Ladies Everywhere!

First things first, DJ and I had a great day today - at least I hope she did!  We didn't get in very much stitching, but she did show me how to stretch and pin my mermaids for framing.  She's a great teacher and made it painless and easy!  We have a stitching date with some other stitchers at the end of the month and I'm really looking forward to meeting more stitching buddies ladies!

Here's the ladybug I made for Nathan's pre-k teacher for her Christmas gift.  They are the ladybug class so I thought it was perfect.  Too bad I hadn't taken DJ's "pin class" before I framed this one - it's pretty scary in the back!

 This past Sunday was our girls afternoon and it was a hit - you can't go wrong with homemade taco pizza and blue "knock your socks off" drinks!  I think we're back on track for our monthly gathering, I think we ALL need it!  

Next girls night will be with some high school friends, that should be a good one too... girls rule!

 

Just in case you were wondering, this is what it normally looks like when I'm stitching.  It's even more interesting when they're trying to grab the floss!  I'm working on One Nation, but still need to finish outlining Woody for Nathan - almost done.


I'm also still working on reading my backed up blogs.  It's slow going, but it's a start. 

WIPocalypse for January & an Apology

 
I'm still working on Woody, but only have to finish the outlining!  Nathan is being so patient, but he's wishing it was done already... me too.

I'm not even sure where to start once I finish this, but DJ and I are supposed to start One Nation, hopefully soon.  Oh, and I need to finish my monthly owls from Oak Haven Designs!

  
I'm a little overwhelmed at home at the moment, still cleaning up/out toys and stuff.  And this doesn't even include my craft area - stitching, cards, stamps, etc, are everywhere!  Once this is cleaned up/out, I get to put all the Christmas decorations away - oh joy.

 WIPocalypse Full Moon dates for 2012:
January 9, February 7, March 8, April 6, May 5, June 4, July 3, August 1, August 31, September 29, October 29, November 28, December 28

 I just wanted to say I'm so sorry for not commenting on any blogs recently.  I'm showing that I'm behind on 93 94 at the moment.  That also goes for my Yahoo groups, I haven't been keeping up with reading them either.  

And how sad is this... I'm late on sending my pen pal her December goodie and I've had it stitched since the beginning of December... just not put together!  But I also wanted to get a few goodies and couldn't get them until after Christmas while we were at the lake.  Another goal this week - sending it out and finish getting organized!

Welcome 2012!

  A New Year's Prayer

May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God's love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead. 

~Anonymous

 

Nathan with Fruitcake, the dragon he received from Oma & Opa for Christmas.  He's a puppet and Nathan loves him!

 

 

 New Year's kisses.

 

On the stitchy front, I'm making this "quick" one for Nathan.  

I'm also trying to work on my WIPocalypse.  I keep thinking of things I want to stitch so this should be an interesting year!

If you're already in 2012, enjoy it - if you're still in 2011, the best is yet to come...

New Moon TUSAL for December! An end to a great year!

 
Wow, a year of TUSAL's and that's all I have to show for it?!  Hopefully I can fill it better in the new year.  Oh well, now what to do with it.... 

While shopping with DJ before Christmas, she saw this ornament to fill and suggested that I put my ORT'S trash treasure in it.  FAB idea, thanks DJ!

It's next to a mini snowmen stocking I made YEARS ago.  All I remember is that it was a kit and I made them all and gave them away except for this one.  Or I might have given this to my parents and "borrowed" it.  Darn "sometimes", I just can't remember!

This year I decided to get an artificial tree for the basement to put only handmade ornament on - including the angel.  There are some on there that my DH made when he was little and all the precious ones that the boys have made so far.  There are also some that friends have made me.  All of them are treasures and I'm looking forward to adding to it.


  





2011 New Moon Dates: January 4th, February 3rd, March 4th, April 3rd, May 3rd, June 1st, July 1st, July 30th, August 29th, September 27th, October 26, November 25th, December 24th

  TUSAL = Totally Useless Stitch A Long 
 Come join the fun!
Thanks so much for hosting this, Sharon - looking forward to next year!

Happy Christmas had by all!

Christmas morning!  Even without snow, it was a great day.

I loved that the boys enjoyed giving their gifts almost as much as they enjoyed receiving them, they did a fantastic job.

Nana had her surgery earlier in the week on her good breast and also had lymph nodes taken out under both arms.  Aunt Gerry has been staying with her and since Nana was feeling good, they joined us for Christmas dinner.  We had crackers for every one and Nathan even wanted to sleep with his hat on!

My MIL gave Nana this flag she embellished with crystals - I don't think you can see how great it looks in this picture, but it's very pretty and glittery.

 Since we've had colds going around the house, we had to postpone visiting my parents.  So we're here at the lake, waiting on the rest of the family and will make a trip to my parents, hopefully tomorrow.  Ready for more Christmas crackers and hopefully, some Christmas pudding with brandied whipped cream!

As for stitchy news, I still have a few projects to work on before the new year and I need to get my WIPocalypse ready for 2012.  Are you in?!

Our Happy Christmas Eve!

Church and dinner done - now time to decorate the cookies for Father Christmas.  In our house, he prefers iced sugar cookies... with sprinkles.

  
Another family tradition we have is something the elves do.  While Nathan is in the tub, the elves appear and set up a small Christmas tree with special presents for the boys.  They each get new PJ's and an ornament.

Here they are showing off their new duds.  Garrett didn't want to wear the same outfit as Griffin, but too bad - the elves couldn't find anything else!

Milk and cookies are ready, but we almost forgot a carrot for the reindeer!

And here we have Max, all snuggled with the critters, waiting for us to come to bed.


Wishing you and yours a very Happy, Blessed Christmas.  
Don't forget to wish Jesus a Happy Birthday!

Christmas Village and a Snowman

 

Mingzilla!

We had our "try to get together every month" girls gathering on Sunday and I made each of the them a snowman.  I couldn't figure out what to put in such a small space what would include us all, so I thought this worked well and they seemed to like it!

Advent Calendar, Day 18!

 Welcome to day 18 on Jo's advent calendar!

I made this for my parents the first year I was married - you know, when I had time to do whatever I wanted!  The pattern was in a Cross Stitch & Country Crafts magazine way back in '91.  I changed it to the way I liked it, so it's different than what's in the mag.

Griffin & Garrett had to help me open them!

This family tradition goes back to when I was a little girl.  We never had the traditional Christmas stocking that hung by the fireplace, instead we got tights/pantyhose that were filled with presents, chocolate, nuts and fruit.  Sad to say we stopped it a several years ago, but what fun it was opening all those pressies!

Onto the Christmas crackers!  Now this is nothing new to those of you living in the UK, but here in the states it's not that common.  They are much easier to find now, so we have them at our Christmas dinner and at my parents house when we celebrate with them.  Sometimes we'll use them for the New Year, just depends on where we are and what's going on.

Nathan trying to find out what's inside!

Each person has a cracker at their place setting and after prayers, but before we eat, you pick your partner and pull!  Hopefully your popper will work (make sure you grab it while pulling).  Inside you'll find your paper crown, a joke and a prize.  It depends on what kind you get, some of them now have nice/fancy things in them, but I prefer the silly things.  Then the trading begins! 

One year, my Dad had a huge box full of crackers that he had sent over during the summer - or maybe he brought them home with us while were we visiting - I can't remember!  Anyway, he had them hidden somewhere in the house and my younger brother & I found them.  We proceeded to get out every prize and my Dad couldn't understand why they were all empty come Christmas dinner!  So glad he can laugh about it now - I'm sure it was all my brother's idea anyway.

Last one, our annual trip to DC to see the National Christmas Tree.  I hate to say it, but I was disappointed.  The original tree (since 1978) unfortunately toppled over in February by strong winds.  This tree was okay, but on the short side and bumpy!

Just a little cold, waiting on some snow!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Christmas and wonderful New Year. 

But don't forget what it's really all about...

My Mom made this while in Arizona - before her hands got too bad.

 

Jingle Bell Walk for Arthritis & a gift!

Last weekend, we did the Jingle Bell 5K Walk/Run for Arthritis.  We walked for my Mom, who has had rheumatoid arthritis for over 30 years.  We were "Oma's Angels", and wore our halos proudly - at least the boys did for the picture!  We could have gone this past weekend in Baltimore, but chose to walk around the lake near us instead.  We actually ended up walking on my parents 51st wedding anniversary, so I thought it was appropriate.  We had a beautiful day, just a little chilly, but nice and sunny.  We saw the Grinch and his "reindeer" Max - too cute!  I met up with an old work friend, Diane, so that was an added bonus.

 I'm not sure how many people were there, but it was pretty busy.  We ended up at the very back and hadn't gotten very far before we could already see the runners on the other side of the lake.

The weather at the time was warm for this time of year - many days in the 60's.  So why wouldn't the cherry blossoms start to come out?!  Of course it's cold now, just waiting on some snow to go with it!

I guess you can see the leisurely pace we took for the walk, but it was well worth it!  I plan on making this a yearly event, hopefully get more family and friends to join us on our Oma's Angels team.

 

Now this adorable ornament was given to me by my stitching buddy, DJ.  I LOVE IT!  When Nathan saw it, he thought it was for him... sorry, I'm not sharing this one!  Our tree isn't up yet, but I think it looks nice next to our little ceramic one for now. 

 

 

She knows how much I love dragons and made me this teacup dragon when I won her PIF.  I'm not sure she knows what she started, but bring it on!  

 

So thanks again, DJ, you always do such beautiful, delicate work and I'm so happy to receive your loving stitches!  Hugs to my very special stitchy friend.

 

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Better late than never - I almost forgot... again!  

Nathan helped me pick a winner for the Challenge I put out there.  

We used his Squinkies Cars 2 Globie Dispenser to help us.  I wrote the names down, we put them in the little balls and he put in his coin in to pick a winner.

Of course we had to use his "gingerbread" house he made last night at St. Nick's Night to display the winner.

Lookie who won - Parsley!!!
So, you get to decide where you'd like your gift certificate of $25 from - online or store, just let me know!

And here's what she had to say about what she does...
 

Parsley said...

I missed this post at first but I'd love to share our tradition with you all. My family makes a habit of PIF. At Christmas we like playing 'secret Santa' and leaving gifts on STRANGER'S porches. This year we bought blankets to share with homeless or to leave on 'needy looking' doorsteps. This has blessed us BIG and my DD's friends liked the idea so much, they too are being 'secret Santas'.

Now onto the next winner for the Paying it Forward contest.
  
This is where I stitch something for the winner within the next year - BUT, if you win, you must be willing to have the same contest on your blog.

Nathan was ever so willing to help pick another winner!

And the winner is... Joysze!  I'll be getting in touch with you to get some ideas as to what you may like.  
If, for any reason, you decide you'd rather not take it on - no problem, just let me know.  But I'm excited about it!