Santa's Village 1-3

Tonight I finished the first three parts of CCN's Santa's Village.  I always say this, but I really mean it...  I need to learn how to take better photos.  This is the best in a series of four tries...  dark at one end, overexposed at the other...  And since it is dark out and I do not have a light box, this photo was simply taken on my kitchen table.  The snowflakes do show up quite nicely on this Misty Rain linen (Lakeside Linens, 40 ct)...  I couldn't resist the linen because this is the color or our winter sky here in New England... so anyhow, looking forward to Part 4 now - that's not here yet, so off to stitch on something else tonight!

I actually finished something that is not an ornament...

Hard to believe, yet it is true. I finished stitching something that is not a Christmas ornament... I had started Earth Sampler in early 2011 shortly after its designer, Lisa Roswell, died tragically. I wanted to stitch this in her memory. I chugged along and was making rapid progress, and then the dreaded (and still ever present) tinnitus set in. I struggled through the numbers at the bottom and part of the hand, but just could not focus and stitch when the tinnitus was so new, so loud, so painful and causing migraines... Almost exactly two years later, I have come to some level of acceptance and it has improved some (no more migraines thanks to neuromuscular dentist) - I came across this sampler earlier this week and all I had left to stitch was four fingers! So, I got right on that... and now I actually have a finish to share.

Earth Sampler The Primitive Needle Lakeside Linens 40 ct Pear Linen, WDW and GAST Floss Sadly, I cannot seem to get a photo that shows the true, beautiful color of the Pear linen. It is still "winter" here despite meteorlogical spring.... no chance to get any good natural daylight yet.

Shepherd's Bush Ornament for Karen

I awoke this morning to read that Karen has received the Shepherd's Bush Christmas Ornament that I stitched for her for the HoE Shepherd's Bush Christmas Ornament Exchange.  You are very welcome Karen, it was such a pleasure to stitch for you!  So very, very glad that the USPS helped to have it arrive safely with you in Oz :-)

Tropical Quaker

I am trying to get my stitching legs back....  Last night I dug out Tropical Quaker by WDC Designs from an issue of The Gift of Stitching Magazine.  I had done the first three motifs at some point last year.  Was able to get quite a bit done last night.  I had to put Santa's Village aside for a little bit to let my SAL mate do some catching up.  I am using Weeks Dye Works 30 ct Parchment Linen and the called for HDF silk package for this....  loving the colors so much.  My iPhone pic does not do it any justice at all...

Happy Monday, folks.  I am taking a mental health day today.  Probably off to luch at Olive Garden with Mike, relax, clean the hardwood floors in the kitchen and dining room....  later read or stitch...  hope you are all well!

Santa's Village Update

Finished Part 2, Poinsettia Place, on Santa's Village - so rare these days to make steady progress on something other than a small...  now on to Part 3, North Pole Post Office...

Thank you Janet!

I received this super cute Shepherd's Bush Christmas ornament from Janet on Wednesday - it is from the latest round of HoE Christmas Ornament exchanges (taking new members now, as long as you have an active stitching blog - come join our fun!). I love this little guy, and really love that she added the year on the bottom. That is super cool. I shall cherish this forever. You should feel the lush velvet fabric she used to back this ornament. Yummy! I have made significant progress on Poinsettia Place of Santa's Village, but have failed to take a photo.... waiting for part 3 from Down Sunshine Lane (on pins and needles for it) - will post my update this weekend. Looks like it will be another snowy weekend here, so should be able to finish part 2 (unless I get all caught up in reading - just finishing Nicholas Sparks' Safe Haven now so that I can go see it - then have Beautiful Creatures on the Kindle Fire runway - so I can read it and go see it - LOL). Happy Friday to all!!!

Santa's Village Update & Ornament from Karen

I received this pretty Prairie Schooler Christmas Ornament from my dear friend Karen earlier this month. As it had to travel here from Australia, it did not make it in time to actually hang on my tree this past Christmas, but I so look forward to hanging it this year. Another beauty from Karen, thank you sooooo much. Will treasure it forever.

And speaking of Karen, I have more (blurry) progress to show of my CCN Santa's Village SAL that I am doing with her... I made it through part 1 by Jan 31, so I felt that was good progress for me, and now I am on to Poinsettia Place.

Santa's Village

I feel a bit like "Little Miss Pokey" with my stitching - other than ornaments - but a dear friend has been motivating me and we are doing the CCN Santa's Village together. I chose a 40 ct Lakeside Linen in some rain shade... gotta find that tag... and have been plodding along at my snail pace since the first of the month... voila, a tiny bit to show :-)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to my dear stitching friends! I know something looks really strange below... other than the photo being a bit overexposed because I just do not have this photography talent... I loved this little Oakhaven Yahoo Group freebie that came out last year... I started it at some point, got annoyed by the many color changes in the lettering, tucked it away... and just found it a few days ago while tidying up a little bit in my stash room. So, I managed to finish it last night, still in 2012, so I figure it's all good, right?

Happy New Year 2012 Oakhaven Designs 32 ct Silvery Moon Linen, DMC Floss 2012 was a mixed year for me. My NH psychotherapy practice, although is only one day a week, has begun to take off quite well. My MA practice continues to thrive. I am contracted with more health insurance companies than I can count, and as a result, I do get a really nice mix of different types of clients and issues to address. This year has brought more relationship and marriage counseling to my practice than ever before. My CE (continuing education) was off the charts this year. I seem to be addicted to continuing education. I think that points to my innate desire to get my doctorate, but my age and wanting to keep our finances stable as we spiral towards the last decade before retirement age keeps me from doing anything at all with that desire. The time has come to think about retirement planning, not spending $200-$300K on more education. It just cannot be. On the health front, well I still have my tinnitus and my really pain neck, shoulders and back. I have come to the conclusion that the two issues are likely not related. Still without any health insurance here, I do my best to make the most of any appt I do get with any doctor. It is unfortunate that my neck, shoulder and back issues likely come from stitching - as in very poor, curled up, leaning to the left posture when stitching. When I grip my stitching I feel pain for a bit, then it passes. Next day it is awful in my left wrist and hand. Huh. My tinnitus appears to be linked to my deviated septum and bone spur in my left nostril. Really, really need to see my ENT and see what we can do about it, and what that will cost. I have an orthotic for TMJ now, and my headaches are signficantly relieved by this, at times... the little electric shocks under my skin from menopause cause me great confusion re: my TMJ as at times the shocks (hormone decline) sometimes are like a starburst in back of my head or curl up as if from my jaws to the top of my head. That is that on the health front. It is why I do not stitch or blog much any longer. Am on Facebook, though. Nice to see some of you over there. In general, I have to pace myself better in all areas of my life. Hoping for the best for all of you in 2013!!

Homespun Elegance Ornaments

Here is to hoping that all of my Christian friends had a lovely Christmas yesterday... I have a couple more ornaments that I finished up in the last few days..

Blessings To All Ornament Homespun Elegance Free chart Here- scroll down 40 ct Natural Linen, WDW, GAST and DMC Floss

Pomegranate Joy Ornament Homespun Elegance JCS 2012 Christmas Ornament Issue 32 ct R&R Reproductions Creek Bed Brown Linen, DMC, Crescent Colours, WDW Floss

Lots of Christmas Ornaments

I heard a couple of days ago from Jayne (cannot find her blog link now) that she received the ornament I stitched for her for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament Exchange. I wanted to get it out to her as quickly as possible, so I only took a quick snap of it before I mailed it off to the UK... praying Jayne would take a nice photo and put it in the HoE or her own blog. Unfortunately, she did not... so all I have is my quick snap... sigh...

Christmas Eve Ornament Pickle Barrel Designs JCS 2012 Christmas Ornament Issue 36 ct Flax Linen, WDW Floss

And here is a photo I put up on Facebook today of the four lovelies I have received this month...

I received this beauty from my dear friend Margaret earlier this week. She says it is a Drawn Thread design. I am behind the times, I did not recognize it. Such a beautiful ornament, thank you Margaret... you are a love.

I also received this other beauty from Marie, another really dear friend, this week. Wow, she somehow found a Shepherd's Bush pattern I also was not familiar with. How beautiful are these ornaments, right??

And a much better shot of the sweet Drawn Thread ornament that Katrina sent to me too...

I have here a much better photo now of the beautiful Homespun Elegance ornament that I received from Lillie for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Ornament Exchange :-)

Lovely Ornaments from Lovely Friends

I am so blessed to have these two new lovely ornaments on my tree - both stitched by very, very good stitching pals of mine! I apologize immediately for how very dark these photos are. I only just now had a chance to take the photos, and it is only 45 minutes from sunset here in New England, and it snowed last night and is rather dreary here today.... but here they are:

I received this lovely ornament from my old stiching pal Katrina today. I just love it. Katrina has blessed me with a new Christmas ornament for my tree for more years than I can count. I, of course, also stitch one for her. I always look so forward to what treat she will send each year. This year, a simply stunning Drawn Thread Santa for me! Wish you could see it in better light (maybe on Katrina's blog soon??)... thank you so much Katrina. Another one for me to cherish!

And, a few days ago, another beauty arrived! This one is from Lillie for the HoE Stitcher's Choice Christmas Ornament Exchange. I believe this one is by Homespun Elegance. Equally as stunning as the one from Katrina! Oh, she sent me some goodies too - some trims, tiny other ornaments... in a fit of cleaning, the trims went up to my stash room. Ooops!!! Maybe Lillie will put up a better photo of this on her blog soon too. I love, love, love my two new ornaments, and even more special they are from my friends!

Tiny Stocking Ornament Attempts

OK.... so I attempted to make my first pair of JBW teeny, tiny Christmas stocking ornaments.... geesh, wish cutting out a template was easier for me to do... some of that skill, some don't. Drove myself nuts yesterday.... here are my results...

Chalet with Snowflakes JBW Designs 32 ct White Belfast Linen, DMC 4210

Reindeer JBW Designs 32 ct White Belfast Linen, DMC 4201 Both stitch 1*1 Sigh....

Gift for Katrina

Heard last night that Katrina has received the little Christmas ornament that I stitched up for her... perhaps my longest running stitching/blogging pal, we trade ornaments annually.... even if we do not have much contact during the year. She says this wee one is on her little girl's tree, and I am tickled by that idea!! I am also remarkably surprised at how quickly the postal service got this from NH to New Zealand... a week!

Greetings from New Hampshire Ornament Lindy Jane Designs 40 ct Natural Linen, DMC and WDW Floss

Christmas Tree

It's in the "Cat Room" this year.... figured the Dyson next to the old worn out love seat was a nice touch ;-) Beau was lying there on the end of that love seat, but didn't make it into the shot... but somehow the vac did. Life is grand.

2012 Ornament

I was thinking of trying something new this year... one ornament per year that celebrates that year, be it just a wee thing like this one or one that is "Happy New Year" themed (I did start one of those for 2012, but the color changes are making me nuts, maybe I will get it done in time??) -

2012 Ornament Balades et Broderies par Carmela - chart found here Lakeside Linens 32 ct Vintage Autumn Gold Linen, DMC 115

Getting ready to decorate the tree....

...my favorite time of the year. But.... first must check all my lights. Last year we had a couple of strings that did not light and looked awful. Just itching to get these hung though :-) Stitching pals, recognize any you stitched for me here??

Happy Thanksgiving... and more ornaments

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my US friends - may you enjoy the company of loved ones and enjoy the bounty of life

Woodsy Winter Ornament Blue Ribbon Designs JCS 2012 Christmas Ornament Preview Issue R&R Reproductions 40 ct Mockingbird Linen, WDW Floss

Home for the Holidays Ornament Little House Needleworks 2005 JCS Christmas Ornament Issue 40 ct Natural Linen, DMC Floss

Gift stitching...

Getting my gifts ready that have to travel far... stitched another of these... it's ready to go today - whew!

Greetings from New Hampshire Ornament Lindy Jane Designs 30 ct Medium Exempler Speckled 739 Jache Linen, DMC Floss

2012 Christmas Freebie Ornament

Carol of iStitch Designs asked me a few days ago if I had the time to stitch up her Christmas freebie for her... sure, I told her... now she has the photo and it is linked in her blog, so I can share it...

2012 Christmas Freebie Ornament iStitch Designs - link found here 32 ct Olive Green Belfast Linen, WDW in Bordeaux and Blue Spruce Stitched one over one