I'm joining the WIPocalypse (and I'm getting married too!)

I've noticed that several of the people whose blogs I follow on a regular basis have decided to join Measi's 2012 WIPocalypse . I wasn't going to participate, but then...

New Year's Day arrived and I discovered that I did not have all the materials together to begin the new project I most wanted to start. I moved on to a backup project, but no joy. Soooo, I picked up Jenni Bean's Creation Sampler, which I had begun in the first half of 2011... AND I FINISHED THE WHOLE THING BY JANUARY 3!!! And that got me thinking that I should really make a point of trying to finish some of these beautiful pieces that are sitting around my apartment, half done. So there it is. I'm committed or I should be committed, whichever way you like to see it. Here's the list I drew up last night (which is in no way a realistic list, nor will all these WIP's deter from starting several other projects throughout the year):

1. Jenni Bean's Creation Sampler - Shakespeare's Peddler
2. Sarah Hatton McPhail Sampler - The Essamplaire
3. Sarah Johnson 1793 - The Essamplaire
4. Anne Maria Clarke - The Essamplaire
5. Sous le Soleil de la Lune - Reflets de Soie
6. Rachel Mauger Reproduction - my personal collection
7. Peapod Purse - Catherine Theron
8. Tulip Slip - Thistle Threads
9. 3 Halloween ornies from JCS issues
10. 1 Christmas ornie from JCS issue

I'm counting Jenni Bean since I picked it back up and finished it this year! One down, 9 plus to go. I'll post photos on January 9 or somewhere thereabouts.

In other (and honestly, more exciting news), on December 18, 2011, my dear, sweet Alton asked me to be his wife. I am so happy about this! We kept things under wraps for a couple of weeks so that I could tell several people in person. We've been dating for quite a while, so we're not wasting any time getting this show on the road. The wedding will be in early spring, and I have been very, very busy over the Christmas holidays. I will probably be very, very obnoxiously happy over the coming months!

In two weeks, we have:
1. selected and received the engagement ring and wedding rings
2. picked a date and venue for the ceremony and reception
3. picked an officiant (the pastor who put Alton and I on the ministry team which brought us together)
4. bought the dress (and I just found out today that it has arrived at the store!)
5. bought my sister's bridesmaid's dress
6. selected the invitations
7. found a photographer
8. found a dj (I think, this part has to be perfected)
9. found someone to make the wedding cake
10. made a few honeymoon-related decisions
11. acquired the materials we need for pre-marital counseling
12. there are probably, possibly other things that have also been accomplished that I'm forgetting
13. there are only a couple of hundred things left to do!

So I'm out of here. Finding time for scrapping and stitching might be limited over the next few months, OR, I might need lots and lots of creative time to keep me sane! Only time will tell.