Flashback from the Hershey Fall Getaway 🍫

Nothing like posting late, this was in October! But at least it's still in the same year.

Hershey's motto is "sharing goodness."

What a great way to spend a stitching retreat!

This retreat was hosted by Linda and Annette @LinAnn Events. It's always a great time with them and what a great group of stitchers!

Before checking in, I stopped by Hershey's Chocolate World to stock up.

That's my kind of house!

Just a little bit of a maze in the hotel, but I found the stitching room!

A clean table (for now) with treats. I brought what I'm calling, Dead Fred, feeding him floss so we won't have to frog!

The goodie bag and sweet gifts from friends.

One of pieces I was working on.

Brenda, Fran and I ventured out on Friday night to Dark Nights at Hershey Park.

We went to all five haunted houses, such fun!

Who knew a sewing machine could be used for sewing pig skin? 😱

Our trio of trouble.

Our crazy funtastic stitching table.

Saturday night escapades with the white elephant exchange. The word was BRISK.

My original choice was stolen, so I thought I'd be brave and take the totally unknown!

This is what was inside.

I have never done embroidery before, but it looks like I need to give it a try. I know my Momma liked it, so I might too. Of course the mug will come in handy, and especially the little travel light. And candy, can't forget the candy!

This is what I put together in my ghost. I used an empty plastic vinegar container with a hole in the back, with a "prettified" plunger to hold up the ghost.

I won for one of the most creative... amazing fabric from Needlework with Jim.

Plenty of shopping with... Needlework with Jim, Annette with Mind Your Needle, Janice at Noteworthy Needle, Trish Vine Designs, and Jean Farish Needleworks.

This was at the freebie table... dragons and Mill Hill!

I bought this fabric for this pattern I wanted to start.

Our group, and I'm already looking forward to next year's event!

Where I ended up finishing before putting it away for the season.

I'm already looking forward to next year!

Day 20 of the Advent Calendar🎄

 Welcome to day...

I hope you've been following along with Jo @Serendipitous Stitching's Online Advent Calendar this year! I need to catch up with them all myself, I've been trying to finish up some stitching before Christmas so that's been keeping me busy.

This year is "Santa Stories", sharing our favourite Santa traditions and customs from our family or our home town.

I guess I should start with the big guy himself, Santa/Father Christmas.

Growing up we didn't really visit him, he came to visit all us kids during my parents holiday party.

I'm sure I was telling him about all the Barbies I wanted. 

When we had the boys, it was their turn to visit him at the mall. I guess the Gmen really had to think if they'd been good that year.

When they were younger, every Christmas Eve while they were in the bath, Santa would come by with a small tree and leave presents for them - new pajamas and a small ornament.

You can see how happy Nathan was to have his! The Gmen in their teenage years, not so much.

This was probably the last year for them (maybe that's why they're smiling?!) although Nathan still enjoyed it for a while longer.

When I was a teenager, I made the mistake one year to watch/help bring the gifts out and put them around the tree. The next morning, I was so disappointed not to be surprised. Ever since then, I help bring out the presents, but DH ultimately finishes up so I can be surprised in the morning too. He makes such a wonderful Santa!

Or maybe, it's truly the real Santa doing it after all?!

And here I leave you with a couple of the Prairie Schooler Santas I've done. I have ten finished so far, but still need to fully finish nine of them.

"I choose to believe in Santa Claus. He is more than a gift-giving spirit. Santa is the magic of Christmas that spreads joy and happiness around the world."

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas, making memories and sharing the joy with family and friends.

Fully Finished Gallery ~ December 2023 🖼

Welcome to Rachel's Fully Finished Gallery SAL for December, the last one for the year! 

Be sure to take a look and see what others have finished this time.

I've had this little guy finished for a while, I think you can tell from the "lovely" mask he's wearing?!

I decided to finish him to put on my tree this year.

I haven't quite decided if I'm keeping this cutie, or giving him as a gift.

Here's another one I've had finished for a while, and finally put it together. This was a little different to piece together, but I like the way it looks. It's supposed to be a gift, but now I really like it!

I have plenty of Prairie Schooler Santas to finish, although I'm not sure when.

Many thanks to Rachel for hosting this year.

I know I was late for two or three, but still wanted to post to prove to myself I fully finished something! 😆