Happy New Year :-)

OK, for Miss Murphy.... a slideshow of my finishes for 2008 :-)

I heard today that Michelle received the little birthday token that I sent to her. I totally expected it to arrive a couple of days late, but the USPS got it to her on her actual birthday (today)!
Christmas Alphabet "M" Fob
Prairie Schooler
Unknown 32 ct Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

And, I finished up one last Christmas ornament for 2008 tonight... I had to lighten the photo a little, but it is fairly close to true.

Christmas Angel Ornament
Midsummer Night Designs
Just Cross Stitch 2007 Christmas Ornament Issue
36 ct Light Sand Edinburgh Linen, DMC Floss

Review of Goals:

December Goals:
1. Continue to stitch on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow - yes
2. Finish Gloire du Matin - yes
3. Stitch and send SBEBB ABC Exchange by 12/31 - yes, I mailed it today
4. Stitch and send some gifts - yes, I stitched three gifts this month
5. Stitch at least one Christmas Ornament for SAL - yes
6. Stitch and send Nicole’s Neighborhood Round Robin home (if I get it this month) - just got it today, will stitch it in January
7. Stitch and send return CE Exchange to Marne - yes, and Marne has received it
8. Stitch and send Christmas Ornament to Joan for Christmas Ornament Swap - yes, and Joan has received it
9. Stitch and send floss ring tag to Melissa C. for MAW Exchange - yes, and Melissa has received it
10. Stitch and send Vonna’s Halloween RR to Edgar - no, not yet, still choosing that perfect pattern for it
11. Finish Summer Exchange for Cathy K. and mail by 12/15 - yes, and Cathy has received it

January Goals:
1. Continue to stitch on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow
2. Stitch some Christmas ornaments
3. Stitch some gifts
4. Finish Nicole's NRR and send it home to her
5. Stitch Vonna's Halloween RR and send it to Edgar
6. Stitch and send Christmas ornament to Cathy B. for Christmas Ornament Swap
7. Stitch and send SBEBB Blackbird Designs Exchange by 1/16
8. Stitch and send HoE Lizzie Kate Exchange by 1/19
9. Stitch and send HoE Valentine's Day Exchange by 1/24
10. Stitch and send SBEBB Frosty Friends Exchange by 1/31

Stitched on today: Finished Christmas Ornament **Mailed SBEBB ABC Exchange today

Thank You Katrien

I received a return exchange from Katrien today (Crazy Exchange) - she quilted me this pretty wall quilt. As soon as I can give it a good press, I will put it right up. It is so beautifully made, and I will really cherish it. She also sent pretty autumnal DMC floss colors and some chocolates that DH has already confiscated... Belgian chocolate is one of his favorites ;-) Thank you so much Katrien!

Stitched on today: Finished SBEBB ABC Exchange, and started a Christmas ornament

Another visit from Santa!

And what a surprise visit from Santa it was! I received this amazing parcel from Tessa today! I think she adopted me this year. She spoiled me rotten. I sent her some special skin creme at some point this year - something she cannot get easily in Australia. It was my pleasure to send it, no big deal at all... and look what she decided to do for me! She stitched this pretty fob for me... sent me Scissoroos for it (I have been coveting these special kangaroo scissors for months now, and I cannot even begin to imagine that I own them now!), a chart that is so perfect for me, the cutest buttons, a satchel bag that rolls up easily, and holiday tissues! My gosh - see, she spoiled me rotten. Thank you so much Tessa. Honestly, it is hard to find just the right words to thank you for this extreme generosity. {{{HUGS}}} And, I received this amazing tatted Christmas ornament in a Christmas card from Cathy - she says her mother tatted this. It is starched and is so perfect. Looks awesome on my Christmas shrub, and I am so honored to receive this from Cathy (and her mum). Thank you both so much.

I am utterly humbled today by the generosity of my friends. I didn't even manage to get Christmas cards out this year (except to DH's family).... I feel so ashamed. But am glad I have my plan in place to spoil so many of you next Christmas ;-) I was thrilled to hear that others of you have similar plans. Very cool!

Stitched on today: Stitched on SBEBB ABC Exchange **Mailed out a gift today

Santa Stopped By

Santa made a little surprise stop yesterday :-) My dear friend Margaret sent me this beautiful ornament by Plum Street Samplers. It is so perfectly stitched and finished, and I just adore it! She also sent me a packet full of unbelievable stash too! Wow, you spoiled me so much - thank you Margaret! The ornament went straight to the Christmas Shrub ;-)

I finished another Christmas ornament today - one that will go in the big basket and eventually be mailed to some unsuspecting stitching friend next fall...

Candy Cane Wishes: Joy Ornament
Plum Pudding Needleart
32 ct Natural Pearl Linen, DMC Floss

OK... time to buckle down! My SBEBB ABC Exchange is due to go out on Wednesday, Dec 31.... but I got myself in too deep with this one and the stitching is soooo slow, not to mention the assembly that is yet to come... I really better buckle down!

Stitched on today: Finished a Christmas Ornament, and stitched on SBEBB ABC Exchange

A Wish for Melissa

Melissa has received the floss ring tag that she wished for on the Make A Wish BB - a wish that I had volunteered to fulfill for her... and here it is:
Atelier de Brodeuse Floss Ring Tag
Au Fil des Reves
36 ct Ivory Linen, CC Floss (my conversion from the silk in the kit)

Stitched on today: Stitched on a Christmas Ornament, stitched a gift

Christmas Makeover

Truth be told, my Christmas Spirit is on life support. My family has grown so distant and so far apart (emtionally) that Christmas is no joy, but is rather dreaded and, in many ways, just plain old painful... So, I am going to re-write Christmas! A total makeover. In 2009, I am going to make a HUGE basketful of Christmas ornaments and send them to as many of my dear stitching pals as I possibly can. For you truly hold the Spirit of Christmas. And that is what I want to lean on. I don't expect any ornaments in return. I am more of a giver than a getter. But I want Christmas to be fun - and I think this will go a long way in doing that for me ;-) You will start to see a lot of ornaments show up in my blog entries now - I had planned to decrease my involvement in exchanges in 2009, so this will be a good fill in for my time too.

I finished my first one for the basket last night, after getting home from the fun, fun day with my family ;-)

Joy Ornament
Lizzie Kate
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, GAST Floss

Stitched on today: Started a Christmas ornament, and stitched on SBEBB ABC Exchange

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of my friends!

Ever notice, those of you who do not have children, that as you get older your family gets smaller? And more grown away from you? DH and I are very in the midst of that right now. It was lovely to see my mother today, walking so well and without need for her walker or cane as long as she had things to support her, like the kitchen counter, etc. She tires so easily, though. Her new prosthetics seem to be working well - a Christmas miracle, she is! The rest of my family... pretty much gone on their own now.

Anyhow... I heard from Marne that she received my CE return exchange yesterday - whew, just in time to hang on her tree!
Renne de Noel Ornament
Valerie
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, CC Floss in Bramble Bush

Enjoy the rest of the holiday :-)

Stitched on today: Finished a Christmas ornament

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve to all of my dear blogging friends :-) Thank you for the cards, emails and blog comments. You are all so very sweet. And I commend those of you who are so great at visiting at commenting so regularly, especially since I am not so good (rather, am so horrible) at doing that for you! You are the best!

Not in keeping with the Christmas theme whatsoever, tonight I will share the HoE Halloween Exchange that I recently stitched up for Laura. Laura was unfortunate enough not to receive at all from her exchanger, and I could not allow that to happen, of course! So... I put this little package together for her, and I am so glad that she is pleased!
"BOO" 2006 Dragonlet Floss Ring Tag
Dragon Dreams
Silkweaver 32 ct Solo Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

... And the rest of her treats ;-)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. We will be off to face some stressful family situations tomorrow. I keep hoping for the best with it... but it could end up being an early day - maybe even slipping away with DH to go to the movies...

Stitched on today: Started a Christmas ornament

A Gift for Karen

I just read that Karen has received the little combination birthday (a little belated) and Christmas gift that I sent off to her - well, at least it got to her before Christmas! Gosh, I feel terribly that I have not been able to keep good email contact with Karen (or so many of my other friends) of late, and I really wanted to make sure she knows (and everyone else knows) that I am thinking of her (and everyone else!) despite my inability to get online to chat as much as I once could...

Believe Ornament
The Sampler Girl
36 ct Ivory Linen, HDF Silk in Dragon's Blood

Stitched on today: Stitched on SBEBB ABC Exchange

Just a little more HOHRH

After finding my ABC Exchange for the SBEBB to be a bit too tedious to work on tonight, I chose to work some more on HOHRH. You know - really want to get it done soon! I managed to finish the upper story of the house... that's progress ;-)

No snow today - what a change!

Stitched on today: Stitched on SBEBB ABC Exchange, and stitched on Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Time for a little HOHRH

It is a very snowy day today - we already have at least two feet of snow just from this weekend. I didn't really have much for stitching today - just not much of a mood for it. But I did work a little on HOHRH again while watching the Boston Celtics roll to their 18th straight win tonight...

Ah, just two days now until Christmas Break!

Stitched on today: Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

A Wish from Terry

I received this sweet strawberry emery from Terry today. I placed a wish for one on the MAW (Make a Wish) Board, and Terry chose to fulfill it for me. This is her first ever emery - not bad at all! Thank you so much Terry! I love it :-)

Many of you have probably already found this wonderful site, but if you are in the US and like to read as much as I do, I thought you might be interested in the Paper Back Swap - I have been having a lot of fun with it, and thought I would pass the fun along to anyone else who is interested...

Another BIG snow event for tomorrow. We got about 10-12" yesterday, and might get as much again tomorrow...

Stitched on today: Started SBEBB ABC Exchange today **Mailed MAW Exchange to Melissa today

For Katrina

I have been holding my breath for a little while with this one, but the Postal Service came through in plenty of time - I heard today that Katrina has received the ornament I sent to her a while ago. We have swapped little Christmas gifts for a few years now, and it is always so much fun! Glad you like this one Katrina!

Christmas Tree Ornament
JBW Designs - in Tokens of Affection II
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, GAST Floss, Mill Hill Beads

I had to chuckle when I received my ornament for the Christmas Ornament Exchange that Meg ran... I received the same ornament that I had just stitched up for Katrina - ah, great minds do think alike! Actually, I have seen this one in a few blogs this year. Hardly a new design, but very popular for Christmas 2008 ;-)

We are at the end of our first big snow storm of the year now. Maybe I can get a photo for tomorrow's blog. Mike says it looks like 8-10" out there right now but was winding down... glad it is a Friday and can relax a bit while we get it cleared up.

Stitched on today: Stitched MAW exchange for Melissa **Mailed CE return exchange to Marne today

Summer Exchange for Cathy

I heard from Cathy this evening that she has received the Summer Seasonal Exchange that I sent off to her last week. We have our first major snow storm of the season ready to barrel in on us tomorrow afternoon, so it still tickles me that the season I stitched for her was summer :-) Ah, I wish I were in Australia right about now too!
Secret Flower Bed Pinkeep
The Trilogy
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, GAST and WDW Floss, JABC Buttons

I also wanted to stitch her a Christmas ornament... and could not resist this one with its cute tropical feel... and was so happy to hear from Cathy that she also likes this wee little thing...

Candy Flops Ornament
Helga Mandl Designs
Enchanted Fabrics 32 ct Unique Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

... And here is the entire exchange I sent off to her... so glad you are enjoying it Cathy!

Stitched on today: Finished CE return exchange for Marne **Mailed HoE replacement exchange to stranded stitcher today

Our Christmas Shrub

Well, OK, I will show our little tree that can barely hold ornaments... but first I just heard that my dear friend Karen has received some Christmas ornaments that I sent off to her... one I stitched months ago and already shared, and then I also recently put this one together for her:
Snowman Ornament
Prairie Schooler
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss

And here it is.... not a great photo and I had to straighten the leaning tree up a little before I took the photo, thus leaving some of the ornaments hanging funny (I had not noticed at the time).... here it is.... see, it does not even come over the railing of the balcony of our foyer! LOL (I know, it needs a star or angel on top for some sort of balance - my angel is too big!)

Our first "snow day" today - not a ton of snow, but really slick roads this morning and I chose to sleep in and then we Christmas shopped ;-)

Oh! Can someone tell me if I have this right?? The words Cashel, Belfast, Edinburgh and Newcastle used for linen are provided by Zweigart (other than being cities in Europe, of course!).... and.... well, Cashel is 28 ct, Belfast is 32 ct, Edinburgh is 36 ct, and Newcastle is 40 ct... right? I think they have others in higher counts too, but I really do not know. So, how do people have 32 ct Cashel, and 28 ct Belfast??? Makes no sense to me. So, am I missing something here? Wichelt just uses the count numbers and does not use the European city/town label... right??

Stitched on today: Finished a replacement exchange for someone for HoE, started CE return exchange for Marne

Pretty Ornaments

I want to show you two really lovely Christmas ornaments that I received from friends today :-) Of course, it was already late and dark by the time I got home tonight, so my photos are their usual... dark, yucky... sorry!

First, I received this stunner from Harmien - it is so elegant, I just love it so much. As always, it is perfectly stitched and finished. What a surprise! I will go put it on my tree now!
I received this beauty from Katrina. What a neat design, and I just love the heart button. Thank you Katrina! I will go put it on the tree now too!

I will cherish both of these ornaments forever. I know some have asked to see a photo of my tree... well, you would not believe the tree DH chose this year. I call it my "Christmas Shrub" and my few little ornaments make it lean and tip over! I truly have no idea what he was thinking when he chose it. I will ponder getting a photo... if you won't judge me ;-)

Stitched on today: Started a replacement exchange for an HoE member who did not get one from her sender **Mailed out two gifts today

Christmas Ornament for Joan

I just noticed that Joan has already received the Christmas Ornament I sent to her for the private Christmas Ornament Swap. I finished this ornament for her about 20 minutes before our power failed on Thursday. The photo was taken on Friday morning, in the early hours of our blackout. As you can see, it does not appear as if we had an ice storm, although the trees in my yard are a little glisteny wet. Mike and I had to drive around to find a post office and food on Friday. We found a PO at the Massachusetts border... and food actually in Massachusetts... yet despite our problems here in NH, this ornament made it to Minnesota awfully quickly!
Red Birds for Peace Ornament
Blue Ribbon Designs
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, GAST Floss

Now, off to finish a gift that is delayed from missing sooo much stitching time this weekend!

Stitched on today: Finished a gift

Blessings

3:15 PM - power is restored :-)

Dare I wish....

Hi - I am at work (where there is power) and DH just called me with some hope. PSNH (the power company) called me on my cellphone while I was driving to work today, and she asked if I had power yet. I told her no, but that I did know why. I informed her of the power line that is down right outside my neighborhood and three houses down - those three houses and my neighborhood are the only houses out in our side of town. She thanked me for the info... now at 12:30 PM, DH called to say they are OUT THERE WORKING ON IT!

Goody!! I hope that solves it and I will be stitching again tonight ;-)

Some of you dear friends have sent me links for shelters and PSNH updates from as far as Viriginia and the UK! You guys are amazing! Thank you sooooo much! It helped :-)

I hope to be back soon to say we have power at home!!

Looking grim

PLEASE send power, heat and hot running water. We will run out of wood tonight, and have not sighted a power company crew anywhere at all today...