, A Life

11. Watched DVD, Becoming Jane

12. Watched DVD, Miss Austen Regrets

13. Stitched Cheerful Company, a design by The Sampler Girl

And here is the sweet little piece, stitched on 40 count Examplar linen, along with a stitching basket purchased long ago, forgotten and abandoned at our storage facility. I came across it a few weeks ago and brought it home. Also you can see a pair of scissors with a little scissor fob. I have so many favorite things that surround me; books, stitching treasures, fabric, threads and charts, tea necessities - need I go on? One can easily see why we have a storage facility in addition to Toadstool Condo - Beneath the Mushroom storage bay, LOL!

Thoroughly enjoyed this and one thing leads to another, so it is likely I will be continuing the Jane Austen adventure. So many books, so many samplers, etc. - I can't help myself. Everyone has their "special stuff" that makes life so delightful. And speaking of delightful things, a cup of an especially soothing tea is in order. I shall put the kettle on the hob... err, the stove - I'm living in Jane Austen mode, sorry!

In other news, today begins the Brumalia, honoring the goddess, Bruma, Roman goddess of the Winter Season. I celebrate for two days - don't really have a reason, I am just inclined to do so. To honor Her, welcome Winter by decorating home and altar with icicles, snowflakes, white candles and white lace. My decorations lean toward that and lots of red on the Solstice tree, among antique ornaments, stitched ornaments, cutest ornaments on the planets...! We are thankful for this time of year where we can be cozy in our homes and enjoy the journey within. Soon enough the days will become longer, embrace the darkness and its healing and contemplative magic.

The clock has just chimed the witching hour here at Toadstool Condo, midnight and time for that tea!

Blessings nine!

Austen Challenge - Two down, Four To Go!

OK, so I've watched Lost In Austen, thanks to Netflix and Sunday, I watched Persuasion -oh I do love that version - which I own. And now... I own Lost In Austen as well! It arrived today along with the paperback, What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown - thank you Amazon. I can't wait to get started on that. I also decided to stitch this freebie Jane Austen sampler I found on-line instead of the small design by The Sampler Girl. It has a row of women - Marianne, Elizabeth, Elinor, Emma and Jane, with those names below, a nice little border and flowers. As for The Sampler Girl, I will treat myself to one of the larger Austen samplers, just because I like them - decisions, decisions, which one? One other change in my list - I will read Jane Austen, A Life, by Carol Shields, instead of reading Persuasion again - which I can do anytime.

Other books recently acquired: Hekate Liminal Rites by Sorita d'Este & David Rankine. This book is SO wonderful! So much information in one place about my beloved matron goddess. I also purchased a copy of Unbound, A Devotional Anthology for Artemis by Bibliotheca Alexandrina. One of my poems is included and of course I wanted a copy. It, too, is a very fine book.

Back to stitching: I also received the book, Bewitching Cross Stitch by Joan Elliot. I had to get it from England. I purchased the book for one design, Mother Moon. Yes, I know - am I crazy??? Well, no actually... it is a gorgeous design. Happily there are a few other designs in the book that I really like as well. So there!

On the Heirloom Nativity front, I am stitching the shepherds, well actually the pine trees next to the shepherds. It looks like this piece will not be ready for Christmas as I am heading back to school - yes, at fifty-three - at the end of August. Four nights a week will not leave much stitching time. Who knows though, perhaps I will stitch more than I think.

I did take a few stitches on Salem Remembered by Primitive Needle. I will have to get some photos up to show these pieces off.

Finally had some needlework from last year framed. All look divine. Cross Stitch Cupboard does a beautiful job framing.

Here's the revised Everything Austen CHallenge List:

1. Watch Lost In Austen - done!

2. Watch Persuasion - done!

3. Read "What Would Jane Austen Do? - begun!

4. Read Jane Austen, A Life.

5. Read Mr. Darcy, Vampyre - ordered and waiting for release!

6. Stitch the little freebie Jane Austen sampler.

OK - I'm updated!

Blessings nine!

I am Lost in Austen - Everything Austen Challenge

I have decided to join the Everything Austen Challenge - which actually began July 1st - I was still trying to finish my list of six Austen-themed things I will do. So here they are, one of which, I just accomplished:

1. Reread Persuasion

2. Watch the movie, Persuasion - the one with Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds

3. Stitch one of The Sampler Girl's Jane Austen designs

4. Read "What Would Jane Austen Do?"

5. Watch the movie - "Lost In Austen" - and thanks to Netflx, I just watched it this evening - a really wonderful, sweet, funny film.

6. Read "Mr. Darcy, Vampyre" by Amanda George and due out in August - OK, I know it sounds weird, but how interesting!

So there I am, I just have to pick out that Austen inspired needlework project.

Blessings nine!