Happy New Year

As the year comes to a close, I took a bit today to set up my Rock You slideshow of my finishes and discovered/realized two things - the good and the bad.... "The good": I stitched a good bit more than I thought I had this year, and "The Bad": all I stitched were smalls.... not a single large project in the bunch! Oh my. What a year. I will not bother to do a review of my goals - haven't for a while, as I was way off base. I am hopeful but make no promises for 2010 ;-) So... here is 2009 in pictoral review...

I did have a small finish today to finalize the year - this will be my first Christmas ornament to go into my basket for giving away to some unsuspecting friend in 2010....yep, gonna at least try to return to that goal this year!

December Ornament
Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin - in Seasonal Mementos
36 ct Summer Khaki Edinburgh Linen, DMC Floss




Currently Stitching: Gonna to pick a medium sized project from my kitted up pile for my first start of 2010!

Christmas Stuff

I've got some Christmasy stuff to share today. It was a super quiet holiday here for us. We went to my MIL's house for breakfast, and then to my brother's for dinner. Very low key.

I received an amazing box of reindeer themed treats from Tessa just before Christmas. It was unbelievable. I didn't get a chance to take a photo before it all got distributed throughout the house! But I did just manage this snap of the adorable ornament she sent in that box o'gifts. Isn't this just the cutest?? Thank you so much Tessa - so unexpected, and I love it all!
OK, my niece Erin just put this pic up on my Facebook wall, so I snagged it... this is myself, my 21 year old niece Caitlin and my 16 year old niece Erin enjoying a moment before dinner on Christmas day...
I myself only took two quick photos before my camera disappeared into my purse again for the rest of the day... but fortunately one of the photos is of my third niece, newly turned 18 year old Nicole...
The other is of DH, Mike. Not a flattering pic, but I will share it!
And, here is my Lily - all bundled into a little nest she made out of a snowman blanket on a sofa in our house. She pretty much lives in this nest lately :-)

Hope everyone had a good holiday!

Currently Stitching: Stitching a Christmas ornament to put aside to be a gift later this year

A Christmas Eve finish for me...

This afternoon, while watching a holiday movie with Mike, I finished up another little ornament... and since my tree is up, I adopted it for myself. I figure that as long as the tree is standing, if its a finished ornament, I am keeping it ;-) Once the tree is down, the temptation will hopefull wane and I can put the ornaments in a basket for gifts!
Be Merry Ornament
Val's Stuff
2009 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue
20 ct Pastel Turquoise Valerie, WDW Floss, DMC Floss




Currently Stitching: Will start an ornament, and pick out a project for a Jan. 1 start

Last group of ornaments were received....

My goal to stitch a big basketful of Christmas ornaments for my friends this year fell absolutely flat on its face. This year just did not turn out to be what I had hoped it would be - family crises, the need to make major revisions to my mental health practice in order to survive in this economy... so many stressors that led to limited stitching time and, well, the disappearance of many stitching friends in the process.. but I managed to get a couple done and out to friends who very much stood by my side, and they finally arrived in their new homes. I pray that 2010 will bring me time to stitch more ornaments for my dear friends. I hope to do better next year!

So, at long last, Karen has received this little sparkly that I stitched for her tree -

Motif de Noel 1 Ornament
Aurelle - part of her free Christmas SAL
28 ct Cafe Mocha Country French Linen, Atalie fil a broder in Passion, and RG Petite Treasure Braid PB01

And, my old friend Brenda in TX, who stitches but does not blog, received hers too -

Starry Night Ornament
Helga Mandl Designs
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, December 2009
28 ct Potato Annabelle, DMC Floss - I subbed one of the DMC Color Variations for the green DMC - not sure what color though!

OK... stitching gifts all received, now time to just enjoy the holiday! My work vacation has officially begun. I won't be back at work until the first week of January now!


Currently Stitching: Stitching yet another ornament for my own tree

Another ornament for my tree...and a gift received

Yay, I just heard that Margaret has received my Christmas package for her! Yay - I was running late getting it out, but the USPS did a great job with it! Knowing how much Margaret likes Quaker designs, I went with this one for her -


Poinsettia Star Ornament
Periphaeria Designs
32 ct Antique White Belfast Linen, Threadworx Floss, RG Petite Treasure Braid

I couldn't resist - I stitched up another ornament for my own tree :-)

Christmas '09 Stamp Ornament
Jeannette Douglas Designs
2009 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Platinum Belfast Linen, DMC Floss
Subbed ST Holly Charm for Charland Holly Charm
Subbed red and green beads from my own stash

Beautiful Christmas Ornaments For Me!

I received some really fabulous mail yesterday and today! As a result, two very pretty new Christmas ornaments now adorn my Christmas tree - and I really love them and want to make sure their makers know that ;-)

Yesterday I received this teeny, tiny, sparkly, gorgeous JBW ornament from Tessa for the HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange. I did not remember to take a photo of the back - she personalized it in the sweetest way! It is stitched all over one, and boy does it sparkle with beads for snowflakes and then beads all around the edge... ending in a beaded tassle (I really need to practice and learn how to make such a great tassle!). Thank you so much Tessa!
And, today I received this pretty ornament from Lynda for the Christmas Ornament Swap. I have always liked this particular design by The Workbasket, and it is great that now I do not need to stitch it for myself. Turns out, if I have my rounds figured out correctly, that Lynda and I had each other for partners this time around in the swap ;-) Thank you so much Lynda!!




Currently Stitching: Stitching an ornament for my tree

Snow Bird Ornament

I finally stitched an ornament for my own Christmas tree! Well, actually... that is not true. I do have Lizzie Kate's Joy on my tree, which I stitched a couple of years ago... so, OK, I finally stitched my second ornament that I am actually keeping for Mike and I! I have wanted to do this one forever, and I love how it came out. The photo is the best I could get. It is dark out already, and I had all the lights on in the foyer and held as still as I could to get this...

Snow Bird Ornament
La-D-Da
2004 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue
Lakeside Linens 36 ct Meadow Rue Linen, Crescent Colours and GAST Floss




Currently stitching: Starting another Christmas ornament

Beautiful Ornament from Margaret

My dear friend Margaret sent me this beautiful, gorgeous little ornament this week for Christmas - and I am in awe! It is stitched on 36 ct and is so tiny and delicate, so perfectly finished... and she made a little beaded hanger for it.... Margaret is soooo talented, and I am so honored to have this lovely for my tree! I cannot stop looking at it! Thank you Margaret! As you know, I will cherish it forever! I am blessed to have four of Margaret's beauties now on my tree - woo hoo!! Margaret is such a true and dear friend, she really stuck by my during this difficult year. I look forward to going to Celebration of Needlework with her again in May and "catching up"!





Currently stitching: I am stitching an ornament for my husband

It's that time of year again...

Ah, it is that special day of the year today - the day I look forward to and savor for as long as I can! Today I shall finish my Christmas cards, and then... off to hang all these special cross stitched ornaments on my tree! I will see if I can get a decent photo of the tree this year, but that is always a trick for me. We display our tree in the upstairs landing/open foyer of our two story Colonial house... tricky, tricky lighting issues for me. This is my basket of treasures, and they mean more to me than I can ever, ever begin to say! A peek into the background shows there is snow on our back porch already!

I also want to share a photo today of the pretty Christmas Exchange I received from Carolyn. She stitched me this stunning redwork snowflake and made it into an absolutely perfect circular pinkeep with a pretty beaded edging. I adore it!! She then went nutty and sent me so many goodies - FQs of red and green holiday fabrics, holiday socks, a bead box, a JBW chart, and a Whitman's tin (I do have the chart this calls for!!) that is filled with Threadworx flosses, JJ needles, a needle threader, a pretty fob made from holiday fabric (that matches the back of the pinkeep), red beads... and a tool that I cannot identify but want to use - LOL - it is a green plastic box with what looks like a dry sponge in it.... someone tell me, how do I use it??

**Edited to add: OK, I went and took photos of the tree - remember, I warned you that I cannot take photos of my tree with any kind of talent... if you sent me an ornament and do not see it, don't fret - it is there! I just couldn't get a picture of it!

My tree holds only ornaments made by my friends, except for only one that I made myself, or are store bought ornaments given to me by stitching friends... the sole exception is 4 silver and 4 gold bells that I have had forever and will always be on my tree...

I had to go downstairs to the front door to get a photo of the back of the tree... there is lots of space here for more ornaments too ;-)

And... I also wanted to add that today's mail brought a lovely Christmas package from my dear friend Katrina - she stitched a JBW ornament for me, and sent me another of her fabric ornaments too! I love those!! Plus other treats - thank you so much, dear friend!




Currently Stitching On: Stitching on a Christmas ornament

Christmas Ornament for Lynda

I received a lovely email from Lynda today, letting me know that my ornament for the Christmas Ornament Swap arrived safe and sound! Yay - took longer than I thought it would... of course, it is that time of the year!

Christmas Eve Deer Ornament
Prairie Schooler
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2009
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

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Stitching on: Stitching on a Christmas Ornament

Christmas Gifts for Rosalie

I received an email earlier today letting me know that Rosalie (no blog) has received a little package of Christmas gifts that I sent to her for a small Christmas Exchange Group. I was getting a little worried - she lives quite nearby in Maine, but it seemed to take a bit longer than I had expected for my gifts to arrive... but now they have, so I can share:


Red Desert Scissor Pocket
The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio
28 ct Clay Cashel Linen, HDF Silk in Crushed Berry, and Dinky Dyes Silk in Bush Christmas

And... the rest of the goodies I sent to her... sadly, my ability to take photos this week has been awful. The weather here has been predominantly dark, gloomy - even flew in from my FIL's funeral in Buffalo, NY last night to our first snowfall... brr... So, here I present yet another super blurry photo. I really should work on getting better photos!!

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Stitching on: Stitching on a gift

Friends Ornament

I have another ornament that I stitched for a friend to share tonight. The photo is a little dark - most of the mornings this week have been dark and rainy here. The morning I took this photo (Monday), was one such morning...

Friends Ornament
Lizzie Kate
28 ct Clay Cashel Linen, GAST and WDW Floss, Charm from Flip It Chart





Stitching on: Stitching on gifts - mailed Christmas Ornament for Christmas Ornament Swap, and mailed Christmas Exchange this week

Christmas Stitching Ornament

I heard from a dear friend of mine that my little Christmas gift for her has arrived safe and sound! It had a long, long distance to travel, so I am thrilled to learn all is well with it, and it was well received!

Christmas Stitching Ornament
My Mark
2009 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issue
Wichelt 32 ct Bonnie Blue Linen, DMC Floss

More Christmas Ornaments!

Happy Thanksgiving to my US friends!

I have some more Christmas ornaments to share today!

I received this sparkly beauty from Ronel for the FTT Christmas Ornament Exchange earlier this week - was waiting for a sunny afternoon to take a good photo, but we have had cloudy weather with sprinkles most of the week... at least it is still mild here, so I won't complain. I had to give in and take a photo of it on my kitchen counter this morning, as I have been dying to show it off. It is so pretty - thank you, Ronel!

And, my final PIF for the year has now arrived at its destination! Edda emailed me yesterday to let me know that the Christmas Ornament I stitched for her has now arrived safe and sound in Iceland. I was a little worried about how long it would take, as I noticed well after I left the post office the day that I mailed it that the receipt said Ireland on it... did not know if the clerk had the right bar code on the postage tape, and whether or not this ornament would end up south east of Iceland for a little while... probably did not, though, as it did arrive in decent time!

Holiday Wreath Ornament
JBW Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen, GAST Floss, Mill Hill Beads

I hope my US friends had a nice Thanksgiving - Mike and I enjoyed a nice time at my mother's house with her new husband, my siblings and my nieces today... plenty to give thanks for yet again!

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Stitching on: Stitching on a Xmas gift and on my Christmas Exchange

Gift for Sandra

I heard from Sandra this evening that she has received the little gift I stitched for her in reward for having been the original 1000th poster to the Freebie Gallery (after broken links were removed). Keeping with getting that old Christmas spirit charging up, I chose to stitch her a Christmas ornament. Since this was a Freebie Gallery gift, I felt I just had to stitch her a freebie!

Joy Ornament
Lilybet Designs
32 ct Willow Green Belfast Linen, GAST and DMC Floss, Dress It Up! Star Button




Currently Stitching: Stitching on Christmas Swap

Christmas Ornament for Hazel... and one for Becky... and one for Andrea too!

**Edited to add - OK, two more ornaments I recently stitched and mailed have arrived at new homes today too - so here they all are... (I know - so much from me all at once!)...

I just heard from Hazel that she has just received the Christmas Ornament I sent to her for the Friends Through Threads Christmas Ornament Exchange. I was so pleased that the ornament arrived in the UK in just a little over a week's time - much improvement in the UK postal service now! Yay! Here is what I chose to stitch for Hazel...

Prairie Schooler Santa Ornament
Prairie Schooler
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2008
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

Hazel wrote that she was really pleased with the ornament, and I must say that I was thrilled to receive her name for this exchange. Glad you like it Hazel - Merry Christmas to you!!

I heard from Becky that she received the ornament I sent to her for the HoE Christmas Ornament Exchange. I stalked her blog a little to decide what to stitch for her, and I noticed she recently had a birthday giveaway of a reindeer kit... and mentioned she loved reindeer... so I stitched her a reindeer (of course!!):

The Stag Ornament
Helga Mandl Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen, DMC Floss, Bead-It Beads

And... then I also heard from Andrea that she received the PIF that I sent off to her as well... yet another Christmas ornament, as I really have been wanting to work up that Christmas spirit lately...

Holiday Heart Ornament
JBW Designs
R&R Reproductions 28 ct French Vanilla Linen, GAST Floss, Mill Hill Beads and Dress It Up! Star Button

Glad everyone said they were pleased with their tree gifties... now one last PIF out there waiting to be received.... but it has to travel a bit to Iceland... so stay tuned!

Stitching on: Stitching on Christmas Exchange for private group

beCause It's Pink Exchange for Kim

I was so relieved to receive an email from Kim this afternoon letting me know that at long last, my HoE beCause It's Pink Exchange for her finally arrived in the UK. I think it got itself all tied up in the backlog of the UK's postal strike, but it appears that arrived safe and sound anyhow!

Pearls & Rosebuds Fob
The Drawn Thread
28 ct Cameo Rose Cashel Linen, DMC Floss

... And the rest of the goodies for Kim - DMC marblized scissors, pink floss, two pink fabrics, assorted gold tone charms, a pack of Bonne Bell Lip Smackers and a pink flowered bookmark... hope you enjoy, Kim!




Currently Stitching: Stitching a PIF