February.....The Month of Celebrating LOVE!

Everywhere you look, there are hearts and laces beautifully displayed, in every shop, proclaiming "LOVE".  We will all shop for our Valentines to give to those we love.....our spouses, our parents, children and grandchildren.  For "LOVE" is a message for sharing EVERY DAY.

Last week when I went to my LNS Stitching Group, I was thrilled to learn that  "Love Birds" was ready to be picked up!  I am saving it to give to my husband on Valentine's Day.  (You see, he is an avid stitcher too, so I know that he will appreciate it as much as I do!)

Yesterday afternoon I went to a really fun "Stitch-In" with a group of nice stitchers, before the Super Bowl kick-off in the evening.  We had a wonderful lunch and all kinds of delicious goodies to snack on, while we stitched and chatted the afternoon away. 


 This is my latest 'small' .  I love this sweet little piece.  It is easy to stitch and carry with me too.  It will be finished as a little pincushion, as it is designed to be.  I'm pondering how I want to make it a little different.  

"Small Token"
Reward of Merit Pincushion
BlackBird Designs
Using Recommended Threads

Miss Ella Pouring Tea for Mommy and GrandMaMa

Yesterday morning, when I paid a little visit to our daughter's house,
 little Miss Ella, decided that we would play 'Tea Party'!
She was delighted when her Mommy poured
a tiny bit of real tea into her little pink tea pot,
 a spot of milk in her creamer and  let her spoon sugar
from the china sugar bowl.

Love those adorable cookies too!

Don't you love her pretty green matching bib for the occasion?

Miss Meaghan Pouting After Being Scolded
For Chewing up My Kleenex
For the 3rd Time Today!

"I Don't Want To Look At You, Mommy.
I know that I Was A Naughty Dog."


My goodness, but the time just fleets away when I am blogging.
Time for my favorite cup of hot tea 
And Some Peaceful Moments with Needle and Thread!


It is always my joy to visit with you on your blogs,
and of course, I cherish the times when you come to
visit with me too!


Blessings in Stitches and Friendship!

A Little Joy In Our Hearts!

These past weeks have been filled with the joy of welcoming our newest little grandson, into our lives, born in the wee hours of Friday, January 13th, to our son Kevin, his wife, Gwen, and our two year old grandson, Emery.  

Harrison @ 7 Days Old

Two Year Old Emery & Newborn Harrison

 So you can just imagine that proud Grandma and Grandpa just couldn't wait to pack up and travel to visit our precious two little grandsons.  It was a long trip, but worth every minute.  We just couldn't be more proud or happier for our son and daughter-in-law, who are wonderful, loving parents.


Needless to say, my stitching and blogging has been neglected these past weeks, and I have sorely missed my dear stitchy/bloggy friends!  While away, my needle and thread were useful, mending Emery's favorite Teddy Bear, as well as several articles of clothing and a pair of snowpants for our son, who loves to play in the snow with Emerson.


I have been wanting to show you the needlecase that I stitched for my dear friend, Donna, but needed to wait until she emailed me that she had received it.  It was a bit of a challenge for me assembling it, as I am always so skiddish about doing the finishing work, but I was pleased with the finished piece.

"Christmas Joy Needlebook"
By Louise Henderson
Just Cross-Stitch
Christmas Ornaments 2009

Needle Case Back

Needle Case Interior

Needle Case Open
(Front and Back)

Donna sent me a lovely note, saying that she was delighted to receive it, and I am so happy that she is so pleased with it, and wish her many happy hours of peaceful stitching!


Even though the month of January is almost past, I finally finished stitching "January Cottage" last night. There just weren't enough stitching hours this month!  Oh well, it will be ready for display NEXT January:)

"January Cottage"
Country Cottage Needleworks

Now, I am contemplating whether to work on some WIP's or start something new.  It is a difficult decision, but I tend to feel one of my WIP's calling me to do some more stitching, but one never knows what will happen...........

I have missed being in touch with you, and promise to catch up on my "blog reading". Now that I have caught up on my laundry, and all of those other pesky tasks, like making meals, doing bills and chasing the dust bunnies away, I can at last see what exciting things you have been stitching!

Until next time......
Blessings in Stitches
And
Friendship!

Twelve Days of Christmas Gifts......

Congratulations to all of my Twelve Days of Christmas Gift recipients!  I am almost a little sad today that there are no more days to post something special just for you about another gift:(  But there is always next Christmas!


For two of my gift recipients, Marcela66 and Carm, who do not have blogs, would you be so kind, and please email to me your mailing addresses, so that I can post your gifts to you this week?  I know that you will definitely want your special gifts!


Blessings to Everyone This Week!

Who Will Receive The Gifts For Twelve Days of Christmas?

At last, the Twelve Days of Christmas, with all of it's beauty, is now long past and but a memory.....
Before I tell you who will be the recipients of my gifts, I want to tell all of my dear blog friends, just how much I appreciated the wonderful Christmas memories that you shared each day, and for your wonderful friendship.  You are all true blessings to me!


And now, the best is yet to come...............
 I have the extraordinary pleasure of telling you who will be receiving MY Twelve Gifts!  So that you will know that the names were chosen fairly, I used the "True Random Number Generator" for your names (each with a number) to be selected.

The First Gift of Christmas, "Oh Come All Ye Faithful"  is for Donna TN.

The Second Gift of Christmas, "Love Birds", is for Butterfly.

The Third Gift of Christmas, "Keepsake Christmas Stocking", is for Carm.

The Fourth Gift of Christmas, "Quaker Christmas Sampler", is for Carol. 

The Fifth Gift of Christmas, "Christmas Poinsettia", is for Marion. 

The Sixth Gift of Christmas, "Eloquent Christmas" Tree, is for Kaisievic (Kaye). 

The Seventh Gift of Christmas, "Angel Watching Over Me", is for Evalina. 

The Eighth Gift of Christmas, "Pure and Pleasant" Pincushion, is for Deborah. 

The Ninth Gift of Christmas, "Cross-Stitch & Needlework Magazine", is for Kat. 

The Tenth Gift of Christmas, "Country Christmas Blocks", is for Carin. 

The Eleventh Gift of Christmas, "Family Mittens", is for Marcela66. 

And last but not the least......The Twelfth Gift of Christmas, "NOEL Blanc", is for Jo.


Congratulations to all!  May you have many peaceful hours of stitching in this New Year of 2012.  I feel so blessed to have met all of you over the past few years, and I look forward to many more wonderful times of sharing our love of stitching and more in the coming year ahead.


May the threads that connect us all to one another continue to create a beautifully woven tapestry of friendship and stitching joy!

"On The Twelfth Day of Christmas....... "What Sweet Surprise is Waiting?

"On The Twelfth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me........."
My, oh my, what else could my Truest Love of All Possibly Give to Me?

Before I show you the very special gift for today, I thought that you would like to see two of my finished WIP's, that I promised myself would be finished by the beginning of 2012!

"Love Birds"
By La-D-Da
Picture This Plus Linen
Worked with Weeks & Crescent Colours Threads

When I first saw this beautiful design, I knew that I was destined to stitch it to commemorate one of  our anniversaries.
On this coming Sunday, January 8th, 2012, My True Love & I will celebrate
another wonderful year of love and happiness together!

"Family Mittens"
28 Count 'Water Lily' linen
Worked with DMC Threads


And now, my dears, there is a very special gift for today, the Twelfth Day of Christmas!
On The Twelfth Day of Christmas,
My True Love Gave to Me.....
Twelve Drummers Drumming
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords A - Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids A - Milking
Seven Swans A- Swimming
Six Geese A - Laying
FIVE GOLDEN RINGS!
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Calling Birds
And A Partridge In A Pear Tree!!


My very special gift for ONE of you today will be......

'NOEL BLANC'
By a mon ami Pierre


If you love this beautiful gift, please leave me a comment and tell me so.
Tomorrow I will pick all of my 'gift recipients' 
and post them by Sunday morning, January 8th!


If you would like to know more information about the true meaning 
of the Twelve Days of Christmas, 
Which is Epiphany, please visit:
The Twelve Days of Christmas
or
The Twelve Days of Christmas (Carols in the UK)


Blessings to all of you, my dear friends.
Your wonderful comments I treasure, 
and look forward to hearing from you again very soon!

"On The Eleventh Day of Christmas........"

On The Eleventh Day of Christmas

My True Love Gave to Me,

Eleven Pipers Piping,

Ten Lords A - Leaping

Nine Ladies Dancing

Eight Maids A - Milking

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!

Alas, alas, my true love came to give me a very special gift today, and found me wrapped up in a quilt sipping warm sweet tea.

You see, I have the sniffles, and am not feeling quite myself today....

But My True Love said "I love you, and will take good care of you.

Now please open my gift for you today....

Sweet "Family Mittens"
By The Cricket Collection
Are these not just adorable?
Soon I will show you my own stitched version,
which will be personalized for a Family Sampler.

And now, you know how to let me know if this wonderfully wooly design
is a gift that you would truly like to receive!
Please leave me a comment
and your name will be entered for one of these lovely gifts
on January 7th.

Blessings To All,
And to All,
A Good Night, Once Again! 

"On The Tenth Day of Christmas.........."

So here we are again my dears, with the Tenth Day of Christmas, and what do you suppose my true love gave to me today?

On The Tenth Day of Christmas
My True Love Gave To Me,
Ten Lords A-Leaping
Nine Ladies A-Dancing
Eight Maids A-Milking
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!

And, so my dears, because my True Love has been so loving, kind, and generous to me,
I have a very special gift for you, on this,
The Tenth Day of Christmas!

If this special gift speaks to your heart, 
I would love to hear from you.
Please follow the guidelines,
and tell me so, 
and your name will be entered 
for the drawing, the day AFTER 
the Twelfth Day of Christmas
on January 7th, 2011.


If anyone is wondering where my stitching has been these last weeks, I assure you,
that I have been working on some small projects.  One of them is a special gift for a friend, so I can't show it to you until she receives it.


I promise that my needles are still stitching the hours away, and in the next day or so, I will post my latest project, and some of my stitching dreams too:)


For tonight, dear friends, may you all have sweet dreams, until tomorrow when we 
'Cross in Stitches With One Another Once Again'

"On The Ninth Day of Christmas......."

"On the Ninth Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me.....Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids A Milking


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!


My goodness, but the hour is late, and this day is almost past!  Oh dear, oh dear, what shall we do? The Nine Ladies Are Still Dancing, and it is almost time to go to bed!
But wait, there is a sweet little gift lying on my table here,
and it is the Ninth Gift for the Twelve Days of Christmas!

This lovely issue will be yours for the asking, if your name is selected
in the Twelve Days of Christmas Gift Drawing
on January 7th.
So, dear ones, please follow the guidelines for telling me that you
would be ever so delighted to receive this gift, and if your name is chosen,
I will be happily telling you on January 7th!

For now, the day is about to end, and I am about to turn off the lights,
and say "Good Night, Good Night", until we meet again tomorrow.....
Sleep well.......

A New Year's Blessing For You.....And "On The Eighth Day of Christmas"

I am thankful for the Gift of Your Friendship over the past year and look forward to our journey together in the New Year of 2012.


Today is also the "Eighth Day of Christmas", on which "My True Love Gave to Me.....
Eight Maids A Milking
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 Eight Maids A Milking, Slept In Late Today, and Forgot to Do The Milking, Sooooooo....
My Gift  for You on This Eighth Day Will Be........

And so, dear friends, if this is a gift for which you would like to be considered,
Please remember to tell me, in your comments.......
Something about those very special MEMORIES
Of  your own Christmas and Holiday family traditions.

Praying that You and Your Loved Ones
Will Be Abundantly Blessed in the Coming Year Ahead,
That You Will Experience
Love, Peace, Contentment, and Joy To Fill Your Lives Every Day.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord,
"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
Plans to give you hope and a future."
(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

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!