And Let There Be Snow In Winter!

Winter White!  That is what covered the ground when we woke up this morning!  Spring may be almost upon us, but it does look lovely seeing all of the trees, laden with beautiful snow today.

Yesterday afternoon was spent finishing my  Primitive Betty's 'Pure and Pleasant' pincushion with some brown satin ruched ribbon trim.  It is filled with a combination of crushed walnut shells and lavender.  The lavender smells so wonderful, but its' scent was a bit overpowering.  I am happy with the results!

Last Friday I had surgery to repair a bunion and two hammer toes.
Ella and our daughter visited to cheer me up, and Ella laid her Boo-Boo Kitty on my sore foot. Too sweet for words.....

Miss Ella decided that an 'Elmo' Get Well balloon was the perfect gift for Grandma, since Elmo is her very favorite Sesame Street character.  She loves all of the Sesame Street characters, but carries her own little Elmo everywhere she goes.

As you can imagine, for the first few days after my surgery, I didn't feel much like doing any stitching.  Then, on Monday, my needle began calling me, so I pulled out 'March Cottage', and I made a little progress. 

Yesterday, I made some more progress, but am not happy with the way the window panes look.  They are supposed to be 'straight stitches', but don't lie very flat, so may have to take them out and re-stitch them.  We'll see.


Yesterday was our Wednesday Stitching Group. I was a little sad not to be able to join the girls for our usual stitching and gabbing the morning away.  I can't wait til I can go again.  Maybe in a week or so, I can ask one of my stitching friends to pick me up, with my crutches and a stool on which to rest my sore foot.  Stitchers will do just about anything to stitch together! Right?  

One more beautifully snow covered fir tree outside of our house.  Can you tell that I am one of those crazy ladies who absolutely loves it when it snows?  It comes from having grown up in snow country, where I was a total snow bunny all winter long!


Although I am behind on my blog reading, I plan to catch up, as I have plenty of time in my recliner these days.  I am so grateful for all of you who visit with me here on my blog, and for the wonderful comments you leave.  It means the world to me to know that we are connected with one another through the threads of friendship and stitching.


Blessings to All of You, My Dear Friends!

For the past few weeks, I have been trying ever so much, to find more time to stitch and blog, but never seem to feel like I am accomplishing what my mind sets out to do!  Does that sound like a familiar feeling?


Last week our Wednesday LNS Stitching Group decided that we would have a special fun 'Stitch-In' day, on a different day, so that we could stitch to our heart's content, from morning til when the shop closed!  Imagine.....just stitching and eating yummy treats all day long!  What sheer joy!  We hope to re-create our special all day long 'Stitch-In' again in a few months.

I worked on 'Pure and Pleasant', a Primitive Betty's design. It seems like my fingers don't stitch as fast as I would like sometimes:)  My mind is swirling with ideas of how I would like to finish it as a pincushion.  Will show finishing later.....

I am sure that you have probably seen this cute Country Cottage 'March Cottage' design. Here is my stitching start.  I love doing monthly or seasonal designs and changing them around in the house for a new and cheerier look.

On Saturday, we had a Baby Shower for our son and daughter-in-law, who are expecting our second granddaughter, in late May, but are moving next week to Texas. On Friday night, Miss Ella was helping us wrap up the baby gifts..... trying outfits on her dollies.

Even Ernie had to try on Ella's favorite baby outfit too!

Of course, Miss Ella insisted on modeling the outfit on herself too!

Our daughter-in-law loves little green turtles, and didn't want anything  frilly pink, so we came up with a cute "Baby Turtle" theme.      

              Notice the Daddy, Baby and Mommy Turtles....too cute!


For now, dear friends, time is fleeting, and I must get on to doing some other things today, but wanted so much to let you know that I am thinking about you always.  It is a blessing that our lives connect one to another, through the threads that join us, creating a tapestry that wraps us all together, doing what we love so much........


'Crossing in Stitches and Friendship'!

"But the Greatest of These is Love" -Tokens of Affection

It always strikes me, as Valentine's Day approaches, 

that "Love" should be celebrated everyday of the year.

For it is, after all,

The Greatest Gift of All!

"Love Suffers long and is kind;

Love does not envy;

Love does not parade itself about, 

it is not puffed up;

does not behave rudely

does not seek its' own;

is not provoked, thinks no evil;

does not rejoice in iniquity,

but rejoices in the truth.

Love bears all things, believes all things, 

Hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails."  

(I Corinthians 13:4-8)

My own  needlework creations, 

in celebration of "LOVE" 

Patricia Ann Designs

2011 Just Cross-Stitch Ornament Issue

28 Count Antique White Cashel Linen

Krenik Fine Braid #8

DMC Threads

Mill Hill Red Seed Beads

I love the beautifully muted roses of  this fabric

that I used for the back of the ornament.

Stitched for my sister-in-law, Marsha,

who adores "HEARTS".

She displays them all around her house year round.

Happy Valentine's Day, Marsha!

Most of my stitching endeavors these past weeks have

included hearts in the designs.

BBD "Small Token Reward of Merit Pincushion"

Stitched on 32 Count Vintage Sand Dune Linen

Worked with Crescent Colours Threads

Finished with a small scissor's pocket on the back.

I had been pondering for a few days about how 

I wanted to finish this pincushion.

I am so pleased with the way it has turned out!

And now, for some of our own "Little Loves".....

Miss Ella with Baby and Teddy All Wearing Diapers!

Harrison @ 1 Month Old

Smiling for Daddy!

Emerson Playing Cowboy  

in his Play Fort

Big Brother, Emerson Gives Baby Harrison a Kiss!

How Adorable!

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three.

But the greatest of these is 

LOVE."

(I Corinthians 13: 13)

May you be blessed with love always!

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!