Home Coming Sampler

Did everyone have a great Christmas Day! Get all that they had wished for?! We had a great day, saw relatives we haven't seen in a while which is always nice!!

On Christmas Eve I finished my Home Coming Sampler by The Sampler House Eileen Bennett. Nice to be done with this one, it has not been a easy one for me to work on, although it should have been. Using 40ct Liberty Gathering Grey with the called for DMC. I had only 6 animals left to stitch and I told my Husband I wasn't moving from the couch until is was done! In a small matter of time I was off and moving :)

Some progress..

Only a few more animals to show, but I am moving along slowly on this Homecoming Sampler by Eileen Bennett. The lady on the corner is so cute, and I just have to stitch her shoes.

My Christmas shopping is done now. I have been enjoying the Holiday decorations, in the mall, in peoples homes, on the outside of their homes. I love white lights. Something about them, they are so elegant and classic. Timeless white lights. My husband loves colored lights, He has his own tree. When I was growing up, my grandmother always had a real tree, and the big colored bulbs-- I think they are the C7's. I found them a few years back, and was so excited, I purchased them for His tree-- so it satisfied his fill for the colored lights, and the 'crazy' ornaments, and satisfied my fill for remembering Christmas at Grandmas.

This weekend we are having our first Christmas party of the season. Everyone is bringing their favorite dessert, and we will just get together for some fellowship. I look forward to seeing my family, it is not often to get everyone together, so many states and so many schedules need to collide. Not to easy! It should be a great time. Getting all dressed up, and enjoying cocktails and company. Not to shabby right?! I hope it doesnt snow....

I have been working on a project that I will post soon, I am so excited to have it almost done. It is very exciting to see posts about favorite treats and favorite Christmas ornaments that are sent over from stitching friends. Everyone of them are so beautiful! I am stitching an ornament currently, I should be done tonight, tomorrow I will visit the fabric store to see what I want for the back. I will post pics of that one too!

Gotta get back to it! Enjoy the rest of your day :)

You ever have one of those Days?

Anyone have one of those days you wake up and wish you could start over?! Today is one of those days. I got up at 8am, and by 8:25am things were already hitting the fan. Holy smokes. Crazy emails, voicemails, packages not delivered on time! AGIDA I tell you! AGIDA. Yesterday I already started dealing with these things and opened a bottle last night. Let me tell you, I am ready to pour it over my cereal!!! LOL. It is supposed to be a GREAT day today, and maybe after a mid-morning cocktail it will be :).

Progress on the Homecoming Sampler is moving along nicely. On the 3rd out of 4 rows. It really is a cute piece, and nice to see progress so quickly on the animals, although the one I left half done last night, and said to heck with it, I am going to bed already!




A challenge has been brought to the table concerning Paradise Lost, and I am always up for one! I pulled out PL yesterday and decided to start on the top-right hand corner, to get the A & E done. I dont really like backstitching so I thought if I could put it to bed right from the beginning, I would enjoy stitching it for sure. Not that it isnt pretty, it is very pretty, I just need to figure out how to wiggle my nose and get it done immediately. I am still working on it, will keep all of you posted!

I am thrilled to start PL. I have chosen one of the most beautiful piece of 45ct linen. Vintage Sand Dune from Lakeside. OUTSTANDING. Of course, is there any ugly Lakeside linen? Heck No!! I am using the called for NPI and Gloriana silk threads. I cant believe how gorgeous it is so far, and there isnt really that much done! Stay tuned!



I splurged on something for myself, well this isnt really something new, I am always splurging--especially when it comes to stitching! These Dovo scissors--silver handles with blue blades. WOW is all I can say. Absolutely exquisite. I have used them for the past couple of days now and they are amazing. I highly recommend these!!

Hope all of you are having a great day! Mine will be too-- dont you worry.

Progress on Home Coming Sampler

It is beyond me that Thanksgiving was over a week ago already! My oh my! Christmas preparation and decoration is now in FULL swing! Trees are being purchased, lights hung on the houses. Holiday programs on TV! I love hearing Christmas music, now for sure, 2 weeks ago, not so much. I am now down to needing only 2 gifts yet. Not to shabby.

It has been a hectic last few weeks, and I have decided to take the weekend off, and perhaps not WORRY about things! Well, the weekend came as early as yesterday- why not start early?! Heck, the weekend could be all week right? No, not really, but I am positive I will have more then a few takers. I watched Notting Hill last night. I set myself up to stitch, and actually for the first time in a week, enjoyed it. I didn't make much progress because I was laughing so hard. But some is much better then none. I haven't seen this movie in years and years, but I am telling you, that laughing out loud is a great feeling! That character Spike-- William's (Hugh Grant) flat-mate had me going for sure. I had tears in my eyes!!! Nothing like a good comedy, a little far fetched, and I had a few thoughts on what I would change, but over-all, was very entertaining.

I cant remember if I have talked about the Home Coming Sampler in any previous posts, but as you can see, it is a fairly easy stitch, although it is (was) my least favorite to stitch. I cant explain why, I just love the design. I love the colors. I know other things have been calling me, but I need to put this to bed already. I have had this started for ever ago already-- I chose R & R Liberty Gathering Grey with the called for DMC. Let me tell you that I had no idea how many colors there are in this piece maybe 3 or 4? Nope 14. 14!! I was floored. So, I am using the DMC for sure (there is nothing wrong with DMC), however, the colors are all very similar, and didn't want to spend the time to switch them out. Not for this piece :).

Thanks to all who sat and read my last post, it was really long huh? Gosh, I had no idea. Thanks for all who commented, or thought kind words in their heads. I hope all of you have a great weekend, and get lots accomplished!

Sorry, It has been too long

I am here!! I am positive that there are more then a few of you wondering where I have been. I think I am wondering the same thing. The last week or so has been pretty busy, alot going on, alot of busy work. I have talked to a few of you in the last few days, and all is well. The only thing I think I might need checked is the lack of momentum that I have for stitching. I have NO DESIRE. HOW CAN THAT BE????!!!! I have not picked up stitching in forever it seems. I have to almost convince myself that I have to put in some stitches sometime. What is wrong? I guess the slump hits everyone, but I didn't think I would be included. I have visited with alot of family and they all asked, what am I working on? Well, I have dug out the 'Homecoming'Sampler from Eileen Bennet. I pick it up, look at it, and think, well, maybe later. My friend emailed me, and asked where I have been, and what is wrong?! I should have another sampler half done by now!!!!!! LOL, she is terrific for asking, and I know she cares, which means the world to me...(so my friend, as you read this, know you are loved too!) I know that alot of you gals and guys go into slumps too--perhaps it is because there is so much Holiday preparation...So much eating, so much decorating, so many people on the list! But......

Anyone watch the Thanksgiving Parade from NYC? I saw some of it, looks like they had a great day. I always think about how cold those cute little dancers are in front of Macys Herald Square, gosh, they need a coat, they are gonna get sick! Better them than me!! Thanksgiving was great this year, although I cant think of one that hasn't been good. How many of you had more then your weeks worth of food to eat on Thursday? I know I did, and I am still full. It is Saturday night. Wow, Pumpkin pie is my favorite, especially with whip cream, or cool whip. Either one, I love it. I was excited, I got a text from my good friend on Thanksgiving, wishing me a good one. How nice to take the time all the way across the country!

Not to make anyone sick, but my Christmas shopping is almost done, it has been for some time now. I have just 3 people to finish...I am very proud. This is the first time. My husband and I went to the Crack of Dawn Black Friday sale at Box-mart yesterday, and actually got EVERYTHING that was on the wish list. I know, getting up and out, and in line by 3AM doesn't excite MOST of you, but, I was looking to save a BUCK. Well, several bucks! Amazing how many people are up at that hour. I enjoy shopping late at night, less kids and noise. You have a list and you can complete it quickly. This early morning shopping experience was not anything like that. It was CRAZY!!!!!!! But the good thing was, at 5:15AM we were back in the bed. Chrismas came early :)

I am excited to hear Christmas music, I love Christmas music, not only traditional hymns, but classic Frank, classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. How many of you like the claymation (is that how you spell it?) Those cartoons- Abominable Snowman and the Island for misfit toys? How about some classic Christmas movies?! I cant tell you how much I LOVE National Lampoons Christmas Vacation--- I can watch that movie, in the dead of summer and it is STILL SO FUNNY!!!!! I love it even more around the Holidays. I remember when my Grandparents were over for Christmas one year, (one of the best Christmas' ever!) We watched it, and just seeing them chuckle over the crazy comments Clark would make, brings joy to me. I will treasure those memories forever. I have to think about some others that I like to watch, I know there are tons, I am just having a moment :). Must be the wine :)

Decorating is always fun, it is amazing how many Christmas decorations go up around Thanksgiving. I mean at home. The mall, forget it, they barely have Halloween down and the Christmas crap is up already LOL!! I know, it isn't crap, but it seems like, can we celebrate Thanksgiving first?! I am looking forward to Christmas this year, well, every year, but this year will be special with family. Lots of family parties, treats, and memories. I just read that Deb went to NYC (funny seeing the Naked Cowboy in his Banana Hammock walking around Times Square! Thanks for sharing!), I am looking forward to seeing the Christmas Tree this year at Rockefeller, and also the Famous windows on 5th Avenue at Saks and Lord & Taylor. Smelling the roasted Chestnuts from the street vendors, and the hustle and bustle of excitement. I just love the City at Christmas. I will post pics when I go, to share with all of you. If you haven't been, someday hopefully you can go. I would like to ice-skate at Rockefeller Center, but the line is always SOO long!! It is always so cold, but bundled up, you almost forget the cold. I wonder if we will see the Rockettes at Radio City?

Enough from me tonight, I think I am going to watch Christmas Vacation! And maybe stitch something...... I hope all of you had a Blessed Thanksgiving, and enjoyed all of your families. I look forward to a great Holiday Season!