Last Stitches, First Stitches

It's been years since I set any stitching goals, simply because I seem totally incapable of sticking to them.  But I'm trying it again for 2014, and I'm keeping them simple:

1. Pull small projects from the WIP basket and either finish them or un-kit them and consign them to the never-gonna-finish box (I can think of a couple right away that are probably going to end up in the box).
2. Stitch from stash as much as possible.
3. Finish Isabella Johnstone and try to finish at least 1 other sampler.

I think those are probably do-able, and it was when I was considering them that I dug through the WIPs and found a couple of pieces that I started, ummm, a long time ago.  This first one is from one of the British cross stitch magazines -- Cross Stitch Collection, I think -- and is stitched with the DMC color variations.  It's called "Love Makes a Garden Grow" and has a companion piece called "Plant Kindness Gather Love".  I started this piece in May of 2007 -- yes, 2007; I know, it's pathetic, especially considering that it's such a small piece -- and it's stitched on a piece of even-weave something from the stash.  Jobelan, maybe.  I know it's not linen.  Anyway, here's where I was when I went back to it on Christmas day:

 Once I decided to actually work on the darn thing, it didn't take long to finish.  I put the final stitches in it last night.

Aren't the Color Variations threads pretty?  I think they're so nice and bright.  The companion piece uses the same colors and I've got a piece of the same fabric prepped and ready to go in the project bag, but it's going to have to wait until I finish a few more small WIPs.

With that in mind, I went to the WIP pile again and found this one for my first stitches of 2014.  It was a freebie, begun in October of 2007 (I know, I know...sigh), and I would give you the link but the website seems to have been taken down.  The designer is Fee Nicia and the name of the design is "Apres la pluie", which I think translates to "After the Rain".  Here's what I had when I started:

I didn't spend a whole lot of time on it today; this is all I got done:

The saying is "April showers bring May flowers" and there are some floral motifs scattered around.  The stitch count is only 89 x 69; I'm using a piece of 36 count Magnolia from Lakeside Linens with GAST and Crescent Colors fibers.  Like the other, there's a companion piece that will have to wait a while.

I hope everyone had a lovely New Year's day.  Sending best wishes to everyone for 2014 -- happy stitching!