New Years Rockin' Eve

Another year has come and gone before we could even get used to saying 2011.  Now we must prepare for another year.  My mother always said that when we got older, time would go faster.  I know that we did not believe her when the school year began, but by the time summer came, we didnt know what to do first, and before we knew it, summer was indeed over.  So now as an adult, I am positive my mother was right; about that, and of course so many other things we didnt want to admit.
This year was another great one for us, and looking ahead, and I think that next year is going to be even better!  How can that be?  Each year getting better, as we keep getting older?  Well, finding the positive in many things has helped me achieve this theory, and I will continue to do so.  It is hard, believe me to think this way sometimes, sometimes more then others, but the good always seems to out way the bad.  I mean in day to day activities, we go through some trials, but the next day, a great positive happens, and helps you forget that trial you dealt with the day before.  I am by no means Ms. Positive Pants, but I am not classified as Ms. Negative Nelly either!!!  LOL.  There is so much going on in this world, that needs some 'real change', 'change you can actually purchase stock in' and 'change that will be for the better, not the worse'.  Looking at all of these things happening can really put a damper on life.  Again, looking at 2012, it is going to be a better year :)
Reading so many wrap up blog posts, year in review....has been great fun.  SO many beautiful finishes, and gorgeous samplers now on my need to do that NOW list........LOL.
I could do the same, but I have decided not to look back, but to continue looking forward on the things to come within this new year that is upon us.  I dont have 31 projects planned out-- as a matter of fact, I have my January 1st start planned and that is it at this point.  I am sure there are going to be other starts, but I would love to work on some of the WIPs I have created for myself in January 2011.  I do love starting projects, but I do have a want and a need to finish them as well...

I am moving along on Rosina Payne, and 'if I woke up with my head sewn to the carpet; I wouldnt be more surprised' that she wasnt one of the first WIPs finished in 2012.  I have some other tricks up my sleeve, but nothing as crazy as last year.  Dont get me wrong, I had a BLAST last January, but with being so much busier, I havent really had time to think much about stitching, let alone what crazy challenge am I going to get myself involved with. 
The last week has been fantastic, and with so much fun being had, it is time to get back to brass tacs.  I did want to share the special gift my Husband gave me, being something that I have known about, knew that existed, but never saw or touched in person.

It is a coveted item by many....... the white/green featherweight by Singer, 1964.  I am soooo thrilled with this gift!!!!  These were made and sold only in Great Britain and are hard to find in the US.  The black featherweights, were made here and only sold here, so they are on the hunt for the black ones :)  How fun is this right?!  It does work.  The belt is missing on the machine, but that is easy to replace.  The light works, the gears move and it is ready to go.  However, I dont plan on using it, just more for display.  I am fired up!!!!!!!!   She is a real beauty :)
I hope all of you enjoyed your Christmas, mine was fantastic.  Many firsts for me this year which will make the time even more memorable.  Until next year right?----I know, I know, no rushing!!!!!

So there you have it, my very last post of the year 2011.  How many of you will watch the ball drop in Times Square NYC??  How many of you will be there to watch it??????  It is always very exciting!!!!!!!!  I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy New Year.  It is going to be a great night, and a fabulous new year!!!!!!!!!!!!

On this Christmas Day

Merry Christmas everyone!!!  What a blessed day this is!!!!!!!  For so many reasons, it is a wonderful day :)
As I write this long over due post of nearly 3 weeks, I think about the hustle and bustle that has gone on.  I have been super busy, as many know and I have finally been able to relax the last few days.  Even up to this past weekend, a short and sweet trip, however long and tiring, marked the end of the year for us.  Since Thursday, I have been able to pick up my stitching for the first time in weeks.  I was at the point of bah humbug with the stitching since it was so long ago.  Progress has been made however, and moving right along, here is Rosina.

She is looking great, and yes, I am putting off the over 1 until the end.  Shame on me right?  I have 3 more motifs to go, and I hope to get 1 of them done tonight.  I have to fill in her name between the 2 butterflies-- only 1 is stitched as of now. 
This Christmas I am visiting with my in-laws and we are having a great time.  On Friday, I baked a bunch of cookies for the festivities and today the kids are coming over to decorate my famed cupcakes. 

 

Top are (decorated by my husband) sugar cookies, next up chocolate chip, peanut butter and last but not least---- snickerdoodles.  Some of my favorites!!  The sugar cookies are no more, pretty popular and I dont think they made it 1 full day!  No worries, there is plenty more to make if need be. 
So, I leave you with pictures of the beautiful tree my MIL has decorated, along with a close up of an ornament I made several years ago, and my favorite, a cardinal.  What a great Christmas this has been-- enjoying family, laughing and sharing stories of Christmas past. 

Hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!

So this is next--lots of pics

First of all, I would like to thank all of you who posted/emailed/texted/called with so many kind words about my 2 finishes.  I took a night or 2 off from stitching, just to poke through my stash and see what was calling me.  I know, I know, that I have one in mind that should be brought out, (some of you know already what that one is........) but I wasnt feeling that project as I thought I would.  So, if you arent called to stitch something-- should you suffer through it?!  Well, in my case, I did so with Quaker study and I couldnt bear to do that again until next year  LOL.
So, I brought out what was calling to me, and that is my Rosina.
I left her this past summer to lay and wait until the next time she would be brought out into the sun, and finally, it was her turn.  She has been oh so patient, and I feel it is her turn to shine.

This is where I left her in August of this year, and this is her transformation.  I have been putting off the top verse........ 

 

 

Sorry for wrinkles, I didnt want to waste time on ironing her, when I was going to be stitching on her again tonight.  And because this is my favorite part, I had to show a close up of the flowers again!!!! 

 I am avoiding the top over one verse, but knowing I will be using the Society of Soie Surfine for the words, it doesn't bother me quite as much.  I should put in 1 strand every other motif, then it wont be all at the end.......... Maybe tonight I will add some words......

The below picture is where I am so far, last night I added some of the leaves to the tree on the bottom.  We shall see what gets done tonight, I should have that tree done for sure, but maybe some words will be an order.........  She is coming along beautifully.

You know with Christmas just around the corner, it has been getting colder and busier it seems.  Shopping is crazy, people running around with 20 things on their lists of daily to-do's.  I have been enjoying both, the hustle and bustle, and most of all, the cooler weather.

Yes, my Friends, the cooler weather.  I am not sure if something has come over me in the night, or many many nights ago, but the cool weather is a real nice treat.  I guess with a proper coat, gloves and scarves (thank you very much!), the cooler weather is most pleasant.  I am still surprised with myself, not complaining about the cooler weather.  

--- Wait for it ----

I actually have been enjoying it :) 

I am looking forward to a winter season, well, at least for the next bit LOL. 

After work at night, putting on my PJ's and my slippers...... making some green tea  (after supper with a cocktail of course!!!!) while stitching has been most wonderful these past few weeks and I definitely looking forward to many many more of these nights :)

What about you?  What is your favorite during the cold weather?