On The Seventh Day of Christmas!

"On The Seventh Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me......   Seven Swans A Swimming,
Six Geese A Laying.........
Five Golden Rings!
Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and A Partridge in a Pear Tree!"


The pond outside my window has frozen over this morning.  So,  those poor beautiful swans are not able to swim today. Instead, they are nestled, all snug and warm among the brushes.....

So, for today, my true love has given me, instead, this lovely design, for me to share with you.


For each day of the 'Twelve Days of Christmas', please tell me, in your comments, for  EACH DAY'S GIFT, if you would like for your name to be entered, for that particular gift,  for the GRANDE DRAWING ON JANUARY 6TH.  I hope that helps to clarify things a bit for everyone:)


May You All Be Blessed With A Very Joyous And Peaceful New Year in 2012.

"On The Sixth Day of Christmas"

"On the Sixth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me, Six Geese A Laying.......
Five Golden Rings!  Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves........
And a Partridge in A Pear Tree!"


The Six Geese Were No Where To Be Found Today, but on This Special 6th Day of Christmas,
My special gift to you is:

If This is the Gift That You Hope to Receive,
Please leave a comment for me.
I Wish You a Very Happy 6th Day of Christmas!

Blessings to You Dear Friends!

Celebration of The 12 Days of Christmas!

For our Family, the joy of  celebration began on Christmas Day, with the beginning of Epiphany, from the birth of the Baby Jesus, and continuing for 12 more Days of Christmas, through January 6th.  In our Western culture, that is when the Biblical Magi found the Baby Jesus.

We carry the love, peace and joy of our Savior's birth, in our hearts everyday, not just at Christmas.  This year, it has been a great joy to meet so many wonderful new friends, since I first began my stitching blog.  It has and continues to be a source of enrichment and sharing with each and every one of you, and it is through the beautiful threads that connect us with one another, that I have come to treasure new friendships.

"On The First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me.... These lovely designs, complete with linen, threads and some lovely sewing tools!

"Quaker Christmas II" (Bygone Stitches)
Gorgeous Linen, Threads and Cute Little Sheep Needle Minder!

Three Adorable LHN Christmas /Winter Designs!

A pair of beautiful scissors
were found among the branches of
our Christmas Tree!

Recently, I came across a lovely post, written by my dear friend, Jo, who shared some wonderful Christmas photos and descriptions of her Family traditions, as part of sharing in "The 12 Days of Christmas in Blogland".
It was originally begun by Evalina, and there are several other participants too!  I decided that, even though I am a little late in starting on Day 5, it would still be fun to do.

And so, dear friends, I would like to share with you, an opportunity to receive ONE of my special gifts, that I offer to you, in celebration for each of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." 


"On The First Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me....A Partridge in a Pear Tree"..... 


I don't have a Partridge in a Pear Tree for you, so I am offering:

"On The Second Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me...
Two Turtle Doves, and A Partridge in A Pear Tree..."


I may not have Two Turtle Doves, but I have Two Very Special "Love Birds.."

"On The Third Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me, Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves, and A Partridge in A Pear Tree!"


My goodness, but I don't happen to have Three French Hens, but I can offer you:

"On The Fourth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me..... Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves and A Partridge In a Pear Tree!"  


Since I don't happen to have room for Four Calling Birds This Christmas, My gift to you will be:

"On The Fifth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me......Five Golden Rings!
Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in A Pear Tree!"


I searched and searched, in vain, but alas... My Five Golden Rings cannot be found anywhere, and so I must offer you this lovely "Christmas Poinsettia Sampler" instead, with FIVE little treasures!

FIVE Delightful Treasures To Stitch!
A Sampler, Needleroll, Ornament, Tin Cover and A Gift Bag Set too!

To receive one of my gifts, this what you will need to do:
*Share, in your comments, something special about your own family traditions.
*Please tell me that you are one of my dear followers.
*Tell me, for which Day and Gift, you wish to enter, for your name to be selected for ONE of my gifts.
*If you don't have a blog, please be sure that I have your email address so that I can contact you.
*All Entries Must Be Received by January 6th @ Midnight.  I will draw the names of my Gift Recipients on January 7th, and notify the Lucky Recipients!


For tonight, I leave you with this sweet little prayer, that I recently found tucked away in my childhood Bible:  
                                        " A Little Prayer Especially for You"
"May warm sun shine upon your day, and stars light up your night.
May you always know the road to take, when the forks turn left and right.


May roses shed their fragrance, And birds sing all the way.
As good friends walk beside you, to add joy to every day.


May all of life's little shadows, Be brightened from above,
And your heart feel all of the happiness of our Heavenly Father's Love."


Blessings to All of You Sweet Friends!

A Lovely "Vintage Christmas" Design Giveaway

This is a lovely design, called "Vintage Christmas", being offered by Carin, Stitches by Carin, in a very special giveaway.  Please check out her wonderful stitching blog, (on the December 19th post), for details about her drawing on Jan. 1st, 2012.

Isn't this a truly sweet design?  I love it and would be so thrilled to have it, wouldn't you?


Blessings in Stitches to You Dear Friends!

Christmas Blessings, Dear Friends!

From Our House to Yours.....

We Wish You A Very Peaceful & Beautiful Christmas!

                             

                            
                                     Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!  

This month, as we prepared our hearts in Advent, for the celebration of our Savior's birth on Christmas Day, we have also prayed for another miracle.  Our oldest son, Ryan, who was born on Christmas Eve, was stricken very ill in early December, and hospitalized in serious condition.  Praise God, that, Ryan was discharged in stable, but weakened condition yesterday!  We are so thankful for the many prayers offered for his recovery and that he will now join our family in celebration of both, his birthday and Christmas Day!

As you can imagine, I have not been able to concentrate very well this month, and all of my stitching projects were put away, except for one or two ornaments that I stitched in some peaceful moments.

"Joy"
Jeanette Douglas
Just Cross Stitch Magazine 2010

This beautiful ornament arrived in the mail
yesterday from my very dear stitching friend, Donna.

Isn't the back of Donna's ornament just beautiful?
I love the beautiful silver snowflake!
Thank you so much, Donna!  Hugs!

Design by Emie Bishop

The "Hidden Gift of Christmas"
Tucked among the branches of 
Our Christmas Tree.

On that First Christmas, so long ago, "The goodness & loving kindness of God our Savior appeared" (Titus3:4), born in a lowly manger.  The humble shepherds, keeping watch over their sheep, by night, recognized their Savior, and came with their sheep, and bowed down before Him, giving thanks to God.  
May you be blessed, as you celebrate the miracle of our precious Savior's birth, this Christmas.  God Bless You Always!

Advent...A Season of Miracles & Blessings

For me, the Season of Advent is the most special and beautiful time of all before Christmas.  I have even foregone much of the traditional Christmas shopping, and try to stay away from crowds and crazy malls.  It is in the most peaceful and quiet moments that I try to savour the beauty and wonder of Christmas coming.


When I think of the celebrations of Christmas, my very favorite time is that of Advent, the days and weeks leading up to the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day.  Our family has always loved pulling out our Advent Wreath, and placing it in the center of our dining room table, on the first Sunday of Advent.  

Last Sunday, we lit the first candle, the candle of "Hope", on our Advent wreath.  In years past, when our children were growing up, we always lit the candles for each week, every night after supper, and read from an Advent devotional, and then sung one of our favorite Christmas hymns.  It was a very special and blessed time for all of us, and now, my husband and I continue to enjoy the daily Advent reading, lighting of the candles and singing a Christmas hymn together.  


"Hope in Hard Times" was the title of one of the daily Advent devotionals this week.  "How appropriate", I recalled  saying to my husband.  In these very difficult times, sometimes it is not an easy thing to 'keep on hoping and praying', because we feel so helpless at times to make a difference, but we know that when we have faith and hope, and trust that our prayers are being heard, we have everything.  We have HOPE for today and tomorrow and for the future.  For with God, "all things are possible."



Although a little later than I had hoped to start some of my Christmas stitching,  I have enjoyed pulling out some of my JCS Ornament Issues, as well as the current 2011 one, and started this piece this week.  

"Christmas Joy"
By Cherished Stitches
JCS 2009 Ornament Issue

  I apologize for not having more to show you this time, but after Thanksgiving,  it was time to put things away after all of the company went home.  I had already picked out the ornaments that I would love to stitch, so it was just time spent "shopping in my closet" for the right linens and threads.  Now, at last, I can settle in with my favorite cups of tea, and stitch away to my heart's content!  

As this week comes to a close today and a new week dawns tomorrow, may you be blessed with the hope, peace, faith and love of Advent in your hearts and homes everywhere.


Blessings To You, My Dear Friends! 

GIVING THANKS

Today, all across America, in millions of homes, we celebrated a very special day of Thanksgiving, as we joined together, with our dear families and friends, enjoying our traditional Turkey dinners, complimented by the fruits of our abundant harvests.  


As my husband and I prepared our Thanksgiving dinner, I kept humming the first line of a favorite hymn, which holds my true feelings of  thankfulness for the abundant blessings of God:  "Give thanks with a grateful heart....." It is truly, with a very grateful heart, that I am thankful for a very loving God, who blesses us greatly in so many ways, too numerous to count.  


Over the past weeks, as I attempted to enjoy some quiet hours working  two of my favorite autumn pieces, my arthritis flared up in my right hand, and it was so painful taking any stitches at all.  Using a heat pack to warm up my hand, so that I could get some relief, I was able to stitch, but my progress was slow for almost a week.  Hence, "Gobble" is only three quarters finished.

"Gobble"
Plum Street Samplers

I decided to find a clever way to display my "Work in Progress", by folding it over the frame in which it will be placed when it is truly finished.  After all, Mr. "Gobble" must be proudly displayed on Thanksgiving!

  Mr. "Gobble", amidst two favorite Autumn Harvest pieces.


As the day draws to a close, the turkey and a wonderful assortment of goodies are put away, it is time to finally rest from the days' events of memories with those so dear to us.  And once again, I pause, and "give thanks, Oh Lord, with my whole heart!" (Psalm 138:1)


Blessings to you, dear friends, wherever you are at this moment, and every day hereafter.

THE AUTUMN LEAVES DRIFT PAST MY WINDOW....

"The autumn leaves drift past my window, the autumn leaves of red and gold..."  In case you haven't guessed, autumn is one of my very favorite seasons.  I love the beautiful changing colours of all the autumn leaves, the crisp, woody, fruited scents that fill the air, and the blessings of God's most bountious harvest.  Hence comes my inspiration to stitch a variety of autumn themed needlework over the years.  This year is no different!

Mary McLenon-Turley's "Autumn Harvest"
Just Cross-Stitch Magazine (Sept./October 2011)

Bringing in Lacy Corn Stalks

Oh, The Glorious Colors of Autumn!


This is a really enjoyable piece to stitch because it features some specialty stitches  and some wonderful overdyed threads for a real boost of colour!  It can be finished as a framed piece or a needleroll.  Watch for further updates to see how I will be finishing this great autumn piece.


This weekend my husband and I took a road trip to visit a new needlework shop, which was fun, and, of course, I came home with some new stash.  Just couldn't resist.  You know how that goes:)  Here are my newest acquisitions.  

Of course, my heart's desire is to be able to stitch all of these beauties in time for Christmas.  While  I realize that is beyond realistic, it will be great fun to fill some special hours with the sheer joy of peacefully stitching whatever I am able to accomplish.  


Savoring the sweetness of Advent before Christmas is really my very favorite time of the Christmas Season.  For it is in the anticipation of the celebration of the birth of our Precious Savior, that the truest joy on earth can be found.


May you be blessed this week with the many blessings of God that we all share.  
"For I take joy in doing your will, my God.  For your law is written on my heart"
(Psalm 40:8)


Until our lives cross one another once again....
Crossing in Stitches & Blessings With You!

Some Special Gifts and a Little Stitching....

There are some special "fringe benefits" of having a snowstorm, and one of my favorites is that it allows me to have uninterrupted, guilt-free stitching time!  That is, if the power doesn't go out inside! We lost power here for about 12 hours, and were among the more fortunate in our state.  There are still countless homes, businesses and schools without any power, who will not have it restored until the weekend, according to news reports.  Yes, we had 9.2 inches of heavy snow on Sunday in Massachusetts!  

So, I finished "Jenny Bean" at long last, and she is in the process of being stretched and then framed. I will show my finished piece soon!  Here is some more progress on "My Lovely Stitching Tools" (Gift of Stitching Mystery Sampler).

I also made some progress on one of my WIP's, "Gobble" by Plum Street Samplers.

Amidst all of the busyness of enjoying my giveaway last week, I also received some sweet little gifts from two stitching friends.


One afternoon, my husband came home from work, carrying the mail, and held up a little package from my new stitching friend, June!  It contained a lovely thank you card, (for some charts that I recently sent to her), a wonderful Country Vintage 2012 Bookmark Calendar, and two beautiful skeins of Dragon Floss.  The most special part of these lovely threads are their names: "Blessings""Generosity".  I can tell you, that these sweet gifts touched my heart beyond measure!  Thank you, dear June, for your thoughtfulness!

On the same day that June's lovely gifts arrived, my long-time friend, and stitching companion, Ellen came for lunch and an afternoon of stitching.  She had recently returned from a trip to Japan with her husband, daughter and son-in-law.  She brought me the book that she read on her trip because she knows that I love Catherine Cookson's novels too, and the cutest little bag I have ever seen.

Isn't this just amazing?  That tiny little bag contains a wonderful fold-out silken shopping bag!  So, you can carry the tiny little bag in your purse when you go shopping and just open it up to hold all of your treasures!  I think that this will be wonderful for almost any shopping trip, but definitely for my trips to my LNS too!

Wherever you are, I hope that this finds you well and warm, and that this week is filled with blessings that will lighten your spirit, lift the loads that you must carry and bless you and your loved ones, in whatever needs you may have in your hearts and homes. You are very special to me and I am so thankful for the "threads" that join us all together!

Crossing in Stitches & Blessings With You!

AUTUMN GIVEAWAY WINNER!!

ANNOUNCING A WINNER FOR MY AUTUMN GIVEAWAY!  
While I keep everyone in suspense a few minutes longer..... I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming response I have had to this giveaway, my very first as you all know.  Every day there were more stitchers who shared the very special meaning that stitching has for them in their own individual lives, and it was wonderful reading all of them.  There were 67 entries, from, not only the USA, but from countries all around the world!  I was really happily amazed!  

The Names Are All in the Basket!!

Who Will the Lucky Winner Be?

Dear Husband, Bruce, Picks Out the Winning Name!

So, now for the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:  THE WINNER IS: Abbie!  Congratulations!  Please send me your mailing address so that I can send your stitching goodies to you!


Thank you, dear friends for following my stitching blog and for all of the wonderful comments you share with me here.  I appreciate them so very much:)


Until next time....Crossing in Stitches With You!

THOUGHTS ON A FRIDAY EVENING.....

This week has flown by, and honestly, I can't even tell you exactly where the days have gone, but already it is Friday night!    I am so thrilled with all of the wonderful response to my October Giveaway,  that I have received from so many wonderful stitchers around the world.  They have shared their sweet sentiments about how their stitching makes such a special difference in their lives.....all of these beautiful threads connecting us all to one another.  The winner will be chosen next Friday, October 28th!


Here is my progress, so far this week, on my SAL, "My Lovely Sewing Tools" from The Gift of Stitching" Mystery Sampler.  

I love the rustic taupe threads in this piece.  Aren't those little scissors cute?


Jo , who is one of my SAL friends, posted today on her blog about having a carpet on which almost anything small can get easily lost.  I chuckled when I read her post, because I have a similar problem.....  We have more in common with one another than we would have ever guessed:)

Well, before I lose my needle on this carpet again,  I think that it is time to pick up my stitching again tonight before I head for bed, and take a few more stitches in my SAL or Jenny Bean.  They both need my attention.


Hope that you enjoy this beautiful autumn weekend.  The foliage is jut starting to turn color here, and the air is crisp, cool and supposed to be a little sunny by Sunday.  


Crossing in Stitches With You, Dear Friends!

Today is a very cold and rainy October day.  I can hear the torrents of rain beating down on the roof.  Brrrrrr!
I can't seem to get warm, so donned one of my favorite warm knitted pair of slacks and a sweater, but still feel chilled to the bone.  Time to make a fresh pot of tea!

Yes, I am still lingering on finishing Jenny Bean, but I do have a good excuse for lagging behind.  I had a nasty illness last week and was on antibiotics.  I was just so exhausted and every time I picked up my needle to stitch, I would fall asleep and wake up still holding my needle!  It was a good effort, but needless to say, did not produce great results.  

This week I received this wonderful set of designs from June (http://www.butterfly-butterflywings.blogspot.com).   How kind of you, June to send them to me!  I can't wait to stitch one of them very soon!  These are such delightful French designs by Dany (http://dany88.canalblog.com)

With my spirits bolstered, I resolved to start "My Lovely Stitching Tools" mystery sampler, from the Gift of Stitching.  I am stitching this as a SAL, with Jo and Clare, which is already a lot of fun.  Not a lot of progress this week, but it is a start!

AND NOW, FOR THE REALLY BIG NEWS:  MY VERY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!

Giveaway Drawing on October 28th!

Since starting my stitching blog, I have received so many wonderful comments, and have made some very dear "blogger friends".  It is just so special to connect with all of you with the "threads" that connect each one of us to one another, intertwining our lives, our stories, our joys and sometimes our sorrows, all of which make up our own lives.

To Enter My Giveaway, Please:  
1.  Become a follower, (if you are not already one)
2. Share something about your love of stitching.
3. Please post about my giveaway on your blog, and write a comment to let me know too!


I am so excited about having my first giveaway, and I hope that it will be great fun, hearing from everyone!  On October 28th, the winner will be selected and I will post the name of the winner.  Good Luck Everyone!


It is such a joy to share with all of you. Your kind and thoughtful comments mean a lot to me.  Have a lovely, "stitchy" weekend!


Crossing in Stitches With You!
                                                      

Finally Finished!

At long last, my "Birds of A Feather" Mystery Sampler has returned from the framer.  Oh happy day!  

"Birds of a Feather"

Designer: Brenda Gervais

(With Thy Needle & Thread)

Just love the house and cute sheep!

It has been rather humid here this week, even though the temperatures were in the 70's.  I didn't feel much like stitching very much most days, but did manage to make some progress on Jenny Bean though, and hope to finish her up this weekend.

 I enjoyed stitching the flowers and these darling little bees!


Ah, for the cool, crisp days of autumn....puts me right in the mood for making a nice crock pot of my favorite soup and some muffins, and settling into my "stitching nest" for some quiet hours of stitching.  


This is one of my favorite soup recipes:  "Eggplant Minestrone". (Too Many Tomatoes, by Burrows & Myers)          


2 Tbsp. olive oil                                            
1 Large chopped onion
1& 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves minced garlic
1 medium eggplant (diced)                            
3 diced zucchini
3 diced carotts                                                                                   
2 diced stalks celery
1 large can of diced tomatoes                     
 1 tsp. dried oregano
1 & 1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
4 cups beef stock
1/2 cup small elbow macaroni   
     
*Saute 1st 5 ingredients in large soup kettle until tender.  Stir in remaining  vegetables, beef stock, herbs, sugar and pepper.   Cook in kettle  slightly covered for 1-2 hours until vegetables are tender. 
Add macaroni in last 20 minutes.
If cooking soup in crock pot, after sauteing 1st 5 ingredients,  put into crock pot with all other ingredients, (as above).  Simmer soup all day on "low" for 8-10 hours.   Add macaroni in last 30 minutes to crock pot and cook on "high".      
                                                                                      
When our youngest son, Nathan was little, he proclaimed this to be "the best soup you ever made in your whole life, Mom!"  Such sweet memories....


Apparently, here in New England, this weekend, we are to have one of those gloriously cool, but sunny autumn weekends here!  Sounds like I had better gather in supplies for my soup!  Wherever you live, I hope that you have a lovely weekend and some time for stitching.....what else!!


Crossing in Stitches Again With You!