A new WIP - Internet bits & bobs - accomplishments

Hello friends! And thank you, for your ever kind comments. They are making my day!

First, here is a project I started while I was at my parents':

This is L'Ange du Sommeil (the Angel of Sleep) by Angèle et Cie, a French designer whose work I really like; Namuelle had sent me the chart for my birthday (she knew I'd wanted it for a while!). The fabric is a Silkweaver Solo from my Halloween treat bag, and for that reason, I decided to change the colours so they would match the fabric. The nightgown is stitched with GAST in Sugarplum, which was another birthday gift from Carol! The feet are stitched in Anchor variegated 1302; the sleeves and nightcap tassel in Anchor variegated 1349; the star in Anchor 1304.
My sister thought it was looking like an insect at that point

Now for the Internet bits and bobs:
~ I've long hesitated to set up a wishlist for exchanges &c... But I've realized how useful my friends' wishlists were, so I finally got around to it last week. I took the opportunity to set up a minimalist website to gather bits and pieces that don't really fit into a blog.

~ I finally updated my stitching and sewing online albums (sewing 2005; stitching 2005; Christmas sewing 2005; WIPs). This was also a good way to look back on my sewing and stitching accomplishments this year, since this is what everyone seems to be doing at the moment!

~ However, I won't set up a list of stitching/sewing goals for 2006... I keep having to plan out my work - sometimes very far out -, and that's more than enough for me. Stitching and sewing are precisely a way to let the pressure and anxiety go. I realized this year that setting too many goals and therefore putting a lot of pressure on myself (I feel such a failure when I can't fulfil a promise, even to myself!) was one of the main causes of my insomnia problem. Besides, it's always very difficult to know exactly how much time in a week (or a month!) I can devote to stitching - it really varies depending on my teaching obligations - and even more on the progress of my research.
So let's just say, I'll go where my fancy carries me. I certainly want to finish the Petal Fairy and perhaps start another large project next year; I'll have to stitch the final round in the Margaret Sherry Round Robin; I want to stitch in several exchanges, and of course, gifts for friends and family! Other than that, I have lovely projects in my crafty drawer, lovely fabrics to play with as well, and... I'll just see in due time what I want to start!

~*~

Finally, since this is a good time to look back on the year's accomplishments... This brings me to my major accomplishment in 2005: to finally get rid of my insomnia problem.
I started suffering from severe insomnia when I was 17. I don't want to go back on that dreadful time and the numerous attempts to solve the problem (the few months before last March being among of the worst); but when we moved in our new flat in March, to live in a much quieter environment (we can't hear the traffic at all from here), I was determined to do anything I could to solve the problem. I think it is now possible to say that I succeeded, since on January 4th, it'll be 10 months since I've last taken something to help me sleep!

I received much help from a book by a French psychiatrist who is one of the main experts in France on the subject. This book has taught me so much, and has made me change my attitude radically. I've learned not to let myself think to much when I'm in bed. I've banned every book or sewing magazine, every activity from my bedside (this was tough at first, as I've been used to read in bed since I was 6!). I'm learning to dwell on the accomplished at least as much as what's left to do. I've learned not to make a big deal if I don't sleep well for one or two nights. I've learned a lot from Violette's serenity and happiness in sleeping! (we adopted Violette at the end of March).

I know that I'll have to be ever careful about this... that there might be a relapse some day... But I have gained so much confidence and happiness in recovering a natural and sound sleep, a child's sleep...
Sorry for the long post... but it felt good to put this into words!!